Search

This study unveiled the cadmium phytoremediation potential and its augmentation using 6-Benzylaminopurine in Strobilanthes alternata. Cadmium stress was provided by applying 250 mg/kg cadmium chloride in soil and 25 ppm of 6-BAP (25 ml) was administered to the plants as foliar spray. The results revealed high bioconcentration factor (BCF) (18.82 ± 0.54) and low translocation factor (TF) values (0.055 ± 0.002) for the plant based on which we strongly recommend S. alternata as a promising candidate for Cd phytoremediation. The phytostabilization potential of the plant was further enhanced by applying 6-BAP, which augmented its BCF to 22.09 ± 0.64 and reduced the TF to 0.038 ± 0.001. Cd toxicity caused a reduction of plant growth parameters, root volume, adaxial-abaxial stomatal indices, relative water content, tolerance index, moisture content, membrane stability index, and xylem vessel diameter in S. alternata. However, Cd + 6-BAP treated plants exhibited an increase of the same compared to Cd-treated plants. FTIR analysis of Cd + 6-BAP treated plants revealed increased deposition of hemicellulose, causing enhanced retention of Cd in the root xylem walls, which is largely responsible for increased phytostabilization of Cd. Therefore, 6-BAP application in S. alternata can be exploited to restore Cd-contaminated areas effectively. STATEMENT OF NOVELTY: The research paper "6-Benzylaminopurine Mediated Augmentation of Cadmium Phytostabilization Potential in Strobilanthes alternata" has established the Cd phytostabilization potential of the plant Strobilanthes alternata and also identified the role of 6-BAP in augmenting the Cd phytoremediation potential of this plant for the very first time. The physiological and anatomical changes in relation to the applied stress signals were also studied for the first time in S. alternata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials usually have specific characteristics due to their incredibly tiny size, which also increases their surface area, providing a more interactive surface. Compared to their macro-sized counterparts, these tiny nanoparticles exhibit a multitude of size-dependent properties. Plant tissue culture (PTC) plays an important role in bioactive chemical synthesis, mass cultivation, protection, genetic control, and plant enhancement. Different nanoparticles (NPs) are utilized to improve the tissue culture responses of explants. Various nanoparticles, including cobalt, copper, silver, gold, zinc, selenium, titanium, iron, palladium, cerium, indium, manganese, aluminum, barium, silicon, nickel, zirconium, and their oxides, are used in this regard. Nowadays, it is critical to use nanosystems in conjunction with PTC for mass reproduction, conservation, genetic engineering, crop enhancement, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. Nanostructured metal oxides play an important role in in vitro plant cultivation. The use of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) has successfully removed microbial contaminants from explants and had a favorable impact on organogenesis (increasing the growth of shoots, roots, and multiplication ratios), callus induction, metabolic changes, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites (NPs are used as elicitors or stress agents). Additionally, NPs cause somaclonal variation (modifications to DNA), improve cryopreservation (increasing the survival rate), and enhance genetic transformation (facilitating gene transformation to bypass the plant cell wall barrier and accelerating protoplast isolation). This review aims to summarize the current breakthroughs achieved by integrating nanotechnology with PTC.Key message: Metal nanoparticles play an important role in in vitro cultures for mass reproduction, conservation, genetic engineering, crop enhancement, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnomedicinal plants are important sources of drug candidates, and many of these plants, especially in the Western Ghats, are underexplored. Humboldtia, a genus within the Fabaceae family, thrives in the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, Kerala, India, and holds significant ethnobotanical importance. However, many Humboldtia species remain understudied in terms of their biological efficacy, while some lack scientific validation for their traditional uses. However, Humboldtia sanjappae, an underexplored plant, was investigated for the phytochemical composition of the plant, and its antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities were assessed. The LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of several bioactive substances, such as Naringenin, Luteolin, and Pomiferin. The results revealed that the ethanol extract of H. sanjappae exhibited significant in vitro DPPH scavenging activity (6.53 ± 1.49 µg/mL). Additionally, it demonstrated noteworthy FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) activity (8.46 ± 1.38 µg/mL). Moreover, the ethanol extract of H. sanjappae exhibited notable efficacy in inhibiting the activities of α-amylase (47.60 ± 0.19µg/mL) and β-glucosidase (32.09 ± 0.54 µg/mL). The pre-treatment with the extract decreased the LPS-stimulated release of cytokines in the Raw 264.7 macrophages, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory potential. Further, the antibacterial properties were also evident in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The observed high zone of inhibition in the disc diffusion assay and MIC values were also promising. H. sanjappae displays significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties, likely attributable to its rich composition of various biological compounds such as Naringenin, Luteolin, Epicatechin, Maritemin, and Pomiferin. Serving as a promising reservoir of these beneficial molecules, the potential of H. sanjappae as a valuable source for bioactive ingredients within the realms of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries is underscored, showcasing its potential for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of lands and water by heavy toxic metal(loid)s is an environmental issue that needs serious attention as it poses a major threat to public health. The persistence of heavy