International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Reproductive Functions and Toxicology Following Scrotal Ultrasound Therapy in Rats
Get PDFTherapeutic ultrasound involves direct application to the scrotum that might affect normal reproductive functions. We explore possibilities for development of a localized, non-invasive and reversible contraception method with ultrasound therapy in rat model. Animals were divided equally into five groups. Results observed with a gradual decrease in reproductive organs weight, testis volume, testosterone concentration and cauda epididymal sperm count, motility and viability following therapy, whereas sperm abnormalities were continuously enhanced throughout the study in groups II - V. Testis histopathology marked with duration and frequency dependent changes in groups II - V including conspicuous alterations in the seminiferous tubules, erupted germ cells, impaired spermatogenesis with pycnotic nuclei, vacuolization in the Sertoli cells, small Leydig cell nuclei, total necrosis and reduction in seminiferous tubules and wide interstitial space with fibroblast like cells. The fertility was totally lost at 180 days (groups II and III), 15 - 180 days (group IV) and 7 - 30 days of therapy (group V), respectively. A complete recovery was observed in all parameters in group V rats. Ultrasound application affects reproductive organs and fertility in rats. Hence, it may serve as a viable male contraceptive with further confirmation of dose and duration dependent efficacy, side effects and reversibility.
 
Physicochemical and analytical characterization of biosurfactant produced by Serratia rubidaea KAP
Get PDFIn an attempt to replace the chemical compounds that may potentially disrupt the environment, biological sources has been exploited extensively for characteristic recovery of their metabolic products. The present study was carried out with a similar attempt to characterize the biosurfactant produced by Serratia rubidaea KAP isolated from oil polluted soil sample. The biosurfactant sample was analyzed qualitatively by the Thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) technique which indicated the presence of proteins, carbohydrates (with rhamnose as major sugar) and lipids. This was further confirmed by High Performance-TLC technique. The concentration of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids were also quantified using suitable colorimetric and gravimetric techniques. They were estimated to be 11%, 37% and 51.09% respectively in the biosurfactant sample. It was further characterized to be ionic in nature, on the basis of agar double diffusion method. The analytical tests including Fourier Transformed Infra-Red spectrum and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of rhamnolipids. The biosurfactant further showed a critical micelle concentration of 62%. Moreover, the stability studies indicated considerable biosurfactant activity at a wide range of temperature (from 4°C -100°C), alkaline pH and in an environment of salinity up to 12%. Thus, these results strongly suggest that the biosurfactant produced by S. rubidaea KAP can be useful in industries which operate at extreme conditions of pH, temperature and salinity e.g., pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food industries, and for bioremediation in the marine environment.
 
GC-MS Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Organic Extracts of Psidium cattleianum Leaves
Get PDFPlants usually are reservoirs of organic compounds that provide definite physiological action on the body of human beings. Pharmacological activities of plants have been extensively investigated as a source of medicinal agents. For the discovery of lead compounds for use as therapeutic drugs, the active principle in medicinal plants needs to be identified. GC-MS method serves as an interesting tool for testing the amount of some active principles of herbs. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the GC-MS analysis, antioxidant activity and phytochemical screening of ethanol and acetone extracts of Psidium cattleianum leaves. Compound identification of the extract was using Shimadzu GC-2010 gas chromatography coupled with QP2010 mass spectrometer. DPPH assay was applied using Quercetin as a standard to test the antioxidant activity of acetone and ethanol extract of P. cattleianum leaves. Phytochemical analysis was done by following the standard procedures. The results of GC-MS analysis stated the presence of seven major compounds in ethanol extract and twelve major compounds in the acetone extract of P. cattleianum leaf extract. The results also revealed that ethanol extract exhibited more antioxidant activity than acetone extract. When screened for phytocompounds, ethanol and acetone extract recorded the presence of significant number of secondary metabolites viz., Phenols, Flavanoids, Alkaloids, Glycosides and Quinones that were present in both the extracts. The excellent pharmacological activities of acetone and ethanol extracts of P. cattleianum leaves might be due to the presence of various phytochemicals and compounds that were identified. It may be concluded that plant products can be considered as strong candidates that contribute for the development of new leads that can provide help in combating the emerging issues of drug resistance.
 
