Lac, a natural resin

 In Indian culture, there are records about lac in the Atharva Veda,  which is one of the earliest Indian religious sacred texts, where lac was highly praised as ‘sister of gods’ and ‘the shining one’ for its medicinal values. Mahabharata also give details of Lac House. 

What is Lac, a natural resin? 

Lac, reputed as the only resin of animal origin is secreted mainly by the Indian lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) (Hemiptera: Tachardiidae), which thrives on the tender twigs of specific trees called lac hosts (kusum, palas, ber, Flemingia etc.)

Where Lac is used ?

 Lac farming has been practised for the products of commerce viz., lac, a resinous or non-resinous covering substance over their body, dye – a natural crimson/yellow color in the body fluid and the lac wax − present within and above the lac resin. These products find application in diverse areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints and varnish industries

Where is Lac is cultivated ? 

Lac insect is primarily cultivated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal in scientific manner. In the past, lac insect cultivation was prevalent in some places of the North East Hill region

In India, which organisation is doing research on Lac ? 

ICAR-NISA, Ranchi has a mandate of collection and conservation of lac insects of the country and implements through network mode (All India Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources (NPCLIGR))

Lac-insects (Tachardiidae) are commercially harnessed for economically important resin, dye, and wax. India is the world's richest lac biodiversity nation containing 21.8 per cent diversity

The Indian lac-insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) is the most important and widely exploited insect for lac cultivation. More than 400 lac host plants have been observed to carry lac insects throughout the world. 

Lac insect is growing on which plants ? 

1)Palas (Butea monosperma): Known as the flame of the forest, Palas is one of the most commonly used host plants.

2)Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana): A horticultural species valued for its fruit and its ability to support lac insects.

3)Kusum (Schleichera oleosa): Preferred for its ability to yield high-quality lac. 

The production of lac: 

 The life cycle of the lac insect begins with the laying of eggs by the female lac insect on the host tree’s twigs.

 These eggs are usually laid in large clusters that cover a large surface area on the twigs. 

After hatching from the eggs, the larvae, known as “crawlers,” are highly mobile and spread across the host plant. They are equipped with piercing-sucking mouthparts, which they use to extract sap from the host tree. 

During this stage, the larvae secrete a protective cover known as broodlac as they continue to feed and grow. At a certain point in their development, the larvae cease feeding and undergo metamorphosis, transforming into pupae within the protective broodlac.

 This stage is characterized by the formation of a hard, resinous shell around the pupae, which protects them from environmental factors. The mature pupae metamorphose into adult lac insects. 

The adult females are wingless and remain attached to the host tree, where they secrete a resinous substance, which accumulates as lac resin.

The insect secretes the resin as a protective covering, both for herself and her eggs. This secretion is rich in a mixture of resins, waxes, pigments, and other bioactive compounds, which collectively form the lac resin

Pharmaceutical uses: 

1)The research findings imply that lac dye may possess the ability to regulate immunoglobulin production, which can be attributed to the presence of laccaic acids

2)Methyl derivatives of lac dye demonstrated both antifungal and antibacterial efficacy. Pathogenic fungi Verticillium sp. exhibited the highest sensitivity

3)Lac dye was found targeting the activity of plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) in macrophages and neoplastic cells, suppressing early stages of carcinogenesis

4)Chronic laccaic acid treatment showed improvements in the morphometric, biochemical, and liver function parameters of mice ,The compound enhanced insulin signaling pathways, reduced inflammatory signals, and affected gluconeogenesis-related genes

Lac dye has garnered attention for its versatile applications in the pharmaceutical industry. One of the most significant applications of lac dye is its use as a colorant. It has been approved by various regulatory bodies for use as a natural colorant in pharmaceutical products such as tablets, capsules, and syrups. This dye is preferred over synthetic colorants as it is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and does not cause adverse reactions..

In North East India , where Lac is cultivated ? 

