Evaluation of different native Streptomyces spp. for effective management of rhizome rot of turmeric

The efficacy of talc based bioformulations containing various biocontrol agents against rhizome rot disease caused by Pythium aphanidermatum in turmeric plants was evaluated under field condition. Indigenous biocontrol agents such as Streptomyceslydicus, Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces sannanensis belonging to actinomycetes group, Pseudomonas fluorescens (bacterial) and Trichoderma atroviride (fungal) were selected for the biological control of rhizome rot of turmeric. The results indicated a significantly stronger reduction in disease severity in trial plots treated with Bacillus subtilis based commercial fungicide ‘Companion’ when compared to plants treated with indigenous biocontrol agents. However, it was reverse in trial plots in terms of turmeric rhizome yield potential, yield attributes, physiological components, biochemical constituents and quality characteristics of rhizomes. Among 17 treatments, a dual mixture of S. griseus and T. atroviride achieved the best disease control as well as plant growth improvement when compared to single and triple combinations of biocontrol agents. The present study confirms that exploration of microbial formulations containing Streptomyces spp.as soil inoculant to turmeric plants exhibited some benefits to turmeric plant growth as well as controlling rhizome rot disease, which ultimately enhance the overall quality characteristics of rhizomes. Further, our results suggest that a dual combination of biocontrol agents represent a promising method for effective management of rhizome rot of turmeric

Exploring DNA quantity and quality from raw materials to botanical extracts

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the variability in DNA quality and quantity along a gradient of industrial processing of botanical ingredients from raw materials to extracts. Methods: A data matrix was assembled for 1242 botanical ingredient samples along a gradient of industrial processing commonly used in the Natural Health Product (NHP) industry. Multivariate statistics was used to explore dependant variables for quality and quantity. The success of attaining a positive DNA test result along a gradient of industrial processing was compared among four biotechnologies: DNA barcoding, NGS, Sanger sequencing and qPCR. Results: There was considerable variance in DNA quality and quantity among the samples, which could be interpreted along a gradient from raw materials with greater quantities (50–120 ng/μL) of DNA and longer DNA (400-500bp) sequences to extracts, which were characterized by lower quantities (0.1–10.0 ng/μL) and short fragments (50-150bp). Conclusions: Targeted molecular diagnostic tests for species identity can be used in the NHP industry for raw and processed samples. Non-targeted tests or the use of NGS for any identity test needs considerable research and development and must be validated before it can be used in commercial operations as these methods are subject to considerable risk of false negative and positive results. Proper use of these tools can be used to ensure ingredient authenticity, and to avert adulteration, and contamination with plants that are a health concern. Lastly these tools can be used to prevent the exploitation of rare herbal species and the harvesting of native biodiversity for commercial purposes

Green synthesis of silver-nanoparticles from Annona reticulata leaves aqueous extract and its mosquito larvicidal and anti-microbial activity on human pathogens

Silver nanoparticles play a important role in controlling mosquito population as well as multi drug resistant pathogens without causing much harm to humans. In the present study was focused on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles against dengue causing vector (Aedes aegypti) and pathogens affecting humans. The synthesized silver nanoparticle was confirmed using UV- absorption spectrum range obtained at 416 nm, XRD, FTIR and HR-TEM analysis were used to determine the silver nanoparticle morphology and size with ∼6.48 ± 1.2–8.13 ± 0.18 nm and face centered cubic structure. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were exposed to fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti with different concentration (3–20 μg/mL) for 24 h and its elicit maximum mortality (100%) at their final concentration of 20 μg/mL and it’s LC50 value was 4.43 μg/mL and LC90 value was 13.96 μg/mL, respectively. The minimum inhibitory activities of the tested pathogens were 125, 31.25, 62.5, 62.6 and 62.5 μg/mL for the Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans respectively. Further, the synthesized silver nanoparticle shows a potent antimicrobial activity against all tested pathogens. Moreover the effect of silver nanoparticle against Red Blood Cells belonging to ‘O’ positive blood group were tested and does not cause higher hemolysis to the cells even at the highest concentration. Based on these finding, we strongly suggested that face centered cubic structured A. reticulata AgNPs is an eco-friendly and potent bio-medical agent and can be apply in wide range of application an alternative chemically synthesized metal nanoparticle. Keywords: Aedes aegypti, Anti-microbial, Silver nanoparticle, HR-TEM, Erythrocyte hemolysi

Desmodium gangeticum root extract attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophic growth in rats.

Context: Desmodium gangeticum (L) DC (Fabaceae; DG), a medicinal plant that grows in tropical habitats, is widely used to treat various ailments including digestive and inflammatory disorders. Aims: To investigate the possible cardioprotective activity of a DG root extract against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced left ventricular cardiac hypertrophy (LVH) in adult Wistar rats. Methods: Daily intraperitoneal administration of ISO (10 mg/kg body weight, single injection) for 7 days induced LVH in rats. The LVH rats were post-treated orally with DG (100 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 30 days. Thereafter, changes in heart weight (HW) and body weight (BW), HW/BW ratio, percent of hypertrophy, collagen accumulation, activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and -9, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes, and the level of an oxidative stress marker, lipid peroxide (LPO), were determined. Results: HW/BW ratio, an indicator of hypertrophic growth, was significantly reduced in DG root post-treated LVH rats as compared with that for the non-treated LVH rats. The altered levels of ventricular LPO, collagen, MMPs-2 and -9, and antioxidant enzymes in the ISO-treated animals reverted back to near normal upon DG treatment. Further, the anti-hypertrophic activity of DG was comparable to that of the standard drug losartan (10 mg/kg). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the aqueous root extract of DG exhibited anti-hypertrophic activity in-vivo by inhibiting ISO-induced ROS generation and MMP activities

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the leaf extract of Lavandula angustifolia and evaluation of their antibacterial activity against human pathogens

The present study was aimed to the biosynthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Lavandula angustifolia. The nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques like UV-Visible spectroscopy, FESEM analysis, and X-ray diffraction. From the UV-Visible spectra analysis, it was observed the peak obtained at 350 nm confirmed the biosynthesis of LA-ZnONPs. The shape and size of LA-ZnONPs were confirmed by FESEM analysis, and from FESEM analysis it was found that the LA-ZnONPs were truncated and triangular in shape with an average size of 61.52 nm respectively. Further, the XRD analysis showed the LA-ZnONPs were crystalline in nature. By using well diffusion assay, the antibacterial activity of LA-ZnONPs was investigated against gram-positive S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and gram-negative E. coli (ATCC 11229) pathogens in a dose-dependent manner. The LA-ZnONPs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both the pathogens. The LA-ZnONPs thus possessed excellent antibacterial activity against human pathogens and can be used in drug developmen

Investigation of Phloroglucinol Succinic Acid Dendrimer as Antimicrobial Agent Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli and Candida Albicans

In this study, antimicrobial investigations for the efficiently synthesized biocompatible Phloroglucinol Succinic acid (PGSA) dendrimer with anionic surfaces were performed using broth dilution method against a Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), a Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) and a fungal human pathogen (Candida albicans) to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value. Additionally, fluorescence and UV absorbance spectroscopy techniques were used to monitor the release of intracellular materials from the pathogens owing to anionic dendrimers. The exact binding sites of this dendrimer on these pathogens by molecular modelling studies motivated us to report this nanocarrier as a new antimicrobial agent