Pomegranate Research Articles

Pomegranate plant tissue culture technique - a review

‌Background: The pomegranate, or Punica granatum L., is a member of the "Punicaceae" family, which also includes Punica protopunica and Punica granatum. Originating in Afghanistan and Iran, it has spread over Asia, Africa, and Europe's Mediterranean region. The traditional method of pomegranate propagation is laborious and time-consuming. It does not guarantee healthy, disease-free plants. Its shortcomings include poor success rates, extremely sluggish replication, and a one-year establishing period for new plants. Tissue culture is a technique that can be used to grow plants in all seasons without restrictions. Several pomegranate-growing nations have tried in vitro propagation to generate virus-free, similar-type plants, and it has been widely used for propagating many fruit trees. Research Purpose: The goal of this essay was to examine how to do plant tissue culture method and get familiar with the techniques. with an emphasis on the pomegranate micropropagation. The only aspect of plant tissue culture that may be able to get around these issues is in vitro technology. Therefore, there is plenty of room for employing micropropagation to multiply desired genotypes on a wide scale. Research Method: This review article was conducted based on scientific websites in Persian and English languages, including SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Library Studies, Results: Pomegranate plants multiply quickly through micropropagation, producing plants (clones) that are genetically similar. In a short amount of time, a single explant can yield thousands of plants. These plants match exactly. The study provides a standardized protocol for in vitro regeneration of nodal explants, which could be useful in large-scale production of uniform and disease-free plantlets. The process of plant tissue culture reduces the need for importing expensive plant seeds.

Unlocking the Immunomodulatory Potential of Rosmarinic Acid Isolated from Punica granatum L. using Bioactivity-Guided Approach: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Approaches.

Punica granatum L. is well-known for its multifaceted therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. This study aimed to characterize an immunomodulatory compound isolated from Punica granatum L. using a bioactivity-guided approach. Chromatographic techniques were adopted for isolation and purification of secondary metabolites. In silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods were performed to characterize the therapeutic potential of the isolated compound. Using preparative thin-layer chromatography, rosmarinic acid was isolated from F4 (column chromatography product obtained from a butanolic fraction of the extract). The impact of rosmarinic acid was assessed in rats using the neutrophil adhesion test, DTH response, and phagocytic index. In immunized rats, rosmarinic acid demonstrated significant immunomodulatory potential. Computational experiments, like molecular docking and molecular dynamics, were also conducted against two targeted receptors, Cereblon (PDB ID: 8AOQ) and human CD22 (PDB ID: 5VKM). Computational studies suggested that an increase in phagocytic index by rosmarinic acid could be attributed to inhibiting Cereblon and CD22. Pharmacokinetics and toxicity prediction also suggested the drug-likeness of rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid is a potential candidate, but extensive research needs to be done to translate this molecule from bench to bedside.

Characterization and Biological In Vitro Screening of Probiotic Yeast Strains Isolated from Algerian Fruits.

Interest in Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts as biotechnological agents is growing worldwide. Here, Kluyveromyces marxianus GBC2 and two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains FBZ4 and FBK9 were isolated from pomegranate (Punica granatum) and fig (Ficus carica), respectively, and extensively characterized for their probiotic attributes and health benefits. Overall, these strains were found to be γ-hemolytic, non-cytotoxic against Caco-2 cells, and sensitive to therapeutic antifungals. In terms of probiotic characterization, the strains were able to survive at pH 2 and in 1% bile and had high hydrophobicity and self-aggregation properties, which could explain their ability to form biofilm on a polystyrene and adhere to Caco-2 cells. Adhesion rates of 23.52%, 14.05%, and 9.44% were recorded at 37 °C for K. marxianus GBC2, S. cerevisiae FBK9, and S. cerevisiae FBZ4, respectively. Furthermore, biological screening showed a cholesterol assimilation of 54.32% for K. marxianus GBC2 and almost 33% for both Saccharomyces, more than 73% α-amylase inhibition, and good antioxidant potential for all strains; however, only K. marxianus GBC2 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. In light of these findings, the strains could be potential candidates for the development of novel functional foods and for probiotic applications.

