EFFECT OF VARIOUS STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF SOME CUCURBITS

Cucurbits belonging to family Cucurbitaceae or the gourd family of flowering plants, are very important nutritionally. After harvest, storing of these cucurbits in optimal conditions is important to ensure that the nutrients are not lost. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to study the effect of various storage conditions on the nutrient content of three most commonly growing and easily available cucurbits, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucumber), Momordica charantia L. (Bitter gourd) and Luffa acutangula L. (Shiradi, Luffa). It was observed that protein content, vitamin C, iron and crude fiber content in all the cucurbits studied showed a gradual reduction with increase in days of storage. Temperature of storage 0 was also found to be an important factor for the nutrients to be maintained in Cucurbits. Storage at 15 C was found to be 0 better as the decrease in nutrients was found to be minimum when the fruits were stored at 15 C compared to storage at 0 room temperature and 5 C

Green Biosynthesis, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Activities of Silver Nanoparticles of Luffa acutangula Leaf Extract

Studies on green biosynthesis of newly engineered nanoparticles for their prominent medicinal applications are being the torch-bearing concerns of the state-of-the-art research strategies. In this concern, we have engineered the biosynthesized Luffa acutangula silver nanoparticles of flavonoid O-glycosides in the anisotropic form isolated from aqueous leave extracts of Luffa acutangula, a popular traditional and ayurvedic plant in south-east Asian countries. These were structurally confirmed by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy accessed with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectral analyses followed by the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) crystallographic studies and found them with the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. Medicinally, we have explored their significant antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS assays), antibacterial (disc diffusion assay on E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. fecilis, and S. boydii), and anticancer (MTT assay on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, U87, and DBTRG cell lines) potentialities which augmented the present investigation. The molecular docking analysis of title compounds against 3NM8 (DPPH) and 1DNU (ABTS) proteins for antioxidant activity; 5FGK (Gram-Positive Bacteria) and 1AB4 (Gram-Negative Bacteria) proteins for antibacterial activity; and 4GBD (MCF-7), 5FI2 (MDA-MB-231), 1D5R (U87), and 5TIJ (DBTRG) proteins for anticancer activity has affirmed the promising ligand-protein binding interactions among the hydroxy groups of the title compounds and aspartic acid of the concerned enzymatic proteins. The binding energy varying from -9.1645 to -7.7955 for Cosmosioside (1, Apigenin-7-glucoside) and from -9.2690 to -7.8306 for Cynaroside (2, Luteolin-7-glucoside) implies the isolated compounds as potential bioactive compounds. In addition, the performed studies like QSAR, ADMET, bioactivity properties, drug scores, and toxicity risks confirmed them as potential drug candidates and aspartic acid receptor antagonists. This research auxiliary augmented the existing array of phytological nanomedicines with new drug candidates that are credible with multiple bioactivities.

Evaluation of proteome complexes normalizing osmoregulation in salt stressed Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.

Modern-day agriculture is facing the challenge of sustaining global food security. However, the rapid increase in salinity stress among arable areas poses a major threat to crop health and yield. Salinity stress is one of the most common and rapidly spreading stress that has a detrimental effect on the productivity of edible plant family i.e. Cucurbitaceae. The present study endeavors to evaluate the Osmoregulators (anti-oxidants and proteins), that supports the growth of two varieties of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. under salt stress. The 2-3 weeks old saplings were exposed to salt stress (up to 200 mM NaCl) for one week. Post-treatment the osmoregulatory metabolites like Trehalose, Proline & enzymic anti-oxidants like peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and proteins using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. In both the varieties, Trehalose increased with increasing salt concentration, while the level of Proline increased in Variety 1 and decreased in Variety 2. With increasing salt concentrations, the POD activity decreased in both varieties whereas that of SOD levels increased in Variety 2 and decreased in Variety 1. The protein identified by LC-MS/MS and functional annotation analysis employing Uniport database & BlastP algorithm, aided in the detection of differentially expressed proteins in response to salt stress. This was followed by metabolic interaction annotation enrichment analysis by FunRich 3.0 tool, enabling characterization of proteins to be involved in the Calvin cycle, amino acids biosynthesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, ROS defence, hormonal biosynthesis and signal transduction. The augmentation of the metabolic activities of the Calvin cycle, biosynthesis of amino acids, carotenoids and peroxisomes, glycolytic pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle will conceivably influence the photosynthetic capacity in L. acutangula varieties under salt stress. The upsurge of key enzymes involved in these above described biological processes possibly appears to play an important role in the enhancement of salt tolerance.

A mutation in LacDWARF1 results in a GA-deficient dwarf phenotype in sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula)

Key message A dwarfism gene LacDWARF1 was mapped by combined BSA-Seq and comparative genomics analyses to a 65.4 kb physical genomic region on chromosome 05. Abstract Dwarf architecture is one of the most important traits utilized in Cucurbitaceae breeding because it saves labor and increases the harvest index. To our knowledge, there has been no prior research about dwarfism in the sponge gourd. This study reports the first dwarf mutant WJ209 with a decrease in cell size and internodes. A genetic analysis revealed that the mutant phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene, which is designated Lacdwarf1 (Lacd1). Combined with bulked segregate analysis and next-generation sequencing, we quickly mapped a 65.4 kb region on chromosome 5 using F2 segregation population with InDel and SNP polymorphism markers. Gene annotation revealed that Lac05g019500 encodes a gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase (GA3ox) that functions as the most likely candidate gene for Lacd1. DNA sequence analysis showed that there is an approximately 4 kb insertion in the first intron of Lac05g019500 in WJ209. Lac05g019500 is transcribed incorrectly in the dwarf mutant owing to the presence of the insertion. Moreover, the bioactive GAs decreased significantly in WJ209, and the dwarf phenotype could be restored by exogenous GA3 treatment, indicating that WJ209 is a GA-deficient mutant. All these results support the conclusion that Lac05g019500 is the Lacd1 gene. In addition, RNA-Seq revealed that many genes, including those related to plant hormones, cellular process, cell wall, membrane and response to stress, were significantly altered in WJ209 compared with the wild type. This study will aid in the use of molecular marker-assisted breeding in the dwarf sponge gourd.

