Manoj Kumar

Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology · Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division

Prinsepia utilis Royle, known for its diverse applications in traditional medicine (Chinese and Indian folk medicines), has garnered substantial attention within the field of phytochemistry and bioactivity exploration. P. utilis is a deciduous shrub from the family Rosaceae which is predominantly distributed within the Himalayan Mountain range at a...

Textile wastewater poses a significant environmental challenge, primarily due to the presence of diverse contaminants, especially textile dyes. Untreated release of these effluents directly into aquatic systems can lead to esthetic degradation, eutrophication, reduced photosynthetic activity, and accumulation of hazardous substances. Although conve...

This review aims to highlight the therapeutic potential and diverse applications of medicinal and aromatic Plants (MAPs), emphasizing their bioactive compounds. The primary goal is to discuss their roles in traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods, while addressing the challenges of standardization and sustainable cult...

The tanning industry, a significant contributor to global leather production, faces critical challenges in wastewater management due to the hazardous pollutants generated during processing. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems present a sustainable solution by efficiently treating and reusing wastewater while minimizing environmental impact. This st...

This paper examines the utilization of food byproducts as sources of bioactive compounds, aiming to reduce waste generation and enhance human health. It investigates the types of bioactive compounds present in food byproducts, their associated bioactivities, and their significance in functional food and nutraceutical development. Food processing ge...

This comprehensive review explores furfural production from agricultural residues, focusing on its significance as a low-volume, high-value asset crucial for environmental sustainability. It covers diverse production technologies, recent advancements, and applications in agriculture, evaluating furfural's potential to enhance crop resilience and yi...

Cottonseed is the major by-product of cotton and it contains about 33% protein which shows its potential to be utilized for food applications. However, the presence of gossypol restricts its use for edible purpose. The previous attempts made for gossypol reduction in cottonseed meal resulted in poor extraction efficiency and loss in protein quality...

Valorization of Fruit Seed Waste from Food Processing Industry: Insights on Nutritional Profile, Biological Functions, and Applications, Volume Five in the Developments in Food Quality and Safety series, provides comprehensive information regarding different aspects of fruit seed waste which can be of great help to students, research scholars, prof...

The effect of sodium alginate- crystalline nanocellulose based pickering emulsion containing different concentrations of thyme and clove essential oils on post-harvest storage life and quality of guava fruits under ambient condition was assessed. The guavas were coated by dipping in respective emulsions and evaluated at 3 days interval upto 12 days...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid‐beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to neuronal loss. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa , has shown potential neuroprotective effects due to its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This...

Limonia acidissima Groff, commonly referred to as the Wood apple, is a tropical fruit belonging to Rutaceae family. Indigenous to Sri Lanka, India, and Myanmar, it is extensively cultivated throughout Southeast Asia. This fruit holds a profound historical significance in traditional medicine due to its exceptional nutritional and therapeutic attrib...

The mouth houses the second largest diversity of microorganisms in the body, harboring more than 700 bacterial species colonizing the soft mucosa and hard tooth surfaces. Microbes are the cause of several health-related problems, such as dental carries, gingivitis, periodontitis, etc., in the mouth across different age groups and socioeconomic/demo...

Cotton is a highly profitable agricultural crop globally, valued for its valuable natural cellulosic fibres, renewable biofuel potential, and rich edible oil content. Global cotton production is impeded by multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, compounded with the ever-increasing human population and demands, necessitating enhanced and sustainable y...

Protein is one of the most important ingredients of the human diet and is considered crucial for the growth development of all age groups. Studies have set the recommended dietary allowance of protein as 0.8 g/kg body weight per day for healthy adults. The world population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050 and it will be a significant challe...

More and more people in recent years have turned to oilseeds for their daily nutritional needs. Some of the most potent sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds can be found in the byproducts of whole seeds, oils, meal, and cake. Nutritionists and food manufacturers alike tout their benefits, so it’s no surprise that customers are showing a lot...

Cottonseed meal (CSM) is a byproduct of cottonseed oil extraction and is considered a valuable source of protein for animal and human nutrition. However, CSM utilization is limited due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors, particularly gossypol, which can negatively impact animal growth and health. The protein amount and quality, amino acid...

