Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Chilli plants (Capsicum annuum L. var Dumay) volatiles induced by Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Get PDFChilli plants respond to injury caused by herbivorous insects by emitting various volatile compounds. Insects that infest have different mouths; the difference in mouth type is thought to influence the volatiles released by plants. This research aimed to identify volatile compounds released by chilli plants (Capsicum annuum L. var Dumay) due to infestation by chewing and piercing-sucking insects. Capture of volatile compounds using the Headspace Solid-Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) method. The results showed differences in the composition of volatile compounds released by chilli plants infested by herbivores with different mouth types. Chilli plants not infested by herbivores release as many as 34 compounds. There were 24 volatile compounds released by chilli plants infested by Aphis gossypii and 27 compounds infested by Spodoptera litura. Infestation by herbivores with different mouth types triggers the synthesis of new compounds. Undecane was the only specific compound produced by chilli plants infested by A. gossypii and S. litura. In addition, herbivore infests trigger an increase in the proportion of some volatile compounds. The compound with the highest proportion in chilli plants infested by A. gossypii was eucalyptol (12.92%), while that infested by S. litura was o-xylene (11.77%). Naturally, the volatile substance with the highest proportion was cis-3-hexenyl acetate (21.22%). These findings can be the basis for developing more effective and sustainable pest control strategies and support further understanding plant defence mechanisms against herbivore infestation.
fimH adhesin-related gene and biofilm formation in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from AL-Hillah/ Iraq
Get PDFUropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the main causative agent of urinary tract infection and their ability to build biofilms leads to increases its severity and makes its removal difficult: The objective was to validate the species- specific primers designed to amplify the target sequence in E. coli genes (uidA encoding β-D-glucuronidase, yiaO encoding outer membrane protein and 16SrRNA) in contrast to clinical isolates previously identified as Shigella dysenteriae and Klebsiella pneumoniae and to investigate the possible relationship between the prevalence and sequence variations of fimH gene and the intensity of biofilm formation. Primers were designed based on the database available for E. coli in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for uidA, yaiO and 16SrRNA genes sequences. fimH virulence genes were investigated in fifty E. coli isolates of UTI patients by using PCR assay followed by sequence analysis of fimH among isolates with different degree of biofilm strength. Gel electrophoresis presented bands for uidA, yaiO, and 16SrRNA genes in all E. coli isolates. However, no bands were detected among isolates of Shigella dysenteriae and Klebsiella pneumoniae species. DNA sequence analysis for fimH gene revealed three positions of variations were repeatedly detected among strong biofilm former isolates leading to changes in their amino acid types. The uidA, yaiO, and 16SrRNA genes represented an ideal target for the identification of E. coli since all primers achieved exclusively related fragments. Variations of amino acid types among three biofilm phenotypic categories might be responsible for structural and functional heterogenicity of type 1 fimbria D-mannose specific adhesion protein.
Effect of pollination on fruit set and quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Kashmir Valley, India
Get PDFPollinators play a crucial role in the reproduction of cherries, ensuring successful fruit set and enhancing the quality and yield of cherries. The study aimed to highlight the crucial role of insect pollinators in enhancing the fruit set and quality of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) in orchards of the Kashmir Valley, with significant implications for sustainable horticultural practices. Utilizing a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments and three replications, the contributions of three key pollinators Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, and Eristalis tenax were systematically evaluated. While all pollination treatments resulted in 100% fruit set, notable differences in fruit quality were observed based on pollinator species and visit frequency. A. mellifera emerged as the most effective pollinator, attributed to its high foraging rate (1.65 flowers per second) and strong fidelity. It produced the largest fruits (18.00 mm), highest fruit weight (8.82 g), lowest acidity (1.12% citric acid), and highest TSS (17.90°Brix). A. cerana also contributed significantly, particularly under multiple visit scenarios, yielding fruit size of 17.10 mm, weight of 7.22 g, acidity of 1.44%, and total soluble solids (TSS) of 16.57°Brix. Though E. tenax exhibited lower efficiency, it still played a supplemental role, improving fruit characteristics moderately with repeated visits. Foraging efficiency, measured as time spent per flower, further reinforced the dominance of A. mellifera (8.34 seconds/minute/flower) over A. cerana (9.38 seconds/minute/flower) and E. tenax (11.34 seconds/flower).
