RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-2, Number-2, May-2009
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13. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 53-60 (2009) Role of antioxidants in oxidativestress
management Anamika Nag* Department of Nutrition, *e- mail:
nag.anamika@yahoo.com (Received: December 24, 2008; Revised
received: March 22, 2009; Accepted: May 05, 2009) |
Abstract: The present review literature is compiled with
an aim to be acquainted with the science of free-radical generation and
neutralization. Research implicates free radicals in development of a number
of degenerative diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease,
cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysfunction, cataracts
and muscular degener ation.
Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions
that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing
free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being
oxidized themselves. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and hence
prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Antioxidants comprise
many components like vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and polyphenols.
The most well-known antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E, b
carotene, and selenium. This review paper includes specific details of the antioxidative process and various antioxidants. Key words:
Oxidative stress, Antioxident,
Vitamins, Free radicals |
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14. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 61-66 (2009) Natural immunomodulators as an
anti-HIV agent Pallavi Gupta1, Amita
Kanaujia1* and Kamal
Jaiswal2 1Department of Zoology, 2Department of Applied Animal Sciences, *e- mail:
kanaujia.amita@gmail.com (Received: December 12, 2008; Revised received: April 10,
2009; Accepted: April 25, 2009) |
Abstract: AIDS (Acquired immuno-deficiency
syndrome), caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an
immunosuppressive disease which results in life-threatening opportunistic
infections (infections that occur only in people having weakened immune
system). In AIDS patients opportunistic infections weaken the already
challenged immune system. Key words: AIDS, HIV, Ayurveda, Immunomodulator,
Immunity, Virus, Syndrome, Anti-HIV agent, Cytokines |
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15. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 67-76 (2009) GIS techniques for evaluating the carrying
capacity of the Gomati river basin - A case study of Shalini Verma*, Ajai
Mishra, Saurabh Gupta and
Neeraj Kumar Agarwal Department of Geology,
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Abstract: Geomatic tools have
been used as an aid to study the carrying capacity of the Gomati river basin
(GRB). The GRB is rich in natural resources, large urbanization, and economic
activity. The land use pattern of LUC shows that an area in 1970-1987 was
covered 9170.96 while in 2004-05 it was 16270 ha, indicating a 77.4% increase
in the total area, while residential use has grown dramatically in comparison
to all other uses, although there has also been notable growth in commercial,
industrial and public service land use. The rapid increase in population
requires more drinking water and transport network. There were 904831
registered vehicles in the year 2007, and 968915 in 2008, which represents
annual growth of 7.08 % in the number of registered vehicles. The amount of
solid municipal waste, sewage water, air pollutants and noise level has been
increased rapidly and reduce the quality of soil, water and air as well as
human life. In order to facilitate future planning for the Key words: Carrying capacity, Gomati
river basin, Natural resources, GIS techniques |
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16. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 77-82 (2009) Assessment of phytoplankton population in a pond water S. Radhakrishnan1, P. Saravana Bhavan1*,
P. Vijayan2, S. Kannan1
and 1Department of Zoology, 3Department of Educational Technology, *e- mail:
bhavanps@yahoo.co.in (Received: February 18, 2009; Revised received: May 05, 2009;
Accepted: May 10, 2009)
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Abstract: The phytoplankton population in relation to
physicochemical parameters of Muthannankulam pond,
at Key words:
Phytoplankton, Physico-chemical
parameters, Pond water |
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17. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 83-90 (2009) Improved submerged fermentation of corn cob with mechanically
broken oil seed cakes and decolorisation of textile
dyes by enzyme extract of Pleurotus florida PF05 Ram Naraian1*, Naveen K. Arora1 and S.K. Garg2 1Department of Microbiology, 2Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lahia Awadh University, Faizabad-224 001, *e- mail: ramnarain_itrc@rediffmail.com (Received: November 22, 2008; Revised received: April 18,
2009; Accepted: May 02, 2009) |
Abstract:Five mechanically broken oil seed cakes viz.,
cotton seed cake (CSC), soybean seed cake(SSC) mustard cake (MC), neem seed cake (NC) and ground nut cake (GNC) were tested
as nutrient additives. The consequence of these cakes supplemented with corn
cob as basal substrate were evaluated to conclude the growth rate, biomass
yield, laccase and peroxidase production by Pleurotus florida
PF05 during submerged fermentation up to 10 days. Five diverse concentrations
of cakes checked in four replicates were 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, 3.0 and 4.0% (v/v).
Utmost growth rate, biomass yield, laccase and
peroxidase production were at lower concentrations of seed cakes. Mustard
cake as the best cake enhanced the growth rate, biomass yield and enzyme
activities, while, cotton seed cake was the next best cake. The NC was found
to least effective. The activities of the both enzymes were moderately higher
on 10th day in contrast to 7th day. The lessening order of laccase production was as: MC (435.2 UL-1),
CSC (393.8 UL-1), SSC (387.6 UL-1), GNC (261.6 UL-1)
and NC (176.3 UL-1) while, for the peroxidase production it was as
MC (74.12 UL-1), SSC (67.44 UL-1), CSC (63.45 UL-1),
GNC (38.51 UL-1) and NC (11.54 UL-1). Finally the
culture extracts having higher enzyme units were tested for decolorisation of two textile dyes basic rhodamine and acid scarlet-3R, showed significant
competence. Increasing the concentration of extract, decolorisation
was amplified dynamically. The highest87 and 93% decolorisation
was recorded in 10% extract treatment to respective dye solutions. Key word: Submerged fermentation, Pleurotus spp., Oil seed cake, Enzyme
extract, Textile dye |
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18. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 91-94 (2009) Growth and biochemical responses of tomato irrigated with
industrial effluent Shadma Naaz and S.N. Pandey* Department of Botany, *e- mail:
snpandey511@gmail.com (Received: December 16, 2008; Revised received: April 18,
2009; Accepted: April 25, 2009) |
Abstract: Industrial effluent collected from outlet of industries,
discharged after treatment. The analytical results of effluent showed high
values of total solids, hardness with a slightly alkaline pH, contained high
concentration of chromium (1.03 mg L-1) and nickel (0.89 mg L-1). The concentration of
Zn (0.46 mg L-1) and copper (0.21 mg L-1) in industrial
effluent was below the standard limits. The diluted (25 and 50%), undiluted
(100%) effluent were used to irrigate the 30 days old tomato plants grown in Gomti upland alluvial soil to study their effects on
growth and biochemical responses of Lycopersicon esculentum var. crystal. Dry matter yield and biomolecules (total chlorophyll, protein and sugar
contents) was found to be increased with increase in concentrations of the
effluent upto 50%, which declined at the exposure
of undiluted waste water (100%). Visible symptoms of toxicity appeared on
plants exposed with industrial effluents such as stunted growth,
chlorosis in young leaves turned necrotic at severity, and showed reduced
leaves size and their irregular shape. The usage of industrial effluent was
not found suitable for irrigational purposes needs proper treatment before
use. Key words: Biomolecules, Sugar, Lycopersicon, Industrial
effluent |
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19. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 95-98 (2009) Biochemical
alteration in glucose content in blood of Anabas testudineus
(bloch) due to the effect of pesticides Mamta Sinha1 and Renuka Sharan2 1Department
of Zoology, 2Department of Zoology, *e-
mail: mamtasinha1967@gmail.com (Received:
December 10, 2008; Revised received: April 08, 2009; Accepted: May 02, 2009) |
Abstract: In the present work an attempt has been made to
study the alteration in the plasma glucose level in a fresh water air
breathing fish, Anabus testudineus (Bloch) exposed to three pesticides
namely metacid, malathion
and lindane under 24, 48 and 72 hr of exposure
periods. The treatment of above mentioned pesticides cause a significant fall
in the plasma glucose level on exposure to longer duration of lindane and malathion. While in
the case of metacid treated fishes an exposure to
longer duration depletion in the plasma glucose was insignificant. The blood
glucose level in the control fishes range between 94.80 to 98.70 mg 100 mL-1. In the case of exposure to lindane for 24, 48 and 72 hr to LC50 dose of
pesticide, the level of blood glucose recorded was 72.47 mg 100 mL-1 (24% fall), 70.47 mg 100 mL-1 (26% fall) and 66.67 mg 100 mL-1 (30% fall) less than the control value.
