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The highly variable nature of Albugo candida pathogen in terms of number of races/pathotypes poses a challenge in the proper identification. Therefore, in this study characterization and identification of 33 A. candida isolates of Indian origin have been done on the basis of molecular and host differentials studies. Molecular characterization using ITS and COX2 gene yielded 1250 bp and 650 bp bands while maximum parsimony trees showed 15 and 13 clusters from 33 A. candida isolates, respectively. On the basis of pathogenicity reactions on 19 host differentials of different Brassica spp., 3 major groups have been identified as Group Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, II, and III. Group Ia was the pathotype of Brassica juncea, Ib- B. juncea cv. Cutlass, Ic- B. juncea cv. Donskaja, Id- a different B. juncea pathotype that showed disease reaction on B. oleracea, Ie- a different B. juncea pathotype that showed disease reaction on B. carinata cv. Kiran, Gropu II- B. rapa var. Toria, Group III- B. rapa pathotypes, respectively. Finally, from 33 A. candida isolates a total of 21 pathotypes have been identified on the basis of combined grouping of pathogenicity reactions on host differentials and ITS and COX2 gene sequence analysis and new nomenclature has been given as per the International standard, out of which 15 pathotypes showed more virulence to B. juncea that named as AC2–1 to AC2–15, 6 pathotypes showed virulence to B. rapa that named as AC7–1 to AC7–6. A. candida pathotypes identified from different geographical regions of India could be utilized for the identification and deployment of the resistant cultivar in major mustard growing areas.

Background: Malaria remains a common life-threatening infectious disease across the globe due to the development of resistance by Plasmodium parasite against most antimalarial drugs. The situation demands new and effective drug candidates against Plasmodium. Objectives: The objective of this study is to design, synthesize and test novel quinoline based molecules against the malaria parasite. Methods: C2 and C8 modified quinoline analogs obtained via C-H bond functionalization approach were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of growth of P. falciparum grown in human red blood cells using SYBR Green microtiter plate based screening. Computational molecular docking studies were carried out with top fourteen molecules using Autodoc software. Results: The biological evaluation results revealed good activity of quinoline-8-acrylate 3f (IC50 14.2 µM), and the 2-quinoline-α-hydroxypropionates 4b (IC50 6.5 µM), 4j (IC50 5.5 µM) and 4g (IC50 9.5 µM), against chloroquine sensitive Pf3D7 strain. Top fourteen molecules were screened also against chloroquine resistant Pf INDO strain and the observed resistant indices were found to lie between 1 and 7.58. Computational molecular docking studies indicated a unique mode of binding of these quinolines to Falcipain-2 and heme moiety, indicating these to be the probable targets of their antiplasmodial action. Conclusion: An important finding of our work is the fact that unlike Chloroquine which shows a resistance Index of 15, the resistance indices for the most promising molecules studied by us were about one indicating equal potency against drug sensitive and resistant strains of the malaria parasite.

Ecofriendly dye decolorization is a prerequisite for textile industries to tackle hazardous textile effluents. In the present study, we have reported a laccase producing (19.12 ± 3.45 U/mL...

The effect of changing climate on plant diseases has been a point of debate since long time. This changing climate may cause imbalance in the ecosystem and directly contribute to the disease development in various crops. Different climatic conditions, e.g., change in sunlight including UV light, temperature, air, rainfall, soil nutrients, carbon dioxide, ozone gas, greenhouse gas emission, and other factors, are affecting the interaction of host plant and pathogens, e.g., fungi, bacteria, virus, nematode, viroid, phytoplasma, and spiroplasma, which are opening doors for the emergence of new diseases and pathogens worldwide. These newly emerged diseases may turn out to be an epidemic under favorable conditions if not regulated wisely as changing climatic conditions are providing favorable environment to the spread and establishment of novel pathogens into new and non-native areas. By keeping all these points into consideration, this chapter focuses on correlation between climatic conditions and disease development and impact of changing climatic conditions on disease development and emergence of new pathogens around the globe. It also puts emphasis on factors responsible for emergence of novel pathogens as well as their possible management tactic to regulate their adverse outcome on agriculture and human to sustain food security in future.

White rust distributed worldwide, caused by Albugo candida (Pers. Ex. Lev.) Kuntze. (A. Cruciferarum S. F. Gray) is one of the major disease responsible in reducing the yield of rapeseed-mustard. Among various management approaches use of resistant varities is consider best, as it is cost effective and environment friendly. However, till now only few resistant sources against the disease has been reported. Therefore, in the present investigation 70 rapeseed-mustard germplasm have been evaluated in field under epiphytotic conditions during 2011-12 and 2012-13 crop seasons. All the germplasms showed similar disease reaction after screening in both the years. Among 70 germplasm, seven germpalsms i.e. DLDC-1, DRMR-100, DRMR-312, EC-339000, GSL-1, NPJ-158 and RH-0644 were found free from the disease with 0% disease severity. These germplasms could be used in breeding programmes for the development of resistant genotypes having high yield potential.

Background: Caesalpinia crista Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae) have been used widely as ethnomedicinal practices and traditional medicine for its medicinal values. Conventionally, the plant was used for the treatment of bladder stone, fever, leucorrhea, as a tonic for rheumatism and backache; there is no published data on standardization of the plant for its authenticity, quality, and purity. Aim: The present study was to scientifically establish a pharmacognostic profile of C. crista root as per standard procedures. Materials and Methods: The investigation deals with comprehensive pharmacognostical parameters were carried out by organoleptic, microscopic characters, physicochemical, and phytochemical studies. Results: The present study provides the general organoleptic, microscopic characteristics of the root. Physicochemical studies revealed total ash (9.20 ± 0.17), acid insoluble ash (1.25 ± 0.11), water-soluble ash (3.1 ± 0.05), alcohol-soluble extractive (11.54 ± 0.46), and water-soluble extractive (12.66 ± 0.24), respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening of root revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, diterpenes, glycosides, and saponins. Conclusion: These studies will provide referential information for the correct taxonomical identification, standardization, and establishing monograph of C. crista.

Laccase belongs to a small group of enzymes called the blue multicopper oxidases, having the potential ability of oxidation. It belongs to enzymes, which have innate properties of reactive radical production, but its utilization in many fields has been ignored because of its unavailability in the commercial field. There are diverse sources of laccase producing organisms like bacteria, fungi and plants. In fungi, laccase is present in Ascomycetes, Deuteromycetes, Basidiomycetes and is particularly abundant in many white-rot fungi that degrade lignin. Laccases can degrade both phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. They also have the ability to detoxify a range of environmental pollutants. Due to their property to detoxify a range of pollutants, they have been used for several purposes in many industries including paper, pulp, textile and petrochemical industries. Some other application of laccase includes in food processing industry, medical and health care. Recently, laccase has found applications in other fields such as in the design of biosensors and nanotechnology. The present review provides an overview of biological functions of laccase, its mechanism of action, laccase mediator system, and various biotechnological applications of laccase obtained from endophytic fungi.