Elicitor-mediated enhancement of biomass, polyphenols, mangiferin production and antioxidant activities in callus cultures of Salacia chinensis L.

The present investigation aimed to improve callus biomass, polyphenolic content, biosynthesis of mangiferin and biological potential following application of different elicitor treatments for medicinally important Salacia chinensis L. The leaf-derived callus cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D: 2.0 mg/l) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP: 1.5 mg/l). These cultures were treated with different elicitors viz. jasmonic acid (JA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and yeast extracts (YE). The highest calli biomass (five-fold increase within 4 weeks) was achieved when callus was treated with JA (75 µM). The callus obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.0 mg/l), BAP (1.5 mg/l) and treated with JA (75 µM) displayed augmented values for total phenolics, flavonoids and mangiferin contents. Besides, same treatment elicits the calli for antioxidant properties as evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and metal chelating assays. This is the first report on the elicitation study in genus Salacia and, therefore, the discoveries suggested that, S. chinensis calli might be a perfect source for large-scale production of industrially important secondary metabolites. Concurrently data provide accumulated information demonstrating its prominent antioxidant effect revealing its potential without disturbing natural resources.

A study to assess correlation between maternal weight gain and fetal outcome among primigravidae registered in antenatal clinics.

CONTEXT: Inadequate prenatal weight gain is a significant risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Nutrient intake and weight gain during pregnancy are the two main modifiable factors influencing maternal and infant outcomes. AIM: To assess the social and demographic factors affecting weight gain of pregnant women and to determine the correlation between maternal weight and fetal outcome. SETTING AND DESIGN: Observational prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different groups and settings of populations were studied, one enrolled in the antenatal clinic of a tertiary care hospital (sample size 197) and the other suburban antenatal clinic located in a slum community (sample size 97) of the same metro city. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for analysis. RESULT: In the tertiary care hospital, 16.75%, 75.13%, and 8.12%, whereas in the suburban hospital 47.42%, 46.39%, and 6.19% primigravidae gained less than or equal to 8, 8.1-16 kg, and more than 16 kg weight, respectively. In the tertiary care hospital, the percentages of preterm birth, low birth weights, special attention needed, and no immediate cry after birth were 5.1%, 19.80%, 4.1%, and 4.1%, respectively, while in the urban health center they were 9.3%, 41.24%, 21.65%, and 11.3%, respectively. A significant association was found between maternal weight gain and birth weight of neonate and special attention needed by baby in both groups. CONCLUSION: Monitoring the maternal weight during the antenatal period epidemiologically determines the strength of association between maternal weight gain and birth weight of child.

Ultrasound-Assisted Aqueous Extraction of Phenolic, Flavonoid Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Mucuna macrocarpa Beans: Response Surface Methodology Optimization.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was undertaken to optimize the effective extraction of total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and antioxidant activity from the Mucuna macrocarpa (MM) beans. An ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique with water as an effective solvent was proposed for the response surface methodology (RSM) optimization. METHODS: A three-level, two-factor central composite design (CCD) was employed to reveal the optimal points of variables. Different extraction times (5, 10, 15 minutes) and ultrasonic power levels (10, 20, 30 W) were used for the optimization. The experimental runs given by the RSM were evaluated for TPC, TFC, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), and N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) RSA and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). RESULTS: The predicted times for maximum extraction of TPC (186.61 mg GAE g-1), TFC (148.87 mg QUE g-1), and DPPH RSA (99.37%), and DMPD RSA (50.58%) and FRAP (2.38 O.D. at 593 nm) were 12.57, 12.84, 12.43, 12.97, and 13.24 min, and ultrasonic power levels were found to be 27.30, 26.76, 26.22, 27.03, and 27.84 W, respectively. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis of phenolics compounds from the RSM optimized sample showed tannic acid (48.09 ± 1.92 mg/g), gallic acid (1.17 ± 0.19 mg/g), p-coumaric acid (0.56 ± 0.03 mg/g), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.049 ± 0.01 mg/g) content. CONCLUSION: Water and ultrasonication were found to be an effective extraction solvent and technique. RSM was effectively employed to investigate the optimal process conditions for the maximum extraction of TPC, TFC, and antioxidant compounds from the MM beans. Further, MM beans can be explored as a prominent antioxidant source for the treatment of several disorders.

Evaluation of Various Factors Affecting Bioconversion of l-Tyrosine to l-DOPA by Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 Using Response Surface Methodology.

ABSTRACT: 3,4-Dihydroxy l-phenylalanine (l-DOPA) is considered a potent drug for the treatment of Parkinson disease. Physical and nutritional parameters where optimized by using Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 to accomplished the highest production of l-DOPA. Screenings of critical components were completed by using a Plackett-Burman design, while further optimization was carried out using the Box-Behnken design. The optimized factor levels predicted by the model were pH 6.1, 1.659 g L(-1) yeast extract, 1.491 g L(-1)l-tyrosine and 0.0290 g L(-1) CuSO4. The predicted yield of l-DOPA with these levels was 1.319 g L(-1), while actual yield obtained was 1.273 g L(-1). The statistical analysis revealed that model is significant with F value 19.55 and R(2) value 0.9514. This process resulted in a 3.594-fold increase in the yield of l-DOPA. l-DOPA was confirmed by HPTLC and HPLC analysis. Thus, Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 has potential to be a new source for the production of l-DOPA.

Optimization of Biotransformation of l-Tyrosine to l-DOPA by Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3472 Using Response Surface Methodology.

l-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine) is the most widely used drug for treatment of Parkinson's disease. In this study Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3472 biomass was used for transformation of l-tyrosine to l-DOPA. The process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum values of the tested variables for the production of l-DOPA were: pH 7.31, temperature 42.9 °C, 2.31 g l(-1) cell mass and 1.488 g l(-1)l-tyrosine. The highest yield obtained with these optimum parameters along with recycling of the cells was 4.091 g l(-1). This optimization of process parameters using RSM resulted in 4.609-fold increase in the l-DOPA production. The statistical analysis showed that the model was significant. Also coefficient of determination (R(2)) was 0.9758, indicating a good agreement between the experimental and predicted values of l-DOPA production. The highest tyrosinase activity observed was 7,028 U mg(-1) tyrosine. l-DOPA production was confirmed by HPTLC and HPLC analysis. Thus, RSM approach effectively enhanced the potential of Y. lipolytica-NCIM 3472 as an alternative source to produce l-DOPA.

Prevalence of systemic and local disturbances in infants during primary teeth eruption: a clinical study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to find the correlations between local and systemic manifestations during primary teeth eruption and the eruption of various groups of teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The infants selected for the study purpose were between 6 months to 3 years of age who had at least one erupting tooth. The study group consisted of 894 infants and other 550 infants served as a control group. Questionnaires were distributed to all parents and the data was collected. Chi square test was performed to analyse the information obtained between the two groups. There were 378 girls (42.2%) and 516 boys (57.7%) in the study group. The control group consisted of 195 girls (35.4%) and 355 boys (64.5%). RESULTS: The most common finding was gingival irritation 821 (95.9%) and the least common symptom observed in the study was running nose 234 (27.3%). The presence of fever diarrhea was seen in 101 (11.7%) infants. In the control group, 92.1% of the infants did not show any clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION: An association was found between primary teeth eruption and local and systemic manifestations. Most manifestations were found during eruption of the primary incisors.