Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous activities of ethanol and hexane extracts of Urochloa ramosa

Urochloa ramosa is known for its environmental benefits such as stabilization and reclamation of polluted soils, in agriculture to control root-knot nematodes infecting crops, in medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases, duodenal ulcer, hyperglycemia, nephritis and snake bites. Qualitative analyses of phytochemicals in ethanol and hexane extracts were performed by standard methods. In vitro anti-microbial assay was performed against gram positive bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, Gram negative bacteria viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and fungus Candida albicans by disc diffusion method. Hexane extract of Urochloa ramosa was found to be 70% effective against Candida albicans indicating potent antifungal property. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was performed by albumin denaturation assay, proteinase inhibition activity assay and membrane stabilization assay using various concentrations of extracts with Aspirin and Diclofenac sodium as standard. Heat induced protein denaturation was considerably prevented by ethanol and hexane extract at concentrations between 200-500 µg/ml resulting in 60 and 62% inhibition respectively. Heat induced haemolysis of erythrocyte was remarkably inhibited (59 and 68 % respectively) at concentration of 500 µg/ml. 62 and 65 % Hypotonicity induced haemolysis was also inhibited between concentration of 300-500 µg/ml in both extracts respectively. Inhibition of formation of new blood vessels by Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay proved anti-angiogenic effects of extracts. Purification, characterization and structural elucidation of bioactive molecules present in ethanol and hexane extracts are needed to be explored further for assessment of better biological activites than crude extract

THE EFFECT OF ANNEALING TEMPERATURE ON THE OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF INTERMETALLIC NiTi THIN FILMS USING DC MAGNETRON SPUTTERING TECHNIQUE

ABSTRAC

Crystallization kinetics of Si20Te80-xBix (0 <= x <= 3) chalcogenide glasses

In this report, we investigate the crystallization kinetics of Si20Te80-xBi(0 <= x <= 3) chalcogenide glassy systems using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. Systematic studies are carried out in order to understand the variation of thermal parameters such as glass transition temperature (T-g), onset crystallization temperature (T-c) and peak crystallization temperature (T-p) as a function of composition. Activation energy for glass transition (E-g) and crystallization (E-c) has been calculated based on the relevant statistical methods. Furthermore, thermal parameters such as change in specific heat (Delta C-p), fragility index (F), thermal stability (Delta T) & (S), enthalpy (Delta H-c), entropy (Delta S) are deduced to interpret distinct material behaviour as a function of composition. Structural evaluation like thermal devitrification studies elucidate the restricted glass formability of the studied glass system. Conclusively, a relationship has been established between the obtained thermal parameters and electrical switching characteristics

Development of Zn-Co alloy coatings by pulsed current from chloride bath

581-587Zinc-M (where M = Ni, Co and Fe) alloy is of great interest owing to their better mechanical and corrosion properties compared with pure zinc coatings. Corrosion resistance of Zn-Co alloy coatings can be improved considerably by pulse plating. The paper details the optimization of Zn-Co alloy bath using pulsed current and details the superiority of pulse plating over direct current plating. Electroplating of Zn-Co alloys over mild steel was carried out under different conditions of pulse parameters like duty cycle, frequency and peak current density. The production and properties of the deposits were found to be influenced by pulse parameters employed. Within the ranges studied, the bath follows anomalous codeposition with preferential deposition of less noble zinc. The influence of current density on %wt. of Co in the deposit and cathode current efficiencies was studied. It was observed that the deposit at average current density of 5.0 A.dm⁻², 50% duty cycle and 100 Hz frequency showed excellent corrosion resistance with fine structure. The peak performance of pulse electrodeposit against corrosion was attributed to the change in the surface homogeneity as evidenced by scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. The drastic decrease of corrosion rate in pulse electrodeposit was attributed to the formation of semiconductor films on the surface as supported by impedance spectroscopy signals

Thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of Bi doped Si15Te85-xBix (0 <= x <= 2) chalcogenide glassy alloys

Bulk Si15Te85-xBix (0 <= x <= 2) chalcogenide glassy alloys were prepared by well-established melt quenching technique. Thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of these alloys were investigated by employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique at different heating rates, namely, 10, 15, 20 and 25 K/min under nonisothermal condition. Thermal parameters such as glass transition (T-g), onset crystallization (T-c) and peak crystallization (T-p) temperatures were observed. Double crystallization peaks observed in the DSC thermogram refer to the instability and phase separated network in the glasses. Various kinetic parameters such as thermal stability (Delta T), enthalpy (Delta H-c), entropy (Delta(s)), specific heat (Delta C-p) and fragility index are deduced. The calculated kinetic parameters suggest that the stability of glassy samples decreases with the increase in Bi addition. The activation energies of glass transition (E-g), and crystallization (E-c) were calculated using relevant kinetic formulae. We further discuss on the kinetics of the synthesized materials relevant for their applications in phase change memory (PCM) material (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Plants Saline Environment in Perception with Rhizosphere Bacteria Containing 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Deaminase

Soil salinity stress has become a serious roadblock for food production worldwide since it is one of the key factors affecting agricultural productivity. Salinity and drought are predicted to cause considerable loss of crops. To deal with this difficult situation, a variety of strategies have been developed, including plant breeding, plant genetic engineering, and a wide range of agricultural practices, including the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and seed biopriming techniques, to improve the plants’ defenses against salinity stress, resulting in higher crop yields to meet future human food demand. In the present review, we updated and discussed the negative effects of salinity stress on plant morphological parameters and physio-biochemical attributes via various mechanisms and the beneficial roles of PGPR with 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate(ACC) deaminase activity as green bio-inoculants in reducing the impact of saline conditions. Furthermore, the applications of ACC deaminase-producing PGPR as a beneficial tool in seed biopriming techniques are updated and explored. This strategy shows promise in boosting quick seed germination, seedling vigor and plant growth uniformity. In addition, the contentious findings of the variation of antioxidants and osmolytes in ACC deaminase-producing PGPR treated plants are examined

GC-MS analysis of phytoconstituents from Amomum nilgiricum and molecular docking interactions of bioactive serverogenin acetate with target proteins

Amomum nilgiricum is one of the plant species reported from Western Ghats of India, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, with ethno-botanical values, and is well-known for their ethno medicinal applications. In the present investigation, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of A. nilgiricum were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the important functional groups and phytochemical constituents. The FTIR spectra revealed the occurrence of functional characteristic peaks of aromatic amines, carboxylic acids, ketones, phenols and alkyl halides group from leaf and rhizome extracts. The GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from leaves, and methanol extract from rhizomes of A. nilgiricum detected the presence of 25 phytochemical compounds. Further, the leaf and rhizome extracts of A. nilgiricum showed remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activities at 100 mg/mL. The results of DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay recorded maximum antioxidant activity in A. nilgiricum methanolic leaf extract. While, ethyl acetate leaf extract exhibited maximum alpha-amylase inhibition activity, followed by methanolic leaf extract exhibiting aldose reductase inhibition. Subsequently, these 25 identified compounds were analyzed for their bioactivity through in silico molecular docking studies. Results revealed that among the phytochemical compounds identified, serverogenin acetate might have maximum antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties followed by 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane and (1,3-C-13(2))propanedioic acid. To our best knowledge, this is the first description on the phytochemical constituents of the leaves and rhizomes of A. nilgiricum, which show pharmacological significance, as there has been no literature available yet on GC-MS and phytochemical studies of this plant species. The in silico molecular docking of serverogenin acetate was also performed to confirm its broad spectrum activities based on the binding interactions with the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and antidiabetic target proteins. The results of the present study will create a way for the invention of herbal medicines for several ailments by using A. nilgiricum plants, which may lead to the development of novel drugs