Extract Of Azadirachta Indica Research Articles

Potency of selected herbs on inhibition of ammonia producing bacteria

In effort to combat environmental pollution, improve animal production and avoid drug residue, producers have resorted to the use of phytobiotics to inhibit ammonia producing microbes in the gut. Freshly harvested Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica leaves were air dried, blended and extracted using five concentrations of solvent (100% water, 70% water + 30% methanol, 50% water + 50% methanol, 30% water + 70% methanol and 100% methanol). The antibacterial activities of the extracts and antibiotics (doxycycline) as control, were tested according to standard procedures against both gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae) ammonia producing bacteria. In most cases, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica leaves were not significantly different from that of synthetic antibiotics, doxycycline, when tested against the test bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera. However, leave extracts showed significantly better inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli than the antibiotic drug. It can be concluded, therefore, that the leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica can serve as alternative to synthetic drugs in animal production due to their effective actions against microbial organisms.

Evaluation of wound healing potentials of neem (Azadirachtaindica) leaf extract on excision wounds in Wistar albino rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing ability of ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, incorporated into the feed of albino rats. Twenty-four (24) albino rats of both sexes weighing between 90 to 125g were randomly selected and divided into three (3) groups of 8 rats each. Animals in each group were divided into four (4) replicates of two (2) rats per replicate. Group A had penicillin, group B had neem ointment and group C had Neem incorporated in the feed. The ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) contraction rate and shortened wound closure time. The healing was 92% (p<0.05) on 10th day compared to 75% and 82% of healing with ground leaf of A. indica incorporated into the feed (neem + feed) and procaine penicillin, respectively. The complete wound closure took place on the 12th day in the case of ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica while, neem + feed and procaine penicillin the wounds persisted than12th day. The study concluded that the ethanoic leaf extract of A. indica had better potential wound healing activity for excision wounds; justifying its use in the traditional and orthodox medicine.

Effect of enzyme supplementation and plant extracts on villus height and microbial counts in broilers

Due to issues concerning antimicrobial resistance, the use of antibiotics in poultry and pigs has been restricted in many countries. The research focus is now on suitable and readily available alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. Alternatives such as probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, enzymes and acidifiers are being utilized while Phyto biotics (plant extracts) are also considered as viable alternatives. In this study, leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Vernonia amygdylina (bitter leaf) were administered through drinking water, while enzyme (Roxazyme G2 G ®) was supplemented in the feed of different groups of broiler birds which were randomly allocated to three treatments and a control in triplicates of ten birds per replicate. The control group did not receive either plant extract in water or enzyme in their diet. On day 42, the chickens were slaughtered; the digesta was gently collected from the ileum and caecum for microbial analysis, while histological analysis was carried on the empty ileum for the determination of villus height. Data collected for microbial analysis was log transformed before statistical analysis and was stated as Log colony forming unit/g of digesta sample (Log cfu/g). The highest villus height was recorded for enzyme treatment (0.955mm) followed by bitter leaf (0.717mm), and least for neem leaf (0.592 mm) with 0.656 mm for the control. Enzyme supplementation, bitter leaf and neem leaf extract administration had no significant effect (p>0.05) on villus height. However,villus height recorded for enzyme supplementation and administration of bitter leaf extract was numerically higher than the control group. The population of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) in the ileum was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control group (9.28 Log cfu/g) than enzyme supplementation (8.52 Log cfu/g) and administration of leaf extract. The least value was recorded was recorded with bitter leaf (7.94 Log cfu/g). A value of 8.14 Log cfu/g was recorded with neem extract in drinking water. Total coliform was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control (7.33 Log cfu/g) than in enzyme (6.00 Log cfu/g), neem leaf (4.74 Log cfu/g) and bitter leaf (4.84 Log cfu/g) treatments. The population of enteropathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella) was also significantly reduced (p< 0.05) by enzyme supplementation and administration of neem leaf and bitter leaf extracts in the ileum. The THB and total coliform counts (Log cfu/g) was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by enzyme supplementation, neem leaf and bitter leaf extract in the caecum also. In conclusion, the results of the current study showed that the leaf extracts and enzyme supplementation significantly decreased the number of enteropathogenic bacteria in the ileum and caecum. Although there was no significant impact on villi height, but numerical difference in villi height were recorded.

Effect of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica on rifampicin- induced jaundice in rabbits

High rate of dependence on medicinal plants for maintenance of health care needs over the decades in communities all over the world especially in Africa and Asia needs adequate scientific verification and authentication. Liver related diseases have however become a global problem. Jaundice was established on 9 of a total population of 12 rabbits of mixed sex, weighing 1.50kg - 2.34kg using an overdose pretreatment of Rifampicin (300mg/ kg bw) P.O. After 3 days, the Animals were administered with various doses of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (600, 750, 900mg/kg bw) P.O for each group of rats – A, B, C and D (control ), after which the animals were bled via marginal ear vein at zero hour, 7th and 14th days and the blood used for the following assays: Alkaline Phosphatase, Acid Phosphatase, Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Bilirubin and Alanine Transaminase. Experimental animals exhibited lack of appetite, reduced activity, scratching of the body, emesis, yellow coloration of the sclera, light-colored stool and a little dark urine over time. There was also increase in the levels of the biochemical parameters as the day increased. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) exhibited increasing elevated levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Acid Phosphatase (AP), Total Bilirubin (T/Bil), Conjugated Bilirubin (Conj/Bil), and slightly in Alanine Transaminase (ALT), thus exerted elevated hepatotoxicity on Rifampicin-induced Rabbits. Therefore, the traditional use of Azadirachta indica in management of jaundice should be discontinued.

Effect of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica on rifampicin- induced jaundice in rabbits

High rate of dependence on medicinal plants for maintenance of health care needs over the decades in communities all over the world especially in Africa and Asia needs adequate scientific verification and authentication. Liver related diseases have however become a global problem. Jaundice was established on 9 of a total population of 12 rabbits of mixed sex, weighing 1.50kg - 2.34kg using an overdose pretreatment of Rifampicin (300mg/ kg bw) P.O. After 3 days, the Animals were administered with various doses of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (600, 750, 900mg/kg bw) P.O for each group of rats – A, B, C and D (control ), after which the animals were bled via marginal ear vein at zero hour, 7th and 14th days and the blood used for the following assays: Alkaline Phosphatase, Acid Phosphatase, Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Bilirubin and Alanine Transaminase. Experimental animals exhibited lack of appetite, reduced activity, scratching of the body, emesis, yellow coloration of the sclera, light-colored stool and a little dark urine over time. There was also increase in the levels of the biochemical parameters as the day increased. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) exhibited increasing elevated levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Acid Phosphatase (AP), Total Bilirubin (T/Bil), Conjugated Bilirubin (Conj/Bil), and slightly in Alanine Transaminase (ALT), thus exerted elevated hepatotoxicity on Rifampicin-induced Rabbits. Therefore, the traditional use of Azadirachta indica in management of jaundice should be discontinued.

Effect of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica on rifampicin- induced jaundice in rabbits

Effect of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica on rifampicin- induced jaundice in rabbits

Restorative effect of Azadirachta indica against fenvalerate induced haematological and biochemical toxicity in a freshwater fish Clarias batrachus

Pesticide use in recent times has increased many folds to enhance the yield of crops. The water bodies like ponds and others are extensively used for the cultivation of fishes. Since these fishes are a good source of protein and nutritious value, hence are consumed by humans. These pesticide-contaminated fishes are consumed by the human, causing health hazards. The objective of the present research work was to know the bio remedial effect of Azadirachta indica on fenvalerate induced toxicity in a freshwater air-breathing catfish "Mangur" known as Clarias batrachus ( Linnaeus). The fishes were treated with 1/3rd of LC50, i.e. 0.92 ppm of a pyrethroid pesticide fenvalerate and observed the fishes for 96 hours. Thereafter, the aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was administered orally, daily by gastric intubation method at the dose of 100 mg/Kg body weight per day for 15 days. The study revealed that, after the exposure of 0.92 ppm of fenvalerate, there was a significant decrease in RBC count from 2.76 to 2.14 X (106) (mm-3), Total leukocyte count from18.10 to 16.30 X (103) (mm-3), , packed ell volume from 24 % to 16% , haemoglobin from 6.89 g/100 ml to 4.23 g/100ml of blood whereas increase in the level of serum glucose and cholesterol level from 50.33 mg/dl to 103.73 mg/dl and 168.52 g/dl to 248.99 g/dl respectively. At the same time, serum protein level decreased from 3.16g/dl to2.52 g/dl due to pesticide in the experimental fishes. But, after the administration of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica there was significant normalisation in the test parameters of the fishes. The study indicated that neem leaves possessed restorative effect against fenvalerate induced toxicity in Clarias batrachus.

