Water Extracts Of Plants Research Articles

Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles derived from water and methanol extract of Centaurea solstitialis leaves and tested for antimicrobial activity and dye decolorization capability

In this research, nanoparticles derived from water extract of Centaurea solstitialis leaves were used as green adsorbent in Fenton reaction for Reactive Red 180 (RR180) and Basic Red 18 (BR18) dyes removal. At optimum operating conditions, nanoparticles proved high performance in the tested dyes removal with more than 98% of removal elimination. The free-radical scavenging, DNA nuclease, biofilm inhibition capability, antimicrobial activity, microbial cell viability, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy activities of the iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NPs) derived from water and methanol extract of plant were investigated. Each of the following analysis: SEM-EDX, XRD, and Zeta potential was implemented for the prepared NPs characterization and to describe their morphology, composition and its behavior in an aqueous solution, respectively. It was found that, the DPPH scavenging activities increased when the amount of nanoparticles increased. The highest radical scavenging activity achieved with FeO-NPs derived from water extract of plant as 97.41% at 200 mg/L. The new green synthesized FeO-NPs demonstrated good DNA cleavage activity. FeO-NPs showed good in vitro antimicrobial activities against human pathogens. The results showed that both synthesized FeO-NPs displayed 100% antimicrobial photodynamic therapy activity after LED irradiation. The water extract of FeO-NPs and methanol extract of FeO-NPs also showed a significant biofilm inhibition.

Compositional Characteristics of Major Inorganic Anions in Soil and Plant Water Extracts from Various Farmlands

Compositional Characteristics of Major Inorganic Anions in Soil and Plant Water Extracts from Various Farmlands

Attenuating Effect of an Extract of Cd-Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum on the Growth and Physio-chemical Changes of Datura innoxia Under Cd Stress

PurposeThe use of plant extracts obtained from plants that are highly tolerant to heavy metal toxicity has been beneficial in improving the growth of plants grown under metal toxicity conditions. A lab experiment was performed to elucidate the alleviating role of foliar applied cadmium (Cd)-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum (S. nigrum) extract on Datura innoxia (D. innoxia) plants grown under Cd stress (0, 50, and 100 mg Cd kg-1 soil).MethodsGrowth parameters, photosynthetic pigment content, osmo-metabolic compounds, reduced glutathione and phytochelatins content, oxidative damage, and lignin content and its related enzyme (cell wall-bound peroxidase, POX) were determined.ResultsApart from the foliar application response of S. nigrum leaf extract (SNE) in either Cd exposed or non-Cd exposed plants, growth parameters of D. innoxia plant grown under both Cd concentrations (50 and 100 mg Cd kg-1 soil) in terms of root and shoot fresh, dry weight, length, and leaf area were noticeably diminished by 29 and 51%, 29 and 54%, 35 and 70%, 40 and 53%, 30 and 69%, 40 and 60%, and 11 and 23%, respectively, compared with untreated control plants. Foliar delivered SNE secured the photosynthetic pigment, free amino acids, soluble proteins, and soluble sugar content. Additionally, it lessened the adverse effects of Cd stress on D. innoxia plants by curtailing the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 28 and 27%, and 21 and 23%, respectively, compared with the plants subjected to 50 and 100 mg Cd kg-1 only. The findings herein indicated that the plant water extract and their interactions in the investigated Cd rates significantly augmented phenolics, alkaloids, reduced glutathione and phytochelatins content. Cell wall stiffening in D. innoxia indicated that lignin content and POX were significantly higher in plants exposed to 100 mg Cd kg-1 soil displaying increase values of 275 and 300%, respectively, against non-Cd treated control. The magnitude of increment imposed by Cd stress was lessened by using SNE that reflects on adequate cell growth advocated by limited lignification, in terms of lignin content, and downregulated POX activity. Owing to SNE application, root and leaves Cd contents were efficiently reduced reflecting apparent plant liveliness compared with the SNE non-treated Cd-stressed plants.ConclusionsThe outcomes of this study designate that foliar application of the Cd-hyperaccumulator S. nigrum leaf extract can be counted as an unconventional and innovative approach in the alleviation of Cd stress and can be employed as integrated practice when Cd-contaminated regions were exploited for sustainable agriculture of the multipurpose plants.

