Excess nickel–induced changes in antioxidative processes in maize leaves

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. 777) plants grown in hydroponic culture were treated with 100 µM NiSO₄ (moderate nickel (Ni) excess). In addition to growth parameters, metabolic parameters representative of antioxidant responses in leaves were assessed 24 h and 3, 7, and 14 d after initiating the Ni treatment. Extent of oxidative damage was measured as accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in leaves 7 and 14 d after treatment initiation. Apart from increasing membrane‐lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ accumulation, excess supply of Ni suppressed plant growth and dry mass of shoots but increased dry mass of roots and decreased the concentrations of chloroplastic pigments. Excess supply of Ni, though inhibited the catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) activity, increased peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activities. Localization of isoforms of these enzymes (peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) on native gels also revealed increases in the intensities of pre‐existing bands. Enhanced activities of peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, however, did not appear to be sufficient to ameliorate the effects of excessively generated reactive oxygen species due to excess supply of Ni.     

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of l-methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMB) co-oligomers

Oligomers of l-methionine (Met) and its hydroxy analogue, 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (d,l-HMB) were synthesized with the proteolytic enzyme papain. The Met homooligomers and HMB-Met co-oligomers obtained through the enzymatic reactions were subjected to persulfonation and separated with reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). The separated oligomers were characterized with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The oligomers were also characterized with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The results showed that co-oligomers were predominantly composed of 4-8 Met residues and one HMB residue. The data also suggest that in the co-oligomers, HMB is attached at the N-terminal end of the oligopeptide chain.     

Inhibitory effect(s) of polymeric black tea polyphenol fractions on the formation of [(3)H]-B(a)P-derived DNA adducts

Five polymeric black tea polyphenol fractions (PBP-1-5) were isolated from a popular brand of black tea. The effect of these PBPs and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major green tea polyphenol, was studied on the formation of [(3)H]-B(a)P-derived DNA adducts in vitro, employing rat liver microsomes. PBP-1-3 inhibited microsome-catalyzed [(3)H]-B(a)P-derived DNA adduct formation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was further enhanced on preincubation of microsomes with each of the PBPs. PBP-4 was not effective per se and required preincubation with microsomes to exhibit its inhibitory effect, whereas PBP-5 remained ineffective with or without preincubation with microsomes. Further investigations revealed that the observed decrease in [(3)H]-B(a)P-DNA adduct formation was due to inhibition of isozymes of CYP450s by PBPs. Overall, results suggest that polymeric black tea polyphenol fractions retain one of the chemopreventive effects exhibited by the monomeric green tea polyphenol EGCG in vitro.     

Dynamic heat flux measurement for advanced insulation materials

Odour formation in the textile is a serious and embarrassing problem for an individual. The axilla born bacterial species are noted as the main reason for odour formation in axilla. In this research an attempt has been made to identify the odour generating compounds on the textile material after wear trial using gas chromatography and mass spectrum (GC-MS). The result indicates that the worn textile material consisted steroidal fractions of 5a-androst-16-ene-3-one and cholesterol, the major odour forming source from axilla. The results also identified the other important odour forming fatty acids and alcohols like lauric acids, diethyl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, methyl esters of tetradecanoic acid, 3- methylhexanoic acid, Tetradecanol and acetic acid in axilla worn textile. These components were the derivatives of axilla specific odourous components like phthalic acid, myristic acid, isobutric acid and alcohols. The effect of Terminalia chebula extract finish on the odour formation also analysed and the results shows a considerable reduction in odour causing short chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the worn textile compare to the untreated textile. The analysis also identified more amounts of active components of Terminalia chebula on the fabric surface instead of the odourous components from axilla.     

Agro-morphological variability and genetic diversity in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm accessions with emphasis on flowering and maturity time

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Assessment of genetic diversity and extent of trait variation among germplasm accessions facilitate the effective use of genetic resources for varietal...     

Aerogel based nanoporous fibrous materials for thermal insulation

In this research work, the thermo physiological properties of polyester/polyethylene nonwoven composite wraps of varying thicknesses impregnated with aerogel were studied and compared. The SEM images were also taken to compare the physical configuaration of the aerogel based fibrous composites. Specific thermal properties like thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thermal diffusivity and thermal absorptivity were measured using alambeta instrument. The air permeability of the thermal wraps was measured in air permeability tester. The relative water vapor permeability and absolute water vapor permeability was measured in Permetest. These tests were conducted to understand thermal properties, air and water vapor permeability of flexible aerogel based composites with nanoporous structure. The results of the experiments were statistically analyzed and found to be within confidence intervals.     

Essential oil bearing aromatic plants: Their potential for sequestering carbon in marginal soils of India

Continuous rise in the atmospheric CO₂ concentration upshots the genesis of cataclysmic planetary problems such as global warming and climate change. Another critical issue which is environmentally challenging is land degradation. When productive land is poorly managed, it turns to marginal land. And further degradation of marginal land ends up to being unproductive land. On the Contrary, considerable part of depleted soil C pool can be restored through the adoption of conservation agricultural practices, unproductive land could be converted to marginal land and by its further restoration, into productive land. Aromatic plants can sustain various adverse conditions prevailing on the marginal lands. Aromatic plants require low input but the output is quite high due to the production of highvalue essential oil. The pivotal perspective of utilization of marginal lands of India for the production of aromatic plants would explore factors such as land availability, aromatic plants adaptability, C sequestration potential and economic feasibility. India is the largest exporter of essential oils and produces huge amount of aromatic spent residues, which could be converted into several valueadded products. Proficient recycle of distillation waste of aromatic plants in marginal lands will aid to sequester C in soil and enhance the biomass yield. Improvement in the livelihood of farmers especially in developing nations through rise in production and income diversification would encourage farmers to reclaim their marginal lands and accelerate their transition to aromatically cultivable lands.     

Investigation on mechanical behaviour of twisted natural fiber hybrid composite fabricated by vacuum assisted compression molding technique

Nowadays, automotive, packaging and sport equipment industries are using natural fibre based composite materials as they are cheap, abundantly available and having a lot of ecological advantages. The main objective of this paper is to introduce a new concept of fibre twisting and to investigate the effect of twisting and the fibre orientation on the mechanical properties of bio degradable green composites. Here, the composites are fabricated by vacuum assisted compression molding technique in which the problems of hand lay process are eliminated. Here, two fibers namely twisted neem and twisted kenaf are sandwiched between layers of glass fibres to enhance the stiffness and strength of the laminates. Initially, the fibers are alkalized to increase the mechanical properties. The result shows that there is a significant improvement in mechanical properties of composites due to the presence of twisted fibers. It also shows the influence of fiber orientation on mechanical properties.