Search

Bottle gourd is a good source of health-beneficial bioactive substances. This research aimed at evaluating the effect of different cooking methods (pressure cooking, microwaving, and frying) and extraction solvents (methanol, ethanol and butanol) on bottle gourd fruit phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The quantitative estimation of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins was estimated by spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidative properties were evaluated using ferric thiocyanate (FTC), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) tests using the standard methods. Moreover, quantification of individual polyphenols was carried out by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique. Frying and pressure-cooking thermal treatments were observed to be the best methods for retaining bioactive molecules. When compared to the raw counterpart, the retention level of total phenol content (TPC) in pressure cooked and fried samples was 23.8% and 13.3%, respectively. Similarly, antioxidant capacity in terms of FRAP was observed to increase by 47.26% after pressure cooking and 28.50% after microwave cooking in respect to the raw sample. The HPTLC results showed that this fruit has high antioxidant capacity and is rich in phenolic acid [gallic(17.83 mg g−1dwb), p-coumaric (6.70 mg g−1dwb)and vanillic (60.66 mg g−1dwb] and flavonoids [quercetin (24.64 mg g−1dwb) and myrecetin (20.73 mg g−1dwb].The chromatography indicated destruction and transformation of new phenolic compounds due to heat treatments. The correlation analysis revealed that flavonoids were much more responsible for their antioxidant activity. Cooking methods and extraction solvents affected the retention and recovery of polyphenolic compounds available in bottle gourd fruit. These findings offer valuable information for optimizing cooking techniques to preserve and enhance the nutritional and antioxidant properties of bottle gourd, making it a valuable fruit for a healthy diet. Pressure cooking could be the most suitable cooking treatment as far as retention of bioactive compounds like phenolic acids is concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The impact of five long term (10 years) organic land use systems viz. agroforestry (Poplar + turmeric (LS1)), vegetables (bottle gourd -- broccoli (LS2)), basmati -- wheat (LS3), sugarcane fodder (LS4) and maize + summer moong-wheat (LS5) was studied on soil quality. Results showed that LS1 has significantly higher soil organic carbon (SOC) content, mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates and soil moisture retention. Significantly higher soil pH, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and infiltration rate (IR) in LS4, bulk density (BD) in LS5 while significantly lower electrical conductivity (EC) in CS3 were observed. The LS1 has significantly better soil quality index (SQI) than all the other land use systems. The SQI was in the order of LS1 > LS2 > LS3=LS5> LS4. The order of overall contribution of MWD, particle density, soil moisture retention, Ks and IR to SQI was 45.3, 29.3, 16.6, 6.4 and 2.5% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In India, breast cancer is the most common cause of mortality for women and has the potential to spread to other body organs. As a transcription factor, interactions with the estrogen receptor (ER) alpha are primarily responsible for the development of malignant tumors. Aromatase inhibitors are the most often used treatment for ER(+) breast cancer. Various synthetic compounds have been developed over the years to block the aromatase receptor, however, the majority of them are hazardous and cause multidrug resistance. So, combating these natural drugs can be prioritized. The current study was conducted to investigate the anticancer potential of Lagenaria siceraria phytoconstituents against breast cancer target protein (PDB ID: 3EQM) based on a literature review. In this study, 34 Lagenaria siceraria ligands were chosen, and the structure of the human aromatase receptor was acquired from the protein data bank. For those natural chemicals, molecular docking, drug-likeness, toxicity, and molecular dynamics were used to evaluate and analyse their anti-breast cancer activity. Five substances, 2,3-Diphenyl quinoxaline, 17–Acetoxy pregnolone, Benzyl–d-glucoside, Ergostenol acetate, and Stigmast-7-en-3-ol, shown higher binding affinity than Tamoxifen, signaling their potential use in breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A case study was undertaken between 2015–2017 in Tharu tribal-dominated Bakwa Chandraul and Parsauni villages in the West Champaran district of Bihar, India. After initially understanding the socio-economic status and major role of tribal farm women in the home and farm decision-making process, horticulture-based interventions were introduced in homestead gardens managed by the women. Interventions included