Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Optimization of seafood crackers formulation as influenced by Eucheuma cottonii and Caulerpa lentillifera seaweed levels
Full text linkDeveloping nutrient-enriched snack options, such as seafood crackers, and utilizing local resources are essential for promoting sustainable food innovations while meeting the growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives.This study seeks to optimize the formulation of seafood crackers, locally known as korpek, by evaluating the functional and sensory effects of incorporating different levels of Eucheuma cottonii and Caulerpa lentillifera, addressing the limited use of these underutilized seaweeds in value-added snack products. Nine treatments (T1 to T9) were formulated with different combinations of Eucheuma cottonii and Caulerpa lentillifera seaweeds, ranging from 1.5% to 6% (w/w). The treatments consisted of the following combinations: T1 (1.5% E. cottonii, 1.5% C. lentillifera), T2 (1.5%, 3%), T3 (1.5%, 6%), T4 (3%, 1.5%), T5 (3%, 3%), T6 (3%, 6%), T7 (6%, 1.5%), T8 (6%, 3%), and T9 (6%, 6%). The mean sensory acceptability score was 7, which corresponds to “like moderately” on a 9-point hedonic scale. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the values for the physicochemical properties of crackers used to determine the best formulation were >41% for linear expansion, <19% for oil absorption, and <0.54 for water activity. The best formulations having acceptable sensory and physicochemical responses were 5.6% E.cottonii and 1.6% C.Lentillifera, which resulted in standard levels of phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and potassium (K). This study optimized the levels of two local seaweeds in the Philippines, namely E. cottonii and C. lentillifera, in producing seafood crackers, which can encourage the use of locally sourced seaweeds and contribute to agriculture and fisheries development.
In-silico antiobesity activity of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) bioactive compounds by targeting transcriptional regulators PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, and FABP-4/ap-2 genes
Full text linkObesity has emerged as a major health issue worldwide. Current research mainly focuses on how small bioactive compounds can influence the mechanism of transcription regulatory factors involved in the fat accumulation and weight gain process. Lagerstroemia speciosa plant is commonly used in traditional systems of medicine to combat obesity and diabetes. It contains major bioactive compounds, viz. pregnenolone, corosolic acid, fenretidinide, norlargerenol acetate, maslinic acid, olenoic acid and beta-sistosterol. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of L. speciosa bioactive compounds in obesity control by targeting FABP-4/ap-2, C/EBP-α, and PPAR-γ transcription factors that play a significant role in adipocyte biology and metabolism. The present study screened twenty-nine bioactive compounds against three targets using Autodock Vina, Autodock Tools. Discovery Studio was utilized to visualize the targeted proteins\u27 ligand and amino acid interaction. In silico approach showed that screened bioactive compounds downregulate the expression of targeted transcriptional regulatory genes involved in the adipocyte differentiation mechanism. Pregnenolone, a major bioactive compound, scored binding free energy of -6.34, -7.58, and -6.22 kcal/mol with C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, and FABP-4, respectively, compared to standard drug. Findings showed that these bioactive compounds play a crucial role in regulating adipogenesis and differentiation genes, proving their therapeutic importance as antiobesity agent. Although these findings are encouraging, extensive in vivo studies are essential to confirm efficacy, ensure safety, and investigate the therapeutic potential of these compounds for obesity treatment.
Effect of different level of poultry manure and seaweed extract on growth, yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Full text linkNutrients are required to maintain the quality and quantity of rice. The use of poultry manure and seaweed extract as organic fertilisers has gained attention due to their potential to improve rice growth, yield, and quality. This field experiment was carried out to check the different levels of poultry manure and seaweed extract on rice’s growth, yield and quality during the Kharif season of 2023 at the Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab. The experimental design was a Randomised Blocks Design (RBD) with 13 treatments T1 to T13), and each treatment had three replications. The results revealed that among the 13 treatments, the crop raised with poultry manure at 15 t ha-1 + 3 times seaweed extract (T13) significantly impacted rice growth, yield, and quality at 5% levels of significance . The highest plant parameters of height (110.8 cm), dry weight hill-1 (54.20 g), crop growth rate (CGR) of 21.09 g m-1 day-1 and relative growth rate (RGR) of 0.0062430 g g-1day-1 were all recorded in T13 (poultry manure @ 15 t ha-1 + 3 times seaweed extract). The treatment T13 also influence on improving panicle length (28.13 cm), number of effective tillers hill-1 (15.99), number of grain panicles-1 (132.24), test weight (24.68 g), grain yield (6.70 t ha-1), straw yield (9.64 t ha-1) and harvest Index (40.99%). The same treatment also recorded maximum protein content (8.74%) and carbohydrate content (72.91%). Thus, the production of rice can be significantly increased by using poultry manure at 15 t ha-1 + 3 times seaweed extract application.
Feeding and growth pattern of rice moth Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) on different diets
Full text linkFood is a decisive factor affecting the insects\u27 biological parameters and physiological functions, including the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Seeds\u27 physical and biochemical properties influence the insect\u27s feeding behaviour and the decisions it makes during its development. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the diet and the growth of the rice moth. Four different seeds: rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were used in the experiments as diets for C. cephalonica larvae to investigate their properties’ impact on the biological parameters (durations and dimensions of egg, larval instars, pupa and adults, weights of the full-grown larva, pupa and adults, and female fecundity) of the insect. The results confirmed that seeds\u27 physical and biochemical properties significantly affect the rice moth\u27s fitness. Groundnut and maize seeds were superior in almost all the parameters studied, followed by wheat to a lesser degree, while rice came last. The total life cycle was 106.66, 81.37, 76.63 and 68.64 days for rice, wheat, groundnut and maize, respectively. The eggs took between 5.03 to 5.59 days to hatch. Total larval period ranged between 48.62 days in groundnut and 82.83 days in rice. Similarly, pupal period was maximum in rice (10.4 days) and minimum in groundnut (7.4 days). Male longevity was insignificant among treatments, ranging between 8.2 to 10.48 days, while female longevity ranged from 5.44 to 6.82 days. So, the present study could conclude that groundnut and maize were the most suitable hosts for rice moth growth.
Alterations in haemato-biochemical indices in Trypanosoma sp. infected fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)
Full text linkIndian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala, is an important food fish in India. There is little evidence available about the effects of trypanosomiasis on the haemato-biochemical characteristic of C. mrigalaThe present study aimed to determine the Prevalence of Trypanosoma in C. mrigala and haemato-biochemical alterations that occur in trypanosoma-infected C. mrigala. The fish samples were collected from various ponds and natural water bodies in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The blood samples were collected from the caudal fin of fish to identify infection and analyse alterations in haemato-biochemical indices. The recorded data was subjected to biostatistical analysis. Prevalence of Trypanosoma in C. mrigala was 35.56%. Haemato-biochemical analysis showed that Trypanosoma-infected fish had significantly lower red blood corpuscles (RBC) counts (0.62 x 106 x 106 /mm3; p<0.05) and Hb% (5.82; p<0.05). The PCV% (25.8 ), MCHC% (24.52), serum glucose content (59.43 mg/dL), and serum protein content (20.24 mg/dL) of the infected fish were significantly lower (p<0.01) than those of non-infected fish. TLC (12.54 x 103 /mm3), MCV (274.8 µm%), and MCH (96.7 pg) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Trypanosoma-infected fish. The percentage of monocytes (7.72%), eosinophils (1.48%), neutrophils (7.32%), and triglycerides level (429.14 mg/dL) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in fishes infected with Trypanosoma. The study highlights the physiological impact of parasites on fish health. This recommends regular monitoring of hematological and biochemical indices in aquaculture. This strategic planning can help to prevent fish mortality, ensure sustainable fisheries, and safeguard economic benefits for fish farmers and food security for society.
