Hemicelluloses of ragi (finger millet, Eleusine coracana, Indaf-15): isolation and purification of an alkali-extractable arabinoxylan from native and malted hemicellulose B.

Hemicelluloses (A and B) were isolated from an Indo-African hybrid variety of finger millet (ragi, Eleusine coracana) by extracting the starch-free residue with 10% sodium hydroxide under a continuous stream of nitrogen, and changes in their sugar composition during malting for 96 h were studied. Hemicellulose B, obtained in higher yield from both native (N) and malted (M) flours, was found to be completely soluble in water, richer in uronic acid, and more viscogenic than hemicelullose A. Fractional precipitation of hemicellulose B by ammonium sulfate resulted in four precipitable fractions (F-60, F-70, F-80, and F-100) and a nonprecipitable (NP) fraction varying in their yield and arabinose, xylose, galactose, and glucose contents. A progressive increase in the pentose-to-hexose ratio (P:H) from 0.42:1.0 in F-60 to 1.94:1.0 in NP was observed in native hemicellulose B fractions; however, in malted hemicellulose B the P:H ratio increased from 0.43:1.0 in F-60 to 1.56:1.0 in F-80 and then decreased to 1.13:1.0 in NP. The major fraction, F-70 (N, 44.5%; M, 38.5%), was separated into eight subfractions on DEAE-cellulose by successive elution with water, ammonium carbonate (AC) (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 M AC), and sodium hydroxide (0.1 and 0.2 M) differing in their yield and neutral sugar composition. The purity of the major glucuronoarabinoxylan fraction (0.1 M AC eluted) was ascertained by Sepharose CL-4B, HPSEC, cellulose acetate, and capillary electrophoresis methods. A significant decrease in the molecular mass of arabinoxylan from 1200 to 1120 kDa upon malting for 96 h is an indication of cell wall degradation by the inducible cell wall degrading enzymes.

Structural analysis of arabinoxylans isolated from native and malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana, ragi).

Structural elucidation of purified arabinoxylans isolated from finger millet and its malt by methylation, GLC-MS, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, NMR, IR, optical rotation, and oligosaccharide analysis indicated that the backbone was a 1,4-beta-D-xylan, with the majority of the residues substituted at C-3. The major oligosaccharide generated by endo xylanase treatment was homogeneous with a molecular weight of 1865 Da corresponding to 14 pentose residues as determined by MALDI-TOF-MS and gel filtration on Biogel P-2. The structural analysis of this oligosaccharide showed that it contained 8 xylose and 6 arabinose residues, substituted at C-3 (monosubstituted) and at both C-2 and C-3 (disubstituted).

Overview of bluetongue disease, viruses, vectors, surveillance and unique features: the Indian sub-continent and adjacent regions.

The occurrence of bluetongue (BT) disease in India was initially confined to exotic breeds of sheep and subsequently became endemic in native breeds. BT virus (BTV) antibodies are common in cattle, buffaloes and goats although clinical disease has not been reported. Exotic breeds of sheep and their cross-breeds are more susceptible to disease than native breeds. Overall, morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates of 9.3%, 2.7% and 28.8%, respectively, have been reported in rural flocks; these rates are higher than in organised farms. The disease is mostly cyclical in occurrence. Outbreaks usually occur between June and December during the monsoon period when livestock biting midges greatly increase. BTVs have been isolated from native sheep, and sentinel herds have been used to demonstrate virus activity. A total of 21 serotypes of BTV have now been reported in the country. Major impediments to control the disease include the presence of multiple virus serotypes, the broad vertebrate host range of the virus and a lack of detailed knowledge of vectors. Inactivated vaccines prepared from local isolates are currently under field trials. BTV occurs in regions adjacent to India. An antibody prevalence of 48.4% has been reported in Pakistan with serotypes 3, 9, 15, 16 and 18 identified. BTV antibody, but not disease, has been reported in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of free and bound phenolic acids from native and malted finger millet (ragi, Eleusine coracana Indaf-15).

