Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Assessing consumer preferences for postharvest quality of leafy greens and climacteric fruits in rapid delivery systems: A conjoint analysis
Get PDFThe rapid growth of quick commerce (q-commerce) is changing urban grocery retailing by guaranteeing delivery of essentials, including fresh fruits and vegetables in 10-30 min. However, speed of delivery has implications for postharvest management of highly perishable food items such as leafy greens and climacteric fruits (i.e., bananas, mangoes, tomatoes and peaches). There is a significant lack of research examining how physiological quality preservation methods influence consumer preferences for highly perishable items such as leafy greens and climacteric fruits. This research fills this gap by investigating urban consumers\u27 preferences regarding the trade-off between delivery speed, price and quality preservation on q-commerce platforms. The study was conducted in the Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. A structured survey of 110 urban consumers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, was conducted using convenience sampling. Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) analysis under the Random Utility Theory framework was applied using an orthogonal design with three attributes: delivery speed, quality preservation methods and pricing. Consumer utility values were estimated using the Multinomial logit model (MNL) with significance testing at p<0. 05. The results indicated that delivery speed held the highest relative importance (38 %, p<0.001) in consumer preferences, followed by quality preservation methods (32 %, p<0.001) and price sensitivity (30 %, p<0.001). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed that physiological quality indicators such as freshness, ripeness and shelf life were the most influential latent factor (explaining 37.5 % of variance). Garrett Ranking identified inconsistent ripening (mean = 69.68) and high delivery charges (mean = 56.60) as the top barriers to purchasing fresh produce via quick commerce platforms
Inter character association and path analysis studies for yield and related components in red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra)
Get PDFIn the present study, screening of twenty-eight genotypes of red cabbage was carried out to understand character association and path coefficient analysis for yield and its related horticultural traits. The objective was to assess the degree of association between pairs of characters at genotypic and phenotypic levels and thereby collating the direct and indirect effects of the characters. Correlation and path analysis were performed in ten economic traits viz. days to 50 % marketable maturity, number of non-wrapper leaves, head compactness, gross head weight, net head weight, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, stalk length, core length and vitamin C content. Estimates of correlation coefficient revealed that net head weight had significant positive correlation with gross head weight (0.79 and 0.80), vitamin C content (0.45 and 0.87), days to 50 % marketable maturity (0.40 and 0.66), core length (0.33 and 0.59), polar diameter of head (0.30 and 0.40) and head compactness (0.20 and 0.38) at phenotypic and genotypic levels respectively. Meanwhile, path coefficient analysis indicated that vitamin C had the highest positive indirect effects on net head weight followed by gross head weight and number of non-wrapper leaves whereas positive direct effects were exerted by head compactness, core length and polar diameter, thus giving an idea of focusing on these traits for improvement in red cabbage
Export performance and market retention of turmeric oleoresin from India: A Markov chain approach
Get PDFTurmeric oleoresin is a valuable extract from Curcuma longa. it plays a vital role in the food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. India is the greatest producer in the world and contributes significantly to turmeric oleoresin exports. This study uses Markov Chain analysis and the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to evaluate India\u27s export performance from 2003 to 2024. Following 2014, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture saw a policy-driven boom that led to a CAGR of 16.06 %. The Markov Chain study, based on export quantity data from 2018 to 2024, simulates the direction of trade and reveals country-level market retention and share transitions. High market loyalty was noted in nations like the USA (83 %), Germany (83 %), France (85 %) and the UK (80 %), whereas emerging or volatile markets such as China (60 %), the UAE (60 %) and the “Others” group, which accounted for 50 %, exhibited lower retention and more volatility. To identify reoccurring problems like pesticide residues, microbiological contamination, unauthorised additions and labelling errors, the study also integrates trade rejection data from the EU\u27s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and weekly alerts from the Indian trade portal. These rejections cause export volatility in emerging markets and have immediate economic effects. According to the findings, India\u27s export competitiveness and sustainability will be enhanced by combining high-retention markets and reducing rejection risks through improved traceability, chemical residue monitoring and regulatory compliance
Soil fertility status and assessment of nutrient soil quality index of Ganasandra micro-watershed using GIS-based geospatial tool