Detection and separation of fatty acids and proteins in monogenean flatworm Polystoma integerrimum
Full text linkMetabolite methodology in parasites assists in gaining a better comprehension of their roles in infection, adaptation, pathogenesis, taxonomy, diagnosis, and host-parasite interactions. The present study aimed to isolate and detect fatty acids and proteins in tissue extract of the whole flatworm Polystoma integerrimum that settle in the urinary bladder of the frog Bufo viridis, using Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) techniques, respectively.The results showed that the number of fatty acids in flatworm extract was ten. Six of them were three unsaturated fatty acids, which included oleic (C18:1n-9), linoleic (C18:2n-6), and linolenic (C18:3n-3) acids, and three other saturated fatty acids, which included myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acids (C18:0). The palmitic (49.022%) and stearic (35.499%) fatty acids were the highest among the ten total fatty acids. In addition, the SDS-PAGE technique showed that the number of protein bands in the flatworm extract was six, where the second (76859 D), fourth (23356 D), and fifth (13966 D) bands of the extract matched the first (bovine serum albumin), fourth (pepsin), and fifth (alpha-lactalbumin) bands of the standard proteins, respectively. The other three bands, the first, third, and sixth, were not matched by any of the standard protein bands. The present study could be a starting point for studying more metabolites and increasing the present-day knowledge of their types, mechanism of action, and their role in the biological and taxonomical fields to fill the gap in data about this flatworm.
Performance and economic evaluation of a locally fabricated biochar kiln for sustainable production from agricultural residues in Ghana
Full text linkBiochar has gained attention due to its potential to improve soil carbon storage and mitigate climate change. However, to encourage widespread adoption, biochar production must be cost-efficient and easily accessible, particularly from farm residues. The present study evaluates the performance of a self-energy-recirculating, locally fabricated biochar kiln using five feedstocks: maize cob, rice husk, coconut shell, and flamboyant pods. The specialised kiln can char all organic-based feedstocks, regardless of the particle size. The focus was on energy use efficiency, biochar yield, and the quality of the produced biochar. The study used a slow pyrolysis ranging from 300 ˚C to 600 ˚C. Results showed that biochar quality varied across feedstocks, with coconut shells and rice husks requiring more energy but yielding higher amounts of biochar than flamboyant pods, maize cob, and maize stover. Economic analysis indicated that coconut shells and maize cob were the most profitable feedstocks, with profit margins of 57.05% and 76.96% and internal rates of return of 3.75 and 1.84, respectively. This suggests that while some feedstocks are more energy-intensive, they offer higher financial returns. Further studies on the environmental benefits of these biochars, both short-term and long-term, are necessary. The findings of this study provide a basis for the development of kilns suited to local conditions, promoting the economical production of biochar from agricultural residues.
Active phytoconstituents from Balanites aegyptiaca and Pterocarpus marsupium and their role in antioxidant defense and cytotoxicity against liver (HepG2) and brain (U87MG) cancer cell lines
Full text linkPhytochemicals derived from plants offer promising therapeutic potential due to their diverse chemical structures and biological activities. These include alkaloids, terpenes, phenolics and several other natural compounds, which can exhibit synergistic properties in cancer treatment when combined with cancer drugs. Thus, the antioxidant potential and anticancer properties of extracts from two plants, Balanites aegyptiaca and Pterocarpus marsupium were evaluated in vitro in this study against hepatic (HepG2) and brain (U87MG) cell lines to combat cytotoxicity to potential management of disease. The bioactive components responsible for the therapeutic effects were analysed through GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) analysis. The qualitative and quantitative estimation was done on the methanolic plant extracts, followed by an evaluation of their antioxidant potential using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhdrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays. The cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay against cancer cell lines. The extracts of both plants showed potent antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 52.78±0.50 µg/ml and 63.19±0.51 µg/ml, respectively, for DPPH assay. The cytotoxicity assay revealed the IC50 values as 44.70±0.58 µg/ml against HepG2 cells and, 40.1±0.70 µg/ml against U87MG cells for B. aegyptiaca and 59.83±0.47 µg/ml against HepG2 cells and 50.13±3.42 µg/ml against U87MG cells for P. marsupium. The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of phytochemicals such as 4-O-Methylmannose, Hexadecanoic acid, 4H-Pyran-4-one,2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, 3,3\u27-Dimethoxy-4,4\u27-dihydroxystilbene, cis-Vaccenic acid, 4-(2-Methoxyethyl)phenol, 7-Hydroxyflavanone, etc. The study underscores the significance of examining plant-derived compounds in the context of developing innovative anticancer therapies while highlighting the necessity for in-depth investigations into the phytochemical profiles of these species.
