Melia Azedarach Research Articles

Complete mitochondrial genome of Melia azedarach L., reveals two conformations generated by the repeat sequence mediated recombination

Melia azedarach is a species of enormous value of pharmaceutical industries. Although the chloroplast genome of M. azedarach has been explored, the information of mitochondrial genome (Mt genome) remains surprisingly limited. In this study, we used a hybrid assembly strategy of BGI short-reads and Nanopore long-reads to assemble the Mt genome of M. azedarach. The Mt genome of M. azedarach is characterized by two circular chromosomes with 350,142 bp and 290,387 bp in length, respectively, which encodes 35 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 23 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. A pair of direct repeats (R1 and R2) were associated with genome recombination, resulting in two conformations based on the Sanger sequencing and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Comparative analysis identified 19 homologous fragments between Mt and chloroplast genome, with the longest fragment of 12,142 bp. The phylogenetic analysis based on PCGs were consist with the latest classification of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. Notably, a total of 356 potential RNA editing sites were predicted based on 35 PCGs, and the editing events lead to the formation of the stop codon in the rps10 gene and the start codons in the nad4L and atp9 genes, which were verified by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. Taken together, the exploration of M. azedarach gap-free Mt genome provides a new insight into the evolution research and complex mitogenome architecture.

Assembly processes and co-occurrence of bacterial communities in tree rhizosphere under Pb-Zn contamination

Rhizosphere bacteria are critical for supporting plant performance in stressful environments. Understanding the assembly and co-occurrence of rhizosphere bacterial communities contributes significantly to both plant growth and heavy metal accumulation. In this study, Ligustrum lucidum and Melia azedarach were planted in soils with simulated varying levels of Pb-Zn contamination. The Rhizosphere bacterial communities were investigated by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The impacts of Pb-Zn contamination on the diversity and structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community were found to be greater than those of both tree species. The variation in bacterial community structure in both trees was mainly driven by the combinations of Pb-Zn and soil properties. Deterministic processes (non-planted, 82 %; L. lucidum, 73 %; M. azedarach, 55 %) proved to be the most important assembly processes for soil bacterial communities, but both trees increased the importance of stochastic processes (18 %, 27 %, 45 %). The rhizosphere co-occurrence networks exhibited greater stability compared to the non-planted soil networks. Rare taxa played a dominant role in maintaining the stability of rhizosphere networks, as most of the keystone taxa within rhizosphere networks belonged to rare taxa. Dissimilarities in the structure and network complexity of rhizosphere bacterial communities were significantly associated with differences in tree biomass and metal accumulation. These variations in response varied between both trees, with L. lucidum exhibiting greater potential for phytoremediation in its rhizosphere compared to M. azedarach. Our results offer valuable insights for designing effective microbe-assisted phytoremediation systems.

Effects of Melia azedarach extract on demographic and biochemical characteristics of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Aphididae: Hemiptera) a destructive aphid, is native to Europe and is now found in many other parts of the world. Currently, one of the main problems of Iranian cabbage growers is the significant damage caused by this pest. Also, due to the fresh eating of cabbage, it is necessary to use non-chemical methods to control the pests. Our bioassay tests showed that Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) fruit extract showed high toxicity to cabbage aphid. In this study, sublethal effects of M. azedarach extract was investigated on some demographic and biochemical properties of B. brassicae. The results showed that the sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC20) and LC50 values were 0.68, 1.16, and 3.42 μg/ml, respectively. Compared to the control, sublethal concentrations of insecticide significantly decreased the gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of birth (b), intrinsic rate of death (d), weekly growth rate (rw), reproductive rate and adult longevity of the pest. Meanwhile, the mean generation time (T) and population doubling time (DT) of this aphid increased significantly. Additionally, sublethal doses of insecticide reduced the energy reserves of the pest such as carbohydrate, protein and lipid content compared to the controls. In addition to modify the pH, this extract also changed the distribution and concentration of sodium and potassium ions in haemolymph. Therefore, sublethal concentrations of M. Azedarach fruit extract can be used in the management program of B. brassicae.

Integrating Network Pharmacology to Explore the Pharmacology Mechanisms of Meliae Cortex Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: Using network pharmacology to study the active ingredients and mechanism of action of Meliae Cortex in the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, providing theoretical basis for clinical application. Methods: Applying the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Meliae Cortex, Using Genecard (https://genecard, org/) database and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database (http://omim. org/), select " Hepatocellular Carcinoma " as the keyword to search for disease targets of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, After obtaining the intersection targets of Melia azedarach and Hepatocellular Carcinoma using Venny, a common target visualization network diagram was constructed using STRING database and Cytoscape. Realize gene (GO) enrichment analysis and (KEGG) enrichment analysis using the metascape database and microbiome platform. Results: Obtained 15 active ingredients from Meliae Cortex, 5024 Hepatocellular Carcinoma targets, and 32 common targets. GO analysis shows that biological processes mainly involve the regulation of responses to steroid hormones, estradiol, organic compounds, and various chemical and physical stimuli; KEGG enrichment shows that anti-cancer effects are mainly exerted through pathways such as AGE-RAGE and TNF. Conclusion: Using network pharmacology methods, it has been demonstrated that Meliae Cortex exerts therapeutic effects on Hepatocellular Carcinoma through multiple components, targets, and pathways, providing a theoretical basis for clinical application.

Características de dormideros comunales de Loros Habladores (<i>Amazona aestiva</i><i></i><i></i>) en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina: una población fuera de su rango de distribución natural

Psittacines are often illegally captured and sold as pets. The historical capture of specimens and the deforestation of the native forest have had negative consequences on psittacine species at a global level. Locally, individuals retained as pets and subsequently released have been able to establish outside their native range, and may even become invasive. The Turquoise-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) is wanted as a pet for its ability to imitate sounds. Specimens released in the 1980s and 1990s in the City of Buenos Aires, established a population 750 km of the limit of their natural range. In 2015 and 2018, we detected roosts in the neighborhood of Saavedra and Parque Chas-Agronomía respectively. In this work we aimed to gain new knowledge about this population, its feeding sites, roosts and behavior. The two roosts studied were located on urban trees (mainly Platanus acerifolia), and are the only ones recorded so far in Buenos Aires. We recorded an average of 243 individuals in 2021 and 180 in 2022. We recorded 12 sites within a 20 km radius of the active roost where the Turquoise-fronted Parrot was observed. Parrots leave the roost at dawn and return at dusk. They consume fruits of Platanus acerifolia, Melia azedarach, Eriobotrya japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum, among others. These roosts may constitute a new resource for urban ecotourism, giving value to this species that persists outside its natural range where it is threatened.

Dyeing cotton fabrics using eco-friendly green dye extracted from the leaves of the Melia Azedarach tree

Dyeing cotton fabrics using eco-friendly green dye extracted from the leaves of the Melia Azedarach tree

Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology

BackgroundMelia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and various skin diseases. However, optimizing the extraction of valuable secondary metabolites of M. azedarach using alternative extraction methods has not been investigated. This research aims to develop an effective, fast, and environmentally friendly extraction method using Ultrasound-assisted extraction, methanol and temperature to optimize the extraction of two secondary metabolites, lupeol and stigmasterol, from young roots of M. azedarach using the response surface methodology.MethodsBox-behnken design was applied to optimize different factors (solvent, temperature, and ultrasonication time). The amounts of lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach were detected by the HPLC-DAD. The required time for the analysis of each sample by the HPLC-DAD system was considered to be 8 min.ResultsThe results indicated that the highest amount of lupeol (7.82 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol (6.76 mg/g DW) was obtained using 50% methanol at 45 °C and ultrasonication for 30 min, and 50% methanol in 35 °C, and ultrasonication for 30 min, respectively. Using the response surface methodology, the predicted conditions for lupeol and stigmasterol from root of M. azedarach were as follows; lupeol: 100% methanol, temperature 45 °C and ultrasonication time 40 min (14.540 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol 43.75% methanol, temperature 34.4 °C and ultrasonication time 25.3 min (5.832 mg/g DW).ConclusionsThe results showed that the amount of secondary metabolites lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach could be improved by optimizing the extraction process utilizing response surface methodology.

The distribution and abundance of woody invasive alien plants in small towns in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are rapidly increasing around the world, mainly due to land transformation, climate change, and urbanisation. Whilst urban areas are highly susceptible to invasion by IAPs, crucial information on the distribution and abundance of woody invaders in small towns is limited. Here, we determined the distribution and abundance of woody IAPs across different suburbs and land use types in 12 small towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We enumerated 38 427 individual woody IAPs, and their abundance and distribution varied across surveyed towns. Although species such as Melia azedarach, Pinus elliotti, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Ligustrum lucidum were the most distributed, species density varied across towns. More than half of the woody IAPs were identified in affluent (56%) suburbs compared to the townships (23%), Central business district (CBD) (16%), and low-income housing neighbourhoods (5%). There were significant differences in woody IAPs distribution across different land use types, with more than half (54%) found in the residential areas compared to road verges (32%) and public urban green spaces (14%). Some socio-economic and environmental predictors such as town population, mean temperature, unemployment rate, and Gross domestic product (GDP) showed significant and positive correlations with woody IAPs species richness and density. Our findings suggest an uneven spatial distribution and diversity of woody IAPs across the different small towns, suburbs, and land use types in the region. It is recommended that small towns in South Africa need financial and human resources support to effectively manage IAPs.

Antioxidant and Antifungal Properties of Cinnamon, Cloves, Melia azedarach L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. Extracts against Fusarium oxysporum Isolated from Infected Vegetables in Mauritius.

Fusarium species, a group of economically destructive phytopathogens, are poorly studied in Mauritius where agriculture holds much significance. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of organic farming has prompted interest in alternatives to chemical fungicides. After gaining an overview of Fusarium prevalence in Mauritius fields through a survey, the pathogen was isolated from infected crops and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Methanol and water extracts were then prepared from Melia azedarach, Ocimum gratissimum, cinnamon and cloves before determining their phytochemical profiles. Additionally, the antioxidant and antifungal effects of different concentrations of aqueous extracts were assessed. The isolate was confirmed as Fusarium oxysporum, and cloves inhibited its growth by up to 100%, especially at 60 and 90 g/L, with the results being significantly higher than those of the synthetic fungicide mancozeb. Over 50% inhibition was also noted for cinnamon and Ocimum gratissimum, and these effects could be linked to the flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids in the extracts. This study presented the aqueous extracts of cloves, cinnamon and Ocimum gratissimum as potential alternatives to chemical fungicides. It also confirmed the prevalence of Fusarium infection in Mauritius fields, thereby highlighting the need for additional studies on the pathogen.

Studies on Bioresource based Seed Production Modules in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)

Background: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) family: fabaceae, locally known as ‘Methi’ is a self pollinated leguminous spice crop. The plant originated in India and Northern Africa. In India, it is commonly consumed a condiment and used medicinally as a lactation stimulant. There are numerous other folkloric uses of fenugreek, for example, in the treatment of indigestion and baldness. The crop has immense medicinal value and is a good source of vitamins, protein and essential oils. The leaves are used as a vegetable and the seeds as spice for adding medicinal value and flavor to the human food and also forage for cattle. Methods: The present investigation was conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-2019 under laboratory and field conditions in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). In both the years, ten bioresources based seed production modules were tested under field conditions. The field experiment comparised of 10 bioresource based seed production modules with one untreated control was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Result: It can be concluded from the present investigation that bioresource based seed production Module-5 consist of seed treatment with Rhizobium strain-B2@ 100 ml/kg seeds, soil application of Trichoderma viride mixed with FYM @ 2 L/20 kg and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi @ 2 kg of soil inoculum/m2 and foliar application of water extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and drake (Melia azedarach) @ 5% is an effective treatment module which improved plant growth, pod yield, seed yield and reduced the incidence of downy mildew as compared to untreated control.

