Objective: Limonia acidissima L. an underutilized edible fruit was evaluated for its antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging ability, proximate and amino acid analysis using established in vitro assay models. Methods: 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, nitric oxide radical (NO) scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity (TAA) were carried out. The total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid contents (TF) of the extracts were determined and expressed as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents. Results: The highest percentage of phenol and flavonoid contents were observed in methanol and the lowest content was found in chloroform extract. Also, methanol extract recorded higher activity in DPPH , HRSA, FRAP and TAA whereas, ethyl acetate extract of the fruit was found to be active for ABTS þ radical scavenging activity. Further, water extract of the fruit exhibited potentially high nitric oxide radical scavenging activity than other solvent extracts. Moreover, the phenolic and flavonoid contents of the fruit extract significantly correlated with antioxidant capacity. Amino acid analysis revealed that among, all essential amino acids, the concentrations of isoleucine, phenylalanine and tryptophan were found to be present in higher amounts. Conclusion: Positive correlation was observed between polyphenolic contents and the antioxidant capacities. It is evident from the study that the fruit possess potent antioxidant activity with enormous health benefits and thus may be used in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) Haw var. fimbriata (wall.) Grav. & Mayur. is a traditional food consumed as vegetable or pickle in arid regions of India and eaten during famines. In Indian traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat diabetes, inflammation and etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties (DPPH, TEAC, TAA, FRAP, OH˙ and NO˙ radical scavenging activities) of the different extracts from aerial parts. The levels of total phenolics and flavonoids of the extracts were also determined. The extracts were found to have different levels of antioxidant properties in the test models used. Methanol and water extracts had good total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The antioxidant activity was correlated well with the amount of total phenolics present in the extracts. The extracts and its components may be used as an additive in food preparations and nutraceuticals.

The effects of raw, dry heated and pressure cooked samples on total phenolic components and antioxidant activity in commonly consumed field bean, Dolichos lablab L. was investigated. The raw and processed samples were extracted with 70% methanol. Processing of legumes caused decreases in total phenolic content when compared to the raw samples. However, the dry heating caused remarkable increase in tannin contents (1.809±0.25 g GAE/ 100 g extract). Dry heated samples of D. lablab was found to possess the highest DPPH (IC 50, 2.53±0.17 μg/ml), TEAC (4649.8±38.4 μmol/g DM), OH˙radical (IC 50, 42.2 ±0.67 μg/ml) scavenging activities, inhibition of linoleic acid and ferric reducing capacity than other samples. The raw samples displayed the highest antihemolytic activity (59.6 ± 1.53%) and chelating capacity (74.2 ± 1.37 mg EDTA/g). Dry heat processing exhibited several advantages in retaining the antioxidant components and activities. The higher correlation was found the phenolic content with chelating (r 2 =0.933) and antihemolytic (r 2 =0.839) activities, but a poor correlation with other assays. Moreover, the content of tannins gave good correlation (r 2 =0.644-0.997) with all antioxidant assays. The low correlation values between total phenols and the antioxidative activity suggest that the major antioxidant compounds in studied seeds might be tannins.

Disease management has become prominent in aquaculture due to emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens and overuse of chemotherapeutic agents. One among the developmental strategies to control disease outbreak is by enhancing the fish immunity using immunostimulants. The use of dietary herbal immunostimulants can improve the immune defence of fishes, providing resistance against infections. The present study evaluated the possible effects of Limonia acidissima L. fruit (wood apple) supplemented diets on the growth, innate immunity and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Catla fish. Catla catla fingerlings (mean weight 5.0 ± 0.5 g) were separated into four groups and cultivated in 100-L tank. Each group was fed with diets supplemented with 0 g, 1.5 g, 3 g and 6 g per 100 g feed twice daily. Fish were examined for growth and innate immune parameters at 30 days interval up to 120 days. Results revealed that wood apple supplemented diets enhanced the growth and innate immune responses of Catla during the feeding trial. Growth performance, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters and immunological indices significantly (p < 0.05) increased in fish fed with experimental diets. The relative survival percentage after A. hydrophila challenge increased in fish fed with Limonia acidissima diet. Thus, the result suggested that fish fed Limonia acidissima Fruit supplemented diet enhanced growth, improved immune system and increased survival rate in C. catla fingerlings.