Nutritional profile of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch, 1792) muscle tissue with emphasis on seasonal variations

Nutritional profile of Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch, 1792) muscle tissue were analyzed with emphasis on seasonal variations. Climbing Perch muscle tissue had high lipid content, constituting about 12.87%. The mean value of protein, moisture and ash were found to be 15.46, 68.86 and 1.25%, respectively. Highest values were observed in the month of March and April for protein (17.02%) and lipid (14.06%), respectively, while lowest values were in the month of July for both protein (13.02%) and lipid (11.08%). Highest and lowest values for water content were noticed in the month of July (73.37%) and March (66.91%). Protein (P <0.01) and lipid (P <0.01) content showed a negative correlation with moisture content within the muscle tissue. Additionally, between protein and lipid a positive relation was observed (P <0.01). Ash content showed no significant correlation with protein, lipid or moisture content in the muscle tissue and its maximum value was noticed in the month of March (1.75%). The results suggested that the proximate composition of fish muscle tissue significantly varies during different seasons. The present studies thus provide information on variation in proximate composition of the Climbing Perch with seasons which is useful for the processing industry

New insights into the novel and functional promoter sequences of b-1,3-glucanase gene from Hevea brasiliensis

β-1,3-glucanases play a major role in combating the abnormal leaf fall disease (ALF) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora spp. in Hevea brasiliensis, the major commercial source of natural rubber. In this study, partial sequences of four novel promoters of differentβ-1,3-glucanase genomic forms were amplified through inverse PCR from the H. brasiliensis clone RRII 105 and sequence characterized. This is the first report showingβ-1,3-glucanase genes driven by a different set of promoter sequences in a single clone of Hevea. The nucleotide sequencing revealed the presence of 913, 582, 553 and 198 bp promoter regions upstream to the translation initiation codon, ‘ATG’, and contained the essential cis-elements that are usually present in biotic/abiotic stress-related plant gene promoters along with other complex regulatory regions. The amplified regions showed strong nucleosome formation potential and in two of the promoters CpG islands were observed indicating the tight regulation of gene expression by the promoters. The functional efficiency of the isolated promoter forms was validated using promoter: reporter gene (GUS) fusion binary vectors through Agrobacterium mediated transformation in Hevea callus and tobacco. GUS gene expression was noticed in Hevea callus indicating that all the promoters are functional. The transgenic tobacco plants showed no GUS gene expression. The implication of these novel promoter regions to co-ordinate the β-1,3-glucanase gene expression can be utilized for defense specific gene expression in future genetic transformation attempts in Hevea and in a wide variety of plant systems.Keywords: abnormal leaf fall, Hevea brasiliensis, Phytophthora, PR-protein, systemic acquired resistance (SAR), β-1,3-glucanase</p

Study of chemical properties and evaluation of collagen in mantle, epidermal connective tissue and tentacle of Indian Squid, Loligo duvauceli Orbigny

The chemical composition and evaluation of Indian squid (Loligo duvauceli) mantle, epidermal connective tissue and tentacle is investigated in this current study. It is observed that squid mantle contains 22.2% total protein; 63.5% of the total protein is myofibrillar protein. The unique property of squid myofibrillar protein is its water solubility. Squid mantle contains 12.0% total collagen. Epidermal connective tissue has highest amounts of total collagen (17.8%). SDS-PAGE of total collagen identified high molecular weight α-, β- and γ- sub-chains. Amino acid profile analysis indicates that mantle and tentacle contain essential amino acids. Arginine forms a major portion of mantle collagen (272.5 g/100 g N). Isoleucine, glutamic acid and lysine are other amino acids that are found in significantly high amounts in the mantle. Sulphur containing cystine is deficit in mantle collagen. Papain digest of mantle and epidermal connective tissue is rich in uronic acid, while papain digest, collagenase digest and urea digest of epidermal connective tissue has significant amounts of sialic acid (25.2, 33.2 and 99.8 μmol /100 g, respectively). PAS staining of papain digest, collagenase digest and urea digest also identify the association of hexoses with low molecular weight collagen fragments. Histochemical sectioning also emphasized the localized distribution of collagen in epidermal and dermal region and very sparse fibres traverse the myotome bundlesCochin University of Science and TechnologyJ Food Sci Technol (August 2014) 51(8):1509–151

BIOSYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY STUDY OF HEMIGRAPHIS COLORATA LOADED SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Objective: This study targeted at the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of Hemigraphis colorata silver nanopartilces (HAgNPs). Methods: The HAgNPs were photosynthesized and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. The in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of HAgNPs were assessed by evaluating inhibition of protein denaturation and membrane stabilization ability assay. Results: HAgNPs exhibited an absorbance peak at 450 nm, characteristic for AgNPs, and their sizes ranged from 20 to 90 nm. The anti-inflammatory potential of HAgNPs when compared with H. colorata extract suggests that the AgNPs along with polyphenols and flavonoids from H. colorata can act as reducing or inhibiting agent on the release of acute inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: The biologically synthesized HAgNPs could be of enormous use in the medical field for their proficient anti-inflammatory activity, which can be utilized as novel therapeutic agent for prevention and cure of inflammation due to biocompatible nature. This work clearly demonstrates HAgNPs as a budding source for anti-inflammatory drugs

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Not AvailableInvolvement of women in productive activities is a very important strategy for poverty alleviation in the society and for the overall empowerment of women. Presently, participation of women in fisheries related livelihood options is limited but there exists enormous potential for enhancing their participation. However, the attitude of women in self help groups (SHG) to initiate the entrepreneurial activity by investing their savings corpus or institutional finance utilising labour resources from among themselves is important. Location-specific and need-based training programmes for fisherwomen can enhance their level of awareness and technical know-how to start gainful employment ventures. These ventures can be taken up by fisherwomen SHGs taking advantage of participatory action to ensure earnings and sustainability. Micro-enterprises by women should not be seen only as a means for economic empowerment, but also can prove to be an important tool for social and political empowerment. In this context, a study was conducted in Moothakunnam Village in Vadakkekkara Panchayat of Ernakulam District, Kerala to assess the attitude of women SHG groups to take up entrepreneurial activities. It was found that women in groups were found to have a positive attitude towards establishing micro-enterprises to enhance their livelihood options by utilising leisure time and locally available resources.Not Availabl