Browsing by Author "Sonia, N S"

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Development of coconut [Cocos nucifera (L.)] inflorescence based dietary supplement
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-03-18) Sonia, N S
The present investigation entitled “Development of coconut [Cocos nucifera (L.)] inflorescence based dietary supplement” was carried out in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2020-2022 with the objective to identify the ideal maturity stage of harvesting coconut inflorescence, development of good quality coconut inflorescence powder, protocol for development of coconut inflorescence based dietary supplement having superior nutritional and pharmacological properties along with shelf-life assessment of the developed dietary supplement. Coconut inflorescence at four different stages viz., 7 – 10 months before inflorescence opening (S1), 5 – 6 months before inflorescence opening (S2), 3 – 4 months before inflorescence opening (S3) and at inflorescence opening (S4) were dried, powdered, analysed for in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging assay) and sensory quality was analysed by using a porridge out of it. S2 stage recorded the highest antioxidant activity, 88.77% DPPH free radical inhibition and sensory quality viz., colour (97.65), taste (100.20), flavour (103.00), consistency (95.22) and mouth feel (94.35). Hence, coconut inflorescence harvested at five to six months before inflorescence opening (S2) was identified as the ideal stage for the development of coconut inflorescence powder (CIP). CIP having superior nutritional and sensory quality could be prepared by soaking the chopped inflorescence in anti-browning agent combination: citric acid (1%) + sodium chloride (1%) for five minutes followed by drying in hot-air oven at 60°C. The nutritional composition of the developed CIP (100 g) is carbohydrate (4.67 g), protein (8.82 g), fat (1.96 g), calcium (195.25 mg), iron (0.84 mg), sodium (16.54 mg), vitamin A (973.50 µg), vitamin C (33.46 mg), crude fibre (57.14 g) and total ash (0.82 g). Mean rank value for the sensory attributes viz., colour, consistency, flavour, mouth feel and taste were 546.23, 527.35, 526.28, 541.35 and 525.15, respectively. Coconut inflorescence dietary supplement (CIDS) containing CIP, ragi, green gram and sesame in the proportion 70: 10: 10: 10 (DS3) recorded 81.14% DPPH radical scavenging inhibition (in vitro antioxidant activity), 84.97% alpha amylase inhibition (in vitro anti-diabetic activity) and superior sensory attributes (mean rank value- colour: 162.95, taste: 162.47, flavour: 162.00, consistency: 163.05, mouth feel: 162.07). The nutritional composition of the of the developed CIDS (100 g) is carbohydrate (18.40 g 100 g-1), protein (13.42 g 100 g-1), fat (2.01 g 100 g-1), calcium (202.40 mg 100 g-1), iron (1.82 mg 100 g-1), sodium (19.81 mg 100 g-1), vitamin A (963.70 µg 100 g-1), vitamin C (39.80 mg 100 g-1), crude fibre (43.68 g 100 g-1) and total ash (2.57 g 100 g-1). The CIDS was subjected to further storage study for shelf life assessment. Coconut inflorescence dietary supplement packaged using aluminium foil covers and stored under refrigerated condition (P4S2) recorded the lowest peroxide value (8.01 meq. O2 kg-1), bacterial count (1.00 cfu g-1 × 107), fungal count (1.67 cfu g-1 × 105) and yeast count (1.00 cfu g-1 × 103) after three months of storage. The study revealed that the ideal maturity stage for harvesting coconut inflorescence for the development of dietary supplement is five to six months before inflorescence opening. Coconut Inflorescence Powder (CIP) could be prepared by soaking the chopped inflorescence pieces (1cm3) in a combination of 1% citric acid and 1% sodium chloride for five minutes followed by drying in hot-air oven at 60°C. Coconut inflorescence dietary supplement (CIDS) could be prepared by compositing CIP, ragi, green gram and sesame in 70:10:10:10 ratio. CIDS could be packaged using aluminium foil covers and stored under refrigerated condition for an improved shelf life of three months.
