Morphological studies and meiotic chromosome analysis of Epimedium elatum (Morr & Decne) - Rare endemic medicinal plant of Northwestern Himalayas in India.

Epimedium elatum (Berberidaceace) is a rare endemic medicinal herb of Northwestern Himalayas in India. Recent ethnopharmacological reports have demonstrated its traditional medicinal use against various bone related diseases in the Kashmir Himalayas. It owes its pharmaceutical importance due to high concentration of flavonoid glycosides like Epimedin A, B, C and Icariin which are known mainly for aphrodisiac, antiosteoporosis, anticancer, antioxidant, antiaging, antifatigue and antiviral activities. It is a neglected medicinal plant in Northwestern Himalayan region and may fall in the list of endangered species due to continuous anthropogenic pressures in its native habitats. In this study, we investigated distributional and altitudinal range of this prized species from twenty diverse eco-geographical zones of Kashmir Himalayas for the first time. We also report here its diversity in morphological attributes both in wild and captive cultivation. The species has a very small population size in most of the surveyed habitats with no natural protection. Under cultivation it showed increased plant height (63.09±4.9cm), more number of leaves (95.53±11cm) and flowers (160.76±20cm), indicating importance of high altitude medicinal garden for its immediate ex situ conservation. Further, the acetocarmine staining and squashing of young anthers confirmed it as a diploid species (2n=12) like other Epimedium species. Chromosome number and meiotic abnormalities are also reported for the first time in the species. Finally, constant anthropogenic pressures in Northwestern Himalayas demand immediate in situ and ex situ conservation programmes for E.elatum

Effect of palm-sesame biodiesel fuels with alcoholic and nanoparticle additives on tribological characteristics of lubricating oil by four ball tribo-tester

Dilution of engine oil with unburned fuels alters its lubricity and tribological properties. In this research paper, SAE-40 lubricating oil samples were contaminated with known percentages (5%) of fuels (diesel, palm-sesame biodiesel blend (B30), B30 + ethanol, B30 + dimethyl carbonate, B30 + carbon nanotubes and, B30 + titanium oxide). The effect of all these fuels on wear and frictional characteristics of lubricating oil was determined by using a 4-ball tribo tester and wear types on worn surfaces were analyzed by using SEM. Lubricating oil diluted with B10 (commercial diesel) showed highest COF (42.95%) with severe abrasive and adhesive wear than mineral lubricant among other fuels. Lubricating oil diluted with palm-sesame biodiesel (B30 blend) with alcoholic additives showed comparatively less COF, less wear scar diameter and polishing wear due to presence of ester molecules. Lub + B30 + Eth exhibited increment in COF value (35.81%) compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. While lubricating oil contaminated with B30 with nanoparticles showed least frictional characteristics with abrasive wear. Lub + B30 + TiO2 showed least increment in COF value (13.78%) among all other contaminated fuels compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. It is concluded that nanoparticles in biodiesel blends (B30) helps in reducing degradation of lubricants than alcoholic fuel additives and commercial diesel. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University