Mm Of Zone Research Articles

Bio-efficacy of Essential Oil Extracted from Locally Available Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peels from Nepal

Essential oils from various plants are valued for their therapeutic, aromatic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The majority of them are employed in cleaning procedures, aromatherapy, stress reduction, food flavouring and preservation, and beauty products. The present investigation focuses on elucidating the chemical composition along with the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of essential oil extracted from locally available orange (Citrus sinensis) peels, mainly exploring its bio-efficacy. The antibacterial property was studied against the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The analysis results revealed significant antimicrobial activity with zones of inhibition of 4 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively. The antifungal property was studied against the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, which showed positive activity, producing 4.5 mm of zone of inhibition. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, which showed an IC50 value of 1.3532 µL/mL. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the essential oil as determined using some standard colour-developing methods showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and saponins. The above results were validated by FT-IR and GC/MS analysis. The FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of nitrogen-containing and oxygen-containing functional groups. The GC/MS analysis showed the presence of limonene, d-limonene, 1S-α-Pinene, 1R-α-Pinene, β-myrcene, linalool, α-humulene, α-terpineol, etc. These findings demonstrated that orange peels from Nepal that are readily available locally could be a source of compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.

Investigation of Luliconazole-Loaded Mucoadhesive Electrospun Nanofibers for Anticandidal Activity in the Management of Vaginal Candidiasis.

In this study, we fabricated and evaluated luliconazole-loaded electrospun nanofibers for anticandidal activity in the management of vaginal candidiasis. Polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanofibers were designed by the electrospinning technique, and the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted for optimization to get tailored fibers. The luliconazole (LCZ) drug was mixed into different concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of tea tree oil (TT oil) and loaded into the PCL/gelatin nanofibrous mats. The effective anticandidal potential of nanofiber samples were analyzed by the disk-diffusion method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), XRD analysis, and in silico study were performed. The entrapment efficiency, swelling degree, mechanical strength, contact angle, mucoadhesion, drug release, and permeation study were assessed. The average diameter of the PCL/gelatin-optimized nanofiber was 153 nm. SEM reflected that the fabricated nanofibers were uniform and bead-free. FTIR and DSC analyzed the interaction and physical entrapment of the drug in the polymeric fibers. The entrapment efficiency of the drug-loaded nanofiber was found to be 89.2 ± 0.8%. Maximum swelling percentages at 4 h were 40.8, 18.9, and 14.0% and contact angles were 46.5°, 62.95°, and 65.78° for the blank, TT oil-loaded, and drug-loaded nanofiber, respectively, which indicated the hydrophilic nature of the fibers. The drug-loaded nanofiber had a high tensile strength with satisfactory mucoadhesive property that led to its adhesion to the vaginal mucosa with no tear. The drug-loaded nanofiber had a cumulative drug release of 67.7 ± 3.4% in 48 h, and the 12.8 ± 0.53 mm of zone of inhibition (ZOI) in 48 h illustrated an effective anticandidal activity. The TT oil-loaded nanofiber also exhibited a small ZOI of 4.3 ± 0.30 mm, indicating a synergistic effect to the antifungal activity of the drug-loaded nanofiber. LCZ-loaded nanofibers can emerge as a novel approach for vaginal drug delivery in the treatment of candida infection. Thus, this pharmaceutical investigation can help in formulating preclinical and clinical models.

Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators Topography for "Island Transverse Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap" in Breast Reconstruction.

