Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Assessment of phytochemical screening by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis of peach (Prunus persica) seed biomass from Uttarakhand region of India
Get PDFPrunus persica (Peach) has several medicinal and nutritive properties such as antioxidant, antimalarial, anticoagulant, antifungal, ant-allergic, etc. The present study focuses on the exploratory for phytochemicals constituents screening of seed extracts of Prunus persica from Uttarakhand region of India by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The extraction of seed was carried out using soxhlet apparatus in different solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water. The characteristics of physical parameters of dried seed of P. persica were reported as total ash (14.250±0.126 %), acid insoluble ash (6.800±0.036 %), water-soluble ash (11.714±0.123 %), and sulphated ash value (2.274±0.025 %); whereas, the extractive values were also recorded as alcohol soluble extractive (1.917±0.011 %), and water-soluble extractive (10.580±0.048 %). The highest values of nutritive components (366.778±0.257 %) were followed by, carbohydrate (45.500±0.336 %), crude protein (29.360±0.551 %), available carbohydrate content (28.002±0.439 %), moisture content (12.547±0.022 %), crude fibre (11.602±0.123 %), crude fat (7.482±0.068 %), and total nitrogen (4.695±0.032 %). The maximum extraction yield was recorded in the aqueous extract solution (11.15 %), followed by petroleum ether (2.8 %), ethyl acetate (2.1 %), ethanol (1.6 %), and chloroform (0.4 %). Besides, this the most effective chemical bonding groups of FTIR spectra analyzed in a sample of P. persica seed were N-H, O-H (3600-3400 1/cm), C-H (3000-2800 1/cm), N-H, C-C, C=O (1680-1550 1/cm), C-H (1470-1350 1/cm), CO-OR (1400-1000 1/cm), C-H (850-550 1/cm), and C-I (500-400 1/cm), respectively. Therefore, this study provides useful insights into the beneficial properties of P. persica seed biomass from the Uttarakhand region of India, which may be further used for the production of several pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical products
An overview of factors affecting dengue transmission in Asian region and its predictive models
Get PDFAmong various mosquito-borne diseases, dengue is one of the most prevalent and quickly spreading diseases primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This review discusses the dengue epidemics in Asian countries with a focus on India and recognizes various climatic, socio-economic, and demographic factors and their complex interaction, involved in dengue expansion. The impact of climatic factors, such as temperature, moisture, and precipitation has been elucidated on the mosquito breeding and disease outbreaks; demonstrating a linear correlation of ambient temperature and humidity with dengue transmission, in contrast with the uncertain association of rainfall. Multifarious empirical models have been developed for estimating the climatic effects on dengue and are used as a baseline to assess the impact on future infections. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of dengue cases can only be predicted best using dynamic modelling based on a blend of long-term climatic data, vector ecology, and multiple etiological parameters. The human economic profile, migration and the behavioural pattern towards the epidemic have also impacted dengue transmission. Moreover, the impoverished countries are facing higher risks due to the lack of resources for proper medical care and mosquito management measures. Thus, advanced and confirmatory vector control interventions increased awareness of Aedes-borne diseases, and adequate decisions and policies may play a key role to prepare and combat the disease incidences across varied geographic range. Moreover, the increasing support for the research and development along with regular monitoring can help recognize the current and predict future distributions of Aedes and DENV better
Effect of rhizospheric nutrient management on root growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India
Get PDFRhizospheric nutrient management and fertilizer placement can be a useful measure to improve wheat crops productivity in Tarai regions of India. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of rhizospheric nutrient management on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to explore the relationship between root proliferation, grain yield and NUE in Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India. It comprised 3 fertilizer application (P1 to P3) and 6 nutrient management treatments (T1 to T6) with absolute control in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Experimental results indicated that P1 (1.29 and 1.47; 1.84 and 2.29 mg/cc) produced greater root density, and compared to P3 (1.39 and 1.49; 1.74 and 2.17 mg/cc), P2 (1.24 and 1.36; 1.68 and 1.97 mg/cc) and absolute control (0.85 and 1.19; 1.42 and 1.69 mg/cc) at maximum tillering and flowering stage in year 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively .The root proliferation also influenced the grain yield (5.4 and 5.5; 5.3 and 5.3; 5.1 and 5.2; 3.5 and 3.3 t/ha ) in P1, P3, P2 and absolute control in the year 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. However, the grain yield and root distributions (at the flowering stage) recorded significantly (p=0.05) maximum in T4 (5.8 and 5.7 t/ha; 1.84 and 2.32 mg/cc) followed by T3, T6, T1, T5, T2 treatments and minimum in absolute control (3.5 and3.3 t/ha; 1.42 and 1.69 mg /cc) in the year of 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Thus, the rhizospheric nutrient management (75% RDF+ vermicompost + PSB) with fertilizer placement can be a feasible approach for increasing grain yield and NUE in Tarai regions of Uttarakhand, by promoting deep root development and reducing fertilizer inputs in wheat.
