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Amomum subulatum, commonly known as large or black cardamom, is a commonly used spice in Indian kitchens and is traditionally used to treat various ailments. To add more knowledge about the medicinal values of the fruit, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of aqueous, methanol, ethanol, hydro alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform extracts of the fruit. Preliminary assessment was done to detect the presence of phytoconstituents using identification tests. The antioxidant activity was measured by employing methods such as diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity equivalent to ascorbic acid, reducing power assay and superoxide anion scavenging assay. The antioxidant activities were compared with their respective phenol and flavonoid contents. Preliminary assessment revealed that large cardamom fruit is a good source of all the bioactive constituents as well as phenol and flavonoid essential for medicinal values. The extract obtained by polar solvents showed the highest antioxidant efficacy in relation to its phenol content. Also, all the solvent-soluble fractions showed a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Results from our study prove that large cardamom can alleviate oxidative stress, suggesting the potential of large cardamom as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the first occurrence of capsule rot in small cardamom plants caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum in India. The study describes the symptoms of the disease, the characteristics of the fungus, and the molecular analysis that confirmed its identity. The economic impact of capsule rot on the crop is highlighted, emphasizing the need for urgent attention to this issue. The research did not involve human or animal participants, and no conflicts of interest or funding were reported. [Extracted from the article]

In the present study, sodium alginate (SA):polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) blends with different concentrations of cardamom extract (CE) were electrospun. The SEM images show that the optimum content of CE was 10 wt% resulting in fibers with average diameter of 233 ± 33 nm. FTIR spectra was employed to investigate probable interactions between polymers and CE. The CE release follows first order kinetics with 86% initial burst release at the first 24 h necessary to desired antibacterial activity. To investigate the biological properties, MTT assay, cell adhesion and antibacterial test were carried out. The SA:PVA:CE nanofibers showed no toxicity against fibroblast cells. The cell culture results exhibited the proper biocompatibility and proliferation on both CE-loaded and unloaded webs. The antibacterial test showed that CE-loaded nanofibrous web is capable of improving the antibacterial activity about 99% and 97% against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Therefore, the CE-loaded web can be used as an antimicrobial wound dressing for healing improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment mainly affects learning and problem solving abilities of the person. Traditional medicines, due to fewer side effects, more efficacy and lesser cost are still the choice of treatment in India. The main objective of the present study is to explore the nootropic potential of ethanol extract of Elettaria cardamomum Maton fruits. The present study was conducted by using exteroceptive behavioral models like elevated plus maze, passive avoidance apparatus and object recognition task at doses 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg. Results: Ethanol extract of E. cardamomum fruits significantly decreased transfer latency and increased step down latency and discrimination index respectively when compared to normal control groups. Piracetam and diazepam exhibited respective rise and fall in memory of the animals. The effect of plant extract on total serum cholesterol, acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde were more effective at two higher doses. However, it decreased serum glucose levels insignificantly whereas a significant rise in brain GSH levels was observed with increasing dose of the extract. Conclusions: The study concludes that the nootropic effect of ethanol extract may be attributable to its anti-oxidant, anti-cholinesterase and cholesterol as well as glucose lowering potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-atmosphere carbon and water exchanges have large uncertainty in land surface and biosphere models. Using observations to reduce land biosphere model structural and parametric errors is a key priority for both understanding and accurately predicting carbon and water fluxes. Recent implementations of the Bayesian CARDAMOM model-data fusion framework have yielded key insights into ecosystem carbon and water cycling. CARDAMOM analyses--informed by co- located C and H2O flux observations--have exhibited considerable skill in both representing the variability of assimilated observations and predicting withheld observations. While CARDAMOM model configurations (namely CARDAMOM-compatible biogeochemical model structures) have been continuously developed to accommodate new scientific challenges and an expanding variety of observational constraints, there has so far been no concerted effort to globally and systematically validate