Background The Island transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is well vascularized with very reliable blood flow, because all perforators of the zone I are included when it is harvested. The number of perforators, topographic mapping, and their relationship with reconstructed outcomes were investigated. Methods Fifty patients with Island TRAM breast reconstruction from September 2021 to August 2022 were investigated. The zone I was divided into a total of eight sections. Under the loupe magnification, all perforators larger than 0.5 mm in zone I were counted with fine dissection, and photographs were taken in background of vessel loops. Complications like flap necrosis, seroma, and hematoma were also investigated. Result There are 12 ideal perforators on average in zone I such as one perforator in section I, II, IV, V, VI, VIII, and three perforators in section III and VII. However, two perforators (M6 and L6) below arcuate line were sacrificed in the time of flap harvest to prevent hernia. Island TRAM included 10 perforators on average (5 perforators in each side) above arcuate line to be transferred to the recipient site. Only minor complications were identified. Conclusion The Island TRAM flap includes 10 perforators to get the vigorous blood flow. The periumbilical to upper medial perforators become more dominant in the perfusion of the flap after deep inferior epigastric artery division. Well preserved perforators will guarantee the satisfactory breast reconstruction with the least complication.

Field performance of an anti-uplift portal frame in control of the tunnel uplift induced by overlying excavation

Excavation above the tunnel will inevitably cause release of the ground stress and the associated tunnel uplift. The control of tunnel uplift is a tough problem that troubles the engineers. This paper introduces a new technology (namely anti-uplift portal frame technology) to control the tunnel uplift caused by long-distance collinear overlying excavation which adopted in the construction of an urban underground expressway in Shenzhen, China. The anti-uplift portal frame (AUPF) is composed of anti-uplift piles and anti-uplift slab, forming a portal frame between the bottom of the foundation pit and the tunnel to hoop the underlying tunnel. In order to minimize the impact of shaft excavation on the underlying tunnel during the AUPF construction, the AUPF was divided into sections in longitudinal direction and avoid excavation of the adjacent shafts at the same time. The field data indicated the median uplift after shaft excavation in the AUPF construction stage was 12.8 mm in Zone A and 5.3 mm in Zone B, and recovered by 62.5 % in Zone A and 85 % in Zone B after backfill. During the foundation pit excavation in expressway tunnel construction, the median uplift was 7.2 mm, recovered by 61 % after tunnel structure was constructed. When the tunnel uplift reached 8 to 8.5 mm, further excavation did not cause increase of the tunnel uplift, which indicates the AUPF can effectively control the tunnel uplift. The reported case provides valuable referrence to guide the similar overlying excavation projects.

A facile strategy to fabricate ternary WO3/CuO/rGO nano-composite for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of multiple organic pollutants and antimicrobial activity

A facile strategy comprising co-precipitation and ultra-sonication methods was used to fabricate WO3/CuO and WO3/CuO/rGO nanocomposites. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical, and electrochemical measurements were used for the structural, morphological, and electrical analysis of as-synthesized materials. The photocatalytic performance of synthesized materials was explored for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB) and benzoic acid. The percentage degradation of MB in presence of CuO, WO3, WO3/CuO, and WO3/CuO/rGO was 56.7%, 75.1%, 86.5%, and 95.5%, respectively, within 90 min of UV-Visible light irradiation. For RhB, the percentage degradation in presence of CuO, WO3, WO3/CuO, and WO3/CuO/rGO was found to be 54.5%, 73.4%, 82.5%, and 93.1%, respectively. For benzoic acid, the percentage degradation was recorded as 35.1%, 77.3%, 84%, and 91.8% for CuO, WO3, WO3/CuO, and WO3/CuO/rGO, respectively. Evidently, during each experiment WO3/CuO/rGO showed highest capability to photodegrade the pollutants due to the generation of heterojunction interface among individual constituents. When applied for antibacterial activity, WO3/CuO/rGO showed 1.7 and 2 mm of zones of inhibition against S. Aureus and K. Pneumonia, respectively. Consequently, it can be anticipated that WO3/CuO/rGO could be used as multifunctional photocatalyst for the treatment of different environmental pollutants.