Assessment of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of Melia azedarach L. leaf extract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of Melia azedarach leaf. The phytoconstituents found in the leaves were extracted with four different solvent systems based on their polarity index. Antimicrobial activity of selected plant extracts was evaluated using disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against four different pathogenic bacterial strains. The ethanolic extract of M. azedarach leaf showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli (15.07 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (18.23 mm) (P < 0.005), followed by Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi. Further, the mechanism of action was confirmed by live/dead cells analysis, which revealed the death of E. coli and S. aureus upon treatment with ethanolic extract. In vivo anti-inflammatory test conducted using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model revealed that the 300 mg/kg ethanolic extract exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity of 51.78% compared with that of standard drug diclofenac (P < 0.001). Further, the cytotoxicity of ethanolic extract against human hepatocarcinoma cell lines (HepG2) was evaluated by MTT assay, and the findings showed a moderate level of toxicity against the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 value of 540.00 ± 0.6 μg/mL compared to doxorubicin. HepG2 cells treated with doxorubicin (2 μg/mL) and ethanolic extract showed a 2.33- and 1.35-fold increase in p53 gene expression, respectively. Apoptosis activity was measured in terms of DNA laddering, which indicated the late stage of apoptosis. The results showed that the extract-treated cell lines induced DNA fragmentation, which was found to be a potent anti-cancer mechanism in HepG2 cells. This study corroborated that the leaf extract of M. azedarach is a good source of active phytochemicals, with promising biological activities.

Use of nonnative, invasive tree logs for commercial mushroom production

Abstract Removal and disposal of nonnative trees is expensive and time-consuming. Using these nonnative trees as a substrate to produce edible mushrooms could diversify farming operations and provide additional income to small-scale farmers. This research compared the production of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) on nonnative tree logs to shiitake mushroom production on native oak (Quercus L.) logs, which are the traditional substrate. In a 2-yr study, we evaluated nonnative tree species as alternate substrates for growing shiitake mushrooms at farms in northern Florida and southern Georgia. A mix of native Quercus spp. and nonnative trees was targeted for removal on participating farms. Five nonnative tree species were initially tested for their ability to produce edible mushrooms, either shiitake or oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida). Of the nonnative trees we tested: Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), Chinese tallowtree [Triadica sebifera (L.) Small], silktree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth.), and paperbark tree [Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.F. Blake], only T. sebifera produced shiitake mushrooms, and none produced native Florida oyster mushrooms. In on-farm trials, Quercus spp. logs produced more total mushrooms and more mushrooms per log and had a higher total mushroom yield per log. However, mushrooms produced on T. sebifera logs had higher mean weight per mushroom. Edible mushroom fungi can be used to recycle invasive, nonnative T. sebifera and transform their biomass from waste into an income-producing resource.

Ethnobotanical evaluation and Traditional uses of medicinal flora used to treat various ailments by local inhabitants

