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Variation in the oil content in different parts of clove bud and from different geographical regions: Oil content in different parts of clove
No full textThis study determined the difference in oil content from separated parts of clove buds, full bud with crown, clove bud without crown and dust (stamen and style), and only crown along with dust from market sample. Results showed that the highest oil content in clove bud without a crown. Oil yield varied in clove buds from different geographical regions wherein, Madagascar showed the highest amount of oil
Physicochemical quality evaluation and drying characteristics of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) dried in a solar tunnel dryer with biomass backup: Quality evaluation of nutmeg dried in solar tunnel
No full textExperiments on drying of nutmeg was performed in a solar tunnel dryer with biomass back up and in a mechanical dryer under three varying temperatures of 45OC, 5OC and 55OC. Drying of nutmeg in solar tunnel dryer was completed in 147 h, while in a mechanical dryer, drying was completed in 105 h, 102 h and 78 h at drying temperatures of 45OC, 50OC and 55OC, respectively. Solar tunnel dried nutmeg had maximum physical quality retention of bulk density (484.88 kg m-3) and kernel recovery (70.63%) whereas dry recovery of nut (61.88%) and shell recovery (31.55%) were maximum in mechanically dried samples at 55OC and 45OC respectively. Secondary metabolites like essential oil (10.67%) and oleoresin (23.25%) were higher in mechanically dried nutmeg at a drying temperature of 45OC. Volatile oil constituents like β-pinene, safrole, terpineol, γ-terpinene, α-thujene, α-terpinene and myristicin content were highest in solar tunnel dried nutmeg
Effect of low temperature grinding on phytochemicals profile of fenugreek seed powder: Effect of grinding methods on the quality of fenugreek seed powder
No full textThe grinding of spices at ambient temperature causes the loss of valuable heat-sensitive constituents. While higher investment and maintenance of cryogenic grinding make it prohibitive for small-scale industries. So, the present study was carried out to check the effects of low-temperature grinding on various phytochemicals of ground powder of fenugreek seeds. Water at ambient temperature, chilled water and coolant were circulated around the grinding chamber to lower the grinding temperature. Additionally, fenugreek seeds were fed at ambient and low temperatures (-100C). The temperature inside the grinding chamber at the end of grinding for three kg of fenugreek seeds ranged from 91.330C–53.330C for different treatments. A fall in grinding temperature resulted in the retention of a higher quantity of total phenol (7.71 mg g-1), total flavonoid (12.08 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract), antioxidant activity (21.29%) and volatile components in powder of fenugreek seeds ground by coolant circulation with low-temperature feed
Glycerol/lemon juice/based green superabsorbent hydrogel cross-linked with maleic acid
Get PDFSuperabsorbent hydrogels continue to be very important materials due to their applications in several technologies. Unfortunately, most superabsorbent hydrogels currently on the market are acrylate-based products that are non-biodegradable, and, most importantly, some concerns exist about their toxicity for use in agriculture. This study aimed at synthesizing and characterizing biocompatible superabsorbent hydrogel derived from lemon juice. The process involved polymerizing lemon juice (LJ) with glycerol (G) monomers to form polymeric material (HLG-1). HLG-1 was then converted to HLG-2 by crosslinking with maleic acid. Characterization of the hydrogels was done using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesis conditions producing optimal swelling capacity were studied by varying contact time and dosage of both lemon juice and the cross-linker. The FT-IR results showed a peak at 1528 cm-1 and 1591.34 cm-1 associated with –COO- stretching indicating successful polymerization and crosslinking processes. XRD analysis showed conversion from amorphous to crystalline phases upon crosslinking. SEM micrographs showed clear pores with large surface area in HLG-2 compared with the rigid and constricted surface of HLG-1 hydrogel. A maximum swelling capacity of 910% was obtained upon synthesizing hydrogel HLG-2 with lemon juice, glycerol, and maleic acid of a volume ratio of 5.4: 3.75: 3.75 respectively. Crosslinking the hydrogel with maleic acid was found to improve the water absorption capacity of the hydrogel. The superabsorbent hydrogel with such high swelling and water absorption ability has the potential of being applied in arid and semi-arid regions to boost agricultural production
Livestock farmers’ perception, perceived impacts, and adaptations to climate change in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone
Get PDFClimate change is having a negative influence on agriculture and livestock production systems. This study aims to assess livestock farmers’ perceptions and adaptive responses to climate change in the Koinadugu area of northern Sierra Leone. A sample of 126 livestock farmers was selected from four chiefdoms. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and meteorological time series data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and excel were used to analyze the data. According to the respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, most farmers (93.7%) were males between 46 and 55 years. The majority of the farmers (58.7%) were married, and family sizes ranged from 5-8 individuals per household. Most of the livestock farmers (59.5%) in the study area had no formal education. Farmers attested to their awareness of climate change by essential indications such as increasing heat waves (77.0%), decreased rainfall (54.0%), and an increase in humidity (82.5%). Feed shortages (x̄ = 4.14), water scarcity (x̄ = 4.10), and higher veterinary care expenditures (x̄ = 4.25) are some of the impacts of climate change on livestock production. Numerous adaptation strategies include livestock reduction (87.3%), animal vaccination (95.2%), and Migration along with animals during the adverse climatic condition (75.4%), which the farmers employ. Lack of capital, inadequate information about climate change, and inadequate infrastructure impede adaptation. The study suggests that the government pursues strong policies to help livestock farmers adjust to climate unpredictability in the long run
