Ficus Indica Research Articles

Removal of airborne particulate matter by evergreen tree species in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Urban air quality stands as a pressing concern in cities globally, with airborne particulate matter (PM) emerging as a significant threat to human health. An investigation was carried out to examine the potential of four prevalent evergreen roadside tree species grown at different locations in Dhaka to capture PM using their leaves. The distribution of PM by mass and quantity in Dhaka are presented for the first time for Bangladesh and these results will also be applicable to countries with similar climates and tree species. Separate gravimetric analyses were carried out to quantify PM in three different size ranges (0.2–2.5 μm, 2.5–10 μm, and 10–100 μm) accumulated on surfaces and trapped within waxes by using the rinse and weigh method. The method is validated for the first time through SEM-EDX analysis, which confirmed that the increase in weight from chloroform-rinsed leaves was exclusively attributable to particle deposition on the filter. The chemical composition of the deposited PM2.5 was analyzed quantitatively by determining the concentration of twenty-five trace elements employing ICP-MS. SEM-EDX analysis revealed the significance of leaf microstructural traits in effectively capturing PM. Significant variations in the deposition of PM were found among different species for two PM categories (surface PM and wax-embedded PM) and three size fractions (large, coarse, and fine) (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.05). The quantity of wax retained on the foliage of trees documented in these locations also varied (p < 0.05). Among the species studied, Ficus benghalensis demonstrated a greater ability to retain PM. Mangifera indica was identified to be the most efficient collector of wax-related PM and appears to be the ideal species for traffic-heavy areas distinguished by high concentrations of organic compounds from vehicle emissions.

Effect of extrusion on physicochemical and functional properties of cladode flour from Opuntia cochenillifera and Opuntia ficus-indica

In this study, the physicochemical and functional properties of flours obtained from mature cladodes of two nopal species, Opuntia cochenillifera (OC) and Opuntia ficus indica (OF), subjected to different extrusion conditions, varying moisture (20 % and 26 %) and temperature levels (120 °C, 140 °C and 160 °C) were evaluated. The results showed significant differences in chemical composition, physical, functional and phytochemical properties between the two species. OC had a higher ash and ether extract content (29.27 % and 1.28 % respectively), while OF had more protein and carbohydrates (7.83 and 55.31 % respectively). The expansion index was higher (1.06 – 1.27) in OF, especially under high temperature extrusion and low moisture conditions. Bulk density decreased with increasing extrusion temperature, and color was significantly altered by temperature and moisture, with greater changes observed in OF. Functional properties such as oil absorption capacity, water absorption capacity, and water solubility index, were significantly affected by the extrusion process in both species of nopal. In terms of dietary fiber, extrusion increased (4.99 to 10.38 %) the soluble fiber content and decreased (36.91 to 32.30 %) the insoluble fiber content in both species. However, OC had a higher percentage of soluble and total dietary fiber. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant activity were significantly affected by the extrusion process in most treatments, although some maintained or improved these properties. These results highlight the influence of species and extrusion conditions on the properties of nopal flours, providing valuable information for the development of nopal-enriched food products, thereby optimizing their nutritional and technological properties.

Characterization of Prickly Pear plantations in semi-arid zones! A green revolution in East Algeria: Case of the Tébessa region

The study carried out on the prickly pear shrub, in three potential production sites belonging to the commune of Ain Zerga district of Tébessa in the extreme east of the Algerian arid zone. The aim of this study was to try to interpret the main characteristics and sources of variability of this shrub of multiple interests. Carried out in 2023 on orchards planted with adult Opuntia ficus indica, developed in 45 orchards divided into 15 per site located in three localities, namely Henchir Lahdid, El Guefaifia, and Ouled Mebarek. The trees are grown extensively, with production starting in the last week of May. The cactus shrub reaches an equivalent production (10.23) kg and a production of 11,137.65kg/ha. At the time of the commercial harvest, indicated by the change in skin color, we carried out a random collection of 05 fruits per orchard, i.e. 75 fruits per site (225 fruits); these fruits were evaluated by various measurements. Shrub-specific variables such as fruit position in the canopy, cladode length, width, density, and inter-line spacing, number and weight of fruits per tree and per cladode, and annual productivity were studied. These variables per cactus shrub and fruit changed significantly as a function of climatic and edaphic environmental conditions, i.e. site and altitude, while the number of seeds/fruits was conditioned by volume. Fruit weight varied greatly within the same tree, influenced by the number of fruits per tree and the surface area of the cladodes; this variability decreased for cladodes bearing more than six fruits. Interception of climatic conditions (light) and cladode dry weight were the sources of variability in fruit weight, whereas Opuntia plant/hectare density had no effect on fruit quality.

