Comparative evaluation of fermented and non-fermented de-oiled rice bran with or without exogenous enzymes supplementation in the diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> (Hamilton, 1822)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of exogenous enzymes (xylanase and phytase) supplementation in the non-fermented and fermented de-oiled rice bran (DORB)-based diet of Labeo rohita. Four test diets (T1-DORB-based diet, T2-fermented DORB-based diet, T3-phytase and xylanase supplemented DORB-based diet, and T4-phytase and xylanase supplemented fermented DORB-based diet) were formulated and fed to the respective groups. Test diets T3 and T4 were supplemented with 0.01% xylanase (16,000 U kg^?1) and 0.01% phytase (500 U kg^?1) enzymes. One hundred twenty juveniles of L. rohita, with an average weight 5.01?±?0.02 g, were stocked in 12 uniform size plastic rectangular tanks in triplicate with 10 fishes per tank following a completely randomized design (CRD). Exogenous enzyme supplementation to the T3 group significantly improved the growth performance of L. rohita (p?<?0.05). Fermented DORB fed groups registered significantly lower growth irrespective of the supplementation of exogenous enzymes. The carcass composition (except CP %), enzyme activities (except amylase activity), globulin, and A/G ratio did not vary significantly (p?>?0.05). Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that exogenous enzyme supplementation significantly increases the growth of fish fed with DORB-based diet.     

Application of Native Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for Fermentative Recovery of Lipids and Proteins from Fish Processing Wastes: Bioactivities of Fermentation Products

Fermentation using native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was evaluated for its effectiveness in recovering lipids and proteins simultaneously from freshwater fish visceral waste (FVW). Five different LAB isolated from fish processing waste were employed in a fermentation process that involved 10% (w/w) glucose, 2% (w/w) NaCl, and 10% (v/w) LAB. Cultures evaluated included four native isolates (Pediococcus acidilactici NCIM5368, Enterococcus faecalis NCIM5367, Pediococcus acidilactici FM37, and Pediococcus acidilactici MW2) from FVW with E. faecium NCIM5335 as the reference culture. Fermentation with native LAB resulted in recovery of > 90% oil present in the material as against no recovery in case of raw (unfermented) viscera and resulted in > 50% of degree of hydrolysis of proteins. The fatty acid profile of lipids was not affected by the fermentation process. The fermentation liquor, rich in hydrolyzed protein, exhibited antioxidant as well as antagonistic properties against several bacterial pathogens. The results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of fermentation using native isolates for simultaneous recovery of lipids and proteins from fish processing waste. It also asserts the value of fermentation as an eco-friendly method and aids in minimizing disposal/pollution problems associated with these solid wastes.     

Effects of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides on production performance and gut health variables of broiler chickensOA

Background: This study evaluated the effects of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides(XOS) in a cornsoybean meal(SBM)-based diet on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 288 day-old chicks(Cobb 500) were allocated to 36 floor pens(8 birds/pen) equally in 9 dietary treatments in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. The treatments were combinations of 3 levels of xylanase(0, 0.005% and 0.01% Econase XT) and 3 levels of prebiotics(0, 0.005% and 0.01% XOS) added to basa...     

Micropropagation of mature Terminalia catappa (Indian Almond), a medicinally important forest tree

We report an efficient in vitro propagation method for Terminalia catappa using nodal segments of a 15-year-old mature tree. The nodal segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA; 0.5–3.0 mg l⁻¹) or Kinetin (Kn; 0.5–3.0 mg l⁻¹) for bud breaking and multiple shoot induction. About 85% of the explant responded (2.8 ± 0.41 shoots per node with 2.7 ± 0.14 cm length) within 15 days of inoculation in Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ of BA. Further shoot multiplication was achieved by repeated transfer of mother explants and subculturing of in vitro-produced shoots on medium supplemented with various concentrations of BA (0.25–1.5 mg l⁻¹) or Kn (0.25–1.5 mg l⁻¹) or on their combinations. Optimal number of shoots and shoot length were recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg l⁻¹ of BA and 0.25 mg l⁻¹ of Kn. The multiplied shoots were used for ex vitro rooting after treatment for 4 min with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 50–500 mg l⁻¹) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 50–500 mg l⁻¹). About 80% of the shoots treated with 200 mg l⁻¹ of IBA produced ex vitro roots with an average of 2.8 roots per shoot. Nearly 75% of these plantlets could be acclimatized within 5 weeks and successfully established in the field. This is the first report on micropropagation of T. catappa, which can be applied for further genetic transformation assays and pharmaceutical purposes.     

Dietary pyridoxine promotes growth and cellular metabolic plasticity of Chanos chanos fingerlings exposed to endosulfan induced stress

An attempt was made to assess the effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation on growth performance and cellular metabolic enzymes of Chanos chanos fingerlings under endosulfan induced stress. Two‐hundred and twenty‐five fish were randomly distributed into five treatments, each with three replicates and fed four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine for 45 days. Endosulfan concentration in the water was maintained at sublethal level of 1/40th of 96 h LC₅₀ (0.52 ppb). Dietary pyridoxine supplementation significantly enhanced growth performance viz. weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of fish compared to control diet fed group. The results of this experiment revealed that the activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were significantly improved after feeding with dietary pyridoxine supplementation in C. chanos. Significantly increased muscle and brain ascorbic acid content was observed in fish fed diets containing pyridoxine. Histological studies on liver of fish fed pyridoxine‐supplemented diet showed the normal architecture of hepatocytes compared to non‐pyridoxine fed group. The results obtained in this study revealed that the inclusion of pyridoxine in diet has a protective effect against endosulfan induced stress in C. chanos fingerlings through metabolic enzyme activities and vitamin C content. This study has a potential in ameliorating the toxic effect of endosulfan induced stress using dietary supplementation of pyridoxine.     