Get PDFDespite growing concerns about sustainable land management, limited studies have comprehensively evaluated soil fertility and spatial variability of nutrient soil quality at the micro-watershed level using geospatial techniques. The current research (2023-24) aimed to assess nutrient levels, soil health and the spatial variability of soil fertility within the Ganasandra micro-watershed, a component of the Naganahalli sub-watershed in Nagamangala taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, using geospatial methods. Statistical evaluation of analytical data was performed using parameters such as range, mean and standard deviation. The soil was found to be slightly to strongly alkaline and nonsaline. Organic carbon levels ranged from low to medium; nitrogen and phosphorus availability were moderate; potassium was high and sulfur levels ranged from low to moderate. Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable micronutrients analysis indicated that half of the samples lacked sufficient zinc and iron, whereas copper and manganese concentrations were adequate. Shortages of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), S (sulphur), Zn (zinc) and Fe (iron) were identified as significant limitations to soil fertility. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to obtain the minimum data set (MDS) from the assessed soil parameters. Essential factors affecting soil quality include pH, organic carbon content and the availability of nitrogen and zinc. Three principal components with eigenvalues exceeding 1 accounted for 73.00 % of the overall variance. The soil quality index (SQI) ranged from 0.10 to 0.62. The study established that SQI, derived through grid sampling at a 320 m scale, successfully reflected spatial dependence through ordinary kriging and enabled the creation of thematic maps for soil management at the micro-watershed level. The SQI map showed that 46.63 % of the region was classified as low to very low soil quality, 22.79 % as medium and 31.32 % as high-quality categories
Bivalent nickel exposure induced mitotic toxicity in onion root tips
Get PDFNickel (Ni) is utilized across multiple industries, resulting in significant environmental contamination and exhibiting various genotoxic effects on plants and animals due to its release into the external environment. This study evaluates the cytotoxic effects of different doses of nickel on onion (Allium cepa L.) root tips. To evaluate the sensitivity of Nickel, bulbs of onion were treated at 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm along with a control (0 ppm) using NiCl2 salt as the source of Nickel. At elevated concentrations of nickel (100 ppm) in a hydroponic study, the onion roots exhibited browning and translucency, accompanied by a retardation of growth. Various chromosomal anomalies, including chromosomal breaks, laggards, vagrant chromosomes, bridges, distorted chromosomes, sticky chromosomes, c-mitosis etc. were observed following a 24 hr exposure to toxic doses of nickel. Both types of chromosomal abnormalities, namely spindle fibre abnormality (SFA) and chromosomal abnormality (CA), were observed under Ni treatment. The evaluation of cell death in the treated roots was done using the Evans blue dye test. Uptake of Evans blue by the root cells demonstrated the cell death parameter, which served as an indicator of cytotoxicity
The stomatal characteristics of monocots and dicots at different altitudes
No full textThis study investigates the differences in stomatal characteristics between plants growing in lowland and highland altitudes, focusing on parameters such as stomatal type, distribution, number, density and index. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed, with sample collection conducted through purposive sampling. A total of 144 leaves were collected from 8 species, including both dicot and monocot, originating from low and high-altitude areas. The dicot species investigated were Capsicum annuum L., Mangifera indica L., Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, and Psidium guajava L., while the monocot species included Cocos nucifera L., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Curcuma longa L., and Oryza sativa L. Stomatal number, density, and index were statistically analyzed using the t-test, whereas other parameters were assessed descriptively. The results revealed diverse stomatal types and distributions among the examined plant species. For instance, P. guajava exhibited paracytic stomata, C. annuum L. displayed anisocytic stomata, and C. esculenta had a distinct brachy-paracytic stomatal complex of, each plant manifests unique anatomical characteristics. The finding indicated that stomatal attributes, including number, density and index did not differ significantly between plants inhabiting lowland and highland environments within an altitude range of 550 m. This study highlights the influence of broader altitude variations and ecological factors influence stomatal features across diverse plant species
Exploring the therapeutic potential of sesamol and daidzein in polycystic ovarian syndrome: An in-silico approach
No full textPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women, characterized by hormonal imbalances, including elevated androgen levels. In the search for potential therapeutic agents, phytocompounds such as Sesamol and Daidzein have gained attention due to their antioxidant and oestrogenic properties. This study investigated the binding affinity and pharmacokinetic properties of Sesamol and Daidzein as potential treatments for PCOS through molecular docking and in silico analysis. Molecular docking studies were conducted using AutoDock Vina, targeting oestrogen receptor beta (ER?), androgen receptor (AR) and aromatase (CYP19A1) as key macromolecules involved in PCOS pathophysiology. The docking results revealed significant binding affinities, with Daidzein showing a binding energy of -8.9 kcal/mol to ER?, -5.2 kcal/mol to AR and -9.2 kcal/mol to CYP19A1. Sesamol exhibited binding energies of -5.9 kcal/mol to both ER? and AR and -5.8 kcal/mol to CYP19A1. These values, although lower than the respective endogenous ligands (Oestradiol: -11.0 kcal/mol, Testosterone: -12.0 kcal/mol and - 11.3 kcal/mol), indicate a favorable interaction with the target receptors. Additionally, pharmacokinetic properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET), were analyzed using SwissADME and AdmetSAR tools. The analysis demonstrated favorable drug-likeness and ADMET profiles for both sesamol and daidzein, reinforcing their suitability as therapeutic candidates. The findings from this study suggested that sesamol and daidzein possess promising pharmacological profiles and could be considered for further in vivoand clinical studies as potential therapeutic agents for managing PCOS
