Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Habitat predilection of loach species Aborichthys uniobarensis through analysis of physicochemical parameters in Poma River, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India
Get PDFThe Poma River in Arunachal Pradesh serves as the primary habitat for Aborichthys uniobarensis, an ornamental fish species endemic to biodiversity hotspot. The present study aimed to investigate the habitat characteristics of Aborichthys uniobarensis within the Poma River. Given the species\u27 predominant presence in this river, understanding the water quality of the Poma River is crucial for further biological research, and of course conservation aspect of this fish species within in-situ as well ex-situ habitat. Over a two-year period (January 2018 to December 2019), the study assessed various physicochemical parameters (pH, water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids (TDS), free carbon dioxide (FCO2), alkalinity, total hardness, electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity) at three sites along the Poma River with seasonal comparisons. Water samples were randomly collected in the morning between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Samples were analysed based on the standard methods of APHA (2012). The results indicated consistent conditions across sites but significant variations by season and year (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests). Minimum values recorded were pH 6.29, WT 18.62°C, DO 6.55 mgL-1, BOD 3.85 mgL-1, TDS 29.78 mgL-1, FCO2 3.89 mgL-1, alkalinity 37.25 mgL-1, total hardness 23.71 mgL-1, EC 57.22 µs/cm, and salinity 0.05 ppt, while maximum values were pH 7.42, WT 25.43°C, DO 7.80 mgL-1, BOD 5.42 mgL-1, TDS 71.12 mgL-1, FCO2 6.48 mgL-1, alkalinity 59.34 mgL-1, total hardness 45.62 mgL-1, EC 117.33 µs/cm, and salinity 0.07 ppt. Simpson correlation tests revealed significant positive and negative correlations among the parameters. PCA analysis highlighted that WT, DO, pH, TDS, BOD, and FCO2 (both physical and chemical factors) have a greater influence on supporting A. uniobarensis, other fish species and the overall health of the river. As the values of habitat parameters were within the acceptable range, the River Poma is congenial for A. uniobarensis along with other species available in this particular riverine habitat.
Antimicrobial activity with special reference to antimycobacterial activity of the coral, Junceella delicata (Grasshoff,1999) collected from Madh island, West coast of Mumbai, India
Get PDFThe world now needs new antimicrobial drugs because many infections are resistant to existing treatments. Many microbial infections pose a significant global health challenge and a critical need for new, effective treatment. Soft corals are being explored for their potential as sources of new antimicrobial drugs. The present study aimed to determine the antimicrobial, antifungal, and antimycobacterial properties of the crude extract of coral Junceella delicata, collected from Madh island, Mumbai. The crude extract was prepared by adding an equal volume of methanol: dichloromethane (1:1) for 24 hours in the water bath at 45 ⁰C. The sample was filtered through Whatman filter paper No. 1 and was subjected to concentrate in a rotary vacuum evaporator at 45⁰ C. Further, antimycobacterial drugs viz. Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Rifampicin, and Streptomycin were used to compare the activity with crude extract of the coral. It was observed that Coral J. delicata extract showed a zone of inhibition against all the bacterial strains viz., Klebsiella pneumonia (15 mm), Escherichia coli (15 mm), Salmonella typhi (14 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (09 mm), Sarcina lutea (15 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (12 mm), Corynebacterium diphtheria (27 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (28 mm), whereas antifungal activity was observed in Penicillium sp.(10 mm), Candida albicans (14 mm) and no activity was observed in Aspergillus sp. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strain showed sensitivity at (25µg/ml of coral extract, nearly close to the standard antituberculosis drug pyrazinamide (3.2µg/ml). The above results indicated that the crude extract of J. delicata had antibacterial activity nearly against the standard antituberculosis drug Pyrazinamide.The study suggests the crude extract of coral J. delicata can be used as an antimicrobial agent to cure different diseases, including tuberculosis.
Mitigating of waterlogging associated problems by the management practices in the rice ecosystem of the Deltaic zone of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFCauvery Delta is the major rice-growing tract of Tamil Nadu. Continuous waterlogging is inevitable in the delta region due to unexpected heavy rain, leading to stunted crop growth and poor soil conditions. The present study aimed to alleviate the waterlogging-associated problems of stunted growth, crop nutrition deficiency, heavy algal growth and poor soil aeration issues in the heavy clayey soils of deltaic region of Tamil Nadu. Field experiments were laid out with the treatments viz., CuSO4,, (5kg/ha) (T1), Gypsum (500 kg/ha) (T2), Conoweeding+Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation(AWDI) (T3), microbial consortia (K and Zn solubilising Bacteria 500 ml/ha) (T4) control (T5) and combination of all (T6) except CuSO4 along with control . The results indicated that the T6 recorded higher plant height (110.2 cm), productive tillers/m2 of 332, filled grains of 118.3 and less chaffy grains of 20.3 nos, high nutrient status of 265 kg/ha of available N,35.4 kg/ha of available P,342 kg/ha of available K, 21.1meq/100 g of Ca,8.2 meq/100 g of Mg and root length and volume. The algal population in terms of dry biomass was reduced to 3.1 (g/m2) from the control group of 11.2 (g/m2) at 15 days after imposing treatment. The per cent increase of 26.0 % grain yield was also recorded in the combination treatment over control. From the present research, combined application of gypsum @500 kg/ha +Cono weeding twice +AWDI and microbial consortia of Zn and K solubilising bacteria @500ml/ha could be recommended for better soil environment and rice production in the delta region.
