Variation in Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Constituents of Thymus Serpyllum L Grown in Different Climatic Conditions of Uttarakhand Himalayas

In-vitro antioxidant activity of therapeutically important plant Thymus serpyllum L. grown at different altitudes viz. foothill areas, lower Himalayan and higher Himalayan regions were evaluated against various radicals such as DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assays. The antioxidant constituents like total phenols, flavonoids and total tannins were also evaluated in the present study. The results revealed that the alcoholic, as well as the aqueous extracts of the plant, showed significant antioxidant potential against all the radicals. Extracts obtained from different altitude cultivation showed variation in IC50 values. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts prepared from the plants grown at foothill areas (Haldwani) showed the highest DPPH (IC50: ALC-0.566 mg/ml; AQ- 0.778 mg/ml), ABTS (IC50: ALC- 0.484 mg/ml; AQ- 0.533 mg/ml) and reducing power (EC50: ALC- 0.29 mg/ml; 0.42 mg/ml) activities, followed by high altitude cultivated plants, (Auli), with moderate antioxidant activity. The extracts from mid-altitude cultivation (Pithoragarh) exhibited the least antioxidant potential. The results showed that the amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly correlated to the antioxidant activity. Higher the value of phenolics (TS3: 12.63mg CE/g> TS1: 11.51 mg CE/g> TS2: 10.70 mg CE/g) and flavonoids (TS3: 9.30 mg QE/g> TS1: 9.07mg QE/g> TS2: 6.59mg QE/g) in the extracts, greater was the antioxidant activity. Therefore, T. serpyllum grown in foothill areas was more beneficial in preparing various herbal formulations

Variation in Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Constituents of Ocimum basilicum Linn with the Maturity of Plant Grown in Open Field and Inside Polyhouse Conditions

The variation in antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents of different plant growth stages i.e. in every 15 day’s interval till maturity of plant of Ocimum basilicum Linn. grown in an open field and inside polyhouse conditions was studied. The correlation between antioxidant constituents and antioxidant activities was also studied. The result revealed that the 90 days old plant grown in an open field condition exhibited maximum antioxidant activity with the lowest IC50/EC50 value by ABTS (0.064 mg/ml), DPPH (0.090 mg/ml), and FRAP (0.099 mg/ml) followed by 75 days and 60 days old plants, similar pattern was also observed in their antioxidant constituents. Similarly, the 90 days old plant grown inside polyhouse condition showed maximum antioxidant activity with antioxidant constituents followed by other plant growth stages in descending order. The chlorophyll content was found maximum in 15 days old plant(0.926 mg/100g) grown in an open field condition, whereas the maximum chlorophyll content (1.470 mg/100g) exhibited by 90 days old plant grown inside polyhouse condition. The correlation analysis revealed that the antioxidant constituents exhibited a significant negative correlation with the IC50/EC50 value and the IC50 value of ABTS assay had a significantly positive correlation with the IC50 and EC50 value of DPPH and FRAP assay, respectively. Hence, the study revealed that the leaves extract of plant grown in open field conditions possesses a significantly higher antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents than the plant grown inside polyhouse condition

Evaluation of Phyto Chemical Biochemical and In Vitro Antioxidant Potential of Angelica Glauca Grown at High Altitude Areas of Western Himalayas

Angelica glauca Edgew is an important medicinal and aromatic herb (family Apiaceae). The roots of A. glauca commonly used as spices by local peoples. In the present study, the phytochemical constituents, biochemical parameters and, in-vitro antioxidant activity of A. glauca roots collected from the Himalayan region have been studied. For preliminary phytochemical analysis, the hydroalcoholic and aqueous root extract of Angelica glauca were screened for the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The biochemical parameter and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Angelica glauca were analysed by using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of extract showed major classes of phytochemicals constituents such as carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The results from the current study demonstrated that A.glauca roots contained carbohydrate (21±0.72 %), crude protein (12.7±0.31 %), total ash (3.86±0.034 %), dietary fiber (18.9±0.14 %), total fat (4.5±0.38 %) and ascorbic acid (68.5±0.19mg/100g). The hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest quantity of total phenol, total flavonoids, and total tannin content compared to aqueous extract. The hydroalcoholic extract exhibited high DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50=68.1±0.34 µg/ml). The result showed that A.glauca roots have high nutritional and antioxidant potential. Hence the plant can be used as a nutraceutical and natural antioxidant

