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Seed priming is routinely applied to improve germination rates and seedling establishment, but the decrease in longevity observed in primed seeds constitutes a major drawback that compromises long-term storability. The optimization of priming protocols able to preserve primed seeds from aging processes represents a promising route to expand the scope of seed priming. The present work explores this possibility in the model legume Medicago truncatula by testing the effectiveness of quercetin- and rutin-supplemented seed priming at improving the response to subsequent artificial aging. In comparison with a non-supplemented hydropriming protocol, supplementation with quercetin or rutin was able to mitigate the effects of post-priming aging by increasing germination percentage and speed, improving seed viability and seedling phenotype, with consistent correlations with a decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species and an increase in antioxidant potential. The results suggest that quercetin and rutin can reduce the effects of post-priming aging by improving the seed antioxidant profiles. The present work provides novel information to explore the physiological changes associated with seed priming and aging, with possible outcomes for the development of tailored vigorization protocols able to overcome the storability constrains associated with post-priming aging processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While high-hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has successfully been applied to the pasteurization of fruit and vegetable juice beverages, their quality-stable shelf life during storage has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effect of HHP (550 MPa/10 min) treatment on polyphenols, carotenoids, ascorbic acids, and antioxidant capacity in tomato juice and their changes during 4-week refrigerated storage. High-temperature short-time (HTST, 110 °C/8.6 s) treatment was used as a control. The results revealed a significantly greater presence of polyphenols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid content, and antioxidant capacity in tomato juice after HHP processing than after HTST processing. However, the total carotenoids and total phenolic content in HHP-treated tomato juice decreased dramatically and approached that in the HTST-treated tomato juice after 1 week of storage. Therefore, HHP’s advantage in maintaining antioxidant compounds and capacity was only evident during the first week of storage in tomato juice. Nevertheless, the post-storage caffeic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid concentrations were 8.31, 4.77, 1.86, and 6.84 μg/g higher in the HHP-treated than in HTST-treated tomato juice, respectively. This study provides a new perspective for predicting HHP products' quality-stable shelf life.

Seed priming is routinely applied to improve germination rates and seedling establishment, but the decrease in longevity observed in primed seeds constitutes a major drawback that compromises long-term storability. The optimization of priming protocols able to preserve primed seeds from aging processes represents a promising route to expand the scope of seed priming. The present work explores this possibility in the model legume Medicago truncatula by testing the effectiveness of quercetin- and rutin-supplemented seed priming at improving the response to subsequent artificial aging. In comparison with a non-supplemented hydropriming protocol, supplementation with quercetin or rutin was able to mitigate the effects of post-priming aging by increasing germination percentage and speed, improving seed viability and seedling phenotype, with consistent correlations with a decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species and an increase in antioxidant potential. The results suggest that quercetin and rutin can reduce the effects of post-priming aging by improving the seed antioxidant profiles. The present work provides novel information to explore the physiological changes associated with seed priming and aging, with possible outcomes for the development of tailored vigorization protocols able to overcome the storability constrains associated with post-priming aging processes.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) have non-defined and non-descriptive breed of buffaloes. Andaman local buffaloes (ALB) are distributed in Andaman group of Islands and few numbers are available in Campbell Bay and Nicobar group of Islands. Andaman local buffaloes represent an admixture of different Indian breeds that had been brought to these islands in different phases of inhabitation and rehabilitation of migrated people. It is believed that the ALBs have the inheritance from Murrah, Nagpuri, Bhadawari and Marathwada. It is unique buffalo, well adapted to special type of tropical humid island climatic and environmental condition. The present study was designed to standardise the normal reference haematological and biochemical ranges in different stages of reproduction of Andaman local buffaloes which were maintained in the Andaman Districts of ANI, India from April 2019 to March 2020. In this study, haematological parameters, biochemical indices and antioxidant and oxidative stress profiles were estimated in healthy, normal physiological ALBs in different reproductive stages. The present study results clearly indicated that the values of haematological, biochemical and antioxidant profiles fell under the normal physiological ranges. The results of this study may serve as the reference values in which alterations due to metabolic, nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status can be compared for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for ALBs in ANI and its neighboring countries or other parts of the country with similar environmental and climatic conditions.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have two different genetic groups of cattle namely Andaman local cattle and Trinket cattle. Andaman local cattle are distributed in Andaman group of Islands and Campbell Bay of Nicobar group of Islands. Andaman local cattle are non-descriptive and represent an admixture of different Indian breeds that had been brought to these islands in different phases of inhabitation and rehabilitation of migrated people. It is believed that the Andaman local cattle have the inheritance from Red Sindhi, Sahiwal and Hariana. It is unique cattle, well adapted to special type of tropical humid island climatic and environmental condition. The present study was designed to standardise the normal reference haematological and biochemical range for different age groups of Andaman local cattle which were maintained in the South Andaman and North and Middle Andaman district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. In this study, haematological parameters, biochemical indices and antioxidant and oxidative stress profiles were estimated in healthy, normal physiological Andaman local cattle for different age groups. The present study results clearly indicated that the values of haematological, biochemical and antioxidant profiles were under the normal physiological range. These results of this study may serve as the reference values in which alterations due to metabolic, nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status can be compared for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for Andaman local cattle in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and its neighbouring countries or other parts of the country with similar environmental and climatic conditions.