Genetic diversity and population structure of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) accessions in a Thailand collection using SNP markers

This study explored a germplasm collection consisting of 112 Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd) accessions, mainly from Thailand. A total of 2834 SNPs were used to establish population structure and underlying genetic diversity while exploring the fruit characteristics together with genetic information which would help in the selection of parental lines for a breeding program. The study found that the average polymorphism information content value of 0.288 which indicates a moderate genetic diversity for this L. acutangula germplasm. STRUCTURE analysis (ΔK at K = 6) allowed us to group the accessions into six subpopulations that corresponded well with the unrooted phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analyses. When plotted, the STRUCTURE bars to the area of collection, we observed an admixed genotype from surrounding accessions and a geneflow confirmed by the value of FST = 0.137. AMOVA based on STRUCTURE clustering showed a low 12.83% variation between subpopulations that correspond well with the negative inbreeding coefficient value (FIS = − 0.092) and low total fixation index (FIT = 0.057). There were distinguishing fruit shapes and length characteristics in specific accessions for each subpopulation. The genetic diversity and different fruit shapes in the L. acutangula germplasm could benefit the ridge gourd breeding programs to meet the demands and needs of consumers, farmers, and vegetable exporters such as increasing the yield of fruit by the fruit width but not by the fruit length to solve the problem of fruit breakage during exportation.

Augmentation of freshwater productivity in single slope solar still using Luffa acutangula fibres

The prime intention of the current research is to enhance the freshwater productivity of the solar still (SS) by using Luffa acutangula fibres (LAF). The dried LA fibres were introduced into the absorber basin of solar still to enhance the wet surface area through its porous structure that leads to augmented evaporation of water from the absorber basin. The effect of the number of LAF in absorber basin such as 10,13,14,15,16,20 and 25 on freshwater productivity was estimated. The results revealed that SSLAF with 15 fibres in the absorber basin increased the yield by 25.23%. Besides, solar still with 10,13,14,16,20 and 25 fibres in the absorber basin increased the yield by 12.27%, 17.45%, 22.04%, 22.69%, 14.64% and 4.09% respectively when compared to conventional solar still (CSS). The average thermal efficiency of the SSLAF with 15 LAF was increased by 28.35% whereas, for 10,13,14,16,20 and 25 LAF, the average thermal efficiency was increasedby 11.05%, 16.99%, 22.53%, 19.93%, 11.29% and 3.9% respectively when compared to CSS.The economic analysis resulted that the cost per litre freshwater yield from the SSLAF is 22.5% lower than CSS. Also, the payback period of SSLAF is comparatively lesser than that of CSS.

Use of aqueous plant extracts to reduce profenofos residues in the leaf of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and suppression of the grasshopper population

Profenofos is an active ingredient from the organophosphate group which residue is often found in various fresh and processed vegetable products. This study aimed to assess the use of aqueous plant extracts of Sapindus rarak seeds, Luffa acutangula peel and Centella asiatica leaves to reduce profenofos residues in leaf of mustard and to evaluate their performance in suppressing the grasshopper populations. S. rarak seeds, L. acutangula peels and C. asiatica leaves were dried and filtered using a 100 mesh sieve. A total of 30 gm samples of each ingredient were mixed with 1000 ml of water and blended at 800 rpm, then filtered using 100 mesh sieve before use. The field experiment was performed by spraying profenofos pesticide with a concentration of 3 ml l-1 at a dose of 30 ml per plant. Two days after the profenofos application, the plants were sprayed with the aqueous plant extracts. Twenty-four hrs aqueous plant extracts application, pesticide residues were detected by the UPLC-MS/MS machine. The phytotoxicity test results showed that the use of aqueous plant extracts at a dose of 30 ml per plant did not cause any phytotoxic symptoms. Furthermore, in the field experiment, the control plants showed a residual value of 2407.62 ng g-1. Results of UPLC-MS/MS showed that the residual value of profenofos in PL treatment (aqueous extract of S. rarak seeds) was 1502.05 ng g-1, the recorded residual value in the PP treatment (aqueous extract of C. asiatica leaves) was 1316.27 ng g-1 and the residual value in the PG treatment (aqueous extract of L. acutangula peels) was 660.71 ng g-1. In the treated plants, the residual value decreased from 37.48% to 72.55%. Furthermore, the number of grasshoppers after the PL treatment decreased and was significantly different from the control. This study provides new information that aqueous plant extracts can reduce the residue of profenofos and suppress the population of grasshoppers in the mustard leaf.

Penetapan Kadar Flavonoid Total Ekstrak Buah Gambas (Luffa acutangula(L.) Roxb.) dengan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Gambas or Oyong fruit has various benefits, namely it can overcome enlarged lymph nodes, diuretics, laxatives, antioxidants, hepatoprotective, inhibiting the growth of fungi and bacteria. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of total flavonoid compounds in gambas (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb). Extraction methode using soxhletation with 96% ethanol as solvent. The extract obtained was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Phytochemical analysis of the flavonoid content in the sample using the Shinoda test, 10% NaOH solution, and concentrated H2SO4 solution, obtained positive results containing flavonoids. Quantitative analysis using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry with the maximum wavelength obtained is 429.5 nm and operating time is 30 minutes. The average total flavonoid content obtained was 9.897±0.11 mg/gram extract with %KV 1.14%.