Food Glycoalkaloids: Distribution, Structure, Cytotoxicity, Extraction, and Biological Activity

Glycoalkaloids (GA), generally occur as plant steroidal glycosides, are secondary metabolites produced in the leaves, flowers, roots, and edible parts including sprouts and skin of the plants of Solanaceae family. Many of the plants in this family have been stable parts of human diets for centuries, and thus, the occurrence of these compounds has been extensively studied mainly due to concerns regarding their toxicity. GAs are produced by plants as a resistance to challenges such as insects and pests but may also produce concentration-dependent toxic effects in humans. Postharvest conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, and processing conditions may also affect GA content in edible plants producing them. Since these compounds also possess biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic activities, it could be a useful strategy to use novel extraction techniques to maintaining bioactivities after extraction and simultaneously to reduce toxicity in the source plants. This chapter aims to describe alkaloids especially GAs commonly occurring in foods, their structure and toxicity, and postharvesting practices which influence alkaloid content and utilization of conventional and novel technologies to extract food alkaloids

Culture suitability of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in homestead tank: Selection of suitable stocking size

The present experiment was conducted for a period of 150 days to assess the effects of different stocking size on growth and production of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in three homestead cemented tanks (12×10×4 ft). Three different size groups of fish viz., 3.79±0.11, 3.09±0.13 and 2.53±0.18 cm was stocked at treatment T1, T2 and T3, respectively at a stocking density of 5000 individuals/tank each with three replications. Fish were feed twice daily with floating feed containing 35-40% protein at the rate of 15-10% for 1st 60 days, 8-6% for 2nd 60 days and 5-2.50% for rest of the culture period. The water quality parameters were within the suitable ranges for the fish culture. Mean weight gain (g) of stinging catfish was 49.03 ± 1.04, 36.72 ± 1.59 and 28.09 ± 0.41g, specific growth rate was 1.76 ± 0.02, 1.70 ± 0.04 and 1.66 ± 0.05 %/day in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Food conversion ratio was 3.45 ± 0.82, 3.31 ± 0.10 and 3.30 ± 0.06 and survival rate were 90.67 ± 1.51, 88.20 ± 2.62 and 87.56 ± 1.26% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Higher stocking size also resulted in a significantly higher economic output in the form of benefit cost ratio (BCR) at T1 (2.13 ± 0.05) and the lowest at T3 (1.21 ± 0.03). The findings of the present study revealed that the highest weight gain and BCR was found in T1 which dictates that larger stocking size has a significant impact on better production

Assessment of fish fauna in relation to biodiversity indices of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh

The research was carried out to enlist the fish species diversity along with diversity indices of existing fish species of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh. During the study, a total of 78 fish species including 69 native and 9 exotic fish species were recorded belonging 10 orders and 26 families. The values of Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') indicated a good spread of fish population in Chalan Beel although the number of species was not found satisfactory. The degradation of water quality due to domestic discharges, jute rotting, excessive usage of agro-chemicals, indiscriminate fishing activity etc. were revealed  as the causes of declining the fish diversity of this Beel. The Margalef’s richness index (d) expressed the species richness of Chalan Beel that started in July by joining new fish population with the existing fish species and reached gradually highest in November after breeding. Pielou’s index (J) showed the equal distribution pattern of fish species throughout the sampling area indicating a stable but incompatible habitat for existing fish species. The assessment of the study revealed the number of species was not found in expected level in view of the overall fish biodiversity of the country. Considering the observations, it is recommended for stopping water pollution, ensuring normal water flow and developing awareness of fishermen to retrieve the fish diversity of the study area. Besides, an inclusive management and conservation scheme is crying need for the Beel fishery to enrich the fish species diversity of the Chalan Beel as well as the country

Present status of fish diversity in the Beel Kumari in relation to fish sanctuary and fishing gears

