ANTIDERMATOPHYTIC AND PROTEASE INHIBITING ACTIVITIES OF THE RHIZOME OF ZINGIBER ZERUMBET (L) ROSCOE EX J. E: SMITH FROM CENTRAL KERALA, INDIA

Objective: Determination of Antidermatophytic and protease inhibiting activities of the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet from central Kerala, India.Methods: Dried and powdered rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet were extracted with methanol at room temperature. Antidermatophytic activity of the extract was tested against Epidermophyton floccosum var. nigricans, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum by determining the percentage inhibition of mycelial growth. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the extract were determined according to CLSI method–M38-A2 with slight modification. Protease inhibiting activity was analysed using trypsin as the enzyme. Results: The methanolic extract of the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet exhibited 100 percentage inhibition of mycelial growth of tested dermatophytes at the concentration 1 mg/ml. The inhibitory effect was statistically significant with P=0.000. MIC of the extract was 0.5 mg/ml against all organisms while MFC were 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 0.8 mg/ml respectively for E. floccosum, M. canis, M. gypseum and T. rubrum. The percentage inhibition of trypsin activity by 100µg, 500µg and 1000µg of the extract were 33.12±0.95, 56.34±2.82 and 72.93±1.16 respectively.Conclusion: The rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet exhibited anti dermatophytic as well as trypsin inhibiting activity. The material is a traditionally used ingredient in food preparations. Hence it can be used for the development of less toxic medicaments for dermatophytoses and inflammatory diseases in traditional as well as modern medicine.Â

Impact of Physico-Chemical Characteristics on Phytoplankton Diversity of Nalligudda Lake, Bangalore

Physico-chemical parameters of water are a prime consideration to assess the water quality of a lake for its best utilization for drinking, irrigation and fisheries. In the present investigation, the study of monthly variation of different physico-chemical characteristics and phytoplankton diversity were carried out from January to December 2011 to know the water quality of Nalligudda Lake of Bangalore. Physico-chemical parameters of the water samples such as water temperature (24.2-32.3.C), pH (7.1-8.5), total dissolved solids (300-800 mg/L), electrical conductivity (468.75-1250 µmhos/cm), dissolved oxygen (3.9-7.15), biological oxygen demand (2.4-7.2), chemical oxygen demand (9.9-41.4), phosphate (0.32-3.1 mg/L) and nitrate (2.86-6.4 mg/L) were recorded in the present investigation. Totally 51 species of phytoplankton belonging to different taxonomic groups were identified. Among these, 22 species belonged to Chlorophyceae, 8 species to Euglenophyceae, 2 species to Chrysophyceae, 2 species to Dinophyceae, 10 species to Bacillariophyceae and 7 species to Cyanophyceae. Chlorophyceae formed the dominant group. Dominance, Shannon index, Simpson index and Evenness of the species were also calculated

Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality of Shoolkere Lake, Bangalore

An attempt has been made to ascertain the water quality of Shoolkere Lake with regard to physico-chemical parameters like temperature, pH, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Free CO2, chloride, alkalinity, hardness, phosphate, nitrate, sulphate and iron. Seasonal variations in the water quality parameters were investigated during the monitoring period from January to December 2010. The relationship between various physico-chemical parameters were analyzed statistically by Pearson correlation analysis. The results revealed that the condition of this Lake in different seasons showed fluctuations in physico-chemical parameters. Correlation coefficient showed positive and negative relationships between the physico-chemical parameters and also showed high significant positive relationship (p<0.01 level) and significant positive relationship (p<0.05 level)

Studies on Population Dynamics and Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton Community in Doddavoderahallilake, Bangalore

The present study was undertaken to investigate the zooplankton diversity in Doddavoderahallilake through different months during the period of January 2010 to December 2010. The sample consists of moderate biodiversity of total zooplankton with 15 species belonging to four taxonomic groups. Out of 15 species 9 belonged to Rotifera, 4 to copepod, 1 to cladocera, and 1 to Ostracoda. Rotiferan species have showed a high magnitude of biodiversity in comparative to other zooplankton subgroups. The percentage dominance of Rotifers were 45.05%. The values of number of zooplankton species indicating the pattern of bio diversity have exhibited a different dominating trend of its major subgroups as given rotifera>copepoda>cladocera>Ostracoda. The present study aims at providing a preliminary knowledge on the productivity and diversity of zooplanktons which can be utilized during the formulation of management measures to improve the productivity of the lake

ISOLATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF TANNINS FROM THE ROOT BARK OF CLERODENDRUM INFORTUNATUM LINN. AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT ON HCT-15 CELLS

