Parthenium Hysterophorus Research Articles

Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide NPs (IONPs) by Using Aqueous Extract of Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus for the In-vitro Antidiabetic and Anti-inflammatory Activities

The Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus is one of the anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic ethnomedicine. Therefore the formulation of this plant as nanoparticles will be fruitful anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic as compared to conventional extract. In the current study, the aqueous kernel extract from Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus was subjected to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and explored their anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potentials. The results indicate that the aqueous kernel extract effectively produced IONPs, which were verified using standard analytical methods. UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis was used to check the formation of IONPs. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to check numerous functional groups from the valuable phytochemicals present in the extract. These functional groups play crucial roles as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during the synthesis of IONPs. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to investigate the surface characteristics of the nanoparticles. Notably, the IONPs fabricated from the extract demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting Human RBC by 79% and Heat Induced Hemolysis by 72%, as well as showing anti-diabetic potential with 60% inhibition of yeast glucose uptake and 72% inhibition of α-amylase activity, all at a concentration of 100 μg mL-1. These effects were partly comparable to standard drugs with anti-inflammatory activity of 85% inhibition of Human RBC and 78% inhibition of Heat Induced Hemolysis, and anti-diabetic activity of 67% inhibition of yeast glucose uptake and 78% inhibition of alpha amylase.

Low-cost Biochar from Parthenium Hysterophorus for Efficient Cr⁶⁺ Removal: A Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Solution

Aims: This study explores the development of innovative, cost-effective methods for removing Cr6+ from wastewater, focusing on biochar derived from Parthenium hysterophorus shoots. The biochar was prepared using a conventional slow-pyrolysis process and evaluated for its potential to treat Cr⁶⁺ in aqueous solutions. Study Design: Batch adsorption experiments are carried out in the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Environmental Science, G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, between Feb 2024 and July 2024. Methodology: Parthenium hysterophorus shoots were collected, reagents were purchased from HiMedia, and Cr⁶⁺ solutions were prepared and adjusted using NaOH and HCl. Shoots were washed, sun-dried, ground into powder and pyrolysed at 350°C for 180 minutes. Biochar yield was calculated, pH, proximal parameters (moisture, volatile matter, ash, fixed carbon) and ultimate analysis were measured, chemical functional groups by FTIR and morphology by XRD using Bruker D8 Advance was done. Cr⁶⁺ removal was studied using biochar adsorbent under varying pH, initial Cr6+ concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time, adsorption capacity (q) and removal percentage were then calculated. Results: Characterization techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of multiple functional groups and crystalline structures, which contribute to its adsorption efficiency. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of prepared biochar dosage, initial Cr⁶⁺ concentration, pH and contact time. The optimal removal efficiency of 72.77% was achieved under conditions of pH 10, a biochar dose of 1 g/L, an initial Cr⁶⁺ concentration of 30 mg/L and a contact time of 72 hours. Conclusion: Although challenges remain in optimizing production and functionalization, this research highlights the potential of biochar for sustainable water treatment. Addressing production costs and practical challenges will further enhance its applicability, contributing to environmental sustainability efforts.

Role of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles in mitigating hyperhydricity in micropropagated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) and assessment of genetic fidelity using RAPD and SCoT markers

