In Vitro Starch Digestibility and Expected Glycemic Index of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) as Affected by Starch–Protein–Lipid Interactions

The effect of starch–protein–lipid interaction on the in vitro starch digestibility and expected glycemic index (eGI) of kodo millet flour (MF) was investigated. Debranned MF and the flour with lipid removed, protein removed, or both lipid and protein removed (MF‐L‐P) were subjected to digestion assays. The in vitro starch digestibility and eGI of the millet samples and millet starch were compared with rice or wheat flour. Rapidly digestible starch, slowly digestible starch, and resistant starch (RS) of the samples were also calculated. Protease treatment and defatting resulted in significant reduction (P < 0.05) in protein and lipid contents of samples. Significant increases in the in vitro starch digestibility and eGI of samples were observed after removal of protein, lipid, or both. The effect of lipid removal on in vitro starch digestibility of kodo millet was found to be more significant, compared with when proteins were removed. The eGI increased from 49.4 for cooked MF to 62.5 for MF‐L‐P. The eGI of cooked kodo millet starch was significantly lower than that of cooked rice flour. The RS (1.61%) of cooked rice was the least among the samples. The in vitro starch digestibility and eGI of rice were significantly higher than those of MF. Processes applied to kodo millet, such as decortication, that result in the removal of proteins, lipids, or both (especially lipids) would result in an increase in its in vitro starch digestibility and eGI. We therefore advocate for the development of acceptable products from whole millets to maintain its hypoglycemic property.     

Seasonal fluctuation in the population of Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. in the sub-himalayan region of West Bengal, India and its control on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplant is one of the most common vegetable crops grown in India and other parts of the world. Leucinodes orbonalis is the key pest infesting eggplant, with international importance as it causes heavy damage in all eggplant growing areas. It is very difficult to control this pest since it feeds inside the shoot and fruit, and there is every possibility of toxic residues remaining in the fruits as they are harvested at frequent intervals and are consumed after little cooking. In the sub-himalayan region of West Bengal, India the pest was found to be most active during summer and the rainy season, particularly during May–August, and caused 49.5–81.0% damage to fruits. Peak infestation (81.0% fruit damage) was noticed in the first week of June (22nd standard week), when the mean temperature, mean relative humidity and weekly rainfall were 27.8°C, 79.2% and 81.2 mm respectively. The pest became less active during winter months particularly in December–January. Borer infestation showed a significant positive correlation (P = 0.05) with maximum and mean temperature, minimum and mean relative humidity and rainfall, whereas with maximum relative humidity the correlation was negative but non-significant. The insecticides evaluated in the field for L. orbonalis control on eggplant revealed that avermectin (Vertimec 1.9 EC; 0.5 ml/l) was the most effective in suppressing dead heart caused by the pest, closely followed by Beauveria bassiana (Biorin 107 conidia/ml; 1 ml/l) and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Biolep 5 × 107 spores/ml; 1 g/l). Significantly lower levels of fruit damage were recorded after avermectin treatment, closely followed by DDVP (0.05%) (Nuvan 76 SL; 2 ml/3 l) when compared with the untreated control. The other insecticides tested, including a neem formulation (Neemactin 0.15 EC; 2.5 ml/l) and malathion (0.05%) (Malathion 50 EC; 1.0 ml/l), were less effective. None of the insecticides evaluated produced satisfactory results against L. orbonalis. However, avermectin, besides being environmentally safe, was effective for a longer duration and could thus be recommended for Integrated Pest Management programmes on eggplant.     

Relationship Between Popcorn Composition and Expansion Volume and Discrimination of Corn Types by Using Zein Properties

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the amount and type of lipids, starch composition and structure, and storage proteins on popcorn expansion and to evaluate whether popcorns could be discriminated from other types of corn based on the protein elution parameters. Seven commercial Argentinean popcorn samples were used in the study and significant differences were observed in the popping volume of these popcorns. A significant negative correlation was observed between oleic acid and popping volume and a positive correlation was observed between linoleic acid and popping volume. Popcorn starch properties were significantly different from normal corn but no particular measured attribute of starch correlated with popping volume. α‐Zein proteins and glutelins significantly correlated with popcorn expansion volume with R² = 0.963 and 0.744, respectively. The elution patterns of corn proteins could also be used to discriminate between different types of corn including popcorn, dent, and flint corns.     

Monocarpk Senescence in Relation to Yield of Sesamum indicum During Source-Sink Alteration

Defoliation hastens senescence of the capsule wall, increased seed weight/capsule and harvest index, promotes seed filling and decreased the post-flowering contribution and yield/plant. Defruiting delayed senescence of the subtending leaf. Treatment of kinetin on the capsule wall increased its chlorophyll, sugar and dry weight and also increased yield by increasing harvest index, seed weight/capsule compared to seed treatment as well as control, although post-flowering contribution reduced significantly. When treated on the capsule wall ABA defers senescence of both leaf and capsule wall and also increased the yield parameters but seed treatment although defers senescence of both the source organs, decreased the yield parameters. Treatment of urea defers senescence of the source organs and also increased yield and capsule number though harvest index was reduced.
It is concluded that contribution from the capsule wall and deferment of senescence of this organ at the post capsule development period determines yield and in normal condition contribution of source is limited by the sink size.     