 Lac was widely cultivated in North-East India even before the 19 century, but its production contribution at th present is insignificant. North eastern region particularly Assam is one of the biodiversity hotspots with approximately 4000 species of plants but exploitation of these natural flora for commercial production of lac is very limited

Kerria chinensis, which is the Chinese commercial species and also the major species of lac insect cultivated in Thailand , is cultivated to a certain extent in the northeastern states of India

Lac insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) specialized coccids (scale insects) belonging to the family Tachardiidae are sap-sucking insects thriving on certain plant species called lac host plants. Almost all the stages of lac insect are sedentary and attached to the host plants except for neonate nymphs (crawlers) and adult male insects. 

Lac insects can be found in tropical and subtropical regions (between the latitudes 400 N and 400 S) due to their preference for a warm climate. Lac production is mainly done in some South, East and Southeast Asian countries like India, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam but the product is in demand all over the world.

 India is the global leader in lac production followed by Thailand. The lac insect ecosystem is a complex multi-trophic web of flora and fauna. It represents a rich biodiversity, which besides lac insects, lac-host plants includes several predators of lac insects, beneficial parasites, harmful parasites, etc.

Lac insects are gregarious in nature and settle in close proximity. Hence, density of settlement has a bearing on lac yield. Different lac insects showed a varied density of settlement (average 80−192 per sq. cm in rangeeni, 186−242 per sq. cm in kusmi and 160–264 per sq. cm in Meghalaya stock) based on the broodlac quantity used.

What is the speciality of Lac insect ?

Lac insect feeds on the phloem sap of the host plant.

Abiotic and biotic components also affect the suitability of the host plant to lac insect. Ziziphus xylopyra (Ghont) is a good host in Madhya Pradesh but not in Ranchi (India). Similarly, C. cajan and Grewia spp. are used as lac hosts in North Eastern states but attempts to cultivate lac Grewia at Ranchi proved futile

Lac culture is an ancient practice with immense importance. It involves the cultivation of lac insects (Kerria lacca), which secrete a resin used in various applications, from cosmetics and food to industrial goods. The lac insect thrives on the sap of certain plants, secreting resin as a protective covering. This resin-coated structure, called sticklac, is the primary harvest of lac culture

 

How Lac insects can be propagated ?

Lac insects are introduced to the host plant by attaching brood lac (sticklac containing live insects) to its branches.

Lac insects are those insects that secrete lac, shellac which is a resin or can say natural rubber used for cosmetics and coating purposes. Female lac bugs secrete this resin (shellac) on the trees (mostly inThailand forests). As shellac is obtained by an insect (living being) and not synthesised through chemical processes, it is termed as a natural polymer.

What is Shellac ? 

Shellac is a resin thus this is a sticky material that sticks to trees and is removed by many processes of harvesting (cutting) of part of the tree to which lac is stuck and then it is purified by many chemical or physical processes for making its use.

Shellac is a natural polymer and using this polymer many semi-synthetic polymers can be obtained. Not only this, resin which is synthesised through a chemical process (like plastic from coal) is also similar to natural resin. Thus, we consider Shellac as natural resin (shellac) or natural plastic.

Like all resins which are elastic, sticky, and jelly-like, shellac has also the same property as resins. Due to this reason, it is a natural rubber and can be stretched at good length because of the good force between its particles.Thus, they can be moulded in any shape and can be solidified under suitable temperature and pressure conditions so, that they can be used as medicines, cosmetics, coating of furniture, jewellery, etc.

The Shellac is obtained by female lac because of her long life whereas male lac is very short-lived so cannot secrete lac. Lac insects come under the category of parasite that leaves on hosts (organisms which prepare their food themselves, heterotrophs) for nutrition and shelter. Out of many species of lacs, Laccifer lacca is used to take nutrition from the host plant namely Ziziphus mauritiana found in India.

What are the uses of Lac ? 

1)Lac is also used as curative medicine against rheumatic and other body pain in East Karbi Anglong district and against itching at Merapani, Golaghat district of Assam. Lac dye is used for coloring Eri silk cloth at Umsning, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya.

2)Lac is a natural resin produced by tiny Lac insects that feed on the sap of trees. 

3)The lac resin is harvested and processed to produce a variety of products, including lac bangles, jewelry, toys, and other decorative items.

 4)In Jharkhand, the lac industry is quite developed and products from Khunti district are known for their high quality and unique designs, making them popular among tourists and locals alike

5)Lac is used in ammunition, airplanes, furniture polish and perfumes, and in making bangles, imitation fruits and flowers.