Phenolic Components And Biological Activity Of Pomegranate.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) have been subject of extensive studies for its abundance of phytochemicals and numerous biological and medicinal properties. It is a fruit-bearing tree, which is widely consumed as a nutraceutical source as well as functional food for putative health benefits. The phenolic components are the characteristic bioactive constitutes of pomegranate, including hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The whole plant of this tree has many medicinal folkloric uses and good therapeutic effect, such as anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, cardioprotection and digestive system protection. Through comprehensive search of available literature, this narrative review can provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of characteristic bioactive constituents's structure and potential health benefits of Pomegranate, which can be used as reference for the future clinical and basic research, and also helpful for the development of pomegranate into functional food and nutraceuticals.

Domain‐independent adaptive histogram‐based features for pomegranate fruit and leaf diseases classification

AbstractDisease identification for fruits and leaves in the field of agriculture is important for estimating production, crop yield, and earnings for farmers. In the specific case of pomegranates, this is challenging because of the wide range of possible diseases and their effects on the plant and the crop. This study presents an adaptive histogram‐based method for solving this problem. Our method describe is domain independent in the sense that it can be easily and efficiently adapted to other similar smart agriculture tasks. The approach explores colour spaces, namely, Red, Green, and Blue along with Grey. The histograms of colour spaces and grey space are analysed based on the notion that as the disease changes, the colour also changes. The proximity between the histograms of grey images with individual colour spaces is estimated to find the closeness of images. Since the grey image is the average of colour spaces (R, G, and B), it can be considered a reference image. For estimating the distance between grey and colour spaces, the proposed approach uses a Chi‐Square distance measure. Further, the method uses an Artificial Neural Network for classification. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by testing on a dataset of fruit and leaf images affected by different diseases. The results show that the method outperforms existing techniques in terms of average classification rate.

Anti-biofilm and anti-glucosyltransferase effects of nano liposomal plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans

The role of Streptococcus mutans in the initiation of caries is related to its acidogenicity, aciduricity, and polysaccharides extracellular layer production by glucosyltransferases in dental biofilms. Therefore, inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity impairs the virulence of cariogenic biofilms, which can be used to prevent dental caries. We evaluated the anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-glucosyltransferases effects of nanoliposomal herbal aqueous extracts of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra; G. glabra), Ginger (Zingiber officinale; Z. officinale), Pomegranate (Punica granatum; P. granatum), and Rose (Rosa damascene; R. damascene) via minimum bactericidal concentration and minimum inhibitory concentration against Streptococcus mutans strain ATCC 35,668. An anti-biofilm assay was performed using a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration test. Among herbs, only P. granatum showed an antibacterial effect. Therefore, a nanoliposomal formulation of P. granatum was developed and characterized. Its effect on S.mutans glucosyltransferases was assessed by measuring glucan amount. The nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum showed a significantly higher anti-biofilm effect than P. granatum aqueous extract. Their similar potential in blocking glucosyltransferases showed that the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum blocked other pathways rather than blocking glucosyltransferases for its anti-biofilm effect. Collectively, the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum, due to its anti- Streptococcus mutans characteristics, would be a production which open a new horizon for the oral pharmaceutical industry.

A deep learning approach to detect diseases in pomegranate fruits via hybrid optimal attention capsule network

In 2022, the production rate of pomegranate is estimated at approximately 4.8 million metric tons. Unfortunately, these fruits are susceptible to many different kinds of diseases caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Such diseases can have a major negative impact on fruit quality, production, and the profitability of pomegranate cultivation. Nowadays, several machine learning and deep learning methods are used to identify pomegranate fruit diseases automatically and effectively. In post-harvest pomegranate fruit disease detection, deep learning has great potential to extract complex patterns and features from large datasets. This can improve disease identification accuracy, enabling more efficient disease control, lower crop losses, and better resource management. The proposed work introduces an intelligent deep learning-based approach for accurately detecting pomegranate diseases, begins with Improved Guided Image Filtering (Improved GIF) and resizing to pre-process fruit images, followed by feature extraction (shape, color, texture) using GLCM and GLRLM to streamline classification. Extracted features are then fed into a novel Hybrid Optimal Attention Capsule Network (Hybrid OACapsNet), which classifies the images as normal or diseased, conditions such as bacterial blight, heart rot, and scab. Our analysis indicates that the proposed classifier has a classification accuracy of 99.19 %, precision of 98.45 %, recall of 98.41 %, F1-score of 98.43 %, and specificity of 99.45 % compared to other techniques. So this approach offers a, which is a feasible solution for automated detection of diseases in fruits, thereby benefiting farmers and supporting their farming operations.

