In vitro seed germination of Cymbidium elegans Lindl.

Orchids are nature's most extravagant group of flowering plants distributed throughout the world from tropics to high alpine. They exhibit incredible range of diversity in size, shape and color of their flowers. Though orchids are grown primarily as ornamentals, many are used as herbal medicines, food, and other have cultural value by different cultures and tribes in different parts of the world. Orchids have been used in many parts of the world in traditional healing system as well as in the treatment of a number of diseases since the ancient time. Though Orchidaceae is regarded as a largest family of plant kingdom, few studies have been done regarding their medicinal properties. Linking of the indigenous knowledge of medicinal orchids to modern research activities provides a new reliable approach, for the discovery of novel drugs much more effectively than with random collection. Many of these orchids face the extreme danger of extinction due to over-exploitation and habitat loss. Plant tissue culture could be one of the most suitable alternative tools to minimize the pressure on natural population of medicinal orchids and their sustainable utilization.

In vitro studies on Dendrobium fimbriatum Hk.F – An endangered orchid

A protocol for in vitro propagation from protocorms of Dendrobium fimbriatum a distributed in all over world and highly appreciated as an ornamental, was developed. Two different explants, entire protocorms and longitudinal halves of protocorms, were used. In addition, the effect of two different culture media, Murashige and Skoog (MS) and modified Knudson (KCm), supplemented with N6- benzyladenine (BA) (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 mg_L–1) and/or a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg_L–1 was investigated. Adventitious shoot formation by direct organogenesis was obtained in all treatments; in some cases, the formation of protocorm like bodies was induced. Shoot formation was greater for entire protocorms; the best treatment was MS medium containing at BA 1 to 2 mg_L–1 in combination with at NAA 0.1 mg_L–1. The average height of shoots was three times greater in MS medium than in KC m medium. Sub culturing individual shoots in MS medium without plant growth regulators, but with 1 g_L–1 activated charcoal, allowed further development and rooting. An ex vitro survival rate of almost 100% was achieved. This study represents a comprehensive application for propagation, conservation, and sustainable use of this valuable natural resource

Tissue culture studies on Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz

An efficient protocol for seed germination and micropropagation of Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz. was established. Four nutrient media were used for seed germination and early protocorm development: Murashige and Skoog (MS), half –strength MS, Knudson ‘C’ (KC), and Vasin and Went (VW); combinations and alone of four plant growth regulators i.e. 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), α-napthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were studied. MS medium was found as most ideal for seed germination (98±0.48) and lowest in VW (71.12 ±0.42). 3 months old protocorm were sub cultured on fresh MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, KN, NAA, and IBA alone and in combination. After 30 days highest secondary protocorms (21.25±0.63) were observed in MS medium containing BAP (4.0μM). MS medium supplemented with 8μM IBA induced the maximum roots per shoot. After 16 days of transfer to green house the survival rate was 88%

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF COPPER NANOPARTICLE FROM PASSIFLORA FOETIDA LEAF EXTRACT AND ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Objective: Development of green nanotechnology is generating interest of researchers toward eco-friendly biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). Inthis study, biosynthesis of stable copper (Cu) NPs was done using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract.Materials and Methods: First, we prepared leaf extract of Passiflora foetida in deionized water. This extract added to 20 mMol of Cu sulfate solution, and we observed the change in color of the solution from colorless to colored solution; this indicates that there is a formation of CuNPs.Results: These biosynthesized CuNPs were characterized with the help of ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The spectroscopic analysis of synthesized CuNPs showed the maximum absorbance at 350 nm indicating the presence of biosynthesized CuNPs in the reaction mixture.Conclusion: It was observed that the P. foetida leaf extract can reduce Cu ions into CuNPs within 8-10 minutes of reaction time. Thus, this method canbe used for rapid and eco-friendly biosynthesis of stable CuNPs.Keywords: Copper nanoparticles, Passiflora foetida, Copper sulfate, Biosynthesis

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SUPERPARAMAGNETIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLE FROM FICUS CARICA FRUIT EXTRACT, CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON DYE DEGRADATION STUDIES

ABSTRACTObjective: The synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) has become a matter of great interest in recent times due to their various advantageous propertiesand applications in a variety of fields. Metal NPs are being increasingly used in many sectors, and there is growing interest in the biological andenvironmental safety of their production.Methods: In this study, iron oxide NPs (Fe3O4-NPs) were synthesized from fruits of Ficus carica using a rapid, single step and completely greenbiosynthetic method by reduction of ferrous sulfate solution with F. carica ethanolic extract. The prepared Fe3O4-NPs were investigated by X-raydiffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.Results: The report emphasizes the effect of superparamagnetic Fe3O4-NPs on the degradation rate of hazardous dyes acid blue.Conclusion: To conclude, Fe3O4-NPs were prepared from fruits of F. carica using a rapid, single step and completely green biosynthetic method byreduction of ferrous sulfate solution with F. carica ethanolic extract.Keywords: Ficus carica, Ethanolic extract, Reduction, Ferrous sulfate, Superparamagnetic iron oxide nano particles, Dye degradation.Â

