Activities Viz Research Articles

Proximate, vitamin and GC-MS profiling of Kigelia africana fruit powder

Phytochemicals come from plants and are generally recognized as safe which make them good candidates to be used as feed additives in livestock production. These compounds are non-toxic, effective, environmentally friendly and it performs several biological activities viz: antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, immune-stimulatory, hepato-protective, antiviral amongst others. This study was carried out to examine the proximate, vitamin and bioactive profiling of Kigelia africana fruit powder. Results on proximate of the sample revealed the presence of moisture 10.33%, dry matter 89.67%, crude protein 7.98%, crude fibre 2.71%, ether extract 2.10%, ash 5.49% and carbohydrate 72.06%. Vitamin composition of Kigelia africana fruit powder showed that it contained vitamin A 4.24 iu/100 g, vitamin B1 82.9 mg100 g, vitamin B2 25.1 µg/100 g, vitamin B3 49.6 µg/100 g, vitamin B6 143.1 µg/100 g, vitamin B9 6.70 µg/100 g, vitamin B12 3.90 µg/100 g, vitamin C 5.86 µg/100 g, vitamin D 124.4 iu/100 g, vitamin E 44.2 mg/100 g and vitamin K 39.2 iu/100 g. Bioactive profiling by GC/MS revealed the presence of 19 compounds. These compounds have different therapeutic properties with 2-Dimethylsilyloxytetradecane 27.42% as a major compound followed by 3,7-dimethyl- Pentaerythritol 22.08%, 9-Octadecenoic acid 14.84%, Cyclopropaneoctanal 12.60%, Allyl fluoride 4.50%, 2-hydroxy- Propanenitrile 3.80%, 9-Octadecenoic acid 3.60%, 2-octyl- 6-Octadecenoic acid 2.48%, 2- Chloropropionic acid 2.42%, 1-Tricosene 2.19%, 13-Octadecenal 1.28%, Dimethyl Urethane 1.19%, 2,2-dimethyl-Cyclohexanol 0.57%, 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate 0.40%, Hexanoic acid 0.30%, 2-Chloroethyl 1-propynyl sulfoxide 0.12%, 10-Azido-1-decanethiol Cyclopentaneundecanoic acid 0.10%, Isopropylcyclobutane 0.10% and Cyclopentaneundecanoic acid 0.01%. It was concluded that Kigelia africana fruit powder is loaded with several nutrient and could be used as a natural alternative to antibiotics in animal production.

Comparative chemical composition and pesticidal evaluation of Acorus calamus accessions collected from different geographical locations

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the phytochemical composition of essential oils (EO) from rhizomes of Acorus calamus collected from Jorhat, Assam; Munsyari and Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. EOs were studied for different pesticidal activities viz; nematicidal, insecticidal, and herbicidal activity. To study the synergistic effect of EOs on pesticidal activity, four combinations of EOs were prepared. Phenylpropanoids with β-asarone as the main compound were identified in all collections with varying percentages. Its contribution was found to be 85.8% in Munsyari EOs followed by 74.3% in Pantnagar and 62.6% in Assam collections. All EOs exhibited dose-dependent in vitro nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita in terms of immobility and inhibition of egg hatching. The activity was observed as maximum in the EO combination of all three collections (1:1:1) whereas minimum in the Assam collections. In insecticidal activity against Lipaphis erysimi and Selepa celtis, maximum mortality was observed in Munsyari collections. The oils were assessed for sprout inhibition activity in terms of seed germination inhibition, coleoptile growth of the shoot and root against Raphanus raphanistrum. Maximum seed germination inhibition, % shoot, and root growth inhibition were found in all collections EO combinations. To predict the possible mode of action and the structure-activity relationship between major compounds of EOs and biological activities, in silico molecular docking and ADME/Tox studies were performed. The docking results revealed the mode of action of proteins of insects, nematodes, and weeds and were found in support of in vitro experiments. The study may be helpful for the development of herbal-based pesticides after proper clinical trials.

