In the present study, the antimicrobial, rheological, mechanical, barrier and optical properties of Carrageenan and Manihot esculenta (composite) starch biobased edible film incorporated with caraway (Carum carvi L.) essential oil (EO) were investigated. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of caraway oil against B. cereus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were found to be 0.6, 1.4, 1.4 and 0.8% respectively. The Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) of caraway EO expressed a distinct chromatogram peak for phenolic compounds. Rheological results of Film-Forming Solution (FFS) revealed solid-like viscoelastic behavior. Incorporation of caraway EO in the film caused significant (P < 0.05) increase in moisture, moisture absorption, bio-degradability in terms of film solubility, L value, total color difference (ΔE), haziness and transparency value, however, significantly (P < 0.05) decreased tensile strength and whiteness index were observed. The zone of inhibition of caraway EO incorporated films against all test bacteria were highly significant (P < 0.01) than control whereas antibacterial activity was found more towards gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria. No significant (P>0.05) changes in thickness, density, water activity, swelling, elongation at break, water vapor transmission rate, a and b value were observed with increasing caraway EO concentration. These results with some good rheological, physic-mechanical, antimicrobial and optical characteristics suggest the application of such active film into a variety of foods with improved food safety and quality.

We report the first complete genome sequence of a classical swine fever (CSF) virus of subgenotype 2.2. The virus (CSFV/IND/UK/LAL-290) was isolated from the Uttarakhand state of India from a backyard pig suspected of having CSF. This genome sequence will give useful insight for future molecular epidemiological studies and the development of an effective vaccine in India.

Background: Usage of herbal drugs in traditional medicine is quite well known but largely empirical. Hence the present study was designed to screen the in vitro antifilarial effect of Butea