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Anticandidal activity of some plant extracts
Get PDFCandidiasis, especially by Candida albicans is the most prevalent disease over the years. To control the infection, several synthetic drugs and their formulations have been applied. Although antifungals are quite effective in treating candidiasis, long term use has been reported to have side effects. Nevertheless, it has other drawbacks such as efficiency as well as cost, recurrence of the infection, emergences of resistant strains etc. Thus, plant based natural compounds are being investigated for their antifungal activity. In the present study, five different plant extracts assessed exhibited retardation of growth and protease production (molar concentration) in C. albicans. The mycelia form of the organism showed growth resistance to tested plant extracts than the yeast extract form which conferred the higher pathogenicity of the mycelia form. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each plant extract was experimentally evidenced with the oil obtained from the seeds of Pongamia glabrata showed the MIC values at the lowest concentration (20-30 μL/mL), followed by seed oil of Azadirachta indica and Ricinus communis. The order of candidostatic efficacy of the various oils was observed to be: Pongamia > Azadirachta > Ricinus > Eucalyptus > Curcuma. These findings have paved the way for further investigation of plant based antifungal agents and their clinical appropriateness for the treatment of Candidiasis
Analysis of pollen in honey samples in the district of Prayagraj, India
Get PDFThe analysis of pollen grains found in honey, known as melissopalynology, reveals pertinent details about the pollen and nectar sources in a location where bees produce honey, allowing researchers to identify the honey’s geographical and botanical origins. To determine the significant source plants in the area, the present analysis is conducted on five samples of winter honey that were collected from Prayagraj’s urban localities (Dahi, Baksi, Sirsa, Soraon, and Phoolpur). The methodology recommended by the International Commission of Bee Botany (ICBB) was followed in this study. Analysis of 5 honey samples recorded a diversity of 31 pollen types and one fungal spore type. The majority of pollen grains recovered from honey samples belong to entomophilous taxa (66%), 25% of the pollen is from anemophilous taxa, and 9% from amphiphilous taxa. Four honey samples (S1, S2, S3, and S5) were found to be unifloral while the remaining samples (S4) were multi-floral. The field mustard i.e. Brassica campestris L. was the predominant pollen type. The secondary frequency class contained three different pollen types, while the minor and significant minor frequency classes contained 14 and 30, respectively. With respect to the frequency of occurrence of pollen types in honey samples, field mustard was found to be a very common pollen type as they were recovered from more than 50% of the collected honey samples. The various type of pollen and spores were also observed in collected honey samples
Role of Flavonoids in Combating Hyperuricemia
Get PDFIndividuals tend to have an increased blood uric acid level at a younger age due to their dietary choices and lifestyle, which can lead to major health concerns such as hyperuricemia, gout, cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and inflammation. Flavonoids have been proven to have strong inhibitory action against xanthine oxidase and be able to lower serum uric acid levels, levels of adenosine deaminase, gene expressions of renal glucose transporter type 9 (mGLUT9) and uric acid transporter 1 (mURAT1), along with increased expression of organic anion transporters (mOAT1 and mOAT3) and organic cation transporters (mOCT1 and mOCT2). Furthermore, flavonoids enhanced renal function and antioxidant activity in hyperuricemic rats. In hyperuricemic mice, genistein reduced renal fibrosis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Overall, this review reveals that the flavonoids have substantial anti-hyperuricemia and associated disease potential and may be utilized as natural supplements for the treatment of Uric acid-related illnesses
Combined application of macro and micro nutrients and Rhizobium inoculation to nodulation and yield response of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) at Halaba Woreda, Southern Ethiopia
Get PDFThe effects of combining the application of recently introduced blended fertilizer with Rhizobium inoculation on chickpea nodulation and productivity are not being studied in Halaba special woreda. Hence, the application of blended fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation for chickpea production under rain-fed conditions at Halaba Special District, Southern Ethiopia is crucial. Factorial combination of eight fertilizers (Control, NP, NPS, NPSB, NPSB+K, NPS+Zn, NPSB+Zn and NPSB+K+Zn) and inoculation and without inoculation of rhizobium biofertilizer was used as an experimental factor laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fertilizer application significantly influenced crop phenology, nodulation, growth parameters, yield and yield components, except number of seeds pod-1 and harvest index. Maximum days to 50% flowering (48.33) and 95% physiological maturity (112.3) were obtained on NPSB+K and without fertilizer