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Present study was conducted to analyse the cultural and pathogenic diversity in different isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana the causal organism of spot blotch in bread wheat. Six isolates of Biplorais sorokiniana (BS-F-5, BS-D-2, BS-K,4, BS-DWR-K-1, BS-V-6, and BS-P-3) were evaluated simultaneously for cultural and pathogenic variability on the basis of diverse characteristics against seven different genotypes of wheat grown in the region viz: BOW’S’, HS 375, HUW 234, PBW 343, PBW 443, K9107 and A9-30-1. The results indicated that isolates varied significantly among themselves for all the characters analysed. The isolate BS-F-5 exhibited the maximum colony diameter, maximum average dimension (length and width) of conidiophore, maximum number of septa in conidiophore and conidia. Variations were also observed in texture of the colony. Among the seven genotypes tested against six isolates, BOW’S’ showed resistance against three isolates (BS-D-2, BS-K,4, BS-DWR-K-1) and genotype A-9-30-1 showed high susceptibility against all isolates except BS-D-2. The isolates BS-F-5 and BS-P-3 exhibited maximum pathogenic virulence among the isolates analysed in the present investigation.

The functional, sensory, nutritive, phytochemical and antioxidant properties of flours derived from wheat, foxtail millet and ginger along with the cookies formulated from these ingredients was studied. The foxtail millet (20, 30 and 40%) and ginger powder (5, 10 and 15%) blended wheat flours were investigated and compared to control (100% wheat flour). The increase in substitution levels of both the alternatives improved the functional properties of the composite flour and cookies formulated. Sensory analysis revealed that cookies prepared from 30% foxtail millet and 10% ginger powder had comparable scores. These were further subjected to nutritive and phytochemical analyses. The results revealed that cookies formulated using both the alternatives had reasonable proximate composition comparable to control. The substituted cookies had higher total soluble phenolic content and antioxidant capacities in terms of DPPH and ABTS scavenging potential and a strongly positive correlation was observed between the total soluble phenolic content and antioxidant capacities in composite flour and the cookies formulated from the flours. Overall the addition of foxtail millet flour (30%) and ginger powder (10%) improved the nutritional and phenolic linked antioxidant potential which can lead to shelf life extension and enhanced health benefits.

Nutritional attributes, bioactive components and sensory qualities of pineapple (kew variety) grown under fertilizer based and traditional (organic by default) farming system were determined and compared in this study. The results revealed that organically grown (without adding any chemical inputs as per traditional practices) pineapple had significantly higher bioactive components (vitamin c and total soluble phenolics ranging from 23.19 % to 24.04 % and 28.69 mg/100g FW to 29.54 mg/100g fresh weight (FW) respectively for organically grown fruits and 19.84% to 20.01% and 21.32 mg/100g FW to 21.93 mg/100g FW respectively in conventionally grown in fruits). The study also reports that the organically grown pineapples had significantly higher overall acceptability (4.5 and 4.3 in 2013 and 2014 respectively) and popularity (4.26 and 4.32 in 2013 and 2014 respectively) as compared to the pineapples grown under conventional farming system using fertilizers (2.8 overall acceptability in 2013 and 2014; 2.96 and 2.86 popularity in 2013 and 2014 respectively).

Rye ( Secale cereale L.), is a temperate cereal food crop with diverse human health benefits partly linked to phenolic bioactives. Therefore targeting rye cultivars rich in phenolic bioactives and associated antioxidant properties has relevance to develop dietary support against chronic diseases, such as hyperglycemia linked to progression of type 2 diabetes. In this study we screened 9 rye cultivars and compared the impact of two different production practices (conventional and organic) on phenolic bioactive associated antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties using in vitro assay models. Total soluble phenolic content (TSP), phenolic acids profile, protein content, antioxidant activity (AA), and hyperglycemia relevant α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities of aqueous extracts of rye cultivars were evaluated using in vitro models. Overall, rye grown under organic production had higher yield, 1000 kernel weight, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and ferulic and benzoic acid content. On the contrary rye grown under conventional production had higher TSP content, AA, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. Further significant differences in phenolic antioxidant-linked anti-hyperglycemic properties among 9 rye cultivars were observed. This study indicated that differences in cultivars and production practices had significant impact on human health relevant phenolic antioxidant and associated anti-hyperglycemic properties of rye cultivars.

Aloe vera based RTS formulation was prepared in this study which provides the health benefits of this wonder plant and was also appealing in terms of sensory qualities. In the present study four formulations of A. vera RTS drink with ginger, sweet lime and amla (V1, V2, V3 and V4 were developed). The developed products were subjected to physico-chemical, organoleptic and microbial analysis. The formulation V3 was found to be the most preferred variant with respect to the sensory quality. Further the blends were found to be a good source of vitamin C and other nutritional parameters. The storage stability studies carried out on the formulations showed that the physico-chemical and the sensory qualities of the RTS blends were acceptable after 60 days of storage. Microbial analysis of the RTS blends during the storage period revealed that it was free from any microbial spoilage.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) is an important herb from the Lamiaceae family with a long history of use in traditional medicine and food applications. Thus, targeting basil varieties for developing herbal medicines against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes has significant merit. The aim of this study was to screen Asian basil varieties with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes targeting relevant phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and antimicrobial properties and was compared with a high phenolic and high antioxidant mint species (Mentha arvensis). Aqueous and ethanol (12%) extracts of 8 different varieties of Asian basil were analyzed for total soluble phenolic (TSP) content, phenolic acid profiles, total antioxidant activity (TA), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities and inhibition of ulcer-causing bacteria, Helicobacter pylori using in vitro assay models. The highest TSP content was observed in mint and all basil varieties were compared to this standard. High TA, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity were observed in targeted varieties of Indian basils. Major phenolic acids found were rosmarinic, ellagic, benzoic, and gallic acids, which may potentially contribute to health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Inhibitory activity against H. pylori was observed in response to high phenolic mint but not in Asian basil extracts. This in vitro study provides biochemical rationale on phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic potentials of Asian Basil varieties that need to be further validated with in vivo studies for therapeutic and herbal medicine related applications against type 2 diabetes and associated complications.

The study was conducted to develop formulations of Aloe vera blend by mixing it with ginger, sweet lime and amla. Varied ratio of the Aloe vera:ginger:sweetlime:amla in the formulated drinks (40:5:40:15), (50:5:30:15) and (60:5:20:15) were used for F1, F2 and F3 respectively. The products were subjected to standard physico-chemical, sensory and microbial analysis and accordingly, F3 was found to be the most preferred variant with respect to the sensory quality. The Aloe vera RTS blends prepared were found to be good source of Vitamin C besides other nutritional parameters. The storage stability studies carried out showed that the physico-chemical and the sensory quality of the RTS blends were acceptable up to 60 days of storage. Microbial analysis of the RTS during storage period up to 60 days revelead that it was free from any spoilage.

The complexes of 4-amino-3,5-dimercapto-1,2,4-triazole (H 2 -AMT) with some bivalent metal ions of the formula [M(H-AMT) 2 ] (M = Zn, Cd or Pb), [M(H-AMT) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] (M = Ni or Co) and M(AMT) n H 2 O (where M = Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd or Pd; n = 0, 1, 2 or 4) have been prepared and characterised by UV, IR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The nickel(II) complex has been isolated in two different colours having the same composition, [Ni(H-AMT) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ]. The spectral parameters 10 D q , B ′ and β of the octahedral complex, [Co(H-AMT) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] have been calculated.