metals/metalloids in the environment as well as their potentially dangerous effects on organisms underpins the need to restore the areas contaminated by heavy toxic metal(loid)s. Soil restoration can be achieved through a variety of different methods. Being more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, phytoremediation has recently replaced traditional processes like soil washing and burning. Many plants have been intensively explored to eliminate various heavy metals from polluted soils through phytoextraction, which is a commonly used phytoremediation approach. The ability of chelants to enhance phytoextraction potential has also received wide attention owing to their ability to elevate the efficiency of plants in removing heavy metal(loid)s. Chelants have been found to improve plant growth and the activity of the defense system. Several chelants, either non-biodegradable or biodegradable, have been reported to augment the phytoextraction efficiencies of various plants. The problem of the leaching of heavy metal(loid)s and secondary pollution caused by non-biodegradable chelants can be overcome by the use of biodegradable chelants to an extent. This review is a brief report focusing on recent articles on chelate-assisted phytoextraction of heavy metal (loids) As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn. The review "Chelate assisted phytoextraction for effective rehabilitation of heavy metal(loid)s contaminated land" elaborates on the chelated assisted phytoextraction of eight metals and one metalloids along with their effective chelants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig) s.r. dutta, commonly known as spiral ginger, is a potent medicinal plant in the family Costaceae. it has a wide range of applications in traditional and modern medicine with many active ingredients. diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin obtained from h. speciosa. it is commercially used as an important raw material for the synthesis of steroidal drugs. Foliar sprays of salicylic acid (sa) were used to study the induction of diosgenin synthesis in the leaves of h. speciosa. three different concentrations, 1mM, 5mM, and 9mM, were applied on plants grown in shade net houses. after 60 days of weekly sa application, plants were harvested along with rhizome, dried, and extracted in methanol using the soxhlet apparatus. acid hydrolysis was performed to obtain diosgenin in the extract. the high-Pressure thin layer Chromatography (hPtlC) technique was used to detect the presence of diosgenin in the methanolic extract of leaves. elicitation of diosgenin synthesis was evident in all three extracts obtained from salicylic acid-treated plants. diosgenin was obtained at an rf maximum of 0.58-0.59. the amount of diosgenin was quantified with chromatographic techniques. the maximum quantity of diosgenin was present in the extract treated with 9mM sa. this experiment highlights the effect of stress signals on selected secondary metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of soil samples collected from various banana fields in Kozhikode district was carried out to identify the extent of heavy metal and pesticide contamination. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry revealed contamination of lead in some of the banana fields (Omasseri, Balussery, Vengeri & Nanmanda) in the district. The Gas Chromatogram analysis revealed that the banana fields in Kozhikode district were free of organo-chloride and organo-phosphate pesticide contamination. Among the several ornamental plants evaluated for assessing lead phytoremediation potential, Dianthus chinensis L. showed the highest phytoaccumulation potential. Chrysanthemum indicum L., Ruellia simplex C. Wright and Lantana camara L.also showed high lead accumulation. Therefore, these ornamental plants could be used in phytoremediation to remove lead from contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the genus Caralluma Adscendens (R.Br). It states that it composed of xerophytic succulent herbs that is represented by 13 species and eight varieties in India. It notes that it is closely related to Boucerosia. It mentions that it has found greater variations among taxa that has attracted taxonomists.

Phenolic characterisation was carried out on the leaf of three Salacia species such as Salacia chinensis, Salacia fruticosa and Salacia oblonga using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionisation interface. The estimation of total phenolics was carried out spectrophotometrically using Folin–Ciocalteu method. HPLC diode-array detection has been used for the preliminary identification of phenolic compounds, and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses were employed for their characterisation. The fragmentation patterns of the compounds during collision-induced dissociation led to the structural elucidation of the separated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: A new variety of Crotalaria ramosissima is described from the Western Ghats of India. Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb. var. kanuvayensis Binu T., K. M. Prabhu et A. Rajendran (Fabaceae) from Kanuvai hills, Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Methods: Compare this species with available varieties of Crotalaria and cross checked with previous literature for authetification of this taxa. Results: The current paper provides a detailed description of the new taxa along with illustrations, colour plates and other relevant notes. Conclusions: The present study concluded that this taxa is new to science from the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article provides information on a study which examined the antioxidant potential and acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity of different extracts of Terminalia chebula, popularly known as Harde Combretaceae and is commonly used in many Ayurvedic preparations. The plant is used as treatment for constipation, diarrhea and ulcers, among others. It also discusses the drugs approved for the Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy. The methods used for the research includes thin layer chromatography, total phenolic content (TPC) and acetylcholinesterase activity.