International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 50

Abstract: Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a cholesteric liquid crystal was coloured with purple ink from Dolabella auricularia as a sea hare. Optical texture of the liquid crystal mixture was confirmed with a polarising optical microscope.

Abstract: Ursolic acid with large amount (0.67% of dried plant weight) along with 7 compounds, namely as spatozoate (1), kaurenoic acid (2), ursonic acid (3), 3-hydroxy-11-ursen-28,13-olide (4), ursolic acid (5), vindoline (6) and mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were isolated from dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts which have shown anti-glucosidase activity of the whole plant of C.roseus. Some isolated compounds and their derivatives were also tested for anti-glucosidase and cytotoxicity.Ursolic acid was examined for hypoglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice with dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively. The results have shown that the blood glucose level were reduced by 45.75% and 51.31% to compare with the control group. This study has confirmed that the main component of Vietnamese C. roseus has had significant anti-hyperglycemia activity.

Abstract: Sugar mill is one of the agro based industry and great significant in rural economy of developing countries. It creates environmental pollution by produced waste during sugar production. In the present work deals with the analysis of various change of biochemical in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) at 15 DAS under the different concentrations (control, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of sugar mill effluent. Results of this study determined that the lower concentration (10%) of sugar mill effluent increased photosynthetic pigment and biochemical contents of African marigold and it decreased at higher concentrations of the sugar mill effluent. The lower concentrations of sugar mill effluent used for irrigation.

Abstract: The present study examined the interrelationships of roasting methods and nitrosamine compounds (NA) content in eleven food sample investigated. The total level of NA in examined food ranged from 1.1x10^-3 μg per g in oven roasted white maize to 5.0x10^-3 μg per g in wood roasted pig meat that is lower than the legal level in WHO (0.001 μg per kg ). The significant increase of NA concentration in all food samples on roasting was observed. Methods of roasting have significant effects on the level of nitrosamine in each of the material used.

Abstract: An ethno-botanical survey of Vijayapur district comprising five tehsils was conducted during February 2014 to December 2015. The main purpose of this survey was to document the traditional use of medicinal plants for primary infertility in women in vijayapur district. 13 species belonging to 13 genera and 12 families were found to be used to treat primary infertility. The scientific name, family, local name, habit along with part used and mode of their administration are provided.

Abstract: The present study deals with the quantitative floristic inventory of Peddagattu and Sherepally area, Nalgonda district, Telangana State, India. The study resulted in documentation of 50 tree species belongs to 41 genera and 35 families. The families, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Fabaceae are dominated. Among the tree species Cassia fistula has showed highest IVI in Peddagattu, while in Sherepally Albizia amara has recorded highest IVI. Shannon–Wiener index (H') ranges from 2.41 to 3.03. The present study can serve as baseline information for phytosociolgical studies on tree species of Peddagattu and Sherepally area, a proposed site for Uranium mining project, Nalgonda district, Telangan State, India.

Abstract: Sustainable development is a concept that appears more frequently in the context of urbanized cities. Rational management of city logistics and urban population change of consciousness becomes a priority. The purpose of this publication is to emphasize the need for changes in city logistics, to characterize the concept of sustainable transport and to present the results of research on: the views of residents of Podkarpacie on choosing alternatives to the car, and urban transport concept. The research process was conducted in two stages. The first stage of the research was conducted in 2014 within its scope included the study compared the inhabitants of Podkarpacie to sustainable forms of transport. The second stage of the study carried out in 2015 was designed to examine whether the implementation of Intelligent Public Transport Management System, has changed the ratio of respondents to sustainable transport.

Abstract: Samples collected from different runoffs; AR, GMR, TR, ASR, and DR for aluminum roof, galvanized metal roof, thatch roof, asbestos roof and ambient rainfall respectively were analyzed for pH, conductivity, turbidity, TDS, TSS, NO₃^-, PO₄^3-, Cd, Cu, Fe, Zn and Pb. The result indicates that the mean concentration of the parameters analyzed ranged from 5.8± 0.39 –7.10±0.70, 22.25±11.70-79.99± 3.40μScm^-1, 1.47±0.43 - 46.53±1.60mg/l, 11.90±0.93 - 59.83±1.62NTU,15.53±0.70 - 204.53±5.08mg/l, 0.93±0.06 - 2.55±0.13 mg/l, 1.33±0.22 - 7.30±0.57mg/l respectively for pH, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, TSS, PO₄^3- and NO₃^-, and the levels of the heavy metals (in mg/l); Cd, Cu, Fe, Zn and Pb ranged from 0.0023±0.001– 0.0521±0.004, 0.052±0.01–0.2483±0.02, 0.0348±0.01–1.1120±0.07, 0.0161±0.01-0.8093±0.02 and 0.0106±0.01-0.0499±0.002 respectively. Ranking of the heavy metal in roof runoff is in the order; Fe>Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb. The result compared with WHO standard showed elevated level of the parameters analyzed with Cd and Pb exceeding the limit. Though the result of this study showed some variability which is an indication of the type of roofing material; air quality of the environment and industrial activity going on in the area. It could be deduced from the result that roof runoff may be a non point source of environmental pollution owning to the release of heavy metals and other pollutants into the environment, and increased concentration of some of the pollutants as reported by this study suggests that roof runoff water could impact negatively to the environment and if consumed without being treated may be injurious to human health.

Abstract: Potassium cyanide, a highly contaminating and toxic aquatic ecosystems pollutant was investigated for acute toxicity on the freshwater fish Clarias gariepinus. Its effect on the Ca²⁺ -ATPase activities in the liver, gills, muscle and intestinal tissues and oxygen consumption index was studied. Short-term toxicity test was carried out by static renewal bioassay test over a 96 h period using a lethal concentration (LC₅₀) value of 0.361mg/mL. Potassium cyanide was highly toxic to the animal tested. Results reveal that normal respiratory activity (O₂ consumption) of the fish was significantly affected and there was significant decreased in the Ca²⁺ - ATPase activities at the end of exposure periods (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). Correlation analysis reveals a strong relationship between oxygen consumption index and ATPase enzyme activity of Clarias gariepinus exposed to the toxicant. This study reflects the toxic effect of potassium cyanide to the freshwater fish, Clarias gariepinus and suggestion on the possible application of Ca²⁺ -ATPase activities and oxygen consumption index as possible biomarkers for early detection of cyanide poisoning in aquatic bodies.

Abstract: To identify factors that influence the decision to evacuate upon flood warning by authorities, a study was conducted in a flood prone area in the province of Bukidnon in the Philippines. A survey of flood victims was conducted in Batangan Village, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines wherein 150 respondents were interviewed. Logistic regression analysis was done to test the socio demographic factors that could influence a family’s decision to either evacuate or stay upon advice by government authorities. College education, presence of children in the home, poverty, and extent of flood experienced were found to significantly influence the decision of the family to evacuate. Based on this information, the study provides recommendations for disaster managers in case of future flood incidence in the area.