Demand for plant protein as an alternative to animal protein has increased greatly. Soybean meal is an agro-industrial byproduct generated from the soybean oil processing industry and contains a high quantity of protein. Amino acid composition especially essential amino acids are rich in soybean protein. Non-essential amino acid like lysine which i...

Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a method for dehydrating food or other substances through the use of pressure instead of heat. This allows for the preservation and storage of high-value food products without altering their essential properties or causing a reduction in quality or value. For these reasons, freeze drying is the most reliable met...

Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology emerges as a transformative solution for sustainable wastewater management in the textile industry, emphasizing water recycling and discharge minimization. This review comprehensively explores ZLD’s pivotal role in reshaping wastewater management practices within the textile sector. With a primary focus on wat...

The custard apple (Annona squamosa L.; Genus: Annona; Family: Annonaceae) is a small-sized, deciduous shrub or tree that is endemic to tropical and subtropical areas. Since ancient times, the custard apple has been utilized as a natural treatment for health issues in crude form. The popularity of custard apple has increased as a result of more rese...

Aim: To evaluate the effect of different wall material (WM) matrices followed by homogenisation to encapsulate chia seed oil (CSO) using freeze drying technology. Methods: CSO was encapsulated using three ratios (100/0, 50/50, and 100/0) of two WM matrices: MTS/WPC (modified tapioca starch-whey protein concentrate) and MD/WPC (maltodextrin-whey...

Fire safety is a critical concern in various industries, including residential, transportation, and industrial sectors. The development of sustainable solutions for fire safety has gained significant attention in recent years. This review article explores the utilization of polysaccharide and secondary metabolites as fire retardants in textile mate...

Apple (Malus domestica) is a popular and ancient fruit of the Myrtaceae family. Apple fruit is well-known for its great nutritional and phytochemical content consisted of beneficial compounds such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, sterols, and organic acids. Polysaccharides extracted from different parts of the apple fruit, including the peel, pomac...

In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in V. negundo, with numerous ongoing clinical investigations exploring its therapeutic potential and the development of formulations derived from its bioactive constituents. Moreover, the market availability of homoeopathic medicines containing V. negundo highlights its enduring popularity. T...

Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant belonging to a genus of the dicotyledonous herbaceous annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is a perpetual flowering plant, mostly cultivated for medicinal purposes; generally, used in popular drinks due to its aroma and flavor. It is primarily cultivated in China, Japan, Europe, and Uni...

This study investigated the extraction of capsaicin from Capsicum chinense cv Bhut Jolokia using rice bran oil (RBO) as a ‘green solvent’ via microwave- and ultrasound-mediated techniques (MME and UME) as an alternative to hazardous organic solvents. Extraction conditions were optimized using MME at 180 and 300 W for 2 and 8 min and UME at 300 and...

Green technologies and smart solvents are garnering attention with growing environmental concerns. These techniques and solvents can assist in reducing the hazardous impact of toxic chemicals used in conventional extraction techniques. Further, there are ample studies reporting their use for extraction of bioactive compounds from plant and plant-ba...

S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) is a sulfur-containing substance found in aged garlic extract (AGE), which has been observed to have numerous biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Compared to intact garlic, SAC has fewer odors and decreased toxicity, making it a more appealing option for individuals looking to gain...

Advancements in food science and technology have paved the way for the development of natural antimicrobial compounds to ensure the safety and quality of meat and meat products. Among these compounds, bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria has gained considerable scientific attention for its ability to preserve the healthy properties of meat...

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (or peach) (Rosaceae) is the most important stone fruit crop in many areas, including North Africa, South Africa, and Europe. Peaches are well known for their flavor, nutritional value, and potential health benefits. During the consumption of peach fruit, usually jams, jellies, juices, and other food products, the seed an...

The rising interest in plant-based formulations and ethical concerns associated with animal-based products has led to an increased consumption of soymilk. This review explores research trends in soymilk and its fermentation to enhance our understanding and encourage further investigation. Various strategies for transforming conventional soymilk int...

Leaves of jamun collected as agro by-produce during the cultivation of jamun is traditionally used as ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes, gall bladder stones and other ailments. Most of the beneficial effects of jamun leaves are associated with phytochemicals found in jamun leaves such as gallic acid, tannins, mallic acid, flavonoids, essential o...

