Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of lithium on seed germination and plant growth of Amaranthus viridis
Get PDFLithium is one of the trace elements essential for the human body. The use of Li-based products has increased tremendously, leading to higher consumption patterns and the generation of lithum-based wastes. A higher concentration of lithium leads to the contamination of soil and water bodies. Lithium enters the food chain through the plant pathway. The food chain becomes contaminated with agricultural products produced on lithium-contaminated soil. Owing to this scenario, the present study is focused on studying the effect of lithium on the germination and growth of Amaranthus viridis. Germination studies were conducted in petri dishes, and the rate germination was 95% at control and 10 ppm. At higher concentrations, the rate of germination was 73% at 50 ppm, 57% at 75 ppm and 41% at 100 ppm. Pot experiments were conducted for 51 days using lithium-amended soil from 10 to 100 ppm. Pot experiments revealed that, at higher concentrations, lithium promoted the length and weight of the plant from 1.122 g/plant in the control to 2.415 g/plant at 100 ppm. The stress tolerance index was calculated for the length and dry weight of the roots and shoots, respectively. High stress tolerance at root and shoot biomass led to an increase in the biomass of the plant, which promoted the accumulation of lithium in plant parts. These results concluded that lithium stimulated plant growth at lower concentrations and increased biomass at higher concentrations, which was confirmed through the calculation of the stress tolerance index.
In vitro study on the nematicidal activity of entomopathogenic bacteria against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Get PDFNational loss of Rs. 21,068.73 million has been estimated due to plant-parasitic nematodes in India. Among plant-parasitic nematodes, one of the major nematodes, root-knot nematodes (RKNs), are well-known diseases causing major losses in vegetable crops. An in vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the nematicidal activities of the cell-free culture filtrate (CFCF) of entomopathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus spp. and Xenorhabdus spp. isolated from entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis indica (DH3) and Steinernema abbasi (CS-39), respectively. The applied doses were 90, 50, 25 and 10% CFCFs. The experiment was performed on the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita, and the % mortalities were determined at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hr intervals. The results of the present study revealed that 100% mortality was achieved after 48 hrs with a 10% filtrate of H. indica isolate DH3, while no significant result was achieved even after 48 hrs and at 90% CFCF of isolate CS39. Therefore, 10% CFCFs may be recommended for application in root-knot nematode-infected fields for the control
Extraction and characterization of pectin derived from underutilized papaya seeds as a value-added product
Get PDFFood processing industries generate a massive amount of biowastes, which causes major environmental issues. High-level marketable bioproducts can be extracted from these biowastes as value-added products. One such value-added product is pectin. Papaya fruit is one of the tropical fruits that is utilized the most to produce a greater number of processed foods in the food processing industries. Papaya seeds are one of the underutilized parts of papaya and have potential commercial value-added products. The present study aims to extract pectin from papaya seed waste using the hot water extraction technique. Furthermore, one factor at a time (OFAT) was used to find the optimum process conditions for the high extraction of pectin. The parameters considered were liquid–solid ratio (5-50 ml/g), sample weight (5-25 g), extraction time (15-90 min), temperature (50-100°C) and pH (1-3). A high yield of pectin (8.655%) was obtained at a liquid–solid ratio of 25 mL/g, sample weight of 20 g, extraction time of 60 min at 80°C, pH of 1.5 and precipitation with ethanol. Proximate analysis was performed for the papaya seeds that had moisture (82.10%), ash (1.76%), protein (1.52%), fat (1.42%) and carbohydrate (13.20%), and the pectin extracted from papaya seeds were found to have moisture (7.8%), ash (7.6%), protein (2.2%), fat (2.1%) and carbohydrate (80.3%). Pectin was characterized with gas chromatography for its methoxy content, which was found to be 9.216%. The current investigation found that pectin obtained from papaya seeds had low methoxy pectin, which has commercial applications in the jam and jelly industries
Synthesis, formulation, evaluation of insecticidal activity of chromen derivatives against cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their mode of action under laboratory conditions
