Showing papers by "Central Tuber Crops Research Institute published in 2017"

Potential impacts of bioprocessing of sweet potato: Review

Abstract: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is among the major food crops in the world and is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Asia and Africa regions account for 95% of the world's production. Among the root and tuber crops grown in the world, sweet potato ranks second after cassava. In previous decades, sweet potato represented food and feed security, now it offers income generation possibilities, through bioprocessing products. Bioprocessing of sweet potato offers novel opportunities to commercialize this crop by developing a number of functional foods and beverages such as sour starch, lacto-pickle, lacto-juice, soy sauce, acidophilus milk, sweet potato curd and yogurt, and alcoholic drinks through either solid state or submerged fermentation. Sweet potato tops, especially leaves are preserved as hay or silage. Sweet potato flour and bagassae are used as substrates for production of microbial protein, enzymes, organic acids, monosodium glutamate, chitosan, etc. Additionally, sweet potato is a promising candidate for production of bioethanol. This review deals with the development of various products from sweet potato by application of bioprocessing technology. To the best of our knowledge, there is no review paper on the potential impacts of the sweet potato bioprocessing.

Quality enhancement of prickly pears (Opuntia sp.) juice through probiotic fermentation using Lactobacillus fermentum - ATCC 9338

Abstract: The demand of functional and probiotic foods are on the rise and there is always a quest to develop array of the products rather than the traditional milk derived products. The current study focuses on the preparation technology, biochemical and sensory characteristics of lactic acid fermented juice developed by using prickly pears (Opuntia sp.) as substrate. Prickly pears lacto-juice was prepared by fermenting the juice of prickly pears (diluted by appropriate factor) with a probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum ATCC 9338. The lacto-juice had the following compositions: total soluble solids, 5.9 °Brix; total sugar, 1.75 g/100 mL; reducing sugar, 0.20 g/100 mL; pH, 4.1; titratable acidity, 1.7 g tartaric acid/100 mL; lactic acid, 0.32 mg/100 mL; phenol, 0.41 μg/mL; ascorbic acid, 6 mg/100 mL, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, 105 μMTE (micro molar trolox equivalent)/mL. A total of nine proximate attributes loaded heavily on the dimension. Six analytical variables, i.e. titratable acidity (−), total soluble solids (+), total sugar (+), residual sugar (+), phenol (+) and DPPH (+) were loaded on PC1. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of alkenes, organic acids, hydroxyl groups and nitro groups. GC-MS study indicated the disintegration of some risky organic compounds such as 4h-Pyran-4-one, 3, 5-dihydroxy-2-methyl; furfuryl alcohol; 2-propenenitrile, 2-(acetyloxy); 2, 2-diethyl-3-methyloxazolidine; acetaldehyde and furan present in the fresh fruit juice during the course of probiotic fermentation. The sensory panellists recommended the overall acceptability of the product.

Nutritional and potential health benefits of konjac glucomannan, a promising polysaccharide of elephant foot yam, Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch: A review

Abstract: Amorphophallus konjac (konjac) is one among the major vegetable (tuber) crops grown in Asian countries. In China and Japan, it has been used as food and a food additive for more than 1000 years. Ov...

Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of yam (Dioscorea alata L.) using microsatellite markers.

Abstract: Yams (Dioscorea sp.) are staple food crops for millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. Dioscorea alata, also known as greater yam, is one of the major cultivated species and most widely distributed throughout the tropics. Despite its economic and cultural importance, very little is known about its origin, diversity and genetics. As a consequence, breeding efforts for resistance to its main disease, anthracnose, have been fairly limited. The objective of this study was to contribute to the understanding of D. alata genetic diversity by genotyping 384 accessions from different geographical regions (South Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean), using 24 microsatellite markers. Diversity structuration was assessed via Principal Coordinate Analysis, UPGMA analysis and the Bayesian approach implemented in STRUCTURE. Our results revealed the existence of a wide genetic diversity and a significant structuring associated with geographic origin, ploidy levels and morpho-agronomic characteristics. Seventeen major groups of genetically close cultivars have been identified, including eleven groups of diploid cultivars, four groups of triploids and two groups of tetraploids. STRUCTURE revealed the existence of six populations in the diploid genetic pool and a few admixed cultivars. These results will be very useful for rationalizing D. alata genetic resources in breeding programs across different regions and for improving germplasm conservation methods.