CARDAMOM performance across individual model-data fusion configurations. Here we use the FLUXNET-2015 dataset--an ensemble of 200+ eddy covariance flux tower sites--to formulate a concerted benchmarking framework for CARDAMOM carbon (GPP, NEE) and water (ET) flux estimates (CARDAMOM-FLUXVal version 1.0). We present a concise set of skill metrics to evaluate CARDAMOM performance against both assimilated and withheld FLUXNET-2015 GPP, NEE and ET data. We further demonstrate the potential for tailored CARDAMOM evaluations by categorizing performance in terms of (i) individual land cover types, (ii) monthly, annual and mean fluxes, and (iii) length of assimilation data. The CARDAMOM benchmarking system--along with CARDAMOM driver files provided--can be readily repeated to support both the intercomparison between existing CARDAMOM model configurations and the formulation, development and testing of new CARDAMOM model structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports a simple and eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using green synthetic route. The synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles is explored using reducing as well as stabilizing properties of Elettaria cardamomum (elaichi). The copper oxide nanoparticles are duly characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometer, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential methods. The UV–Vis spectra confirm the formation of dark brown coloured CuO nanoparticles with a characteristic peak at the λmax value of 220 nm. Due to capping of stabilizing agents around both copper oxide nanoparticles, the hydrodynamic particle size as revealed by DLS experiments is found to be of 175 nm. The stability and overall charge on the nanoparticles are found by its zeta potential, which is found to be of −16.2 mV. Antibacterial activities of copper oxide nanoparticles are tested against both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria. Thus, the present method proves to be the most appropriate for large-scale green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is a highly valuable commercial spice crop, originating from the Western Ghats of southern India. It has importance both as a spice and for its medicinal properties. An efficient and reliable micropropagation protocol using shoot tips as explants is presented which can be utilized for development of elite planting material. Growth patterns of cardamom shoots were analyzed on 45 media treatments and best shoot proliferation was recorded on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.4 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2.32 μM kinetin (Kn) with 5.83 shoots regenerated per explant. The longest shoots (6 cm) were observed on 0.44 μM BAP and 2.32 μM Kn containing medium. Regenerated shoots rooted well on full strength MS basal medium, generating 3.50 roots per explant with an average root length of 4.33 cm within 4 wk. Successful hardening with a field survival percentage of 80% was achieved after acclimatization of well-developed plantlets. Genetic stability of the micropropagated plants was confirmed using 13 ISSR markers. This study reports an improved micropropagation protocol for cardamom with an enhanced rate of shoot multiplication leading to the production of healthy shoots which can be easily rooted and successfully transferred to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardamom plantations are subjected to constant threat due to the Fusarium rot disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht which is pronounced during summer months. The current study deals with the identification of an effective and ecofriendly management practice for the disease through the use of biocontrol agents. Survey conducted between February and May 2019 revealed maximum disease severity and incidence in Pampadumpara panchayat of Nedumkandam block (84.40% and 100%) and minimum in Erattayar panchayat of Kattappana block (50.40% and 60.00%). A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of three bioagents (Glomus fasciculatum, Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) individually as well as in combinations. Root inoculation of G. fasciculatum with basal application and spray with P. fluorescens as well as root inoculation of G. fasciculatum along with basal application of T. asperellum and P. fluorescens spray were identified to be effective against the disease. Disease suppression by the above bioagents was facilitated by reduced pathogen antagonist ratio in the soil, high level of mycorrhizal colonization in the roots and enhanced biochemical activity of defense enzymes like peroxidase, poly phenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase in the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is one of the important cash crops of Sikkim and Darjeeling areas of West Bengal. In this study, a fixed plot survey on insect pests of large cardamom was conducted and found that stem borer (Glyphipterix spp., Lepidoptera: Glyphiperidae), shoot fly (Merochlotops dimorphus Cherian, Diptera: Chlororpidae), leaf eating caterpillar (Artona chorista Jordon, Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) and tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, Hemiptera: Miridae) are the major pests of the crop. Eco-friendly organic treatments like neem-based oil, petroleum-derived horticultural oil, spinosad