Microwave Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from \u3cem\u3eTrachyspermum ammi\u3c/em\u3e (L.) Sprague

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae and is mostly administered for stomach disorders. During the present research work, cold maceration and Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) of T. ammi Sprague was done by using methanol, dichloromethane and n-hexane separately as extracting solvents. For cold maceration, 2, 4, 6, 18 and 24 hours of time durations were used for each solvent. Maximum extract (50mg/g) was obtained at 18 hours of cold maceration with methanol, while maximum phenolics were also obtained from the same extract, which were calculated to be 170.89μg/g equivalent of Gallic acid. For Microwave Assisted Extraction, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180seconds of time durations for microwaves irradiations were used at power levels 200W, 500W, 800W and 1000W. Maximum extract (35mg/g) was obtained at 90 seconds with methanol at power level 800W, while maximum phenolics were obtained after 30 seconds of MAE in methanol (196.90μg/g). Hence, it is concluded that cold maceration has better extraction efficiency for extracts of T. ammi than MAE. It was also concluded that the amount of phenolics were obtained in a higher quantity by MAE of T. ammi, as compared to the cold maceration in the lesser time of extraction

Antibacterial activity of phyto-mediated silver nanoparticles developed from Melia azedarach

BACKGROUNDː Nanoparticles formed by plant extracts present a good alternative of existing antibiotics to compete with the resistant strains of bacteria. Antioxidants present in plants synthesize the nanoparticles from metal salt and also cap them.METHODSː In the present study, Melia azedarach fresh leaves were extracted with water. These extracts were reduced by adding silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution separately. Plant extract in different concentration was used to develop nanoparticles with constant strength of salt solution. Color change of extracts represented the development of silver nanoparticles due to reduction of silver ions to form silver nanoparticles. Absorbance of reaction mixtures were determined by UV Vis spectrophotometry. Further antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles was tested against Borditella pertussis and Xanthomonas axonopodis by agar well diffusion method.RESULTSː Maximum absorbance was noticed between 400-500 nm. EDX analysis proved the presence of silver ions and SEM analysis showed size and shape of nanoparticles (105 nm). Silver nanoparticles developed from water extract of M. azedarach exhibited maximum inhibition zones (25.4±0.36) and (47.2±0.25) against Borditella pertussis and Xanthomonas axonopodis respectively.CONCLUSIONSː The conclusion was established that silver nanoparticles from M. azedarach revealed enhanced antibacterial activity with comparison to pure plant extract and silver nitrate solution and can be used in different antibacterial products.</p

Elicitation of the in vitro Cultures of Selected Varieties of Vigna radiata L. With Zinc Oxide and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Phytochemicals Production

This study was conducted to develop a protocol for in vitro shoot multiplication and callus induction of various mung bean varieties to obtain enhanced phytochemical content with the help of elicitors. For shoot multiplication, two types of explants (shoot tips and nodal tips) of three varieties of mung bean (Mung NCM-13, MgAT-7, and MgAT-4) were used. Both types of explants from in vitro and in vivo sources were cultured on the MS medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.25–3.0 mg/L, increment of 0.5 mg/L) and combinations of BAP and IBA as independent treatments. For callus induction, leaf explants (in vitro source) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (1–3 mg/L) alone or in combination with BAP or NAA (0.5 and 1.0 mg/L). For the enhanced production of phenolics and glycosides, calli were cultured on MS media supplemented with zinc oxide (0.5 mg/L) and copper oxide nanoparticles (0.5 mg/L) as nano-elicitors. Results showed that in vitro explants responded better in terms of shoot length, number of shoots, and number of leaves per explant when compared to in vivo explants. Moreover, shoot tips were better than nodal explants to in vitro culturing parameters. All three varieties showed the optimized results in the MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP, while roots were produced only in cultures fortified with 1 mg/L IBA. The leaf explants of in vitro and soil-grown plantlets showed a maximum callogenic response of 90 and 80%, respectively, on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (3 mg/ml). Maximum phenolic content (101.4 μg of gallic acid equivalent/g) and glycoside content (34 mg of amygdalin equivalent/g of plant material) was observed in the calli cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L of 2,4-D. Furthermore, the addition of zinc oxide (0.5 mg/L) and copper oxide (0.5 mg/L) nanoparticles to the callus culture medium significantly enhanced the phenolic content of Mung NCM-13 (26%), MgAT-7 (25.6%), and MgAT-4 (22.7%). Glycosidic content was also found to be increased in Mung NCM-13 (50%), MgAT-7 (37.5%), and MgAT-4 (25%) varieties when compared to the control. It is suggested that elicitation of in vitro cultures of mung beans with nanoparticles could be an effective strategy for the enhanced production of secondary metabolites

Antifungal efficacy of phytoconstituents of Medicago sativa against Rhizoctonia solani

This research was carried out to study the antifungal properties of Medicago sativa L. against phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn. Methanolic extract of M. sativa was estimated in vitro against the R. solani. M. sativa methanolic extract was found to be highly efficient at the concentration of 5% as it reduced 74% test fungus biomass. Test plant was further partitioned by five organic fractions namely, n-butanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and n-hexane. These isolated fractions and synthetic fungicide control group were evaluated in vitro against R. solani. Results showed that ethyl acetate fraction and fungicide were most effectively to repress the growth of R. solani up to 61-67%. This ethyl acetate fraction was further carried out for analysis of GC-MS and nine bioactive agents were found. The most copious compounds were phytol (RT: 20.84), 1,2,3-Propanetriol, monoacetate (RT: 12.47), Z,Z-3, 15-Octadecadien-1-olacetate (RT: 21.75), Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (RT: 19.72) and Benzene, nitro- (RT: 10.20). The present study can be concluded that M. sativa possesses antifungal constituents against R. solani.Cette recherche a été menée afin d’étudier les propriétés antifongiques de Medicago sativa L. contre le champignon phytopathogène Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn. L’extrait méthanolique de M. sativa contre R. solani a été évalué in vitro. L’extrait méthanolique de M. sativa s’est avéré très efficace à une concentration de 5%, car il réduisait de 74% la biomasse du champignon à l’essai. L’extrait de plante a ensuite été divisé en cinq fractions organiques à savoir le n-butanol, le chloroforme, l’acétate d’éthyle, l’acétone et le n-hexane. Ces fractions isolées et le groupe témoin de fongicide synthétique ont été évalués in vitro contre R. solani. Les résultats ont montré que la fraction d’acétate d’éthyle et le fongicide étaient les plus efficaces pour réprimer la croissance de R. solani jusqu’à 61-67%. Cette fraction d’acétate d’éthyle a ensuite été analysée par CPG-SM et neuf agents bioactifs ont été trouvés. Les composés les plus abondants étaient le phytol (TR : 20,84), le 1,2,3-Propanetriol, monoacétate (TR : 12,47), Z,Z-3, 15-Octadécadien-1-olacétate (TR : 21,75), l’acide hexadécanoïque, ester (TR : 19,72) et le benzène, nitro- (TR : 10,20). La présente étude peut être conclue que M. sativa possède des constituants antifongiques contre R. solani

Effect of calcium oxide, zinc oxide nanoparticles and their combined treatments on growth and yield attributes of Solanum lycopersicum L.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. Syn Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) occupies a significant position among vegetable crops. With the increasing population, the food supply is going to be short and will be causing a major problem. Therefore, the enhancement of crop production is necessary for food security. To enhance nutrient efficiency and yield in an agricultural field, nanotechnology can play a key role. In the present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by following green synthesis i.e., by using water extract of Nigella sativa seeds. These particles were characterized by UV visible spectroscopy and particle size analyzer. A UV–visible spectrum of ZnO and CaO NPs showed absorption peaks at 230 nm and 220 nm respectively. The particle size of 50–60 nm and 5 to 10 nm was observed for ZnO and CaO nanoparticles respectively. Sterilized seeds of tomato were germinated and grown in pots, which were treated with foliar spray of ZnO, and CaO nanoparticles in various concentrations (50, 100, 200 ppm) with three replications separately. The effect of ZnO, CaO, and CaO + ZnO NPs was observed by measuring vegetative growth parameters (i.e. plant length, number of leaves/plant, leaf area/plant, fresh and dry weight of the whole plant) and biochemical parameters (i.e. titratable acidity, total phenolics and zinc and calcium metal content). Results revealed that nano-spray of CaO and ZnO NPs gave positive results on the physiological parameters of tomato plants. A combined effect of ZnO and CaO on S. lycopersicum was significantly higher as compared to the separate treatments of ZnO and CaO. The combined effect of ZnO + CaO with the concentration of 50 ppm gave positive results in shoot length, number of shoots, number of roots, yield/plant, fruit weight, and leaf area. Whereas, root length, plant weight, and fruit diameter were higher at 200 ppm of ZnO + CaO. Biochemical parameters were also improved by using the nano-spray application as CaO < ZnO < ZnO + CaO respectively. The research proved to be cost-effective, less toxic, and eco-friendly which will also be beneficial for future perspectives