GC-MS ANALYSIS OF METHANOLIC STEM EXTRACT OF GYNOCHTHODES RIDSDALEI, RAZAFIM AND B. BREMER, AN ENDEMIC, ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS

Objective: The present research study was undertaken to determine the presence of bioactive components present in the methanolic stem extract of Gynochthodes ridsdalei using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.Methods: the Fresh stem of Gynochthodes ridsdalei collected from the forest areas of Ponmudi region of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, India was used. The mass spectrum GC-MS of the crude methanolic extract was estimated using the database of National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST).Results: The active principles with their retention time, peak area, molecular formula, molecular weight, structure and category of the compound were predicted. The analysis revealed the presence of 52 bioactive components. Most of the identified compounds are basically biological important. The components were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with that of literature and by interpretation of mass spectra. The phyto components screened were of biological importance. Some of them were sterols, anthraquinones, vitamins etcConclusion: The result reveals the existence of various bioactive compounds and validates the earlier reports of therapeutic importance of the plant. Gynochthodes ridsdalei is recommended as a plant of phytochemical and pharmaceutical importanc

Double phase culture system mediated enhanced protocol for shoot proliferation of Vanilla andamanica Rolfe. - an endemic wild relative of commercial Vanilla from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A liquid overlay culture system in micropropagation improved shoot proliferation in many species. In the present investigation, we have developed an enhanced shoot proliferation protocol using the double phase culture system (DPS) for Vanilla andamanica, an endemic species of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recognized under the vulnerable category by the IUCN. In vitro generated nodal explants were used for shoot proliferation experiments and were tested in Murashige and Skoog medium augmented with various cytokinins (BAP, KIN, 2iP) and auxins (IBA, NAA, IAA) to produce a maximum of 3.24 ± 0.08 shoots per explant in 5 µM BAP and 5.23±0.67 roots per shoot in basal MS medium. A remarkable increase in shoot regeneration was observed when the nodal explant was cultured on DPS system with optimum cytokinin (5 µM BAP). On evaluation of the influence of DPS and conventional single-phase systems (SPS), (solid medium) exhibits an improved multiplication rate on a DPS with optimal BAP (5µM) with an average of 8.66 ± 0.17 shoots per explant, which represents a 2-fold increase over the rate of SPS + 5 µM BAP. The plantlets were rooted at 100% frequency in half-strength MS medium devoid of auxins and acclimatized with 100% success. A double-phase mediated enhanced shoot proliferating procedure could be employed for large scale multiplication and commercial breeding trials for better results with regard to V. andamanica

Tectaria polymorpha (Wall. ex Hook.) Copel. (Tectariaceae), a new distributional record for Kerala

Tectaria polymorpha (Wall. ex Hook.) Copel., is a rare species belongs to the family Tectariaceae. In southern India, so far it has been reported from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu States only. We report the occurrence of this species in Kerala State from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Taxonomic treatment with detailed description, specimens examined, ecology, distribution, note, key to the species of Kerala and photographs are provided here for its easy identification

Embryo maturation, dormancy and seed storage behaviour of Gymnacranthera canarica (King) Warb., a threatened endemic tree species of Southern Western Ghats

Gymnacranthera canarica is a severely endangered endemic tree species found in the Myristica swamps of the Southern Western Ghats. Seed storage behaviour is an essential factor to consider when developing effective conservation methods for plant genetic resources whose ex-situ preservation is unclear. The seed storage behaviour, seed dormancy state, dormancy breaking treatments, germination, and phytohormonal analysis of G. canarica were explored in this work. G. canarica seed moisture at shedding was 28.86%, germinated to 34% at 25ºC, and had a low germination rate in natural conditions. Germination was considerably aided by Gibberellic acid pretreatment and drying stratification. G. canarica seeds may have non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy, as evidenced by the fact that their embryos grew at temperatures between 20 and 25ºC (MPD). Seeds can be stored for up to 60 days at 20ºC after being desiccated to 19.37% suggest that G. canarica seeds are recalcitrant, with non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy, and that seed pretreatment with Gibberellic acid prior to germination could be a viable approach for mass propagation and long term ex-situ conservation could be the potential storage of this critically endangered species

Desiccation induced physiological and biochemical changes of Gymnacranthera canarica (King.) Warb. seeds in the Myristica swamp forests, Southern Western Ghats, India

Gymnacranthera canarica (King.) Warb. is an endemic tree species that dominates the Myristica swamp ecosystem of southern Western Ghats. This tropical tree species has become more threatened due to limited natural seed germination and habitat loss. Mature seeds were collected from the myristica swamp ecosystem subjected to desiccation study. This research evaluated the physiological (moisture content, tetrazolium reduction, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage) and biochemical response of seeds during different desiccation treatments. Results showed that G. canarica seeds are highly sensitive to desiccation and total viability loss was seen within 15 days following harvest indicating the active seed metabolism of mature seeds showing absence of metabolic arrest. Desiccation enhanced malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage while reducing formazan formation. Seed desiccation increases protease activity, which peaks when viability is lost. Desiccation reduced the quantity of phenol and starch, whereas proline, fat, sucrose and total soluble carbohydrates increased. The early viability loss in G. canarica seeds could be due to loss of membrane integrity, which was linked to ROS formation and associated lipid peroxidation products indicating seeds are truly recalcitrant

