Influence of chromium (III) contaminated soil on soil mycobiota

Investigation was conducted on the experimental fields of CCS University (Meerut) during 2013–2014 to evaluate the influence of Cr (III) contamination on soil mycobiota and to obtain some Cr (III)-resistant strains for the management of Cr (III)-contaminated soils and of the effluents carrying the metal. Blocks (30cm × 30cm) each were treated with different concentrations (500 ppm/1000 ppm/2000 ppm) of chromium (III) nitrate or chromium (III) sulphate solution separately in triplicates. Three blocks served as control. The soil samples collected aseptically from control and treated blocks after 20, 40 and 60 days were analysed for mycobiota using serial dilution plate and soil plate methods. Overall dominance of anamorphic fungi and paucity of mucoraceous fungi was observed amongst the fifty two species of fungi isolated. Aspergillus niger was most tolerant to Cr (III) probably due to binding of Cr (III) by amide, amine and C=S groups on the fungus as revealed by FTIR spectroscopy. Reciprocal relationship between pollutant concentration ‘c’ and time ‘t’ (i.e. constancy of c×t ) did not hold true; such a relationship might be operative for a single species in-vitro systems. Cr (III) salts adversely affected the mycobiota (qualitatively and quantitatively) though not to the extent reported for Cr (VI). The results indicate that though soil fungal diversity is adversely affected by Cr (III) contamination, the surviving species flourish over a period of time leading to the partial recovery of the mycopopulation. Aspergillus niger biomass with Cr (III)-binding functional groups might be utilized for in situ management of Cr (III) in soils and in biosorption-based effluent treatment systems

Efficiency of spent mushroom (Agaricus Bisporus) waste biomass for the biosorption of basic fuchsin dye from aqueous solution

The dumping of wastewater containing the dyes is harmful to the health of aquatic living beings. The colour in water bodies reduces the penetration of light and thereby reduces the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) of water bodies. The decreased value of DO is also harmful to aquatic organism. Therefore treatment of wastewater containing dyes becomes essential. Mushrooms have proven to be highly efficient and economical for removing pollutants through bioabsorption. Therefore, in the present study an attempt has been made to study the efficiency of Spent Mushroom Waste (SMW) viz. Agaricus bisporus as biosorbent for the biosorption of Basic Fuchsin Dye (BFD) from aqueous solution. The effects of certain factors such as the dose of adsorbent, temperature, exposure time, and pH were studied on the dye degradation by a given biomass of SMW. The results of the present study revealed that the optimum value of temperature, contact time, adsorbent dose, pH, was 7, 20 minutes, 20 mg, and 30˚C respectively. The biosorption efficiency of the used SMW ranged from good to excellent. The results of the present study revealed that the SMW of Agaricus bisporus is an economically and environmentally sound adsorbent and can be used for the degradation of dyes from water based solutions. Further investigation is required to enhance the adsorption rate of SMW of Agaricus bisporus

Pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of angiosperms from Shamli region of district Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Plants are essential to our life as they provide us with food and, through photosynthesis, release oxygen into the atmosphere. Historical accounts about plants demonstrate their many benefits to humans and other living things. Rapid population growth and industrialization have damaged agricultural and forest flora. Raising awareness of the value of plants for sustainable development is necessary. This study focuses on the medicinal benefit of the phyto-diversity of angiosperms from the Shamli region of Uttar Pradesh and their medicinal value for mankind. Shamli is located near the Ganga River, on the eastern side of the Yamuna River at an elevation of 248 meters above sea level. This region's ideal temperature is between 13.8°C and 33.2°C. The vegetation of Shamli is enhanced by a variety of trees, shrubs, and plants. In addition to documenting fifty plant species that belong to several angiosperm genera and families, such as Abutilon indicum, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta Indica, Moringa oliefera, and Calotropis gigantea, a critical study of the area's plant life has been conducted. The engagement with the locals of the Shamli region recorded the ethnomedicinal significance of the collected plants