Farhat Yasmeen

Chemical characterisation of humic-like substances from urban, rural and tropical biomass burning environments using liquid chromatography with UV/vis photodiode array detection and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Environmental context One of the most important classes of water-soluble organic compounds in continental fine and tropical biomass burning aerosol is humic-like substances (HULIS), which contain components with strong polar, acidic and chromophoric properties. We focus on the chemical characterisation of HULIS and provide evidence that nitro-aromatic catecholic compounds are among the major species of HULIS. This indicates that volatile aromatic hydrocarbons emitted during biomass burning are important gas-phase precursors for HULIS. Abstract Humic-like substances (HULIS) are ubiquitously present in the troposphere and make up a major fraction of continental fine-sized water-soluble organic compounds. They are regarded as material with strong polar, acidic and chromophoric properties; however, structural information at the individual component level is rather limited. In the present study, we have characterised HULIS from different locations using liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection and negative ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Aerosol samples with particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) were collected in Budapest and K-puszta, Hungary, during 2007 and 2008 spring and summer periods, and in Rondonia, Brazil, during a 2002 biomass burning experiment. Major components of the Budapest 2007 and Brazil 2002 HULIS corresponded to chromophoric substances, of which 4-nitrocatechol (molecular weight (MW) 155) was identified as the most abundant organic species and less abundant ones were attributed to mono- and dimethyl nitrocatechols (MWs 169 and 183). The mass concentrations of 4-nitrocatechol in the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) of the Budapest 2007 and day- and night-time Brazil 2002 HULIS were 0.46, 0.50 and 1.80 %. Abundant components of K-puszta 2008 HULIS were assigned to α-pinene secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers, i.e. 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid and terpenylic acid; their mass concentrations in the HULIS WSOC were 0.75 and 0.40 %. Tere- and ortho-phthalic acids (MW 166) were major components of the Budapest and K-puszta HULIS, but only minor ones of the Brazil 2002 biomass burning HULIS, consistent with a source that is different from biomass burning and likely related to open waste burning of phthalate ester-containing material such as plastic.

Mass spectrometric characterization of isomeric terpenoic acids from the oxidation of α-pinene, β-pinene, d-limonene, and Δ3-carene in fine forest aerosol.

In this study, we present liquid chromatographic and mass spectral data for predominant terpenoic acids formed through oxidation of α-pinene, β-pinene, d-limonene, and Δ(3)-carene that occur in fine forest aerosol from K-puszta, Hungary, a rural site with coniferous vegetation. Characterization of these secondary organic aerosol tracers in fine ambient aerosol is important because it allows one to gain information on monoterpene precursors and source processes such as oxidation and aging processes. The mass spectral data were obtained using electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode, accurate mass measurements, and linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometric experiments. Emphasis is given to the mass spectrometric differentiation of isobaric terpenoic acids, such as, e.g. the molecular weight (MW) 186 terpenoic acids, cis-pinic, cis-caric, homoterpenylic, ketolimononic, and limonic acids. Other targeted isobaric terpenoic acids are the MW 184 terpenoic acids, cis-pinonic and cis-caronic acids, and the MW 204 tricarboxylic acids, 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic and 3-carboxyheptanedioic acids. Fragmentation pathways are proposed to provide a rational explanation for the observed isomeric differences and/or to support the suggested tentative structures. For the completeness of the data set, data obtained for recently reported lactone-containing terpenoic acids (i.e. terpenylic and terebic acids), related or isobaric compounds (i.e. norpinic acid, diaterpenylic acid acetate, and unknown MW 188 compounds) are also included, the rationale being that other groups working on this topic could use this data compilation as a reference.

Characterisation of tracers for aging of a-pinene secondary organic aerosol using liquid chromatography/negative ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the oxidation of a-pinene is a very complex and dynamic mixture containing products with a different chemical nature and physicochemical properties that are dependent on chemical evolution or aging processes. In this study, we focus on the chemical characterisation of major products that are formed upona-pineneozonolysisSOAandsubsequentagingthroughOH-initiatedreactionsintheabsenceofNOx,whichinclude known as well as unknown tracers. The mass spectrometric data obtained for selected unknown compounds that show an increasedrelativeabundanceuponagingareinterpreted indetailandtentativestructuresforthemareproposedtakinginto account their formation through photooxidation of a-pinene. Known tracers for a-pinene SOA aging that were identified include norpinic acid, 10-hydroxypinonic acid, diaterpenylic acid acetate, and diesters formed by esterification of pinic acidwithterpenylicacidor10-hydroxypinonicacid.Noveltracersfora-pineneSOAagingthatweretentativelyidentified include dinorpinic acid and 8-hydroxypinonic acid. In addition, reaction mechanisms are proposed to explain the formation of the observed a-pinene SOA tracers.

