International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Emerging fungal contaminants isolated and identified from raw fennel seeds
Get PDFThe present investigation entitled “Emerging fungal contaminants isolated and identified from raw fennel seeds” recorded the diversity of surface contaminant fungi from 144 fennel seeds of different A/C and non-A/C hotels of town area of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, which were cultured on PDA medium. All fungal species were identified on the basis of their morphological and microscopic characteristics and it includes Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Chrysonilia sitophila, Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Cercospora sp. and Cylindrocarpon sp. The study revealed its colonization frequency, counted the fungal colony numbers, determined the percentage of different fungal isolates and finally compared the A/C and non-A/C seed contaminants. And from the study, it was clear that samples from non-A/C hotels shows maximum fungal growth than A/C hotels. These emerging fungal contaminants can cause serious pathogenic conditions such as aspergillosis, zygomycosis, occupational asthma etc.
 
Preliminary phytochemical screening and antifungal activity of bilimbi and papaya leaf extract on fungal pathogens
Get PDFThe present study has witnessed the phytochemical and antifungal property of bilimbi and papaya aqueous leaf extracts. Through the preliminary phytochemical screening, bilimbi leaf extract indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, steroids and papaya leaf extract indicated the presence of terpenoids, saponins, coumarins and steroids. We isolated and identified fungal pathogens from root and seed of paddy plant inoculated on PDA medium. Disc diffusion method was used to measure the antifungal property of leaf extracts on 3 selected fungal genera such as Cylindrocarpon, Penicillium and Curvularia which were used as test organism. The extracts having antimicrobial activity has varied diameter of zone of inhibition among the tested organisms. Bilimbi leaf extract has antifungal activity against Cylindrocarpon, Penicillium with zone of inhibition of 10mm, and 5mm respectively and no markable activity against Curvularia. Papaya leaf extract has antifungal activity against Cylindrocarpon, Penicillium and Curvularia with zone of inhibition of 12mm, 5mm and 15mm respectively. The highest level of antifungal activity was recorded in papaya leaf extract which was active against all tested organisms that may be due to the presence of different types of phytochemicals. Plant metabolites are strong candidate contribute to develop new leads, combat the emerging issues of drug resistance.
 
Finding Potential Source of Cold-Active Xylanase
Get PDFXylanases are glycosidases that catalyze the endohydrolysis of 1,4-β-D-xylosidic linkages in xylan, the main constituent of hemicelluloses found in plant cell wall. Xylanases encompass great industrial potential, and their cold-active counterparts have even more than that. Accordingly, three cold-active fungi, Penicillium canesence (BPF4), Truncatella angustata (BPF5), and Pseudogymnoascus roseus (BPF6) available as laboratory stocks have been screened for their ability to produce extracellular xylanases at cold temperature. The selection of hyper producing strains of xylanase was carried out on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium fortified with 1% (w/v) of xylan incubated at 20oC for seven days. Selection for best producer of xylanase was done on the basis of breadth of clear zones observed after flooding the plates with Gram’s iodine indicating the hydrolysis of xylan by xylanase around the colonies. The fungus T. angustata was found to produce the highest amount of xylanase followed by Pseu. roseus and P. canesence in that order. The cold-active xylanase-secreting ability of the fungal species was verified by incubating them in xylanase producing medium at 20oC. Consequently, T. angustata, Pseu. roseus and P. canesence were found to produce xylanase activity equal to 11.0 IU/ml, 7.0 IU/ml and 5.9 IU/ml respectively. This is the first report of the fungus T. angustata having cold-active xylanases producing ability.
 
A Comprehensive floristic study of Van-Vihar National park Bhopal (M.P)
Get PDFVan vihar in the state capital Bhopal” is highly rich in floristic biodiversity of plants. Due to recent drastic changes after urbanization and industrialization have affect the Flora of Van vihar National park. In review of it after studied it is necessary to update and revise the flora of Van vihar National park. It has some hilly Tracks covered with luxuriant vegetation along with the forest area represented by deciduous spare forest. Taxonomical investigations were under taken to explore the floristic status of the ten dominant families. Conservation measures were also taken in account
 
Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activity of Bioactive Compounds Present in Methanolic Extract of Morchella esculenta
Get PDFMorchella esculenta is commonly known as morel, common morel, true morel, yellow morel, sponge morel and morel mushroom [1]. It is one of the most easily recognized of all the edible mushrooms and highly sought after. Morchella mushroom is one of the costliest edible fungi in the world. Morchella esculenta is in economically important mushroom commonly known as “Guchhi” in India. In India, the presence of Morchella is reported from Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir [2]. It has been reported that the morel species are good to minimize the oxidative damage in organisms that occur in several chronic diseases. Moreover, these morel species can be used to find new antimicrobials overlapping the resistance of bacteria to first choice antibiotics. The compounds like Phenol, Tocopherol and organic acids are considered to be the most responsible for antioxidant activity of mushrooms [3][4]. Methanol extract of Morchella esculenta was screened to evaluate free radical scavenging effect. The extract exhibited significant reducing power and free radical scavenging effect on nitric oxide radicals. This antioxidant activity was concentration dependent which were compared with standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid. The highest free radical scavenging effect of the extract was observed at concentration of 100μg/ml and the IC50 value of extract was 49.8821μg/ml.
 
Management of Soil Fertility for Sustaining Quality Mulberry Leaf Production in North India
Get PDFThe silk industry in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state is of very ancient origin. Due to natural irrigation system and highly salubrious climatic conditions is very suitable for bivoltine sericulture. Soil fertility is only one of a number of factors that determine the magnitude of crop yield. Low fertility results in decreased crop development and yield. The fertility of the soil can be managed by fertilization or by application of appropriate management approach. Plants sequester nutrients from atmosphere via photosynthesis and absorption by roots from soil, proportion of which in turn is taken up by animals and returned back to soil. The soil microbial biomass is the living portion of organic content in soil, maintenance of which facilitates retention of soil organic pool and nutrient availability. Increasing organic carbon in soil improves soil health, reduces soil erosion and degradation, improves surface water quality, and increases soil productivity. Indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers may have deteriorated the soil characteristics and its micro-flora. In view of above reasons, the output yields of mulberry are low in the traditional sericulture zones. Application of green technologies will pave way for sustenance of soil fertility and quality leaf production.
 
Seed Priming: A Critical Review
Get PDFIndia being an agricultural country, more than 80% population of rural India depends on agriculture and its associated activities for their living. To satisfy the requirements of Indian population, there is need for adequate crop yield. But due to urbanisation, pollution, biotic and abiotic stresses, unavailability of micronutrients etc. there are various constraints on seed germination and crop yield. The present review highlights the problems associated with germination and growth of plants. It discusses on seed priming technology that can synchronise seed germination and improve vigour, leading to better crop establishment and yield. Seed priming stimulates the processes involved in metabolism which prevents seed deterioration, breaks dormancy and induces systemic resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. It explains physiological and biochemical changes occurring in seeds on priming. Extensive study using different seed priming techniques viz. hydro-priming, halo-priming, osmo-priming, matrix priming, osmohardening, on-farm priming, hormone priming, nutripriming, biopriming nanoparticle priming etc. has been carried out. Studying the use of different techniques and their need put an insight in the new research area of bionanoseed priming produced by amalgamating nanofertilisers and plant growth promoting rhizobacterias, to improve the productivity of crops.
 
Antifungal potential of blends of specific essential oils against Tinea capitis and Tinea corporis
Get PDFSince ancient times, folk medicines have advantageous from the use of natural products and plant derivatives, such as essential oils, to inhibited different types of diseases. In Nature, essential oils play an important role in protecting the different types of infections on human beings. Combinations of different essential oils are often an option for therapeutic use for human health. Several researchers have examined in detail the modes of action of essential oils and most of their components and combinations. Approximately 90 types of essential oils with more than thousand combinations can be identified as being suggested for dermatological use. This research explores the antifungal properties of essential oils as natural treatment against pathogens responsible for dermatological infections. The purpose of this research is to describe the properties of essential oils, principally as antifungal agents, and their role in the form of combinations.
 
Purification and Electrophoretic analysis of Extracellular Alkaline Phosphatase from bulb extracts of Urginea species
Get PDFAlkaline phosphatase was purified from three species of Urginea collected from different regions of India, Urginea wightii (Yediyur), Urginea indica(Karwar) and Urginea polyphylla (Castle rock Poona). The procedure followed for purification were Salt precipitation, Dialysis, ion exchange and Gel filtration method. Lowry’s method was used to estimate the Protein concentrations. The purified enzyme was subjected to 12.5% SDS-PAGE for molecular determination of Urginea species. The molecular weight of the protein band obtained was nearly 46 kDa in Urginea indica but Urginea wightii and Urginea polyphylla the protein band obtained was approximately 43kDa. The enzyme activity in these three-species varied. In Urginea indica it was found to be more about 0.152 U/ml while in Urginea wightii showed 0.05U/ml enzyme activity and 0.106 U/ml. in Urginea polyphylla.
 
Evaluation of efficacy of collection techniques for human genomic DNA: MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism
Get PDFFor large scale DNA related studies it is necessary for non-invasive and cost-effective method for obtaining sufficient quantity and quality of DNA. In this study we collected buccal cells, dried blood and saliva from 10 participants by commercially available two types of foam swabs (Puritan and HiMedia), blood collection card (NucleoSave) and saliva collection kit (Oragene OG-500) respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from the seven days old buccal cells and dried blood using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) with a modification in the final elution step which resulted in high yield of DNA. Oragene DNA extraction protocol was followed to extract DNA from saliva. Integrity, yield and purity of extracted DNA were compared by agarose gel electrophoresis, spectrophotometry and PCR amplification success for specific gene. Though, the DNA yield was significantly greater from samples of saliva than buccal cells and dried blood, contamination was more in DNA from saliva. Purity of DNA obtained from buccal cells collected by Puritan foam swabs was better for the PCR reaction as evidenced by the successful amplification of 30-bp repeat polymorphism in the promoter of the MAOA gene. Hence, we conclude that Puritan foam swab is an ample and cost-effective method for collecting buccal cells for extracting genomic DNA for epidemiological and forensic studies.