Rice Bran Oil: Emerging Trends in Extraction,Health Benefit,and Its Industrial Application

Rice bran oil(RBO) is unique among edible vegetable oils because of its unique fatty acid composition, phenolic compound(γ-oryzanol, ferulic acid) and vitamin E(tocopherol and tocotrienol). It has become a great choice of cooking oil because of its very high burning point, neutral taste and delicate flavour. Non-conventional methods of RBO extraction are more efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional extraction methods. Advances in RBO extraction using innovative extraction strategies like super/sub-critical CO_2, microwave-assisted, subcritical H_2 O, enzyme-assisted aqueous and ultrasoundassisted aqueous extraction methods have proven to significantly improve the yields along with improved nutritional profile of RBO. The compositions and strategies for stabilization of RBO are well discussed. The constituents are present in the RBO contribute to antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anti-cancerous properties to RBO. This has helped RBO to become an important substrate for the application in food(cooking oil, milk product and meat product) and non-food industries(polymer, lubricant, biofuel, structural lipid and cosmetic). This review provided comprehensive information on RBO extraction methods, oil stabilization, existing applications and health benefits.     

Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols

A decrease in net photosynthesis (P_n) in leaves of main shoot with age ( 7 -28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var. M-13 ) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. P_n rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.     

Formylated phloroglucinols from Eucalyptus loxophleba foliage

Two new naturally occurring formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs), a dimer, loxophlebal B (10) and a cyclized FPC, loxophlebene (8) together with eight other formylated phloroglucinols (1–7 and 9) were isolated from the chloroform-methanol (8:2) extract of the leaves of Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. lissophloia. The structures of new compounds were established by comprehensive spectral analysis and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds in the literature. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani.     

Cross-resistance of horseweed (Conyza canadensis) populations with three different ALS mutations

BACKGROUND: Horseweed is a weed commonly found in agronomic crops, waste areas and roadsides. Resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in horseweed was first reported in 1993 in a population from Israel. Resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in horseweed is now widespread, but, as of now, the resistance mechanism has not been reported. RESULTS: Two of three populations evaluated (P116 and P13) were found to be uniform for resistance (>98% of individuals survived 8.8 g AI ha^?1 of cloransulam), whereas a third population, P525, contained about 85% resistant individuals. Cross‐resistance to cloransulam, chlorimuron, imazethapyr and bispyribac was observed in the P116 population. P525 and P13 were both sensitive to imazethapyr but resistant to chlorimuron, imazethapyr and bispyribac. Enzyme activity assays indicated that resistance in P13 was due to an altered target site. Southern blot analysis indicated that the ALS target site is encoded by a single copy gene. Overlapping ALS gene regions were amplified and sequenced from each population. Amino acid substitutions of Ser for Pro at position 197 (P197S) was detected from P13, Ala for Pro (P197A) was identified from P525 and substitution of Glu for Asp (D376E) at position 376 was found in P116. Molecular markers were developed to differentiate between wild‐type and resistant codons at positions 197 and 376 of horseweed ALS. CONCLUSION: Resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in horseweed is conferred by target‐site mutations that have also been identified in other weed species. Identification of the mutations within horseweed ALS gene sequence enables molecular assays for rapid detection and resistance diagnosis. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Soil texture, climate and management effects on plant growth, grain yield and water use by rainfed maize–wheat cropping system: Field and simulation study

In sub-mountain tract of Punjab state of India, maize (Zea mays, L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops are grown as rainfed having low crop and water productivity. To enhance that, proper understanding of the factors (soil type, climate, management practices and their interactions) affecting it is a pre-requisite. The present study aims to assess the effects of tillage, date of sowing, and irrigation practices on the rainfed maize–wheat cropping system involving combined approach of field study and simulation. Field experiments comprising 18 treatments (three dates of sowing as main, three tillage systems as subplot and two irrigation regimes as the sub-subplot) were conducted for two years (2004–2006) and simulations were made for 15 years using CropSyst model. Field and simulated results showed that grain yields of maize and wheat crops were more in early July planted maize and early November planted wheat on silt loam soil. Different statistical parameters (root mean square error, coefficient of residual mass, model efficiency, coefficient of correlation and paired t-test) indicated that CropSyst model did fair job to simulate biomass production and grain yield for maize–wheat cropping system under varying soil texture, date of planting and irrigation regimes.     

Resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in a population of waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) from Illinois, United States

BACKGROUND: A population of waterhemp in a seed maize production field in central Illinois, United States, was not adequately controlled after post‐emergence applications of herbicides that inhibit 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). RESULTS: Progeny from the field population survived following treatment with mesotrione, tembotrione or topramezone applied to the foliage either alone or in combination with atrazine in greenhouse experiments. Dose–response experiments indicated that the level of resistance to the HPPD inhibitor mesotrione is at least tenfold relative to sensitive biotypes. CONCLUSION: These studies confirm that waterhemp has evolved resistance to HPPD‐inhibiting herbicides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry