K. L. Bajaj

Effect of different levels of nitrogen and farmyard manure on yield and quality of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.)

The effect of different levels of nitrogen N0(0kg/ha), N1(30 kg/ha), N2 (60 kg/ha), and N3 (90 kg/ha) and farmyard manure F0 (0 tonnes/ha), F1 (10 tonnes/ha), and F2 (20 tonnes/ha) on the yield and nutrient composition of spinach and its uptake was investigated on a sandy loam soil. Yield; phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper uptakes; and ascorbic acid content increased with the application of both the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and the farmyard manure, with a maximum at the N3F2 level, i.e. at 90 kg N/ha with 20 tonnes FYM/ha. However, the contents of protein, β-carotene, and reducing sugars were maximum at the highest dose of nitrogen without the application of farmyard manure.

Colorimetric determination of capsaicin in capsicum fruits with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent

SummaryA colorimetric method for determination of capsaicin in capsicum fruits is described. The acetone or ethyl acetate extract (prepared at room temperature) is purified on a basic alumina (Brockmann Grade I) column and pure capsaicin is eluted with methanol-acetone-water (75∶25∶1); the capsaicin content is determined after colour development with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the absorbance being measured at 760 nm. The method is reproducible and results are in good agreement with those obtained by existing methods.ZusammenfassungEine kolorimetrische Methode zur Bestimmung von Capsaicin in Paprikafrüchten wurde beschrieben. Der bei Zimmertemperatur gewonnene Aceton-oder Essigesterextrakt wird in einer Säule aus basischem Aluminiumoxid (Brockmann I) gereinigt und das reine Capsaicin durch Farbreaktion mit Folin-Ciocalteu-Reagens und Messung bei 760 nm durchgeführt. Die reproduzierbaren Ergebnisse stimmen mit denen anderer Methoden gut überein.

Chemical evaluation of some important varieties of onion (Allium cepa L.).

Five white and seven red varieties of onion were analysed for dry matter, carbohydrates, total phenols, coloring matter, lachrymatory factor and pyruvic acid content. Percent dry matter varied from 10.66 to 14.80. Total water soluble sugars, reducing sugars and total phenols ranged from 41.50 to 74.00, 12.00 to 22.25, and 1.75 to 2.95 percent (on a dry wt basis), respectively. The lachrymatory factor and pyruvic acid content ranged from 8.00 to 27.25 mg/100g and 6.18 to 13.27 micro moles/g respectively on a fresh wt basis. Red varieties contained a higher phenolic content than white ones. Varieties with higher phenolic content also had a greater amount of coloring matter in the dehydrated onions. The variety Punjab-48 was considered to be most suitable for dehydration purposes.

Chemical composition and some plant characteristics in relation to quality of some promising cultivars of carrot (Daucus carota L.).

Twenty three cultivars of carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots consisting of fifteen local and eight exotic cultivars were analysed for various chemical constituents including dry matter, total soluble solids (TSS), β-carotene, total and reducing sugars, phenolics, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, sodium potassium and ash. In addition other characteristics such as days to maturity, root weight and length, flesh thickness, core diameter, number of forked and cracked roots per plot have been studied. Yellow carrots were found to have maximum root length, water soluble carbohydrates and minimum β-carotene content. The exotic cultivars were found to have higher TSS content than the local cultivars, while the latter cultivars had higher mineral contents than the former. However, on the average, dry matter content, total water soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars were found to be greater in exotic cultivars than in local ones, but β-carotene, phenols and phosphorus contents were greater in local cultivars. A significant positive correlation between β-carotene content, ash percentage and days to maturity was observed. A wide variation in chemical constituents and plant characteristics was observed indicating a high genetic variability in the material under study.

Glycoalkaloid Content And Other Chemical Constituents Of The Fruits Of Some Egg Plant (Solanum Melongena, L.)Varieties

AbstractTwenty-one varieties of egg plant (Solanum melongena, L.) were analysed for various chemical constituents. On the average the long-type varieties were rich in dry matter, crude protein, ant...

