INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

451-466

Authors: Bassey IU, Odokuma LO, Ogugbue CJ and Umeojiaku CF

Hydrocarbon degradation potentials of bacteria species isolated from leachate samples of Lemna dumpsite, Calabar, Cross River State were investigated. Five (5) leachate samples were collected from the dumpsite with the use of PVC pipes and were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Results of microbial counts from the dumpsite leachates ranged from 10 x 104cfu/g to 2.0 x 105cfu/g. Bacteria isolates, from the leachate samples were subjected to hydrocarbon biodegradability screen test using kerosene, diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS) as substrate for carbon source. Bacteria genera isolated from the analyzed leachate samples were identified as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Aeromonas, Serratia and Shigella. Among these isolates, Pseudomonas (CPS1, CPS2), Bacillus (CPS2, CPS10), Aeromonas (CPS5), Serratia (CPS13) and Corynebacterium (CPS6; CPS16) showed efficient kerosene biodegradability potentials compared to other of their bacteria counterparts. Also Pseudomonas (CPS1, CPS12), Bacillus (CPS2, CPS10), Aeromonas (CPS5) and Serratia (CPS11¬) were able to biodegrade diesel and premium motor spirit efficiently. However, in comparing hydrocarbon biodegradation potentials among the bacteria isolates from the analyzed leachate samples, Pseudomonas (CPS1, CPS12), Bacillus (CPS2, CPS10), Aeromonas (CPS5) and Serratia (CPS11) were efficient kerosene, diesel and premium motor spirit biodegraders, and this could be useful for bioremediation. This therefore calls for further research by microbiologist and other environmental agencies on the large scale applicability of these isolates for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted environments, as this could serve as a more eco-friendly approach

483-490

Authors: Meri Khakhutaishvili, Indira Djaparidze, Maia Vanidze and Aleko Kalandia

Georgia is a small country, so it is desirable to grow profitable plants here that can easily adapt to environmental conditions. Such a plant is a blueberry. We have analyzed and studied the technical, biochemical and chemical indicators of 16 varieties of blueberries imported into western Georgia. The influence of environmental conditions and storage conditions on the organoleptic, technical, physico-chemical composition and antioxidant activity has been determined. Separation-identification and quantitative analysis were conducted using UPLC-MS (Waters Acquity QDa detector), HPLC (Waters Brceze 1525, UV-Vis 2489 detectors), pH-meters (Mettler Toledo). Refractrometer -Misco, Spectrometer –Cuvette Changer (Mettler Toledo UV5A), C18 Cartridge Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Waters Sep-Pak C18 (500 mg). Antioxidant activity was defined by the DPPH method. Dry substances, titrated acidity and active pH of fruits, as well as qualitative, quantitative composition and dependence on the variety were determined. General phenols (1000 mg/100 g on average), anti-cyanins (400 mg/100 g on average) and their antioxidant dependence on storage conditions and duration were examined. The maximum preservation of antioxidants in fruits was maintained at -25°C under storage conditions.

495-500

Authors: Lakshmishree SU, Mahalakshmi E, Ramya KP, Varsha Vishwanatha Rajapuri and Kokilamani AL

Scale insects are the serious sap sucking pests of many agricultural and horticultural plants. A study was conducted to record the presence of scale insects in Tumkur University campus, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India. The study includes the visual observation, photography and identification of scale insects and their host plants. In the study area a total of 31 species of scale insects belong to 20 genera of 6 families were found infesting 20 different host plants and associated with 12 species of ants from 6 genera of 3 subfamilies of Formicidae. The family Coccidae was found to be predominant pest with 12 species followed by Pseudococcidae with 10 species and 5 species from Diaspididae. From the study it has also been recorded the species from Monophlebidae (two), Asterolecanidae and Ortheziidae (one species from each). The ecological factors of the study area and lack of much more predators have attributed to the occurrence of wide variety of scale insects. The study provides a base line data for future research work on integrated pest management and its further implication to agricultural crops.

509-517

Authors: Sanjeeb Kumar Das*, Ashutosh Subudhi, Samarendranath Naik, Sourav Ranjan Pradhan and Sidhanta Sekhar Bisoi

An exhaustive floristic survey was carried out during 2017-2018 in the Utkal University Campus, Bhubaneswar, Odisha state to assess the diversity, nativity and uses of invasive alien plants. From the study it was found that 60 species with 51 genera and under 34 different families were invasive alien plants. Analysis of habit revealed that the herbs were dominant with 45 species (75%) followed by shrubs (07), trees (02) and climbers (06) and the dominant family was Asteraceae with 10 (19.23%) species followed by Caesalpiniaceae (04), Convolvulaceae (03), Fabaceae (03), Lamiaceae (03), Verbenaceae (02), Amaranthaceae (02), Asclepiadaceae (02), Malvaceae (02) and Poaceae (02). These families included most invasive species, such as Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Hyptis suaveolens, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, Eichhornia crassipes, Alternanthera philoxeroides, and others. The dominance of Asteraceae species among all IAPS found in this region was resulted due to higher potential for adaptability and rapid growth. It was found from the literature that different native places of IAPS of Utkal University Campus were Tropical America (30), Tropical Africa (10), Tropical South America (6), , Brazil (3), West Indies (2), Mediterranean (1), Europe (1), Tropical Central South America (1), Tropical Central America (1), Peru (1), and Tropical West Asia (1). From the interaction with local residents and literature survey it was found that IAPS were used as medicine (50), fuel (25), ornamental (6), rope making (2) and leafy vegetable (4).

