The antimicrobial efficacy of elaeis guineensis : characterization, in Vitro and in Vivo studies

The urgent need to treat multi-drug resistant pathogenic microorganisms in chronically infected patients has given rise to the development of new antimicrobials from natural resources. We have tested Elaeis guineensis Jacq (Arecaceae) methanol extract against a variety of bacterial, fungal and yeast strains associated with infections. Our studies have demonstrated that E. guineensis exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo against the bacterial and fungal strains tested. A marked inhibitory effect of the E. guineensis extracts was observed against C. albicans whereby E. guineensis extract at =, 1, or 2 times the MIC significantly inhibited C. albicans growth with a noticeable drop in optical density (OD) of the bacterial culture. This finding confirmed the anticandidal activity of the extract on C. albicans. Imaging using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy was done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of the extract-treated C. albicans. The main abnormalities noted via SEM and TEM studies were the alteration in morphology of the yeast cells. In vivo antimicrobial activity was studied in mice that had been inoculated with C. albicans and exhibited good anticandidal activity. The authors conclude that the extract may be used as a candidate for the development of anticandidal agent.<br /

Influence of different methods of rice (Oryzae sativa.l) cultivation – SRI vs NTP on microbes, soil health and grainyeild

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) developed in Madagascar, a systems approach to increasing rice productivity with less reliance on expensive external inputs, is gaining momentum all over the world including India. IIRR has conducted a long term experiments in sandy clay loam soils (2008-09 to 2010-11) to compare the organic and inorganic sources of nutrients for its productivity and soil health in SRI vs Best Management Practice (BMP) of Normal puddled Transplanted rice. The superior performance of SRI with higher microbial biomass corbon (17.2 %) coupled with higher dehydrogenase activity (ug TPFg-1soil 24h-1) with SRI (182) as compared to BMP indicating soil health improvement. SRI method with organic and inorganic nutrient application yielded 15.66 to 22.76 %mean higher grain yield in wet and dry seasons respectively as compared to BMP indicating a major factor contributing to positive SRI crop results is that its practices (young seedling, wider spacing, inter cultivation with weeder, saturation of soil use of organics) respectively taken together, create conditions in which beneficial microbes prosper due to well aeration and improves the soil health

SRI-A Method for Sustainable Intensification of Rice Production with Enhanced Water Productivity

Climate change induced higher temperatures will increase crops’ water requirements. Every 10°C increase in mean temperature, results in 7% decline in the yield of rice crop. Hence, there is a need to develop water saving technologies in rice which consumes more than 50% of the total irrigation water in agriculture. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is one such water saving rice production technology. Experiments were conducted at different locations in India including research farm of Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, during 2005-10 to assess the potential of SRI in comparison to normal transplanting/Standard Planting (NTP/SP) under flooded condition. SRI recorded higher grain yield (6 to 65% over NTP) at majority of locations. Long term studies clearly indicated that grain yield was significantly higher (12-23% and 4-35% over NTP in Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively) in SRI (with organic+inorganic fertilizers) while the SRI (with100% organic manures), recorded higher yield (4-34%) over NTP only in the Rabi seasons. Even though, SRI resulted in higher productivity, the available nutrient status in soil was marginally higher (10, 42 and 13% over NTP for N, P and K, respectively) at the end of four seasons. There was a reduction in the incidence of pests in SRI and the relative abundance of plant parasitic nematodes was low in SRI as compared to the NTP. About 31% and 37% saving in irrigation water was observed during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively in both methods of SRI cultivation over NTP. SRI performed well and consistently reduced requirement of inputs such as seed and water in different soil conditions. SRI method, using less water for rice production can help in overcoming water shortage in future and it can also make water available for growing other crops thus promoting crop diversificatio

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice–rice system

Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, biological, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic + inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic + inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth parameters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic + inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons compared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydrogenase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield

Ameliorative effect of alkaloid extract of Cyclea peltata (Poir.) Hook. f. & Thoms. roots (ACP) on APAP/CCl4 induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats and in vitro free radical scavenging property

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of alkaloid extract of Cyclea peltata (C. peltata) against paracetamol/carbon tetra chloride induced liver damage in Wistar rats. Methods: In vivo paracetamol/carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in Wistar rats, in vitro free radical scavenging studies, HPTLC estimation of tetrandrine and direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry of alkaloid extract of C. peltata were used for the validation. Results: The results showed that pretreatment with alkaloid extract of C. peltata caused significant reduction of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol, liver malondialdehyde levels. The reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase levels in liver were increased with alkaloid extract of C. peltata treatment. These results were almost comparable to silymarin and normal control. Histopathological studies also substantiated the biochemical findings. The in vitro hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH scavenging study of alkaloid extract of C. peltata showed significant free radical scavenging property. Conclusions: The hepatoprotective property of alkaloid extract of C. peltata against paracetamol/carbon tetrachloride may be due the synergistic action of alkaloids especially tetrandrine, fangchinoline through free radical scavenging and thus preventing oxidative stress