Differential Effects of Punicic Acid on Cytotoxicity and Peroxiredoxin Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer and MCF-10A Normal Cells.

The pomegranate fruit has been associated with a variety of human health benefits based on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Punicic acid (PA) is an omega-5 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that constitutes approximately 65-80% of the oil from pomegranate seeds and has been found to possesses anti-cancer activity in various cancer types. To better understand its cell specificity, we investigated the effects of punicic acid on both the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line as well as the non-cancerous MCF-10A breast epithelial line. We treated both cell types with different concentrations of punicic acid and measured viable cell density, cytotoxicity and apoptosis, as well as peroxiredoxin (Prdx) antioxidant expression. We found that punicic acid was cytotoxic to both lines, but MCF-10A cells demonstrated higher levels of cytotoxicity and sensitivity to lower concentrations. We further demonstrated that cytotoxicity was associated with apoptosis in both lines. Using real time PCR, we demonstrated induction of all six Prdx mRNAs in MCF-7 cells, ranging from a 1.4-fold increase with 2 μg/ml, to over a 5-fold increase with 10 μg/ml. In stark contrast, MCF-10A cells exhibited considerably higher induction of all six Prdx mRNAs at 10μg/ml, exceeding a 30-fold induction of Prdx1, Prdx2 and Prdx5. Our data are the first to demonstrate differential cytotoxicity and Prdx regulation by punicic acid in these two cell lines. These results may provide important insight into cell-specific mechanisms of punicic acid in breast cancer.

Preparation, antioxidant, antibacterial, and in vivo evaluation of pomegranate flower extract nanofibers based on thiolated chitosan and gelatin for treating aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common condition that manifests as ulcerative lesions in the oral mucosa. In this study, bilayer, mucoadhesive nanofibers loaded with pomegranate flower extract (PFE) were prepared using thiolated gelatin (TGel) and thiolated chitosan (TCS) as the active layer and drug-free polycaprolactone (PCL) as the backing layer. Gelatin (Gel) and chitosan (CS) were successfully thiolated (proven by Ellman's assay, solubility, 1H NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD) and electrospun into active nanofibrous layers with a diameter of 356.9 nm. The in vitro release assay showed extended release of PFE, reaching about 57 % drug release in 48 h, fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD also showed the characteristic peaks of the nanofibers and their components. The nanofibers also exhibited significant hydrophilicity (contact angle of 47–49°), mucoadhesion (432.7), antioxidant capabilities (93.3 ± 0.2 %), and antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, PFE-loaded thiolated nanofibers significantly accelerated wound healing and epithelial tissue regeneration in vivo, reducing the ulcer area from 187 ± 19 mm on the 1st day to 68 ± 6 on the 7th day. Overall, bilayer PFE-loaded nanofibers based on TCS and TGel showed promising potential for treating RAS.

Sustainable package design for efficient pomegranate cold chain: Enhancing storage space, sea freight efficiency, material sustainability, and energy conservation

This study evaluated the performance of a novel fabricated dual layer ventilated packaging (carton) design for pomegranate fruit. The study argues that higher process throughput, storage space usage (higher cargo density) and packaging material usage can be achieved through systematic design of packaging. The mechanical strength, fruit cooling speeds, and quality preservation characteristics of the new and existing carton designs were evaluated in a controlled laboratory environment. The new carton design achieved 22 % above minimum recommended industry compression strength, confirming its stacking safety during palletization. Fruit packed inside both carton designs attained an average respiration rate of 5.66 ± 1.23 mL CO2 kg−1 h−1 during cold storage. Fruit decay incidence (average 5.5 %), colour changes and sensory attributes were also similar in both carton designs after 12 weeks cold storage and 2 weeks ambient storage period. Finally, fresh pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful) were packed in the new and commercial package designs, palletized, containerized and exported from South Africa to Germany. The novel dual layer design had a higher freight density (1720 kg more fruit per reefer) compared to the commercial counterpart. It also improved the precooling process throughput (13 % faster), reduced carton material usage (40 %), and reduced energy usage (13 %). These advantages of the new dual layer ventilated packaging can be implemented with considerable sustainability benefits.

