ISA

047507 THAKUR N S, AARTI, GAUTAM S, CHANDEL A, RANA N, THAKUR A, HAMID (Food Science and Technology Dep, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Univ of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan - 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, Email: sunakshigautam7@gmail.com) : Comparative assessment of Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum Sm.) flowers extract beverages through biochemical analysis and its quality evaluation during storage. Ann. Phytomed 2020, 9 (2), 223 - 31.

Besides being a refreshing drink, the rhododendron has numerous healthful, nutritive and aromatic properties. The limited availability of flowers in the market, makes it an important value - added crop. So, the present study was undertaken for the development of syrup, its storage and quality evaluation in ambient and refrigerated conditions. Different combinations of flower extract (25, 30, 35 and 40 %) and sugar solution (65 and 70?B) were used for attaining most suitable amalgamation of syrup. Out of all, syrup prepared with 35 per cent extract, 65?B TSS and 1.50 per cent acidity was packed in bottles and stored for six months under ambient and refrigerated temperature conditions. There was not much change in quality attributes for a period of six months under both conditions. As storage period proceeds, various physicochemical characteristics increased like TSS (65 to 65.65?B), reducing sugars (48.31 to 51.35 %) and total sugars (63.15 to 64.79 %). Whereas, decreasing trend was observed in red TCU (19.21 to 14.05), yellow TCU (2.05 to 1.38), titratable acidity (1.50 to 1.35 %), ascorbic acid (8.12 to 3.81 mg/100 ml), anthocyanins (26.54 to 20.40 mg/100 ml), total phenols (35.55 to 30.42 mg/100 ml) and antioxidant activity (25.90 to 21.54 %). The results showed slower changes in refrigerated storage as compared to ambient. Although, the changes were minimum in beverage packed in glass bottle. Also, both the packaging material (glass bottle and PET bottle) were found suitable for the safe storage of product for six months.

4 illus, 6 tables, 37 ref

Effect of packaging on phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of dried wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils prepared in solar tunnel drier

THAKUR A , THAKUR N S, HAMID, GAUTAM S

Formulation and storage studies of herbal based RTS beverages from persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruit

GAUTAM A, DHIMAN A K, ATTRI S, KATHURIA D

Process optimization of low calorie and fiber enriched 'Sandesh' using response surface methodology (RSM)

RAI H K , RAI D C, ARVIND, SALONI

Process optimization for yogurt preparation incorporated with encapsulated Caesalpinia bonducella Flem. seed extract

MISHRA S, ARVIND, RAI D C, PANDHI S

Phytochemical extraction and quantification from wild pomegranate flavedo powder, their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

HAMID, THAKUR N S, SHARMA R, THAKUR A, KUMAR P, GAUTAM S

047481 HAMID, THAKUR N S, SHARMA R, THAKUR A, KUMAR P, GAUTAM S (Food Science and Technology Dep, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar of Horticulture and Forestry Univ, Solan, Himachal Pradesh - 173 230, Email: hamidfst6789@gmail.com) : Phytochemical extraction and quantification from wild pomegranate flavedo powder, their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Ann. Phytomed 2020, 9 (1), 187 - 94.

In present study wild pomegranate flavedo powder (425 ? particle size) was used for the extraction of phenolics through various solvents by Soxhlet method. A significant difference in all parameters was observed among the different extracts with varying solvents and extraction time after oven drying of extracts. The highest total phenolics and flavonoids among different extracts after oven drying were recorded when ethanol was used as solvent after 6 h of extraction. To separate different treatments based on similarity, cluster analysis was applied based on Ward method and it showed that all treatments were divided in nine major groups and two major clusters. The two best selected extracts were further compared on the basis of total phenolics, flavonoids and various antioxidant properties after lyophilization. In conclusion, lyophilized ethanolic extract (4 h) contained higher total phenolics (174.62 GAE/g), flavonoids (8.90 QuE/g), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (88.12 %), ferric reducing antioxidant power (816.10 ?M Fe2+/100 g) and metal chelating activity (68.50 %). The selected lyophilized extract has also shown higher zone of inhibition against S. aureus and E. coli as 22.0 mm and 20.0 mm at 100 ppm concentration. Hence, fruit flavedo is rich source of total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity which are beneficial natural antioxidants to health and have many health promoting properties which makes the flavedo suitable for future processing into various functional/nutraceutical foods.

