NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: JSIR Vol.64(02) [February 2005]

Evaluation of anti-mosquito properties of essential oils

Title: Evaluation of anti-mosquito properties of essential oils

Authors: Makhaik, Mohini; Naik, Satya Narayan; Tewary, Dhananjay Kumar

Abstract: Essential oils from Cedrus deodara, Eucalyptus citriodora, Cymbopogon flexuous, C. winterianus, Pinus roxburghii, Syzygium aromaticum and Tagetes minuta were evaluated for bioactivity against the adults of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Serial dilutions of the oils were made in deodorized kerosene to obtain a range of concentrations (0.5-10%) and the adults were exposed to the vapour of the different oils for 1h in WHO kits for sensitivity testing. C. winterianus and S. aromaticum oils were equi effective and found most effective with LC₅₀and LC₉₅ values respectively at 0.5 and 0.9 % for C. quinquefasciatus and 1.0 and 2.0 % for A. aegypti. Activity was found in the order: S. aromaticum > C. flexuous > E. citriodora > C. winterianus > C. deodara > T. minuta.

Page(s): 129-133

Effect of transition metal ions on the metabolism of Aspergillus niger in the production of citric acid with molasses as substrate

Title: Effect of transition metal ions on the metabolism of Aspergillus niger in the production of citric acid with molasses as substrate

Authors: Angumeenal, A R; Venkappayya, D

Abstract: A two-stage process for the treatment of molasses was employed. Early germination with rapid multiplication of the microbe was observed. The nutritional quality of the medium was enriched by the addition of certain transition metal ions (Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd & Pb), of which Ni was found to serve as a good nutritional supplement. Batch fermentations by surface culture were carried out and the possible mechanism for the metabolic changes taking place in Aspergillus niger during the production of citric acid is discussed. Using nickel, as high as 269 mg/ml of citric acid was produced.

Page(s): 125-128

Elements in scalp hair and nails indicating metal body burden in polluted environment

Title: Elements in scalp hair and nails indicating metal body burden in polluted environment

Authors: Mehra, Rita; Juneja, Meenu

Abstract: Heavy metals in biological samples namely hair and nails taken at random were examined in subjects occupationally or otherwise exposed to Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ni, Ca, Mg and Cr metals and in controls from subjects working in different environments such as tooth powder manufacturing unit, lead battery unit, locomotive workshop, welding unit and roadways workshop. The significant levels between exposed and unexposed subjects in hair and nails have been computed by student 't' test at p < 0.05. The Pearson Moment Correlation analysis of the data for these ten elements revealed significant positive correlation between Cr/Ni, Fe/Mn, Fe/Cr and Ni/Fe in hair of exposed subjects; Cr/Pb, Mn/Cd, Zn/Cd, Zn/Mn, Ni/Pb, Fe/Pb, Cr/Ni, Cr/Fe and Fe/Ni in hair of unexposed subjects; Cr/Cd, Ca/Cd, Ca/Mn, Ca/Cr, Ni/Cd, Ni/Mn, Ni/Cr,Ni/Ca,Fe/Cr and Ni/Fe in nails of exposed subjects and Cu/Cd, Cr/Cd, Cr/Cu, Zn/Cd, Zn/Cu, Zn/Cr, Ca/Cd, Ca/Cu, Ca/Cr, Ca/Zn, Mg/Cd, Mg/Cu, Mg/Cr, Mg/Ca, Ni/Cd, Ni/Cu, Ni/Cr, Ni/Ca, Ni/Mg/, Ni/Zn, Fe/Cr, Fe/Ni and Fe/Cd in nails of unexposed subjects. This behaviour has been explained in context to the type of exposure.

Page(s): 119-124

Estimation of the essential inorganic constituents of commercial toothpastes

Title: Estimation of the essential inorganic constituents of commercial toothpastes

Authors: Oyewale, A O

Abstract: Commercial toothpastes, randomly sampled from the open market were analyzed for fluoride, phosphate, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, moisture content and pH. Colorimetry was used to determine the levels of fluoride using the SPADNS-zirconyl chloride method and phosphate using the phosphovanadomolybdate method. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used to determine the levels of calcium and magnesium, while Flame Photometry was used for sodium and potassium determination. Moisture content was 20-39%, with 85% of the samples having water levels > 29 wt %. The pH of the toothpastes ranged from 4-8, with 60% of them having a neutral pH. The levels of constituents depend on the method of solubilization of toothpaste, with concentrated nitric acid digestion giving the best results. The concentrations were: fluoride, 1.0-1.55; phosphate, 3-20; calcium, 0.04-1.26; sodium, 12-38; potassium, 0.01-0.99; and magnesium, 0.1-2.3 mg/g. The health implications for tooth care and of assimilation of the elements during the mouth cleansing process, especially when present at unacceptable levels, was discussed.

Page(s): 101-107