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Kodo (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and little (Panicum sumatrense) millet grains were utilized to minimize their antinutrient content (phytate and tannin) and maximize their antioxidant activity (DPPH) by studying the effect of ultrasonication time, germination time and temperature using central composite rotatable design. Results revealed the optimum conditions for producing ultrasonicated and germinated kodo and little millet flour of the highest antioxidant activity and lowest antinutrient content (phytate and tannin) by using 30 min for ultrasonication, 72 h for germination at 40 °C. Further, a second order model was developed to describe and predict the effect of process variables on antioxidant activity and antinutrient contents. Extended experiments were carried out under the optimized conditions to validate the developed model. The antioxidant activity obtained was 88.46% RSA and 89.06% RSA for kodo and little millet grain flours, respectively whereas antinutrient content for phytate was 0.165 mol/kg and 0.199 mol/kg and for tannin 2.88 mol/kg and 9.51 mol/kg, for kodo and little millet grain flours, respectively. This study provides useful information about the potential utilization of ultrasonicated and germinated kodo and little millet grain flours for the development of functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mangroves of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) are recognized as the best in the country in terms of density and growth. However, considerable disparities still exist in the species composition and classification of mangrove species in the ANI. Further, taxonomical identity and occurrence of certain mangrove species in the ANI remain imprecise. Considering these facts, the present study was carried out to provide an updated checklist of true mangrove species of the ANI based on the extensive field surveys and perusal of the existing literature. Surveys were carried out in eight regions of the ANI and in each region, specific sites were selected based on representativeness, importance, and accessibility. Altogether, 51 sites were surveyed during 2009-2014. The results show that the mangroves of the ANI consist of 38 true mangrove species belonging to 13 families and 19 genera, which account for about 50 % of the global true mangrove species. The Andaman Islands have 35 and the Nicobar Islands have 21 true mangrove species. Among the eight regions, the mangrove diversity is high in South Andaman, followed by Middle Andaman, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Nicobar, Little Andaman, Havelock, and Baratang. Given their limited geographical area, the high similarity index values between the regions (>0.6) indicate the homogenous nature of mangrove diversity in the ANI and absence of impassable dispersal barriers. The Nicobar region exhibited low similarity with other regions (0.61-0.69). The changes in species numbers compared to earlier studies could mainly be attributed to the lack of extensive field survey in the past. Thus, periodical information on the extent and status of mangroves in the islands is imperative not only to improve our understanding of phytogeography, but also for better management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in two polysaccharide-based edible coatings namely chitosan and alginate on capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) was studied during storage at 10 °C. The characterization of PPE confirmed the presence of polyphenols such as punicalagin, catechin, and rutin. PPE also demonstrated antifungal activity against the fungal strain of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Incorporation of PPE in chitosan coating recorded significant (P < 0.05) retention of physiological loss in weight, firmness, color, and ascorbic acid in the samples as compared to the control. The restricted losses in total chlorophyll were found to be 22, 29, 38, and 48 in the samples coated with PPE-enriched chitosan, chitosan alone, PPE-enriched alginate, and alginate alone respectively as compared to higher loss of around 71% in control samples during storage. The addition of PPE in these two coatings could also inhibit the microbial growth, maintain sensory scores, and extend the shelf-life up to 25 days at 10 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims at estimating above ground woody forest biomass carbon stock of Kolasib district, Mizoram based on both 'planimetric' as well as 'surface area'. Surface area is the actual available area for plants and animals of a region for their establishment and development. Geo-referenced orthorectified satellite image (Landsat ETM+) of the year 2001 was classified following hybrid method. The planimetric classified map was then integrated with slope map to get the surface area of each land use/cover. The planimetric area of Kolasib district is 1,382 km2, whereas surface area was estimated as 1,490 km2. The total above ground woody biomass carbon estimated as per planimetric and surface area were 2,404 and 2,587 thousand tonne, respectively with a net difference of 183 thousand tonne. This study, therefore, accentuates the surface area based estimation of biomass carbon in regional and global scale to understand the forestry options