Cloning and heterologous expression of a gene encoding lycopene-epsilon-cyclase, a precursor of lutein in tea (Camellia sinensis var assamica)

This report describes the cloning and expression of a gene lycopene epsilon cyclase, (LCYE) from Camellia sinensis var assamica which is a precursor of the carotenoid lutein in tea. The 1982 bp cDNA sequence with 1599 bp open reading frame of LCYE was identified from an SSH library constructed for quality trait in tea. 5’ and 3’ RACE (rapid-amplification of cDNA ends) was done to clone the full length cDNA of LCYE. Homology studies showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of LCYE gene had the highest sequence identity of up to 84% with Vitis vinefera. The cloned gene was successfully expressed in a PET based Escherichia coli expression system. The size of the expressed protein was 59615 Daltons. A suppression subtractive library was constructed using a quality clone H3111 (tester) and a garden series clone T3E3 (driver).Key words: Carotenoid, RACE, heterologous expression, lutein, tea

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Not AvailableThe present study deals with the detailed investigation on population dynamics of the near-threatened catfish Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822), which inhabits the Brahmaputra River of India and forms an important component of freshwater inland fishery, providing nutritional and financial security to the local community. A total of 1034 individuals were collected by weekly sampling from the Uzanbazar and Dhubri landing centres of this river system from September 2013 to April 2014. The estimated asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (K) and age at zero length (t0 ) of A. coila were 268 mm, 0.87 yr-1 and t0 = 0.000028 years respectively. Estimated total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality coefficient (F) were 5.76, 1.63 and 4.13 yr-1 respectively. Using von Bertalanffy growth formula (VBGF) the length attained at the end of first, second and third years of life were estimated at 156, 221 and 248 mm, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth equation of this fish can be written as Lt = 268 [1-e- 0.87(t+0.000027866)]. The exploitation ratio (U) and exploitation rate (E) and M/K ratio were estimated at 0.71, 0.72 and 1.87, respectively.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe present study deals with the detailed investigation on population dynamics of the near-threatened catfish Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822), which inhabits the Brahmaputra River of India and forms an important component of freshwater inland fishery, providing nutritional and financial security to the local community. A total of 1034 individuals were collected by weekly sampling from the Uzanbazar and Dhubri landing centres of this river system from September 2013 to April 2014. The estimated asymptotic length (L ∞), growth coefficient (K) and age at zero length (t 0) of A. coila were 268 mm, 0.87 yr-1 and t 0 = 0.000028 years respectively. Estimated total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality coefficient (F) were 5.76, 1.63 and 4.13 yr-1 respectively. Using von Bertalanffy growth formula (VBGF) the length attained at the end of first, second and third years of life were estimated at 156, 221 and 248 mm, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth equation of this fish can be written as L t = 268 [1-e-0.87(t+0.000027866) ]. The exploitation ratio (U) and exploitation rate (E) and M/K ratio were estimated at 0.71, 0.72 and 1.87, respectively.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePrawn and crab fisheries in Tapti River – A peninsular river, India.Not Availabl

Decreasing Trend in Black Carbon Aerosols Over the Indian Region

We examine long-term trends in the near-surface black carbon mass concentration, using multiyear primary data obtained from a dense network (ARFINET) of observatories over the Indian region. We report for the first time the statistically significant decreasing trend in black carbon mass concentration, based on primary data from this region, at an average rate of ~242 ± 53 ng · m �3  · year �1 during the period 2007�2016. This finding contrasts with the generally increasing trend in the columnar aerosol optical depth, reported earlier, and the steadily increasing trend in anthropogenic activities over this region. The roles of different possible mechanisms, including possible changes in the vertical redistribution of aerosols, are discussed. Over the period 2007�2015, a significant though weak, increasing trend is seen in the contribution from aerosols above 1 km to the columnar aerosol optical depth. These observations imply possible long-term climate consequences. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved

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Not AvailableLength‐weight relationships (LWRs) for five indigenous fish species under five genera and two families, namely Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839), Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822), Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Gagata sexualis Tilak, 1970 and Pseudolaguvia shawi (Hora, 1921) were studied from Torsa River in West Bengal, India. Sampling was done at quarterly intervals from November, 2015 to December, 2016 and a total of 701 fish specimens were collected using cast nets (mesh size of 15–20 mm), gill nets (mesh size 20–35 mm) and bamboo traps. In the present study, b value ranges from 2.686 to 3.268. LWRs for these fish species (except P. shawi) have not been reported in FishBase. A new maximum length has been recorded for P. Shawi and G. sexualis. The relative condition factor (Kn) values was found to range from 1.004 to 1.028.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSagar Island in Indian Sundarbans is bestowed with numerous tidal creeks providing a suitable home to its inherent aquatic biota. The present study investigated the variation in the surface water quality in selected tidal creeks of Sagar Island, Indian Sundarbans to understand the present status of water quality for wildlife propagation and fisheries. Ten water parameters were taken into consideration for analysis on monthly basis from four stations (tidal creeks) from September 2015 to August 2016. One-way ANOVA showed five parameters (water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chemical oxygen demand) varied significantly between seasons (p ≤ 0.05). Factor analysis exhibited four factors explaining 53.21% total variance in the observed data. Salinity and turbidity showed a maximum annual range of variations followed by dissolved oxygen. The fluctuations of physicochemical parameters throughout the year hinted toward the ever-changing nature of the estuarine ecosystem with possible human-induced impacts. Pronounced variation in turbidity seemed to be the effect of ferrying/transportation, monsoonal runoff and other human-induced activities. In the present study, water parameters viz., water temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were the deterministic parameters influencing the variables in the system. The other important parameters were found to be COD, BOD3 and nitrate concentrations during the study period. The study shall provide baseline information in formulating the management measures in terms of water quality in wildlife propagation and fisheries.Not Availabl