Folk to functional: An explorative overview of rice-based fermented foods and beverages in India

Mousumi Ray,Kuntal Ghosh,Somnath Singh,Keshab Chandra Mondal 한국식품연구원 2016 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.3 No.1

Fermented foods share an integral part of age-old wisdom from ancient Indian civilization. Over the generations, this pioneering practice of food fermentation has expanded and improved to preserve and fortify the available food resources, particularly to meet the hidden hunger. India, being the second largest producer of rice, has a great history of traditional rice-based fermented foods with different tastes and textures linked with cultural diversity and mostly prepared by rural women following village art techniques. Some of them have been scientifically investigated and it has been revealed that microflora in natural or starter culture plays imperative roles to bio-embolden the rice with varieties of health promoting macronutrients and micronutrients, phytochemicals, and other functional components during fermentation. In this review, some explorative information on traditional rice-based foods and beverages has been assembled to illustrate the global interest in Indian food heritage and their functional aspects. The review also deals with the preparation of raw materials, traditional processing, composition, and ethno-medicinal importance of each food to encourage entrepreneurs to develop large-scale production to meet the growing market demand of functional foods.

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF CULTURE ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SITUATED LEARNING AND COPING

Mousumi Bose,Lilly Ye 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2016 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2016 No.7

Understanding how consumer learning is used to cope with stressful consumption experience is important in today’s competitive marketplace. According to the Customer Dissatisfaction Study (2006), only 6 percent of consumers who experience a problem try to learn about solutions with some help from firms. By understanding how consumers and learn cope and handle service failure, firms can enhance their service recovery process to effectively deal with consumers’ frustration. This knowledge can positively impact corporate image, consumer repurchase intentions, satisfaction, and loyalty (e.g., Mittal and Kamakura 2001). As such, the current research aims at providing insight on the importance of situated learning in coping with stressful consumption experiences. Situated learning takes into consideration the context as well as existing consumer knowledge in shaping an individual’s ability to cope with stressful service experiences. The interaction with the environment and other individuals, the context of these interactions, and the role of individual cognition through mental models play an important role in situated learning. Such interplay is pivotal in mediating the ability of individuals to cope with unfavorable service episodes. Past research has alluded to learning process in the context of coping (Duhachek 2005; Endler and Parker 1990; Pavia and Mason 2004). Extant research has highlighted the importance of in situ learning as an essential mechanism to coping with anxiety and stress. However, previous research has considered learning as a component of coping. We believe that situated learning is a construct separate from coping that requires further exploration. Therefore, in this research we aim to establish the link between situated learning and coping. We also identify key antecedents of situated learning and relate such antecedents of need for control, need for closure and trust to the central concept of psychological closeness to the consumption problem at hand, which has a positive influence on situated learning and coping. We study the model in context of eastern (China) and western (USA) cultures. Data was collected using online surveys in USA and China. Individuals who have encountered stressful service situations were requested to undertake the survey. The items used to represent various latent variables were pretested in both the cultures to ensure face and content validity. The sample comprised of a total of 318 (186 U.S. and 132 Chinese) participants. Structural equations modeling was used to analyze the data. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, the latter resulted in good fit for the model. Next, using Steenkamp and Baumgartner’s (1998) guidelines for cross-cultural studies, the measurement equivalence of the measurement variables was tested. Finally, the structural model was tested. For U.S. consumers, need for control, need for closure and trust positively influenced psychological closeness to the consumption problem, which positively affected situated learning and coping. For Chinese consumers, need for closure and trust had a direct influence on psychological closeness. However, there was no relationship between psychological closeness and situated learning, suggesting that the antecedents of need for control and need for closure had a direct effect on situated learning, which positively affected coping. This means that unlike U.S. consumers, Chinese consumers did not necessarily aligned themselves closely to the problem to learn about them. Their need for control and need for closure directly affected their situated learning, which in turn, had a positive influence on coping. Interestingly, unlike U.S. consumers, Chinese consumers did not trust their service providers enough to help them learn and cope.