and different formulations of entomopathogens were tested against these major insects. Among all, application of spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml L-1 was found effective followed by neem-based oil (Azadirachtin 0.15% EC) 1500 ppm @ 3 ml L-1 at three different time intervals (first application in February-March, second application in June-July and third application in October-November) against all insects. Moreover, entomopathogenic bio-control agents (Bacillus thuringiensis @ 2 ml L-1, Metarhizium anisopliae@ 5 ml L-1 and Beauveria bassiana @ 5 ml L-1) were on par with neem-based oil for the management of stem borer. Considering the economic importance of the crop and absence of valid technology for management of insect pests in large cardamom through organic options, application of either of them could be helpful in organic management of insect pests in Sikkim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market price volatility, the major challenge faced by the cardamom exporters greatly hinders the investment and destabilizes the earning of small holders. The present study attempted to analyse the price transmission between Indian and international markets and study the supply response of small cardamom to changes in price. The co-movement of prices of small cardamom exist between the Indian and international markets after trade liberalisation and the price transmission has been from the international market to the Indian market. The short-run disequilibrium has been found between the Indian and international prices of cardamom, which got corrected with varying speed of adjustment. The positive and significant elasticity of supply of small cardamom with respect to its own two year lagged price has been established. Crop specific price stabilization mechanism would help to overcome the wide fluctuations in prices of small cardamom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as green or true cardamom, is a commercially important species, the seeds of which are extensively used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. In spite of the increasing demand for cardamom essential oil in the international market, the chemical profiling of volatile compounds of different plant parts are not well explored. Though there are a few studies on the chemical characteristics of its leaf oil from other phytogeographical regions, the presence and chemical composition of essential oil from stems have not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to characterize the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of leaf and stem essential oil of E. cardamomum. The essential oil extracted by hydro-distillation from the leaf and stem revealed the presence of 43 and 37 compounds, representing 92.71 % and 92.12 % of total oil respectively by GC/MS analysis. The major constituents of the leaf essential oil were 1,8-cineole (20.66 %), camphene (18.09 %), camphor (10.02 %) and tricyclene (7.36 %); whereas α-terpinyl acetate (19.75 %), 1,8-cineole (10.38 %), caryophyllene oxide (7.13 %) and β-eudesmol (4.85 %) were rich in the stem essential oil. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the major terpenic fraction in the leaf and stem essential oil of E. cardamomum. The free radical scavenging ability assessed by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2, 2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay showed that leaf oil had better activities as compared to stem oil. The present findings demonstrated that E. cardamomum growing wild in Eastern India could be considered as an important bioresource and natural antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations were made to study the effects of three nemato-pathogenic fungi viz. Purpureocillium lilacinum, P. lilacinum + neem cake, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma sp. as well as two synthetic insecticides (cartap hydrochloride and carbosulfan) against the Root-knot Nematodes (RKN) of cardamom at the farmers' fields in three locations of Idukki district, Kerala, India during 2016-2019. Results revealed that the combined application of P. lilacinum with neem cake gave maximum reduction of typical symptoms of infestation like the leaf narrowing (6.42%) and root knot formation (1.32 nos.) followed by P. chlamydosporia with 8.04% narrowed leaves and 1.83 root knots. The application of P. lilacinum and neem cake in combination (0.82 kg/plant and 2.99) followed by P. chlamydosporia (0.71 kg/plant and 2.71 recorded highest yield and Benefit Cost Ratio, respectively). Bio-control agents are therefore efficient and environmentally safer for managing the RKN in cardamom. Future studies can be directed to focus on the compatibility and efficiency enhancement of these bio-agents with organic amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Elettaria cardamomum L. were mostly focused on its essential oil and organic crude extracts with little attention on its aqueous extracts. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, in vitro antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extract of Elettaria cardamomum L. family Zingiberaceae. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis is used for the aqueous extract characterization in both ionization modes. The analysis revealed the tentative identification of forty-seven compounds based on their MS/MS fragmentation pattern and comparison with the reported data. The identified compounds include eight flavones, thirteen phenolic and nonphenolic acids, one coumarin, and nineteen anthocyanins. Moreover, the in vitro antiobesity and antidiabetic activities were also studied. The results showed that E. cardamomum L. aqueous extract inhibits pancreatic lipase and α-amylase enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner, as 1 mg/mL extract was able to inhibit pancreatic lipase and α-amylase by 62.25% ± 0.58 (IC50 = 288.75 ± 1.3 µg/mL) and 70.42% ± 1.5 (IC50 = 220.5 ± 1.3 µg/mL), respectively. Conclusively, the current study indicated that the investigated biological activities of Elettaria cardamomum aqueous extract were attributed to the existence of biologically active metabolites such as flavones, phenolic and nonphenolic acids, coumarins, and anthocyanins. Moreover, it proposed that the aqueous cardamom extract can be used as a natural potential source in different pharmaceutical preparations to protect against variable chronic disorders, especially obesity and diabetes. Deeper in vivo investigations, isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of the major active metabolites from cardamom are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Proteasome inhibitors have been associated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) — a group of disorders characterised by occlusive microvascular thrombosis causing microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and end‐organ damage. To date, carfilzomib‐associated TMA has predominantly been described in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients. We report eight patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who experienced TMA events while receiving carfilzomib on the phase II CARDAMON trial. The first three occurred during maintenance single‐agent carfilzomib, two occurred at induction with carfilzomib given with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (KCd) and three occurred during KCd consolidation. At TMA presentation 6/8 were hypertensive; 7/8 had acute kidney injury and in three, renal impairment persisted after resolution of TMA in other respects. The mechanism of carfilzomib‐associated TMA remains unclear, though patients with known hypertension seem particularly susceptible. Given the first three cases occurred during maintenance after a longer than five‐week treatment break, a protocol amendment was instituted with: aggressive hypertension management, carfilzomib step‐up dosing (20 mg/m2 on day 1) at start of maintenance before dose escalation to 56 mg/m2 maximum, and adding 10 mg dexamethasone as premedication to maintenance carfilzomib infusions. No further TMA events occurred during maintenance following this amendment and the TMA incidence reduced from 4·2 to 1·6 per 1 000 patient cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article probes how extreme weather events in Southwest China in 2016 impacted actors in the black cardamom commodity chain. Harvest failures led to sudden supply disruptions, triggering a price spike that worsened an ongoing price bubble which had been driven by long-lasting speculative maneuvers from large market actors but was also beneficial to ethnic minority farmers. Extreme weather events created both risk and profit opportunities for farmers in the Sino-Vietnamese borderlands and Han traders located at nodes further along the commodity chain. We document how actors reacted to these circumstances, and analyze the factors that influenced their capacity (or lack thereof) to benefit from extreme weather event-driven market vagaries. We find that ethnicity, position, and role along the commodity chain, plus access to financial and social capital, are all involved. Access to information is key, but is distributed asymmetrically along the commodity chain; multidirectional trust relations allow larger market actors to gain and maintain greater access to market information than other stakeholders. We engage with scholarship on commodity chains, extreme weather events, and price spikes, arguing that these bodies of literature are seldom addressed together and that extreme weather events should receive closer attention as factors shaping power relations within commodity chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity among ten small cardamom accessions having variability in yield traits was investigated using inter simple sequence repeat markers (ISSR). A better understanding of the variability in yield is essential for the proper utilization of genotypes in breeding programmes. Of the 10 primers analysed, 5 reported polymorphisms and generated a total of 47 scorable loci, of which 32 were polymorphic revealing 68% polymorphism. The molecular weight of the fragments ranged from 200-1100 bp. Specific banding pattern was observed in high yielding group using ISSR7 (800bp) and with ISSR 3 (800bp) for low yielding group. Genetic diversity analysis within and among the two groups showed maximum diversity in high yielding varieties based on the values of Nei' s genetic diversity (h) and Shannon's informative index (I). Dendrogram based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients were generated based on an average linkage algorithm (UPGMA) using marker data. Clear grouping of the ten accessions of small cardamom into two clusters was observed. These results suggested that