Standardization of optimum sieve size for maximizing seed quality in Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Vegetables have a critical function in human health and nutritional security. Vegetables are considered an essential building block of any diet. Out of the leafy vegetables, Amaranthus is the most popular and salable vegetable consumed by people all over India. Seed processing experiment was undertaken in Amaranthus tricolor (CO 2) by using the sieves placed inside the mechanical seed shaker (Gyratory sieve shaker) to improve the quality of Amaranthus seeds. The seeds of Amaranthus were size graded with seed shaker attached with various sieve size of BSS 18 X18 (R), BSS 20 X 20 (R), BSS 22 X 22 (R) and BSP 22 X 22 (P). During processing, the machine could be adjusted for 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes with an oscillating speed of 1440 rpm. The separated seeds were evaluated for seed quality characteristics such as seed germination percentage, shoot length, root length, dry matter production, 1000 seed weight and seed recovery percentage. The results revealed that the sieve size of BSS 22 X 22 (R=retained) mesh sieve had the better quality seeds with a maximum recovery of 67.41 g and when it is operated for a period of 5 minutes. The germination percentage was improved from 77 % to 95 % with  1000 seed weight of 73.21 mg, and the observed recovery was 56 per cent with the vigour index of 1145. Hence, BSS 22 X 22 retained mesh sieve with a duration of 5 minutes could be recommended as an optimum sieve size for grading Amaranthus seeds for improving the seed quality

Seed quality improvement with fruit extracts in blackgram

The present study was conducted to know the effect of extracts from parts of papaya and pomegranate fruits containing enormous amount of antioxidants on the seed quality parameters of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). Blackgram seeds were soaked in papaya peel, pulp, seeds and pomegranate peel, seeds extracts viz., 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 % and 10 % concentration for 1 hour. The physiological parameters were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that seeds treated with 2.5 % papaya seed extract recorded high physiological and biochemical changes in terms of field emergence, germination percentage, seedling length, dry matter production, vigour index and ?- amylase activity when compared to rest of treatments and control

Enhancement of Naringenin Bioavailability by Complexation with Hydroxypropoyl-β-Cyclodextrin

The abundant flavonoid aglycone, naringenin, which is responsible for the bitter taste in grapefruits, has been shown to possess hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, our group demonstrated that naringenin inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) production, while others demonstrated its potential in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. However, naringenin suffers from low oral bioavailability critically limiting its clinical potential. In this study, we demonstrate that the solubility of naringenin is enhanced by complexation with β-cyclodextrin, an FDA approved excipient. Hydroxypropoyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), specifically, increased the solubility of naringenin by over 400-fold, and its transport across a Caco-2 model of the gut epithelium by 11-fold. Complexation of naringenin with HPβCD increased its plasma concentrations when fed to rats, with AUC values increasing by 7.4-fold and Cmax increasing 14.6-fold. Moreover, when the complex was administered just prior to a meal it decreased VLDL levels by 42% and increased the rate of glucose clearance by 64% compared to naringenin alone. These effects correlated with increased expression of the PPAR co-activator, PGC1α in both liver and skeletal muscle. Histology and blood chemistry analysis indicated this route of administration was not associated with damage to the intestine, kidney, or liver. These results suggest that the complexation of naringenin with HPβCD is a viable option for the oral delivery of naringenin as a therapeutic entity with applications in the treatment of dyslipidemia, diabetes, and HCV infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U.S.) (K01DK080241)Harvard Clinical Nutrition Research Center (P30-DK040561)European Research Council (Starting Grant (TMIHCV 242699))Massachusetts General Hospital (BioMEMS Resource Center (P41 EB-002503))Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science

OPTIMIZATION OF DISJOINTS FOR MINIMIZATION OF FAILURE IN WDM OPTICAL NETWORK

In an optical network, the fiber optic cable is used for communication between the nodes in a network by passing lights. The main problem in optical network is finding the link disjoints as well as optimal solution for the disjoints. To tolerate a single link failure in the network, the enhanced active path first algorithm is used which computes the re-routed back-up path. The multiple link failure in a network called fibre span disjoint path problem is solved using integer linear programming algorithm. The loop back recovery is used to provide pre-planned recovery of link or node failures in a network which allows dynamic choice of routes over pre-planned directions. Considering reliability in a mesh networks, the reliability algorithm helps to achieve the maximum reliability in two-path protection. It addresses the multiple disjoint failures that arise in a network and discusses the best solution between paths shared nodes or links. The unified algorithm is used to generate the optimal results with minimum cost for multiple link failures. The heuristic algorithm namely maximum arbitrary double-link protection algorithm helps to pre-compute the back-up path for double-link failures. In all the above approaches the shortest optimized path must be improved. To find the best shortest path, link-disjoint lightpath algorithm is designed to compute the disjoint occurred in a network and it also satisfies the wavelength continuity constraint in wavelength division multiplexing. A polynomial time algorithm Wavelength Division Multiplexing – Passive Optical Networking is used to compute the disjoint happen in the network. The overall time efficiency is analyzed and performance is evaluated through simulations