Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Amelioration of lead nitrate induced pulmonary toxicity by Garlic essential oil in inflammatory markers of Swiss albino male mice
Full text linkLead is a toxic heavy metal that causes harmful effects on human health. Its prolonged use interferes with the pulmonary tissue, resulting in alterations in the normal level of transcription factors and cytokines. So, to restore these parameters altered by lead nitrate (LN) Pb(NO3)2 , the present study aimed to test natural therapeutic agents like Allium sativum (AS) and its defensive role in mitigating lead (Pb) induced toxicity in Swiss albino male mice model. For this one-month study, 36 mice were divided into 6 Groups. The Groups were categorised as Group I (control/untreated), Group II a (lead nitrate (LN))(50mg/kg), Group II b (LN+ low dose of garlic essential oil (GEO) (50mg/kg)), Group II c (LN+ high dose of GEO) (80mg/kg), Group II d (LN with standard drug (silymarin) (25mg/kg)), Group II e (LN + vehicle olive oil). The experimental results revealed an elevated level of NF-kB(P< 0.001), TNF-α and IL-6 (P < 0.05 for both) and a decreased level of IFN-ɤ (P<0.05) and IL-10 (P < 0.01) in Lead-intoxicated pulmonary tissues of mice. Conversely, GEO exhibited promising anti-inflammatory properties by attenuating the alterations caused by LN. The present study demonstrated the significant effectiveness of a high dose of garlic bulb essential oil in reducing inflammation in the pulmonary tissues of an animal model exposed to lead nitrate. Notably, the low dose also exhibited efficacy for certain inflammatory markers. Further optimization of Garlic Essential Bulb Oil (GEBO) doses is warranted to enhance its therapeutic potential. This study expands the scope of exploring natural interventions for mitigating lead-induced toxicity.
Effect of isolated active compounds of Fragaria X ananassa and Prunus amigdalus on induced hepatic steatosis in male albino rabbits
Full text linkThis study investigated the effects of Fragaria X ananassa polyphenols, Prunus amigdalus derived omega-3, and Omega3 and Vitamin E on Triton-induced fatty liver disease in 100 male rabbits divided into 10 groups. Group 1 to Group 10 as follows: control (1), rabbits given Triton (2), rabbits given polyphenols extracted from strawberry(3), rabbits given polyphenols extracted from strawberry with Triton(4), rabbits given Omega3 extracted from almond(5), rabbits given omega-3 extracted from almond with Triton(6), rabbits given polyphenols extracted from strawberry and omega3 extracted from almond(7), rabbits given polyphenols extracted from strawberry and omega-3 extracted from almond with Triton(8), rabbits given omega3, Vit.E (9) and rabbits given omega3, Vit.E with Triton (10) Treatments were administered daily for four months. Results showed a significant reduction in Hemoglobin Hb (6.42±0.16), Red Blood Cells RBCs(3.52±0.08), Packed Cell Volume PCV (2.81±0.08) and Total Antioxidant Capacity TAC (3.62±0.13) in the Triton group compared to other treated groups. Conversely, treated groups showed improved hematological parameters levels, but White Blood Cells WBCs (14.77±0.04) increased in Triton group with a probability (P≤0.01) .
Use of essential oil for extended shelf life and maintained physico-chemical qualities of tomato cv. Arka Rakshak
Full text linkTomatoes, one of the popular solanaceous vegetables, used to face high spoilage and low shelf life in ambient storage. Essential oils with proven antimicrobial properties were thus used in the present study to evaluate the impact on fruit decay, shelf life and physico-chemical qualities under ambient conditions (Temperature: 22±30C; Relative Humidity: 80±5%). The study was conducted during 2021-22 with greenhouse-grown mature green tomatoes cv. Arka Rakshak at Post Graduate Research Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India, to evaluate the utility of different essential oils (0.5% v/v) as Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Lavendar (Lavandula angustifolia) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) emulsified with coconut oil. Results manifested that surface coating with Basil oil had reduced the weight loss percentage (4.83%) significantly and maintained better firmness of fruit (23.91 N/cm2), Total Soluble Solids (TSS): acid ratio (17.86) and delayed accumulation of colour pigment-like carotenoids (14.26 µg g-1) and lycopene (21.78 µg g-1). Fruit under this treatment had high ascorbic acid content (21.38 mg 100g-1) with better retention of total phenolics (0.31 mg g-1) and higher antioxidant activity at 12 days after storage (DAS). Besides, fruits under this treatment had minimum fruit decay (10%) against control (45%). Application of Basil oil had a better-extended shelf life (18.85 days) than the control (13.75 days). Therefore, it may be concluded that postharvest use of basil oil was effective in extending shelf life while maintaining physico-chemical qualities in stored tomatoes under room conditions.
Complete genome sequence of Niallia sp. SS-2023 isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Mosul city, Iraq
Full text linkOil contamination in soil poses a significant environmental challenge, affecting microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Certain bacterial species have evolved mechanisms to survive and even degrade hydrocarbons in such polluted environments. In this context, the genus Niallia has attracted scientific interest due to its potential in bioremediation. The current research was focused on characterizing and conducting genomic analysis of a novel strain of Niallia sp., accordingly labeled as Niallia sp. SS-2023, obtained from oil-polluted soil alongside electric generators in the Mosul Governorate. Isolates were diagnosed using conventional methods and biochemical tests. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identification was followed by whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The genome contains 86 contigs, representing 3.78 million base pairs with a GC content of 39.2% and 3,852 protein-coding sequences supported by 60 tRNA genes. Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (RAST) server analysis identified numerous genes involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, protein, and nucleoside metabolism. Genes linked to aromatic compound metabolism, such as SalA, FAHF, QuiB, and BenK, were found, indicating roles in the degradation of aromatic, anti-inflammatory for salicylate, hydroxylated and metabolic for gentisate, as well as carboxylated and preservative for benzoate. On the phylogenetic tree, Niallia sp. SS-2023 falls very close to Niallia circulans FDAARGOS_343 and Niallia Taxi M5HDSG1-1T, indicating a high degree of genetic similarity. From these molecular genomic data to phylogenetics, the information reassures that Niallia sp. SS-2023 is promising for application in bioremediation and bioproducts development.
On some biochemical contents of tapeworm Proteocephalus osculatus and its definitive host, Silurus triostegus
Full text linkFishes are increasingly reported as important economic national resources, with recent interest focused on their therapeutic potential in reducing some diseases, including cardiovascular ones, due to their unsaturated fats and omega 3 content. The present study aimed to determine the concentration of some biochemical contents in the tissues of the tapeworm and the intestinal tissue of its definitive host Silurus triostegus fish. A total of 63 fishes were brought to the laboratory and dissected for small intestine removal, and a tapeworm of Proteocephalus. osculatus was collected and washed several times with saline solution. Intestinal tissues of the infected and non-infected fishes and the collected parasites were compared for biochemical parameters. Protein, glycogen, lipids, creatinine, and urea were measured using standard methods. Infected fishes had their intestinal tissues with a significantly (p<0.05) lower protein (22.06±0.42 mg/g wet weight), glycogen (12.33±0.08 mg/100 ml of solution, and lipid (17.10±0.16 mg/g wet weight) than non-infected fishes (33.06±0.72 mg/g wet weight, 20.23±0.53 mg/100 ml of solution, and 27.26±0.45 mg/g wet weight, respectively). Conversely, urea (12.30±0.36 mg/dl) and creatinine (2.31±0.12 mg/dl) increased significantly (p<0.05) in the infected host compared to non-infected ones (10.66±0.22 mg/dl and 1.07±0.10 mg/dl, respectively). This study highlights the impact of P. osculatus infection on the biochemical composition of S. triostegus, providing insights into parasite-host metabolic interactions. The findings suggest that biochemical markers such as protein, glycogen, and urea levels can serve as diagnostic indicators of fish health and can be valuable for disease monitoring, improving the quality of fish and fisheries management for commercial and export purposes.
Identification of most prominent parents and cross combinations in indian mustard for seed yield and quality traits
Full text linkIndian mustard is an important oilseed crop with significant economic and nutritional value. Understanding the genetic mechanisms governing key traits like seed yield is crucial for developing high-yielding varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the general combining ability (GCA) of parental lines and the specific combining ability (SCA) of their cross combinations to improve yield potential. A diallel model (excluding reciprocals) was used, involving 45 hybrids (F1\u27s) produced by crossing 10 diverse genotypes: Aashirwad, Basanti, NDR501-26, Rohini, KMR17-5-21, KMR17-5-22, KMR17-5-23, N8501, PR20, and PR21. These hybrids were developed during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and evaluated in the 2019-2020 Rabi season using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Student Instructional Farm of CSAUA&T, Kanpur. The study assessed GCA and SCA effects, focusing on additive and non-additive gene actions in trait inheritance. The results showed that SCA variance exceeded GCA variance across all traits, with a predictability ratio and GCA/SCA ratio of less than one, indicating a dominance of non-additive gene action. While GCA variance was high for most traits except primary branches and 1000-seed weight, SCA effects were more significant for traits like maturity days, siliquae per plant, 1000-seed weight, oil yield, and seed yield. Parents like NDR 501-26 and Rohini demonstrated strong GCA effects, making them suitable for breeding. Specific crosses, such as KMR 17-5-22 × KMR 17-5-21 and NDR 501-26 × Rohini, showed desirable SCA effects, suggesting potential for early-maturing and high-yielding hybrids. These findings highlight the potential of heterosis breeding and the use of non-additive gene action for improving Indian mustard yield, offering insights to meet agricultural demands.
Phytoconstituents analysis of ripe Pithecellobium dulce seeds and coats: Insights from Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and bioactivity assessment
Full text linkPithecellobium dulce is a tropical tree known for its medicinal properties, which are traditionally used in folk medicine to treat ailments such as diabetes and inflammation. Recent research has focused on exploring its bioactive compounds to validate its therapeutic potential. This study investigates the antioxidant and amylase inhibitory potential of methanolic extracts from the ripe seeds and coats of P. dulce, previously overlooked plant parts. Phytochemical analysis of both seed and coat extracts was conducted using standard qualitative methods, revealing the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins, proteins, phenols, and terpenoids. The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) in ripe seeds was 9.11±0 mg GAE/g, while the fruit coat measured 3.056±0.5 mg GAE/g. Quantitative assessment of Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) indicated the presence of 36.4±0.8 mg RE/g in the seed extract and 31.64±0.4 mg RE/g in the fruit coat. The seed extract displayed substantial saponin content (118.4±14.1 mg/g dry extract saponin equivalents). Phytoconstituents identified with GC-MS showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, including Phytol, n-Hexadecanoic acid, cis-Vaccenic acid, 9,11-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (E,E), Oleoyl chloride, Eugenol, Benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro, and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural. Antioxidant activities, assessed through DPPH, reducing power, and metal chelating assays, demonstrated IC50 values of 1378.3 µg/mL and 36.7 µg/mL (DPPH scavenging) for seed and coat extracts, respectively. Significant inhibition of α-amylase activity was observed, with the coat extract exhibiting the highest inhibition at 55%. This study enhances the understanding of the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of ripe seeds and coats of P. dulce, providing a foundation for future research to fully realize the plant\u27s therapeutic benefits.
Efficacy of Allium stracheyi extract infused edible coating in controlling oxidative stability and microbial degradation in chicken meat patties
Full text linkThere is a gradual shift in consumers\u27 attitudes towards the use of natural food preservatives due to growing awareness for healthy and safe food. The current investigation aimed to develop sodium alginate edible coating (SDG-EC) infused with Allium stracheyi (AS) extract to control the oxidative and microbial degradation of chicken meat patties (CP) during 15 days of storage at 4±10C. The AS extract was made using lyophilization and cold extraction with 50% hydroethanol. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of several functional groups, such as -OH, -COOH, C-H, C=O, etc., in AS extract, suggesting the existence of bioactive components. The final treatments were C (uncoated chicken patties), T1 (Chicken patties coated with SDG-EC), T2 (Chicken patties coated with 1% AS SDG-EC), and T 3 (chicken patties coated with 2% AS SDG-EC). The results showed that throughout storage, Cs pH was significantly greater (p<0.05). On the 15th day, T3 had a relatively lower pH than other treatments. T3 TVB-N (mg/100g) and Thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (mg MDA/1000g) readings were noticeably lower than those of C, T1, and T2. In comparison to C, total plate count decreased significantly (p<0.05) in T1, T2, and T3. Yeast, mold, and S. aureus were not found on the first or fifth day. The yeast, mold, and S. aureus (cfu/g) of T2 and T3 considerably decreased on the 10th and 15th day. Throughout storage, no coliforms were found in any treatment. It was concluded that A. stracheyi-infused edible coating successfully maintained the oxidative and microbial quality of CP for 15 days at 4±10C.
A new spectral index for vegetation extraction using satellite data
Full text linkAccurate vegetation extraction is essential for environmental monitoring, agricultural management, and ecosystem analysis applications. Traditional spectral indices, however, often suffer from reduced accuracy and sensitivity under varying environmental conditions. This research aimed to address these limitations by introducing a novel spectral index, "A New Vegetation Index" (ANVI), specifically designed for enhanced vegetation extraction for satellite imagery. ANVI leverages multiple spectral bands, including near-infrared (NIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), and visible bands, commonly available in remote sensing data. The research involves implementing ANVI within a remote sensing framework and conducting a comparative analysis against established indices across diverse geographic regions. Key metrics such as accuracy, resilience to atmospheric disturbances, and sensitivity to soil background influences were evaluated. The results demonstrated that ANVI achieved a superior overall accuracy of 97.08% in vegetation classification and greater robustness against atmospheric noise than conventional indices. Furthermore, ANVI reduced soil background influence by significantly improving its performance under complex environmental conditions. This research highlights the novelty of ANVI as a computationally efficient and reliable tool for large-scale vegetation monitoring, offering enhanced precision and adaptability for diverse applications in remote sensing and ecological management.
Comparative evaluation of growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in various agro-industrial wastes blended with horse manure in Ethiopia
Full text linkUnderstanding how different substrates impact the reproductive and growth potential of vermicomposting worms is essential for optimizing their application in waste management across diverse sources and promoting sustainable agriculture. The present study assessed the growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida, a key vermicomposting species, across three agro-industrial wastes: brewery malt sludge (W1), potato chip factory waste (W2), and avocado oil factory sludge (W3), mixed with horse manure at a 3:1 ratio. Parameters such as growth, sexual maturation, cocoon production rate, incubation period, and hatching success were evaluated. Results showed cocoon production rates of 0.43 ± 1.22 per worm per day in W1, 0.40 ± 1.44 in W2, and 0.27 ± 1.62 in W3. The highest hatchling count per cocoon (3.16 ± 0.54) and maximum weight gain (0.65 ± 0.98 grams) were observed in W1. Waste from W1 and W2 were found to be highly effective substrates for the growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida. In contrast, waste from W3 an avocado oil factory showed comparatively lower performance. No mortality was observed, indicating that these agro-industries could effectively manage their waste through vermicomposting by utilizing appropriate worm species, such as E. fetida.