International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 16

Abstract: Phenol and chlorophenols are long-lived pollutants frequently found in industrial effluents. Phenols are widely used for the commercial production of a wide variety of resins including phenolic resins, epoxy resins and adhesives, and polyamide for various applications. Adsorption process has been proven one of the best water treatment technologies around the world and the removal of diverse types of pollutants from water. However, widespread use of commercial adsorbent is sometimes restricted due to its higher costs. Attempts have been made to develop inexpensive adsorbents utilizing for the reduction of phenol from water. Four types of adsorbent clay, algae, moringa oleifera and rice husk has been used. Among all rice husk shown 97 % of phenol adsorption at 1mm particle size, pH 4, 3 g/l dosing and 150min contact time.

Abstract: Potassium permaganate has been used since ages for disinfection of water. It is known for oxidation of cell membrane of micro organisms. But the pink colour prevailing after use makes people reject the water on aesthetic grounds. Water samples from bore wells and tap water from public places were collected from different areas of Visakhapatnam. Physio-chemical and microbial analysis analyses of the water samples were carried out. A dose based permaganate treatment of water depending upon number of colony forming units and species of microorganism present in the water was carried out [1,2,5]

Abstract: The present study mainly focuses on the ethno-botanical importance of greens, used by the Pothamalai, Puduppatti, Vadugam, Malaiyampatti, Seerappalli and Rasipuram local people in Namakkal districts. From this investigation 25 species of green belonging to19 genera and 13 families are recorded. This information regarding on correct botanical identity with family, vernacular name, systematic description and medicinal uses was observed. During the survey brought out some popular medicinal plants frequently used by the local villagers for minor ailments such as felt by the respondents were greens are good for health, increase the blood level, clear vision, to cure sore in the stomach and mouth, prevent the jaundice, cure the heart diseases, release the knees pain, and sugar disorder. The greens are good food for children and give essential nutrient for pregnant women.

Abstract: Air pollution is a matter of great concern in the globe. Generally air pollutant generates from industries, automobiles, etc. and the primary pollutants may easily convert to secondary pollutants. Both of these pose serious threat to the plant community viz. crops, vegetables and avenue plant species are depending on the emission pattern, atmospheric transport and leaf uptake and on the plant’s biochemical defense capacity. An impact caused by air pollutants depends not only upon its concentration, but also on the duration (acute and chronic exposure) and combination of air pollutants. Biomonitoring on plant species is an easy tool to know bioindicator species in which exposure of air pollutants can easily be identified. The present review deals with past and present research works of major gaseous pollutants emissions and their impact on crop, vegetables and tree species performance from available literatures.

Abstract: The effect of gamma irradiation and EMS treatment on seed germination and seedling height of Chick pea (Cicer arietinum. L.). In this regard Co-4 variety of chick pea was subjected to different doses/concentrations of gamma rays (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 kR) and EMS (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mM) for inducing mutation. The effect of mutagen was observed on the basis of percentage of seed germination, seedling height reduction at 15th day and survivability. From the result it was observed that, the percentage of seed germination, seedling height reduction at 15th day and survivability were significantly decreased with increasing doses/concentrations of mutagen. The effective doses/ concentrations which caused 50 % growth reduction were 40kR in gamma rays and 30 mM in EMS.

Abstract: The present study was performed for the period of one year from January 2013 to December 2013 in order to understand the physico-chemical properties of Mahul Creek water. From the results of our study it was observed that the annual average COD level was 362.09 ppm which was far higher than the maximum tolerable level of 250 ppm set for inland surface water as well as for marine coastal water. The annual average conductivity was found to be 6122.81 µS cm-1 which was very much above the conductivity limit for inland surface water of 1000 µS cm-1 set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for propagation of fisheries. The annual average total alkalinity level was recorded as 166.25 ppm, which according to the UN Department of Technical Cooperation for Development (1985) was found to be strongly alkaline. The annual average hardness level of the creek water was found to be 2488.65 ppm which was above the limit of 300 ppm set by ISI. From the results of the present investigation it seems that the time has come to implement proper effluent water treatment techniques and enforcement of pollution control by the regulatory authority on the indiscriminate discharge of industrial wastewater into water bodies