GC-MS analysis of root methanolic extract of Gynochthodes ridsdalei Razafim. and B. Bremer, an endemic, endangered species of southern Western Ghats of India

The present investigation was carried out to determine the presence of biologically active components in the root methanolic extract of Gynochthodes ridsdalei using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Fresh root of G. ridsdalei collected from the forest areas of Ponmudi hills of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala State, India was used for the study. The active principles with their retention time, peak area, molecular weight and molecular formula of the compounds were detected. The analysis revealed the presence of 26 components. The components were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with that of literature available and by the interpretation of mass spectra

Genetic variation and diversity for grain iron, zinc, protein and agronomic traits in advanced breeding lines of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for biofortification breeding

Genetic improvements of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] may reduce the problems of anemia and stunted growth among millet dependent staple food consumers. The availability of variation in diversebreeding lines is essential to improve grain micronutrients in high-yielding cultivars. This study aimed to determine the extent of variability, heritability and diversity for grain Fe, Zn and protein, along with key agronomic traits, in 281 advanced breeding lines bred at ICRISAT and evaluated across two seasons (environments). A pooled analysis of variance displayed significant variation for all these traits. Highest variability was recorded for Fe (35–116 mg kg-1), Zn (21–80 mg kg-1), and protein (6–18%), and a three-fold variation was observed for panicle length, panicle girth and 1000-grain-weight (TGW). Diversity analysis showed 10 clusters. Cluster-III had maximum lines (25%) and Cluster-V showed the highest mean values for Fe, Zn, protein and TGW. These results highlight the success of breeding program that aimed both the maintenance and creation of genetic variability and diversity. A significant positive correlation among Fe, Zn, protein and TGW indicated the potential for simultaneous improvement. Grain yield had a non-significant association with Fe and Zn, while protein showed a negative correlation. These results suggest that significant variability exists in elite-breeding lines, thus highlighting an opportunity to breed for biofortified varieties without compromising on the grain yield. The lines with high Fe, Zn and protein content can be used as hybrid parents and may also help in further genetic investigations

Antiproliferative effects of total alkaloid extract of roots of Chassalia curviflora (Wall.) Thwaites on cancer cell lines

389-395Chassalia curviflora is used in folklore medicines for treating several ailments and infections owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Though the plant has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory antihepatotoxic and analgesic activities, its anticancer potential has not been studied so far. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of the total alkaloids isolated from the roots of C. curviflora. The total alkaloid was validated by MTT assay in three cancer cell lines, such as liver cancer cell line-A549, breast cancer cell line-MCF-7 and ovarian cancer cell line -HeLa. Significant antiproliferative effect (IC50 value 3.59±0.14*** µg/mL) was observed in A549 cells, and was taken for further studies. Cell cycle analysis showed that the cells got arrested in sub G0 phase and annexin V-FITC assay revealed that 27.4% cells were in early apoptosis and 7% cells in late apoptosis. The study revealed that the total alkaloids of Chassalia curviflora roots possess significant antiproliferative and apoptotic activity

Effect of isonuclear-alloplasmic cytoplasmic male sterility system on grain yield traits in pearl millet

Pearl millet is a nutri-cereal and is grown predominantly by subsistence farmers in semi-arid regions of India and Africa. Considering it’s highly cross pollinated nature and availability of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), hybrids have become a dominant cultivar type in India. Present study aims to assess the effect of isonuclear alloplasmic A1, A4 and A5 CMS on agronomic performance of pearl millet hybrids. Five isogenic females each having 3 alloplasmic (A1, A4 and A5) cytoplasm were crossed with 6 male-parents to generate 120 hybrids. All these were evaluated in two contrasting seasons (E) in split-split-plot design. The significant cytoplasm per se and restorer per se indicate the both contribution to most of the traits, however, greater magnitude of contribution arises from restorers significantly (75%grain yield; 95% 1000-grain weight). The significant, hybrids x E shows the mandatory of multilocation testing for yield traits while non-significant of CMS × E interaction reveals the greater stability of CMS. Further, non-significant mean yield differences exhibited in A1, A4 and A5 hybrids (2.84-3.14 t ha–1) indicated no adverse effect of cytoplasm on grain yield and associated traits. Also, diverse genetic backgrounds used in this study displayed significant contributions to grain yield and its component traits. These results imply the prospects for utilization of potential alternative cytoplasm (A4 and A5) to widen the cytoplasm base together with development of counterpart restorers to produce future high-yielding hybrids