Effect of Addition Stachys Lamiaceae Water Extract on Chilling Sheep Sperms Derived from the Vas Deference’s

The main objective of this study was to find out the effect of adding Stacy’s Lamiaceae plant water extract on the traits of sperms derived from the transport channels of sheep kept cold. This study was conducted using 50 ducts of adult domestic rams slaughtered at the local Al-Shula slaughterhouse. The study was carried at the College of Agriculture, University of Al-Qadisiyah, during the period from December 2020 to March 2021. This study consists of one experiment showing the effect of adding water extract of Stachys Lamiaceae on the characteristics of chilling sperms taken from the sheep Vas Deferenses. 100 VasDeferenses were divided randomly into five groups 20 Vas deferens for each group. Spermatozoa were extracted from the Vas deferens and diluted with tris extender and egg yolk, and according to the treated groups, the control group (T1) was left untreated. The second group (T2) was added 100 international units/ml of penicillin with 100 mg/ml of streptomycin. The groups (T3;1%, T4; 2% and T5; 3%, respectively) were added to the water extract of Stachys Lamiaceae and stored in the refrigerator at 5C° for one hour across one day, two days and three days. The sperms were examined (mass activity, individual motility, progressive motility, non-progressive motility, immotile sperm, dead sperm, abnormal sperm, HOST test and water test. The results indicated a significant improvement ((P<0.05) in the parameters of sperms where sperms of T5 treatment achieved the best value compared with the control group after cold storage for one, two and three days, A significant difference was noticed (P<0.05) across the treated groups with antibiotics compared with other groups. From the current study, we conclude that the addition of the water extract of the Stachys Lamiaceae led to an improvement in the environment of sperm chilling storage, which led to an improvement in the parameters of sperm fluid.

LC-MS/MS profiling, antibiofilm, antimicrobial and bacterial growth kinetic studies of Pluchea dioscoridis extracts

Abstract The therapeutical applications of ornamental plants have been categorized to be of a great effectiveness in multiple industries from ancient times until present days. Pluchea dioscoridis is widely known Egyptian wooden plant that has been extensively applied for different medicinal purposes. In this study, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the potent antimicrobial ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of P. dioscoridis leaves led to identification of 28 and 21 compounds, respectively. The identified compounds were categorized as phenolic acids, phenolic acids derivatives, organic acids, flavonoids (aglycones and glycosides), secoiridoids, coumarin derivatives, and gallotannins derivatives. Among them, caffeic acid 3-sulfate was the most predominate in the investigated extracts followed by ferulic acid and dicaffeoyl-quinic acid. Also, the antimicrobial potentiality of different extracts was evaluated against different pathogenic microbes including Enterobacter cloacae, Micrococcus leutus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus lichneformis and Clostridium species. Furthermore, different concentrations of the most potent extract were assayed for antibacterial efficacy on growth curve kinetics against the susceptible bacteria along 4days incubation period. Our gathered data confirmed that, the antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria was different according to the solvent used in the extraction process. Mostly, all the extracts showed a wide spectrum antibacterial activity except the plant water extract which shows a mild activity against Clostridium sp. only. Based on the highest inhibition zone diameter, the ethyl acetate extract followed by butanol extract exhibited the highest inhibition zone with Micrococcus luteus and B. subtilis (20.0 and 18.5 mm) respectively. Determining the effect of ethyl acetate extract at different concentration (0, 0.66, 1.66, 3.33, 6.67, 13.34 and 20.01 mg mL−1) on M. luteus growth kinetics, the data assured that the antibacterial activity shows concentration dependent manner with the highest antibacterial activity at 20.01 mg mL−1 culture. The data also confirmed that, none of the selected concentration showed bactericidal activity in the prepared cultures, and with the prolonged incubation period the bacteria acquire resistance against the extract beginning from second or third day of incubation.

Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts against Solanum tuberosum L. Phytopathogens.