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of newer herbal disinfectant formulations on hospital microbial flora

Background: The world is now focusing on use of herbals because they are eco-friendly and less toxic on human health and environment Objectives:To evaluate antimicrobial activity of newer herbal disinfectant formulations on hospital microbial flora Methods: Herbal disinfectants were prepared with medicinal plant leaf extracts of Tridax procumbens, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Costus igneus and Nepata cataria. Hospital microbial flora was isolated by rubbing and rotating sterile swabs from targeted spots. Extract formulations were tested for the antimicrobial activity against five isolatedbacterial strains i.e., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter sp., Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus using Kirby-bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Among the five different herbal disinfectants, Tinospora cordifolia showed good antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter and Enterococcus faecalis with 27mm, 20mm and 14mm of zone of inhibition respectively. Costus igneus showed high antimicrobial activity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 22mm of zone of inhibition. The herbal disinfectant formulations in the present study were reported effective results against hospital microbial flora which cause nosocomial infections Conclusions: Herbal disinfectants Tinospora cordifolia, Costus igneus, Withania somnifera exhibits antimicrobial activities against MDR bacterial pathogens isolated from hospital wards.

Development and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Durva Nishadi Ointment: In-vitro Study

Background: Synthetic antimicrobials are often associated with adverse effects as a result, there is need for the use of alternate herbal medicines is increasing with their easy availability, safety, cost effectiveness and therapeutic potentiality. In this present study Durva Nishadi Ointment was developed from Durva nishadi Yoga described in Ayurvedic classics as a Lepa (topical application) against microbial diseases like Kandu (Pruritis), Pama (Scabies), Dadru (Tinea/ Ringworm infection), Sheetapitta (Urticarial rashes) and Krimi (Microbial infections).
 Result: The developed Durva Nishadi ointment has highly significant antifungal activity than the antibacterial activity. Antifungal activity of 20% ointment against Candida albicans was 28mm of zone of inhibition at 25 μg/ ml, and for Aspergillus niger 15 mm of zone of inhibition at 5 μg/ ml, which are highly comparable with the synthetic standard drug used for the antifungal activity i.e. Fluconazole.
 
 Abbreviations
 MIC - Minimum inhibitory concentration, MHA - Muller-Hinton Agar

The Disinfectant Properties of Suspensions of Herbal Extracts: An Antibacterial Study against Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus

The herbal disinfection suspensions were tested on microorganisms isolated from the kitchen floor surface using the disc diffusion technique. Three plant extracts were prepared in an aqueous solvent, and their inhibitory zones were determined. Aak, Pomegranate, and dumb cane leaf extract mixture were used for making disinfectant. For E. coli, the plant combination disinfection 1, at a concentration of 1500 µl, revealed 15mm of zones. Maximum zones for disinfectant 2 were recorded at 750 µl, which was 12mm. At 3000 µl concentration, 16 mm zones were observed for disinfectant 3. At 1500 µl concentration, 15 mm of zones were seen for disinfectant 4. Zones of inhibition of S. aureus were reported to be 18 mm and 15 mm at 3000 µl for disinfectants 1 and 2. At 375 µl, 21 mm of zones were found for disinfectant 3. At 3000 µl concentration, 17 mm of zones were observed for disinfectant 4. Comparing E. coli and S. aureus may conclude that S. aureus has more potential inhibitory zones than E. coli. All of the disinfectants showed promising antibacterial activity against surface microorganisms.
 Keywords: Zones of inhibition, Disinfectant, Disk diffusion method, Microbes, Concentration.

Bioactivity study and metabolic profiling of Colletotrichum alatae LCS1, an endophyte of club moss Lycopodium clavatum L.

Endophytes are silent microbial partners of green plants that ensure hosts’ survival in odd conditions. They are known as the factories of multipotent metabolites with diverse bioactivities beneficial to modern pharmaceuticals industry. Endophytic fungi have been screened from a variety of plants and it is the first-time endophytes of club moss is being studied for production of antibacterial and antioxidative compounds. The present study reveals that Lycopodium clavatum L. harbors a potent niche of bioactive endophytic fungi and Colletotrichum alatae LCS1 was the prime producer of antibacterial and antioxidative compounds among them. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of ethyl- acetate culture extract ranged from 15.62 to 250 μg/mL against four Gram negative and three Gram positive microorganisms including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-33591). Bio-autogram based screening followed by Gas chromatographic analysis confirmed the occurrence of 17 bioactive compounds and α-bisabolol is known to be the prime one. Alfa bisabolol is a unique and versatile bioactive essential oil and facilitates variety of functions. Killing kinetics data along with leakage of macromolecules into extracellular environment supports the cidal activity of the antibacterial principles at MBC values. Isolate C. alatae LCS1 was optimized by one variable at a time system coupled with response surface methodology for broad spectrum antibacterial production. The organism yielded maximum response (22.66±0.894 mm of zone of inhibition against MRSA) in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 50 mL potato dextrose broth supplemented with (g/L) glucose, 7.53; yeast extract concentration, 0.47; NaCl, 0.10 with medium pH 6.46; after 134 hours of incubation at 26°C. Optimized fermentation parameters enhanced antibacterial activity up-to more than 50% than the pre-optimized one (10.33±0.57 mm). Endophytic LCS1 was also efficient in free radical scavenging tested by DPPH, ABTS, H2O2 and FRAP assay with an IC50 values of 23.38±5.32 to 82.873±6.479 μg/mL.

Production of Bioactive Compounds with Broad Spectrum Bactericidal Action, Bio-Film Inhibition and Antilarval Potential by the Secondary Metabolites of the Endophytic Fungus Cochliobolus sp. APS1 Isolated from the Indian Medicinal Herb Andrographis paniculata.

Endophytes, being the co-evolution partners of green host plants, are factories of pharmaceutically valuable novel natural products. Cochliobolus sp. APS1, an endophyte of Andrographis paniculata (Green Chiretta), produces a plethora of natural bioactive compounds and the multipotent alkaloid Aziridine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-, is the prime one among them. The isolate exhibited antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and antilarval potency. The MIC and MBC values of the ethyl-acetate culture extract ranged from 15.62 to 250 µg/mL against ten pathogenic microorganisms (including MRSA and VRSA). Killing kinetics data along with the leakage of macromolecules into the extracellular environment supports the cidal activity of the antibacterial principles. The broad spectrum antibacterial activity of Aziridine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-, was optimized by a one-variable-at-a-time system coupled with response surface methodology, which led to a 45% enhancement of the antibacterial activity. The maximum response (22.81 ± 0.16 mm of zone of inhibition against MRSA) was marked in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 90 mL potato dextrose broth supplemented with (g%/L) glucose, 9.7; urea concentration, 0.74; with medium pH 6.48; after 8.76 days of incubation at 26 °C. APS1 strongly inhibited biofilm formation in the tested pathogenic microorganisms and acts as a larvicidal agent against the Dengue-vector Aedes aegypti. This is probably the first report of Aziridine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-, from any endophytic source. Cochliobolus sp. APS1 possesses industrial importance for the production of bioactive alkaloids.

Antibacterial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Erythrina fusca Lour. Leaf Extract (Fabaceae)

Erythrina fusca Lour. (family Fabaceae) is a flowering tree that is locally known as ‘chengkering’. The plant is traditionally used in treatment of some symptoms related to bacterial infections such as wound infections, inflammations, and skin itching. This work reports for the first time in vitro antibacterial screening of the E. fusca Lour. methanolic leaf extract against some common Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The in vitro antibacterial assay was carried out using agar diffusion method with the extract concentration of 3 mg/well and vancomycin 30 µg/well as the positive control. It was found that the extract exhibits antibacterial effects in range of 10.5 – 14 mm of zone of inhibition (ZOI) against all tested bacteria except for K. pneumoniae. P. aeruginosa showing ZOI of 14 mm was the most sensitive bacterium while P. vulgaris (ZOI of 10.5 mm) was the least sensitive strain to the extract. Based on the preliminary phytochemical screening of using standard qualitative phytochemical tests, this species contains significant amount of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins, which might contribute to the antibacterial activity of the extract. Both antibacterial potential and presence of various phytochemicals in the extract could support the traditional uses of E. fusca , and the obtained results would serve as a basis for further exploration of antibacterial properties of the plant’s leaves.

