Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Induced Water Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Responses in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)

Water deficit induced by Polyethylene glycol (PEG) affect physiological and biochemical changes in pigeonpea. The plants were subjected to two progressive stresses: moderate (-0.51 MPa) and severe (-1.22 MPa) respectively. The water stress condition was created by irrigating 14 days old grown seedling pot with PEG nutrient solution and decreasing the osmotic potential -0.04 MPa regularly. Relative water content (RWC) content was significantly reduced under water stress condition. Increase in the free proline content during water stress condition suggests that proline is one of the common compatible osmolytes under water stress condition. The genotype exhibited lower accumulation of catalase (CAT) and increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Peroxidase (POD) under stressed condition. The present data suggest a relation between proline content and water stress and a well developed antioxidant defense mechanism activated during water stress

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using silver nitrate through biotransformation

The development of appropriate processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is an important aspect of nanotechnology. In the present study, fungus mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Fusarium oxysporum has been investigated. The fungal mat was raised in MGYP broth and were transferred to silver nitrate aqueous solution for 72 hrs and analysed for the appearance of silver nanoparticles. These particles exhibited a new λmax in the visible region as observed from the absorption spectrum. The plasmon peak was observed at 440nm. These nanoparticles were further characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. There was a shift in peak at 1635 cm-1 when compared to the silver nitrate solution. SEM analysis showed that the silver nanoparticles produced in the present study were of varying morphology and ranged in size from 20-70nm. However further studies regarding EDS, XRD, NMR, TEM, AFM are confirmed to strengthen the present findings. Moreover, size controlled production of silver nanoparticles also confirmed further studies regarding the optimization of the medium and culture conditions

Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Progesterone and Estrogen

Steroid hormones viz. progesterone, estrogen were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner i.e. 2.5mg/ml, 5.0mg/ml for 30 & 45 minutes and, 0.2mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml for 30 & 45 minutes respectively. Progesterone and estrogen were stained with 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 and were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner. Different steroid hormones travel at different rates due to the differences in their attraction to the stationary phase and because of differences in solubility in the solvent. These Rf values obtained from both the hormones were then compared and it was found that there was a reasonable difference. Further, a study on the interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins was undertaken using a spectrophotometer. Steroid hormones viz. progesterone and estrogen were made to interact with measured amounts of alcohol, stearic acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and their absorbance were recorded at the excitation wavelength of 410 nm using a spectrophotometer. Progesterone (conc.2mg/ml) and estrogen (conc. 0.5mg/ml) were each mixed with 0.1 ml, 0.2ml and 0.4ml of stearic acid (conc. 0.5mg/ml) and 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg of BSA separately and their absorbance were noted at 410nm. A slight shift in the absorbance was found on the overall interaction of steroids: progesterone and estrogen with alcohol, stearic acid and BSA respectively, when excited to 410 nm. Thus an attempt was made to establish a valid spectrophotometric procedure for the study of interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins

Partial Characterization of α-Amylase from Germinating Little Millets (Panicum sumatrense)

α-Amylase, a starch splitting enzyme, was purified to homogeneity from little millet (Panicum sumatrense L. Roth ex Roem. et Schult.) cotyledons excised from 3-day-old seedlings by successive chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150. Purification achieved was 10.15 fold from the crude extract with a yield of 29% giving a final specific activity of 1001U/mg protein. SDS-PAGE showed a molecular weight of 46 kDa for the enzyme. The enzyme was characterized in terms of pH optimum and stability, temperature optimum and stability, activation energy, Km and Vmax. The enzyme displayed optimum activity at pH 5.0 and 50°C with an apparent Km value of 1.6 mg for soluble starch as substrate and Vmax 1388 units/ min/mg protein. The energy of activation (Ea) for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction was 9.7 kcal./mole. Significant enhancement in the enzyme activity was observed in the presence of metal ions like Ca2+ and Ba2+ while metal ions such as Fe2+, Hg2+ and  Al3+ completely inactivated the enzyme. Incubation of the enzyme with 10mM EDTA for 30 min at 45°C results in complete loss of activity. Key words: α-Amylase, Little millet, Characterization, Panicum sumatrense Usha B et al. Partial Characterization of α-Amylase from Germinating Little Millets (Panicum sumatrense). J Phytol 3/1 (2011) 01-08

Alterations in Serum SOD and CAT Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer

Breast cancers are potentially life-threatening malignancies in women. Development of cancer produces oxidative stress, which increases with disease progression. Hence, studies on antioxidants may be the most promising area of research for this clinical menace. We analysed serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) in women with breast cancer. The changes in the levels of serum superoxide dismutase and catalase are measured in breast cancer patients to assess the oxidative stress. A significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase and a lower catalase activity was observed in all the three categories of breast cancer patients compared to normal individuals. The results suggested that high ROS production supports the oxidative stress in breast cancer. So, the treatment with antioxidants in the initial stages of the disease may be useful as secondary therapy