Bioprospecting endophytic diazotrophic Lysinibacillus sphaericus as biocontrol agents of rice sheath blight disease

Abstract: The present study tried to explore the possible in vitro biocontrol mechanisms of Lysinibacillus sphaericus, a diazotrophic endophyte from rice against the rice sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The in vivo biocontrol potential of the isolate and the induction of systemic resistance under greenhouse conditions have also been experimented employing different treatments with positive control carbendazim, the chemical fungicide. The endophytic isolate showed 100% growth inhibition of the fungal pathogen via volatile organic compound production and was positive for the production of siderophores, biosurfactants, HCN, and ammonia. Under greenhouse conditions, foliar and soil application of L. sphaericus significantly decreased the percentage of disease incidence. All bacterized treatments are superior to chemical fungicide treatment. Application of L. sphaericus in single and combination treatments induces systemic resistance as evident from the significant accumulation of defense enzymes such as peroxides, polyphenol oxides and phenylalanine ammonia in addition to the increase of phenolic compounds. The results biologically prospect endophytic diazotroph L. sphaericus as a potent plant growth promoter with excellent biocontrol efficiency.

Solid State Fermentation for Production of Microbial Cellulases

Abstract: Cellulose, present in renewable lignocellulosic material, is considered to be the most abundant organic substrate on earth for production of hexose and pentose sugars, feedstock for fuel, and for other chemicals. Research on cellulase has progressed very rapidly in the past few decades with an emphasis on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to hexose sugars. The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose requires the use of cellulase [1,4-(1,3:1,4)-β-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4], a multiple enzyme system consisting of endo-1,4,-β-D-glucanases [1,4-β-D-glucanases (CMCase, EC 3.2.1.4)], exo-1,4,-β-D-glucanases [1,4-β-D glucan cellobiohydrolase, FPA, EC 3.2.1.91], and β—glucosidase (cellobiase) (β-D-glucoside glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21). Major impediments to exploit the commercial potential of cellulases are the economic yield, stability, specificity, and above all, the cost of production. In the last few years, emphasis has been devoted mainly to submerged fermentation and less attention has been given to solid state fermentation (SSF). SSF refers to the process whereby microbial growth and product fermentation occur on the surface of solid materials. This process occurs in the absence of “free” water, where the moisture is absorbed to the solid matrix. The direct applicability of the product, the high product concentration, lower production cost, easy product recovery, and reduced energy requirement make SSF a promising technology for cellulase production. This chapter covers the production of cellulase in SSF using various lignocellulosic substrates, the microorganisms involved, cultural conditions, process parameters (ie, moisture content and water activity, mass transfer processes: aeration and nutrients diffusion, substrate particle size, temperature, pH, surfactants, etc.), bioreactor designs, and the strategies to improve enzyme yield.

Population structure of elephant foot yams (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) in Asia.

Abstract: The corms and leaves of elephant foot yams (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) are important foods in the local diet in many Asian regions. The crop has high productivity and wide agroecological adaptation and exhibits suitability for the agroforestry system. Although the plant is assumed to reproduce via panmixia, a comprehensive study on the genetic background across regions to enhance wider consumer palatability is still lacking. Here, ten informative microsatellites were analyzed in 29 populations across regions in India, Indonesia and Thailand to understand the genetic diversity, population structure and distribution to improve breeding and conservation programs. The genetic diversity was high among and within regions. Some populations exhibited excess heterozygosity and bottlenecking. Pairwise FST indicated very high genetic differentiation across regions (FST = 0.274), and the Asian population was unlikely to be panmictic. Phylogenetic tree construction grouped the populations according to country of origin with the exception of the Medan population from Indonesia. The current gene flow was apparent within the regions but was restricted among the regions. The present study revealed that Indonesia and Thailand populations could be alternative centers of the gene pool, together with India. Consequently, regional action should be incorporated in genetic conservation and breeding efforts to develop new varieties with global acceptance.

