Santosh Satya

House fly (Musca domestica): A review of control strategies for a challenging pest

Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), commonly called the house fly, is a major domestic, medical and veterinary pest that causes irritation, spoils food and acts as a vector for many pathogenic organisms. In this paper, the social and health problems related to housefly are introduced with the associated need to control its population. Physical and chemical methods of house fly control are briefly discussed. The main focus of this review is on the biological control methods for house fly control, that comprise botanical, fungal, bacterial and parasitoid agents. Although several biocontrol agents are still in the nascent stage, some of them (especially fungal and parasitoid agents) have shown reliable field performance and seem to be suitable candidates for commercialization. However, the majority of these laboratory and field studies have been conducted in the temperate region. It remains to be seen whether the application of biocontrol agents would be feasible in tropical environments. The integrated pest management practices, which can provide more reliable field performance, have also been discussed. A multi-dimensional approach that exerts control on all the life stages of house fly, but simultaneously preserves the flys natural enemies could be an ecologically sustainable way of maintaining the fly populations below maximally acceptable limits.

Application of response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of nutrient supplementation for Cr (VI) removal by Aspergillus lentulus AML05

Response surface methodology (RSM) involving central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the concentrations of different media components for growth and Cr (VI) removal (100 mg l(-1) initial concentration) by Aspergillus lentulus AML05 at pH 6.5. The interaction between five variables i.e. glucose, K(2)HPO(4), MgSO(4), yeast extract, NH(4)NO(3) was studied and modelled. The statistical analysis of the results showed that in the range studied, yeast extract had a significant effect on Cr (VI) removal and production of fungal biomass. The optimum combination predicted via RSM was confirmed through experiment, whereby almost complete removal (99.8%) of Cr (VI) was obtained within 120 h. The validation of these results in terms of field applicability was also tested by treating industrial effluent supplemented with key media components.

Repellent, larvicidal and pupicidal properties of essential oils and their formulations against the housefly, Musca domestica

The essential oils of six plant species [peppermint, Mentha piperita, and bergamot mint, Mentha citrata (both, Lamiales: Lamiaceae); blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtales: Myrtaceae); lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, and khus grass, Vetiver zizanoides (both, Poales: Poaceae), and turmeric, Curcuma longa (Ziniberales: Zingiberaceae)] were screened for repellent, larvicidal and pupicidal activities against the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Subsequently, emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations of the two most effective oils were prepared and tested in the laboratory as well as in the field. In repellency bioassays, M. piperita (RC84, 61.0 µg/cm2) was found to be most effective, followed by E. globulus (RC84, 214.5 µg/cm2) and C. citratus (RC84, 289.2 µg/cm2). Formulated M. piperita and E. globulus showed RC84 values of 1.6 µg/cm2 and 4.1 µg/cm2, respectively. Formulated M. piperita and E. globulus achieved larval mortality (LC50) in 72 h at 5.12 µg/cm2 and 6.09 µg/cm2, respectively. In pupicidal bioassays, crude oils of M. piperita and E. globulus suppressed the emergence of adult flies by 100%. Field experiments with the M. piperita formulation showed reductions in fly density (number of flies/h) of 96% on treated cattle and 98% on treated plots. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of EC formulations of selected essential oils in reducing housefly populations in field conditions.

Compositional analysis and insecticidal activity of Eucalyptus globulus (family: Myrtaceae) essential oil against housefly (Musca domestica).

The essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) was evaluated for its chemical composition and insecticidal activity against the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Chemical composition of E. globulus oil revealed 1,8-cineole (33.6%), α-pinene (14.2%) and d-limonene (10.1%) as major constituents, while vapour profile of E. globulus oil determined through solid phase microextraction (SPME) analysis showed 1,8-cineole (56.5%), α-pinene (16.9%), d-limonene (5.5%) and linalool acetate (3.4%) as principal components. Vapour phase of the oil showed increase in the contents of oxygenated monoterpenes. Insecticidal activity of E. globulus oil was assessed against larvae and pupae of housefly, through two different bioassays: contact toxicity and fumigation. Contact toxicity assay with larva showed lethal concentration, LC(50), between 2.73 and 0.60μl/cm(2) for different observation days while lethal time, LT(50), varied between 6.0 and 1.7 days. In fumigant assay for housefly larvae, LC(50) values of 66.1 and 50.1μl/l were obtained in 24h and 48h, respectively. Oil treated larvae showed surface shrinkage, spinous cells proliferation and bleb formation in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Pupicidal effectivity was measured in terms of percentage inhibition rate (PIR) which was 36.0-93.0% for contact toxicity and 67.9-100% for fumigation toxicity assay. Considerable activity of E. globulus oil against larvae and pupae of housefly demonstrates its potentiality as a viable option for the development of eco-friendly product for housefly control.

Bamboo shoots: a novel source of nutrition and medicine.

Bamboos, a group of large woody grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, are much talked about for their contribution to the environment. However, the food potential of Bamboo shoot per se remains unexploited. Literature on the nutritional and medicinal potential of bamboo shoots is scarce. This paper therefore provides insight on bamboo shoot as a food resource. Various edible species and exotic food products (fermented shoots, pickle, etc.) and recipes of bamboo shoots (bamboo beer, bamboo cookies) are consumed worldwide. Change in nutritional composition of different species of bamboo shoots with processing has also been reviewed. Bamboo shoots possess high protein, moderate fiber, and less fat content. They are also endowed for having essential amino acids, selenium, a potent antioxidant, and potassium, a healthy heart mineral. Occurrence of taxiphyllin, a cyanogenic glycoside in raw shoots, and its side effect on human health calls for the demand to innovate processing ways using scientific input to eliminate the toxic compound without disturbing the nutrient reserve. Lastly, the paper also reviews the utilization of medicinal properties acquired by bamboo shoot. Using the traditional knowledge, pharmaceutical preparations of bamboo shoots like bamboo salt, bamboo vinegar, bamboo extracts for diabetes and cholesterol control, etc. are now gaining importance. Further investigation is required by the researchers to make novel nutraceutical products and benefit the society.

Effect of organic amendments on microbial activity in chlorpyrifos contaminated soil.

The aim of this research was to study the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on soil microbial activity and to evaluate the efficacy of different organic amendments as a biostimulation agent for sustaining the microbial activity and thereby assisting in the remediation of CPF (10 ppm) contaminated soil. Experiments were carried out under controlled conditions (37 °C) up to 74 days; CPF was analyzed by GC-ECD while dehydrogenase activity (DHA) was measured as one of the indices of soil microbial activity. Throughout the experiment, there was higher microbial activity in uncontaminated soil (S) as compared to CPF contaminated soil (SP) and overall a considerably high reduction (63.51%) in average DHA was noticed in CPF contaminated soil. Organic amendments enhanced the microbial activity over unamended CPF contaminated soil. The trend of DHA on 24th day was MS (SP + 1% Mushroom Spent) >VC (SP + 1% Vermicompost) >BS (SP + 1% Biogas Slurry) >SP (Soil spiked with 10 ppm CPF) >FM (SP + 1% Farmyard Manure). The enhancement in pesticide dissipation over the unamended soil showed the following trend VC (37%)>MS (24%) >FM (1.9%). In spite of sufficient DHA, BS could not enhance pesticide dissipation over the unamended soil (SP). These results indicate the potential of vermicompost and mushroom spent compost as suitable biostimulation agents to sustain the microbial activity in CPF contaminated soil.

Removal of various pollutants from wastewater by electrocoagulation using iron and aluminium electrode

The present study deals with removal of various pollutants from a real wastewater by electrocoagulation treatment. Combined wastewater from one of the Delhi industrial areas was collected and treated by electrocoagulation process using iron and aluminium electrodes. Removal of Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu were achieved up to 100, 98.71, 69.22 and 48.08% respectively using aluminium electrode while Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni were removed up to 100, 78.57, 75.48 and 58.68% respectively using iron electrode electrocoagulation. Chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, total dissolved solids and sulphate were removed up to 83.94, 46.92, 74.16 and 83.66%, respectively in aluminium electrode electrocoagulation while the same were removed up to 54.83, 77.39, 52.85 and 60.74% respectively in iron electrode electrocoagulation.

Biocontrol potential of essential oil monoterpenes against housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

Housefly (Musca domestica L.), one of the most common insects in human settlements, has been associated as vectors for various food-borne pathogens, causing food spoilage and disease transmission. The control of housefly was attempted using plant monoterpenes; menthone, menthol, menthyl acetate, limonene, citral and 1,8-cineole, against different life stages of housefly. Bioefficacy against housefly adults revealed highest repellent activity by menthol (95.6 percent) and menthone (83.3 percent). Against housefly larvae, menthol with an LC90 of 0.02 µl/cm(2) in contact toxicity assay and menthone with a LC90 value of 5.4 µl/L in fumigation assay were found to be most effective control agent. With respect to pupicidal activity, superior performance was shown by menthol, citral and 1,8-cineole in contact toxicity assay and citral and 1,8-cineole in fumigation assay. Limonene was found to be the poorest performer in all the assays. Overall, highest efficacy observed for menthol and menthone in various bioassays was in agreement with the results of essential oil activity obtained previously. Significant activity of monoterpenes against various life stages of housefly demonstrates their potential as excellent insecticides with prospects of monoterpenes being developed into eco-friendly and acceptable products for housefly control.

Preparation and characterization of PEG-Mentha oil nanoparticles for housefly control

Nanoparticles of Mentha × piperita essential oil were prepared by melt-dispersion method. The nanoparticles prepared at varying oil doses (5-10%, w/v) showed an encapsulation efficiency of 78.2-83.4%, while the oil load was observed to range between 3.64 and 7.46%. The average particle size of the nanoparticles varied between 226 and 331 nm, while polydispersity index showed variation between 0.547 and 1.000. DSC analysis indicated endothermic reaction during formation of nanoparticles, while a 2-term exponential kinetic model was followed during oil release. Nanoparticles showed considerable mortality against housefly larvae in lab (100%) as well as simulated field condition after first week (93%) and 6th week (57%) of application. This was the first study utilizing controlled release property of nanoparticles to formulate a cost effective product for breeding site application against housefly.

Biological removal of Cr (VI) by bacterial isolates obtained from metal contaminated sites.

Present study demonstrates the application of indigenous bacteria and pure culture of Azotobacter for removal of Cr (VI) from the aqueous solution and industrial effluent. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 3 bacterial isolates (B1, B2, B3) and pure culture of Azotobacter. The effect of various parameters such as effect of initial Cr (VI) concentration, biomass dose, and time were examined to study the biosorption and bioaccumulation separately using live and dead cells, respectively. It was found that bacterial isolate B2 showed maximum Cr (IV) removal capacity (102 mg g −1 biomass, dry weight) at initial Cr (VI) concentration of 150 mg/L. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model was applied, which gave a good representation of the experimental equilibrium concentrations for the biosorption of Cr (VI). During bioaccumulation process also live bacterial strain B2 showed maximum bioaccumulation i.e., 106 mg g−1 at initial Cr (VI) concentration of 150 mg/L at pH 4.0. Bioaccumulation process was found to be time dependent since removal of Cr (VI) increased with time and equilibrium state was reached at 72–96 hours. This study demonstrates the potential of indigenous bacterial strains isolated from the contaminated site for evolving eco-friendly treatment for small-scale industrial effluent.