NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJMS Vol.39(2) [June 2010]

Toxicological studies on the effect of copper, lead and zinc on selected enzymes in the adductor muscle and intestinal diverticula of the green mussel Perna viridis

Sat, 29 May 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Toxicological studies on the effect of copper, lead and zinc on selected enzymes in the adductor muscle and intestinal diverticula of the green mussel Perna viridis

Authors: S, Aanand; S, Purushothaman C; K, Pal A; V, Rajendran K

Abstract: The effect of heavy metals, copper, zinc and lead, on the enzyme activity of the green mussel Perna viridis was experimentally evaluated. A significant reduction in the activities of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle of zinc-treated animals could be observed. Activity of ALP was found to increase when compared to that in the control animals after seven days of treatment. Copper and lead were found to increase the activity of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle compared to the control animals. LDH activity was found to be enhanced by copper treatment, while lead treatment inhibited the LDH activity after an initial rise on the fourth day. All the enzymes showed high activity in the intestinal diverticula.

Page(s): 299-302

Antibacterial phenolics from the mangrove Lumnitzera racemosa

Sat, 29 May 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Antibacterial phenolics from the mangrove Lumnitzera racemosa

Authors: Souza, Lisette D’; Wahidulla, Solimabi; Devi, Prabha

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract and fractions of Lumnitzera racemosa was evaluated against fungi, virus and pathogenic bacteria. Crude methanolic extract and n-butanol fraction were ineffective against fungi and virus tested but exhibited significant bactericidal activity on all the bacteria tested. Flavonoids, quercetin and myricetin are the main active constituents with quercitrin, quercetin-3O-hexoside, kaempferol 4′-methyl ether, kaempferol-3,4′dimethyl ether, and bi-isorhamnetin and myricetin-7O-methylether(3→8″)quercetin –3O-rhamnoside, which are also constituents of the active fraction being partly responsible for the observed activity. Myricetin showed the most potent activity (MIC – 1.5 mg/ml) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa being markedly active against others (MIC – 6 mg/ml). Based on the current findings it can be concluded that this plant has antibacterial activity.

Page(s): 294-298

Skeletonema (Bacillariophyceae) in Indian waters: A reappraisal

Sat, 29 May 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Skeletonema (Bacillariophyceae) in Indian waters: A reappraisal

Authors: Naik, R K; Sarno, D; Kooistra, W H C F; Costa, P M D’; Anil, A C

Abstract: The planktonic diatom genus Skeletonema is common in Indian coastal waters. Recent taxonomic studies have uncovered high diversity in this genus, and it is expected that several species occur also in the highly diverse marine habitats along the Indian coastline. In the present study, material of a culture raised from a specimen isolated from a water sample taken from Goa and material from two Lugol fixed samples, one from the Bay of Bengal and one from the Arabian Sea, were examined. Samples were examined in LM and SEM. The culture strain from Goa was also characterized using its LSU rDNA sequence. Results revealed that the above strain belongs to S. costatum sensu stricto. The sample from the Bay of Bengal contained S. grevillei and the sample from the Arabian Sea, S. tropicum.

Page(s): 290-293

Naphthalene induced activities on growth, respiratory metabolism and biochemical composition in juveniles of Metapenaeus affinis (H.Milne Edward, 1837)

Sat, 29 May 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Naphthalene induced activities on growth, respiratory metabolism and biochemical composition in juveniles of Metapenaeus affinis (H.Milne Edward, 1837)

Authors: Ansari, Z A; Farshchi, Parveen; Faniband, Moosa

Abstract: Toxicity of naphthalene was carried out on Metapenaeus affinis (H. Milne Edward, 1837) to investigate its effects on growth , metabolic index and biochemical constituents. Growth rate in terms of weight gain was 32.13% in control, 12.12% in 0.125 ppm and only 5.22% in 0.25 ppm. Metabolic index assessed in terms of oxygen consumption showed a reduction in respiratory rate up to 44.4% in prawns exposed to naphthalene. Activity increased initially but reduced subsequently. Protein content and organic carbon of the body tissue of juveniles showed reduction on exposure to naphthalene. Inhibitory effect was dose dependent and duration of exposure. However, the lipid content increased after exposure to naphthalene. Changes in the growth and respiratory rate and other biochemical constituents resulting from exposure to naphthalene indicate some adaptive response and recovery during detoxification in the prawns exposed to pollutant. Study revealed that the physiological and biochemical parameters could be used as indicator of stress condition in aquatic organisms and the use of naphthalene should be regulated because of its toxic nature.

Page(s): 285-289