Role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide in controlling bacterial biofilm formation
Get PDFBiofilm is a virulence factor used by pathogenic bacteria to facilitate their attachment to the host, thereby facilitating infection. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) is a large amphipathic molecule found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, was extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa by chloroform-methanol method, lyophilized, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and found many chemical compounds like, (11,14-eicosadienoic acid methyl ester, cis-13-Octadecenoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, and 9,12-octadecadienoyl chloride, (Z, Z), to determine their inhibitory effect at four concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/cm3) on biofilm formation in four species of bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Mesorhizobium cicero, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. It was found that the concentration of 100 mg/cm³ was effective in inhibiting the formation of biofilms in the three pathological species.Nevertheless, it had no inhibitory effect on the formation of biofilms by M.cicero. Some genes encoding proteins specific to the adhesion of bacteria to their host were also identified as part of the biofilm mechanism.The results showed that the studied bacteria retained some of these genes and lost others, as evidenced by the appearance of bundles on the agarose gel or not.In A. tumefaciens, the celA and celR genes were found to encode cellulose fibres that allow it to adhere to its plant host, M. cicero. M. cicero and S.aureus were found to possess both the NodC and eno genes, but they lost the Nod and ebps genes, respectively. Meanwhile, E. coli exhibited a loss of the FimH gene, which is responsible for its association with the pathogenicity.
Ethnobotanical survey, antioxidant activity of Pistacia lentiscus leaf extract from Honaïne region (Tlemcen, North-West Algeria) using in vitro and in silico methods
Get PDFIn recent decades, the study of traditional use of medicinal and aromatic plants has gained in importance. Among these plants, Pistacia lentiscus, a traditional medicinal species widespread in Algeria, belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is characterized by its persistent leaves. It is known locally as "Darw" and is recognized for its several therapeutic virtues since antiquity. This study aimed to gain an understanding traditional use of P. lentiscus by the local population of the Honaïne region, through ethnobotanical surveys, antioxidant capacity evaluation using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) free radical scavenging method and docking simulation to predict and evaluate the effectiveness of ligand in binding to the active sites of the receptor glutathione (3R3E). The work showed that this medicinal plant was the most used species in this area, particularly for its therapeutic properties in treating respiratory problems (20%), rheumatism (16%), stomach and intestinal inflammation (14%), and dermatological affections (12%). Its leaves were the most widely used part of the plant (40%), with decoction being the main mode of preparation (35%). The spectrophotometric analyses revealed that this organ had a high total phenolic compounds content (80 mg GAE/g DW) and exhibited satisfactory antioxidant activity (IC50: 0.37 mg/ml), confirming its traditional uses. The molecular docking simulations identified 3,4,5-tri-O-galloylquinic acid as a promising compound with a high docking score against the glutathione 3R3E enzyme (-8.24 kcal/mol). This study highlights the potential for promoting the production of natural antioxidants from P. lentiscus as a replacement for synthetic products and the contribution to the knowledge of medicinal flora in Algeria.
Study of the floristic diversity of the Maamora cork oak forest in northwest Morocco
Get PDFThe Maamora forest, located in northwest Morocco, is one of the largest continuous cork oak forests in the Mediterranean basin. Since the last comprehensive floristic survey in 2005, the forest has been highly affected by human activities and climate change, making an updated list of its plant diversity both timely and necessary. This study aimed to renew the knowledge of the floristic composition of the forest and assess its actual ecological context. During 95 days of fieldwork between 2021 and 2023, a systematic sampling was conducted across 57 representative sites within the natural cork oak zone. The survey documented 171 species and subspecies, distributed across 132 genera and 38 families, with 64 taxa recently reported in the Maamora. The most represented families were Asteraceae (26 species), Fabaceae (23 species), Poaceae (19 species), and Caryophyllaceae (13 species). The life-form spectrum was dominated by therophytes (60.82%), followed by geophytes (16.37%) and hemicryptophytes (10.53%). A total of 22 endemic species were recorded, including 9 strictly endemic to Morocco. Although most species (84%) were found not to be concerned by the IUCN red list, 41% of the endemic taxa were classified as threatened. This updated inventory highlights ongoing ecological changes in the Maamora forest and provides a valuable reference for future conservation strategies and sustainable forest management in the region.
Impact of different mycorrhizal species and leaf extracts on nutrient content, fruit yield, and quality of Satluj Purple plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)
Get PDFMycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic associations between plants and fungi that are a wonderful advantage to horticulturists. They enhance nutrient assimilation and promote overall plant growth, evaluating the impact of combining different mycorrhizal species and leaf extracts on fruit nutrients and plum quality. The present study sought to evaluate the impact of various mycorrhizal species- Oidiodendron echinulatum (MTCC No. 1356) (Oe), Rhizophagus irregularis (Strain no. MUCL57021) (Ri) and Rhizophagus fasciculatus (Strain no. OR563927) (Rf) in combination with leaf extracts (LE) on nutrient composition and quality factors of Satluj Purple plum. The study design employed a Randomized Block Design factorial arrangement with eight treatments (Control, LE- custard apple, citrus and guava leaf extracts @0.5%, Oe, OeLE, Ri, RiLE, Rf, RfLE) that had three replications. Among eight various treatments, Rf with custard apple, citrus, and guava leaf extracts (RfLE) had a beneficial effect on nutritional parameters, fruiting traits, yield, and quality traits of Satluj purple plum. Additionally, Oe with custard apple, citrus, and guava leaf extracts (OeLE) was significant following RfLE for fruit nutrient, yield, and quality determination. These mycorrhizal fungi and leaf extracts (RfLE) combinations showed enhanced nitrogen (2.83%), phosphorus (0.45%), and potassium (3.26%) absorption, indicating superior quality and nutrient content. Pearson\u27s correlation also quantified the strength and direction of single treatments and variables, which indicated the direct and indirect effects of variables. Thus, the dual use of RfLE and leaf extract is useful not just for alleviating the nutritional value but also for enhancing the calibre of fruit quality of plum fruit.
