Luffa Acutangula Research Articles

Combined Use of Sewage Sludge and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobia Improves Germination, Biochemical Response and Yield of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.) under Field Conditions

This research investigated the combined use of sewage sludge (SS) and plant growth-promoting rhizobia (PGPR) for Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.) cultivated under field conditions. The different treatments of SS and PGPR such as 0% (soil as control), 5% SS, 5% SS + PGPR, 10% SS, and 10% SS + PGPR were applied to assess their impacts on seedling growth, biochemical response, and yield performance of Ridge gourd. The results showed that the highest seedling emergence (92.3 ± 2.1%), fresh biomass (9.6 ± 0.3 g), growth rate (1.4 ± 0.1 g/day), seedling length (15.5 ± 0.3 cm), root length (10.4 ± 0.3 cm), total chlorophyll (3.2 ± 0.1 mg/g), crop yield (13.8 ± 0.1 kg/plant), and average crop yield per harvest (2.8 ± 0.1 kg/plant) were observed in 10% SS + PGPR treatment. The enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; µg/g) and catalase (CAT: µg/g) were significantly lowered after PGPR inoculation in higher SS treatments. The results of principal component (PC) and Euclidian clustered distance analyses showed a positive influence of SS dose on soil nutrient availability and Ridge gourd’s growth, biochemical responses, and yield performance. Moreover, the elemental analysis showed that the bioaccumulation factor (BAF < 0.90) and health risk index (HRI < 0.40) of selected metal elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were within the permissible limits, indicating consumption of Ridge gourd fruits was safe. The outcomes of this study suggest the potential use of SS and PGPR for improved Ridge gourd production and contribution towards sustainable development goal (SDG) 12 on responsible consumption and production of vegetable crops.

Ameliorative effects of plant growth promoting bacteria, zinc oxide nanoparticles and oxalic acid on Luffa acutangula grown on arsenic enriched soil

Arsenic (As) contamination and bioaccumulation are a serious threat to agricultural plants. To address this issue, we checked the efficacy of As tolerant plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and oxalic acid (OA) in Luffa acutangula grown on As rich soil. The selected most As tolerant PGPB i.e Providencia vermicola exhibited plant growth promoting features i.e solubilzation of phosphate, potassium and siderophores production. Innovatively, we observed the synergistic effects of P. vermicola, ZnO NPs (10 ppm) and OA (100 ppm) in L. acutangula grown on As enriched soil (150 ppm). Our treatments both as alone and in combination alleviated As toxicity exhibited by better plant growth and metabolism. Results revealed significantly enhanced photosynthetic pigments, proline, relative water content, total sugars, proteins and indole acetic acid along with As amelioration in L. acutangula. Furthermore, upregulated plant resistance was manifested with marked reduction in the lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage and pronounced antagonism of As and zinc content in leaves under toxic conditions. These treatments also improved level of nutrients, abscisic acid and antioxidants to mitigate As toxicity. This marked improvement in plants’ defense mechanism of treated plants under As stress is confirmed by less damaged leaves cell structures observed through the scanning electron micrographs. We also found substantial decrease in the As bioaccumulation in the L. acutangula shoots and roots by 40 and 58% respectively under the co-application of P. vermicola, ZnO NPs and OA in comparison with control. Moreover, the better activity of soil phosphatase and invertase was assessed under the effect of our application. These results cast a new light on the application of P. vermicola, ZnO NPs and OA in both separate and combined form as a feasible and ecofriendly tool to alleviate As stress in L. acutangula.

Characterization of Peroxidase from Luffa Acutangula and its Application in Biotransformation

Characterization of Peroxidase from Luffa Acutangula and its Application in Biotransformation

Characterization of a variant isolate of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus infecting green kabocha (Cucurbita maxima L.) in Bogor, Indonesia

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) has been reported in Indonesia over the past decade. However, the biological, morphological, and molecular characterizations of Indonesian isolates of this virus have not yet been determined. In this study, we report a ZYMV isolate infecting green kabocha (Cucurbita maxima L.; GK) and exhibiting a typical chlorotic mosaic with vein banding symptoms. A bioassay performed on indicator plants demonstrated that the host range of the ZYMV-GK isolate was restricted to Cucurbitaceae, Amaranthaceae, and one Solanaceae family member, Nicotiana benthamiana. Interestingly, Luffa acutangula, a species in the Cucurbitaceae family, could not be infected with ZYMV-GK. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of filamentous virus-like particles, approximately 900 nm in length, characteristic to potyviruses. Sequence analysis of the coat protein gene confirmed that ZYMV-GK was a variant of ZYMV sharing 94.5% (96.7%) maximum nucleotide (amino acid) sequence identity with the GenBank sequence of a Vietnamese isolate (Acc.no. DQ925447.1).

