Savita Dixit

Water quality improvement through macrophytes - a review.

Increasing urbanization, industrialization and over population is leading to the degradation of the environment. The main hazardous contents of the water pollution are heavy metals etc. Water bodies are the main targets for disposing the pollutants directly or indirectly. They are again at the receiving end as the storm water, residential and commercial waste is disposed into it. The prevailing purification technologies used to remove the contaminants are too costly and sometimes non-eco friendly also. Therefore, the research is oriented towards low cost and eco friendly technology for water purification, which will be beneficial for community. The present paper is a comprehensive review of approximately 38 literature sources. The paper discusses the potential of different aquatic plants (macrophytes) in purifying water and wastewater. Experimental work was developed to test the hypothesis that nutrient enrichment enhances metal tolerance of relative macrophyte.

Evaluation of uptake rate of heavy metals by Eichhornia crassipes and Hydrilla verticillata

Lakes, ponds, and streams are the sources of surface water, which anchorage the survival of aquatic life flora and fauna and maintain ecological balance. Due to urbanization, population explosion, and industrialization, these natural sources are getting polluted. Present paper is an attempt to evaluate the uptake rate of heavy metals namely lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr) by the macrophytes. The two macrophytes taken for the study are Eichhornia crassipes and Hydrilla verticillata. Both macrophytes have the capacity to absorb heavy metals from contaminated water. The present experimental study was conducted to compare and identify their potential to improve the water quality by removing the heavy metals. The paper critically evaluates the water-purifying capacity of submerged macrophyte (H. verticillata) and free-floating macrophyte (E. crassipes). It also evaluates the extent up to which heavy metal can be removed by macrophyte in a given period of time.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of flavanoids of Ocimum sanctum with synergistic effect of their combined form

Abstract Objective To evaluate the antibacterial activity of flavanoids, Orientin and Vicenin, obtained from leaves of Ocimum sanctum , have also been compared by their combine sample. Methods Aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Ocimum sanctum was assessed for the isolation and purification of different flavanoids. The antibacterial activity of Orientin, Vicenin and Combine sample of both these flavanoids was evaluated according to well diffusion method against some bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in human. Results The result indicated that the combined sample or synergistic activity of both individual flavanoids showed positive result against Escherichia coli , Proteus , Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus cohni and Klebsialla pneumonia with zone of inhibition 20.12, 20.75, 20.95, 19.55 and 20.1 mm at concentration of 400 mg/ml respectively. But the individual flavanoids showed the positive result against only limited microorganism. Conclusions The finding of the present study provides the evidence that this flavanoid sample is used as an antibacterial agent. This is also beneficial to use this combine sample of different flavanoids of Ocimum sanctum for medication and other purposes.

Isolation and evaluation of anticancer efficacy of stigmasterol in a mouse model of DMBA-induced skin carcinoma

Stigmasterol (99.9% pure) was isolated from Azadirachta indica and its chemopreventive effect on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer was investigated in Swiss albino mice. Skin tumors were induced by topical application of DMBA and promoted by croton oil. To assess the chemopreventive potential of stigmasterol, it was orally administered at a concentration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg three times weekly for 16 weeks. Reduction in tumor size and cumulative number of papillomas were seen as a result of treatment with stigmasterol. The average latency period was significantly increased as compared with the carcinogen-treated control. Stigmasterol induced a significant decrease in the activity of serum enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin as compared with the control. Stigmasterol significantly increased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase as compared with the control. Elevated levels of lipid peroxide and DNA damage in the control group were significantly inhibited by administration of stigmasterol. From the present study, it can be inferred that stigmasterol has chemopreventive activity in an experimental model of cancer. This chemopreventive activity may be linked to the oxidative stress of stigmasterol. The antigenotoxic properties of stigmasterol are also likely to contribute to its chemopreventive action.

Extraction Optimization of Tinospora cordifolia and Assessment of the Anticancer Activity of Its Alkaloid Palmatine

Objective. To optimize the conditions for the extraction of alkaloid palmatine from Tinospora cordifolia by using response surface methodology (RSM) and study its anticancerous property against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Methods. The effect of three independent variables, namely, extraction temperature, time, and cycles was investigated by using central composite design. A single topical application of DMBA (100 μg/100 μL of acetone), followed 2 weeks later by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone three times a week) for 16 weeks, exhibited 100 percent tumor incidence (Group 2). Results. The highest yield of alkaloid from Tinospora cordifolia could be achieved at 16 hours of extraction time under 40°C with 4 extraction cycles. Alkaloid administration significantly decreases tumor size, number, and the activity of serum enzyme when compared with the control (Group 2). In addition, depleted levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase and increased DNA damage were restored in palmatine treated groups. Conclusion. The data of the present study clearly indicate the anticancer potential of palmatine alkaloid in DMBA induced skin cancer model in mice.

