Applied Botany

The palm sap of Palmyrah tree (Borassus flabellifer) can be used as a source to produce bioethanol. The Palmyrah trees are distributed naturally in tropical and subtropical regions. These trees can be grown on very arid areas. The most important product of the Palmyrah tree is the palm sap. This sap is collected by the processes of tapping. The palm sap is a cheap renewable agricultural resource, which can be used for ethanol production. The potential of using the Palmyrah tree grown in India for producing bioethanol was evaluated. Tube method of extraction was introduced to extract palm sap and the yield was compared with the traditional method of extraction. The tube method of extraction gives 30% greater yield. Production of Bioethanol at the laboratory scale from palm sap was studied. The fresh palm sap fermented by air born microorganism yielded 3.5% (v/v) ethanol. The yield of ethanol has enhanced when the palm sap was fermented with the yeast strain MTCC171 with the maximum yield of 7% (v/v). Further the dilution of palm sap yielded a maximum of 12% (v/v) ethanol. The ethanol extracted from palm sap can be used as biofuel.

Mefenamic acid, an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor water solubility, dissolution and flow properties. Thus, the aim of the present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of Mefenamic acid by preparing crystals by freeze drying technique. Mefenamic acid crystals were prepared by freeze drying using THF, isopropyl acetate and water as solvents system to enhance solubility and dissolution rate. The prepared crystals containing Mefenamic acid were evaluated for in vitro dissolution and solubility. The prepared formulations were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution profile of the freeze dried crystals was compared with its recrystallized sample and pure sample. The samples were stored in stability chamber to investigate their physical stability Freeze dried crystals exhibited decreased crystallinity and the solubility and dissolution of the mefenamic acid crystals were significant improved compared with its recrystallized and pure sample of mefenamic acid. In stability test, the release profile of the freeze dried crystals was almost unchanged as compared with the freshly prepared freeze dried crystals stored at 40 ⁰C and 75% relative humidity for 90 days. Hence this technique can be used for formulation of tablets of mefenamic acid by direct compression with directly compressible tablet excipients.

The devastation caused by malaria in the sub-Saharan African countries has led to alarming and unprecedented search for cure, especially herbals. This has prompted the evaluation of bark extract of E. chlorantha though a known anti-malarial agent for other therapeutic effects. Thirty-two mature male albino rats weighing between 90 – 120g were randomly grouped into four with eight rats per group and administered 0, 200, 400, and 600mg/kg of the extract per body weight for 30 days through oral gavage. Results showed that there were significant effects (P < 0.05) of E. chlorantha treatment on sperm quality but weight of epididymes and testes revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Hormonal profile also showed significant differences (P < 0.05) on treatment but the dosage administered should be monitored. Correlation result revealed that there were significant positive relationships between sperm count and follicle stimulating hormone (0.686*), sperm viability and prolactin level (0.958**), follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone (0.687*) while a negative correlation were observed between weight of testis and luteinizing hormone (-0.740*), luteinizing hormone and progesterone (-0.814*) and between follicle stimulating hormone and progesterone (-0.704*). Succinctly, our results are suggestive of the fact that E. chlorantha is a multipurpose medicinal herb as it can be used as an anti-malarial agent and fertility booster, especially when administered at lower dosages.

The investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of the leaves and fruits of Daturastramonium and D. metelby Antimicrobial activity and GC-MS. The chemical compositions of the methanol extract of the D. stramonium and D. metelwere investigated using Hewlett-Packard Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the Wiley and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library or with the published mass spectra. Maximum activity was observed in methanolic extracts of fruits of D. metel against mycoplasma at 200mg/ml and minimum against Pseudomonas chrysogenumat 50mg/ml.

In this study aqueous extract of the leaves of Aerva lanata Linn., Calotropis gigantea Linn. and Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb were screened for the haemolytic activity towards human erythrocytes. The haemolytic activity was performed by modified spectroscopic method at four different concentrations (125, 250, 500, 1000 ?g/ml). The haemolytic activity of the different extracts was found in the following order: C. gigantea > A. lanata : C. gigantea (1 :1) > C. gigantea: E. ganitrus (1 : 1) > A. lanata : C. gigantea : E. ganitrus (1 : 1 : 1) > A. lanata : E. ganitrus (1 : 1) > A. lanata. However, all the extracts alone and in combination with each other exhibited very low haemolytic activity. E. ganitrus did not exhibit any haemolytic activity at any dilution. Hence, they can be considered as safe to human erythrocytes.

