Application of natural preservatives and sweeteners in fruit products to reduce health risks - a review

The costs of food deterioration in terms of both money and health are rising. Fungi, bacteria, yeast, insects, and rodent contamination of food supplies continue to be a major public health concern. Chemical preservatives are effective but can be potentially fatal to human health in certain cases. As potent food preservatives, essential oils made from plants are a great alternative to synthetic preservatives. They also possess a variety of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. The use of artificial sweeteners in food products, which raises safety questions and health issues while also having reduced nutritional value, is another problem in the food industry. Because natural sweeteners are linked to a healthy lifestyle and have superior nutritional qualities, consumers today prefer them. This article goes through the issues with artificial sweeteners and preservatives and goes into great length about the many different essential oils and natural sweeteners that are much safer and healthier alternatives

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Alteration in Flowering and Fruiting of Commercial Vegetable Crops under Protected Condition: A Review

India ranks as the second-largest global vegetable producer, yet its current productivity falls short of meeting the nutritional requirements of its expanding population. The country boasts an impressive array of vegetable varieties, spanning from tropical to subtropical and temperate regions. The adoption of protected cultivation for high-value crops has emerged as a pivotal technology to enhance productivity, elevate quality, and secure profitable returns. Optimal production quality can be ensured by implementing precise crop management techniques under controlled conditions, enabling the cultivation of two to three high-yield crops annually. Crop regulation planning entails the identification, selection, implementation, and monitoring of strategies to govern the yield and quality of vegetable crops. The timing of flowering can be strategically manipulated, either advanced or delayed, in response to market demand, leveraging a range of tools and techniques for flowering and fruit regulation. In pursuit of sustainability, it becomes imperative to maximize food production within limited areas. Employing flowering and fruiting regulation methods holds the promise of augmenting yields and, consequently, overall productivity, ultimately addressing the nutritional needs of a larger segment of the population

Evaluation of genetic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in <i>Melia dubia</i> Cav.

76-83Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity in populations of Melia dubia Cav. syn. M. composita Willd. (Family: Meliaceae) (Burma dek) from different agroclimatic regions of India. Of the 38 decamer primers used, 13 yielded polymorphic banding patterns. In total, 105 different bands were reproducibly obtained, of which 69 (65.7%) were polymorphic. The polymorphisms were scored and used in band-sharing analysis to identify genetic relationships. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient using UPGMA grouped all the 24 populations into two major groups. Similarity indices ranged from 0.80 to 0.91, indicating that Burma dek germplasm within India constitutes considerably narrow genetic base

Edible Coatings: Innovation to Improve the Shelf Life of Guava

Fruit and vegetables are rich source of vitamins and minerals and due to their perishable nature, they have a very short shelf life thus making it difficult to store them for longer period. Approximately 30-40% of horticultural products are in lost due to the improper handling during transits, insect, pest attack and miss handling during the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coating is the one of the most appropriate ways to solve this issue and improve the shelf life of the horticulture produce. The protective layer coated over the fruit and vegetables act as barrier for O2 and CO2 and water vapor which may result in the aging of produce. Hence,the different types of edible coating also help to improve the luster thereby making it more attractive to consumers and getting higher price in the market by reducing the post-harvest loss to a great extent. This review paper is an attempt to signify the use and importance of different edible types of edible coating to improve the shelf life of guava

A Comprehensive Review on Harvesting Abundance: Exploring the Tools and Techniques of Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is an innovative and sustainable agricultural paradigm that redefines conventional farming practices. Pioneered by Subhash Palekar, ZBNF promotes a harmonious coexistence with nature by minimizing external inputs and eliminating the use of synthetic chemicals. The approach is rooted in indigenous wisdom, emphasizing the use of locally available resources and traditional farming techniques. Through the judicious application of inputs such as Jeevamrut and Bijamrita, ZBNF aims to enhance soil fertility and plant resilience. ZBNF advocates crop diversification, cover cropping, and agroforestry, fostering biodiversity and mitigating the risks associated with monoculture. The method encourages farmers to adopt natural pest management strategies, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. One of the distinctive features is its "zero budget" approach, wherein farmers aim to meet their agricultural needs without incurring additional costs. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern ecological principles, ZBNF stands as a promising model for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, addressing global concerns about environmental impact and food security

Uses of Plant Growth Regulators and Biofertilizers in Fruit Crops: A Review

Plant growth regulators are extremely important natural hormones which control the growth and the physiological factors within the plant. They are naturally occurring as well as synthetic. PGRs like Auxins, ethylene, cytokinins and gibberellins are the growth inhibitors and growth retardants. The foliar application of plant growth regulators helped in increasing the quality of the fruit crops. Auxin is required for fruit retention in sweet cherry, litchi, grapevine, snake fruit and tomato. Most commonly used auxins are IBA, NAA, IAA, 2,4D etc. IBA at the concentration of 4000 ppm is the best plant growth regulator for rooting in cuttings. Gibberellins (GA) are diterpene plant hormones that influence various aspects of growth and development through complex biosynthetic processes. Application of GA with combination of Zinc and pruning showed better performance in fruit weight, ascorbic acid, and reduction in pre-harvest fruit drop. Repeated applications of brassinosteroid have a long-lasting effect on strawberry cv. Winter Dawn physiological growth. Triacontanol (TRIA), natural plant growth hormone in fruit crops. It regulates a variety of physiological processes in plants. Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone best recognized for modulating host responses in response to pathogen infection.SA treatments boosted crop productivity and fruit quality criteria such as firmness, aril color, and individual sugar and organic acid concentrations at harvest. It is revealed by many studies that the application of biofertilizer play an essential role for increasing the sustainability of the soil and also enhance the organic matter content, aeration, fertility, availability of micro and macronutrients with in the soil which are the essential things for the better survival of the plant and results into the good quality and higher yield from the plant. The present review encompasses the use and the effect of different PGR’s and biofertilizer on the fruit crops