Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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CURRENT STATUS, CHALLENGES, MANAGEMENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF THE RED PALM WEEVIL Rhynchophorus ferrugineus OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) ERADICATION - A REVIEW
Get PDFThe date palm is a cultural and economic heritage of many nations. The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) is among the world’s most serious insect pests of palms that have rapidly expanded its geographical distribution and host plant range during the last decades. Integrated pest management (IPM) is followed to suppress the pest using the most economical and least hazardous methods to humans and the environment. Since R. ferrugineus is a serious pest of date palm production worldwide, farmers, researchers, and scientists have developed many tactics to eradicate this pest. However, there was no published article covering and integrating the current status, biology, ecology, and future control tactics of R. ferrugineus and proposes an IPM program. Therefore, in this review, R. ferrugineus geographical distribution, host plant range, economic importance, infestation symptoms, morphology, biology, and its management tactics were thoroughly discussed. These tactics include early detection of R. ferrugineus infestation, trapping, chemical applications, use of bio-agents, bioinsecticides (plant extracts), resistance cultivars, cultural practices, sterile insect technique, gene silencing technology, quarantine, and geographical information system. In conclusion, all available control tactics suggest that R. ferrugineus could be successfully managed by developing IPM programs comprising several means of control. It is hoped that this review will highlight some aspects of date palm management and raise research gaps and directions deserving further investigations to develop a better understanding of R. ferrugineus management and therefore contributes to the sustainability of date palm cultivation worldwide
GIS AND STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF SOIL QUALITY OF SIDI YAHYA, GHARBPLAIN (MOROCCO)
Get PDFThe study of soil quality in irrigated areas is necessary to evaluate the sustainability of the agricultural production system. Indeed, the assessment of this quality is based on the physicochemical and biological characterization of soil parameters, as well as the knowledge of their spatial distribution and their evolution over time. This work aims to make a diagnosis of the current situation of soil quality of SidiYahya in the Gharb plain, Morocco. For this, sampling was carried out from 33 sites distributed over the studied plain during 2019. In this study, different soil properties including specifically texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P2O5), and potassium (K2O) were measured while exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was calculated using the standard formula. Based on the observed soil properties a map was prepared by using a geographic information system (GIS), which was based specifically on the inverse distance weighted (IDW) spatial interpolation method. Data were processed using different statistical tools like descriptive statistics, correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). Results of the study revealed that 70% of the soils have a heavy clayey texture with a predominance of vertisols (55%). Further, the study area soil is mainly alkaline (70%), poor in organic matter (61%) and phosphorus (52%), while very rich in potassium (70%), and non-saline (88%) contents. Soil pH was reported to be the least variable whereas sand, phosphorus, and salinity were the highest variable. IDW allowed mapping the soil properties by moving from punctual information to whole extent information. Furthermore, correlations were found between various soil properties by using PCA, 3 principal components (PCs) were able to extract 76% of the information from the 9 initial soil properties. Collected soil samples were grouped into 3 groups, based on their scores on the 3 PCs. Based on these two kinds of information, delineation of management zones can be established for a site-specific supply of agricultural inputs leading to better management of soil and water resources for securing their sustainable use
COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON THE CORONAVIRUSES OF ANIMALS AND SARS-CoV-2
Get PDFCoronaviruses (CoVs), classified into four genera, viz., alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and Delta- CoV, represent an important group of diverse transboundary pathogens that can infect a variety of mammalian and avian species including humans, animals, poultry, and non-poultry birds. CoVs primarily infect lung and gut epithelial cells, besides monocytes and macrophages. CoVs have high mutation rates causing changes in host specificity, tissue tropism, and mode of virus excretion and transmissions. The recent CoV zoonoses are SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 that are caused by the transmission of beta-CoVs of bats to humans. Recently, reverse zoonoses of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in dogs, tigers, and minks. Beta-CoV strains also infect bovine (BCoV) and canine species (CRCoV); both these beta-CoVs might have originated from a common ancestor. Despite the high genetic similarity between BCoV, CRCoV, and HCoV-OC43, these differ in species specificity. Alpha-CoV strains infect canine (CCoV), feline (FIPV), swine (TGEV and PEDV), and humans (HCoV229E and NL63). Six coronavirus species are known to infect and cause disease in pigs, seven in human beings, and two in dogs. The high mutation rate in CoVs is attributed to error-prone 3′-5′ exoribonuclease (NSP 14), and genetic recombination to template shift by the polymerase. The present compilation describes the important features of the CoVs and diseases caused in humans, animals, and birds that are essential in surveillance of diverse pool of CoVs circulating in nature, and monitoring interspecies transmission, zoonoses, and reverse zoonoses
IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWN ON THE MEAT CONSUMPTION PATTERN IN INDIA: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
Get PDFThe people of India have a wide variety of eating habits that vary according to ethnicity, geography, and culture. The consumption of meat primarily covers the protein requirement of the Indians, and three out of four are non-vegetarians. There is a need to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated countrywide lockdown on the meat consumption pattern of the Indian non-vegetarians. A countrywide survey was conducted among the consumers to study the impact of COVID-19 on the meat consumption pattern using a self-administered electronic questionnaire distributed through emails and online social networking platforms. A total of 416 responses were collected from the consumers belonging to different states and union territories. The data were analyzed as per the standard procedure. The meat consumption pattern of the non-vegetarians was found to be altered during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown period. The majority of the consumers could not obtain a sufficient quantity of meat and meat products during the lockdown period due to various reasons such as the increased cost and decreased availability of livestock. The myths and rumors associated with meat consumption and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 further weakened the meat trade in certain areas. Based on the findings of this survey, it is safe to confirm that the meat consumption pattern among Indian consumers was affected badly during the countrywide lockdown
RESPONSES TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY: A SCENARIO OF BANGLADESH
Get PDFEmerging at the end of 2019 in China, novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infected millions and killed thousands of people across the globe. Like other South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan, Bangladesh is also struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first detection on March 2020, terrible touch of the corona had been inundated Bangladesh with a total of 5,661,926 suspected patients and reported 776,257 (13.7%) cases, 12,005 deaths (1.5% CFR), and an overall recovery of 715,321 (92%) cases as of May 11, 2020. In attempts to reduce the burden of corona cases in one of the most densely populated country of the world, the government has taken several initiatives. Bangladesh has been stepped up a large number of medical & testing facilities, manpower, social awareness campaigns, and has taken many initial steps to fight against COVID-19. This review article is focused on the overall outbreak situation, the preparedness of the government of Bangladesh as well as challenges and limitations faced by the country so far to tackle the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019
THE EFFECT OF THE FLORAL APPLICATION OF GIBBERELLIC ACID ON UNPOLLINATED INFLORESCENCES OF THE DATE PALM CULTIVAR ASSIANE (Phoenix dactylifera L.): A CASE STUDY OF FIGUIG OASIS, MOROCCO
Get PDFThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Gibberellic Acid in mitigate the phenomenon of parthenocarpy and improve the fruit set in the date palm cultivar Assiane at Figuig Oasis in Morocco. For this, four different concentrations of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) viz., 5, 50, 100, and 200 ppm were applied on unpollinated inflorescences in two phases. The first dose of GA3 is applied at the time of spadices burst while the second one is applied after the seven days of the first one. The results obtained from the study showed that the application of gibberellic acid on unpollinated female inflorescences had a significant effect on the removal of parthenocarpy which resulting in the higher normal-looking fruits with normal seed and by promoting the maturity of parthenocarpic fruits. In the case of rate of thinning, the application of GA3 @ 5-100 ppm enhanced the flower drop, while the application at higher concentration i.e. 200 ppm promotes the retention and development of flowers. Further, the analysis of the ripe fruits sugars content by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggests that the application of GA3 did not have any significant effect on the sugar content and these treatments are not significantly different from the fruits of pollinated flowers
PHARMACEUTICAL POTENTIAL OF LABORATORY GROWN CULTURES OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
