Antibacterial activity of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts against various bacteria isolated from environmental sources

Tea is cultivated in many countries of the world. India is largest tea (black tea) producer in world followed by Japan (green tea) and China. In the present study Camellia assamica (Green tea) leaves extracts were tested for antibacterial activity against various bacteria isolated from environmental sources. Different bacteria were isolated from sewage samples collected from different places at Solan Himachal Pradesh. Isolated bacteria were identified by Gram staining and biochemical tests. A total of six bacteria were identified at Department of Microbiology at SILB Solan (H.P) Green tea leaves extracts were tested for antibacterial activity. Tea leaves were collected from Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Three different extracts were prepared by using standardized protocols. All the extracts were tested for antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method. Antibacterial assay was performed at 10µl, 20µl, and 30µl concentrations. Significant antibacterial activity was reported for all extracts with results. Aqueous extracts has shown little antibacterial activity against six bacteria isolated. Maximum antibacterial activity was found in methanolic extracts. Our study reflects the chemotherapeutic use of green tea.  Â

Isolation, screening and characterization of bacteria from Rhizospheric soils for different plant growth promotion (PGP) activities: an in vitro study

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of bacteria that can be found in the rhizosphere, in association with roots which can enhance the growth of plant directly or indirectly. A large number of bacteria including species of Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Rhizobium and Serratia have reported to enhance plant growth. In the present study, six French bean rhizospheric soil samples were collected from different location of Shimla and Solan in H.P (India). A total of thirty bacteria were isolated and in vitro screening was done for different plant growth promotion activities i.e. phosphate solublization, IAA production, ammonia production, ACC deaminase activity, HCN production and catalase. In the present work twelve bacterial isolates were positive for phosphate solublization. IAA production was shown by almost all the bacterial isolates. Three isolates were positive for ammonia production. ACC deaminase activity was shown by nine isolates. Two isolates were positive for HCN production and all the isolates were found to be catalase positive. Seven isolates were showing maximum plant growth promotion activities and further identified on the basis of colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. These isolates were identified as Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Micrococcus sp., and Pseudomonas sp. As PGPR are environmental friendly and offer sustainable approach to increase production of crops and health. Therefore, these isolates can be utilized for biofertilizer formulation under local agro-climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Various endometrial patterns and abnormalities in women with postmenopausal bleeding

Objective: To study the prevalence of various histopathological changes, patterns and lesions   of endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Methodology:  All the fixed specimens were processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Multiple serial sections of 4-5 microns thickness were obtained from the paraffin block and then stained with H & E. The observations in our study were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. The average values are statistically calculated using Microsoft Excel computer software. Results: This was a prospective, non interventional and observational hospital based cross sectional one year study carried out in histopathology department on endometrial biopsies and hysterectomy specimens. Out of 50 cases, postmenopausal bleeding presented at a mean age of 53.38 years and was most common within 5 years of attaining menopause. Among the endometrial causes of postmenopausal bleeding, 16% were due to benign conditions, 10% were due to malignancy and in 74 % of cases were because of non organic causes comprising of proliferative, secretory and atrophic endometrium. Atrophic endometrium was most common among  non organic causes  ,endometrial polyp was most common among the benign causes followed by endometrial endometrioid carcinoma was a major finding among the malignant causes.&nbsp