Abstract: The present study was performed for the period of one year from January 2013 to December 2013 in order to understand the physico-chemical properties of sediments samples collected along the Mahul Creek of Mumbai. The annual average pH value of the creek sediments was recorded as 5.38. It is feared that such low pH value of sediment might increase the acidity of creek water thereby triggering the heavy metal toxicity which will further reduced survivorship in fish through chronic stress and affect the reproductive partner. The annual average salinity content of the sediment was recorded as 4601.17 ppm. It is important here to note that the high salinity of the sediment may increase the salinity level of creek water which is considered as a major stress factor for most freshwater organisms including crustaceans. The average annual concentration of phosphate in the creek sediment was found to 480.39 ppm. Such high concentration of phosphate in the creek sediments might accelerate the process of eutrophication. From the results it appears that as India moves towards stricter regulation of industrial effluents to control water pollution, greater efforts are required to reduce the risk due to the toxic pollutants which are released into the ecosystems.

Abstract: A considerable number of bacterial species are able to exert a beneficial effect upon plant growth. Mostly they are associated with the plant rhizosphere, so they are called as rhizobacteria. Phosphorus is an essential element for plant development and growth making up about 0.2 % of plant dry weight. Several scientists have reported the ability of different bacterial species to solubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate compounds, such as tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and rock phosphate. Detection and estimation of the phosphate solublization ability of microorganisms have been possible using plate screening methods. Phosphate solubilizers produce clearing zones around the microbial colonies in growth media. In the present investigation a total number of fifteen phosphate solubilizing bacterial colonies isolated from different paddy soils in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu, India. The isolated PSB were identified and characterized for effective use in the field. All the PSB isolates were identified as Bacillus species and designated as P with serial number from 1 to 15. Among the fifteen isolates, the PSB isolate P6 showed highest amount of phosphate solubilization. The quantity of available phosphorus estimated in the P6 grown Sperber broth culture medium on 7th day was maximum of 321.7 μg/ml which was the highest value compared to other PSB isolates.

Abstract: Three novel and sensitive enzymatic methods have been developed for the quantification of tramadol in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The proposed methods are based on the reaction of tramadol with 3-methylbenzothiazoline-2-one hydrazone (method A), aniline (method B) and aminoantipyrine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase to give colored complexes. The colored complexes obtained with 3-methylbenzothiazoline-2-one hydrazone, aniline and aminoantipyrine exhibit absorption maxima at 480 nm, 550 nm and 530 nm, respectively. Regression analysis of Beer’s plots showed good correlation for tramadol in the concentration range (μg/mL) 2-12 for the methods A & B and 4-24 for the method C. The experimental parameters were studied and optimized. The precision and accuracy of the methods were satisfactory. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the quantification of tramadol in 3 brands of commercially available tablet dosage forms. The results were compared satisfactorily with the official method.

Abstract: The current research is written with the aim of identifying and explaining weakness, strength points, opportunities and threats facing tourism development of the city of Baneh, relation of urban tourism with shopping tourism and formulation of an optimal strategy using the SWOT strategic analysis. Today, tourism has become an important economic reality that exists in all places with peculiar qualities and attributes. Urban environments constitute the most important human environments that involve various facilities and infrastructure as well as main political, educational and recreational centers. These environments due to different attributes are visited by tourists. In the current research which is descriptive-analytical, by understanding weak and strength points, potentials and facilities of the city of Baneh, a strategic assessment of the Baneh's tourism with an emphasis on its relation with shopping was done whose results were a preparation of an aggressive strategy based on using the existing opportunities. Results suggest a strong trade zone with various goods that attracts many visitors from all over the country. However the most important problem is the inappropriate quality of communication roads and unofficial economy of this city which are considered as grave threats for the tourism economy of this city.