Development of nendran banana chips with enhanced shelf life and quality
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Sonia, N S; Mini, C (Guide)
Diversity analysis of chittamruthu [Tinospora cordifolia (WILLD.)] accessions from the northern districts of Kerala
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-02-10) Dhanya, T; Sonia, N S
The present investigation entitled “Diversity analysis of Chittamruthu [Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.)] accessions from the Northern districts of Kerala” was carried out in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2020-2022 with the objectives to estimate the genetic variation in Chittamruthu accessions using SSR markers and its phytochemical screening. Chittamruthu plant samples (25 nos.) were identified and collected from 25 different locations in the 13 Agro-Ecological Units (AEUs) of North Kerala viz., AEU 2 [Mundayad, Kannur and Elathur, Kozhikode], AEU 6 [Thavanoor, Malapuram and Iringalakkuda, Thrissur], AEU 7 [Cherukunnu, Kannur and Pilicode, Kasaragod], AEU 10 [Chelakkara, Thrissur and Madakkathara, Thrissur], AEU 11 [Kakkodi, Kozhikode and Elamkulam, Malappuram], AEU 13 [Nilamboor, Malapuram and Peravoor, Kannur], AEU 15 [Kelakam, Kannur and Kottiyoor, Kannur], AEU 18 [Attapadi, Palakkad and Sholayur, Palakkad], AEU 19 [Attapadi, Palakkad and Pudur, Palakkad], AEU 20 [Ambalavayal, Wayanad and Kalpatta, Wayanad], AEU 21 [Pulpalli, Wayanad and Thirunelli, Wayanad], AEU 22 [Puthuppariyaram, Palakkad and Vadakkancherry, Palakkad] and AEU 23 [Pattancherry, Palakkad]. The indigenous traditional uses of Chittamruthu plants documented through a survey done in these locations are as follows. The plant could cure cough and cold, acts as an anti-arthritis agent, a remedy for headache, treatment for indigestion and constipation, cure skin issues, cure fever, relieve pain and inflammation in joints, cure for urinary infection, treating diabetes, remedy for piles, control complications of dengue fever, control the risk of cardio- vascular disorders and used as a liver tonic. Morphological diversity analysis of Chittamruthu accessions had identified a superior accession from North Kerala viz., accession 1 (T1) from Mundayad- Kannur (AEU 2) possessing significantly higher stem diameter (1.93 cm), density of lenticels (141.33 no.s), leaf petiole length (11.13 cm), laminar length (11.07 cm), laminar breadth (12.03 cm) and leaf area (117.67 cm2 ). Molecular diversity analysis of Chittamruthu accessions were carried out using 10 SSR primers. Among them, four primers viz., TCTSSR 104, TCTSSR 92, TCTSSR126 and TCTSSR-59 found to be polymorphic in nature. The primer TCTSSR 104 was found to be more informative for diversity analysis since, it has got higher polymorphism information content (PIC) value, 0.46. The dendrogram obtained from polymorphic SSR markers using NTSYS-pc software had grouped the 25 Chittamruthu accessions into four major clusters. Cluster I and II included two accessions, cluster Ⅲ contained three accessions and cluster Ⅳ was the largest cluster containing total of 18 accessions. There exists phytochemical diversity among the 25 Chittamruthu accessions. Qualitative analysis of Chittamruthu accessions exhibited the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that T3, the accession obtained from Thavanoor, Malappuram (AEU 6) recorded the highest total alkaloid (102.89 µg AE mg-1 ), total flavonoid (54.29 µg QE mg-1 ), total phenol content (116.54 µg GAE mg-1 ) and cardiac glycosides (25.87 µg DE mg-1 ). Total saponins were found to be high (72.84 µg DE mg -1 ) in the accession, T13 obtained from Kelakam, Kannur (AEU 15). The study revealed that Chittamruthu accessions collected from 13 different AEUs of Northern districts of Kerala were found to be diverse in morphological, molecular and phytochemical characteristics. The accession collected from Mundayad, Kannur (AEU 2) found to possess superior morphological parameters and accession collected from Thavanoor, Malappuram (AEU 6) found to be superior in phytochemical quality. In addition, the Chittamruthu accessions collected from different AEU’s of Northern Kerala could be clustered into four main clusters based on molecular diversity.