EFFECT OF VARIOUS STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF SOME CUCURBITS

Cucurbits belonging to family Cucurbitaceae or the gourd family of flowering plants, are very important nutritionally. After harvest, storing of these cucurbits in optimal conditions is important to ensure that the nutrients are not lost. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to study the effect of various storage conditions on the nutrient content of three most commonly growing and easily available cucurbits, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucumber), Momordica charantia L. (Bitter gourd) and Luffa acutangula L. (Shiradi, Luffa). It was observed that protein content, vitamin C, iron and crude fiber content in all the cucurbits studied showed a gradual reduction with increase in days of storage. Temperature of storage 0 was also found to be an important factor for the nutrients to be maintained in Cucurbits. Storage at 15 C was found to be 0 better as the decrease in nutrients was found to be minimum when the fruits were stored at 15 C compared to storage at 0 room temperature and 5 C

Green Biosynthesis, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Activities of Silver Nanoparticles of Luffa acutangula Leaf Extract

Studies on green biosynthesis of newly engineered nanoparticles for their prominent medicinal applications are being the torch-bearing concerns of the state-of-the-art research strategies. In this concern, we have engineered the biosynthesized Luffa acutangula silver nanoparticles of flavonoid O-glycosides in the anisotropic form isolated from aqueous leave extracts of Luffa acutangula, a popular traditional and ayurvedic plant in south-east Asian countries. These were structurally confirmed by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy accessed with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectral analyses followed by the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) crystallographic studies and found them with the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. Medicinally, we have explored their significant antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS assays), antibacterial (disc diffusion assay on E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. fecilis, and S. boydii), and anticancer (MTT assay on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, U87, and DBTRG cell lines) potentialities which augmented the present investigation. The molecular docking analysis of title compounds against 3NM8 (DPPH) and 1DNU (ABTS) proteins for antioxidant activity; 5FGK (Gram-Positive Bacteria) and 1AB4 (Gram-Negative Bacteria) proteins for antibacterial activity; and 4GBD (MCF-7), 5FI2 (MDA-MB-231), 1D5R (U87), and 5TIJ (DBTRG) proteins for anticancer activity has affirmed the promising ligand-protein binding interactions among the hydroxy groups of the title compounds and aspartic acid of the concerned enzymatic proteins. The binding energy varying from -9.1645 to -7.7955 for Cosmosioside (1, Apigenin-7-glucoside) and from -9.2690 to -7.8306 for Cynaroside (2, Luteolin-7-glucoside) implies the isolated compounds as potential bioactive compounds. In addition, the performed studies like QSAR, ADMET, bioactivity properties, drug scores, and toxicity risks confirmed them as potential drug candidates and aspartic acid receptor antagonists. This research auxiliary augmented the existing array of phytological nanomedicines with new drug candidates that are credible with multiple bioactivities.

Evaluation of proteome complexes normalizing osmoregulation in salt stressed Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.