the introduction of high-yielding hybrids and varieties of vegetables (Bottle gourd, pumpkin, okra, cowpea, cauliflower, cabbage, pea and radish) and fruit (mango, litchi, guava and lime), and training and skill development in vermicomposting, mushroom cultivation, and fruit and vegetable processing. During the study period, the farm women were not only able to produce more for their own family consumption but could also sell the produce in the local market. Horti-based interventions improved productivity and increased farm income by more than 20% among the tribal women selected in this study; thereby providing farm women greater leverage to make purchases for the family. Our study shows how existing farming systems can be refined and fine-tuned through horti-based micro-interventions to increase farm and family income among tribal women, and bring about positive changes in the socio-economic and nutritional condition of tribal farm families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

• Studied variability for fruit quality traits among 91 Indian accessions of bottle gourd. • High heritability with high genetic advance recorded for phenol content and antioxidant activity. • Positive association noted between phenol, antioxidant activity, Mg, Fe and Zn content. • 91 accessions grouped into 12 clusters. First two PCs accounted for 62.43% variation. • Promising accessions for use as donors in quality breeding were identified. Bottle gourd is amongst the widely grown yet under-researched cucurbit vegetable in India and sub-Saharan Africa. The fresh immature leaves, fruit and seed are used for food and medicinal purposes, as rootstock for watermelon. Despite the economic and culinary importance, availability of wide variation in Africa and India, the bottle gourd genetic resources remains under-utilized, particularly with respect to harnessing the nutritional quality. In the present study, we evaluated 91 bottle gourd accessions from India and identified promising bottle gourd accessions for quality traits such as total phenol content, total antioxidant capacity, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper contents. High genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation (>20%) were recorded for all the biochemical traits and mineral nutrients. High heritability (h2) with high genetic advance was recorded for phenol content (99.00/62.76%) and antioxidant activity (99.71/62.58%) whereas high heritability (h2) with low genetic advance was recorded for all the mineral nutrients except magnesium (98.79/49.84%). Simple correlation coefficients among the different traits revealed a highly significant positive association of total phenol content with antioxidant activity, magnesium, iron and zinc content. Euclidian cluster analysis grouped 91 accessions into 12 clusters based on Ward's distance. Eigen value from principal component analysis depicted the first two components accounted for 62.43 cumulative percent of total variation which signifies a high degree of correlation between the analyzed traits. The promising accessions IC-0336825, IC-0385814, IC-0418246 and IC-0284925 and check cultivar Pusa Santusthi for phenol content, antioxidant activity and mineral nutrients (Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu) may be used as donors in the quality breeding program in bottle gourd. The implication of identified promising bottle gourd accessions for development of new cultivars in bottle gourd is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Mirid bug has become challenging pest infesting bottle gourd crop at Haryana state and Delhi NCR region in India. The feeding punctures caused on fruits due to bugs appears to be light reddish brown spots/blister, leading to blemished fruits which often fail to fetch a good market price. In the present study, we have endowed the species diagnosis (morphological and molecular), population dynamics, biology, fruit damage intensity and ecofriendly management of mirid bugs in bottle gourd crop. From the morphological studies it was found that, the mirid bug so investigated was found to be the zoophytophagous plant bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae). In addition, the molecular analysis (DNA Barcoding) also confirmed the species identity with the DNA sequence generated (Accession No. OM117590) matching up to 99.86% with that of the available relative sequences with a total branch length of 0.10 base substitutions per site in the phylogenetic tree. Across the fields surveyed, it was found that on an average the maximum abundance of N. tenuis was noticed at tender tip of vines (7.0 bugs per tender tip of vine) followed by fruits (4.9 bugs per fruit) and leaves (4.1 bugs per leaf). There were two peak incidence of N. tenuis noticed during the study. First peak during 21st SMW (4th week of May) (8.7 bugs per leaf and 12.7 bugs per tender tip of vine) and second peak during 24th SMW (3nd week of June) (7.3 