International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 17

Abstract: The present survey was undertaken to explore the traditional knowledge of plant species found in four villages (Athamangalam, Vadukkuveli, Thalainayar and Perumangalam) in Sirkali taluk of Nagapattinam district, Tamilnadu state, The ethnomedicinal information was collected through oral interviews to village elders and vaidyas (those who cure disease by traditional methods) of the rural areas of this district. The knowledge available to the rural population of the area is transmitted only through oral language from generation to generation over time and therefore it needs to be recorded in order to be preserved. Medicinal plants are listed by botanical name, family name, local name, plant parts used and mode of preparation and the names of the diseases cured. About 50 plant species belonging to 27 families were described as effective herbal drugs for various ailments. The documented ethnobotanical uses of plants mostly related to the treatment in curing stomach pain, breast pain, headache, bleeding, yellow fever, muscle pain and blood purifier.

Abstract: An ethnomedicinal survey among the kalrayan hills, Salem district, Tamil Nadu during September 2010 to February 2012. A total of 64 species of ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 34 families and 10 species of ethno veterinary plants belonging to 10 families were reported with the help of standard flora among local healers, village head man and elderly tribal persons. The medicinal plants used by village people, tribal and are arranged alphabetically followed by botanical name, family name, local and English name and their therapeutic uses

Abstract: The coliform group has been used extensively as an indicator of water quality and has historically led to the public health protection concept. Total coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, for example in soil or vegetation, as well as the intestines of mammals, including humans. Total coliform bacteria are not likely to cause illness, but their presence indicates that the water supply may be vulnerable to contamination by more harmful microorganisms. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the only member of the total coliform group of bacteria that is found only in the intestines of mammals, including humans. The presence of E. coli in water indicates recent fecal contamination and may indicate the possible presence of disease-causing pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Although most strains of E. coli bacteria are harmless, certain strains, such as E.coli 0157:H7, may cause illness. About 80 % of communicable diseases in the world are waterborne. According to WHO estimate about 80 % of water pollution in developing country, like India is carried by domestic waste. In India 70 % of the water is seriously polluted and 75 % of illness and 80 % of the child mortality is attributed to water pollution. The improper management of water systems may cause serious problems in availability and quality of water. The major pathogenic bacteria responsible for water borne disease are spread by the faeco-oral route, in which water may play an intermediate role. The aim of this review is to examine methods currently in use for the detection of coliforms in drinking water and also to evaluate the possible health hazards associated with drinking water contaminated with coliforms.

Abstract: The Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a mullet of the genus Mugil in the family Mugilidae, found in coastal tropical, subtropical and estuarine water worldwide. Lipid was extracted from the muscle of Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) by solvent extraction method and characterized with respect to various chemical e.g. saponification value, saponification equivalent value, acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, ester value, thicyanogen value, unsaponifiable matter, Henher value, Polenske value, Reichert-Meissl value etc properties and compared with those of different oils. Palmitic acid, Stearic acid and Myristic acid were observed at fatty acid composition of the sample by chromatographic examination. Percentages of protein and mineral (N, P, K, Ca) in the muscle of Flathead mullet were studied by modified Kjeldahl method

Abstract: The present study examines the research output and citation analysis in the field of Oncology, a branch of medical science which deals with the study and treatment of tumours, what we commonly know as cancer. Cancer as a disease is not confined to a particular region or a country, but is a global phenomenon and is still beyond the complete understanding and control of medicos. Research in the field of biomedical sciences in general and oncology is particular is undertaken at global level with almost each country contributing its bit in understating and control of disease. The study makes an empirical assessment of the research output and growth in the field of oncology at continental level for the period 2003-2012 and evaluates the aspects like research growth, citation analysis, h-Index etc. Data for the present study has been retrieved from the SCImago Journal and Country Ranking, which is totally based on the SCOPUS data source. Findings: - A total of 310593 research papers were published across six continents of the world during the period 2003-2012. Europe emerged the largest continent with its publication share of (124598, 40.11 %). Europe is followed by North America with its share percentage of (102897, 33.12 %) and Asia with (70555, 22.71 %). The contribution of Oceania, South America & Africa to the world oncology research is not that encouraging, as such there is greater need to promote oncology research in these continents. African contribution to global oncology research during the period remained (2215, 0.71 %), South American (3009, 0.96 %) and Oceania contributed (7319, 2.35 %). Oncology research publication on average during the period of study grew annually at 8.15 %, while as at continental level Africa registered highest annual publication growth of 19.08 %. North America and Europe are the only continents which recorded publication's growth below the average global growth.