In the case of malathion for 24, 48 and 72 hr to
the LC50 dose of pesticide, the level of blood glucose recorded
was 84.93 mg 100 mL-1 (14% fall), 89.43
mg 100 mL-1 (9% fall) and 76.8 mg 100 mL-1 (22% fall) from the control value. While
in the case of metacid for 24, 48 and 72 hr to LC50
dose of pesticide the level of blood glucose recorded was 90.17 mg 100 mL-1 (8% fall), 95.7 mg 100 mL-1 (2% fall) and 97.23 mg 100 mL-1 (1% fall) from the control value. The
required quantity of metacid to constitute LC50
dose for 24, 48 and 72 hr of exposure was19.28, 13.18 and 9.2 mgL-1 respectively. While those of malathion and lindane was
16.22, 9.88 and 8.91, 12.16,8.92 and 7.24 mgL-1 respectively. The safe concentration of metacid was 8.56 mgL-1
while the quantity of malathion for safe
concentration was 7.97 mgL-1 and the
quantity of lindane for safe concentration was 5.02
mgL-1 Key words: Anabus testudineus,
Metacid, Malathion, Lindane and pesticide |
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20. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 99-102 (2009) Status of phytoplankton in chaurs of
Begusarai north Bihar Swapna Choudhary*, Uttam
Kumar and Utpal Kumar *e- mail:
schoudhary2007@yahoo.co.in (Received: January 05, 2009; Revised
received: April 28, 2009; Accepted: May 04, 2009) |
Abstract: The phytoplankton population of the Kaual chaur (Teloria) plays a significant role in determining the
pattern of fluctuation and yield of total plankton. Members of Chlorophyceae (Green algae) were presented throughout the
study period from 2006 to 2008. The maximum density 420and 390 µL-1
were recorded in winter in both the years, respectively. Minimum
growth 205and 190 µL-1 were recorded during monsoon in 2006
to 2008 respectively. Spirogyra, oedogonim, closterium, chlorella and cosmerium
were the dominant genera. The maximum number of Cyanophyceae
(Myxophyceae) was in summer in both the years (125
and 120 µL-1 respectively) and minimum number was in winter with
95 and 92 µL-1 respectively for 2006-07 and 2007-08. The dominant
species were Anabaena sp., Microcystis
sp. and Oscillatoria sp. While Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms) were found maximum 65 and 63
µL-1 in summer and minimum during winters in both the years 42 and
40 µL-1 in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. The most dominant
species were Fragilaria sp. and Navicula sp. Key words: Phytoplankton, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae |
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21. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 103-104 (2009) Waterloss as a respiratory parameter for effect of
juvenile hormone subsequently fumigated larvae of Sandhya Jadhav* Department of Zoology, New Arts Commerce
and *e- mail:
dr_sandhyajadhav@rediffmail.com (Received: December 16, 2008; Revised received: April 22,
2009; Accepted: May 1, 2009) |
Abstract: In the present study, the effects of juvenile hormones (JH) with
subsequent fumigation on water loss were measured in different larval stages.The total water loss and rate of water loss in
carbon tetrachloride fumigated larvae was more than that of normal larvae. In
JH treated larvae rate of water loss was less than normal andthe
fumigated insects. The larvae fumigated after JH treatment showed some
increase as compared to only JH treated larvae. But the loss was always less
than that of the normal and fumigated insects. Sixth instar
larvae is an exception where total water loss and rate of water loss were
increased with JHs and they further increased in larvae, treated with
hormones and fumigant. Water loss in above treatment was even more than in
the fumigated larvae. JH treated fumigated larvae showed more water loss than
only JH treated larvae but it was less than the normal and fumigated insects. Key words:
Water loss, Juvenile hormones, Fumigation, |
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22. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 105-110 (2009) Population of zooplankton