Diversity of water-borne conidial fungi in some freshwater bodies of Kumaun Himalaya in district Nainital (Uttarakhand), India
Get PDFThe aquatic ecosystem harbours a variety of micro-organisms, among which water-borne conidial fungi occupy an important place. Their occurrence in freshwater habitat has great significance in the decomposition of submerged plant materials, nutrient release and productivity. Their occurrence and frequency to extreme temperatures and pH may have a profound effect on fungal community composition and metabolic activities. The present paper deals with the diversity of conidial aquatic fungi from different unexplored freshwater bodies flowing through different elevations (1000-1500 m) in district Nainital, Kumaun Himalaya. Comparative study of species composition in different seasons, sporulation temperatures and pH conditions was also carried out. In all, 18 species of conidial fungi belonging to 14 genera were recorded, out of which maximum species (11 species) were recorded in both rainy (July to September) and winter seasons (November to December). Anguillospora crassa, Beltrania rhombica, Campylospora chaetocladia, Cylindrocarpon aquaticum, Helicomyces roseus and Tetracladium setigerum were isolated only during rainy season; Alatospora acuminata, Clavariopsis aquatica, Clavatospora tentacula, Lemonniera pseudofloscula, L. terrestris and Tetrachaetum elegans were isolated only during winter season while Lunulospora curvula, L. cymbiformis, Setosynnema isthmosporum, Tetracladium marchalianum and Triscelophorus acuminatus were isolated in both rainy and winter seasons. The preferred pH and the sporulation temperature ranged from 6-7 and 15-20 °? respectively. The results of the present study are clearly indicating fungal species composition variations along pH, temperature, seasonal and altitudinal gradients and the sites selected for this exploratory investigation are being undertaken for the first time
Comparative efficacy of few disinfectants against bacterial load in pig facilities at livestock farm complex, Chennai
Get PDFDisinfection of animal shed means making them free from disease producing organisms. An attempt has been made to assess the efficacy of disinfectants. The study was carried out in three different seasons of the year during 2017-18 in pig fattener facilities and farrowing pen at Livestock Farm Complex, Madhavaram, Chennai. Four disinfectants namely, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite and cow urine based disinfectant were used. The efficacy of the disinfectants was found out by dilution method. In pig fattener sty the efficacy of disinfectants in descending order were chlorine dioxide (1.77x108 ±1.10), sodium hypochlorite (2.57x1011±1.15), cow urine based disinfectant (1.68x1011±1.12) and calcium hypochlorite (7.73x1011±1.06) in all the seasons of the year. In farrowing pen the order of efficacy of disinfectants were chlorine dioxide (1.82x108±1.17), sodium hypochlorite (2.71x1011±1.15), calcium hypochlorite (2.66x1011±1.17) and cow urine based disinfectant (3.15x1011 ±1.07) in all the seasons of the year. Hence, spraying with chlorine dioxide in pig facilities was found to be effective in all seasons of the year
Role of S protein in thromboembolic complications during COVID19 and activated protein C as a serious therapeutic avenue in severe forms of patients
Get PDFCOVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is a public health emergency of international concern. There is a pressing urgency to find treatments based upon currently available scientific knowledge and epidemiological data. In this article, we provide a novel hypothesis describing how the severity of the pathology is mainly resulting from the Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 (virus causing COVID-19) and not due to the direct action of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 appears to alter the endothelial cell. The pathophysiological mechanism is not yet elucidated. The damage caused resembles a systemic, multi-organ vasculitis predominantly in the lungs. An increase in thromboembolic complications has been observed in COVID-19 patients. These are manifested by pulmonary embolisms or systemic microembolism manifested by microangiopathy affecting the lungs, brain, liver, kidneys and intestines. Therefore, we hypothesize that an auto-immune acquired Protein S (PS) deficiency may be involved in the pathogenesis of thrombotic events in Covid-19. Auto-antibodies to Protein S may form immune complexes, inducing increased clearance of PS or interfering with the protein C-protein S system. COVID-19 early thromboprophylaxis in infected patients, or even effective anticoagulation, could prevent the progression to severe forms, thus reducing mortality in patients with COVID-19. Activated Protein C (APC), a physiological coagulation inhibitor with cytoprotective properties, could be an interesting avenue for the treatment of severe forms of the disease in intensive care; its administration in hypoxic patients could improve tissue oxygenation. Randomized resuscitation studies in patients with COVID19 are also needed to confirm our hypothesis
Three-plant stubble (Family: Fabaceae) as a substrate for cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kummer., in Mexico
Get PDFMushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various agricultural by-products. In Mexico, a large quantity of lignocellulosic residues is generated and several of them have been used as a substrate in the cultivation of Pleurotus spp. Thus, high nutritional value food is produced at a relatively low cost. In this study, fermented chickpea stubble (Cicer arietinum L.); bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) stubble sun-dried were used as a substrate for growing a strain of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kummer. (IE-8). On the chickpea stubble, the spawning was carried out on three, five and seven days of fermentated (FCS-3, FCS-5 and FCS-7, respectively) substrate. Highest productivity was obtained on the FCS-3 substrate with the formation of first primordia between 15 and 17 days; crop cycle between 44 to 49 days, with 156% of biological efficiency (BE), 46.8% of yield (Y) and 3.3% of production rate (PR). In the other treatments, forming first primordia was between 16 to 35 days, crop cycles between 43 and 61 days, with BE from 76.2% to 130.2%, Y between 16.8% to 39.0% and PR between 1.7% to 2.9%. Stubbles studied can be used as a substrate for the cultivation of the strain IE-8 on a small to large scale in the regions where they are generated, mainly the stubble of the chickpea plant
