Study of Some Biodemographic Parameters of Caryedon serratus Olivier (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Insect Pest of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica Lin.) Fruit, in Burkina Faso

The lack of food security leads us to turn to the riches of the forest, namely non-timber forest products (NTFP) and timber forest products (TFP). In Burkina, these products are a source of income for families, improving their living conditions. Tamarindus indica L. that is a NFTP, is widely used in both rural and urban areas. Unfortunately, tamarind is subject to attack by Caryedon serratus. Its biological activity begins on the fruit before the harvest. The aim of our study is to evaluate some biodemographic parameters of the insect pest C. serratus Olivier. First100 healthy T. indica pods were placed in contact with ten pairs of C. serratus for 24 hours. 25 pods, each carrying a maximum of two eggs, were divided into five batches of 5 pods. Then a pair of C. serratus aged less than 24 h was placed in contact with 4 healthy pods for 24 h. Every day, the pair was removed and transferred to another box containing 4 new healthy pods. A total of 20 replicates were performed. The results showed that C. serratus has an average lifespan of 14 days. However, the female (16 days) lived longer and laid an average of 34 eggs during her lifetime. The egg-laying period lasted 14 days, the number of eggs increased until reaching a maximum peak on the 4th day. C. serratus has an embryonic development time of 3 days and an emergence rate of 66.63%. However, the weight of males and females differed significantly (p = 0.0108). We found an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.12 and a population doubling time was 5.68 days. These results have enabled us to gain a better understanding of its development cycle and its capacity for regeneration. This allows us to implement control strategies for better stock protection.

Use of seed gums from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula as controlled-release agents

Most seed gums have been widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and food products because of their hydrophilic properties. Gums from Tamariudus indica and Cassia fistula seeds were chemically modified by carboxymethylation to improve their functionalities. The objective of the present study was to characterize and evaluate crude and carboxymethylated gums from T. indica and C. fistula seeds to achieve the controlled-release of diclofenac sodium(DS) in matrix tablet form. Both crude and carboxymethylated gums were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Xray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the gums were successfully modified by carboxymethylation and that the modified gums were amorphous in structure and had better flow properties. The carboxymethylated gums from both plant seeds did not exhibit cytotoxicity at concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/ml. All gum samples used as polymeric controlled-release agents were formulated into DS matrix tablets. Hardness and thickness tests were conducted as in-process tests. Drug content estimation and in vitro drug release studies were carried out to evaluate the matrix tablets. Increasing the concentration of gums increased compression time and hardness while it reduced the thickness. Furthermore, the results fitted well with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Moreover, the DS tablets were found to release the drug by super case II transport(relaxation). In summary, the carboxymethylated gum from T. indica and C. fistula seeds is an excellent, naturally sourced gum with high physicochemical and functional qualities, and can potentially be used in pharmaceutical applications as a disintegrant, diluent, and drug release-controlling agent.

Development and characterization of seed gums from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula as disintegrating agent for fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet

Crude seed gum and their carboxymethyl derivatives from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula seeds were developed and characterized to apply as the pharmaceutical disintegrant in fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet. The chemical structure of crude gum was chemically modified via carboxymethylation. Degree of substitution(DS) of carboxymethylated gums was determined. Carboxymethylated gums with minimum and maximum DS values were chosen for further application. IR absorption spectra of gum samples were observed to verify their chemical structure changes. In physical properties, the intrinsic viscosity and swelling property of all gum samples were evaluated. The results showed that carboxymethylated gums had higher intrinsic viscosity than those of crude gum. Moreover, they could swell and be soluble in cold water better than those of crude gums. In conclusion, the modified gums from both plants could provide higher hardness and be better used than that crude gums for fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet. However, this is a preliminary assessment to expressing pharmaceutical application possibility of these gums as disintegrants, diluents and drug release controlling agents.

Protective effects of crude and alkaloidal extracts of Tamarindus indica against acute inflammation and nociception in rats

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of total alkaloids extracted from the leaf of Tamarindus indica (T. indica) in rats. Methods:Acetic acid-induced pain and egg albumin-induced inflammation were used to inspect the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the crude and alkaloidal extracts of T. indica at doses of 40 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Sodium diclofenac was used as the control drug. Results:The percentage yields of crude methanol and alkaloidal extracts of T. indicawere 2.85% and 0.98%, respectively. Screening of secondary metabolite of the crude extract revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, phenols and terpenes, while phlobatannins was not detected. The safe dose and LD50 were 400 and 750 mg/kg for crude methanol extract, respectively, while the safe dose and LD50 of alkaloidal extract were 40 and 57 mg/kg, respectively. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of crude methanol extract and alkaloid extract of T. indica were significantly (P < 0.05) different from those of control rats. The standard drug (sodium diclofenac), crude extract and alkaloidal extract showed percentage inhibition of 89.36%, 53.92% and 81.37% in paw edema, respectively. Conclusions:The results obtained indicated that the crude and alkaloidal extracts of the plant exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, thus, supporting its folkloric use for the treatment of these conditions.

