Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Effect of photoperiodic alterations and binge eating on biochemical and metabolic parameters in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Get PDFAltered sleep-wake cycles and irregular eating patterns are among the most prominent lifestyle changes observed due to the increasing trend of shift work worldwide. Though circadian rhythm disruptions and unhealthy eating practices are increasingly recognized as contributors to metabolic disorders in humans, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study investigated the combined effects of binge eating and altered photoperiods on the metabolic and biochemical profiles of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a well-established vertebrate model. Adult zebrafish were subjected to excessive feeding and altered photoperiod (20 h light: 4 h dark) for two weeks, while the age-matched control group were maintained in standard laboratory conditions. Important biochemical indicators, such as blood glucose, nitric oxide, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured in addition to total protein. The present results showed that the blood glucose levels in the experimental group were significantly higher compared to the control group (76.2 ± 1.13 mg/dL vs. 52.9 ± 1.27 mg/dL). The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in the experimental group (56.02 ± 2.14 U/mg) compared to controls (3.18 ± 0.18 U/mg). The enzyme catalase also showed a slight but significant increase in its activity in the experimental group. However, Nitric oxide levels and total protein levels did not significantly change. These results showed that altering photoperiod in conjunction with altered feeding can lead to elevated glucose levels and increased oxidative stress, thereby affecting zebrafish metabolic homeostasis. This work provides a basic framework to understand the intricate relationship between circadian disruption and dietary excess in metabolic dysregulation, potentially impacting overall health.
Unlocking the green revolution CRISPR-cas9 and the future of sustainable plant breeding: A review
Get PDFAgriculture underwent significant changes with the Green Revolution, which substantially increased food production; however, with the global population projected to reach 11.2 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to continue rising. Researchers are employing novel technologies, such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) genome editing, to address this issue. The information is gathered using keywords such as "green revolution," "CRISPR-Cas9," "sustainable agriculture," "gene editing," and "crop improvement" from authenticated sources, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and NCBI. This review explores the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 to unlock new possibilities for crop improvement, with a focus on enhancing resistance to pests and diseases. Creating crops with inbuilt defenses could reduce chemical pesticide use, improving environmental and human health. Increased stress tolerance can be achieved by genetically altering crops to resist heat, salt, drought, and other environmental challenges, thereby ensuring food security. CRISPR-Cas9 also enables biofortification, enhancing crops with essential vitamins and minerals, thereby addressing dietary inadequacies and malnutrition. Introducing genes that enable nitrogen fixation within crops may reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promoting environmentally friendly farming. The application of CRISPR-Cas9 in agriculture is also subject to regulatory frameworks, potential unexpected consequences, and ethical considerations, all of which require careful evaluation. This review highlights these aspects, emphasizing that responsible research and development are essential for the ethical and long-term use of this technology. It attempts to illustrate the transformative capability of this technology for creating a more sustainable and food-secure future by critically assessing its possibilities and challenges.
Biocontrol potential of Flemingia wightiana: A natural weapon against Culex quinquefasciatus
Get PDFGlobally, mosquito-borne diseases, particlulalry those transmitted by Culex quincquefasciatus pose a significant public health challenge. Traditional methods of eradication using synthetic insecticides pose environmental concerns and a risk of developing insecticide-resistant varieties. Here, the use of plant-based biopesticides offers a safer and sustainable alternative. The study aimed to investigate the insecticidal properties of Flemingia wightiana (FW) leaves by synthesising leaf extracts and silver nanoparticles. The toxicity of the test samples was tested on Oreochromis niloticus at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L. Furthermore, the test samples were subjected to lethality assay on C. quinquefasciatus. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of crude extract and silver nanoparticles of F. wightiana at varying concentrations, specifically 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L. Ovicidal, emergency and larvicidal activity were studied. The results indicated significant larvicidal activity and exhibited better potential for toxicity against Culex larvae treated with AgNPs. FW-AgNPs have substantial effect in delaying the hatching of mosquito eggs. Moulting of larvae from one instar to the next was also delayed by treatment with AgNPs. The findings demonstrated that FW-AgNPs play a significant role in controlling C. quinquefasciatus populations.
Effect of tillage and green manuring on soil moisture content cultivating maize (Zea mays L.)
Get PDFAmid increasing climate variability and soil degradation, the need for soil and water conservation has become of utmost importance for India’s future, supporting sustainable agricultural production and the conservation of natural resources. Keeping this as a focal point, the present study conducted a two years’ field study on the effect of tillage and green manuring on soil moisture content cultivating maize (Zea mays L.) during the kharif (May-September) seasons of 2022 and 2023 in the experimental farm of the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus. The field was laid out in a split-plot design with two factors: tillage and green manuring. The study revealed that in the main plot, the implementation of minimum tillage (TM) was found to be superior to conventional tillage (TC) in conserving soil moisture content by 0.73% at 30 DAS, 0.35% at 60 DAS, 1.37% at 90 DAS, and 0.92% at 120 DAS. In subplot G4, i.e., Green manuring with cowpea at 4 tonnes ha-1, the soil moisture content increased by 18.32%, 21.86%, 21.18%, and 25.07% at 30, 60, 90, and 120 DAS, respectively, compared to the control plots G0. In the interaction between tillage and green manuring, TMG4 i.e. minimum tillage + cowpea @ 4 tonnes ha-1 was found to be superior over all the other treatment combination resulting in an increase of 19.94%, 23.47%, 23.38% and 27.19% in 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAS respectively as compared to TCG0 i.e. conventional tillage + control, which exhibited the worst performing treatment combination to maintain and increase soil moisture content.