Detection of mcr-1-mediated resistance to polymyxins in Enterobacterales using colistin disk chelator application

Objective. To evaluate the possibility of using the colistin disk chelator application (CDCA) method as simple and available screening tool for detection of mcr-1-mediated resistance to polymyxins in Enterobacterales. Materials and Methods. A total of 47 colistin-resistant Enterobacterales isolates obtained in 2014–2020 within multicenter MARATHON study were included in the experiment. Colistin susceptibility testing was performed using Mueller–Hinton broth microdilution method according to ISO 20776-1:2006. Interpretation of the results was performed according to EUCAST v.12.0 clinical breakpoints. MCR-genes were detected by multiplex real-time PCR. Phenotypic screening for mcr-expression was performed on Mueller–Hinton agar by application of dipicolinic acid in concentration of 1,000 mcg/disk in 10 µL volume per disk and 0.5 M solution of EDTA in 5 µL volume per disk. Chelating effect was registered by differences in zone of growth inhibition around colistin disks with and without chelator. Measurements were performed with the help of caliper in millimeters. Statistical data processing was carried out in accordance with guidelines for statistical analysis in medical researches using MS-Excel tool. Results. In 25 of 47 included in the experiment enterobacteria isolates mcr-genes were detected by molecular method. MCR-detection by CDCA method identified the average difference value of the zones of growth inhibition for colistin and its combination with EDTA and DPA as 4.1 mm and 3.7 mm respectively for mcr-positive isolates and 1.7 mm and 1.2 mm respectively for mcr-negative isolates. Statistical analysis estimated that a difference of ≥ 3 mm in zone of growth inhibition for combination of colistin with one of the chelating agents when compared to colistin only allows us to conclude that a studied isolated carries mcr-1-mediated resistance to polymyxins. In addition, sensitivity of the test was 96% and specificity was 91% if DPA is used, while EDTA showed only 88% sensitivity and 77% specificity. Conclusions. Proposed method appears as available technique for phenotypic screening of the Enterobacterales order for mcr-1-mediated resistance to polymyxins for practical laboratories in present conditions. The use of DPA is preferred because of better specificity and sensitivity rates.

Anticariogenic Activity of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Blue Tea

Background: Nanotechnology is rapidly growing in various fields of science like medicinal, agricultural and physical and material sciences. Copper nanoparticles are particularly attractive because of copper’s high natural abundance and low cost and the practical and straightforward multiple ways of preparing copper based nanomaterials.
 Aim: To assess the anticariogenic activity of copper nanoparticles synthesized using blue tea.
 Materials and Methods: The blue tea powder was acquired. An aqueous extract was prepared and mixed with copper sulphate for copper nanoparticles formation and centrifuged for 10 minutes. The extract was then placed in the well cultured agar plates against C. albicans, S. mutans, S. aureus and E. faecalis and incubated for 24 hours. The zones of inhibition were then calculated.
 Results: Against S. aureus, 25μl showed 10 mm of zone of inhibition, 50μl showed 10 mm of zone of inhibition and 100μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition. 21 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against C. albicans, 25 μl showed 25 mm of zone of inhibition, 50 μl showed 26 mm of zone of inhibition and 100 μl showed 30 mm of zone of inhibition. 12 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against S. mutans, 25 μl showed 10 mm of zone of inhibition, 50 μl showed 10 mm of zone of inhibition and 100 μl showed 25 mm of zone of inhibition. 21 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against E. faecalis, 25 μl showed 10 mm of zone of inhibition, 50 μl showed 13 mm of zone of inhibition and 100 μl showed 14 mm of zone of inhibition. 37 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic.
 Conclusion: The blue tea mediated copper nanoparticles showed anticariogenic activity against S. mutans, C. albicans, E. faecalis and S. aureus and therefore can be used for clinical application.