Characterization of Esterases of Tamarindus indica Seeds

Germinating seeds of Tamarindus indica synthesizes various enzymes which are required for the degradation of seed reserves such as xyloglucans, fatty acid esters and proteins. Among these, esterases, belonging to a group of hydrolytic enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of various types of esters. They play an important role in cell expansion as well as detoxification of xenobiotics and many agrochemicals and insecticides. The esterases are extracted from the germinating tamarind seeds using 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7. The Km with α-naphthyl acetate as the substrate is 19.23 μM and the enzymes are optimally active at pH 7.0 to 7.5 and are stable between pH 5.0 to 9.0. The optimum temperature of esterase activity of tamarind seed is between 37?C - 50?C and is stable up to 40?C. The activity declined by 30% at 60?C and about 90% at 70?C. Highest esterase activity and specific activity are observed on the 21st day of germination. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicated the presence of nine isozymes of esterases. Band numbers 1, 5 and 6 are the major esterolytic bands present throughout the germination period while band numbers 2 & 3 are minor bands present only during the latter period of the germination. Based on substrate and inhibitor specificity in conjunction with electrophoresis, the esterases 1 to 8 have been classified as carboxylesterases sensitive to organophosphate inhibitor (OP) and PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) while esterase 9 is classified as carboxylesterase sensitive to OP. These esterases are unaffected by carbamate inhibitor, eserine sulphate.

Studies on Xyloglucanase during the Germination of Seeds of Tamarindus indica

Germinating seeds of Tamarindus indica contain endo-β-1, 4-xyloglucanases which degrade tamarind xyloglucan, but not carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The xyloglucanases are isolated from the germinating tamarind seeds using 50 mM acetate buffer, pH 5.5 containing 0.5 M NaCl. The Km value is 0.667 g/liter and the enzyme is optimally active at pH 5.5 and stable between pH 4 - 6.5. The optimum temperature is 45?C and is quite stable upto 50?C. The activity declined by 50% at 60?C and is completely inactivated at 70?C. Highest xyloglucanase activity and specific activity are observed on the 23rd day of germination. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicated the presence of five isozymes of xyloglucanases which are visualized by activity staining separately with congo red and grams iodine. Isozyme 2 is the major xyloglucanase present throughout the germination period.

酸角在食品上的应用研究概述

对国内外酸角在食品上的开发利用及研究现状进行综述,分析酸角利用程度和产品开发所带来的市场前景,提出云南高原酸角充分利用的发展方向,为进一步挖掘酸角的加工利用价值提供思路。

酸角风味软糖的研制

[目的]获得风味独特、质量稳定的酸角软糖。[方法]以酸角、琼脂、魔芋精粉、卡拉胶、麦芽糖浆与白砂糖为主要原料,用制得软糖的感官评分为指标,采用单因素试验和正交试验优化软糖配方。[结果]酸角风味软糖的最优配方为酸角原汁120 g,白砂糖200 g,麦芽糖浆200 g,琼脂1 g,魔芋精粉9 g,卡拉胶4 g。在最佳配方下制得的软糖呈琥珀色,有浓郁的酸角特有风味,口感绵软,有良好的咀嚼性和弹性。[结论]该研究获得了风味独特、口感良好的酸角风味软糖,为酸角资源的进一步开发利用提供了参考。

Screening of stimulatory effects of dietary risk factors on mouse intestinal cell kinetics

