Potential uses of bioagent Cassia sericea Recently, under biological control methods, growth of parthenium has
been reported to be supressed by some wasteland weeds, among which Cassia
sericea is the most prominant rival weed to parthenium. Cassia
sericea has great potential in various industries due to presence of a
polysaccharide called galactomannan with gelling properties. Way back in 1940,
galactomannans from different sources were employed in industries like food,
pharmaceuticals, paper, cosmetics, explosives etc.. A compilation covering more than 70
related references to 15 industrial patents on the industrial exploitation of guar gum
from 1948 to 1962 includes gum extraction and purification and modification of gum
properties. It reveals that guar gum is, indeed, a versatile product. Although, tender
leaves of Cassia
sericea are used as vegetable and its dry seeds in the preparation of
Agarbattis by a few localites of Dharwad tehsil, it has remained neglected and
underutilized. Survey conducted at different locations in Dharwad district revealed that
parthenium infested plots at many places have now been taken over by Cassia
sericea plants. As an outcome of
the First International Conference on Parthenium Management held at UAS, Dharwad during
October 1997, the Govt. of Karnatak has taken up distribution of Cassia
sericea seeds on war footing for management of parthenium all over the
State. Although Cassia
sericea has least allergenicity to man as compared to other common weeds, some
scientists have expressed concern about the manace it may create in future if it is not
controlled or utilised properly. The galactomannans
from Cassia seeds can be extracted with hot and cold water. The extractability in cold
water is better (65%) that in hot water (25%). The purification process is cumbersome and
requires extraction with costly chemicals and solvents. Seed galactomannans have doluble
physiological function in retaining water thereby preventing complete drying of seeds and
by serving as food reserves for the germinating seeds. The galactomannans from plants and
micro-organisms have variety of applications like interferon inducing ability, as
serological antigens and providing stability to milk proteins, plant lectins and protein
antibodies. The galactomannans have been used in food industry in the preparation of
desserts, jelled puddings, acidified dairy products and ice cream. However, it has not
been used as food supplement in any of the recipies so far. The cassia spp. are also
useful as substrate for mushroom cultivation and for FYM making. The concept of
glycemic index (GI) or glycemic response has emerged as a boon to dietary therapy for
diabetes mellitus indicating the beneficial aspect of foods consumed. It has been reported
that low fat with high fibre diet reduces glucose and cholesterol in blood and
significantly reduces cardiovascular risk. In diabetic subjects increased insulin
secretion with 30 g of protein along with 30 g of glucose load and significant reduction
in glycemic response after addition of 50 g of protein. Many researchers have recommanded
a high-carbohydrate high-fibre diet purely from vegetarian sources for diabetics in India
and other countries where the diet is cereal based. In addition, the lipemic response of
the food has been reported to indicate the risk factors involved. Due to increase in
the incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the incorporation of any
dietary item in foods needs to be tested for its glycemic and lipemic responses. The
literature on these responses is silent on this aspect as far as Cassia spp. are
concerned. To employ galactomannans in the management of CVD and diabetes, it is necessary
to study the glycemic and lipemic responses which are affected by antinutritional factors
like phytic acid, lectins and tannins. Diets rich in methi and guar gum have been reported
to lower GI. These compounds have galactomannans in them. Since Cassia seeds have a rich
store of galactomannans, it is worthwhile to check their effect on GI. P.W. Basarkar |