Objectives: Clerodendrum infortunatum is a traditional Indian medicinal plant which has been used for the treatment of many diseases. The root bark juice is effective against indigestion and abdominal pain. Based on the preliminary screening study on the antioxidant activity of the plant, the present study was aimed to isolate tannins from the root bark of Clerodendrum infortunatum and it was qualitatively analysed and quantified. The in-vitro antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect on HCT-15 cell lines was also evaluated.Methods: Tannins were isolated from the root bark of Clerodendrum infortunatum. It was qualitatively analysed by phytochemical screening, protein precipitation test and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and quantified by Folin-denis assay and protein precipitation assay. The modified method of protein precipitation assay was carried out to differentiate between condensed and hydrolysable tannins. Antioxidant and antiproliferative activity were also evaluated.Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins. TLC and protein precipitation ability of the extract confirmed the presence of tannins. The total tannin content by Folin-denis assay was found to be 166.6±5.607 mg tannic acid equivalents/g dry extract. This coincides with the radial diffusion method (163.75±7.5 mg tannic acid equivalents/g dry extract). Isolated tannins exhibited significant antioxidant and radical scavenging activities compared to the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay demonstrated the antiproliferative effect of isolated tannins against HCT-15 cell lines and about 50% of the cells were found to be dead at a concentration of 100 µg/ml.Conclusion: The antioxidant and antiproliferative properties exhibited by tannins isolated from Clerodendrum infortunatum suggest it as a new source of medicament.Â

Anodic oxidation of ketofrofen-an anti-inflammatory drug using boron doped diamond electrode

The mineralization of ketoprofen (KP) by anodic oxidation was studied by employing boron doped diamond (BDD) and Pt electrodes. The redox behavior of KP molecule, fouling of electrodes, generation of oxygen and active chlorine species were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of electrolyte, pH of aqueous medium and applied current density on the mineralization behavior of KP was also investigated. The degradation and mineralization were monitored by UV–vis spectrophotometer and total organic carbon analyzer, respectively. The results were explained in terms of in situ generation of hydroxyl radical (•OH), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), and active chlorine species (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−). The physisorbed •OH on BDD was observed to trigger the combustion of KP in to CO2 and H2O. The poor mineralization at both BDDand Pt anodes in the presence of NaCl as supporting electrolyte was ascribed to the formation of chlorinated organic compounds which are refractory. Complete mineralization of KP molecule was achieved using Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte

Role of electrolyte on anodic mineralization of atenolol at boron doped diamond and Pt electrodes

Anodic oxidation of atenolol, known as -blocker, has been investigated using boron-doped diamond(BDD) and Pt electrodes. The mineralization trend of atenolol in the presence of NaCl, Na2SO4 and NaNO3 was followed using total organic carbon analyzer. The disappearance of chloride ions and generation of active chlorine (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−) were analysed by argentometric and iodometric methods, respectively. The BDD anode was found to be effective in the presence of Na2SO4 whereas Pt yields better removal in the presence of NaCl. The initial concentration of NaCl and applied current density on the mineralization of atenolol were found to be significant for both BDD and Pt anodes. These results are explained in terms of electrogenerated oxidants such as •OH, SO4•−, S2O8 2−, Cl2, HOCl and OCl−. The evolution of chlorine at BDD and Pt with respect to NaCl concentration was studied by means of cyclic voltammetric technique. Though the rate of mineralization was observed to be initially higher in the presence of Pt anode, the overall rate of mineralization is more or less similar beyond 15 h of electrooxidation. The slow degradation at the later stages of electrooxidation was attributed to the presence of residual chlorinated organic compounds which are very refractive. The complete mineralization was achieved in the presenceof Na2SO4 using BDD as anode

EVALUATION OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CALCIUM ALGINATE BEADS MODIFIED WITH ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ADHATODA VASICA LEAF EXTRACT ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

 Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of calcium alginate (Ca-ALG) loaded with ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica (A. vasica) leaves against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).Methods: Ca-ALG beads containing ethanolic extract of A. vasica leaves were developed by ionic gelation technique. The prepared Ca-ALG beads were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antibacterial effect of A. vasica leaf extract loaded Ca-ALG beads was examined against S. aureus and E. coli. Results: FT-IR studies revealed the cross-linking of ALG and calcium ions. The spherical morphology of the beads was designated by SEM. The prepared beads were found to display distinctive growth inhibition against S. aureus and E. coli.Conclusion: The antibacterial activity analysis indicated that the prepared beads have good activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The present study proposes a strategy to enhance antibacterial properties of ALG which are widely used in biomedical applications

Starter culture technology: fermented foods

Practice of starter culture is an age old practice but without any scientific basis. With the awareness of need of microbial inoculations for regulation of fermentation process for quality production of desired quality foods innovative development have taken place. Development of new strains for elite strain which can improve the quality, stability, flavor, texture and phage resistant starter cultures are raised on a variety of medium depending organism as well as product to be developed. The starter culture are classified based on their composition growth requirement and methods of propagation. These starter cultures are preserved by different methods they can be available all the time. Though commercial strains are available their isolation and subsequent improvement through different genetical methods are desirable to get a novel strains with unique properties of commercial importance. Among different microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeast (Saccharomyce cerevisae, Penicillium camembertii, P. roquefortii) and Rhyzopus (R. oryzae, R. sojae) are extensively used for this purpose. Perfection in the preparation, storage and propagation need to be improved. Mixed starters with symbiotic activity have to be formulated

Relativistic coupled-cluster calculations of 20^{20}Ne, 40^{40}Ar, 84^{84}Kr and 129^{129}Xe: correlation energies and dipole polarizabilities

We have carried out a detailed and systematic study of the correlation energies of inert gas atoms Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe using relativistic many-body perturbation theory and relativistic coupled-cluster theory. In the relativistic coupled-cluster calculations, we implement perturbative triples and include these in the correlation energy calculations. We then calculate the dipole polarizability of the ground states using perturbed coupled-cluster theory.Comment: 10 figures, 6 tables, submitted to PR