Identification and characterization of chickpea genotypes for early flowering and higher seed germination through molecular markers.

BACKGROUND: Chickpea is the fourth most important legume crop contributing 15.42% to the total legume production and a rich source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Determination of genetic diversity of wild and elite cultivars coupled with early flowering and higher seed germination lines are quintessential for variety improvement. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we have analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, cross-species transferability, and allelic richness in 50 chickpea collections using 23 Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. The observed parameters such as allele number varied from 3 to 16, range of allele size varied from 150 to 1600 bp and polymorphic information content (PIC) range lies in between 0.15 and 0.49. Dendrogram was constructed with ISSR marker genotypic data and classified 50 chickpea germplasms into groups I and II, where the accession P 74 - 1 is in group I and the rest are in group II. Dendrogram, Principal component analysis (PCA), dissimilarity matrix, and Bayesian model-based genetic clustering of 50 chickpea germplasms revealed that P 74 - 1 and P 1883 are very diverse chickpea accessions. CONCLUSION: Based on genetic diversity analysis, 15 chickpea germplasm having been screened for early flowering and higher seed germination and found that the P 1857-1 and P 3971 have early flowering and higher seed germination percentage in comparison to P 1883 and other germplasm. These agronomic traits are essential for crop improvement and imply the potential of ISSR markers in crop improvement.

Genetic variability, combining ability and molecular diversity-based parental line selection for heterosis breeding in field corn (Zea mays L.).

BACKGROUND: The demand of maize crop is increasing day by day, hence to reduce the production and demand gap, there is a need to extract the high yielding parental lines to improve per se yield of the hybrids, which could help to enhance the productivity in maize crops. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present investigation was carried out to select the best medium maturing inbred lines, among a set of 118 inbred lines. Based on the Duncan multiple range test, out of 118 lines, 16 inbred lines were selected on the basis of its high yield per se and flowering time. The molecular diversity was carried out using SSR markers linked to heterotic QTL and up on diversity analysis it classified selected genotypes in to three distinct groups. Among the selected inbred lines, a wider genetic variability and molecular diversity were observed. A total of 39 test crosses were generated after classifying 16 inbred lines in to three testers and thirteen lines (based on per se grain yield and molecular diversity) and crossing them in line × tester manner. CONCLUSION: Combining ability analysis of these parental lines showed that female parents, PML 109, PML 110, PML 111, PML 114 and PML 116 showed additive effect for KRN and grain yield, whereas male parents, PML 46, and PML 93 showed epistatic effect for KRN and PML 102 showed epistatic effect for grain yield. The generated information in the present investigation may be exploited for heterosis breeding in filed corn. KEY MESSAGES: To tackle the balanced dietary requirement of Indian population; we focused to enhance the productivity of maize hybrids using genetically broad based, elite, diverse inbred lines. Combination of selection criterion, not only augment the productivity but also improves the quality of hybrid/s.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from Psidium guajava leaves and its utilization in preparation of jellies.