Green Synthesis of Luminescent Carbon Dots from Ficus benghalensis Aerial Roots for Bioimaging.

In this work, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared using a one-step hydrothermal green synthesis method from a low-cost and eco-friendly renewable biomass, specifically the Ficus benghalensis aerial roots (FB-AR). For the past two decades, CQDs have been noted for their tunable emission spectrum, quantum yield, biocompatibility, photostability, and unique optoelectronic properties such as photoluminescence (PL), and fluorescence. The synthesized Ficus benghalensis carbon quantum dots (FB-CQDs) were characterized for their physical, structural, and chemical properties using XRD, Raman, HRTEM, XPS, FTIR, TG-DTG, UV-visible, and photoluminance analysis. XPS analysis confirmed the presence of phytoconstituent functionalities and the composition of components. The FB-CQDs, which exhibit long-range emissions, have potential applications in various biological and therapeutic fields. Their bioimaging capability is tested in Escherichia coli bacteria. However, despite their promising characteristics, the FB-CQDs showed no antibacterial inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, likely due to its carbonization temperature.

Plant-Based Flocculants as Sustainable Conditioners for Enhanced Sewage Sludge Dewatering

With the aim to establish clean and sustainable sludge treatment, green conditioning using natural flocculants has recently gained a growing interest. In this study, a variety of plant materials, namely Moringa (Moringa oleifera) seeds, Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, Potato (Solanum tuberosum) peels, Aloe (Aloe vera) leaves, Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) cladodes, and Phragmites (Phragmites australis) stems, were evaluated for their potential bioflocculant activity in conditioning sewage sludge. They were thoroughly characterized to determine their active flocculating compounds. Sludge dewaterability was evaluated by assessing various sludge parameters, including specific resistance to filtration (SRF), dryness of filtration cake (DC), and total suspended solid removal (TSS) from sludge filtrate. The collected results from various physicochemical characterizations of plant materials suggest that the main flocculating agents are carbohydrates in Cactus and Fenugreek and proteins in Moringa, Potato, and Phragmites. Additionally, all tested plant-based flocculants demonstrated effective dewatering performance. Interestingly, compared to the chemical flocculant polyaluminum chloride, Moringa and Cactus showed superior conditioning effects, yielding the lowest SRF values and the highest DC. As a result, the use of these natural flocculants improved sewage sludge filterability, leading to a significant removal of total suspended solids from the filtrate. The conditioning properties of Moringa and Cactus can be attributed to their high protein and sugar content, which facilitates the effective separation of bound water from solids through charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms. Thus, green conditioning using plant-based flocculants, particularly Moringa and Cactus materials, presents a promising and eco-friendly approach to enhance sewage sludge dewatering for safer disposal and valorization.

Deciphering Hyperammonia-Producing Bacteria (HAB) in the Rumen of Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and Their Inhibition through Plant Extracts and Essential Oils