The purpose of the study was to select an environmentally friendly plant biopesticide to protect seed potatoes against phytopathogens. The scope included the evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of 22 plant water extracts, 22 water-glycol extracts, and 3 subcritical carbon dioxide extracts using the agar diffusion method against 10 potato phytopathogens. For the most effective extracts, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), chemical composition analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and in situ assays on seed potatoes were performed. Garlic water extract was finally selected as the most effective in phytopathogen growth inhibition, both in vitro and in situ, with MIC values ranging between 6.3–25 mg/mL. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural was determined to be the main component of this extract (33.24%). Garlic water extract was proposed as a potential biopesticide against potato phytopathogens.

Toxicity Evaluation of Selected Plant Water Extracts on a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Larvae Model.

Simple SummaryThe honey bee is a very important link in food production. Conducting research into the influence of various factors on its biology is a very important element in the preservation of its population and pollination potential. It is very common for beekeepers to use plant extracts to combat bee pathogens. However, there are few studies assessing the effect of these extracts on the individual development stages of worker bees. Our research has shown that this is an essential element when making a decision on the use of a given extract, as it could negatively affect the survival of bee larvae. The proper development of worker bee larvae ensures an appropriate number of pollinators in the environment and the survival of bee colonies.So far, larval rearing in vitro has been an important method in the assessment of bee toxicology, particularly in pesticide risk assessment. However, natural products are increasingly used to control honey bee pathogens or to enhance bee immunity, but their effects on honey bee larvae are mostly unknown. In this study, laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of including selected aqueous plant infusions in the diet of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) larvae in vitro. The toxicity of infusions from three different plant species considered to be medicinal plants was evaluated: tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.), greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The impact of each on the survival of the larvae of honey bees was also evaluated. One-day-old larvae were fed a basal diet consisting of distilled water, sugars (glucose and fructose), yeast extract, and freeze-dried royal jelly or test diets in which distilled water was replaced by plant infusions. The proportion of the diet components was adjusted to the age of the larvae. The larvae were fed twice a day. The experiment lasted seven days. Significant statistical differences in survival rates were found between groups of larvae (exposed or not to the infusions of tansy, greater celandine, and coriander). A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the survival rate was observed in the group with the addition of a coriander herb infusion compared to the control. These results indicate that plant extracts intended to be used in beekeeping should be tested on all development stages of honey bees.

Plant organic matter inputs exert a strong control on soil organic matter decomposition in a thawing permafrost peatland

Peatlands are climate critical carbon (C) reservoirs that could become a C source under continued warming. A strong relationship between plant tissue chemistry and the soil organic matter (SOM) that fuels C gas emissions is inferred, but rarely examined at the molecular level. Here we compared Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy measurements of solid phase functionalities in plants and SOM to ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometric analyses of plant and SOM water extracts across a palsa-bog-fen thaw and moisture gradient in an Arctic peatland. From these analyses we calculated the C oxidation state (NOSC), a measure which can be used to assess organic matter quality. Palsa plant extracts had the highest NOSC, indicating high quality, whereas extracts of Sphagnum, which dominated the bog, had the lowest NOSC. The percentage of plant compounds that are less bioavailable and accumulate in the peat, increases from palsa (25%) to fen (41%) to bog (47%), reflecting the pattern of percent Sphagnum cover. The pattern of NOSC in the plant extracts was consistent with the high number of consumed compounds in the palsa and low number of consumed compounds in the bog. However, in the FT-IR analysis of the solid phase bog peat, carbohydrate content was high implying high quality SOM. We explain this discrepancy as the result of low solubilization of bog SOM facilitated by the low pH in the bog which makes the solid phase carbohydrates less available to microbial decomposition. Plant-associated condensed aromatics, tannins, and lignin-like compounds declined in the unsaturated palsa peat indicating decomposition, but lignin-like compounds accumulated in the bog and fen peat where decomposition was presumably inhibited by the anaerobic conditions. A molecular-level comparison of the aboveground C sources and peat SOM demonstrates that climate-associated vegetation shifts in peatlands are important controls on the mechanisms underlying changing C gas emissions.

TLC-Based Metabolite Profiling and Bioactivity-Based Scientific Validation for Use of Water Extracts in AYUSH Formulations.

