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Perception and impact of micropollutants in urine-based liquid fertilizer on crop production: A comprehensive review of Eco-sanitation practices
Get PDFLarge-scale sustainable agriculture presents a formidable challenge globally, resulting in severe food insecurity for approximately 52% and 48% of people living in rural and urban areas, respectively. An estimated 690 million individuals suffer from hunger annually due to the high cost of chemical fertilizers and other factors. To reduce costs, source-separated urine offers a promising alternative for crop production, despite containing more nitrogen and phosphorus than traditional fertilizers. However, human urine also contains pharmaceuticals and micropollutants with adverse effects on human health and the environment. Human urine provides essential micronutrients for plant growth, with studies showing similar nutrient concentrations between concentrated urine and mineral fertilizers. Nevertheless, the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants in urine raises safety concerns. While urine diversion toilets can safely collect urine, their use as a liquid fertilizer requires careful consideration due to the presence of disease-causing organisms, pharmaceuticals, and metabolites that contribute to water and soil contamination. Consumers and farmers alike worry about the safety of crops fertilized with urine, given the perception of disease-causing pathogens. This review explores the impact of urine and chemical fertilizers on plant yield as well as the effects of heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics on human health and the environment. Various methods to remove antibiotics from urine, such as membrane bioreactors combined with complex chemicals and physicochemical processes, were also examined. These methods, including activated powdered carbon, nano-filtration, ozone, and ozone/UV, target specific antibiotics and their metabolites to ensure the safety of urine-derived fertilizers
Phytoconstituents profiling and antioxidant potential of Wrightia tinctoria R. Br.
Get PDFIn the Indian traditional system of medicine, Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. (Apocyanaceae) is recognized as a biologically effective therapeutic plant for the treatment of jaundice. It is a natural medicinal tree possessing antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antifungal, antibacterial, antipsoriatic, antiviral, anthelmintic, anticancerous, analgesic, antipyretic, and aphrodisiac activities. Methanolic extract of W. tinctoria plant was investigated with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the antioxidant activity of W. tinctoria was analysed by most probable hydrogen peroxide scavenging (H2O2) activity, DPPH activity and Thiobarbutaric acid. The phytochemical in W. tinctoria leaf and bark have been assessed by GC-MS analysis. GC-MS analysis of W. tinctoria methanolic extract exposed the existence of the GC-MS chromatograms of 10 peaks in the leaf and 20 peaks in the bark. The FTIR spectroscopy analyses were identified by various functional compounds in the extracts with distinctive peak values. The FTIR analysis of methanolic leaf extracts of W. tinctoria confirmed the presence of alcohol, amine, alkane, carboxylic acid, sulfur compounds, halogen compounds and alkyne which showed major peaks. Also the methanolic bark extracts of W. tinctoria confirmed the presence of amines, phenol, alcohols, alkane, aldehydes, carboxylic acid, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, and halogen compounds which also exhibited major peaks. Significant antioxidant activity is displayed by the plant part of leaf and bark sample. The results obtained in the determination of antioxidant activity of MEWT displayed considerable free radical scavenging capacity against DPPH which generated free radicals. This study includes the identification of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of methanolic and aqueous extract of W. tinctoria which assist in therapeutic claims about this species in the traditional medicinal plant system
A review on polyherbal and supplemental approach to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Get PDFPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) stands as a neuroendocrine metabolic anomaly hallmarked by an erratic menstrual cycle. Our awareness extends to the indications, origins, implicated organs, histological attributes, pathophysiological mechanisms, etiological factors, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approaches. These insights have been gleaned through a comprehensive exploration of a myriad of resources, including various literary tomes and digital platforms like PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. The contemporary analysis centers on the paramount significance of phytotherapeutic compounds and adjuncts in the management of PCOS
Preliminary study on the antibacterial activity of garlic (Allium sativum) on Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli
Get PDFThis experiment was conducted to see if garlic would inhibit the growth of Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli. This helps to understand the effectiveness of home remedies such as natural herbs including garlic for medicinal purposes. This study focuses on the significant antibacterial activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract against gram negative bacteria like Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli. The plant parts are known to have antimicrobial activity on bacteria which are known to be pathogenic to animals in general and to humans in particular. The plant extracts were inoculated on prepared media of microbial culture containing Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli species. The result obtained indicates garlic has a strong effect on Salmonella by reducing the number of colonies that survive due to exposure to the antimicrobial agent which is approximately similar to that of Salmonella but E. coli species showed some percent of resistance in comparison to Salmonella and Shigella
Development and prototyping of an innovative design for automatic paper bag making machine
Get PDFThe Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, already prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags having a thickness of less than 75 microns. They also provide for a ban on plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns as of December 31, 2022. So, there is an increasing demand for paper bags. The already existing paper bag-making machines are expensive and consume 25-50 square meters for their operation. A machine whose initial cost is less, which does not require large space consumption and operates with simple technologies, can be used for small-scale production. This will help the manufacturer earn money through the small-scale production of paper bags. The demand for paper bags is continuously increasing, so this project aims to develop an economical and easily fabricable machine with simple methods that promote the use of paper bags instead of plastic carry bags and helps reduce the impact on the environment
Recombinant DNA technology: revolutionizing regenerative medicine and empowering nanotechnology strategies
Get PDFIn the past century, the concept of controlling gene expressions to enhance desirable traits in living organisms through recombinant DNA technology was merely a concept. However, in recent times, this field has made significant advancements, offering unique benefits to human life. Recombinant DNA technology allows for the safe, accessible, and abundant production of crucial proteins needed for addressing various health issues. Through laboratory methods of genetic manipulation, scientists generate recombinant DNA molecules by merging genetic material from various origins that wouldn’t naturally occur within organisms. Although the chemical structure of DNA is the same across all organisms, the nucleotide sequences vary. The application of recombinant DNA technology extends to diverse fields such as regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, and tissue engineering, allowing for the production of proteins with specific characteristics and effectiveness. This article will delve into the prevalent applications of recombinant DNA technology within fundamental research, highlighting its crucial role in contemporary endeavours across the realms of biological and biomedical sciences, particularly within the fields of regenerative medicine and nanotechnology
Vegetative anatomy of five domesticated members of the genus Cucurbita (Linn.) in Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThe vegetative anatomy of five domesticated species of the genus Cucurbita L. found in South Western Nigeria was studied. The aim was to establish some useful diagnostic features that may be employed in combination with other characters as intra or inter-specific or generic tools for their delimitation. The study revealed exciting features that are helpful in the identification of each species. The genus can be divided into three groups based on the shape of the midrib. Those with a U-shape are C. pepo, C. argyrosperma and C. ficifolia. C. maximum has a round/flat shape while C. moschata has V shape. Those with a U-shape can further be classed into those with a wide and narrow neck. C. argyrosperma has narrow neck with two vascular bundles, four layers of palisade tissues and 6 layers of abaxial epidermis. C. pepo has a wide neck with three bicollateral bundles and two layers of palisade tissues while C. ficifolia has two bundles and three layers of palisade tissues. Overlaps and similarities in the number of vascular bundles, and layers of tissues showed generic affinity among the members
Eruca sativa plants modulate growth and gas exchange when cultivated under salinity stress after leaching fractions
