ABSTRACT Chemical pest control agents are extensively used in all countries of the world but they are regarded as ecologically unacceptable. Therefore, there is an increased social pressure to replace them gradually with bio-pesticides which are safe to humans and non-target organisms. The harmful environmental implications of the synthetic chemicals have compelled to search for some alternative methods. This leads to increased development of compounds based on the models of naturally occurring toxins of biological origin, having various biological activities. Bio-pesticides include a broad array of microbial pesticides, bio chemicals derived from micro-organisms and other natural sources and processes involving the genetic modification of plants to express genes encoding insecticidal toxins. This review outlines the current state of knowledge on the potential use of bio-pesticides in global control of pests for good agricultural practices (GAP). Keywords: Microbial pest, Bio-pesticides, Phytoformulation, GAP.
ABSTRACT The genus Mucuna, belonging to the Fabaceae family, sub family Papilionaceae, includes approximately 150 species of annual and perennial legumes. Kapi Kachu (Velvet bean) Mucuna pruriens is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is considered as a viable source of dietary proteins due to its high protein concentration (23–35%) in addition its digestibility, which is comparable to that of other pulses such as soybean, rice bean and lima bean. It is therefore regarded a good source of food. Mucuna spp. has been reported to contain the toxic compounds L-dopa and hallucinogenic tryptamines and anti-nutritional factors such as phenols and tannins due to the high concentrations of L-dopa (4–7%), Velvet bean is a commercial source of this substance, used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The toxicity of unprocessed velvet bean may explain why the plant exhibits low susceptibility to insect pests. Velvet bean is well known for its nematicidic effects, it also reportedly possesses notable allelopathic activity, which may function to suppress competing plants. Thus the current review highlights the pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacology of M.Prureins for better understanding to choose as a potential source of bioactive drug. Keywords: Kapi Kachu, Mucuna Prureins, Bioactive drug, Parkinson’s disease.
3.
ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS ON FUNGAL GROWTH AND AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION
ABSTRACT Pest control is one of the important challenges of the agriculture and food commodity. The contamination of wheat and broad bean with aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus is the main problem in the export of their product. The inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production by essential oils (EOs) of clove, black cumin, caster bean, opuntia and almond were investigated on both fungi. The antifungal effect of the EOs was observed by determination of growth-rate (mm/day) and antifungal index (%) using reversed Petri-dish method. Aflatoxin production was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The growth of A. flavus and A. parasiticus was significantly decreased (P<0,001) by clove and black cumin EOs. TLC results revealed only a highly effect on aflatoxin production: clove, black cumin and opuntia EOs found to decrease the amount of aflatoxin A. parasiticus showed almost similar response to the EOs. The EOs tested in this study may be potential antimicrobial compounds for use as food preservatives and anti-aflatoxin agents. Keywords: Antifungal, Essential oil, Fungal growth, Aflatoxin.
4.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RHIZOME OF DRYNARIA QUERCIFOLIA L.
ABSTRACT The present investigation has been carried out the physicochemical, fluorescence, histochemical and phytochemical analysis of methanol extract of Drynaria quercifolia rhizome. In physicochemical analysis, parameters such as moisture content (3%) water soluble ash (6%) sulphated ash (5%) alcohol soluble extractive value (7%) and water soluble extractive value (9%) of plant were determined. In fluorescence analysis, different colours of fluorescent were observed under UV and visible light. The histochemical analysis indicates the presence of lignin, flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenol based on colours. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was also performed and the results indicates the significant amount of flavonoids (32.84 mg/g), saponin (32.74 mg/g), phenols (84.56 mg/g), tannins (45.23 mg/g) and alkaloids (6.38 mg/g) were determined. Our finding provided evidence that the methanol extract of plant contain medicinally important bioactive compounds and it justified their use in the traditional medicine. Keywords: Drynaria quercifolia, Fluorescence, Methanol extract, Physicochemical, Phytochemical.
5.
