Innovation in textile has brought alternative plant based fibers such as bamboo into the spotlight and as a replacement to petrochemical based synthetic fibers. Bamboo as a raw material is a remarkably sustainable and versatile resource but the manufacturing process is where the debate really gets heated and the sustainability and green image of bamboo is tarnished. Products made from bamboo are often labeled as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘bio-degradable’ and ‘anti-microbial’ irrespective of their method of manufacturing. The claims may not always portray the products authenticity and true environmental impact. By far, viscose process is predominantly used to create fibers from bamboo but the properties of natural bamboo fibers in such bamboo viscose products have been lost. However, bamboo textiles are not yet achieved their full potential and cleaner production processes are appearing. With abundant sources of raw material, relatively low cost; and unique performance of bamboo fiber it is only a matter of time to develop green and pure bamboo textiles. This paper analyses the prospects of bamboo fibers providing a view on bamboo as a plant and processed fiber, facts regarding the antimicrobial properties of bamboo fibers, its chemical properties, morphology, anatomy, historical overview, patents and modern bamboo textile industry.

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Phytic acid (PA) is considered as an anti‐nutritional factor (ANF) present in cereals and legumes and bind to cationic minerals including iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), thus reducing their bioavailability in both ruminants and nonruminants. The present study was aimed at finding the impact of PA on bioavailability of Fe and Zn. Six rice cultivars with contrasting PA were evaluated for total phosphorus (P), PA, Fe, and Zn in brown and processed rice. A significant correlation of PA of brown rice with PA of milled rice (r = .69) was observed. PA and Zn content were negatively correlated (r = −.55) in brown rice while no significant correlation was found between PA and Zn in milled rice. The rice cultivar Bindli, with lowest PA (0.82 g/100 g) was found to exhibit high Zn bioavailability, while PB267, with highest PA (2.62 g/100 g) showed low Zn and Fe bioavailability. Practical applications Rice is staple food for millions of people, especially the Asians. Fe and Zn are essential micronutrients required for human growth and development, but the rice grain is deficient in Fe and has only moderate amounts of Zn. The bioavailability of these minerals are impaired by PA which chelates and bind cationic minerals in both ruminants and nonruminants. Screening of rice genotypes with low PA and high minerals bioavailability may be suitable for people suffering from micronutrient malnutrition.

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Low light (LL) stress is an important abiotic stress of wet season which adversely affects starch biosynthesis and results in drastic reduction in rice grain yield. In general, the grain yield decreases together with reduction in the amylose (AC) and resistant starch (RS) contents while the glycemic index (GI) values increased in plants exposed to LL stress. This is the first report of the effect of LL stress on RS and GI values. In the present investigation, 14 rice genotypes are studied for the effect of LL stress on AC, RS, and GI of the grains. Rice genotypes, Purnendu and Shashi differ in exhibiting relatively much lower reduction in AC and RS and hence little change in their GI values under LL stress, while wide variation is observed for the rest of the genotypes. The grain yields of Purnendu and Shashi are also not much affected by the LL stress. There is a dramatic increase in the expression levels of the gbssI in the middle stage of grain development in the two genotypes (Purnendu and Mahisugandha with contrasting RS, AC, and GI). Maximum expression of the gene was observed in Purnendu at middle stage showing a positive correlation between RS and gbssI expression. As rice is grown mainly in wet season, the identification of rice genotypes which do not permit much change in RS value when grown under LL and hence no significant increase in the GI value, would help to develop better rice varieties for consumption by diabetics.

Jute-cotton and jute-wool union fabrics have been printed with colorant extracted fromRheum emodiwith guar gum and albumin as thickening agents and aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, and ferrous sulphate as mordants. Printing withRheum emodicolorant with different mordants resulted in different shades ranging from yellowish brown, deep brown, reddish brown, and gray shades to olive black. TheK/Svalue showed that mordants, namely, CuSO4and FeSO4, exhibited high colour absorption regardless of the nature of material used. All the printed samples have good to excellent wash, rubbing and light fastness properties regardless of the nature of materials, mordants, and thickeners used. Guar gum is closely at par with albumin as a thickening agent and considering the cost and availability of raw material, guar gum is the better choice for the textile industry.

Objective: Proximal femoral morphometries such as hip axis length (HAL), femoral neck (FN) axis length (FNAL), and FN shaft angle (FNSA) are important parameters for prediction of fracture risk. These parameters are affected by factors such as body habitus, age, sex, race, bone mineral density (BMD), and body mass index. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between proximal femoral morphometry and BMD. Methods:We conducted an observational cross-sectional study in 168 patients. The measurements of radiological parameters such as HAL, FNAL, and FNSA were taken using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. FN-BMD was measured using LUNAR XR scanner and expressed as gm/cm². The correlation between proximal femoral morphometry and FN-BMD has been studied using Karl Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results:The mean age, height, weight, HAL, FNAL, FNSA, and FN-BMD of the study population were found to be 58.72 years, 160.15 cm, 64.38 kg, 104.14 mm, 103.51 mm, 128.51°, and 0.761 g/cm², respectively. FN-BMD had a negative correlation with HAL (r=−0.791), FNAL (r=−0.734), and FNSA (r=−0.713) where p=0.000. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between FN-BMD and proximal femoral morphometry. This observation will be helpful in exploration of its clinical significance in proximal femoral fracture.