International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

158-161

Authors: Vivek Singh

No abstract

171-175

Authors: Sanjeev Kumar Ambasta, Seema Kumari

Vermicompost of agriculture waste is an important method in which organic waste such as leaves or stalks of agricultural field is converted into useful compost by means of worms is useful to the environment. Earthworm and microbes acts together and breaks down the complex organic matter of agricultural field and resulting material is rich in nutrients and oxygen. Composting is becoming an effective way to increase organic matter of soil. In addition to increasing organic matter of soil compost also increases soil microbial population (Pera et al., 1983; Perucci, 1990), which leads to the improvement of soil quality. The entire residues after crop is harvested must go back to the soil to replenish the lost nutrient, so vermicompost is considered as excellent way to recycling nutrient in the ecosystem. Soil organic carbon enhancement through crop residues recycling by means of vermicomposting along with fertilizers and integrated nutrient management (INM) are major option to improves soil health and crop productivity. The major objective to vermicomposting is that more ground water recharge and lesser depletion of water table as well as reduces soil salinity and less pollution by agrochemicals.

i-iv

Authors: Umesh Prasad Shrivastava

No abstract

85-89

Authors: Shivani Gupta, Chhavi Rathi, Suman Kapur

Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand and other aggregates in adequate proportions. Its high tensile strength and ability to withstand a vast range of environmental changes makes it the first choice for construction material. One of the major problems associated with concrete is its permeability because penetration of gases and/or liquids from the surrounding environment into the concrete, followed by physical and/or chemical reactions within its internal structure/s leads to irreversible damages. Although cement has autonomous capacity to heal, however cracks <0.2mm width can only self-heal. Biomineralization is one of the best ecofriendly techniques to tackle the problem of cracks in concrete structures. Biologically induced self-healing is beneficial in addressing all the drawbacks of concrete matrix. The most promising technology for producing crack resistant/highly self healing concrete in near future seems to be “BacillaFilla”: genetically modified version of Bacillus subtilis, is a “custom –designed” bacteria to embed deep into the cracks in concrete where they produce a mix of calcium carbonate and a special bacteria glue that hardens to the same strength as of the surrounding concrete.

97-105

Authors: Nirmal Kumar J.I., Megha Barot, Shamiyan R Khan

The PAHs compounds are known to be carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and toxic to all living organism. Handful of literature is available on biodegradation of these compounds by bacteria and fungi, however, scanty work is done by using microalgae on biodegradation of these two PAHs. In this investigation, the efficiency of Aulosira fertilissima Ghose to remove fluoranthene (0.001gm.ml-1), phenanthrene (0.001gm.ml-1) and a mixture of both (each at concentration of 0.0005gm.ml-1) were evaluated for intermediate bio-transformants during biodegradation by using GCMS. The result showed that the efficiency of Aulosira fertilissima for removal and biodegradation of phenanthrene was higher than fluoranthene, indicate fluoranthene was more stable and recalcitrant. PAHs uptake after 7-days of treatment was 80% and 66% of these phenanthrene and fluoranthene, respectively by the cyanobacteria. The synergetic effect of fluoranthene on phenanthrene was observed, presence of fluoranthene stimulate the degradation of phenanthrene due to which phenanthrene produce more bio-transformants. Some intermediates were observed like Methyl linoleate, 4-(2,2- dimethyl-6-methylenecyclohexylidene)-3-methyl-,(Z)- etc. for phenanthrene biodegradation process while 2,3-dihydrofluoranthene, (1R,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol, for fluoranthene degradation. Moreover, 3-isopropylidene-2,2-dimethyl-6-phenyl-1,4-oxathiane, 7- phenyltridecane, diphenylacetylene, for mixture of two PAHs applied.

110-117

Authors: Umesh Prasad Shrivastava

Nitrogenase activity was analysed after supplementation of various carbon and nitrogen sources in the growth medium by Acetylene Reduction Assay methods in selected 9 isolates from 74 diazotrophic isolates. Enhancement in nitrogenase activity was recorded many fold by the addition of different organic carbon sources in which maltose and pyruvate showed better result than others. In case of supplementation of nitrogen sources, reduction of nitrogenase activity was observed. Nitrogenase activity increased from 22.7 to 72.7% in various strains when they are tested in anaerobic condition, Amplification of fragment of 390 bp showed that nitrogenase activity due to presence of nifH gene. Sequences were submitted to NCBI GeneBank and the accession number of nifH sequence of ECI-10A (FJ032023), AF-4B (FJ032024), AF-4C (FJ032022) and BN-2A (FJ032021) has been obtained. Phylogenetic analysis based on showed that these 4 isolates belong to the member of γ-proteobacteria, but show appreciable genetic diversity.