Assessment of changes in soil organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities under apple growing ecosystems in temperate North-Western Himalayas

For better understanding about the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and enzyme activities in soil health management under intense cropping and fluctuating climatic scenario, we examined quantitatively the spatial distribution and relationship pattern of SOC (potassium dichromate oxidizable C (KCr2O7 -C), total organic carbon (TOC or SOC stocks) and SOC pools of labile organic carbon (LBC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) as well as enzyme activities viz:- dehydrogenase (DHA), urease (URE) and phosphatase (PPTase) under apple growing ecosystems in north western temperate Himalayas, India. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and spatial variability analysis of SOC attributes and enzyme activities were performed. Analysis of the results show consistent decline in SOC with depth and altitude exhibiting distinct spatial variability (CV = 15.7%–44.4%); representing significantly greater proportion in orchards of higher altitude by a margin of 346% and 295% and surface layers by 32% and 68% than sub-surface layers of those mid and lower altitudes. SOC stocks ranged from 32.1 to 94.6 Mg ha−1 with significant variation (CV = 18.0%–30.9%) between soil depths. Amongst labile carbon fractions, LBC observed significantly maximum spatial variability (CV = 15.0%–27.2%) followed by MBC (CV = 7.7%–20.6%) while as POC represents least non-significant variation (CV = 7.2%–15.5%). Although LBC (0.78 to 4.90 g kg−1) accounts for significant higher fraction (490%), MBC represents substantial reduction of 36% to 71% from surface to sub-surface layers. Decrease in microbial quotient (MQ) from an average value of 4.0% (surface) to 2.7% (sub-surface) indicates distinct spatial variability (CV = 7.5%–17.8%). The stratification ratio (SR) of SOC changed significantly amongst three altitudes varying from 2.75 to 3.96. For soil enzyme activities tested, DHA, URE and PPTase observed significant decline with depth showing maximum activity loss of 504% for URE followed by 470% for PPTase and 310% for DHA. Relationship studies recorded significantly positive correlation (p =0.05 and 0.01) for TOC with SOC and POC (0.752* and 0.814**) and between SOC and POC (0.675*), although SOC was best correlated with LBC (0.834**) and MBC (0.650**). All carbon fractions showed strong positive and significant (p = 0.05 and 0.01) relation with MBC and all enzymes (DHA, URE and PPTase) exhibited similar relationship with SOC (r = 0.638*), (r = 0.725*) and (r = 0.502**). Principal component analysis (PCA) summarized the spatial variation and relationship among SOC attributes and enzyme activities. These results of soil quality signature can be used to design and implement effective management measures in terms of addition of appropriate nutrients and effective carbon sequestration practices for soil health sustainability.

Chemical Composition and Cosmeceutical Potential of the Essential Oil of Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L.) Källersjö

The South African medicinal plant Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L.) Källersjö is an important remedy used to treat chronic, respiratory, and skin ailments. From the essential oil (EO) extracted by the hydrodistillation, sixteen constituent components were identified with oxygenated monoterpenes: camphor (31.21%), filifolone (13.98%), chrysanthenone (8.72%), 1,8-cineole (7.85%), and terpinen-4-ol (7.39%) as predominant constituents. In the antibacterial activity study, the EO was found most susceptible against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an MIC of 6.4 mg/mL; however, it showed the same activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with an MIC value of 12.8 mg/mL. The sun protecting factor (SPF) of the EO was found to be 2.299 and thus establishing it as a potentially important cosmeceutical for sunscreen applications. This is the first report investigating the essential oil of O. suffruticosum for its chemical composition and skin-related in vitro biological activities viz antibacterial, antioxidant capacity, antityrosinase, and sun protection factor.

Profile of women in cashew farm and processing sector and their constraints at workplace-a case study

A cross sectional analysis of farm women in various activities related to cashew production and processing was conducted at Cashew Research Station (KAU), Madakkathara, Kerala. Among the total workers 68.88 per cent were women workers and 77.40 per cent of them were residing in the same village which made them to coordinate the farm and household activities in a better way. The women were involved in seasonal farm activities viz harvest and post-harvest handling (93.54%), grafting (67.74%), nursery operations and planting (87.09% each), weeding and fertilizer applicationactivities (83.87%) and pruningand canopy management (74.19%).Afewskilled groups were involved in cashew apple processing (22.58%) and nut processing (29.03%). More than half of the women workers (51.61%) were the sole earning members of the family. The threat of snake at farmland was identified as major constraint and needed to be addressed at policy level to get insured. Introduction of proper safety measures at farm level would also help to reduce the risk of wild animals in the remote farmlands. The seasonal nature of cashew farm sector was identified as another major constraint for farm women and hence diversified income generation activities needed to be taken up for assuring year-round employment.

