NOPR Collection:

Biotransformation of banana waste into protein by Pleurotus sajor-caju

Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Biotransformation of banana waste into protein by Pleurotus sajor-caju Authors: Reddy, G V; Kothari, I L; Mishra, Akhilesh; Patel, C R Abstract: Pseudostems and leaves from banana waste were used for biotransformation into protein by using P.sajor-caju, an oyster mushroom. Treatment of formalin (500 ppm) + carbendazim (12.5 ppm) of these substrates was found to favour relatively high percentage biological efficiency (BE) of P. sajor-caju .. Steam sterilization also exhibited comparable yield performance by P. sajor-caju. Fruiting bodies harvested from all the treatments had relatively higher protein contents. The spent substrate (steam sterilized) was found to be suitable as an ideal animal feed because of its rich nutritive composition. Page(s): 845-848

Photosynthesis and kinetic characteristics of rubisco in Hibiscus cannabinus L.

Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Photosynthesis and kinetic characteristics of rubisco in Hibiscus cannabinus L. Authors: Reddy, A Ramachandra; Das, V S Rama Abstract: Photosynthetic characteristics in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a C₃ plant, were compared with Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, another member of Malvaceae. Kenaf leaves exhibited significantly higher rate of photosynthesis (40 mg CO₂ dm^-2 hr^-1) which was 24.6 mg dm^-2 hr^-1in A. esculentus. Rate of photo and dark respiration was similar in both the species. Kenaf leaf photosynthesis had a higher optimum temperature (32°C) than that of A.esculentus (26°C). Photosynthesis in kenaf leaves required higher saturation irradiance (1600 μmole m^-2 sec^-1). There was a significant correlation between photosynthetic rate and biomass yield in these species. The primary product of photosynthesis after 5 seconds of ¹⁴C-assimilation was 3-PGA in both the species. The kinetic properties of RuBP carboxylase/ oxygenase were determined in the leaf extracts. Higher carboxylase activities were recorded with kenaf leaf extracts (245 μmole mg chl^-1 h^-1.K_m (CO₂) for kenaf leaf carboxylase was significantly lower (7.8μM) than A. esculentus (13.5 μM) and corresponding difference in V_max values of carboxylase was recorded between the two species. The kinetic characteristics of oxygenase were similar in both the extracts. These results indicated the variation in carboxylase activity and its kinetic characteristics reflected a significant difference in CO₂ assimilation in C₃ plants. Page(s): 841-844

Influence of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. on mast cells and erythrocytes membrane integrity

Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Influence of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. on mast cells and erythrocytes membrane integrity Authors: Gokhale, A B; Dikshit, V J; Damre, A S; Kulkarni, K R; Saraf, M N Abstract: The ethanolic extract of T. purpurea Linn. was studied for its in vitro effect on rat mast cell degranulation and erythrocyte membrane integrity in vitro. The extract in concentration of 25-200 μg/ml showed a dose-dependant inhibition of rat mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 and egg albumin. T. purpurea extract was found to inhibit haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by hypotonic solution but accelerated haemolysis induced by heat at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. The studies reveal that the ethanolic extract of T. purpurea may inhibit degranulation of mast cells by a mechanism other than membrane stabilization. Page(s): 837-840

Effect of tonic pain on schedule specific feeding behaviour

Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of tonic pain on schedule specific feeding behaviour Authors: Jain, Suman; Mathur, Rashmi; Sharma, Ratna; Nayar, Usha Abstract: Food deprivation produces analgesia. This response is reversed i.e. pain sensitivity is lowered, when the food deprived rats are fed. In the present study the effect of chronic pain on the motivation to get food, in food deprived rats, was observed. In ten rats the effect of formalin and morphine plus formalin on the motivation to get food was studied. Injection of formalin significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the number of lever presses from 450 ±_-30 to 225 ±_-25. However, after injecting morphine the effect was reversed. The present study shows reduced internal drive to procure food by the food deprived animals, when they were under chronic pain. The effect was blocked by morphine, suggesting the role of opioids in modulating the motivation for getting food. Page(s): 834-836