Constraints in Adoption of Recommended Cultivation Practices of Medicinal Plant Growers

The objective of this study is to identify the constraints faced by medicinal plant growers in adoption of recommended cultivation practices. The present investigation was conducted in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu state. A total of 120 respondents were selected randomly by proportionate random sampling method and  ere interviewed personally with the help of a structured interview schedule. The collected data were processed and statistically analyzed. Major constraints experienced by the medicinal plant growers were improper availability of seed/planting material, high cost of labour, lack of fixed price policy for medicinal plants by the government and lack of processing industries

Marine microalgal extracts on cultivable crops as a considerable bio-fertilizer: A Review

849-854Around the globe, all countries whether developing or developed depend on agriculture. Nowadays due to advances in science and agricultural technology, the usage of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified crops is increasing day by day to meet the demand of the rising population. This looks helpful to meet our demand but this is a great threat for the future generation as the water and food will be more toxic due to accumulation of pesticides and chemical fertilizers which in turn reduces the soil fertility and contaminate the ground water. Due to this condition, the food web is getting totally collapsed. Because of realization of these problems, people are shifting to organic farming. Current researchers are focusing on terrestrial organic sources for agro production but there are immense sources in the wide marine environment. The marine sources will play a substantial role on agricultural development in the future. Microalgae are the best, as they are cheap, renewable source, easily available and are cultural organisms. Moreover, microalgae contain all the essential nutrients needed for plant growth. The majorities of microalgae are capable to fix the atmospheric nitrogen and are effectively used as bio-fertilizers. This review focuses on the broad overview of bio-fertilizers with special reference on marine derived microalgal bio-fertilizers and its role in increasing crop production by altering various physiochemical parameters of diversified agricultural crops

Corrosion Assessment Methods in Reinforced Cement Concrete

Worldwide huge amount was spent on infrastructure development projects, in which a major part is spent on demolishing deteriorated structures due to their reduction in serviceability due to various external factors. This may be attained by preventing reinforced cement concrete (RC) structures from factors that affect serviceability such as corrosion. The research community is developing various techniques to predict corrosion in RC structures to prevent the structure in the initial stages by carrying out maintenance work instead of going for the reconstruction of deteriorated structures. The corrosion of RC structures was mainly caused by chloride ions penetrating the structure or by carbonation. This coefficient can be used to predict the rate of corrosion in concrete. Electrochemical measurement, Eddy current, Half-cell potential measurement, etc., are the experimental techniques to forecast the corrosion rate in concrete reviewed. Recently various software’s like Life 365, Thermos calc, Concrete Compass, etc., were developed to predict the corrosion rate in RC structures. This research paper reviews the effectiveness of the application of software to predict corrosion rate in RC structures by reviewing previous research works to identify an accurate method to be followed

Ultrasonicated synthesis of some potent antimicrobial aryl sulphonamides

1373-1377Nine N-(2,4-difluorophenyl) substituted benzene sulphonamides have been synthesized by ultrasonication method within short reaction time having more than 90% yield. These sulphonamides have been analyzed by spectral and analytical techniques. The higher yields of sulphonamides have been found to be in case of ultrasonication process as compared to microwave and conventional heating methods. The antimicrobial activities of these sulphonamides have been evaluated using Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion method by means of measurement of mm of zone of inhibition

Growth performance of spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

812-819The present study was undertaken to evaluate the growth performance, biochemical composition, feed utilization and water quality parameters of spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus in indoor culture. The fattening experiments was carried out with five different fresh feeds viz. green mussel, clam, oyster, trash fish and pellet feed. Indoor experimental culture of juvenile lobster, Panulirus homarus lasted for 75 days to find better growth rate and survival. There was a reasonable change in the carapace length and weight of lobsters fed with clam and green mussel. Their Biomass was significantly better than other three feeds viz. oyster, pellet feed and trash fish. The spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus fed with clam, green mussel and oyster can increase the size of carapace length compared with the trash fish and pellet fed one. The maximum growth performance was seen during the 75th day on the clam fed experiment which was found to be ranged between (6.7 ± 0.02 - 7.2 ± 0.03 cm) in carapace length, (6.1 ± 0.1 - 6.7 ± 0.08 cm) in body length, (12.8 ± 0.03 - 13.8 ± 0.08 cm) in total length and (105 ± 0.07 - 112 ± 0.08 g) in total weight. The maximum protein content (15.10 ± 0.34 g/100 g), carbohydrate (1.25 ± 0.06 g/100 g), lipids (5.25 ± 0.13 g/100 g) and moisture (76.15 ± 0.9 g/100 g) was noted in clam feed experiment. The maximum feed was also utilized during the clam fed experiment (45.39 ± 0.03 g). The moderate feed utilization were observed during the green mussel fed experiment (42.51 ± 0.02 g). The lowest feed utilization was observed in pellet fed experiment (23.75 ± 0.01 g). The water quality parameters were analyzed in the culture tank before and after the experiment

Antioxidant rich flavonoids from Oreocnide integrifolia enhance glucose uptake and insulin secretion and protects pancreatic β-cells from streptozotocin insult

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insulin deficiency is the prime basis of all diabetic manifestations and agents that can bring about insulin secretion would be of pivotal significance for cure of diabetes. To test this hypothesis, we carried out bioactivity guided fractionation of <it>Oreocnide integrifolia </it>(Urticaceae); a folklore plant consumed for ameliorating diabetic symptoms using experimental models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out bioassay guided fractionation using RINmF and C2C12 cell line for glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and glucose uptake potential of fractions. Further, the bioactive fraction was challenged for its GSIS in cultured mouse islets with basal (4.5 mM) and stimulated (16.7 mM) levels of glucose concentrations. The Flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) was exposed to 2 mM streptozotocin stress and the anti-ROS/RNS potential was evaluated. Additionally, the bioactive fraction was assessed for its antidiabetic and anti-apoptotic property <it>in-vivo </it>using multidose streptozotocin induced diabetes in BALB/c mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results suggested FRF to be the most active fraction as assessed by GSIS in RINm5F cells and its ability for glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. FRF displayed significant potential in terms of increasing intracellular calcium and cAMP levels even in presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX in cultured pancreatic islets. FRF depicted a dose-dependent reversal of all the cytotoxic manifestations except peroxynitrite and NO formation when subjected <it>in-vitro </it>along with STZ. Further scrutinization of FRF for its <it>in-vivo </it>antidiabetic property demonstrated improved glycemic indices and decreased pancreatic β-cell apoptosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, the flavonoid mixture has shown to have significant insulin secretogogue, insulinomimetic and cytoprotective effects and can be evaluated for clinical trials as a therapeutant in the management of diabetic manifestations.</p