Comparative study of RS4 type resistant starches derived from cassava and potato starches via octenyl succinylation

Abstract: Resistant starch is becoming important among functional foods because of its similarity to dietary fiber in many physiological properties. In the present study, an attempt has been made to compare two distinct tuber starches from cassava and potato, in the formation of RS4 type resistant starch by chemical modification with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The octenyl succinate esters of both the starches exhibited significant changes in structural, functional, and dietetic properties in comparison to their respective native counterparts. The modified starches were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and XRD analysis. The pasting, gelatinization, and in vitro digestibility properties were also determined. The water binding capacity of both the starches increased upon modification. The pasting and gelatinization properties of the two starches were affected differently. The cooked samples of octenyl succinylated potato starch showed slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) in the range of 10.53–34.86% and 3.58–29.1%, respectively, whereas these were 20.46–38.36% and 1.47–27.92%, respectively, for cassava starch. In both cases, RS and SDS of modified starches increased significantly and glycemic index (GI) decreased in comparison to corresponding native starches.

Food Traceability and Authenticity : Analytical Techniques

Abstract: Food traceability is a growing consumer concern worldwide. Traceability is undertaken primarily at the administrative level, where the use of advanced analytical tools is not available. Nevertheless, the determination of geographical origin is a requirement of the traceability system for the import and export of foodstuffs (EU regulation 178/2002). The topics covered in this book include the history of traceability; legislations and rules; the actual traceability techniques and the potential analytical techniques for food traceability such as molecular methods (e.g. DGGE, SSCP), next generation sequencers (NGS), bio-captors, chromatographic techniques, isotopic analysis that are used for discrimination of organic food, fish, oils. The chromatographic techniques help in the use of volatile compounds analysis. The isotope analysis helps in distinguishing between chicken meat and vegetable oils. Ambient mass spectrometry is used for studying mycotoxines and alkaloids in foodstuffs and their management, food and feed authentication in olive and other plant oils, and wine. Vibrational methods (e.g. NMR and NIRS) are used to trace food by global spectrum. The book reviews the current and future techniques including metabolomic techniques. (Resume d'auteur)

Extractive determination of bioactive flavonoids from butterfly pea ( Clitoria ternatea Linn.)

Abstract: Recently, in the field of natural product drug discovery, there has been increasing interest in effective extraction and isolation of bioactive phytomolecules from plants for use as important starting materials or chemical intermediates for new drug development. In this investigation, various solvent extracts of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea Linn.) were evaluated in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Moreover, various parameters influencing optimal flavonoid extraction were studied based on determination of the quercetin and kaempferol yields by an improved high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The results indicated that the total phenolics and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity were maximum for the 80 % aqueous methanol extract, while the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reducing power and flavonoid content were maximum in the methanol extract. Different solvent extracts showed significantly (p < 0.05) different phytochemical yield and antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the total phenol and flavonoid contents revealed good (p < 0.001) correlations with scavenging potency. The maximum flavonoid content was found for methanol concentration, time, temperature, and solid-to-liquid ratio of 80 %, 60 min, 80 °C, and 1:20 g/mL, respectively. It is concluded that butterfly pea leaf can be considered a potential source of flavonoids with good antioxidant properties for use in dietary applications. The extraction protocols developed in this study can be readily scaled up for industrial applications.

Rapid detection of tomato leaf curl Bengaluru virus through loop mediated isothermal amplification assay

Abstract: A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was employed to develop a simple and rapid method for the detection of tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus (ToLCBaV) in diseased plants of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Six sets of primers were designed for LAMP technique targeting the conserved AC1 region and successfully detected ToLCBaV. No reaction was detected in the tissues of healthy plants by either the LAMP or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The LAMP products can be visualized by presence or absence of turbidity and staining (0.2 μL for 25 μL LAMP product) directly in the tube with nucleic acid stain dye which allowed easy detection. Sensitivity of LAMP assay is 100 times of conventional PCR technique. Although, both the LAMP and the PCR methods were capable of detecting ToLCBaV in infected tissues of tomato, the LAMP method would be more useful than the PCR method for detection of ToLCBaV infection in tomato plants because it is more rapid, simple and accurate method.

Fermented foods. Part II: Technological interventions

Abstract: This book reviews the use of fermentation to develop healthy and functional foods and beverages, and the commercialization of some of the fermented food products through the use of biotechnology The first two sections cover the health and functional benefits of fermented foods and the latter two sections includes chapters on global and region-specific fermented foods that have crossed the geographical barriers to reach the supermarkets all over the world.

