Preliminary physico-chemical and microbial evaluation of an exudate from a neem tree (Azadirachta indica Juss.) in Mysore, South India.

George, J. and Chauhan, A. S. and Bais, H. P. and Hemakumar, C. and Keshava, N. (2002) Preliminary physico-chemical and microbial evaluation of an exudate from a neem tree (Azadirachta indica Juss.) in Mysore, South India. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 39 (6). pp. 660-663.

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Abstract

A preliminary investigation was carried out to study the physico-chemical, pH, Brix, osmolarity, acidity, ethanol content and microbial characteristics of the fermented exudate from a neem tree (Azadirachta indica Juss.) in Mysore city (12.18 N and 76.42 E) from South India. Exudation is considered an uncommon event by the local populace and the sap is consumed as "sweet milk" in the initial stages of exudation. The exudate collected after a week of commencement of exudation gave a pronounced fermented odour. Further, based on the enrichment culture technique, 7 bacterial species, namely Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia vulneris, Erwinia uredovora, Klebsiella planticola, Klebsiella oxytoca and Aeromonas sp. were identified from the exudate. In addition to these, some yeasts of the budding and saccharolytic type were also observed. Although the exudate showed the presence of few pathogenic bacteria, the present study indicated that in the later stages of exudation, the exudate would not be suitable for human consumption due to microbial contamination mediated by insects feeding on the sap.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Phloem exudate; physic-chemical properties; Microflora
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 10 Plants
Divisions:	Plant Cell Biotechnology
Depositing User:	Somashekar K.S
Date Deposited:	16 Jun 2011 11:55
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2011 11:55
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/4922

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