Shelf life of weaning foods developed from locally available food stuffs

Four weaning foods were formulated using locally available cereals and pulses such as wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), green gram (Vigna radiata) and jaggery. Cereal, pulse and jaggery were used in the proportion of 70:30:25. Roasting and malting were two processing techniques used. The developed weaning foods were evaluated for their nutritional characteristics and shelf life. All the formulations had a nutrient composition within the range prescribed by the Indian Standard Institute (ISI) for processed weaning foods. Peroxide value and fat acidity of weaning foods increased with increase in storage period. Malting of weaning foods resulted in higher increase of peroxide value and fat acidity as compared to roasted ones during the period of storage. All the blends were found to be acceptable up to 60 days of storage. The results, indicated that weaning foods developed from locally available less inexpensive foods may be used as good supplements for infants.     

Nutritional composition of selected green leafy vegetables,herbs and carrots

Six green leafy vegetables and herbs – spinach, amaranth, bengal gram, cauliflower, mint, coriander and carrots – were analyzed for moisture, protein,ascorbic acid, -carotene, total iron, ionizable iron (as % of total iron) in vitro iron (% of total iron), copper, manganese and zinc. Moisture content of the leaves and carrots varied from 75.1 percent (bengal gram) to 95.4 percent (carrot) and protein from 9.83 percent (carrots) to 30.9 (mint) percent. Ascorbic acid, -carotene, total iron and ionizable iron contents were at a maximum in case of bengal gram leaves whereas level of ionizable iron and in vitro iron as a percent of total iron was highest in carrots. Copper, manganese and zinc contents were maximum in spinach.     

Effect of home processing and storage on ascorbic acid and β-carotene content of bathua (Chenopodium album) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) leaves

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of selected processing and storage methods on the concentration of ascorbic acid and β-carotene in Bathua and fenugreek, leaves. Methods included storage of leaves with or without polythene bags for 24 and 48 h in a refrigerator at 5°C; at 30°C in polythene bags; drying (sun and oven); blanching (5, 10, 15 min); open pan and pressure cooking. Ascorbic acid content of fresh leaves was 220.97 to 377.65 mg and β-carotene content was 19.00 to 24.64 mg/100 g, DW. The percent loss of ascorbic acid ranged from 2.03 to 8.77 and 45.15 to 66.9 while lower losses (0.0 to 1.75 and 1.63 to 2.84) of β-carotene were observed in leaves, stored in, the refrigerator and at 30°C, respectively. A markedly greater reduction in ascorbic acid and β-carotene was observed in dried, blanched and cooked leaves. The study data suggest that storage of leaves in refrigeration, drying in oven, blanching for a short time and cooking in a pressure cooker results in better retention of these two vitamins.     

Mapping of easy to screen SSR markers for selection of RFLP markers-bracketed downy mildew resistance QTLs in pearl millet

There is a growing necessity to replace chemical agents with ecofriendly materials, arising from the impact on the environment and/or human health, which calls for the design of new broad-spectrum fungicides. In this work, chitosan oligomers (COs), propolis (Ps) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mixtures in solution were assessed to control the growth of different phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes in vitro. Binary solutions of COs-Ps and COs-AgNPs evinced the highest antifungal effect against Fusarium circinatum and Diplodia pinea fungi, respectively, with a ca. 80% reduction in their mycelial growth. The COs solution by itself also proved to be greatly effective against Gremmeniella abietina, Cryphonectria parasitica and Heterobasidion annosum fungi, causing a reduction of 78%, 86% and 93% in their growth rate, respectively. Likewise, COs also attained a 100% growth inhibition on the oomycete Phytophthora cambivora. On the other hand, Ps inhibited totally the growth of Phytophthora ×alni and Phytophthora plurivora. The application of AgNPs reduced the mycelial growth of F. circinatum and D. pinea. However, the AgNPs in some binary and ternary mixtures had a counter-productive effect on the anti-fungal/oomycete activity. In spite of the fact that the anti-fungal/oomycete activity of the different treatments showed a dependence on the particular type of microorganism, these solutions based on natural compounds can be deemed as a promising tool for control of tree diseases.     

Malnutrition and high childhood mortality among the Onge tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted among the Onge tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the objectives of identifying demographic factors responsible for the decline in their population and assessing their nutritional status, which is an important determinant of child survival. STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The study included estimation of indices of fertility and child mortality, and assessment of nutritional status. All individuals of the Onge community settled on Little Andaman Island were included. RESULTS: The mean total marital fertility rate was estimated to be 5.15 live births per woman and the general fertility rate was 200 live births per 1000 married-woman-years. Although the gross reproduction rate was estimated to be 2.2 female children per married woman, the net reproduction rate was only 0.9 surviving female child per married woman. The mean infant mortality rate during the past 30 years was 192.7 per 1000 live births, and the child survival rate was found to be only 53.2%. A mild to moderate degree of malnutrition was found in 85% of children of pre-school age and severe malnutrition in 10%. The Onges had low intakes of iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. All the screened Onges were found to be infested with one or more intestinal parasites. CONCLUSIONS: High childhood mortality appears to be the predominant demographic factor responsible for the decline in the Onge population. The high prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorders could be important factors contributing to the high childhood mortality.     

