Applied Botany

Water pollution is a major global problem that requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (from international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, industrialized countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. Water quality issues are a major challenge that humanity is facing in the twenty-first century. Here, we review the main groups of aquatic contaminants, their effects on human health, and approaches to mitigate pollution of freshwater resources. Emphasis is placed on chemical pollution, particularly on inorganic and organic micro-pollutants including toxic metals and metalloids as well as a large variety of synthetic organic chemicals. Some aspects of waterborne diseases and the urgent need for improved sanitation in developing countries are also discussed. The review addresses current scientific advances to cope with the great diversity of pollutants. It is organized along the different temporal and spatial scales of global water pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have affected water systems on a global scale for more than five decades; during that time geo-genic pollutants, mining operations, and hazardous waste sites have been the most relevant sources of long-term regional and local water pollution. Agricultural chemicals and waste-water sources exert shorter-term effects on regional to local scales.

We studied Dunaliella salina on different media to find out optimum culture media for algal growth and biopigment production. D. salina is a flagellated, halophile green microalga especially found in brackish water. D. salina is known for its antioxidant activity because of its ability to create large amount of carotenoid. Growth kinetics of cultures was showed on various media with significant modifications such as ASWM1 (2M NaCl), 2ASWM1 (medium composition same as ASWM1 but double strength of 4M NaCl, modified D medium2 (.01 g of NaHCO3 and 2M NaCl), modified Johnson medium3 (3M NaCl), FE medium (2m NaCl).pH was adjusted to 7.8. Maximum growth rate, cell production with maximum accumulation of chlorophyll and carotenoid were found in ASWM. Carotenoid content was found maximum in double concentration of NaCl (4-5molar) in 2ASWM. Chlorophyll content was found maximum in D medium (19.4 mg/gm) and minimum FE medium (2.2mg/gm). Improvement in the carotenoid content with increase in salinity in ASWM could be a good basis for the exploitation of microalgae as a source of biopigment.

In present times, focus on herbal research has increased worldwide. Urariapictais an important medicinal herb that is extensively used in dasamula and is becoming popular. Flavanoids, alkaloids and pterocarpans are the key constituents of Urariapictaand mainly alleged for its broad beneficial actions. Other than for given treatments, the herb is suggested as remedy for a variety of other ailments. The present review is an effort to provide complete information on Phytochemicals screening, traditional uses and pharmacology relating to preclinical studies.

The seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. popularly known as neem collected from five cities of Accra metropolis was studied. Trees with wide girth and different seed weight were observed. Maximum residual oil content was noticed in trees from Haatso. Weight of the seeds had no effect on the oil yield. Seed oil content in most of the cities was not significantly correlated with morphological parameters of seeds. A.indica seed oil extracted was analyzed for their physicochemical properties such as viscosity at 28 ^oC (0.07 kg/ms), pH (5.7), acid value (1.102 ml/g), iodine value (71.0 gI₂/100g) and free fatty acid value (48.35 ml/g). The maximum mean percentage oil obtained (52.5 %) makes the commercialization of the seeds of Azadirachta indica in Ghana a possible and profitable venture. The result also confirms the oil to be good quality and can find application in industrial purposes.

The mangroves are the dominant flora of the estuarine ecosystem, showing different adaptations with unrelated species. Therefore in present investigation attempts were made to study vegetation characters of the mangroves from Western Maharashtra of India. The area is unique due to its diversity and dominant species occurred at different sites. It mainly consists of species like A. marina, A. officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata etc. with dominance occurring commonly at all the study sites. Sensitivity and adaptability of the species in the critical ecosystem become important to assess the vulnerability of a species.

Wetlands are the sites of natural succession and therefore contain all the groups of plant kingdom in a single place. The present paper encompasses the floristic account of Pteridophytes occur in wetland of Gorakhpur and adjacent districts of Uttar Pradesh. In this region, varies wetlands like Ramgarh Tal, Tura Nala, Salona Tal, Narya Tal, and Ratoi Tal and varies small water bodies. A total of 20 Pteridophytes species were recorded from the wetland.

The present study was aimed for isolation and quantification of Primary Metabolites from selected plant species. Antioxidant activity of plants was also carried out by using FRAP, Catalase,Lipid Peroxidation and Peroxidase assay. The maximum amount of primary metabolite was protein and the minimum was total soluble sugars in leaves of Tylophora indica whereas in the case of Nyctanthes arbor tritis. Maximum amount of primary metabolite was protein in roots and the minimum starch was found in stem. Thus leaves of Tylophora indica. and the roots of Nyctanthes arbor tritis were the rich source of protein. Stem of Tylophora indica was found to be better antioxidant as compared to leaves when observed by various antioxidant assays.. In the case of Nyctanthes-arbor-tritis different plant parts showed potent activity when assayed by different methods. . The present results showed potential of this medicinal plant which can be used as herbal drug as therapeutic ventures in future aspects.

Nano-biotechnology is recognized as offering revolutionary changes in various fields of medicine. Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles have a wide range of applications. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles is an eco-friendly method in the field of nanotechnology. Seaweed extracts of Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh and Ulva lactuca Linnaeus was used as a reducing agent in the eco-friendly extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3). High conversion of silver ions to silver nanoparticles was achieved with Ulva lactuca at reaction temperature of 100° and a seaweed extract concentration of 10% with a residential time of 1 h using reflux extractor when compared with the other methods. Formation of silver nanoparticles was characterized by spectrophotometry and the electron microscopic technique. The average particles size was ranging from 35 to 75 nm. Antimicrobial activities indicate the minimum inhibitory concentration of biologically synthesized nanoparticles tested against the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (1 mg/ml). High inhibitions over the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli were witnessed against the concentrations of 1 mg/ml. Enzyme assay of the collected seaweeds performed using standard protocol to assess the potency level. Further photocatalytic degradation and seed germination test proved that synthesized nanoparticles were environmentally safe, for which the same can be used for effluent treatment process.

Plants are an integral part nature. These are the life sustaining force on the earth. Local communities regularly use medicinal plants for treatment of diseases, wounds, fractures and other ailments. Tribal areas in the district of Nagaur were visited to collect informations on ethnomedicinal plants used by local people, Vendors, Ojha, Bhopa, Bhagat, Vaidyas and Sadhus. The preset investigation in aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phyto chemists and pharmaceutical.

Natural dyes are biodegradable eco friendly. In the present study an attempt was made to dye silk and cotton with the dyes extracted from the flowers of Delonix regia, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Tagetes erecta and Peltophoram petrocarpum using two different mordant, copper sulphate and potassium dichromate. The fabrics dyed in Nyctanthes have found to be good colour fastness when they subjected to involve in qualitative test.