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Exploring Open Access Trends in State Agricultural Universities of India: Insights from OpenAlex
No full text88-103The study examines the Open Access (OA) landscape of Indian state agricultural universities, focusing on OA growth, leading institutions, prolific authors, preferred sources, funding, article processing charge (APC) usage, and trending topics. It aims to identify research gaps, guide future studies, and support policymakers in developing effective OA policies. The research utilized the OpenAlex database to collect global OA publications from Indian state agricultural universities over the past ten years (2014-2023). Using the Research Organization Registry ID (ROR ID), 97,536 publications were extracted. Data analysis was performed with OpenRefine, and ArcGIS 10.8 was used for visualization. The global OA research output from state agricultural universities amounted to 65,889 publications across five OA categories. Notably, 78.34% of OA publications were published in 864 domestic journals. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University produced the most publications in Gold OA, followed by Diamond OA, Hybrid OA, and Bronze OA, while Punjab Agricultural University excelled in Green OA and received the highest funding, incurring the most APCs. Collaborative research focusing on agricultural policies, rice water management, soil fertility, and crop productivity had a greater impact. This study is the first effort to evaluate the global OA research output of Indian state agricultural universities. The findings offer institutions, state governments, and funding agencies the opportunity to prioritize open-access publishing to promote sustainable agricultural research
Bioprospecting of probiotic lactic acid bacteria from jalebi batter and evaluation of their antidiabetic and antioxidant potential
No full text252-263Diabetes has become the most commonly prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide. Though the medications are available
for effective management of hyperglycemia due to diabetes but most of them have adverse side effects. Therefore, there is
immense emphasis on the exploration of safer alternatives for managing diabetes. One such safe alternative may be the
application of probiotics for the effectual control/management of diabetes. In the current study, sixteen lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) were isolated from jalebi batter, a rarely explored ecological niche, for potential probiotics. These isolates were
evaluated for their fundamental probiotic characteristics, with seven isolates demonstrating robust survival rates ranging
from 87.6% to 96.8% in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, these selected LAB isolates displayed
noteworthy functional attributes viz. hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, and coaggregation capabilities. Furthermore, the LAB
isolates were investigated for antibiotic susceptibility, antibacterial activity and antioxidant potential. Moreover, LAB
isolates from the jalebi batter were examined for their inhibition potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes via
both intact cells (IC) and cell-free supernatants (CFS). Notably, LAB isolate J-7 exhibited the highest inhibition of α-
glucosidase (CFS: 72.27%; IC: 11.90%) and α-amylase (CFS: 15.21%; IC: 13.04%), and also possessed other functionally
desired probiotic attributes. The LAB isolate J-7 was identified based on 16S rDNA sequencing as Limosilactobacillus
fermentum, and designated as L. fermentum PP556213 strain J-7
Laurus nobilis L. modulates oxidative stress induced by propineb in rats: Impact on hepatic and renal functions
No full text200-209The increasing use of pesticides has led to significant ecological, environmental, and health concerns, highlighting the
need for natural protective agents. This study investigates the potential of Laurus nobilis L. as a protective agent against
propineb-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into six groups and treated
with propineb and/or Laurus nobilis L. either as a powder in feed or as an essential oil for 30 days. Propineb exposure
resulted in slow body growth, anemia, and biochemical disturbances accompanied by increases in the relative weight of the
liver and kidney. The oxidative stress profile revealed heightened MDA levels and GPx activity, while GSH levels, GST,
and CAT activities decreased in the studied organs. Furthermore, propineb induced histological changes in liver and kidney
tissues. Otherwise, adding Laurus nobilis L. either in powdered or essential oil form, makes it possible to restore most of the
parameters measured in this study without any significant differences being detected compared to the controls and the
improvement of organ tissue architecture. These results conclusively testify the antioxidant and therapeutic potential of
Laurus nobilis L. in mitigating propineb-induced oxidative damage
Use of Utility Models/Patents for the Encouragement of Local Innovations in Developing Countries: Lessons for Nigeria
No full text215-228Patents are granted to new inventions in order to encourage innovation and technological advancements in the society.
Nevertheless, the mere existence of these laws in developing countries has not necessarily translated to increased
innovations and technological advancements in these countries. There is also the argument that the patent system favours the
global North as evidenced in the fact that most of the patent applications made in many developing countries are from the
developed world rather than from local inventors. Utility models (sometimes referred to as minor patents) are being used by
some countries to encourage innovation among local inventors by providing a lesser protection to inventions which may find
it difficult to meet the requirements of the patent system. This research examines the legal protection of utility models.
