Impact of Germination Time and Temperature on Phenolics,Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Coloured Soybean

Germination of legumes results in some important biochemical and nutritional changes that may improve their nutritional status and be beneficial to human health. Present investigation reports the effect of germination time (3 and 6 days) and temperature (20 and 30 °C) on the phenolic constituents, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of germinating soybean genotypes varying in seed coat colour. Germination at 30 °C for 3 days resulted in highest total phenols, flavonols, tannins, saponins, ascorbic acid and tocopherols in most of the genotypes. Both germination time and temperature significantly influenced the antioxidant activity in germinated soybean flour as compared to raw seeds. 2,2-diphenyl, 1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, total reducing power and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity were positively correlated with the total phenolic content (p < 0.05). Maximum contents of ascorbic acid, tocopherols and anthocyanins along with highest mean antioxidant activities were observed in germinating flour of black genotypes. Studies suggested that black coloured soybean seeds germinated at 30 °C for 3 days can be considered better from nutritional point of view than soybean with yellow, brown and green seed coat colour due to high antioxidants and low anti-nutrients.     

Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Meconopsis aculeata Royle: A High Value Medicinal Herb of Himalaya

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Meconopsis aculeata Royle (Family: Papaveraceae) is an important medicinal herb of the Himalayan region, used...     

Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenolics of Fragaria nubicola: A Wild Edible Fruit Species of Himalaya

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The wild edible fruits of Fragaria nubicola (Family: Rosaceae) proved a prominent source of antioxidants and...     

Effect of Different Proportions of Phenolics on Antioxidant Potential: Pointers for Bioactive Synergy/Antagonism in Foods and Nutraceuticals

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Phenolic compounds include a broad variety of antioxidant plant substances such as flavonoids that have in...     

Status of Defensive Enzymes and Contents of Total Phenols,Tannins and Nutrients Determine Aphid Resistance in Barley

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The present investigation was carried out to identify the biochemical traits responsible for aphid resistance...     

Biomass and Carbon Stock of Trees Growing in Cotton University,Guwahati, Assam,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - A large institutional campus with trees can be a potential solution for global warming and climate change....     

Biomass Production and Carbon Storage Potential of Selected Old-Growth Temperate Forests in Garhwal Himalaya,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Fifteen old-growth temperate forest types were assessed for biomass productivity and carbon (C) storage...     

Status of Two Threatened Astavarga Herbs,Polygonatum cirrhifolium and Malaxis muscifera,in West Himalaya: Conservation Implications

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Populations of Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle and Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze are restricted to...     

Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Orchids Along an Altitudinal Gradient: Pindari Valley,West Himalaya

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The present study for the first time explored the diversity and distribution of terrestrial orchids in...     

Influence of Zinc Yeast Supplementation on Growth Performance,Antioxidant, and Immune Status of Growing Sahiwal Calves

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn)-yeast supplementation on growth...     

Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Activity of Human Colostrum,Transitional and Mature Milk

Human milk from healthy women contains numerous nutrients such as antioxidants which are necessary for newborns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and free radical scavenging activity in human milk during the first six month period of lactation and also its relationship to maternal plasma. A total of 505 milk samples (colostrum, transitional and mature milks) collected from 115 healthy women with full term newborns. Blood plasma was obtained from 58 women at 3 months postpartum. The TAC of samples were measured by Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power assay and free radical scavenging activity were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. TAC was obviously higher in colostrums than transitional and mature milks. Similar results were observed for DPPH radical scavenging activity of the samples. There was a high significant correlation between the results of these two methods. The relationship between the antioxidant content of human milk and maternal plasma was also significant. These data suggest that using colostrum, with high antioxidant potential during the first days of life is vital; moreover, reduction in total TAC during the course of lactation may needs more attention about nutritional status.     

Study of Species and Functional Group Composition of Ants in Joypur forest,Bankura, West Bengal,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - An attempt has been made to study the species diversity and functional group composition of ants found in the...     

Occurrence of Macro-zoobenthos Against the Varied Altitudinal Gradient and Ecology in a Trout Stream (Lidder) of Kashmir Himalaya,India

The distribution, abundance, ecology, and diversity of macro-zoobenthos in Lidder stream, a major tributary of the river Jhelum of Kashmir Himalaya was investigated for one year. The study was carried at three zones (upstream, midstream and downstream) of varied topography and physical characteristics. The habitat of each zone was determined with respect to some environmental factors. A progressive degradation in water quality and the species density and diversity along the altitudinal gradient in the downstream was observed. Macro-zoobenthos was represented by 21 taxa, among which insects dominated the benthic fauna throughout the stretch of the stream. The mean species density and diversity in upstream and downstream was 735 ind./m² and 19 sp. and 483 ind./m² and 14 sp. respectively. Sensitive species like Ephemerella spp. and Caenis srinagari occurred in the upstream only. Below upstream due to the increased nutrient influx and change in bottom texture and ecological setup, the density of Gastropods, Annelids and Diptera (e.g. Chirnomous meign) increased. The species diversity index (H′) was high near the mouth of the river. One way ANOVA test showed significant variation between the upstream and downstream.     

