In-vitro screening of amylase producing halophilic bacteria isolated from seawater

In this study, eight halobacterial strains were isolated from seawater. Among the eight isolates, four strains grew well in nutrient medium with 40 g/100 mL of sodium chloride concentration. Amongst all, HA01 was found to show highest amylase activity than others. Highest amylase producing bacteria, i.e. HA01 was subjected for 16S rRNA sequence based identification and it was found to be Aquabacterium sp. strain AS02. The organism showed optimal amylase production at pH 7 and temperature of 42 °C and NaCl concentration of 3 M. The two substrates (banana peel and potato peel) were used for the amylase production among which banana peel showed that highest amylase activity of 6.12 U/mL than potato peel (4.27 U/mL)

Cardio protective activity of Sargassum wightii on isoproterenol induced myocardial stress in rats

The aim of this investigation is to determine whether the methanolic extracts of Sargassum wightii can protect rats against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Four different groups of rats (6 rats in each group) were taken; where group 1 comprised of normal untreated rats, group 2 was injected with Isoproterenol (synthetic catecholamine), group 3 was considered as standard and hence, was injected with Isoproterenol + Simvastatin and group 4 was treated with Isoproterenol + Sargassum wightii’s extract. Cardioprotective effects of Sargassum wightii was observed via the changes in the lipid profile, cardio marker enzymes and through histopathological studies. Rats treated with the extract of S. wightii showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, serum triglycerides and increase in HDL- cholesterol level indicating an undamaged myocardial membrane. Likewise, low enzyme activity in Sargassum wightii treated rats clearly indicated the cardioprotective effects of Sargassum wightii. Histopathological studies were also done to observe the changes on the rats at the tissue level and no pathological changes were observed in Sargassum wightii treated rats. Hence, methanolic extract of Sargassum wightii is evidenced to possess cardioprotective activity against myocardial infarction

Evaluation of nanotoxicity of Araucaria heterophylla gum derived green synthesized silver nanoparticles on Eudrilus eugeniae and Danio rerio

Metal nanoparticles found its application in most fields because of its different physiochemical properties. Although there are several methods for synthesis of nanoparticles, where green and biological synthesis of nanoparticles reduces the toxicity. These metal nanoparticles are not properly disposed to the environment. Thus, this study was focussed to evaluate the effects of Araucaria heterophylla mediated green synthesised silver nanoparticles on various in vivo models such as earth worm—Eudrilus eugeniae and zebra fish—Danio rerio. Even the biologically synthesised nanoparticles were showing negative impacts on these models. Silver nanoparticles was found to cause epithelial erosion and lipofucshin deposits on Eudrilus eugeniae, where it was causing erosion and structure deformation in guts of Danio rerio

A study on influence of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on green gram (Vigna radiata L.) and earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae L.)

Nanoparticles usage are now emerging as hazardous nanopollutants due to inappropriate usage and improper disposal. Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles(SPIONs)is a widely used nanoparticle with various applications. In this study, SPIONs was evaluated for its impact against Vigna radiata and Eudrilus eugeniae. SPIONs were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method in presence of cobalt chloride. The produced SPIONs was characterized using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), EDX (Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), AFM (Atomic force microscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and Zeta potential. The synthesized SPIONs were crystalline and monodispersed with size ranging between 15 nm and 20 nm. The seedlings of SPIONs treated Vigna radiatawere found to have reduced root and shoot growth. The bioaccumulation of iron oxide in the treated plants was confirmed by ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry) analysis and Prussian blue staining. Cellular destruction and reduced reproduction rate were found in SPIONs exposed Eudrilus eugeniae and ICP-OES analysis of earthworm samples affirmed the bioaccumulation of SPIONs

Purification and Characterization of Gum-Derived Polysaccharides of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica and Their Applications as Plant Stimulants and Bio-Pesticidal Agents

Plant gums are bio-organic substances that are derived from the barks of trees. They are biodegradable and non-adverse complex polysaccharides that have been gaining usage in recent years due to a number of advantages they contribute to various applications. In this study, gum was collected from Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica trees, then dried and powdered. Characterizations of gum polysaccharides were performed using TLC, GC-MS, NMR, etc., and sugar molecules such as glucose and xylose were found to be present. Effects of the gums on Abelmoschus esculentus growth were observed through root growth, shoot growth, and biomass content. The exposure of the seeds to the plant gums led to bio stimulation in the growth of the plants. Poor quality soil was exposed to the gum polysaccharide, where the polysaccharide was found to improve soil quality, which was observed through soil analysis and SEM analysis of soil porosity and structure. Furthermore, the plant gums were also found to have bio-pesticidal activity against mealybugs, which showed certain interstitial damage evident through histopathological analysis