Growth and economic analysis of freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), produced with feeds substituting sunflower cake for fish meal,soya bean meal and mustard oil cake

A feeding trial with Macrobrachium rosenbergii was carried out to test the effectiveness of sunflower cake (SFC) as a replacement for conventional protein sources. Four isonitrogenous (~30% crude protein) and isocaloric (388–402 kcal) diets were formulated. Diet‐1 was a control made with conventional ingredients including fish meal, soya bean meal and mustard oil cake. Diet‐2, Diet‐3 and Diet‐4 were made with 30%, 40% and 50% SFC, respectively, replacing the usual protein sources used in Diet‐1. After 100 days, diets with SFC inclusion showed favourable growth and economic performance trends compared to control diet‐1, but without significant differences (p > .05). Better production (572.89 ± 62.99 kg/ha) was observed with Diet‐4 followed by Diet‐2, Diet‐3 and Diet‐1. Diet‐4 revealed the best feed conversion ratio (2.56 ± 0.24), specific growth rate (1.18 ± 0.05) and protein efficiency ratio (1.14 ± 0.10) among these diets. Whole carcass composition analysis revealed highest crude protein (18.19%) and lipid (4.43%) content in prawns fed Diet‐3 followed by Diet‐4. Highest total income, gross margin and benefit cost ratio (BCR) per hectare from prawns were US$5,759, US$2,623 and 1.84, respectively, found in Diet‐4. This study demonstrates that 30%–50% inclusion of SFC has favourable impacts on productivity and profitability compared with controls, with 50% SFC inclusion as the most cost‐effective diet for prawns without apparent compromise in growth, flesh quality or economics. The performances of the diets suggest that SFC may be a suitable substitute for fishmeal, soya bean meal and mustard oil cake in prawn feed. The effectiveness of higher SFC concentrations should also be investigated.     

Effects of different levels of soil salinity on yield attributes,accumulation of nitrogen,and micronutrients in Brassica spp.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of soil salinity on yield attributes as well as nutrient accumulation in different plant parts of seven Brassica cultivars from two different species raised in pot culture experiment with two levels of salinity treatments along with control corresponding to soil electrical conductivity (EC) values of 1.65 (S₀), 4.50 (S₁) and 6.76 (S₂) dS m^?1. The experiment was consisted of twelve replications in a completely randomized design. Imposition of salinity stress affected various yield attributing characters including plant height, which ultimately led to severe yield reduction. However, tolerant cultivars, CS 52 and CS 54 performed better under salt treatment showing lesser yield loss. Salinity stress reduced the nitrogen (N) content in leaves of the Brassica plants, which reflected in decreased seed protein content. Reduced accumulation of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) was observed in leaf, stem and root at flowering and post-flowering stages, while CS 52 and CS 54 showed less reduction than susceptible cultivars under salinity stress.     

Metabolism of metamitron in goat following a single oral administration of a nontoxic dose level: a continued study

Disposition kinetic behavior and metabolism studies of metamitron and its metabolite in terms of the parent compound were carried out in black Bengal goats after a single oral administration of a nontoxic oral dose at 30 mg kg(-1) of body weight. Metamitron was detected in the blood sample at 5 min (2.23 +/- 0.04 microg mL(-1)), maximum at 1 h (3.43 +/- 0.02 microg mL(-1)) and minimum at 12 h (0.41 +/- 0.01 microg mL(-1)), after a single oral administration. Metabolite [3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] in terms of the parent compound was detected in the blood sample at 5 min (0.47 +/- 0.006 microg mL(-1)), maximum at 6 h (5.12 +/- 0.02 microg mL(-1)) and minimum at 96 h (1.06 +/- 0.016 microg mL(-1)), after a single oral administration. The t(1/2 K) and Cl(B) values of metamitron were 3.63 +/- 0.05 h and 1.36 +/- 0.016 L kg(-1) h(-1), respectively, whereas the t(1/2K)(m) and Cl(B)(m) values of the metabolite were 38.15 +/- 0.37 h and 0.091 +/- 0.001 L kg(-1) h(-1), respectively, which suggested long persistence of the metabolite in blood and tissues of goat. Metamitron was excreted through feces and urine for up to 48 and 72 h, whereas the metabolite was excreted for up to 168 and 144 h, respectively. Metabolite alone contributed to 96 and 67% of combined recovery percentage of metamitron and metabolite against the administered dose in feces and urine of goat, respectively. All of the goat tissues except lung, adrenal gland, ovary, testis, and mammary gland retained the metabolite residue for up to 6 days after administration.     

Quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio nigripulchritudo</Emphasis> in shrimp

Vibrio nigripulchritudo is considered one of the major pathogens threatening shrimp aquaculture. In this study, we developed a novel and highly specific quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Q-LAMP) assay. A set of four specific primers were designed targeting the V. nigripulchritudo intergenic spacer region. The reaction time and temperature were optimized for 60 min at 63°C. Quantitative analysis was then performed by measuring the turbidity of the reaction solution using a real-time turbidimeter, allowing for quantification of the initial DNA concentration with a sensitivity of 10² copy numbers equivalent to 2.3 colony forming units/ml or 0.3 fg/μl. The LAMP assay was able to specifically detect two representative strains of V. nigripulchritudo, whereas other Vibrio and non-Vibrio species were not amplified. A standard curve was generated for V. nigripulchritudo by plotting the threshold time (T _t) versus the log of bacterial number. A high correlation coefficient (R ² = 0.9749) was observed for the Q-LAMP reaction. In conclusion, Q-LAMP assay is a sensitive, rapid, and simple tool that can be used for the detection and quantification of V. nigripulchritudo in shrimp, thereby facilitating surveillance of vibriosis infection.     

Role of exogenous phytohormones on growth and plumbagin accumulation in Plumbago indica hairy roots and conservation of elite root clones via synthetic seeds

The present study describes the role of different exogenous hormones on morphology and plumbagin production in Plumbago indica hairy roots. It was also aimed to conserve elite root clones via synthetic seed technology. Insertion of rolB gene in transformed roots was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction followed by southern blot analysis. Hairy roots were treated with single or in combination of different phytohormones viz. IAA, IBA, 2, 4-D, NAA, BAP, GA₃ and ABA. Cultures incubated with GA₃ (0.5 mg l⁻¹) yielded highest root growth due to formation of profuse lateral branching while NAA (0.5 mg l⁻¹) treatment caused highest plumbagin accumulation. Cultures incubated with 2, 4-D exhibited highest inhibitory effect in terms of both root growth and plumbagin production. All phytohormones were found to be effective at lower concentration. In combinatorial study, GA₃ + NAA (0.5 mg l⁻¹, each) was found optimum for root biomass and plumbagin production at earlier stage of culture. Different combinations of auxins and BAP induced different morphologies ranging from reduction of lateral branching to rapid disorganization of root matrix. The combinations of ABA and selected auxins were not found promising at any of selected concentration. Based on the effect of exogenous hormones on hairy root culture, elite root clones were selected and encapsulated with sodium alginate matrix. Uniform shaped alginate coated synthetic seeds were conserved up to 6 months exhibited high regeneration potential without disturbing plumbagin content.     