Hyperammonia-producing bacteria (HAB) are a class of microbes present in the stomach of ruminants, responsible for the rapid rate of ammonia production from protein degradation beyond the capacity of these animals for their utilization. Thus, ruminant nutritionists are interested in decreasing ruminal protein degradation and ammonia genesis by focusing on controlling the activity of HAB. The investigations of the present study were carried out to determine predominant hyperammonia-producing bacteria in the rumen of buffaloes, their isolation and characterization, as well as the inhibition of these isolates with various sources of plant secondary compounds (tannins, saponins, and essential oils). Studies employing high-throughput sequencing of amplicons of the 16S rRNA gene from genomic DNA recovered from enrichment culture of HAB of buffalo rumina indicated that, at the phylum level, Proteobacteria (61.1 to 68.2%) was the most predominant HAB. Acidaminococcus was most predominant among the identified genera. In vitro experiments were conducted with enrichment culture of buffalo rumen contents incubated with different types of feed additives such as essential oils (eucalyptus oil, lemon grass oil, and clove oil) and extracts of plants (Sapindus mukorossi fruits and Ficus bengalensis leaves), each at graded dose levels. The reduction in ammonia production by clove and lemon grass oils was evident due to the presence of major bioactive compounds, especially eugenol and limonene, which have strong antimicrobial activity. However, clove oil and Indian soapberry/reetha (Sapindus mukorossi) fruit were found to be promising and effective in reducing the growth, protease production, and ammonia production of HAB culture.

New host plant records of rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hymenoptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) in diverse habitats

The current study focused on assessing the prevalence of invasive whitefly infestation in diverse habitats in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The study revealed the presence of Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, specifically in Punica granatum, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Borassus flabellifer, Cordia myxa, Pennisetum purpureum, Azadirachta indica and Citrus limon during the survey conducted in 2023–24. This infestation of Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin with different host plants marks the first documented occurrence of this novel invasive whitefly species affecting India. These findings highlight the need for further research and management strategies to address the threats posed by this invasive pest.

TREE SPECIES AND MACROFAUNA INFLUENCE ON SOIL AGGREGATES AND CARBON IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;. Soil aggregates represent a major indicator of soil fertility as they are important components of soil C protection. However, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the choice of tree species being integrated into crop farms influence the type of soil macrofauna beneath these agroforestry trees with effect on soil aggregates and carbon fractions. &lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;. To assess the combined effect of diverse tree species alongside earthworms and termites on soil aggregation and soil organic C. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;. Soil samples were collected from five agroforestry systems comprising &lt;em&gt;Eucalyptus saligna,&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Grevillea robusta&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Ficus benghalensis&lt;/em&gt; (an indigenous tree) woodlots, an agricultural farm (beans) and a natural forest in four different locations. Soil aggregates and soil organic C were analysed in the laboratory following standard procedures. The analyses of variance and correlations were carried out using R programming software. &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;. A significantly higher proportion of large macroaggregates was recorded in soil under natural forest (13.1 %) whereas microaggregates were significantly low in soils under natural forest. For all the categories of aggregate-associated C, natural forest recorded the highest values while beans had the lowest values. The same trends were observed for labile C with 22.9 g kg&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in soil under natural forest and 9.7 g kg&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in soil under beans. &lt;strong&gt;Implication&lt;/strong&gt;. The high levels of soil aggregates as well as carbon fractions recovered from natural forest clearly show the significance of a well-diversified tree-based farm. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;. Therefore, it is advisable to consider a large diversification of tree species on farms to sustain and maintain a better soil quality.&lt;/p&gt;

Floristic Diversity of Tumati Hills, Ballari District, Karnataka.

This research focuses on the plant diversity of Tumati hills. Tumati hills is a scenic and historic destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance in the Ballari district of Karnataka, India with an elevation of 745 meters (2,444 ft) above sea level, the hills provide a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The region is characterized by scrub forests, grasslands, and agricultural land, supporting a diverse range of flora. Current study reveals the diversity of plant species, with 124 species documented. Among them, Trees were 24 with 19%, Herbs were 65 with 52%, Shrubs were 22 with 18%, Climbers were 14 with 11%. IUCN status of collected species- Least Concern were 45 species with 36%, Not Evaluated were 77 with 62%, Endangered were 1 with 1%, Data Deficient were 1 with 1%. Dominant species include Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. Ex Delile, Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., Ficus benghalensis L.