bugs per leaf, 10.5 bugs per tender tip of vine and 5.7 bugs per fruit). During the study, it was found that the maximum temperature, mean temperature and sunshine hours showed significant positive relationship with N. tenuis population on leaves (r = 0.800, 0.560 and 0.770, respectively), tender tip of vine (r = 0.880, 0.550 and 0.780, respectively) and fruits (r = 0.801, 0.553 and 0.549, respectively). In the present investigation it was found that N. tenuis successfully completed its life cycle on bottle gourd plants with total life cycle duration of ~ 34 days. The mean fecundity was observed to be 10.8 eggs. The age-stage specific survival rate (Sxj) and life expectancy (Exj) studies revealed that the survival rate and life expectancy of adult females was higher than that of adult males of N. tenuis. The % fruit damage due to N. tenuis ranged between 61.90 – 73.68% and damage intensity ranged from 20.4 to 27.4 numbers of damage punctures per 2 cm2 area of fruit rind. Due to bagging of fruits, there was 67.60% reduction in fruit damage and 96.05 – 98.61% increase in number of marketable fruits which clearly envisage the farmers to adopt bagging technique in bottle gourd against N. tenuis to obtain quality fruits with higher economic yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The bacterial wilt disease of solanaceous crops incited by Ralstonia solanacearum is a menace to the production of solanaceous vegetables all over the world. Among the agro climatic zones of West Bengal, India growing solanaceous vegetables, the maximum and minimum incidence of bacterial wilt was observed in Red and Lateritic zone (42.4%) and Coastal and Saline zone (26.9%), respectively. The present investigation reports the occurrence of bacterial wilt of Bottle gourd by R. solanacearum Sequevar 1–48 for the first time in India. Two new biovars (6 and 3b) along with biovar 3 have been found to be prevalent in West Bengal. Under West Bengal condition, the most predominant Sequevar was I-48 (75%) followed by I-47 (25%). Low genetic variation (18.9%) among agro climatic zones (ACZs) compared to high genetic variation (81.1%) within revealed occurrence of gene flow among these ACZs. Standard genetic diversity indices based on the concatenated sequences of the seven genes revealed ACZ-6 as highly diverse among five agro climatic zones. The multi locus sequence analysis illustrated occurrence of synonymous or purifying selection in the selected genes in West Bengal and across world. Under West Bengal conditions maximum nucleotide diversity was observed for the gene gyrB. Occurrence of significant recombination was confirmed by pairwise homoplasy test (θ = 0.47*) among the RSSC isolates of West Bengal, belonging to Phylotype I. Phylotype I isolates of West Bengal are involved in exchange of genetic material with Phylotype II isolates. In case of worldwide RSSC collection, eleven significant recombination events were observed among the five phylotypes. Phylotype IV was genetically most diverse among all the Phylotypes. The most recombinogenic phylotype was Phylotype III. Further, the most diverse gene contributing to the evolution of RSSC worldwide was observed to be endoglucanase (egl). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Geminiviruses infect many crop plants, and are limiting factors for vegetable crop production. Begomoviruses (Geminiviridae) cause typical symptoms of leaf curling and puckering in nightshade (Solanum nigrum), a seasonal weed in Bihar, India. To investigate if nightshade was an intermediate host for begomovirus, virus DNA was extracted and characterized. The DNA-A of the virus yielded 2737 nt and DNA-B yielded 2706 nt. The intergenic region (IR) showed a conserved nonanucleotide sequence that potentially forms a stem-loop structure. The genomic sequence of DNA-A shared 94% identity with that of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV)-ivy gourd isolate. However, the sequence of DNA-B showed 95% identity with a bitter gourd isolate. PCR-based detection revealed the presence ToLCNDV in bottle gourd, pumpkin, sponge gourd, and bitter gourd. The IR sequences of the viruses isolated from these cucurbits and tomato were 100% identical. Whitefly-mediated transmission of the virus to cucurbits and tomato from nightshade was also demonstrated. These results indicate that nightshade may act as reservoir of ToLCNDV, and is involved in developing epidemics in cucurbit species. The strain of ToLCNDV has probably adapted from solanaceous to cucurbitaceous hosts. This is the first report of ToLCNDV infecting nightshade in India, highlighting this virus as a possible cause of disease epidemics in economically important cucurbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Bottle gourd a good source for food and medicine since long ago is dependent on the condition of the soil for its production. The important parameters of the soil that governs the good quality production of bottle