Phenolic compounds of fruits have been shown to maintain human health. However, the relative amounts of phenolic compounds and the variation in the types of phenolics are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the most effective solvent for extracting the potent antioxidant compounds, especially phenolics from pomegranate aril. Pomegranate aril was subjected to extraction using different solvents viz., water, ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether either alone or in combination, and the extraction yield, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The extracts derived from various solvents were also analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of major polyphenols (punicalagins, ellagic acid and gallic acid) of pomegranate. Amongst the tested solvents, combination of ethanol, diethyl ether and water (8:1:1) extract exhibited the highest 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging power (IC50 = 10.12 μg mL-1). Further, HPLC analysis of different extracts revealed that ethanol, diethyl ether and water (8:1:1) mixture contained significantly higher (p<0.05) amounts of punicalagin A (1.06 μg mg-1 extract), punicalagin B (2.07± 0.03 μg mg-1 extract), ellagic acid (34.5 μg mg-1 extract) and gallic acid (3.37 μg mg-1 extract) in comparison to the other solvents used for extraction. The results demonstrate that pomegranate aril is a good source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity and the antioxidant activity is dependent on the type of solvent system that extracts different phenolic compounds with varying polarity. The solvent extracts that showed effective antioxidants activities have the potential for application in suitable food products.

These fungal strains can be used for As remediation in As-contaminated agricultural soils.

Bergenia ciliata Sternb., commonly known as Paashaanbhed, is a well known herb of Sikkim Himalaya with various pharmaceutical properties. However, scientific exploration of B. ciliata, growing in the Sikkim Himalaya, for phytochemicals and pharmacological properties is in infancy. With this view, the present study was undertaken to investigate B. ciliata leaf extracts for antioxidant, antimicrobial activity and bioactive compounds. Three solvents viz., methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane were used for extraction and the respective leaf extracts were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents along with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Amongst the tested solvents, methanol was found to be the best solvent for extraction with highest total phenolic contents and the lowest IC50 values for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Methanol extract also exhibited effective antimicrobial activity, particularly against bacteria and actinomycetes. Further, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that methanolic extract contains the highest amount of all the three analyzed bioactive compounds viz. bergenin, catechin and gallic acid. The current study suggests that the methanol extract of B. ciliata is a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that can be used in food and drug industries.

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Spilanthes acmella Murr. has a plethora of highly valuable biologically active compounds and has been listed as one of the important medicinal plants of the world. However, no perceptible biotechnological advances have been made for this genus to exploit or enhance its utility. To nullify the effect of seasonal variations, the present report is the first attempt to establish in vitro cell suspension cultures and to evaluate the production of spilanthol from them, a key component of the plant responsible for most of its pharmaceutical activities. The study examined the biomass growth in relation to the consumption of major nutrients and sucrose, agitation speed and dynamic change in pH. Results indicated that the consumption of phosphate resulted in the onset of decline phase in cultures. Spilanthol production was observed to be growth associated and maximum production occurred on the 15th day. Among the carbon sources, the highest production of spilanthol as 91.4 µg g(-1) DW was recorded in the medium supplemented with sucrose, followed by glucose which produced 56.8 µg g(-1) DW of spilanthol. Spilanthol could not be detected in fructose containing medium. Maximum viable cultures were obtained at a rotation speed of cells at 120 rpm. This study signifies the utility of Spilanthes suspension cultures for biosynthesis and constant production of spilanthol, throughout the year. The results of present study are useful for further scale-up process.

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850shift of a certain amount of water from the intracellular to the extracellular space. However the results obtained do not indicate whether the increase of inulin uptake due to contractile activity can be attributed to an actual change of volume of the extracellular space rather than to a modification in the diffusion kinetics of inulin: in this latter case we must assume that non equilibrium conditions are present H. During contractions, inulin might be taken up more easily by compartments (perhaps other than the extracellular space) where, Experientia 37 (1981), Birkh/iuser Verlag, Basel (Schweiz) in resting conditions, it enters at a very low rate: it seems difficult to explain why the phenomenon should be less pronounced or absent following isotonic contractions. In order to clarify the results obtained, a further investigation will be devoted to the diffusion kinetics of inulin and HTO in resting and active muscles. Anyhow the results obtained suggest that the determination of cellular electrolytes in isolated muscle preparations should be accompanied by an accurate measurement of the extracellular space and its possible changes due to the experimental conditions. Summary. A peculiar neurosecretory system is reported in 6 teleost species; Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mystus seenghala, Ompak pabda, Glassogobius giuris and Notopterus notopterus. It is located in the gill region close to the pseudobranch or to the carotid labyrinth. The neurosecretory ceils have been identified using stains specific for neurosecretion. The results are discussed in the light of the association of the neurosecretory system with the pseudobranch or the carotid labyrinth, and the airbreathing habit of these fishes.In fishes, only 2 neurosecretory systems are known; the hypophysial system of the head and the caudal neurosecretory system of the tail. A peculiar 3rd system of neurosecretion has been found by us to exist in certain fishes, and in the present report an account of this is presented. The neurosecretory cells have been identified histologically, using neurosecretory stains like aldehyde fuchsin 2, acidviolet 3 and iron-haematoxylin 4. So far, this system has been found in 6 teleostean species; namely Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mystus seenghala, Ompak pabda, Glassogobius giuris and Notopterus notopterus, which belong to 3 different orders, but not in the carps Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. Results. In the 6 species mentioned above, neurosecretory cells are found to occur clumped into groups forming a large ganglionic mass, which is located in the gill region in

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