The disposition kinetics and residues of fenvalerate in tissues following a single dermal application to black bengal goats

The disposition kinetics of fenvalerate were studied in goats after dermal application of 100 ml of 0.25% (w/v) solution. The insecticide persisted in the blood for 72 h. The mean (±SEM) V _d(area) and apparent t _1/2 () were 9.92±1.44 L/kg and 17.51±2.65 h, while the AUC and Cl_B values were respectively 82.15±7.40 g h/ml and 0.56±0.05 L/(kg h). Four days after the dermal application, the highest concentration of fenvalerate residues was found in the adrenal gland, followed by the biceps muscle, omental fat, liver, kidney, lung and cerebrum in that order. Fenvalerate caused hyperglycaemia but had no effect on serum protein and cholesterol levels. Serum acetylcholinesterase activities were increased after 24 h but were below the initial values from 48 to 120 h.Abbreviations Ache acetylcholinestase - AUC total area under the blood insecticide concentration-versus-time curve - Cl_B total body clearance - GLC gas-liquid chromatography - t _1/2() apparent elimination half-life - V _d(area) apparent volume of insecticide distribution based on area method     

Identification of sperm motility markers in bovine transition protein genes

Transition proteins (TNPs) are essential in chromatin condensation during spermiogenesis, and hence, they are the candidate genes for identifying sperm motility markers. Coding and in silico predicted promoter regions of these genes were investigated in crossbred and purebred cattle, and also, their mRNA quantification was done to explore its use as a diagnostic tool of infertility. PCR‐SSCP analysis revealed two band patterns in fragment III of TNP1 and fragment II of TNP2 gene. Sequence analysis revealed a deletion of “G” nucleotide in 3′UTR region of TNP1 and C>T SNP in intronic region of TNP2 gene. Least square analysis of variance did not reveal any significant influence of nucleotide deletion on any sperm motility parameters in both crossbred and purebred cattle. However, C>T SNP had a significant effect on initial progressive motility (p < 0.05) in purebred cattle and post‐thaw motility in overall cattle population. RT‐qPCR analysis did not reveal any significant variation in TNP1 and TNP2 gene expression among poorly motile and good quality spermatozoa of Vrindavani bulls.     

Response of in ovo administration of zinc on egg hatchability and immune response of commercial broiler chicken

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of in ovo administration of different forms of zinc with respect to hatchability and performance of commercial broiler chicken. In trial 1, the fertile eggs on day 18 were divided into six treatment groups: Group I as control without any supplementation of zinc, group II to IV were supplemented with 0.5 mg zinc per egg as zinc sulphate, zinc methionine or nano zinc, respectively, and Group V with nano zinc at 0.25 mg zinc per egg. Sixth group received 0.5 ml citric acid per egg as sham control. The results of the first trial indicated that in ovo administration of nano zinc at both levels and zinc methionine resulted in complete failure of hatchability. A second trial to validate the result of trial 1 consisted of Group I control (no administration). Group II and Group III were supplemented with zinc sulphate and zinc methionine, respectively, at 0.5 mg zinc per egg. Group IV and Group V were supplemented with nano zinc at 0.04 and 0.08 mg per egg. In the second trial, again there was a similar pattern for zinc sulphate and zinc methionine. Administration of Zn by nano form had around 80% hatchability on fertile eggs in comparison with the unadministered control eggs (92%). There was no difference (p > .05) in body weight gain, feed intake and FCR. No difference (p > .05) was observed between treatments for cell‐mediated immune response and humoral immune response. Nano Zn‐administered group showed a non‐significant downregulation of MUC2 gene. It could be concluded that in ovo administration of higher levels of zinc has to be with caution for the developing embryo of commercial broiler chicken.     

Evaluation of selective media in antimicrobial surveillance programs capturing broad-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli from chickens at slaughter

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance targeting agricultural animals is practiced in many countries but does not often include media selective for cephalosporin resistance. Here, we compared the frequency of recovery of resistant Escherichia coli using selective and non-selective media from the cecal contents of 116 chickens collected by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). Third generation cephalosporin resistance was detected in 24 samples including 12, 10, and 2 on selective, non-selective, and both media, respectively. Isolates producing the CTX-M-1 ESBL were grown from 11 samples, 10 on selective medium only. Our results suggest that current surveillance approaches underestimate the true prevalence of resistance to critically important antimicrobials.     

Rearing advanced fry of major Indian carp species in recirculatory-filtering ponds at Barrackpore,West Bengal

This paper describes an experiment using a recirculatory-filtering system operating in two rectangular cemented ponds (160 and 190 m², 1.5 m deep) to rear fry (25 mm–50 mm) of the major Indian carp species Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and Catla catla (Hamilton) to fingerlings (100 mm–125 mm). These operations were concluded in both the species in 32 days at stocking densities of 0.46 million/ha and 0.55 million/ha, and showed survival rates of 96.6% and 84.4% respectively. In the presently followed practices of modern fish culturists, corresponding operations in earth ponds usually take 90 days and have a stocking density of 0.2 million/ha with survival rates more or less similar to those obtained in the recirculatory-filtering system. If followed by industry, the technique described will enable production of major Indian carp fingerlings with great saving in time, the use of water and the space occupied by the production system. These advantages greatly enhance the economic viability of rearing carp fingerling in India.