Antifungal Activity of Fruit Extracts of Azadirachta indica on Germination, Infection, Rotten Seeds and Abnormal Rice Seedlings from Chad Republic

Aim: Test the effect of Azadirachta indica fruit extract on seed-borne fungi and seed performance of different rice varieties.
 Study Design: Neem fruits harvested in the locality of Pala in Chad were used to assess the antifungal effect on rice seeds. Samples of eight rice varieties (TOX, CH3, CH8, WITA9 D6, D4, D3 and D1) were collected in Bongor, Chad to assess their performance against the aqueous extract of neem fruits.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Research Unit of Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences of the University of Dschang/Cameroon from June to October 2018.
 Methodology: Rice seeds were dipped in Azadirachta indica extract at concentrations of T25 (25 mg/ml), T50 (50 mg/ml) and T75 (75 mg/ml) for 1 hour before being incubated in petri dishes containing blotting paper. Distilled water (T0) and mancozeb 80 WP (TMn1 mg/ml) were used as negative and positive controls respectively.
 Results: The results showed that the germination rate from rice seeds treated with Azadirachta indica extract was better (97.14%) than the rate from the negative controls (82.53%). The infection rate of rice seedlings, the number of rotten seeds and the number of abnormal seedlings were significantly (P =.05) lower for Azadirachta indica extract treatments than for the negative control (T0).
 Conclusions: Neem (Azadirachta indica) fruit extract has a bio-fungicidal potential and a bio-stimulator of rice seed germination. This extract of Azadirachta indica fruit can be used to improve rice cultivation.

Optical, structural, and antibacterial properties of biosynthesized Ag nanoparticles at room temperature using Azadirachta indica leaf extract

We report an enhancement of antibacterial properties of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized at room temperature using leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) following green synthesis route. To study such antibacterial properties Ag NPs of sizes within 9 nm to 17 nm were synthesized by varying the concentration of Neam leaf extract (NLE). The NP size and size distribution were seen to increase and decrease, respectively, with increase in NLE concentration. Also Ag NPs having a fixed size (~26 nm) was also synthesized by varying the precursor (AgNO3) concentration. It is noticed that concentration of NLE has significant effects on the control of NP size as well as size distribution whereas there is almost no role of precursor concentration of the NP size. All the Ag NPs are found to have face-centred-cubic crystal structure with preferential growth along (111) plane which is stable one. The peak of X-ray diffraction at ~32.4° (2θ value), which is prominent for low concentrations of NLE and precursor, is identified as (101) plane of Ag crystal. The generation and growth of Ag NPs had also been confirmed using electron microscopic studies. These Ag NPs show prominent surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption at ~ 420 nm confirming again the genesis of Ag NPs. The SPR peak shifts towards longer wavelength (redshift) with a corresponding reduction in full width at half maximum with increase in NP size. All of the samples containing Ag NPs show a broad blue photoluminescence (PL) emission at ~ 471 nm. Emission peak is seen to redshift with increase in NP size and is consistent with the optical absorption data. Such PL emission is argued as due to interband transition or plasmon luminescence. Being biocompatible of the green synthesis process, antibacterial properties of these Ag NPs were studies in details considering all the samples (with varied NP size for one set and with fixed NP size for other set of samples). As per our knowledge this is the first report of size related total study of Ag NPs, showing increased antibacterial effect as size decreased and equal antibacterial effect as size equals. It is found that smaller Ag NPs has enhanced antibacterial effects due to large surface area to volume ratio in comparison with bigger sized Ag NPs.