ISSR markers could efficiently differentiate the small cardamom genotypes based on yield and can be useful for future cardamom improvement programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of temperatures (40, 50, and 60°C) on quality attributes of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) during hot air convective (HAC) drying was investigated. Kinetics of moisture, color and aroma during the HAC drying were analyzed. Among seven 2‐ and 3‐term exponential models, the Logistic model was best‐fitted to the drying data. Moisture transfer rates were found out to be 1.62 × 10−8, 2.51 × 10−8, and 3.64 × 10−8 m2 s−1 at 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively, and the activation energy of diffusion was 34.96 kJ mol−1. When surface color (L*, a*, and b*) and aroma (essential oil yield) were considered as another two quality criteria during the drying of cardamom capsules, samples dried at 50°C was observed to be the best. With drying time, the value of L* decreased, a* value increased, and b* value of cardamom samples increased. Weibull model yielded the higher correlation coefficient between the predicted and the experimental data of color parameters (L* and a*) whereas the Zero‐order model was fitted well for b* values for the entire temperature range. Aroma calculated as essential oil yield (% dry basis) increased with drying time due to the release of a large number of volatile components during the drying. Practical Application: Small cardamom so far is known to have best among the spices in terms of quality. Although India is among the largest consumer and producer of cardamom, cardamom growers adopt the age‐old processing practices. Furthermore, there is the absence of systematic study and scientific understanding in the existing practice of cardamom drying. The existing design and development of a dryer suitable for cardamom capsules are highly dependent on moisture, color, and aroma profile during drying. Studying drying kinetics along with postprocessing quality evaluation such as color and aroma would support as preliminary information for the development of suitable dryers for optimum retention of color and aroma of cardamom capsules during the drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study Carbon Dots (CDs) derived from Indian essential oils Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), Basil (Ocimum basilicium), Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) have been synthesized and characterized for their potential exquisite applications. The CD nanoscale particles were synthesized using simple green pyrolysis method without engaging external agents. The particles were well below 10 nm in size and showed activities unparallel to that of conventional CDs. Spectroscopy techniques viz. UV-Visible, Fluorescence, FT-IR, TEM were employed for the characterization of CDs while biological activity was tested on sliced bread and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Further, human MCF-7 cell line was used to study the antiproliferative effects of the CDs in vitro. Our CDs formulation exhibit variable fungal activity and excellent growth retarding potential in addition to their antiproliferative effect. The low cost, ease of synthesis and superior properties of these CDs synthesized from Indian essential oils may represent as a viable and true contender to their traditional counterparts. On a concluding note, this work also highlights the future prospects of the potential use of CDs based nanoparticles and their unpopular characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO NPs) were prepared using an eco-friendly bioreduction method utilizing a plant extract of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) as a reducing and capping agent (where 1, 8 cineole is the dominant reducing agent in this plant). The strontium oxide polythiophen core shell (SrO@PTh CS) nanocomposite was then prepared and utilized as plate form for graphite paste sensor (GPS) for determination of cilostazol. [Display omitted] • SrONPs were bio-synthesized utilizing Green cardamom extract. • SrO@PTh nanocomposite was prepared by in-situ oxidative polymerization of Th on the SrO surface. • SrO@PTh nanocomposite based sensor successfully detected cilostazol drug. • This sensor was applied in real samples. The green synthesis of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles utilizing plants is a novel promising approach in bio-nanotechnology. The strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO NPs) were synthesized for the first time utilizing a plant extract of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The strontium oxide polythiophene (SrO@PTh) nanocomposite was then prepared by in-situ oxidative polymerization of thiophene on the surface of SrO NPs using anhydrous FeCl 3 as an oxidant. FTIR spectrum indicates the coordination of SrO NPs with the binding sites along PTh backbone. TEM analysis resulted in an average particles size of (25 – 50 nm) for SrO NPs and core–shell nanostructure of its composite (SrO@PTh CS) with shell thickness of (20–90 nm). The XRD analysis indicates a crystalline cubic structure of SrO NPs with particles size of ≈ 45 nm in average and interplanar space of (0.24 ∼ 0.36 nm). The crystallinity was relatively diminished to some extent for SrO@PTh CS which exhibits a particle size of about 85 nm and interplanar space