Food Sources Research Articles

Vibrio pathogens and their toxins in aquaculture: A comprehensive review

AbstractAquaculture is an indispensable food source for the growing world population. In the last decades, its intensification has increased the incidence of viral and bacterial infections, emphasizing the need for novel disease management strategies. Vibrionaceae bacteria are widespread in aquatic environments, affecting various host species, including economically important fish, shrimp and bivalves. Also, human consumption of undercooked aquatic food contaminated with Vibrionaceae and/or their toxins poses a threat to human health, leading to conditions such as gastroenteritis, wound infection and sepsis. In addition, small fish and shrimp, in open aquaculture systems, can be eaten by birds that can then carry and spread this pathogen to livestock and humans. Many Vibrionaceae produce toxins, some detrimental or even lethal to the hosts, others affecting surrounding bacteria. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Vibrio toxins affecting aquatic (in)vertebrate, summarizing findings on molecular structures, mechanisms of action and regulation and secretion processes involved. Important toxin classes for microbe–host interactions, such as haemolytic, proteolytic and MARTX toxins, are discussed, along with other toxins like PirAB produced by the AHPND‐causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The review also emphasizes the importance of microbe–microbe interactions, particularly the production of bacteriocins by Vibrio species (Vibriocins) and antibacterial effectors produced by the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS). While whole genome sequencing has identified putative virulence factors that are toxins, many toxins remain partially characterized or uncharacterized. Elucidating their regulation, secretion and molecular characteristics can provide valuable information and lead to novel solutions for managing Vibrio pathogens in aquaculture.

Soil Conservation in Brassica rapa chinensis L (Pakcoy) Growth

Population increase has an impact on the procurement of food sources. Pakcoy is a vegetable that is in increasing demand. Farmers' response to this condition is to use excessive fertilizer and pesticides, thereby reducing soil fertility. The research aims to obtain a combination of fertilizer and humic acid, which is effective in cultivating B. rappa chinesis L., as well as soil conservation efforts. The methodology was experimental with Randomized Block Design (RBD) on four treatments, K, P1, P2, and P3. The dose of K was 150 g/5 m2, NPK 16:16:16, 1 kg/5 m2 dolomite, and 5 kg/5 m2 manure. The P1 treatment is the same as K but without NPK fertilizer. P2 and P3 treatments were reduced by 50% and 70% of NPK fertilizer, respectively, with the addition of humic acid. The research results show that P2 with local environmental conditions provides optimal results in terms of chlorophyll, stomata, and plant height. Soil fertility was shown by increasing pH to 6.6, K 281 ppm and P 509 ppm, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) 31.60 cmolc/kg, soil enzymes of 0.12 mg FDA g-1 soil d.w. h-1, an average number of earthworms of 17. The conclusion is that P2 fertilizer formulation can be applied to cultures as an anticipation of food security.

Edible cockroaches as food and feed – A systematic review on health benefits, nutritional aspects and consumer acceptance

Abstract Cockroaches have been the subject of scientific investigation due of their potential as a protein source. While cockroaches are commonly associated with a repulsive image and can pose as pests in residential environments, several kinds of cockroaches have been classified as edible. There are several commonly encountered species of cockroaches, including Periplaneta americana Linnaeus, 1758, Periplaneta australasiae Fabricius, 1775, Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838, Blatta orientalis Linnaeus, 1758, Neostylopyga rhombifolia Stoll, 1813, and Periplaneta fuliginosa Serville, 1839. While there is not universal acceptance of cockroaches as a food source, a significant number of individuals from many countries have developed a cultural practice of consuming them. The nations encompassed within this group are Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico. The utilization of cockroach as a potential protein substitute is linked to its substantial nutritional composition, particularly its high protein and amino acid content. This paper offers a detailed overview of cockroaches, encompassing their characteristics, nutritional composition, bioactive properties, the utilization of cockroaches as a food source, processed food derived from cockroaches, their cultivation, and potential adverse effects associated with the consumption of cockroaches. This publication is anticipated to serve as a valuable reference for comprehending the utilization of cockroaches as a constituent in food.

Edible Offal as a Valuable Source of Nutrients in the Diet-A Review.

The global increase in demand for meat leads to substantial quantities of by-products, including edible offal from both wild and domesticated animals raised for diversified consumption products within an agricultural framework. Information on the nutritional value of offal is scattered and limited. This review aims to synthesize scientific publications on the potential of offal as a source of nutrients and bioactive substances in human diets. The literature review included publications available in ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar published between 2014 and 2024. Findings indicate that edible offal is characterized by a nutrient concentration often surpassing that found in skeletal muscle. This review discusses the yield of edible offal and explores factors influencing human consumption. Selected factors affecting the nutritional value of offal of various animals and the importance of individual nutrients in ensuring the proper functioning of the human body were analyzed. The optimal use of offal in processing and catering can significantly benefit aspects of human life, including diet quality, food security, and conservation of natural resources.

Economic Empowerment of Tribes through Marketing of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPS) in Alluri Seetharamaraju District, A.P

Tribal populations across the world rely on non-timber forest products (NTFPS) for their livelihoods, including food, fuel, fodder and litter. Organizations report that many rural people are dependent on forest resources, with around 80% of the developing world using NTFPs for their health and nutritional needs. NTFPs are also important for reducing poverty, conserving biodiversity and promoting economic growth in rural areas. In India, over 50 million people rely on NTFPS for income and subsistence, with NTFPS contributing to 50% of household livelihoods and income for 20-30% of the agency population, particularly for tribes. NTFPs form a significant source of income and food for many tribal communities, making up 70% of forest based export income and 50% of forest revenues in some countries. Tribal communities have a strong connection to the forest and depend on NTFPS for their cultural and socioeconomic needs. The main objective of the study was to measure the economic impact on marketing of NTFPs and understand the perception of the respondents who are engaged in collection and marketing. This is a descriptive study and it aimed to demonstrate the importance of NTFPS in the economy of forest dependent communities in ASR district of Andhra Pradesh. These strategies can help create more sustainable and equitable markets for NTFPs, benefiting both local communities and the wider economy.

Assessment of the Characteristics of Corncobs Used for Energy Needs

Due to environmental pollution and global warming, the use of renewable energy sources such as agricultural residues is gaining attention. Corn is the main source of food in many countries, and after harvesting it, the agricultural and industrial sectors generate significant amounts of residues. This study focused on corncob processing, its preparation, and the evaluation of its characteristics for energy needs. There was no significant difference between drying with active ventilation in the dryer and outdoor drying conditions. The adequate moisture content of corncob pellets is 12.39% at a compression ratio of 3.43 ± 0.011 and a maximum pellet density of 1012.96 ± 3.35 kg m−3. The variation in pellet density at a given adequate moisture content is at least 0.78%. The compression ratio of the pellets compacted on the horizontal matrix granulator is 9.75% higher than that of the pellets produced on the laboratory automatic press. The corncob’s lower calorific value was 17.35 ± 0.14 MJ kg−1, and the ash content was 1.78 ± 0.24%. The produced pellets are strong enough and can be used for combustion. This research may help to better understand the properties of corncobs and their energy potential.

Spent Material Extractives from Hemp Hydrodistillation as an Underexplored Source of Antimicrobial Cannabinoids.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the presence of cannabinoids and volatile terpenes. Currently, the hemp flower processing industry predominantly focuses on either cannabinoid or terpene extraction. In an attempt to maximize the valorization of hemp flowers, the current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of several extracts obtained from post-distillation by-products (e.g., spent material, residual distillation water) in comparison to the essential oil and total extract obtained from unprocessed hemp flowers. A terpene analysis of the essential oil revealed 14 monoterpenes and 35 sesquiterpenes. The cannabinoid profiling of extracts showed seven acidic precursors and 14 neutral derivatives, with cannabidiol (CBD) reaching the highest concentration (up to 16 wt.%) in the spent material extract. The antimicrobial assessment of hemp EO, cannabinoid-containing extracts, and single compounds (i.e., CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene) against a panel of 20 microbial strains demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, and Trichophyton species. In conclusion, this work suggests promising opportunities to use cannabinoid-rich materials from hemp flower processing in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with antimicrobial properties.