Keratinolysis of chicken feather and human hair by nondermatophytic keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil
Get PDFDevelopment in food industry increases consumption of chicken by people and it is estimated that tons of poultry feathers are produced by poultry farms. Hairs are other forms of keratinous waste which is generated in huge amounts by leather industries and parlours worldwide. Chicken feathers and hairs are waste contains high-quality protein, hard to degraded. Eleven nondermatophytic keratinophilic fungi were isolated from soil by hair baiting method and were used to deteriorate hairs and feathers. Pictographic authentication showed that the microbial incidence started with surface colonization of keratinous substrate, mechanical interference of substrate by penetrating hyphae and development of broad perforating organs. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of degraded and undegraded hair and the feather was made. In the sulphoxide region at 1073, the band corresponding to S-O was observed with low intensity and poorly visible in control feathers, while in degraded feather intensity of the band was high in case of Chrysosporium indicum and Chrysosporium tropicum. In Hairs, S-O band was more intense in C indicum as compared to C. tropicum while it was absent in undegraded human hair. The present work observed keratin degradation activity on human hair and chicken feather by FTIR spectra which are useful in the study of structure and mechanism of keratinolysis. Keratinous waste degradation has great potential to convert them into various byproducts such as enzymes, amino acids, biofertilizer and animal feed.
In vitro effect of seed bio-priming techniques on seed germination and seedling vigour of few vegetable crops
Get PDFBio-priming can also be viewed as a new technique of seed treatment using biological agents to stimulate germination of seed and growth of the plant and further protecting the seed from soil-and seed-borne pathogens. The present investigation was carried out in vitro conditions on seed germination and seedling vigour of few vegetable crops viz. tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), onion (Allium cepa L.) and chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), during 2015 and 2016. The treatments comprised viz. T1: Non primed seeds (Control), T2: Seed treatment with Carbendazim 2.5g/kg seed, T3: Hydro-priming for 6 hrs, T4: Hydro-priming for 12 hrs, T5: Hydro-priming for 18 hrs, T6: Biopriming with Trichoderma viride for 6 hrs, T7: Biopriming with T.viride for 12 hrs, T8: Biopriming with T.viride for 18 hrs, T9: Biopriming with Trichoderma harzianum for 6 hrs, T10: Biopriming with T. harzianum for 12 hrs, T11: Biopriming with T. harzianum for 18 hrs, T12: Biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens for 6 hrs, T13: Biopriming with P. fluorescens for 12 hrs and T14: Biopriming with P. fluorescens for 18 hrs. The results revealed that maxiumum germination percentage (92.92, 90.77,83.00 and 86.33), seedling length (32.38 cm, 29.35 cm, 31.75 and 31.60 cm), seedling fresh weight (2.07 g, 4.01 g, 3.05 g and 2.04 g), seedling dry weight (0.42 g, 0.86 g, 0.62 g and 0.42 g) and seedling vigour index (3008.11, 2664.00, 2635.00 and 2728.00) were recorded in T10 (bio priming with T. harzianum for 12 hrs) in tomato (S. lycopersicum L.), brinjal (S. melongena L.), onion (A. cepa L.) and chilli (C. annuum L.), respectively. Thus, it indicated that priming of seeds of these crops with T. harzianum/P. fluorescens/ T. viride for 12 hrs was very effective with respect to their vegetative growth along with the quality yield
Effect of integrated nitrogen management through organic and inorganic sources on the yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and status of soil fertility at harvest
Get PDFThe present investigation was conducted with the objective of utilizing locally available organic resources for substituting chemical fertilizer nitrogen partly and augmenting soil health. The experiment was carried out for the crop kharif rice (Oryza sativa L.) in coastal Karnataka with eleven treatments laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Vermicompost (VC), Poultry manure (PM) and Fish manure (FM) were used as organic nitrogen sources integrated with mineral nitrogen source of fertilizer urea at substitution ratios of 25, 50 and 100 percent. These treatments were compared with control and recommended dose of nitrogen. The results revealed that the substitution of 50 per cent of nitrogen through VC recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher plant height (92.27 cm), higher number of productive tillers (16.85 hill-1), higher grain yield (5434 kg ha-1) and straw yield ( 6817 kg ha-1) compared to control. The results of the soil sample analysis for soil fertility parameters indicated that the major nutrients were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by integrated nitrogen management. The available nitrogen (382.36 kg ha-1) and available potassium (143.7 kg ha-1) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment T4 where a recommended dose of nitrogen was substituted by 50 percent VC compared to control (294.05 kg ha-1 and 92.31 kg ha-1 respectively). However, the available soil phosphorus was significantly higher with treatment 50 per cent RDN substituted by PM (78.83 kg ha-1) as compared to control (43.93 kg ha-1). Thus, integrated resource management improved crop yield and post-harvest soil fertility