A REVIEW ON SENEGALIA CATECHU (Acacia catechu willd)
Acacia catechu willd is a historical plant has a valuble importance because of its medicinal properties. It is obtain inMyanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambiqu, india, in india it is found in Asia, China, India and theIndian Ocean. Now a days hypoglycaemic activity, antimycotic, has also been reported. Phenols or Polyphenols are the naturalchemicals which are found in Acacia catechu. The generic name, „acacia‟, comes from the Greek word „akis‟, meaning a point.The species name comes from 'cutch', a tanning extract isolated from its heartwood. The main chemical constituents of Blackcatechu contain epigallocatechin, flavanoids catechin, (-) epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, rocatechin,procatechuic acid, quercetin, quercitrin, catecutannic acid, (+)-afzelchin gum), glycosides (Poriferasterol, poriferasterol seedsof the plant are reported to possess hypoglycemic activity in rats acylglucosides), phloroglucinol, alkaloids (kaempferol,dihydrokaempferol, taxifolin, tannins (gallic acid, phlobatannins), sugars (d-galactose, d-rhamnose and l-arabinose). It alsoposed multifarious medicinal properties such anticancer, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, antipyretic,hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, anti-diarrhoeal, antisecretory, anti-inflammatory, sore throat and wound healing. This rivewgive detail information regarding Acacia catechu willd.
6.
SOME MEDICO-POTENTIAL CLIMBERS OF KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA
The present study was resulted in the documentation of 30 medico-potential climbers which are belonging to 24genera and 14 families from the Kottayam District, Kerala, India. The medicinal efficacies of these potential climbers arerevealed through the discussions with local inhabitants of the study area. They utilize these medicinal plants to treat variousailments like anti-diabetes, cough and bronchial asthma, gastro intestinal problems, skin problems, poisonous bites, cuts andwounds etc.
7.
CHEMOTYPE AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALGERIAN POPULATIONS OF PISTACIA LENTISCUS L.
The chemical composition of essential oil, isolated from leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. by hydrodistillation, wasanalysed by GC and GC/MS. A total 58 components representing on average 99.23% of the total oil were identified. This oil ischaracterized by a high rate of three terpene components. The myrcene with an average (23.53 ± 32.28) is the dominantcomponent. The α-pinene is the second produced with an average of (18.77 ± 13.12) and the limonene is represented with anaverage of (7.19 ± 15.43). This study has allowed us to highlight the presence of three chemotypes. To test the antibacterialactivity of essential oil of P. lentiscus, four bacteria are used in this study. The oil showed a low antibacterial activity againstGram-negative and positive bacteria.
8.
PHARAMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS - A REVIEW
The focuses on the medicinal plants were increased all over the world due to its immense potential in controllingseveral diseases from ancient civilization. The present review documented on the Morphological distribution, Phytochemicals,Traditional medicine and Pharmacological activities in selected medicinal plants. Medicinal plants under the review arePlumbago zeylanica, Curculigo orchioides, Tinospora cordifolia, Semecarpus anacardium and Asparagus racemosus whichcontribute in several poly herbal formulations. The pharmacological effects may be mainly due the presence of its principleactive components and several secondary metabolites.
9.
ESTIMATION OF POLYPHENOLS AND FLAVONOIDS CONTENTS AND EXPLORATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL NATURE OF TECOMA STANS EXTRACTS
This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Tecoma stans extracts from two Tamilanadu regions and todetermine their total polyphenol’s and flavonoid’s contents. The disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity.Folin Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods were used to determine the Total polyphenol’s and flavonoid’s contentsrespectively. The ethyl acetate extracts induced inhibition zone diameters of 21.52 mm and 19.8 mm for samples collectedfrom Namakkal (NK) and of 19.8 and 19 mm for those from Madurai (MD) respectively in Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacteriumsmegmatis. Inhibition zone diameters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were only 11.98 and 9.96 mm respectively forNK and MD ethyl acetate extracts. The polyphenols and flavonoids contents were respectively 608.74μg/ml and 104.84 μg/mlin the MD ethyl acetate extract and only 474 and 5.74 μg/ml in the dichloromethan extract. The antibacterial activity of testedextracts depends on the extract’s nature, the bacterial strain and the plant’s geographical provenance. The ethyl acetate’s extractof T.stans from NK was the most active. Mycobacterium aurum and M. smegmatis were the most sensitive to Tecomastans extracts and P. aeruginosa was the most resistant. The polyphenol’s and flavonoid’s contents were different dependingon the extract’s nature and the plant’s provenance. Valorization of Tecoma stans and evaluation of its biological and phytochemicalactivities will enable us to screen and test new natural antibacterial molecules in general and antimycobacterial agentsin particular.
