Assessment of the Nutritive,Biochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Eight Tropical Macro algae Along Kachchh Coast,India as Human Food Supplements

Eight tropical marine macro algae were investigated for in-vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and biochemical properties. The moisture content [% DW (dry weight)] ranged from 7.21 to 14.72%; ash, 24.92 to 47.04%; lipids, 0.73 to 2.67%; protein, 4.56 to 12.59%; and carbohydrate, 30.1 to 48.51%. The % sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ranged from 21.71 to 78.22%, while omega-6/omega-3 (ω6/ω3) ratio was from 0 to 2.08, which remained within the prescribed World Health Organization (WHO) standards (<10). The % sum of essential amino acids (EAAs) ranged from 86.18 to 204.66, and Na/K ratio ranged from 0.37 to 2.85. The extracts exhibited significant (P < 0.05) values for total phenol (7.25–16.0 µg PGE mg^–1 DW) and total flavonoid (4.06–15.63 µg QE mg^–1 DW) at 200 µg/ml. Antibacterial activity was tested against the selected food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. The principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a positive correlation between total phenolic content, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), which supports the integration of seaweeds as ingredients in functional foods.     

Effect of cortisol on the metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone by Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos

The effect of cortisol on the in vitro metabolism of [³H]17-hydroxyprogesterone ([³H]17OHP) was studied during embryonic development of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the absence of cortisol, rainbow trout embryos metabolized [³H]17OHP largely to androstenedione (A₄) and androstenetrione (11-KA) with a minor conversion to 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P). In the presence of cortisol, this biosynthesis was inhibited. On the other hand, cortisol had no apparent inhibitory effect on the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP by Arctic charr embryos. In these embryos [³H]17OHP was metabolized mainly to 17,20P with a minor conversion to A₄ and without the formation of 11-KA that was seen in rainbow trout.When incubated in the presence of [³H]cortisol both Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos produced 11ß-hydroxyandrostenedione (11ß-OHA) as the major metabolite, with a minor conversion to an unknown steroid. The catabolism of the cortisol by salmonid embryos may reflect the ability of the embryo to inactivate or detoxify cortisol to protect itself from the adverse effects of this biologically potent steroid hormone The study indicates the existence of species-specific differences in the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP and the inhibitory effect of cortisol on this metabolism.     

Can giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) populations be restored on Singapore's heavily impacted coral reefs?

• 1. Giant clams have been a sustainable resource for millennia, but unregulated harvesting has led to local extinctions within the Indo‐Pacific region. Giant clam mariculture can produce large numbers of juveniles for restocking wild populations where natural recruitment is low or absent.
• 2. Singapore is surrounded by more than 60 small islands, many with fringing reefs. These reefs, however, experience increased turbidity and sedimentation resulting from massive coastal development projects and regular dredging of shipping lanes.
• 3. Seven reefs off Singapore's southern islands were surveyed (9670 m²) for giant clams. Also, an experiment was conducted to determine the growth of Tridacna squamosa reared in aquaria under three light treatments: ～50% ambient photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); ～25% ambient PAR; and ～12% ambient PAR. Finally, 144 clams (T. squamosa) were transplanted to four reefs around Singapore to study survival and growth in a heavily impacted environment.
• 4. A total of 23 adult clams from three species were found during the survey, representing a mean density of 0.24 per 100 m². Most clams were found at Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore's ‘best’ reef. No juvenile clams were encountered. In the aquarium experiment, clam growth was significantly different among the three light treatments, with growth greatest in the ～50% ambient PAR treatment. Of the 144 transplanted clams, 116 (80.6%) were recovered after 7 months. All specimens had increased in size, with growth rates among reefs ranging from 3.3 mm month^?1 (SD=1.3 mm) to 4.8 mm month^?1 (SD=1.6 mm).
• 5. Results suggest that, despite high levels of sedimentation and turbidity on Singapore's reefs, giant clams can survive and grow well. Restocking efforts using maricultured clams may be effective in enhancing the dwindling local populations. It is not clear, however, whether a self‐sustaining community can be established as high sedimentation may hinder larval settlement and survival.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antinociceptive activity of Helicteres isora

Helicteres isora root extracts were studied for antinociceptive activity on acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice, at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous ethanol extracts have shown significant activity.     

