Chemical Composition of the Stem Oil of Aristolochia indica L.

Essential oil from dry matured stem of Aristolochia indica Linn. family Aristolochiaceae was investigated by GC and GC/MS. A total of 15 compounds were identified, representing 91.2% of the total oil. The major constituents of oil were trans-pinocarveol (24.2%), a-pinene (16.4%) and pinocarvone (14.2%)

Dietary use and conservation concern of edible wetland plants at indo-burma hotspot: a case study from northeast India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The wetlands of the North East India fall among the global hotspots of biodiversity. However, they have received very little attention with relation to their intrinsic values to human kind; therefore their conservation is hardly addressed. These wetlands are critical for the sustenance of the tribal communities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Field research was conducted during 2003 to 2006 in seven major wetlands of four districts of Manipur state, Northeast India (viz. Imphal-East, Imphal-West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur). A total of 224 wetland-plant-collectors were interviewed for the use and economics of species using semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Imphal, Bishenpur and Thoubal markets were investigated in detail for influx and consumption pattern of these plants. The collectors were also inquired for medicinal use of wetland species. Nutritive values of 21 species were analyzed in laboratory. The vouchers were collected for all the species and deposited in the CSIR-NEIST (<it>Formerly Regional Research Laboratory</it>), Substation, Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur, India.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We recorded 51 edible wetland species used by indigenous people for food and medicinal purposes. Thirty eight species had high medicinal values and used in the traditional system to treat over 22 diseases. At least 27 species were traded in three markets studied (i.e. Imphal, Thoubal and Bishenpur), involving an annual turnover of 113 tons of wetland edible plants and a gross revenue of Rs. 907, 770/- (US$1 = Rs. 45/-). The Imphal market alone supplies 60% of the total business. Eighty per cent of the above mentioned species are very often used by the community. The community has a general opinion that the availability of 45% species has depleted in recent times, 15 species need consideration for conservation while another 7 species deserved immediate protection measures. The nutrient analysis showed that these species contribute to the dietary balance of tribal communities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Considering the importance of wild wetland plants in local sustenance, it is suggested to protect their habitats, develop domestication protocols of selected species, and build programs for the long-term management of wetland areas by involving local people. Some medicinal plants may also be used to develop into modern medicines.</p

A one pot efficient process for 16- dehydropregnenolone acetate

A one-pot eco-friendly and efficient transformation of steroidal sapogenin diosgenin (1) and solasodine (2) to a commercially very important drug intermediate 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate (16-DPA, 9) was developed with an overall yield of 75%. This process can easily be exploited for industrial productio

Geotechnical properties of the bank sediments along the Dhansiri River channel,Assam

The bank sediments along the extremely meandered Dhansiri River channel, a south bank tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River, with erosion potentiality have been investigated to evaluate its certain geotechnical characteristics. The study has shown that the bank sediments are basically composed of CL and ML types of soil. These types of sediments are very much prone to liquefaction which in turn related to erosion susceptibility. The bank stability analysis has differentiated the studied stretch into unstable, at risk and stable zones. Most of the erosion affected zones along the channel reach under study are located within the unstable or at risk zones. The field study around Butalikhowa, Barguriagaon, Golaghat and Duchmuagaon areas along the channel with active erosion activity has supported our contention and practical utility of the present study. It is expected that such type of study will help in providing certain inevitable baseline information for various channel management practices for this extremely flood prone areas of Northeast India

Production potential of Plumbago zeylanica L. under different harvest schedules and crop geometry

A field experiment on Plumbago zeylanica with three plant densities, namely, 4.9 m-2, 2.7 m-2 and 1.2 m-2 and three harvesting schedules, namely, after first year, second year and third year, was conducted during 1999-2001 at Jorhat (Assam). Plant density significantly influenced number of branches plant-1, shoot and root biomass plant-1 and total yield of roots ha-1. Plant height was found to reduce with the age of the plant. The total dry'root yield was maximum in the plant density 2.7 m-' (5.2 t ha-1). The yield attributing characters, namely, number of branches plant-1 (25.6), shoot biomass plant-1 (408.2 g), root biomass plant-1 (607.4 g) and total root yield (7.1 t ha-1) were maximum when harvested at third year. Maximum phenol, carbohydrate and protein contents were recorded in roots (5.06%, 31.70% and 13.04%, respectively) and leaves (3.40%, 10.60% and 7.84 %, respectively) of plants harvested during the third year. &nbsp

Geotechnical properties of the bank sediments along the Dhansiri River channel,Assam

The bank sediments along the extremely meandered Dhansiri River channel, a south bank tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River, with erosion potentiality have been investigated to evaluate its certain geotechnical characteristics. The study has shown that the bank sediments are basically composed of CL and ML types of soil. These types of sediments are very much prone to liquefaction which in turn related to erosion susceptibility. The bank stability analysis has differentiated the studied stretch into unstable, at risk and stable zones. Most of the erosion affected zones along the channel reach under study are located within the unstable or at risk zones. The field study around Butalikhowa, Barguriagaon, Golaghat and Duchmuagaon areas along the channel with active erosion activity has supported our contention and practical utility of the present study. It is expected that such type of study will help in providing certain inevitable baseline information for various channel management practices for this extremely flood prone areas of Northeast India

Yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown in Nagaland, India

Multilocational trials conducted at N agaland, India, in ginger (Zingiber officinale) indicated significant differences in growth characteristics and yield components among the cultivars at various locations. The yield was very low (4.8-9.3 t/ha) and fibre content high (6.7-9.6%) at all locations. Yield and quality of ginger grown in .Wokha, Mon, Mokokchang and Tuensang districts were superior to the ginger from other districts of N agaland. &nbsp