of (0.13 ∼ 0.23 nm). A smart and novel electrochemical graphite paste sensor (GPS), based on SrO@PTh CS nanocomposite, has been fabricated for the ultrasensitive in-vitro detection of antiplatelet drug cilostazol. SrO@PTh CS nanocomposite-based square-wave voltammetry biosensor exhibited the lowest limits of detection of 1.99 × 10−10 and 9.83 × 10−10 M for cilostazol drug determination in bulk and human plasma samples, respectively compared to all the reported methods. It exhibited also good reproducibility, repeatability, long-term stability and was free from biological interference effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stored-product pests attack cereal grains and legume seeds post-harvest. They not only damage the grain but also decrease its weight and quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the bioactivity of resin powders extracted from Pistacia lentiscus L. bark, Boswellia carterii birdwood bark, and Elettaria cardamomum seeds against two of themost important stored-product pests, Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. We used three bioassay methods, repellent effect, reduction of progeny, and grain weight loss and investigated the effects of the powders on the life cycles of the insects. Wheat grains were mixed with the three botanical powders separately, at different concentrations (3, 5, 7, and 10%w/w). Sitophilus granarius and T. confusum were fed these mixtures. Repellent activity was examined after 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h. The E. cardamomum powder displayed the maximum repellent activity (100%) against both S. granarius and T. confusum after 24 h at 3% concentration. The P . lentiscus powder reached maximum repellent activity (80 %) against S. granarius and T. confusum at 7 % concentration after 12 h and 24 h, respectively. The B. carterii powder achieved maximum repellent activity against S. granarius and T. confusum (73.3%and 86.7%) at 10%concentration after 24 h and 12 h, respectively. No progeny was produced in grains treated with 3 % P . lentiscus powder, 7 % E. cardamomum powder, or 7 % B. carterii powder. Thus, protection against both beetles started from3%concentrationwhen P . lentiscus powder was used and from 7 % and 10 % (against S. granarius and T. confusum, respectively) when E. cardamomum powder was used.A7% B. carterii concentration completely saved the grains from S. granarius damage, and a 10 % concentration offered 99.5 % protection against T. confusum. However, all tested powders significantly affected all the studied parameters (life cycle and grain weight loss). The results show that the three botanical powders provide high repellent activity against S. granarius and T. confusum, which might be useful in protecting stored grains from these insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International trade is considered to be an essential parameter for a country to increase its revenue and growth. International trade also indirectly establishes a mutual friendly relationship between countries. Export of agricultural products contributes significantly to India's foreign exchange. In particular, small cardamom referred to as the queen of spices brings huge revenue to India. Small cardamom is one of the spice varieties that are cultivated in few countries because of its climatic requirements. Due to its ideal climate, India is one of the countries pioneering in small cardamom cultivation and international trade. In recent years other small cardamom cultivating countries have increased their share of the international export market. This article presents a systematic study of India's export performance in cardamom trade utilizing a scientific approach. This article also identifies and suggests some suitable measures to be taken in order to improve India's small cardamom trade in international markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa butter and olive oil were used to produce cardamom essential oil (CEO) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The developed NLC formulations had small size (<150 nm) and high entrapment efficiency (>90%). Scanning electron microscopy showed the round shape of NLC particles. During storage time, the particle size stayed under 150 nm, and zeta potential was almost unchanged (P > 0.05). FTIR analysis revealed no new significant chemical interaction between CEO and the NLC components. According to the in vitro release study, a large amount of CEO was encapsulated inside NLC particles (40 to 55% release in 40 days). Also, results confirmed that encapsulation of CEO by NLC was able to protect its antioxidant activity as compared to CEO emulsion (5.7 and 12.32% reduction after 30 days, respectively). CEO release from NLCs was fitted well with the Rigter–Peppas model (R2 > 93%). The results confirmed that CEO-loaded NLC could be used as a food supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amomum compactum known as Javanese cardamom is an endemic plant of West Java, Indonesia. Cardamom is the "Queen of spices" and belongs to the expensive herbal group. The seed of the cardamom contain the essential oil which is rich of eucalyptol that provides antibacterial, anticonvulsant, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-fungal, antiinflammatory, antioxidants, insecticides or repellants, and in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. As good