treatment respectively. The Highest number of nodules (23.25), nodules dry weight (0.13 g), number of branches plant-1 (17.64) and plant height (43.34 cm) were recorded on NPSB, NPSB+K+Zn, NPSB+Zn and NPS+Zn respectively. Similarly, the higher number of pods plant-1(61.6), and hundred seed weight (28.0 g) were observed for blended fertilizer treatments of NPSB+K and NPS+Zn respectively. Maximum grain yield (1.85 ton ha-1) was obtained for blended fertilizer of NPSB+K application with an increment 57.9% over control treatment. Rhizobium inoculation increased the number of nodules plant-1 (23.29), nodules dry weight (0.11 g), number of branches plant-1 (17.70), number of pods plant-1 (59), number of seeds pod-1 (1.17) and hundred seed weight (27.7 g). Maximum grain yield (1.84 ton ha-1) was recorded on rhizobium inoculated and it increased chickpea grain yield by 33.3% over uninoculated. Regarding the economic feasibility of fertilizers greater net benefits with acceptable MRR 1802, 866 and 257 were recorded for blended fertilizers of NPS, NPS+Zn and NPSB, respectively. Given the fact that the three fertilizers had statistically similar grain yields, the blended fertilizer NPS is a better choice among the three alternatives. Similarly, a higher net benefit with acceptable MRR (4189%) was recorded for Rhizobium inoculation. Therefore, blended fertilizer; NPS and Rhizobium inoculation were found to be relevant and recommended for chickpea production in the study area
In-Vitro antidiabetic potential of Piliostigma thonningii leaf column chromatographic fractions
Get PDFDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar that profoundly affects human health and economy. Although there are a plethora of antidiabetic drugs in the market, the efficacy shown by some medicinal plants sometimes outperforms that of synthetic drugs while being more affordable and less toxic. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of column-chromatographic fractions of Piliostigma thonningii leaf. Phytochemical screening, column, and thin layer chromatography were respectively conducted following standard laboratory protocols. The in-vitro antidiabetic activity of the extracts was assessed using alpha-glucosidase and hemoglobin glycosylation inhibitory methods. A total of 175 column fractions (CF1-CF175) were eluted respectively. Thin layer chromatography protocols employed pooled a total of 11 (A-J) fractions. The result showed significant (P>0.05) inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in only fraction J2, which was significantly greater when compared to standard drug (Voglibose) and crude extract. Also, there was no significant hemoglobin glycosylation inhibitory effect in all fractions compared with crude extract and standard drugs (Voglibose). In conclusion, P. thonningii leaf exhibited alpha-glucosidase and hemoglobin glycosylation inhibitory potentials that further support its usage as a hypoglycemic agent
Survey study for transfer of cadmium and chromium in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), grown on contaminated soils
Get PDFThis study was conducted to evaluate the contamination and accumulation of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) in soil and plant grown in contaminated soil. Orchard and relative non-orchard fields were chosen to carry out this study. For total and available metals, soil samples were collected equally from 24 different points of orchard and non-orchard field and were extracted with Mehlich-3 extracting solutions and aqua-regia. Wheat crops from orchard and non-orchard fields were analysed and collected with aqua regia for heavy metal contents. Irrigation water samples were also collected from fresh water irrigation canal (Lower Chenab) for analysis. Results indicated that average metal concentrations in soils of both orchard and non-orchard fields were Cadmium (Cd) 2.36 and 2.49 mg kg-1 and Chromium (Cr) 58.15 and 53.51 mg kg-1 respectively. Contribution of risk from Cd and Cr were significant in wheat (seeds) of orchard. In orchard field, the risk contribution from Cd and Cr were significant in crops seeds. The considerable load of toxic metals in fields revealed the anthropogenic source of pollution. Therefore, it is emphasize that the need of heavy metals monitoring in crops and soils is necessary
Application of Principal Component Analysis to advancing digital phenotyping of plant disease in the context of limited memory for training data storage
Get PDFDespite its widespread employment as a highly efficient dimensionality reduction technique, limited research has been carried out on the advantage of Principal Component Analysis (PCA)–based compression/reconstruction of image data to machine learning-based image classification performance and storage space optimization. To address this limitation, we designed a study in which we compared the performances of two Convolutional Neural Network-Random Forest Algorithm (CNN-RF) guava leaf image classification models developed using training data from a number of original guava leaf images contained in a predefined amount of storage space (on the one hand), and a number of PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images contained in the same amount of storage space (on the other hand), on the basis of four criteria – Accuracy, F1-Score, Phi Coefficient and the Fowlkes–Mallows index. Our approach