A Review - Future Aspect of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials are rapidly growing both in terms of their industrial applications and fundamental research as they are renewable, low, completely or partially recyclable and biodegradable. In order to produce cost effective polymer reinforced composites and to reduce the destruction of ecosystem, researchers have come up with new manufacturing trends for composite using natural fibers which are partially biodegradable, for which plants such as flax, cotton, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, pineapple, banana, wood etc., used from time immemorial as a rich source of lignocellulosic fibers are more often applied as the reinforcement of composites. Their abundant availability, low cost and density as well as satisfactory mechanical properties make them an attractive ecological alternative for the manufacturing of composites. The natural fiber based composites is more environmentally friendly and has variety of applications in the field of transportation (automobiles, railway coaches, aerospace) building and construction industries (ceiling paneling, partition boards), packaging, consumer products, etc. The demand for wood products is continuously rising in spite of rapid depletion of forest around the world. Research in the area of green technology is being done to provide wood substitutes which make use of wood materials mixed with a polymer to provide a cost effective, improved performance and termite resistant material. The use of wood flour filled polymer composites has been considerably studied from the scientific and commercial point of view over the last decades. Wood flour is an attractive filler for polymer due to their reduced environmental impact and globally pleasant aesthetical properties. They are also low cost and low density material and high specific, biodegradable and non abrasive during processing. This article is a critical review of the most recent development natural fiber composite and the summary of the result presented in literature.

Isolation and evaluation of biological efficacy of quercetol in human hepatic carcinoma cells

Quercetol is a polyphenolic molecule present in vegetables and fruits, and is beneficial to human and animal health. The current work aimed to test cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of quercetol on HepG2 cells. Quercetol was isolated from Ocimum sanctum and characterized by gas chromatography–tandom mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Quercetol (50–600 μg/mL) was examined for cytotoxic activity by tetrazolium salt and neutral red uptake tests and comet assay for genotoxicity, using HepG2 cells, over 24 hours. Data from 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and neutral red uptake tests demonstrated quercetol-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. With 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, a significant induction of chromosomal condensation was observed at 300 μg/mL of quercetol. DNA fragmentation analysis showed that quercetol produced cell death in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, our study suggests that an environmentally relevant concentration of quercetol, which was a chemically standardized extract from O. sanctum, induced cell death and DNA damage in HepG2 cells.

A comprehensive review on degummed biodiesel

ABSTRACT Biodiesel is derived from renewable sources like vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled cooking oil. During biodiesel synthesis, gums in the feed oil inhibit the transesterification reaction rate and increase the processing cost. Gums can be removed from feed oil by a degumming process. The present review aimed to compile current, comprehensive information of degummed biodiesel production from different vegetable oils with diverse degumming techniques and also describe its fuel related properties, chemical composition and significant by-products. It is clear from this review that biodiesel manufactured from degummed feedstocks can be a promising alternative fuel for the diesel engine and could be a major step towards the creation of an environmentally friendly transportation fuel that is relatively clean on combustion. This paper is highly encourage to degumming of feed oil prior to transesterification process.

CI engine performance characteristics and exhaust emissions with enzymatic degummed linseed methyl esters and their diesel blends

ABSTRACT This research paper deals with the comparative study of enzymatic degummed linseed methyl ester (EDLME), water degummed linseed methyl ester and non-degummed linseed methyl ester with their different diesel blends on performances parameters such as brake power and brake specific fuel consumption. Emissions characterization such as unburned hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and smoke opacity were also measured. It was found that the 25% blend of EDLME with diesel is the best alternative for the diesel fuel based on overall performance in terms of engine performance and emissions. Therefore, EDLME25 (25% blend of EDLME with 75% diesel) can be considered as an alternative fuel for diesel engines.

Quercetin attenuates the development of 7,12-dimethyl benz（a）anthracene（DMBA） and croton oil-induced skin cancer in mice

Abstract To evaluate the chemopreventive potential of quercetin in an experimental skin carcinogenesis mouse model. Skin tumor was induced by topical application of 7, 12-dimethyl Benz (a) anthracene (DMBA) and Croton oil in Swiss albino mouse. Quercetin was orally administered at a concentration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 16 weeks in mouse to evaluate chemopreventive potential. Skin cancer was assessed by histopathological analysis. We found that quercetin reduced the tumor size and the cumulative number of papillomas. The mean latent period was significantly increased as compared to carcinogen treated controls. Quercetin significantly decreased the serum levels of glutamate oxalate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. It significantly increased the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The elevated level of lipid peroxides in the control group was significantly inhibited by quercetin. Futhermore, DNA damage was significantly decreased in quercetin treated mice as compared to DMBA and croton oil treated mice. The results suggest that quercetin exerts chemopreventive effect on DMBA and croton oil induced skin cancer in mice by increasing antioxidant activities.