Lac cultivation is the livelihood of whom ? 

The livelihood of many tribal farmers in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh in India depends on the lac cultivation. Traditionally, these tribal farmers cultivate lac on naturally occurring host plants (Kusum, Palas and Ber), but recently, they have also started cultivating it on Flemingia semialata plants. F. semialata is the most suitable host for lac insects in terms of intensive lac cultivation on a plantation basis. It has increased the area under F. semialata plantation and the demand for F. semialata seed

Lac cultivation in Gujarat : 

A new  host for Lac insect is , Prosopis juliflora, and it is  available in abundance throughout Gujarat. 

The production technologies for this host for winter kusmi lac was demonstrated at Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Bhachau (Kuchchh) and Basan. 

 F. semialata was successfully demonstrated as suitable host, for providing the summer kusmi broodlac, under irrigated conditions. 

Kusumi Lac, a variety that fetches the highest price in the market

India remains the global leader in lac export 

The US is the largest consumer of lac with an annual demand of 6,000 tonnes,

Ninety per cent of lac is produced on palash, ber and kusum trees. 

TAPIOCA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ.) SAGO

TAPOICA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ.)  SAGO 

Tapioca is a good source of iron. One cup of tapioca pearls provides 2.4 mg .Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. 

Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. It also supports a range of other bodily functions, including:

• contraction and dilation in the blood vessels and muscles
• communication between nerves
• blood clotting

One cup of taioca pearls provides 30.4 mg of calcium  

Tapioca is free of gluten, nuts, and grains, so it will not cause a reaction in people with celiac disease gluten sensitivity, and nut allergies.

Chrysanthemum Flower: Health benefits

 

The Chrysanthemum dried flowers are used to make tea, an herbal infusion that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine  (TCM )  since 1500 BCE Its petals are believed to promote longevity when eaten as a salad.

Plant proteins can be used as nutritional boosters or as a replacement for fats or animal proteins to increase the nutritional value of food

Flowers are a good source of essential oil (EOs) with a range of bioactivities that have distinct efficiency and benefits for healthcare systems .

Chrysanthemum flowers produce a significant range of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and lignans with influential biological effects

Lipids are essential to plant cell constituents that provide structural integrity as well as energy for various metabolic processes. Lipids serve as both intracellular and extracellular signals and function as mediators in signal transduction

Polysaccharides are polymeric hydrates of carbon consisting of elongated chains of simple sugar (monosaccharide) units associated with glycosidic bonds

Chrysanthemum flowers have high nutritional value due to the presence of polysaccharides, proteins (amino acids) and certain volatile compounds in essential oil. 

Many active constituents found in Chrysanthemum flowers are responsible to have properties that regulate or improve the metabolic and physiological activities in humans. 

These bioactive compounds are important stimulants and modulators in a variety of illnesses like osteoporosis, eye disorders, heart disorders, and others. 

 Chrysanthemum flowers were  primarily as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anti-bacterial agents. 

Chrysanthemum flower contains a range of biologically active compounds involving anthocyanins, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other polyphenolic compounds.

1)Terpenoids are diverse, organically active compounds and possess properties to fight against various harmful infections

2)Caffeoylquinic acids are secondary metabolites that are mainly found in medicinal plants

3)Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are well-known for their health benefits

4)Carotenoids are colorful lipid-soluble pigments that impart natural colors

5)Anthocyanins are water-soluble, naturally occurring pigments that impart different colors to plants

6)Phenols are the plant's secondary metabolites and act as antioxidants in the plant's defense mechanisms

Chrysanthemum Flowers: Health benefits : 

1)Enhances bone density and prevents osteoporosis 

2)Boosts immune system

3)Helps in the rejuvenation of brain 

4)Helps to treat diabetes , fever and cold 

5)Increases metabolism, which improves blood circulation in the body 

6)Prevents and protects the body against certain chronic illness 

7)Improves vision and protects against various eye disorders 

Chrysanthemum tea is rich in potassium, which helps reduce the risk of serious health conditions. 

Note: Some people with allergies to flowers in the daisy family may have a negative reaction to drinking chrysanthemum tea. 