Identification and characterizations of a few species of Fusarium infecting cucumber in greenhouse conditions
Get PDFOne of the most problematic and devastating diseases affecting cucumber production is Fusarium wilt (Cucumis sativus L.). The present study aimed to characterize Fusarium species isolated from three different regions of cucumber fields in Babylon province, Iraq and identify them based on morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. This study showed the presence of Fusarium incarnatum, F. solani and F. oxysporum in cucumber roots. Fusarium species were phylogenetically analyzed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. All Fusarium isolates were pathogenic to cucumber cultivars but varied significantly in their growth and pathogenicity toward cucumber seeds during the experiment. F. solani-2 was greater in growth and pathogenicity than all other Fusarium species. In contrast, F. solani-1 was the lowest. The data obtained from morphological and molecular studies sufficiently supported each other, and the phylogenetic trees based on ITS were distinguished. Closely related species and distinctly separated all morphological taxa. These findings are reported for the first time for the cucumber plant in Babylon province. All these ITS sequences showed homologous to those of Fusarium species isolates in the GenBank database with a similarity percentage of 99%. To the best of present knowledge, this is the first molecular record of F. incarnatum on the cucumber plants in Iraq. The study concluded that F. incarnatum was reported for the first time in Iraq and worldwide as a causal agent of wilt disease in cucumber plants. The three species of Fusarium have different pathogenic abilities, highlighting their disease incidence, growth, and pathogenicity.
Probiotic bacteria as a healthy alternative for fish and biological control agents in aquaculture
Get PDFAquaculture is a rapidly expanding sector that contributes significantly to the global food supply, with Asia accounting for 90% of production and India being the second largest aquaculture fish producer. Probiotics are used in aquaculture techniques because of the need for aquatic organism development, higher disease resistance, and feed efficiency. Several potential probiotics have been shown to produce antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of harmful microbes and preserve intestinal microecological equilibrium by allowing them to stick to stomach surfaces, thus impairing pathogenic growth. Aquaculture has benefited various industries, pharmaceuticals, and global food security in recent decades. Nevertheless, the stress conditions that aquatic creatures experience in aquaculture cause fish to become less resilient to illness and weaken their immune systems. Therefore, impacts local people\u27s socioeconomic conditions and economic progress in many nations. Several approaches, including conventional practices, artificial chemicals, and antibiotics, have been used to control disease in the aquaculture sector. Hence, alternative techniques are far more important to keep the microbial ecosystem in aquaculture systems healthy. This review pre- sents the current understanding of probiotic use in aquaculture as a healthy alternative for fish and biological control agents in aquaculture and to find out its future direction for research.
Novel class of antimicrobials from the marine isolates of actinomycetes and their potential screening against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains
Get PDFMicrobial pathogenesis contributes a significant proportion to the global human mortality rate. Further, the outbreak of antimicrobial-resistant strains represents an alarming threat to human and animal healthcare, which drives scientific research on searching for novel antimicrobials. The present study is one such initiative to isolate new classes of antibiotics from the marine actinomycetes to combat the perpetual increase of multidrug-resistant strains. The soil samples from Tamil Nadu, India\u27s coastal regions, were collected, and eight isolates of the actinomycete species (S1, S1b, S2, S3, S4b, S4W, S4R, S5) were recovered. From their 16S rRNA sequencing, the isolates belonged to Streptomyces sp.; the phylogenetic tree was constructed through the neighbour-joining method. Further, the secondary metabolites of all the isolates were screened against ATCC strains, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25927) and Acinetobacter baumanni (ATCC 19606) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (OXA) and colistin-cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli (MCR). Of the eight isolates, S1b and S3 showed good inhibition for all the strains tested and their genomic sequences were sequenced and submitted to Genbank, MK641472 (S1b) & MK641473 (S3). Conclusively, their metabolites were purified using LC-MS and no resemblances were found with standard classes of antimicrobials such as nitrofurans, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, chloramphenicols or ivermectins, which suggests that these metabolites are novel and could be exploited for the prospective antimicrobial research.
