Arif Nazir

Muscilage characterization, biochemical and enzymatic activities of laser irradiated Lagenaria siceraria seedlings

Laser stimulation effect on L. siceraria seed mucilage, biochemicals and enzymatic activities during early growth stages were investigated. The laser density power of 1mW/cm2 for 3 and 5min treatments were performed and various responses i.e., seedlings mucilage, biochemical and enzymatic activities were studied. Laser treatment of L. siceraria seeds enhanced the biochemical as well as the enzymatic activities. TPC (total phenolic contents),TFC (total flavonoids contents), TSS (total soluble sugar), reducing sugar, proline contents, total soluble protein and nitrogen contents were recorded higher in laser treated groups versus control. Mucilage from L. siceraria seed coat was also characterized. The pre-sowing seeds were treated with laser radiation for 3 and 5min. TPC, TFC, proline contents, total soluble protein and nitrogenous compounds contents, ascorbic acid contents were recorded higher at 3min. The laser irradiation effect on TSS, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) was insignificant versus control. The SOD (superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidase), AMY (amylase), CAT (catalase) activities were recorded higher for 5min laser treatment. Results revealed that He-Ne continuous wave-laser pre-sowing seed irradiation affected the seed coat mucilage, biochemical and enzymatic activities positively and this treatment could possibly be used to enhance the L. siceraria productivity. Future study will be focused on growth at later stages and yield characteristics of L. siceraria.

Applications of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Assess the Source and Thermal Maturity of the Crude Oils from the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract A suite of six crude oils from Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, were analyzed for geochemical characterization of source organic matter (OM) and thermal maturity. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkyldibenzothiophenes, and aromatic biomarkers were reported from aromatic fractions of the crude oils. The aromatic hydrocarbons parameters revealed a higher thermal maturity of OM of source rock-generated Lower Indus Basin oils. Calculated vitrinite reflectance values from the methylphenanthrenes index 1 (MPI-1) and methyldibenzothiophene ratio (MDR) indicate that most of the oils reached a late oil generation window of thermal maturity. PAH distributions revealed the oils of two different origins are present in the Lower Indus Basin; two oil samples indicate aquatic source of OM and the aromatic biomarker distributions of retene, 1-MP, and 1,7-DMP indicate a significant contribution of land plant OM in the other four oils. This is the first study to report the distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons from Lower Indus Basin crude oils.

Petroleum Geochemistry of Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan: II. Oil-oil and Oil-source Rock Correlation

Nine crude oils and eight source rock samples from Cretaceous sequences, Lower Indus Basin have been characterized by means of diagnostic biomarker parameters in order to establish genetic liaison among them. The biomarker geochemistry indicators such as relative distribution of C27-C28-C29 ααα-20R steranes, C19 and C23 tricyclic terpanes (TT), C24 tetracyclic terpanes (TeT), hopanes distribution, steranes/hopanes ratio, presence of unidentified compound X (C30 pentacyclic triterpane), and pristane (Pr) to phytane (Ph) ratio suggest that the crude oils contain predominantly terrigenous organic matter (OM). Based on these data, the analyzed crude oils from the Lower Indus Basin are genetically associated and could be classified into a single group. Geochemical correlation studies of crude oils and source rock sediments indicate that Lower Goru shales and Sembar could be the probable source rocks for the petroleum generated from Cretaceous strata, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan.

The Geochemical Characterization of Sediments from Early Cretaceous Sembar Formation

Abstract The soluble organic matter (SOM) and kerogen of sediments contain organic molecules, and can be interpreted in terms of source, generative potential, thermal maturity, and depositional environment of the organic matter. Early Cretaceous sedimentary sequence of Sembar Formation comprising five sediments samples was analyzed. Both SOM and hydrocarbons bound to the kerogen terms as pyrolyzed organic matter (POM) were characterized geochemically. Hydrous pyrolysis was carried out to release hydrocarbons from extracted sediments and fractionated by liquid chromatography. Saturated fractions from both SOM and POM were further analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. The study suggested that Cretaceous sequence of Sembar Formation has fair to good hydrocarbon source potential. Thermal maturity parameters indicate onset of oil genesis zone. The presence of even carbon numbered n-alkenes, Pr/Ph and Pr/n-C17 versus Ph/n-C18 plots reveal marine algal source and anoxic depositional environment of organic matter from Sembar Formation.