Modern-day agriculture is facing the challenge of sustaining global food security. However, the rapid increase in salinity stress among arable areas poses a major threat to crop health and yield. Salinity stress is one of the most common and rapidly spreading stress that has a detrimental effect on the productivity of edible plant family i.e. Cucurbitaceae. The present study endeavors to evaluate the Osmoregulators (anti-oxidants and proteins), that supports the growth of two varieties of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. under salt stress. The 2-3 weeks old saplings were exposed to salt stress (up to 200 mM NaCl) for one week. Post-treatment the osmoregulatory metabolites like Trehalose, Proline & enzymic anti-oxidants like peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and proteins using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. In both the varieties, Trehalose increased with increasing salt concentration, while the level of Proline increased in Variety 1 and decreased in Variety 2. With increasing salt concentrations, the POD activity decreased in both varieties whereas that of SOD levels increased in Variety 2 and decreased in Variety 1. The protein identified by LC-MS/MS and functional annotation analysis employing Uniport database & BlastP algorithm, aided in the detection of differentially expressed proteins in response to salt stress. This was followed by metabolic interaction annotation enrichment analysis by FunRich 3.0 tool, enabling characterization of proteins to be involved in the Calvin cycle, amino acids biosynthesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, ROS defence, hormonal biosynthesis and signal transduction. The augmentation of the metabolic activities of the Calvin cycle, biosynthesis of amino acids, carotenoids and peroxisomes, glycolytic pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle will conceivably influence the photosynthetic capacity in L. acutangula varieties under salt stress. The upsurge of key enzymes involved in these above described biological processes possibly appears to play an important role in the enhancement of salt tolerance.

Coordinated impact of ion exclusion, antioxidants and photosynthetic potential on salt tolerance of ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.

The contribution of one major or a combination of several physiological processes in salt tolerance was assessed in three local varieties (Blacklong, Advanta-1103, and Dilpasand) of ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.] at varying salt levels (0, 75, and 150 mM NaCl). Based on growth attributes, var. Dilpasand as salt-tolerant and var. Blacklong as moderately salt-tolerant, while var. Advanta-1103 as salt-sensitive. Inter-varietal differences for photosynthetic pigments and relative water content (RWC) was not observed. The salt-sensitive variety Advanta 1103 had greater Na+ accumulation (73.72%) in the leaves than those in the moderately tolerant and tolerant varieties. Total soluble proteins were relatively lower (58.25%) in the salt-sensitive variety but maximal increase (69.34%) in total free amino acids was observed. However, accumulation of proline was maximal in the salt-tolerant variety (Dilpasand). Salt-tolerant variety exhibited minimal oxidative stress (relative low levels of H2O2) and membrane damage (low content of MDA and electrolytic leakage) and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). Although all ridge gourd varieties down-regulated the electron transport through PSII by increasing the safe dissipation of heat Y(NPQ) to lower the ROS generation, this was maximal in the salt-tolerant variety Dilpasand. Relatively greater reduction in Y(ND) and enhancement in Y(NA) indicated PSI-photoinhibition in salt-sensitive variety. The greater salt tolerance in var. Dilpasand was due to the coordinated impact of ion exclusion, higher accumulation of proline, better capacity to manage electron transport from PSII to PSI with higher Y(NPQ) and antioxidant capacity.

A mutation in LacDWARF1 results in a GA-deficient dwarf phenotype in sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula)

Key messageA dwarfism gene LacDWARF1 was mapped by combined BSA-Seq and comparative genomics analyses to a 65.4 kb physical genomic region on chromosome 05.Dwarf architecture is one of the most important traits utilized in Cucurbitaceae breeding because it saves labor and increases the harvest index. To our knowledge, there has been no prior research about dwarfism in the sponge gourd. This study reports the first dwarf mutant WJ209 with a decrease in cell size and internodes. A genetic analysis revealed that the mutant phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene, which is designated Lacdwarf1 (Lacd1). Combined with bulked segregate analysis and next-generation sequencing, we quickly mapped a 65.4 kb region on chromosome 5 using F2 segregation population with InDel and SNP polymorphism markers. Gene annotation revealed that Lac05g019500 encodes a gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase (GA3ox) that functions as the most likely candidate gene for Lacd1. DNA sequence analysis showed that there is an approximately 4 kb insertion in the first intron of Lac05g019500 in WJ209. Lac05g019500 is transcribed incorrectly in the dwarf mutant owing to the presence of the insertion. Moreover, the bioactive GAs decreased significantly in WJ209, and the dwarf phenotype could be restored by exogenous GA3 treatment, indicating that WJ209 is a GA-deficient mutant. All these results support the conclusion that Lac05g019500 is the Lacd1 gene. In addition, RNA-Seq revealed that many genes, including those related to plant hormones, cellular process, cell wall, membrane and response to stress, were significantly altered in WJ209 compared with the wild type. This study will aid in the use of molecular marker-assisted breeding in the dwarf sponge gourd.

