Egyptian Plants Research Articles

Controlling of disease causing pathogens using silver nanoparticles synthesized by one step green procedure

Artemisia herba alba & Artemisia monosperma: The Discovery of the first potential Egyptian plant sources for the Pharmaceutical Commercial Production of Artemisinin and Some of Its Related AnaloguesEl Motaz Bellah El Maggar

Synergistic Effect of Combined Antibiotic and Methanol Extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf Against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A total of seventy-five medical specimens were collected from different patients admitted to Zagazig university hospital, Egypt. The selected bacterial isolates were distributed as 45 Gram negative bacterial isolates (60%) and 30 Gram positive bacterial isolates (40%). The most effective antibiotic was gentamycin (76%) followed by amikacin and nitrofurantoin. The multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates were selected and identified to four groups; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The selected isolates were screened for their capability of biofilm, hemolysins, lecithinase and protease production. S. aureus AM23 and P. aeruginosa AM41 were selected as the highest biofilm and degrading enzymes producers. Furthermore, twenty-four methanolic and aqueous crude extracts derived from different medicinal plants in Egypt were screened for their antibacterial activity against both selected MDR strains. Methanolic extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf showed the greatest effect on the tested bacteria. Also, there was a synergistic effect of combined E. camaldulensis leaf extract and antibiotics (Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone) against tested organisms. Transmission electron microscopy showed changes in cell shapes, size, contents and cell envelop of antimicrobials treated bacterial cells compared to the control. Our findings proved that the leaf extracts of E. camaldulensis had great potential as antimicrobial agents in the treatment of infectious organisms.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(4): 486-497

The Role of Predators Insects in Regulating Population Densities of Certain Piercing Sucking Pests on Squash Plants in Egypt

Studieswere carried out at Diarb Negim, Sharkia governorate during two successiveseasons 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Obtained results showed that in autumnplantation, there were two peaks of Aphis gossypii (Glover) on squashplants, one peak at last week ofNovember and other at third week of December in 2014 season. On the other hand,Bemisia tabci (Genn.) had three peaks, in second week of November, firstweek of December and third week of December in 2014 season and two peaks ofinfestation in fourth week of November and December in 2015 season of autumnplantation while, three peaks in summer plantation were obtained on fourth weekof (April &May) and second week of June in 2015 season respectively.Investigation revealed that, squash plants infested by few numbers of thripsduring autumn plantation throughout the two seasons. Statistical analysis ofthe obtained data cleared highly negative correlation between aphid&whitefly and temperature in autumn plantation in both seasons. Also, themean R.H showed a positive significant correlation on population density of A.gossypii in second season 2015 of autumn plantation. In summer plantation,the minimum R.H% showed a negative correlation with Orius spp.population and a positive significant correlation with C. carnea populationin the first season 2015. The predaceous insects found associated with pericingsucking pests were Orius spp., Coccinella undecimpuncta L.,Chrysoperla carnea Steph., Metasyrphus corolla F. and few number of Paederusalferii (Koch ) and true spider. Theresults revealed that Orius spp. had three peak in two season in autumnplantation, in first and third week of November, and third week of December inboth seasons respectively. Meanwhile there was two peaks in first week of Mayand third week of June in 2015 season of summer plantation. Chrysoperlacarnea had two peaks in autumn plantation during two seasons, third week ofNovember, second week in December in 2014 and fourth week of November, thirdweek of December in 2015 respectively. Also two peaks in summer plantationduring 2015 season in first week of April and second week of June.

Nephroprotective Activity of Methanolic Extract of Lantana camara and Squash (Cucurbita pepo) on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats and Identification of Certain Chemical Constituents of Lantana camara by HPLC-ESI- MS

Introduction: Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent; its clinical use is severely limited by serious side effects as nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of defatted methanolic extract of two Egyptian plants: Lantana camara and Cucurbita pepo and certain fractions derived from the defatted methanolic extract of L. camara on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Also, identification of certain chemical constituents of L. camara by HPLC-ESI- MS. Methods: Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by single dose of cisplatin. The effect of plants extract at doses 100-400 mg/kg.b.wt comparing with standard; ascorbic acid; was determined using serum urea, creatinine and some ions. Furthermore, the effect of these extracts on some renal antioxidant enzymes and histopathological examination of kidneys were examined. Results: The defatted methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of L. camara showed the highest improvement of renal parameters. Also, HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of L. camara extracts exhibited bioactive phenolic compounds including phenyl ethanoid, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Conclusion: The phytochemical constituents of L. camara are responsible for their nephroprotective activity.