Assessment of Cytotoxicity Induced by Calcium Carbide (Fruit Ripening Agent) on Allium Cepa L. (Onion) Root Meristematic Cells
Get PDFThis study was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of Calcium carbide (CaC2) on Onion (Allium cepa L.) root tip cells. To achieve this goal, root tips of Allium cepa were grown in different concentrations of Calcium carbide (CaC2) (0.25g, 0.50g, 0.75g and 1.00g)/ 250 ml and distilled water was used as control for the study. Root tips of Allium cepa grown in the treatments and control were harvested daily between 7:30am and 8:30am for cytological studies. Pretreatment, fixation, hydrolysis, squashing and staining of cells for mitotic study were carried out and data were taken on cytological parameters under X400 magnification of the light microscope. Data obtained on these parameters were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) while means with significant different across concentration were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results obtained in this study showed that Calcium carbide (CaC2) significantly induces binucleate cells, vacuolated cells, sticky chromosomes, C-mitosis cells and Anaphase Bridge across the different concentrations which indicates mutagenic and cytotoxic activities of the chemical. The higher Relative Mutation Rate (RMR) and Relative Division Rate (RDR) in relation to the control observed at higher concentrations (i.e. 0.75g and 1.00g) suggests stimulatory effects of Calcium carbide (CaC2). These findings indicated that Calcium carbide (CaC2) is mutagenic and cytotoxic to Allium cepa dividing cells and may not be a safe chemical for use as fruit ripening agent. We therefore recommended that the use of Calcium carbide (CaC2) for fruit ripening should be discouraged while use of safer ripening agents should be encouraged.
 
Behavior of Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated With Mulberry Plants with Special Emphasis to the Family Hoplolaimidae from Manipur, India
Get PDFA study for the population behavior of plant parasitic nematodes associated with mulberry plants was conducted as a part of a thesis submitted to Manipur University in four mulberry farms located at valley districts of Manipur, India. Out of the parasitic nematodes, tylenchid nematodes belonging to the family Hoplolaimidae were found abundantly from the all studied farms. Population changes of the nematodes in relation to soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents were found. The study showed increased nematode population with increased in soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and pH contents and decreased population with increased soil potassium content. Highest nematode population was found at clayey- loam soil type with greater contents of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and pH whereas least population was found at sandy loam soil with least nitrogen and phosphorous contents. Among the nematode species of the family Hoplolaimidae, the most abundant Helicotylenchus graminophilus increased its population with increase in soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and pH contents while the population decreased with increased soil potassium content. The least abundant nematode population of Rotylenchus minutus increased with increased of potassium content while its population decreased with increased in soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous contents
 
Efficacy of Synthetic Pesticides against Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) in Okra
Get PDFThe field evaluation of some synthetic pesticides (Acetamiprid 19% weightable water (WW), Lambda 25% WW, Colarphipare 32% WW, Lambda 2.5% WW, and Abamectin 1.3% WW), for their efficacy, were performed against Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) on okra crop, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan during 2016 and observations were to against the target insect pests after 24 hrs., 48 hrs., 72 hrs., and 07 days of each spray in all the treatments. The pre-treatment count of the whitefly on okra was non-significant different from the toxicity of pesticides (P>0.05). In contrast, the evaluated efficacy of different insecticides against whitefly was significantly different from the toxicity of pesticides (P<0.01). All the pesticides showed their highest efficacy after seven days of spray, and Acetamiprid 19% weightable water (WW) was more useful to combat the target insect pests as compared to other pesticides that produced field efficacy of 93.06 and 95.47% against whitefly after seven days of 1st and 2nd spray respectively. Abamectin, 1.3% WW, was moderately effective that produced field efficacy of 57.44 and 50.91% against whitefly after seven days of 1st and 2nd spray, respectively. Colarphipare, 32% WW, was also moderately effective that produced field efficacy of 66.73 and 62.31% against whitefly after seven days of 1st and 2nd spray, respectively. Acetamiprid, 19% WW, showed higher efficacy against sucking complex, followed by Colarphipare 32% WW and Abamectin 1.3% WW, while Lambda 25% WW and Lambda 2.5%WW were least effective. Acetamiprid 19% showed 100% efficacy against whitefly both during 1st and 2nd spray after 07 days of spray
 