Total phenolic content and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity of microbial extract of defatted biomass of mutant Pseudochlorella pringsheimii EMM2
Get PDFMicroalgal biomass is considered to be a renewable source for organic antioxidants. The present study aimed to evaluate the defatted biomass (DB) of the mutated green microalga Pseudochlorella pringsheimii EMM2 for increasing total phenolic content (TPC) extraction and antioxidant activity via microbial fermentation. Three distinct bacterial strains, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Accession number: KT276356), B. stearothermophilus (Accession number: KT282130), and B. subtilis (Accession number: KT282131) were obtained from sago industrial wastewater, utilized the hydrolysate from the DB of P. pringsheimii EMM2 as the exclusive medium for fermentation in this work. Among these bacterial strains, B. stearothermophilus was chosen for further investigation due to its effectiveness in enhancing the extraction of TPC and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysate of DB through fermentation. The fermentation conditions were optimized using a classical method, identifying the optimum physical parameters as a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 55 °C, an agitation speed of 150 rpm, and a fermentation time of 40 hours for maximizing the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysate of DB. Under these optimal conditions, a 6.11-fold increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in the hydrolysate. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the DB of the mutant microalga P. pringsheimii EMM2 is a valuable source for TPC production through fermentation with B. stearothermophilus.
Response to nitrogen management through different sources and modes on the productivity of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) in the North Cauvery deltaic zones of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFIntensive agriculture with mono-cropping leads to many losses in terms of soil fertility concerns. Similarly, the inclusion of quality protein and dietary fibre in food consumption is quite alarming due to the majority of health issues faced by human beings. However, several crops are on the list, and only a few crops, pseudo-cereal like quinoa, can survive in climate-resilient conditions with higher protein content in their grain. Though quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a new emerging crop in India, the present study aimed to ascertain its productivity response for different sources and modes of nitrogen. The field experiments were conducted in farmers\u27 fields in Sivapuri village, Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, from February to May 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and replicated thrice. The growth parameters and yield components of quinoa increased due to nano fertilizers sprayed under the vegetative and flowering stages. The results exposed that positive influence noticed on the growth and yield attributes such as Plant height (139.7), Leaf Area Index (LAI) (2.44), Dry Matter Production (1018.8 kg ha-1), Number of branches plant-1 (38.08) yield attributes such as panicle length (35.9) number of panicle plant-1 (8.69) number of grains panicle-1 (3182.5), grain yield 2655 kg ha-1 and stalk yield of 3331.8 g ha-1 in RDF (NF) + 0.5% N through Nano Urea (Foliar) imposed treatment (T8) over other combination of fertilizers sources and modes of treatments which added another platform to the beginners of quinoa growing farmers in north Cauvery deltaic zones of Tamil Nadu.
Sub-lethal effects of a binary mixture of urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) on earthworm, Eisenia fetida biomass accumulation and body wall histology
Get PDFChemical fertilizers have increased agricultural yields and fed thousands of people for over 60 years. Synthetic additives (Urea and diammonium phosphate) increase yield but also increase soil contamination, residual chemical bioaccumulation, and impacts on soil fauna. Additionally, earthworms and other soil-dwelling microorganisms are at risk due to the use of chemical fertilizers. Urea and diammonium phosphate are commonly used fertilizers for cash crops (wheat, rice, maize, and soyabean) in managed agro-ecosystems. The present experiment aimed to study the impact of using chemical fertilizers in agricultural practices on soil-inhabiting earthworms, Eisenia fetida and the imposition of significant risks to farmers\u27 friends. The present study was designed to raise earthworms, E. fetida, in laboratory conditions according to OECD guidelines (1984) number 207, using artificial soil treated with a binary combination mixture of urea and DAP (LC10Urea+LC10DAP) for 60 days. Results showed that the presence of chemical fertilizers (LC10Urea+LC10DAP-a binary mixture) in the treatment exerted a sublethal toxicological effect on earthworms\u27 E. fetida capacity for biomass accumulation. On days 15 and 60, histological observation were also noted in the body wall of the earthworm, E. fetida. The number of galandular cells in the epithelial layer increases on day 15 to 60. On day 60 of E. fetida treatment group, a slight rupture in the epithelial layer is observed. The present study demonstrated that the detrimental effects of nitrogenous fertilizers on earthworms can have significant ecological repercussions for the entire terrestrial ecosystem, in addition to harming important soil fauna.