Unraveling the antifungal composition of bitter orange decoction against the melon pathogen Fusarium jinanense

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is an important source of essential oils with high antimicrobial activities, however the composition and antifungal potential of the decoction peels is little explored. This study assessed the peel decoction's chemical profile at the secondary metabolism level and its antifungal activity against the melon phytopathogen Fusarium jinanense. The decoction's antifungal potential was investigated using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach based on Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) and LC-HRMS/MS analysis. Coumarins and flavones were the most abundant classes of compounds in the high-value fractions responsible for up to 61% of the mycelial inhibition of F. jinanense. Overall, this study has presented for the first time the chemical composition, the antifungal potential of the decoction of C. aurantium peels and the compounds associated with these results. This strategy can guide the exploration of under-explored food sources and add value to compounds or fractions enriched with bioactive compounds.

The effect of different types of microplastic and acute cadmium exposure on the Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819)

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a pressing issue for both environmental health and the safety of human food sources. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of MPs on Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck 1819), focusing on the food safety risks associated with MP and cadmium (Cd) exposure in these organisms intended for consumption. The retention of different polymer types of MPs in mussels was specifically evaluated, and the influence of Cd on MP retention across these polymers was investigated. Mussels were exposed to polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs individually and in combination with the toxic metal Cd for a duration of 7 days. Antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress parameters, and digestive system enzyme activities, selected as biomarkers for Cd and MPs pollution, were assessed. Furthermore, human consumption risk evaluations and limits regarding mussel intake were analysed in terms of food safety. The results suggest that exposure to Cd, MPs, or their combination induces oxidative stress, tissue damage, and neurotoxicity. Alterations in digestive enzyme activities could impact the mussels' energy acquisition from food and their capacity to conserve energy reserves. The estimated daily intake (EDI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and target cancer risk (TCR) levels for all groups surpassed established limits, implying a significant health risk for humans consuming these products. These results underscore the potential health risks for humans associated with consuming mussels exposed to Cd and/or MPs and provide valuable data for monitoring pollution levels and ecological risks in aquatic organisms. Additionally, our findings reveal that the retention of Cd in mussel tissues varies significantly after exposure, with combinations of PET and Cd showing lower levels of Cd accumulation compared to other groups, suggesting a differential interaction that influences Cd retention.

Traditional food security and food sovereignty in the coastal region of South-Central Alaska

ABSTRACT A food assessment questionnaire was completed by Alutiiq and Eyak peoples of the Chugach Region of Alaska in 2016–2017. This questionnaire, conducted by the Chugach Regional Resource Commission, gathered 87 responses from adults residing in seven communities. The questions related to traditional food systems, food security, and food sovereignty and were organised into six sections: Community Food Resources, Diet and Health, Culture, Organisation and Governance, Food Resources, and Natural Resources and Environment. Nine questions directly addressed food sovereignty. Results revealed the importance of traditional food sources in the communities, foods that are not readily available or are difficult to access, resources that are useful to improve traditional food security, health problems that are perceived to be caused or exacerbated by the lack of traditional foods in the area, traditional foods commonly consumed, and barriers from accessing traditional foods. Additionally, recommendations for improving food systems and addressing barriers are provided.

Long-Range Transport of a Dust Event and Impact on Marine Chlorophyll-a Concentration in April 2023

Dust aerosols serve as a crucial nutrient source to the oceans and profoundly influence marine ecosystems. This study used satellite and ground observations to explore a strong dust event on 9–13 April 2023, emanating from the Gobi Desert, shared by Mongolia and China’s Inner Mongolia region. We investigated the deposition of dust particles and their effects on marine phytoplankton communities. Our findings revealed that the dust event was intense, enduring, and expansive, illustrated by hourly PM10 concentrations peaking at 5055 µg/m3 near the source and consistently exceeding 1000 µg/m3, even at considerable distances. The dust traveled along two different trajectories and was deposited in the same area of the Northwest Pacific. Total dust deposition in the study area (37°N–42°N, 145°E–165°E) was 79.88 mg/m2 from 13 to 18 April, much higher than the 2019–2022 average deposition of 33.03 mg/m2 for the same period. With dust deposition, the observed mean chlorophyll-a concentrations in the area increased to 2.78 mg/m3 on 14 April, an extraordinary 692% increase above the long-term average. These results highlight the profound impact of dust on the productivity of marine phytoplankton communities by inputting more nutrients into the ocean through different pathways.