Current status and molecular characterization of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infecting ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) in different regions of Punjab, Pakistan

Current status and molecular characterization of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infecting ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) in different regions of Punjab, Pakistan

Genetic diversity and population structure of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) accessions in a Thailand collection using SNP markers

This study explored a germplasm collection consisting of 112 Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd) accessions, mainly from Thailand. A total of 2834 SNPs were used to establish population structure and underlying genetic diversity while exploring the fruit characteristics together with genetic information which would help in the selection of parental lines for a breeding program. The study found that the average polymorphism information content value of 0.288 which indicates a moderate genetic diversity for this L. acutangula germplasm. STRUCTURE analysis (ΔK at K = 6) allowed us to group the accessions into six subpopulations that corresponded well with the unrooted phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analyses. When plotted, the STRUCTURE bars to the area of collection, we observed an admixed genotype from surrounding accessions and a geneflow confirmed by the value of FST = 0.137. AMOVA based on STRUCTURE clustering showed a low 12.83% variation between subpopulations that correspond well with the negative inbreeding coefficient value (FIS = − 0.092) and low total fixation index (FIT = 0.057). There were distinguishing fruit shapes and length characteristics in specific accessions for each subpopulation. The genetic diversity and different fruit shapes in the L. acutangula germplasm could benefit the ridge gourd breeding programs to meet the demands and needs of consumers, farmers, and vegetable exporters such as increasing the yield of fruit by the fruit width but not by the fruit length to solve the problem of fruit breakage during exportation.

Augmentation of freshwater productivity in single slope solar still using Luffa acutangula fibres.

The prime intention of the current research is to enhance the freshwater productivity of the solar still (SS) by using Luffa acutangula fibres (LAF). The dried LA fibres were introduced into the absorber basin of a solar still to enhance the wet surface area through its porous structure that leads to augmented evaporation of water from the absorber basin. The effect of the number of LAF in the absorber basin such as 10,13,14,15,16,20 and 25 on freshwater productivity was estimated. The results revealed that SSLAF with 15 fibres in the absorber basin increased the yield by 25.23%. Besides, a solar still with 10,13,14,16,20 and 25 fibres in the absorber basin increased the yield by 12.27%, 17.45%, 22.04%, 22.69%, 14.64% and 4.09% respectively when compared to conventional solar still (CSS). The average thermal efficiency of the SSLAF with 15 LAF was increased by 28.35% whereas, for 10,13,14,16,20 and 25 LAF, the average thermal efficiency was increasedby 11.05%, 16.99%, 22.53%, 19.93%, 11.29% and 3.9% respectively when compared to CSS.The economic analysis resulted that the cost per litre freshwater yield from the SSLAF is 22.5% lower than CSS. Also, the payback period of SSLAF is comparatively lesser than that of CSS.

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Plants of the Family Cucurbitaceae against Common Bacterial Strains

Traditional plant based medicine plays a very important role in promoting healthcare in people living in remote and rural areas around the world. Dependence on this medicine as a primary source of healthcare is seen mainly in underdeveloped and developing countries. The acknowledgement of the importance and effectiveness of such medicine by modern research has led to the promotion of evidence-based incorporation of traditional medicine into mainstream clinical practice. Plants in the family Cucurbitaceous are often cited in traditional medicinal systems having many important therapeutic effects. In this study, the antibacterial activity of 46 plant extracts from ten plants from the family Cucurbitaceae was investigated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. Most extracts did not show significant positive results, however, some extracts from Praecitrullus fistulosus (tinda), Luffa acutangula (ridged gourd), Luffa aegyptiaca (smooth gourd), Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) and Coccinia grandis (kundru) showed strong antibacterial activity and hence should be further studied for potential therapeutic uses.