Essential Oils Constituents of Aerial Parts of Cyperus capitatus L. and Cyperus difformis L. Grown Wild in Egypt

This study aims to identify the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of the aerial parts of two wild Egyptian Cyperus plants. Eos of aerial parts of Cyperus capitatus L. and Cyperus difformis L were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Forty volatile compounds were identified from both C. capitatus and C. difformis representing (90.67% and 91.52%) from the total mass, respectively. Terpenes were the major Eos constituents by ratios of 79.34% and 78.93% respectively. Sesquiterpenoids (oxygenated and non-oxygenated) represented (58.34% and 61.27%) of the total terpenes, While, monoterpenoids represented (21% and 17.66%) in both plants. Cyprene is the major compound (42.93% and 44.31%), followed by cyperotundone (10.66% and 11.57%) in both plants.

The Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera : Pseudococcidae) as a New Insect on Soybean Plants in Egypt and its Population Dynamic

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera :Pseudococcidae) is an important insect pest worldwide causing economic damage to several crops. The insect was noticed for the first time on soybean, Glycine max L. plants (var. Giza 111) in late August using visual count during season of 2015 at Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. The mealybug was collected from the infested soybean plants during season of 2016 at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt and identified as P. solenopsis at Insect Identification Unit, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. The population density of mealybug started with a few numbers at the end of August during seasons 2015, while in season 2016, the infestation began to appear nearly in mid-August, then it increased gradually till the end of the season. Generally, the population of this insect was significantly higher in the second season than the first one. Both temperature and relative humidity had a negative and insignificant effect on the population in the two seasons with exception of effect of temperature in the second season, as it was negative and highly significant. The combined effect of the two considered weather factors was more pronounced on the population in the second season than in first one. Generally, this study represents the first published record of P. solenopsis on soybean in Egypt. However, the obtained results are very important in integrated soybean management programs to avoid damage of this insect in the future.

Efficiency of Egyptian Plant Extracts on the Antibiotic Susceptibleand Resistant Pathogenic bacterial Isolates

S UCCESSIVE leaf extracts of three Egyptian plant species: Datura stramonium L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. in DC. and Ziziphus spina-christi (L.)Willd were studied for their antimicrobial activity against susceptible and Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria isolated from chickens. Four bacterial spp. namely: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella sp. were isolated from 463 different chicken samples. The sensitivity of these bacterial isolates was tested against 11 types of antibiotics: Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Cefaclor, Gentamicin, Amikacin, Tobramycin, Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Erythromycin, Tetracycline and Vancomycin. The isolates of E. coli, S. aureus, P.aureugenosa and Salmonella sp. showed notable bacterial resistance against the used antibiotics with percentages: (68.18%), (59.09%), (54.54%) and (54.54%); respectively. Chloroform extract of Datura stramonium showed the highest antibacterial activity against all the studied bacterial isolates with MICs values varying from 75.0 to 0.037 mg/ml. In conclusion, the present work indicated the potentiality of Datura stramonium chloroform extract as a promising national source for drug industry to produce antibiotics to be used against pathogenic multidrug resistant bacteria.

Transient Stability Enhancement for 20 MW PV Power Plant via Incremental Conductance Controller

The inherited uncertainties in the Photovoltaic array (PV) system make it one of the most difficult nonlinear problems in the control theory. In this research work, a practical case study for 20 MW Egyptian PV solar power plant with battery backup system connected to the medium voltage distribution network is presented. This power plant installed in Komombo, Aswan, Egypt. The battery is used to provide the necessary power for the station's monitoring and control devices during the absence of the sun. Also, the battery system improves the steady state and dynamic behavior of PV array system. Proportional-Integral (PI) and Fractional Order Proportional-Integral (FOPI) with Incremental Conductance MPPT algorithm (IC)are used for extracting maximum power from PV power plant. The optimal gains of PI and FOPI based MPPT controllers are attained using Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). Various types of disturbances are applied to the system to test the robustness of the systems based on the tuned controllers. The performance is promising.

Assessment of the Application of a Ca-Looping Cycle for CO2 Capture in an Egyptian Cement Kiln Plant

The mathematical model of mass and heat balance around a carbonator and calciner of a calcium looping cycle for capture of CO2 has been established. Such a model has been applied to evaluate the thermal energy requirement for the capture of CO2 evolved with preheater exit gases of an Egyptian cement kiln plant. Potentials for heat recovery from the outlet heat flows of the system have been assessed. The kiln plant operates with 15% kiln gas by pass ratio; the specific heat consumption attains 3151 kJ/kg of clinker. The entire CO2 emitted from the kiln plant attains about 0.7 kg CO2/kg of clinker or 4427.6 t CO2/d CO2/d; most of this (≈ 98%) evolves with the preheater gases. For the mass ratio of absorbant/CO2 ranging from stoichiometric (1.27) to 5, 100% CO2 capture degree and zero purged flow, heat consumption in the calciner has been estimated to be in range 5629–6790 kJ/kg CO2, corresponding to 3873–4671 kJ/kg of clinker. Fuel consumption would increase by about 20% for every kg purged CaCO3. It has been estimated that heat recovery from the cycle, e.g., through cooling of the outlet gas streams from 650 or 950°C to 150°C with 70% efficiency attains 2000–3442 kJ/kg of clinker, which represents more than 73% of the fuel consumption in the calciner. The increase of efficiency for heat recovery is accompanied by much regain of heat and better fuel economy.

SCREENING OF SOME EGYPTIAN PLANT EXTRACTS FOR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AGAINST SOME PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Plants and plant by-products are now gaining attractiveness in treatment of bacterial infections and food preservation. The objective of this study was to assess antibacterial activity of some Egyptian plant and plant by-products against the locally pathogenic isolates from patients having infectious diseases in our country. Screening of antibacterial activity of ethanol, methanol and hexane extracts of some plants: grape leaves (Vitis vinifera), mulberry leaves (Morus alba), mallow leaves (Corchorus olitorius) and lemon leaves (Citrus limon) toward Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella sp., were investigated. Antibacterial activity was performed by the agar disc diffusion method. The ethanol and methanol extract of tested plant leaves showed promising antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative tested bacterial isolates due to its great ability to extract those polyphenolic and biological active compounds from natural sources which effectively act against broad spectrum bacteria. Ethanol followed by methanol were found to be the best solvents of choice to extract natural products to get maximum health and medicinal benefits. The results revealed that the extraction efficiency increase with polarity increasing of the solvents, hence the highest extraction done with ethanol and methanol and the lowest extraction with nonpolar solvent n-hexanedid not exhibit any activity against all the tested bacteria. Irradiation at 5 and 10 kGy did not significantly affect the antibacterial activity of all tested plant leaves. Results indicate the potential of these plants for further work on isolation and characterization of the active compounds responsible for antibacterial activity and its exploitation as therapeutic agents

Essential oils of aromatic Egyptian plants repel nymphs of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Due to the role of Ixodes ricinus (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) in the transmission of many serious pathogens, personal protection against bites of this tick is essential. In the present study the essential oils from 11 aromatic Egyptian plants were isolated and their repellent activity against I. ricinus nymphs was evaluated Three oils (i.e. Conyza dioscoridis L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Calendula officinalis L.) elicited high repellent activity in vitro of 94, 84.2 and 82%, respectively. The most active essential oil (C. dioscoridis) was applied in the field at a concentration of 6.5 µg/cm2 and elicited a significant repellent activity against I. ricinus nymphs by 61.1%. The most repellent plants C. dioscoridis, C. officinalis and A. herba-alba yielded essential oils by 0.17, 0.11 and 0.14%, respectively. These oils were further investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. α-Cadinol (10.7%) and hexadecanoic acid (10.5%) were the major components of C. dioscoridis whereas in C. officinalis, α-cadinol (21.2%) and carvone (18.2%) were major components. Artemisiaherba-alba contained piperitone (26.5%), ethyl cinnamate (9.5%), camphor (7.7%) and hexadecanoic acid (6.9%). Essential oils of these three plants have a potential to be used for personal protection against tick bites.