Objective: To assess the effect of melatonin (MT) at different seasons of the year on sperm motility, viability, total sperm abnormality, acrosomal membrane, plasma membrane and nuclear integrity, antioxidant profiles such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), enzymatic profiles such as aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and biochemical profiles such as malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Methods: Total numbers of 80 ejaculates (20 ejaculates in each season) were collected twice a week from mithun bulls and semen was split into five equal aliquots, diluted with the tris egg yolk citrate (TEYC) extender. Group 1: semen without additives (control), group 2 to group 5: semen was diluted with 1 mM, 2 mM, 3 mM, and 4 mM of melatonin, respectively. These seminal parameters, antioxidant, enzymatic and biochemical profiles were assessed at liquid storage of mithun semen (5 °C). Simultaneously, retrospective study was conducted on birth rate of calf at different seasons from 2002 to 2012 from farm birth register of mithun farm. Results: Inclusion of melatonin into diluent resulted in significant (P

Abstract: The present study was to investigate the effect of ripening stage on physicochemical properties and antioxidant profiles of a table fruit ‘pear-jujube’ (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.). Six ripening stages of jujubes were established: S1, green ripe; S2, white ripe; S3, representing pear jujube with red surface area of 25–35%; S4, 45–55%; S5, 65–75%; S6, 100%. Jujubes at S1 and S2 were found with high levels of ascorbic acids, proanthocyanidins, phenolics and antioxidant activity. In addition, proper texture, total soluble solids, sugars, sugar–acid ratio and antioxidants as a table jujube emerged at S4. Results obtained clearly demonstrated diverse physicochemical properties, different amounts of phenolics and various degrees of antioxidant activity depending on fruit ripening. In conclusion, un-coloring jujubes could be used as potential natural antioxidants with abundant proanthocyanidins and half red ripening stage is a proper picking period for fresh-eaten as table fruit. In a practical production context, for orchard growers, harvest at relevant ripening stages with intended commercial purpose is possible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pesticides have been used in agriculture to enhance food production by eradicating unwanted insects and controlling disease vectors, nevertheless occupational exposure to high levels of these compounds can lead to neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by serious oxidative and neurotoxic effects. However, there is a lack of consensus as to which determinations are best used to quantify future risks arising from xenobiotic exposure and natural antioxidant interventions. Our study aims to determine the potential ability of selenium and/or vitamin E, used as nutritional supplements, to alleviate oxidative stress in cerebral cortex tissue induced by dimethoate, an organophosphorus pesticide. Adult Wistar rats were exposed either to dimethoate (0.2g/L of drinking water), dimethoate+selenium (0.5mg/kg of diet), dimethoate+vitamin E (100mg/kg of diet), or dimethoate+selenium+vitamin E, for 30days. Exposure to dimethoate increased malondialdehyde levels, protein carbonyl groups and advanced oxidation protein products, while Na+K+-ATPase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased in the cerebral cortex. An increase in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and a decrease in glutathione, non-protein thiols and vitamin C levels were observed. Administration of selenium and/or vitamin E through the diet in dimethoate treated rats ameliorated the biochemical parameters cited above. The histological findings confirmed the biochemical results. The model of this study that we employed characterized the relationships between dimethoate-induced neurotoxicity and its alleviation by natural antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E. These elements may be considered beneficial for the protection of cerebral cortex against injury induced by dimethoate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oxidative stress is associated with Alzheimer''s (DAT) and vascular (VD) dementias, as well as Type II diabetes mellitus (DIAB) and affected by hypoglycemic therapy. The population (n=122; males=60; mean age=72.57±7.06) consisted of controls (CTR), DAT and VD patients, with (DAT+DIAB, VD+DIAB) and without concomitant DIAB, resulting in six groups where the antioxidant profile was determined: copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total antioxidant capacity (TRAP). The results were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA design and Bonferroni statistic. The ANOVAs yielded significant differences between groups for all components of the profile: SOD, p=0.00000006; TBARS, p=0.0000012; TRAP, p=0.0000003. The significance level for comparisons between groups was set at α=0.05. The comparisons DIAB vs. CTR, DAT+DIAB vs. DAT, and DIAB demented vs. DIAB non-demented resulted significant for all variables. VD+DIAB vs. VD resulted significant for all variables except TRAP. The antioxidant profiles of DIAB and CTR are different. The differences cannot be directly related with what is observed in dementias. The differences in profiles of demented and non-demented are somewhat hidden when demented patients are affected by a concomitant DIAB condition and/or hypoglycemic treatment, thus conditioning the diagnostic value for dementias of the profiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]