Variability of exotic ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) accessions for quality parameters

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the important and widely used spices throughout the world in fresh and dried forms. The study on quality characterization and essential oil profiling of 13 ginger genotypes was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala, during 2019-2020. The genotypes included eight promising exotic accessions (Acc. 393, Acc. 607, Acc. 736, Acc. 833, Acc. 869, Acc. 872, Acc. 873 and Acc. 874), four popular cultivars (Nadan, Himachal, Maran, Rio-de-Janeiro) and a released variety IISR Varada. Significant differences among the genotypes were recorded for various quality parameters such as oleoresin, essential oil and crude fibre content. Among the exotic genotypes, Acc. 869 recorded the highest essential oil content (2.44%), followed by Acc. 393 (2.42%), Acc. 833 and Acc. 873 (2.10%). The accessions, Acc. 869, Acc. 874, Acc. 873 and Acc. 393 recorded higher oleoresin content of 5.88 per cent, 5.63 per cent, 5.34 per cent and 5.28 per cent, respectively. Considering essential oil and oleoresin contents, the exotic accessions, Acc. 873, Acc. 393 and Acc. 869 were identified as promising genotypes. Among the other genotypes, Rio-de-Janeiro recorded the highest essential oil (2.76%) and oleoresin content (6.69%). The exotic genotypes, viz., Acc. 607, Acc. 736 and Acc. 393 recorded crude fibre content of less than 5 per cent whereas, Acc. 869 recorded the maximum of 7.85 per cent. Fifty compounds were identified through essential oil profiling, and the major classes were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons. The major compound identified was α-zingiberene and was highest in Acc. 393 (30.49%), followed by Maran (30.32%)

A prospective study of single versus recurrent episodes of typical febrile seizure among children attending a tertiary care hospital

Background: Recurrence in the febrile seizures is a significant problem after the seizure episode, and there is up to 30% chance of recurrence after the first episode and 50% chance after 2 or more episodes. Objective: The objective of the study is to do a comparative study of sociodemographic and hematologic profile of children aged 6 months–60 months admitted with single and recurrent episodes of typical febrile seizures. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care setting for a period of 2 and a ½ years. History, physical examination and hematologic investigations such as hemoglobin estimation, blood indices, and blood picture were done in all the study participants. Frequency of recurrence after the first episode cases was noted at 1 year after the seizure episode. Results: Of 121 total cases, 53.7% were of first, and 46.3% were of recurrent episodes of typical febrile seizure. Statistically, significant difference was noted in the age (p<0.001) and gender distribution (p<0.001). Statistically significant difference was noted between two groups regarding family history of seizure disorder (p=0.017), consanguinity (p=0.049), undernutrition (p=0.009), stunting (p=0.002), and anemia (p=0.027). Follow-up revealed recurrence of seizures in 13.8% after the first episode. Conclusion: Recurrence was noted in 13.8% of children with a first typical febrile seizure. We also found a significant association of recurrent episodes with age, gender, family history of seizure disorder, consanguinity, undernutrition, stunting, and anemia

Plant Disease Identification Using Machine Learning Techniques

Plants have become a principle origin of energy and are a basic piece in the complexity to work out the problems of a worldwide temperature alteration. There are various kinds of infections which are available in plants. To identify these sicknesses design are needed to remember them. A symbolic strategy for this situation is the utilization of distant dig-out strategies that explore multi and hyper unearthly picture clutch. The strategy that accepts this methodology regularly utilize advanced picture preparing devices to execute their objective. In this paper, various machine learning techniques are handed-down for automatic detection and categorization of plant leaf diseases. It also covers survey on numerous diseases categorization techniques that can be handed-down for plant leaf disease identification. In the remain work back proliferation and head segment investigation are utilized to distinguish plant sicknesses. These calculations are gained from preparing management in neural organization. There is an issue of exactness in these calculation

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF ACLIDINIUM BROMIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE IN BULK AND INHALER FORMULATION

