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2020 - 20225
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Author: Ravneet Kaur × End date: 2022 × Start date: 2020 ×
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    Evaluation of morpho-physiological and metal accumulation potential of Salix alba L. and Toona ciliata M. Roemer grown on heavy metal contaminated soils
    (Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Ravneet Kaur; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigations were carried out to study the effect of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and their combinations (Pb+Cd) on morpho-physiological and metal accumulation potential of Salix alba and Toona ciliata during 2020 and 2021. Heavy metals induce negative effect on morphological and biomass attributes of both species, but Toona showed better survival percentage (>95%) than Salix (<55%) even at higher concentrations of Pb300 and Cd25. The accumulation of proline, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins along with increased antioxidant enzyme activities are responsible to enhance tolerance in both species. On the basis of phytoremediation efficiency evaluation factors such as bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF), Salix alba can be categorized as excluder plant for Pb and Cd with higher metal accumulation in roots than shoots (BCF>1, TF<1), while Toona ciliata can be categorized as hyperaccumulator with more Pb and Cd accumulation in the shoots than roots (BCF>1 and TF>1). Further, heavy metal translocation and accumulation decreased in combinations as compared to single element application suggesting the antagonistic relationship among both metals. Pb and Cd negatively affect the plant nutrient content either by affecting their translocation or by decreasing nutrient availability in soils. Anatomical studies showed significant alterations in stomatal pore size, stomatal density and trichome density due to heavy metal toxicity in both Salix and Toona. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) results confirmed the Pb and Cd accumulation sites in the leaves and root tissues of plants. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that Pb and Cd accumulation in plants induced changes in carboxy, amino, hydroxyl and phosphate groups that ultimately caused alteration in physiological functioning in plants. Conclusively, both Salix alba and Toona ciliata have potential to be used as remediation species for Pb and Cd contaminated soils.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL AND METAL ACCUMULATION POTENTIAL OF Salix alba L. AND Toona ciliata M. Roemer GROWN ON HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Ravneet Kaur; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigations were carried out to study the effect of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and their combinations (Pb+Cd) on morpho-physiological and metal ccumulation potential of Salix alba and Toona ciliata during 2020 and 2021. Heavy metals induce negative effect on morphological and biomass attributes of both species, but Toona showed better survival percentage (>95%) than Salix (1, TF1 and TF>1). Further, heavy metal translocation and accumulation decreased in combinations as compared to single element application suggesting the antagonistic relationship among both metals. Pb and Cd negatively affect the plant nutrient content either by affecting their translocation or by decreasing nutrient availability in soils. Anatomical studies showed significant alterations in stomatal pore size, stomatal density and trichome density due to heavy metal toxicity in both Salix and Toona. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) results confirmed the Pb and Cd accumulation sites in the leaves and root tissues of plants. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that Pb and Cd accumulation in plants induced changes in carboxy, amino, hydroxyl and phosphate groups that ultimately caused alteration in physiological functioning in plants. Conclusively, both Salix alba and Toona ciliata have potential to be used as remediation species for Pb and Cd contaminated soils.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Development of stable rodent repellents with increased efficacy using essential oils
    (2020) Ravneet Kaur
    Rodents are the serious pests in both agricultural and commensal situations. Many ecofriendly, easily available, economically viable plant based repellents are developed for reducing rodent damage. Repellent behavior of house rat (Rattus rattus) was studied using 2.5% methyl anthranilate (MA) in Feed Scale Consumption Monitor (FSCM) and in I-maze under Ethovision Video Tracking System. Results revealed existence of primary olfactory repellent effect of MA against house rat (R. rattus). Histomorphological studies of tongue revealed sloughing of filiform and fungiform papillae, degeneration of keratin layer, mild hyperkeratosis and dysplasia, exophytic hyperplasia of epithelial layer of tongue. In case of nasal tissue, change in shape of maxilloturbinates and nasoturbinates, loss of cilia, degeneration of goblet cells and decrease in thickness of epithelial layer of nasal septum was recorded. Results again revealed existence of olfactory and gustatory repellent effect of MA. Application of MA based formulations (F1-F6) prepared using mixture of different oils, photostabilizers and stickers on wheat bags under simulated storage conditions in breeding cages and in experimental rattery revealed that formulation F2 was more effective. Application of effective formulation F2 along with different delivery systems (wood waste (WW), maize cobs (MC) and wheat straw (WS)) under simulated storage conditions revealed that sprinkling of formulation F2+WW (Wood Waste) on wheat bags prevented rodent damage for upto 8-35 days under simulated storage conditions, grain stores and in ESIC hospital. Duration of prevention of rodent damage reduced under no-choice conditions and with increase in rodent infestation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of sports dietician on the nutritional knowledge and status of college athletes
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Ravneet Kaur; Navjot Kaur