Anthelmintic activity of extracts of Azadirachta indica and Andrographis paniculata and their pharmacological analysis

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica and Andrographis paniculata which were found to have effective anthelmintic properties were subjected to pharmacological analysis. Alkaloids, carbohydrate, amino acid, glycosides, saponin, steroid, flavonoid, tannin and phenolic compounds were present in all the four extracts. Anthraquinone glycosides were present in the extracts of Azadirachta indica. Cardiac glycosides were present only in the methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica whereas triterpenoids were present only in methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata.

Comparative study of different solvents seed extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and its in-vitro acaricidal properties against Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus

The seeds of Azadirachta indica (Neem) were analyzed for gradient yields in different solvents and its acaricidal properties. The solvents used were aqueous (distilled water), ethanol, hydroethanol and methanol in Soxhlet apparatus for the extraction of extracts. The acaricidal properties of A. indicaseed extract was assessed by using the solution of 8% aqueous, ethanolic, hydro-ethanolic and methanolic extracts. The highest yield obtained was methanolic extract about 14.84%, followed by ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extract 13.24%, 9.76% and 8.12% respectively. Variable amounts of yields might be possible due to the method, solvents, time and temperature applied for the extraction. During the assessment of acaricidal properties of A. indicaseed extract, aqueous extract was found more effective as compared to ethanolic extract, hydroethanolic extract and methanolic extract and lowest efficacy was recorded in methanolic extract, might be happened by the presence of sufficient biomolecules in aqueous extract.

Evaluation of the Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaves and Twigs on Glycemic Control, Endothelial Dysfunction and Systemic Inflammation in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

PurposeNeem tree (Azadirachta indica) offers different bioactives ranging from pesticides to therapeutic molecules, depending on which part of the plant is used and the extraction methodology and the solvent used. This study was aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of a standardized aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves and twigs (NEEM) on glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study (RCT), 80 T2DM subjects, who have already been on standard metformin therapy, received either 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg of NEEM or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Postprandial blood sugar level (PPBS), fasting blood sugar level (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin resistance (IR), endothelial function, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, IL-6 and TNF-α, platelet aggregation and lipid profile were assessed. Adverse drug reactions, if any, were noted. GraphPad Prism 8 was used to perform statistical analysis.ResultsNEEM at the doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg BID significantly reduced PPBS (from 194.4±14 to 173.1±12.8mg/dL, 192.3±17.1 to 161.8±9.7mg/dL, and 205.9±7.2 to 159.3±7.1mg/dL, respectively), FBS (from 119.2±5.0 to 109.2±5.7mg/dL, 115.5±4.4 to 103.7±4.2mg/dL, and 120.7±4.2 to 97.3±3.7mg/dL, respectively), HbA1c (from 6.87 ± 0.4% to 6.64 ± 0.4%, 7.52 ± 0.4% to 6.86 ± 0.3%, and 7.78 ± 0.2% to 6.26 ± 0.4%, respectively), and IR (from 4.5 ± 1.2 to 3.4 ± 0.9, 3.8 ± 1.1 to 2.5 ± 0.6, and 4.6 ± 1.3 to 2.0 ± 0.6, respectively) compared to placebo. Also, NEEM significantly improved endothelial function, decreased oxidative stress and systemic inflammation compared to placebo. The efficacy was significant with all the doses, but no effect on platelet aggregation or lipid profile was observed.ConclusionNEEM may significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, on top of what metformin could do, in subjects with T2DM.

Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanostructures Using Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract and Their Effect on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Tomato: An Eco-Friendly Approach

In this study, we report synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles using simple chemical and green methods. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) as reducing agent. The as obtained product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and TEM techniques. XRD analysis confirms that ZnO nanoparticles were crystalline having hexagonal Wurtzite structure with (1 0 0), (0 0 2), (1 0 1), (1 0 2), (1 1 0) and (1 1 2) planes. SEM analyses show that the as synthesized ZnO NPs were in the form of agglomerates and no other impurity peak was found in the EDS. TEM analyses confirm that the size of the nanoparticle was approx. 50 nm. Here in, we investigate the effect of chemical and green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on germination and growth of lycopersicum esculentus (tomato) using petri plate seed germination method in loamy sand soil. The impact of concentration of applied ZnO nanoparticles via green synthesis and chemical methods were analyzed. Results revealed that green synthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles showed maximum growth of seedling as compared to chemically synthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles, bulk ZnO and control. After 50 days of tomato growth analysis, it was recognized that ZnO NPs can be a good green synthetic fertilizer by increasing shoot length, wet weight, dry weight and yield over conventional control. Hence, green method is found to be more effective.

Investigation of Wound Healing Potential of Azadirachta indica Seed Extract using Wistar Rats

This study investigated the wound healing potential of hexane and methanolic seed extracts of Azadirachta indica using 35 wistar rats that were divided into 5 groups of 7 rats each. Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of the extracts were carried out while the wound healing potential was evaluated by treating the test rats with 5 % and 10 % hexane and methanol extracts in an experiment that lasted for 21 days. Wound area and percentage of wound closure of the rats were noted at four-day intervals and at 21 days, the blood and organs of the rats were subjected to haematological and histopathological analyses respectively. The extracts were found to contain tannins, glycosides and phenols and they inhibited the growth of tested organisms. All the test rats displayed better and faster healing than the control ones but there were no significant differences between their haematological and histophatological results. The seed extracts quickened the wound healing process of the rats and might therefore be useful in wound treatment.

THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST UTI (URINARY TRACT INFECTION)

Azadirachta indica is a multipurpose tree with multiple health benefits. Different parts of the plant are shown to exhibit antimicrobial effects against a wide variety of micro organisms. In the present study we investigate the antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica extract against UTI (urinary tract infection) causing bacteria. Silver nanoparticles could be synthesized using the leaves of Azadirachta indica as reducing agent. The resulting silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transformations Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis. The antibacterial activity was assayed by Agar well diffusion method using 20µl each of sterile Nutrient Agar (NA) (Hi-Media) and Potato-Dextrose Agar (PDA). The resulting silver nanoparticles exhibited best inhibitory activities against Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis which are main causing agents for UTI.

Screening of potential drug from Azadirachta Indica (Neem) extracts for SARS-CoV-2: An insight from molecular docking and MD-simulation studies

Azadirachta Indica (Neem) extracts have been known for their anti-bacterial and other effects since ancient times. The present work examines the inhibitory activity of Neem extracts on Papain like protease (PLpro) of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The activity is analysed by molecular docking study along with molecular dynamics simulation. All the studied Neem compounds showed decent level of inhibitory activity against PLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Among them, desacetylgedunin (DCG) found in Neem seed showed the highest binding affinity towards PLpro. Furthermore, MD-simulation studies supported by standard analysis (e.g. root mean square deviation and fluctuation (RMSD, RMSF), radius of gyration, solvent accessible surface area (SASA)) showed large impact on the structure of PLpro by DCG. We believe that the significant effect of DCG on PLpro may help in therapeutic efforts against SARS-CoV-2.

Effect of Azadirachta Indica in Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology has come to mean a range of highly promising disciplines in science andtechnology. Metal oxide Nanoparticles had been used in recent studies due to its large bandwidth andhigh binding energy and it has potential applications like antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, antiinflammatory,wound healing, anti-oxidant and optic properties. The usages of nanomaterials areenormous as energy storage devices such as fuel cells, detection of threads in defence, navy, drugdelivery and water purification. Green synthesis of Nanoparticles has received a lot of attention andclose scrutiny of scientists and researchers. Leaf extract of Azadirachta Indica contains phytochemicalsand enzymes which take part in the conversion of metal compounds into Nanoparticles. Pure zinc oxideand Manganese oxide is prepared and doped with Azadirachta Indica to analyse its general and opticalproperties. We have attempted to prepare pure ZnO and MnO Nanoparticles also both were doped withneem at 5:1 ratio by using solvothermal method.