Psidium guajava L. (guava) is predominantly grown throughout the world and known for its medicinal properties in treating various diseases and disorders. The present work focuses on aqueous extraction of bioactive compounds from the guava leaf and its utilization in the formulation of jelly to improve the public health. The guava leaf extract has been used in the preparation of jelly with pectin (1.5 g), sugar (28 g) and lemon juice (2 mL). The prepared guava leaf extract jelly (GJ) and the control jelly (CJ, without extract) were subjected to proximate, nutritional and textural analyses besides determination of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. GJ was found to contain carbohydrate (45.78 g/100 g), protein (3.0 g/100 g), vitamin C (6.15 mg/100 g), vitamin B3 (2.90 mg/100 g) and energy (120.6 kcal). Further, the texture analysis of CJ and GJ indicated that both the jellies showed similar properties emphasizing that the addition of guava leaf extract does not bring any change in the texture properties of jelly. GJ exhibited antimicrobial activity against various bacteria ranging from 11.4 to 13.6 mm. Similarly, GJ showed antioxidant activity of 42.38% against DPPH radical and 33.45% against hydroxyl radical. Mass spectroscopic analysis of aqueous extract confirmed the presence of esculin, quercetin, gallocatechin, 3-sinapoylquinic acid, gallic acid, citric acid and ellagic acid which are responsible for antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Immunotherapeutics for Covid-19 and post vaccination surveillance.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a pandemic and named as novel coronavirus disease (nCOVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 is different from other known viruses due to multiple mutations on the sites of nonstructural proteins (NSP) 2 and 3, and the varying nature of virulence between different persons. Immunotherapies such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have a protective effect on the patients bringing them to the front of the line of potential treatments. The present review intends to cover the development of 20 different vaccine candidates categorized under live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, viral vector-based vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines. Formulation of these vaccine candidates by various companies in collaboration with global organizations and their status of clinical trials were addressed. On the other hand, various approaches for post-vaccination surveillance using nucleic acid and protein biomarkers imbued on suitable platforms were also highlighted to sum up the immune therapeutics for Covid-19.

Enhanced lipid extraction from oleaginous yeast biomass using ultrasound assisted extraction: A greener and scalable process.

Soaring demand for alternative fuels has been gaining wide interest due to depletion of conventional fuel, increasing petroleum prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiesel, an alternative fuel, derived from oleaginous microbes has been promising because of short incubation time and easy to scale up. Oleaginous yeast Trichosporon sp. is capable of utilizing glycerol and agro-residues for enhanced lipid synthesis. Lipid extraction from Trichosporon sp. biomass showed highest lipid content with ultrasonic assisted extraction (43 ±â€¯0.33%, w/w) coupled with process parameters than the conventional Soxhlet (30 ±â€¯0.28%, w/w) and Binary solvent [choloroform:methanol, (2:1, v/v)] methods (36 ±â€¯0.38%, w/w), respectively. The standardized process parameters of ultrasonic assisted extraction coupled with chloroform/methanol solvent system resulted 95-97% of conversion efficiency in 20 min at 30 °C with a frequency of 50 Hz and 2800 W power, respectively. Enzymatic transesterification of yeast biomass lipid obtained 85% of fatty acid methyl esters that are predominant with oleic acid methyl ester followed by palmitic and stearic acid methyl esters, respectively. These results substantiate that the ultrasonic assisted extraction is a potential green extraction technique that had reduced time, energy and solvent consumption without compromising on lipid quality. Deploying this green extraction technique could make the biodiesel production process inexpensive and eco-friendly.

Seed birth to death: dual functions of reactive oxygen species in seed physiology.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be detrimental to seed viability. However, recent studies have demonstrated that ROS have key roles in seed germination particularly in the release of seed dormancy and embryogenesis, as well as in protection from pathogens. SCOPE: This review considers the functions of ROS in seed physiology. ROS are present in all cells and at all phases of the seed life cycle. ROS accumulation is important in breaking seed dormancy, and stimulating seed germination and protection from pathogens. However, excessive ROS accumulation can be detrimental. Therefore, knowledge of the mechanisms by which ROS influence seed physiology will provide insights that may not only allow the development of seed quality markers but also help us understand how dormancy can be broken in several recalcitrant species. CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species have a dual role in seed physiology. Understanding the relative importance of beneficial and detrimental effects of ROS provides great scope for the improvement and maintenance of seed vigour and quality, factors that may ultimately increase crop yields.

Intramural metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of stomach.

Intramural metastasis to the stomach (IMMS) from carcinoma esophagus, excluding direct invasion and spread to the stomach, is relatively uncommon. Diagnosis of IMMS is based on histological criteria, and it is associated with poor prognosis (Takubo et al. Cancer 65:1816-1819, 1990]. We report two patients of SCC oesophagus in whom intramural metastasis to stomach has occurred.