Jagdeep Singh

Isomalto-oligosaccharides, a prebiotic, functionally augment green tea effects against high fat diet-induced metabolic alterations via preventing gut dysbacteriosis in mice

&NA; High fat diet (HFD)‐induced alterations in gut microbiota and resultant ‘leaky gut’ phenomenon promotes metabolic endotoxemia, ectopic fat deposition, and low‐grade systemic inflammation. Here we evaluated the effects of a combination of green tea extract (GTE) with isomalto‐oligosaccharide (IMOs) on HFD‐induced alterations in mice. Male Swiss albino mice were fed with HFD (58% fat kcal) for 12 weeks. Systemic adiposity, gut derangement parameters and V3‐V4 region based 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, ectopic fat deposition, liver metabolome analysis, systemic and tissue inflammation, and energy homeostasis markers along with gene expression analysis in multiple tissues were done in mice supplemented with GTE, IMOs or their combination. The combination of GTE and IMOs effectively prevented HFD‐induced adiposity and lipid accumulation in liver and muscle while normalizing fasting blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, and leptin levels. Co‐administration of GTE with IMOs effectively modulated liver metabolome associated with lipid metabolism. It also prevented leaky gut phenotype and HFD‐induced increase in circulating lipopolysaccharides and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (e.g. resistin, TNF‐&agr;, and IL‐1&bgr;) and reduction in anti‐inflammatory cytokines (e.g. adiponectin and IL‐6). Gene expression analysis across multiple tissues further supported these functional outcomes. Most importantly, this combination improved beneficial gut microbiota (Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, Roseburia spp.) abundances, restored Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes and improved Prevotella/Bacteroides proportions. In particular, a combination of these two agents has shown improved beneficial effects on multiple parameters studied. Data presented herein suggests that strategically chosen food components might be highly effective in the prevention of HFD‐induced alterations and may further be developed as functional foods. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. Preventive effects of co‐administration of GTE with IMOs against HFD‐induced alterations in mice. Administration of GTE with IMOs to HFD‐fed mice prevented diet induced pathologies across multiple organ system. Its supplementation prevented adipose tissue mass building and prevented systemic obesity. It also prevented HFD‐induced alteration in insulin, glucagon and leptin levels. In liver, GTE with IMOs most effectively prevented HFD‐induced lipid and glucose metabolism aberrations, inflammation (via NF‐kB pathway activation) and metabolites patterns. Systemically, it prevented HFD‐induced increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and reduction in anti‐inflammatory adipokines. Its supplementation also prevented HFD‐induced impairment in glucose tolerance and in turn improved insulin sensitivity. It also prevented HFD‐induced gut microbial dysbiosis along with structural damages and SCFAs production. A reduced lipopolysaccharide production further assisted towards improved insulin sensitivity and reduced systemic inflammation.

Comparative Analysis of Phenolic Compound Characterization and Their Biosynthesis Genes between Two Diverse Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties Differing for Chapatti (Unleavened Flat Bread) Quality

Phenolic compounds (PCs) affect the bread quality and can also affect the other types of end-use food products such as chapatti (unleavened flat bread), now globally recognized wheat-based food product. The detailed analysis of PCs and their biosynthesis genes in diverse bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties differing for chapatti quality have not been studied. In this study, the identification and quantification of PCs using UPLC-QTOF-MS and/or MS/MS and functional genomics techniques such as microarrays and qRT-PCR of their biosynthesis genes have been studied in a good chapatti variety, “C 306” and a poor chapatti variety, “Sonalika.” About 80% (69/87) of plant phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in these varieties. Nine PCs (hinokinin, coutaric acid, fertaric acid, p-coumaroylqunic acid, kaempferide, isorhamnetin, epigallocatechin gallate, methyl isoorientin-2′-O-rhamnoside, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside) were identified only in the good chapatti variety and four PCs (tricin, apigenindin, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, and myricetin-3-glucoside) in the poor chapatti variety. Therefore, about 20% of the identified PCs are unique to each other and may be “variety or genotype” specific PCs. Fourteen PCs used for quantification showed high variation between the varieties. The microarray data of 44 phenolic compound biosynthesis genes and 17 of them on qRT-PCR showed variation in expression level during seed development and majority of them showed low expression in the good chapatti variety. The expression pattern in the good chapatti variety was largely in agreement with that of phenolic compounds. The level of variation of 12 genes was high between the good and poor chapatti quality varieties and has potential in development of markers. The information generated in this study can be extended onto a larger germplasm set for development of molecular markers using QTL and/or association mapping approaches for their application in wheat breeding.

Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis in F1C2 population of potato genotypes

The study was done on genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient of potato to get the breeding strategy of the genotypes wherein 126 F1C2 population with 4 check varieties of potato were grown in augmented block design and accommodated in 9 blocks having 14 plots each. Genotypes were evaluated to find out the variation and correlation of twelve traits with the tuber yield. Maximum positive direct effect on tuber yield per meter square was imposed by percent plant emergence at 30 days after planting, plant height, and average tuber weight, number of stems per plant, dry matter and total soluble solids, number of tubers per plant, specific gravity and ascorbic acid. However, protein content, and tuber diameter were exerted negative direct effect towards yield. Positive direct effects of tuber weight and number of tubers per plant indicate good scope for improvement in tuber yield by selecting genotypes bearing high tuber weight along with more number of tubers per plant. The tubers, obtained from the present investigation, were virus free but of smaller size, therefore, the selected genotypes after evaluation should be grown for five to six generations to get the high marketable yield. Therefore the evaluated genotypes might be grown for 5–6 generations to get maximum marketable yield.

Evaluation of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes and their interaction with foliar application of NAA during spring summer season under foot hills of Himalayas in Uttarakhand.

HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE ABSTRACT : An experiment involving twenty four genotypes of chilli and three created environments (E 0 – No spray, E 1 – Single spray on NAA @ 40 ppm and E 2 – Double spray of NAA @ 40 ppm) was carried out during spring summer season at Vegetable Research Centre, Pantnagar to determine the best genotype, suitable environment and their interactions for higher production of chilli. Out of the three environments, E 2 was found better for red ripen fruit yield, number of fruits/plant, 100-seed weight, seed : husk ratio, minimum incidence of disease viz., anthracnose and leaf curl virus, whereas, significant variations were observed for all the 18 characters studied. Among genotypes viz., G 23 (PC-2062), G 24 (PC-2064) and G 22 (PC-2057) produced significantly more number of fruits/plant and G 20 (PC-7) followed by G 21 (PC-56) and G 2 (Co-4) performed better for weight of fruits/plant. Genotypes G 23 and G 21 produced 110.26 and 71.60 per cent higher yield over check variety Pant C-1, respectively. Longest fruits (13.59 cm) were obtained in G 20 (PC-7) .More number and weight of seeds/fruit were recorded in G 22 (PC-2057). Out of all the 72 interactions, G 23 E 1 was found better for number and weight of fruits/ plant whereas, G 23 E 1 (254.42 q/ha), G 22 E 1 and G 2 E 2 produced higher red ripen fruit yield over rest of the interactions.