Growth performance of two Indian major carps, catla (Catla catla) and rohu (Labeo rohita) fed diets containing different levels of Spirulina platensis.

The influence of Spirulina platensis meal on the growth and carcass composition of two Indian major carps, catla, Catla catla and rohu, Labeo rohita was investigated in a 90-day culture trial. Four experimental diets were used and Spirulina replaced fish meal protein from the standard diet at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels. There was no significant difference in the final weight attained by catla at all levels of Spirulina incorporation as compared to the fish-meal-based control diet. However, the replacement of fish meal by more than 25% Spirulina resulted in significantly superior growth of rohu. The specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio recorded in rohu improved with higher levels of Spirulina inclusion, while in catla they did not differ significantly from the control treatment. In both the species, the digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat was found to improve marginally with increasing levels of Spirulina incorporation. The carcass composition showed an inverse relationship between protein and fat deposition. In general, fish fed with Spirulina diets had a significantly higher percentage of fat. The study demonstrated the usefulness of Spirulina for partial or complete replacement of fish meal in the diets of catla and rohu.

Antioxidant effect of anthocyanin on enzymatic and non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation.

In vitro enzymatic and non-enzymatic polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation was significantly inhibited in a dose dependent manner by purified anthocyanin, a deep-red colour pigment from carrot cell culture. The kinetics showed that anthocyanin is a non-competitive inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. Anthocyanin has been found to be a potent antioxidant compared to classical antioxidants such as butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), butylated hydroxy toulene (BHT) and alpha tocopherol. This natural agent, in addition to imparting colour to the food, might prevent autooxidation of lipids as well as lipid peroxidation in biological systems.

Replacement value of blue-green alga (Spirulina platensis) for fishmeal and a vitamin-mineral premix for broiler chicks.

1. The effect of sun-dried Spirulina platensis in poultry diets was studied in a 12-week feeding trial by replacing either fishmeal (FM) or groundnut cake (GC) in a commercial diet with algae at isonitrogenous concentrations of 140 g/kg and 170 g/kg respectively. Additional vitamins/minerals were omitted from the algal diets because Spirulina is rich in them. 2. Efficiency of food utilisation, protein efficiency ratio and dressing percentage indicated that substitution of FM or GC by alga did not affect the performance of broilers. 3. None of the diets affected the weights, compositions and histopathology of the various organs of the chicks. 4. Meat quality remained unchanged except for a more intense colour in the case of birds fed on the alga-containing diets.

Computer-aided modeling and optimization for capsaicinoid production by immobilized Capsicum frutescens cells.

Production of capsaicinoids by immobilized cell cultures of Capsicum entrapped in calcium alginate matrix is influenced by several factors related to immobilization techniques, including media composition and the biosynthetic capability of cells. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD), one of the response surface methodologies, was used to arrive at optimal conditions for maximizing the yields of capsaicinoids in only 53 experiments, instead of 15,625. Immobilization of cells in 2.5% sodium alginate with 15 min contact time in 60 mM calcium chloride and culture in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.2% curdlan gave the highest yield of 220 micrograms g-1 in 3 days.

Clonal multiplication of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis through axillary bud culture.

An efficient clonal multiplication system was developed for in vitro propagation of crocin - producing Gardenia jasminoides Ellis plants. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP 1 mg l(-1)) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg l(-1)) resulted in multiple shoot initiation at the rate of 21 shoots per explant in 60 d of culture. Transfer of the microshoots into liquid MS medium supplemented with BAP (5 mg l(-1)) with two subcultures of 15 d duration in the same medium resulted in 400 ± 25 shoots per explant. Efficient rooting was achieved in MS medium supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (5 mg l(-1)). The in vitro raised plants were hardened in a greenhouse and transplanted to the field successfully. The method described will be useful for rapid multiplication of Gardenia for commercial exploitation.

Antifungal activity and mode of action of saponins from Madhuca butyracea Macb.

The antifungal activity of saponins isolated as a byproduct from the defatted cake of M. butyracea oil seed is reported. The inhibitory concentrations against plant pathogenic fungi ranged from 500 to 2000 ppm. Maximum sensitivity to saponins was shown by Penicillium expansum. Cephalosporium acrimonium, Helminthosporium oryzae and Trichoderma viride. The saponins caused leakage of cell components and underwent degradation by fungus, Trichoderma viride. The usefulness of saponins as antimycotic agents is discussed.

Oral toxicity of Madhuca butyracea Macb. saponins to albino rats.

Saponins, isolated from M. butyracea, were assessed for their acute and subacute oral toxicity in albino rats. Acute doses of saponins caused mortalities and LD50 and LD90 values were 330 and 430 mg/kg body wt respectively. Severe diarrhoea, restlessness and histopathological changes were observed in liver and kidney. Diets containing saponins at 0,250,500 and 1000 ppm for 14 weeks did not affect food intake, growth or organ weights, but induced mild histological changes in liver and kidney and altered the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and proteins, particularly in female rats.

Food Safety Evaluation: Acute Oral and Dermal Effects of the Algae Scenedesmus acutus and Spirulina platensis on Albino Rats.

The algae Scenedesmus acutus and Spirulina platensis have been considered for use as a supplementary protein in feed and food. This Institute has developed the technology of production and utilization of such algae. It is essential to demonstrate their safety in view of their public health aspects, the interest of the producers and image of these new sources of foods. Both these algae, when in pure form and administered to rats orally up to the dosage of 800 mg/kg of body weight, did not exert any toxic action. No alterations were found in either body or organ weights in the treated animals. The vital organs showed normal histology. Application of both algae onto the skin of albino rats, up to 2000 mg/kg of body weight, did not elicit any skin allergy. All the animals were normal.