Use of aqueous plant extracts to reduce profenofos residues in the leaf of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and suppression of the grasshopper population

Profenofos is an active ingredient from the organophosphate group which residue is often found in various fresh and processed vegetable products. This study aimed to assess the use of aqueous plant extracts of Sapindus rarak seeds, Luffa acutangula peel and Centella asiatica leaves to reduce profenofos residues in leaf of mustard and to evaluate their performance in suppressing the grasshopper populations. S. rarak seeds, L. acutangula peels and C. asiatica leaves were dried and filtered using a 100 mesh sieve. A total of 30 gm samples of each ingredient were mixed with 1000 ml of water and blended at 800 rpm, then filtered using 100 mesh sieve before use. The field experiment was performed by spraying profenofos pesticide with a concentration of 3 ml l-1 at a dose of 30 ml per plant. Two days after the profenofos application, the plants were sprayed with the aqueous plant extracts. Twenty-four hrs aqueous plant extracts application, pesticide residues were detected by the UPLC-MS/MS machine. The phytotoxicity test results showed that the use of aqueous plant extracts at a dose of 30 ml per plant did not cause any phytotoxic symptoms. Furthermore, in the field experiment, the control plants showed a residual value of 2407.62 ng g-1. Results of UPLC-MS/MS showed that the residual value of profenofos in PL treatment (aqueous extract of S. rarak seeds) was 1502.05 ng g-1, the recorded residual value in the PP treatment (aqueous extract of C. asiatica leaves) was 1316.27 ng g-1 and the residual value in the PG treatment (aqueous extract of L. acutangula peels) was 660.71 ng g-1. In the treated plants, the residual value decreased from 37.48% to 72.55%. Furthermore, the number of grasshoppers after the PL treatment decreased and was significantly different from the control. This study provides new information that aqueous plant extracts can reduce the residue of profenofos and suppress the population of grasshoppers in the mustard leaf.

Penetapan Kadar Flavonoid Total Ekstrak Buah Gambas (Luffa acutangula(L.) Roxb.) dengan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Gambas or Oyong fruit has various benefits, namely it can overcome enlarged lymph nodes, diuretics, laxatives, antioxidants, hepatoprotective, inhibiting the growth of fungi and bacteria. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of total flavonoid compounds in gambas (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb). Extraction methode using soxhletation with 96% ethanol as solvent. The extract obtained was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Phytochemical analysis of the flavonoid content in the sample using the Shinoda test, 10% NaOH solution, and concentrated H2SO4 solution, obtained positive results containing flavonoids. Quantitative analysis using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry with the maximum wavelength obtained is 429.5 nm and operating time is 30 minutes. The average total flavonoid content obtained was 9.897±0.11 mg/gram extract with %KV 1.14%.

Synthesis of barium hexaferrite templated by nanocrystalline cellulose extracted from luffa acutangula fiber

Nanocrystalline cellulose templated barium hexaferrite has been prepared by sol-gel auto combustion and calcination method. Nanocrystalline cellulose template of 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% (w/v) were used to synthesize barium hexaferrite. The XRD pattern and TEM observation reveal the crystalline phase formation of hexagonal barium ferrite. Cellulose template changes the microstructure and properties of barium hexaferrite. Adding cellulose template of 0.5% (w/v) produce well-defined hexagonal platelet barium ferrite without impurity while adding more template result in barium hexaferrite containing hematite and excess cellulose template causing the decrease in magnetic properties. The crystallite size reduces with the addition of the cellulose template. The saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy are estimated using the Law of Approach to Saturation magnetization. The maximum values of saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy are 57.43 ± 0.25 emu g−1 and (4.64 ± 0.1) × 105 erg cm−3.

BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION STUDIES OF AN HERBAL NUTRACEUTICAL (IN PRESS)

The search for pioneering nutraceuticals from plants is genuine and crucial. Based on the literature review as per Ayurvedic texts, four common plants Capparis spinosa L. (flower buds), Caesalpinia bonducella L.(seeds), Luffa acutangula L.(fruits) and Cassia occidentalis L. (aerial parts) were selected to develop nutraceuticals and were standardized. Based on the nutraceutical and pharmacological efficacies of the individual plant drugs selected, three different herbal nutraceutical formulations were prepared. Nutraceuticals before and after lyophilization were subjected to standardization studies. Nutraceutical formulation 3 developed was found to be best due to its high nutraceutical values when compared to others. Results depicted that up to the dose level of 2000 mg/kg.bw (acute oral toxicity), 1000 mg/kg.bw (sub-acute oral toxicity), it doesn’t produced any lethality in the experimental animals. To conclude that the selected herbal formulation developed from selected plant ingredients was found to possess distinct nutraceutical values. The present work contributes for the development of human healthcare through nutraceutical product with remarkable medicinal properties in herbal way.

