Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Nutritional, microbial and sensory quality evaluation of fermented Puntius sophore Hamilton, 1822 (Puthi shidal) marketed in North-east India
Get PDFBiochemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of Puthi shidal from the markets of North-east India were studied. Puthi shidal was found as a good source of protein (38.35%). Its pH and moisture content was found to be 6.1 and 33.44%, respectively. It was rich in lysine (11.8±1.9 g 100g-1 ) among essential amino acids, whereas glutamic acid was the highest (21.4±3.6 g 100g-1 ) in non-essential amino acids group. The major saturated fatty acids were palmitic acid (14.0±1.5 mole %) and stearic acid (17.0±2.3 mole %). The oleic acid (19.1±1.5 mole%) was the prominent monounsaturated fatty acid. The dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids were of the n-6 series. The major polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) found chiefly in linoleic acid (11.0±1.4 mole %) in the sample. The microbial load (log cfu/g) of Puthi Shidal comprised of total plate count (5.4±0.35), Staphylococcus aureus (2.4±0.30) and Streptococcus spp. (1.1±0.1), indicating unhygienic handling practices during preparation and storage. The physicochemical analysis i.e. total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) (116.20 mg%), non protein nitrogen (NPN) (2.50%), peroxide value (PV) (39.12 milliequivalent O2/g of fat), free fatty acids (FFA) (64.50% as oleic acid) and overall acceptability (6.9±0.59) revealed that the product was of acceptable quality. Though the product was found to have high nutritional value, strict hygienic measures should be adopted right from the preparation of raw materials, processing methods and during storage, in order to safeguard the health of the consumers
A review on bioremediation of pulp and paper mill effluent – An alternative to conventional remedial technologies
Get PDFAt present, a large amount of water required for paper production and various chemicals has been identified in effluents, which is produced at different steps of paper making in paper mills. The pulp and paper industry is typically related to pollution difficulties related to high biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour, suspended solids, lignin and chlorinated compounds. Several studies have been made on eliminate these difficulties of pulp and paper effluents, the problem still continues. Although the physical and chemical methods are on the track of treatment, they are not on par with biological treatment because of cost ineffectiveness and residual effects. The biological treatment is known to be effective in reducing the organic load and toxic effects of paper mill effluents. Some microorganisms including bacteria and fungi have been involved in degrading the chemicals present in pulp and paper mill effluent. This article is an overview of the attempts made by several researchers worldwide to use biotechnological methods for degradation of the toxic compounds present in pulp and paper mill effluents by using fungi, bacteria, algae and enzymes. The current study clearly shows that application of native dominant bacterial and fungal isolates may be used forthe treatment of large pulp and paper mills effluents
Lifestyle diseases and effects of the treatment expenditure on family finances
Get PDFHealth is among the basic capabilities that give value to human life. Good health is a prerequisite to successful human endeavor and core to financial growth and activity. The lifestyle diseases are associated with the way a person or group of people lives. Irregular food habits, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco, alcohol, high intake of salts and low intake of fruits and vegetables, causes lifestyle diseases. This study was focused on framing the effects of the lifestyle disease treatment’s expenditure on the family finances. A survey of 120 respondents in Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities was conducted. Some of the effects mentioned by the respondents were “Inability to meet daily needs, incapable of meeting specific needs (newspaper, internet connection, etc.), fiddle with the amount spent for entertainment, kill the amount spent for family shopping, trim down the amount spent on educational activities of children, negotiate with children’s needs, helpless to save for the future planning of the family, inept to pay insurance policies, obtain loan in order to meet the treatment costs, sell assets to meet the treatment expenditure. ”Statistical analysis was carried out by using chi- square tests. The study found that 49% of the families were unable to meet daily needs,54% of them negotiated with children’s needs, 65% of them were helpless to save for the family’s future. The result showed significant association between family finances and the cost of lifestyle disease treatment expenditures based on income levels
