Modulation of sugar feeding behavior by Gymnema sylvestre in Drosophila melanogaster

Introduction: Sugar is the main source of energy for nearly all animals. However, consumption of a high amount of sugars can lead to many metabolic disorders hence, balancing calorie intake in the form of sugar is required. Various herbs are in use to control body weight, cure diabetes and control elevated blood sugar levels. One such herb is Gymnema sylvestre commonly called Gurmar (destroyer of sugar). Gurmar selectively inhibits sugar sensation by mechanisms that are still elusive. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to understand the effect of gurmar on sweet taste feeding behaviour in insects using the invertebrate model system Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: For this study, we used feeding assays, spectrophotometry and Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) assay to determine how flies detect gurmar. Additionally, life span analysis, egg-laying behaviour and developmental profiles were used to probe the role of gurmar on the overall health of the flies. During the whole study, we used only the raw powdered form of gurmar (dried leaves) to examine its effect on sweet taste feeding behaviour. Results: Our data demonstrate that whole gurmar in a raw powdered form is aversive to flies and inhibits sugar evoked PER and feeding responses. Also, we observed it takes at least 24 h of starvation time to reduce the consumption of sugar in flies pre-fed on gurmar. Flies lay a fewer number of eggs on gurmar media and show developmental defects. Our data suggest that flies detect gurmar using both taste and olfactory cues. Conclusion: Understanding how gurmar reshapes taste curves to promote reduced consumption of sugars in flies will open up avenues to help people with health issues related to high sugar consumption, but our data also highlights that its consumption should be carefully considered since gurmar is aversive to flies and has detrimental effects on development.

Anti-Protozoan Activities of Stachytarpheta angustifolia on Some Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

This study focuses on the anti-protozoan activities of Stachytarpheta angustifolia (Tarkajiya; Hausa, Devil’s coach whip; English) on haematological parameters of Albino Wistar rats which is an unexplored study area. The work is aimed at the determination of the effects of S. angustifolia on Wistar Rats, when exposed to herbal extract on the haematological parameters of Wistar Rats infected with E. tenella Biomarkers. The plant was obtained whole; dried under the shade, made into a powdered form and aqueous extraction method carried by maceration technique. After infecting the experimental animals with the parasites; E. tenella, the following respective doses of 750 mg and 1500 mg were administered to the rats in groups of 3 and 4. Results obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). It was discovered that no significant harmful effect on the rats was recorded, but 60 % of the parasites were killed. This work demonstrated that the herbal extract killed the parasites but induced minimal stress to the animals as shown by the low haematological parameters in the study.

Effects of process variables on the reactivity of slaked lime produced from Shuk quicklime

This is a research report of the effects of process variables on the reactivity of slaked lime produced from Shuk quicklime. It involved the calcination (at temperature of 1000 0C, particle size of 90 µm and time of 3 hrs) of Shuk limestone and subsequent slaking of its quicklime. The quicklime was characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively to determine its mineral content and surface morphology respectively. Effects of process variables (quicklime/water ratio, particle size and time) on the reactivity of the slaked lime were determined. The reactivity was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The XRD analysis revealed calcite as the type mineral of the Shuk quicklime. The surface morphology of the quicklime sample showed that the particles are packed together in powdered form with visible pores that will allow passage of water. Reactivity of the lime was influenced by the quicklime/water ratio, particle size and time. Quadratic model appropriately explained the relationship between reactivity and considered slaking factors of quicklime/water ratio, particle size and time. The optimum reactivity value of the slaked lime was obtained as 59.3 oC at quicklime/water ratio of 0.24 g/ml, particle size of 88.2 µm and time of 15.1 minutes.

Impact of Indian almond leaves on aquarium water quality

There are very few studies done to understand the impact of Indian almond leaves (IAL) on aquarium water quality. Therefore, in this study, Indian almond leaves (IAL) were used to investigate the impacts on water quality in an aquarium with Betta fish as they are hardy fish, tolerant to changes in water quality, comparatively cheaper and more readily available in tropical countries. For this study, the powdered form of IAL was used for faster dilution or mixing. As for the aquarium tank, smaller tanks with a capacity of 4.5 litres are used since Betta fish is small in size and it is easy to be accommodated in the aquarium. The various dosage of IAL in power form (0-200 mg/L) was used to determine physical, chemical and biological parameters of aquarium water quality in the presence of Betta fish. The parameters were Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), turbidity, pH, chlorine and survivability test and tests were conducted on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. All experiments had an increasing value of DO until Day 21 and gradually decreased, while BOD5 increased with increased IAL dosage. Ammonia concentration increased between day 5-10 and then started to decline at day 21 and pH values were decreasing with increased IAL dosage. The total coliform test has the highest total coliform count on day 28 for IAL dosage. The study revealed that Betta fish could survive for 28 days without any application of de-chlorinator. The optimum dosage of 50 mg/L of IAL can eliminate any requirement for de-chlorination for Betta fish.

Dried serum powder and sheet mask for anti-aging purposes

Wrinkles are one of the most common skin problems which are a natural part of the aging process. A lot of claims are made about how to make wrinkles go away. Some methods can be painful or even dangerous. To overcome these problems we can use anti-aging sheet mask which is the latest and easiest method to get rid from wrinkles. Sheet masks are face-shaped sheet fabrics soaked in nutrition-packed solution called serum. The sheet is made up of variety of materials including papers, fibers or gel types. It is observed that sheet masks are super simple and hassle-free. There are several disadvantages of conventional sheet mask like there shelf life is less and some of them may prone to oxidative decay. To overcome this problem powdered form serum is suggested. By using ingredients in powdered serum, the shelf life of the product can be increased. In serum powder, packaging products can be stored again once the packaging has been opened, with the help of a re-closable container; products remain as fresh as ever. By using the dried serum Powder with compressed sheet mask tablet instead of conventional serum sheet mask for Anti-aging purpose we can increase the shelf life of product and there will be little or no need of preservatives. Dried serum powder can be given in a re-closable container by which the product can be reused so there will be no wastage of serum.

