Analysis of molecular diversity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) genotypes using RAPD markers

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] genotypes were sown during kharif 2011-12 at Horticultural Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, India, developed and maintained for using conventional agronomically practices to keep the crop in good condition. Study of morphological and molecular diversity in landrace collections was carried out during 2011-12. Germplasm collections of all the 20 diverse genotypes of okra were screened with 20 RAPD primers in order to determine genetic identities, genetic diversity and genetic relationships. On the basis of molecular characterization, the number of amplified alleles observed ranged from minimum 2 alleles to maximum 9 alleles. Similarity value for all the 20 genotypes of okra ranged from 0.486 to 0.669. The lowest similarity was displayed by Azad bhindi1 (AB 1) and VRO5 with the similarity coefficient value 0.486. Out of these samples analyzed, genotypes Azad Bhindi 2 and FB 10 displayed the greatest genetic similarity, with a similarity coefficient value of 0.669. All genotypes were distributed into four main distinct clusters. Cluster analysis clearly showed the genetic diversity among the genotypes under study

Morphological, Biochemical, and Molecular Characterization of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) Germplasms

The sweet potato is considered as an excellent source of β-carotene and anthocyanins and has a considerable value in the functional food market. In this report, 21 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) germplasms were evaluated for genetic diversity using morphological and biochemical and molecular markers. Ten morphological traits were studied, and the mean squares due to germplasm were highly significant for storage root number per plant, individual root weight, storage root (fresh) per plant, storage root (dry) per plant, storage root yield, and storage root length. UPGMA cluster analysis based on morphological traits separated the germplasm into three groups. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.00 to 0.50 with an average of 0.176. Biochemical analysis, viz. total phenol and antioxidant, was performed to find out superior genotype at biochemical level under given conditions. Maximum total phenol was observed in the genotype “V-12” (1.39 mg), whereas maximum total antioxidant was observed in “Samrat” (0.30 mg). RAPD analysis was carried out, and out of 15 RAPD primers, 10 primers produced 96 reproducible and polymorphic bands. UPGMA cluster analysis based on RAPD data also separated the genotypes into three clusters. The results of the present study can be used for sweet potato crop improvement through molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection for desired traits in future

Leptin Reduces the Expression and Increases the Phosphorylation of the Negative Regulators of GLUT4 Traffic TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 in Muscle of ob/ob Mice

Leptin improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. Our goal was to determine whether proteins controlling GLUT4 traffic are altered by leptin deficiency and in vivo leptin administration in skeletal muscle of wild type and ob/ob mice. Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice were divided in three groups: control, leptin-treated (1 mg/kg/d) and leptin pair-fed ob/ob mice. Microarray analysis revealed that 1,546 and 1,127 genes were regulated by leptin deficiency and leptin treatment, respectively. Among these, we identified 24 genes involved in intracellular vesicle-mediated transport in ob/ob mice. TBC1 domain family, member 1 (Tbc1d1), a negative regulator of GLUT4 translocation, was up-regulated (P = 0.001) in ob/ob mice as compared to wild types. Importantly, leptin treatment reduced the transcript levels of Tbc1d1 (P<0.001) and Tbc1d4 (P = 0.004) in the leptin-treated ob/ob as compared to pair-fed ob/ob animals. In addition, phosphorylation levels of TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 were enhanced in leptin-treated ob/ob as compared to control ob/ob (P = 0.015 and P = 0.023, respectively) and pair-fed ob/ob (P = 0.036 and P = 0.034, respectively) mice. Despite similar GLUT4 protein expression in wild type and ob/ob groups a different immunolocalization of this protein was evidenced in muscle sections. Leptin treatment increased GLUT4 immunoreactivity in gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus sections of leptin-treated ob/ob mice. Moreover, GLUT4 protein detected in immunoprecipitates from TBC1D4 was reduced by leptin replacement compared to control ob/ob (P = 0.013) and pair-fed ob/ob (P = 0.037) mice. Our findings suggest that leptin enhances the intracellular GLUT4 transport in skeletal muscle of ob/ob animals by reducing the expression and activity of the negative regulators of GLUT4 traffic TBC1D1 and TBC1D4