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on nutritive values of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum L.) fruits

The effect of different levels of nitrogen N0 (0), N1 (60), N2 (80) and N3 (100) kg/ha and phosphorus P0 (0), P1 (32), P2 (48) and P3 (64) kg/ha on the nutrient composition of sweet pepper fruits was investigated. Dry matter content was found to increase at N0 level at highest concentration of phosphorus and as well as at P0 level at highest concentration of nitrogen. At P2 concentration, at different levels of nitrogen, the ascorbic acid content was more as compared to that at other levels of phosphorus. Protein content was found to increase with increasing nitrogen doses and was also found to increase at maximum dose of nitrogen with increasing concentration of phosphorus. Capsaicin content was found to be more at P2 level at different doses of nitrogen. The uptake of phosphorus by the pepper fruit was found to increase at N0 and N2 levels. Maximum uptake of phosphorus and dry matter content was observed at N0P3 levels. Maximum protein, ascorbic acid and capsaicin contents were found at N3P2 level.

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and weed control on nutritive quality of carrots (Daucus carota L.)

The nutritive quality of carrots, obtained from different herbicide-treated plots and under different levels of nitrogen application ranging from zero to 80kg nitrogen/ha, was compared. There were significant differences in carotene content, T.S.S. (total soluble solids) and organolptic characteristics under the influence of different treatments. The maximum carotene content, T.S.S. and organoleptic characteristics were observed with the application of 80 kg. nitrogen/ha and fluchloralin herbicide at 0.90 and 1.20 kg/ha.

Effects of nematicides on the chemical composition of the fruits of egg-plant (Solanum melongena L.).

Five nematicides — aldicarb, carbofuran, phorate, fensulfothion and DBCP — were studied in a field experiment to investigate their effect on the chemical composition of the fruits of egg-plant. There were no significant differences in the dry matter content of fruits from different treatments. A significant decrease in the crude protein content was observed with nematicide treatments. Phenolic compounds increased on application of phorate while all other treatments, except carbofuran, decreased these compounds. A significant increase over control in solasodine content of fruits was observed with all treatments.

Effect of CIPC [Isopropyl-N(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate] on total nitrogen content and polyphenol oxidase activity in relation to processing of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) stored under different conditions

Two varieties of potatoes viz. Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Sindhuri were treated with Isopropyl-N(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate at two different concentrations viz. 4000 and 5000 ppm. The treated potatoes were stored for a period of four months under different storage conditions i.e. room temperature, cold and evaporative cooling chamber storage and analysed for polyphenol oxidase activity, total nitrogen content and quality of dried slices produced from these at different stages of storage. Higher nitrogen content was observed in CIPC treated potatoes as compared to control. Polyphenol oxidase activity decreased more in Kufri Chandramukhi than in Kufri Sindhuri in CIPC treated as well as in control experiments. The changes in nitrogen content and polyphenol oxidase activity were more pronounced in evaporating cooling chamber and in room storage than in the cold storage. The quality of potato slices prepared from both varieties confirmed the superiority of Kufri Chandramukhi over Kufri Sindhuri for processing purposes.

A sensitive colorimetric method for the microdetermination of flavonols

SummaryA colorimetric method for the quantitative determination of flavonols has been developed. The method is based on the reaction of the antimony(III) complex with flavonols to form an intensely yellow colour. The metal-flavonol complex has an absorption maximum at 410 nm. The Lambert-Beer law is obeyed in the concentration range of 0.4–6μg/ml for quercetin and the method is quite reproducible. Catechins, flavones and flavonol glycosides and some of the phenolic acids do not interfere. Individual flavonols can be efficiently separated by paper chromatography and estimated after elution from the chromatographic paper. Our results show that in the metal-complex formation, the 4-carbonyl and 3-hydroxy groups of the flavonols are involved. This method does not involve pH adjustment (which is not considered desirable in case of flavonols).ZusammenfassungEine kolorimetrische Methode zur Bestimmung von Flavonolen wurde ausgearbeitet. Sie beruht auf der Bildung des intensiv gelb gefärbten Komplexes von Sb(III) mit Flavonolen, dessen Absorptionsmaximum bei 410 nm liegt. Die Farbe entspricht zwischen 0,4 und 6μg Quercetin/ml dem Lambert-Beerschen Gesetz. Die Ergebnisse sind gut reproduzierbar. Catechine, Flavone, Flavonolglucoside sowie einige aromatische Hydroxysäuren stören nicht. Die einzelnen Flavonole lassen sich papierchromatographisch gut trennen und nach Elution bestimmen. Nach den Ergebnissen dieser Arbeit sind die 4-Carbonyl- und die 3-Hydroxygruppe an der komplexen Bindung des Metalls beteiligt. Das Verfahren erfordert keine Einstellung des pH, die im Fall der Flavonole auch nicht wünschenswert ist.