STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF OSMOREGULATION IN TWO INTERTIDAL BIVALVE MOLLUSCS

Division of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Effects of Thermal Modifications on the Rheological Characteristics and Protein Quality of Three Species of Fish of Varying Collagen Content

School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Physiological and Genetic Diversity Studies on Regeneration of Santalum Album L.

S. album L. is the source of highly priced and fragrant heartwood which on steam distillation yields on an average 57 per cent oil of high perfumery value. Global demand for sandalwood is about 5000-6000 tons/year and that of oil is 100 tons/year. Heartwood of sandal is estimated to fetch up to Rs. 3.7 million/ton and wood oil Rs.70,000-100,000/ kg in the international market. Sandal heartwood prices have increased from Rs. 365/ton in 1900 to Rs. 6.5 lakhs/ton in 1999-2000 and to Rs. 37 lakhs/ton in 2007. Substantial decline in sandalwood production has occurred from 3176 tons/year during 1960-‘ 65 to 1500 tons/year in 1997-98, and to 500 tons/year in 2007.Depletion of sandal resources is attributed to several factors, both natural and anthropogenic. Low seed setting, poor seed germination, seedling mortality, lack of haustorial connection with host plant roots, recurrent annual fires in natural sandal forests, lopping of trees for fodder, excessive grazing, hacking, encroachments, seedling diseases and spread of sandal spike disease are the major problems facing sandal. While these factors hinder sandal regeneration in forest areas, the situation is accelerated by human activities of chronic overexploitation and illicit felling.Deterioration of natural sandal populations due to illicit felling, encroachments and diseases has an adverse effect on genetic diversity of the species. The loss of genetic diversity has aggravated during recent years due to extensive logging, changing landuse patterns and poor natural regeneration. The consequent genetic erosion is of serious concern affecting tree improvement programme in sandal. Conservation as well as mass propagation are the two strategies to be given due importance. To initiate any conservation programme, precise knowledge of the factors influencing regeneration and survival of the species is essential. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objective of investigating the autotrophic and parasitic phase of sandal seedlings growth, the effects of shade on morphology, chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence of sandal seedlings, genetic diversity in sandal seed stands using ISSR markers, and the diversity of fungal isolates causing sandal seedling wilt using RAPD markers. All these factors directly influence regeneration and survival of sandal seedlings in natural forests and plantations.

Studies On The Dynamics And Water Quality Of The Muvattupuzha River In Relation To Effluent Discharge

The present study aims at the investigation of the 1ysico—chemical features of a tropical tidal river viz. we Muvattupuzha river. This river is expected to receive Jderate to heavy pollution loads in years to come, from we lone industrial unit, already set up on its bank. ilike other rivers, the geographical disposition of this Lver attains unique importance as regards its dynamics for 3) availability of natural runoff water from catchment :eas, which becomes very heavy during the monsoon season 3) regular steady availability of tail race water from a /dro—electric power station throughout the yearThe study also aims at arriving at the balancing forces of inherent self~purification of the river verses pollution loads from the factory effluents. The investigation period falls ahead of actual pollution occurrence and so the ambient conditions for a period of nearly one-and-a—half years were investigated, the analyses of which providflz to formulate the inter-relations of parameters varying with seasons. Tracer experiments were carried out which revealed the dispersion and dilution characteristics of the river in the vicinity of effluent outfall. The studv covers the trial—cum-capacity production periods of the factory during which effluents of various strength and quantity were discharged into the river; a few computed values arQ’cjmpgrQdl ... with the observed values. The base data along with the profiles of Oxygen sag equation have been utilized fb develop a mathematical model of the river with regard to its water quality

Effect Of Raw Material Quality On The Shelf Life Of Frozen Stored Fish And Fishery Products

Frozen storage characteristics and shelflife vary considerably among species as well as within the species (Powrie, 1973; Fennema. 1973). This can be attributed to the variation in the composition of fish among various species. In certain species like sardines and mackerel. wide seasonal variation in chemical composition occur within the species. These variations affect the quality and shelflife. The nutritional level of water. spawning, method of catching, struggling etc. are found to have profound influence on the condition of the fresh fish. Soon after death the deteriorative changes in fish start due to autolysis and bacterial growth. The rate of these changes depends mainly on temperature. The handling methods have great influence on bacterial contamination. Thus the type oi'handling. temperature control. period of chill storage. processing methods. type of freezing, condition of frozen storage and period of storage affect the quality and shelflife Of the fisho In the present study extensive investigations were carried out on various factors affecting the quality of fish as well as their effect on the physical. chemical and sensory qualities of fish during frozen storage and the shelflife