Differential effects of environmental conditions on the commercially important attributes and postharvest quality of pomegranate fruit

Differential effects of environmental conditions on the commercially important attributes and postharvest quality of pomegranate fruit

Exploration of Secondary Metabolites in Black Pomegranate Peel Extract (Punica granatum L.) as Antioxidants Using DPPH Method

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a plant that contains secondary metabolite compounds that can be used as medicinal content. Black pomegranate contains the highest secondary metabolites compared to red pomegranate and white pomegranate, the skin of the pomegranate contains flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity of black pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum L.) with the DPPH method. DPPH method is a method to determine the antioxidant activity in the sample by looking at its ability to counteract the free radical compound 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The results of testing the antioxidant activity of black pomegranate skin (Punica granatum L.) produced an IC50 value of 47.51 ppm which can be concluded that black pomegranate skin is classified as very strong. This research is important because there has not been much research on black pomegranate, especially its skin, so there is a need for additional expansion and renewal of the species. In addition, it can be used as the main basis for the advancement of natural materials, especially in the field of health.

Shaping the Physicochemical and Health-Promoting Properties of Carrot Snacks Produced by Microwave-Vacuum Drying with Preliminary Thermal and Enriching Treatment.

This study analyzed the effects of thermal pre-treatments such as convective drying (P-CD), water (BL_W), and microwave blanching (M_BL) and osmotic enrichment pre-treatments with juices from pomegranate (PG), chokeberry (CH), and sea buckthorn (SB) on microwave-vacuum-dried (MVD) carrot properties. Convective drying (CD) and freeze-drying (FD) were used as a comparative method. The dry matter content and water activity of MVD carrots were varied, but in many cases, the values were comparable to those of FD-dried carrots. Pre-enrichment in CH juice significantly reduced the values of the color parameters L*, a*, and b*, regardless of the drying method. The smallest changes were observed in microwave pre-blanching (M_BL). The lowest loss in carotenoid content was observed in CD-dried carrots (14-34 mg/100 g d.m.). Blanching and enrichment in SB juice allowed significant retention of these compounds. As a result of drying carrots, the total phenolic content (TPC) increased. Compared to the raw material, the TPC content in dried carrots increased 3-9 times. Drying using the FD and MVD methods gave a similar effect of increasing the TPC content, including a greater effect after enrichment in CH juice. The highest average antioxidant activity against the DPPH• and ABTS•+ radicals was recorded for FD-dried carrots (6.9 and 30.0 mg Trolox/g d.m.). SB juice contributed to a significant increase in the total vitamin C content, even by 89.1%, compared to raw carrots. Applying osmotic pre-enrichment in PG juice increased the sugar content in dried FD and CD samples by 37.4-49.9%, and in MVD by 21-59%.

In Vitro Assessment of the Neuroprotective Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Polyphenols Against Tau Phosphorylation, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, at both the systemic and the central level, are critical early events in atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate the oxidative stress-, inflammation-, and Tau-phosphorylation-lowering effects of pomegranate polyphenols (PPs) (punicalagin, ellagic acid, peel, and aril extracts). We used flow cytometry to quantify the protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10) in THP-1 macrophages, as well as M1/M2 cell-specific marker (CD86 and CD163) expression in human microglia HMC3 cells. The IL-10 protein expression was also quantified in U373-MG human astrocytes. The effect of PPs on human amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42)-induced oxidative stress was assessed in the microglia by measuring ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) tests, respectively. Neuronal viability and cell apoptotic response to Aβ1-42 toxicity were assayed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the annexin-V-FITC apoptosis detection kit, respectively. Finally, flow cytometry analysis was also performed to evaluate the ability of PPs to modulate Aβ1-42-induced Tau-181 phosphorylation (pTau-181). Our data indicate that PPs are significantly (p < 0.05) effective in countering Aβ1-42-induced inflammation through increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in U373-MG astrocytes and THP1 macrophages and decreasing proinflammatory marker (IL-1β) expression in THP1 macrophages. The PPs were also significantly (p < 0.05) effective in inducing the phenotypic transition of THP-1 macrophages and microglial cells from M1 to M2 by decreasing CD86 and increasing CD163 surface receptor expression. Moreover, our treatments have a significant (p < 0.05) beneficial impact on oxidative stress, illustrated in the reduction in TBARS and ROS generation. Our treatments have significant (p < 0.05) cell viability improvement capacities and anti-apoptotic effects on human H4 neurons. Furthermore, our results suggest that Aβ1-42 significantly (p < 0.05) increases pTau-181. This effect is significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated by arils, peels, and punicalagin and drastically reduced by the ellagic acid treatment. Overall, our results attribute to PPs anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-Tau-pathology potential. Future studies should aim to extend our knowledge of the potential role of PPs in Aβ1-42-induced neurodegeneration, particularly concerning its association with the tauopathy involved in AD.

