T.A.Daptardar

Post harvest spoilage of fruits and vegetables is a common major problem and ways to reduce this spoilage are constantly explored. Chitosan is a natural polymer which obtained from deacetylation of chitin. It is a versatile polymer and its coating has proved to increase the shelf life of the fruits and vegetables. Present review summarizes different fruits and vegetables whose shelf-life has been increased using chitosan coatings. The coating being biodegradable and non-toxic for consumption has wide applications in the near future.

Immunity is the protective response of our body to the antigen. The traditional Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda) describes different methods involved in the prevention and treatment of disease which are consequence of diet, life style and drugs as cornerstones of therapy. Herbal products are known to modify different aspects of human physiology and exert an alleviating influence on several patho-physiological states including modulation of immune system. In recent years, studies on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available and popular. Several herbs have proven immuno-modulating effects in severe conditions like HIV. Present review summarizes different data with respect to herbal immuno-modulators in various disease conditions.