We aimed to develop a chromatographic method for scientific validation of water extract of some important Indian traditional plants used in AYUSH-based formulation as immunomodulator and to evaluate their bioactive potential. Fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L. and Piper nigrum L., stem of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, rhizome of Curcuma longa L., leaves of Ocimum sanctum L. and Achillea millefolium L., roots of Withania somnifera L., and stem bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. were coarsely powdered and extracted in three different solvents (water, ethanol, and hydroethanol). The antioxidant potential was determined through 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing capacity methods. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out for the comparative metabolite profiling of the extracts using toluene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid (5 : 4 : 1, v/v/v) as a solvent system. In vitro immunomodulatory activity of the extracts has been tested on splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic assay. Hydroethanolic extract (HEE) of most of the plant materials has the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents, followed by water extract (WE) and ethanolic extract (EE), whereas the water extracts of most of the plant material showed better antioxidant activity. Almost all extract exhibited splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic activity in a dose-dependent manner. But water extract showed significantly higher splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic activity as compared to the other two extracts. TLC analysis resulted in detection of totally 63 and 56 metabolites at 254 nm and 366 nm, respectively. Through principal component analysis (PCA), it was observed that metabolite pattern of different extracts from same plant materials may be different or similar. This preliminary result can be used for quality evaluation and to develop a synergy-based polyherbal combination of water extracts of selected plant materials.

Anti-yeast activity of endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal herb Ocimum sanctum with emphasis on Candida albicans

Endophytic fungi, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 and Muscodor sp. IBRL OS-94 were previously isolated from the leaf of medicinal plant, Ocimum sanctum was screened for their anti-yeast activity against pathogenic yeast. Both fungal isolates were cultivated in submerged fermentation using yeast extract sucrose broth as culture medium enriched with plant water extract and incubated for 20 d at 30°C with an agitation speed of 120 rpm. Preliminary study via agar plug diffusion assay revealed that both fungal isolates possess a fair anti-yeast activity against three out of four test yeast including Candida albicans, C. utilis and Rhodotorula rubra. On the disk diffusion assay, the ethyl acetate extract of L. pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 and Muscodor sp. IBRL OS-94 showed significant anti-yeast activity with the size of the inhibition zone ranging in between 9.6±0.5 - 21.3±0.5 mm and 14.4±0.5 - 20.2±0.7 mm respectively. As for ethyl acetate extract from L. pseudotheobromae OS-64, the MIC and MYC values were in the range of 500 – 1000 μg/mL and 2000 – 8000 μg/mL respectively. On the other hand, the MIC and MYC values of ethyl acetate extract of Muscodor sp. OS-94 ranged between 250 – 500 μg/mL and 1000 – 4000 μg/mL respectively. The time-kill assay demonstrated that the growth of C. albicans cell was dose-dependent in which the extract concentration was lower and higher than the MIC value showing yeastostatic and yeastocidal effects respectively. The scanning and transmission electron microscopes observation revealed that the candidal cells expose to extract experienced severity of morphological deterioration which led to cell death beyond repair and thus suggesting that the fungal extract could be a potential anti-candidal agent.

Studies on Lectin Mediated Agglutination Reaction on Red Blood Cell Surface Antigens Using Hot and Cold Water Plant Extracts

Lectin has various physiological roles in cell agglutination, based on their carbohydrate-binding properties, plant lectins are widely used for the detection, segregation, and characterization of glycoconjugates. Rhesus (Rh) factor is a protein that is inherited and found on the surface of red blood cells. If the surface protein is present, the RBC is Rh positive; otherwise, it is Rh-negative in nature. In this paper, we use agglutination reactions to investigate the effect of different cold and hot water extracted plants on RBC antigens as an alternative to commercial monoclonal antibodies. Extensive research on the sequence homology and 3-D structure of various plant lectins suggests that they have been conserved throughout evolution and may play important physiological roles that are still unknown.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antiviral Potential of Some Plants Water Extract Against Bovine Coronavirus

Coronavirus, particularly the genus Betacoronavirus, has been identified as a deadly source of numerous acute respiratory epidemics worldwide, affecting both humans and animals. The genus includes Covid-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses.In contrast, others are expected to have the risk of transformation such as bovine and porcine coronavirus. We screened a set of natural plant water extract which are red onion (Allium cepa), shallot (Allium ampeloprasum), watercress (Eruca sativa), and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) that weighed and dissolved into a specific concentration then filtrated by specific biological filters. These extracts are known for their strong inhibition of the cytopathogenic effect of many pathogens. The cytotoxicity assay of the extracted plants was evaluated by the MTT assay using serial concentrations from the red onion and shallot extracts (10-100 ug) and wormwood and watercress extracts (20-200ug). The antiviral effect was evaluated using the concentrations mentioned above of the plants water extracts by application on the Madin Derby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cell line infected with the virus. It showed pronounced inhibition of the bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in comparison to the control untreated cell line by both microscopic examination, and optical density index measurement. This work encourages the application of these extracts in trials of the treatment of the clinical cases of infected animals with coronavirus infection. It has the potential as a novel approach against coronavirus infections in animals.

Study of The Effect of Hot Water Extract of Garlic and Pepper Plants, With Different Concentrations Saline Solution on The Mortalityon Parlatoria Blanchardi (Targioni-Tozzetti) on Date Palms

The scale insect Parlatoria blanchardi (Homoptera : Diaspdidae) is one of the important pests, that cause damage to all parts of the date palm in the central and southern governorates of Iraq, In order to reduce the negative effects of pesticides on the environment. Two types of hot water extracts, of Capsicum annuam and Alliu sativum, were used in the field at three concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 g/liter of water, in addition to the use of the saline solution in three concentrations of 15, 20 and 25 g/liter of water, to reduce the population density of P. blanchardi. The results showed that the plant extracts and the saline solution, had high efficiency in reducing the population density of P. blanchardi after one week of spraying, as the saline solution registered the best mortality of 100% at the three concentrations used and with a significant difference from A. sativum extract, which recorded the highest mortality of 80% for the insect at the concentration of 15 g/L and the lowest mortality was 56% over the concentration of 10 g/L, while the C. annuam extract recorded the highest mortality of 80% at a concentration of 15 g/L, and the lowest mortality at a concentration of 5 g/L was 55%.

Evaluation of anti diabetic, antioxidative and proteolytic potentials of Salacia chinens organic extracts

Salacia chinens this herb has been reported in Ayurveda as a treatment for Madhumeha (ancient name of Diabetes mellitus) called as saptarangi and is distributed in Sri Lanka, India, China, Malaysia and other countries. in ayurveda is used for treatment of Rheumatism, Itches, Asthma and Ear diseases along with Diabetes and Obesity, scientists have tried to explore the hypoglycemic potential of various extracts. In this research we have identified biological activities important in human health. In this study of phytochemical analysis of Salacia chines is which was extracted in water and methanol shows various phytochemical properties. It recognize. Test for phenol, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, reducing sugar, amino acid respectively. The plant shows higher protein concentration in methanolic extract (2.9793mg/ml) than that of water extract (1.350mg/ml). The study of antidiabetic property was calculated by ERBA kit, both the extract of plant (methanolic and water extract) showing antidiabetic activity. Protease activity of Salacia chinens extract was carried out by milk agar, it involved determining the protease enzyme activity which present in plant shows respective plant consist of proteolytic enzyme.

The Impact of Different Crop Rotations by Weed Management Strategies’ Interactions on Weed Infestation and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Weed infestations significantly reduce the growth and yield of field crops. Herbicides are mostly used for weed management due to their quick results. However, resistant biotypes to available herbicides are rapidly increasing around the word. This situation calls for the development of alternative weed management strategies. Crop rotation and allelopathic water extracts are regarded as the most important alternative weed management strategies. Therefore, this two-year study assessed the impact of different annual crop rotations by weed management strategies’ interactions on weed infestation and productivity of wheat crop. Wheat was planted in five rotations, i.e., (i) fallow-wheat, (ii) rice-wheat, (iii) cotton-wheat, (iv) mungbean-wheat and (v) sorghum-wheat. The weed management strategies included in the study were; (i) false seedbed, (ii) application of 12 L ha−1 allelopathic plant water extracts (1:1:1:1 ratio of sorghum, sunflower, mulberry and eucalyptus), (iii) herbicide application, (iv) weed-free (weed control) and (v) weedy-check (no weed control). Herbicide application was the most effective treatment in lowering weed densities and biomass during both years followed by false seedbed, while allelopathic crop water extracts were least effective. The lowest weed infestation was noted in sorghum-wheat rotation followed by cotton-wheat and mungbean-wheat, while fallow-wheat had the highest weed infestation. Weedy-check treatment caused significant reduction in wheat growth and yield, whereas the highest grain yield was recorded from weed-free and herbicide application treatments. Grain yield of wheat planted after sorghum was suppressed; however, yield improved when wheat was planted after mungbean. Planting wheat after mungbean in a weed-free environment, achieved through chemical and/or mechanical means, is the best strategy to obtain higher wheat yields.

