Muscarinic M1 Receptor Gene Expression in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats: Regulation of Insulin Secretion By Aegle marmelose And Costus pictus Leaf Extracts

The present work is to understand the alterations of total Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors in brain and pancreatic islets of Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The work focuses on the evaluation of the antihyperglycemic activity of aqueous extracts of Aegle marmelose and Costus pictus leaves in vivo and the changes in the total Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors during diabetes and after the treatment with insulin. The insulin secretory activity of Aegle marmelose and Costus pictus leaf extracts and the effect of cholinergic receptor agonist were investigated in vitro using rat primary pancreatic islet culture. Muscarinic MI receptor kinetics and gene expression during diabetes and regulation of insulin secretion by Aegle marmelose and Costus pie/us leaf extracts will help us to elucidate the role of Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors in hyperglycemia and the regulatory activity of these plant extracts on insulin secretion through Muscarinic receptors.

Serotonin- 5-HT2A and Glutamate Receptors Gene Expression in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats:Effects of pyridoxine and Aegle marmelose leaf extract

Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Optimization of Lignin Peroxidase, Manganese Peroxidase, and Lac Production from Ganoderma lucidum Under Solid State Fermentation of Pineapple Leaf

This study was undertaken to isolate ligninase-producing white-rot fungi for use in the extraction of fibre from pineapple leaf agriwaste. Fifteen fungal strains were isolated from dead tree trunks and leaf litter. Ligninolytic enzymes (lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and laccase (Lac)), were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using pineapple leaves as the substrate. Of the isolated strains, the one showing maximum production of ligninolytic enzymes was identified to be Ganoderma lucidum by 18S ribotyping. Single parameter optimization and response surface methodology of different process variables were carried out for enzyme production. Incubation period, agitation, and Tween-80 were identified to be the most significant variables through Plackett-Burman design. These variables were further optimized by Box-Behnken design. The overall maximum yield of ligninolytic enzymes was achieved by experimental analysis under these optimal conditions. Quantitative lignin analysis of pineapple leaves by Klason lignin method showed significant degradation of lignin by Ganoderma lucidum under SSF

Determinants of crop diversity and composition in Enset-coffee agroforestry homegardens of Southern Ethiopia

Households in much of the tropics depend for their livelihoods on the variety and continued production of food and other products that are provided by their own farms. In such systems, maintenance of agrobiodiversity and ensuring food security are important for the well being of the population. The enset-coffee agroforestry homegardens of Southern Ethiopia that are dominated by two native perennial crops, Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and Enset (Enset ventricosum Welw. Cheesman), are examples of such agricultural systems. This study was conducted in Sidama administrative zone of Southern Ethiopia to determine the factors that influence the diversity and composition of crops in the systems. Data were collected from 144 sample homegardens selected from four districts. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to relate indices of crop diversity and area share of major crops with the physical and socioeconomic factors. The study revealed that socioeconomic factors, mainly proximity to markets, affected negatively crop species richness. The production area of the main crops enset and coffee decreased with increasing proximity to market and road while that of maize and khat increased. At household level, farm size had a significant effect on area share of enset and coffee. As farm size increased the share of the cash crop, coffee increased but that of the staple, enset declined. Enset, which is the backbone of the system in terms of food security, is declining on small farms and the share of monoculture maize system is increasing. The trend towards declining agrobiodiversity, and reduction in the production area of the main perennial crops and their gradual replacement with monoculture fields could make the systems liable to instability and collapse. As these sites are high potential agricultural areas, intensification can be achieved by integrating high-value and more productive crops, such as fruits, spices and vegetables, while maintaining the integrated and complex nature of the systems.

Pesticide-handling practices of smallholder coffee farmers in Eastern Jamaica

Pesticide use among smallholder coffee producers in Jamaica has been associated with significant occupational health effects. Research on pesticide handling practices, however, has been scarce, especially in eastern Jamaica. This explorative study aims at filling this gap and provides a first basis to develop effective interventions to promote a safer pesticide use. A random sample of 81 coffee farmers was surveyed. The majority of farmers reported to suffer from at least one health symptom associated with pesticide handling, but safety practices were scarcely adopted. There was also the risk that other household members and the wider local community are exposed to pesticides. The lack of training on pesticide management, the role of health services and the cost for protective equipment seemed to be the most significant factors that influence current pesticide handling practices in eastern Jamaica. Further research is recommended to develop a systemic understanding of farmer’s behaviour to provide a more solid basis for the development of future intervention programmes.