Genetic variability, characters association and path analysis for yield and fruit quality components in Brinjal

Abstract: The experiment was done at AB District Seed Farm, BCKV, Kalyani Simanta, West-Bengal, India during autumn-winter 2013-14 and 2014-15. The characters that exhibited higher Phenotypic and Genotypic Co-efficient of variation values were number of fruits per plant (76.86, 75.63%), fruit weight (43.88, 41.34%), harvest index (23.57, 22.29%), fruit yield per plant (53.61, 51.17%), anthocyanin in peel, total phenols and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging (FRS) capacity indicating that a greater amount of genetic variability was present for these characters which provide greater scope for selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for the characters like plant height, days to 1st flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, harvest index, fruit yield per plant, total sugar, anthocyanin in peel, total phenols and DPPH FRS capacity depicting that these traits were under the strong influence of additive gene action and hence simple selection based on phenotypic performance of these traits would be more effective. Fruit yield per plant showed highly positive significant correlation with number of primary branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, harvest index, vitamin-A and total phenols and significant negative correlation with days to 1st flowering, TSS, total sugars and total protein. Number of fruits per plant imparted the highest positive direct effect on yield followed by harvest index, fruit weight, days to 50% flowering and anthocyanin in peel. Number of fruits per plant and days to flowering were emerged as the main casual factors for positive or negative association of several characters with fruit yield per plant. Therefore, selection for fruit yield per plant based on these characters would be reliable.

Effect of Mycorrhiza, Organic Sources, Lime, Secondary and Micro-nutrients on Soil Microbial Activities and Yield Performance of Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) in Alfisols

Abstract: Effect of integrated use of mycorrhiza, lime, inorganic fertilizers, and organic manures on microbial activities and yield performance of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) was studied for two consecutive kharif (rainy) seasons during 2013–14 and 2014–15 in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was laid out with 16 treatments consisting of graded doses of soil test–based nitrogen, phosphors, and potassium (NPK); lime; mycorrhiza; organic sources, that is, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and green manure; secondary magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and micronutrients zinc sulfate (ZnSO4 and borax). Significantly highest mean tuber yield (29.61 t ha−1) was recorded due to integrated application of lime + FYM + NPK + ZnSO4. Graded doses of NPK showed a mean yield response of 65%, 134%, and 191% due to addition of 50%, 100%, and 150% of NPK over control, respectively. Inoculation of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) combined with NPK and FYM recorded a mean tuber yield of 25.14 t ha−1. Highest mean dry matte...

An Antifungal Mechanism of Protolichesterinic Acid from the Lichen Usnea albopunctata Lies in the Accumulation of Intracellular ROS and Mitochondria-Mediated Cell Death Due to Apoptosis in Candida tropicalis.

Abstract: Candida species is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen, producing not only superficial mucosal infections but also cause human life-threatening systemic diseases (candidiasis). Protolichesterinic acid is a well-known lichen compound. Although the antibacterial activity of protolichesterinic acid have been reported earlier, the antifungal property and its mechanism of action are still largely unknown. The goal of this investigation is to explore the anticandidal activity and mechanism of action of protolichesterinic acid, especially against Candida tropicalis. The MIC value was established through microdilution techniques against four Candida species and out of four species tested, C. tropicalis showed a significant effect (MIC: 2 µg/ml). In the morphological interference assay, we observed the enhanced inhibition of hyphae when the cells were treated with protolichesterinic acid. Time-kill assay demonstrated that the maximum rate of killing was recorded between 2 to 6 h. C. tropicalis exposed to protolichesterinic acid exhibited an increased ROS production, which is one of the key factors of fungal death. The rise in ROS was due to the dysfunction of mitochondria caused by protolichesterinic acid. We confirmed that protolichesterinic acid-induced dysfunction of mitochondria in C. tropicalis. The damage of cell membrane due to protolichesterinic acid treatment was confirmed by the influx of propidium iodide and were further confirmed by the release of potassium ions. The treatment of protolichesterinic acid also triggered calcium ion signaling. Moreover, it commenced apoptosis which is clearly evidenced by Annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Interestingly protolichesterinic acid recorded excellent immunomodulatory property when tested against lymphocytes. Finally protolichesterinic acid showed low toxicity towards a normal human cell line Foreskin (FS) normal fibroblast. In in-vivo test, protolichesterinic acid greatly prolonged the survival of C. tropicalis infected Caenorhabditis elegans. This investigation proposes that the protolichesterinic acid induces apoptosis in C. tropicalis via the enhanced accumulation of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial damage, which leads fungal cell death via apoptosis. Our work revealed a new key aspect of mechanisms of action of protolichesterinic acid in Candida species. This article is the first study on the antifungal and mechanism of action of protolichesterinic acid in Candida species.

