International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Extraction and characterization of natural dye from arils of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. for textile application
Get PDFCelastrus paniculatus Willd., is one of the important medicinal plants belongs to the family Celastraceae. The present study is carried out for the first time to extract natural pigment from the arils, which are of orange-red in colour. The dye was extracted with hot water boiling method. The color of the extracted dye is orange. However, the orange color changes to yellowish-orange on cotton fabric when dyed .The dye potential of the extract was evaluated by dyeing on cotton fabrics without/with mordants such as ammonium ferric sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and copper sulphate. Shades of yellow color were observed when different mordants were used. Ferrous sulphate and copper sulphate have exhibited good coordination complexes with dye molecules that have reflected in imparting bright yellow shades to the fabric. The dyed cotton fabric was tested for color fastness by light, rub and wash fastness. The fabric showed no significant changes in rub and light fastness. However, studies have showed slight fading in color when subjected to wash fastness. The spectroscopic characteristics were determined with the help of UV-Vis and FTIR. UV-Vis spectral analysis of both mordanted and unmordanted dye have revealed varied peaks for the pigments indicating different binding affinity of mordants with chromphore groups within the pigments that give different shades. Analysis of dye by Infrared spectroscopic study has displayed the presence of carotenoid content at 940cm ˉ¹. The findings disclosed that the extraction of dye from aril of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. has promising prospect in textile industry.
 
Pollution characteristics of organic, elemental carbon and water soluble organic carbon in PM2.5 a Tropical City Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFAirborne particulate matter has now become an issue in the global environment. In this study, the atmospheric PM2.5, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were measured in the urban city of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. The annual average concentration of PM2.5 was observed in 76.1 μg/m3, Similarly, the seasonal average of PM2.5 were 49.4 μg/m3 in summer, 73.3μg/m3 in Pre-monsoon, 86.1 μg/m3 in winter and 87.9 μg/m-3 during monsoon respectively. The present study found that the annual average concentrations of PM2.5 in Tiruchirappalli was significantly higher than the limit of 40 μg/m3 prescribed in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Indian-NAAQS) and 10 μg/m3 of that of the World Health Organization (WHO). While, the annual concentrations of OC, EC and WSOC were 8.9 μg/m3, 4.1 μg/m3 and 3.1 μg/m3 respectively. On seasonal average, the OC and EC concentrations ranked in the order of monsoon> winter>pre-monsoon > summer, which could be attributed to the combined effects of changes in local emissions and seasonal meteorological conditions. The secondary organic carbon (SOC) estimated by EC-tracer method was the highest in pre-monsoon (7.94 μg/m3) followed by monsoon (6.60 μg/m3), winter (6.04 μg/m3) and summer (4.57 μg/m3). Overall, results revealed that the mass concentration of PM2.5 bound carbonaceous fractions, and their contributions were varies by seasons. This study provides baseline information that can be exploited for policy formulation and mitigation strategies to control air pollution in south Indian urban cities.
 
Isolation, Production and Characterisation of Novel Gelatinase Enzyme From Bacillus Spp
Get PDFNowadays gelatinase have received considerable attention as targets for drug development because of their potential role in connective tissue degradation associated with tumor metastasis. The potential uses of Gelatinase and their high demand, necessitates the need for the discovery of new strains of bacteria that produce enzymes with novel properties and with low cost industrial medium. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify gelatinase producing microorganisms as well as optimize the medium and cultural conditions for maximum enzyme production. Isolates obtained from fish processing wastes were examined for gelatinase production.The medium parameters were optimized for maximum production of gelatinase enzyme by the efficient isolate.Optimizing its abiotic factors, maximum enzyme activity was achieved at 48h incubation period, pH 7, 40°C temperature, lactose as carbon source and a gelatin concentration of 0.2%. The identity of the strain was confirmed by PCR reaction with universal primers (27F and 1492 R), sequencing and then by the BLAST analysis. The results showed that the isolated bacteria had highest homology (100%) with Bacillus thuringiensis strain O3.The enzyme produced under all the optimum was then purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation (40%) and dialysis. The final purification after dialysis yielded specific activity of 45.85 IU/ml. The purity of enzyme preparation was assessed by SDS PAGE Gel electrophoresis and was found to be a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa.The study could isolate and identify a potent gelatinase producing Bacillus strain that can be used for the development of gelatinase enzyme production.
 
In vitro Callus Induction and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies of Cissampelos pareira L
Get PDFThe present investigation was aimed to evaluate the effect of growth regulators on induction of callus from leaf segments of Cissampelos pareira. The surface sterilized young leaves were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different concentration and combination of growth regulators for induction of callus. The phytochemical constituents were analyzed in the different solvent extracts using standard methods. Maximum callus induction was observed on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L of NAA or 2, 4-D alone and in combinations of NAA (2 mg/L) + BAP (1 mg/L) and NAA (2 mg/L) + KIN (0.5 mg/L). The preliminary phytochemical screening of leaf and leaf derived callus revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, coumarins etc. The developed protocol is useful for large scale production of callus from leaf explants which may be useful for isolation of important bioactive compounds for the treatment of various diseases.
 
Outcome of Cadmium on Aminergic System and Protective Function of Vitamin-C
Get PDFCadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal and has a long biological half-life in humans, it enters the brain parenchyma and neurons causing neurological alterations in humans and animal models, leading to lower attention, hyper nociception, olfactory dysfunction and memory deficits. Rats were exposed to low (2mg/kg bw) and high dose (5mg/kg bw) of Cd through subcutaneous injections. The activity levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine contents were studied in discrete brain areas of the young rats such as hippocampus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Hippocampal levels of catecholamines were significantly reduced in rats exposed to Cd. Our data suggest that Cd exposure disturbs aminergic system in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum and may contribute to the alterations in neurotransmitters.
 
General health status and morbidity pattern of bus drivers in West Bengal
Get PDFBus driving is a paradigm of highly strenuous occupation, with high risks of physical and mental ill-health. The drivers must respond to various unforeseen demands over which they have petite control. In driving time they are exposed to different types of hazards but there is dearth of data. This study was aimed at evaluating the general health status of the bus drivers, their demographic profile and morbidity pattern. Bus drivers (n= 254) were randomly taken from different bus depot and divided into two groups according to years of experience. Different type of physical, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured. Detailed job profile of bus drivers was also analyzed with the help of questionnaire. Jaundice, skin diseases, malaria were most prevalent among the two groups of bus drivers due to unhealthy and unhygienic environmental condition at workplaces. It was also observed that most of the bus drivers of two groups had one or multiple addictions and they take it in regular basis. They were compelled to work in different types of strenuous work, which may negatively affect their work capacity along with their physiological and psychological behavior also.
 
Assessment of Probiotic Potential Leuconostoc Mesenteroides from Natural Microbiota
Get PDFA Lactic Acid Bacterium (LAB) is a group of Gram-positive, non-spore forming, motile microorganisms, highly in fermented foods and are well known for their probiotic properties. A heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium, primarily of Leuconostoc mesenteroides from the natural microbiota (sauerkraut fermentation) was isolated, and identified by conventional biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Based on the above the isolated natural microbiota was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides and deposited in MCC for general access (MCC 3276). The isolated strain had the ability of tolerate bile salts and expressed resistance towards low pH. The ability of bacterial isolates showed autoaggregation and coaggregation which is directly related it adherence capability into the intestinal wall which might have competed with undesirable microorganism in the gut.The tolerance to various biological barriers such as lysozyme (100µg), gastric juice (pH3.0) and bile salt (0.5%w/v) were confirmed its ability to survive extreme conditions of digestive tract. L. mesenteroides has no clear transparent zone in blood agar plates and thus were found non-hemolytic. Overall results indicated that the isolate, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, might be an attractive candidate for perspectival strain for probiotics.
 
Intensity of Echinorhynchus Veli (George and Nadakal) Infection in Relation to the Sex of the Host Synaptura Orientalis (Bloch and Schneider)
Get PDFIntensity of Echinorhynchusveli infection is more common in the fish. This study was conducted in department of Zoology, Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira, Thiruvananathapuram, Kerala, India during the period of 2011-13. The fish samples were collected regular sampling of fish from Veli on the south-west coast of Kerala. In this state the winter season includes the months of January and February, followed by summer months of March, April and May. The rest of the year is the rainy season, which is divided into the South West Monsoon (June, July, August and September) and the North East Monsoon (October, November and December). The samples were collected and studied. In male and female the intensity of infection was high during the Monsoon season in the two annual cycles and low in summer and SW monsoon respectively. Echinorhynchusveli infection is more common in the rainy season.
 
Chlorophyll and Morphological Mutations Induced by Chemical Mutagens EMS, DES in (Setaria italica(L.)Beauv.)Var .CO(Te)7 in M2 Generation
Get PDFThe assessment of mutagen concentration is typically evaluated by the morphological and chlorophyll mutants. Setariaitalica var. CO(Te)7 Fox tail millet seeds were treated with the chemical mutagens namely EMS in the concentration 20, 30,40 mM and DES in the concentration 30, 40 and 50 mM . The present investigation reveals chlorophyll mutants like Albino, Chlorina, Xantha , Straita and various morphological mutants like Tall plant, Dwarf plant, Long spike, Short spike, multiple spike ,Long awn spike, Thumb branch spike, Bold seed, Sterile spike, Tip sterile spike, Anthocyanin pigment in spike, Helical spike, Brachytic, Tiller, Zebra striped, Early and late maturity mutants were observed in M2 generation. The primary objective of the research work was to increase the availability of our traditional millet variety Tenai which was a balanced nutricereale and can be cultivated in large scale with the superior quality. They can be screened and enhanced through mutation breeding for enormous yield. The effect of EMS shows more chlorophyll and morphological mutants than DES in fox tail millet.
 
Quality affecting factors of RNA – its assessment and influence on PCR reactions
Get PDFGood quality of RNA is the prime concern in molecular biology research works and clinical diagnosis. Different organic solvents and salt are used for RNA-isolation. Presence of different organic solvents like phenol, trizol, chloroform, isopropanol, ethanol and salt like EDTA in RNA may affect the downstream processes. The effect of these different organic solvents and EDTA on the quality /integrity of RNA and its effect on qualitative and qPCR has been evaluated in our study. We have found that the trace contamination with phenol and trizol in isolated RNA has inhibited the qPCR and its contamination in RNA cannot be identified merely by inspecting the A260:A280 and A260:A230 ratios. However, by evaluating the absorbance peak-pattern using UV absorbance between 220-340 nm, we can differentiate phenol/trizol contaminated RNA. Also, an overestimation (4-200 fold) of nucleic acid was observed for phenol and trizol-treated RNA in our study. Absorbance peak-pattern variations could only identify higher concentrations of EDTA in RNA, but for lower concentrations, it remains undetectable and higher concentrations of EDTA in RNA have shown to inhibit real-time PCR and alter the Ct value at its lower concentration. RNA contaminated with ethanol, isopropanol, chloroform cannot be distinguished even from the peak-pattern analysis and the UV-absorbance ratios. Higher concentration of alcohol decreased the PCR efficiency by huge variation in Ct values whereas lower concentrations did not show much effect. Surprisingly, the RNA integrity on agarose gel remained intact with all the organic solvents and EDTA-treated RNA.