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the five most consumed fresh fruits and is a commercially important horticulture crop. The consumer demand for seedless watermelons has considerably increased due to their superior taste and ease of consumption. Seedless watermelon plants are triploids hence plant tissue culture technology which is the cultivation of plant cells, tissues, or organs on specially formulated nutrient media can facilitate the rapid multiplication of seedless watermelon varieties. However, hyperhydricity has been reported as a frequent problem for in vitro growth and development of watermelon. Hence, the present study highlights the application of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from Parthenium hysterophorus (PHAgNPs) for reversal of hyperhydricity and enhancing in vitro shoot production in watermelon. The biosynthesized PHAgNPs was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Transmission electron microscopy. Cotyledonary nodes used as explant and cultured in three types of cytokinins (BAP, TDZ and KIN) became hyperhydric, losing their ability to regenerate at high cytokinin concentrations (> 1.5 mg/L) irrespective of the cytokinin type. The optimum concentration of BAP (1.0 mg/L) fortified with PHAgNPs (15.0 mg/L) exhibited an improved response of 91 % and induced a maximum of 32.33 shoots with a maximum shoot length of 5.66 cm after 6 weeks. The incorporation of PHAgNPs reduced the percentage of hyperhydricity from 29 % to 1.33 % in regenerated shoots, which was confirmed by the reduction in relative water content (RWC) from 93.33 % to 80.33. Silver ions reduced H2O2 content by 50 % and increased photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) by 50 %, which contributed to the formation of healthy regenerated shoots, with opened stomata compared to closed in hyperhydric shoots. Compared with those of hyperhydric shoots, the gene expression patterns of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylase synthase (ACS1) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO1) decreased after the retroversion of shoots to 15 mg/L PHAgNP medium. The relative gene expression profiles of ACS1 and ACO1 in hyperhydric shoots were 8.8- and 1.8-fold greater than those in normal shoots, respectively. Profuse root growth was observed in MS basal media supplemented with IBA (1.0 mg/L) and PHAgNPs (10.0 mg/L), which resulted in the greatest number of roots (12.33), with an average root length of 4.33 cm and a response of 89.33 %. The genotoxic effect of PHAgNPs evaluated using RAPD and SCoT molecular markers, showed that the addition of low levels of silver nanoparticles to the medium did not cause any genetic variation. The efficient regeneration protocol standardized in this study provides a solution to solve the problem of hyperhydricity in watermelon regeneration.

Assessing the status of soil seed bank in Parthenium hysterophorus invaded land use types and its social aspects in Lower Hare Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Parthenium hysterophorus (P. hystrophorus) is an invasive alien plant affecting various ecosystems. P. hysterophorus displaced native plant species and caused a serious threat to biodiversity. This study aimed to assess soil seed bank of P. hysterophorus under major land use types and assess community perception towards the effects of P. hysterophorus on social aspects in lower Hare watershed. For this study, 210 soil samples were collected from fifteen transect lines in grassland, cropland, and forest land use types. Statistical analysis using three ways factorial ANOVA was used to analyze the difference in density of P. hysterophorus among various land uses soil depths, and sites (P < 0.05). For the perception of local communities regarding the effects of P. hysterophorus, a total of 117 respondents were used and semi-structured and close-ended questionnaires for data collection. It found that all factors: land use, site, and soil depth significantly affected the soil seed bank density in the lower Hare watershed (P < 0.05). Results indicated that mean density of seeds were the highest in croplands of other land use types. Meanwhile, the highest mean density of seeds was identified in 0-10 cm soil depth, but the lowest mean density of seeds was identified in 10-15 cm soil depth. The highest seeds were identified at Chano Cheliba, but the density of seeds the lowest in density at Kola Shera. 38.5% of households in Kola Shera, and 21.4% in Kola Cheliba, but 8.5% in Kola Doriga said that it had effects on ecosystem services such as crop yield and livestock production. There should be a need for increased awareness about the density of P. hysterophorus in various land uses and its impacts on native plant species. Seeking possible solutions such as biological and mechanical control methods are among the local people, researchers, and extension workers can use for the management of its invasion, and appropriate control measures can be designed to combat its further invasion and impacts on different land uses of the region.

