RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-3, Number-2, May-2010
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11. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 53-56 (2010) Seed parameters and
morphology of Pongamea pinnata a biodiesel yielding plant in Bhadravathi town, Karnataka B. Ananthnag1*,
E. T. Puttaiah2 and Neethu
Patil3 1Department of Environmental Science, 2SJBIT, Kengeri, 3Vice-Chancellor,Gulbarga *e-mail: ananth_acc@mail.com (Received: August 02, 2009; Revised
received: December 25, 2009; Accepted: December 28, 2009) |
Abstract: Biodiesel,
a promising renewable fuel consisting of the alkyl esters of fatty acids, can
be synthesized via the transesterification of
various vegetable oilsbiofuel is the name of a
clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources
and it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel
blend and can be used in compression ignition (diesel) engines with no major
modifications. Key words: Biofuels, Energy
source, Wasteland, Pongamia pinnata |
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12. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 57 -58 (2010) Antibacterial assay of some natural products S.K. Sahoo1*,
Aditya Verma2
and A. R. Saxena3 1Department of Botany, 2Department of Botany, 3Department of Botany, D.A.V.P.G.College,
Azamgarh-276 001, *e-mail:
drsantoshksahu@yahoo.in (Received: August 22, 2009; Revised received:
November 20, 2009; Accepted: December11, 2009) |
Abstract: Twelve
samples of plant products have been extracted with 50% ethanol and the
extracts but through a wide biological screen of tests for their
antibacterial activity against Enterobacter
sp and Kelbsiella sp. Ten samples exhibited
antibacterial activity but the fungitoxic principle
of Clitoria ternatea
Linn. proved to be the most active antibacterial
compounds forming the largest inhibition zone in our experimentation. Key words: Antibacterial,
Enterobacter sp, Kelbsiella
sp., Clitoria ternatea, |
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13. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 59-64 (2010) Influence of metal ions on
growth and enzyme profile of white-rot fungus Pleurotus Ram Naraian1*,
Siya Ram2, Jatin
Srivastava3, Jitendra
Kumar4, K.P. Singh5 and S. K. Garg6 1Department of Microbiology, Sahu
Ji Mahraj University,
Kanpur-208 024, 2School of Biotechnology, 3Department of Environment science, Sahu
Ji Mahraj University,
Kanpur-208 024, 4Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt
Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur-208 002, 5Department of Microbiology, ChhatrapatiSahu
Ji Mahraj Medical
University, 6Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University, Faizabad-224 001, *e-mail: ramnarain_itrc@rediffmail.com (Received: January 28, 2010; Revised received:
April 10, 2010; Accepted: April 28, 2010) |
Abstract: The present task was conducted to investigate the
effect of four metals including cadmium (Cd2+),
manganese (Mn2+), copper (Cu2+)
and zinc (Zn2+) on the growth rate, mycelial
biomass yield and enzyme profile of white-rot fungus Pleurotus
florida ITCC 3308. To study the influence of
metals, different concentration (10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 mM)
were used. Variable concentrations of metals considerably responded to the
several parameters of the study. The highest radial growth rate noted was 6.3
mm d-1 which was followed by 6.1mm d-1 respectively due
to the addition of Mn2+ and Cu2+
at their 10 mM level. Maximum 5.379 g L-1
fresh biomass was yielded by the addition of 10 mM Mn2+ and it was followed by the 5.256 g L-1
in the presence of 10 mM of Cu2+. The
lower concentrations of Cu2+ and Mn2+
induced the growth rate and biomass, while it was reduced by increasing the
concentrations. The influence of the metals was also tested on the laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP)
profile of fungus. Both extracellular lignolytic laccase and MnP enzymes were
appreciably influenced in presence of metal compounds. Among the metals
tested Cu2+ and Mn2+ have
positively responded and amazingly influenced the activity of both enzymes.
