NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: NPR Vol.5(5) [September-October 2006]

Some medicinal plants used by Irular, the tribal people of Marudhamalai hills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Some medicinal plants used by Irular, the tribal people of Marudhamalai hills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Authors: Senthilkumar, M; Gurumoorthi, P; Janardhanan, K

Abstract: The present paper deals with ethnobotanical study on 75 plant species used for several common diseases like scabies, skin allergies, diabetes, headache, jaundice, scorpion bite, diarrhoea, leucoderma, rheumatism, earache, wounds, leprosy, asthma, dysentery, etc. by the Irulars (tribal) people of Marudhamalai Hills, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. The botanical, vernacular and family names, mode of preparations and uses have been provided for further pharmacological and clinical evaluations.

Page(s): 382-388

**Establishment and maintenance of callus of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni under aseptic environment**

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Establishment and maintenance of callus of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni under aseptic environment

Authors: Das, Kuntal; Dang, Raman; Rajasekharan, P E

Abstract: The callus culture of leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Family: Asteraceae) was initiated and maintained on different strengths of Murashiage and Skoog (MS) medium with phytohormones. The study showed that Kinetin in combination with Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and 2, 4-D exhibits better results for callus initiation whereas the combined application of Benzyl adenine or 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and NAA showed most satisfactory performance in maintaining callus when half strength of MS medium was used.

Page(s): 373-376

West Indian Cherry – A lesser known fruit for nutritional security

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 22:58:59 GMT

Title: West Indian Cherry – A lesser known fruit for nutritional security

Authors: Singh, D R

Abstract: The fruits of West Indian Cherry, Malpighia glabra Linn. are of nutritional value because of their very high ascorbic acid content. The present paper gives information on its current status and large scale cultivation prospects in India particularly in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Page(s): 366-368

A comparative quality appraisal of exported cardamoms of India, Sri Lanka and Guatemala

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 22:58:59 GMT

Title: A comparative quality appraisal of exported cardamoms of India, Sri Lanka and Guatemala

Authors: Kizhakkayil, Jaleel; Thomas, Elizabeth; Zachariah, T John; Syamkumar, S; Sasikumar, B

Abstract: Exported cardamoms from India, Sri Lanka and Guatemala were characterized based on physical, biochemical parameters and molecular techniques. For most of the physical quality parameters and for the biochemical traits such as starch and crude fibre Indian cardamom is found superior to the other produces. Further, GC profile of the oil of Indian cardamom indicated higher quantities of α-terpinyl acetate and 1, 8-cineole, which impart aroma and flavour to the cardamom, thus reinforcing the legendary belief of high intrinsic quality of the Indian cardamom. Molecular profiling using RAPD/ISSR primers did not reveal much polymorphism.

Page(s): 361-365