Impacts of Heat Stress on Wheat: A Critical Review

A brief review is given of investigations on stress-induced alterations in the yield of different biochemical contents in wheat. Wheat is major cereal crop for fulfilling the calories demands of growing population. Alterations in the worldwide climate are predicted to have critical sentence for crop production. Abiotic stresses such as heat and drought are major abiotic stresses restraining crop production. Heat stress reduces wheat growth by upsetting various physiological and biochemical processes and the developmental stage of the plant is critical in demonstrating the vulnerability of various species and cultivars subjected to high temperature. Heat stress did not affect the protein content but there is strong correlation between leaf nitrogen content and grain protein content. Induction of HSPs seems to be the universal response and adaptation to temperature stress. The synthesis of HSPs is believed to play significant role either in preventing or minimizing the adverse effects of high temperature both at molecular and cellular levels. Wheat has the tendency to adopt diverse types of responses to temperature stress as well as a heat shock by developing thermo-tolerance for the enhancement of the grain quality and yield.

Review on Therapeutic and Pharmaceutically Important Medicinal PlantAsparagus officinalis L

The use of medicinal plants is as old as human civilization. About 600-700 plants species in Pakistan are used for preparation of ayurvedic, unani and homeopathic drugs. Asparagus officinalis a sub-erect prickly shrub with white tuberous root usually is of prime importance in this regard. It naturally occurs in areas of southern Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia. Nutritive tonics are prepared from its roots and it is also a source of a nutritious starch, low in calories and is very low in sodium and good source of vitamins. This plant offers multiple health benefits because of presence of ingredients like proteins, alkaloids, saponins and tannins that help in improving fertility and vitality in women and men. Pharmacological activities of Asparagus include anticancer, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-dysenteric, anti-inflammatory, and anti-abortifacient, anti-oxytoxic, antiulcer, hypertensive and anticoagulant effects. Moreover, it is reported to reduce the risk of constipation, diarrhea, osteoporosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, rheumatism and diabetes. Now days, the demand of such medicinally important plants has increased all over the world. However, indiscriminate use of such vital natural resources overtime and fragmentation of habitats may pose serious threat to their survival. Therefore, keeping in view the significance of Asparagus, efforts must be made to it protect it in its natural population.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Shoot in Stress Tolerant Wheat Varieties on Copper Nanoparticle Exposure

Copper nanoparticles have enhanced the germination and wheat development. To explain the effects of copper nanoparticles on shoot of Pakistan-13 and NARC-11, proteomic technique was used. The physiological responses such as weights/lengths of seedling, shoot, and root of wheat varieties were increased on 10-ppm copper nanoparticle exposure. The number of proteins related to protein metabolism was increased in Pakistan-13 while protein metabolism and photosynthesis-related proteins were increased in NARC-11, treated with copper nanoparticles compared to untreated plants. Abundance of proteins related to glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle was increased on copper nanoparticle exposure in Pakistan-13 and NARC-11. However, the abundance of proteins related to photosynthesis and tetrapyrole synthesis was decreased on copper nanoparticle exposure in Pakistan-13 and NARC-11. Chlorophyll content such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll was decreased on copper nanoparticle exposure in Pakistan-13 and NARC-11. The rate of photosynthesis and carbon assimilation decreased on copper nanoparticle exposure. These results suggest that copper nanoparticles mend the seedling growth of wheat, which might be concomitant with the enhancement of protein abundance related to glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle in wheat varieties.

Ethno botanical Wisdom of Inhabitant of Devi Galli AzadKashmir

Ethnobotany deals with study of the relationship between people of a specific culture and native plants and plays a significant role in understanding the active relations between social, traditional systems and biological diversity Husain et al. [1]; Mahmood et al.[2]. From many centuries and even today medicinal plants are used for dealing and prevention of various disorders and for the advancement of good health for people Alpuerto et al.[3]; Khatun et al. [4]. In Pakistan medicinal plants have been used as remedies for human diseases as well as for animal diseases for many centuries Haq [5]. Freshly collected ingredients from plants in small and massive quantities are used for ailments and also provided to the herbal industries through traded in the market place Uniyal et al. [6]. Hilly regions offer properties and services such as forests, agriculture foodstuffs, and water and biodiversity resources not only useable for local hilly area’s people but also to a large part of the population living in plain areas Awan and Ahmad [7].