Abstract: The mitotic effect of physical mutagen gamma rays was observed in the root tip cells of Ashwagandha. The Chromosome analysis has been showed as an important tool for establish variability of the plant seed by use of physical mutagen gamma rays. The gamma rays have of low wavelength and high penetrable power. The plant has tremendous medicinal values and it is known from ancient times. The dry and well matured seeds of ashwagandha were irradiated with different doses of gamma rays viz., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 KR respectively. The chromosome number of control plant is 2n = 48. The gamma rays affect the normal cytological behavior of ashwagandha species. The chromosomal aberrations increase with increase in the doses of gamma rays to optimum level of 30KR, because it causes changes in the chromosome structure, cellular structure and metabolism of plants. The chromosome aberration like, Sticky metaphase, Precocious moment chromosome, Fragments, Anaphasic bridge, Anaphasic laggard, Telophasic laggard. The present investigation was carried out to study the cytogenetic analysis of the species Withania somnifera. The chromosomal aberration increases with increase in the doses to optimum level (50 KR) of physical mutagen gamma rays.

Abstract: Organic farming is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances environmental quality including biodiversity, bio-geo-chemical cycles and soil floral and faunal activities. One of the energy resources developed during recent years are the application of organic sources such as biogas slurry, blue green algae, compost, green manure farmyard manure, vermicompost and seaweed liquid fertilizer. During decomposition, these organic manures yield many organic compounds and organic acids as well as antibiotic substances as an intermediate product. Mangrove/Halophytes forest has an important ecological and socio economic value to man. In India, Tamil Nadu has a coastline of 950 km. Extensive mangrove wetlands are located in Pichavaram of Cuddalore district and Muthupet of Thanjavur district. It is reported that the nutrient values of halophytes were higher when compared to green manures (glycophytes). The objective of the present study is to highlight the efficacy of halophytic compost which are normally available in coastal areas on growth and yield parameters in pulse varieties. Various combinations of halophytic composts used, Suaeda compost + farmyard manure + phosphate solubilising bacteria treatment showed an increased in biomass and yield, number of root nodules and microbial activities when compared other halophytic compost and control. This study shows the feasibility of using halophytic composts in the coastal area to improve soil fertility and productivity.

Abstract: The present investigation was aimed to study an antiepileptic activity of methanolic extract of Tragia involucrata Linn in mice. In vivo screening models like maximal electroshock-induced convulsion (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin (PTX) induced models are used to evaluate the antiepileptic effects of the extracts. The biochemical estimation was done by measuring the lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH). In the MES induced convulsion, methanolic extract of Tragia involucrata (METI) at high dose (800 mg/kg body weight), showed high significant inhibition on tonic hind limb extension (THLE, 6.83 ±0.30***) and decrease in duration of stupor period (108.7 ±6.53***). In PTZ and PTX induced model METI (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) showed significant delay on the onset of convulsions, decreased duration of convulsion and reduced mortality significantly. It also showed significant decrease in brain MDA level in lipid peroxidation profile, and increase in the brain glutathione levels in mice against PTZ induced convulsion. The results confirmed that Tragia involucrata Linn possesses dose dependent antiepileptic activity.

Abstract: The culture conditions for the production of extracellular agarase by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ZSL-2 were optimized using One-Factor-At-A-Time combined with orthogonal array design. One-Factor-At-A-Time method investigates the effect of time, temperature, NaCl, carbon sources, nitrogen sources and pH on agarase production. The optimized culture conditions obtained from the statistical analysis were temperature of 30 °C, pH 8.5, NH⁴NO₃ 2 g L^-1 and agar 3 g L^-1. The L9 orthogonal array design was used to select the fermentation parameters influencing the yield of agarase. The order of the factors affecting the fermentation process was found to be NH4NO3 > pH > agar > temperature, with temperature playing a significant role on the agarase production (p < 0.10). The higher yields than those in basal media culture were obtained in the final optimized medium with activity of 0.439 ± 0.013 U ml^-1. Extracellular agarase hydrolysed agar into a range of oligosaccharides which were analysed by LC-ESI-MS spectrometry as anhydrogalactose, galactose, agarobiose, agarotetrose and agarohexaose.

Abstract: The culture conditions for the production of carrageenase were optimized using one-factor-at-a-time method combined with orthogonal array design. With the one-factor-at-a-time method revealed optimal conditions for carrageenase production were 24 h of fermentation period, 28 °C incubation temperature at pH 8.0 with NaNO3 as nitrogen source and carrageenan as carbon source in MMS media. Further optimization of carrgeenase production by using orthogonal experimental design L9 (34) with four factors, temperature, pH, NH4NO3 and carrageenan with their relevant levels revealed optimised conditions for carrageenase production were temperature of 28 °C, pH 8.0, 2 g L-1 NaNO3 and 2 g L-1 carrageenan. The order of the factors affecting the fermentation process was found to be temperature > pH > NaNO3 > carrageenan. The temperature played a significant role on the carrageenase production. Higher carrageenase yield with activity of 0.542 ±0.045 U ml-1 was obtained in the optimised medium when compared to those of basal medium. Carrageenase hydrolysed products of carrageenan were identified by LC-ESI-MS as neocarrabiose, neocarrabiose-4 sulfate, neocarratetraose, neocarratetraose-4 sulfate, anhydrogalactose, galactose, galactose-4 sulphate and sulphate