NOPR Collection:

Refinement of formulation and processing steps for pork momo, a traditional meat product of North Eastern India, in the wake of Neuro-cysticercosis

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Refinement of formulation and processing steps for pork momo, a traditional meat product of North Eastern India, in the wake of Neuro-cysticercosis Authors: Thomas, R; Naskar, S; Mohan, N H; Sarma, D K Abstract: The mushroom like growth of roadside fast food chains with minimal or no cooking facilities are attributed to the increased incidence of Neuro-cysticercosis in North Eastern Region of India and no documented reports exist regarding the quality characteristics of momos served in these outlets. Hence, a study was undertaken to document different aspects of pork momos sold in the region, viz. cooking criteria of pork prior to momo making, processing steps followed, nutritional composition of finished momos, microbiological quality and incidence of Cysticercus cellulosae in pork, the causative organism for Neuro-cysticercosis. Evaluation of the pork samples (which will be used as stuffing material in the momo) present in these outlets revealed that 8.8% (22 No) of the samples from rural outlets and 6% (15 No) of the samples from urban outlets were positive for C. cellulosae. In 68% of the outlets, the core temperature of the meat pieces present in the momos was below 60^oC even after cooking. These findings indicate that the meat content in the momos served in these outlets were less than 20% of the total formulation and most of the ‘pork flavor’ is attributed to the increased amount of low value byproducts/ fatty tissues. Based on the results, the processing steps were refined at the institutes’ pork processing plant to standardize a uniform formulation for momo processing, giving emphasis to minimize the risk of occurrence of neuro-cysticercosis through consumption of pork momo. Page(s): 128-134

Utilization of wild Citrus by Khasi and Garo tribes of Meghalaya

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Utilization of wild Citrus by Khasi and Garo tribes of Meghalaya Authors: Upadhaya, Anamika; Chaturvedi, S S; Tiwari, B K Abstract: Uses of wild and semi-wild Citrus are inculcated in the culture of tribal people of Meghalaya owing to its ubiquitous distribution and availability. In this paper, the traditional uses of Citrus hystrix DC syn. Citrus macroptera Montrouz., Citrus latipes (Swingle) Yu.Tanaka and Citrus indica Yu.Tanaka by the Khasi and Garo tribes of Meghalaya are documented. The study was conducted in 16 villages of the state having significant area under forest with Citrus species as natural component of forest vegetation using standard socio economic research methods. Distribution of these species are mostly confined to sacred groves, community conserved forests, core zone of protected areas and home gardens. Fruits and its parts are used for various medicinal and culinary purposes by these tribes. Owing to its distribution, Citrus latipes (Swingle) Yu.Tanaka is more commonly used by the Khasi people; Citrus indica Yu.Tanaka is more used by the Garo people while Citrus macroptera Montrouz. is equally popular among people of both the tribes. Wild Citrus spp and traditional knowledge associated with it are faced with a great threat of loss and call for protection and conservation. Documentation of traditional knowledge associated with Citrus spp could be a treasure for the future generation. Page(s): 121-127

Musa balbisiana Colla-Taxonomy, Traditional knowledge and economic potentialities of the plant in Assam, India

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Musa balbisiana Colla-Taxonomy, Traditional knowledge and economic potentialities of the plant in Assam, India Authors: Borborah, Kongkona; Borthakur, SK; Tanti, Bhaben Abstract: The traditional use of herbs as potential source of food and medicine is well observed among the ethnic groups in different zones of the world. Musa balbisiana Colla, is a robust herb, commonly known as Bhimkol or Athiyakol in Assamese and not a single part of the plant is wasted in the state of Assam, India. Here, this plant is regarded as an asset of household garden and people use various parts of the plant in their daily life as well as in every rites and rituals. As such, this plant has an immense economic potentiality in this region of North East India. A brief summary of the taxonomy, traditional uses of the plant/plant parts and products, based on extensive field observation from different parts of Assam has been documented in the present paper. Page(s): 116-120

Anticaries potential of ethnomedicinal plants used by Malayali tribals from Kolli Hills, India

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Anticaries potential of ethnomedicinal plants used by Malayali tribals from Kolli Hills, India Authors: Sekar, Kuppusamy; Murugan, Kasi; Pandikumar, Perumal; Al-Sohaibani, Saleh; Ignacimuthu, Savarimuthu Abstract: Malayali tribals of Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu, India use many plants for oral healthcare. The present study documents the dental caries preventing medicinal plants used by them and attempts to validate their claim. An ethnomedicinal survey comprising field visits, collection of information using specific questionnaire was done to collect the medicinal plants used by them. The plants cited by the informants were collected and successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol and evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy against four cariogenic clinical isolates. The MIC, anti-biofilm efficacy and GC-MS phytoconstituent identification were also done. This study identified 15 species that were commonly used by the Malayali tribals to maintain oral health and hygiene. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Fabaceae showed highest inhibitory activity against the cariogenic isolates. At 1 mg/ml concentration, it inhibited the biofilm formation by 92.0%, 77.6%, 74.1% and 94.9% against L. casei, S. mutans, S. aureus and K. pneumoniae, respectively. The active methanol extract^’s GC-MS analysis resulted in the identification of eleven major compounds. The rich traditional knowledge of tribal people has immense potential for caries and other oral health management along with pharmacological lead compound studies. Page(s): 109-115