Comparative Pharmaceutical Standardization and Oral Bioavailability Study on Praval Pishti and Praval Bhasma

Background: Praval (coral) is a very usually occurring calcium form. It is rich source of calcium & minerals. As per text it can be converted into two formulas which are bhasma (calcinated ash) and pishti(powdered form without agni).These forms may have different rate of immersion. This needs to be studied. Aim: Pharmaceutical Standardization study of Praval Pishti & Praval Bhasma and comparative evaluation of their relative oral bioavailability. Materials and methods: The two formulations will be prepared from Praval (coral). By triturating with Gulab jala Praval Pishti will be prepared and by traditional Puta method Praval Bhasma will be prepared. The prepared formulations will be assessed for Bhasma Pariksha mentioned in Ayurveda. Organoleptic characters, Physicochemical parameters and Particle size distribution analysis, SEM –EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), and GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscope) will be evaluated. To assess the relative oral bioavailability of Praval Pishti & Praval Bhasma study will be conducted in healthy volunteers and will be compared with the standard calcium supplement. Observation and results: The study will be assessed for its relative oral bioavailability in healthy Volunteers by using unpaired “t” Test, One-way ANOVA. Conclusion: The pharmaceutical study of Praval Bhasma and Praval Pishti will provide the standard parameters and comparative evaluation with standard will generate evidence for better bioavailability.

Retrospecting the Antioxidant Activity of Japanese Matcha Green Tea–Lack of Enthusiasm?

Matcha tea is a traditional Japanese tea that is said to possess ten times higher bioactive components and polyphenols than that of conventional green teas. Matcha is remotely popular among the global community and meagerly researched and infamous among the scientific population. It is the powdered form of green tea leaves that are directly suspended in hot water and drunk without filtration. Matcha is said to be one of the richest antioxidant sources naturally available. This review summarizes the available research publications related to matcha and compares the research accomplishments of green tea and matcha researchers. The fact that green tea is backed up by 35,000 publications while matcha has merely 54 publications to its credit is highlighted in this review for the first time. The future of matcha for tapping its enormous antioxidant activity and health potentials remains connected to the volume of scientific awareness and enhanced research attention in this area. If green tea has so much to offer towards human health and welfare, there is certainly room for more benefits from matcha, which is yet to be disclosed. As public awareness cannot be won without scientific approval, this review seeks that this gap may be bridged using essential knowledge gained from matcha applications and allied research.

Investigations on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Granulated Composite Using Hybrid Additive Manufacturing: A Novel Approach

In this work, experiments on mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, effects, and stiffness testing are performed on natural fiber granulated composites (NFGC) manufactured using a hybrid additive manufacturing technique. The natural fiber granulated composites are prepared using the powdered form of sugarcane, jute, ramie, banana, pineapple fiber, and seashell powder with a volume fraction of 0.8. In the hybrid additive manufacturing technique, the fused deposited modeling (FDM) machine is modified by combining with the shape deposition modeling (SDM) to print the specimens layer by layer, and the influence of the number of layers on the mechanical properties is analyzed. The results concluded that increasing the number of layers from 6 to 12 improved the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness values by 40.84, 50.04, 21.55, and 20.55%, respectively. Further, a novel technique can be utilized for developing the composites in replacement with conventional methods.

Introduction preservatives in silage feed with air

available in liquid, viscous, and powdered form on the market of the Russian Federation, there are certain difficulties with their dosage and uniform distribution in silage feeds. This is especially important for preservatives, which are used in small doses. Abroad, this issue is solved by using applicators which allow to make low doses of preservatives in the range of 125-250 ml/t uniformly [1]. In our country, to increase uniformity of preservatives distribution, water is usually added to a small amount of preservatives and they are applied by column centrifugal or diaphragm pumps at the rate of 3–5 l/t of silage raw material. It is not possible to apply preservatives in pure form with available metering pumps, as they cannot ensure uniformity and small doses of their application. In this regard, the installation for forage harvester for fine-dispersed application of preservatives by compressed air was developed in the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology. The results of laboratory studies are presented.

Changes in the nutritional composition of okra fruit and seed during early development

This study investigated the changes in nutrient content of the fruit and seed of Okra or Lady Finger during development and maturation. Okra flowers were tagged at flower opening or anthesis. Sample fruits (technically called capsules) that developed from the tagged flowers were collected at random at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 days after anthesis (DAA). The pericarp and seed samples were oven-dried and ground to a powdered form and analyzed for chlorophyll, sugar, starch, crude protein and crude fiber content using standard procedures. Chlorophyll and crude fiber content were strongly positively correlated with fruit age, being lowest in the pericarp of young fruits and highest in older fruits. Sugar, starch and protein content were all negatively correlated with fruit age. They were highest in the pericarp of young 3-day old fruits and steadily decreased with maturity, reaching lowest levels at day 24. In the seeds, protein and starch contents were weakly correlated with fruit maturity. Throughout seed development, sugar remained relatively low while starch and protein content remained high. Based on the results, okra fruits are best harvested as fresh green vegetable at 9 DAA. At this stage, the fruits are succulent, less fibrous and are rich in proteins and carbohydrates. Although much younger fruits also have high nutrient content, they are too small in size, so harvesting them at this stage would not be practical and profitable.