3 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

Pomegranate and its wild genotypes: Nutraceutical opportunities and challenges

HAMID, THAKUR N S, THAKUR A, SHARMA C, BHATT K, KHAN A A

Challenges and opportunities of dairy sector in India vis - ? - vis world: a critical review

SARKAR A, DUTTA A

In - vitro anthelmentic efficacy of pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita Pepo) on toxocariosis (Toxocara Cati)

HUSSEIN S N, SHUKUR M S

Dietary treatment of heat shock proteins with selected feed additives to enhance thermotolerance in poultry under egyptian desert conditions: review and perspective

KHIDR R E, MORSY A S

047309 KHIDR R E, MORSY A S (Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Email: raafatkhidr@yahoo.com) : Dietary treatment of heat shock proteins with selected feed additives to enhance thermotolerance in poultry under egyptian desert conditions: review and perspective . Anim Sci Rep 2020, 13 (4), 012 - 24.

Egypt, located in northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia on the coordinates 27? E and 30? N is usually hot and dry in the summer (June - September), where the peak of outdoor ambient temperature converge at a sizzling 45?C,which is higher than the critical temperature (35oC), with a relative humidity of 61%. The meteorological factors, particularly high ambient temperature and high relative humidity, result in severe heat stress in fowls, culminating in exertion of harmful effects on thermoregulation reactions, hematological parameters, immune responses, and egg production in hens and semen characteristics in cocks. There have been several research efforts to enhance thermotolerance for minimization of heat - related mortality and maintenance of productivity in fowls. These researches include heat acclimation, nutritional manipulation, and inclusion of feed additives, particularly heat shock proteins, alkalis (e.g., Sodium bicarbonate) and vitamins (Vitamin C) in diet and water. However, efficiencies of most of the interventions were variable or inconsistent. More recently, two methods have been explored for early - life conditioning, i.e., perinatal heat acclimation and genetic selection of breeds with enhanced heat tolerance capacity for coping with heat stress conditions, with exploration on boosting of heat shock proteins (HSP) in cells and tissues, under both unstressed and stressed conditions. Environmental and pathological stresses induce HSPs, especially the inducible forms of HSP70 and HSP72, which act as chaperone, and play a critical role in protecting cells against the adverse effects of hyperthermia, and improve bird's productive performance and survival ability during exposure to heat stress at later ages. It has also been observed that thermo - respiratory responses (rectal temperature and respiration rate) decreases in hens exposed to HSPs, which means that they can be physiologically manipulated to boost heat stress tolerance by thermal conditioning. HSPs improve immunity of heat stressed hens leading to higher survival rate, besides improving their productivity. Studies have also shown that supplementation with 250 mg vitamin C and 1.5 % sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO?) singly or conjointly enhances productivity of hens. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, while NaHCO? is an electrolyte that causes respiratory alkalosis. HSPs also improve ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility, total motile sperms in cocks. The perspective of the study highlights the prospects of integrating HSPs with vitamin C and Sodium bicarbonate singly or conjointly to heat stressed fowls for sustenance of egg production in hens and improvement in semen quality of cocks as a valuable breeding protocol for poultry production under heat stress conditions in Egyptian deserts.

2 illus, 3 tables, 47 ref

Heavy metal concentrations and their correlations with physical meat quality attributes in abo - deleek sheep of egypt under intensive and semi - intensive management systems

ZAYED M A

047306 ZAYED M A (esert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Email: mazf205@yahoo,com) : Heavy metal concentrations and their correlations with physical meat quality attributes in abo - deleek sheep of egypt under intensive and semi - intensive management systems . Anim Sci Rep 2020, 13 (3), 31 - 47.