Investigating the Skin Health Benefits of Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum and Rose: A Randomized Single‐Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

ABSTRACTRecent studies underscore the beneficial impacts of oral natural plant extracts on human skin health, though clinical evidence of their efficacy and safety is limited. This study evaluates the skin health effects of a novel oral supplement containing Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum, and rose extracts (RPR) 0.70 healthy female participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an RPR group, with the latter ingesting 20 mL of the RPR supplement daily on an empty stomach over 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the RPR group exhibited significant enhancements (p &lt; 0.001) in skin hydration, glossiness, elasticity, and skin tone, with increases of 69.02%, 30.48%, 25.97%, and 7.52%, respectively. Concurrently, decreases in skin firmness and melanin levels were observed at 21.17% (p = 0.007) and 25.06% (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that these changes were significantly greater than those in the control group. Image analysis indicated no significant changes in mean optical density of hyperpigmented spots within the RPR group (p = 0.367), but a significant reduction in the areas of hyperpigmented spots, under‐eye fine lines, and crow's feet by 41.50%, 37.55%, and 29.36%, respectively (p &lt; 0.001), whereas no significant changes were detected in the control group. Importantly, no adverse effects were observed. These findings suggest that the combined intake of Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum, and rose extracts can improve skin health, offering a promising natural alternative for dermatological care.

Anticancer Potential of Tocopherols-Containing Plants and Semi-Synthetic Tocopherols.

Tocopherols, potent bioactive compounds with anticancer properties, remain understudied in herbal medicinal plants, presenting a significant knowledge gap in the field of natural anticancer agents. This review evaluates tocopherol-containing plants for their anticancer potential, analyzing Scopus publications from 2016 to 2024. Fifteen herbal medicinal plants were identified as promising candidates, including Bulbine anguistifolia Poelln, Punica granatum L., Moringa oleifera, Kigelia pinnata, and Typhonium flagelliforme Lodd. The review explores tocopherols' anticancer mechanisms, including apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Factors influencing tocopherols' anticancer effects are examined, such as their forms (α, β, γ, δ), concentrations, plant parts utilized, and their stability in various plants. Additionally, emerging research on semi-synthetic tocopherol derivatives is analyzed, highlighting their potential as adjuvants in chemotherapy and their role in enhancing drug delivery and reducing side effects. This comprehensive analysis aims to advance the development of plant-based anticancer pharmaceuticals and improve cancer treatment strategies. By elucidating the mechanisms and potential of tocopherol-containing plants, this review provides a foundation for future research in plant-based anticancer therapies. It emphasizes the need for further investigation into these plants' anticancer properties, potentially leading to novel, more effective, and less toxic cancer therapies. The findings presented here contribute to a nuanced understanding of how tocopherol-containing plants can be leveraged in the development of future anticancer drugs.

Effect of Different Chemical Pretreatments and Packaging Systems on Quality Characteristics of Fresh-Cut Pomegranate Arils (Punica granatum, L.)

