Flavour Compounds in Fish and Shellfish

Sakthivel Devadharshini — Sat, 28 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), 33-36.

The Doctrine of Karma: Understanding the Close Linkage of Action and Consequence in the Context of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Manoranjan Rout — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a long known and the first animal viral disease to be scientifically identified is a highly contagious disease afflicting even-toed animals. FMD virus is the most important pathogen due to its high transmission rate entangled with huge productive and economic losses upon incursion into the nations declared to be disease-free. The exponential growth in global trade has not only been the reason for immense benefits to mankind, but also negatively impacted in catalyzing the spread of different pests and pathogens. Such trade irrespective of the country-barrier has triggered outbreaks of several other emergency animal diseases than FMD, like ASF, CSF, SVD and PRRS in disease-free countries. This nut-shell-compilation focuses on how illegal trades have introduced FMD into disease-free countries. The title has been interwoven with the core narrative of the Indian philosophy that stresses upon a close relationship between action and consequence within the ambit of FMD.

How to Cite

Rout, M., Mohapatra, J.K., 2026. The Doctrine of Karma: Understanding the Close Linkage of Action and Consequence in the Context of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 30-32.

Hybrid AI Models for Predictive and Prescriptive Soil Analytics

Aarush Lal — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST

Increasing incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) within soil science has resulted in the origin new frontiers on both predictive and prescriptive basis, including management scheduling optimization, soil property forecasting and site-specific recommendations. Hybrid artificial intelligence (HAI) models combine the spatial feature extraction feature of solitary models with the temporal modelling attributes of large-spectrum models. HAI models provide active decision support, recommending fertilizer rates, irrigation schedules and land management practices calibrated to site-specific, climate and crop conditions. Bibliographic analysis of published literature from the past decade reveals a rapidly globalizing research landscape. With higher adaptation rate of AI-based technologies, HAI technologies have shifted from a niche sector to globally embraced, multi-dimensional research enterprise. The convergence of hybrid architectures, explainable modelling frameworks and expanding international collaborations signals that digital soil systems are no longer a theoretical concept but an emerging operational reality.

How to Cite

Lal, A., Sharma, R.P., 2026. Hybrid AI Models for Predictive and Prescriptive Soil Analytics. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 27-29. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/27-29.

Unseen Invaders: The Evolutionary Success and Agricultural Implications of the Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.)

Nithisha S. — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST

The Pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.) is an invasive species of global significance, causing major medical, economic and agricultural problems. It is a highly successful evolutionary model based on polygynous colony structure, cryptic nesting habits, rapid reproduction and highly efficient foraging. This is primarily linked to its indoor pest status but it is also found in greenhouses and storage facilities and causes damaging ecological ripples in agricultural systems. In contrast to beneficial ants living in the soil, M. pharaonis provides little benefit to soil aeration, but instead disrupts crops and is a possible vector for pathogens. In this review, a detailed description of its morphology, distribution and biology is provided and its ecological impact and current management approaches in public health and agricultural environments are discussed.

How to Cite

Nithisha, S., Pirithiraj, U., Ambethgar, V., 2026. Unseen Invaders: The Evolutionary Success and Agricultural Implications of the Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.). Biotica Research Today 8(2), 24-26. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/24-26.

From Oats to Almonds: The New Face of Plant-based Milk in India and Beyond: Uprise, Significance, Challenges and Opportunities

Sakshi Kaith — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST

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/08.02.26/21-23.

Community-based Fish Sanctuaries for Fish Conservation in Garo Hills in the North-Eastern Region of India

Pranab Gogoi — Wed, 28 Jan 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.

Permaculture-Oriented Plant Improvement via Microbial Synergy

Tushar Mehra — Wed, 21 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.

Phenotypic Characterization of Ramnad Mundu Chilli using IPGRI Descriptors

Gadha Sreekumar — Fri, 16 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.

Securing Futures through Crop Protection with Nanotechnology

Pranab Dutta — Sun, 11 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.

Microalgae Spirulina Supercharging Aquaculture: Harnessing Spirulina’s Role in Combating Abiotic and Biotic Stressors in Aquaculture

Mayuri Nag — Mon, 05 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.