    Research study to assess the influence of sports dietician on nutritional knowledge and status of 120 (18-25 years) college athletes, selected from two universities participating in 5 sports viz. hockey, basketball, handball, football and volleyball was carried out. Sixty athletes (30 males and 30 females) from Punjab Agricultural University without provision of sports dietician was treated as control group and sixty athletes (30 males and 30 females) from Punjabi University following sports dietician was treated as experimental group. The nutritional status of athletes was assessed by anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis and their nutrient intake using 24 hour recall method followed by the assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) score. Anthropometric parameters revealed that the males and females of experimental group had an average height (176.30 cm and 161.21 cm), weight (69.26 kg and 50.90 kg), waist circumference (33.0 inches and 27.03 inches), hip circumference (37.2 inches and 32 inches) and waist hip ratio (0.88 and 0.85). BMI of experimental group was in normal range (18.5-24.99 kg/m2) as compared to control group. The hemoglobin level of male and female athletes of experimental group was found to be 13.5g/dl and 11.5g/dl which was significantly (p≤0.05) higher than the athletes of control group. The overall nutrient intake findings revealed that the macronutrient as well as micronutrient intake of experimental group athletes was significantly (p≤0.01) higher than the athletes of control group. The nutrient intake of all the athletes was inadequate as compared to the standards given by National Institute of Nutrition. Experimental group athletes followed better nutritional habits during team trips, before and after exercise, during in-season and off-season of their workout and followed proper hydration guidelines also. The KAP score of athletes who were following sports dietician was better than the athletes who do not follow sports dietician. This demands a provision of sports dietician in sports departments and universities of the country to improve efficiency of sports activity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Identification and characterization of enzyme(s) causing browning of button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing.
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Ravneet Kaur; Sodhi, H.S.
    Agaricus bisporus is the most acceptable mushroom in the world but being perishable it loses sheen as fresh produce. Present study has dealt with the enzymes related to browning of button mushroom, namely, tyrosinase (E.C 1.14.18.1), laccase (EC 1.10.3.2), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (E.C. 4.3.1.5), lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). These were estimated in submerged state and the compost/casing (solid substrate). The enzyme activity of A. bisporus mycelium in broth was found to increase with time and maximum activity was that of peroxidase (7.41U/mg) and laccase (6.05U/mg). Mycelial run in compost indicated maximum specific activity of laccase enzyme (12.3 U/mg) while the activity of the other enzymes was significantly lower. During the pin head stage, there was an increase in the activity of tyrosinase, laccase, peroxidase, PAL, catalase, lipoxygenase enzymes as 17.67, 13.98, 14.67, 4.5, 2.33 and 17.75U/mg respectively. After harvesting during the first flush, tyrosinase activity was reduced up to 12.03 U/mg and remained at par during the second and third flush harvesting. A similar pattern was observed for laccase and PAL. Peroxidase activity showed a decline up to second flush and remained stable thereafter. Catalase activity reduced from the pin head stage to first flush and no significant change in the lipoxygenase activity was observed during reproductive phase of mushroom production. During the postharvest period, the activity of melanin synthesizing enzymes that is tyrosinase, laccase and peroxidase was found to increase with time during storage and maximum increase was that for tyrosinase leading to increase in browning index (BI) value. The activity of the lipoxygenase enzyme increased which led to increased electrolytic leakage and hence lipid peroxidation. During the storage period, there was a decrease in the activity of PAL while the activity of catalase was found to increase. Mushroom washing treatments (KMS, Citric acid and Salicylic acid) and fumigation (cinnamon oil and clove oil) along with packing treatments (polypropylene bags, carton trays with cling film cover and plastic trays with cling film cover) were studied up to 16d at 4 day intervals. The washing treatments using 0.2% KMS, 1% citric acid and 200µmole/L salicylic acid showed a significant decline in the browning associated enzymes and BI in all the packagings during 16d storage. In general mushrooms treated with 200µmole/L salicylic acid and packed in PT showed the best results with minimum BI value (23.09) and tyrosinase activity (27.72 U/mg) at 16th day of storage. Cinnamon oil and clove oil fumigation indicated a gradual decline in activity of melanogenic enzymes and BI with increasing oil concentration up to 40 ppm. Tyrosinase enzyme was purified and found active over pH range 6.4 to 7.2 showing 90% and 88% of the maximum activity at pH 7. The enzyme was stable at a temperature range 25-40°C with maximum activity at 35°C. The kinetic studies of enzyme showed that in case of catechol as substrate, the Km was found to be 0.71 mM with Vmax 2518 µmole/min/ml. In case of L-Dopa from Lineweaver-Burk plot, the Km value was found to be 0.87 mM with Vmax 1714 µmole/ml/min. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of the enzyme gave a single prominent band at 43 kDa. FTIR spectra of purified enzyme indicated a secondary structure that reflected the amide I and amide II bands. This study indicated that mushroom browning is a complex process triggered after the harvesting involving the enzymatic reactions. The study of the browning associated enzymes at the different stages of the cultivation and during the storage with different postharvest treatments showed that browning can be decelerated by the postharvest treatments which mainly act by restricting the tyrosinase and related enzymes.