Ridge gourd ( Luffa acutangula L.) is an economically important cucurbit crop, yet identification of high-performing and stable genotypes remains challenging because of genotype × environment (G×E) interactions. The present study evaluated 200 ridge gourd germplasm accessions across four location–year environments encompassing two contrasting locations, Delhi and Tamil Nadu, to identify genotypes with favourable performance and stability across the evaluated environments. Field evaluation was conducted using an augmented block design and eight quantitative traits related to flowering, vegetative growth and seed productivity were analysed. Variance components and best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) were estimated using linear mixed models, while stability and adaptability were assessed using the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model and Weighted Average of Absolute Scores based on BLUP (WAASB) for traits exhibiting G×E interaction. Multi-trait performance was evaluated using the Multi-trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI). Combined analysis revealed significant genotypic effects for all eight traits and significant G×E effects for seven traits, whereas leaf length showed no significant G×E interaction. Although the main environmental effect was non-significant for most traits, significant G×E effects for seven traits indicated differential genotype responses across environments. AMMI and WAASB analyses identified accessions with stable performance for vegetative, flowering and seed-related traits exhibiting G×E interaction. MGIDI retained four latent factors explaining 71.81% of the total phenotypic variation and identified Acc_21, Acc_3, Acc_8, Acc_109 and Acc_190 as desirable multi-trait performers based on their balanced expression of earliness, vegetative growth and seed productivity. The combined use of mixed-model predictions, AMMI, WAASB and MGIDI facilitated the evaluation of genotypic performance, stability and multi-trait attributes. The identified elite accessions represent valuable genetic resources for future breeding programmes and warrant further multi-location validation before their deployment in cultivar development.
Resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring polyphenol with biological activities relevant to colonic health, although its oral application may be limited by physicochemical instability during storage and gastrointestinal transit. This study investigated microgel encapsulation to improve RES stability and modulate release during sequential simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Microgels composed of alginate, gellan gum, and CaCO 3 were evaluated for physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, digestion behavior, antioxidant activity, release profile, and stability. Incorporation of gellan gum and CaCO 3 was associated with a more compact and stable microgel matrix. During sequential in vitro digestion, RES release was limited under gastric conditions, increased in the intestinal phase, and continued after transfer to a simplified simulated colonic medium (pH 7.4). Encapsulated RES also showed improved retention under UVA stress (365 nm), thermal stress (90 °C), and refrigerated storage compared with free RES. These findings demonstrate improved physicochemical protection and controlled release in a static in vitro model. Although colon-specific delivery, enhanced bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy require further validation using more biorelevant models, the developed microgel system provides a useful physicochemical platform for the future development of RES delivery systems with improved gastrointestinal stability and delayed release.