Information needs for a purchase of fairtrade coffee

This research investigates what information German Fairtrade coffee consumers search for during pre-purchase information seeking and to what extent information is retrieved. Furthermore, the sequence of the information search as well as the degree of cognitive involvement is highlighted. The role of labeling, the importance of additional ethical information and its quality in terms of concreteness as well as the importance of product price and organic origin are addressed. A set of information relevant to Fairtrade consumers was tested by means of the Information Display Matrix (IDM) method with 389 Fairtrade consumers. Results show that prior to purchase, information on product packages plays an important role and is retrieved rather extensively, but search strategies that reduce the information processing effort are applied as well. Furthermore, general information is preferred over specific information. Results of two regression analyses indicate that purchase decisions are related to search behavior variables rather than to socio-demographic variables and purchase motives. In order to match product information with consumers’ needs, marketers should offer information that is reduced to the central aspects of Fairtrade.

Urban Grass and Grass-Leaf Litter Mixtures as Source for Bioenergy Recovery

Städtische Biomassen der Grünflächen bilden eine potentielle, bisher weitgehend ungenutzte Ressource für Bioenergie. Kommunen pflegen die Grünflächen, lassen das Material aber verrotten oder führen es Deponien oder Müllverbrennungsanlagen zu. Diese Praxis ist kostenintensiv ohne für die Verwaltungen finanziellen Ausgleich bereitzustellen. Stattdessen könnte das Material energetisch verwertet werden. Zwei mögliche Techniken, um Bioenergie zu gewinnen, wurden mit krautigem Material des städtischen Straßenbegleitgrüns untersucht i) direkte anaerobe Fermentation (4 Schnitte im Jahr) und ii) „Integrierte Festbrennstoff- und Biogasproduktion aus Biomasse“ (IFBB), die Biomasse durch Maischen und mechanisches Entwässern in einen Presssaft und einen Presskuchen trennt (2 Schnitte im Jahr). Als Referenz wurde die aktuelle Pflege ohne Verwertungsoption mitgeführt (8faches Mulchen). Zusätzlich wurde die Eignung von Gras-Laub-Mischungen im IFBB-Verfahren untersucht. Der mittlere Biomasseertrag war 3.24, 3.33 und 5.68 t Trockenmasse ha-1 jeweils für die Pflegeintensitäten Mulchen, 4-Schnitt- und 2-Schnittnutzung. Obwohl die Faserkonzentration in der Biomasse der 2-Schnittnutzung höher war als im Material der 4-Schnittnutzung, unterschieden sich die Methanausbeuten nicht signifikant. Der Presskuchen aus dem krautigen Material des Straßenbegleitgrüns hatte einen Heizwert von 16 MJ kg-1 Trockenmasse, während der Heizwert des Presskuchens der Gras-Laub-Mischung in Abhängigkeit vom Aschegehalt zwischen 15 und 17 MJ kg-1 Trockenmasse lag. Der Aschegehalt der Mischungen war höher als der Grenzwert nach DIN EN 14961-6:2012 (für nicht-holzige Brennstoffe), was auf erhöhte Bodenanhaftung auf Grund der Erntemethoden zurückzuführen sein könnte. Der Aschegehalt des krautigen Materials vom Straßenrand hielt die Norm jedoch ein. Die Elementkonzentration (Ca, Cl, K, Mg, N, Na, P, S, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Si, Zn) im krautigen Material war generell ähnlich zu Landwirtschafts- oder Naturschutzgrünland. In den Mischungen nahm die Elementkonzentration (Al, Cl, K, N, Na, P, S, Si) mit zunehmendem Laubanteil ab. Die Konzentration von Ca, Mg und der Neutral-Detergenz-Fasern stieg hingegen an. Die IFBB-Technik reduzierte die Konzentrationen der in der Verbrennung besonders schädlichen Elemente Cl, K und N zuverlässig. Außer den potentiell hohen Aschegehalten, wurde während der Untersuchungen kein technischer Grund entdeckt, der einer energetischen Verwertung des getesteten urbanen Materials entgegenstehen würde. Ökonomische, soziale und ökologische Auswirkungen einer Umsetzung müssen beachtet werden. Eine oberflächliche Betrachtung auf Basis des bisherigen Wissens lässt hoffen, dass eine bioenergetische Verwertung städtischen Materials auf allen Ebenen nachhaltig sein könnte.