Role of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Bioremediation of Cadmium Pollution

Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous and an unessential trace element existing in the environment. Anthropogenic activities and applications of synthetic phosphate fertilizers greatly enhance the concentration of Cadmium in the environment, which proves to be carcinogenic. The long-term effects of heavy metals contamination on plants and animals have recently become a major public health concern. Thanks to the application of science and technology, new environmental initiatives can have a lower environmental impact significantly. The role of microbes is very well known and must be considered as potential pollutant removers. Microbial flora can remove heavy metals and oil from contaminated soil and water. In comparison to conventional techniques, bioremediation itself proved to be a more potent technique because the established mechanisms render it ineffective. Biotechnological advancements are inherently harmful to the environment because they have the potential to reduce metal pollution. Pollutants in the environment can be effectively removed using bioremediation. Both native and introduced species can thrive in a microorganism-friendly environment

Research Achievements of AICRPDA Centre Ballowal Saunkhri since inception

Not AvailableAICRPDA centre Ballowal Saunkhri is located in the agro-climatic Zone-l in the North-Eastern part of the Punjab. This zone popularly called kandi area is in the form of 10 to 20 km wide strip covering an area of approx 3.93 lakh hectares which comprises approximately 7.8 per cent of total geographical area of the State. The region stretches from Dhar Kalan block of Pathankot district to Dera Bassi block of SAS Nagar. The climate of the region varies between semi-arid to sub-humid. Rainwater constitutes the major water source for crops that becomes scarce due to erratic distribution in time and space. The region receives average annual rainfall of 800-1500 mm with a very high coefficient of variation. About 80% rain occurs in Kharif season (July-September) and rest 20% occurs in rabi season. A major portion (30-40%) of rain goes as runoff. Majority of the soils range from loamy sand to sandy loam and have low to medium moisture retention capacity and are highly erodible having gentle to moderate slope. The inherent fertility of the soils of this area is very low. Maize is the principal crop of Kandi area, beside this pearlmillet, greengram, blackgram and sesame are the other important kharif crops. Wheat, raya, taramira, lentil and gram are major rabi crops. The other emerging crops in the region are gobhi sarson, toria, linseed and arhar. The success of crops in this region depends upon the soil and water management.Not Availabl

Bore well recharging technique

Not AvailableBore well recharging techniqueNot Availabl

Design hazard identification and the link to site experience

The training, development and routes to charteredship of building design engineers have undergone a major transformation in recent years. Additionally, the duration and quality of site experience being gained by designers is reducing. While accident causation is often complex, previous research shows a potential link between design and construction accidents. The effectiveness of the UK’s Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations is being questioned, and designers regularly do not recognise the impact they can make on site safety. A newly developed hazard perception test was used to determine if students and design practitioners are able to identify hazards in designs and to establish if site experience impacts hazard identification. The results of the tests show an association between the ability to identify and mitigate hazards and possession of site experience. The results provide empirical evidence that supports previous anecdotal evidence. The results also question if the design engineers of today are suitably equipped to fulfil the designer’s responsibilities under the CDM Regulations

Genetic mapping and validation of SSR markers linked to leaflet shape in soybean using a recombinant inbred line population

The leaflet shape in soybean is an important trait and is genetically controlled by a single Ln locus. The narrow leaflet shape is associated with high photosynthetic efficiency and a higher number of seeds per pod. The current study involves the genetic mapping of SSR markers linked to leaflet shape in a F2:8 soybean recombinant inbred population and validation in different genetic backgrounds. A total of 240 SSR markers were used for bulked segregant analysis and six SSR markers (Sat_105, BARCSOYSSR_20_0813, BARCSOYSSR_20_0839, BARCSOYSSR_20_0846, BARCSOYSSR_20_0850, and BARCSOYSSR_20_0855) located on chromosome 20 were found to be linked to leaflet shape locus. The linkage analysis distributed these six SSR markers and leaflet shape (Ln) locus in one linkage group within a map distance of 11.5 cM. BARCSOYSSR_20_0839 and BARCSOYSSR_20_0846 were the two most tightly linked SSR markers and flanked the Ln locus at a distance of 0.3 cM and 1.8 cM, respectively. The markers selection efficiency varied from 86.6 to 99.4 per cent. The specificity of tightly linked SSR markers for leaflet shape was confirmed by validation on 24 different soybean genotypes. The SSR markers successfully distinguished the narrow leaflet genotypes from broad leaflet genotypes, indicating their specificity to leaflet shape locus and thus offer scope for further exploitation