Establishment of a Stable Amaranthus tricolor Callus Line for Production of Food Colorant

Mousumi Biswas,Shibendu Sekhar Das,Satyahari Dey 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.suppl1

The present study attempts to establish and screen Amaranthus tricolor L. callus for development of a stable callus line with enhanced production of food colorants. The best betacyanin-producing callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.25 mg/L) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) (2 mg/L) using stem segment as explants. The callus line (IIT BT/PBT At 11) was maintained up to 24 subculture cycles. Betalain production in callus was detected by reversed phase HPLC and LCMS. In addition to the reported abundant red-violet pigment amaranthin, 2 new yellow pigments and 18 other bioactive phenylpropanoids were detected in the callus line. A novel betaxanthin, methyl derivative of arginine betaxanthin was identified. All pigments were purified by size exclusion chromatography.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer in People of North East India: Critical Insights Gained at a Regional Cancer Centre

Sharma, Mousumi,Sharma, Jagannath Dev,Sarma, Anupam,Ahmed, Shiraj,Kataki, Amal Chandra,Saxena, Rahul,Sharma, Dilutpal Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising of distinct biological subtypes with many targeted prognostic biomarkers having therapeutic implications. However, no specific targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer has been discovered to date and hence further research is needed. Aim: The aim and objectives of the present study were to examine the prevalence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in North-East India and to compare the clinicopathological parameters in two study groups defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) - "TNBC" and "Others". Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study in a cohort of 972 patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma in the Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, a Regional Cancer Centre for treatment and research, Guwahati, for a period of 3 years and 10 months from January 2010 to October 2013. Based on IHC findings, patients were divided into two groups - "TNBC" and "Others". All relevant clinicopathological parameters were compared in both. TNBC were defined as those that were estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu negative while those positive for any of these markers were defined as "Others". Results: In this study, out of total 972 cases 31.9% (310 cases) were defined as TNBC and 662 cases (68.1%) as "Others" based on IHC markers. Compared to the "Others" category, TNBC presented at an early age (mean 40 years), were associated with high grade large tumours and high rate of node positivity, IDC NOS being the most common histological subtype in TNBC. Conclusions: TNBC accounts for a significant portion of breast cancers in this part of India and commonly present at younger age and tend to be large high grade tumours.

Effect of Local Sustainable Release of BMP2-VEGF from Nano-Cellulose Loaded in Sponge Biphasic Calcium Phosphate on Bone Regeneration

Sukul, Mousumi,Nguyen, Thuy Ba Linh,Min, Young-Ki,Lee, Sun-Young,Lee, Byong-Taek Mary Ann Liebert 2015 Tissue engineering. Part A Vol.21 No.11

<P>Bone regeneration is a coordinated process mainly regulated by multiple growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) induce osteogenesis during bone healing process. The aim of this study was to investigate how these growth factors released locally and sustainably from nano-cellulose (NC) simultaneously effect bone formation. A biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)-NC-BMP2-VEGF (BNBV) scaffold was fabricated for this purpose. The sponge BCP scaffold was prepared by replica method and then loaded with 0.5% NC containing BMP2-VEGF. Growth factors were released from NC in a sustainable manner from 1 to 30 days. BNBV scaffolds showed higher cell attachment and proliferation behavior than the other scaffolds loaded with single growth factors. Bare BCP scaffolds and BNBV scaffolds seeded with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were implanted ectopically and orthotopically in nude mice for 4 weeks. No typical bone formation was exhibited in BNBV scaffolds in ectopic sites. BMP2 and VEGF showed positive effects on new bone formation in BNBV scaffolds, with and without seeded stem cells, in the orthotopic defects. This study demonstrated that the BNBV scaffold could be beneficial for improved bone regeneration. Stem cell incorporation into this scaffold could further enhance the bone healing process.</P>

Phytotoxicity of glyphosate in the germination of Pisum sativum and its effect on germinated seedlings

Subinoy Mondal,Mousumi Kumar,Smaranya Haque,Debajyoti Kundu 환경독성보건학회 2017 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.32 No.-

