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A high molecular weight (3037 kDa) dextran-like polysaccharide was purified from the culture broth of a probiotic Weissella cibaria. Dry weight of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) obtained after ethanol precipitation was 6.35 g/L by using sucrose as carbon source and was further purified by phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1) extraction and acetone precipitation to white powder with 52% recovery. Rheological characterization revealed that it has a pseudoplastic behaviour and showed a temperature tolerance of up to 280 °C in thermogravimetric analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the characteristic peaks of polysaccharide such as hydroxyl group, α-pyranose, asymmetrical C-H stretching vibration of methyl group and carbonyl hydrogens of D-glucopyranose. The (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum showed resonances of hydrogen corresponding to the glucosyl residue, a repeat unit of the biopolymer. The cell viability analysis of normal L6 cells treated with the Weissella EPS showed that it is noncytotoxic even up to the 500-μg/mL level. A 0.2% (w/v) supplementation of EPS in 2% (w/v) wheat starch preparation could reduce the degree of syneresis up to 45% and up to 75% with 1% EPS.

Executive Summary This article addresses two main questions: Does a value premium exist in emerging market like India? If so, how pervasive is it in different market conditions? Value premium is assumed to be the difference in stock returns of undervalued and overvalued firms with a unique industry profile. The sample for the study consisted of 32 companies from the Information Technology (IT) sector, the stocks of which had traded continuously in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) during the period 2000–2010. Prowess and Capitaline constitute the sources for the firm-level financial data, and NSE web sources provide data related to share prices and market capitalization. The study involved a two-step empirical procedure: an exploratory factor analysis and a regression modelling under Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. Exploratory factor analysis identified earnings growth and Earnings Price (E/P) rate as the prime determinants of stock returns. Expected earnings growth significantly explained E/P rate under OLS regression framework. The study then estimated normal E/P rate for the individual stock and compared the same with the actual E/P. If the actual E/P for a particular stock was greater than its estimated E/P, it was inferred that the stock was undervalued, the reverse being the case for overvaluation. The findings of this research provide empirical validity of use of E/P rate in identifying mispriced stocks in the Indian context. Undervalued stocks can produce better returns compared to overvalued stocks, and their success has been both persistent and impressive. E/P rate or P/E ratio is a valuable analytic device when properly interpreted. The publicly available E/P rate seems to possess information content and warrants an investor’s attention at the time of his portfolio formation or revision. The search process involving E/P rate suggests that the best buy would be the stock whose reported earnings per share is expected to grow most rapidly.

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Livestock markets perform major exchange function of animals in India. These markets play a considerable share in the economic gain of farmers and act as a social and cultural migration hub for the domestic and foreign tourists also. But they are largely unorganized and dominated by informal traders. The structural base of livestock markets determines the sales pattern and the major price value of animals is bagged by middlemen. These markets are functioning under the jurisdiction of the state governments and supervision is under the control of the local bodies. The different marketing strategies in the markets and pricing are affected by qualitative and quantitative factors of animals. The major constraints regarding the livestock markets are the lack of facilities and unawareness of knowledge among the sellers and buyers. The role of livestock markets in disease transmission is also a matter of concern. Details regarding animal movement will facilitate epidemiological studies to prevent contagious diseases from outside the country. In the present COVID-19 pandemic, conventional livestock markets are closed and virtual markets based on online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and E-commerce sites are coming up and these transformations are absolutely inevitable. Keywords: Livestock markets, Marketing strategies, India