Synergistic effects of zinc oxide coupled copper hexacyanoferrate nanocomposite: Robust visible-light driven dye degradation

Synthetic dyes are known to be toxic and endocrine disruptors. Therefore, advance and fast processes based on low-cost and highly proficient nanomaterials are required for their elimination. Herein, zinc oxide coupled copper hexacyanoferrate (ZnO-CuHCF) nanocomposite was prepared using plant extract of Azadirachta indica. Nanocomposite was characterized throughspectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. Distorted cubic nanocomposite with particle size range of 50–100 nm was obtained and appearance of stretching vibration around 483 cm−1 confirmed the bonding of O of ZnO and Cu of CuHCF to form ZnO-CuHCF. Subsequently, nanocomposite was utilized as photocatalyst for removal of selected dyes under sunlight. At moderate dosage and neutral pH, nanocomposites was found highly active for quantitative degradation (97–99%) of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) and of Rhodamine B (RB) within 3 h of sunlight exposure. Photodegradation of dyes by nanocomposite was consisting of initial Langmuir adsorption followed by first order kinetics. Comparative to natives, nanocomposite was more capable and lowered the t1/2 value of EBT (0.6 h) and RB (0.9 h) to a greater extent. The findings were attributed to higher surface area (95 m2 g−1) and particle stability (zeta potential: −40.4 mV) of nanocomposite as well as synergistic effects of parent materials. Mechanism of the photo-catalysis was investigated by using radical scavenger and understanding the steps involved in removal process. Applicability of the nanocomposite for almost ten cycles of dye removal ensures its stability and excellent catalytic efficiency. Overall, present work provides an effective and sustainable photocatalyst having worth of industrial applications.

Insight in to sunlight-driven rapid photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes by hexacyanoferrate-based nanoparticles.

Release of colouring agents into the environment alarms the need to design a cheap, quick and safe process. Owing to environmental safety concern, synthesis of two metal hexacyanoferrates (MHCFs) based on cadmium (CdHCF) and manganese (MnHCF) was carried out using natural plant extract of Azadirachta indica and water as a solvent. Synthesized MHCFs were utilized for the removal of an acid dye (fuchsin acid, FA) and a xanthenes dye (rhodamine B, RB). The reactions were optimized at various conditions of dye concentration, catalyst dose, reaction pH, time and source of light. The MHCFs showed excellent results with both the dyes within very limited span of time (2 h). Consequently, 98% of FA and 97% of RB were degraded with 10 mg of CdHCF, at neutral pH and under sunlight. The degradation process followed the first-order reaction kinetics having t1/2 around 0.3 min. The MHCFs exhibited difference of only little percentage in degradation owing to a very slight difference between their surface areas (CdHCF: 54.1 m2 g-1; MnHCF: 49.7 m2 g-1). The synthesised nanocatalysts were stable as indicated by their higher negative zeta potential values. The adsorption of dyes was found to be maximum with CdHCF having Xm value 19.69 mg g-1 and 18.15 mg g-1 for FA and RB, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation involved the main role of hydroxyl radical as indicated by decline in activity of nanocatalyst in the presence of scavengers. All in all, this study presents highly active nanomaterials with higher surface area, stability and semiconducting properties under natural conditions.

Fungitoxic effect of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Ocimum gratissimum and Benlate in the control of Post harvest Fungal diseases of Solanum melongena Linn (Egg plant).

Fungitoxic properties of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum gratissimum and benlate were used in vitro for the control of post-harvest fungal diseases of Solanum melongena, caused by Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia solani and Mucor ramosissimus. Pathogenicity test confirmed them as the causal organisms of the fruit rots. The three pathogens were treated with both ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of the two plants at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100% and benlate at concentrations between 2.5 and 10.0%. Various concentrations were added to prepared Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. The pathogens were inoculated separately into the PDA media and were incubated for eight days. Fungitoxic effects of these extracts on the mycelial growth of the pathogens were significant at P?0.05 for all treatments. The pathogens were completely inhibited at 100% concentration of both extracts and at 10% concentration of benlate. With respect to ethanolic extract; O.gratissimum was more efficient than A. indica but not with aqueous extract.