Correction: Optimization of Carboxymethyl Cellulase Production by Bacillus sp. NAB37 and Biocatalytic Potential in Saccharification of Acid-Alkali Pretreated Parthenium Hysterophorus

Correction: Optimization of Carboxymethyl Cellulase Production by Bacillus sp. NAB37 and Biocatalytic Potential in Saccharification of Acid-Alkali Pretreated Parthenium Hysterophorus

Sole and sequential application of herbicides and botanicals for weed management in summer sesame

Weed infestation poses a significant challenge in sesame cultivation, leading to yield losses and decreased economic returns for farmers. The present study comprehensively analyses various weed control approaches, including allelopathic interaction with integrating herbicides and hand-weeding practices. The experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Farm, SOA, Odisha, during the summer of 2023 with 10 weed management treatments in RBD with 3 replications. The objective was to study different weed management practices, including the sole and sequential application of herbicides and botanicals, to control diverse weeds and enhance summer sesame growth, yield and profitability. The dominance of Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. and Poa annua L. among grassy weeds and Melochia corchorifolia L., Cleome viscosa L. and Cassia tora L. among the broadleaved weeds were evident in summer sesame. The execution of different treatments showed that integrated use of aqueous leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus at 5 % concentration, followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl at 50 g/ha, was found on par with hand-weeding and brought down the weed count and biomass, which in turn increased the growth of summer sesame. The maximum yield of (793 kg seed/ha and 3035 kg stalk/ha) was registered under twice hand weeding. It was comparable with the spraying of aqueous leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus at 5 % concentration followed by (fb) quizalofop-p-ethyl at 50 g/ha (772 kg seed/ ha and 2968 kg stalk/ha). Economic analysis of sesame revealed that the maximum return (Rs. 37454/- per ha) and return/rupee (2.28) were recorded with aqueous leaf extract of P. hysterophorus at 5 % concentration fb quizalofop-p-ethyl at 50 g/ha treatment.

Determination of insecticidal potential of selected plant extracts against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a devastating pest that attacks a wide range of crops, including sugarcane, rice, and maize. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the toxicity potential of native plant extracts (Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cannabis sativa, Citrullus colocynthis, Nicotiana tabacum) against S. frugiperda. Four different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 400ppm) of the ethanolic plant extracts was evaluated against S. frugiperda third-instar larvae to determine their median lethal concentration (LC50). After 72 hours of exposure, the LC50 values of A. indica, E. globulus, P. hysterophorus, C. sativa, C. colocynthis, N. tabacum, and positive control (Spinetoram) were 186.104, 518.438, 320.027, 334.259, 252.651, 720.980 and 189.369 ppm respectively. The maximum percent mortality was caused by the highest concentration (400 ppm) of A. indica (64±0.18), E. globulus (48±0.22), P. hysterophorus (56±0.18), C. sativa (56±0.18), C. colocynthis (60±0.00), and N. tabacum (40±0.28), after 72 hours of treatment while Spinetoram induced 100±0.00 percent mortality of S. frugiperda and only 4±0.18 percent mortality was recorded in a control group. Results showed that all plant extracts were found to be effective against S. frugiperda. The compounds from the two most effective ethanolic plant extracts were identified by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). The key compounds identified in neem leaf extract and kortuma fruit extract are predominantly biologically active molecules. Many of them were volatile compounds that belonged to different chemical categories, such as fatty acids, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and amines. Terpenes exhibited a wide range of different biological activities, such as serving as insecticides and antifeedant. The presence of various functional groups in the plant extract was determined by conducting a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Farmers should employ these kinds of environmental friendly insecticides to lessen the impact of fall armyworm because these products are cheaper to use and better for the economy and the environment.

Utilization of Parthenium hysterophorus Aqueous Extracts as a Bio-Herbicide - An Alternative for Synthetic Herbicides

Utilization of Parthenium hysterophorus Aqueous Extracts as a Bio-Herbicide - An Alternative for Synthetic Herbicides

Ant-treehopper mutualism affecting biocontrol of Parthenium hysterophorus by Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister

Infestation of a treehopper, Gargara malabarica Ananthasubramanian and Ananthakrishnan (Membracidae, Homoptera) on Parthenium hysterophorus L. and also a myrmicine ant, Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus (Jerdon) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) tending these treehoppers is reported for the first time. The ant-treehopper association interferes with the biological control of P. hysterophorus by Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). The Parthenium plants with ants supported significantly lesser number of grubs and adults of Mexican beetle compared to plants without ants. Mean number of Mexican beetle eggs was low on plants with ants, but it was non-significant. Further, the ants were observed to be disturbing the adult Mexican beetles from settling on the Parthenium plants, and this presumably led to the less Mexican beetle population.