Greater cane rat algorithm (GCRA): A nature-inspired metaheuristic for optimization problems

This paper introduces a new metaheuristic technique known as the Greater Cane Rat Algorithm (GCRA) for addressing optimization problems. The optimization process of GCRA is inspired by the intelligent foraging behaviors of greater cane rats during and off mating season. Being highly nocturnal, they are intelligible enough to leave trails as they forage through reeds and grass. Such trails would subsequently lead to food and water sources and shelter. The exploration phase is achieved when they leave the different shelters scattered around their territory to forage and leave trails. It is presumed that the alpha male maintains knowledge about these routes, and as a result, other rats modify their location according to this information. Also, the males are aware of the breeding season and separate themselves from the group. The assumption is that once the group is separated during this season, the foraging activities are concentrated within areas of abundant food sources, which aids the exploitation. Hence, the smart foraging paths and behaviors during the mating season are mathematically represented to realize the design of the GCR algorithm and carry out the optimization tasks. The performance of GCRA is tested using twenty-two classical benchmark functions, ten CEC 2020 complex functions, and the CEC 2011 real-world continuous benchmark problems. To further test the performance of the proposed algorithm, six classic problems in the engineering domain were used. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of computational and convergence results is presented to shed light on the efficacy and stability levels of GCRA. The statistical significance of the results is compared with ten state-of-the-art algorithms using Friedman's and Wilcoxon's signed rank tests. These findings show that GCRA produced optimal or nearly optimal solutions and evaded the trap of local minima, distinguishing it from the rival optimization algorithms employed to tackle similar problems. The GCRA optimizer source code is publicly available at: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/165241-greater-cane-rat-algorithm-gcra.

Biodiesel production from microalgae oils: A critical review

The global energy demand is expected to rise due to improved living standards, population growth, and urbanization. It underscores the need to explore alternative energy sources. Biodiesel, derived from renewable feedstock, is considered a promising solution to meet future energy needs while addressing concerns about dwindling fossil fuel reserves and environmental issues. Microalgal oils are identified as third-generation feedstock for biofuels production due to their advantages over conventional edible crops and non-edible oils, which face limitations in availability and yield. Microalgal oils are particularly significant because edible oils serve as food sources, and non-edible oil resources have slow growth rate as well as less oil yields. For biodiesel derived from any feedstock, meeting specific physical and chemical properties to comply with biodiesel standards. Therefore, thoroughly examining the conversion process from microalgal oil to biodiesel is necessary. This study explores various aspects of microalgal oils as biodiesel feedstock, including different microalgal species and their oil content, technologies used for biodiesel production from microalgal oils and biomass, and biodiesel standards and characterization across other countries. Techno-economics and Life Cycle Assessment are applied in this study to evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of microalgae-based processes, addressing challenges such as data availability, uncertainty, and stakeholder engagement. This review highlights a significant opportunity to produce biodiesel from microalgal feedstock, which could contribute to future biodiesel production and provide a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel fuels.

Sand Fly larvae are capable of positive chemotaxis: a proof of concept study using Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a model species.

Phlebotomine sand flies are important vectors of medical and veterinary importance, transmitting pathogens, such as the Leishmania parasites, responsible for 700,000 to 1 million new cases of leishmaniasis every year. The vast majority of the current sand fly surveillance and control tools are tailored against the adult stages, due to the limited knowledge on the ecology of the larval stages. Since vector control is primarily an ecological problem, an in-depth understanding of the behavior of the target insect pests across all the different life stages of their development is required prior to the development of effective control strategies. It is well known that chemical cues play an important role in insect behavior. While there are numerous studies investigating the behavior of adult sand flies in response to chemical sources, there is currently no information available on the response of their larval stages. In this study, novel bioassays were constructed to investigate the effect of chemical cues (gustatory and olfactory) on the behavior of Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) sand fly larvae. The larvae exhibited a clear food preference within a few hours of exposure in a 2-choice bioassay, while, also, demonstrated positive chemotaxis in response to volatile stimuli emitted from their preferred food source. Identification of the specific chemical compounds (or the combination thereof) eliciting attractance response to sand fly immature stages could lead to the development of innovative, and targeted (larval-specific) tools for the surveillance, and management of these important public health pests.