Animal proteins are important for human nutrition, particularly meat that provides essential amino acids and other bioactive ingredients. Some heavy metal pollutants, e.g., cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni) and mercury (Hg); get into animal rations and food chains, and induce toxic effects in animals and might extend it to humans through consumption of foods of animal origin, particularly meat. Rise in environmental pollution due to high rate of industrialization are responsible for increased concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn etc.) in the environment that are largely air - borne and could be deposited along with dust into the soils, water, and plants that ruminants graze. Abo - Deleek sheep reared in Halaieb - Shalateen - Abouramad triangle region, south of Egypt, are raised primarily for lamb meat production, and are reared under extensive system. But commercial meat production can be boosted with indoor feeding (intensive system) or with provision of supplemental feed (semi - intensive system) besides grazing. However, there is no elaborate study regarding heavy metal concentration of meat under intensive and semi - intensive feeding management systems. This study elaborates heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu and Hg) concentrations of fresh meat muscle (Longsimus dorsi) and liver obtained from fourteen male lambs of Abo - Deleek breed at one year of age after rearing for six months under intensive and semi - intensive management systems in Halaieb - Shalateen - Abouramad triangle of Egypt. The study revealed that there was no difference (P>0.05) between intensive and semi - intensive feeding systems in respect of heavy metal concentrations in LD muscle and liver of the lambs. The correlations between Cu & Co (0.88), Cr & Shear force (0.72), Cooking loss & Cr (0.58), Shear force & Cooking loss (0.54), and pH & yellowness coloration of meat (0.60) were positive and significant (P<0.05), while the correlations between Cr & redness coloration of meat was negative ( - 0.68) and significant (P<0.05). It is concluded that heavy metal concentrations of meat and liver of Abo - Deleek lambsof Halaieb - Shalateen - Abouramad triangle region both under intensive and semi - intensive feeding systems are quite low and are not a threat to human health. It is also a reflection of insignificant heavy metal contamination of the fodder crops, pasture, water, and the ambient environment in this region. Moreover, the concentrations of some of the heavy metals can be judged by producer/consumer from the color configuration of meat.

1 illus, 5 tables, 50 ref

The effect of organic acids addition in laying hens diets on egg production, egg quality, shell characteristics and some blood constituents during the last stage of production

SALEM F M

047304 SALEM F M (Animal and Poultry Nutrition Dep, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Email: omar.askar2007@yahoo,com) : The effect of organic acids addition in laying hens diets on egg production, egg quality, shell characteristics and some blood constituents during the last stage of production. Anim Sci Rep 2020, 13 (3), 15 - 30.

The aging laying hens are considered uneconomical due to low egg laying percentage, lower feed efficiency and decreased egg shell calcification. Dietary administration of organic acids can alleviate these problems by reducing the pH and increasing the length and depth of villi of the gastrointestinal tract enhancing thereby the digestibility of nutrients, absorption of minerals (Ca and P) and escalation of protein utilization through increased secretion and activity of the enzyme ?Pepsin?, which is beneficial for both, the environment and the production economy. Paucity of information on this aspect inspired us to take up this study. Eighty H&N Brown Nick laying hens (79 - 88 weeks of age) were used to assess the impact of dietary supplementation of formic acid, propionic acid and their combination on the productive performance, egg quality, shell characteristics and some blood biochemical parameters during the late stage of production. Hens were randomly distributed into 4 groups. Each group contained 10 replicates with 2 hens/ replicate. The treatments were C (Basal diet), T1 (0.5 ml formic acid / kg diet), T2 (0.5 ml propionic acid / kg diet) and T3 (0.5 ml formic acid + 0.5 ml propionic acid / kg diet).The hens were given iso - nitrogenous (17.6 % CP) and iso - caloric (2800 Kcal ME/Kg) basal diet. In comparison with the control, the treatments of acids and/or their mixture revealed a highly significant increase (P<0.001) in hen - day egg production and daily egg mass with reduction (P<0.001) in the feed intake and improvement (P<0.001) in the feed conversion ratio. The heaviest (P<0.001) egg weight was observed with formic acid (T1). Shell thickness, shell weight and shell surface area were significantly increased (P<0.05) with organic acids compared to the control. Propionic acid recorded the highest value (P<0.05) of plasma globulin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the lowest (P<0.05) albumin/globulin ratio. The addition of formic acid alone (T1) or mixed with propionic acid (T3) caused significant reduction (P<0.05) in plasma cholesterol, while insignificant reduction in triglycerides was observed with formic acid treatment (T1). Plasma urea was significantly decreased (P<0.05) by the addition of acids compared to the control, while propionic acid (T2) and mixture of formic acid and propionic acid treatments (T3) recorded the lowest (P<0.05) plasma creatinine. The differences among treatments regarding alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartic transaminase (AST) were non - significant (P>0.05). There are a tendency to increase (P=0.07) the gross energy content (kcal/ kg) of the internal egg components with propionic acid (T2) and acid mixture (T3) compared to the other treatments. It is concluded that organic acids supplementation in laying hens? diet during the late stage of production had positive effects on the productivity and the related economic traits, besides bolstering immunity, that conferred protection against infectious diseases, without any adverse effects on the liver and kidney functions.