It focuses, particularly, on the extant provisions available in selected jurisdictions which already have this law and examines
whether the existence of this legislation has had significant effects in the promotion of local innovation. The Nigerian Patent
Registry has recently been granting utility models, albeit in the absence of a clear legislative provision or backing. This
study is essential to draw lessons for Nigeria, a developing country equally seeking to drive innovations and developments
within its territory through utility models
Human Ingenuity, Emerging Technologies & IPR – Need for setting Doctrine of Constitutional Morality as Standard
No full text115-125Human ingenuity erased the boundaries of innovations, and created such technologies which the past generations
wouldn’t have dreamed of. Intellectual Property Rights are to promote and encourage only those innovations which are
contributing for the societal development and common good and complies with the social morality standard. As long as the
social morality standard laid down in IPR is not influenced by the dominant cultural norms of a society; by marginalizing
the minority or individual perspectives, it can represent the societal demands as a whole. Butwhat if the social morality
standard is representing only the majority in the society and is in direct conflict with the constitutional morality, the
normative framework offered by our constitution which includes majority, minority and even one individual’s perspective
within its ambit? Constitutional morality provides a stable, principled foundation that transcends societal changes and biases
and promotes the principles of inclusive development, equality, justice, dignity and fraternity. Post Navtej Singh Johar,
Joseph Shine and other judgments, thequestion arise that whether the IP regulators can reject the grant of IP protection to an
invention which though is complying with the social morality standard, but fails to comply with the constitutional morality
standard? Whether the approach of the US Supreme Court in cases such as Bedford and Juicy Whip I, applying ‘progressive
provision’ laid down in Article I, § 8, Clause 8 of the American constitution to IP cases, on and above the legislative
limitations, illustrates the duty of the courts to act beyond legislative limitations to uphold the constitutional morality when
necessity demands? The paper argues that applying constitutional morality as a catalyst over social morality provides a more
consistent, equitable, and principled basis for navigating the complex landscape of emerging technologies and IPR. This
paper explores the distinction between constitutional morality and social orality, proposing the former as a guiding principle
to harmonize the intersection of human ingenuity, technological advancement and IPR
Correlating traditional harvest practices of roots of medicinal plant Hemidesmus indicus with therapeutic biomolecule levels: with reference to traditional inscriptions
No full text93-103Traditional texts mention some specific guidelines for harvesting of medicinal plants based on the seasons. These ancient practices are grounded in centuries of empirical knowledge and observation, aiming to maximize the plant's medicinal efficacy and potency. In this light, the present study considered an important medicinal herb Hemidesmus indicus to quantify an active phytocompound lupeol present in the plant root collected in different seasons and variations in morphoanatomical and phytochemical assay. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were investigated as a phytochemical assay. To estimate the quantity of lupeol a reliable, precise, reproducible and validated HPLC method was conducted. The study revealed that the lupeol content is highest in winter season (0.4029%) while least in rainy season (0.2739%) and there were no significant differences in pharmacognostical characters, but phytochemical contents were noted with significant variations. The total phenolic contents were highest in spring days (8.34%) and total flavonoid contents are highest in summer season (4.16%). The significant outline of the present piece of work based on the lupeol content and concentration of other secondary metabolites assures the relevancy of ancient wisdom in contemporary times through prudent utilisation of natural resources and sustainable growth of mankind. This is because results obtained through the investigations ensure the seasonal preferences as stated in ancient texts. These findings help in bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary understanding, ensuring safe and effective utilization of medicinal plants
Nanoformulated essential oils against fungal and mycotoxin contamination of post-harvest commodities: A sustainable and consumer-friendly approach for food safety
No full text13-28Fungal and mycotoxin contaminations are one of the major threats to food security. Looking into the harmful effects of synthetic preservatives, consumers currently prefer to use safer alternatives for food preservation in order to enhance the shelf life of food commodities such as green preservatives. In this context, plant essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive components are gaining prime attention in food preservation to be used as green preservatives due to their broad bioactivity as well as biodegradable nature, favourable safety profile, diverse mode of action and recognition under Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Category. The nanoencapsulation technique would effectively boost the large-scale application of essential oils as food preservatives through the controlled release of bioactive components. The present review presents the recommendations for essential oils and their nanoformulations as sustainable and consumer-friendly approach to ensuring food safety by reducing mould and mycotoxin contamination
Development of a Mini-tractor Operated Onion De-topper cum Digger
No full text324-335Harvesting of onion include multiple tasks such as de-topping, digging, soil separation and windrowing. Traditional methods of harvesting are labour demanding, tedious and time-consuming leading to increased labour cost and time. Labour shortages during peak seasons further delay harvesting, which affects product quality and profitability. To address these challenges, a mini-tractor operated onion de-topper cum digger was developed at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. This intervention combines de-topping, digging, soil separation and windrowing in a single operation suitable for market needs, leading to reduced cost of cultivation and increased profitability among onion growers. The developed machine consists of a de-topping unit that removes onion leaves up to the neck, a digging unit that uproots the de-topped bulbs, a soil separation unit to separate soil adhering to the onions, a power transmission unit to drive de-topping and soil separation unit and a frame for attaching it to the tractor. A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was also carried out to evaluate structural performance (maximum stress, strain and deflection) acting on the digging blade. Further, the influence of crop and operational parameters (moisture content of onion leaves, cutter bar speed and machine forward speed) on de-topping efficiency was also evaluated. Statistical analysis of the data obtained revealed that de-topping efficiency increases initially with an increase in independent parameters (moisture content of onion leaves, cutter bar speed and machine forward speed) but further increase in independent parameters decreases the de-topping efficiency. The developed machine demonstrated a theoretical field capacity of 0.20 ha/h, an actual field capacity of 0.17 ha/h and a field efficiency of 85%. The developed machine requires 5.88 h/ha costing Rs. 2145 which is 65.6% less than the manual method of harvesting (Rs. 6250/- per ha). The input energy requirement for both manual and machine-assisted (developed machine) were also analyzed, as they are crucial for reducing operational costs and improving the overall sustainability of onion harvesting. The analysis showed that the total input energy needed in manual and with the developed machine were 1381 and 1022 MJ/ha respectively