BackgroundThe utilization of medicinal plants and their recipes is widespread across global healthcare systems, particularly prevalent in developing nations. This study focused on ethnomedicinal practices concerning wild flora in the Vehari district of Punjab, Pakistan. MethodsEmploying a semi-structured questionnaire and the Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA) through in-person interviews, data were collected from a diverse sample of 348 informants, including 115 women and 233 men. ResultsThe study documented twenty-three wild medicinal plant species spanning seventeen plant families, with Fabaceae representing a significant portion of the collected specimens. Notably, whole plants, predominantly leaves, emerged as the primary ingredients in medicinal recipes, emphasizing the importance of these botanical resources in traditional healing practices. The highest Informant consensus factor (ICF) was 0.985, recorded for dandruff, anti-allergic, and fever. Parthenium hysterophorus, Eclipta prostrata, and Citrullus colocynthsis had the highest Use value (UV) i.e., 0.733. The highest Fidelity level (FL) was calculated for Peganum harmala (100%), Parthenium hysterophorus, Eclipta prostrata, and Citrullus colocynthsis (73.33), against joint pain and liver disease, which corresponds to the abundance of these ailments. The highest Jaccard index (JI) was calculated for district Bahawalnagar (17.8), District Vehari (16.27), District Layyah (16.09), and India (10.6), which corresponds to the similarity index with said areas. The following fifteen species were identified with new traditional recipes: Calotropis procera, Chenopodium murale, Citrullus colcynthesis, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus relegiosa, Fagonia indica, Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, Acacia nilotica, Cuscuta reflexa, Eclipta prostrata, Corchorus depressus, Fumaria indica, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Peganum harmala. ConclusionThe findings reveal a rich diversity of plant species utilized for various ailments, with a notable emphasis on the utilization of whole plants, particularly leaves, in medicinal recipes. Moreover, the identification of new traditional recipes for several plant species suggests potential avenues for the discovery of innovative phytotherapeutic compounds, highlighting the importance of continued research in this field.

Species selection as a key factor in the afforestation of coastal salt-affected lands: Insights from pot and field experiments

Soil salinization is a significant global issue that leads to land degradation and loss of ecological function. In coastal areas, salinization hampers vegetation growth, and forestation efforts can accelerate the recovery of ecological functions and enhance resilience to extreme climates. However, the salinity tolerance of tree species varies due to complex biological factors, and results between lab/greenhouse and field studies are often inconsistent. Moreover, in salinized areas affected by extreme climatic and human impacts, afforestation with indigenous species may face adaptability challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to select appropriate cross-species salinity tolerance indicators that have been validated in the field to enhance the success of afforestation and reforestation efforts. This study focuses on five native coastal tree species in Taiwan, conducting afforestation experiments on salt-affected soils mixed with construction and demolition waste. It integrates short-term controlled experiments with potted seedlings and long-term field observations to establish growth performance and physiological and biochemical parameters indicative of salinity tolerance. Results showed that Heritiera littoralis Dryand. exhibited the highest salinity tolerance, accumulating significant leaf proline under increased salinity. Conversely, Melia azedarach Linn. had the lowest tolerance, evidenced by complete defoliation and reduced biomass under salt stress. Generally, the field growth performance of these species aligns with the results of short-term pot experiments. Leaf malondialdehyde content from pot experiments proved to be a reliable cross-species salinity tolerance indicator, correlating negatively with field relative height growth and survival rates. Additionally, parameters related to the photosynthetic system or water status, measured using portable devices, also moderately indicated field survival, aiding in identifying potential salt-tolerant tree species. This study underscores the pivotal role of species selection in afforestation success, demonstrating that small-scale, short-term salinity control experiments coupled with appropriate assessment tools can effectively identify species suitable for highly saline and degraded environments. This approach not only increases the success of afforestation but also conserves resources needed for field replanting and maintenance, supporting sustainable development goals.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhancement of salt-tolerance in Melia azedarach under salinity stress

Melia azedarach demonstrates strong salt tolerance and thrives in harsh saline soil conditions, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed gene expression under low, medium, and high salinity conditions to gain a deeper understanding of adaptation mechanisms of M. azedarach under salt stress. The GO (gene ontology) analysis unveiled a prominent trend: as salt stress intensified, a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) became enriched in categories related to metabolic processes, catalytic activities, and membrane components. Through the analysis of the category GO:0009651 (response to salt stress), we identified four key candidate genes (CBL7, SAPK10, EDL3, and AKT1) that play a pivotal role in salt stress responses. Furthermore, the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were significantly enriched in the plant hormone signaling pathways and starch and sucrose metabolism under both medium and high salt exposure in comparison to low salt conditions. Notably, genes involved in JAZ and MYC2 in the jasmonic acid (JA) metabolic pathway were markedly upregulated in response to high salt stress. This study offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying M. azedarach salt tolerance and identifies potential candidate genes for enhancing salt tolerance in M. azedarach.

Green biomediated synthesis of anodized WO3 nanocatalysts using Melia azedarach leaves extract for the energetic transition: Solar hydrogen and Li-ion batteries

This study reports the bio-mediated synthesis of tungsten trioxide nanostructures from aqueous extracts of Melia azedarach (L.) dry leaves. The synthesis was carried out by electrochemical anodization of tungsten foils in the presence of different volume percentages of leaves extracts. These nanostructures were afterwards completely characterized by Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), impedance measurements, linear sweep voltammetry in the presence of simulated solar light and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Finally, these nanoelectrodes were used as (photo)electrocatalysts in the photoelectrochemical water splitting process to obtain green hydrogen and as anodes in Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Nanostructures fabricated with 5% M. azedarach leaves extract provided the best (photo)electrocatalytic behavior for both applications, since in that biogenic electrolyte, thin nanorods arranged in very porous and spongy layers were formed. Therefore, the significant increase in specific surface area found for nanostructures fabricated following this green route, in comparison with the blank sample (i.e., nanostructure formed following a non-green route), was essential to enhance their performance as promising efficient (photo)electrocatalysts.

Effect on combustion performance and emission behavior of diesel engine fueled with hybrid biodiesel produced from a novel ternary oil mixture incorporated with nano additive

ABSTRACT Global energy demand has been above 80% fossil fuels for decades, creating a greater and more complicated energy crisis. Biodiesel is a great alternate energy source for future energy demand. Producing biodiesel from a mixture of waste and non-edible oils may be a practical solution to address the growing global need of biodiesel. In this study, hybrid biodiesel is produced from a ternary oil mixture of Waste cooking oil, Ricinus communis oil, and Melia azedarach oil. The hybrid biodiesel blends are prepared by 10% blending (HB10), 20% blending (HB20) and 30% blending (HB30) and 30ppm multiwall carbon nanotube has been added in the blended fuel through sonicating process. At steady 1500rmp and variable load (0–100%), the engine behavior has been examined. The results show that the hybrid biodiesel blend (HB10) with 30ppm MWCNT has shown highest cylinder pressure of 70.9 bar, maximum mean gas temperature 1467.56°C. The engine shows 34.08% rise in net heat release and 9.13% rise in exhaust gas temperature as compare to diesel. The maximum rise in break thermal efficiency of 19.74% and minimum reduction in break specific fuel consumption of 13.79% is noticed in comparison to B00. The highest reduction of HC emission is found as 20.83% for HB20MWCNT30 and 19.34% for HB30MWCNT30 as compare to B00. The inclusion of multiwall carbon nanotube in hybrid biodiesel reduces the HC, CO, NOx and smoke emission and increases CO2 emission as compare to respective hybrid biodiesel blend and diesel. The hybrid biodiesel-diesel blend, with multiwall carbon nanotube can be utilized efficiently in diesel engine with improved overall engine behavior.

Cross-Linking Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Insights: Investigating Medicinal Potential in Azadirachta Indica, Swietenia Mahagoni and Melia Azedarach

