A total of 15 isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from traditional pickles of rural and urban areas of Himachal Pradesh. These isolates were identified as
Enterococcus faecalis
(7),
...Lactobacillus plantarum
(3),
Pediococcus pentosaceus
(2),
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
(1),
Lactococcus lactis
(1) and
Enterococcus
sp. (1) on the basis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. All the LABs produced exopolysaccharides, have antibiotic susceptibility, and possess activity of β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, protease and amylase, while none of the isolates showed haemolytic activity. Out of 15 isolates tested, only 6 isolates showed the phytase activity. These LAB exhibited antimicrobial activity against food borne pathogenic bacteria i.e.
Bacillus cereus
,
Escherichia coli
,
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Shigella dysenteriae
. These results suggested that LAB isolates from traditional pickles of Himachal Pradesh have very good potential to be used as probiotics.
Traditional knowledge (TK) in Ladakh encapsulates a repository of experimental wisdom cultivated over millennia. Despite this cultural wealth, dwindling interest among the younger generations in the ...region's age-old practices underscores the urgency to document TK. The current study investigates the diverse usage of plants in Surru, Wakha and Lower Indus valleys of Western Ladakh exploring the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors.
A stratified random sample approach was adopted to select 540 respondents for gathering information of useful plants through interviews and questionnaires. Participant observation, questionnaires, open-ended and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Free listing was done to create an extensive list of plants and their uses. Ethnobotanical metrics such as relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural value (CV) index and cultural importance (CI) index were computed to assess species applicability. Additionally, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to discern significant differences in knowledge levels based on valleys, gender, education and religion using TK as a response variable.
Altogether, we recorded 246 plant species under various ethnobotanical uses from Western Ladakh. These include medicinal (126), fodder (124), wild ornamentals (86), food (81), fuel wood (54), dye (20), religious (31) and others (34). Novel plant reports include Berberis brandisiana Ahrendt and Dactylorhiza kafiriana Renz. The dominant plant family is Asteraceae with 35 species. Suru valley exhibits the highest number of cited plants followed by Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys (192, 168 and 152 species, respectively).
Disparities in plant use understanding are evident among different groups, prompting further investigation through intercultural comparisons. Plants such as Arnebia euchroma, Juniperus semiglobosa, and Artemisia species emerge with cultural importance. Gender, valley affiliation, religious background and the remoteness of a village all influence local plant knowledge. These variations are linked to socioeconomic disparities among communities.
The Sowa-rigpa system of traditional healing has been practiced from time immemorial in western Ladakh but its existence is in jeopardy today. Documentation of information on various aspects of this ...system such as treatment methods, materials used for medicine and socio-cultural aspects is needed to ensure the long-term survival of this system.
Extensive field surveys were conducted from March 2009 to June 2011 in three different Valleys of the Kargil district. Interviews with traditional healers, village heads and local people were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and participatory observations to assess the current status of traditional medicine system. Plant specimens were collected from the field for identification and herbarium preparation which were later deposited in herbaria for future reference.
160 plants were recorded to be used by traditional healers of Western Ladakh. Traditional healing system (THS) is taking care of 30% of public healthcare. Only 36 traditional healers are left in this region of which 67% was found along the Wakha-chu Valley, followed by the Lower Indus Valley (17%) and the SuruValley (16%). The transfer of knowledge to the next generation is very low (25%) in Kargil. Low income and continuously deteriorating social status of healers has contributed to the decline of this system.
Lack of interest in young generation in adopting this system may pose a threat to the survival of Sowa-rigpa. Integration of this system with the modern healthcare system and more government support may prove effective to enhance its deteriorating conditions.
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This study evaluated the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional fermented foods and beverage of Ladakh as biocontrol agents against Yersinia enterocolitica. The antagonistic ...activities of 46 LAB isolates were screened for their ability to inhibit the growth of Y. enterocolitica at refrigeration temperatures using agar spot tests. On the basis of the 16S rDNA sequences, two selected inhibitory isolates were identified as Lactobacillus sp. and Lactobacillus brevis and their accession number were KJ722775 and KJ722777, respectively. The growth of Y. enterocolitica in mixed cultures coinoculated with Lactobacillus sp. and L. brevis separately in de Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) broth at 4°C for 28 days was investigated. It was found that the growth of Y. enterocolitica on 28th day decreased to 1.22log CFU/ml (Lactobacillus sp.) and 2.17log CFU/ml (L. brevis) in mixed culture. Y. enterocolitica was added to meat samples and coinoculated with Lactobacillus sp. and L. brevis separately, stored at 4°C for 28 days. Y. enterocolitica count was dropped to 4.90 log CFU/ml (Lactobacillus sp.) and 4.44 log CFU/ml (L. brevis) on 28th day of storage indicating bactericidal activity. It was observed that the inhibition was higher as the incubation period progressed. Cell-free supernatants of selected antagonistic bacteria were studied to determine the nature of the antimicrobial compounds produced. The low pH and production of lactic acid were the main factors for inhibition of growth of Y. enterocolitica.
•Potential of Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus sp. as biopreservative in refrigerated meat has been reported.•Decrease in the count of Yersiniaenterocolitica during storage has been observed.•Low pH and lactic acid were found to be the major inhibition factors for Y. enterocolitica.
The present research was designed to explore indigenous probiotic Lactic acid bacteria from traditional fermented foods and beverages of North-western Himalayas for their probiotic potential. It was ...achieved through a step-by step approach focused on the technological characterization, evaluation of the probiotic traits and adherence ability. Fifty one LAB isolates from traditional fermented foods and beverages were initially screened for their technological properties and among them twenty isolates were selected. These isolates were further characterized and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as
Lactobacillus brevis
(7 isolates),
Lactobacillus casei
(5),
Lactobacillus paracasei
(2),
Lactobacillus buchneri
(1),
Lactobacillus plantarum
(1) and
Lactobacillus
sp. (3). Identified isolates were evaluated by in vitro methods including survival in gastrointestinal tract, antibiotic susceptibility, antimicrobial activity, cell surface characteristics, exopolysacharride production and haemolytic activity. The results of these experiments were used as input data for Principal Component Analysis; thus, to select the most promising probiotic isolates. Three isolates (
L. brevis
PLA2,
L. paracasei
PLA8 and
L. brevis
PLA16) were found to be most technological relevant and promising probiotic candidates in comparison to commercial probiotic strains.
L. brevis
PLA2 was selected as best isolate with probiotic potential by in vitro adherence to the human intestinal HT-29 cell line.
The India-China border dispute has been subject of much debate, discussion, and analysis ever since the Sino-Indian war of 1962. However, the developments on the India-China border in the Western ...Sector in April 2013 brought to the fore the sensitivities of the border dispute between India and China which remains unresolved till today. This paper seeks to look into the implications of the transgressions/incursions in the Daulat Beg Oldi sector, and elaborate on the sensitivities, insecurities and problems of the local population. It also attempts to provide the local perspective of the Ladakhis settled along the Line of Actual Control. The border resolution is a long way to go. India needs to review its diplomatic and military preparedness in a crisis situation. The Ladakh episode is not a local incident, but it is a pointer to a growing Chinese assertiveness vis-i-vis India. India should take lessons from the Depsang incident for India.
Biological rhythms may play an important role in the physio-reproductive lifecycle of Pashmina goats. However, such a study is lacking. Present study focuses on same. A total of 30 female Pashmina ...goats (N = 30) from 3 flocks (n = 10) having 10 animals each were selected randomly in 3 villages of Changthang, Ladakh (India). Average life span was 9.93 ± 0.462 years, body weight of adult female was 23.0 ± 1.08 kg and age of puberty was 11.93 ± 0.55 months. Average duration of oestrus cycle was 20.73 ± 0.23 days and that of standing estrus was 36.40 ± 1.67 h. Seasonal breeding was noted with breeding cycle being influenced by light hours. Average gestation length was 149.5 ± 1.05 days, frequently single kidding and usually singlets were born. Pashmina wool grows during winter season and starts shedding from spring. Seasonal cyclicity of diseases including neonatal diarrhea, endo-ectoparasitic infections, and respiratory infections contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP)/peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was noted. No significant difference (p > 0.05) of biological rhythms was noted in the three villages. This study provides the baseline data for biological rhythms of Pashmina goats that can have both physio-biological- and production- related importance.
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