Get PDFThe toxicity of benzothiazole derivatives obtained from 2-cyanomethyl benzothiazole against cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis 2nd and 4th instar larvae has been documented. The main objective of this research was to formulate two previously reported chromen derivatives and test their biological activity against cotton leafworm S. littoralis 2nd and 4th instar larvae under laboratory conditions. According to the standard method, two chromen derivatives with two distinct substituents (salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde) were synthesized. Their physical and chemical properties were evaluated, and both were formulated as 10 and 9.5 percent dustable powder formulations. Both formulae were then evaluated in the laboratory on cotton leafworm S. littoralis 2nd and 4th instar larvae for mortality and developmental effect percentage. Formulation (F2) was more efficient than formulation (F3) in both cases and for both stages. Furthermore, when comparing the developmental effects on the 2nd and 4th instar larvae, the 4th instar larvae demonstrated marked tolerance. Both stages were unable to complete their life cycle. Histopathological analysis of samples from the affected stages was performed to assess the mode of action of these formulations on 4th instar larvae at their LC50 values. Experimental data showed that Formulation (F3) resulted in epidermal cells separated from the cuticular layer, necrosis, ruptured columnar cells with pyknotic nuclei, disrupted basement membrane, and weak epicuticle necrosis and separation. In comparison, formulation (F2) revealed a midgut with vacuoles, damaged columnar, muscle cell necrosis, and a ruined peritrophic matrix. Thus, the cotton leafworm S. littoralis could be combated with the newly prepared formulations (F2) and (F3)
Dogielius kaelensis n. sp. (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae), a gill parasite of Garra annandalei Hora, 1921 (Cyprinidae, Labeoninae) in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Get PDFParasite biodiversity of fish in Arunachal Pradesh of northeast India is still unexplored. We describe here a new species of Dogielius (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from the gill filaments of Garra annandalei(Cyprinidae), collected from the River Kael, Arunachal Pradesh. Dogielius kaelensis n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by two key features: (i) a robust ventral bar with a medial part twisted forward, and ii) an accessory piece with a ring to help guide the copulatory tube. This is only the second time a member of the genus Dogielius has been found parasitizing a Garra species
A review on the comparative study of nutraceutically activated fruits and herbs based wines: Fruit vs. Herbal wine
No full textNowadays, fruits and herbs wine is a boon for the alcoholic beverage industry since it has a plethora of secondary metabolites (bioactives) with numerous pharmacological properties. The article aims to provide an overview of the possibility of making wine from a variety of nutraceutically active herbs and fruits. The different databases have been used to compile the information. Wine can be made from tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruits that are highly perishable, nutritionally diverse, and underutilised, such as raspberries, pomegranates, sweet potatoes, papaya, pineapples, and kiwi fruit. Herbal wine is beneficial to the alcoholic beverage industry because it has a large number of secondary metabolites (bioactives) with a variety of medicinal properties. Herbal and fruit wine provide biological functions and health benefits such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory activity, anticancer, anti-aging, and protection against cardiovascular problems, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative disorders. Among herbal and fruit wine constituents, phenolic compounds are important in conferring health benefits. Most significantly, phenolic substances like flavanols, flavanones, flavones, tannins, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and resveratrol can help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and other chronic diseases. This study focuses on the comparative health benefits of the bioactive chemicals which are present in the fruits and herbal wines. Wine includes physiologically active components that have the potential to improve consumer’s health. Various herbs and fruits used for winemaking and their medicinal applications have been discussed in this paper.
Assessment of biochemical and physiological tolerance mechanism of the multipurpose paradise tree (Simarouba amara Aubl.) under zinc and copper stress
Get PDFSimarouba amara Aubl., commonly known as paradise tree, is a multipurpose, evergreen, poly-gamodioecious, and oil yielding tree. The plant is famous for its seeds containing 55-65% oil, a potent source of biodiesel production and is being utilized in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. The study aimed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in S. amara seedlings under heavy metals stress. Two-month-old S. amara seedlings were exposed to different concentrations of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) (Zn and Cu: 10 mg Kg-1, 50 mg Kg-1, 100 mg Kg-1, 200 mg Kg-1). The study indicated that both the heavy metals resulted in a significant decrease in leaf relative water content (LRWC), photosynthetic pigments and an increase in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels. Regarding lipid peroxidation, Cu proved to be more toxic to seedlings compared to Zn. However, in terms of LRWC and photosynthetic pigments, Zn showed higher toxic effects than Cu. Proline and cysteine content increased by 234% and 270%, respectively, due to Zn stress and 117% and 102%, respectively, due to Cu stress at 200 mg Kg-1. Among antioxidant enzymes, a maximum increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity was observed (600% due to Cu stress and 320% due to Zn stress) at 200 mg Kg-1. At the same concentration, a minimum increase was seen in glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity (60% under Cu stress) and catalase (CAT) activity (69% under Zn stress). The present study revealed that S. amara has a better antioxidant defensive mechanism against oxidative stress and can be used for its large scale cultivation on wastelands