to mitigate climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to determine the diversity, distribution and vegetative structure of mangroves of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). The results suggest that mangroves of the ANI consist of 38 mangrove species belonging to 12 families and 19 genera, which includes 4 hybrids and 34 species. In other words, about 50% of the global mangrove species are present in ANI. Andaman Islands have 35 species and Nicobar Islands have 21 mangrove species. The average tree density in ANI is 1746/per hectare and varies from 487 to 2383 per hectare. The Shannon diversity index for the whole ANI is 2.94 and Simpson index is 0.07. Family Rhizophoraceae constitutes an important vegetative component in the mangroves of the ANI followed by Acanthaceae, Lythraceae and Malvaceae. Rhizophora spp. constitutes 19% of the Important Value Index (IVI) and R. apiculata is dominant in ANI. Among the eight forest divisions, mangrove diversity is high in South Andaman (30 species) followed by Middle Andaman (28), Mayabunder (25), Diglipur (25), Nicobar (21), Little Andaman (20), Havelock (20) and Baratang (20). The average mangrove plant density and Shannon diversity index (H') is high in Middle Andaman (2101/hectare; H' = 2.93). Species richness index (d') is high in South Andaman (3.32). Evenness index (J') is high in Little Andaman (0.92). Simpson dominance index (D) ranged between 0.07-0.1, and this agrees with the high diversity in mangroves of ANI. In all the divisions Rhizophora spp. constitutes a major vegetative component except, Diglipur and Nicobar. In Diglipur Bruguiera spp. are dominant, while in Nicobar Sonneratia spp. are dominant. The low similarity value of the Nicobar division with other divisions indicates the difference in floristic structure of mangroves of the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. The present study also indicates that mangrove of ANI are more diverse in its species composition than the other mangrove habitats in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh-cut jackfruit bulbs were evaluated for quality changes as effect of an additive pretreatment with CaCl, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and sodium benzoate followed by chitosan coating. Different types of samples such as pretreated and coated, only pretreated, only coated, and untreated were subjected to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage (3 kPa O + 6 or 3 kPa CO; N2 balance) or normal air at 6 °C. CA conditions, pretreatment, as well as chitosan coating in synergy with each other, could significantly minimize the loss in total phenolics and ascorbic acid content of the samples to the levels of around 5% and 17%, respectively, during extended storage up to 50 days. Chitosan coating could also restrict the changes in microbial load. The CA condition of 3 kPa O + 6 kPa CO was found to render higher efficacy in retaining quality attributes of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The kinetics of colour and carotenoids degradation in jackfruit bulb slices was evaluated during hot air drying at 50, 60 and 70 °C. Visual colour as well as total carotenoids (TC) content was found to be influenced by the drying process. Tri-stimulus colour parameters such as Hunter L and b values decreased and a value increased during drying. The combination of Hunter L × b value was found to represent the colour change adequately. Degradation of TC and visual colour in terms of Hunter L × b value followed first-order reaction kinetics; however, zero-order reaction kinetics was found adequate to describe changes in total colour difference (TCD) and non-enzymatic browning (NEB). Dependence of the rate constant followed the Arrhenius relationship. The process activation energies ( E) for Hunter L × b value, TCD, NEB and TC were 29.96, 27.21, 27.48 and 55.61 kJ/mol, respectively. Higher E for TC content indicated greater temperature sensitivity as compared with other colour parameters. Relationship of TC content and Hunter L × b value was found to be more consistent through regression analysis with R ≥ 0.979. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jackfruit ( Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) bulbs were minimally processed using variables such as CaCl concentration (0.13-1.47%), ascorbic acid (AA) concentration (0.005-0.03%), and treatment time (8-43 min). Second-order polynomial model was proposed with regard to effect of independent variables on responses such as juice leakage, firmness, browning index, L value, and overall acceptability by response surface methodology (RSM) using a central-composite experimental design. The established models for responses showed a good fit with the experimental data ( R > 0.896), describing the effect of independent variables on the quality parameters of minimally processed jackfruit bulbs. The recommended processing conditions for maximizing firmness, L value and overall acceptability and minimizing juice leakage, and browning index in the samples at the end of 20 days of low temperature storage were found to be 1% CaCl, 0.02% AA, and 30 min of treatment time. The RSM was found to be an effective tool to model the effect of minimal processing treatments on jackfruit bulbs quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]