Uneven ripening in ‘Bangalore blue’ grape (Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca) berries in India is linked to seed viability

Uneven ripening (UR) is a physiological disorder of unknown origin in ‘Bangalore blue’ grape (Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca) leading to wine of inferior quality. A preliminary study found wide variations in total dehydrogenase activity (TDH) of seeds from unevenly ripe berries. In our experiments, gibberellin (GA₃) applied to young grapes increased seed TDH activity and reduced the incidence of uneven ripening to 2% compared with 35% in the control. In contrast, paclobutrazol (PBZ) decreased TDH activity and increased the incidence of the disorder to 58%. GA₃-treated berries had higher concentrations of sucrose and TDH activity in seed representing mature seeds with high viability. In contrast, PBZ-treated and control berries had higher concentrations of glucose and lower TDH activity, indicating immature seeds with low viability. These results suggested that competition among developing berries can lead to differences in seed gibberellin content, seed viability and the rate of berry growth resulting in green, purple, and black berries at harvest. The study established the role of seed viability in uneven ripening and demonstrated that the incidence of the disorder is reduced by the application of GA₃ to immature berries.     

Fishmeal availability in the scenarios of climate change: Inevitability of fishmeal replacement in aquafeeds and approaches for the utilization of plant protein sources

Fishmeal is being trusted as the most reliable protein source due to its nutritional quality in terms of attractability, palatability, digestibility, excellent nutrient profiles to fulfil the dietary requirement of aquatic species. The aquaculture sector consumes >70% of global fishmeal, though aqua feeds constitute only 4% in total industrial feed production (900–1,000 Mt in 2018). The global fishmeal production has shown a downward trend of 26.50% during 2000 to 2018 due to the occurrences of El Niño–Southern Oscillationsand other climatic events, which in turn increased the fishmeal price from 452 USD/t (2000) to 1596.54 USD/t (2018). The increasing trend of aquaculture production along with reduced fish‐in/fish‐out ratios (0.63 in 2000 to 0.33, 0.22 in 2010 and 2015 respectively) indicates the resilience of the aquafeed sector for fishmeal replacement. The wide availability, reasonable price and reliable nutrient content made an interest in plant protein sources, but their utilization was limited due to poor digestibility, imbalanced profiles of essential nutrients and the presence of anti‐nutrients. Numerous methodologies are invented in recent times to enrich the nutritional qualities for maximizing the utilization of plant proteins in aquafeed formulations. The present review concludes that the aquafeed sector should use climate economics and technological innovations for substituting fishmeal to formulate the cost‐effective feeds.     

Spice oil cinnamaldehyde exhibits potent anticandidal activity against fluconazole resistant clinical isolates

Fluconazole resistance is becoming an important clinical concern. We studied the in vitro effects of cinnamaldehyde against 18 fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates. MIC₉₀ of cinnamaldehyde against different Candida isolates ranged 100–500 μg/ml. Growth and sensitivity of the organisms were significantly affected by cinnamaldehyde at different concentrations. The rapid irreversible action of this compound on fungal cells suggested membrane-located targets for its action. Insight studies to mechanism suggested that cinnamaldehyde exerts its antifungal activity by targeting sterol biosynthesis and plasma membrane ATPase activity. Inhibition of H⁺-ATPase leads to intracellular acidification and cell death. Toxicity against H9c2 rat cardiac myoblasts was studied to exclude the possibility of further associated cytotoxicity. The observed selectively fungicidal characteristics against fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates signify a promising candidature of this essential oil as an antifungal agent in treatments for candidosis.     

Expression and localization of adiponectin and its receptors in ovarian follicles during different stages of development and the modulatory effect of adiponectin on steroid production in water buffalo

Adiponectin is an adipocyte‐derived hormone regulating energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity and recently found to regulate reproduction. The current study was carried out to investigate gene and protein expression, immunolocalization of adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in ovarian follicles of different developmental stages in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and to investigate the effect of adiponectin on steroid production in cultured bubaline granulosa cells. qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were applied to demonstrate mRNA expression, protein expression and immunolocalization, respectively. The results indicate that adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were present in granulosa cells (GC) and theca interna (TI) of ovarian follicles and the expression of adiponectin, AdipoR1, AdipoR2 in GC and AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in TI increased with increase in follicle size (p < .05). Expression of adiponectin was high in small and medium size follicles in TI. The adiponectin and its receptors were immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of GC and TI cells. Further, in the in‐vitro study, GCs were cultured and treated with recombinant adiponectin each at 0, 1 and 10 µg/ml alone or with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) at 30 ng/ml) or Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) at 10 ng/ml for 48 hr after obtaining 75%–80%s confluency. Adiponectin at 10 µg/ml increased IGF‐I‐induced estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) secretion and FSH‐induced E₂ secretion from GC and also increased the abundance of factors involved in E₂ and P₄ production (cytochrome P45019A1 [CYP19A1] and 3‐beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3β‐HSD]). In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence for the presence of adiponectin and its receptors in ovarian follicles and modulatory role of adiponectin on steroid production in buffalo.     