Honey bee products comprise various compounds, including honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee wax and bee venom, which have long been recognized for their pharmacological and health-promoting benefits. Scientists have discovered that periodontal disorders stem from dental biofilm, an inflammatory response to bacterial overgrowth produced b...

Tea residues represent one of the major agricultural wastes that are generated after the processing of tea. They account for 21–28% of crude protein and are often discarded without the extraction of valuable proteins. Due to various bioactivity and functional properties, tea proteins are an excellent alternative to other plant-based proteins for us...

Vegetable oils are extracted from oilseeds, fruits and other parts of plants. The method used in oil extraction is of great importance, as it affects both the quality of the final product and the environment. It is desirable that the extraction method be minimally costly, fast, environmentally friendly, and produce oil of high quality and quantity....

Pesticide and fertilizer usage is at the center of agricultural production to meet the demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, rising levels of chemicals impose a serious threat to the health of humans, animals, plants, and even the entire biosphere because of their toxic effects. Biostimulants offer the opportunity to reduce the...

Cotton is an important fiber crop cultivated around the world under diverse climate conditions and generates billions of dollars in annual revenue globally. Biotic and abiotic stress have caused reduction in yield and productivity of cotton crops. In this review, we comprehensively analyzed and summarized the effect of biotic and abiotic stress on...

Myristicin is an allylbenzene and a major key constituent of many plant species, such as Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel), and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss (parsley). Their plant parts have been used in traditional medicine and as a flavoring seasoning for cooking but, and as biopesticides with natural comp...

The goal of this research is optimizing the process variables for removal of toxic compound gossypol from cotton seed meal by employing microwave pretreatment. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed, considering three process variables: moisture content for pretreatment (24–28%), microwave power (300–900 W), a...

The use of packaging in the food industry is essential to protect food and improve its shelf life. However, traditional packaging, based on petroleum derivatives, presents some problems because it is non-biodegradable and is obtained from nonrenewable sources. In contrast, protein-based smart packaging is presented as an environmentally friendly st...

In conjunction with global climate change, progressive ocean warming, and acclivity in pollution and anthropogenic eutrophication, the incidence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) continue to expand in distribution, frequency, and magnitude. Algal bloom-related toxins have been implicated in human health...

Abstract Octopuses (scientific order Octopoda under the scientific class Cephalopoda) are a group of aquatic species with economic importance as a food product in many countries around the world. Octopus products are consumed in many different geographic locations around the world, including East Asia, the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean region...

This review describes the efficient Instant controlled pressure drop drying technology. The Détente Instantanée Contôlée (DIC), French for Instant Controlled Pressure-Drop drying, has prodigious potential to cause least variations in the quality characteristics of the final dried product. This review article spotlights the principle of DIC with its...

Vegetables provide many nutrients in the form of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which make them an important part of our diet. Numerous biotic and abiotic stresses can affect crop growth, quality, and yield. Traditional and modern breeding strategies to improve plant traits are slow and resource intensive. Therefore, it is necessary to find new app...

Quality Protein Maize (QPM) contains higher amounts of essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. The QPM phenotype is based on regulating zein protein synthesis by opaque2 transcription factor. Many gene modifiers act to optimize the amino acid content and agronomic performance. An SSR marker, phi112, is present upstream of the opaque2 DNA gene....

Texture is an important sensory attribute that drives consumer acceptance of any food material. In recent times consumers’ demand for high-quality food urges food industries to provide food with consistent textural properties. However, texture measurement not just requires a trained sensory panel but also a considerable amount of time and effort. O...

Centella asiatica is an ethnomedicinal herbaceous species that grows abundantly in tropical and sub-tropical regions of China, India, South-Eastern Asia and Africa. It is a popular nutraceutical that is employed in various forms of clinical and cosmetic treatments. C. asiatica extracts are reported widely in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medici...

Inactivation of deteriorative enzymes preserves the quality of fruits and vegetables and extends the shelf-life of fruit juices. Ozonation and cold plasma treatment are recent additions to the thermal and non-thermal methods for enzyme inactivation. However, these techniques stand out in their effectiveness and versatility for the treatment of a wi...