in relation to physico-chemical parameters of a seasonal pond R. Poongodi1,
P. Saravana Bhavan1*,
P. Vijayan2, S. Kannan
and 1Department of Zoology, 3Department of Educational Technology, *e- mail:
bhavanps@yahoo.co.in (Received: February 4, 2009; Revised received: May 2, 2009;
Accepted: May 6, 2009) |
Abstract: The zooplankton population in relation to physico-chemical
parameters of Vedappatti pond, at Key words:
Pond, Zooplankton, Water quality |
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23. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 111-114 (2009) Assessment of portable ground water quality in Chinhat, Lucknow, India Neeraj Kumar Agarwal*, Ajai Mishra, Saurabh Guptaand Shalini Verma Department of Geology, *e- mail:
neeraj15d@rediffmail.com (Received: November 15, 2008; Revised received:
April 18, 2009; Accepted: April 28, 2009) |
Abstract: Exploitation of ground water resources were reported due to the
increasing the demand for water in domestic, agricultural and industrial
sectors. The quality of ground water is commonly affected by waste disposal
and land use pattern. It can also become contaminated by the disposal of
fluids through wells and other terrains through sinkholes directly into
aquifers. The quality of groundwater is deteriorating at a faster pace due to
pollution ranging from septic tanks, land fill leachates,
domestic sewage, agricultural runoff/ agricultural fields and industrial
wastes. Attempts have been made to understand the impact of industries on
ground water quality of Chinhat area, Key words: Ground water, Nitrogen, Fluoride, Total hardness, Alkalinity |
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24 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 115-118 (2009) Responses of antioxidative defense system to water stress in two black gram genotypes B. Gupta1, G.C. Pathak1, D.K. Pandey2
and 1Department of Botany, 2Department of Life Sciences, Amity School of Engineering and
Technology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow - 226 010, India *e- mail:
nalini_pandey@rediffmail.com (Received: December 11, 2008; Accepted: April 22,
2009) |
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate oxidative stress
and plant antioxidant system of two black gram varieties (Vigna
mungo L.) in response to water stress. Water
stress was imposed 20 days after emergence by withholding supply till 8 days.
Water stress increased H2O2, thiobarbituric
acid reactive substances (TBARS), electrolyte leakage (EC), proline and ascorbic acid (Asc)
concentration in leaves of stressed plants, but decreased chlorophyll (Chl), relative water content (RWC) and stomatal opening. Water stress increased the activities
of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR).Var. DPU-88-31 showed lower decline in Chl, RWC, and increase in H2O2,
TBARS, EC, proline and ascorbate contents and
higher increase in SOD, APX and GR as compared to var. IPU-94-1. Key words: Vigna mungo L., Electrolyte leakage, Lipid peroxidation, Reactive oxygen species, Water stress |
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25. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 119-124 (2009) Phytotoxic response of nickel on plant growth and metabolism in pea (Pisum sativum)
and use of iron as an ameliorant Aditya Verma* and Y.K. Sharma Department of Botany, *e- mail:aditya_kobe@yahoo.co.in (Received: December 26, 2008; Revised received:April 05, 2009; Accepted: April 10, 2009) |
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different
concentrations of nickel and their amelioration by applying various iron
concentration on pea seedlings (Pisum sativum – var. Arkel). To
see the detrimental effects of nickel on pea seedlings 200, 400 and 600 µM
concentrations were applied. The concentrations of nickel (200, 400, 600 µM)
with iron (200 and 500 µM) showed promotery effects
on seedling germination. Germination percentage, fresh and dry weight, plumule and radicle length and
lateral roots showed reduction at 200, 400 and 600 µM nickel concentrations.