Anticariogenic Activity of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Red Tea: An In vitro Study

Background: Nanotechnology is rapidly growing in various fields of science like medicinal, agricultural and physical and material sciences. Copper nanoparticles are particularly attractive because of copper’s high natural abundance and low cost and the practical and straightforward multiple ways of preparing copper based nanomaterials.
 Aim: To assess the anticariogenic activity of copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea.
 Materials and Methods: The red tea powder was acquired. An aqueous extract was prepared and mixed with copper sulphate for copper nanoparticles formation and centrifuged for 10 minutes. The extract was then placed in the well cultured agar plates against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, S. aureus and E. faecalis and incubated for 24 hours. The zones of inhibition were then calculated.
 Results: Against S. aureus, 50 μl showed 20 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 16 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 20 mm of zone of inhibition. 19 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against C. albicans, 50 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 13 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition. 10 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against S. mutans, 50 μl showed 17 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 14 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 19 mm of zone of inhibition. 35 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against E. faecalis, 50 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 15 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 19 mm of zone of inhibition. 35 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic.
 Conclusion: The anticariogenic activity of copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea were studied and their wider zones of inhibition were suggestive of good anticariogenic activity. We conclude that copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea can be used against S. aureus, S. mutans, C. albicans and E. faecalis as an anticariogenic agent.

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Screening of Leaf and Tuber Extracts of Tephrosia calophylla Bedd

Tephrosia calophylla, (Fabaceae) a perennial woody under shrub endemic to south India. It is one of 13 rare or threatened Tephrosia species. Commonly it is known as Adavivempali. The various species of Tephrosia is ascribed to have many medicinal and therapeutic uses. The importance of this study was to preliminary screening of different phytochemical constituents for the detection of various secondary metabolites and evaluation of antibacterial, antifungal activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the different crude extracts of tuber and leaf. Tuber and leaf both yielded more number of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids tannins, saponins and glycosides with high quantity when compared with the leaf, consisting low quantities of phyto-constituents as steroids and in tuber consisting only tannins. Antibacterial activity of T. calophylla tuber and leaf aqueous and alcohol extracts at 10 mg/well are showing more effective activity on Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-441), Escherichia coli (MTCC-443), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC-741), Klebsealla neumoniae, Proteus vulgaris strains than the control drug Ampicillin 10 mg/well with 30.25-15.00 mm zone of inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with leaf and tuber extracts was 0.312 to 2.50 mg/ml compared to that of the 10 mg of Ampicillin. Antifungal screening of aqueous leaf extract was more effective on Candida albicans with 19.25 mm inhibition zone than Aspergillus niger at 10 mg/well compared to Nystatin the control drug at 10 mg/well with 10.2 to 12.1 mm of zone of inhibition. Fungal MIC on both organisms with leaf and tuber extracts ranges from 0.612 mg to 3 mg compared to 10 mg of Nystatin.

Ultrasonicated synthesis of some potent antimicrobial aryl sulphonamides

Nine N-(2,4-difluorophenyl) substituted benzene sulphonamides have been synthesized by ultrasonication method within short reaction time having more than 90% yield. These sulphonamides have been analyzed by spectral and analytical techniques. The higher yields of sulphonamides have been found to be in case of ultrasonication process as compared to microwave and conventional heating methods. The antimicrobial activities of these sulphonamides have been evaluated using Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion method by means of measurement of mm of zone of inhibition.

