Investigation of physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of twenty Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars

Pomegranate is one of the native fruits of Iran which contains high genetic resources, but there are insufficient information regarding properties of the fruit. The objective of the present study was to investigate the physcio-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of twenty pomegranate cultivars grown in Iran. This study showed that there were significant differences among the cultivars in all measured factors except the length/diameter ratio of fruit. The fruit weight, skin percentage, aril percentage and juice percentage were within the range of 196.89–315.28 g, 32.28–59.82%, 37.59–65% and 26.95–46.55%, respectively. The total soluble solids content varied from 11.37 (°Brix) to 15.07 (°Brix), pH values from 3.16 to 4.09, titratable acidity content from 0.33 g 100 g⁻¹ to 2.44 g 100 g⁻¹ and total sugars content from 13.23 g 100 g⁻¹ to 21.72 g 100 g⁻¹. The results also showed that the values of ascorbic acid ranged from 9.91 mg 100 g⁻¹ to 20.92 mg 100 g⁻¹. The total anthocyanins content was observed in pomegranate cultivars between 5.56  mg 100 g⁻¹ and 30.11 mg 100 g⁻¹. The level of total phenolics was varied from 295.79 mg 100 g⁻¹ to 985.37 mg 100 g⁻¹. The antioxidant activity of pomegranate cultivars was found between 15.59 and 40.72%. These data demonstrated that the cultivar was the main parameter which influences the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity in pomegranates.     

Distribution and variability of n-alkanes in waxes of conifers

Epicuticular waxes have vital roles in the growth and development of plants and in defense. Conifers have a considerable amount of waxes on their cones and leaves.Here we characterized the n-alkane composition of Iranian conifers, including Juniperus oblonga, J. foetidissima, J.sabina, J. communis subsp. hemisphaerica, J. excelsa,Cupressus sempervirens, Platycladus orientalis from Cupressaceae and Taxus baccata from Taxaceae for the first time using GC-FID analyses. In the waxes, 25 n-alkane homologs with chain lengths ranging from C7 to C32 were identified. Short-chain n-alkanes were dominant in almost all samples with some exceptions. Complementary studies to elucidate complete wax constituents of Iranian conifers and n-alkane distribution pattern as a function of geographical and bioclimatic variables are recommended.     

Inhibition of potato tuber sprouting: Low levels of cytosolic pyrophosphate lead to non-sprouting tubers harvested from transgenic potato plants

Summary ExpressingE. coli inorganic pyrophosphatase in transgenic plants demonstrated that long distance sucrose transport is dependent on cytosolic pyrophosphate. It was speculated that removal of cytosolic pyrophosphate would impair sucrose utilization during storage of potato tubers and thereby prevent tuber sprouting. To explore this hypothesisSolanum tuberosum var. Désirée plants were transformed with a chimeric PPa gene. FollowingAgrobacterium mediated transformation, metabolite and carbohydrate contents of growing and stored tubers were measured. There was a large accumulation of soluble sugars and a decrease of starch at all developmental stages investigated. The PPase activity in PPaII tubers was parallel with a decrease of PPa, an increase of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate and an increase of UDP-glucose. As expected the amount of hexose-6-phosphates and glycolytic intermediates decreased. As a consequence PPaII tubers did not sprout even after a prolonged storage period of two years. Since the energy status of PPaII tubers is unaltered inhibition of sprouting is most likely due to reduced sucrose export and its subsequent utilization.     

Effect of Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth Performance and Body Composition of Juvenile Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma,Reared in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

The effects of six formulated diets containing different protein and lipid levels on growth performance and body composition of juvenile southern flounder were evaluated. Test diets were prepared with a combination of three crude protein (CP) levels (45, 50 and 55%) and two crude lipid (CL) levels (10 and 15%). Diets (CP/CL) were as follows: 45/10, 45/15, 50/10, 50/15, 55/10, 55/15 and a commercial diet (50/15). Southern flounder (1.10 g) were fed the respective diets for 42 d in triplicate recirculating tanks (20 fish/tank). Percent body weight gain (BWG) for fish fed diet 45/10 (413%) and the commercial diet (426%) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than fish fed other diets (823–837%). Increasing protein level from 45 to 50% produced a significant increase in BWG for the 10% lipid diet (823%) but further increasing protein did not produce a significant effect on BWG irrespective of dietary lipid levels. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and total lipid content in the whole body were significantly affected by different dietary protein and lipid levels. Results indicated that a combination of 50% protein and 10% lipid was optimal for the growth performance of southern flounder juveniles.     

The economics of sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture under three different farming systems in rural Bangladesh

This paper examines production costs and returns of sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture under three different farming systems in Bangladesh. Based on the production technology, sutchi catfish farming is classified as extensive, semi‐intensive and intensive. Results showed that sutchi catfish farming is profitable irrespective of the level of intensification and in all three instances the cost of feed dominated the variable costs of production. The average annual production costs were estimated at US$5217 ha^?1 in intensive farming, while US$2694 ha^?1 in semi‐intensive and US$981 ha^?1 in extensive farming. Despite the higher production costs per hectare, the average annual net return was higher in intensive farming (US$3364), compared with semi‐intensive (US$2048) and extensive (US$1099) farming. The average annual production per hectare under intensive farming conditions (13 945 kg) was higher than semi‐intensive (7705 kg) and extensive (3380 kg) farming mainly due to higher levels of inputs, including seed, feed, fertilizer and labour. However, the Cobb–Douglas production function model suggests that inputs are inefficiently used in the intensive farming system. Conversely, there is enough scope to increase the production and income from the semi‐intensive and extensive farming systems by using more inputs.     

