Studies on influence of modified atmospheric storage conditions on biochemical parameters in pigeonpea seeds

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of modified atmospheric storage conditions on biochemical parameters of pigeonpea seeds. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka. The seeds are exposed to various gaseous combinationsand stored in 700 gauge polyethylene bag for ten months during July-2012 to April- 2013. The results revealed that, the seeds exposed to gaseous combination of 40% N2+00% O2+ 60% CO2 showed less reduction in dehydrogenase enzyme activity and protein content (0.276 OD (optical density) value, 19.33 % respectively) as compared to the control (0.211 OD value and 18.13 % respectively) after ten months of storage. In addition less seed leachate (2.029 dSm-1) was recorded in gaseous combination of 40% N2+00% O2+ 60% CO2 as compared to control (2.207dSm-1). It indicates the potential use of modified atmospheric storage technology for maintenance of seed viability and vigour during storage in pulses

Development of PCR assay for targeting partial lipL21 and lipL41 gene of leptospira

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira that affects human and a wide range of animals. The direct method of diagnosis of leptospirosis, has been so far by culture isolation but it is time consuming and potentially biohazardous. Another traditional method is the detection of antibodies (Serological tests) which is also a time consuming method and fails to identify the infecting serovar. To overcome these limitations associated with the cultivation and serology, we developed PCR assay targeting partial lipL21 gene and lipL41 gene of Leptospires using in-house designed P28/29 and P30/31 primers, with a product size of 385bp and 427bp. The amplicons were subjected to restriction enzyme digestion using RsaI, Pvu II and HindIII for product of P28/29 and ClaI, TaqI and RsaI were used for product of P30/31. The protocols were standardized and the assay targeting the partial lipL21 and lipL41 gene was found to be specific for eight pathogenic Leptospires out of nine leptospires tested. The products were then cloned in pGEMT Easy vector and sequenced to facilitate further studies. PCR could detect the target bacterial gene without any ambiguity and showed good efficiency in detection of targeted species in the sample. This simple, rapid and cost-effective method can be applicable in a prediction system to prevent disease outbreak by these Leptospira species and can be considered as an effective tool for disease diagnosis of Leptospira species. Key words: PCR; lipL21; lipL41; Molecular Diagnostics; Transformation. Nepal Journal of Biotechnology. Jan. 2011, Vol. 1, No. 1 : 22-3

Antimicrobial activity of Rauvolfia tetraphylla and Physalis minima leaf and callus extracts

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Rauvolfia tetraphylla and Physalis minima leaf and callus extracts were studied against selected pathogenic fungi and bacteria, following broth dilution assay. Leaves and calli were extracted using absolute alcohol, benzene, chloroform, methanol and petroleum ether. Among the five solvents used, leaf and callus extracted in chloroform of both the plants were found to be more effective against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, where the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 0.25 to 6 mg/ml. Absolute alcohol extracts showed MIC of 0.25 to 4 mg/ml forbacteria, whereas for fungi it ranged from 0.25 to 100 mg/ml. Extracts of benzene and petroleum ether were ineffective in inhibiting the bacterial and fungal growth or showed poor inhibition. Methanol extract showed MIC of 0.25 to 100 mg/ml against bacterial pathogens and 0.5 to 100 mg/ml againstfungal pathogens. The antimicrobial activities of these two indigenous medicinal plants were discussed in the present pape

Prevalence of bacterial spot in tomato fields of Karnataka and effect of biological seed treatment on disease incidence

Bacterial spot disease of tomato caused by Xanthomonas vesicatoria was studied during the field survey in the Karnataka state, India. The disease incidence ranged from 22 to 50. The pathogen was isolated from the infected plant material and seed samples. In the laboratory the pathogen was isolated following the routine laboratory assay method i.e. direct plating method using Tween B medium. Further the pathogen was confirmed by biochemical, physiological, hypersensitivity in tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) plants and finally the pathogenicity tests. Biological seed treatment with antagonistic Pseudomonas fluorescens improved the seed quality (p=0.05) under laboratory conditions and tremendously decreased the bacterial spot disease incidence in field

ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF XANTHENE FOOD DYE ERYTHROSINE AT GLASSY CARBON ELECTRODE AND ITS ANALYTICAL APPLICATIONS

Erythrosine is a xanthene food dye used in the food industries to enhance the appearance of the food. The electrochemical behavior of erythrosine at glassy carbon electrode was investigated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. The oxidation peak of erythrosine was observed in phosphate buffer of pH 5.0. The influence of different pH, scan rate and concentration were evaluated. The probable reaction mechanism involved in the oxidation of erythrosine was also proposed. Differential pulse voltammetric method with good precision and accuracy was developed for the determination of erythrosine dye in real samples. The peak currents were found to be linearly dependent on the concentration range of 1 x 10-5 to 6 x 10-4 M. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were noticed to be 1.9 x 10-7 and 6.6 x 10-7 M respectively

