62 research outputs found
Genetic analysis in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
Genetic analysis in cashew with 12 genotypes and 14 morphological traits revealed that the genotypes showed significant variation with respect to all characters except number of primary branches. Number of perfect flowers m-2, number of nuts m-2, apple weight, nut weight and kernel weight provided a clear separation of the genotypes. Number of perfect flowers m-2 and number of nuts m-2 had high heritability indicating the reliability of these traits in selection. Number of nuts m-2 also had significant positive correlation and direct effect on yield. Apple weight showed significant negative correlation and significant negative direct effect with yield. Cluster analysis could group the accessions into four clusters. Cluster I (Sulabha, Priyanka and P-3-2) and Cluster II (Mdk-1, AKM-1 and K-22-1) were the most divergent. Members of these two clusters can be utilized for hybridization in all possible combinations to yield superior cashew hybrids
Interaction of non-intercalative drugs with DNA: distamycin analogues
Distamycin and netropsin are two oligopeptides which bind to DNA in a nonintercalative manner. Analogues of distamycin have been synthesized and their binding with poly d(A-T) studied using ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Preliminary biological activity tests on a gram positive bacteria using these analogues have also been carried out
Use of the SAW sensor electronic nose for detecting the adulteration of virgin coconut oil with RBD palm kernel olein.
An electronic nose (zNose™) was applied to the detection of adulteration of virgin coconut oil. The system, which is based on a surface acoustic wave sensor was used to generate a pattern of volatile compounds present in the samples. Virgin coconut oil was mixed with refined, bleached and deodorized palm kernel olein at a level of adulteration from 1 to 20% (wt/wt). Adulterant peaks were identified from the chromatogram profile and fitted to a curve using linear regression. The best relationship (R 2 = 0.91) was obtained between the peak tentatively identified as methyl dodecanoate and the percentage of palm kernel olein added. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) of 0.92 and 0.89 were obtained between adulterant peak methyl dodecanoate and of the iodine and peroxide values, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to differentiate between pure and adulterated samples. The PCA provided good differentiation of samples with 74% of the variation accounted for by PC 1 and 17% accounted for by PC 2. Pure samples formed a separate cluster from all of the adulterated samples
Productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of rice under conventional and organic nutrition
The current study demonstrates the influence of conventional and organic nutrient management practices on nitrogen use efficiency, growth, yield, and physiological and biochemical parameters in four rice varieties, namely, Jaiva, Ezhome 2, Jyothi and Uma. Growth parameters, grain yield per hill, and physiological and biochemical parameters were higher under conventional management for all rice varieties. Although the nitrogen use efficiency of each variety varied significantly with nutrient management practices, the variation was least in Jaiva (23.8%), which is the organic rice variety released by Kerala Agricultural University. The rice varieties Jaiva and Ezhome 2 showed consistency in the grain weight per panicle under both conventional (Jaiva- 4.57 g, Ezhome 2- 5.86 g) and organic (Jaiva, 4.24 g, Ezhome 2, 4.54 g) management. The soil nitrogen content at the tillering stage (0.66**) showed a significantly higher positive correlation with nitrogen use efficiency under organic management. The results of the study provide a better understanding of factors that can lead to a sustained yield in organic rice production in terms of nitrogen use efficiency
Phytochemical investigations on ‘black glumed’ Njavara (Oryza sativa L.), the medicinal rice, as compared to staple varieties and evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects
The study was planned to investigate the bioactive compounds in Njavara
compared to staple varieties and their bioactivity to substantiate the medicinal
properties. Results of the study on chemical indices, antioxidant activity and antiinflammatory
activity (in vivo) of Njavara black rice bran and rice in comparison with
non-medicinal varieties like Sujatha and Palakkadan Matta rice bran and rice are given. The phytochemical investigation and quantification of Njavara extracts in
comparison with staple varieties are detailed in this study. The last chapter is divided in three sections (A, B and C). Section A comprises the antioxidant activity
by in vitro assays like DPPH, superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide
scavenging activity of the compounds. Also, theoretical studies using DFT were carried
out based on DPPH radical scavenging activity for understanding the radical stability
and mechanism of antioxidant activity. Section B comprises the anti-inflammatory
activity of the identified compounds namely tricin and two flavonolignans in both in
vivo and in vitro models. Section C describes the cytotoxicity of the rare flavonolignans,
tricin 4’-O-(erythro-β-guaiacylglyceryl) ether and tricin 4’-O-(threo-β-guaiacylglyceryl)
ether towards multiple cancer cells belonging to colon, ovarian and breast tumours
Interaction of non-intercalative drugs with DNA: Distamycin analogues
Distamycin and netropsin are two oligopeptides which bind to DNA in a nonintercalative manner. Analogues of distamycin have been synthesized and their binding with poly d(A-T) studied using ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Preliminary biological activity tests on a gram positive bacteria using these analogues have also been carried out
Foreign Body Induced Neuralgia: A Diagnostic Challenge
Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury. One of the aetiologies of this type of pain is iatrogenic trauma. This case highlights the features of peripheral neuropathic pain caused by foreign body left in the mental foramen following a previous surgical procedure. The foreign body was detected on routine radiographic evaluation. Once the foreign body was removed by surgical intervention, the pain resolved. This stresses the importance of routine radiographic evaluation in proper diagnosis and treatment planning in the management of neuropathic pain. This paper also sheds light on the role of iatrogenic mechanical cause of peripheral neuropathic pain and warrants a tough degree of caution on the part of oral clinicians
Chemical and Biochemical Studies on Natural Antioxidants from sesamum Species
In the present study on natural antioxidants, the focus has been kept
mainly on oil seeds, especially sesame and its by-products. Sesame, which has been
under cultivation in India for centuries is called the 'Queen of oil seed crops' because of
the high yield of oil obtained and the nutritional qualities of the seed, oil, and meal.
Though India is the largest producer of sesame in the world, research on the various
health benefits of sesame has been carried out by Japanese Sesame has an important place
in the foods and tradit..ional medicine of India from time immemorial. Foreseeing the
potential of sesame and its byproducts as an important antioxidant source and its
availability in bulk, the present study was focussed on Sesamum species. There are not
many reports on the wild species of Sesamum in India, especially of the Kerala region.
Hence, in the present study we also included antioxidants of Sesamurnrnalabaricumdistributed
throughout the coastal region.The important characteristics of sesame are attributed to the presence of
the umquc compounds lignans. Lignans arc a group of natural products of phenyl propanoid ongm, whieh are widely distributed in nature. They display important
physiological functions in plants, in human nutrition and medicine, given their extensive
health promotive and curative properties. Much interest has been focussed on their
effectiveness as antineoplastic agents and research in this area has revealed several modes
of action by which they can regulate the growth of mammalian cells. Sesame is an
important source of furofuran lignans, of which sesamin and the rare oxygenated
derivative sesamoIin are the most abundant. Others include sesamol and glucosides of
lignans. Sesarnin and episesamin are reported to have hypocholesterolemic effect,
suppressive effect on chemically induced cancer, alleviation of allergy symptoms etc.
Sesamol, sesamolin and the lignan glycosides are reported to inhibit lipid peroxidation.
Present investigation on sesame and its byproducts have been carried out to explore the
possibility of developing a natural antioxidant extract from available resources to be used
as a substitute to synthetic ones in vegetable oils and foods. Preliminary analysis showed
that sesame cake, a byproduct could still be utilized as a major source of lignans. Sesame
cake, which is now used only as a cattlefeed, can be better utilized in the form of a
valuable antioxidant source. The present study explains the development of a feasible
process for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from sesame cake. The antioxidant
extract so prepared from sesame cake has been tested for vegetable oil protection and is
found to be effective at low concentration. In addition, studies also include the
antioxidant, radical scavenging, anticancer, mosquitocidal and pesticidal activities of
extract and individual compounds
Application of Cross-Flow Filtration Technique in Purification and Concentration of Juice from Vietnamese Fruits
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