Antihyperglycemic effects of Amrtottara Kvatha, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by suppressing oxidative stress

Amrtottara Kvatha [KNM3] (AK) is a widely used Ayurvedic preparation, primarily utilized for hyperpyrexia (‘Jwara’). In the present study we evaluated the antidiabetic effect of AK against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic murine model. The effects of AK on normoglycemic rats and glucose tolerance were also studied. The antidiabetic effect of AK was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg, i.p.) induced diabetic rats. AK was administered orally at four doses AK (1/4), AK (1/2), AK (T) and AK (DD) for fourteen days to examine the antidiabetic activity with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) as reference standard. The effect of AK on blood glucose and insulin levels, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers and histopathological examinations were studied. Oral administration of AK at doses AK (1/4), AK (1/2), AK (T) and AK (DD) to rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes showed significant (P&lt;0.01) decrease in blood glucose levels with improved insulin levels, liver glycogen and pancreatic protein content. The oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein products) were reduced in all AK treated groups with a significant (P&lt;0.01) increase in antioxidant enzyme status. Histopathological studies also supported the findings. The present study reports for the first time the antidiabetic effects of Amrtottara Kvatha by suppressing oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin in Wistar rats.

Jellyfish fisheries along the Gujarat coast, India: Status and challenges

The study exemplified jellyfish fisheries along India's Northwest coast, constituted by two emerging Scyphozoan species, Catostylus perezi and Rhopilema hispidum, which swarmed in and around the Gulf of Kutch. Jellyfishing operations were small-scale and operated by motorised crafts, primarily using scoop nets. The fishing season fluctuated between March-May and October-December. The jellyfish landings from November 2017 to February 2020 were 13569.95 metric tonnes (82.1% C. perezi and 17.9% R. hispidum) of oral arms contributed by Jakhau (67.37%) and Okha (32.63%) jellyfish focal stations, making it a nascent small-scale commercial fishery, which indicates a shift in harvest from fish to jellyfish. In 2018, the estimated value of landed jellyfish (6538.4 metric tonnes) at first sale was ₹78.46 million ($1.14 million). The jellyfishing closures due to socio-sectoral conflicts and unsuitable weather conditions were considered for a 30.71% reduction in 2019. After processing using salt and alum, the semi-dried oral arms of C. perezi and R. hispidum were locally traded as salted-banana-jhar and salted-flower-jhar, respectively. The majority (65%) of processed jellyfish were exported to China, and the rest to other Asian countries from Mundra and Pipavav ports. The myriad challenges were discussed in the nascent jellyfish fisheries. A conceptual plan was advised for developing jellyfish research as a priority area in India that may help minimise knowledge gaps and support management actions. The study recommended jellyfish as future food and secondary raw material with better harvesting and processing practices. A co-management with a precautionary approach was suggested for the sustainability of jellyfish resources

Exploring biophysical links of catch rate from mid-water trawl fishery in the north-west coast of India, Eastern Arabian Sea: A remote sensing approach

Fish frequently shift their distribution ranges as a result of changes in preferred environmental factors. Knowledge on distribution of fish in relation to their environmental optima is crucial for improving the understanding of fishing grounds and planning sustainable exploitation. This study investigated the monthly variability in environmental factors impacting the catch rate and the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of fish along northwest coast of India (NWCI) from 2017 to 2019. The time series images of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height anomaly (SSHa), chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL), and euphotic depth (Zeu) indicate close coupling between bio-physical variables in the region. Generalized Additive Model (GAM) applied to the catch rate of mid-water trawlers found that CHL and Zeu were the most influential variables for ribbonfish distribution, while CHL and SST influence squid distribution and SST and SSHa influence cuttlefish distribution. The total deviation explained 37.70 %, 10.70 %, and 22.28 % in the final model for predicting the spatio-temporal distribution of ribbonfish, squid, and cuttlefish, respectively. Environmental factors were significant in the final GAM model (p < 0.05). Spatio-temporal distribution patterns of fishery resources from mid-water trawlers showed that they were related to biophysical changes in the northwest coast of India. The high catch rate was observed in the northern latitudes during the post-monsoon (October), the major fishing season in the region. However, it shrank and shifted to southern latitudes during the winter (January). This study could be adapted to nearby countries in the Arabian Sea region for an effective and useful tool to monitor and manage the fishery resources. Furthermore, it could aid in decision-making for policymakers and resource managers to formulate strategies for holistic marine fishery management and sustainable resource exploitation