Aflatoxin contamination in stored rice variety PAU 201 collected from Punjab, India.

Background & objectives: The present study was carried out on stored rice variety PAU 201 in Punjab that was not permitted for milling and public distribution due to the presence of damaged grains at levels exceeding the regulatory limits of 4.75 per cent. The aim of the study was to determine fungal and aflatoxin contamination in the rice samples to assess hazard from the presence of damaged grains. Presence of iron in discoloured rice grains was also assessed. Methods: Stored samples of paddy of PAU 201 rice variety were collected from six districts of Punjab, milled and analysed for presence of fungal and aflatoxin contamination. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Prussian blue staining was used to determine fungal spores and presence of iron, respectively. Results: Aflatoxin analysis of rice samples indicated that none exceeded the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 tolerance limit of 30 μg/kg and majority of the samples had levels <15 μg/kg. The proportion of damaged grains exceeding the limit of 5 per cent was observed in 85.7 per cent of the samples. SEM and Prussian blue staining and EDX analysis of black tipped and pin point damaged rice grains did not show presence of fungal structures and presence of iron. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of the study indicated that the stored rice samples did not pose any health concern with respect to aflatoxin contamination as per the criteria laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

The study on Morphological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L) Kurz (A Review).

The present review provides an account of the knowledge on the morphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthus nasutus R Kurtz. This plant also called Nagamalli is a perennial shrub growing to 60-76 cm in height with tender stem. A wide range of chemical compounds have been isolated, mainly flavonoids, benzenoids, coumarin, anthraquinone, quinone, glycosides, carbohydrate, triterpenes, sterols, anthraquinones, napthoquinones. Different parts of plant have been used in folk medicine for treating liver disorders, skin diseases, peptic ulcers, helminthiasis, scurvy, inflammation and obesity. The napthoquinones known as rhinacanthin-C and rhinacanthin-D, extracted from the R.nasutus are reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. The promising alkaloid, Rhinacanthin isolated from R.nasutus having antibacterial and antihelmintic activity. R.nasutus shows several other characteristic pharmacological effects like platelet aggregation inhibitor, antidiabetic, antituberculosis, anticancer which are consistent with the reported uses of the plant extracts in the indigenous system of medicine. Further the leaves of this plant are used in the preparation of shampoos or detergents. Hence the present article includes the detailed exploration of morphology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological aspects of R.nasutus in an attempt to provide a direction for further research.