Population Dynamics, Siderophore Production and Disease Suppression during Different Seasons of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Acidic Paddy Fields
Get PDFApplications of bio inoculants (PGPRs) are one of the most successful, non-chemicals, eco-friendly approach in agriculture. The bio inoculants were collected from the acidic paddy fields of Champakkulam in 3 different seasons. There were 120 strains isolated from the acidic conditioned paddy fields of Champakkulam. Among them KS1 is exhibited maximum zone of inhibition, siderophore production and root colonization than other strains and control. These were herbicide and pesticide resistant strains were used against domestic phyto pathogen. Root colonization of these bacterial strain showing various changes on these different seasons .In summer season strain produced maximum absorbance in UV mediated spectrophotometry .KS1 (MK 894011) ,PS2 (MK 894012), PS3 (MK 894013), RS1 (MK 894010), KNP (MK 894014) were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by biochemical characterization as well as 16 s ribosomal RNA sequence. Data were subjected to t-test, and ANOVA. All treatments are compared with FPO4 (KF500003).The experiments having 5 replicates in each treatments. This study mainly focused on antagonistic effect, siderophore production, disease resistance and root colonization different seasons in different area of Champakkulam village.
 
Levels of Heavy Metals (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu) In Ulva sp. and Enteromorpha sp. macrophytic Green Algae Along Benghazi Coast Line
Get PDFPollution with heavy metals is one of the most severe marine environmental problems in the world. In this study concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu) tested in tow marine green algae Ulva sp. and Enteromorpha sp. Collected from four Sites, Elsaberry, Juliana, Eshbellia and Benghazi port (Elmina) along of Benghazi city Coast. The coast extends to about 18 km at the north east of Libya. The algae samples were collected during the winter and summer seasons 2011 and summer 2012. The results obtained shows that the concentration were found to range from 18.66 mg/kg (Pb), 1.93 - 5.5 mg/kg (Cd) and 2.36 - 6.13 mg/kg (Cu). There was a significant difference in heavy metals concentrations found between the sites and also with seasons. The Enteromorpha sp. showed ability to accumulate heavy metals more than Ulva sp. this could be attributed to the large surface area of the Enteromorpha sp. Generally, the summer concentrations of metals were found to be higher than in winter concentrations and this may be due to high temperature levels that affect the uptake of metals and to the availability and presence of nutrient mainly Nitrogen and phosphorous due to the increase in sewage discharge into the sea during summer time.
 
Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis of nodC Gene from Pea Rhizobium
Get PDFPea is a legume that belongs to the family Fabaceae and an economical source of carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. Nitrogen deficiency is the main problem of crops, which is hard to overcome. However, pea plants can establish a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria known as Rhizobacterium and efficiently utilize the available nitrogen through the roots, and the plant can withstand even harsh conditions. Nodule, which is established by these rhizobacteria are main parts which are involved in the process of nitrogen fixation; Nod factors are stimulator for the establishment of nodules in the rhizobia of pea NodC gene is one of these factors, used as a genetic marker to analyze the genetic variation among Rhizobacterium keeping in view the capability of nitrogen fixation. In this purposed research, the nodC gene was amplified using PCR technology, cloning, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis to study the homology and divergence in Rhizobium from other species that have these Nod factors in establishing the nodulation and enhancing the nitrogen fixation in the leguminous species.
 
Agriculture: Features and Characteristics—An Overview
Get PDFAgriculture is a broad concept and deals with various kinds of methods regarding the betterment in cultivation and farming and cultivation is considered as a small part of the agriculture. The expert expressed that Agriculture is a scientific study, procedure and policies in cultivation and farming. Normally it is considered thatfarming is done in a small area but agriculture is broader. Moreover, farming is considered in a family or group of families or small number of people engaged for the agriculture or in the process of food production. There arevarious inputs and methods inAgricultural Systems and also run by the industrial support and thereafter it is refereeing as Industrial Agriculture.It is far different than traditional agricultural systems wider regarding theproduction of food for humans andanimal.Internationally the population has changed and increasing therefore the methods of agricultural systems also shifting into newer and innovative one. Though in western world the ‘green revolution’ has changed agricultural systems many ways and thereafter farms have engaged in agriculture with solid and rapid productively and with types. Among the changes few valuable arehydroponics, plant breeding, hybridization, gene manipulation, healthy soil management, modern weeding controlling, Genetic engineering, use of Nanotechnology, Information Technology etc. areimportant for enhancing higher yields and disease resistance.The advancement of the technologies isnoticeable in agricultural sciences including the Information Technology and Management applications. This is conceptual paper and deals with various aspects of agriculture especiallywith evolution, types, methods, emerging concern, related and allied areas of agriculture in brief.