Get PDFThe physiology of rocket plants at different salinity levels through irrigation water and leaching fractions was assessed. Four salinity levels of irrigation water: 0.10, 1.60, 3.10 and 4.60 dS m-1 and three leaching fractions: 0, 10 and 20% were applied. The physiological variables analyzed were photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and photosynthetic pigment contents. The growth and biomass production were analyzed by: plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and partitioned and total plant fresh and dry mass, and root to aerial part ratio. The leaching fraction of 10% combined with irrigation with water salinity levels ranging from 0.10 to 0.88 dS m-1 resulted in greater plant height, leaf area and root, shoot and total dry mass. The leaching fraction of 20% with irrigation water with salinity levels from 0.10 to 2.7 dS m-1 generates higher leaf number, shoot fresh mass, root-to-shoot ratio, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rate. Irrigation water with a salinity level of 0.10 dS m-1 provides a higher transpiration rate for rocket plants. Irrigation water with a salinity level of 4.6 dS m-1 generates higher chlorophyll a, b and total (a + b) and carotenoid contents in rocket plants
A comprehensive analysis on the ecosystem services of Elaeocarpus L. (Elaeocarpaceae): a review
Get PDFThe Elaeocarpus is considered the largest genus in the family Elaeocarpaceae. It is commonly called ‘Rudraksha’ in India and has a noteworthy attachment with the Indians, mostly Hindus. The plant is known for its beneficial aspects and supply of various ecosystem services, particularly in medicinal sciences. The present study provides a comprehensive review of the genus Elaeocarpus for its ecosystem services in the context of human wellbeing. A literature survey was conducted from 1970 to 2020 on internet scientific databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science using strings such as, Elaeocarpus, Rudraksha, medicine, conservation, tradition, and services. One hundred two publications were considered for data extraction and finalising the review. Firstly, we classified the ecosystem services under respective classes as provided by MEA (2005), and the remaining benefits that didn’t fit under the classification were presented separately. It has been reported that Rudraksha delivers all categories of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. In addition, the Rudraksha plant owes a high status in medicinal science, ayurveda, and religious mythology. In the last five decades, studies were conducted on various species of Elaeocarpus for their beneficial aspects. It was found that Elaeocarpus plants have a vital role in ayurveda, pharmaceuticals, and pharmacological and astrological science. In addition, they have been used as food, firewood, timber, and the production of secondary metabolites and their role in cultural and religious dimensions are very clearly discussed. The provisioning and cultural services delivered by Rudraksha constitute only 30% and 10% of the services mentioned in MEA (2005). However, only a little research has been conducted on regulatory and supporting services provided by Rudraksha. Therefore, for a long-term sustainability and multifunctionality assessment, the extension of ecosystem services regarding individual plant’s (tree) services should be highly recommended. Hence, the present review investigates the scientific knowledge about the ecosystem services of the Elaeocarpus
Growth, development and yield of safflower genotypes in response to environmental variations
Get PDFSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a crop that is drought tolerant and grown in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) for its commercial utility as vegetable oil, animal feed, cut flower, leafy vegetable, pharmaceuticals, foods colorant, textile dye, cosmetics, and biofuel production. These important attributes make safflower an ideal crop to diversify the economy and improve the socioeconomic status of many smallholder farmers in ASALs. This study evaluated the growth, development, and yield of five safflower genotypes in three different locations in the southern part of Botswana under farmers’ fields during winter and summer. The results showed that there was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) genotypic variability for all phenological development (days to emergence, stem elongation, and flowering), plant growth (plant height and shoot biomass), the yield and yield components (number of branches/plant, number of capitula/plant and 1000-seed weight), oil content and oil yield. However, genotypes did not vary significantly (P ≥ 0.05) in number of primary branches/plant. The results showed that winter planting significantly (P ≤ 0.05) promoted safflower growth and yield than planting in summer. The growth, development, yield, and yield components of safflower genotypes varied across locations with Ramonaka being the most favorable. The GGE biplot revealed that genotype Kenya-9819 was found to be the most stable and adaptable with above-average yields. Sebele winter planting was the best representative environment and most suitable for discriminating genotype performance. The genotype by yield*trait combination (GYT) biplot revealed that genotypes ranked as Kenya9819 > Turkey > Sina > PI537636 > Gila. The results suggested that safflower was best planted in winter and that Kenya9819 was the best genotype to be planted in the greater Gaborone region