quality cardamom extraction with the right procedure hence will be resulted essential oil with good quality. Thirty articles were identified and the content that contributed to the extraction method of A. compactum were involved. The information about conventional and advance extraction methods were investigated. The proposed study has concluded that extraction methods of Java cardamom (A. compactum) consist of conventional and innovative advanced procedures. The determination of the procedure based on the present of supporting facilities. The conventional method known as low cost, require a large volume of solvents, resulting more bioactive products but time consuming. While the innovative advanced procedure in the other hand is faster, most of them are expensive but less effective in obtaining the bioactive compounds of the essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cardamom is an important high value cash crop of Himalayan region of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is widely used in food industry as spice and as medicine in herbal practices. This rhizomatous perennial plant is one of the main revenue earners of these regions and the livelihood of many people is associated with it. However, due to the various factors such as climate change, emergence of highly virulent diseases, and absence of resistant varieties, the production of large cardamom has declined considerably in the last two decades. The genetic diversity study amongst the cultivar forms the basis of crop improvement to address these problems. Cultivars of large cardamom have only been characterized morphologically till date. The molecular characterization using barcode loci recommended by Consortium for Barcode of Life (CBOL) is not only needed for resolving the different large cardamom cultivars but also to give insight into the understanding of the genetic distance between themselves, which will be helpful in identifying the distantly related cultivars for crop improvement such as in plant breeding. The two barcode loci maturase K (matK) and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) genes of chloroplast DNA were found to be good candidates for barcoding of large cardamom cultivars. The mutations in these two loci at cultivars level were low but distinctive enough to differentiate and diverse themselves to form the same tree topology by different phylogeny methods, thereby successfully resolving the different cultivars. It was found that the cultivars which share common ancestors in phylogeny also share one or two distinct common genetic sequence mutation patterns in both loci indicative of common origin. The phylogenetic tree construction using two barcode loci i.e., matK, rbcL, and combined genes (matK+rbcL) by three different method viz. unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), Neighbor-joining, and Maximum-likelihood based on Kimura 2-parameters amongst the five large cardamom cultivars successfully resolved the cultivars of large cardamom as they formed same tree topology except by Neighbor-joining method of rbcL gene. Two distinct monophyletic groups were formed by all nine trees constructed by three different methods indicating resolvability of the cultivars. The phylogenetic study shows "Varlangey" and "Seremna" are closely related cultivars and share common ancestor with "Sawney" cultivar. Similarly, "Green Golsey" and "Dzongu" are closely related cultivars and formed distinct cluster. The matK, rbcL, and combined gene loci exhibited highest genetic distance between "Dzongu" and "Seremna"' cultivars. The present study paved the way for barcoding of number of other large cardamom cultivars, which will be helpful not only for inferring evolutionary relationship but also for selection of genetically distant cultivars having desired characteristics to produce hybrid with maximum hybrid vigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents work on green synthesis of the carbon dots from leaves of Elettaria cardamomum (E.C) using simple ultra-sonication technique. In X-ray diffraction analysis, peak at 2θ value of 22.9° confirmed the amorphous nature of synthesized carbon dots. Furthermore, Raman investigations of the synthesized carbon dots illustrated D and G band at 1365 cm−1 and 1575 cm−1, respectively, showing graphitic structure of carbon dots. Similarly, Fourier transform infrared spectrum of carbon dots confirmed the presence of different functional groups such as C=O, C=C, OH, C–OH at absorption peaks values of 1715 cm−1, 1634 cm−1, 3257 cm−1 and 1027 cm−1, respectively. Photoluminescence spectral analysis of carbon dots confirms photoluminescent nature by exhibiting two emission peaks at 520 nm and 850 nm, respectively. UV–visible spectrophotometric investigations confirmed the presence of carbon dots showing two absorption peaks at 220 nm and 272 nm. After confirmation and characterization, the synthesized carbon dots were utilized for studying visible light-induced degradation of congo red and methylene blue dyes. This further investigation showed that the maximum degradation of congo red dye was observed in acidic media at pH 4 with a dye concentration of 5 ppm in a time interval of 50 min. For methylene blue dye, optimum degradation was observed in alkaline medium at a pH value of 8 with 5 ppm dye concentration in a time interval of 55 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)