Livelihood Opportunities in Agri-Allied Sector for Rural Youth: A Case of Bargarh District in Odisha

There has been a lot of debate over employment and its opportunities in the recent times. With more number of reverse migrations occurring daily and lack of employment opportunities for the rural youth, there has been increasing concern about the entrepreneurial activities for rural youth and their involvement therein. However, for any agri-allied start-up, the opportunities and options available play a major role. Thus, a study was conducted on the livelihood opportunities available in agri-allied sector in Bargarh district of Odisha and to analyze the constraints faced by the respondents therein. The findings of the study revealed that majority of respondents (mean score=1.30) were engaged in vegetable vending business where as oil extraction unit (mean score=1.03) was least preferred. Dairy unit (mean score=1.19) in animal husbandry based inventories was preferred over others, engagement in forestry based inventories revealed collection of Mahua flower/fruit (mean score=1.09) was ranked first while Lac cultivation and processing ranked fourth (mean score=1.02). Major findings revealed that there was a need to overcome the constraints by access to agricultural implements and equipments at low price followed by availability of agricultural credit at proper time, correspondence of right information at right time by extension officers, conduction of extension activities viz, kisan mela, demonstration, exhibition, training, visits, training requirements on improved poultry farming, fish farming and livestock managements, facilitation of crop insurance, recommended information on seed and fertilizer at proper time, herbicides and pesticide in low price and provision of irrigation facility respectively. The study suggests that for effective participation of rural youth in native entrepreneurial activities, motivation is primarily required along with proper training and orientation about self employment programmes.

β-Pinene Rich Seed Essential Oil of Zingiber chrysanthum Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) from Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, Uttarakhand and Its Biological Activities

Zingiber chrysanthum Roscoe is a traditional medicinal plant species sparsely occurring in Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Seeds of this species were collected from wild populations and essential oil was extracted. This essential oil was phytochemically analyzed by GC/MS and various biological activities viz: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial were also performed using standard protocols. More than 92 compounds were identified from essential oil of the seed. β-pinene (36.3 %) is identified as major product of the oil followed by α-pinene (9.3 %), limonene (5.4 %), γ-terpinene (5.0 %), (E)-caryophyllene (4.0 %), α-terpineol (3.6 %) and terpenin-4-ol (3.2 %) suggesting a greater efficacy of plant in flavor, decorative and non decorative cosmetic industry. The essential oil showed strong antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH (IC50=10.81±0.03 μL/ mL), metal chelating (IC50=16.84±0.46 μL/mL) and reducing power activity (RP50= 15.55±0.02 μL/mL). Anti-inflammatory activity in terms of protein denaturation (IB50=16.76±0.00 μL/mL) and a moderate antibacterial activity was also reported against the bacterial strains E. coli and S. aureus by the Z. chrysanthum seed essential oil.

Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Efficacy, and Phytochemistry of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori. -A Review.

Moringa is a sole genus of Moringaceae family with 13 species distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Among them, Moringa peregrina is one of the species which has wide range of traditional, nutritional, industrial, and medicinal values. The plant parts are used in folk medicine for many human health care purposes including diabetes, wound healing, disinfectant, fever, constipation, muscle pains, slimness, burns, labor pain, hypertension, malaria, stomach disorder, asthma, skin problems, and to expel a retained placenta. In addition to medicinal value, M. peregrina has cultural, spiritual, and religious connections with the native people of Arabian Peninsula. M. peregrina plant parts were tested for many pharmacological activities viz, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-spasmodic, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, lipid lowering activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and memory disorders. Few active molecules belong to the class isothiocyanate, flavonoid, triterpenoid, phytosterol, polyphenol, and glycoside were also isolated, identified and reported for anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anthelmintic, anti-mutagenic, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, herbicidal, lipid lowering potential, anti-trypanosomal, and cytotoxic activities. So, the aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive information from recognized sources on the traditional uses, pharmacological efficacy and phytochemistry of the desert medicinal plant, M. peregrina. The information provided in this review will be very useful for further studies to develop novel therapeutic drugs.