Endophytic microorganisms of tropical tuber crops: Potential and perspectives

Abstract: Endophytic microorganisms which include both bacteria and fungi colonise almost every plant species. In order to colonize the plant and compete with other microorganisms, they produce a plethora of secondary metabolites, including toxins, enzymes, antibiotics, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antifungal compounds. Endophytic fungi can have profound impacts on plant communities which include abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, increase of biomass, decrease of water consumption and alteration of resource allocation, nitrogen fixation, increased drought resistance, thermal protection, survival under osmotic stress and degradation of pollutants. Though tuber crops are the second most important group of crop plants providing food energy to humans after cereals, less attention has been paid to the these traditional crops in general. Investigations regarding the association of endophytes with the tuber crops have been sparsely studied though in some tuber crops like cassava, sweet potato and yams, presence of endophytes have been reported. Hence from the scarcely available literature, in the current review an attempt was made to put light on the various beneficial activities of endophytes on tuber crops. These reports glorified many symbiotically associated endophytes to have antagonistic properties against many plant pathogens like Rhizoctoniasolani, Pythiumaphanidermatumand Sclerotiumrolfsii. Species like Rahnellawas resilient to cold shock, UV irradiation and antibiotics. Many diazotropihic and non-diazotropihicendophytic bacteria were involved in nitrogen fixation. Actinomycetesendophytes were novel sources of industrially important thermostableamylolytic enzymes. However, inspite of all these profound beneficial effects endophytic associations are still to be studied in many tuber crops like taro, elephant foot yam, greater yam etc. So this review put forward the urge to carry out comprehensive research on these important microbes on such important crops.

Discovery of elytral thermo-receptor sensilla in three species of coleopterans- a comparative morphology study

Abstract: Coleopterans are all hard in physic and are tougher to withstand fatalities due to random or blind flight. This unusually thick chitinous cuticle is definitely an evolutionary gift in the foresaid sense while this doesn’t correlate with the extraordinary olfactory and thermo-reception properties, the family execute in general. Current study gain its base in this quest and to understand the mechanism, examination of the distribution and function of the receptive sensilla in the body surface of three coleopteran insects viz. Odoiporus longicollis Oliver, Cosmopolitus sordidus Germer and Pollitus mellerborgi Bough was carried out. The sensilla discovered on the surface of the elytral cuticle were observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal sensitivity of the elytral-sensilla was proven by providing various temperature exposures. Though these sensilla are observed in common they exhibit slight morphological variations that fine tune the niche boundary between the three closely related species.

Compatibility of Trichoderma asperellum with Fungicides, Insecticides, Inorganic fertilizers and Bio-pesticides

Abstract: Trichoderma is one of the most common soil inhabitants and extensively studied bio-control agents in the management of plant pathogens. Species of Trichoderma are being used for the management of fungal diseases of tropical tuber crops. The diseases, collar rot of elephant foot yam, tuber rot of cassava, yam anthracnose and taro leaf blight could be managed by this bio-agent. Many a time in field, Trichoderma is applied along with agrochemicals. It makes essential to assess the compatibility of Trichoderma to these chemicals in order to tap the potential of them in the integrated management system. Present study was conducted in ICAR- CTCRI, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram to assess the compatibility of T. asperellum with commonly used fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers and cassava based bio- pesticides developed by ICAR-CTCRI. Thirteen fungicides, eight insecticides, three chemical fertilizers and two bio-pesticides were tested at different concentrations viz., 100ppm, 200ppm, 400ppm and 800ppm. Among the fungicides, Metalaxyl M + Mancozeb (Ridomil Gold) followed by Mancozeb (Indofil M-45) were least inhibitory to T. asperellum. The fungicides containing carbendazim (Saaf, Bavistin, Sprint, Turf, Starbenz) were highly inhibitory to the mycelial growth of Trichoderma even at the lowest concentration tested (100 ppm). Compared to fungicides, insecticides showed less toxicity to Trichoderma. Even at the highest concentration of 800 ppm, none of the insecticides could completely inhibit the mycelial growth of Trichoderma. The growth inhibition by the inorganic fertilizers were minimum exhibiting >10% mycelium growth inhibition at 800 ppm. The results of this study will help in choosing suitable chemicals in Integrated Disease Management (IDM) for tropical tuber crops