Isolation of Bacillus spp. with multi-enzyme activity for enhanced degradation of kitchen organic waste and PLA/PBAT bioplastics
Get PDFThe increasing accumulation of municipal organic waste along with bioplastics presents a pressing environmental challenge. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize multi-enzyme-producing bacteria from wood-feeding termites and mangrove soil, with a focus on their potential applications in the degradation of organic waste and bioplastics.
Bacterial isolates were collected from termites and mangrove soil samples, and subjected to preliminary screening. Cellulolytic activity was assessed using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plates and quantitative CMCase assays. Multi-enzyme production was evaluated through specific enzymatic assays for amylase, protease, lipase, gelatinase, and ligninase activities. Bacterial identification was performed using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Kitchen waste degradation studies were conducted over 90 days under controlled conditions, while bioplastic Polylactic Acid (PLA)/Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT] degradation was monitored for 45 days. Structural changes in bioplastics were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Among nineteen bacterial isolates (Eleven from mangrove soil (M) and eight from termites (T)), isolates M9 and T3 exhibited the highest cellulase activity. Further screening revealed their ability to produce a suite of enzymes, including amylase, protease, lipase, gelatinase, and ligninase. Biochemical and molecular analyses identified both isolates as Bacillus spp.. These strains demonstrated effective degradation of kitchen waste over 90 days, producing a paste-like residue compared to control samples. However, only partial degradation of bioplastics (PLA/PBAT) was observed after 45 days, as confirmed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), indicating limited structural changes. The findings underscore the potential of Bacillus spp. from natural ecosystems as bioresource candidates for multi-enzyme production and organic waste bioconversion. However, the limited bioplastic degradation observed also raises concerns about the environmental persistence of commercially marketed bioplastics. This study emphasizes the significance of examining microbial diversity for sustainable waste management solutions and challenges the degradability claims associated with certain bioplastic products.
Distribution of soil fertility under various management systems of paddy fields of organic, semi-organic, and inorganic using clay content as a modified indicator
Get PDFThe amount of chemical inputs influences long-term soil nutrient balance. Therefore, different management practices will determine the sustainability of land use. This study aimed to determine the effects of paddy field management systems on the Soil Fertility Index (SFI), identify the characteristics of clay content and its effects on SFI, and identify the determinants of SFI. The originality of this research lies in identifying the determinants of soil fertility based on soil characteristics, enabling more focused, effective, and efficient land management recommendations. Soil sampling was carried out at 24 points, comprising 8 LMUs, across 3 types of rice field management and slope gradients (8-15%) in Purwantoro District, Wonogiri Regency. Parameters observed included pH, organic carbon (organic C), Total Nitrogen (N), available Phosphorus (P), available Potassium (K), base saturation, cation exchange capacity (CEC), Aluminium (Al) saturation, and clay content. The SFI class was generated by matching data with classification, while the influence of rice field management type on SFI was analyzed using ANOVA and the determining factors of SFI were analyzed using correlation test. The study found that the soil fertility index ranged from 0.33 (low) to 0.50 (moderate). The soil fertility of each type of rice field management varied, with organic rice fields having the highest soil fertility (0.48c), semi-organic rice fields (0.42c), and conventional rice fields (0.36a). Soil fertility was also related to the proportion of clay (r2=0.2112). The strongest factors determining soil fertility were Organic Carbon (0.905) and CEC (0.805).