Instantaneous Fabrication of Thin MEMS Features by Copper Electrodeposition Using Modified Inkjet Printer

Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) has been used so far in today’s scenario in mechatronic assemblies to enhance its functionality and mitigate the complexity of design. Micro electrodeposition technique enables to produce such features. This research is an attempt to fabricate the micro feature instantaneously using a modified ink jet printer on an aluminium substrate. The acidic electrolyte was prepared by using Cupric Sulphate Penta hydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) of 1M concentration with H2SO4. Multiple passes deposit the copper ion on Aluminium sheet with thickness of 0.2 mm. the feature design, Voltage and concentration of electrolyte has been taken as Input parameter. Surface characteristics have been discussed in this article. Result revealed thin metallic sheet can only be used for 6-7 passes due to wrinkles and edge deformation. If more passes will be carried out on an aluminium foil sheet then uniform deposition of copper metal ions will be possible. The concentration of CuSO4.5H2O has played important role in this experimental process on deposition rate

Comparative transcriptome analysis identified candidate genes for late leaf spot resistance and cause of defoliation in groundnut

Late leaf spot (LLS) caused by fungus Nothopassalora personata in groundnut is responsible for up to 50% yield loss. To dissect the complex nature of LLS resistance, comparative transcriptome analysis was performed using resistant (GPBD 4), susceptible (TAG 24) and a resistant introgression line (ICGV 13208) and identified a total of 12,164 and 9954 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) respectively in A- and B-subgenomes of tetraploid groundnut. There were 135 and 136 unique pathways triggered in A- and B-subgenomes, respectively, upon N. personata infection. Highly upregulated putative disease resistance genes, an RPP-13 like (Aradu.P20JR) and a NBS-LRR (Aradu.Z87JB) were identified on chromosome A02 and A03, respectively, for LLS resistance. Mildew resistance Locus (MLOs)-like proteins, heavy metal transport proteins, and ubiquitin protein ligase showed trend of upregulation in susceptible genotypes, while tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR), pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR), chitinases, glutathione S-transferases, purple acid phosphatases showed upregulation in resistant genotypes. However, the highly expressed ethylene responsive factor (ERF) and ethylene responsive nuclear protein (ERF2), and early responsive dehydration gene (ERD) might be related to the possible causes of defoliation in susceptible genotypes. The identified disease resistance genes can be deployed in genomics-assisted breeding for development of LLS resistant cultivars to reduce the yield loss in groundnut

Seed coat mediated resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection in peanut

Toxic metabolites known as aflatoxins are produced via certain species of the Aspergillus genus, specifically A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. nomius, and A. tamarie. Although various pre- and post-harvest strategies have been employed, aflatoxin contamination remains a major problem within peanut crop, especially in subtropical environments. Aflatoxins are the most well-known and researched mycotoxins produced within the Aspergillus genus (namely Aspergillus flavus) and are classified as group 1 carcinogens. Their effects and etiology have been extensively researched and aflatoxins are commonly linked to growth defects and liver diseases in humans and livestock. Despite the known importance of seed coats in plant defense against pathogens, peanut seed coat mediated defenses against Aspergillus flavus resistance, have not received considerable attention. The peanut seed coat (testa) is primarily composed of a complex cell wall matrix consisting of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, phenolic compounds, and structural proteins. Due to cell wall desiccation during seed coat maturation, postharvest A. flavus infection occurs without the pathogen encountering any active genetic resistance from the live cell(s) and the testa acts as a physical and biochemical barrier only against infection. The structure of peanut seed coat cell walls and the presence of polyphenolic compounds have been reported to inhibit the growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination; however, there is no comprehensive information available on peanut seed coat mediated resistance. We have recently reviewed various plant breeding, genomic, and molecular mechanisms, and management practices for reducing A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Further, we have also proved that seed coat acts as a physical and biochemical barrier against A. flavus infection. The current review focuses specifically on the peanut seed coat cell wall-mediated disease resistance, which will enable researchers to understand the mechanism and design efficient strategies for seed coat cell wall-mediated resistance against A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination

Mitigating aflatoxin contamination in groundnut through a combination of genetic resistance and post-harvest management practices

Aflatoxin is considered a “hidden poison” due to its slow and adverse effect on various biological pathways in humans, particularly among children, in whom it leads to delayed development, stunted growth, liver damage, and liver cancer. Unfortunately, the unpredictable behavior of the fungus as well as climatic conditions pose serious challenges in precise phenotyping, genetic prediction and genetic improvement, leaving the complete onus of preventing aflatoxin contamination in crops on post-harvest management. Equipping popular crop varieties with genetic resistance to aflatoxin is key to effective lowering of infection in farmer’s fields. A combination of genetic resistance for in vitro seed colonization (IVSC), pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) and aflatoxin production together with pre- and post-harvest management may provide a sustainable solution to aflatoxin contamination. In this context, modern “omics” approaches, including next-generation genomics technologies, can provide improved and decisive information and genetic solutions. Preventing contamination will not only drastically boost the consumption and trade of the crops and products across nations/regions, but more importantly, stave off deleterious health problems among consumers across the globe

Linear polarization structures in LOFAR observations of the interstellar medium in the 3C 196 field

This study aims to characterize linear polarization structures in LOFAR observations of the interstellar medium (ISM) in the 3C196 field, one of the primary fields of the LOFAR-Epoch of Reionization key science project. We have used the high band antennas (HBA) of LOFAR to image this region and Rotation Measure (RM) synthesis to unravel the distribution of polarized structures in Faraday depth. The brightness temperature of the detected Galactic emission is 5−15 K in polarized intensity and covers the range from -3 to +8 rad m−2 in Faraday depth. The most interesting morphological feature is a strikingly straight filament at a Faraday depth of +0.5 rad m−2 running from north to south, right through the centre of the field and parallel to the Galactic plane. There is also an interesting system of linear depolarization canals conspicuous in an image showing the peaks of Faraday spectra. We used the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) at 350 MHz to image the same region. For the first time, we see some common morphology in the RM cubes made at 150 and 350~{; ; \rm MHz}; ; . There is no indication of diffuse emission in total intensity in the interferometric data, in line with results at higher frequencies and previous LOFAR observations. Based on our results, we determined physical parameters of the ISM and proposed a simple model that may explain the observed distribution of the intervening magneto- ionic medium. The mean line-of-sight magnetic field component, B∥, is determined to be 0.3±0.1 μG and its spatial variation across the 3C196 field is 0.1 μG. The filamentary structure is probably an ionized filament in the ISM, located somewhere within the Local Bubble. This filamentary structure shows an excess in thermal electron density (neB∥>6.2 cm−3μG) compared to its surroundings

Modelling and finite time stability analysis of psoriasis pathogenesis

A new systems model of psoriasis is presented and analysed from the perspective of control theory. Cytokines are treated as actuators to the plant model that govern the cell population under the reasonable assumption that cytokine dynamics are faster than the cell population dynamics. The analysis of various equilibria is undertaken based on singular perturbation theory. Finite time stability and stabilisation has been studied in various engineering applications where the principal paradigm uses non-Lipschitz functions of the states. A comprehensive study of the finite time stability properties of the proposed psoriasis dynamics is carried out. It is demonstrated that the dynamics are finite time convergent to certain equilibrium points rather than asymptotically or exponentially convergent. This feature of finite time convergence motivates the development of a modi?ed version of the Michaelis-Menten function, frequently used in biology. This framework is used to model cytokines as fast finite time actuators