Identification of SLEEPLESS, a sleep-promoting factor

Sleep is an essential process conserved from flies to humans. The importance of sleep is underscored by its tight homeostatic control. Through a forward genetic screen, we identified a gene, sleepless, required for sleep in Drosophila. The sleepless gene encodes a brain-enriched, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. Loss of SLEEPLESS protein caused an extreme (>80%) reduction in sleep; a moderate reduction in SLEEPLESS had minimal effects on baseline sleep but markedly reduced the amount of recovery sleep after sleep deprivation. Genetic and molecular analyses revealed that quiver, a mutation that impairs Shaker-dependent potassium current, is an allele of sleepless. Consistent with this finding, Shaker protein levels were reduced in sleepless mutants. We propose that SLEEPLESS is a signaling molecule that connects sleep drive to lowered membrane excitability.     

Effect of domestic processing and cooking on selected antinutrient contents of some green leafy vegetables

Three vegetables, 5 roots and tubers, 23 fruits and 3 stored products collected and consumed by tribals of Andhra Pradesh, India were analyzed for total carotenoids (TC) and Beta carotene (BC) contents using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The vitamin A activity expressed as retinol equivalents (RE) was calculated based on the in vivo conversion factor given by WHO. The results of the study indicated that the vegetables, roots and tubers analyzed showed negligible vitamin A activity with TC and BC content ranging from 0.01 to 0.61 and 0.14 to 0.23 mg%, respectively. Among the fruits, Canthium parviflorum contained very high TC (9.51 mg%) and BC (6.10 mg%) contents, and the edible orange color fresh rind portion analyzed had the highest (6.8 mg%) BC content. Other fruits contained negligible content of TC (0.0015 to 1.32 mg%) and BC (0.004 to 0.49 mg%). The edible pulp portion of the fruit (Diosphros melanoxylon contained no BC but the rind portion analyzed fresh and dried had BC) 0.79 and 2.17 mg%, respectively. Tribals were found to have distinct attitudes and beliefs towards food they use or avoid in certain physiological conditions.     

In vitro starch and protein digestibility and iron availability in weaning foods as affected by processing methods

In the present investigation, four weaning foods were formulated using locally available cereals and pulses such as wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and green gram (Vigna radiata). Cereal, pulse and jaggery were used in the proportion of 70:30:25. Domestic processing technique like roasting and malting were used to process cereals and pulses for development of weaning foods. All the four blends had a nutrient composition within the range prescribed by the Indian Standard Institute (ISI) for processed weaning foods. The processing of grains resulted in 16–20% increase in starch digestibility and 17–32% increase in protein digestibility. Also 16–32% increase in iron availability was observed on processing. The effect was more remarkable in malted weaning foods as compared to roasted ones.     

Studies of some soils in the NW Himalayas and the highlands of India

A reconnaissance soil survey of the NW Himalayan mountains and highlands in the Lahul valley (Himachal Pradesh) was undertaken and five soil profiles from different regions and supporting different vegetation, representing both virgin and cultivated lands, were studied, described and classified in two major soil series, viz. Krozing and Shainsha. The clay fraction of these soils consists of illite and chlorite with minor amounts of kaolinite and traces of swelling chlorite and/or montmorillonite. The removal of amorphous material by a dithionite citrate buffer has been found to be imperative.According to the current definitions, these frigid like high mountain soils having an epipedon on limit with mollic qualify for Dystric Eutrochrepts, which does not depict the reality. Therefore, they have been logically classified, by defining new subgroups of Cryic, Mollic and Cryollic within Eutrochrepts, as Dystric Cryic Eutrochrepts (Shainsha series) and Dystric Cryollic Eutrochrepts (Krozing series). The proposed classification is supported by their geographic situation between Eutrochrepts and/or Hapludolls (in lower valleys) and Cryochrepts and/or Haploborolls (on higher hills).     

An appraisal of the problems in classifying saline-sodic soils of the indo-gangetic plain in NW India

Most of the salt-affected soils of the Indo-Gangetic plain in NW India do not find suitable places in the 1970 U.S. system of soil classification. According to the current class definitions, soils with high salts, ESP, pH, chromas and yellower hues key out as Typic or Aquic Calciorthids, Camborthids and Haplustalfs which does not spell out their saline-sodic nature. For land-use recommendations, the authors believe it will be useful to set these soils apart at some high categoric level in the system.It is proposed that the structural requirements for the natric horizon be modified to include horizons with high ESP (? 40) but having simple blocky structure with or without tongues of eluvial material. New subgroups, viz. Natric, within the orders of Inceptisols, Alfisols and Aridisols is suggested for the high sodium-saturated soils lacking natric horizons. For similar practical considerations, the high concentrations of salts in soils when associated with high ESP pose problems in leaching and consequently new subgroups, viz. Salic and Salic Natric, within the orders of Aridisols and Alfisols are suggested.The modifications proposed not only place more emphasis on the saline-sodic nature of these soils but also result in better groupings for practical land use.