The present study evaluated the effects of glyphosate on Pisum sativum germination as well as its effect on the physiology and biochemistry of germinated seedlings. Different physico-chemical biomarkers, viz., chlorophyll, root and shoot length, total protein and soluble sugar, along with sodium and potassium concentration, were investigated in germinated seedlings at different glyphosate concentrations. This study reports the influence of different concentrations of glyphosate on pea seeds and seedlings. Physicochemical biomarkers were significantly changed by glyphosate exposure after 15 days. The germination of seedlings under control conditions (0 mg/L) was 100% after 3 days of treatment but at 3 and 4 mg/L glyphosate, germination was reduced to 55 and 40%, respectively. Physiological parameters like root and shoot length decreased monotonically with increasing glyphosate concentration, at 14 days of observation. Average root and shoot length (n=30 in three replicates) were reduced to 14.7 and 17.6%, respectively, at 4 mg/L glyphosate. Leaf chlorophyll content also decreased, with a similar trend to root and shoot length, but the protein content initially decreased and then increased with an increase in glyphosate concentration to 3 mg/L. The study suggests that glyphosate reduces the soluble sugar content significantly, by 21.6% (v/v). But internal sodium and potassium tissue concentrations were significantly altered by glyphosate exposure with increasing concentrations of glyphosate. Biochemical and physiological analysis also supports the inhibitory effect of glyphosate on seed germination and biochemical effects on seedlings.

Performance study of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane system for the separation of bisphenol A from aqueous solutions

Smita Gupta,Mousumi Chakraborty,Z.V.P. Murthy 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.4

In this work, extraction of bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solutions by hollow fiber supported liquid membrane is studied. The study had focused on the effects of various parameters, viz., hydrodynamic conditions, type of diluent, feed- and stripping- phase concentrations. Response surface method was adopted to determine the interactive effect of feed and stripping phase concentrations on BPA transport. At optimum conditions, 96% BPA extraction is achieved from aqueous solutions within 9.0 h cycle-time. A mass transfer model was developed, and the aqueous and membrane resistances were evaluated to be 5.78 × 102 s cm-1 and 5.85 × 104 s cm-1, respectively.

Does inefficiency influence earnings management through discretionary loan loss provisions? Evidence from Indian banks

Sarit Biswas,Mousumi Bhattacharya,Sharad Nath Bhattacharya,Sharad Nath Bhattacharya 한양대학교 경제연구소 2022 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH Vol.27 No.2

The research looks into the impact of efficiency on discretionary loan loss provisioning in Indian banks and whether government ownership of commercial banks impacts efficiency. Using data envelopment analysis to quantify efficiency, we investigate the effect of efficiency on discretionary loan loss provision using a two-stage least squares regression model while accounting for uncertain government policies and their unpredictable economic consequences (economic policy uncertainty). Banks that are not majority owned by the government are more efficient than banks that are majority owned by the government. Through discretionary loan loss provision, bank efficiency positively impacts earnings management. Bank earnings management practices are limited by economic growth, rising credit-to-deposit ratios, and domestic economic policy uncertainties. However, capital adequacy ratio and global economic policy uncertainties are positively related to earnings management in banks. The study provides insights into the link between efficiency and earnings management in the face of local and global uncertainties.

Hollow mesoporous silica spheres supported Ag and Ag–Au catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrobenzo-15-crown

Raji Vadakkekara,Mousumi Chakraborty,Parimal A. Parikh 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.3

Hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) spheres of size within the range 120–220 nm have been prepared usingpropanol–water solvent as template and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as stabilizer. HMSsupported silver and silver–gold catalysts were prepared by impregnating metal nanoparticles on HMSand were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS),optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy (FTIR), inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and N2adsorption–desorption. The reduction of 4-nitrobenzo-15-crown (4-NB-15-C) was compared using HMSsupported silver and silver–gold nanocatalysts varying experimental parameters. Bimetallic Ag–Au/HMS nanocatalysts was found to be more active than monometallic Ag/HMS nanocatalyst.

Bio-dissolution of copper from Khetri lagoon material by adapted strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Lala Bihari Sukla,Mousumi Mishra,Sradhanjali Singh,Trupti Das,Rabi Narayana Kar,Karanam Srinivasa Rao,Barada Kanta Mishra 한국화학공학회 2008 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.25 No.3

Bioleaching involves the use of iron and sulfur oxidizing microorganisms to catalyze the dissolution of valuable metals. In this investigation, lagoon material contains 0.39% Cu, in which the major copper bearing mineral is chalcopyrite associated with other minerals present as minor phase. Leaching experiments were carried out using an adapted strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans with various parameters such as presence/absence of iron, pH, pulp density and temperature. Base of the medium was 9 K (without ferrous) Bio-dissolution of copper was found to be maximum, i.e., 80.9% with 9 K+ (with ferrous) at pH-2.0, 10% pulp-density and 35 oC within an incubation period of 30 days.