Effect of sulphide in Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei under varying oxygen and pH levels

Sulphide is one of the known environmental stressors, which potentially binds to cytochrome C oxidase (COX), a key enzyme in the electron transport chain, thereby blocking oxygen transport and ATP production. To ascertain the toxic effects of sulphide on Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, two distinct exposure experiments were carried out with varying concentration of sulphide (0–1 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (normoxia and hypoxia) and pH values (8.2, 6 and 5). The activity of enzymes viz COX, superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenoloxidase and lactate accumulation was investigated. Outer membrane integrity and COX monomer separation were also done with the isolated crude mitochondrial preparations. Results indicated a significant reduction (p ≤ .05) in COX enzyme activity in sulphide exposed treatments when compared to control. The reduction was more intense when pH levels were reduced under hypoxia condition. Lactate accumulation as a result of anaerobic metabolism was found to be higher in hypoxic treatments. No significant difference (p ≥ .05) was observed in superoxide dismutase activity between the treatments, whereas phenoloxidase activity significantly decreased at higher concentration sulphide. Separation of mitochondrial proteins resulted in the identification of ~205 kDa of COX monomer, and significant damage was found in outer membrane integrity under hypoxia and pH treatments. From this study, it is evident that at a given concentration, sulphide is toxic to P. vannamei, and in association with hypoxia and low pH, they further intensify sulphide toxicity. Our results indicated that sulphide toxicity should not be considered as a single factor, rather it should be a considered as combination of factors.     

Changes in soil and water quality at sediment–water interface of Penaeus vannamei culture pond at varying salinities

The health of the pond environment in shrimp farming is important for sustainable and profitable aquaculture, in which sediment–water interface is the most important influencing area. With this objective, the key parameters of water and sediment at the interface was studied in shrimp ponds with varying salinities and compared with the surface water and soil to understand the variations and the underlying causes. Total ammonia nitrogen and total alkalinity were higher in water at the interface as compared to surface water, whereas pH, nitrite, oxide forms of nitrogen (NO₃), phosphorus (PO₄) and oxidizing bacteria were observed to be lower. There was no significant difference with respect to macrominerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium between water at the interface and surface. These changes are profoundly influenced by the uppermost 1.0‐cm thick sediment layer, where the maximum transition of nutrients takes place with the water column. The outcome of the study highlights the effectiveness of water sampling for metabolites at the interface, which reflects at an early stage any potential deterioration of pond environment, which will help the farmer to initiate timely mitigation measures.     

Assessment of perceived farming risks,communication of risk management practices,and evaluation of their efficiency in Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming—a survey-based cross-sectional study

Aquaculture International - Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming is an important commercial aquaculture production system contributing substantially to the economic and societal...     

Effect of consumption of finger millet on hyperglycemia in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects

The effect of consumption of finger millet based diets on hyperglycemiawas studied in 6 noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects.All the experimental diets were planned to be isocaloric and also tocontain 75 g equivalent of carbohydrate load so that glycemic responsecould be compared with a 75 g glucose load. The glycemic response tobreakfast items compared to that of glucose was determined by comparingthe areas under the 2 hr glucose response curve. Consumption of fingermillet based diets resulted in significantly lower plasma glucose levels,mean peak rise, and area under curve which might have been due to thehigher fiber content of finger millet compared to rice and wheat. Thelower glycemic response of whole finger millet based diets may also havebeen due to the presence of antinutritional factors in whole finger milletflour which are known to reduce starch digestibility and absorption.     

Effect of alkali treatments on the nutritive value of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The effect of alkali treatments of common bean seeds with red seed coat on the stability of antinutritional factors such as tannins, phytates and trypsim inhibitors, vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin and on protein quality has been studied. The samples were processed by soaking and soaking and pressure cooking in alkalies such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. At low temperature sodium carbonate and at high temperature sodium bicarbonate were found to be most effective in the extraction of tannins. At both low and high temperatures sodium carbonate was found to be more efficient in destruction of phytates. In the case of trypsin inhibitors, extraction at both low and high temperatures with sodium bicarbonate was most effective. Sodium hydroxide treatment was found to be better as far as the retention of niacin and riboflavin was considered.     

Premature seed germination induced by very-long-chain fatty acids causes jelly seed disorder in the mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar ‘Amrapali’ in India

Jelly seed (JS) in ‘Amrapali’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a physiological disorder, the cause of which has long remained obscure. The disorder is distinguished by the appearance of jelly-like tissue in the pulp adjoining the stone, although the fruit show no external symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the causative factor inducing the JS disorder in ‘Amrapali’ mango. Studies showed, for the first time, that JS in ‘Amrapali’ mango arose at the start of germination-associated events in the seed of developing fruit. The trigger for premature seed germination originated from reduced synthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the seed of developing fruit. This then promoted the production of cytokinins, leading to the onset of premature germination-associated events in the seed. Consequently, a large increase in the activities of pectinolytic enzymes in JS pulp occurred that led to the rapid degradation of pectin and excessive softening of the pulp, to the consistency of jelly. The application of plant growth regulators to developing fruit showed that gibberellic acid (GA₃) increased the incidence of JS, while paclobutrazol reduced the incidence of JS, confirming that the onset of early germination during fruit maturation and ripening played a primary role in the incidence of the JS disorder.