Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Helminth infection in Anabas testudineus of three wetlands of Goalpara, Assam
Get PDFAnabas testudineus (Bloch) is a popular eatable fresh water fish. The fishes infested with helmnthic infection may be died off and the production may be decreased. Besides, the parasites could pass through man and other animals. The occurrence of parasites and their prevalence and intensity in the fish was studied from March, 2012 to February, 2013 in Hasila, Kumri and Urpad wetlands of Goalpara district of Assam. Three trematodes and six nematodes were collected from 309 out of 547 host fish. The trematodes were identified as Asymphylodora kedarai, Brahamputratrema sp., Neopodocotyl sp. and the nematodes were Camallanus anabantis, C.trichuris, C.intestinalus, Onchocamallanus sp., Parascarophis sp, and Cosmoxynemoid nandusi
Enzyme changes during seed storage in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Get PDFA change in enzyme activity in seeds due to ageing is a topic of scientific importance. Vigour is essentially a physiological phenomenon influenced by the reserved metabolites, enzyme activities and growth regulators. The exact cause of loss of seed vigour and viability is still unknown as deterioration of seed is a complex process. In the presence of oxygen, ageing of seed can lead to peroxidative changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The free radical -induced non-enzymatic peroxidation, which has the potential to damage membrane, is likely to be a primary cause of deterioration of stored seeds. Certain anabolic enzymes help in maintaining viability while some catabolic enzymes decrease viability. The seed catalase and peroxidase activity seem to be decreased during storage. The results revealed that the peroxidase enzyme activity decreased from 0.236 to 0.444 OD 10 min-1 when storage period increased. A decrease in catalase activity from 0.454 to 0.444 ?g H2O2 mg-1 min-1 followed by a small increase from 0.434 to 0.452 ?g H2O2 mg-1 min-1 was observed during storage. But the activity of lipase enzyme increased from 0.236 to 0.231 meq min-1g-1 of sample when the storage period was increased. The study would help to know the deterioration pattern of stored groundnut seeds
Heterosis analysis in relation to drought tolerance in rice land races and their genotypes
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted in rice to study the heterosis for drought tolerance and grain yield in 24 hybrids developed from six landraces viz., Kallurundaikar, Kuliadichan, Kuruvaikalangiam, Mattaikar, Nootripathu and Vellaichithiraikar used as lines and four high yielding varieties viz., PMK 3, MDU 5, ASD 16 and ADT 36 used as testers for physio-morphological traits by Line x tester analysis. The experimental results revealed that the hybrids viz., Nootripathu / MDU 5, which had significant standard heterosis for eight characters namely days to 50% flowering, plant height, productive tillers, root length, root dry weight, root : shoot ratio, harvest index and grain yield per plant, Nootripathu / PMK 3 exhibited significant standard heterosis for seven characters namely plant height, root length, root dry weight, root : shoot ratio, 100 grain weight, harvest index, and grain yield per plant were found to be superior hybrids over the standard check variety PMK 3. High proline content which is an index for drought tolerance was recorded in hybrid Kuruvaikalangiam / ADT 36 (11.94%) exhibited significant standard heterosis which is found to be drought tolerant among the hybrids
Field efficacy of some biorationals against the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Get PDFField trials were conducted to evaluate the acaricidal potential of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera and Glyccirrhyza glabra against the mobile stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch on cucumber. The treatments responded in a concentration dependent manner. Highest reduction in T. urticae population was achieved with Omite (0.05%) followed by Nimbecidine (5ml/l), B. bassiana (1010 spores ml-1), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores ml-1), G. Glabra (7.5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), W. somnifera (5%) and W. somnifera (2.5%). Higher yield was recorded in all the treatments as compared to control. In terms of percent increase in yield, Omite caused highest increase (23.65% over control) followed by Nimbecidine, B. bassiana (1010 spores/ ml), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores/ ml), G. Glabra (7.5%), W. somnifera (5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), and W. somnifera (2.5%) showing 13.97, 11.82, 10.75, 8.67, 8.67, 8.6, 6.76, 6.48 and 6.45 percent increase over control, respectively. These data suggest that the tested biorationals at higher concentrations have the potential to be employed in pest management programs designed for T. urticae control
A study on biochemical composition of the sting gland (poison gland) and the reservoir (poison sac) of the dwarf honey bee Apis florea F. workers
Get PDFThe glands associated with the sting apparatus of worker honey bee Apis florea produce Venom which is known to be composed of a wide spectrum of biomolecules ranging from biogenic amines to peptides and proteins. The Venom apparatus showed the presence of two important associated exocrine glands i.e. Venom gland and Dufors gland. The secretions of both glands are apocrine and are released into the lumen to be stored in the venom sac. The presence of some exocrine cells in the distal part of venom sac which is otherwise known to only store the component of Venom gland led to the present study. The present study that there were considerable differences in the biochemical composition of Venom gland and Venom sac secretions of Apis species The concentration of lipids (Sting gland =1.423±0.0001 and Reservoir = 1.21±0.0067), proteins (Sting gland=0.440±0.0226, Reservoir = 0.390± 0.032), activity of acid phosphatase (Sting gland=112.09±21.100, Reservoir=22.63±1.467) and hexokinase (Sting gland=20.7±4.016, Reservoir=10.66±2.465) was found to be more in case of Venom gland while cholesterol(Sting gland=0.138±0.0161 reservoir=0.324±0.00323), glucose (Sting gland=189±1.31, Reservoir=321±7.19), free amino acids, and activity of alkaline phosphatase (Sting gland=21.03±0.195 Reservoir=22.4±0.685) was more in Venom sac. Glycogen was absent in both Venom gland and Venom sac of Apis species as confirmed by the absence of glucose-6-phosphatase activity. It is established from the present study that Venom sac also secretes various biochemicals and enzymes which are added to the total Venom
Mass exchange evaluation during optimization of osmotic dehydration for Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-caju) in salt-sugar solution
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to investigate the osmotic dehydration of Oyster mushrooms in salt-sugar solution at different solution concentrations, immersion times, temperatures and solution to fruit ratio to analyze the water loss, solute gain and weight reduction. Salt-sugar uptake and water transfer were quantitatively investigated during osmotic dehydration of Oyster mushrooms using response surface methodology. Experiments were conducted in a thermostatically controlled agitating incubator. With respect to water loss, solute gain and weight reduction both linear and quadratic effects of four process variables were found to be significant. For each response, second order polynomial models were developed using multiple linear regression analysis. ANOVA was performed to check the adequacy and accuracy of the fitted models. The response surfaces and contour maps showing the interaction of process variables were constructed. Applying desirability function method, the optimum operating conditions were found to be: solution temperature – 42.3° C, immersion time – 44.21 min, salt-sugar concentration – 15 %: 52.57° B and solution to fruit ratio 4.99:1. At these optimum values, water loss, solute gain and weight reduction was 41, 2.15 and 38.6 (g/100 g initial mass) respectively
A study on water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes as oil sorbent
Get PDFThe sorption of diesel, lubricant and castor oils onto different parts (root, stem and leaf) of the dry biomass water hyacinth was studied at the laboratory scale. The parts of the aquapyte water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) were characterized by physico-chemical methods and the characteristics were used to elucidate the oil sorption process. Hydrophobicity, wettability (capillarity), buoyancy and sorption capacity of oils in the presence/absence of water were studied to evaluate the suitability of the sorbent for application. In all the three sorbents, theoil sorption capacity increases with the increase of oil film thickness. However of the three parts, the stem has a greater sorption capacity of 9.3, 7.8 and 11.08 g/g for the three oils such as diesel, lubricant and castor oils respectively, even though the root of water hyacinth showed a higher hydrophobicity and surface area. These sorption capacities are comparable with widely used commercial oil sorbent such as nonwoven polypropylene which has a sorption capacity in the range of 10-16 g/g
Optimization of osmotic dehydration process for Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-caju) in sodium chloride solution using RSM
Get PDFSodium chloride (NaCl) and water transfer were quantitatively investigated during osmotic dehydration of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-caju) using response surface methodology with the NaCl concentration (10– 20%, w/v), solution temperature (30–60° C) immersio n time (15–240 min) and solution to fruit ratio (4:1 to 8:1) were taken as independent process variables. Experiments were conducted in a thermostatically controlled agitating incubator. For each response, second order polynomial models were developed using multiple linear regression analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to check the adequacy and accuracy of the fitted models. The response surfaces and contour maps showing the interaction of process variables were constructed. Applying desirability function method, the optimum operating conditions were found to be: solution temperature – 45o C, immersion time – 53.54 min, salt concentration – 14.09% and solution to fruit ratio 6.08:1. Corresponding to these optimum values water loss, solute gain and weight reduction were 38.13, 2.1 and 36.02 (g/100 g initial mass) respectively
Normalizing of estrous cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) induced rats with Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers.
Get PDFThis study evaluates the potentiality of an herbal plant Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. in the treatment of Letrozole induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using female Albino wistar rats. Seed powder of T. purpurea at concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight with milk as a carrier vehicle 3ml/kg body weight, given for at least 3 consecutive estrous cycles. Vaginal smear, FSH, LH, Testosterone, and Estrogen were analyzed to determine the fluctuations in sex steroid level in PCOS induced rats. The plasma testosterone and estrogen levelwere found to be significantly increased in rats with PCOS whereas Follicle stimulating hormone and Leutinizing hormone did not show any changes. When compared with control the PCOS induced rats showed characteristic ovary with high incidence of ovarian cyst. All the parameters assessed were significantly improved after the treatment with T. purpurea and achieved level close to 80% normalcy. Effect of T. purpurea significantly reduced histopathological changes in ovary and endocrinological and biochemical changes induced by hyperandrogenism. Further to check ovulation and fertility female rats were mated and pregnancy was confirmed. Thus potential of T. purpurea in the treatment of PCOS using an animal model suggested being a good alternative therapy in the treatment of PCOS
Effect of Cassava mill effluent on some soil chemical properties and the growth of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.)
Get PDFIn the trials, Cassava mill Effluent was used for fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) cultivation in order to verify the influence of the effluent on the growth and some soil chemical properties. In this regard, a completely randomized and randomized complete block designs were used in the greenhouse and field trials respectively with 6 treatments replicated 3 times. In the greenhouse, the following rates of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ml per 5 kg topsoil were used while in the field trial, 0, 40000, 80000, 120000, 160000 and 200000 litres/ha were utilized. The rates used in the field were equivalent to those of greenhouse. In both trials, the cassava mill effluent was applied 2 weeks prior to transplanting the seedlings. Results indicated that the cassava mill effluent significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil pH, organic carbon, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn whereas the exchangeable acidity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with corresponding increase in cassava mill effluent treatments. Except N and Na, which declined with corresponding increase in the cassava mill effluent treatments, an improved P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn components was achieved in cassava mill effluent polluted plants compared to control. The plant height, significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increased cassava mill effluent treatment in the greenhouse trial while in the field trial, 120000 litres/ha was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than other treatments. In the greenhouse trial, significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of leaves was attained in 100 ml treatment compared to other treatments whereas in the field trial, the 120000 and 200000 litres/ha were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to other treatment