Showing papers by "Awadhesh Kumar published in 2020"

Phytic acid content may affect starch digestibility and glycemic index value of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Abstract: Background Phytic acid (PA) is an anti-nutrient present in cereals and pulses. It is known to reduce mineral bioavailability and inhibit starch-digesting α-amylase (which requires calcium for activity) in the human gut. In principle, the greater the amount of PA, the lower is the rate of starch hydrolysis. It is reflected in the lower glycemic index (GI) value of food. People leading sedentary lifestyles and consuming rice as a staple food are likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Hence, this study was planned to understand how PA content of different rice varieties affects the GI. Results Rice Khira and Mugai which had very low PA (0.30 and 0.36 g kg-1 , respectively) had higher GI values and α-amylase activity, while Nua Dhusara and the pigmented rice Manipuri black rice (MBR) which had high PA (2.13 and 2.98 g kg-1 , respectively) showed low α-amylase activity and GI values. This relationship was statistically significant, though a weak relationship was found for the pigmented rice. Expression levels of MIPSI, IPKI and GBSSI markedly increased in the middle stage of grain development in all of the six genotypes having contrasting PA and GI. Maximum expression of MIPSI and IPKI was observed in Nua Dhusara and MBR (which had high PA) while that of GBSSI was observed in Khira and Mugai (with higher GI) at middle stage showing a negative correlation between PA and GI. Conclusions The data indicate that high PA content in rice might have an adverse effect on starch digestibility resulting in slower starch digestion in the human gut and consequently low glycemic response. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biofortification of Vegetables

Abstract: In the past few decades, the major concern on this planet was food security. After making a successful lead in food security now, the developing nations are focusing on nutritional security, which includes food that is enriched in minerals and vitamins. Micronutrients and vitamins are essential for human growth and development. Any deficiency of these components leads to “hidden hunger.” Enhancing these components can alleviate malnutrition in women and children in the developing world. Micronutrients like Fe, Zn, Se, Mg, Ca, Iodine, and vitamins like provitamin A and folate are an important component of the biofortification program. Biofortification of vegetable with vitamins and micronutrients is the present need of an hour to fight different health issues faced by the developing countries. For biofortification of vegetable and other staple crops, three major techniques are used, viz. conventional breeding, agronomic approach (use of mineral fertilizer), and genetic engineering. These approaches have enormous potential to address this vitamin and micronutrient malnutrition. Many genes are available for the target traits by which it will be possible to improve micronutrient in vegetables. These tools can be very much helpful in improving the level of micronutrients and vitamins by several-fold in staple cereals and vegetables.

Role of sedoheptulose-1,7 bisphosphatase in low light tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract: Rice grain yield is drastically reduced under low light especially in kharif (wet) season due to cloudy weather during most part of crop growth. Therefore, 50–60% of yield penalty was observed. To overcome this problem, identification of low light tolerant rice genotypes with a high buffering capacity trait such as photosynthetic rate has to be developed. Sedoheptulose-1,7 bisphosphatase, a light-regulated enzyme, plays pivotal role in the Calvin cycle by regenerating the substrate (RuBP) for RuBisCo and therefore, indirectly regulates the influx of CO2 for this crucial process. We found a potential role of SBPase expression and activity in low light tolerant and susceptible rice genotypes by analyzing its influence on net photosynthetic rate and biomass. We observed a significant relationship of yield with photosynthesis, SBPase expression and activity especially under low light conditions. Two tolerant and two susceptible rice genotypes were used for the present study. Tolerant genotypes exhibited significant but least reduction compared to susceptible genotypes in the expression and activity of SBPase, which was also manifested in its photosynthetic rate and finally in the grain yield under low light. However, susceptible genotypes showed significant reduction in SBPase activity along with photosynthesis and grain yield suggesting that tracking the expression and activity of SBPase could form a simple and reliable method to identify the low light tolerant rice cultivars. The data were analyzed using the Indostat 7.5, Tukey–Kramer method through Microsoft Excel 2019 and PAST4.0 software. The significant association of SBPase activity with the grain yield, net assimilation rate, electron transfer rate, biomass and grain weight were observed under low light stress. These traits should be considered while selecting and breeding for low light tolerant cultivars. Thus, SBPase plays a major role in the low light tolerance mechanism in rice.

Dietary Fibres in Potato

Abstract: The dietary fibre (DF) is both starch and non-starch polysaccharide of our diet having a significant effect on gut physiology. It enhances the fermentation process, nutrifies gut microflora, enriches gut microbiome, and improves large bowel function. The recommended dose of DF in our diet is 20–35 g/day, which shows that how much important is the role of DF in our diet. The DF consumption not only lowers the effect of glycaemic response but also provides a protective role in large bowel cancer, diabetes, and coronary heart diseases. The DF can be classified majorly into two types, viz., water-soluble DF and water-insoluble DF. Water-soluble DF includes gum, pectin, and mucilage, whereas water-insoluble DF includes cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cooked potatoes are a good dietary source of carbohydrates which contains about 1.8% of total dry weight. Consumption of dietary fibre can confer benefits to heart health by influencing both lipid and glucose metabolism.