Allelopathic effects of leaves extract of parthenium hysterophorus l. On seed germination of three Rice varieties

This study investigates the allelopathic effects of Parthenium hysterophorus L. leaf and root extracts on the germination and growth of three rice varieties (Hira dhan, BRRI dhan-28, and BRRI dhan-29) in Bangladesh. Leaf and root extracts of P. hysterophorus were prepared at different concentrations and applied to rice seeds in a controlled environment. Results showed that low concentrations of the extracts inhibited seed germination and growth, with significant differences among rice varieties (p < 0.05). Hira dhan exhibited the most sensitivity, with germination rates as low as 42.86% under high extract concentrations. In contrast, BRRI dhan-29 showed a stimulatory effect, particularly at low concentrations. The shoot and root lengths of Hira dhan and BRRI dhan-29 were significantly inhibited at higher concentrations, while BRRI dhan-28 demonstrated growth stimulation. The fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots varied significantly among the varieties with the greatest inhibitory effect observed in BRRI dhan-29. These findings align with previous studies, suggesting that allelochemicals in P. hysterophorus, such as parthenin and phenolic acids, play a critical role in inhibiting rice growth. The study emphasizes the need for further research on allelopathic interactions and suggests that controlling P. hysterophorus at the crop emergence stage could mitigate its suppressive effects on rice growth. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 411-421, 2024 (September)

Extraction and characterization of cellulose from agricultural waste of hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa)</i> and parthenium (<i>Parthenium hysterophorus)</i>

The current study focused on the extraction of cellulose from two selected plants, hemp (Cannabis sativa) and parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). The research successfully isolated high-purity cellulose from both plants using a chlorination and alkaline extraction process. A higher yield (%) (38.4 ± 0.18) was obtained from hemp compared to parthenium (22 ± 0.82). Characterization techniques were used to probe the structure and properties of the extracted cellulose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed functional groups characteristic of cellulose, while X-ray diffraction confirmed its highly crystalline structure in both samples. Scanning electron microscopy provided valuable insights into the cellulose morphology, indicating a smoother surface and reduced fiber diameter after treatment due to the removal of noncellulosic components. The research paved the way for the development of eco-friendly bioproducts utilizing cellulose from hemp and parthenium, promoting a more sustainable future.

Co-application of Parthenium biochar and urea effectively mitigate cadmium toxicity during wheat growth

Environmental contamination by cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic heavy metal, poses significant health risks to plants and humans. Biochar has been effectively used to promote plant growth and productivity under Cd stress. This study presents an innovative application of biochar derived from the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus to promote plant growth and productivity under Cd stress. Our study includes detailed soil and plant analyses, providing a holistic perspective on how biochar and urea amendments influence soil properties, nutrient availability, and plant physiological responses. To address these, we established seven treatments: the control, Cd alone (5 mg kg−1), biochar alone (5 %), urea alone (3 g kg−1), biochar with Cd, urea with Cd, and a combination of biochar and urea with Cd. Cd stress alone significantly reduced plant growth indicators such as shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll content, and grain yield. However, the supplementation of biochar, urea, or their combination significantly increased shoot length (by 48%, 34%, and 65%), root length (by 73%, 46%, and 70%), and fresh shoot biomass (by 4%, 31%, and 4%), respectively. This improvement is attributed to enhanced soil properties and improved nutrient absorption. The biochar–urea combination also enhanced Cd tolerance by improving total chlorophyll content by 14 %, 13 %, and 16 % compared to the control, respectively. Similaly, these treatments significantly (p < 0.05) boosted the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase by 51 %, 30 %, and 51 %, respectively, thereby mitigating oxidative stress as a defensive mechanism. The Cd tolerance was improved by biochar, urea, and their combinations, which reduced Cd content in the shoots (by 60.5 %, 38.9 %, and 51.3 %), roots (by 47.5 %, 23.9 %, and 57.6 %), and grains (by 58.1 %, 30.2 %, and 38.3 %) relative to Cd stress alone, respectively. The synergistic effects of biochar and urea are achieved through improved soil properties, nutrient availability, activating antioxidant defense mechanisms, and minimizing the accumulation of metal ions in plant tissues, thereby enhancing plant defenses against Cd stress. Conclusively, converting invasive Parthenium weed into biochar and combining it with urea offers an environmentally friendly solution to manage its spreading while effectively mitigating Cd stress in crops.