The study was conducted on Beel Kumari beel (wetland) in Rajshahi, Bangladesh from October 2013 to September 2014. A total of 52 species of fish were recorded and the dominant species was Mystus tengara (Tanagra (9.75%). Exotic species like bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were also commonly found. Of the indigenous species, Ompok bimaculatus, Puntius sarana, Pseudeutropius atherinoides, Botia dario, Mystus aor and Chitala chitala were abundant, though these species were rare before the establishment of the fish sanctuary. Four groups of fishing gears i.e. net, trap, spear and harpoons and line fishing were found to use, among them 8 types of net, 7 types of trap, 4 types of spear and harpoon and 4 types of line fishing were recorded. Among these gill net contributed to the highest catch (32%) and push net was the lowest (6%). Most of the respondents (80%) were found to believe that their fish catch had increased considerably due to impact of fish sanctuary establishment and effective community based fisheries management approach employed in this beel

Cytogenetics and Consequences of Polyploidization on Different Biotic-Abiotic Stress Tolerance and the Potential Mechanisms Involved

The application of polyploidy in sustainable agriculture has already brought much appreciation among researchers. Polyploidy may occur naturally or can be induced in the laboratory using chemical or gaseous agents and results in complete chromosome nondisjunction. This comprehensive review described the potential of polyploidization on plants, especially its role in crop improvement for enhanced production and host-plant resistance development against pests and diseases. An in-depth investigation on techniques used in the induction of polyploidy, cytogenetic evaluation methods of different ploidy levels, application, and current research trends is also presented. Ongoing research has mainly aimed to bring the recurrence in polyploidy, which is usually detected by flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Polyploidy can bring about positive consequences in the growth and yield attributes of crops, making them more tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the unexpected change in chromosome set and lack of knowledge on the mechanism of stress alleviation is hindering the application of polyploidy on a large scale. Moreover, a lack of cost-benefit analysis and knowledge gaps on the socio-economic implication are predominant. Further research on polyploidy coupling with modern genomic technologies will help to bring real-world market prospects in the era of changing climate. This review on polyploidy provides a solid foundation to do next-generation research on crop improvement

Is road-side fishpond water in Bangladesh safe for human use? An assessment using water quality indices

Pond water is used in everyday life by many people in Bangladesh, however, without sufficient and reliable information regarding water quality and pollution status. For this reason, geospatial analysis and mapping of water quality indices such as metal (MI), contamination (Cd), and physicochemical water quality index (WQI) were assessed to improve the understanding of potential pollution sources. Samples were collected from twenty randomly selected ponds situated in Jashore Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh. Nineteen (19) water quality parameters were measured, including pH, temperature, EC, TDS, total suspended solids (TSS), chloride, alkalinity, total hardness, salinity, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Zn, Ag, Ni, and Cu. The average concentration of Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, and Ag was much higher than recommended standards. The WQI ranged from 1.59-5.27, Cd from -0.19-18.28, and MI from 7.81-26.28. The spatial distribution of MI indicates that the south-western and south-eastern region of the study area are stands out with a very high pollution pressure. The spatial distribution of Cd, follows the same trend as for MI. A multitude of different types of pollution sources contributes to the high pollution load such as, municipal wastewater, leachate from landfills, small industry wastewater and stormwater, and agricultural runoff. The studied pond water is highly polluted and not suitable for household use and fish consumption

Traditional herbal interventions for premenstrual syndrome management: a comprehensive literature review

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) causes severe physical and emotional health problems in many women. Due to concerns regarding the potentially harmful effects of conventional treatments, there has been an increased interest in exploring alternative medicines, mainly traditional herbal remedies. This comprehensive literature review employed a rigorous methodology involving extensive data collection from databases such as Scopus®, Web of Science®, and PubMed®, as well as respected publishers like Oxford University Press, Elsevier, Springer Nature, and others. The study examines the properties and potential benefits of Cyperus rotundus, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Aloe vera, Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Crocus sativus (saffron), and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the context of PMS management. It is important to note that these traditional herbs offer diverse therapeutic properties, which can effectively address both the physical and emotional symptoms of PMS. These herbal interventions have notable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as mood-enhancing and adaptogenic qualities. As promising and versatile alternatives to conventional medications, it is essential to conduct further research to prove their efficacy, safety, and ideal use fully. This calls for extensive clinical trials, mechanistic analyses to reveal their mechanisms of action, the creation of standardized formulations, and the adoption of a patient-centered strategy that considers unique preferences and needs. It is possible to significantly improve the holistic approach to PMS management by realizing the full potential of these conventional herbal treatments. This study highlights the vital importance of these herbal interventions in PMS management, ultimately providing women with safer options for PMS relief and an enhanced quality of life