Objective: To develop a simple, accurate, precise, rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous estimation of Formoterol fumarate and Aclidinium bromide in pharmaceutical dosage form. Methods: The chromatogram was run through Ascentis C18 150 x 4.6 mm, 5µ. Mobile phase containing Water: Acetonitrile taken in the ratio 60:40 was pumped through the column at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The optimized wavelength selected was 220 nm. Results: The retention times of Formoterol fumarate and Aclidinium bromide were found to be 2.953 min and 2.364 min. %RSD of the Aclidinium bromide and Formoterol fumarate was found to be 0.6 and 0.9, respectively. %Recovery was obtained as 99.81 % and 100.20% for Aclidinium bromide and Formoterol fumarate, respectively. LOD, LOQ values obtained from the Signal-to-noise ratio of Aclidinium bromide and Formoterol fumarate were 0.84 µg/ml, 2.56 µg/ml and 0.01 µg/ml, 0.03µg/ml respectively. Regression equation of Formoterol fumarate is y =9023x+268.67, and y = 4661.2x+1941.9 of Aclidinium bromide. Retention times were decreased and that run time was decreased, so the method developed was simple, rapid, sensitive and economical that can be adopted in regular quality control tests in Industries. Conclusion: Developed and Validated Formoterol fumarate and Aclidinium bromide in pharmaceutical dosage form by using RP-HPLC method

Variability in quality attributes of paprika and paprika alike chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)

An investigation was carried out to assess the variability in paprika alike chillies (26 indigenous germplasm) and paprika lines (18 exotic collections) for yield and quality attributing parameters, which would inturn help in identifying and utilizing the promising lines for crop improvement. Highly significant variation was recorded among the genotypes for yield and quality contributing characters. Kt-Pl-19, Kt-Pl-19 variant–I, ICBD-10, ICBD-8, SSP-1999 and PBC-171, were found promising, while ICBD-10, ICBD-8, ICBD-1, ICBD-11, ICBD-6, ICBD-19, CC-1, EC-171, EC-490, EC-18, EC-6, EC-45, EC-71 and EC-14 proved to be ideal for quality attributes. Based on yield and quality parameters, the genotypes ICBD-10, ICBD-8 and EC-18 were found suitable for paprika industry with high yield (> 850 g plant–1) and high quality attributing characters (> 200 ASTA units and < 0.5% capsaicin). Among the various characters, maximum coefficient of variation (15.25%) was recorded for capsaicin content in both indigenous and exotic germplasm and minimum variation for color value (0.46%) in the indigenous germplasm and weight of pericarp (6.78%) in the exotic collections. &nbsp

Integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of paprika alike chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)

The experiment was conducted for two seasons to study the effect of organic nutrient sources and inorganic sources of nutrients combined with biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of paprika alike chillies (indigenous germplasm of paprika). The results revealed that application of vermicompost (250 g plant-1) combined with neem cake (100 g plant-1) recorded higher growth parameters, yield and quality attributes, which was comparable with inorganic fertilizers at the recommended levels. Under integrated nutrient management, application of 75% N (8 g plant-1) + Azospirillum spp. (5 g plant-1) + 75% P (1.7 g plant-1) + Phosphobacteria (5 g plant-1) + 100% K (2.5 g plant-1) improved the growth, yield and quality parameters of paprika alike chillies as compared to recommended NPK through fertilizers indicating a saving 25% of both inorganic N and P through biofertilizers. &nbsp

Performance of paprika and paprika alike chillies (Capsicum annuum L.) under warm humid tropics