But in combination with 200 and 500 µM iron concentrations these parameters
showed positive growth. Chlorophyll and phaeophytin contents were found to be
decreased in nickel concentration in comparison to control and recovered in
treatments of iron. Total carotenoid level was increased in lower nickel
concentrations, but in recovery treatments it remained approximately uniform.
The activity of amylase was decreases with increase of nickel application
however the activity of catalase and peroxidase increases with increasing
nickel concentration. Total protein and sugar content were decreases with
increasing concentration of Ni. Overall the recovery treatment of iron showed
significant recovery in most of the parameters. Key words: Phytotoxic, Promotery, Nickel, Iron,
Chlorophyll, Phaeophytin, Carotenoid |
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26. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 125-130 (2009) Impact of urbanization on drinking water quality in Shashank Shekhar Mishra*,
Ajai Mishra and Reetanjali Singh Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, *e- mail:
enviroshashank@rediffmail.com (Received: December 05, 2008; Revised received:April 11, 2009; Accepted: April 26, 2009) |
Abstract: Present study emphasizes the impact of
urbanization on drinking water quality supplied by municipal corporation and
its possible management. Sampling was performed at 20 different locations of
municipal water supply in 2005 and 2009 to cover the entire city including
areas connected with the filtration plants and other areas where direct or
indirect ground water supply is practiced. These samples were analyzed for
various physico-chemical, heavy metal and bacteriological properties. The
data of year 2000, 2005 and 2009 were compared to know the change in water
quality due to rapid increase in population. The various parameters i.e.
pH, conductivity, chloride, alklinity, total hatdness, calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++),
fluoride (F), sulphate (SO4), phosphate
(P), nitrate (N), COD, coliform, residual chlorine
and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) shows that the water quality is deteriorated
day by day due to poor management. In 2009, the level of all physico-chemical
parameters and concentration of heavy metals were increased if compared with
data of year 2000. However all parameters at maximum places are under the
permissible limits if WHO and BIS but If this trend is continued they will
cross the permissible limits very soon. The concentration of chloride,
fluoride, chromium and iron were found higher than permissible limits or they
were stand at borderline. The treated water quality at some places is quite
satisfactory. However the water received at the users end is severely
contaminated and causes potential health risk to the users in many areas.
Except this the concentration of chromium and iron were found higher in
various places. Key words: Physico-chemical, Bacteriological properties,
Water resource, Heavy metals, Management |
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27. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 2(2) 131-135 (2009) Growth and metabolic
effects of B deficiency in red kidney bean (Phaseolus
vulgaris L. var. Kashmiri) grown in sand
culture D.K. Pandey1,2
, B. Gupta1, G.C. Pathak1and 1Department of Botany, 2Department of Life Sciences, Amity School of Engineering and
Technology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow - 226 010, India *e- mail:
nalini_pandey@rediffmail.com (Received: December 11, 2008; Revised received:April 16, 2009; Accepted: April 22, 2009) |
Abstract: Response of red kidney bean (Phaseolus
vulgaris L. var. Kashmiri) to boron (B)
deficiency (0.0033 and 0.033 mg B L-1) was explored in sand
culture under glass house condition. Boron deprivation of plants in sand
culture led to growth reduction and development of visual symptoms, most
characteristics of which were reduction in leaf size, marginal chlorosis of
young leaves and browning of leaf tips and terminal shoots. The young leaves
of the B deficient plants showed marked accumulation of phenols, reducing and
non-reducing sugars, starch and decreased concentration of ascorbate and chloroplastic pigments chl a, chl b and carotenoids. The deficiency of B increased
activities of enzymes- ribonuclease (RNase), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and acid phosphatase
(AcPh). Key words: Boron deficiency, Carbohydrate, Phenols, Ascorbate, Phaseolus vulgaris
L. |