Cytogenetics and consequences of polyploidization on different biotic-abiotic stress tolerance and the potential mechanisms involved

The application of polyploidy in sustainable agriculture has already brought much appreciation among researchers. Polyploidy may occur naturally or can be induced in the laboratory using chemical or gaseous agents and results in complete chromosome nondisjunction. This comprehensive review described the potential of polyploidization on plants, especially its role in crop improvement for enhanced production and host-plant resistance development against pests and diseases. An in-depth investigation on techniques used in the induction of polyploidy, cytogenetic evaluation methods of different ploidy levels, application, and current research trends is also presented. Ongoing research has mainly aimed to bring the recurrence in polyploidy, which is usually detected by flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Polyploidy can bring about positive consequences in the growth and yield attributes of crops, making them more tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the unexpected change in chromosome set and lack of knowledge on the mechanism of stress alleviation is hindering the application of polyploidy on a large scale. Moreover, a lack of cost–benefit analysis and knowledge gaps on the socio-economic implication are predominant. Further research on polyploidy coupling with modern genomic technologies will help to bring real-world market prospects in the era of changing climate. This review on polyploidy provides a solid foundation to do next-generation research on crop improvement

Present status of fish diversity in the Beel Kumari in relation to fish sanctuary and fishing gears

The study was conducted on Beel Kumari beel (wetland) in Rajshahi, Bangladesh from October 2013 to September 2014. A total of 52 species of fish were recorded and the dominant species was Mystus tengara (Tanagra (9.75%). Exotic species like bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were also commonly found. Of the indigenous species, Ompok bimaculatus, Puntius sarana, Pseudeutropius atherinoides, Botia dario, Mystus aor and Chitala chitala were abundant, though these species were rare before the establishment of the fish sanctuary. Four groups of fishing gears i.e. net, trap, spear and harpoons and line fishing were found to use, among them 8 types of net, 7 types of trap, 4 types of spear and harpoon and 4 types of line fishing were recorded. Among these gill net contributed to the highest catch (32%) and push net was the lowest (6%). Most of the respondents (80%) were found to believe that their fish catch had increased considerably due to impact of fish sanctuary establishment and effective community based fisheries management approach employed in this beel

Influence of pulsed light treatment on the aggregation of whey protein isolate

The effect of pulsed light (PL) on the aggregation of whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions was investigated. PL fluence values from 4 to 16 J/cm2 were used to treat WPI (1% w/v) solutions in sodium phosphate buffer (pH = 7.5). Whey protein structural modification and aggregation were assessed through the determination of free SH-groups and UV-absorption spectra. Additionally, covalent and non-covalently linked protein-protein interactions were identified through the measurement of turbidity, aggregation index, particle size distribution, and SDS-PAGE. WPI upon PL treatment showed structural changes as demonstrated by the immediate increase of free SHgroup content (unfolding) and the subsequent formation of a small fraction of aggregation of unfolded proteins, due to both hydrophobic interactions and the formation of disulphide bonds. Turbidity, mean particle size, and aggregation index increased in samples treated at PL fluence from 4 to 16 J/cm2. Furthermore, particle size distribution analysis of samples treated at higher fluence indicated that WPI dimer dissociation and formation of larger particles were likely to occur. The association of intermediate and larger protein molecules as well as the formation of soluble aggregates between β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin were also observed in gel electrophoresis analysis. In conclusion, the results of this investigation demonstrated the potential of PL treatments to induce protein denaturation, with a minimal formation of soluble protein aggregates