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of 21 paprika alike chillies (indigenous germplasm) and nine paprika lines (exotic collections) under rain-shelter. Highly significant variation was recorded among the genotypes for all the characters. The results indicated that Kt-Pl-19 variant – I, ICBD-6, ICBD-12, ICBD-13, ICBD-11 were promising for yield and yield attributing characters, while ICBD-12, ICBD-11, ICBD-2, ICBD-13, Kt-Pl-19 variant – I proved to be better for high seed numbers. With respect to total extractable colour, ICBD-5, ICBD-7, ICBD-4, ICBD-1, ICBD-18 were measured with high colour value, among the indigenous germplasm. Among the exotic collections, PBC-171, SSP-1999, EC-18, EC-45, EC-71 proved better for yield and yield attributing characters. The genotypes, Paprika King, EC-45, PBC-171, EC-43 produced maximum number and weight of seeds, whereas PBC-171, IMI-5, EC-71, EC-45 were found promising for high colour value. Based on these observations, the genotypes Kt-Pl-19 variant -I, ICBD-6, ICBD-12, PBC-171, SSP-1999 and EC-18 were found suitable for high yield, whereas ICBD-12, ICBD-11, Paprika King, EC-45 and PBC-171 for high seed numbers and ICBD-5, ICBD-7, ICBD-4, PBC-171, IMI-5, EC-71 for high colour value in Kerala. Among the various traits, wide range of variation was recorded for number of seeds per fruit and narrow range of variation for fruit length. &nbsp

Variability and character association in paprika and paprika alike chillies

An experiment was conducted to estimate variability and character association in a set of 25 indigenous (paprika alike chillies) and 18 exotic (paprika) germplasm of paprika. Wide range of variation was observed for all the characters except for capsaicin content, weight of seeds, fruit girth and length. The maximum range of variation was recorded for yield plant-1 followed by color value, plant height and number of seeds fruit-1. Among the various traits, maximum coefficient of variation was observed for capsaicin content, followed by weight of pericarp fruit-1, yield plant-1 and weight of seeds fruit-1 in the indigenous lines of paprika. Similarly, in the exotic and combined germplasm of paprika and paprika alike chillies, maximum range of variation was registered with yield plant-1, followed by color value, number of seeds fruit-1 and plant height and narrow range of variation was observed with capsaicin content. In the combined germplasm, maximum coefficient of variation was recorded with capsaicin content, followed by weight of pericarp fruit-1, yield plant-1 and color value. Weight of pericarp, number and weight of seeds fruit-1 were identified as important yield components and selection should be focused on these traits for improvement of paprika and paprika alike chillies. &nbsp

Cluster analysis based on biochemical constituents in paprika like chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)

Chillies and paprika like chillies (Capsicum annuum L.) belonging to Solanaceae, is a source of natural colour, widely used in the food industry and is in great demand in the international market. Twenty-four accessions belonging to Indigenous Collections of Byadagi Dabbi (ICBD) and others were analyzed for biochemical constituents from leaf. Biochemical constituents studied were total carbohydrate, starch, reducing sugars, total free amino acids, phenol and protein. The accessions were compared for the isozymes viz., peroxidase, super oxide dismutase and poly phenol oxidase in the leaf, besides, leaf protein using SDS-PAGE. The dendrogram showing the relationship among the accessions for leaf biochemical constituents and colour value of fruits formed six clusters. Colour value ranged from 109 to 353 ASTA units. The accessions ICBD-11 and ICBD-19 possessed highest colour value. Accession ICBD-24 was distinctly different from others. Accessions in each cluster had almost uniform colour value and uniform isozyme profile. The accession ICBD-24 was a Coorg collection and ICBD-11 and ICBD-19 were from Dharwad district of Karnataka. Significant positive correlation was observed between colour value and total free amino acids, total protein, total phenol and polyphenol oxidase in paprika like chillies. &nbsp

Essential oil content of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) by Hand-held Electronic Nose

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Essential oil is the most functionally important component of cardamom and is described as sweet, spicy, warm, camphoraceous and citrusy. The quality of cardamom is assessed by the essential oil content and its composition. Design of hand-held E-nose and evaluation of quality of cardamom  in terms of its essential oil content is reported here