Research on the Consumption Trend, Nutritional Value, Biological Activity Evaluation, and Sensory Properties of Mini Fruits and Vegetables

Mini fruits and vegetables (MFV) are pocket fruits and vegetables whose shape and volume are significantly smaller than those widely sold and well-known normal fruits and vegetables (NFV) on the market. Through the research on the market status and consumption trends of MFV, it was found that MFV have recently become a new market favorite. However, compared with NFV, there was found to be no relevant data on sensory quality, nutritional value, safety, etc. of MFV; this could indicate low consumer awareness of MFV, which in turn affects their planting and sales choices, as well as the market scale remaining small. In this context, six MFV with high degree of marketization were selected and compared with their corresponding NFV to evaluate the nutritional value, biological activity, and sensory properties. The results showed the nutritional value of MFV to be mainly related to their species. The nutritional value of MFV derived from immature, tender vegetables was generally lower than that of mature NFV. For example, the content of zeaxanthin in normal maize was 0.43 mg/kg, which was about 2.87 times that of mini maize (0.15 mg/kg). For newly cultivated mini varieties, their nutritional value often had different trends and rules compared with NFV. The nutritional value obtained by consuming MFV is not equal to that obtained by consuming the corresponding NFV of the same weight.

Effects of pesticides on maize crop using experimental animals

In the present era the production and use of pesticides has been increased enormously and it has become the need to carry out such an assessment for the evaluation of pesticides effects on animals and mankind. For that, experiment has been performed to check the biosafety issue of pesticides by experimenting them on animals and also their toxicity has been analyzed on soil and plants. For this, maize crop was selected in the confined area. Pesticide used was Talstar that belongs to a pyrethroid group, and its active ingredient is bifenthrin. Plants were sprayed with this chemical and their toxicity was then checked on the animals. For such purpose four groups of chicken and two groups of rats were selected. Groups of chicken were divided as control, normal maize, high dose pesticide, and low dose pesticide whereas rats were divided as control and experimental group. They were subjected to the feeding trial of pesticide exposed feed for 45 days. Their weights were examined, and the high dose group showed significant effects. Biochemical analysis showed variations in the group belonged to high dose pesticide group. Immense increase in the number of platelets was observed in Wister rats. Morphological and histological study showed no prominent effects. Variations were seen in the negligible factors like weight and blood but only in the groups that were subjected to the high dose of pesticide. No microbial activity was disrupted. Plant growth was satisfactory. So, it is concluded that the effects of pesticides are dependent on time and duration. Hence, pesticides have both negative and positive effects in the welfare of human well-being.

Marker-assisted pyramiding of lycopene-ε-cyclase, β-carotene hydroxylase1 and opaque2 genes for development of biofortified maize hybrids

Malnutrition affects growth and development in humans and causes socio-economic losses. Normal maize is deficient in essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan; and vitamin-A. Crop biofortification is a sustainable and economical approach to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. We combined favorable alleles of crtRB1 and lcyE genes into opaque2 (o2)-based four inbreds viz. QLM11, QLM12, QLM13, and QLM14 using marker-assisted backcross breeding. These are parents of quality protein maize versions of two elite hybrids viz. Buland and PMH1, grown in India. Gene-based SSRs for o2 and InDel markers for crtRB1 and lcyE were successfully employed for foreground selection in BC1F1, BC2F1, and BC2F2 generations. The recurrent parent genome recovery ranged from 88.9 to 96.0% among introgressed progenies. Kernels of pyramided lines possessed a high concentration of proA (7.14–9.63 ppm), compared to 1.05 to 1.41 ppm in the recurrent parents, while lysine and tryptophan ranged from 0.28–0.44% and 0.07–0.09%, respectively. The reconstituted hybrids (RBuland and RPMH1) showed significant enhancement of endosperm proA (6.97–9.82 ppm), tryptophan (0.07–0.09%), and lysine (0.29–0.43%), while grain yield was at par with their original versions. The dissemination of reconstituted hybrids holds significant promise to alleviate vitamin-A deficiency and protein-energy malnutrition in developing countries.

Effect of Feeding Bio-fortified Maize on Performance and Slaughter Parameters in Vanaraja Birds

Background: The normal maize contains high zein fraction and devoid of lysine and tryptophan thus making lysine as second limiting amino acid in it. The opaque-2 and floury-2 mutants produce higher levels of lysine and tryptophan. Through plant breeding programme, bio-fortified maize (Provitamin-A enriched) is being produced. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the effect feeding different bio-fortified maize based diets in Vanaraja birds.Methods: The experiment was conducted during January to April 2018 at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research. For the purpose, 175 day old chicks were randomly divided into 5 dietary groups each having 7 replicates with 5 birds each. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain normal maize (Diet 1), Vivek Hybrid 9 (Diet 2), APQH9 (Diet 3), Vivek QPM 9 (Diet 4) and white maize (Diet 5). The experimental diets fed ad libitum to all the chicks up to 6 weeks (nursery phase) and recorded performance parameters.Result: Improved feed efficiency was recorded in the group fed diet with APQH9 (Diet 3) compared to other experimental diets. The decrease in abdominal fat and increased breast muscle among the birds fed diet contained Vivek QPM 9 (Diet 4) and APQH9 (Diet 3) was recorded in comparison to other dietary groups. Hence, it is concluded that the birds fed QPM and QPM + Provit A showed an improved feed efficiency, reduced abdominal fat and increased breast muscle in Vanaraja birds during nursery phase.

Granule size distribution and pasting properties of starch in normal, waxy and sweet maize kernels

The granule size and pasting properties of starch and their relationship with quality of maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated. A clear bimodal distribution of granule sizes was found in six cultivars of maize. A number of starch granules were made up of small starch granules in kernels. Normal maize had a smaller proportion of granules <12 μm and a greater proportion of granules >12 μm, whereas sweet maize had a greater proportion of granules <12 μm and a smaller proportion of granules >12 μm. The peak, trough and breakdown viscosities were found higher in waxy maize and lower in sweet maize. The final and setback viscosities were found higher in normal maize and lower in sweet maize. The peak, trough, final and setback viscosities were significantly and negatively correlated to volume percentage of granules <12 μm and significantly positively correlated with the volume percentage of granules >12 μm.