Integrated Duck-cum-Fish Farming in Bangladesh

An experiment on integrated duck-cum-fish farming was conducted in 11 ponds of 0.1 ha each at the Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Khaki Campbell layer ducks Anas platyrhychos were housed directly over the pond water surface at 200, 400 and 500 dncks/ha. Each density had three replicate ponds and two ponds had no ducks. Fish fingerlings were stocked at a total density of 8,850/ha. The species composition was silver carp Hypophthalmicthys molitrix 33.9%; catla Catla catla 12.4%; rohu Labeo rohita 18.1%; mrigal Cirrhina mrigala 28.8%. grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella 1.4% and sor puti Puntius gonlonotus 5.4%. The fish were not given any supplemental feed, and the ponds were not fertilized except for the split duck feed and duck manure falling directly into the ponds. Ducks were fed with a feed formulated from locally available ingredients.
After one year the fish were harvested. The yield of fish increased with an increase in duck density. Highest net fish production of 4,250 kg/ha/yr was obtained from ponds with 500 ducks/ ha, compared to 490 kg/ha/yr from the control ponds. Manure of each duck contributed a net fish yield of 6.9–7.5/yr. Average egg production was 237 eggs per female duck per year. Economic analysis of the technology showed a net profit of about 100% of the total costs, indicating the economic viability of the technology.     

Control of brucellosis in Kuwait by vaccination of cattle,sheep and goats withBrucella abortus strain 19 orBrucella melitensis strain Rev. 1

Summary In Kuwait, approximately 12,000 diary cows were vaccinated with a reduced dose of 3×10⁹ Brucella abortus strain 19 and approximately 350,000 sexually mature sheep and goats with a reduced dose of 10⁷B.melitensis strain Rev. 1. Using the criteria of prevaccinal and postvaccinal incidences of antibodies, abortions, and human cases of brucellosis, the programme was very successful. Widespread vaccination of adult animals is the most effective method of controlling brucellosis among cattle, sheep and goats in many countries.

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Resumen En Kuwait, se vacunaron aproximadament 12,000 vacas lecheras con una dosis reducida de 3×10⁹ organismos deBrucella abortus cepa 19 y approximadament 350,000 ovejas y cabras sexualmente maduras fueron vacunadas con una dosis reducida de 10⁷ organismos deB. melitensis opa Rev. 1. Utilizando los criterios prevacunales de incidencia de anticuerpos, abortos, y casos humanos de brucelosis, el programa fuvo gran exito. Ef método mas efectivo de control de la brucelosis bovina, ovina y caprina an numerosas paises es la amplia utilización de vacuna en animales adultos.

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Résumé Au Kuwait, environ 12,000 vaches laitiěres ont été vaccinées avec une dose réduite de souche 19Brucella abortus (3×10⁹) et environ 350,000 moutons et chevres qui étaient matures sexuellement, one été vaccinés avec une dose réduite de soucheB. melitensis Rev. 1 (10⁷). Basé sur la présence d'anticorps, sur le nombre d'avortements et de cas de brucellose chez les humains avant et aprés vaccination, le programme a été un succěs. La méthode la plus effective pour contr?ler la brucellose chez les bovins, les ovins et les caprins dans beaucoup de pays et de vacciner sans exception tous les animaux adultes.

     

Effects of dietary lipid and phosphorus levels on nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in young yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata: A preliminary observation

ABSTRACT:   A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary lipid and phosphorus levels on nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of young yellowtail under on-site conditions for 4 months. Three levels of dietary lipid (200, 250 and 300 g/kg) and four levels of supplemental phosphorus (0, 2, 4 and 7 g/kg) were tested in a complete randomized design with a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement. Each net cage of 170 yellowtail were fed the experimental diets for 4 months and the fish grew from approximately 346–912 g, at water temperatures between 18 and 23°C. Dietary phosphorus levels did not cause any difference in weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and nitrogen retention. However, its increasing supplemental levels reduced phosphorus retention, consequently increasing its excretion, whereas nitrogen excretion remained uninfluenced. In contrast, increasing the dietary lipid level resulted in its greater deposition in the whole body of young fish leading to a reduction in nitrogen excretion. This study has shown that phosphorus levels need not necessarily be high in the diets of young yellowtail. In addition, dietary lipid can be manipulated favorably to produce environmentally suitable diets.     

Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid graphene nanoplatelets/multiwall carbon nanotubes reinforced polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposites

The effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrid nanofillers on the mechanical and thermal properties of reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been investigated. The nanocomposites were melt blended using the counter rotating twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. Their morphology, mechanical and thermal properties were characterized. Combination of the two nanofillers in composites formulation supplemented each other which resulted in the overall improvement in adhesion between fillers and matrix. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the hybrid nanocomposites (PET/GNP1.5/MWCNT1.5) were significantly improved compared to PET/GNP3 and PET/MWCNT3 single filer nanocomposites. However, it was observed that GNP was better in improving the mechanical properties but MWCNT resulted in higher thermal stability of Nanocomposite. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed uniform dispersion of the hybrid fillers in PET/GNP1.5/MWCNT1.5 nanocomposites while agglomeration was observed at higher filler content. The MWCNT prevented the phenomenal stacking of the GNPs by forming a bridge between adjacent GNP planes resulting in higher dispersion of fillers. This complimentary geometrical structure is responsible for the significant improvement in the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the hybrid nanocomposites.