ABSTRACT
Citrus are the largest fruit crops grown across the globe. It is one of the most profitable crops in terms of economy as well as popular for nutritional benefits. The most interesting aspect about citrus is the availability of several varieties with attractive colours. Approximately 50 % of citrus remains unconsumed after processing as pith residue, peels and seeds. Direct disposal of these wastes cause serious environmental problems in terms of killing natural flora in the soil because of antibacterial properties of limonene oils. Seepage to underground waters or open water bodies affects water quality and aquatic life, respectively. Citrus waste reuse to obtain value added-phytochemicals and pectin is one of the popular topics in industrial research, food and synthetic chemistry. The present article reviews recent advances in exploring the effects of phytochemical compounds obtained from citrus wastes in view of various health aspects
ABSTRACT
Adolescence, a period of transition between childhood and adulthood, occupies a crucial position in the life of human beings. Anthropometry is especially important during adolescence because it allows the monitoring and evaluation of nutritional status of adolescents.A school based cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of adolescents in urban Vadodara. Seven hundred and sixty seven children were enrolled from two schools studying in standard Vth to XIth. Nutritional status of a total of 443 boys and 324 girls between 7.5 to 18 years was assessed using standard anthropometric measurements for age, weight and height assessment. Mean age of the children was found to be 12.25+2.03 years. Prevalence of thinness was 10.8% while15.4% of children were overweight. Prevalence of malnutrition was more in boys as compared to girls which was mainly during early and mid adolescence. On comparing with the reference data for BMI for age it showed a clear shift towards left. Stunting was seen in 13.6% percent of the subjects.Thus, there is a clear indication that dual burden of malnutrition exists in the urban settings and there is a strong need for proper nutrition during the early years of adolescence.
ABSTRACT
Dielectric constant and loss factor of Raj-4120 variety of Indian wheat were determined in powder form (grain size 125 to 150 ) at room temperature. Microwaves at three different frequencies were employed in C-band, X-band and Ku-band respectively for investigating frequency dependence of dielectric parameters of the sample. Bulk dielectric values of the sample were determined by employing the dielectric mixture relations, such as, half power mixture equation, Landau and Lifshitz, Looyenga equation etc.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The sensilla and sensory mechanism play a significant role in hostseeking and oviposition behaviour of mosquitoes, which enable them to transmit various diseases to humans. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) has emerged as a major vector of Chikungunya virus in the recent epidemics in most parts of southern India. Studies on the sensory structures of dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Linn) are comprehensive; whereas information on the sensillary systems of Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus is inadequate. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to observe various types of sensilla located on the antenna, maxillary palp, labial palp, tarsi and ovipositor of Ae. albopictus using scanning electron microscopy. Methods: The antennae, maxillary palpi, labellum, tarsi and ovipositor of 10 different female mosquito of Ae. albopictus were fixed individually in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution, washed twice and dehydrated with ascending grades of ethanol. Samples were cleared with xylene, air-dried, mounted on stubs, gold coated in an ion-sputtering unit and the sensilla were viewed between 5 and 10 KV using FEI-Quanta 400–EDAX scanning electron microscope. ANOVA revealed significant differences in the morphometric features of various sensilla. Results: In the antenna Sensilla trichoidea are numerously distributed in all flagellar segments revealed four distinct subtypes. Two types of grooved peg sensilla were observed. Sensilla coeloconica was observed in the terminal flagellum of antenna and tarsomeres with large variation in diameter. Sensilla chaetica are distributed throughout the body and revealed greater variation in morphology and morphometric parameters. Interpretation & conclusion: The significant difference among various types of sensilla would possibly reveal their functions. The porous sensilla are olfactory and contact chemoreceptors while the aporous sensilla would play the role of mechanoreception. Sensilla coeloconica on the antenna, tarsus showed major differences with Ae. aegypti. The ovipositor sensilla revealed three types of chaetica arranged in rows but has not been reported earlier with other mosquito species.