Get PDFCOVID-19 pandemic has taught the world researchers the urgent need for new sources and novel pharmaceuticals not only for existing diseases but also for both seasonal epidemics and future pandemics. Pharmaceutical drug discoveries for the past fifty years depended deeply on the procedure of empirical transmission of a huge number of pure bioactive compounds to provide new leads. The screening of extracts or isolating compounds is a common way to discover novel biologically active molecules. Most of the valuable Blue-Green algal metabolites are concentrated in their biomass. For existence in nature, Blue-Green algae (BGA) secrete and contain various organic substances like proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, and these compounds are explored for potential biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral (including the anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19), anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, protease inhibitory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, etc. Due to their diverse application, pharmaceutical companies have shown commercial interest in the Blue-green algal group for the discovery and development of novel molecules to combat deadly diseases for the benefit of society and mankind. The current review paper highlights and discusses the diverse pharmaceutical potential of laboratory-grown cultures of BGA along with comprehensive and current knowledge on bioactive compounds discovered by researchers globally
ROLE OF COPPER METAL AND BIOLOGICAL MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH ENTEROBIASIS
Get PDFThe primary goal of this study was to determine the effect of copper in patients with Enterobius vermicularis infection, as well as its association with IgE and TRFC. The study was carried out with 583 suspected and thirty healthy respondents of the same age who visited the AL-Zahra maternity and pediatrics laboratory, AL-Hakeem hospital, in AL-Najaf province(Iraq) from July 2020 to June 2021. This study aimed to estimate the level of copper, IgE, and TRFC in patients suffering from enterobiasis. The concentration of three biomarkers (copper, IgE, and TRFC) in serum was determined using the ELISA technique as per the manufacturer's instructions while the concentration of copper was assessed by using the colourimetric method. Results of the study revealed that the concentrations of IgE and TRFC significantly increased (P≤0.05) in the blood sample of E. vermiculris infected patients, while the serum concentrations of copper decreased significantly (P≤0.05) compared to the control group. The results of the current study suggested that the E. vermicularis infection alters serum IgE and TRFC concentrations, which significantly impacts copper levels in the blood
ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE POTENTIAL OF Carica papaya LEAVES ON BREAST CANCER CELLS – MCF-7
Get PDFThe study's objective is to identify the phytoconstituents and determine the anti-cancer potential of Carica papaya leaves against the MCF 7 cell line. Chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of C. papaya leaves were prepared by cold maceration method and qualitative phytochemical analysis was performed. The anti-proliferative effect of these extracts was determined by 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptotic assay by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining method on MCF 7 cells. The effect of the extracts, with different concentrations, on DNA fragmentation, was also performed on MCF 7 cells. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, phenols, anthraquinones, proteins, and carbohydrates. Chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of C. papaya leaves were observed with potential DPPH free radical scavenging activity with 72%, 75%, and 78% respectively. Of these extracts, the chloroform extract (72%) was found to possess a more free radical scavenging effect against DPPH and also showed a dose-dependent effect, the maximum at 100µg/ml, on DNA fragmentation in MCF 7 cells. Further, chloroform extract showed a maximum anti-proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells with IC50 at 22±1.5µg/ml, whereas methanol and ethyl acetate extract at 30±0.5 µg/ml and 28±0.5 µg/ml respectively. Increased apoptosis in MCF 7 cells was observed with an increased concentration of chloroform extract of C. papaya. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that leaf extract of C. papaya found to possess an anti-proliferative effect and antioxidant potential and it could be due to the presence of rich secondary metabolites of the plant
FORMULATION OF SELECTED SOY PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
Get PDFSoybean differs from other cereals and legumes by containing the highest amount of complete protein. Tofu, soy milk, soy meat are nonfermented products of soybean. Soy contains chemical compounds are unique because of its high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen. Women entering the menopausal stage are recommended to consume soya bean because this plant estrogen would benefit them. The study aims to inculcate the consumption of soy products through standardized recipes. The popular soy milk product is Tofu. It is prepared by curdling fresh hot soy milk with a coagulant. On milling, soybean yielded a nutritious product called Soy flour, which is available in two types namely full-fat soy flour (FFSF) and defatted soy flour (DFSF). When the soybean oil is extracted, the by-product called Soy Chunks is produced. In current study, soy products namely Tofu, Defatted Soy Flour, and Soy Chunks were used to standardize few recipes by incorporating them in commonly consumed recipes or using them wholly. Further, for this, Tofu with pasta and sandwich, Chunks in kurma and nuggets, DFSF with besan omelette, and cakes were incorporated and standardized. Along with this, organoleptic evaluations were carried out for the developed products and were standardized. The nutritive values for DFSF and storage stability of standardized cakes were also carried out