Ethnoveterinary studies of medicinal plants used to treat livestock in the Haridwar region of Uttarakhand, India
Get PDFEthnoveterinary practices are still prevalent in rural livestock healthcare. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of biological resources employed in ethnoveterinary practices in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. This current study focuses on ethnoveterinary knowledge among ethnic populations in Haridwar and quantitatively documented the traditional knowledge about the usage of different medicinal herbs. The field survey was carried out at four sampling sites, i.e., Chilla range, Mohand range, Vindhyavasini hills, and Shyampur range. The ethnoveterinary information was documented and collected in the study areas through interviews, questionnaires, and group discussions with ethnic communities and traditional healers, primarily elderly shepherds and farmers. The collected data were quantitatively analysed utilizing the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV). In this study, 102 medicinal plant species were identified in which herbs (58.8%) were the maximum used life forms. Leaves (27.1%) were found to be the most commonly used plant part. The oral mode of medication was used most often in the ethnoveterinary practices (79.4%) used. Quantitative analysis revealed that the most important species having high UV values for curing livestock was Zingiber officinale (L) (UV = 2.67). FL% values ranged between 27.8 to 100% and ICF values ranged from 0.97 to 0.99. This study reveals that a large variety of medicinal plant species are of great ethnoveterinary relevance and are used by informants in Haridwar to treat cattle ailments. Further phytochemical and pharmacological studies would be needed to determine the usefulness and safety of the identified plants, allowing communities to use them in a more cost-effective, and safe manner
Spatio-temporal dynamics of land use / land cover in the commune of Dori
No full textLand use / land cover is a fundamental variable for the sustainable management of resources as well as for the study and understanding of environmental phenomena. Nowadays, it has become essential in most mapping and monitoring inventories of environmental phenomena. This study aims to assess the changes affecting land use / land cover in the municipality of Dori. The methodological approach is based on the interpretation of Landsat images from three periods (1995, 2006 and 2015). Cartographic data analysis revealed a decrease in the area of natural formations by 16.86% and an increase in anthropized areas by 80%. The matrix of changes made it possible to observe that the tree steppe underwent a more marked transformation of 6.45% into shrub and grassy steppe; 1.42% in rainfed crops. The conversion of shrub / grassy steppes into mosaics of fields is notably observed with a conversion of 13.77%. The study found that human activities are the main drivers of observed changes in land use and occupation in the study area, but variability in rainfall likely also contributed to these observed changes. The results of this study therefore constitute fundamental elements that will help decision-makers in decision-making for the sustainable management of natural resources
Development of traditional medicinal plants on Peatland conditions in Central Kalimantan
Get PDFMost of the total peatland area in Kalimantan Island and particularly in Central Kalimantan Province is suitable for agricultural development. This condition provides a great opportunity for the development of peatlands for the cultivation of traditional medicinal plants. The local society in their daily lives could not be separated from the inherent elements of tradition even though the development of science and technology is currently very fast. One of the traditional elements that are inherent at this time is the use of medicinal plants as a solution in treating various diseases. The research was conducted in Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan Province by conducting interviews to determine the type of selected medicinal plants and carrying out experiments for examining their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and to grow in peatland conditions. The results of the study of four types of traditional medicinal plants show that there is great potential for two types of plants, namely Semar Bags and Karamunting, whose implementation fulfills biodiversity in an agricultural land ecosystem
Genetic variation of morphological and yield-related traits in backcrossed and selfed population of maize
Get PDFThe number of genes controlling the morphological and yield-related traits and their mode of action plays a vital role in selecting traits and favourable progenies in a segregating population. In this study, we analysed the skewness and kurtosis in the backcrossed and selfed populations of SC11-2×UMI1230β1+. Negative skewness refers to redundant gene activity, positive skewness is connected to complementary gene action. Positive kurtosis suggests the existence of gene activity controlled by a smaller number of genes. Negative kurtosis shows a lack of gene activity and is controlled by a large number of genes. The BC2F2 population of plant height and single plant yield showed positive skewness and platykurtic distribution, suggesting that the genes were governed by complementary gene action and controlled by the large number of genes. This implied need for rigorous selection to achieve a genetic gain in later generations. Cob length and kernel weight showed a duplicate gene action which implied that mild selection can fix these traits and accelerate genetic gain
In vitro cytotoxic potential of Gymnema sylvestre fractions on HT-29 cell line
Get PDFThe HT-29 colon cancer cell line was used in the current work to investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of Gymnema sylvestre extracts. The viability, apoptosis, flow cytometry, and mode of action of the active fraction were also evaluated. The active fractions of G. sylvestre caused cell cycle arrest at the S phase and G2/M phase, and also caused programmed cell death. The alcoholic fractions showed anti-cancer effect in HT-29 cancer cells. By applying methanolic fraction of Gymnema sylvestre to the HT-29 cells, IC50 was observed at 140.39 μg/mL, whereas for chloroform fraction of Gymnema sylvestre showed IC50 at 154.44 μg/mL. The herbal extract for colon cancer treatment may be developed with the help of researchers due to G. sylvestre’s anti-cancer properties