The lower concentrations (10 and 20 mM) of Cu2+
and Mn2+ induced the laccase
and MnP activities while, Cd2+
and Zn2+ affected negatively. The highest laccase
and MnP activities recorded were 392 and 389 U L-1
respectively with Cu2+ and Mn2+
metals at their 20 mM concentration. However, unsupplemented (control) sets represented 276 and 46 U L-1
of laccase and peroxidase
activity correspondingly. It was also observed that increasing the concentrations
activity was simultaneously reduced. Key words:
Pleurotus spp., Growth
rate, Laccase, Mn
peroxidase, Metal ions |
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14. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 65-68 (2010) Seroprevalence of typhoid in Dehradun
valley (Uttarakhand), Harish Chandra1*, Beauty Singh2, Jatin Srivastava3 , Rajendra Prasad2 and A.R.Nautiyal4 1Department of Biotechnology, 2Department of Microbiology, 3Depatment of Environmental Science, 4High Altitude Plant Physiology Research
Centre, *e-mail: hreesh5@gmail.com (Received: November 09, 2009; Revised received: February 10,
2010; Accepted: March 08, 2010) |
Abstract: Typhoid fever is a systemic infection with the
bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype typhi. This highly adapted, human-specific
pathogen has evolved remarkable mechanisms for persistence in its host that
help to ensure its survival and transmission. The fever is characterized by
the classic prolonged fever, sustained bacteraemia
without endothelial or endocardial involvement, and
bacterial invasion of and multiplication within the mononuclear phagocytic cells of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and peyer patches of the ileum. Typhoid fever constitutes a
major global health problem. Implementation of adequate food handling
practices and establishment of safe water supplies are the important steps
for the development of an effective prevention program. In present study 443
suspected cases of typhoid were analyzed by Widal
test andblood culture methods. Out of 443 blood
samples, 254 samples were of male persons out of which 42 samples were found
positive for typhoid whereas 49 samples were found positive in case of 189
blood samples of female patient. However, 14 samples were blood culture
positive out of 443 samples. Key words: Typhoid,
Widal test, Blood culture, Bacteraemia |
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15. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 69 -70 (2010) Impact of distillery effluent on seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum),
mung bean (Vigna
radiata) and pea (Pisum
sativum) Radhika
Agarwal1*, Sneh
Lata2 and Meera
Gupta3 1Deptt. of Chemistry, Ideal Institute of Tech., Govindpuram, 2Deptt. of Botany, 3Deptt. of Chemistry, JSS *e-mail: raradhikaagarwal9@gmail.com (Received: January 09, 2010; Revised received:
April 22, 2010; Accepted: April 28, 2010) |
Abstract: A laboratory experiment with wheat
(Triticum aestivum),
mung (Vigna radiata) and pea (Pisum sativum) as test crop was conducted to evaluate the
wastewater quality of distillery effluent. Different dilutions of effluent
like 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% was taken and studied the effect on speed of
germination, peak value, germination value and germination percentage on
different crops. The high value of total dissolve solid (TDS) (9385 mg L-1),
total suspended solid (TSS) (10,990 mg L-1) and chemical oxygen
demand (COD) (16780 mg L-1) indicates the high inorganic and
organic load. When the concentration of distillery effluent increases from
0-100% there was continuous decrease in all the four parameters was found.
Based on the tolerance to distillery effluent, the crops studied have been
arranged in the following order: Wheat> mung>
pea. These results show that these changes are crop specific so care should
be taken before using it for irrigation purposes. Key words:Distillery effluent, Wastewater, Wheat, Pea, Mung |
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16. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 71 - 78 (2010) Characterization of
biological activity of a drug ledakrin
[1-Nitro-9-(3-dimethylaminopropylamino)-Acridine]
on Allium cepa
B.K. Roy*, Sanjay Kumar and Shashi K. Arya
Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Center
of Advanced Study in Botany, *e-mail: bkroy@bhu.ac.in (Received: November 09, 2009; Revised received: February 10,
2010; Accepted: March 08, 2010) |
Abstract:Exposure of Allium cepa roots
with 0.05-0.125 ppm concentrations of ledakrin led to changes in uptake, accumulation and also
affected DNA and protein syntheses at 1-24 hr pre and 1-9 datspost
incubation periods. The uptake in root triggered maximum at 0.1 ppm and 24 hr exposure. Roots excreted 10% of the
accumulated amount during first day and further varied from 2 to 0.2% during
rest of the post-incubation periods. Accumulation and distribution was at the
peak in meristematic tissues and further come down
to a small amount due to gradual metabolic depletion at the end of the
experiment. With increasing concentration and time of incubation, inhibition of
DNA synthesis increases and precedes the inhibition of protein synthesis at
0.05 and 0.1 ppm during 1st
and 2nd day respectively. Exposure with
higher concentration (0.125 ppm) proved as lethal
dose. The quick uptake of the drug and its effects on biological activity as
evidenced in meristematic cells of A. cepa root at different doses and incubation periods
indicate similarities with human and bacterial cells, where it was
demonstrated as an anti-tumor agent. Taking these results into account Allium test can be considered as a potential alternative
tool for screening of bioactivity and clinical evaluation of this compound or
any drug. Key words:Ledakrin, Allium
cepa L., DNA, Protein, Anti-tumor |
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17. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 79 - 80 (2010) Effect of various primer and
their levels on germination percentage of rice (Oryza
sativa L.) Rakesh Pandey1, Ahmad Najam1* and H.N. Verma2 Plant Virus Laboratory, Department of
Botany, 2Jaipur *e-mail: najam_lko@yahoo.com (Received: November 29,
2009; Revised received: February 21, 2010; Accepted: March 19, 2010) |
Abstract: The
significant benefit arising from seed priming have been explored in the
present investigation. Five known primers [FYM+ Neem
cake, plant protein roots of Boerhaavia diffusa and leaf of Clerodendrum
aculeatum (BD+CA), BD, CA and PEG] with their
low, moderate and high concentration were used to observe the significant
impact on germination, seedling growth and biochemical changing during rice
plant growth. However, the highest germination percentage was recorded with
the application of BD + CA- 500 ppm. Key words: Rice,
Primers, Growth parameters, Bioenhancer |
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18. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 81-88 (2010) Geomorphic evolution of Gangotri
glacier area Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand,
India Ajai Mishra* Department of Geology, *e-mail: ajaimishra2007@yahoo.co.in (Received: January 25, 2010;
Revised received: March 15, 2010; Accepted: April 18, 2010) |
Abstract: Satellite remote sensing coupled
with extensive field investigations has enabled to delineate and map the
landforms associated with the Gangotri glacier
area. The glacier is situated in Uttrakashi
district of Uttarakhand Himalaya and shows the
presence of a unique set of geomorphic landforms such as transverse glaciers,
lateral moraines, recessional moraines, debris cone, pillar like structures, kame terraces, outwash plain and valley terraces. It is
observed that the landforms also get modified by the secondary processes such
as gravity fall, slope failure and material brought by heavy monsoonal rain.
At this stage, the transverse glaciers act as an important agent to carry all
the material into the valley. These transverse glaciers are well identified
on the satellite data and vary in size from 3 to 20 km long. So, the main
glacier and its transverse tributary glaciers together constitute the Gangotri group of glaciers. Kirti,
Meru, Gganohim are the
transverse glacier which feed the main glaciers from the left, and Raktwarn, Chaturangi, Swachand and Minandi do the
same from the right.These lateral glaciers have
receded concurrently with the retreat of the trunk glacier. At present, the
tributary glaciers are contributing the material due to gravity sliding
during heavy monsoonal rains, which dam the fluvial channels and forms lakes
and bursting of lakes, leading to flood. The catastrophic floods are thus
responsible for the landscape modification in these areas and tributary
glaciers act as an agent of reshaping and modification of the landforms.