Microbial decomposition of soil organic matter is mediated by quality and quantity of crop residues: mechanisms and thresholds

Crop residue quality and quantity have contrasting effects on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, but the mechanisms explaining such priming effect (PE) are still elusive. To reveal the role of residue quality and quantity in SOM priming, we applied two rates (5.4–10.8 g kg^?1) of ¹³C-labeled wheat residues (separately: leaves, stems, roots) to soil and incubated for 120 days. To distinguish PE mechanisms, labeled C was traced in CO₂ efflux and in microbial biomass and enzyme activities (involved in C, N, and P cycles) were measured during the incubation period. Regardless of residue type, PE intensity declined with increasing C additions. Roots were least mineralized but caused up to 60% higher PE compared to leaves or stems. During intensive residue mineralization (first 2–3 weeks), the low or negative PE resulted from pool substitution. Thereafter (15–60 days), a large decline in microbial biomass along with increased enzyme activity suggested that microbial necromass served as SOM primer. Finally, incorporation of SOM-derived C into remaining microbial biomass corresponded to increased enzyme activity, which is indicative of SOM cometabolism. Both PE and enzyme activities were primarily correlated with residue-metabolizing soil microorganisms. A unifying model demonstrated that PE was a function of residue mineralization, with thresholds for strong PE increase of up to 20% root, 44% stem, and 51% leaf mineralization. Thus, root mineralization has the lowest threshold for a strong PE increase. Our study emphasizes the role of residue-feeding microorganisms as active players in the PE, which are mediated by quality and quantity of crop residue additions.     

Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of Caesulia axillaris Roxb. essential oil against fungi deteriorating some herbal raw materials, and its antioxidant activity

The study deals with evaluation of antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic Caesulia axillaris Roxb. essential oil (EO) against herbal raw materials deteriorating fungi and its free radical scavenging activity. During mycoflora analysis these herbal raw materials were found to be severely contaminated by different fungi and aflatoxins. A total of nine different fungal species were isolated from three herbal raw materials. Aspergillus flavus LHPtc was recorded as the highest aflatoxin B1 producing strain. EOs of some plants were tested for their fungitoxicity against the toxigenic strain A. flavus LHPtc, and C. axillaris EO was found as potent fungitoxicant. C. axillaris EO was chemically characterized through GC-MS analysis which depicted the presence of 18 compounds, dl-limonene and Euasarone being the major components. The EO exhibited broad spectrum of fungitoxicity against fungi causing postharvest deterioration of herbal raw materials. At 1.0 μl ml⁻¹ the oil showed complete inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin B₁ production was inhibited at 0.8 μl ml⁻¹. Free radical scavenging activity of the oil was also recorded by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, and its IC₅₀ value was found 18 μl ml⁻¹. The safety limit of the EO was determined in terms of LD₅₀ on mice, which was 9166.6 μl kg⁻¹, suggesting its non mammalian toxicity. The EO of C. axillaris may be recommended as a plant based preservative in enhancement of shelf life of herbal raw materials by preventing their lipid peroxidation as well as biodeterioration due to fungal and aflatoxin contamination.     

Single-bead immunoassays using magnetic microparticles and spectral-shifting quantum dots

This paper reports a single-bead immunoassay method based on the combined use of magnetic microparticles (MMPs) for target capturing/enrichment and antibody-conjugated semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) for fluorescence detection. In comparison with organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, QDs exhibit unique optical properties such as size-tunable fluorescence emission (spectral shifting), large absorption coefficients, improved brightness, and superior photostability. Magnetic beads, composed of iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in polymeric matrices, provide a platform for rapid capturing and enrichment of biomolecules and pathogens in dilute biological and environmental samples. However, a major problem in using magnetic beads for fluorescence immunoassays is that the bead's autofluorescence strongly interferes with the target detection signal. This spectral overlapping problem can be overcome by using semiconductor QDs as a new class of spectral-shifting labels. By shifting the QD emission signals away from the bead autofluorescence, it is possible to detect biomolecular antigens such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) at femtomolar (10-15 M) concentrations when the target molecules are captured and enriched on the magnetic bead surface. This sensitivity is almost 1000 times higher that that of traditional immunoabsorbent assays and more than 100 times higher than immunofluorescent assays using organic dyes.     

From sugar industry to cane industry: investigations on multivariate data analysis techniques in the identification of different high biomass sugarcane varieties

Apart from sugar production, the sugarcane plant is now viewed as a high value lowcost feedstock for renewable energy. However, in depth studies on the biomass potential of the crop are relatively new and current varieties have not been optimised to achieve the required high biomass yield for different end-uses. The objective of this study was to examine the possibility of using multivariate data analysis (MVDA) techniques in the selection of different types of high biomass canes. Sixty genotypes of different generations of crosses were evaluated for 18 inter-related traits. Principal component analysis compressed the different characters into five major principal components (PCs). The first two explained 77 % of total variation. PC1 emphasised on the cane quality traits while PC2 stressed on biomass characteristics. The biplot with the two PCs was very helpful in visualising the existing variations in the population. Cluster analysis defined six major groups in the population. Candidates from three of them were found suitable for commercial exploitation, for either sugar, fibre, or both as the main end-products. The MVDA techniques were thus found to be very effective in assessing the extent of genetic divergence between genotypes in the population and in the selection of different types of high biomass canes for multipurpose use. It was also clear that sucrose content was positively associated with cane diameter while high fibre varieties tended to be thinner and taller than the traditional commercial varieties.