Compositional analysis of transgenic Bt-chickpea resistant to Helicoverpa armigera.

Transgenic chickpeas expressing high levels of a truncated version of the cry1Ac (trcry1Ac) gene conferred complete protection to Helicoverpa armigera in the greenhouse. Homozygous progeny of two lines, Cry1Ac.1 and Cry1Ac.2, had similar growth pattern and other morphological characteristics, including seed yield, compared to the non-transgenic counterpart; therefore, seed compositional analysis was carried out. These selected homozygous chickpea lines were selfed for ten generations along with the non-transgenic parent under contained conditions. A comparative seed composition assessment, seed storage proteins profiling, and in vitro protein digestibility were performed to confirm that these lines do not have significant alterations in seed composition compared to the parent. Our analyses showed no significant difference in primary nutritional composition between transgenic and non-transgenic chickpeas. In addition, the seed storage protein profile also showed no variation between the transgenic chickpea lines. Seed protein digestibility assays using simulated gastric fluid revealed a similar rate of digestion of proteins from the transgenic trcry1Ac lines compared to the non-transgenic line. Thus, our data suggest no unintended changes in the seed composition of transgenic chickpea expressing a trcry1Ac gene.

An investigation on sources of potential minerals found in traditional vegetables of north-east India.

The north-eastern region of India is endowed with a great wealth of plant genetic resources. Out of the vast floral diversity of the region, a large number of indigenous plant species and their wild forms constitute the routine vegetables of the inhabitants, which provide sufficient nutrients and medicinal values for the people. They seem to be quite healthy on average, even though the ethnic tribes are ignorant about the concept of balanced diet and healthcare. This paper describes the mineral (calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus) contents and chemical composition in percentages such as carbohydrate, protein, fat, and so forth, found in 15 traditional vegetable species collected from different parts of North-east India. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge on vitamin contents in these vegetables. The amounts of ascorbic acid found in some species were much higher than the amount present in many conventional vegetables.

Fermentation characteristics of some assamica clones and process optimization of black tea manufacturing.

Changes in the specific activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and protease and in the relative amounts of flavan-3-ols for eight genetically derived cultivated teas at various stages of leaf maturity and in four succescive seasons were examined. A series of investigations were carried out to study the cross-reactivity of complex polyphenols and PPO-generated orange-yellow theaflavins, as well as of POD oxidized substrates, producing brown so-called thearubigins during fermented tea processing. From the estimation of five major catechins, PPO activities in young shoots, and theaflavin and thearubigin contents of crushed, torn, and curled (CTC) black teas, the superior variety and flavorful flush characteristics were refined. Notable protein hydrolysis by endogenous protease as measured from free amino acids and formation of tannin-protein complex (browning products) was obtained for cultivar character and product quality. Results showed that process optimization with respect to time, temperature, moisture, and pH maximizes PPO-catalyzed desirable theaflavin pigments, whereas POD-mediated chemical reaction produces dull color.