EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF LEAVES OF PIPER UMBELLATUM

Objective: This study was designed to determine the Total phenol, flavonoid content, antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of different solvent extracts of Piper umbellatum.  Methods: Different solvent extracts evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging activity and Reducing power activity.Results: The presence of phenol and flavonoid showed highly in the methanol extracts than ethyl acetate and acetone extracts. All the extracts have various level of antioxidant activity. Methanol solvent extract have good extraction and show significant antioxidant activity. The effect of reducing power of methanol extract revealed good antioxidant activity compare with other tested extracts.Conclusion: On the basis of the above results we concluded that methanol extract of Piper umbellatum whole plant extracts shows significant antioxidant activity than ethyl acetate and acetone extracts.Keywords: Piper umbellatum, Antioxidant, DPPH, FRAP assay, Polar, Non polar solvent

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED INDIAN FOLK MEDICINAL PLANTS: MYRISTICA FATUA, ALSTONIA BOONEI, HELICTERES ISORA, VITEX ALTISSIMA AND ATALANTIA RACEMOSA

Objective: To determine antimicrobial activity of methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of Myristica fatua, Alstonia boonei, Helicteres isora, Vitex altissima and Atalantia racemosa  against different species of pathogens, Streptococcus feacalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphyllococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.Methods: Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was measured by agar well diffusion method.Results: Acetone extracts of Alstonia boonei showed the highest inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli (21.00 ± 1.00 mm) and Streptococcus faecalis (19.00 ± 1.00 mm). All the extracts of Heliteres isora leaves showed different zone of inhibition observed in all the tested pathogens ranges between (8.13 ± 1.53 – 15.25 ± 1.23 mm). Ethyl acetate extract of Vitex altissima showed highest activity against Bacillus sublilis (19.67 ± 1.53 mm). Methanol and acetone leaves extracts of Atalantia racemosa have good fungal activity against the Candida albicans (19.33 ± 1.26 mm - 16.00 ± 1.00 mm). Methanol extract of Myristica fatua showed high antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.10 ± 0.17 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (14.23 ± 0.21 mm).Conclusion: The results from the study suggest that the leaves Myristica fatua, Alstonia boonei, Helicteres isora, Vitex altissima and Atalantia racemosa showed good antimicrobial activity against the different pathogens. They are used as the alternative source for the control and treatment of microbial infections.Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Leaves extracts,  Well diffusion method, Pathogenic strains

Chemical, Physical and Biological Approaches to Prevent Ochratoxin Induced Toxicoses in Humans and Animals

Ochratoxins are polyketide derived fungal secondary metabolites with nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, teratogenic, and carcinogenic properties. Ochratoxin-producing fungi may contaminate agricultural products in the field (preharvest spoilage), during storage (postharvest spoilage), or during processing. Ochratoxin contamination of foods and feeds poses a serious health hazard to animals and humans. Several strategies have been investigated for lowering the ochratoxin content in agricultural products. These strategies can be classified into three main categories: prevention of ochratoxin contamination, decontamination or detoxification of foods contaminated with ochratoxins, and inhibition of the absorption of consumed ochratoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. This paper gives an overview of the strategies that are promising with regard to lowering the ochratoxin burden of animals and humans

Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl

Assessment of the Radical Scavenging Activity and Total phenolic content of Crude Methanolic leaves Extract of Aristolochia indica L.- Aristolochiaceae

The present study was aimed to screen antioxidant and quantify the phytoconstituents of Aristolochia indica leaves extracts evaluated the antioxidant in three methods viz. DPPH free radical scavenging activity, phosphomolybdenum method and reducing power assay. The total phenols and total flavonoids were quantitatively estimated in leaves of A. indica. The results thus obtained were compared with standard antioxidant compound like ascorbic acid. The results revealed that free radical scavenging activity of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica has radical scavenging ability on DPPH with IC50 value of 38.72µg/ml. The positive control ascorbic acid showed the IC50 values of 32.42µg/ml. The total phenols and flavonoids content in leaf extract indicated the antioxidant activity. The present study provides evidence that solvent extract of A. indica contain important bioactive compounds and this justifies the use of plant species as traditional medicine for treatment of various diseases

Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinia cambogia Hort. Ex Boerl (Clusiaceae) fruit extracts.

Garcinia cambogia Hort. Ex Boerl (Clusiaceae) is a traditionally used medicinal plant claimed to possess antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity. The present study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant property and antimicrobial activity. The antioxidant property of the methanolic fruit extracts were evaluated using two methods. DPPH Radical Scavenging Assay, Total antioxidant phosphomolybdenum method and Total Reducing Capacity. The results revealed that free radical scavenging activity of methanolic fruits extracts of G. cambogia has significant radical scavenging ability on DPPH with IC50 value of 39. 45 µg/ml respectively. The positive control ascorbic acid showed the IC50 values of 32.42 µg/ml. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of Terpenoids, Tannins, Saponins, Phenols, Flavonoids and Steroids compounds. Methanol, Ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of the plant was tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis,  Gram negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a fungus Candida albicans using agar well plate method. The results obtained in the present study indicated that the fruit of G. cambogia showed the best antimicrobials activity against the C. albicans, S. aureus (G+) and K. pneumoniae (G-). Gentamicin is used as a positive control. In conclusion, the results indicate antimicrobial activity of the extract which could be further explored for purification of antioxidant compounds

GC-MS analysis and phytochemical studies of methanolic fruits extract of Garcinia cambogia Hort. Ex Boerl and Ziziphus trinervia Roth

The investigation was carried out to determine the possible phytochemical components from the methanolic extracts of Garcinia cambogia (fruits) and Ziziphus trinervia (fruits). Among the phytochemical screening of these two plant extracts showed that the plant was rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and quinones. This study was extended by analyzing the potent bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of Garcinia cambogia (fruits) and Ziziphus trinervia (fruits) using GC-MS. The analysis revealed that Garcinia cambogia fruits extracts 40 compounds were identified in the fruit methanol extract. Another one plant Ziziphus trinervia methanol fruit extract showed 3 compounds were identified. Medicinal potential of these compounds needs further research on microbial aspects to develop safe dru

Growth of pearl oyster <i>Pinctada fucata</i> (Gould) in cage culture at Kundugal Channel, Gulf of Mannar

193-194Pearl oysters were cultured in pigeon hole box cages. The smaller size group showed higher growth rate during the initial months and showed average increase in dorso ventral measurement from 9.9 to 24.9 mm in 7 months

Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon Supported Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles as Recyclable Catalysts for Reduction of Nitroarenes

Highly porous beetroot-derived activated carbons incorporated with well-dispered magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs; average size <i>ca</i>. 3.8 ± 0.5 nm) were fabricated via a microwave-assisted synthesis route. The magnetic Fe₃O₄@BRAC catalysts so-fabricated were characterized by a variety of diffent physicochemical teniques, viz. XRD, FE-TEM, VSM, gas physisorption/chemisorption, TGA, XPS, Raman, ICP-AES, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The as-prepared catalysts were exploited for heterogeneous-phase reduction of a series of nitroaromatics (RNO₂; R = H, OH, NH₂, CH₃, and COOH) under KOH as a base, isopropyl alcohol acting as a hydrogen donor as well as solvent and also tested with other solvents. The reaction system not only exhibits excellent activity with high anilines yield but also represents a green and durable catalytic process, which facilitates facile operation, easy separation, and catalyst recycle