Larvicidal activity of phytoextracts against dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti - A review

Since Aedes aegypti is considered as the major vector of dengue fever, development of strategies to accomplish improved vector control without much interference in the environment composition are more common. As phytochemicals are now in the run for achieving this goal, this review is a humble attempt to recognize the plant species and their larvicidal efficacy with their inhibitory action on the life cycle of the species of interest, that has been documented through various studies conducted till date. Here we also discuss the synergistic impact of a number of phytoextracts which will provide more efficient control measures for mosquito vectors. All these studies are an exploration for a risk-free vector control tactic to replace the current chemical insecticide application for the betterment of our nature

Role of gut inhabitants on vectorial capacity of mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases are spreading at an alarming rate. Globally millions of deaths occur due to the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, next to AIDS and tuberculosis. Several methods have been used to control these vectors and the diseases caused by them. Earlier studies have shown the potential role of mosquito gut inhabitants on disease transmission. Their findings can be used as an innovative approach for devising strategies to modify the survival of mosquitoes by reducing their lifespan, reproduction and disease transmission abilities. In this study, microbiome of the three genera of mosquitoes, namely Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex along with their vectorial capacity have been reviewed for assessing their role in mosquito control and transmission. Relevant articles were accessed using different databases, including LILACS, Embase, Science Direct and PubMed from inception to June 2017. The search keywords included “Aedes”, “Anopheles”, “Culex”, “gut inhabitants”, “vectors”, and “mosquito”. The titles, abstract, and keywords of the retrieved articles were screened, and eligible research articles were sorted. The review indicates that paratransgenesis may be considered as a versatile and effective strategy to eradicate the spurt of mosquito transmitting diseases. Enterobacter species is the most common type of gram-negative bacteria associated with the gut of all the three genera of mosquitoes. It was found to have a beneficial effect on humans as it helps in destroying dreadful disease-transmitting vectors. These symbiotic qualities of the microbes need to be thoroughly investigated further to reveal their antipathogenic effect on the vector

Molecular advancements in the development of thermostable phytases

Since the discovery of phytic acid in 1903 and phytase in 1907, extensive research has been carried out in the field of phytases, the phytic acid degradatory enzymes. Apart from forming backbone enzyme in the multimillion dollar-based feed industry, phytases extend a multifaceted role in animal nutrition, industries, human physiology, and agriculture. The utilization of phytases in industries is not effectively achieved most often due to the loss of its activity at high temperatures. The growing demand of thermostable phytases with high residual activity could be addressed by the combinatorial use of efficient phytase sources, protein engineering techniques, heterologous expression hosts, or thermoprotective coatings. The progress in phytase research can contribute to its economized production with a simultaneous reduction of various environmental problems such as eutrophication, greenhouse gas emission, and global warming. In the current review, we address the recent advances in the field of various natural as well as recombinant thermotolerant phytases, their significance, and the factors contributing to their thermotolerance

Life Cycle, Bio-ecology and DNA Barcoding of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

Mosquito  borne  diseases  remain  as  the  world’s  most  severe  insect-borne  disease  with  excessive  rate  in  morbidity  and  mortality.    Mosquitoes  transmit  various  severe  diseases,  such  as  dengue,  malaria,  filariasis,  viral  encephalitis,  Japanese  encephalitis,  chickungunya  and  zika  virus  infection  causing  millions  of  deaths  worldwide;  and  no  part  of  the  world  is  liberated  from  mosquito  borne  diseases.    Aedes  aegypti  and  Aedes  albopictus  represent  the  two  important  mosquito  vectors  for  dengue  virus  transmission  in  America  and  Asia.    According  to  the  Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Project  (ISDP),  8888  confirmed  dengue  infections  were  reported  from January 1st to June 30th  2017  in  Kerala  state,  India.    Of  which 409  confirmed  dengue  infections  were  reported  from  Thrissur  district  of  Kerala  including  Irinjalakuda  Municipality,  the  study  area.    In  addition,  15 confirmed and 56 suspected  dengue fever death were  also  reported  from  Kerala  state,  India .    Current  epidemics  of  dengue  and  severe  mosquito  borne  diseases  from  Kerala  have  exposed  the  need  for  more  comprehensive  understanding  of  the  mosquito  species  types,  their  vectorial  capacity,  and  the  habitat  characteristics  that  offer  them  for  proper  breeding  environment  in  the  study  area.    The  present  study  also  explored  the  applicability  of  COI-based  DNA  bar  coding  as  an  alternative  approach  to  identify  mosquito  species  such  as  A.  aegypti  and  A.  albopictus. 

Chapter 3: Enzyme Catalysis: A Workforce to Productivity of Textile Industry

Enzyme guided catalysis of biological reactions and their industrial synthesis is of great interest, accounting for less energy consumption, eco-friendly solutions and high substrate specificity provided by these proteins. The textile industry accounts for a major portion of the industrial enzymes in various steps of the desizing, bioscouring, biobleaching, stone washing and dyeing process. The current review focuses on providing the role of various enzymes utilised in the textile industry, their mechanism of action and microbial sources. Finally, the key strategies adapted to optimised production and increased yield of enzymes are also discussed

Cleaner technologies to combat heavy metal toxicity

Heavy metals frequently occur as silent poisons present in our daily diet, the environment we live and the products we use, leaving us victims to various associated drastic health and ecological bad effects even in meagre quantities. The prevalence of heavy metals can be traced from children's toys, electronic goods, industrial effluents, pesticide preparation, and even in drinking water in some instances; necessitating methods to remediate them. The current review discusses the various physicochemical and biological methods employed to tackle the problem of heavy metal pollution. Apart from the conventional methods following the principles of adsorption, precipitation, coagulation, and various separation techniques, the advancements made in the directions of biological heavy metal detoxification using microbes, plants, algae have been critically analyzed to identify the specific utility of different agents for specific heavy metal removal. The review paper is a nutshell of different heavy metal remediation strategies, their merits, demerits, and modifications done to alleviate process of heavy metal pollution