The geochemical characterization of crude oils reservoired in Cretaceous sequences, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Geochemical analyses of the 10 crude oils from Cretaceous sequences, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, are performed to characterize source, depositional environment, biodegradation, and thermal maturity to establish genetic relationship. Low sulfur, high pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios, and high American Petroleum Institute gravity indicate oxic depositional environment and terreginous input of organic matter (OM). Full suite of n-alkanes, low isoprenoid/n-alkane ratios, elevated saturates/aromatics ratios, and the absence of unresolved complex mixture indicate typical non-biodegraded light crude oils. The carbon preference index, odd even predominance, Pr/n-C17, and Ph/n-C18 ratios reveal that source rocks generating Lower Indus Basin crude oils are thermally mature. Based on geochemical analyses, the source OM input is probably terreginous mixed with marine, deposited under suboxic to oxic depositional environments.

Eco-friendly synthesis of pyrimidines and its derivatives: A review on broad spectrum bioactive moiety with huge therapeutic profile

ABSTRACT Among all heterocyclic compounds, pyrimidine is of prime interest, exhibit broad spectrum of biological activities, because of its occurrence in deoxyribonucleic acid bases. The bioactive moiety pyrimidine has a voluminous therapeutic profile as it is a vital component of a series of natural composites and chemotherapeutic drugs. Since from last 50–60 years, this motif has been used commendably against bacterial, tuberculosis viral, malarial, fungal, and cancerous contagions. Recently, numerous pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and discussed here, fused with other heterocyclic moieties, pyrazole, coumarine, triazole, alkenyloxindole, hydrazine and others, were also investigated for their bioactivities. Amid all recently reported compounds, several exhibit potentials against breast cancer cell lines. Intensive research has been performed and is going ahead with distinctive emphasis on antineoplastic potential of pyrimidine. These widespread medicinal attributes impulse scientists to synthesize more and more biologically active pyrimidine composites by following simple and eco-friendly routes. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Zn-doped SiO 2 nanoparticles preparation and characterization under the effect of various solvents: Antibacterial, antifungal and photocatlytic performance evaluation

The biological profiling (antibacterial and antifungal) and photocatalytic activity (PCA) was evaluated of newly synthesized Zinc-doped SiO2 nanoparticles (Zn-d-SiO2 NPs) under the effect of different solvents (n-hexane, acetonitrile, isoamyl alchol). Antibacterial potential against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, and antifungal activities against Candida parapsilosis and Aspergilus niger were investigated by the Disc diffusion method. The advanced techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimeteric Analysis (TGA), Atomic forced microscopy (AFM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used for the characterization of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs. FT-IR characterization confirmed the presence of metal bond SiO2, while XRD showed the hexagonal structure with 7.93 nm average particle size of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs. SEM and TEM analysis revealed the variation in morphology of NPs prepared in different solvents. The Zn-d-SiO2 NPs prepared in the presence of acetonitrile showed highest antibacterial activities (6% and 4.5%) followed by isoamyl alchol (3% and 2.4%) and n-hexane (2%and 1%) against B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively. The antifungal activities were recorded in following order; n-hexane (0.34% and 0.43%) < isoamyl alchol (0.27% and 0.19%) < acetonitrle (0.21% and 0.17%) against C. parapsilosis and A. niger, respectively. The PCA of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs was evaluated by degrading Crystal Violet (CV) dye under solar light irradiation and up to 85.5% dye degradation was achived for 120 min irradiation. Results revealed that the solvents have a significant effect on physicochemical properties and Zinc-doped SiO2 NPs showed promising PCA and antimicrobial activities.

Hydrocarbon potential of cretaceous sediments from lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

ABSTRACT In previous studies, Patala-Nammal Composite Total Petroleum System (TPS) was recognized as a potential source of hydrocarbon in the Upper Indus Basin, and Sembar-Goru Composite TPS in the Lower Indus Basin. However, petroleum source-rock potential of Cretaceous strata in the Indus Basin is poorly known. In the current study, Rock Eval and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were conducted to investigate the thermal maturity and source-rock potential of Cretaceous unit in the Lower Indus Basin. The Parh Formation of the Lower Indus Basin is lean in organic contents (TOC < 0.73%) and consistent with immature type-III/IV kerogen. The Upper Goru Formation is fair in organic contents and presents similar characteristics to the Parh Formation with respect to the hydrocarbon generation zone. The Lower Goru Formation presents fair to very good organic contents. The members of Lower Goru Formation have enough organic matter (OM) and are mature, with the exception of Badin shales. The OM, throughout the formation, is predominantly gas prone. The Sembar Formation is fair in organic contents and mature with respect to hydrocarbons generation. These results support that the Lower Goru rocks are comparatively more prospective with respect to hydrocarbons.

Decolorization of Basic Turquise Blue X-GB and Basic Blue X-GRRL by the Fenton’s Process and its Kinetics

Abstract Textile industries use dyes to color their products and release waste water containing dyes, causing water pollution which is a serious problem for survival of human life on earth. The decolorization of basic turquise blue X-GB (BTB X-GB) 250% and basic blue X-GRRL (BB X GRRL) 250% dyes was examined by advanced (Fenton process) oxidation process. The effects of different parameters (initial dye concentration, pH, concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reaction time) have been examined and optimum conditions were determined. It has been noted that percentage decolorization of both dyes (50 mg/L) increases with increase in concentration of H2O2. At optimum conditions (pH=3.0, H2O2=4.8 mM, temperature=50°C, time=80 min of BTB X-GB, and pH=5.0, H2O2=5.6 mM, temperature=40°C, time=60 min of BB X-GRRL) the decolorization obtained by Fenton process was 85.83% of BTB X-GB and 74.98% for BB X-GRRL. 1st order, 2nd order and BMG kinetic models were used to analyze the data. BMG model gives us the higher values of correlation coefficients for all data. Results showed that Fe2+/H2O2 are most effective for oxidation treatment of waste water effluents containing dyes as main pollutants.

Evaluation of Agronomic Traits and Inorganic Nutritional Composition of Rice Seed from IRSSTN Genotypes in Iraq

The study aimed to determine the agronomic traits of two rice modules (IRSSTN 1 for a coastal salinity-wet season, and IRSSTN 2 for an inland salinity-coastal salinity-dry season) to select promising genotypes that have highest grain yields, early maturity, and stable under Al-mishkhab, Iraq environmental conditions by using inorganic and organic nutrition. The results showed that genotype IR72049-B-R-22-3-1-1 performed the best agronomic traits with late flowering (>130 days), shorter plant height, the highest ratio of seeds/panicle and grain yield compared to control, while genotype IR70023-4B-R-12-3-1 gave the highest panicle length and the highest number of panicle/m2. Significant differences were found at macronutrient (N, P, K, Na, Mg, and Ca) and micronutrient (Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu). ‘IRSSTN module 1’ genotypes showed superiority in P, Mg, and Cu and IRSSTN module 2 genotypes had superiority in N, Ca, and Cu. The simple correlation analysis shows that 6 genotypes of 2 sets of IRSSTN genotypes improved the nutritional quality of whole grain may be having a stable medium. It can be recommended to improve the new cultivars at a research station and producing good seed quality.