Effect of biofertilizers on horticultural and yield traits in french bean var. Contender under dry temperate conditions of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh
Get PDFKinnaur district is known as the dry temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh and is known for off season and quality production of vegetables.In this district of Himachal Pradesh, Natural farming is mostly done with the minimum use of chemical fertilizers. Farmers are unaware of the judicious use of farm yard manure, and biofertilizers due to which yield of the french bean is very low (50-70 q/ha). French bean is one of the most important vegetables intercropped with apple in Kinnaur District. An experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2011 at the Experimental Farm of Vegetable Research Station, Kalpa, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh to study the effect of Rhizobium and Phosphorus Solublizing Bacteria (PSB) on the horticultural and yield traits in french bean var. Contender. Six treatments comprising seed treatments (with and without Rhizobium), seed treatment (with and without PSB) along with the combination of 60 % dose of recommended quantity of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate and 75 % dose of recommended quantity of Single Super Phosphate and organic matter were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results revealed that T5 treatment, i.e. Rhizobium+ PSB+ Organic matter resulted in more number of pods per plant (20), pod length (18 cm) and pod yield/ha (140 q/ha)
A new species from Genus Megachile Subgenus Callomegachile (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) from Chandigarh and Punjab plains
Get PDFA new species Megachile pseudodisjuncta of the bee is being reported from Genus Megachile and Subgenus Callomegachile. It bears a close resemblance to M. disjuncta from which it has been distinguished on the basis of certain morphological characters and genitalia. Megachilid bees bear utmost significance because they are very good pollinators of both cultivated and wild fauna. Consequently, their taxonomic identification and conservation are very crucial. The detailed taxonomically important morphological characters of both the species were studied and photographed. Male sternum and genitalia were studied microscopically and photographed. The material examined and floral associations have also been presented in the paper
Awareness of farm workers regarding health problems and use of protective clothing during pesticide application
Get PDFPesticides are widely used in agricultural production to prevent or control pests, diseases, weeds, and other plant pathogens in an effort to reduce or eliminate yield losses of cotton crop and maintain high product quality. Because of high biological activity, and in some cases, long persistence in the environment, pesticides (pyrethroids, carbamate, oganophosphate, organochlorines) may cause harmful effects to human health and to the environment. Occupational exposure to pesticides often occurs in the case of agricultural workers in open fields and greenhouses. Farmers who perform spray activity are routinely exposed to high levels of pesticides (Monocarbamide dihydrogen sulfate, pyrethroids and carbamates), than the other farm workers such as pesticide loader, evaluator. The dermal and inhalation routes of entry are typically the most common routes of farmers’ exposure to pesticides. Farmers’ exposure to pesticides can be reduced through less use of pesticides and use of the appropriate protective clothing and equipments in all stages of pesticide handling. The present study was conductedon 270 respondents from all nine blocks of Hisar district of Haryana state to create awareness amongst them regarding health problems and use of protective clothing during pesticide application.An educational package in the form of Video CD and Leaflet was used. Pamphlets were distributed; lecture-cum-demonstrations and film shows were organized. Protective clothing and accessories were also exhibited for better impact. It was recorded that respondents succeeded in acquiring awareness at post exposure level, through print and electronic media for each message viz. breathing problems (23.3%), eyes related problems (100%), skin allergy (43.3%), headache (60.3%), fainting due to inhalation of pesticide (64.33%) and stomach related problems (23.56%).