Drivers of nutrient intakes from fisheries in French Polynesia

ABSTRACT Small-scale fisheries provide nutrients to hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with yields dependent on the condition of marine habitats such as coral reefs. Small-scale fisheries are a particularly important food source in societies with nutrient deficiencies and where unhealthy food alternatives are widely available. Using data from coral reef surveys around two islands in French Polynesia (Moorea and Raiatea), we show how the availability of nutrients to fisheries changed in relation to the condition of coral habitat. Fish biomass and nutrient availability were highest when coral cover was low around both islands, driven predominantly by abundant herbivorous reef fish. We also investigated the importance of fish in people’s diets, to determine if fish consumption was aligned with available fisheries resources on local reefs and if nutrient intakes from fish could be explained by people’s socioeconomic background. People ate a higher diversity of reef fish in Raiatea, however nutrient intakes from fish were higher in Moorea. Most people ate more fish than meat on both islands, however fish consumption declined over generations. People from fishing households had higher nutrient intakes from reef and pelagic fish, and people from farming households had higher intakes from reef fish. Preference for eating reef fish over pelagic fish was also associated with higher total nutrient intakes. Promoting traditional diets rich in fish could be key to meeting people’s nutritional needs in French Polynesia while reducing diet-related health issues linked to the overconsumption of fat. French and Tahitian versions of the are available in Supplementary Material.

Modification of Bioactive Properties in Food Protein Hydrolysates by Alcalase and Trypsin

Abstract Background Protein hydrolysates are the fragments of proteins that form during the hydrolysis with promised bioactive properties. Enzymatic hydrolysis produces bioactive peptides with specific amino acid profile. Among all the properties, angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitory activity of the protein hydrolysates attained maximum attention to combat life-threatening disease like hypertension. Methodology In the present study 10 protein-rich food sources (> 20% protein content on dry basis) were used to prepare protein hydrolysates using alcalase and trypsin to investigate the effect of enzymes on ACE-I inhibitory and antioxidant activity. Results Among all the sources, the highest degree of hydrolysis was observed in sardine (62.89%) followed by soybean (61.24%) when hydrolyzed by alcalase. Kidney pea exhibited highest ACE-I inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.517 and 0.521 when hydrolyzed using both trypsin and alcalase, respectively. All the sources selected showed nonsignificant changes in ACE-I inhibitory activity between alcalase and trypsin (p < 0.05) except Bengal gram and chicken. Antioxidant activity was higher in alcalase hydrolyzed egg yolk (43.08%). Conclusion Among the sources, all animal proteins hydrolyzed using alcalase exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity than trypsin. However, protein hydrolysates prepared from sardine using alcalase would yield bioactive peptides with higher ACE-I inhibitory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, use of alcalase as a substitution for trypsin would be economical for large-scale production. Henceforth, food protein hydrolyzed by alcalase can be used as a functional ingredient for the development of functional or nutraceutical foods to combat lifestyle diseases.

Real-world waste dispersion modelling for benthic integrated multi-trophic aquaculture.

