Slow-release Zn application through Zn-chitosan nanoparticles in wheat to intensify source activity and sink strength

Source activity and sink strength are important aspects to measure growth and yield in wheat. Despite zinc's extended functions in the amendment of plant metabolic activities, critical research findings are missing on mapping the elusive interplays of slow-release zinc (Zn) application from nanoparticles (NPs) in crop plants. The present study reports that slow-releasing Zn application through Zn-chitosan NPs bestows myriad effects on source activity and sink strength in wheat plants. Herein, effects of foliar application of Zn-chitosan NPs (0.04-0.16%; w/v) at booting stage of wheat crop were evaluated to quantify the source sink potential compared to ZnSO₄. Zn-chitosan NPs endowed elevated source activity by up-regulating cellular redox homeostasis by improving the antioxidant status, cellular stability and higher photosynthesis. Cognately, in the field experiment, NPs (0.08-0.16%, w/v) significantly spurred sink strength by up-regulating starch biosynthesis enzymes viz. sucrose synthase (SUS), invertase (INV), ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), soluble starch synthase (SSS) and accumulated more starch in developing wheat grains. Concomitantly, higher spike lengths without awns, significantly higher number of grains/spike, test weight (24% more than ZnSO₄ treatment), yield (21% more than ZnSO₄ treatment), biological yield and harvest index quantified the higher sink size to further validate the better sink strength in slow-release Zn application via chitosan NPs.

Double emulsion-based mayonnaise encapsulated with bitter gourd extract exhibits improvement in vivo anti-diabetic action in STZ induced rats

Bitter gourd contains charantin (steroidal saponins), insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids, which contribute to its hypoglycemic ability. The study aims to evaluate effects of anti-diabetic potential of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) encapsulated double emulsion-based functional mayonnaise on the normal and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in albino male Wister rats. The rats were allocated into seven groups: a control group fed with synthetic diet (NC), two non-diabetic groups (NCM and NFM) and four diabetic-induced groups (DC, DCM, DFM, and DCMB) for 8 weeks and then analyzed for the various biochemical parameters. The results of this study revealed significant (p < 0.05) anti-diabetic potential in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino Wistar rats with decrease in blood glucose and HbA1c, increase in body weight, hemoglobin, and plasma insulin.