Cowpea

 Cowpea is a nutritious legume that provides a balanced source of carbohydrates and protein essential for nutritional security. 

It contains about 61.8 g of carbohydrates, 23.8 g of protein, and 2.07 g of fat per 100 grams of seeds . 

Cowpeas' high dietary fiber content (34 g, of which 29.8 g is insoluble fiber) supports blood glucose control and gut health . 

Cowpeas are primarily composed of starch and contain a lower lipid profile, in which approximately 70.7% of the total fat is unsaturated, contributing to heart health. 

Additionally, resistant starch and amylose aid digestion by slowing glucose release into the bloodstream, which helps decrease glucose absorption in the intestines . 

Compared with other starch sources, cowpeas offer a glycemic index, thus lower digestibility, which can help reduce insulin responses and hunger . In addition, they are also rich in essential nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A and C and folate . 

Cowpea also contains beneficial phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids, that support various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties . 

Medicinally, the leaves and pods are used for ailments like measles while the seeds have diuretic properties.

Seabuckthorn :

 Seabuckthorn (soil binding, rich in vitamins): 

• It’s a shrub which produces an orange- yellow coloured edible berry.
• It can be found in India above treeline in the Himalayan region, usually in arid places like the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti.
• It grows naturally in Lahaul, Spiti, and some regions of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh where it is known as chharma.

 Seabuckthorn is a soil-binding plant which prevents soil-erosion

It  also has commercial value, as its  fruits are used in making juices, jams, nutritional capsules etc.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a deciduous shrub or tree that is also known as Siberian pineapple, sand thorn, sea berry, and sallow thorn . 

Hippophae L. originated in the Hengduan Mountains and East Himalayas area and is widely distributed in the temperate regions of Eurasia. 

Every part of this plant (fruits, leaves, stems, branches, roots, and thorns) has been traditionally used in medicine, nutritional supplement, soil and moisture conservation, and the establishment of wildlife habitats. 

Therefore, sea buckthorn is popularly known as “Wonder Plant,” “Golden Bush,” or “Gold Mine”

Sea buckthorn contains nearly 200 nutrients and bioactive components. Many of the components are well known for their health benefits. Vitamin C is a very important nutrient in sea buckthorn. 

Carotenoids and polyphenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids, are the main bioactive and antioxidant components of sea buckthorn . The fatty acids, phytosterols, organic acids, amino acids, and minerals contained in sea buckthorn also play an important role. The nutrients and bioactive composition content of sea buckthorn influence its health value . 

The nutritional and bioactive composition of sea buckthorn fruit varies considerably depending on genetic variation, the part analyzed, climatic, and growth conditions, year of harvest, degree of maturity, storage conditions, harvest time, and processing and analytic methods.

The quality of sea buckthorn fruit is often based on its nutritional value . Known as a “natural treasure trove of vitamins,” sea buckthorn is undoubtedly rich in vitamins. 

Vitamin C: 

The vitamin C content of sea buckthorn fruits ranges from 52.86 to 896 mg/100 g . It has been showed that the vitamin C content of 100 g of sea buckthorn berries (275 mg) is much higher than the equivalent quantity of mango (27.7 mg), apricot (10 mg), banana (8.7 mg), orange (50 mg), and peach (6.6 mg) . 

In addition, sea buckthorn berries contain vitamin A, vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. 

Mineral elements are involved in the formation of human tissues and the maintenance of normal physiological functions. 

Sea buckthorn berries contain many minerals, e.g., phosphorus, iron, magnesium, boron, calcium, aluminum, potassium and others. 

Significant differences in the mineral content of sea buckthorn fruits have been reported at its different stages of maturity. 