Oncogenic papillomavirus and polyomavirus in urban sewage in Egypt

Recently, the occurrence of oncogenic viruses in contaminated water and their potential for waterborne transmission has been reported. We addressed an environmental surveillance of both HPyVs (JCPyV and BKPyV) and HPVs in three wastewater treatment plants in Egypt. A high level of dissemination was found for both viruses. HPyVs (JCPyV and BKPyV) were found in ~73% of examined samples, while HPVs were detected in 30.5%. Sequence analysis of HPV positive samples revealed a wide variety of circulating genotypes representing both anogenital (HPV-6, HPV-16, HPV-53, HPV-44, HPV-31, HPV-43) and cutaneous (HPV-37, HPV-21, HPV-120, HPV-111, HPV-5) types. In addition, two unclassified sequences were identified, suggesting putative types. The median concentrations of HPyVs in inflow samples were 3.03×1005, 3.9×1005, and 1.44×1005GC/l in the three WWTPs, respectively. Whereas, the viral concentration in outflow reduced by one order of magnitude in WWTP-A and WWTP-C and two orders of magnitude in WWTP-B. On the other hand, the mean concentration of the quantified HPVs positive samples was 1.68×1003GC/l for inflow and a quite similar pattern in the outflow as well. These data provide an evidence about the actual circulation pattern of both viruses in the population. Also, the high abundance of HPyVs supports its potential as a possible fecal indicator. However, further investigations are required for both viruses to elucidate the potential health risk via contaminated water.

Seasonal Abundance of Certain Piercing Sucking Pests on Cucumber plants In Egypt.

Seasonal Abundance of Certain Piercing Sucking Pests on Cucumber plants In Egypt.

Catalogue of Egyptian Tephritoidea (Diptera: Schizophora: Acalyptratae)

All known Egyptian taxa of the superfamily Tephritoidea are systematically catalogued. Synonymies, type localities, type depositories, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection for Egyptian tephritoid species are provided. The known Egyptian host plants of phytophagous species are listed. A total number of 86 tephritoid species belonging to 48 genera, 15 tribes, 9 subfamilies, and repre-senting 6 families has been catalogued. The treated families are: Lonchaeidae (lance flies), Piophilidae (skippers), Platystomatidae (signal flies), Pyrgotidae (pyrgotid flies), Tephritidae (fruit flies) and Ulidiidae (picture–winged flies).

Abiotic Factors and Microbial Communities Fouling Anion Exchange Resin Causing Performance Deficiency in Electric Power Plants

DEMINERALIZATION using ion exchange resin is an important step required for production of ultra-pure water used in high pressure steam generation systems. This resin may get fouled in different ways resulting in loss of its efficiency. Such problem was investigated in Shoubra El-khiema and Damietta power plants in Egypt. Physicochemical analysis of the resin showed decrease in total exchange capacity of the used resin in the two plants. Chemical and microscopical examination revealed fouling by organic matter and iron. Resin scanning using electron microscope showed growth of bacilli bacteria adsorbed on its surface. Epifluorescence stains showed the presence of living microflora on the new resin, as well as living and dead ones on the used resin. Culture on different media revealed the growth of bacteria on nutrient and blood agar, but not on MacConkey's Agar. Fungal growth was observed on Sabouraud dextrose agar and Czapek's dox agar. Eight gram positive bacterial isolates were isolated from the used resin of the two plants, all of them were bacilli. Sequence analysis followed by phylogenetic investigation showed that seven isolates belonged to Bacillus sp., whereas one isolate was identified as Brevibacterium frigoritolerans CMG M5. The fungal isolates differed in the two plants, and included Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria sp.