Rhizobacteria-Mediated Growth Promotion of Tomato Leads to Protection Against Cucumber mosaic virus

ABSTRACT We evaluated combinations of two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulated with the carrier chitosan for the ability to induce growth promotion of tomato plants and resistance to infection by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Each PGPR combination included GB03 (Bacillus subtilis) and one of the following PGPR strains: SE34 (B. pumilus), IN937a (B. amyloliquefaciens), IN937b (B. subtilis), INR7 (B. pumilus), or T4 (B. pumilus). The PGPR combinations formulated with chitosan are referred to as biopreparations. Tomato plants treated with each of the biopreparations appeared phenotypically and developmentally similar to nonbacterized control plants that were 10 days older (referred to as the older control). When plants were challenged with CMV, all plants in the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment had significantly greater height, fresh weight, and flower and fruit numbers than that of plants in the CMV-inoculated same age control treatment. CMV disease severity ratings were significantly lower for biopreparation-treated and older control tomato plants than for that of same age control plants at 14 and 28 days postinoculation (dpi). CMV accumulation in young noninoculated leaves was significantly less for all biopreparation-treated plants and those in the older control than for the same age control plants at 14 dpi and for four of the five biopreparation treatments at 28 dpi. In those tomato plants shown to be infected, the amount of CMV in noninoculated leaves was significantly lower for three of the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment at 14 dpi and biopreparation G/INR7 treatment at 28 dpi when compared with the control treatment. These data show that treatment of tomato plants with biopreparations results in significant enhancement of growth and protection against infection by CMV.     

Molecular characterization of the CP gene and 3'UTR of Chilli veinal mottle virus from South and Southeast Asia

Twenty-four isolates of Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) from China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand were analysed to determine their genetic relatedness. Pathogenicity of virus isolates was confirmed by induction of systemic mosaic and/or necrotic ringspot symptoms on Capsicum annuum after mechanical inoculation. The 3' terminal sequences of the viral genomic RNA were determined. The coat protein (CP) coding regions ranged from 858 to 864 nucleotides and the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTR) from 275 to 289 nucleotides in length. All isolates had the inverted repeat sequence GUGGNNNCCAC in the 3'UTR. The DAG motif, conserved in aphid-transmitted potyviruses, was observed in all isolates. All 24 isolates were considered as belonging to ChiVMV because of their high CP amino acid and nucleotide identity (more than 94·8 and 89·5%, respectively) with the reported ChiVMV isolates including the pepper vein banding virus (PVBV), the chilli vein-banding mottle virus (CVbMV) and the CVbMV Chiengmai isolate (CVbMV-CM1). Based on phylogenetic analysis, ChiVMV isolates including all 24 isolates tested, PVBV, CVbMV and CVbMV-CM1 can be classified into three groups. In addition, a conserved region of 204 amino acids with more than 90·2% identity was identified in the C terminal of the CP gene of ChiVMV and Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV), and may explain the serological cross reaction between these two viruses. The conserved region may also provide useful information for developing transgenic resistance to both ChiVMV and PVMV.     

Serological Methods for Detection of Polymyxa graminis, an Obligate Root Parasite and Vector of Plant Viruses

A purification procedure was developed to separate Polymyxa graminisresting spores from sorghum root materials. The spores were used as im-munogen to produce a polyclonal antiserum. In a direct antigen coating enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAC ELISA), the antiserum could detect one sporosorus per well of the ELISA plate. In spiked root samples, the procedure detected one sporosorus per mg of dried sorghum roots. The majority of isolates of P. graminis from Europe, North America, and India reacted strongly with the antiserum. Interestingly, P. graminis isolates from the state of Rajasthan (northern India), from Pakistan, and an isolate from Senegal (West Africa) reacted weakly with the antiserum. The cross-reactivity of the serum with P. betae isolates from Belgium and Turkey was about 40% of that observed for the homologous isolate. There was no reaction with common fungi infecting roots or with the obligate parasite Olpidium brassicae. However, two isolates of Spongospora sub-terranea gave an absorbance similar to that observed with the homologous antigen. The DAC ELISA procedure was successfully used to detect various stages in the life cycle of P. graminis and to detect infection that occurred under natural and controlled environments. A simple procedure to conjugate antibodies to fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC) is described. Resting spores could be detected in root sections by using FITC-labeled antibodies. The potential for application of the two serological techniques for studying the epidemiology of peanut clump disease and for the characterization of Polymyxa isolates from various geographical origins is discussed.