Thus, the landforms and landscape readjust according to the new set of
conditions created by the transverse glaciers, and finally get modified. The
lateral moraines are the excellent source of information about past glacier
size and extent. With the help of satellite data, four stages of lateral
moraines can be easily identified in this area and their lateral continuity
has been traced for several kilometers down stream of Bhagirathi river,
showing the past spatial extent of the Gangotri
glacier. Therefore, to study the landforms and their genesis is of prime
importance to develop a geomorphic model of the area. Key words: Gangotri glacier,
Landforms, Transverse glaciers, Lateral moraines |
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19. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 89 - 92 (2010) Changes in the properties of sodic
soil after vermicompost application and cropping Alka Upadhyay* and S.N.Pandey Department of Botany, *e-mail: alka_lu@yahoo.co.in (Received: January 11, 2010; Revised received: April 05, 2010;
Accepted: April 28, 2010) |
Abstract: Amelioration of sodic soils by chemicals amendments requires high capital
input. Cultivation of salt tolerant plants in problem soils may improve the
quality of soil. An experiment was performed to examine the changes in sodic soils after cropping following the incorporation
with organic amendments. Results indicated an increase in soil organic matter
from 0.14 to 2.49% and decrease in pH from 9.54 to 8.15, electric
conductivity (EC) from 0.44 to 0.38 dSm-1,
sodium ions from 4.76 to1.12 meq/100g of soil and exchangeable sodium
percentage (ESP) from 33.45 to 8.54, suggesting qualitative improvement of
soil, amended with vermicompost. Key words: Sodic soil, Reclamation, Vermicompost, Soil
fertility, Ammi majus
L. |
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20 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(2) 93 - 103 (2010) Assessment of water quality
of river Suheli and Gomti
Brijendra Pratap Singh* and P.K. Tandon. Department of Botany, *e-mail: p.brijendra@gmail.com (Received: November 19,
2009; Revised received: February 18, 2010; Accepted: March 08, 2010). |
Abstract: The
water sample collected from the various sampling points of rivers Suheli and Gomti were analysed at specific time intervals in the month of
January, May and August in year 2007 and 2008. In the month of January, thesites of Suheli river from
the Kaima region to Road bridge showed an
increasing trend in pH whereasthesitesofGomtirivershoweda
markeddecrease in pH values from Gaughat to Pipraghat. In the
month of January, the sites of Suheli river and Basantpur village showed the highest value for
conductivity whereas the sites of Gomti river from Gaughat to Pipraghat showed an
increasing trend in conductivity. In the month of January, May and August,
the sites of Suheli river, Basantpur
village and the Kaima region showed the maximum and
minimum turbidity respectively whereas the sites of Gomti
river from Gaughat to Pipraghat
showed an increasing trend in turbidity. In the month of August, the sites of
Suheli river and Road bridge showed the highest
dissolved oxygen and Basantpur village showed the
lowest dissolved oxygen value in the year 2007 but in the year 2008 the Kaima region showed the highest dissolved oxygen and
Tiger haven showed the lowest dissolved oxygen values where as the sites of Gomti river showed the significantly decrease values of
dissolved oxygen from Gaughat to Pipraghat in both the years. In the months of January,
May and August, the sites of Suheli river and Basantpur village showed the highest value for BOD and Kaima region showed the lowest value for same whereas the
sites of Gomti river showed an increasing trend in
BOD from Gaughat to Pipraghat.
In the months of January, May and August, the sites of Suheli
river from Kaima region to Basantpur
village showed an increasing trend in COD while substantially dropped COD at Suheli barrage whereas the sites of Gomti
river from Gaughat to Pipraghat
also showed an increasing trend in COD. In the months of January and May, the
sites of Suheli river from Kaima
region to Suheli barrage showed an increasing trend
in TDS whereas the sites of Gomti river also showed
the increasing values of TDS from Gaughat to Pipraghat. Key words: pH,
Conductivity, Turbidity, DO, BOD, COD, Hardness, Chlorides, Alkalinity, TDS |