Diversity and Taxonomic Classification of Epiphytes in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Epiphytes exist in the Federal Capital Territory communities but there is little or no information on their diversity and taxonomy. However, Federal Capital Territory is a treasure house of ethnic communities and some valuable plant species. One major gap across the Federal Capital Territory, is lack of formal record on the diversity and taxonomic classification of the epiphytes. The objective of this study is to collect and identify epiphytes present in the Federal capital Territory, determine species composition and abundance, and further identify the various plants used as hosts by the epiphytes. The greatness of epiphytes has enabled them to exploit a wide range of habitats including tropical and temperate woodlands, plantations and mangroves. In tropical canopies, epiphytes are remarkably diverse and show asynchronous phonological patterns at the community level. A reconnaissance survey of the study on diversity and taxonomic classification of epiphytes was carried out from November to December, 2021 in Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Eighteen study points were randomly selected from the administrative town and two settlements from each of the area council. The study sites were selected considering the dry riparian nature of the region, altitudinal ranges, notable presence of epiphytes diversity and recommendation from respondents. Data was collected by administering semi-structured questionnaires to 90 respondents for a single face-face interview. Epiphytic plants collected from the field were identified. Those that could not be identified were taken to the Biological Sciences Department, University of Abuja, for identification and documentation. The epiphytes were classified into eight (8) taxonomic groups namely; Polypodiophyta, Tracheophyta, Basidiomycota, Magnoliophyta, Ascomycota, Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta and Anthophyta while four (4) evolutionary taxonomic groups were identified. Based on their mode of life, some epiphytes were classified as Typical Epiphytes while others were Semi Epiphytes and Occasional Epiphytes. The study shows that different epiphytic plants occur in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, and they belong to various taxonomic groups. Epiphytes in the Federal Capital Territory, and their Taxonomic Groups, indicated that Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott, Platycerium stemaria (P.Beauv.) Desv., Ficus benghalensis L., Ficus vogelii Miq., Elaeis guinensis Jacq., Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L., Ficus leprieurii (Miquel), Ficus lutea Vahl, Ficus thonningi Blume, Ficus exasperate Vahl., Ficus platyphylla Delile, Polyhandra longiflora L., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, Lycoperdon spadiceus Pers., Auricularia polytricha (Mont.) Sacc., Viburnum tinus L., Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw. Schimp., Frullania dilatata (L.) Dumort., and Ficus aurea Nutt. occured in all the area councils of the FCT while Fomitopsis sp P.Karst., Entodon sp MÜll. Hal. and Funaria sp Hedw. were seen in Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali area councils. Nephrolepis undulata (Afzel. Ex Sw.) J.Sm. occurred in Bwari, Kuje and Municipal area councils. Coprinus lagopus P.Karst., Daldinia concentrica (Bolton) Cesati and de Notaris, Entodontopsis nitens (Mitt.) W.R.Buck and Ireland, Syntrichia laevipila (Brid.) K.F.Schultz. occurred in Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Municipal area councils. Having studied the diversity and classification of epiphytes of the Federal Capital Territory, it is recommended that further research analysis be carried on the phytochemical constituents of some of these epiphytes to determine their major classes of compounds.

Identification of urban street trees for green belt development for optimizing pollution mitigation in Delhi, India.

The current study evaluated the effects of air pollution on selected street trees in the National Capital Territory during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons to identify the optimally suitable tree for green belt development in Delhi. The identification was performed by measuring the air pollution tolerance index (APTI), anticipated performance index (API), dust-capturing capacity (DCC) and proline content on the trees. The APTI of street trees of Delhi varied significantly among different tree species (F11,88.91 = 47.18, p < 0.05), experimental sites (F3,12.52 = 6.65, p < 0.001) and between seasons (F1,31.12 = 16.51, p < 0.001), emphasizing the relationships between trees and other types of variables such as the climate and level of pollution, among other factors. This variability emphasizes the need to choose trees to use for urban greening in the improvement of air quality in different environments within cities. Ascorbic acid (AA) concentration and relative water content (RWC) had a strong influence on APTI with an extremely significant moderate positive correlation between AA concentration and APTI (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) along with RWC and APTI (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of AA concentration and RWC are linked to increased air pollution tolerance. The PCA bi-plot indicates AA has poor positive loading coefficients with PC1 explaining 29.49% of the total variance in the dataset. The highest APTI was recorded in Azadirachta indica (22.01), Leucaena leucocephala (20.65), Morus alba (20.62), Ficus religiosa (20.61) and Ficus benghalensis (19.61), irrespective of sites and seasons. Similarly, based on API grading, F. religiosa and F. benghalensis were identified as excellent API grade 6 (81-90%), A. indica and Alstonia scholaris as very good API grade 5 (71-80%), M. alba, Pongamia pinnata and Monoon longifolium as good API grade 4 (61-70%) and Plumeria alba as moderate API grade 3 (51-60%) in different streets of Delhi. As these plants are indigenous to the region and hold significant socio-economic and aesthetic significance in Indian societies, they are advisable for avenue plantations as part of various government initiatives to support environmental sustainability.

Drivers of High Concentration and Dispersal of PM10 and PM2.5 in the Eastern Part of Chhota Nagpur Plateau, India, Investigated Through HYSPLIT Model and Improvement of Environmental Health Quality

ABSTRACTThe ambient air quality is continuously declining especially in emerging countries because of rapid rate of urbanization, industrialization, and allied activities. Thus, the principal objective of this research is to inspect the spatiotemporal variation of particulate matters and to identify the drivers of pollutant dispersal. The month‐wise PM10 and PM2.5 data of 2022 and 2023 were obtained from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. Meteorological datasets such as wind speed (m/s) and wind direction (degree) were collected from the NASA power access website. The HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model was applied to identify the pollutant's trajectories. Results showed that Purulia station stood highest in case of absolute AQI 715 (23‐1‐2022 at 7 a.m.), PM2.5 483.47 µg/m3 (23‐1‐2022 at 8 a.m.), and PM10 682.28 µg/m3 (23‐1‐2022 at 7 a.m.), respectively. During winter, the vertical expansion of particles was within the 100‐m boundary layer while during summer, it dispersed vertically and crossed 2000 m above the ground surface due to the combined effect of atmospheric conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, air pressure, and temperature. Moreover, the industrial outputs of Jharkhand and West Bengal play a significant role in elevating the pollution level. Plantation of suitable pollution‐resistant plants including Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Mango (Mangifera indica), Peepul (Ficus religiosa), Guava (Psidium guajava), Kadam (Neolamarkia cadamba), Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a suitable management technique against pollution in this region.

The Use of a Natural Polysaccharide Extracted from the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) as an Additive for Textile Dyeing.

The art of dyeing fabrics is one of the oldest human activities. In order to improve the fastness properties of dyeing products, various additives are added to optimize the uniformity of fibers and surfaces and improve dye distribution. Unfortunately, these additives can be harmful and very often are not biodegradable. This article reports on the possibility of using a natural additive for dyeing textiles: a polysaccharide extracted from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica). One type of fabric was tested, silk, with different colors. Several samples were prepared and dyed for each color, adding the same additives but also a commercial chemical aid for one of them and the mucilage of Opuntia for another. The fastness of the applied dyes was evaluated by washing at different temperatures with a common liquid detergent. All samples were analyzed before and after washing with a colorimeter to evaluate the color changes. The results of the analyses reported and compared indicate the potential of prickly pear mucilage as an additive for dyeing silk, which is easily accessible, safe, and sustainable compared to other commonly used additives.

Novel green CQDs/ZnO binary photocatalyst synthesis for efficient visible light irradiation of organic dye degradation for environmental remediation

The advancement of effective and sustainable water treatment depends on the creation of a highly active and controllable photocatalyst. A suitable site for increasing the activity of such a photocatalyst is the heterojunction. Organic dyes have become a major source of concern in recent years because they are so common in wastewater. Heavy metals have a high permanence in wastewater and may be carcinogenic. Low-waste, high-performance technologies are needed to remove organic dyes and heavy metals from wastewater. To determine their structural, photochemical, and optical properties, Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) (made from Tamarindus indica shell waste), ZnO (from Ficus Benghalensis), and CQDs/ZnO photocatalysts were synthesised using green route techniques, followed by calcination. Malachite Green (MG) and Methylene Blue (MB) are effectively photo-degraded by the synthesised CQDs, ZnO, and Green CQDs/ZnO Binary Photocatalyst under the irradiation of naturally occurring solar light. The maximum photocatalytic activity for MG and MB within 60 min was shown by the Green CQDs/ZnO Binary Photocatalyst, with 100 % and 100 %, respectively. The reduced rate of electron-hole recombination causes effective photocatalytic activity. According to experiments with free radical entrapment, O2 and h+ play an important role in photodegradation. The study thus presents a fresh approach to the synthesis of highly effective binary photocatalysts for their application in environmental remediation.