Optimization of Carboxymethyl Cellulase Production by Bacillus sp. NAB37 and Biocatalytic Potential in Saccharification of Acid-Alkali Pretreated Parthenium Hysterophorus

Optimization of Carboxymethyl Cellulase Production by Bacillus sp. NAB37 and Biocatalytic Potential in Saccharification of Acid-Alkali Pretreated Parthenium Hysterophorus

Rhizofungus Aspergillus terreus Mitigates Heavy Metal Stress-Associated Damage in Triticum aestivum L.

Industrial waste and sewage deposit heavy metals into the soil, where they can remain for long periods. Although there are several methods to manage heavy metals in agricultural soil, microorganisms present a promising and effective solution for their detoxification. We isolated a rhizofungus, Aspergillus terreus (GenBank Acc. No. KT310979.1), from Parthenium hysterophorus L., and investigated its growth-promoting and metal detoxification capabilities. The isolated fungus was evaluated for its ability to mitigate lead (25 and 75 ppm) and copper (100 and 200 ppm) toxicity in Triticum aestivum L. seedlings. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three replicates for each treatment. A. terreus successfully colonized the roots of wheat seedlings, even in the presence of heavy metals, and significantly enhanced plant growth. The isolate effectively alleviates lead and copper stress in wheat seedlings, as evidenced by increases in shoot length (142%), root length (98%), fresh weight (24%), dry weight (73%), protein content (31%), and sugar content (40%). It was observed that wheat seedlings possess a basic defense system against stress, but it was insufficient to support normal growth. Fungal inoculation strengthened the host's defense system and reduced its exposure to toxic heavy metals. In treated seedlings, exposure to heavy metals significantly upregulated MT1 gene expression, which aided in metal detoxification, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and maintained metal homeostasis. A reduction in metal exposure was observed in several areas, including normalizing the activities of antioxidant enzymes that had been elevated by up to 67% following exposure to Pb (75 mg/kg) and Cu (200 mg/kg). Heavy metal exposure elevated antioxidant levels but also increased ROS levels by 86%. However, with Aspergillus terreus colonization, ROS levels stayed within normal ranges. This decrease in ROS was associated with reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, enhanced membrane stability, and restored root architecture. In conclusion, rhizofungal colonization improved metal tolerance in seedlings by decreasing metal uptake and increasing the levels of metal-binding metallothionein proteins.

Reconstructing the biological invasion of noxious invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus and invasion risk assessment in China.