 
Strain improvement for the production of antioxidant activity from Bacillus sp. by induced stress
Get PDFIn the present study, water samples were collected from different beaches in Chennai such as Marina beach, Elliott beach, VGP Golden beach and Kovalam beach to evaluate the best source for antioxidants. The bacteria were isolated on Starch Casein Agar media and screened for the antimicrobial activity. Among 11 isolates, 5 isolates showed antimicrobial potential which were further evaluated for the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity. Among 5 isolates, one sample showed significant DPPH scavenging activity with half minimal inhibitory concentration of (IC50)344.754µg/mL. The maximum antioxidant production was observed at pH 7 and at temperature of 37ºC with an IC50 of 188.66µg/mL and 293.76µg/mL respectively. The potent antioxidant producing strain was subjected for mutagenesis. In physical mutagenesis, the organism exposed for UV light for 25 minutes showed maximum antioxidant production with an IC50 of 133.55µg/mL. This mutant strain was then subjected for chemical mutagenesis with the addition of different concentrations of Ethidium bromide such as 10µL, 20µL, 30µL, 40µL and 50µL. The mutant strain obtained with the addition of 20µL Ethidium bromide (EtBr) showed significant antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 325.4µg/mL. The sample was purified by solvent extraction method and was evaluated for antioxidant production. The analyte was subjected to HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis to avince the presence of antioxidants. The ethyl acetate extract showed the total phenolic content of 0.892 mg GAE/g of dry extract. It also showed the total flavonoid content of 0.522mg RE/g of dry extract
GIS based modeling using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for optimization of landfill site selection of Rohtak city, Haryana (India)
Get PDFLandfills are the most common method for the disposal of municipal solid waste the world over, as well as in India due to their low technical and economic requirements. The selection of an appropriate site for the establishment of a landfill is a complex process because it must combine social, environmental and technical parameters. The scientific selection of landfill site is based on several diverse criteria (Land Use and Land Cover, ground water table depth, soil permeability, surface water, roads distance, slop etc) and regulations. The study presents the selection of a site for the establishment of a landfill based on several criteria using geographic information system (GIS) based site suitability modeling and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Site suitability modeling was implemented using Boolean and Index overlay models. Each criterion and sub criteria was evaluated with the aid of AHP to assign a relative weightage in the index overlay model. Rules and criteria’s set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) were implemented through Boolean model. The combination of the results of the two models generated a map with several suitable sites. Further selection was done on basis of the size requirement of the site, to handle Municipal solid waste (MSW) for next ten years. Two sites having the maximum suitability and also fulfilling the size requirement were shortlisted. Final selection from the two sites was done by a field survey of the sites. Finally the site B was selected on the basis of field survey which revealed it being better on account of certain factors discussed and social acceptability
Impact of watershed development programme on farming system of micro watershed Dari of Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh
Get PDFThe study was carried out in Dari micro watershed under the Integrated Watershed Development Programme in the Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh during 2015 – 16. Study aimed to assess the impact of watershed development programme on change in natural resources, land use pattern, cropping pattern and crop productivity. An area under cultivable pasture land was increased by 233.33%, whereas the area under horticulture and vegetation was increased by 100%, respectively. The construction of soil and water conservation structures improves ground water level, which increases digging of number of wells (50%) and hand pumps (66.67%). As improvement in land and water resources, the livestock population under different categories were increased by 15 to 73 %. Whereas fodder availability was increased by 166.67%. An area under irrigation was increased by 333.33% and average cropping intensity was increased by 135%. Cultivation area under Urd was highly changed by 17.10 ha (88.60%) as compared to other crops in kharif season, whereas Wheat crop in rabi season was secured 41.56% change in cultivation area. Significant higher increase in crop productivity was recorded for Soybean crop (66.67%) in kharif season, whereas Mustard secured 40.00% increase in productivity in rabi season. 
Performance of off season bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under different growing condition, transplanting dates and pruning level
Get PDFBell pepper fruits fetches higher premium during early winter or late winter as off-season crops. An experiment was conducted during late winter (February to June) of 2013 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal, India to compare the performance of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in open field and agro shade net under different transplanting dates and pruning level which was laid out in split split plot design with 3 replications. The results revealed that agro shade net cultivation of bell pepper emerged as best in terms of highest plant height (52.42 cm), and higher number of fruit (11.18 plant-1). The interaction effect combining shade net cultivation with 1st February planting date coupled with 3 shoot pruning proved superiority with respect to growth and yield characters of bell pepper and resulted in many fold improvement in the form of higher fruit number (16.21 plant-1), individual fruit weight (107.54 g) and maximum fruit yield (1743.21 g plant-1)