Germplasm collection and diversity analysis of kiriyathu [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex. Nees] ecotypes of southern districts of Kerala
(Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2025) Rahul, A; Sonia, N S
The study entitled “Germplasm collection and diversity analysis of Kiriyathu [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees] ecotypes of Southern districts of Kerala” was carried out in the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period 2023- 2024 with the objective of collecting Kiriyathu ecotypes, estimation of morphological and genetic variation using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. Kiriyathu ecotypes, 35 nos. viz., Kalakkode, Chirakkara, Perinad, Karicode, Vellimon, Kundara, Karunagappally, Kayamkulam, Thamarakkulam, Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Alappuzha, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Chottanikkara, Ernakulam, Mala, Kodungallur, Vellayani, Kattakkada, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Kachani, Karakulam, Bharanikkavu, Sasthamcotta, Adoor, Vellanad, Kadakkal, Pathanamthitta, Odakkali, Palode, Aryanad, Vithura and Nedumkandam were collected from nine different Agro Ecological Units (AEUs) of Kerala. The indigenous traditional uses of Kiriyathu gathered from the inhabitants/ localities/traditional medicinal practitioners include its utilisation for curing fever, malaria, jaundice, snake/insect bite, wounds, dysmenorrhea, digestive ailments and managing diabetes. Genetic variation of the Kiriyathu ecotypes using SSR primers identified seven polymorphic primers viz., Ando 4-26, Ando 4-27-2, Ando 4-43/1, Ando 5-12-1, Ando 5-14-2, Ando 5-26-2 and Ando 5-29. The polymorphism percentage was 64.08 per cent and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value ranged from 0.11 to 0.64. Among the primers, Ando 4-27-2 recorded high PIC value and hence, considered to be more informative for diversity analysis. The dendrogram developed using molecular data could group Kiriyathu ecotypes into three major clusters - Cluster I containing seven subclusters (I to VII) and 27 ecotypes, Cluster II consist of five ecotypes and Cluster III having three ecotypes. In addition, the scatter plot developed using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) could identify a genetically diverse ecotype viz., Chirakkara belonging to AEU 1, Southern Coastal Plain. Morphological diversity of nine Kiriyathu ecotypes, one each selected from the subclusters of Cluster I, Cluster II and Cluster III respectively were studied by raising its seeds in pro-trays, transplanting it into polybags containing soil and cow dung powder (2:1) and maintained up to harvest at 50 per cent flowering. Seedling characteristics such as seedling height (15 DAT) and no. of leaves per seedling were maximum for Bharanikkavu (16.33 cm) and Thamarakkulam (14.33) respectively. Plant characteristics viz., days to 50 percent flowering, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, plant duration up to seed set (days) and plant height were maximum in Chirakkara (141.66), Alappuzha (7.33), Thamarakkulam (5.66), Chirakkara (161.66) and Vellanad (75.06 cm) ecotypes respectively. Maximum leaf length and leaf girth were recorded for Chirakkara, 9.23 cm and 3.50 cm respectively. However, maximum stem girth was recorded by Vellanad, 2.53 cm. Yield characteristics such as herbage yield per plant (g) and leaf/stem ratio were maximum in Chirakkara (12.93g) and Vellanad (1.10) respectively. The study concluded that the 35 Kiriyathu ecotypes collected from nine different AEUs in the Southern districts of Kerala varied genetically. Chirakkara ecotype (AEU 1, Southern Coastal Plain) showed higher genetic variation and it showed superior morphological characteristics too - maximum days to 50 per cent flowering (141.66), plant duration up to seed set (161.66 days), leaf length (9.23 cm), leaf girth (3.50 cm) and herbage yield per plant (12.93g)
Seed pre-treatment with endospore -forming rhizobacteria in Kiriyathu (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) wall. Nees) for enhancing growth and quality
(Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2024-01-30) Anu ,Ambadi; Sonia, N S
The study entitled “Seed pre-treatment with endospore-forming rhizobacteria in Kiriyathu (Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex. Nees) for enhancing growth and quality” was carried out at the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 2021-2023 with the objectives to evaluate the effect of seed treatment with endospore-forming rhizobacteria on seed storage; seed germination; growth promotion and secondary metabolites production in Kiriyathu. The seed of A. paniculata variety Anand Kalmegh 1 (AK-1) was pre-treated with bacterial cultures viz., B. pumilus VLY 17 (T1), B. amyloliquefaciens VLY 24 (T2), B. velezensis PCSE 10 (T3) and bacterial consortium [B. pumilus VLY17+ B. amyloliquefaciens VLY 24+ B. velezensis PCSE 10] (T4) at 1014 cfu mL-1. Seed without bacterial pre-treatment was served as the control (T5). The treated seeds were evaluated during seed storage for bacterial survival. Moreover, the pre-treated seeds were evaluated for seed germination characteristics and planted in polybags for assessing growth and quality. All bacteria species as well as its combination found to survive in the pre-treated seed up to six months after storage. The bacterial count was found to be highest for B. pumilus VLY 17 during 6 MAS (6.66 log cfu g-1). Germination characteristics of bacteria pre-treated seed were found to be superior than the control seed. The Kiriyathu seed pre-treated with B. pumilus VLY 17 exhibited the highest germination percentage (85.00 %), survival percentage (85.00 %), germination index (2.60), shoot length (6.54 cm), root length (5.04 cm), seed vigour index (926.60), allometric index (0.77) and lower mean germination time (3.30 days). Seed pre-treatment with bacteria showed significant improvement in plant growth characteristics viz., morphological, phenological and yield parameters during harvest at 120 DAS compared to the control. B. pumilus VLY 17 pre-treated seed recorded the highest plant height (83.03 cm), number of branches (33.42), number of nodes (472.44), number of flowers (104.00), shoot weight (fresh-120.27 g, dry-38.81 g), whole plant weight (fresh -138.21 g, dry -43.02 g), root length (29.29 cm), seed yield (3.43 g) and thousand seed weight (2.22 g). Also, B. pumilus VLY 17 pre-treatment took lesser days to flower initiation (95.88 days), days to fruit set (16.06 days) and days to fruit maturity (28.25 days) as well as the highest number of fruits (309.44) and fruit weight (fresh 13.54 g). Highest root dry weight (4.01 g) and fruit dry weight (3.95 g) were in combination treatment and B. velezensis PCSE 10 respectively. Seed pre-treatment showed no significant difference for stem girth, root fresh weight and root volume of Kiriyathu plants. Phytochemicals viz., total alkaloids, total flavonoid content, total phenol content, total saponins and cardiac glycosides were found to be superior in Kiriyathu herbage (ethanolic extract) of bacteria pre-treated seed than the control. B. velezensis PCSE 10 pre-treatment recorded highest total alkaloid content, 78.47 µg AE mg-1 whereas highest flavonoid (37.62 µg QE mg-1) and phenol content (349.92 µg GAE mg-1) were observed by B. pumilus VLY 17 treatment. Total saponins content (140.45 µg DE mg-1) was found highest in bacterial combination while the highest cardiac glycosides (169.33 µg DE mg-1) were present in B. amyloliquefaciens VLY 24 treatment. Pharmacological properties of the Kiriyathu herbage ethanolic extract viz., in vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) were highest in B. pumilus VLY 17 seed pre-treatment, 94.00 % DPPH free radicle inhibition and IC50 value, 50.09 µg mL-1 respectively. Kiriyathu seed could be pre-treated with B. pumilus VLY 17 as a liquid spray at 1014 cfu mL-1 concentration for ensuring enhanced seed germination, plant growth, phytochemical quality and in vitro pharmacological properties. The bacteria survival in the pre-treated seed is ensured up to six months after storage under ambient condition.