Invasive alien plants (IAPs) present a severe threat to native ecosystems and biodiversity. Comprehending the potential distribution patterns of these plant invaders and their responses to climate change is essential. Parthenium hysterophorus, native to the Americas, has become an aggressively invasive species since its introduction to China in the 1930s. This study aims to collect and reconstruct the historical occurrence and invasion of P. hysterophorus. Using the optimal MaxEnt model, the potential geographical distributions of P. hysterophorus were predicted based on screened species occurrences and environmental variables under the current and three future scenarios in the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s (i.e., SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5), and the invasion risk of P. hysterophorus in Chinese cities, croplands, forests, and grasslands was assessed. The results show that: (1) The species initially invaded highly suitable areas and further spread to regions with non-analogous climate conditions. (2) Under the current climatic conditions, the overall potential distribution of P. hysterophorus is characterized by more in the southeast and less in the northwest. Climate variables, including mean annual temperature (bio1), precipitation in the wettest month (bio13), isothermality (bio3), and temperature seasonality (bio4), are the primary factors influencing its distribution. (3) The potential distribution of P. hysterophorus will expand further under future climate scenarios, particularly toward higher latitudes. (4) Forests and crop lands are the areas with the most serious potential invasion risk of P. hysterophorus. Therefore, we suggest that the government should strengthen the monitoring and management of P. hysterophorus to prevent its spread and protect agro-ecosystems and human habitats. Depending on the potential risk areas, measures such as quarantine, removal, and publicity should be taken to mitigate the threat of P. hysterophorus invasion and to raise awareness of P. hysterophorus invasion prevention.

Floristic Composition of Nandihalli, in Ballari district

Abstract: The current study based on the broad survey on the floristic composition of Jnana sarovara campus Nandihalli, postgraduate centre of VSKUB. This research enumerates total 204 plants species belonging to 156 genera 61 families. Among the collected plant families dominant are Fabaceae with 23 species (11.2%) stands first followed by Euphorbiacae with 17(8.3%), Poaceae 15(7.3%), Apocynaceae 11(5.3%) and Lamiaceae 8(3.9%). Dominant plants species were Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Rostellularia procumbens, Senna uniflora, Dactoyloctenium aegyptium. Also documneted the pteridophytes plant species like Adiantum Philippense, Perkinsonia Aculata, Madhuca Longidolia. Among the species this shows IUCN RED LIST, PG Center, Nandihalli. As per research paper most of collected species belongs to , LC 82 (40%) , EN 2 (0.9%), DD 1(0.4%). The survey reveales that, the Herbs 102 speies (50%) are dominant followed by the shrubs 50(24.5%), trees 37(18.1%), and climbers 15 (7.3%). Majority of the documented plant species were used against several diseases, either alone or in combination with other plants. Herbal medicine offers safe, gentle and effective treatment. It does not just treat the isolated signs and symptoms of disease but treats the whole of us – physically, mentally because the healing cannot be fully achieved unless all are addressed .

Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Potential of Parthenium hysterophorous and Lantana camara.

Parthenium hysterophorous and Lantana camara are notable for their significant phytochemical and antimicrobial properties. Advancements in phytochemical research have led to the development of novel formulations and products derived from P. hysterophorus and L. camara. For instance, patent extracts from these plants have been utilized in the formulation of pharmaceutical drugs, herbal supplements, cosmeceuticals, and agricultural products. P. hysterophorous, commonly known as Santa Maria feverfew or Congress grass, contains various bioactive compounds like terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids.These compounds are the key to its medicinal properties, particularly its antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, L. camara, often referred to as wild sage, is rich in phytochemicals such as terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloid glycosides. P. hysterophorous and L. camara plants selected and checking their antimicrobial activity by agar well diffusion method. In our study, we found that the leaf extract of P. hysterophorous exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against E. coli. P. hysterophorous exhibited the most potent antifungal activity against A. niger and T. viride, with a diameter of inhibition zone measuring 12 mm, followed by A. flavus and A. parasiticus. In case of L. camara, the inhibitory zone ranging from 14 to 18 mm was detected against S. abony, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and K. pneumonia. The leaf extract of the maximum zone of inhibition in case of L. camara was shown by A. flavus (12mm). The present study suggests that these two weeds could be useful in the development of bactericides and fungicides.