Intercropping of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens

A field study was conducted at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka during 2006-07 to 2008-09 to identify suitable medicinal and aromatic plants for intercropping in coconut gardens of maidan tract of Karnataka. The experiment consisted of 14 medicinal and aromatic crops viz., Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Makoi (Solanum nigrum), Coleus (Coleus forskohlii), Garden rue (Ruta graveolens), Lepidium (Lepidium sativum), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Arrow root (Maranta arundinaceae), Kacholam (Kaemferia galanga), Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens), Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), Citronella (Cymbopogon winteranus), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides). The yield of all the medicinal and aromatic crops grown as intercrop in coconut garden were reduced compared to their sole crop yields. The reduction in yield was less in lemon grass (6.4 %), tulsi (23.5 %), arrow root (23.9 %), vetiver grass (25.1 %), kalmegh (25.7 %), makoi (29.1 %), citronella (30.2 %) and garden rue (30.5 %). The nut yield of coconut was improved with intercropping of medicinal and aromatic crops. The andrographolide content in kalmegh (4.40 to 3.20 %), rutin alkaloids in garden rue (1.68 to 1.40 %) and oil content in lepidium (19.60 to 17.23 %) were significantly reduced when grown as intercrops in coconut garden as compared to sole crop. However, the forskohlin content in coleus (0.43 to 0.61 %) and essential oil content in ambrette (0.24 to 0.29 %) were significantly increased by intercropping. In other medicinal and aromatic crops, the quality parameters were not significantly influenced by intercropping. The intercropping system of growing lemon grass under coconut recorded the highest net income (Rs. 91,561/ha) and B:C ratio (2.89) followed by garden rue (Rs. 81,865/ha and 2.79), tulsi (Rs. 77,472/ha and 2.71), kalmegh (Rs. 75,163/ha and 2.56), arrow root (Rs. 72,211/ha and 2.28) and makoi (Rs. 67,058/ha and 2.68). Hence, intercropping of lemon grass, garden rue, tulsi, kalmegh, arrow root and makoi with coconut can be recommended for maidan tract of Karnataka

Spectrum of glomerular diseases – clinico-pathologic observations from a state run tertiary care centre

Background: Renal biopsy is an accurate tool for the diagnosis of glomerular disorders. This study was done to evaluate the histo-pathological spectrum of GDs at our centre and analyze its clinico-pathological correlation.Methods: All renal biopsies performed for suspected glomerular diseases at our institute over a period of 2 years from Jan 2013 to Jan 2015 were analyzed (n= 597). Biopsies were performed under ultrasound guidance and processed for light microscopy and immunofluorescence.Results: Among the total biopsies done, 597 (69.49%) had biopsy proven GD .The mean age of the patients included was 37.96 ± 15.58 years. M:F ratio was 2.3 : 1. The most common clinical syndrome was nephrotic syndrome (44.38%). PGDs were more common than SGDs The most common GD presenting as NS was FSGS (29.8%). Among patients with nephrotic syndrome, FSGS, MCD, and MGN predominated. DN was the commonest SGD, followed by Lupus nephritis. NDRD was reported in 33 patients (5.52%).Crescentic GN was seen in 11.89% cases majority presenting as RPGN. IgAN comprised 40.42% of the immune complex crescentic GNs. Amyloidosis was diagnosed in 1.84% of biopsies.Conclusion: Histo-pathological examination with LM and IF techniques and correlation with clinical, biochemical and serological markers as done in this study, have proved useful for the accurate diagnosis of glomerular diseases. It also provides important epidemiological information towards setting up a renal biopsy registry.

Effect of feeding three different formulated feeds having different protein levels on the growth of angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) juveniles

Experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary protein level on growth and nutrient utilization by angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) juveniles. Fifty-four juveniles (average wt. 2-2.5 g) were equally divided in three treatments with each of three replicates. Three formulated diets with graded protein levels, T1 (35% CP), T2 (40% CP) and T3 (45% CP) were fed to juveniles for 45 days. A trend of higher weight gain %, SGR, FER and PER was found with the increased CP level in the feed. Feed intake was similar in all the groups. T3 group fed with 45% CP registered highest weight gain % (43.26 ± 2.07), SGR (0.78 ± 0.04), FER (0.29 ± 0.01), which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the T1 and T2 groups. Protein digestibility of T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher than the T1 group. Survival was similar in all the experimental groups. Diet with 45% CP with protein energy ratio of 112.62 mg protein/K cal. is ideal for juvenile angel fish for indoor rearing

Growth and Yield Performance of Hybrid Hot Pepper, Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) as Influenced by Fertigation and Polyethylene Mulching

A field experiment was conducted at Bengaluru during 2015 to study the effect of fertigation on performance of hybrid chilli (Capsicum annuum&nbsp;L.). The trial included nine treatments comprising varying rates and sources of fertilizers, tested with or without mulching. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (180:120:180 kg NPK/ha) through fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers resulted in higher values for plant height (104.27 cm), number of branches per plant (16.71), leaf area per plant (89.44 dm2), dry matter per plant (185.49 g), number of fruits per plant (142.7), fruit length (11.13 cm), fruit girth (4.75 cm), fruit weight (1.29 g), yield per plant (184.11 g) and fruit yield (5.03 t/ha) which remained on par with same amount of fertilizer applied using conventional means along with polyethylene mulching. In general, treatments that received fertilizers through fertigation took less number of days to flowering over conventional soil-application of fertilizers. All fertigation treatments recorded higher dry-chilli fruit yield over the conventional soil-application of fertilizers, to a tune of 27.87% to 52.4% over the control