Annual Rainfall in Pernambuco, Brazil: Regionalities, Regimes, and Time Trends

Abstract This study aimed to identify the homogeneous zones, the regimes, and the local trends for annual and seasonal rainfall in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. We collected seasonal and annual data on monthly rainfall from 45 weather stations in Pernambuco from 1987 to 2019. The data were organized yearly to identify the homogeneous rainfall zones based on Euclidean distance and Ward's coefficient. The mean annual value of each zone was calculated and the data were subjected to descriptive statistics analysis, analysis of rainfall regime with the Rain Anomaly Index, and time trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall method. The results show three homogeneous rainfall zones: 1 (semiarid), 2 (transition), and 3 (coastal), with mean values for annual rainfall of 562, 1032, and 1812 mm year-1, respectively. The precipitation regime showed the predominance of dry years as zones 1, 2, and 3 exhibited dry periods of 18, 17, and 15 years, respectively. Time trend analysis revealed a decrease in annual rainfall of 48.7 mm for Zone 1, 13.2 mm for Zone 2, and 204.4 mm for Zone 3, without statistical significance. Seasonal analysis demonstrated that Zone 1 presented a negative trend in the spring and a positive trend in Zone 2 in the summer, indicating changes in the rain seasonality.

Antibacterial Activity of Cellulase Enzyme Isolated from Gut Microbiota of Coptotermes ceylonicus (Termite)

Gut microbiota of termites belonging to the species Coptotermes ceylonicus is known to contain plethora of enzymes of which cellulase is the most important among them. Cellulase was successfully extracted and isolated from the gut of these termites by using standard protocol. Cellulytic index was calculated and found to be 3.25. The extracted crude enzyme was partially purified by Dinitro Salicyclic Acid (DNS) method. Extracted cellulase enzyme was screened for antibacterial activity against two bacterial species, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) using well diffusion method. Partially purified cellulase enzyme showed effective antibacterial activity against E. coli (16 mm of zone of inhibition), however, there was no such effect observed in the B. subtilis. In this study we successfully isolated cellulase enzyme from the gut of Coptotermes ceylonicus and confirm its bactericidal effect against E. coli. Further studies are required to test the bactericidal effect of cellulase against different bacterial species.

Evaluate the efficacy of Antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds powder on Staphylococcus aureus

In Siddha medicine system has been classified into Aga marunthu (Internal) and Pura marunthu (External) having 32 forms of medicines in each. The external remedies are very useful for topical ulcers, skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis bacterial and fungal infections. The purpose this study was Evaluate the efficacy of Antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds powder against Staphylococcus aureus by used disk diffusion method. The result has been evaluated as the diameter of the zone of inhibition of microbial growth showed that the different concentration (100%, 50%, 25%) of Nigella sativa seed powder’s aqueous extract more effective against Staphylococcus aureus. Mean value of the hot extract 100%, 50%, 25% respectively 12.19±1.91mm, 7.63±2.32 mm and 3.78±1.73mm and the mean value of Cold extract were 9.45±1.32mm, 4.21±0.92mm and 2.71±.64mm. Standard maintained 18mm of zone of inhibition .Among the hot and cold extract, 100% of hot extract was showed more significant affect against Staphylococcus aureus which was 12.19mm. Finally this study was concluded that the Nigella seeds powder can be used as an antibacterial agent.
 
 

In-vitro screening of antihelmintic and antibacterial activity of malvastrum coromandelianum leaves

The main objective of the work is to investigate the antithelmintic and antibacterial activity of the Malvastrumcoromandelianum leaves. The extract was tested for antithelmintic activity against adult Indian earthworm and also tested for antibacterial activity against the gram positive bacteriaS.aureus,B.subtilis and gram negative bacteria against E.Coli, P.aerugenosa, P.putida.The anthelmintic activity was observed at 100mg/ml with reference to standardAlbendazole(10mg/ml).The maximum antibacterial activity was observed in S.aureus at 500mg/ml with of zone of inhibition17 mm and next is S.aureus, the best antibacterial activity was observed against P.aerugenosa and P.putidawith 15 mm of zone of inhibition. The zone of inhibition of extract was compared with standard Gentamycin 25 µg/ml. The extract shows significant activity against the other bacterial pathogens. From the results, it was concluded that the ethanolic extract of Malvastrumcoromandelianum leaves have anthelmintic and antibacterial activity.