On-farm evaluation of two fast growing trees for biomass production for industrial use in Andhra Pradesh,Southern India

On-farm experiments were conducted in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh from 2001 to 2006 to evaluate the biomass productivity, intercrop yields and profitability of Eucalyptus tereticornis clonal and Leucaena leucocephala variety K-636 based systems. Trees were planted at a spacing of 3 × 2 m and evaluated at three locations. Height growth was significantly higher in leucaena during the 4 year where as difference in diameter growth was not significant. Biomass partitioning to the bole was high in case of leucaena, ranged from 83% in 2.5–5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) trees to 89% in 12.5–15 cm DBH trees and in eucalyptus clones the corresponding values were 71% in 2.5–5 cm DBH trees and 83% in 12.5–15 cm DBH trees. Marketable biomass productivity was higher with leucaena (95 Mg ha⁻¹) in comparison to eucalyptus (87 Mg ha⁻¹). Competition effects of trees on intercrops were observed from the 2 year (2002 post-rainy season). Intercrop yields were 45% of the sole crop in eucalyptus system and 36% in leucaena system during the 2 year. Sole eucalyptus and leucaena plantations and intercropping systems recorded higher gross and net returns over arable cropping. Therefore, it can be concluded that leucaena variety K636 and eucalyptus clonal based agroforestry systems are profitable alternatives to arable cropping under rainfed conditions.     

Label-free, single-molecule detection with optical microcavities

Current single-molecule detection techniques require labeling the target molecule. We report a highly specific and sensitive optical sensor based on an ultrahigh quality (Q) factor (Q > 10(8)) whispering-gallery microcavity. The silica surface is functionalized to bind the target molecule; binding is detected by a resonant wavelength shift. Single-molecule detection is confirmed by observation of single-molecule binding events that shift the resonant frequency, as well as by the statistics for these shifts over many binding events. These shifts result from a thermo-optic mechanism. Additionally, label-free, single-molecule detection of interleukin-2 was demonstrated in serum. These experiments demonstrate a dynamic range of 10(12) in concentration, establishing the microcavity as a sensitive and versatile detector.     

Insulin Secretagogue,Alpha-glucosidase and Antioxidant Activity of Some Selected Spices in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Spices are extensively used to enhance the taste and flavor of foods and are known to possess several medicinal properties. Myristica fragrans, Parmelia perlata, Illicium verum, Trachyspermum copticum and Myristica malabarica, the commonly used spices in India were assessed for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In the in vitro insulin secretion studies on isolated islets of Langerhans, M. fragrans, T. copticum and M. malabarica showed dose dependent insulin secretion. At 1 mg/ml, P. perlata showed significant in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.14 mg/ml followed by M. malabarica (0.64 mg/ml), I. verum (0.67 mg/ml), M. fragrans (0.85 mg/ml) and T. copticum (0.92 mg/ml). The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the extracts at a concentration of 1 mg/ml was as M. malabarica (90.45%), M. fragrans (89.89%), I. verum (87.22%), P. perlata (76.70%) and T. copticum (38.14%). P. perlata showed the highest phenolic content (i.e., 118.5 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) followed by M. malabarica (84.13 mg gallic acid equivalents/g). M. malabarica showed the highest flavonoid content (i.e., 38.35 mg quercetin equivalents/g). Regular use of these spices may prevent postprandial rise in glucose levels through inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidase and may maintain blood glucose level through insulin secretagogue action.     

Glycolipid antigen processing for presentation by CD1d molecules

The requirement for processing glycolipid antigens in T cell recognition was examined with mouse CD1d-mediated responses to glycosphingolipids (GSLs). Although some disaccharide GSL antigens can be recognized without processing, the responses to three other antigens, including the disaccharide GSL Gal(alpha1-->2)GalCer (Gal, galactose; GalCer, galactosylceramide), required removal of the terminal sugars to permit interaction with the T cell receptor. A lysosomal enzyme, alpha-galactosidase A, was responsible for the processing of Gal(alpha1-->2)GalCer to generate the antigenic monosaccharide epitope. These data demonstrate a carbohydrate antigen processing system analogous to that used for peptides and an ability of T cells to recognize processed fragments of complex glycolipids.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci controlling soybean seed starch content in an interspecific cross of ‘Williams 82’ (Glycine max) and ‘PI 366121’ (Glycine soja)

Seed starch content (SSC) greatly affects the taste, flavour and processing properties of soy foods. The objective in this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SSC in soybean. A total in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross in ‘Williams 82’ and ‘PI 366121’ were grown for three consecutive years. The SSC of the RILs displayed continuous variation with transgressive segregation and hence amenable for QTL mapping. Nine significant QTL exhibiting 5.6–11.3% of the total phenotypic variation (PVE) were identified. The QTL qSTR06_2 showed highest PVE (9.1–11.3%) at LOD values of 4.25–5.39. No stable QTL over 3 years were identified, indicating strong environmental influence on SSC. The QTL qSTR11_1 and qSTR20_1 were found to colocalize with some of the previously reported QTL for sucrose content in soybean, implying the interrelationship between starch and sucrose biosynthesis. As the carbohydrate components may affect key constituents such as oil and protein in soybean seed, findings of the study may be useful in breeding soybeans with improved seed composition.