Abstract The objective of the present study was to produce wine from wild edible fruits of Flacourtia montana J. Graham. The various physicochemical attributes including total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were analyzed. Further, the prepared wine was evaluated for the antioxidant potential using four different assays, viz., 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power assay and total antioxidant activity. Finally, the wine was subjected for the sensory evaluation. Experimental results revealed that wine had an alcohol content of 7.20%, total phenolic content of 0.776±0.032 mg GAE/ml and total flavonoids of 0.121±0.012 mg QE/ml. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the presence of four major phenolic acids, viz., gallic acid (0.009±0.0005 mg/ml), chlorogenic acid (0.623±0.091 mg/ml), catechin (0.063±0.011 µg/ml) and epicatechin (0.060±0.009 mg/ml). In vitro antioxidant analysis of wine was able to successfully scavenge the free radicals in a dose dependent manner. Sensory scores indicated wine to be good in overall acceptability. Thus, present study highlighted the therapeutic nature of wine prepared from this underutilized fruit which could provide possibilities for enhancing socio-economic benefits among rural communities.

Abstract: Sugarcane is a major commercial crop grown in India and across the world. Hence, several elite varieties have been developed now-a-days to overcome many obstacles including abiotic stresses and diseases. The present study was undertaken to screen genetic variation among twenty four sugarcane varieties that are commonly cultivated across Northern Karnataka, India with reference to physicochemical characters. Experiment was conducted in triplicate following randomized complete block design (RCBD) at S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute, Belagavi, Karnataka, India during February 2016-17. Physiological parameters such as internode length, stalk height, plant height, stalk girth, number of internodes, single cane weight, single cane volume of juice, cane yield and recovery were investigated. Further, statistical techniques such as principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were performed to characterize the twenty four varieties. Among twenty four sugarcane varieties studied, Co 86032 and CoC 671 were found to be elite varieties with respect to sugar recovery and cane yield, whereas varieties such as Co 86032 and Com 0265 were found to be best with respect to cane yield only. Based on the results obtained, eight varieties, viz., Co SNK 09232, Com 0265, Co 86032, Co SNK 09293, Co SNK 07680, CoC 671, Co 13006 and Co 2001-15 were found to be good with respect to overall qualities. Further studies need to be involved with molecular marker that would help in identification of elite varieties which could substantially contribute to construction of genetic resources library that may in turn find maximum use in molecular breeding.

Abstract Carissa spinarum L., is a tropical underutilized fruit abundantly available during summer season, which is delicious to taste with an astringency flavor and fruity aroma. Hence, the present investigation was aimed at optimizing fermentation conditions for the production of wine and to assess its physiochemical composition and antioxidant activity. Response surface methodology coupled with central composite design was employed for the optimization studies. It was determined that fermentation temperature of 25°C, pH of 3.5 and inoculum size of 10% (v/v) resulted in quality wine with 8.3% (v/v) of ethanol content. Further, physicochemical composition and antioxidant activity of the optimized wine was found to be significantly higher or on par with other tropical fruit wines reported previously. Sensory analysis indicated that wine was good in terms of overall acceptability. Thus, availability of C. spinarum fruits during their glut season can be utilized for winemaking and could generate revenue among rural households further adding significant input to the economy of fruit wine market.

The present investigation was carried out to study the response of different concentrations of treated petroleum sludge on seed germination, root and shoot length and tolerance of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. The biologically treated petroleum sludge with bacterial consortium showed 54.8% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbons. Treated sludge was utilized with agricultural soil in known concentration for the assessment of growth of V. unguiculata. A remarkable absence of seed germination was observed at higher sludge concentration. The different concentrations of treated petroleum sludge showed severe decline on the length, weight and vigour index of the tested seedlings with increasing sludge concentrations. The results showed that the difference in rate of seed germination was significant among various concentrations. Under environmental stress condition, germination is the most critical phase of life cycle in crop plants. In this present study, the high oil content found to alter the osmotic relation between seed and water and thus reduce the amount of water absorbed. It was concluded that the concentration of nutrients and oil present in the treated sludge were toxic to the plant.

In the present study, the ethanolic root extract of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Fabaceae, (EDG), have been studied in various acute and chronic ulcer mouse models. Oral administration of root extract, significantly decrease the ulcer index and lesion number in a dose dependent manner against ethanol induced acute gastric ulcer in mice. In gastric ulcerated animal that received high dose of 150 mg/kg EDG, the mucosa showed no ulceration with slight focal congestion and the glands appeared normal. Pylorus ligated mice, pretreated with EDG showed significant decrease in ulcerous activity under chronic condition. The highest dose (150 mg/kg) of the extract provoked a marked increase in protein and glutathione levels, when compare to control. Furthermore, gastric juice, free acidity and total acid output were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner at p<0.05 level. Our results indicate that the EDG possess gastroprotective activity and increasing regeneration of damaged gastric mucosa and thus safe for human use.

An efficient protocol for organogenesis through leaves has been established for Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) Sch. Bip. ex Kuntze, a highly valuable medicinal plant. The leaf explants produced microshoots on MS basal medium when fortified with cytokinins and auxins. A combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 0.5mg/l and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 0.2mg/l resulted in the induction of high frequency microshoots in 30 days. The microshoots were successfully subcultured for shoot elongation and eventually for rooting on MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 0.5mg/l. The regenerated plantlets were hardened under greenhouse conditions and transferred to garden, resulting in a 90% survival rate.