127-131

Authors: Bathal Vijaya Kumar, Mannepula Sreedharamurthy, Obulam Vijaya Sarathi Reddy

The objective of this study was to find out the suitability of different fruit juices for probiotication by using Lactobacillus casei. Phyto-chemical analysis of different fruit juices (mango, sapota, grape and cantaloupe) were carried out using the standard methods. Carbohydrates, flavoniods, tannins, glycosides were present and alkaloids and saponins were absent in all the above fruit juices. Further analysis by TLC and DPPH methods indicated good antioxidant activity in all the fruit juices except for cantaloupe juice. Probiotication of fruit juices with L. casei, decreased pH and increased the titratable acidity within 72 h. Physico-chemical properties were also determined at different time intervals (24, 48 and 72 h) of probiotication. Based on the above results, it was inferred that the beverage prepared from the probiotication of fruit juices with L. casei could be useful in providing health benefits to the consumers.

137-144

Authors: Sushika Joshi, Anish Kumar Karna

Phytochemical screening of extracts of Ocimum Sanctum revealed the presence of fatty acids, steroids, triterpenoid, phenolic compound, flavonoid, glycoside, quinines, and carotenoids. β-sitosterol and Ursolic acid were isolated from leaves of the plant by using column chromatography and identification of these compounds were performed with the help of melting points, Co-TLC and spectroscopic techniques such as IR, 1HNMR and 13 CMR. GC-MS of hexane fraction showed presence of pentanal, sotolone, hexane-3-one, hexane-2-ol, caryphyllene, benzene 1,2 di-carbolylic acids, isoeugenol, cavracrol and eugenol compounds. The brine shrimp bio assay showed LC50 value 213.7, 97.72 and 21.87 for hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaves respectively, where as LC50 value 169.84, 141.25 and 151.35 for hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of stem respectively. All extracts are pharmacologically active.

i-ii

Authors: Umesh Prasad Shrivastava

No abstract

27-32

Authors: Mohan P. Panthi, Anant Gopal Singh

An attempt was made to explore, identify, and document medicinal plants used in dermatological and cosmetic disorders by the people of Arghakhanchi district of western Nepal. The study was conducted during 2006-2008 using semi-structured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussion with traditional healers and persons of different age and occupation having knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. A total of 31 plant species belonging to 24 families were identified and documented. Arghakhanchi district has a rich repository of medicinal plants. The indigenous traditional knowledge has been transmitted orally for years is becoming extinct, with the introduction of modern and alternative facilities of treatments in the district. Hence, these traditional practices need proper documentation and this reinforces the need for screening new active compounds. These documented plant species may be used for development of new, cheep, and effective medicines in future.

42-48

Authors: Ram Nath Prasad Yadav

Several hitherto unreported cationic complexes of the general formula [Ar2SbL][Y] and [ArSbL2][Y]2 [ Where, Ar = C6H5, L = α-Picoline, Pyridine, Ph3AsO, hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA), thiourea (TU) and Y = ClO4− BF4− ] have been synthesized and characterized by solid state IR, 1H NMR, elemental analysis, conductance and molecular weight measurements. The physico-chemical data, cations [Ar2SbL]+1 and[ArSbL2]+2 are assigned a pyramidal structure.

60-62

Authors: S. Thirumala, Pradeep Nathu M., H. B. Aravinda

Air borne fungi of Hill fort region of Channagiri is studied with help of Petriplate exposure method using Pottato dextrose agar media, petriplate exposure time is 15min. Sampling is taken in the month of January 2013 total 74 fungal colonies represented 07 fungal types were observed during the present investigation period. Environmental condition plays an importance role in the distribution of the fungal spores. Out of 07 fungal species most numbers of fungi are anamorphic groups. The fungal species were Aspergillus, Pencillium, Curvilaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium Rhizopus, Alternaria species were identified. Aspergillus species (47.2%) showing maximum contribution is observed where as Rhizopus shows minimum contribution.