Role of Brassinosteroids in plants responses to salinity stress: A review
Get PDFBrassinosteroid emerges as an essential phytohormone that helps the plant to maintain plant growth and development. It also helps the plants grow well under adverse conditions along with normal conditions. In this review article, we have discussed the functional role of brassinosteroid (BRS) in plants under salinity stress conditions. Salinity stress is one of the most devastating abiotic stresses which adversely affect plant growth by disturbing their metabolic pathway. This article also comprises the occurrence, structure and signalling pathway of the brassinosteroid. Application of brassinosteroid improves the plant status under salinity by enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity in plants. Moreover, we also reported the different growth parameters enhanced by brassinosteroid application in plants under salinity. BRSs also maintain plant growth through the regulation of expression of various genes whose products are involved in various biochemical and physiological processes. This review is based on the various aspects in much detail which are required to understand the proper mechanism of BRS, such as i) the role of BRS signaling pathways in providing tolerance to the plants, ii) changes due to the presence or absence of BRS in plants under stress conditions, iii) BRSs application on the regulation of different genes and transcriptional factor, iv) regulation in ion homeostasis, v) reduction of oxidative stress via different mechanisms under salinity stress. However, a lot of knowledge is required to understand the role of BRS in alleviating salinity stress and needs future research work on BRS with its different derivatives in the alleviation of salt stress.
Effect of ageing on in vitro true seed and in vivo drupe germination and its dormancy mechanism in teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f)
Get PDFThe germination percentage of teak seed is generally very poor due to its higher percentage of empty seed and poor seed viability. The viable seeds exhibit protracted germination behaviour due to their inherent seed dormancy and other physiochemical characteristics. Hence establishing a teak nursery for largescale plantation activities is a challenging task. This study was undertaken to study the effect of ageing on in vitro true seed and in vivo drupe germination and its dormancy mechanism in teak. Fresh, one-year and two-year stored drupes were used to represent different levels of ageing. Under in vivo conditions, poor drupe germination was observed in fresh drupes (3%) and germination percentage was increased when the drupes were subjected to ageing for one year (17%) or two years (32%). When true seeds separated from fresh drupes and germinated under in vitro conditions, enhanced germination (58.3%) was observed. Biochemical analysis showed that indole-3- acetic acid, indole butyric acid, abscisic acid and coumarin are not present in fresh, one year and two-year-old true seeds. The gibberellic acid was increased with an increase in ageing, but the GA3 did not influence the germination percent under in vitro conditions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of fresh teak true seed showed that embryo tip was shrivelled, whereas one and two-year-old true seed embryo tip bulged; this was confirmed that one and two-year-old true seed embryos were matured and satisfied the after-ripening requirement. Nursery studies revealed that one and two-year-old drupes recorded the highest germination compared to fresh drupes.
Shelf-life extension of tender endosperm of Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) through retort processing
Get PDFThere is a demand for Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) tender endosperm (Taal; Nungu) in the off season due to its health benefits. To extend the shelf life of Palmyra palm Tender Fruit Endosperm (PTFE) it was thermally processed. The versatile retort processing technology was used to increase the shelf life. Processed tender endosperm packed in transparent retort pouches (TRP) and nontransparent retort pouches (NTRP) were evaluated for textural, color, microbial, and sensorial properties. Heat penetration tests and F- values were also determined. Processed tender endosperm was compared with fresh endosperm and there was a shelf life of 6 months under ambient storage conditions (30-32°C). The process time to reach lethality in nontransparent pouches (14.03 min) was higher than that in transparent pouches (13.02 min) and the difference may be due to the layer addition of packaging material. Textural profile analysis revealed that hardness, gumminess, and chewiness decreased when the processing and storage time was increased. The sensory score obtained similar results to the textural analysis (Hardness value of TRP:5.063kgfand NTRP: 4.58kgf); succulence and toughness decreased over the prolonged processing time. The tender endosperm in metalized retort pouches scored higher (7.9 as overall acceptability) than that in transparent retort pouches (7.8 as overall acceptability) in terms of sensory analysis. Retorted pouches were microbiologically safe until 6 months with the absence of Clostridium, Staphylococcus and Salmonella spp.The present experiment on shelf life extension of Palmyra tender endosperm (Nungu) helps in preserving the perishable healthy delicacy for more months and also enables to fetch higher income for the farmers with minimal investment