Single grain analysis of the complex Basmati rice samples to determine the nature of admixtures and accurate adulteration quantification.

Adulteration in Basmati rice is a rife phenomenon either due to unavoidable postharvest procedures or intentionally by exporters to gain more profit. SSR marker based multiplex and singleplex assay is being used for detection and quantification of adulteration in Basmati rice using bulked-seed. Identification of different varieties present in the complex Basmati sample which is a mix of more than two varieties is not feasible from analysis on the bulked-seed.

Characterization of antiviral and antibacterial activity of Bombyx mori seroin proteins.

Lepidopterans as other insects have a very potent innate immune system, which basically comprises cellular and humoral defence mechanisms against bacterial and fungal infections. In lepidopterans, not much is known about the defence mechanisms against viral pathogens, such as baculoviruses. Here we show that small silk proteins of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, called seroins, act as antiviral agents against a baculovirus pathogen, Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV).