Informatics Publishing Limited

G. Chitra ¹, K. A. Athira ¹, C. T. Anitha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika-680 566, Thrissur Distt., Kerala, IN

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of Mimosa pudica and Mimosa invisa were evaluated. The extract of these plants was obtained by using methanol and water as solvents. Antibacterial activity was screened by using agar well diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas fluorescens. M. pudica and M. invisa showed highest antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae and B. subtilis respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed that M. pudica and M. invisa, in general, contain active constituents like alkaloids, tannins, flavanoids, steroids, phenols, glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones, etc. having a definite specificity.

Keywords

Antibacterial Activity, Pathogenic Bacteria, Mimosa pudica, Mimosa invisa.

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K. Kalidas ¹, Anagha P. Nair ¹, A. S. Anjana ¹, K. V. Ashika ¹, K. A. Athira ¹

Affiliations
1 Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakkadavu, Pollachi (Kerala), IN

Abstract

Vegetables are known as the protective food. It has great scope in Indian agriculture due to their short duration, high productivity, nutritional benefits and economic viability. Kerala, one of the South Indian state, produces only about five lakh of tonnes of vegetables out of a total annual requirement of around 25 lakh tonnes which is not enough to feed the population. The state now depends entirely on neighboring states for its food requirements. According to thereport from department of agriculture, Kerala around Rs. 1,000 crore worth of vegetables are imported into Kerala yearly. The reasons for this low production of vegetables is due to less number of farmers, as most of the land is under rice cultivation and plantation rather than vegetables. As a thousand crore business is under the industry, the current supply chain management of vegetables is seems to be inefficient. This may be due to the interference of intermediaries. Due to these problems, both the farmers and consumers are being affected. Supply chain in Kerala is fragmented and involves numerous intermediaries such as distributors and resellers who earn the maximum benefit. Inter-state supply chain suffers from many taxes. For smooth functioning supply chain needs professional people but we do not have trained work force in this field. So training and education in supply chain management is required. Supply chain related vegetables in Kerala must be worked upon to increase the efficiency. The present study on supply chain management of vegetables in Kerala helps to understand the various channels in SCM, barriers in SCM, problems and price spread of SCM.

Keywords

Consumers, Intermediaries, Producers, Supply Chain Management, Vegetables.

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K. A. Athira ¹, Seeja Thomachan Panjikkaran ¹, E. R. Aneena ², C. L. Sharon ¹, Berin Pathrose ³, K. Surendra Gopal ⁴, P. S. Lakshmi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Community Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, IN
2 Department of Community Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656
3 Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, IN
4 Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, IN

Abstract

Proximate and anti-nutrient composition of leaves, young shoots, flowers and pods of Moringa were analysed. The KAU released Moringa variety Anupama were selected for analysis. High moisture content of more than 80 % was observed in all parts of Moringa. Leaves had a high moisture content of 85.4%. The protein content was high in young shoots (6.12 g) followed by flowers (4.9 g), leaves (4.37 g) and pods (2.8 g). A high beta carotene content is present in leaves (16265 μg) followed by young shoots (13841 μg), pods (15.62 μg) and flowers (3.25 μg). Fat content of > 0.18 g was observed in all parts of Moringa. Leaves had a high vitamin C content of 53 mg followed by 62.76 mg in pods, 43 mg in young shoots and 7.25 mg in flowers. The calcium content was high in leaves (208 mg) followed by young shoots (123 mg), flowers (38 mg) and pods (24.5 mg). A high iron content of 5.12 mg is present in leaves, 3.90 mg in young shoots, 0.33 mg in flowers and 0.329 mg in pods. Leaves had a high phosphorous content of 95.1 mg followed by 73 mg in young shoots, 66.2 mg in flowers and 46.9 mg in pods. The zinc content was high in flowers (0.342 mg) followed by young shoots (0.30 mg), pods (0.268 mg) and leaves (0.23 mg). Anti-nutritional factors like phytates (18.7 mg), oxalates (15.7 mg) and tannins (0.311 mg) were high in leaves and pods.

Keywords

Moringa oleifera, beta carotene, calcium, phytates, tannin and oxalates

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