AN ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH FOR SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING Ipomoea Pes-Caprae ROOT EXTRACT AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

objective: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained through green synthesis using Ipomoea pes-caprae root extract for the first time. The activebiomolecules present in the roots of I. pes-caprae, are ergoline alkaloids, indolizidine alkaloids, benzenoids and phenolic compounds act as both thereduction and stabilization of AgNPs.Methods: The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, transmissionelectron microscope (TEM).Results: A peak at 400 nm was obtained in UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AgNPs. TEM microgram confirms that AgNPs were inthe nano range and spherical in nature, the size was observed to be 50 nm.Conclusion: A higher zone of inhibition was observed in the AgNPs synthesized from the root extract of I. pes-caprae because of the active biomoleculescapped on the AgNPs that has greater efficacy against bacteria.Keywords: Ipomoea pes-caprae, Silver nanoparticles, Antimicrobial activity

Medicinal properties of some Dendrobium orchids – A review

 Orchids are known for their aesthetic qualities, and they are often used as decorative items in homes, offices, and public places. While most people admire them for their good looks, others have found practical uses for them. Since a long time ago, people from various parts of the world have used orchids for medicinal purposes. However, the use of orchids in medicine has declined over the years because not enough research has been done to determine their effectiveness and adverse effects

Brain natriuretic peptide in differentiating cardiogenic and non- cardiogenic dyspnoea in patients with renal dysfunction: a single centre study

Background: Both BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) and renal function are prognostic indicators of survival in patients with congestive heart failure. However, relationship between BNP, renal function and heart failure as an emergency diagnosis are unknown. The usefulness of BNP as a diagnostic tool in patients with renal dysfunction is thus explored in this study.Methods: The present study was prospectively designed diagnostic test evaluation study conducted in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Out of 166 participants with renal dysfunction defined as creatinine >1.5mg/dl who presented with acute dyspnoea, clinical history, BNP, 2D Echo and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate were assessed. Patients with severe anaemia, eGFR less than 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 and those on dialysis therapy were excluded from the study. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by cardiologist who was blinded to BNP values.Results: The final diagnosis of CHF was in 104 (62.7%). The correlation between BNP and eGFR values were r=-0.49 for those with CHF (p<0.001) and r=-0.279 (p<0.028) for those without CHF. Median BNP in patients with renal dysfunction with CHF was 1206 pg/ml and without CHF was 186 pg/ml. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and optimal cutpoints for EGFR categories 59-30 ml /min/1.73 m2 and EGFR less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2 were 0.992 and 491.5 pg/ml (sensitivity 97% and specificity 95%) and 1.000 and 512pg/ml (sensitivity 100% and specificity  95.5%) respectively.Conclusions: Renal function weakly correlates with BNP in patients without CHF (congestive heart failure). BNP is an important bed side tool for distinguishing cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic dyspnoea in patients with renal dysfunction requiring higher diagnostic cut points. Thus the present study emphasises BNP is the strong and independent predictor of CHF even after taking renal function into considerations.

Gene effects and heterosis for grain Fe and Zn content in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) link)

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) is an unexplored nutri-rich crop that thrives well in harsh environments and supports many small farmers in Southern and Eastern Asia. Although it has rich sources of micronutrients, the genetic studies are very limited which further impedes in its genetic improvement. Therefore, we attempted to assess the genetic diversity for Fe and Zn content in 40 barnyard millet germplasm and to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis in sixteen F1 cross combinations through line × tester model. The Mahalanobis D2 analysis grouped the 40 genotypes into nine different clusters. Cluster III and I were the largest groups containing 22 and 6 genotypes, respectively and the rest of seven clusters were the lowest group containing one or two genotypes. Positive correlation was observed between Fe and Zn content though both had a non-significant association with grain yield. This indicate that there would not be any compromise on increase or decrease of grain yield while breeding for varieties high in micronutrient content. Combining ability analysis revealed that lines, testers, and their interaction components are significant. The predictability ratio indicated the predominance of additive variance for Fe and Zn content and non-additive variance in the inheritance of yield components. Genotypes, ACM 331, ACM 333, ACM 335 and MA 10 exhibited positive gca effects for Fe and Zn content and grain yield. Two cross combinations, ACM 331 × ACM 335 and ACM 331 × MA 10 involved one or both the parents with good gca effects exhibited, high mean, positive mid-parent heterosis and sca effects for Fe, Zn content and yield components. Thus, the present investigation provided a significant understanding of the gene action and the possibility of utilizing the selected parents and cross combination for exploiting micronutrient traits in barnyard millet crop