Lipid and fatty acid fractions in Lingula anatina (Brachiopoda): an intertidal benthic fauna in the West Bengal-Orissa coast, India

The main objective was to determine the chemical, phytochemical, fatty acid and mineral profiles of three commercially relevant brown macroalgae (Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea and Ascophyllum nodosum) collected each season for two years off the west coast of Ireland. All the chemical, phytochemical, fatty acid and minerals analysed varied significantly depending on the macroalgal species, season and year of collection. Overall, the protein contents of macroalgae were negatively correlated with carbohydrate content. Protein (2–11%) was at its highest during winter and/or spring, decreasing to a minimum during summer and/or autumn. The three macroalgal species analysed in this study had clearly differentiated fatty acid profiles. The concentration of fatty acids was higher in A. nodosum compared with both Laminaria species. The mineral profile of the three macroalgal species was rich in essential metals, particularly Ca, Mg and P, while the levels of I were approximately 9- to 10-fold higher in both Laminaria spp. compared with A. nodosum. The levels of toxic metals (Cd, Hg and Pb) in all the macroalgal species studied were low in the current study; while the levels of total As were high (49–64 mg/kg DW macroalgae) compared with previous reports.

Download Full-text

A short note on Chinae Hans Muscuovy ducks in Bengal, India

Animal Genetic Resources Information ◽

10.1017/s1014233900001668 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 93-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Banerjee ◽

S. Banerjeel

Keyword(s):

West Bengal ◽

Short Note ◽

Poultry Meat ◽

Eastern Region ◽

The West ◽

Free Range ◽

Cairina Moschata ◽

Mule Duck

SummaryMuscuovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are popular as a source of poultry meat. Reports on availability of Muscovies (in the free range system of management) in the eastern region of Indu is lacking. In the West Bengal state of Indu two strains of Muscovies have been identified, the strains resemble Black Muscuovy L 303 and White Muscuovy ducks. Ironically they are known as Chinae haras (Chinese duck). Presently a detailed study is being conducted by the author and is being used to develop a strain of broader duck (mule duck) in the region. Reports on availability of Muscovies in this part of the subcontinent are lacking.

Download Full-text

Electoral Competition and the Gorkhaland Movement

Darjeeling Reconsidered ◽

10.1093/oso/9780199483556.003.0005 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 99-112

Author(s):

Bethany Lacina

Keyword(s):

State Government ◽

West Bengal ◽

Electoral Competition ◽

National Government ◽

Mass Movements ◽

New Delhi ◽

Local Autonomy ◽

Political Leaders ◽

The West ◽

Personal Power

This chapter examines movements for greater local autonomy in Darjeeling since India’s independence. Political leaders generally mobilize to demand autonomy during periods of heightened electoral competition. These movements tend to fade when electoral competition is low. When mass movements have won autonomous institutions for Darjeeling, movement leaders have used these institutions to repress local electoral competition. Without electoral pressure, incumbent leaders in Darjeeling are feckless in pressing autonomy demands. Both the national government in New Delhi and the West Bengal state government in Kolkata have encouraged the anti-democratic features of Darjeeling’s autonomous institutions as a means of maintaining stability. I make this case by showing the parallels in the careers of Deoprakash Rai, Subash Ghisingh, and Bimal Gurung. Each leader de-escalated demands for Darjeeling’s autonomy as his personal power consolidated.

Download Full-text