7 tables, 60 ref

The impact of probiotic and prebiotic on egg production, egg quality and retention of nutrients in laying hens reared under desert conditions in Egypt

SALEM F M, DAYEM A A A E

047296 SALEM F M, DAYEM A A A E (Animal and Poultry Nutrition Dep, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Email: omar.askar2007@yahoo.com) : The impact of probiotic and prebiotic on egg production, egg quality and retention of nutrients in laying hens reared under desert conditions in Egypt. Anim Sci Rep 2020, 13 (3), 001 - 14.

Poultry egg producers incur distressing financial loss during summer season in Egypt due to exposure of laying hens to heat stress resulting in alteration of nutritional behavior and physiological functions culminating in production loss and reduction of revenue from sale due to quality deterioration of eggs. However, some feed additives, such as, probiotics and prebiotics can prevent heat stress aiding to restore egg productivity and quality characteristics of eggs in laying hens during summer season. The current study was conducted on 80 H&N Brown Nick laying hens during summer months (July - October) in the year 2018 for 14 weeks from 42 to 56 weeks of age. The average of maximum ambient temperature during the study period was 34.1?0.3.4 ?C, RH % was 80.1?7.9 % and THI was 30.1?3.0. The hens were grouped (n=20) into four groups and were fed on probiotic (T1: 1kg Bio - plus 2B? / ton of feed), prebiotic (T2: 1kg Techno Mos? / ton of feed) and Synbiotic (T3: 1kg Bio - plus 2B? +1kgTechno Mos? / ton of feed) supplemented diets. One group served as the control (C). The characteristics included in the study were Hen - day egg production (%), egg weight (g), daily egg mass (g), feed consumption (g/hen/day), feed conversion ratio (feed Intake/egg mass), initial and final live body weights (g), body weight changes (g), egg and shell quality characteristics, and retention of nutrients. The results revealed that dietary probiotic, prebiotic or their blend exhibited non - significant (P>0.05) decrease in egg production, egg mass and feed consumption versus the control, whereas egg weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05) among the treatments. Body weight changes were slightly increased by probiotic treatment compared to the others. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in shell weight due to prebiotic (T2) and synbiotic (T3) treatments. Also, the synbiotic treatment showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in yolk (%) and significant decrease (P<0.05) in albumen (%) and haugh unit (P<0.01), while yolk/albumen ratio was significantly increased (P<0.05) with all treatments compared with the control. The feed intake (g), excretion (g) and retention (%) of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE), the utilization of gross energy (kcal/kg) and apparent metabolizable energy, i.e., AME (kcal/kg) did not differ (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of probiotic (Bio - plus2B?), prebiotic (Techno Mos?) or their combination (synbiotic) did not positively affect the productive performance of laying hens during hot summer season, but yolk / albumen ratio was increased (P<0.05) in the treatment groups over the control group indicating better nutritional quality of eggs. Also, the haugh units of eggs in the treatment groups (Range: 75 - 87) were of AA grade (? 72 HU) according to the gradation of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicating better protein quality and desirable freshness of eggs, despite high ambient temperature (34.1?3.4 OC) during summer in Sinai desert of Egypt.

