Milk consumption patterns are changing worldwide, with plant-based milks derived from cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds increasingly gaining popularity. This shift can be attributed to several factors such as the high prevalence of lactose intolerance which affects half the global population and milk allergies. Furthermore, rising awareness in consumers regarding animal welfare, also the proliferation of veganism and concerns related to environment sustainability are fuelling this revolution. Studies have shown that plant-based milk such as oat milk, soy milk and almond milk requires less water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cow’s milk. However, these alternatives lack adequate protein content, bioactive peptides making fortification and processing technologies essentially for improving their nutritional values. In India, coconut milk and almond milk have deep roots in ancient culture. But the high market price of plant-based milk is another challenge for low-income consumers. Therefore, the future of plant-based milk will depend on addressing the nutritional gaps and also making them affordable for all consumers.

How to Cite

Kaith, S., Gautam, A., Chauhan, D., 2026. From Oats to Almonds: The New Face of Plant-based Milk in India and Beyond: Uprise, Significance, Challenges and Opportunities. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 25-27. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/25-27.

]]> Dairy milk, Lactose intolerance, Milk allergy, Veganism Popular Article Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Seafood flavour is a complex phenomenon obtained from the interaction of compounds present in fish and shellfish. The prominent flavour bearing compounds in seafood are mainly nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous substances and it varies based on their species, age, sex, diet, season, environment and post-mortem handling. Several processing and storage conditions, like cooking, freezing, smoking, drying and canning, result in the production of desirable and undesirable flavours. The most important flavour substances in shrimp and lobster are bromophenols and geosmin. In order to control the undesirable flavours, the quality of desirable flavours in seafood can be improved by understanding flavour compounds and their interactions, short processing conditions and coating of flavour compounds with encapsulants.

How to Cite

Devadharshini, S., 2026. Flavour Compounds in Fish and Shellfish. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 21-24.

]]> Desirable flavours, Encapsulants, Processing conditions, Seafood Popular Article Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Fish sanctuaries provide a congenial habitat that supports to fish growth, survival and recruitment. The community-led conservation approach signifies its community participations for conserving fish resources through locally enforced regulations. Evidence from the protected stretches of the River Simsang, Meghalaya shows that the consistent community observations and societal regulations can efficiently restore the declined fish stocks at Wachi-Wari fish sanctuary. The collective decision making and indigenous knowledge systems have contributed significantly to the recovery of ecologically important hill stream fishes (e.g., mahseers), while simultaneously enhancing local livelihood security. The community managed fish sanctuaries in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya illustrates a suitable example of conservation approach for ‘mahseer’ which is relevant to the other parts of the Northeast India and comparability to the other tropical river systems.

How to Cite

Gogoi, P., DebRoy, P., Chanu, T.N., et al., 2026. Community-based Fish Sanctuaries for Fish Conservation in Garo Hills in the North-Eastern Region of India. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 17-20.

]]> Community-managed, Conservation, Fish, Sanctuary Popular Article Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST The Green Revolution contributed to food security but quietly dismantled conventional systems: the living relationship between plants and soil microbial communities. Modern cultivars, breed for chemically managed soils have largely lost the ability to cooperate with the biological networks that regulate nutrient cycling, stress tolerance and resistance to diseases. Permaculture has always understood what mainstream agronomy is only beginning to measure that soil is a community, not a substrate and that plants are partners in an underground relations shaped by millions of years of co-evolution. This article addressed a breeding framework along with agronomical aspect grounded in the holobiont paradigm, treating the plant and its micro-biome as a single unit of selection. Interestingly, microbiome-responsive varieties only express their potential where living soil exists precisely where permaculture's design principles become agronomically essential. Integrating ecological breeding with permaculture practice offers a credible pathway toward resilient, low-input food systems.

How to Cite

Mehra, T., Bharti, A., 2026. Permaculture-Oriented Plant Improvement via Microbial Synergy. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 14-16. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.01.26/14-16.

]]> Ecological approach, Micro-biome, Permaculture, Sustainability Popular Article Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Chillies imparts flavour and spices to every meal that are unmatched by any other cuisine in the world. In addition to paying an essential role in Indian cuisine, chillies play a significant role in the Indian economy as a cash commodity. Due to the nutritional value and health advantages of chilli, there has been a constant demand as a commercial crop worldwide. A type of chilli, Mundu chilli to be distinctive among chilli types is renowned for its fiery, pungent flavour at Ramanathapuram district, a dry land of Tamil Nadu has achieved GI tag for its uniqueness. It has a great potential to augment the food system and demand in the future for foreign exchange earnings in India, due to its strong flavour, high antioxidant, capsaicin and oleoresin contents.

How to Cite

Sreekumar, G., Thiruppathi, M., Manjusha, M.R., et al., 2026. Phenotypic Characterization of Ramnad Mundu Chilli using IPGRI Descriptors. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 10-13.

]]> Descriptors, Mundu chilli, Quality, Yield Popular Article Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Food demands are influencing developments in agriculture to address food challenges such as pests, soil erosion and climatic change as the population of the world continues to increase. Nanotechnology, especially phytonanotechnology, has now been used in modern agriculture where nanoparticles (NPs) of 1-100 nm are used to manage crops. The four major types of NPs, metallic, ceramic, carbon and polymer are significant especially the metallic NPs that have antibacterial properties such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, copper and silver. Plant size, chemical composition and plant development are factors that influence the degree to which NPs are effective against pathogens. They act by interfering with cell membrane and generating reactive oxygen species. Carrying out safety research on metal nanoparticles in crops is important. Some of the agricultural applications of nanotechnology encompass nanofertilizers to deliver nutrients efficiently, nano biosensors to monitor the levels of environmental contaminants and nano pesticides as an alternative to conventional pesticides to improve soil fertility and productivity of crops and lengthening of food shelf life.

How to Cite

Dutta, P., Vanlaltani, L., Talukdar, M., et al., 2026. Securing Futures through Crop Protection with Nanotechnology. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 06-09. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.01.26/06-09.

]]> Antibacterial, Nanobiosensors, Nanofertilizers, Phytonanotechnology Popular Article Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Spirulina is a filamentous multicellular naturally occurring blue-green algae, having a high nutritional value. It has been declared as ‘super food’ of 21^st century by the World health Organization (WHO). It is widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, nutrition and in aquaculture as feed, growth enhancers and immunostimulants. In the field of aquaculture Spirulina platensis is well known for its a rich source of protein. It possesses biologically active compounds like phycocyanin and carotenoids because of which the immunity and overall health status of fish and other vertebrates can be enhanced during stressful condition. Spirulina supplementation in diet of fish and shrimp, can improve their growth and survival rates. Spirulina is also used for water management practices in aquaculture systems across the globe.

How to Cite

Nag, M., Savaliya, B., Kumar, S., 2026. Microalgae Spirulina Supercharging Aquaculture: Harnessing Spirulina’s Role in Combating Abiotic and Biotic Stressors in Aquaculture. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 01-05.

]]> Antioxidant, Microalgae, Phycocyanin, Spirulina Popular Article Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST