http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3281 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3305 Title: Antimicrobial activity of endemic Digitalis lamarckii Ivan from Turkey <br/> <br/>Authors: Benli, Mehlika; Yiğit, Nazife; Geven, Fatmagü; Güney, Kerim; Bingöl, Ümit <br/> <br/>Abstract: Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of leaves and flowers of D. lamarckii Ivan, (Scophulariaceae), an endemic plant species of Turkey, was tested on ten bacterial and four yeast strains. Effective antibacterial activity was observed in four bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated by use of liquid culture tests and in all the four effective bacterial strains, the MIC was found to be ≥199.5 mg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes was calculated to be ≥199.5 mg/ml, and MBC value for Shigella was calculated as ≥399 mg/ml. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 218-221 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3304 Title: Distribution and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated sites of Hisar (India) <br/> <br/>Authors: Bishnoi, Kiran; Sain, Umashanker; Kumar, Rajender; Singh, Rajesh; Bishnoi, Narsi R <br/> <br/>Abstract: Fifty-two soil samples were collected from various location of the Hisar city. These samples were analysed for six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, and pyrene). Total mean concentration of six PAHs varied from 51.79 to 148.82 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight of the soil, PAH concentration was higher in soil samples from local auto market while lower concentration was recorded in agricultural soil. Effect of pH (5.0 to 9.0), temperature (20º to 40ºC), and concentration of PAHs (5 to 20 mg kg⁻¹) on biodegradation were optimized. Biodegradation of phenanthrene (3-ring) and pyrene (4-ring) was evaluated using two acclimatized microbial strains Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas paucimobilis. Biodegradation was maximum in sterilized artificial spiked soil with phenanthrene (5 mg kg⁻¹) and pyrene (5 mg kg⁻¹) at pH 7.0 and at 30ºC (optimized conditions) than the native unsterilized contaminated soil (without optimized conditions) in 42 days of incubation period with Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas paucimobilis. Phenanthrene was completely disappeared after 28 days with P. putida and after 35 days with P. paucimobilis. Whereas, pyrene was disappeared up to 97.40 % with P. putida and 95.5% with P. paucimobilis after 42 days incubation period at optimum conditions. Under unoptimized conditions, disappearance of phenanthrene was 65.89% with P. putida and 57.81% with P. paucimobilis after 42 days, whereas the % disappearance of pyrene was 59.80% with P. putida and 52.07% with P. paucimobilis. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 210-217 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3303 Title: Shelf life and colonization of soil by clay based cyanobacterial inocula <br/> <br/>Authors: Dubey, Vineeta; Verma, R C <br/> <br/>Abstract: Four heterocystous cyanobacteria, isolated from grasslands of Ujjain were selected to prepare the clay based inoculants. Inoculants were evaluated for shelf life in terms of the titer value at 6 month intervals for 24 months. For colonization by inoculants in natural grasslands, the clay based inocula were applied to the field at: 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha and their survival was estimated at different time interval. Fuller’s earth based inoculants had showed 50-65% survival after two year storage. After showing an initial decline, the population of the inoculated cyanobacteria became stable after 3 months. The inoculated strains persisted in the soil for longer duration, even after four months, their population was about 10-70 times higher than that of the uninoculated plots. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 222-224 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3300 Title: Protective effect of Piper longum Linn. on monosodium glutamate induced oxidative stress in rats <br/> <br/>Authors: Thomas, Mariyamma; Sujatha, K S; George, Sisilamma <br/> <br/>Abstract: Protective effect of ethanol extract of Piper longum Linn. against monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced toxicity was studied. Rats, orally administered with MSG at a dose of 8 mg/g body weight for 20 consecutive days, showed an increase in liver weight and rate of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH) in serum, liver and kidney showed decreased concentration. Significant increase was noticed in activities of serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST), levels of serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and urea. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney showed central venous congestion, diffuse degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes in para cortical and midzonal areas of liver and diffuse cortical tubular degeneration of kidney. Oral administration of ethanol extract of P. longum fruits at 300 mg/kg body weight along with MSG significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxides in serum, liver and kidney, serum AST activity, serum levels of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol. Though, there was an increase in the level of GSH in tissues it was not significant. However, the treatment failed to reduce the levels of ALT and urea. Examination of tissue sections also exhibited normal histological architecture of both the organs. The present study revealed that administration of P. longum provided significant protection to liver and kidney from the oxidative stress of MSG, though the dose rate was not sufficient to provide a complete protection. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 186-192 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:58:59 GMT