7 tables, 58 ref

Bird strike to aircrafts: An assessment of changing bird populations at select Indian airfields

SRINIDHI S, PRAMOD P

001364 SRINIDHI S, PRAMOD P (Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- 576 104) : Bird strike to aircrafts: An assessment of changing bird populations at select Indian airfields. Def Life Sci J 2021, 6(2), 155-65.

Bird Strikes (BS) are a significant threat to flight safety and a serious economic concern in the aviation industry. Variation of population and activity of different birds over an airfield leads to variation in their vulnerability for Bird Strike as well. In this study, an attempt was made to document the monthly variation of bird activity over three Indian airfields situated in different bio-geographical provinces in the year 2019-20. A significant activity of Black Kites (including the sub-species Black-eared Kite namely Milvus migrans govinda and Milvus migrans lineatus) and Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) were studied to understand their annual cycle as well as long term changes in their activity over airfields (over 30 years). Agra recorded an increase of 10.3 times in the activity of Black Kites in forty years. Black Kite data in correlation with the past information on Vultures indicate that the Black Kites are taking over the ecological niche of Vultures. Sirsa recorded an increase of 15 times in the activity of Red-wattled Lapwings in ten years and started dwindling again. The numbers of both species were stable over the Jodhpur airfield. The probable causes for long-term changes in Black Kite activity were identified as the type of waste management of the cities nearby, presence of other birds and migration. Similarly, changes in the activity of Red-wattled Lapwing could be partly attributed to the type of vegetation cover, long-term ecological changes, and intensive harassment of the bird. These findings will help airfield safety managers to initiate Solid Waste Management projects in the nearby city and monitor the bird population to control the major variations.

7 illus, 7 tables, 39 ref

Nanoscale copper(ii) oxide: An efficient and reusable adsorbent for removal of nickel (ii) from contaminated water

RAUL P K, DAS B, DEVI R R, DWIVEDI S K

Rapid acclimatisation to high altitude by intermittent hypoxia training at sea-level: Role of biochemical markers

SURYAKUMAR G, GHOSH D, RATHOR R, BHAUMIK G, SINGH S N, KUMAR B

Quercetin 3-rutinoside facilitates protection against radiation-induced genotoxic and oxidative damage: A study in c57bl/6 mice

VERMA S, DUTTA A

Effect of pulsed-810 nm laser photobiomodulation on dermal wound healing and oxidative stress in immunosuppressed rats

KESHRI G K, VERMA S, GUPTA A

Evaluation of phyto-chemical, biochemical and In-vitro antioxidant potential of Angelica glauca grown at high altitude areas of western Himalayas

SWATI, PANDEY H K, SINGH A, MEENA H S, BALA M

001359 SWATI, PANDEY H K, SINGH A, MEENA H S, BALA M (DRDO-Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani- 263 139) : Evaluation of phyto-chemical, biochemical and In-vitro antioxidant potential of Angelica glauca grown at high altitude areas of western Himalayas. Def Life Sci J 2021, 6(2), 117-21.

Angelica glauca Edgew is an important medicinal and aromatic herb (family Apiaceae). The roots of A. glauca commonly used as spices by local peoples. In the present study, the phytochemical constituents, biochemical parameters and, in-vitro antioxidant activity of A. glauca roots collected from the Himalayan region have been studied. For preliminary phytochemical analysis, the hydroalcoholic and aqueous root extract of Angelica glauca were screened for the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The biochemical parameter and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Angelica glauca were analysed by using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of extract showed major classes of phytochemicals constituents such as carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarin. The results from the current study demonstrated that A.glauca roots contained carbohydrate (21±0.72 %), crude protein (12.7±0.31 %), total ash (3.86±0.034 %), dietary fiber (18.9±0.14 %), total fat (4.5±0.38 %) and ascorbic acid (68.5±0.19mg/100g). The hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest quantity of total phenol, total flavonoids, and total tannin content compared to aqueous extract. The hydroalcoholic extract exhibited high DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50=68.1±0.34 μg/ml). The result showed that A.glauca roots have high nutritional and antioxidant potential. Hence the plant can be used as a nutraceutical and natural antioxidant.