The highest content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus was found in ripe sea buckthorn fruits with 68.28, 145.67, and 457.7 mg/kg, respective

Carotenoids : 

Sea buckthorn fruits contain high levels of carotenoids, which give sea buckthorn its characteristic orange-yellow color. Carotenoids mainly act as antioxidants, although they also have other roles. For example, β-carotene is the precursor of vitamin A, and lutein/zeaxanthin constitutes the macular pigment of the eye

Polyphenols :

Polyphenols are the main compounds with antioxidant activity in sea buckthorn. It has been reported that the polyphenol content in the fruit ranges from 12.36 to 34.6 mg GAE/g (GAE, gallic acid equivalents), higher than that in oranges (1.27 mg GAE/g) mandarins (1.16 mg GAE/g), blueberries (2.19 mg GAE/g), sour cherries (2.56 mg GAE/g), and strawberries (1.12 mg GAE/g)

Flavanoids :-

Flavonoids may have potential roles in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer

Fatty Acids :

Sea buckthorn is rich in a variety of fatty acids that play an important role in human health, such as treating skin and mucous membrane disorders and dry eyes syndrome and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Phytosterols :

Phytosterols, as a bioactive component, can prevent cardiovascular diseases. A recent study found that the total phytosterol content of berry lipids from eight Russian sea buckthorn species ranged from 6168.24 to 13378.22 μg/100 mL

Anti-psoriasis effects of sea buckthron:

Sea buckthorn has been reported to have a wide range of dermatological effects. Clinical trials have demonstrated the anti-psoriasis effects of sea buckthorn. A doctor treated 10 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate psoriasis with topical sea buckthorn fruit extract. When compared with placebo-treated patients, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores in the treatment group were improved at both the fourth and eighth weeks of treatment. 

Sea buckthorn also exhibits anti-psoriatic and anti-atopic dermatitis activities in animal models. In the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced psoriasis-like lesion CD-1 mouse model, simultaneous oral (100 and 200 mg/kg) and topical (20 μL) application of sea buckthorn oil significantly inhibited ear edema (34.05 ± 7.65%, and 30.45 ± 8.90%, respectively) and reduced ear biopsy weights.

 Sea buckthorn oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriatic properties. The possible mechanism for these effects may be that the high levels of fatty acids in sea buckthorn oil acts to inhibit reactive nitrogen and down-regulate nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines . 

Studies have suggested that 4 weeks of consecutive use of sea buckthorn oil decreases 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) severity in mice. This effect was due to inhibition of the thymus activation regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated HaCaT cells, which occurred by blocking activation of the NF-κB/signal transducerand activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the development of AD-like skin lesions. Sea buckthorn oil may be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of patients with AD.

Native Indian rice varieties : Govind Bhog Rice from West Bengal

 

Native  Indian rice varieties : -

1)Kala Namak from Uttar Pradesh, 

2)Joha from Assam,

3)Boka Chaul from Assam,

 4)Nagri Dubraj from Chhattisgarh, 

5)Jeeraphool from Odisha, 

6)Ambemohar from Maharashtra, 

7)Gobind Bhog rice from West Bengal:- 

i)Gobindo Bhog rice is high in vitamins like niacin and thiamine, as well as minerals like magnesium and phosphorus. These nutrients help to regulate metabolism, neuron function, and general energy production in the body.

ii)Gobindo Bhog rice is a healthy and nutritious alternative for people who are gluten intolerant or follow gluten-free diets. Its natural qualities make it easy to digest, making it suited for a wide range of dietary preferences and digestive sensitivities.

iii)This rice type contains antioxidants such as phenolic compounds, which are known for their ability to counteract free radicals in the body. Antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress, which may help to prevent some chronic diseases and improve general health

iv)Gobindo Bhog rice has a low glycemic index (GI), which means it digests slowly and releases sugars gradually into the bloodstream. This feature may help regulate blood sugar levels, making it a good choice for people who have diabetes.

8)Mushqbudji from Jammu and Kashmir,

 9)Katarni from Bihar, 

10)Chak Hao Black Rice from Manipur,

11)Basmati rice

GOKHRU (TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS)

 GOKHRU (TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS) 

A spreading herb, densely covered with minute hair.

Flowers are pale yellow.

Fruits are very characteristic and easily known by numerous spines on it. 

Fruits often cling to cloths, bodies of animals and wheels of vehicles. 

The plant occurs throughout India .

The fruits of the plant constitute the Ayurvedic drug.

The fruits are useful in the urinary complaints and sexual weakness.

It is cooling. An infusion of the fruits is useful in gout and diseases of kidney. It promotes urination.