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Oil content, fatty acid composition and karanjin content were studied in developing pongamia seeds, at intervals of 3 weeks from 30 weeks after flowering up to 42 weeks. Three marked stages in seed development were observed at the early green pod stage, the middle half brown stage and the late dark brown stage. Significant variation in seed biomass, pod and seed characteristics were observed. A significant (P \ 0.01) decrease in the moisture content of the seeds was observed during seed development. The oil content gradually increased from 32.06 to 36.53 % as the seed matured. A significant variation in fatty acid composition was detected across all stages of seed development. Palmitic acid (16:0) content marginally decreased from 11.81 to 10.18 %, while stearic acid (18:0) and linolenic acid (18:3) remained constant at all stages of seed maturity. A steady increase in oleic acid (18:1) content from 38.11 to 49.11 % was observed, while the linoleic acid (18:2) content decreased from 30.14 to 18.85 %. The iodine value increased, while the saponification number of oil decreased during seed development. The increase in karanjin content was steady. Seeds harvested after 42 week after flowering yielded the maximum oil with high oleic acid content which could be suitable for biodiesel production. KeywordsFatty acid profile Á Karanjin Á Oil content Á Pongamia pinnata Á Seed development Abbreviations WAF Weeks after flowering FAME Fatty acid methyl esters DMRT Duncan multiple range test MC

 Species should have high yields, low labour requirements and high oilseed prices. Value chain reorganization through contracting further stimulates adoption. High opportunity costs of labour demand for alternative business models.

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Hyoscyamus species is one of the four plants used in Ayurveda for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since Hyoscyamus niger was found to contain negligible levels of L-DOPA, we evaluated neuroprotective potential, if any, of characterized petroleum ether and aqueous methanol extracts of its seeds in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD in mice. Air dried authenticated H. niger seeds were sequentially extracted using petroleum ether and aqueous methanol and were characterized employing HPLC-electrochemistry and LCMS. Parkinsonian mice were treated daily twice with the extracts (125-500 mg/kg, p.o.) for two days and motor functions and striatal dopamine levels were assayed. Administration of the aqueous methanol extract (containing 0.03% w/w of L-DOPA), but not petroleum ether extract, significantly attenuated motor disabilities (akinesia, catalepsy and reduced swim score) and striatal dopamine loss in MPTP treated mice. Since the extract caused significant inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity and attenuated 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP+)-induced hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation in isolated mitochondria, it is possible that the methanolic extract of Hyoscyamus niger seeds protects against parkinsonism in mice by means of its ability to inhibit increased ·OH generated in the mitochondria.