The antioxidants in food materials have recently attracted researchers’ attention because many reports have shown that the oxidative stress is closely related to the aging process of the cells and acts as a trigger to various diseases including cancer. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in initiating and promoting several diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular events, this study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of pectic polysaccharides extracted from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, locally known as Daruchini. An arabinogalactan (A), one partly methyl esterified galacturonic acid (B) and a neutral glucan (C) were isolated. The glucan is made up of β-(1 → 3)-linked glucopyranosyl residues and has a molecular mass of 7 kDa. The arabinogalactan is highly branched and has an average molecular mass of 40 kDa. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of the fractions was studied by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The arabinogalactan (A) showed the highest potential followed by the uronic acid (B) and glucan (C). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that these polysaccharides could be used as natural antioxidants by the food industry.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13205-015-0296-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Graphical abstract

The present study was carried out to record the avifaunal diversity and abundance in and around Buxa Tiger Reserve (Raja Bhat Khawa, Buxa Fort, Raimatang and Jayanti) and Rasikbeel Wetland Complex, situated at the northern part of West Bengal, India during 19 th -22 nd November, 2013. A total of 60 bird species belonging to 31 families were identified during four days of study period of which 8 were winter migrants, one was summer migrant and rest were resident. Anthropogenic interventions have altered much of the natural habitat of the present study location; however, a healthy avifaunal diversity was recorded during the present study. More intensive investigations will certainly enrich our knowledge of avian diversity and distribution pattern from the present study location leading to the proper conservation of this important bird area.