Self-assembled mesoporous silica decorated with biogenic carbon dot nanospheres hybrid nanomaterial for efficient removal of aqueous Methoxy-DDT via a Short-Bed Adsorption column technique

Methoxy-DDT is an organochlorine pesticide extensively used in agricultural practices as a DDT substitute. Methoxy-DDT has been found and quantified in several investigations in groundwater, drinking water, sediment, and various biota. Therefore, designing efficient and cost-effective adsorbents for removing methoxy-DDT is vital. In this work, we embedded Ficus benghalensis L. derived carbon dots (CDs) in mesoporous silica (MS) to fabricate MS-CDs nanohybrid material. MS-CDs nanohybrid exhibited remarkable selectivity and removal efficiency towards methoxy-DDT, outperforming other endocrine disruptors. Parameters for industrial-scale fixed-bed adsorption columns, such as bed capacity, length, and breakthrough times, were analyzed. The kinetic study revealed that pseudo-second-order (PSO) adsorption and isotherm analysis confirmed the Langmuir model as the best fit. Small bed adsorption (SBA) column analysis was carried out using spiked Yamuna river water, and the breakthrough curves were demonstrated by varying MS-CDs bed height. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained for methoxy-DDT was 17.16 mg/g at breakthrough and 49.98 mg/g at exhaustion. The adsorbent showed 86.53% removal efficiency in the 5th cycle, demonstrating good reusability. These results indicate that the developed material MS-CDs-based organic sphere is an effective adsorbent for aqueous methoxy-DDT adsorption and can be applied to wastewater treatment.

Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Tree Species in Eastern Himalaya, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal

The study provides information on the tree diversity, stand structure, and regeneration pattern of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Tree diversity and its relation to habitat have been explored using 88 plots with dimensions of 50 × 20 m. A survey of 8.8 ha of the study area was conducted during the fieldwork. Plants with a circumference of 30 cm and above were enumerated as trees, while plants with a circumference between 30–10 cm were considered juveniles (saplings and seedlings). A total of 1677 tree individuals belonging to 67 genera of 43 families were recorded. Five species - Shorea robusta, Schima wallichii, Acer oblongum, Magnolia pterocarpa and Ficus benghalensis contributed to the maximum stand density and species richness. The total stand density per hectare was recorded as 2160 individuals/ha, with a total basal area of 8.86 m²/ha. The regeneration status has been evaluated as ‘Good’, with 4336 regenerating individuals/ha recorded during the study. Diversity indices were calculated: Shannon-Weiner index was 3.607, Simpson dominance index was 0.937, Margalef index was 11.45, and evenness was 0.428.

Effect of solvent pre-treatment on microwave assisted pyrolysis of Spirulina (Algal Biomass) and Ficus benghalensis (Lignocellulosic Biomass) for production of biofuels: comparative experimental studies

Effect of solvent pre-treatment on microwave assisted pyrolysis of Spirulina (Algal Biomass) and Ficus benghalensis (Lignocellulosic Biomass) for production of biofuels: comparative experimental studies

In vivo biological screening of extract and bioactive compound from Ficus benghalensis L. and their in silico molecular docking analysis.