Stock assessment of Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832) using geometric morphometrics and mitochondrial marker COX1 from tributaries of the Chenab River, India
Full text linkSchizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832) is extensively dispersed in the Indian Himalayan region and is recognized as an important source of animal protein. Geographical isolation between river ecosystems is believed to promote phenotypic and genotypic variation, ultimately leading to changes in the stock structure of aquatic species. With this aim of the study, 190 specimens of S. richardsonii were collected from four different tributaries, Rajouri Tawi, Chingus Tawi, Nowshera Tawi, and Ans River, of the Chenab River, to assess the intraspecific phenotypic and genotypic variations among stocks through landmark-based geometric morphometrics and mitochondrial marker COX1 gene. Three stocks were identified from four different tributaries of the Indus River basin. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first two principal components explained 76.89% of the total variance (PC1 = 67.67% and PC2 = 9.22%). The PC1-based shape wireframe showed that landmarks 5, 7, and 8 were crucial in distinguishing different morphotypes. The Canonical Variates Analysis (CVA) confirmed the existence of three morphologically distinct stocks within the Indus River basin. The COX1 sequence-based phylogenetic analysis also showed clear genetic differentiation among the stocks, supported by the Fst score-based heat map. These variations could be attributed to several factors, including uncommon hydrological conditions in these drainages, evolutionary pressures, and reproductive isolation among stocks. This study represents the first attempt to examine the stock structure of S. richardsonii using an integrated approach. The findings thoroughly explain species diversity and evolutionary dynamics in the Northwestern Himalayas and emphasize the importance of preserving genetic diversity and targeted conservation strategies to protect this ecologically significant species.
Assessment of ready-mix herbicides on weeds and yield of drip-irrigated aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) var. CO 51
Full text linkThe present study aimed to check the efficacy of different herbicides on weed management in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) var. CO 51. A field study was conducted at the College Farm of SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute Science and Technology, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu during summer, 2024. The trial was exercised using randomized block design with eight treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The treatments consists of T1: Pendimethalin at 1000g ai/ha on 3 DAS (PE) fb hand weeding on 40 DAS, T2:Bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor at 660g ai/ha on 3 DAS (PE) fb hand weeding on 40 DAS, T3:Bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor at 660g ai/ha on 3 DAS (PE) fb bispyribac sodium at 25g ai/ha on 25 DAS (PoE), T4:Triafamone + ethoxysulfuron at 67.5g ai/ha on 10 DAS (EPoE) fb hand weeding on 40 DAS, T5:Triafamone + ethoxysulfuron at 67.5g ai/ha on 10 DAS (EPoE) fb bispyribac sodium at 25g ai/ha on 25 DAS (PoE), T6: Bispyribac sodium at 25g ai/ha on 25 DAS (PoE), T7: Hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, T8:Weedy check. Superior control over weeds and increased grain yield were observed in manual weeding two times at 20 and 40 days after sowing (T7). Among the herbicide treatment combinations, T4 exhibited the best performance in reducing weed density (12.5 No./m2), weed intensity (20.1 per cent), dry weight (11.29 g/m2), and weed index (2.68 per cent) to the lowest levels while higher weed control efficiency (93.6 per cent), plant height (72.3 cm), No. of tillers (513 No./m2), dry matter production (9252 kg/ha), grain yield (5244 kg/ha) and straw yield (7920 kg/ha).This was comparable to the combination of triafamone + ethoxysulfuron followed by bispyribac sodium (T5). In contrast, the unweeded control plots recorded the lowest grain yield, which was accompanied by poor weed control and substantial weed growth parameters.