525-534

Authors: Dagawal MJ and Bhogaonkar PY

Genus Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) comprising of 120 species is distributed throughout South South-East Asia, with a few species extending to China, Australia and South Pacific.. Curcuma inodora Blatt. known as ‘Jangali Halad’ is a common herb of Melghat at higher elevations. It is reported from other districts of Maharashtra also. In Melghat area populations of C. inodora were found to show many variations. Twelve distinct accessions were collected for present study and for comparison C. pseudomontana J. Graham and C. longa L. were also studied. The species shows variations in aerial as well as underground parts. For Curcuma species position of spike is considered as key character. Other major variations found are length of spike; shape, size and colour of bracts; length of leaf stalk and shape of root tubers. Cluster analysis of 50 morphological characters was done by UPGMA using PAST software placed 12 variants in to two clusters as per Peldjis method A and in three clusters as per the method D. Careful study of these variations will help to understand evolution within the species.

544-550

Authors: S. Prabhakar, C. Kandeepan and R. Charulatha

Cellulose is considered to be one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth. Cellulose degrading organism play a vital role in the biosphere by recycling cellulose, the most abundant carbohydrate produce by plant. In this text the present study was conducted with an objective of isolation of cellulolytic organisms from various fields of vellore. The cellulose degrading organisms were screened and characterised. Based on degradation of cellulose the potential organism Bacillus subtili sp. was selected for further studies. The strain Bacillus subtili sp. was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the physical, biochemical and 16srRNA sequencing. Carboxy methyl cellulose medium (CMC) was the best medium for production of cellulase. The maximum production of cellulase was observed at temperature 300C and pH 7.5of 137.22 and 137.20 U/L respectively. Overall this study indicates that Bacillus subtilis was a potential in degradation of cellulose, which could be used commercially and/or industrially.

557-562

Authors: Samuel CO* and Chaudhary Sandeep

The objectives of the study were to determine the fungitoxic efficacy and the physicochemical characteristics of the essential oil extracted from Acorus calamus. 500 g of the rhizome pulp was subjected to hydro-distillation using Clevenger’s apparatus. The fungitoxic efficacy of the essential oil was tested against twenty-five phytopathogenic fungi by using Poisoned food technique. It showed hundred percent fungitoxicity against six fungi out of twenty-five fungi tested. The physicochemical characteristics of essential oil such as colour, specific gravity, specific viscosity, refractive index, acid value, saponification value, ester value, carbonyl percentage, test for phenol and solubility were also determined. These characteristics are used to determine the quality of extracted essential oil. The oil of Acorus calamus was pale yellow and soluble in acetone, ethanol, methanol, benzene and chloroform. The oil exhibited the presence of phenols. The present study indicates that the extraction of essential oil of Acorus calamus has a potential of secondary metabolites which can be exploited as a good source of bioactive substances.

569-572

Authors: NJQ Tharshanodayan and P Rohini

In traditional systems of medicine, Capparis zeylanica is considered as an important herb and unripe fruit as a seasonal food. Aim is to evaluate the medicinal perspectives of C. zeylanica as a seasonal vegetable. During the Muduvenil season Aadi amavaasai day the Hindu traditional ritual is restricted to Srilanka. In summer season stage of Vatham is in accumulated and Kapam is in migrated state, preferred to consume Vatham neutralizing meals and medications. Common delicacy preferred to consume during Aadi amaavaasai day is unripe fruit of C. zeylanica. The unripe fruits are used to remove Tridosha, bitter removes Kapha and Vata. The unripe fruit is used for sedative, stomachic and as a bitter. C. zeylanica was found to have saponin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid pcoumanic acid, β-carotene, thioglycoside, glycocapparin, n-triacontane, α-amyrin and fixed oil. The Capparis are used as a vegetable and fruits because of their high nutritive ingredients like proteins carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. The unripe fruit as a seasonal food for the treatment of several diseases as we have illustrated in this article. Moreover, numerous research works have proven its uses beyond the ethno medicinal ones in experimental animals.

577-579

Authors: Pawar SK

The present study was conducted to the Quantitative Analysis of Zooplankton of Ghagardara Dam of Kandhar Taluka in Nanded District, Maharashtra, India, during the year June 2017 to May 2018. Presently 41 Zooplankton genera representing various groups 11 species of Cladocera 05 species of Ostracoda 08 species of Copepoda 17 species of Rotifera. Among Zooplankton particularly Rotifera was the dominant group throughout the study. The highest count of 1877 species was record in the month of May.

583-585

Authors: Khalokar SP

Freshwater bodies are the major and good source of potable water due to the purification property of water. But due to the increased amount of discharged sewage, industrial waste, increased urbanisation and agricultural activities. Water quality is affected day by day, hence, present investigation is undertaken for Purna river at Asegaon Purna and present study revealed the presence of bacterial contamination of Escherichia coli. Monthly samples were taken during August 2015 to September 2016. Bacteriological analysis and its presence of Escherichia coli is confirmed by MPN method using presumptive confirmatory and completed test. Dark water colonies with metallic shine on Eosine methylene blue (EMB) agar confirm the presence of faecal coliform as samples were taken from same spot throughout the year. All samples show the contamination of E. coli in different ranges.