Diversity of Earthworms in Different Land Use Systems of Kottayam District,Kerala, India

Earthworm fauna of land use systems such as forests, grasslands, rubber plantations, home gardens, and paddy fields of Kottayam district, Kerala state, were studied in detail. Nineteen species belonging to ten genera and six families were identified. Among these, seven are Kerala endemic, two near-endemic, five are native peregrines, and five are exotic peregrines. The study revealed the differential distribution of earthworms in various land use systems. Of the total species recorded, the exotic invasive species Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) was present in all the observed land use systems. Species richness in the home garden was found higher compared to other land use categories. Home garden constitutes twelve species followed by rubber (8), paddy (7), forest and grassland (5 species each). Species such as Drawida impertusa Stephenson, 1920, Moniligaster blakemorei Narayanan & Julka, 2021, M. keralensis Narayanan & Julka, 2021, Eukerria kuekenthali (Michaelsen, 1908), Dichogaster affinis (Michaelsen, 1890), Megascolex avicula Aiyer, 1929, M. polytheca uniquus Aiyer, 1929, M. peermadensis Aiyer, 1929, Lampito mauritii Kinberg, 1867 and G. annandalei Michaeksen, 1910 were recorded for the first time from Kottayam district. The study also noticed the absence of two species, Argilophilus variabilis (Aiyer, 1929) and Ocnerodrilus occidentalis Eisen, 1878, which were previously recorded from Kottayam district, Kerala.

     

Diet and Physical Activity of Men in East and West Finland in 1969

The purpose of the study was to discover the effects of physical activity on men's diets. The food consumption of 1306 men aged 50 to 69 years was studied using the dietary history method. The men were grouped in four classes according to their physical activity. With increasing activity their consumptions of cereals, potatoes, milk and milk products, fats and sugar increased. The men in East Finland used more milk, butter and fish than those in the West. The consumption of cereals, potatoes and eggs was higher in West than in East Finland. The intake of energy and energy yielding nutrients was greatly dependent on the physical activity but their contributions to the total energy intake were independent. The consumption of minerals and vitamins was adequate in all activity classes. The changes in the diet caused by physical activity seemed to be more quantitative than qualitative.     

Causes and geomorphological effects of large debris flows in the lower valley areas of the Meru and Gangotri glaciers,Bhagirathi basin,Garhwal Himalaya (India)

The present study investigates the debris flow occurred in July 2017 at the terminal moraine of the Meru glacier, Bhagirathi basin, Garhwal Himalaya. This event has changed the geomorphology of the Gangotri glacier’s snout and downstream of the Bhagirathi river due to massive debris displacement. The causes of the debris flow were analyzed using Sentinel-2A and Google Earth (GE) images, gridded precipitation data of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The chronological analysis of Sentinel-2A satellite and Google Earth (GE) images show the expansion in the size of the moraine-dammed lake at the terminus of Meru glacier, which later breached and triggered the debris flow. The analysis of rainfall data shows that the area received heavy rainfall during the event, triggering a massive debris flow.     

Characterization and Mosquitocidal Potency of Bacillus thuringiensis Isolate SB1 from the Sundarbans Mangrove,West Bengal,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Anopheles, Culex and Aedes mosquitoes are serious disease vectors in India including the malaria endemic...     

Molecular Detection and Assessment of Hemato-Biochemistry,Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Natural Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis Cases from Northern India

The present study was aimed at detecting natural cases of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) by molecular and cytological methods and assessment of clinico-patho-biochemical parameters among the affected population. Nested polymerase chain reaction was found to be highly sensitive (47.7 %) in detecting the acute cases, followed by buffy coat (29.5 %) and blood smear examination (22.7 %). CME incidence rate was found to be 8.4 %. Hemogram revealed significant (P < 0.01) depletion in the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, total erythrocyte count, monocyte and platelet count in diseased dogs as compared to healthy controls. Plasma biochemistry revealed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia along with significantly (P < 0.05) higher blood urea nitrogen and alanine aminotransferase values. CME revealed non-significant increase in the levels of erythrocytic lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione and activity of superoxide dismutase, whereas activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase showed significant (P < 0.05) increase and decrease, respectively as compared to healthy controls. Plasma levels of cortisol, insulin and blood level of copper showed non-significant (P > 0.05) reduction, whereas blood level of zinc showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction as compared to healthy controls. These findings revealed that changes in erythrocytic oxidant–antioxidant profile and blood mineral concentration in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis are largely non-significant and inconsistent. Hence, further study is required to elucidate their role in pathogenesis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.     

Association between Total Antioxidant Capacity in Breast Milk and Postnatal Age in Days in Premature Infants

This study aimed to consider the significance of breast milk in preventing oxidative stress by comparing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast milk and formula milk for premature infants, demonstrating the relationship between TAC in breast milk and postnatal age in days. We used the biological anti-oxidant potential test, a new method to measure TAC in breast milk. Breast milk for premature infants were stored at -20 degrees C and thawed within 48 h of collection. We measured TAC in two types of formula milk in the same way. TAC was clearly higher in breast milk than formula milk. Although a negative correlation was observed between TAC in breast milk and age when collected, TAC was always higher than the average TAC in formula milk. TAC in breast milk is higher than TAC in formula milk. We suggest the importance of breast milk for preventing oxidative stress and starting breastfeeding early.