gourd are pH, organic carbon, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. Therefore, a study was conducted during 2018 at ADP College, Nagaon, Assam, India to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of soil suitable for production of bottle gourd. Five soil samples were collected from 5 different areas of Nagaon district of Assam, India which differs in the variety of bottle gourd produced. The samples are then analysed for measurement of pH, organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. The present study revealed that the soil that is ideal for good quality production of bottle gourd should have pH of 6.4, organic carbon (OC) of 0.97%, organic matter (OM) of 1.67%, nitrogen of 247.32 kg/ha, phosphorus of 118.24 kg/ha, potassium of 115.78 kg/ha, iron of 8.28 kg/ha and zinc of 6.21 kg/ha. Soils that are slightly acidic and rich in OC and OM are ideal soil for good quality production of bottle gourd. The bottle gourd plant that grows in a soil having higher content of P and K, have better fruiting capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A devastating complex pathological condition involving a blend of symptoms such as profuse gum exudation from the stem and slow vine decline; sudden and complete death of vines; and foliar spots progressing into blight in bottle gourd fields was observed for the first time during the year Kharif 2013–14 in Indian Punjab. Over the last five years, this problem has become widespread to emerge as one of the major limitations for bottle gourd cultivation. Through systematic studies, the pathogenesis of three simultaneously occurring syndromes in bottle gourd viz. stem gummosis and slow vine decline; quick wilting and leaf blight were deciphered and their primary etiological causes were established. Pathogenicity tests were conducted to prove Koch postulates and identification of organisms was done through morphological as well as molecular studies. The causal organism of stem gummosis and slow vine decline was established as Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg. The pathogen associated with quick wilting was identified as Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. and the pathogen associated with leaf blight was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon & Maubl. This is the first study to decipher three different diseases caused by three distinct pathogens leading to wilt or blight type symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The present investigation was carried out to study the pattern of pesticide usage, management, health effects on farmers, and perception of farmers regarding pesticide usage. A survey was conducted among 100 farmers in the district Bareilly of Uttar Pradesh, India. The crops chosen for the study were bottle gourd, pumpkin, cucumber, potato, tomato, chilli, and cauliflower cultivated in three different sites of the studied district, namely, Rithoura (Pilibhit road), Mohanpur Thiriya and Ata Kastyan. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, formal and informal interviews, and group discussions. The pesticide selection was primarily based on efficiency for pest/pathogen(s) control. Pesticides such as cypermethrin and imidacloprid 10% EC were found to be most effective in controlling the pest attack on the studied crops, with carbendazim being the least efficient in preventing the pest attack. The cost of the pesticide was a major hindrance in applying the pesticides. The manual application was reported as the method of choice for pesticide application among the farmers, with farmers confirming that no mandatory safety measures and preventive measures were adopted while applying the pesticides. Education was observed to influence the farmers' approach toward adopting requisite protective measures; however, no association was found between the age of the farmers and the health effects of pesticides. The study recommends farmers should search for alternatives like biopesticides to manage important insect pests to avoid the negative impacts of pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV) is an important begomovirus constraint to the production of cucurbitaceous and other crops in India and its subcontinent. In this study first time, symptomatic samples of different cucurbits were collected from Telangana, Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi) and Madhya Pradesh location in India. The symptomatic samples were associated with begomovirus infection was confirmed by PCR amplification using specific universal primers Deng 540/541. Thirteen out of fifteen samples were amplified with newly designed bipartite specific primers JKR 58 F and JKR 59 R. In eleven out of thirteen bipartite samples contain betasatellite, confirmed by PCR amplification using specific primer CLB36F and CLB37R. The amplified PCR product with JKR58F and 59R of bitter gourd sample collected from Telangana was sequenced. The sequence was share 97.53% similarity with ToLCNDV infecting bottle gourd in Haryana in India (FN645905). Phylogenic analysis revealed that ToLCNDV infecting cucurbits are different, from ToLCNDV infecting tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The study validated the antidyslipidemic, antioxidant, and antihyperglycemic effects of Lagenariasiceraria fruit extract in human subjects with dyslipidemia along with subjects of normal health. A total of 200 mL of freshly prepared Lagenariasiceraria fruit extract was administered daily on empty stomach for 90 days. Significant reductions (P < .01) were found in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in blood. Cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and atherogenicity index of plasma were also improved. Appreciable reductions in body mass index (P < .01) and blood pressure (systolic P < .01, diastolic P < .05) along with a significant reduction (P < .05) in fasting blood glucose levels were also observed in these subjects. Lagenariasiceraria fruit extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity in dyslipidemic subjects as evident from elevations in SOD (P < .05) and GSH levels (P < .01) with marked improvement in catalase (P < .01) and TBARS levels (P < .05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Lagenariasiceraria fruit extract serves as dietary adjunct in treatment of human dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

Background & objectives: The bottle gourd (Lagenaria sieeraria) is popularly known as iauki, ghia or dudhi in India. Its consumption is advocated by traditional healers for controlling diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, weight loss and other associated benefits. However, in last few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to consumption of its juice. This led to the constitution of an Expert Committee by Department of Health Research at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in October 2010. The committee looked into the issues related to safety of consumption of bottle gourd juice, and this paper presents the findings. Methods: Information on cases of suspected toxicity due to consumption of bottle gourd juice was collected by internet search, advertising on website of ICMR and by writing to State and district health authorities as well as to medical colleges, hospitals and private nursing homes across the country. Results: Three deaths were reported, one from Delhi and two from Uttar Pradesh after consumption of extremely bitter bottle gourd juice. Three persons who died after consumption of freshly prepared bottle gourd juice or juice mixed with bitter gourd (karela) juice were over 59 years of age and had diabetes since last 20 years. This juice was reported to be extremely bitter by all three. Twenty six persons were admitted to various hospitals of the country on complaint of abdominal pain and vomiting following consumption of freshly prepared bottle gourd juice. Diarrhoea and vomiting of blood (haematemesis) was reported in 18 (69.2%) and 19 (73.1%) patients, respectively. Biochemical investigations revealed elevated levels of liver enzymes. More than 50 per cent patients had hypotension. Endoscopic findings showed profusely bleeding stomach with excessive ulceration seen in distal oesophagus, stomach and duodenum in most of the cases. All these patients recovered fully and no sequeale was recorded for any of the cases. Interpretation & conclusions: Cueurbitaceae family, of which bottle gourd is a member contains the toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins which are responsible for the bitter taste. There is no known antidote for this toxicity and clinicians treat such cases symptomatically only. The Committee made the following recommendations: (i) The community needs to be educated that bitter tasting bottle gourd juice should not be consumed and in case there is any discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or any feeling of uneasiness after consumption of juice, the person should immediately be taken to a nearby hospital. (ii) Clinicians are suggested that patients coming with symptoms (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding after consumption of juice)should immediately be attended to and general supportive care should be provided, Le. IV fluids/crystalloids/blood products/ fresh frozen plasma to maintain the haemodynamics and electrolyte balance; Ryle's tube to be put in for gastric lavage and to assess gastrointestinal (GI) bleed- aspirate to be preserved; Proton pump inhibitors should be given for management of GI bleed and appropriate treatment for other complications should be given. (iii) The possible research areas identified are chemical composition studies on bitter and normal bottle gourd and other members of cucurbitaceae family; animal toxicity studies and studies on interaction between bottle gourd juice and other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The volatile essential oils and non volatile glycosides of some commonly used Indian vegetables such as guar beans, French beans and bottle gourd were investigated. The volatile constituents isolated by steam distillation as well as free volatiles released from glycosidic precursors were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Alcohols dominated the volatile flavour profile of French bean while a marked dominance of carbonyl compounds was evident for guar beans and bottle gourd. 