G. Misra

Chemical composition of acacia seeds

Several plants of Acacieae (family Leguminosae) have been recommended under aforestation programs. The seeds of some such plants have been examined for their fatty acid composition with special reference to epoxy acids. Epoxy 18:1 in Acacia auriculiformis, A. catechu, A. coriacea and A. mellifera was 4.9, 0.1, 2.1, and 0.6%,respectively.

Saponins from three species of Mimusops

Six saponins were isolated from the seed kernel of Mimusops elengi, M. hexandra and M. manilkara. Their structures were determined using a combination of 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy. Three of them are new compounds: 3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl) 28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->3) beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4) [alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)] alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2) alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl) protobassic acid, 3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosly) 28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3) beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4) alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2) alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl) 16-alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid and 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3) beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3) beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4) alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2) alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl) protobassic acid.

Chemical composition ofacacia seeds

The seeds of 12 species ofAcacia, although rich in C-18 unsaturated acids (47.9–93.5%), have low oil content (2.5–10.2%). Highest concentration of octadecatrienoic acid was inA. lenticularis (80.3%),A. suma (76.8%) andA. tortilis (71.7%) oils.A. mollissima was rich in octadecadienoic (69.1%) andA. senegal in octadecenoic (42.5%) acids. All the seed oils showed the presence of epoxy 18:1 acid, 0.6–3.8%. The protein content of the processed seed meals ranged from 13.4–37.2%, the highest being inA. senegal. Fiber content varied from 8.8–11.9%.

Assay of some nutritional and antinutritional factors in different cultivars of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) seeds

Seed of 34 cultivars of winged bean of different origin were evaluated for their nutritional composition and the antinutritional factor, the trypsin inhibitor. The values ranged from 14.1–17.6, 6.12–8.73, 21.94–34.89 and 30.86–39.05% for their fat, fibre, carbohydrate and protein contents, respectively. The protein content in defatted seed meal ranged from 33.43–47.25%, whereas the trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) registered a wide variation from 63–123 mg g−1 with seed coat and 51–98 mg g−1 without seed coat. The strain selection-12 and NBRI selection contained the minimum TIA (63 mg g−1), while the highest value (123 mg g−1) was in variety V7, a 2-fold higher activity.

Butyraceol, a triterpenoidal sapogenin from Madhuca butyracea

Abstract The structure of a new triterpenoidal sapogenin, butyraceol, from the seed saponin of Madhuca butyracea has been elucidated as olean-5,12-dien-2β,3β,23-triol by spectral data and comparison with a synthesized sample.

Identification of 24-methylenelophenol from heartwood of Azadirachta indica

Abstract 24-Methylenelophenol was identified from the heartwood of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica .

Studies on the adaptability of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) to marginal soil conditions under semi-arid sub tropics

A cultivation trial of winged bean under its popularisation programme has been undertaken on marginal sodic soils. The study showed no abnormality at any stage of the culture and the food value of the produce was concurrent with those reported in literature. The seed production (0.7–1.56 tons/hectare) was in accordance with the average yield obtained in other tropical countries. The highest seed yield (2.199 tons/hectare) was obtained when the seeds were sown at 32.4 cm2 spacing. Staked crops yielded 73% more seeds. The oil (18%), free from parinaric acid, and protein (28.8% on the seed) contents of the seed tally with the values reported elsewhere. The seed oil can be stored for a longer time without any change in its quality.