A VALIDATION OF A RE-EQUILIBRIUM DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PPP CONTRACTS

A re-equilibrium model was developed which ensures that the rights of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project stakeholders are preserved during renegotiation and minimizes the chances of disputes. The model develops the typical renegotiation scenarios which include: increasing the service charges, increasing the concession period, or paying a lump sum amount to the party of concern in order to maintain a fixed rate of return and keep the return on equity constant. Moreover, a decision support system was developed with the aid of Microsoft Excel 2013, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language, and the Precision Tree 5.5 for Excel addin, in order to facilitate the process of selecting the optimum scenario which maximizes the satisfaction of both parties (the private sector and the public sector). In this paper, data is obtained from a case study of a wastewater treatment plant in Egypt, and applied to the proposed model. The results obtained from the model are close to the ones obtained from the Independent Financial Expert (IFE) of the wastewater treatment plant project. This verifies and validates the objectives of the model.

Integrated process development for an optimum gas processing plant

The aim of this work is to develop and optimize an integrated process for natural gas plant in Egypt instead of flaring these gases and losing their revenues. The natural gas is sour wet feed gas containing mercury and some of volatile organic compounds with a capacity of around 21 million cubic feet per day. These impurities require sophisticated gas treatment processes that can handle and control the pollutants to acceptable limits.The design of new gas plant will be performed through firstly, the design methodology and cascade configuration of gas plant units based on feed gas composition. Secondly, integrated development and optimization of gas treatment process model is achieved using Aspen HYSYS simulation program. Thirdly, modeling of natural gas liquids extraction unit and fractionation train is conducted based on the required marketable products specifications. Finally, Aspen process economic analyzer program is used to calculate the expected capital expenditures of the plant. Optimizing the plant configuration accounts for best selection of treatment units and processing equipment, including mercury removal unit, sulfur recovery unit, BTEX recovery unit, etc. The preliminary capital expenditures of the gas conditioning and processing plant will be around 48 MUSD.

Characterization of 16SrII-D subgroup associated phytoplasmas in new host plants in Egypt

Samples of three plant species displaying phytoplasma symptoms were collected from Kafrelsheikh and Al-Gharbia governorates during 2014. Witches’ broom and virescence symptoms were observed in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Onion (Allium cepa) plants showed yellowing, streaks and twisting and Opuntia abjecta with proliferation and cylindrical of cladodes. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants, and phytoplasma were detected in all 12 symptomatic plants collected through direct and nested PCR assays with primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2. The results of phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phytoplasma isolates belong to 16SrII group. With a nucleotide identity greater than 98.7% with three members of 16SrII group, Papaya yellow crinkle, Y10097; “Ca. P. aurantifolia”, U15442; and peanut witches’ broom, Al33765, the strains identified in this study are “Ca. P. aurantifolia”-related strains. Virtual RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences with 17 restriction enzymes confirmed that the phytoplasma isolates belong to the “Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia” 16SrII-D subgroup. To the best of our knowledge, periwinkle, onion and Opuntia abjecta are considered new hosts for 16SrII group in Egypt.

Comparative botanical studies on some lamiaceous plants in Egypt.

Comparative botanical studies on some lamiaceous plants in Egypt.

Clariant highlights sustainability- and efficiency-focused gas processing adsorbents at GPA GCC 2017

The aim of this work is to develop and optimize an integrated process for natural gas plant in Egypt instead of flaring these gases and losing their revenues. The natural gas is sour wet feed gas containing mercury and some of volatile organic compounds with a capacity of around 21 million cubic feet per day. These impurities require sophisticated gas treatment processes that can handle and control the pollutants to acceptable limits.The design of new gas plant will be performed through firstly, the design methodology and cascade configuration of gas plant units based on feed gas composition. Secondly, integrated development and optimization of gas treatment process model is achieved using Aspen HYSYS simulation program. Thirdly, modeling of natural gas liquids extraction unit and fractionation train is conducted based on the required marketable products specifications. Finally, Aspen process economic analyzer program is used to calculate the expected capital expenditures of the plant. Optimizing the plant configuration accounts for best selection of treatment units and processing equipment, including mercury removal unit, sulfur recovery unit, BTEX recovery unit, etc. The preliminary capital expenditures of the gas conditioning and processing plant will be around 48 MUSD.