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Avocado is a food rich in mono unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and procyanidins. In Southern India, avocado (Persea Americana) are frequently used for milkshakes and occasionally added to ice cream and other desserts. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporation of avocado pulp on the physico-chemical, sensory and microbial quality of chicken cutlets. Chicken cutlets were prepared with different levels of avocado pulp, viz., 0% (T1), 5% (T2) and 10 % (T3) and the physico-chemical, sensory and microbial quality of prepared chicken cutlets were assessed. The incorporation of avocado pulp into chicken cutlets reduced the extent of lipid oxidation and microbial count significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in cooking yield and textural properties were also recorded. However, the incorporation of avocado pulp @ 10% in the chicken cutlets showed no significant influence on the overall sensory acceptability of the chicken cutlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used to examine variation in the distribution of microbial communities in heavily polluted mangrove sediments of Thane creek, west coast of India. A total of 40 individual PLFAs representing 11 functional groups were identified in the sediment and were mainly dominated by saturated fatty acids (anaerobic prokaryotes) >50%. Significant dominance of PUFA, 16:3 ω6c (34.2%) indicators of micro-eukaryotes, in subsurface depth (p < 0.05) suggests input from the remnants of marine microalgae. Declined mean relative abundance of fungi (<6%) and actinomycetes (<1%) were detected in the sediment indicating their sensitivity to anthropic stressors. Homogenous profile of microbial diversity indicating active bioturbation. Cumulative metabolic stress evident from SAT/MUFA (>1), B/F (>1) and G + / G– (<1) ratio and prolonged hypoxia to be prevalent in the creek during the study. In conclusion, PLFA signatures can thus be used as potential biomarkers of environmental monitoring and proxy for interpreting ecosystem health. [Display omitted] • Microbial lipids and sediment geochemistry in polluted mangrove sediment of Thane were evaluated. • Sediment harboured 40 different PLFA representing 11 microbial functional groups. • Predominance of anaerobes and microalgal remains indicated reduced condition. • Geochemical characteristics best explained the variation in the microbial community. • Shift from G + to G– microbial community indicated a stressful ecological niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the source and palaeoenvironmental conditions prevailed during the deposition of the Lower Permian shales of the Auranga Basin located at western flank of the Damodar valley, India. Both organic and inorganic geochemistry have been applied as tools to accomplish the objectives of this investigation. The n -alkane distribution within the samples reveals the dominance of the intermediate chain length n -alkanes over the short chain as well as long chain length homologues, possibly implying the organic matter derivation from the ferns, sphagnum moss, gymnosperms and/or aquatic plants. The intermediate chain n -alkane concentration along with its relations with the preference indices of odd to even carbons and proxy ratio as well as with average chain length may suggest the submergent aquatic plant communities as principle contributors of organic materials to the peatland. The presence of short chain length alkanes with pentacyclic triterpenoids may indicate the microbial organic matter input. The complete absence of < n -C 16 alkanes and baseline humps in the pentacyclic triterpenoid chromatograms may indicate the influence of biodegradation of the organic matter in the shale samples. The pristane to phytane ratio (0.08–4.66) and the relation between pristane/ n -C 17 and phytane/ n -C 18 may imply transitional redox condition within the mire. The pristane/ n -C 17 ratio (0.08–1.24) may indicate the alternations of open water and swampy environments. The chemical weathering indices calculated from major elemental oxides may infer moderate to strong weathering due to reasonable period of precipitation during a wet spell. The selective trace element ratios and the palaeoclimatic factor (0.60–1.73) may, additionally, suggest high atmospheric humidity and consequent heavy precipitations that flourished the aquatic plants, which would have dominantly supplied the organic detritus in the peatland. In complementary, the hopanoid ratios, especially, the 22S/(22S + 22R) homohopane ratio may mark that the organic matter within the Auranga shales is in immature to early maturity phase for oil generation. Moreover, the combined mean random vitrinite reflectance and the thermal maturity parameter obtained from the Rock Eval data may indicate oil potential of these shales. Image 1 • Submergent aquatic vegetation supplied the organic matter in Auranga shale deposits. • Palaeoclimatic factor hints heavy downpour in wet spell surged submergent plants. • Hopanoid distribution suggests microbial lipid input from bacteriohopantetrol. • Pr/ n -C 17 range shows mixed open water and inland swampy environments of deposition. • 22S/(22S + 22R) homohopane shows immature to early mature phase for oil generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]