AIM: Although epidemiological and experimental studies validate influence of genetic, environmental and dietary factors in the causation of various types of cancers including colon, results from all these sources are inconclusive. Hypothesizing that high fat diet and obesity are among the major predisposing factors in the incidence of colon cancer, we evaluated the role of diet constituted with food material derived from a tropical plant, Tamarindus indica Linn (TI). METHODS: A two part randomized double-blind study was conducted employing inbred Swiss albino mice from a single generation for the whole investigation. One day-old neonates (n=12) were subcutaneously administered with monosodium glutamate (MSG) to induce obesity (OB). At weaning these animals were maintained on modified AIN-76 diet supplemented with 10% TI and 10% fat bolus (w/w,TIFB) for 8 wk. Subsequently, in the second part of study, four groups of animals belonging to the same generation, age and gender (n=12 per group), were maintained on: AIN-76 control diet (CD); AIN-76 mixed with 10% TI extract (TI); and, mixed with 10% TI and 10% FB (TIFB) for 8 wk, to determine intestinal crypt cell proliferation, functionally-specific enzyme activities, fermentation profile, and energy preferences. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in the crypt cell production rate in distal colonic segment of experimental animals when compared with the controls. This segment also contained significantly low butyrate levels compared to control and TIFB groups. All the experimental groups showed a gross decrease in the enzyme activities viz., succinate dehydrogenase, acid-galactosidase and dipeptidyl amino peptidase IV demonstrating pathological stress caused by the test regimens, and an altered metabolic flux in the cellular environment. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a cumulative response to the three dietary factors, one of which (TI) is reported, herein, for the first time to modulate kinetics of large intestinal mucosa, contributing to total risk posed by these test agents.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Traditional Soaking Processes on the in Vitro Digestibility of Taro(Colocasia esculenta L.SCHOTT)Flour

A traditional process used by farmers in Chad consists in soaking slices of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. SCHOTT) in tamarind infusion, or in corn solution or in water over a 24-hour period to reduce the acridity of taro and facilitate cooking. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of traditional soaking on the in vitro digestibility of taro flour using or not using an α-amylase enzyme. The digestion without the enzyme has shown that the soaking processes improve the digestibility of taro flour (from 39.30% for the control sample to 75.11% (after tamarind infusion) and 78.67% (treatment with water) after 24 hours of soaking). Soaking over a 6-hour period and preferentially in tamarind infusion or in corn solution obtains highly digestible flour (around 95% of digestibility rate after 3 hours of enzymatic digestion).

不同来源酸豆资源的抗寒相关生理特性研究

对取自云南和海南的5份酸豆(Tamarindus indica L.)资源进行低温胁迫处理,通过测定其相关抗寒生理指标对其抗寒特性进行了研究.结果表明,低温处理可导致酸豆的相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)质量摩尔浓度及过氧化物酶(POD)活性明显增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性先升后降.不同来源酸豆资源之间对低温胁迫处理的反应有一定差异,来自云南西双版纳的3份酸豆抗寒能力相对较强.

21份酸豆资源果实主要性状相关性分析

对21份酸豆(Tamarindus indica L.)资源的果实主要性状相关性进行了分析,结果表明:酸豆资源果实糖酸比、单果质量、总酸含量、种子质量等变异较大,变异系数分别为84. 36%、41. 92%、46. 21%和28. 23%;果质量与果长、果宽与种长、果厚与糖酸比、种厚与酸度、总酸含量、总糖含量和糖酸比之间有显著相关性.海南酸豆资源的果形指数、种子厚度、p H值、糖含量和糖酸比变异小于云南酸豆资源;果实的总酸含量和糖酸比在不同风味类型间差异明显.

Functional groups of Sahelian trees in a semiarid agroforestry system of Senegal

Aims Addressing plant responses to water stress is critical to understand the structure of plant communities in water-limited environments and to forecast their resilience to future changes in climate.In a semiarid agroforestry system in the Sahelian savannah of Leona(Senegal),we selected nine common tree species and explored their stress-resistance mechanisms.These species represent a variety of life forms and are of high regional socio-economic importance.We hypothesized that different species would show different suites of traits to cope with water stress and expected to identify functional groups differing in strategies to withstand water shortage.Methods Along a dry and a wet season,we monitored four traits reflecting above-and below-ground strategies of resource acquisition such as predawn leaf water potential(ψpd),specific leaf area(SLA),leaf thickness and leaf area index(LAI).We also measured two mor-phological traits:trunk diameter and tree height.LAI andψpd were measured six times during the dry and rainy seasons,and the other traits were measured once.Important Findings We identified two functional classes subdivided into two func-tional groups of each class.The first class included deciduous and semi-deciduous species that generally had large SLA,low leaf thickness and small-to-intermediate inter-seasonal varia-tions inψpd.The second class included evergreen species of two functional groups that differ in SLA,leaf thickness and the mag-nitude of inter-seasonal variations ofψpd throughout the year.The four functional groups identified in this study represent plant strategies differing in their response to changing environmental conditions.