Food packaging is widely used method of food preservation around the world. It is an element that enhances the quality and food product safety. The primary function of packaging is to protect food from contamination, undesirable chemical reactions and to provide physical protection. Food spoilage caused by food‐borne pathogens and microbes is incre...

Mangiferin (1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) oxan-2-yl] xanthen-9-one) is a bioactive component derived primarily from the mango tree. Belonging to the Xanthone family, its structure allows it to engage with a variety of pharmacological targets. The symmetric linked core of xanthones has a heterogeneous biogenetic backgrou...

Oxidative stress is a result of a changing environment, and it decreases plant development and production due to decreased photosynthesis and other essential cellular functions caused by oxidative damage to biomolecules, which is a result of abiotic or biotic stresses. Stress leads plants to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide...

Abiotic stress has emerged as a major threat to food security, accounting for the majority of crop and agricultural product losses worldwide. Salinity is one of the primary key variables that inhibit plant growth and productivity among other abiotic stresses. Ionic stress, osmotic stress, and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are all n...

Intercropping is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economically beneficial cropping system. Elephant foot yam (EFY), a multifarious long-duration vegetable, takes 60 days or more to spread its canopy. Hence, this research assessed the impact of intercropping short duration vegetables, viz., cluster bean, radish, Amaranthus, and fenugreek, in elephan...

The use of additives with preservative effects is a common practice in the food industry. Although their use is regulated, natural alternatives have gained more attention among researchers and professionals in the food industry in order to supply processed foods with a clean label. Fruits are essential components in a healthy diet and have also bee...

The quality and shelf life of meat and meat products are key factors that are usually evaluated by complex and laborious protocols and intricate sensory methods. Devices with attractive characteristics (fast reading, portability, and relatively low operational costs) that facilitate the measurement of meat and meat products characteristics are of g...

A sedentary lifestyle has evoked a high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, diabetes, and obesity, all of them with high morbimortality rates and with a common denominator, hypertension. Numerous pharmacological drugs have been used for the treatment of hypertension. However, the side effects associated with the use of existing pharmacological the...

Human awareness of the need for health and wellness practices that enhance disease resilience has increased as a result of recent health risks. Plant-derived polysaccharides with biological activity are good candidates to fight diseases because of their low toxicity. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson polysaccharides extract from diffe...

Current trends are shifting away from using synthetic compounds in favor of discovering new natural component sources that will allow them to create goods that are healthful, environmentally friendly, sustainable, and profitable. The food industry, in light of these trends, has opted to look for safe natural ingredients that will allow the producti...

Functionality and Application of Colored Cereals: Nutritional, Bioactive and Health Aspects focuses on exploiting the full and functional possibilities of these grains. From their physical chemistry to their health benefits, this book highlights cereals with potential for enhanced products. Plant-based food colorants play an important role in confe...

One of the earliest and most prevalent processing methods to increase the shelf-life of foods is drying. In recent years, there has been an increased demand to improve product quality while lowering processing times, expenses, and energy usage in the drying process. Pre-treatments are therefore effectively used before drying to enhance heat and mas...

The goal of this study is to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of various leaf extracts (methanolic extract, chloroform fraction (1), chloroform fraction (2), ethyl acetate, butanol, and hydroalcoholic fractions) of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal plant using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Total tannin...

Proteins are well known as the principal molecules responsible for the rheological properties and stability of food products throughout manufacture and storage, in addition to their nutritional and physiological relevance. Bioactive peptides can also be found in proteins, which have been demonstrated to have beneficial impacts on human health. In r...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by motor hyperactivity, attention deficit, distraction, impulsive behavior, and relationship difficulties. It affects children, and thus over the years, there has been growing attention on the use of natural product formulations and t...

In vitro culture of a plant cell, tissue and organ is a marvellous, eco-friendly biotechnological strategy for the production of phytochemicals. With the emergence of recent biotechnological tools, genetic engineering is now widely practiced enhancing the quality and quantity of plant metabolites. Triterpenoid saponins especially asiaticoside and m...

The present book chapter is about the phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and ethonobotanical, safety, and toxicological aspects of the species, Artemisia indica. This genus Artemisia belonging to Asteraceae family comprises of more than 400 species, among which A. indica (also called mugwort) is a perennial medicinal herb found majorly in...