achieved a 1:100 image compression ratio (99.00% image compression) which was comparatively much better than previous results achieved using other algorithms like arithmetic coding (1:1.50), wavelet transform (90.00% image compression), and a combination of three transform-based techniques – Discrete Fourier (DFT), Discrete Wavelet (DWT) and Discrete Cosine (DCT) (1:22.50). From a subjective visual quality perspective, the PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images presented almost no loss of image detail. Finally, the CNN-RF model developed using PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images outperformed the CNN-RF model developed using original guava leaf images by 0.10% accuracy increase, 0.10 F1-Score increase, 0.18 Phi Coefficient increase and 0.09 Fowlkes–Mallows increase
Development of a computer aided decision support system for the design of drip irrigation laterals
Get PDFDrip Design Check (DDC) is a powerful software solution designed to assist irrigation system designers in evaluating the effectiveness of their drip irrigation designs for non-uniform slope conditions. The software makes use of recent developments in drip design methods as well as the advancements in software development methodologies for simulating and optimizing the design of laterals. The software features an easy-to-use interface that allows users to input key design parameters, including slope details, discharge rate of drippers, length of lateral, spacing between drippers and pressure head at the inlet of lateral. The software calculates relative pressure head variation (vh) and pressure head values at each outlet. The software evaluates the goodness of the design based on the allowable relative pressure head variation. Simulation of lateral also considers dripper connection losses. Variations in lateral and dripper configurations are handled by the software in line with the intuition of the user’s perceptions. Hence, data input is simple and easy. The software can be used to analyse numerous design alternatives and to identify the most appropriate design. DDC has undergone several tests using different typical sample data and hence its accuracy and reliability are more. Demonstrations were conducted for designers to assess the user friendliness of the drip simulation software, and we received favourable feedback from them. In summary, Drip Design Check is a useful and reliable tool for the irrigation industry to check the goodness of lateral design
Carum carvi mediated green synthesis of copper nanoparticles and its effect on Solanum lycopersicum seedlings
Get PDFThe present study aims to synthesis the copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and their effect on the biochemical and physiological characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum. The results exhibited the color change in the Carum carvi aqueous extract from clear deep brown to a greenish color and this observation indicated the green-biosynthesis of CuNPs by reduction of Cu+ to Cu0. Also, the absorbance broadening band for the green-biosynthetic CuNPs appeared at the 340 nm wavelength using UV-Vis but the C. carvi aqueous extract not showed any peaks at this wavelength. SEM analysis exhibited the micrographic surface morphology and the shape of the green-biosynthetic CuNPs with a scan area of 50 μm and showed the spherical shape particles of CuNPs aggregation. The three-dimensional image and the surface morphology of green-biosynthesized CuNPs and C. carvi aqueous extract were examined using AFM analysis that showed the surface of C. carvi aqueous extract was 45.5 nm size with non-homologus and irregular form of distribution, but the green-biosynthesized CuNPs were 12.4 nm size in nanoscale with regular and homogenous distribution form. The results also showed that the effect of bio-synthesized copper nanoparticles was evident on the S. lycopersicum seedlings fresh and dry weight according to the different reading times after treatment with nanoparticles. Also, the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (CuNPs) showed a significant increase in the chlorophyll content (58.51 μg/cm²) on the 21st day after treatment and a significant increase in the activity of peroxidase enzyme (35.12 U min-1 mg-1 protein) was obtained at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (CuNPs) at 21st day after germination
Tribological property evaluation, optimization and performance of waste sunflower oil based green cutting fluid with silicon dioxide nanoparticles as additive
Get PDFMineral oil-based cutting fluids are hazardous and non-biodegradable, and their widespread usage has had a terrible effect on the environment and living things. The creation of a novel, ecologically sustainable cutting fluid technology is essential to avoid the above crisis. Commercial mineral oil alternatives are considered to possess identical lubricating properties as vegetable oils. Most vegetable oils are edible, so waste-cooking sunflower oil (WSO) is selected from this group to serve as the base stock for the green cutting fluid. The green cutting fluid is created using silicon dioxide nanoparticles as an additive and food-grade emulsifiers like Tween 80 and Span 80. According to the experimental findings, 0.05 weight percent silicon dioxide nanoparticles in the green cutting fluid performed better on a pin-on-disc tribometer