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The present study was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on biochemical, physiological and cytological parameters of Capsicum annuum L. treated with five different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm) of the metal. Shoot-root length, pigment and protein content showed a continuous decrease with increasing Cd concentrations and the maximal decline was observed at the higher concentration. Proline content was found to be increased upto 60 ppm while at higher concentrations it gradually decreased. MDA content and chromosomal aberrations increased as the concentration increased. Additionally Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used for the detection of genotoxicity induced by Cd. A total of 184 bands (62 polymorphic and 122 monomorphic) were generated in 5 different concentrations with 10 primers where primer OPA-02 generated the highest percentage of polymorphism (52.63%). Dendrogram showed that control, R1 and R2 showed similar cluster and R4 and R5 grouped with R3 into one cluster, which showed that plants from higher doses showed much difference than the plants selected at mild doses which resemble control at the DNA level. This investigation showed that RAPD marker is a useful tool for evaluation of genetic diversity and relationship among different metal concentrations.

Lentil is a legume crop, and it has been used as food throughout the world. Population of the whole world is completely dependent upon pulses for their enormous beneficial properties. The current work is a comprehensive review of lentil composition, nutritional value and health benefits. Lentil forms the important constituent of dietary source of protein such as lectins, defensins and protease inhibitors, and also the complex carbohydrate fractions particularly the resistant starches, oligosaccharides, bioactive peptide, dietary fibres, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and non-nutritive bioactive phytochemicals. This review article also focuses on the importance of lentil in combating various human diseases. Various potential health benefits of lentil have been described such as anticarcinogenic, blood pressure lowering, hypocholesterolemic, and glycemic load lowering effects. Lentils contain high content of fibre and other phytochemicals that could improve glycemic response in diabetic patients, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, and weight management. Lentils may have favourable effect to prophylaxis of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) prevalence. Consumption of increased lentil is considered as an important key in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

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