Minerals in Potato

Abstract: In the last few decades, the research is focused on sustainable development towards food security. Present research scenario is emphasized on nutritional security in the developing countries. In terms of consumption, potato is the fourth in number after rice, wheat and maize. It is considered a complete food and used as a staple food in various European countries. Potato is rich in carbohydrate, quality protein, antioxidant and micronutrients. It is also a rich source for minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iodine, iron and zinc. There is wide variation in the minerals content of germplasm available for potato which provides ample scope for plant breeder and genetic engineers to explore the mechanism of mineral uptake in potato and enhance the bioavailability of minerals. So, biofortification of potato for mineral content through various approaches, viz., agronomic approach, conventional breeding and biotechnology is the best way to deal with the problem of malnutrition.

Negative human-wildlife interactions in traditional agroforestry systems in Assam, India

Abstract: Traditional agroforestry systems are designed to provide maximum and diverse yield (ranging from agricultural crops, forest trees, livestock and fish) to people. They also act as sources of food and shelter to wild animals leading to crop destruction, livestock depredation and injuries to people giving rise to negative human-wildlife interactions. The present study was carried out in three different agroforestry systems namely tea gardens, homegardens, and agrisilvicultural systems in Assam to document the attitude of people towards wild animals which damage the crops and livestock, through questionnaire surveys. In agroforestry systems, 13 animals were reported as destructive; rodents at 13% followed by Indian Hare at 12%. The least destructive were birds and bats with 4% each. In tea gardens majority of the people killed animals for meat (95%) and the most common method for killing was the use of catapults (77%). In homegardens and agrisilvicultural systems, owners chased the animals away (82%) by using catapults (68%). Hunting of animals and intolerance of people towards crop destruction and livestock depredation done by wild animals were the two main reasons causing negative human-wildlife interactions in agroforestry systems. The present study concludes that wildlife species found in the agroforestry system in Assam were threatened by local inhabitants and thus, a suitable conservation awareness and policy action plan should be developed in consultation with the owners of agroforestry systems by considering the ecological significance of the wildlife species found therein.

Lipids in Potato

Abstract: Potato tuber is rich in carbohydrates, but it also contains essential lipids. The total lipid content of the potato is approximately 0.15%–0.5% of the fresh weight. The lipids of potato are enriched in linoleic and linolenic acids. It may contain bioactive lipid compounds like glycolipid, phospholipids, sterols and carotenoids which are more desirable for their health-promoting effects. Biosynthesis of fatty acid takes place mainly in two organelles, viz., plastid and endoplasmic reticulum. Presence of lipid, phosphates and low-molecular-weight-proteins in the interior of the starch granules leads to interaction with the starch. These properties affects the starch physicochemical characteristics like gelatinization, retrogradation, swelling and viscosity during the processing of potato. The extraction and estimation of lipid content can be done by using a combination of n-propanol and water. In TLC chromatography method chloroform-methanol is used to separate various lipid components and further subjected to gas chromatography. Growing condition of potato crop, storage and cooking of potato may affect the lipid content. Efforts have been made to increase the lipid content in potato through conventional breeding and transgenic approaches. However, high lipid content in potato may affect the starch accumulation and composition which may lead to enhanced sugar content. More research needs to be carried out for the development of potato cultivars with an adequate amount of lipid content without affecting starch metabolism.

Development of RTS from papaya (Carica papaya L.) and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller.) pulp

Abstract: Investigation on development of RTS from papaya and aloe vera blended pulp during the year 2015-2016. The prepared quality RTS from 10 % blend, 13 % TSS, 0.25 % acidity and 70 ppm SO2 were found to be best during organoleptic evaluation. The developed RTS was packed in sterilized glass bottles (200mL capacity) and stored at room temperature for storage study. The storage ability of prepared RTS the TSS, acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars and browning were increased, whereas ascorbic acid, non-reducing sugar and organoleptic quality was decreased with increased storage period.

Ralstonia solanacearum: Biology and its Management in Solanaceous Vegetable Crops

Abstract: Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterium causing bacterial wilt disease on wider host plants, especially in tropical, subtropical, and some warmer temperate regions of the world. Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on solanaceous crops is of serious concern in vegetable cultivation all over the world, as it could cause deadly effect on host plants with severe yield losses. Numerous research attempts were made to control this disease in the field level, but all have limited or no success, mainly due to the complex nature of pathogen. Hence, understanding of pathogen biology and its behavior is important before devising any effective disease management strategies. This review is focused upon taxonomy, symptomatology, host range, pathogen biology, diversity, economic impact, mechanisms of infection, pathogenicity determinants, disease cycle, detection and diagnosis techniques, and also on available integrated disease management strategies for successful control of bacterial wilt disease, especially in solanaceous vegetables.

Effect of Plan of Nutrition on Growth of Female Buffalo Calves

Abstract: Livestock sector plays a crucial role in shaping the rural economy of India. It is a major continuous income generating activity for the rural households. Livestock rearing and crop husbandry are the two important components of mixed farming which influence agricultural economy leading to sustainable agriculture and are complementary to each other. On an average animal husbandry contributes about 27 per cent to agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, whereas, the contribution is much higher in hot semi-arid and arid region where conventional crop production is always a gamble due to uncertain and scanty rainfall. Livestock & fisheries sector contribute over 4.11 per cent of total GDP of India (Economic Survey 2017-18). A symbiotic relationship exists between men, land and livestock. India is International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 3 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com