Phytochemical, antioxidant investigations and fatty acid composition of Lepidium sativum seeds

Aim: The aim of the present study was to characterize Lepidium sativum seed for phytochemicals, fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties.Methodology: Extraction of phytochemicals in different solvents, estimation of phenolics and flavonoids, physio-chemical properties, antioxidant assay by DPPH method was carried out. Seed oil content was determined by modified cold percolation extraction method and TD-NMR, followed by fatty acid compositional analysis using GLC. Results: The perusal of data revealed that the total oil content varied from 21.36% to 24.38%, and the major fatty acids identified were linolenic acid (24.447%) followed by oleic acid (24.413%) and palmitic acid (12.278%) . Physio-chemical and phytochemical characteristics were estimated for useful functional properties and markers viz. alkaloids, sugar and proteins. L. sativum seeds exhibited high antioxidant potential (0.063mg ml-1) compared to standard compounds such as ascorbic acid, rutin and quercetin.

Bulk segregant analysis identifies SSR markers associated with Alternaria blight resistance in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Aim: Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria lini is one of the major diseases of linseed which severely affects the yield and productivity. Here, we utilizes F2 mapping population derived from a resistant (JRF-4) and a susceptible (Chambal) genotypes of linseed and SSRs to identify the markers associated with Alternaria blight resistance using bulk segregant analysis approach. Methodology: A population consisting of 154 F2 individuals was developed from the cross between JRF-4 (resistant) and Chambal (susceptible). All 154 F2 individuals were screened with 100 polymorphic SSRs to identify extreme phenotype. Two bulk of extremes phenotypes (disease resistant and disease susceptible) from F2 mapping population were used for the bulked segregant analysis. The SSR primers that distinguished the parental lines were used to amplify the DNA from two bulks and banding pattern was observed to identify the SSRs that can differentiate the resistant and susceptible phenotypes bulk for Alternaria blight. Markers validation was carried out by amplifying DNA from individual plants of each bulk. Results: Out of 100, only 10 markers showed polymorphism among the bulks and of which only three markers viz., LUSc 898_3_12, Lu 2472 and Lu 3078 were able to differentiate the disease resistant and susceptible individuals from F2 population. Further, single marker linear regression approach was used to validate the association of selected polymorphic markers with the disease. The markers LUSc 898_3_12 and Lu 2472 showed significant regression which confirmed their linkage with Alternaria blight resistance. Interpretation: The two markers having significant regression can be used for diseases resistance breeding during marker assisted selection.

Retinal vascular abnormalities in Sturge-Weber syndrome

Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS) includes facial, leptomeningeal and choroidal hemangioma. The retinal vasculature is essentially normal. Rare cases of retinal vascular tortuosity and arterio-venous malformations have been reported. We report two cases with rare concomitant retinal vascular abnormalities along with SWS. Both the patients had nevus flammeus, hemifacial hypertrophy, and choroidal hemangioma. In one case, retinal cavernous hemangioma was seen in the affected eye. The other case revealed retinal neovascularization secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the eye with choroidal hemangioma.

Crossability Studies in Terminalia Arjuna and T.Tomemtosa.

T.arjuna and T.tomentosa come under multipurpose tree category and are of immense economic importance besides being the primary food plants of Tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta D. Blooming occurs from second week of May in T.arjuna and last week of May in T.tomentosa. Number of flowers per raceme range between 41 in accession 235 to 58 in accession 702 of T.arjuna and 53 (acc.531) to 73 (acc.501) of T. tomentosa. Fruit set per cent ranged between 2.0 in accessions 235 and 236 to 4.00 in accession 533 of T.arjuna. Per cent fruit set was 3.0 to 3.2 in accessions 501 and 531, respectively of T.tomentosa under open pollination condition. There was no fruit set in un - pollinated and covered racemes. Days required for fruit initiation in T.arjuna x T.arjuna combination varied between 12 to 14 days and fruit set was 1.8 to 2.5 percent. In T.arjuna x T.tomentosa combinations initiation of fruit set took 10 (acc.701 x acc.501) to 14 (acc.533 x acc.531) days and fruit set was 1.5 to 2.4 per cent. Present studies indicate that inter-specific hybridization is possible in T.arjuna and T.tomentosa. New hybrid varieties can be developed through inter-specific hybridization having higher yield in comparison to the existing genotypes.

A simple in vitro method to detect singlet oxygen and to compare photodynamic activity using alkaline phosphatase.

A simple, sensitive and reliable in vitro method based on photodynamic inactivation of alkaline phosphatase to detect singlet oxygen and for evaluating relative photosensitizing efficiencies of photosensitizers such as hematoporphyrin (Hp) and phthalocyanines has been developed and compared with photobleaching of p-nitroso dimethyl aniline (RNO) and photooxidation of L-tryptophan. Inactivation of alkaline phosphatase is dependent both on light fluence and sensitizer concentration. Scavengers like mannitol and azide anion indicated the involvement of singlet oxygen in the deactivation of alkaline phosphatase, since azide anion provided concentration dependent protection whereas mannitol had no effect and that compared to ordinary water, photoinactivation of alkaline phosphatase was three times higher in 65% D2O. Alkaline phosphatase appears to be resistant to free radical attack (particularly to OH radicals) since hydrogen peroxide alone or in presence of ferrous ions did not reduce the enzyme activity and mannitol or azide anion gave no significant protection when alkaline phosphatase was irradiated with Co-60 gamma rays up to 2 K Gy. With the present method using red light, the chloroaluminium phthalocyanine sulphonates prepared by sulphonation showed higher and the corresponding condensation product lower photodynamic activity; Hp being intermediate and Mn- and Gd-phthalocyanines had no photodynamic activity.

Serum and rectal mucosal zinc levels in acute and chronic diarrhea.

Serum and rectal mucosal zinc content was estimated in children (6-18 months old) with acute diarrhea (Group I: n = 50), chronic diarrhea (Group II: n = 25), extraintestinal infections (Group III: n = 15) and apparently healthy controls (Group IV: n = 20). The sex and nutritional status of various groups was comparable. The mean serum and tissue zinc levels in acute (p less than 0.001) and chronic (p less than 0.05 for serum; p less than 0.001 for tissue) diarrhea groups were significantly lower than healthy and infected controls. Group II had significantly lower (p less than 0.001) serum and rectal zinc content in comparison to Group I. There was a significant negative correlation between serum zinc and diarrheal duration (r = 0.5676; p less than 0.001). Repeat estimation at discharge in 38 patients (25 in Group I, 13 in Group II) revealed a significant reduction in both tissue and serum zinc and only tissue zinc in acute and chronic diarrhea, respectively. A total of 23 patients (16 in Group I, and 7 in Group II) were evaluated 2 weeks after discharge. After discharge, at recovery there was no alteration in serum zinc, but tissue zinc was marginally higher (p greater than 0.05). It is concluded that zinc depletion occurs in diarrhea, more so in the chronic state; with the continuation of diarrhea, depletion progresses; and there is a tendency for repletion during convalescence.