In real-world situations, marine fish farms accommodate multiple fish species and cohorts within the farm, leading to diverse farm layouts influenced by cage dimensions, configurations, and intricate arrangements. These cage management practices are essential to meet production demands, however, farm-level complexities can impact model predictions of waste deposition and benthic impact near fish cages. This is of particular importance when the cages are used for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) with benthic feeders, where this waste not only affects environmental conditions but also provides a potential food source. The Cage Aquaculture Particulate Output and Transport (CAPOT) model incorporated multiple species, cohorts, and cage arrangements to estimate waste distribution from a commercial fish farm in the Mediterranean between October 2018 and July 2019. This spreadsheet model estimated dispersion for individual fish cages using a grid resolution of 5 m x 5 m. The study categorized discrete production periods for each fish cage every month, aligning with intermittent changes in biomass and food inputs due to different cage management practices throughout production. This approach facilitated the use of detailed input data and enhanced model representativeness by considering variations in cage biomass, food types, settling velocities, and configurations. Model outputs, represented in contour plots, indicated higher deposition directly below fish cages that varied monthly throughout fish production cycles. Deposition footprints reflected changes in cage biomass, food inputs, and farm-level practices reflecting this real-world scenario where aquaculture does not follow a production continuum. Moreover, cohort dynamics and cage movements associated with the cage management practices of the fish farm influenced the quantity and fate of wastes distributed around fish cages, revealing variability in deposition footprints. Clearly, these findings have important implications for the design of benthic IMTA systems, with species such as sea cucumber and polychaetes. Variability in waste deposition creates challenges in identifying where the benthic organisms should be placed to allow optimal uptake of waste to meet their food requirements and increase survivability. Evidently, models have an important role to play and this study emphasizes the need for representative input data to describe actual food inputs, cage biomass changes, and management practices for more representative farm-scale modelling and essentially to improve particulate waste management. To effectively mitigate benthic impacts through IMTA, models must quantify and resolve particulate waste distribution and impact around fish farms to maintain a balanced system with net removal of wastes. Resolving farm-level complexities provides vital information about the variability of food availability and quality for extractive organisms that helps improve recycling of organic wastes in integrated systems, demanding a more representative modelling approach.

Tidal zone effects on the diet composition of leaf-eating crabs in natural mangrove communities: a stable isotope analysis

BackgroundIn natural mangrove communities, mangrove species are often distributed zonally. Leaf-eating crabs are one of the most abundant and iconic arboreal brachyurans in mangrove forests, but variation in the composition of crab diets in different mangrove tidal zones is unknown.MethodsTo determine the contributions of mangrove leaves and other organic carbon (C) sources to leaf-eating crab diets, dual stable C and nitrogen (N) isotope signatures (δ13C and 1δ5N) were used in a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model. We conducted experiments at various tidal levels in the Dongzhaigang Bay National Natural Reserve in China. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N of leaf-eating crabs, mangrove leaves, sediment organic matter (SOM), and animal tissues (prey).ResultsThe food composition of the dominant crab species, Parasesarma continentale, exhibited significant differences among the four tidal zones. From the margin to the high tide zone, the main food source shifted from predominantly mangrove leaves and SOM to primarily SOM and animal tissues. We observed a significant negative relationship between the C/N ratios of mangrove leaves and the proportion of leaves consumed by leaf-eating crabs. Additionally, as the tidal level increased, the C/N ratio of mangrove leaves also increased, whereas the proportion of leaves consumed by crabs decreased.ConclusionLeaf-eating crab diets vary significantly across tidal zones, highlighting the importance of considering tidal zone differentiation when studying consumer diets in mangrove ecosystems.

Lobularia maritima as a nutrient-rich floral food source for two parasitoid wasps of Tuta absoluta

Lobularia maritima as a nutrient-rich floral food source for two parasitoid wasps of Tuta absoluta

Preliminary Studies on the Invertebrate Microfauna Associated with A Terrestrial Moss, Hyophila sp. in Urban Areas of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Bryophytes provide microhabitat, optimal temperature condition, and act as reliable nutrient sources for invertebrate fauna. In the present study, microscopic analysis of the invertebrate micro fauna associated with a terrestrial moss, Hyophila sp. was examined. The work was conducted for a period of six months from october to march and the invertebrate microfauna was recorded for two different seasons (october-december and january – march). It was found that protozoans, rotifers, nematodes, eggs or cysts and certain larvae were present throughout the study period. However, their proportions were significantly altered during the two different seasons. Metabolically active animals were seen in higher numbers during monsoon period (October-december) compared to higher number of eggs and cysts during drier months (January –march). This study highlights the different microfaunal population associated with the urban moss, Hyophila sp. and adds to the growing pool of literature on moss- microfaunal association.