Effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on degree of hydration, fructose, sulphur and phosphorus contents of rat eyelens and intestinal absorption of nutrients.

Influence of aqueous garlic extract on degree of hydration, fructose, sulphur and phosphorus contents of rat eyelens and intestinal absorption of nutrients were assessed. Inclusion of garlic extract in culture medium containing glucose and xylose inhibited the hydration of rat eyelens, whereas galactose evinced the reverse trend. Aqueous garlic extract in general decreased the concentration of fructose and phosphorus, whereassulphur concentration increased when rat eyelenses, were incubated with galactose and xylose. Garlic extract inhibited intestinal absorption of glutamic acid, sucrose and glucose to different extents. The rate of absorption of glutamic acid was found to be considerably higher than that of glucose and sucrose.

Gibberellic acid (GA3) induced changes in proanthocyanidins and malt quality of two- and six-row husked barleys.

Analysis of husked barleys for proanthocyanidins and malt quality attributes has shown that not a single variety is free of proanthocyanidins. The proanthocyanidins in barley grains varied from 3.85 to 4.94 mg/g as catechin equivalent. The concentration of proanthocyanidins decreased, while total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, diastatic power and beta-amylase activity increased during maltings as well as with exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) application. Alfa 93 (two-row) and RD2560 (six-row) varieties appeared to be superior for malting and brewing purposes on the basis of proanthocyanidins, total phenols, diastatic power and beta-amylase activity. It is suggested that exogenous application of GA3 at 15 ppm may be useful for producing good quality malt from barley grains.

Variability in physicochemical and nutritional quality traits of parents, F2 and F3 generations of lentil crosses.

Ten physicochemical and nutritional quality traits (100-seed weight, seed volume, seed density, bulk density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity, protein, tryptophan and energy value) were examined in the seed samples of parents, F2 and F3 generations of three microsperma x microsperma and two microsperma x macrosperma crosses of lentils. Significant variation for different traits was observed among the genotypes in both the groups and also among both types of crosses in F2 and F3 generations. Ranges, means and coefficients of variation (CV %) for various traits among parents, F2 and F3 generations of different crosses, along with the deviations between F2 and F3 generation means for various traits in different crosses are discussed. Also suggested is a breeding strategy for evolving lentil varieties with improved seed yield and nutritional quality parameters.

Comparison of two methods for determining in vitro intestinal absorption of nutrients using rats fed different diets.

Absorption of sucrose, glucose, leucine and aspartate was studied using intestinal everted sac of rats fed on french bean diets namely PDR-14, HUR-137 and HUR-15 using casein as a control. Absorption of nutrients was monitored spectrophotometrically and by 14C radio assay of metabolites using scientillation counting. The absorption pattern of amino acids was found to be similar but of glucose and sucrose differed. Glucose was found to be more absorbed than sucrose in spectrophotometer assay and the pattern reversed in radio assay. Absorption of sucrose and leucine were higher by rats fed on HUR-137 diet and similarly, more aspartate was absorbed when fed on HUR-15 diet as demonstrated by both the methods. Rats fed on HUR-137 diet exhibited higher glucose absorption as shown by spectrophotometric assay, but rats on HUR-15 diet by radio assay. Absorption of nutrients differed significantly between casein and french beans.

Inheritance of seed yield and quality traits in peas (Pisum sativum L.).

A half diallel analysis involving nine cultivars showed that additive as well as non-additive gene effects were important for the inheritance of seed yield per plant, 100-seed weights, protein content and potassium per cent. For remaining traits non-additive genetic components were important. Overdominance was observed for all traits except for 100-seed weight, which expressed partial dominance. Parents PMR-T10, EC21857, EC109182, T163 and EC109189 were good general combiners for seed yield, seed weight and quality traits. In general there was a good relationship between per se performance and the gca effects of the parents for all traits. Cross combinations such as LMR8 x EC109182,LMR8 x PMR-T10,LMR8 x EC21857,PMRT10 x EC21857 and P23 x EC21857 were found promising. The seed yield was positively correlated with other quality traits. Protein had a positive correlation with methionine and phosphorus. All the values of correlation co-efficients were non-significant except for yield with potassium, 100-seed weight and protein with methionine, indicating that yield and quality attributes can be improved simultaneously by simple selection procedures.