Applied Botany

Sixty four seed samples of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) collected from different districts of Rajasthan revealed 35 fungal species of 18 genera in addition to Alternaria alternata, A. longissima, A. tenussima, Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Bipolaris spicifera, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera graminea, D. tetramera, D. rostrata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, Rhizopus nigricans, Trichothecium roseum which were dominant and affected seed germination, seedling vigour and seedling diseases.

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.

Antibacterial activity of chloroform and methanol extracts of Phellinus switeniae (Murr.) S. Herrera and Bondart were studied. The activity was evaluated by well assay method and microtiter plate dilution method using sixteen strains of Acinetobacter baumanii Bouvet & Grimont. The methanol extract of Phellinus switeniae showed activity against all strains of Acinetobacter but no activity has been found in case of chloroform extract of Phellinus switeniae against all strains of bacteria. Methanol extract of Phellinus switeniae was found to be efficient against human pathogenic Acinetobacter, as low MIC values seen.

Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for plants. As a constituents of sulfure containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine are also important for animal and human nutrition. That is why understanding of how inorganic sulfure is taken up by plants and built into organic molecules in the process of sulfur assimilation is important. The process of sulfur uptake and assimilation is an integral part of sulfur metabolism. The major physiological problem connected with sulfur metabolism is a sulfur deficiency stress which can be diagnosed in two states. The short -term response is characterized by the development of enhance lateral roots exploring the space in search for lacking nutrients. The long- term response is characterized by decrease in internal lipids, and chlorophyll content and increase in photorespiration. These factor provide-cause effect connections to decrease photosynthesis leading to limitation in energy assimilation, which is turn induces in decline of plant metabolisms.

The major part of Eastern Ghats comes under the state of Tamil Nadu. It is spread over three States of India, namely Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The author had collected this species the first time in localities of Odamandurai odai, Karanthamalai hills, Dindigul district of Eastern Ghats, form the shady places and River margins. Recorded only from North of Tamil Nadu, the present collection assumes significance as the first report of an extended distribution to central Tamil Nadu.

The effects of dry-heat and seed soaking in distilled water on germination performance of W. somnifera and Sida cordifolia L. were studied. Dry-heat pretreatments for several times (1-60 min) significantly increase germination percentage. The highest germination was obtained at 1000 C (80% and 83%, respectively). A significant increase in germination rate was achieved under different pretreatments. The physiological dormancy caused by an impermeable seed coat can be overcome by dry-heat pretreatments. Further micrography and anatomical studies of both the plants were also made.

A protocol was developed for high frequency plantlet regeneration from shoot tip explants of Withania somnifera on MS media supplemented with BAP and Kn at different concentrations. These in vitro developed shoots were separated and rooted on half strength of MS medium supplemented with IBA. Complete plantlets were hardened and acclilimatized in field condition.  The regeneration protocol developed in this study provides a basis for germplasm conservation and for further investigation of bioactive constituents of this medicinal plant.

Cassia fistula Linn. Belongs to family Leguminosae, Sub – family Caesalpineae, a very common Indian plant is known for its medicinal properties. C. fistula is known to be an important source of secondary metabolites notably phenolic compounds like tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. Pharmacological activities include antibacterial, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, hypatoprotective, antitumor, antifungal activities. This article provides glimpses on morphology, traditional uses and its phytochemical and pharmacological activities.

Pectinase producing microorganisms were isolated from fruit waste disposable area soil samples of Pazhamuthir Nilayam, Coimbatore, TamilNadu and screened in modified Czapek- Dox media with citrus pectin as sole carbon source. Among the isolates, only four fungal strains showed hydrolyzing zone. The fungal strain showing maximum clearance zone of 36 mm (out of colony diameter of 57 mm) was selected and it was identified as Paecilomyces variotii. The effects of the various carbon sources like dextrose, maltose and cellulose and nitrogen sources like ammonium sulphate, potassium nitrate and urea on the pectinase activity by Paecilomyces variotii were carried out in surface culture fermentation. The results of the investigation revealed that the maximum pectinase production of 9.71 Umg-1protein and of 9.66 Umg-1protein were obtained at both intracellular and extracellular level in 3% dextrose and 3% maltose as carbon sources. Among the nitrogen sources, the maximum pectinase activity of 9.73 Umg-1proteinand 8.65 Umg-1protein was observed in 3% and 2% ammonium sulphate at both intracellular and extracellular level.

A great yield of tomato is lost to disease of varied causes annually. This underscores the need for continuous study of factors affecting the epidemiology and prevalence of these diseases for effective management. This study was conducted in two environments of Aboh and Ahiazu Mbaise local Government Areas of Imo State Southeast, Nigeria. The aim was to investigate the fungal pathogens associated with tomato plants. The plant leaf samples were cultured on Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Brain Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA) and incubated at room temperature for 3-5 days. Result revealed that the most prevalent species were Fusarium (75%) and Curvularia (55%) while Alternaria (15 %) was least .The pathogenecity test carried out showed that Fusarium species were the most pathogenic ; followed by the Aspergillus and Curvularia Species . The data generated from this study will help local farmers in Mbaise in minimizing yield losses.