Biginelli Reaction of Vicinal Diols: A New Route for One-Pot Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-One Derivatives

Background: 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives are an important class of nitrogen heterocycles. These compounds present a wide range of biological activities viz antibacterial, antifungal, and antidiabetic. Although many synthetic methods are available in the literature for the synthesis of these molecules, many of these methods have their own limitations such as use of excess of expensive catalyst and poor yields. Methods: The synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives is developed through the reaction of 1,2-diols, ethyl acetoacetate and urea in the presence of lead tetraacetate in dry ethanol under reflux conditions. Results: A series of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives were synthesized in good yields (82-95%) under reflux for 2-3.5 hours in ethanol solvent. The structural assignments of these compounds were made on the basis of elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. Conclusion: This protocol is an alternative to existing procedure for the synthesis of Biginelli compounds. The present methodology reduces the number of steps in total synthesis. Keywords: Biginelli reaction, pyrimidine, 3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one, lead tetraacetate, multicomponent reaction, 1, 2- diols.

Total Synthesis of Metagenetriindole A and Deoxytopsentin

AbstractMetagenetriindole A and deoxytopsentin are the fascinating bisindole alkaloids due to their potential biological activities viz; cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, MRSA PK inhibition etc. and they were isolated from deep‐sea sediment metagenomic clone derived Escherichia coli fermentation broth and Mediterranean sponge Topsentia genitrix respectively. The unavailability of large quantity of these alkaloids could restrict their further biological findings. So a short and efficient method to produce these biologically active alkaloids is important. Environmentally benign and metal free syntheses of these alkaloids is reported. The total synthesis involves bisindole formation and self‐condensation‐cyclization strategy without using any protecting group.

Participatory variety slection of cold tolerant rice in the western hills of Nepal

To verify and up scale promising cold tolerant rice genotypes in the western hills, participatory variety selection (PVS) activities viz; coordinated farmer’s field trials (CFFTs), FFTs prepared from Lumle , farmers’ acceptance tests (FATs), larger plot demonstrations, and upscaling activities were conducted during 2008 to 2009. Yield and yield related parameters considering farmers’ preferences were also recorded and analyzed for PVSs under FATs. In 2008, genotypes NR10481-B-11-1-1-1, NR10479-B-33-2-1-1 and NR10482-B-10-3-2-2 had been preferred by farmers because of high grain yield and desired parameters. In 2008, grain yield of Machapuchhre-3, Chhomrong Dhan, and Lumle 5- 2 over yielded Farmers’ Local (2.2 mt/ha) by 83, 89 and 81%, respectively whereas in 2009, grain yield increment of Machapuchhre- 3, Chhomrong Dhan, Lumle- 2, and Chandannath-3 over Farmers’ Local (2.1 t/ha ) was 98 %, 97%, 1078% and 49 %, respectively. Farmers of upper high hills (>2000-m) and high hills (1500-2000-m) preferred Chandannath-3, Machapuchhre- 3, and Chhomrong Dhan while Lumle-2 was liked by farmers of mid hills (1000-1500-m ). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7545 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.74-79

A FACILE SYNTHESIS OF 6,7-FUSED STEROIDAL THIAZOLES VIA 1,3-INTRAMOLECULAR MIGRATION OF BROMINE/ALLYLIC DISPLACEMENT OF BROMINE

ABSTRACT A facile synthesis of an array of 6,7-fused steroidal thiazoles (4-9) is reported. Replacement of lachrymatory 7-bromosteroidal ketones (4a) with readily accessible 5-bromosteroidal ketones (1-3), as a starting material, on simple condensation with thiourea or phenylthiourea gives the thiazole fused ring products. The products have been characterized on the basis of microanalytical and spectral data, which find support in some cases from comparison with previously known samples. A rationalization for the routes of conversion is given, based on current and previous results. Keywords: Steroidal thiazoles, lachrymatory, phenylthiourea, IR spectroscopy.INTRODUCTIONThiazole is an important heterocycle found in various natural products, notably thiamine (vitamin B). 1 Therefore, thiazole derivatives have been isolated and synthesized in view of their pharmacological activities viz antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. 2-6 These are also employed as antiallergic,

Internet: Importance and Usage for Library and Information Professionals

The paper focuses on the impact of lnternet on various library processes, services and products. It also emphasises the challenging role of librarians and information professionals in the present lnternet era. Today the lnternet has revolutionised the traditional library activities viz document acquisition, teclinical processing, circubtion, reference service, resource sharing, document delivery, etc. The paper also emphasises the crucial role of librarians and information professionals in designing and maintaining libraries' web page/website leading to increase in library efficiency. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dbit.21.3.3542