Isolation of genomic DNA from medicinal plants without liquid nitrogen

610-614Genomic DNA was extracted from eight medicinal plants using the present DNA extraction protocols (CTAB extraction method) with some modifications. Leaves were fixed in different fixing solutions containing absolute alcohol (99.99%), chloroform and EDTA, but without liquid nitrogen. DNA quality and quantity obtained were comparable to those isolated with liquid nitrogen, as the λ260/λ280 ratio with liquid nitrogen was in range 1.3-1.7 and with other fixing solutions it was 1.1-1.5. Absolute alcohol showed best results as fixing solution. Good quality of DNA was isolated without using liquid nitrogen from different medicinal plant species. DNA isolated by this method was suitable for various molecular biology applications

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Not AvailableIndian mustard is the preferred source of edible oil and occupies a premier place in the world among oilseed crops. In major states of India, many farmers and small scale industrialists are earning their livelihood due to this crop. To benefit stakeholders, a cost-effective extraction method with high oil percent yield, with optimal antioxidant potential for further application at industrial scale production, is needed. This study aimed to investigate effect of two different extraction solvents (petroleum ether and nhexane) with soxhlet method on oil yield and antioxidant potential. Petroleum ether resulted in the higher percentage of oil yield (37.01±0.28) in PDZ1 variety than PM21. In addition to it, PDZ1 in which the DPPH activity was higher also showed concomitant increase in TAA. This is clearly evident from the results that genotypic expression plays pivotal role in determining antioxidant potential. In brief, present study says that, soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether in Indian mustard varieties is an economic and effective method for oil extraction in terms of yield and antioxidant potential (DPPH activity and TAA).Not Availabl

Studies on the synthesis of bis-quaternary ammonium salts of geometrical isomers and its potential as bioregulators

290-298Tertiary amine N,N-dimethyl-2-nitrophenylmethanamine 4 prepared from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde 3 by Leuckart’s reaction and (3-N,N-diethylamino-2-hydroxypropyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-oate 9 and 3-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl 2-(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)acetate 14 prepared through the formation of glycidyl ester have been reacted with  dichlorides of maleic acid and fumaric acid, which in turn have been prepared by reacting these acids with thionyl chloride to get bis-quaternary ammonium salts 1a-c and 2a-c. The synthesized salts 1a-c and 2a-c are tested  on rice (Oryza sativa, PR-114) for their biological activity. All the tested compounds are found to possess good plant growth retardant activity. Compound 2c is found to be the best plant growth retardant among the six newly synthesized compounds

Effect of side arm chain length of redox ionophores on uptake of some metal ions

1170-1172Synthesis of redox switched ionophores 1-[1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3, 6 dioxaoctane-8-methane (A1) and 1-[1-anthraquinonyloxy] 3 oxapentane-5-methane (A2) has been reported. These ionophores have been used as carriers in liquid membrane transport and extraction studies of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The sequence of metal ions extracted and transported in oxidised and reduced state by ionophore A1 is: Ca2+>K+>Li+>Mg2+ and Li+>K+>Ca2+>Mg2+  respectively. The order of ex traction and transport of metal ions with respect to ionophore A2 is Li+>K+>Ca2+ and Ca2+>K+>Li+ respectively. Ionophore A1 is selective for Ca2+ while ionophore A2 is selective for Li+ ions. This selectivity may be used in ion selective electrode and redox switch able devices

Design and Synthesis of Redox-Switched Lariat Ethers and Their Application for Transport of Alkali and Alkaline-Earth Metal Cations Across Supported Liquid Membrane

A new class of redox-switched anthraquinone derived lariat ethers 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3, 6, 9 trioxaundecane 11-ol (M1)

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Not AvailableDemand for edible oil from crops like groundnut, mustard and soybean, is increasing and likely to increase further. In this regard, Indian mustard seeds were treated with microwaves (MW), to investigate the possibility of enhancing oil yield and nutritional content. MW pre-treatment was given to the seeds of two Indian mustard varieties i.e. PM21 (V1) and PDZ1 (V2) for 0, 2, 4 and 6 min (H0, H2, H4 and H6 min respectively). MW treatment with increasing exposure time showed a linear reduction in the glucosinolate and erucic acid content with concomitant increase in oil yield and moisture loss in both the varieties, as evident from correlation and principal component analysis. Antioxidant capacity has increased with the reduction in phytic acid content (1.82) in V2 at 6 min exposure time with respect to untreated control. Free radical scavenging activity was improved with increasing MW treatment in both the varieties. Therefore, from the obtained results, it is advisable to treat mustard seeds with MW before extraction of oil, because it gives a relatively good oil yield, with enhanced nutritional factors. Moreover, microwaving was effective in reducing glucosinolates and erucic acid also.Not Availabl