“Effect of spice oleoresins in microbial decontamination and their potential application in quality stabilization of Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) during storage”

Unprocessed seafood harbor high number of bacteria, hence are more prone to spoilage. In this circumstance, the use of spice in fish for reduction of microorganism can play an important role in seafood processing. Many essential oils from herbs and spices are used widely in the food, health and personal care industries and are classified as GRAS (Generally regarded as safe) substances or are permitted food additives. A large number of these compounds have been the subject of extensive toxicological scrutiny. However, their principal function is to impart desirable flavours and aromas and not necessarily to act as antimicrobial agents. Given the high flavour and aroma impact to plant essential oils, the future for using these compound as food preservatives lies in the careful selection and evaluation of their efficacy at low concentrations but in combination with other chemical preservatives or preservation processes. For this reason they are worth of study alone or in combination with processing methods in order to establish if they could extend the shelf-life of foods. In this study, the effect of the spices, clove, turmeric, cardamom, oregano, rosemary and garlic in controlling the spoilage and pathogenic bacteria is investigated. Their effect on biogenic amine formation in tuna especially, histamine, as a result of bacterial control is also studied in detail. The contribution of spice oleoresin in the sensory and textural parameters is investigated using textural profile analysis and sensory panel. Finally, the potential of spices in quality stabilization and in increasing the shelf–life of tuna during frozen storage is analysed

Biochemical and physiological characteristics of actinomycetes isolated from high altitude shola soils of tropical Montane forest

Actinomycetes are gram-positive, free-living, saprophytic bacteria widely distributed in soil, water and colonizing plants showing marked chemical and morphological diversity. They are potential source of many bioactive compounds, which have diverse clinical effects and important applications in human medicine. In the present work, we have studied some of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of 36 actinomycete strains isolated from the shola soils of tropical montane forest; a relatively unexplored biodiversity hotspot. Ability of actinomycetes isolates to ferment and produce acids from various carbohydrate sources such as innositol, mannose, sorbitol, galactose, mannitol, xylose, rhamnose, arabinose, lactose and fructose were studied. Almost all the carbon compounds were utilized by one or other actinomycete isolates. The most preferred carbon sources were found to be xylose (94.44%) followed by fructose and mannose (91.66%). Only 41.76% of the isolates were able to ferment lactose. The ability of actinomycetes isolates to decompose protein and amino acid differ considerably. 72.22% of the isolates were able to decompose milk protein casein and 61.11% of the isolates decompose tyrosine. Only 8.33% of the strains were able to decompose amino acid hypoxanthine and none of them were able to decompose amino acid xanthine. Potential of the actinomycetes isolates to reduce esculin, urea and hippurate and to resist lysozyme was also checked. 91.66% of the isolates showed ability to decompose esculin and 63.88% of the isolates had the capacity to produce urease and to decompose urea. Only 25% of the isolate were able to decompose hippurate and 94.44% showed lysozyme resistance

Influence of Frequent Flyer Programme and Airline Service Quality on Re-buy Intentions of Airline Frequent Passengers

The growth potential of service sector, especially the aviation sector in the Indian economy is splendid. Therefore, it is crucial for the airline service providers to realize their customers, design offers and deliver the desired value to their customers. This study reveals the effect of airline passenger satisfactions particularly on re-buy intentions derived from the attributes-level performance dimensions of both service aspects and loyalty programme of an airline. The mediation effect of satisfaction and other selected antecedents on the re-buy intention of a passenger is hypothesized in this study. Critical areas affecting buying intentions such as core service quality and loyalty attribute-level performances, effect of frequent flyer programme and service quality satisfaction, passenger trust on airline, brand image and moderating effects of perceived value, frequent programme status and travel frequency of airline passengers are linked in a structural model to assess the strength of each facet in affecting re-buy intentions. Implications to the airlines were made based on the finding that re-buy intentions cannot be attributed solely to the impacts of frequent flyer programme, rather affected through the mediation effect of airline service quality satisfaction, which is very much valid for the higher FFP status category of frequent travelers. The effects of moderation caused by perceived value, FFP status and flying experience were also found to be significant in making re-buy intentions.