ABSTRACT
The term “probiotics” (meaning “for life” in Greek) refers products containing live microorganisms, which increase the population of friendly intestinal bacteria upon ingestion. Several new dairy product formulations containing probiotic cultures are being developed with such microbes which when consumed offer potential health benefits viz. increased resistance to infectious diseases - particularly of the intestine, decreased duration of diarrhea, reduction in blood pressure, reduction in serum cholesterol concentration and allergy, stimulation of phagocytosis by peripheral blood leucocytes, modulation of cytokine gene expression, adjuvant effects, regression of tumors, reduction in carcinogen products, increased tolerance to lactose in lactose intolerant population etc. In addition, all potential benefits could not be achieved from just one type or strain of organism. Examples of probiotic microorganisms used in foods include Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium sp., Pediococcus, Propionibacteria sp. This review paper highlights the benefits, technological aspects, world scenario and limitations of probiotic foods.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of chemical fertilizers (CF) alone or in combination with farmyard manure (FYM) under lime or no lime amelioration on biological properties of the rhizosphere soil of peanut, grown as intercrop with sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata (Retz.) C.E. Hubb) in an acid lateritic soil. The effect of five fertilization levels viz., no CF (F0), CF @ 20:40:30 (F1), CF @ 40:80:60 (F2) kg ha-1 NPK, F1 + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 (F3) and F2 + 5 t FYM ha-1 (F4) with (2 t ha-1) and without lime application were studied on the bacterial density, dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities (i.e. acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases), nitrogen accumulation in nodules and phosphorus solubilizing power at 25, 50, 75 and 100 days after sowing of peanut for two years. Results showed significant effects of fertilization levels and growth stages of the crop on the microbial activities. Populations of symbiotic nitrogen fixing and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, soil enzyme activities, nitrogen accumulation in nodules and phosphorus solubilizing power in the FYM+CF treated plots significantly increased compared to sole CF treatments under both lime and no lime application. Lime application improved the activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase enzymes, while decreased acid phosphomonoesterase activity. This study revealed that integrated application of optimum level of inorganic fertilizer, farmyard manure along with lime could improve the biological properties of an acid lateritic soil as well as the growth of peanut under sabai grass-peanut intercropping system.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate relative efficacy of different organic wastes like farmyard manure (FYM) and water hyacinth (WH) and industrial wastes like paper factory sludge (PFS) on balancing with chemical fertilizers (CF) along with soil ameliorants viz., lime (L) or rice husk ash (RHA), another industrial waste, on dry matter production and biological properties of the rhizosphere soil of peanut (Arachis hypogaea), grown as intercrop with sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata) in acid lateritic soil. Population of symbiotic nitrogen fixing and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, activity of dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymes (i.e. acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases), nitrogen accumulation in nodules and phosphorus solubilizing power of rhizosphere soil were measured after 25, 50, 75 and 100 days after sowing (DAS) of peanut for two years. Results showed significant effects of nutrient sources and growth stages of the crop on the microbial activities. Higher values of all the biological properties and plant growth parameters were recorded significantly under the integrated application of CF and any of the organic or industrial wastes over sole application of CF. Among three organic or industrial wastes WH was superior to others regarding microbial activities at 25 DAS, whereas PFS became superior at 50, 75 and 100 DAS. Application of lime or RHA improved the activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase enzymes, while decreased acid phosphomonoesterase activity. This study revealed that integrated application of organic or industrial wastes, soil ameliorants and inorganic fertilizer, could improve the biological properties of an acid lateritic soil as well as the dry matter production of peanut, intercropped with sabai grass under lateritic soil.
ABSTRACT
One hundred and seven patients of definite rheumatoid arthritis were screened for the presence of ocular manifestations of which 21 (19.63%) were observed to have ocular changes. Of these keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 19 (17.7%) patients and episcleritis in one (0.93%) were attributable to rheumatoid arthritis. Bilateral retinal haemorrhage in one patient was due to grade 3 hypertensive retinopathy. Absence of posterior subcapsular cataract in 106 (99.06%) patients who did not receive corticosteroids supports the hypothesis that steroids are the aetiologic agents and not rheumatoid arthritis.