Gibberellic Acid Treatment Improved Pyrene Phytoremediation Efficiency of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.) In Soil

ABSTRACT The use of plant growth regulators to alleviate PAH phytotoxicity is an alternative choice to increase the efficient of PAH phytoremediation. In this study, the capacity of auxin and gibberellin to enhance the growth and PAH removal of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.) was determined. Indolebutyric acid (IBA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) at 1 and 10 mg l−1 were applied to ridge gourd by soaking the seeds for 3 h or applied in water to 5 day-olds seedlings that were grown in 100 mg kg−1 phenanthrene- and 100 mg kg−1 pyrene-contaminated soil. The effect of plant growth regulator on PAH removal depended on the application method. IBA-treated plants did not enhance phenanthrene and pyrene biodegradation, while ridge gourd treated with GA3 by soaking and watering enhanced pyrene biodegradation, when compared with the non-treated plant. GA3 could increase the pyrene biodegradation, while GA3 applied with water at a high concentration seemed to retard the plant growth. For plant growth, only the shoot and root fresh weights of ridge gourd in the IBA-soaked treatment were higher than those of the non-treated plant. Watering with 1 mg l−1 GA3 only enhanced the root fresh weight of the ridge gourd while the GA3 application decreased the shoot and root length, especially for the 10 mg l−1 water treatment. IBA application did not increase the PAH biodegradation, while IBA applied by seed soaking at a low concentration could increase the plant fresh weight.

Nocturnal insect pollinator diversity and species richness in Ridge gourd, Luffa acutangula

Pollinators are rewarding for many wild and agricultural crop plants. The experiments were conducted in the agricultural field of Karad tehsil, Maharashtra, India. The present study concentrated on the diversity and species richness of nocturnal insect pollinators on Ridge gourd Luffa acutangula belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The Ridge gourd plant is monoecious with a bunch of male flowers and solitary female flower. Anthesis happened in late evening hours (17.00-19.00) and flowers remained for 13 to 14 hours. A total of 830 insect pollinators were sampled from June 2020 to November 2020. Altogether 17 species of insect pollinators belonging to 7 families under 6 orders were recorded. Among the total number of species, the Lepidoptera was the dominant order comprising 11 species belonging to the single family Crambidae followed by Blattodea comprising 2 species belonging to 2 families Ectobiidae and Blattidae. Hymenoptera comprised 1 species belonging to family Formicidae, followed by order Orthoptera comprising 1 species belonging to family Gryllidae, order Diptera comprising 1 species belonging to the family Culicidae, followed by the order Coleoptera comprising 1 species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. The Diaphnia hyalinata belonging to family Crambidae of the order Lepidoptera was the most dominant species and was followed by Chabula acamasalis. The nocturnal species imparted pollination services to agricultural crops. The study also observed fundamental mechanisms of plant and nocturnal insect pollinator interaction as well as floral scent and visual signals. The study can be baseline data for conserving and managing the best pollinators for increasing the yield of Ridge gourd.

Comparative Evaluation of multiple extracts of Pericarp of Luffa acutangula (L.) for its significant Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antifungal activity

Luffa acutangula (L.) is the commonly used vegetable in different parts of India which belongs to the family Cucurbetaceae. Pericarp of Luffa acutangula (L.) is generally considered as a waste part. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate biological activities of the pericarp extracts of Luffa acutangula (L.) Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are widely distributed in plant which exerts multiple biological effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts of pericarp Luffa acutangula (L.) were used for comparative study of its antioxidant and antimicrobial property. Methanolic extract of pericarp shows highest amount of phenolic (45.0±1.1mg GAE/g of extract) and flavonoid content (4.5±0.2mg rutin/g of extract). Different models were used to study antioxidant properties of extract like 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity model, Nitric oxide scavenging activity model and H2O2 scavenging activity model and in most of the models, it was found that methanolic extract is having potent antioxidant property as compare to extracts of other solvents. Antibacterial activity was studied against strains of Escheria coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity was studied against culture of Candida albicans. All three extracts of pericarp showed significant antimicrobial activity. Evaluation of this therapeutic potential of phytochemicals present in pericarp shows its great medicinal importance.