Evaluation of biorational pesticides against Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida and its impact on natural enemies population in cowpea ecosystem

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida) are two major sucking pests causing considerable damage in cowpea production. Considering the negative impact of chemical pesticides on food safety, environment, and human welfare; an eco-friendly approach is aimed at utilizing naturally derived products for effective management of the aforesaid pests and maintain ecological balance. The present study was performed under field conditions to evaluate the performance of five naturally derived components [water plant extracts viz. chili (Capsicum annum), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) along with cow urine in three different combinations, two formulated entomopathogenic fungi (Metarrhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) along with one positive (Imidacloprid) and negative (water) control. The study was designed in RCBD with three replications for the years 2019 and 2020, respectively. Combined application of neem, chili, garlic, and cow urine extracts (NCGC) at 10% w/v had the highest population reduction of whitefly (0.09 & 0.10 per three leaves) and leafhopper (0.03 & 0.04 per three leaves) over both standard controls after two round of application in the year 2019 and 2020, respectively. Natural enemies (coccinellids) population was drastically reduced in positive control whereas the population build-up strengthened in all other treatments including negative control. Cowpea treated with NCGC produced a higher economic yield (1.54 Mg ha−1) than those of other treatments. The study suggests that NCGC is an effective biorational based technology for sustainable management of whitefly and leafhopper in cowpea cropping system with ensuring food safety and eco-friendly approach. This novel finding can be integrated with an integrated pest management program for diverse cropping systems.

Effect of Type and Concentration of Encapsulating Agents on Physicochemical, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties of Red Dragon Fruit Kombucha Powdered Beverage

Kombucha is a healthy beverage from the fermentation of sugared tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). There is a growing interest on kombucha due to the reported health benefits. The original kombucha is prepared using only sweetened black tea infusion. The development of kombucha, however, has been reported to incorporate other plant water extracts. A previous study showed that kombucha beverage using red dragon fruit (RDF) as an alternative substrate gave the highest antioxidant activity at 15 days of fermentation. RDF kombucha instant powder could be a new food product development due to its longer shelf life, convenience, and low distribution cost. This study aimed to determine the best and the concentration of encapsulating agent for RDF kombucha powdered beverage which could retain the antioxidant properties. RDF kombucha was spray dried using maltodextrin, gum arabic, and inulin as the encapsulating agents with various concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%). Gum arabic was the best encapsulating agent since it gave the highest values of drying yield, pH, and total phenolic content retention, in comparison to the other two encapsulating agents. Within the observed concentrations, the incorporation of gum arabic resulted in RDF kombucha powder with a similar appearance, red colour, and antioxidant retention. Thus, the 5% addition of gum arabic is recommended for future preparations of RDF kombucha powdered beverage.

Environmentally Safe Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Plant Water Extracts.

Due to their simplicity of synthesis, stability, and functionalization, low toxicity, and ease of detection, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a natural choice for biomedical applications. AuNPs’ unique optoelectronic features have subsequently been investigated and used in high-tech applications such as organic photovoltaics, sensory probes, therapeutic agents, the administration of drugs in biological and medical applications, electronic devices, catalysis, etc. Researchers have demonstrated the biosynthesis of AuNPs using plants. The present study evaluates 109 plant species used in the traditional medicine of Middle East countries as new sources of AuNPs in a wide variety of laboratory environments. In this study, dried samples of bark, bulb, flower, fruit, gum, leaf, petiole, rhizome, root, seed, stamen, and above-ground parts were evaluated in water extracts. About 117 plant parts were screened from 109 species in 54 plant families, with 102 extracts demonstrating a bioreduction of Au3+ to Au0, revealing 37 new plant species in this regard. The color change of biosynthesized AuNPs to gray, violet, or red was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy, TEM, FSEM, DLS, and EDAX of six plants. In this study, AuNPs of various sizes were measured from 27 to 107 nm. This study also includes an evaluation of the potency of traditional East Asian medicinal plants used in this biosynthesis of AuNPs. An environmentally safe procedure such as this could act as a foundation for cosmetic industries whose quality assessment systems give a high priority to non-chemically synthesized products. It is crucial that future optimizations are adequately documented to scale up the described process.