Characterisation of Carlaviruses Occurring in India

Abstract: Carlaviruses infects field, vegetable and ornamental crops in India. The genus Carlavirus (family Betaflexiviridae) has as many as 43 recognised virus species and 13 tentative members. Only five carlavirus species, Cowpea mild mottle virus, Chrysanthemum virus B, Lily symptomless virus, Potato virus S and Garlic common latent virus and one tentative member, football lily mosaic virus are known in India. In this chapter, characterisation of carlavirus occurring in India is presented.

Comparative potential of Somatic embryogenesis and Friable Embryogenic Callus production in farmer preferred Indian cassava cultivars

Abstract: The most crucial step towards developing farmer preferred qualities in cassava is to successfully produce stable and re-generable friable embryogenic callus (FEC). FEC production in four Indian cassava cultivars viz., H226, H165, Sree Vijaya, Sree Sahya in comparison with model cultivar, TMS 60444 were attempted. The focus was also on production and maintenance of virus free in vitro mother plants, optimization of somatic embryogenesis using two different explants, axillary bud (AB) and immature leaf lobe (ILL), other than induction of FEC and evaluation of its regeneration potential. All the varieties produced a moderate to optimum OES production on 12mg/l Picloram, in which the highest frequency of OES induction of 97.49 % and 95.64 % were obtained in H226 and H165, respectively using ILL. The number of healthy plantlets regenerated from 50 mg of FEC was 14, 11, and 17 from H165, H226 and TMS 60444 respectively. These results could be a pointer towards the production of FEC in other Indian cassava varieties, which are highly susceptible to CMD with suitable modification in culture media for developing resistance.

Characterisation of the Macluraviruses Occurring in India

Abstract: The genus Macluravirus of the family Potyviridae currently contains six recognized and two tentative virus species. In India, so far only two macluraviruses eg., large cardamom chirke virus (LCCV) and cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) infecting large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) and small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), respectively have been studied well. Recently, a new macluravirus, yam mottling virus has been tentatively identified in mild mosaic disease of yam (Dioscorea spp) in southern India. LCCV is distributed in large cardamom cultivated in the North-East sub-Himalayan mountains and CdMV in small cardamom cultivated in southern India. Both these macluraviruses cause chlorotic streak mosaic disease in cardamom. CdMV and LCCV are known in India since long time and considerable infromation has been generated. This chapter summarizes the work on the biological and molecular properties of macluraviruses occurring in India.

Comparative Sugar Yield from Lime Pretreated Lignocellulo-Starch Biomass during Enzymatic Saccharification with Binary or Triple Enzyme Cocktails

Abstract: The comparative sugar recovery from lime pretreated lignocellulo-starch biomass (LCSBs) during saccharification with single, binary or triple enzyme systems was investigated. Reducing sugar (RS) (Irelease was the highest from lime pretreatment at room temperature (30 ±1 oC) for 24 h (LRT1) compared to 48 h (LRT2) or high temperature (121 oC; 60 min.; LHT) treatments when saccharified with commercial cellulase (Ecozyme RT80) alone. Supplementation with amylolytic enzyme, Stargen after 72 h (binary system) remarkably enhanced the RS yield at 96 h, which then tapered off at 120 h. Reversal of the enzyme application sequence with Stargen+Ecozyme RT80 resulted in poor saccharification up to 48 h followed by a rapid rise in RS release after supplementation with EcozymeRT80, which was due to the preferential saccharification of starch and exposure of cellulose for hydrolysis. Supplementation of xylanase (Ecozyme XY50) along with the other two enzymes (triple enzyme system) was beneficial in the case of LCSBs such as peels of greater yam, beet root and ash gourd having high hemicelluloses content. Overall Conversion Efficiency was not significantly different for the binary and triple enzyme based saccharification for most residues, indicating the possibility of cost saving of enzymes depending on the type of biomass.