1-Octen-3-ol and trans-3-hexene-1-ol were the dominant compound identified in French beans accounting for 30% and 21% of the steam distilled oil. Acetoin was found to be major aroma constituent (95%) of guar beans while aliphatic aldehydes such as octanal, nonanal and decanal with fruity, floral and citrus odors dominated the volatile profile of bottle gourd. Among the bound precursors acetoin was the major component in both guar beans (50%) and French beans (54%). Glycosidic precursors of bottle gourd included 1, 4-benzenediol (12.51%), 2- Pentadecyn-1-ol (17.87%), 9,12-Octadecadienal and fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid. This is the first report on the occurrence of bound aroma precursors in the above vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Bottlegourd is a cultivated annual monoecious species with five wild perennial dioeciously species belongs to family cucurbitaceae. It is grown for its tender fruits, basically used as vegetable. The tender edible fruits are also prepared into sweets, pickles and other delicious preparations. In many cases of ailments it is a preferred vegetable because of its cooling effects and easy digestibility. Various plant parts have medicinal value too. It is known as poor man's vegetable in India, is now attaining fast popularity among health conscious urban elite, which has encouraged round the year cultivation of this potentially important vegetable, except in very cool regions during winter. Considerable amount of heterosis exists in this crop and is being exploited commercially due to easy hybrid seed production because of its monoecious nature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

BACKGROUND: Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India. Its consumption is advocated by traditional medicine healers for controlling diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, weight loss and other diseases. However, in last few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to consumption of its juice leading to severe vomiting and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. As emergency physicians we need to be aware of this very rare poisoning specially in India. METHODS: We present a case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with multiple episodes of hematemesis and shock to the emergency department (ED) after consuming bottle gourd juice. The patient was resuscitated and stabilized with fluids, proton pump inhibitors and antiemetics and shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) under the care of a gastroenterology team for urgent endoscopy and further management. RESULTS: The patient received intravenous fluids, antibiotics, antiemetics, and antacids and underwent upper gastroenterologic endoscopy during the hospitalization. She was discharged in a stable condition 4 days later. CONCLUSIONS: As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, bottle gourd contains toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins which are responsible for the bitter taste and toxicity. There is no known antidote for this toxicity, and clinicians treat such patients symptomatically only. It is important to educate the public about the harmful effects of this potentially life-threatening toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article considers the health benefits of bottle gourd or Lagenaria siceraria. Bottle gourd, which can act as a diuretic when cooked. has low calorie content and high dietary fiber. In India, several cases of death were associated with consumption of fresh bottle gourd juice. Bottle gourd belongs to the cucumber family and can become toxic like mushrooms. The level of toxicity of this vegetable depends on the amount of bitter juice consumed. more...

This article presents the first reported case of papaya ringspot virus in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) from India. The virus isolate produced characteristic symptoms of mosaic, mottling, interveinal chlorotic bands, leaf distortion, malformation of fruits and reduction in fruit size. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing using 16 antisera from five distinct virus groups (poty-, cucumo-, tobomo-, tospo- and ilarviruses) revealed that the virus isolate reacted strongly to Papaya ringspot virus (P and W strains), in addition to weaker reactions with three other potyvirus antisera: Tobacco etch virus, Chilli veinal mottle virus and Potato virus Y. more...