Background: The increasing resistance to synthetic drugs and their side effects has prompted renewed interest in the medicinal potential of natural products. Azadirachta indica, Swietenia mahagoni, and Melia azedarach, members of the Meliaceae family, have been traditionally used for their diverse therapeutic properties. Their efficacy stems from a range of bioactive compounds known for antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Objective: This study aims to explore and quantify the bioactive compounds in Azadirachta indica, Swietenia mahagoni, and Melia azedarach, assess their therapeutic potentials, and discuss their implications for drug development and human healthcare. Methods: Plant materials were collected, and extracts were prepared using ethanol, methanol, or water as solvents. Following maceration and filtration, the extracts were concentrated and analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). HPLC conditions were optimized for each plant, focusing on key compounds such as azadirachtin, nimbin, swietenine, meliacarpinin, and azedarachin. Method validation was performed to ensure precision, accuracy, and reproducibility. Results: The study identified high concentrations of bioactive compounds in each plant: Azadirachta indica contained azadirachtin (450 mg/g), nimbin (120 mg/g), and salannin (50 mg/g); Swietenia mahagoni had concentrations of swietenine (200 mg/g) and limonoids (180 mg/g total); Melia azedarach demonstrated high levels of meliacarpinin (300 mg/g) and azedarachin (220 mg/g). Conclusion: The confirmation of high levels of specific bioactive compounds in these plants supports their traditional uses and highlights their potential in developing new therapeutic agents that are environmentally sustainable and potentially more effective than current synthetic options. This research underscores the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches in drug discovery.

Relationship Between Wood Properties and Drying Qualities at Three Age Groups of Mindi (Melia azedarah L) Tree for Furnitur Materials

All wood based products should have been dried to ensure their stable dimension. Indicators of stable dimension can be figured-out from wood physical properties, especially ratio of tangensial shrinkage to radial shrinkage (T/R ratio) and wood drying properties at high temperature. From those two indicators could be predicted the drying quality of wood as a basic to determine minimum – maximum of drying temperature. This research aimed to look-into the relationship between wood properties of wood and drying quality of mindi (Melia azedarach L)wood at their 5, 9, and 13 year-old trees. The preparing of test samples, and testing methods on wood physical properties covered moisture content, air-dry density, and shrinkage in tangential and radial direction, which referred to the BS 1957. Meanwhile, drying properties followed the modified Terazawa’s method. Five classes of wood drying qualities could be derived from the analysis of T/R ratio and drying property at each tree age group. Results revealed that wood density ranged about 0.46 – 0.58 g/cm3. Drying quality of each wood (except the portion near the pith) belong to B (good) for 13 years old, C (fair) for 9 years, and D (poor) for 5 years old. Related to the drying quality, the minimum – maximum temperature for 13 years mindi wood was 55–85 oC; for 9 years was 50–80 oC; and for 5 years was 40–65 oC. Supported by the performance of wood surface, especially at 13 years old, mindi wood was suitable for wooden furniture.

Tea plantation shade tree leaf influences the susceptibility of rhizosphere microbial consortium: A comprehensive study on their leaf extract cross tolerance

Leguminous shade trees are ubiquitous parts of tea plantations of the Terai region. However, their shed leaves might have an effect on the soil microflora under those shade trees, so it is important to find out how leaf litter affect the soil microflora. Isolation of soil microbial consortia followed by downstream experiments were conducted to observe the tolerance/susceptible pattern of those soil microflora against the fallen leaves. Sample from under Albizia odoratissima has higher organic carbon, organic matter and nitrogen content but the same property was found to be low in the sample collected under Melia azedarach. Isolation of consortia was done on nutrient agar. In vitro tolerance assay was conducted to find out the tolerance pattern against leaf extracts, heavy metal salts, pesticides, antibiotics and antifungals. Heavy metals salts like Arsenic trioxide (AS2O3) and Cupric chloride (CuCl2); and pesticides like Thiamethoxam; Spiromesifen; Phorate etc. showed no inhibition against all the isolated consortia. Co-Trimoxazole and Augmentin have not showed any inhibition except consortia under Derris robusta, whereas no antifungals but Itraconazole had an impact over all the consortia. Shade trees, being a crucial member of the tea plantations, cannot be removed but replacement of these with other species could be a probable option, besides this limited use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers should be taken into consideration strictly to restrain the microbial population in tea garden soil. So, this study has disclosed the acceptability of each and every shade tree used in this region.