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Mulberry is a multipurpose tree, which can be utilized for catering diversified needs such as food, fodder, fuel and fibre. It has earned ‘superfood’ status, in European countries, owing to presence of bioactive compounds in fruits. In India, mulberry is considered an underutilized fruit crop and the breeding efforts on mulberries made so far were restricted to development of genotypes suitable for sericulture. However promising selections of mulberry, intended for commercial fruit production, have recently been made. Therefore, an investigation about the phytochemical constituents of available promising mulberry genotypes could help develop an improved understanding and appreciation of the nutraceutical and medicinal value of this fruit, which consequently will promote its consumption in society. In the present investigation, we assessed variations in morphological characteristics, phytochemical and antioxidant capacity among 10 selected mulberry genotypes belonging to 3 mulberry species (Morus alba, M. rubra and M. laevigata). The antioxidant capacity was estimated by CUPRAC, FRAP and DPPH assays. The ascorbic acid content varied from 6.8 to 27.1 mg 100 g−1, total polyphenols from 0.51 to 1.58 mg g−1, total flavonoids from 0.37 to 1.26 mg g−1 and O-dihydric phenol from 0.14 to 0.33 mg g−1 fresh weight. The average antioxidant activities were 3.02–6.92 and 2.79–5.70 µM TE g−1 as determined by the CUPRAC and FRAP assays, respectively. Likewise, according to the results obtained, genotype Delhi Local was found to exhibit the strongest DPPH free-radical scavenging activity followed by Thar Lohit. The results of the study showed that the dark red-fruited mulberry ‘Delhi Local’ with higher antioxidant potential appears to be promising for further commercial exploitation. Keywords: Morphological characterization, Phyllotaxy, Heterophylly, Anthocyanin, CUPRAC, FRAP, Principal component analysis

A physiological disorder has been noted in Indian jujube or ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv. Chhuhara, wherein tip (stylar end) of the ber fruits turned brown. The disorder has been found to aggravate with the progress in the maturity. The disorder affected fruits had less soluble solids content, reducing and total sugars and ascorbic acid; besides higher content of secondary metabolites and enzymes responsible for oxidative browning. Upon nutrient analyses, the boron content found to be higher in affected fruits in comparison to normal, healthy fruits. Since, this disorder appears during late harvesting period, when atmospheric temperature is higher, it may be concluded that high temperature and evapo-transpiration accompanied with high illumination had resulted in boron accumulation beyond its threshold level, which led to the development of browning of stylar end of fruits in ber cv. Chhuhara.

A thermally stable laccase was purified from the culture filtrate of Hexagonia tenuis MTCC-1119. The method involved concentration of the culture filtrate by ammonium sulphate precipitation and an anion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose. The sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) both gave single protein bands, indicating that the enzyme preparation was pure. The molecular mass of the enzyme determined from SDS-PAGE analysis was 100 kDa. The purification fold and percentage recovery of the enzyme activity were 12.75 and 30.12%, respectively. The pH and the temperature optima were 3.5 and 45 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was most stable at pH 4.0 when exposed for 1 h. Using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP), 2,2 [azino-bis-(3-ethylbonzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt] (ABTS) and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde azine (syringaldazine) as the substrates, the K(m), k(cat) and k(cat)/K(m) values of the laccase were 80 μM, 2.54 s(-1), 3.17 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1), 36 μM, 2.54 s(-1), 7.05 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1) and 87 μM, 2.54 s(-1), 2.92 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. The purified laccase was finally used for the selective biotransformation of aromatic methyl group to aldehyde group in presence of diammonium salt of ABTS as the mediator and products were characterized by HPLC, IR and 1H NMR. The percentage yields of these transformed products were > 91%.