68-71

Authors: Pratima Pandey, Jwala Bajrachrya, S. Pokharel

Maize (Zea mays dis.L.) is one of the most important staple crops in the world. Sindhupalchok, Kavre and Nuwakot were the three districts selected for the maize CBSP groups under the respective Agriculture Development Offices identified by CDD for the present study. Altogether 2x6x3 samples for the study were collected. Seed damage as broken seeds, damages on embryo, seed quality assessments like seed moisture content, pure seed percentage, seed vigor measured by root and shoot length, seed germination, and embryo damages were carried in seed testing laboratory in Seed Science & Technology Division (SSTD) Khumaltar following the ISTA Rules, 2007. For the embryo damage test, tetrazolium salt test (TZ) was conducted following the procedures prescribed for maize seed in ISTA Rules, 2007. All the samples possessed of 99 % of pure seed. It ranged from 99.51 % in Nuwakot to 99.96 % in Kavre for samples using corn sheller. They were found within the standards for pure seed and were of acceptable range. The corn sheller was found as efficient as that of hand shelling. There was not found the effect on the quality of seed that they were within the standard values. The germination percentage decreased from initial 96 to 85 (Kavre); 94 to 87 (Sindhupalchwok) and 91 to 83 (Nuwakot). This study concludes that the corn sheller techniques offer Wooden corn sheller is a simple but traditional device made locally for shelling the maize kernels and distributed to Community based seed production (CBSP) farmers contribute to minimizing the impacts of hand sheller on agricultural systems.

75-79

Authors: Jiban Shrestha

Grain yield stability for the new maize genotypes is an important target in maize breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to identify stable high yielding quality protein maize (QPM) genotypes under various locations and years in terai region of Nepal. Six quality protein maize genotypes along with Poshilo Makai-1 (Standard Check) and Farmer’s Variety (Local Check) were tested at three different locations namely Ayodhyapuri-2, Devendrapur, Madi, Chitwan; Rajahar-8, Bartandi, Rajahar, Nawalparasi; Mangalpur-2, Rampur, Chitwan during 2011 and 2012 spring and winter seasons under rainfed condition. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications in farmer’s fields. There was considerable variation among genotypes and environments for grain yield. The analysis of variance showed that mean squares of environments (E) was highly significant and genotypes (G) and genotype x environment interaction (GEI) were non significant. The genotypes S03TLYQ-AB02 and RampurS03FQ02 respectively produced the higher mean grain yield 5422±564 kg/ha and 5274±603 kg/ha across the locations. Joint regression analysis showed that RampurS03FQ02 and S03TLYQ-AB02 with regression coefficient 1.10 and 1.22 respectively are the most stable genotypes over the tested environments. The coefficient of determination (R2) for genotypes Rampur S03FQ02 and S03TLYQ-AB02 were as high as 0.954, confirming their high predictability to stability. Further confirmation from GGE biplot analysis showed that maize genotype S03TLYQ-AB02 followed by Rampur S03FQ02 were more stable and adaptive genotypes across the tested environments. Thus these genotypes could be recommended to farmers for general cultivation.

1-4

Authors: Sabin Khadgi, Uddhav Timilsina, Basudha Shrestha

Introduction- Urinary tract infection is a common community-acquired bacterial disease. Escherichia coli is reported to be the major cause of urinary tract infection. Aim & Objective- The study was conducted with the aim of determining the antibiotic resistance pattern and plasmid profile of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from Urinary Tract Infection patients. Materials and Method- Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed against E. coli following the protocol for the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Plasmid DNA was isolated following the protocol of Kado and Liu. Results- Multidrug resistant isolates exhibited high resistance to drugs like Amoxicillin, Cefixime, Ciprofloxacin, Cotrimethoxazole, Norfloxacin and Ofloxacin. The plasmid profiling showed that all, except one, isolate contained at least one plasmid. A band of approximately 23 kb was seen in most of the isolates.

11-15

Authors: Umesh P. Shrivastava, Ashok Kumar

A total of nine strains of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria were analyzed for ACC deaminase activity, where highest ACC deaminase activity was found in Klebsiella sp strain ECI-10A (539.1 nmol α-keto butyrate/ mg protein/ h) and lowest in Microbacterium sp strain ECI-12A (122.0 nmol α-keto butyrate/ mg protein/ h). Although Microbacterium sp strain ECI-12A showed lowest level of ACC deaminase activity, but, the species of Microbacterium isolated from rhizosphere is the first report. Microbacterium sp strain ECI-12A was also analyzed under varying conditions of time, amount of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate (ACC), and temperature for optimization of the ACC deaminase activity. The optimum activity was recorded with the supplementation of 5mM ACC at 30°C temperature after 24h of culture growth. All the nine strains showed acdS gene in the PCR amplification of that gene. No any rhizospheric Microbacterium species showing ACC deaminase activity have been reported earlier, therefore, we report here ACC deaminase activity in Microbacterium sp ECI-12A isolated from rice rhizosphere is a novel finding.