Aims: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is considered as challenging to consume due to its hard structure, hence used for fresh-cut production. Extending the shelf life of fresh-cut pomegranate arils would improve their marketability, transport efficiency, and reduce post-harvest losses. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design by using GRAPES (General R based Analysis Platform Empowered by Statistics). Place and Duration of Study: College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, February 2022-July 2024. Methodology: Pomegranate arils were extracted and treated with different pre-treatment solutions viz., 0.5% ascorbic acid, 0.5% citric acid, 1% calcium chloride and 1% calcium ascorbate for 4 minutes. The best pre-treatment solution was selected and arils were packaged in different packaging systems viz., shrink wrapping in 15µ polyolefin film, vacuum packaging in laminated pouches, MAP with N2 flushing in laminated pouches, aluminium tray wrapped with cling film and stored under two different storage conditions, after treating with 1% calcium ascorbate. Results: 1% calcium ascorbate was selected as the best pre-treatment solution and pre-treated arils kept in MAP with N2 flushing in laminated pouches stored under low temperature condition was found to be the best packaging and storage system. 1% calcium ascorbate treated arils in MAP with N2 flushing in laminated pouches stored under low temperature condition (10±5oC) had a shelf life of 6 days with superior physiological (PLW, percent leakage), chemical (acidity, vitamin C, phenol) and sensory characters (color, flavour, texture, appearance, taste and overall acceptability) as compared to control (2.00 days). Maximum vitamin C content of 23.02 mg 100g-1 and least phenol content of 214.16 mg 100g-1 were recorded on 6th day of storage. Conclusion: Pomegranate arils pre-treated with 1% calcium ascorbate for 4 minutes, kept in MAP with N2 flushing in laminated pouches stored under low temperature condition (10±5oC) can be considered as a protocol for shelf life extension of pomegranate arils.

Effect of Some Ecological Factors on Earthworms (Lumbercus terrestris) in Wasit Governorate

Monthly earthworm samples were collected from two locations in Suwairah City‎ of Wasit Governorate. where the first location was northwest of the district and is characterized by an abundance of citrus trees such as orange, lemon and Punica granatum as well as many palm trees of different types, the second area is characterized by an abundance of vegetable plants like Cauliflower, Allium cepa, and Brassica oleracea. Soil temperature, moisture, pH, texture and organic matter levels were measured at all sample sites. Soil temperature ranged between 11C° to 50C° as recorded during February and August respectively. The values of PH have ranged between 6.8 to 8.0. Soil moisture and Organic matter content were highest in Region (B) samples, 40% and 6.6% respectively. However, lowest organic matter and soil moisture percentage were 17% and 3.13% recorded at in Region (A) samples respectively. All sites were characterized by loamy acidic reactive soils.

Fabrication of Anthocyanidin-Encapsulated Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibrous Membrane for Smart Packaging.

Smart colorimetric packaging has been an important method to protect human health from external hazardous agents. However, the currently available colorimetric detectors use synthetic dye probes, which are costly, toxic, difficult to prepare, and non-biodegradable. Herein, an environmentally friendly cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-supported polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membrane was developed for the colorimetric monitoring of food spoilage. Anthocyanidin (ACY) is a naturally occurring spectroscopic probe that was isolated from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). By encapsulating the anthocyanin probe in electrospun polyvinyl alcohol fibers in the presence of a mordant (M), M/ACY nanoparticles were generated. After exposure to rotten shrimp, an investigation on the colorimetric changes from purple to green for the smart nanofibrous fabric was conducted using the coloration parameters and absorbance spectra. In response to increasing the length of exposure to rotten shrimp, the absorption spectra of the anthocyanin-encapsulated nanofibrous membrane showed a wavelength blueshift from 580 nm to 412 nm. CNC displayed a diameter of 12-17 nm. The nanoparticle diameter of M/ACY was monitored in the range of 8-13 nm, and the nanofiber diameter was shown in the range of 70-135 nm. Slight changes in comfort properties were monitored after encapsulating M/ACY in the nanofibrous fabric.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) pose a major threat to pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivation in India, leading to significant yield losses. In this study, galled roots of pomegranate were collected from orchards in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and nematode infestation was confirmed through root staining. The perineal pattern of females displayed the typical characteristics of the Meloidogyne incognita. To further confirm the species, DNA was extracted and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using species-specific SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified region) primers was conducted. The M. incognita- species specific primers, MincF1/MincR1, yielded the expected 150 bp product, verifying the presence of M. incognita. This study marks the first molecular confirmation of M. incognita infecting pomegranate orchards in this region, demonstrating the efficacy of SCAR markers in complementing traditional morphological identification as well.