Coffee and tea: viatge d'estudis de segon d'Educació Social a Holanda

Els estudiants de segon d'Educació Social vàrem anar a Eindhoven (Holanda) la setmana del 5 al 8 de febrer de 2008 amb dos objectius: veure com és la realitat dels centres educatius en aquest país i gaudir de les estones lliures del viatge tots plegats. Hem fet aquest article per poder-vos explicar la nostra experiència durant aquests dies i compartir com és la feina dels educadors en aquest país i el funcionament dels centres en els quals treballen, sense oblidar-nos de la vesant més lúdica

Behind the decision making of the KFC coffee campaign, can KFC win the coffee market in UK?�

KFC, the chain fast-food restaurants in UK, planed to launched coffee products through campaigns. There are two main reasons for KFC to make the decision. The first one is KFC tried to promote its coffee products with KFC A.M. breakfast plan and it failed at last. The second reason is that KFC needs extension points of interest. The financial condition of KFC has been steady but no breakthrough growth. It has been showed that there is enormous potential of “fast-drink” market in UK. After the success of KFC “Krushems” series, it is reasonable for the company launched coffee products. However, KFC also faced to many challenges to win the market. Compare to the main competitor of McDonald’s, KFC’s quantity of restaurants is far too less. Moreover, KFC has a brand limitation that focuses more family than single urban. The dominant competitors are another challenge KFC need to manage. To sum up, KFC has to win these challenges to be a bigger player in UK coffee market.

SANMIGUEL Supreme Colombian Coffee

Este proyecto de emprendimiento llamado SANMIGUEL SUPREME COLOMBIAN COFFEE, surgió como iniciativa por parte del emprendedor Leonardo Sanmiguel Benavides; quien ha vivido durante toda su vida rodeado del sector caficultor, convirtiéndose en una de las razones por las cuales deseo incursionar en la creación de una empresa cien por ciento huilense, la cual exportará café especial diferenciado en producto terminado de media libra, libra y kilo que tendrá como mercado inicial y principal tres ciudades de los Estados Unidos, que son; Miami, Houston y Atlanta. En el proyecto de emprendimiento se muestra, como un producto de altísima calidad (café) asegurando su trazabilidad puede generar valor y ser más atractivo para el consumidor final; pero no es suficiente el emprendedor comprendió que se debe crear una relación cliente - empresa, no solo con la venta, sino antes, durante y después de la venta; permitiendo la creación de un vínculo de fidelidad entre las partes, también conocido como "Marketing Profesional”. De igual forma el éxito de la empresa debe ser también productor, por esta razón SANMIGUEL implementará una política de comercio justo, en la cual se recompensará la calidad al caficultor, permitiéndole mejorar su calidad de vida; SANMIGUEL reconoce lo valioso de crear constantemente valor a sus productos, es por esto que se compromete a mantener el pilar de la innovación como columna vertebral de la misma. SANMIGUEL una empresa comprometida con el caficultor, con el departamento del Huila y con Colombia, brindando el mejor café del mundo.

Blue leaf: Una alternativa diferente de alimentación saludable

Blue Leaf es un proyecto de emprendimiento que consiste en la elaboración y venta directa de bebidas naturales a base de frutas a través de un food truck en la ciudad de Bogotá. Tras revisar algunas tendencias actuales como la cultura Fitness y el Juicing, y tras identificar un problema sobre los hábitos de alimentación desordenados que llevan muchas personas, nace Blue Leaf como una alternativa de alimentación saludable, natural, práctica y diferente. El negocio contará inicialmente con un portafolio de 12 bebidas divididas en tres categorías. Primero, las bebidas alimenticias cuentan con altos contenidos nutricionales y sirven como fuente de alimento práctico y saludable; segundo, las bebidas funcionales, están diseñadas para ofrecer beneficios específicos de salud como desintoxicar, ayudar a bajar de peso o fortalecer las defensas; por último, las bebidas fuente de energía, cuentan con altos niveles de vitaminas y minerales que le permiten a los consumidores recargar energías rápidamente y continuar con sus actividades diarias. Adicionalmente, Blue Leaf ofrecerá la oportunidad a los consumidores de hacer su propia bebida, dándoles la posibilidad de elegir de entre más de 50 ingredientes entre bases, frutas, verduras, hierbas, semillas, adiciones y endulzantes. El proyecto es liderado por Paola Higuera Rodríguez y David Santiago Soto, ambos estudiantes de la Escuela de Administración de la Universidad del Rosario

Forecasting the spot prices of various coffee types using linear and non-linear error correction models

Este documento estima modelos lineales y no-lineales de corrección de errores para los precios spot de cuatro tipos de café. En concordancia con las leyes económicas, se encuentra evidencia que cuando los precios están por encima de su nivel de equilibrio, retornan a éste mas lentamente que cuando están por debajo. Esto puede reflejar el hecho que, en el corto plazo, para los países productores de café es mas fácil restringir la oferta para incrementar precios, que incrementarla para reducirlos. Además, se encuentra evidencia que el ajuste es más rápido cuando las desviaciones del equilibrio son mayores. Los pronósticos que se obtienen a partir de los modelos de corrección de errores no lineales y asimétricos considerados en el trabajo, ofrecen una leve mejoría cuando se comparan con los pronósticos que resultan de un modelo de paseo aleatorio.