Influence of Cassia occidentalis leaf and stem extracts on the life parameters of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762)
Get PDFMosquitoes are the most common disease vectors for several prevalent diseases, such as Dengue, Zika, Malaria, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and yellow fever. Since the last few years, the world has recorded an unprecedented rise in Aedes-borne dengue incidences. Frequent use of chemicals has resulted in hazardous effects on the environment, non-targets and humans, necessitating the need to develop a safer and more efficient control strategy using plant-based products. The present study investigated the effects of Cassia occidentalis on various biological parameters of the Aedes aegypti larvae. The hexane extracts obtained from the leaf and stem of the plant were utilized to treat the larvae for 24 hours. The LC50 values for the leaf and stem extracts of C. occidentalis were determined as 0.103 mg/mL and 0.088 mg/mL, respectively. The corresponding lethal values of leaf and stem extracts obtained against pupae were 0.111 and 0.138 mg/mL. The extracts also imparted latent toxic effects and reduced the % adults developed from the survived larvae in the 60.00-61.67% range at the median lethal dose. The extract-treated larvae were restless and showed abnormal behaviour, like aggressive movements and self-biting of anal papillae. The inner membrane cuticle of anal papillae was shrunken and the gut region was damaged and disintegrated. The adults who emerged from the larvae, treated with 1.0 mg/mL of C. occidentalis hexane stem and leaf extracts, showed 1.8-fold and 2.29-fold decreased oviposition, respectively. Further study with identified bioactive constituents in the extracts can help to formulate green insecticides for Ae. aegypti management.
An overview of different chemical fertilizers’ applications on the agronomic performance (growth and yield) and quality parameters of rice (Oryza sativa) crop
Get PDFExcessive use of nitrogen fertilizers causes leaching, denitrification, runoff, and volatilization, among other issues. However, nanotechnology, which releases nutrients through nanoparticles, solves these issues. It is the most economical and successful. With the use of nanotechnology, plants can receive nutrients in a regulated way. Nutrients are essential for plants\u27 growth and development. There are seventeen essential nutrients in all, which were divided into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients. These were divided into three “R” concepts, i.e., right dose, right place, and right way of application. The administration of balanced nutrients is essential for the best possible growth, development, and yield from plants. The three main nutrients that plants need are N, P, and K, but overuse of fertilizers too quickly depletes soil fertility and pollutes the environment. It lessens the plants\u27 requirement for nutrients, reduces pollution in the environment, and reduces the issues brought on by the conventional use of fertilizers. Rice is the primary energy source for 60% of the world\u27s population. Since 2017, rice output has increased rapidly and is significant in nutrition and food security sources. The present review discusses the effect of different nutrients on the agronomic performance of rice in various studies.
Induction of micronuclei in blood and histopathological alterations in gill, kidney and liver of Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) exposed to copper sulphate
Get PDFCopper is one of the most toxic metals to fish and causes cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. The accumulation of copper in an aquatic environment directly impacts man and the aquatic ecosystem. The present study aimed to determine the effect of copper sulphate (CuSO4) accumulation on the induction of micronuclei in blood and histological changes in kidney and liver of the fish Channa punctatus. The test chemical LC50 was determined after 96 hours during the first experiment. Later in the second experiment, the test animal was exposed to three sub-lethal concentrations of CuSO4 [0.1 mg/l (96 h-LC50/40), 0.2 mg/l (96 h-LC50/20) and 0.4 mg/l (96 h-LC50/10)]. Physico chemical parameters of the test medium, such as pH, temperature, hardness, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen, were observed throughout the experiment, and all values were within the ranges necessary for the fish\u27s survival. At intervals of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, the control (without any test chemical) and copper sulphate exposed Groups\u27 blood, liver, kidney, and gill tissues were taken to evaluate changes in genotoxic and histological parameters. Micronuclei (MN) induction and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) were observed at regular intervals. After 28 days, the MN frequency in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 0.78±0.006, 8.40±0.052, 10.37±0.098 and 10.90±0.024 respectively. A significant (P< 0.05) rise in MN frequencies and NAs indicated fish erythrocytes\u27 DNA damage. Histological analysis of the liver, kidney, and gills revealed serious tissue injury such as necrosis, vacuolization, and degeneration after 28 days in the exposed Groups. The present study observed changes due to genotoxicity and histology, giving the most comprehensive understanding of CuSO4 stress on the fish C. punctatus and its risks to human health.
Food additives and brain complications: A risk to public health
Get PDFFood additives comprise the amounts of xenobiotics that are known to affect the physiological metabolic pathways of living tissues. Although organic and inorganic chemicals are considered xenobiotics, organic compounds, the basic chemical entity for most constituents, are reported to be responsible for 80-90% xenobiotics-induced toxicity. Food additives have been the major source of generating these harmful toxins in the human population. Exposure to xenobiotics via dietary habits, environment or medication is inexorable in living creatures. Reports have shown the bidirectional interaction between xenobiotics and biological systems. When ingested, xenobiotics induce physiological, biochemical or pathological changes in the biological system. One study reported that exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles can cause cytotoxicity of glial cells and hippocampal neurons, leading to brain damage and changes in hippocampal function, which plays a vital role in the process of memory and learning. Therefore, the complexity and limited plasticity of the brain has always challenged researchers to seek solutions to neuronal and cognitive problems. Including new compounds in the food in the form of pesticides, preservatives, additives, and coloring agents in daily meals is the latest aspect of gene-environment interaction. The sporadic cause of neurodegenerative diseases and its epidemiological distribution can be better understood and countermeasures can be applied only if this relationship is represented quantitatively. Hence, this review focuses on the effect of food additives as xenobiotics, which leads to the potential for a compromised nervous system.