Free and bound phenolic acids were isolated from native and malted finger millet (ragi, Eleusine coracana Indaf-15), and their antioxidant properties were evaluated. Protocatechuic, gallic, and caffeic acids were found to be the major free phenolic acids. A 3-fold decrease was observed in protocatechuic acid content, whereas the decrease was marginal in the case of caffeic acid upon 96 h of malting. However, the contents of other free phenolic acids such as gallic, vanillic, coumaric, and ferulic acids increased. Ferulic, caffeic, and coumaric acids were found to be the major bound phenolic acids, and a 2-fold decrease was observed in their contents upon 96 h of malting. The antioxidant activity of a free phenolic acid mixture was found to be higher compared to that of a bound phenolic acid mixture. An increase in antioxidant activity coefficient was observed in the case of free phenolic acids from 770.0 +/- 7.8 to 1686.0 +/- 16.0, whereas the same was decreased from 570.0 +/- 6.0 to 448.0 +/- 4.5 in bound phenolic acids upon 96 h of malting. Therefore, the antioxidant capacity of phenolic acids changes during the malting of ragi.

Bovine interleukin 2: biochemical and biological characterization.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2), secreted by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL) on stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A), was purified and characterized by different chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques. The ability of IL-2 to support proliferation of Con A-stimulated bovine lymphoblasts was used to assay and quantitate IL-2 activity. Bovine IL-2 having an apparent MW of 27,000 eluted from a gel-filtration column; from an anion exchange column peak activity was detected at 190 mM NaCl. Binding of bovine IL-2 to phenyl-Sepharose gel and elution with 35-60% ethanediol indicated its hydrophobic nature. Studies on cross-species reactivity revealed that both buffalo and goat lymphocytes respond to cattle IL-2 and detected 35% of activity from a standard cattle IL-2 preparation. Sheep lymphocyte response to cattle IL-2 was negligible.

Antigenic relationships among sheep pox, goat pox and contagious pustular dermatitis viruses.

Antigenic relationships among sheep pox, goat pox and contagious pustular dermatitis (CPD) viruses were determined by serological techniques using soluble antigens partially purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Homologous antigen-antibody reactions were characterized by the presence of 7 precipitation lines with sheep pox and of 5 ones each with goat pox and CPD viruses. The nature of cross-reactions of sheep pox, goat pox and CPD virus soluble antigens with corresponding sera suggested that sheep pox virus shared 3 soluble antigenic components with goat pox and either 3 or 4 ones with CPD virus. Goat pox virus shared either 2 or 3 soluble antigenic components with CPD virus. Cross-neutralization tests revealed an one-way cross of goat pox virus with sheep pox and CPD viruses, respectively. The results showed that the 3 viruses in question share common soluble antigenic components.

Genetics of desynaptic mutants in pearl millet.

Two desynaptic mutants, one of spontaneous origin and the other induced through colchicine treatment, were obtained in pearl millet. The desynpatic character was a monogenically controlled recessive one. Tests for allelism have indicated that the desynaptic genes of the two sources were allelic. Both complete and medium-strong desynaptic plants followed a monogenic pattern of inheritance and were found to be allelic. Medium-strong desynpatic plants on selfing produced both complete and medium-strong desynaptics in approximately equal numbers. It is suggested that the differential expression of the desynaptic character might be due to the presence of modifying genes.

Cross-neutralization tests on sheep pox, goat pox and contagious pustular dermatitis viruses.

In cross-neutralization tests in cell cultures, sheep pox and contagious pustular dermatitis (CPD) hyperimmune sera did not cross-react in the heterologous system. But goat pox hyperimmune serum neutralized both sheep pox and CPD viruses revealing a one-way serological relationship of goat pox virus with both sheep pox and CPD viruses.

Monotelodisomics in pearl millet.

In the progeny of crosses between plants with the chromosome number 2n=13+2 telocentrics as the male parents and the normal diploids of Pennisetum typhoides S. & H., two plants with 2n=13+1 telocentric chromosome were located. These two plants were heterozygous for an interchange, since at diakinesis and metaphase I associations of four chromosomes were observed. These plants had a chromosome constitution of 2n=13+t (or 6″+tI″); one chromosome of a homologous pair was represented by a telocentric chromosome so was monosomic for one arm, that is, these plants were "monotelodisomics" (Kimber and Sears, 1968).