Bioefficacy, environmental safety and synergistic impacts of biorational formulations against whitefly, leafhopper and blister beetle in organic okra ecosystem

AbstractWhitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida) and large yellow-banded blister beetle (Mylabris phalerata) cause considerable damage to okra, especially under organic farming. Thus, the present study was carried out to test the bioefficacy and environmental safety of six naturally derived components [indigenous water plant extracts, i.e. chilli (Capsicum annum), garlic (Allium sativum L.) and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) along with cow urine in three different combinations, one commercial botanical (azadirachtin 0.15%), and two formulated entomopathogenic fungi (Verticillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana)] on aforesaid pests for two consecutive years at field scale. In addition to this, the eco-toxicological effect of naturally derived components was also studied on natural enemies’ populations, viz. spiders and coccinellids. Quaternary mixture application of chilli, garlic, neem leaf and cow urine (CGNC) at 10% w/v was found effective in reducing leafhoppers (94.6%), whiteflies (95.2%) and blister beetle (94.6%) over control. Okra treated with CGNC produced a higher marketable fruit yield (18.44 mg/ha) than those of other treatments. It was also observed that the application of CGNC had no phytotoxic symptoms on okra plants. Application of CGNC was found safer to the natural enemy's population (spiders and coccinellids). Thus, the study suggests that CGNC can be considered as a potential source for managing the population of whitefly, leafhopper and blister beetle without affecting the ecology of natural enemies and it could be a viable eco-friendly option in organic okra production for ensuring food safety and healthy environment.

Assessment of a novel activity of Acacia nilotica leaf extract for chondrogenesis induction of Mesenchymal stem cells for dental applications

BackgroundThe Dearth of the self-rejuvenation capability of cartilage tissue is one of the frequent problems encountered by the dentist and orthopedic surgeons. Acacia nilotica commonly known as (babul, thorny acacia, Egyptian acacia or thorn mimosa) has wide range of medicinal uses. The current study was carried out to investigate the herbal-based chondrogenesis inducing ability of leaves extract of A. nilotica in Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). PurposeTo investigate the ability of Acacia nilotica leaves extract in chondrogenesis induction from Mesenchymal stem cells Study designThe experimental were designed according to the completely randomized design (CRD). MethodsDifferent concentration of water and ethanol extract of plant leaves were tested for its inhibitory activity on HDP-SC. The HDP-SCs were stimulated to differentiate into chondrocytes in the presence of water extract of A. nilotica leaves. The study was accomplished by assessing the glycosaminoglycan (GAG), aggrecan, collagen 2α1 (Col2α1), and sox9 in the cellular matrix required for cartilage tissue formation. The MSCs revealed surface markers like CD45, CD90, CD105, and CD166 cultured on specialized chondrogenic differentiation medium in presence of leaves extract of A. nilotica. ResultsThe aqueous leaves extract showed a time-dependent increase in the concentration of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition on 7th, 14th, and 21st day of incubation. The chondrogenic specific markers like aggrecan and col2α1were up-regulated from 7th to 21st days of incubation showing the highest protein expression on the 21st day. The sox9 protein was substantially enhanced on the 7th to 21thday of incubation of HDP-SC with leaves extract of A. nilotica compared to standard TGF-β inducer. ConclusionThe results demonstrate that aqueous leaves extract of A. nilotica promotes chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal stem cells. The study suggests that water leaves extract of “Babool"can be used as an alternative strategy for treatment of dental pulp through chondrogenic differentiation. A. nilotica as a source of many active secondary metabolites which may serve as potential candidates for development of novel lead compounds. This research confirmed the usefulness of this plant A. nilotica as a characteristic feature of medical plant and pharmaceutical. Further studies in the future are required to identify the role of the rest of the active compounds.