Evaluating the performance of millet-based pulse intercropping on weed dynamics, nutrient uptake and productivity of little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) under rainfed condition
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore during the season of rabi 2023–2024 to evaluate the effect of pulse intercropping on productivity of little millet under rainfed condition. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) consisting of eleven treatments and three replications. The treatment includes T1-little millet sole crop, T2-little millet + black gram (4:1), T3-little millet + black gram (6:1), T4-little millet + green gram (4:1), T5-little millet + green gram (6:1), T6-little millet + redgram (4:1), T7-little millet + redgram (6:1), T8-little millet + cowpea (4:1), T9-little millet + cowpea (6:1), T10-little millet + bengal gram (4:1) and T11-little millet + bengal gram (6:1). It was found that the higher plant height (34.2, 127.6 & 133.6 cm) and DMP (2409, 5463 & 5943 kg ha-1) was observed in little millet + black gram (4:1) (T2) at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest stage which was also recorded maximum and equivalent grain and straw yield of 1326 and 4109 kg ha-1. The same intercropping ratio recorded higher microbial population. However, little millet + cowpea (4:1) (T8) registered lower weed density (8.4, 5.9 & 4.5 m-2) and dry weight (9.0, 5.9 and 4.5 g m-2) with higher weed control efficiency at all the stages of observation. Comparing different treatments, the NPK uptake of base crop was higher in little millet + black gram (6:1) (T3) (40.8, 5.7 and 33.5 kg ha-1) and the NPK uptake of intercrop was higher in little millet + cowpea (4:1) (T8) (5.7, 1.6 and 3.6 kg ha-1)
Imidacloprid (IMI) toxicity in fishes: A review
Get PDFOver the last few decades, the extensive application of pesticides has increased agricultural productivity. Neonicotinoid’s (NEOs), a fourth generation of pesticides that arose after organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates, are frequently utilized worldwide. Neonicotinoids have been shown to leach from soil and end up in groundwater or runoff, which badly affects the health of various animals. Among these, imidacloprid (IMI) was the first viable neonicotinoid. IMI is a colorless crystal having the chemical family chloronicotinyl (Neonicotinoid) with a photolytic half-life of 1.2h in deionized water irradiated to UV rays and 126 min in tap water formulated as confidor insecticide. Its great potency at low dosage, low volatility, and high-water solubility (hydrophilic) with low bioaccumulation, nevertheless badly affects the body organs (liver, kidney, gills, etc.) of exposed organisms. IMI widely poses significant threats to aquatic ecosystems, particularly fish, due to its potential toxicity. Understanding the multi-dimensional impacts of IMI toxicity in fish is vital to formulating mitigating plans and suitable pesticide alternatives to safeguard aquatic environments. This review article discusses the long-term effects of IMI on fishes, including disruptions in developmental processes, biochemical alterations, oxidative stress, behavior and alteration in various enzyme activities. Despite numerous studies on IMI toxicity in fish, there is a lack of a comprehensive review that compares different aspects of its toxicity in different fish species. Therefore, this review aims to bridge that gap in current knowledge about IMI toxicity in various fish species and provides a strong basis for future research to safeguard aquatic ecosystems from its harmful effects. In addition, the practical importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the protective potential of various antioxidants against pesticide toxicity have also been highlighted.
Evaluation of bacterial biosurfactant activities as an anticancer and antibiofilm agent
Get PDFRhamnolipids are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas sp. that can be applied in many fields, such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food processing. The rhamnolipid utilized in the present study was produced from Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Different rhamnolipid concentrations were evaluated as anticancer agents against cancer cell lines, including the Hela cell line and the L20B cell line, and as antibiofilm agents against four pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results showed that the rhamnolipid inhibited the proliferation of the cervical cancer cell line (Hela) during exposure. The inhibitory effect of rhamnolipid against the Hela cell line increased with the increasing concentration of rhamnolipid. The 750 µg/ml concentration recorded a higher inhibitory effect, while the 50 µg/ml concentration recorded a lower inhibitory effect against the Hela cell line. Similarly, the concentration of 750 µg/ml recorded a higher inhibitory effect, while the concentration of 62.5 µg/ml recorded a lower inhibitory effect against the L20B cell line. The results exhibited the best rhamnolipid activity as an antibiofilm agent against pathogenic bacteria at a concentration of 1 mg/ml for E. coli, B. cereus, and K. pneumoniae, while exhibiting the best antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 2 mg/ml when incubated with different concentrations of rhamnolipid. The rhamnolipid showed high effectiveness as antibiofilm and anticancer agent, which constitutes a promising agent for use against pathogenic bacteria to prevent the formation of biofilm and an alternative therapeutic agent as an anticancer.
Role of IL-22 and TNF-α in pulmonary candidiasis and its effects as immunomodulation through Dectin-2 receptor mediation
Get PDFPulmonary fungal infections are severe and potentially fatal conditions caused by various fungi, with varying levels of seriousness. The present study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory role of IL-22 and TNF-α in patients with pulmonary candidiasis. Sputum specimens from 106 (Male/Female) outpatients were collected at the Consultation Clinic for Chest and Respiratory Diseases in Salah Al-Din Governorate in Tikrit – Iraq, from June 2022 to December 2022. The age groups ranged from 20 -75 years. Phenotypic identification of isolates was performed based on Gram reaction, direct wet preparation (10% KOH), and HiCrome™ candida differential agar. Complete species identification was confirmed using the Vitek2® compact system. The study patients\u27 stimulation of IL-22 and TNF-α production through the 4Dectin-2 (CLEC6A) receptor was also examined. The results revealed that 40 of the collected specimens (37.7%) were confirmed as Candida. albicans. Dectin-2 (CLEC6A) expression indicates the concurrent release of TNF-α and IL-22 cytokines in response to C. albicans. The study determined that C. albicans was the main cause of pulmonary candidiasis. These findings can provide valuable insights to optimize the treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the patient’s quality of life