Quercetagetin 3,7 dimethyl ether polymorphs as multi-targeted anti-amyloid agents: Target to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease

The extraction of biologically active natural products from plants and the assessment of their medicinal properties play a crucial role in drug development. Taking that into consideration, the current research work was designed. Bioassay-guided isolation from Parthenium hysterophorus led to the isolation of two antioxidant compounds: polymorphs A (1) and B (2) of Quercetagetin 3,7-dimethyl ether which demonstrated IC50 values 13.00 ± 0.63 μM and 16.56 ± 0.82 μM, respectively in the DPPH assay. These polymorphs were further evaluated for their inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. In silico studies, including molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations were conducted using β-secretase, γ-secretase, AChE, and BChE enzymes. Interestingly, compound 1 demonstrated excellent antioxidant activity and showed the better binding affinities -9.0 kcal/mol (BChE), −8.5 kcal/mol (β-secretase), -8.2 kcal/mol (γ-secretase) and -7.7 kcal/mol (AChE) as compared to compound 2. Due to these promising results, compound 1 was selected for molecular dynamic simulations to further evaluate the stability and flexibility of its complexes. Overall, both in silico and in vitro results confirmed that compound 1 and compound 2 exhibit distinct behavior, making them promising candidates as antioxidants and inhibitors of AChE, BChE, and secretases, potentially targeting cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Bioethanol from &lt;em&gt;Parthenium Hysterophorus&lt;/em&gt; Substrate by &lt;em&gt;Saccharomyces cerevisiae&lt;/em&gt;

This study was aimed to determine the efficient part of the Parthenium hysterophorus plant as a substrate for bioethanol production and optimize fermentation conditions to enhance the yield. When different parts of Parthenium hysterophorus such as stem, leaves, roots, inflorescence, and whole plant were used as the substrate with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, significantly higher quantities of bioethanol were produced with whole plant and leaves (1% V/V) than the other plant parts chosen. The entire plant was chosen as a substrate for bioethanol production to address its noxious weed status and simultaneously achieving economically efficient output, making its removal from agricultural land for economic gain. Fermentation conditions were optimized sequentially, changing one factor at a time while keeping other variables constant. The sequence of optimization is time of fermentation, amount of substrate, amount of yeast inoculum, pH of the media and the solution: air space ratio. The optimized fermentation time with the whole plant of Parthenium hysterophorus resulted in a 3 times higher ethanol yield on the 4th day of fermentation. When 12.5 g/100 mL amount of whole Parthenium hysterophorus plant substrate was used, the ethanol yield was significantly increased by 7.3 times, while using 5 g/100 mL of yeast inoculum resulted in a significantly higher yield. The pH of the media was optimized to 4.8, and the solution: air space ratio was optimized to 1:1.3 bioethanol output was significantly increased by 10 times. After optimizing all culture conditions, the bioethanol yield from the whole plant Parthenium hysterophorus substrate was significantly increased (10 times) than the non-optimized conditions.

Evaluation of Feeding Potential of Mexican Beetle (Zygogramma bicolorata) on Carrot Grass (Parthenium hysterophorus) in Dehradun District, Uttarakhand, India

Zygogramma bicolorata is an efficient natural control agent that can be used against Parthenium hysterophorus, a very common and allergic weed found in the Dehradun belt of Uttarakhand region. It is responsible for asthma, bronchitis, skin lesions, rashes, contact dermatitis, hay fever and various respiratory ailments. Z. bicolorata is a natural predator of this vicious weed. The feeding capacity of Mexican beetle, Z.bicolorata was studied under controlled conditions, at the Department of Zoology, S.G.R.R. University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 2023.Ten different sites were chosen from the Dehradun district, considering the widespread availability of Parthenium weed in the region. It was detected that the feeding capacity of the adult stage of the beetle was maximum in site 3 and lowest in site 6. The result showed in site 3 that he adult consumed 3.7 g leaves of Parthenium at 20 °C whereas, the similar relevant statistics were 2.3 mg. The detriment caused by Z. bicolorata was more visible when it was used at a higher density and at the initial growing stages of Parthenium. The fully mature stages were preferred less in comparison to the younger ones. This technique can be highly useful if implemented wisely in the management of Parthenium weed and contributes towards achieving the goal of sustainable development.