Rust-proofing wheat for a changing climate

This paper offers projections of potential effects of climate change on rusts of wheat and how we should factor in a changing climate when planning for the future management of these diseases. Even though the rusts of wheat have been extensively studied internationally, there is a paucity of information on the likely effects of a changing climate on the rusts and their influence on wheat production. Due to the lack of published empirical research we relied on the few published studies of other plant diseases, our own unpublished work and relevant information from the vast literature on rusts of wheat to prepare this overview. Three broad areas of potential risks from a changing climate were described: increased loss from wheat rusts, new rust pathotypes evolving faster and the reduced effectiveness of rust resistances. Increased biomass of wheat crops grown in the presence of elevated CO₂ concentrations and higher temperatures will increase the leaf area available for attack by the pathogen leading to increased inoculum production. If changed weather conditions were to accelerate the life cycle of a pathogen, the increased inoculum can lead to severe rust epidemics in many environments. Likewise should the effects of climate change result in more conducive conditions for rust development there will also be a corresponding increase in the rate of evolution of new pathotypes which could increase the rate of appearance of new virulences. The effectiveness of some rust resistance genes is influenced by temperature and crop development stage. Climate change may directly or indirectly influence the effectiveness of some resistance genes but this can not be ascertained due to a complete lack of knowledge. Since disease resistance breeding is a long term strategy it is important to determine if any of the important genes may become less effective due to climate change. Studies must be made to acquire new information on the rust disease triangle to increase the adaptive capacity of wheat under climate change. Leadership within the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) is needed to broker research on rust evolution and the durability of resistance under climate change.     

A study on optimization of marigold petal yield,pure lutein,and formulation of free-flowing lutein esters

The present study was conducted with the main objective to optimize petal yield from important marigold cultivars in West Bengal, and to standardize isolation of lutein from petals because these dietary xanthophylls are known to reduce the risks of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Six cultivars were studied viz. African marigold-Double (AFM-D), African marigold-Single (AFM-S), African marigold-Orange (AFM-O), French marigold-Orange (FRM-O), French marigold-Double (FRMD), and LC (Local type), which withstand typical environmental conditions of northern West Bengal and produce flowers that do not vary in color and are relatively unaffected by pests and diseases. Lutein esters were extracted from milled marigold petals using nhexane. However, overall performance showed that LC is superior to the other cultivars. Pure lutein was obtained after saponification with 50% KOH. The re-crystallized lutein was characterized by UV-VIS, IR spectroscopy, and HPLC. A free-flowing lutein ester was also formulated. This free-flowing lutein ester was found to be suitable to undergo commercialization or subsequent processing. An economic method for petal yield and isolation of lutein was thus standardized.     

Effect of efficient pectinolytic bacterial isolates on retting and fibre quality of jute

Four bacterial strains with high balanced polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin lyase (PNL), and xylanase with minimal cellulase activity were used in jute retting. The 16S rDNA analysis revealed that the organisms were: Bacillus sp. L6 (GQ891097), Bacillus pumilus strain EK-17 (GQ891098), B. pumilus strain Geo-03-422 (GQ891103) and B. pumilus strain IK-MB12-518F (GQ891105). The microorganisms in different combinations of consortia showed synergistic effect resulting in increased PG (35.52-46.61 IU/g cell wet weight), PNL (39.79-72.12 U/ml), xylanase (0.705-0.840 μmol/ml/min) and little cellulase (0-0.153 μmol/ml/min) activities. The organisms in different combinations of consortia reduced the retting period from 11 to 13 days as compared to 19 days in the control. Microbial inoculation produced remarkable improvement in jute fibre strength (26.62-28.91 g/tex) and fineness (2.76-2.92 tex) over control. The pH of the post-retting water samples became acidic, and the electrical conductivity (Ec), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and hardness increased. The organisms could be adopted in industrial application for extraction of jute fibre.     

Nutritional and Antioxidative Attributes of Green Mussel (Perna viridis L.) from the Southwestern Coast of India

ABSTRACT

The present study reports the biochemical composition of Perna viridis from the southwestern coast of India. A balanced essential to nonessential amino acid ratio (0.7:1.1) along with the optimum and balanced quantities of vitamins, mineral nutrients, and low cholesterol contents characterized P. viridis. The n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of P. viridis was found to be 3.7:5.3 and therefore may serve as an alternative to balance the higher intake of n-6 fatty acids. High oxyradical scavenging capacity (24–32%) and total phenolics (2–5 mg GAE^?1) suggest the nutraceutical potential of P. viridis.