From the primitive period medicinal plants have occupied a distinct place in human’s life. They have been the backbone of traditional herbal medicines and have been extensively studied because of their pharmacological importance. Orchids are one of the largest groups of Angiosperms belonging to the family Orchidaceae. A number of constituents obtained from different parts of orchid suggest biological activity. Alkaloids are nitrogenous organic heterocyclic molecules that have pharmacological effects on humans and other animals..In orchids, 214 species in 64 genera contain 0.1% or more alkaloids. Besides alkaloids, they also possess flavanoids, phenanthrenes, terpenoids, bibenzyl derivatives and other biologically active compounds. The present review deals with the phytochemicals present in orchids and their medicinal properties.

The search for more effective hypoglycaemic agents continues to be an area of research interest. World Health Organization recommended the use of alternative therapy especially in countries including, Nigeria, where access to conventional treatments of diabetes is inadequate. Majority of people in Abeokuta were majorly peasant farmers and petty traders who could not afford high cost of pharmaceutical remedies of diabetes which is very rampant as a result of poor feeding pattern. However, naturally endowed plants such as Hibiscus sabdariffa are found everywhere, parts of which are taken as vegetables without putting into consideration its hypoglycemic advantages. However, this study could assist in providing some information needed for the health improvement of the rural populace (Abeokuta) as regards diabetes. Combination of 300g M. lucida + 100g A.sativum+l00g Z. officinale produced the best hypoglycaemic effect (69.85%) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical properties in some Iranian genotyps of sour cherry fruits. Knowledge of fruit biochemical properties is very important for perception of product behavior during harvesting, transportation, packaging, storing and regeneration programs. In this study, 10 Iranian sour cherry: SH101, SH102, SH103, … for SH110 were analysed. For evaluation of antioxidant capacity and its relation with total phenolics and flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity {measured with method: ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP)} and total phenolics and flavonoids in fruits extracts of aforementioned sour cherry genotyps were measured and then, correlation of these parameters were evaluated. The highest °Brix among the studied genotyps corresponded to ‘SH101’ and the highest fruit titratable acidity (TA) correlated to ‘SH104’. The highest values of vitamin C corresponded to ‘SH101’ and ’SH109’ had the lowest vitamin C. The highest and lowest values pH corresponded to SH106. Results revealed that ‘SH101’ and ‘SH110’ among the studied genotyps had the best antioxidant activity, flavonoid content and fruit quality attributes.

To find the effect of Nitrogen and phosphors on growth and yield of Lentil investigation was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and technology of Kashmir, Shalimar at Pulse Research Sub Station (Habak) Srinagar during rabi 2010-11 the experiment consist of two factors viz four Nitrogen levels (N0 ,N15, N30 and N45) and four phosphorus levels (P0,P25,P50 and P75) was laid out in a randomized block design replicated thrice. The study relieved that point height and dry matters accumulation showed significant and consistent increased at all growth stages up to 45 kg Nha -1 where as LAI and numbers of branches per plant increased significantly with Nitrogen application up to 30 kg Nha-1.The Phosphorous application significantly increased growth characters viz , plant height number of nodules LAI and No of branch plants and dry matters accumulation up to 50 kg P205,ha-1 . The interaction affect of seed yield between N&P was significant where highest with treatment combination of 30 kg N+50kg P205 ha-1 and 45 kg N+50kg P2o5 ha- 1 respectively. Proved beneficial for highest seed yield of Lentil under temprate condition of kashmir.

Seasonal variations in the water qualities and algal diversity of Thirupathisaram temple pond in Kanyakumari district was studied for the period of one calendar year (2014). The physico-chemical parameters like water temperatures, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, free CO2, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, Calcium, phosphates, nitrates, magnesium and sulphate were analysed and correlated with seasonal variation in the algal count of the pond water. Out of 105 microalgae recorded in the pond, 24 species belonged to Bacillariophyceae (22.85%), 42 species belonged to Chlorophyceae (40%), 32 species belonged to Cyanophyceae (30.47%) and 7 species belonged to Euglenophyceae (6.7%). Members of Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae were found maximum during the summer and declined during the winter and monsoon seasons whereas the members of Bacillariophyceae were maximum during the rainy season and they declined during the summer. An increasing trend in Photosynthetic productivity of algae was found from the rainy season to summer. Algal bloom was observed during the summer months and microalgae such as Navicula cincta, Nitzschia amphibia, Pediastrum boryanum, Tetraedron trigonum, Microcystis aeruginosa f. flos-aqueae and Microcystis wesenbergii were found as dominant among the species studied. Water in the temple pond was slightly eutrophic in nature.