Ficus benghalensis has been used by local health care practitioners to treat pain, inflammation, rheumatism, and other health issues. In this study, the crude extract and diverse fractions, along with the isolated compound of F. benghalensis were examined for their roles as muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sedatives. The extract and isolated compound 1 were screened for muscle-relaxant, analgesic, and sedative actions. The acetic acid-mediated writhing model was utilized for analgesic assessment, the muscle relaxant potential was quantified through traction and inclined plan tests, and the open field test was applied for sedative effects. The extract/fractions (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and isolated compounds (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were tested at various doses. A profound (p< 0.001) reduce in the acetic acid-mediated writhing model was observed against carpachromene (64.44%), followed by ethyl acetate (60.67%) and methanol (58.42%) fractions. A marked (p< 0.001) muscle relaxant activity was noticed against the isolated compound (71.09%), followed by ethyl acetate (66.98%) and methanol (67.10%) fractions. Regarding the sedative effect, a significant action was noted against the isolated compound (71.09%), followed by ethyl acetate (66.98%) and methanol (67.10%) fractions. Furthermore, the binding modes of the isolated compounds were explored using molecular docking. The molecular docking study revealed that the isolated compound possessed good binding affinity for COX2 and GABA. Our isolated compound may possess inhibitory activity against COX2 and GABA receptors. The extract and isolated compounds of Ficus benghalensis can be used as analgesics, muscle relaxants, and sedatives. However, detailed molecular and functional analyses are essential to ascertain their function as muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sedatives.

Air pollution mitigation and suspended particulate matter retention potential of selected plant species across seasonal variation in the urban area.

Air pollution is a pressing environmental concern in urban areas, especially in densely populated cities like Delhi, India. However, plant species can effectively capture airborne suspended pollutants. Given this, the present study aimed to investigate the seasonal variations (pre- and post-monsoon) in the pollution-mitigating potential, biochemical characteristics, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) capturing capacities of select plant species in Delhi. Also, using biochemical parameters, plant morphology, and socioeconomic factors, the study computed tolerance indices such as the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Performance Index (API). Ficus religiosa L. exhibited the highest APTI value of 11.94, while Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites displayed the lowest 7.99 APTI value during the pre-monsoon. Ficus benghalensis L. showed the maximum SPM adhesion on the leaves, with a deposition of 1305.46µg/cm2, whereas F. religiosa exhibited the lowest SPM deposition of 56.62µg/cm2. Moreover, the statistical analysis indicated a positive correlation between ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content (R2 > 0.6) with APTI. Also, F. religiosa demonstrated a significant Pearson's correlation (P < 0.05) between chlorophyll content and SPM deposition during the pre-monsoon. The study highlighted the dynamic nature of plant-based air pollution mitigation. It offered valuable insights into the potential of green infrastructure as a sustainable solution for addressing air quality concerns in urban environments. The results emphasized the significance of selecting adequate plant species and considering seasonal variations in developing urban greening strategies to combat air pollution.

The remarkable impact of Opuntia Ficus Indica fruit administration on metabolic syndrome: Correlations between cognitive functions, oxidative stress and lipid dysmetabolism in the high-fat, diet-fed rat model

BackgroundA wealth of evidence underscores the bioactive properties of nutraceuticals and functional foods in addressing oxyinflammatory-based diseases with implications at both peripheral and central levels. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is well-documented for its health-promoting attributes, though its fruit (OFIF) remains relatively understudied. Not only poses Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) cardiometabolic risks but also contributes significantly to cognitive impairment, especially in crucial brain areas such as hippocampus and hypothalamus. MethodsFollowing 8 weeks of HFD to induce MetS, rats received OFIF oral supplementation for 4 weeks to evaluate cognitive and affective modifications using behavioural paradigms, i.e. open field, burrowing, white-dark box, novelty-suppressed feeding, and object recognition tests. Our investigation extended to biochemical evaluations of lipid homeostasis, central and peripheral oxidative stress and neurotrophic pathways, correlating these measures together with circulating leptin levels. ResultsOur data revealed that OFIF modulation of leptin positively correlates with systemic and brain oxidative stress, with markers of increased anxiety-like behaviour and impaired lipid homeostasis. On the other hand, leptin levels reduced by OFIF are associated with improved antioxidant barriers, declarative memory and neurotrophic signalling. DiscussionThis study underscores OFIF neuroactive potential in the context of MetS-associated cognitive impairment, offering insights into its mechanisms and implications for future therapeutic strategies.