Computational investigations of bio-active phytoconstituents from Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Nees & Mart.) C. Specht & D.W. Stev. against peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) protein of type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textAbnormalities in the body\u27s propensity to control and take advantage of sugar as fuel result in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Targeting the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) protein, which controls the expression of proteins critical to the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is an intriguing approach for treating T2DM. Therefore, the current study focuses on predicting more effective natural compounds for better treatment. Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Nees & Mart.) C. Specht & D. W. Stev. belonging to the family Costaceae, traditionally acknowledged as an insulin herb, has been taken for the study. Phytocompounds were collected from the published literature, followed by in silico ADMET toxicity checking and molecular docking study against the PPARG protein at its specific binding sites. A quantum computation study was performed to check the reactivity of the ligands and normal mode analysis (NMA) was employed to study and characterize the selected protein\u27s flexibility and stability with network analysis. Anti-diabetic drug Biguanide (Metformin) was taken as a standard drug. From this study, Kaempferol resulted with a premier imperative affinity of -7.1 kcal/Mol, with the lowest band gap energy that forms one conventional hydro bond with His466, which is suggested as a new drug molecule for T2DM treatment. In molecular dynamics simulation, the natural compound Kaempferol reflected better stability with the target protein PPARG
Identifying high-yielding and stable durum wheat genotypes using G × E analysis in climate change context
No full textAssessing durum wheat genotypes in varied environments is essential for evaluating yield stability and adaptability. This research evaluated the performance of 25 different durum wheat genotypes over three years (2020–2023) across 16 environments in Morocco. One objective was to evaluate how genotypes interact with varying environmental conditions (GEI) and to identify genotypes that combine high yield with stability across specific mega-environments. This analysis was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The primary criteria for selection included grain yield, the AMMI Stability Value (ASV) and the Genotype Selection Index (GSI). Analysis revealed highly significant differences (P<0.0001) among genotypes, environments and their interactions (GEI). According to the AMMI analysis of variance, the total variation in yield was attributed to the environment (77.91 %), genotype (0.80 %) and GEI (5.93 %). Principal components (PC) 1 and 2 accounted for 51.9 % of the observed variation. Similarly, the GGE biplot demonstrated that PC1 and PC2 contributed 31.51 % and 18.67 % of the yield variation, respectively. Based on yield and ASV, G4, G16, G10, G23 and G5 demonstrated high performance, while G4, G9, G11 and G14 exhibited stability. According to the GSI, genotypes G4, G5, G23, G14 and G17 were most desirable. The findings highlight the substantial impact of GEI on yield variability, with genotype G16 emerging as optimal and G4, G5 and G17 being identified as favourable candidates for cultivation across five identified mega-environments, each suited to specific genotype adaptation. The identified high-performing genotypes can be integrated into Moroccan breeding programs to enhance durum wheat productivity and resilience to climate variability
Morphological diversity and high-yielding potential of foxtail millet (Setaria italica): Insights from germplasm characterization
No full textThe morphological diversity of 50 foxtail millet accessions was assessed by evaluating ten morphological traits. Phenotypic scores for the 50 genotypes were provided based on the descriptor of Setaria italica. Based on the percentage of phenotypic variants, 84 % of the genotypes were not pigmented (green), 66 % were medium lodging, 88 % were essentially glabrous, 98 % with green leaf, 86 % were actively growing, 74 % with short inflorescence lobes, 42 % with medium inflorescence bristles, 54 % with medium inflorescence compactness and 86 % had ovate inflorescence shape. Only 2 % of the genotypes were pigmented with anthocyanin pigments on the leaf and none were found to have obovate inflorescence. The dendrogram generated indicated that the genotypes were grouped into 11 clusters at 0.74 co-efficient level. Maximum number of genotypes (13) was grouped in cluster XI. The genotypes in this cluster had similar morphological characters. The maximum number of 4 high yielding genotypes Kangani (22.25 g), Bhedi (19.54 g), SE 201 (10.38 g) and Navn (9.20 g) were found to be grouped under cluster X. All of these were non-pigmented, medium compact and ovate inflorescence with short inflorescence lobes. The findings provide crucial insights into the morphological traits that can be utilized in foxtail millet breeding programs. The identified high-yielding genotypes with favourable characteristics, such as compact and ovate inflorescence, can be valuable resources for developing superior varieties and hybrids, enhancing productivity and adaptability in diverse agro-climatic conditions