1 illus, 5 tables, 35 ref

Variation in antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents of thymus serpyllum l. grown in different climatic conditions of Uttarakhand Himalayas

GOYAL S, PANDEY H K, GULERIA K, TEWARI G

COVIDentistry: Combating corona virus spread in dental setup-Indian prospective

BHANDARI A, JAIN V, BHANDARI R

001357 BHANDARI A, JAIN V, BHANDARI R (DRDO-Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi- 110 054) : COVIDentistry: Combating corona virus spread in dental setup-Indian prospective. Def Life Sci J 2021, 6(1), 93-105.

Making its first presence in humans in China in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as a highly contagious viral particle causing distress of lower respiratory system, named COVID-19. Since January 2020, there has been a worldwide increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and associated deaths. Owing to the contagious nature of the disease and socializing human culture, the disease has spanned over continents resulting in some countries being more severely affected than others. Since the first knowledge of the disease, interim guidelines have been constantly issued by competent authorities to safeguard the interest of masses and healthcare professionals. As and when new details are procured, these guidelines are adequately modified and circulated. As a standard measure, all individuals are expected to maintain social distancing, cover their face with a mask during any outdoor activity and practice hand hygiene and cough etiquettes. Respiratory droplet spread is the most potential source identified for this uncontrolled disease spread. Being of smaller size, aerosols produced during medical treatment too act a potential source of viral particle dissemination. Almost all dental procedures involve production of aerosols in some form or the other, irrespective of the kind of instrumentation used. Additionally, proximity to the oral cavity, one of the sources of droplet production, poses a high risk of disease contraction by dental healthcare workers and visiting patients. With consideration to dental practice, various guidelines have been issued to minimise and control the spread of COVID-19. This article is written with an aim of reviewing these guidelines and sensitizing and encouraging the dental fraternity to follow them and contribute in the current world health crisis.

5 illus, 3 tables, 66 ref

Radiation-induced gene expression signatures for triage biodosimetry

BHAGI S, ALOK A, CHAUDHURY N K

Potential application of bacteriophage in decontaminating biothreat agents

SHARMA S, DATTA S, CHATTERJEE S, VAIRALE M G, DWIVEDI S K

001355 SHARMA S, DATTA S, CHATTERJEE S, VAIRALE M G, DWIVEDI S K (DRDO-Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur- 784 001) : Potential application of bacteriophage in decontaminating biothreat agents. Def Life Sci J 2021, 6(1), 69-83.

Multidrug resistant bacterial infections have become a potent risk, globally and there is an urgent need to phage and phage-derived enzymes as a therapeutic agent. The risk is more prominent in underdeveloped nations, where high population density, poor drinking water, inadequate sanitary and health care facilities ease the spread of infection. Bacteriophages (or ‘phages’) are abundant in nature and highly specific in their infection and pathogenicity, allowing their isolation, enrichment and use against specific bacteria. Employing bacteriophages as a tool for neutralizing potential biological threat agents can thus be an effective approach towards preparedness for biothreat mitigation. Unlike chemical antibiotics, phages are self-propagating, i.e., starting with a small number they can sustain their population, do not affect non-target/ beneficial bacterial populations. The tremendous potential of bacteriophages has recently been shown in treating multidrug resistant bacterial infections in terminally ill human subjects with unprecedented success. The natural anti-bacterial properties can be harnessed for decontamination of food, water, crops and for many other purposes including pathogen reduction in wastewater etc. Additionally, with the advancement in genetic engineering, deliberate use of such engineered multidrug resistant bacteria by state/non-state players has also become a reality. Owing to their resistance to several of the available antibiotics, control and mitigation of emerging pathogens is going to be great challenge. In this context, bacteriophages could be of potential use, since these viruses specifically infect bacterial hosts, often leading to their destruction.

3 illus, 1 table, 78 ref

Phenological and pomological characteristics of native apple (Malus domestica borkh.)cultivars of trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

DOLKER T, KUMAR D, CHANDEL J S, ANGMO S, CHAURASIA O P, STOBDAN T