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Tuber of yam (Dioscorea spp.) is one of the important foods widely popular in several countries. In spite of its assignment in the category of underutilized crop, the tubers of yam are consumed by the people of Bangladesh in different forms. The current paper has made an endeavor to evaluate the sensory qualities of boiled yam tubers by the panel of evaluators. The quality parameters that were considered for evaluation of boiled yam tubers were ease of peeling, poundability, discoloration of water after boiling, color and texture, bitterness, sweetness, etc. Evidently, it was possible to judge the quality of yams based on the sensory evaluation as it is one of the important steps for acceptability of foods and their subsequent usages. Around 31 tuber samples were harvested during the winter season from the Germplasm Centre of Bangladesh Agricultural University. Amongst the 31 samples, 24 came under the category of 'easy to peel', and 'difficult to peel' were only 7 samples. Regarding the color after cooking, 19 samples were "white, not colored", whereas, 3 samples were intermediate and 9 samples were highly colored; might be attributed by the presence of phyto-compounds. Nevertheless, two samples i.e. RHMF002 and RMHF010 were found to possess most of the favorable sensory characters in terms of discoloration of water after boiling, sweetness, bitterness, texture, poundability, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty jhum rice genotypes of hilly origin were studied for genetic variability, correlation and path analysis under medium high land of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications for the period of March to July (Aus season), 2016. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The PCV values were greater than GCV, revealing little influence of environment in character expression. High values of heritability along with high genetic advance were observed for filled grain and plant height. Such outcomes suggested predominance of additive gene action in gene expression for these characters. Grain yield showed positive association with number of effective tiller and thousand grain weight at genotypic in conjunction with phenotypic level. Most of the traits had significant genetic variability besides, plant height and panicle length exhibited positive direct effect together with positive correlation with yield. Thousand grain weight possessed negative direct effect but highest positive significant correlation with yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the main target sites of chlorpyrifos (CPF), its effect on biochemical indices, and the pathological changes observed in rat liver and kidney function using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Adult female Wistar rats (n = 12) were randomly assigned into two groups (one control and one test group; n = 6 each). The test group received CPF via oral gavage for 21 days at 5 mg/kg daily. The distribution of CPF was determined in various organs (liver, brain, heart, lung, kidney, ovary, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle), urine and stool samples using GCMS. Approximately 6.18% of CPF was distributed in the body tissues, and the highest CPF concentration (3.80%) was found in adipose tissue. CPF also accumulated in the liver (0.29%), brain (0.22%), kidney (0.10%), and ovary (0.03%). Approximately 83.60% of CPF was detected in the urine. CPF exposure resulted in a significant increase in plasma transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels, a significant reduction in total protein levels and an altered lipid profile. Oxidative stress due to CPF administration was also evidenced by a significant increase in liver malondialdehyde levels. The detrimental effects of CPF on kidney function consisted of a significant increase in plasma urea and creatinine levels. Liver and kidney histology confirmed the observed biochemical changes. In conclusion, CPF bioaccumulates over time and exerts toxic effects on animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution of water and soils by heavy metals is an emerging problem in industrialized countries. The present study was conducted to investigate the heavy metals concentration in water and sediment samples from ship breaking sites of Sitakunda to assess the potential ecological risk posed by heavy metal using different methods. Heavy metals concentration was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Cr in water samples of ship breaking site, Sitakunda were lower than recommended values. The mean concentration of Cr was found 0.511± 0.284 mg/l. Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Mn in sediment samples were higher than standard limit. The concentrations of Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu and Zn in the sediment were 55.93±18.70, 20.08±4.03, 106.8±47.65, 50.09±18.31, and 70.71±19.45 mg/kg, respectively. Based on Geoaccumulation Index, Contamination factor, Sediment Quality Guidelines, the sediment of ship breaking site can be treated as unpolluted to moderately polluted with Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu but unpolluted with Mn. The Enrichment factors of Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu and Zn in the sediment were: 2.97±0.98, 0.035±0.008, 1.97±0.88, 1.99±0.73, and 1.17±0.32, respectively. The Enrichment factor (>1) in all sampling sites, suggesting source of those metals (Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn) were more likely to be anthropogenic. Based on the Potential Ecological Risk Index the ship breaking site posed to low risk to the environment. The results of present study clearly indicated that the ship breaking site was moderately polluted with heavy metals and pose low risk to the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of heavy metals in environmental matrices is a potential risk to living system due to their uptake by plants and subsequent introduction into the food chain. A study was conducted to investigate the heavy metals concentration in soils and leafy vegetables samples along the Dhaka Aricha Road to assess their potential ecological risk. Heavy metals concentration was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Concentrations ofallthetestedheavy metals except Cd in soil samples were below the permissible level. The mean concentration of Cd was found 3.99 +/- 1.85 mg kg(-1). Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Cd and Cr in vegetables samples were lower than recommended level. Mean concentration of Cd and Cr were found 1.00 +/- 0.68 mg kg(-1) and 2.32 +/- 0.84 mg kg(-1), respectively. Based on the Potential Ecological Risk Index, Cd posed very high risk to the local ecosystem due to its higher Risk Factor, > 320 and based on Transfer Factor of Pb and Cd were found higher accumulator among the tested metals. The results of present study revealed that the bioconcentration of heavy metals along the Dhaka Aricha Road posed high risk to the ecosystem. Considering the Transfer Factor of Cd and Pb it can be suggested that plants and leafy vegetables grow in the soil near Dhaka Aricha Road should not be used as food or feed.