Abstract The effect of three independent variables i.e. blanching time (3- 7 minutes), L-ascorbic acid (25-75 mg) and lemon juice (2.5-7.5 mL) was studied on the quality of spinach- lemon- tulsi ready-to-serve (RTS) beverage. The process was optimized using BBD- RSM methodology and the linear effect of the independent variables on the quality parameter was studied using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). A total of 15 runs including 3 centre points per block were obtained in BBD RSM and each run was analysed for different quality parameters i.e. total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity and overall acceptability. TSS, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars, ascorbic acid, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and overall acceptability ranged from 10.60 to 13.20°B, 0.37 to 0.50 % as citric acid, 1.70 to 3.10%, 6.30 to 8.20%, 42.30 to 64.90 mg/100 gm, 64.00 to 80.20%, and 6.6-8.3 (on a 9-point hedonic scale), respectively. The results analysed by BBD-RSM suggested a blanching time of 5.47 minutes, 75 mg L-ascorbic acid and 6.24 mL lemon juice are the optimum conditions for the preparation of spinach-lemon-tulsi RTS beverage. As per the CCA, the total variance of the independent variables on the dependent variables was 79%. L-ascorbic acid and lemon juice were found to have a positive effect on dependent variables. The model also suggested that an increase in blanching time could harm the quality of the beverage.

Abstract Microgreen based functional juice blends containing fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulate) and aloe vera (Aloe brobadensis) in different ratios were blended with sorbitol and stevia. The different ratios of juice blends were analyzed for total soluble solids, sedimentation, viscosity and titrable acidity. They were also screened for total phenolic content, total carotenoid content and antioxidant properties such as DPPH, reducing power and metal chelating activity. The formulation with highest TPC, TCC and antioxidant property was selected to optimize a microgreen based functional juice. The optimized microgreen blend formulation had 20 ml 100-1 ml microgreen juice, 40 ml 100-1 ml kinnow juice, 8.5 ml 100-1 ml sorbitol, 1.78 g 100-1 ml stevia and 29.72 ml 100-1 ml aloe vera juice. It had high protein, minerals (sodium and potassium) and vitamin (vitamin C) content as well as good source beta-carotene, phenols and antioxidants. Antioxidant helps in reducing diabetic complications by reducing the oxidative stress and because of their protective action against reactive oxygen species.

Efeitos do 28-homobrassinolídeo sobre o crescimento, absorção de zinco e atividades de enzimas antioxidativas em plântulas de Brassica juncea L.: O presente estudo foi conduzido para estudarem-se os efeitos do 28homobrassinolídeo sobre o crescimento, a absorção de zinco e a atividade de enzimas antioxidativas [peroxidases do guaiacol (EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), redutase da glutationa, (EC 1.6.4.2), peroxidase do ascorbate (EC 1.11.1.11) e dismutase do superóxido (EC 1.15.1.1)] e concentração de proteínas em plântulas de Brassica juncea L. tratadas com Zn em diferentes concentrações, aos sete dias de idade. O brassinolídeo, à concentração de 10-9 M, reduziu a absorção de Zn e o fator de bioconcentração. O Zn, quando aplicado em diferentes concentrações, isoladamente, acarretou decréscimos nas atividades das enzimas e na concentração de proteínas. Contudo, o efeito do 28-homobrassinolídeo, aplicado antes da semeadura, reduziu a absorção do metal e fez aumentar as atividades das enzimas antioxidativas e a concentração de proteínas nas plântulas.

The present work was undertaken to study the effects of 28-homobrassinolide on growth, zinc metal uptake, antioxidative enzyme [guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1)] activities and protein content in 7-d-old seedlings of Brassica juncea L. treated with Zn metal at different concentrations. 28-homobrassinolide at 10-9 M concentration lowered Zn uptake and bioconcentration factor. Different concentrations of Zn-metal treatment alone decreased the enzyme activities and protein concentration of seedlings. However, pre-sowing treatments of 28homobrassinolide lowered the uptake of metal and enhanced the activities of enzymes and protein concentration of seedlings.