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This research work presents an examination of the concentrations and modes of occurrence of environmentally sensitive elements within lignite deposits, located in Neyveli, within the Cauvery Basin of India. Coal is one of the most complex geologically formed materials, consisting of organic and inorganic matter. The inorganic mineral matter including the crystalline minerals, non-crystalline mineraloids, and elements with non-mineral associations. These lignite samples underwent complete analysis encompassing macroscopic, microscopic and geochemical assessments. The analysis reveals that the total mineral matter (MM) content, comprising significant proportions of sulphides, carbonate and argillaceous components. Geochemical characterization further elucidates the lignite's properties, with proximate analysis yielding values such as ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon and the Ultimate components analysis reveals the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen. Inorganic mineral matters play a significant role in coal utilization, and also such modes of occurrence of elements provide useful geochemical information on coal formation and coal-bearing basin evolution. In this paper, we assess the associations of elements and minerals, as well as the associations of selected elements including environmentally-sensitive (e.g., S, As, U, and Hg), and some major elements (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, and Ti) that have largely occurred in non-mineral forms in these low-rank coals. And also, comparative analysis is conducted between the concentrations of elements within the lignite samples and the values reported for World Clarke Brown Coals (WCBC). Particularly, some of these elements exhibit significantly high environmental sensitivity, demanding careful consideration in lignite extraction and utilization practices., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: In ethno-medicinal practices, the leaves of Alocasia macrrorhizos, Canavalia ensiformis, Amaranthus cruentus, Averrhoea carambola, Bauhina tenifloara, and Capsicum Chinese have different pharmacological activities. The problem encountered with the proper utilization of herbal drugs is lack of documentation and standard parameter, which create problem in acceptance and importance of these plants. Objective: The objectives of our study are to establish scientifically evaluated pharmacognostic profile and in vitro antiinflammatory screening of six plants. Methods: Leaf sample from each plant was evaluated by macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical parameters (As per WHO recommended methods of standardization). The anti-inflammatory activity screening of methanolic extracts was carried out against inhibition of protein denaturation method taking diclofenac sodium as a benchmark. Result: The macroscopic characteristic and microscopical evaluation reveals the type of stomata within the leaves and presence of parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, upper epidemis, lower epidermis, vascular bundle, palisade cells and trichomes in the transverse section of leaves. Physicochemical parameter reveals the total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble, methanol soluble extractives and moisture content. The IC50 value of MEAM, MECE, MEAC, MEAC1, MECC, and MEBT against inhibiton of protein denaturation was found to be 72.88, 841.78, 735.12, 303.75, 188, and 354.1855 µg/mL respectively. Conclusion: The present study contributes useful information that will help in the exact identification as well as assessment of purity of crude drugs. Methanolic extract of Alocasia macrorrhizos could be a potential anti-inflammatory agent from the natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meghalaya, (in India), in the region of the mega-biodiversity hotspots, is home to a plethora of wild mushrooms. The present study concerns the exploration of the order Agaricales, which includes rare gilled mushrooms considered endangered under IUCN A4c criteria, due to the declining habitat. Electron microscopy of the gill sections revealed an abundance of clamp connections, hyphal cell walls, cystidia, and basidia. This rare species which belongs to the family Cyphellaceae, exhibits morphological and molecular differences from the Cyphella spp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it formed a clade under the genus Campanophyllum of the order Agaricales, confirmed by both Neighbor Joining (NJ) and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. Being nutritionally potent along with its efficient antioxidant value, the fungal extract shows significant rise of two-fold in the antimicrobial activity along with the commercial antibiotics. The compound, Phenol, 2, 4-bis (1, 1-Dimethylethyl) (2, 4-DTBP) showed in ample range in the fungal extract along with aliphatic hydrocarbons, terpene, alcohol and volatile organic compounds on further characterization in GCMS. The present study indicates the endangered Campanophyllum proboscideum could be a rich source of natural antioxidants and an effective pharmaceutical agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present a detailed pharmacognostic study of the leaf of Cayratia trifolia (C. trifolia) Linn. (Vitaceae), an important plant in the Indian system of medicine., Methods: The macroscopy, microscopy, physiochemical analysis, preliminary testing, fluorescence analysis of powder of the plant and other WHO recommended methods for standardization were investigated., Results: Leaves are trifoliolated with petioles (2-3 cm) long. Leaflets are ovate to oblong-ovate, (2-8 cm) long, (1.5-5 cm) wide, pointed at the tip. The leaf surface shows the anisocytic type stomata covered with guard cells followed by epidermis layer. Leaf surface contents including veins, vein islet and vein termination were also determined. Transverse section of leaf shows the epidermis layer followed by cuticle layer and vascular bandles (xylem and phloem). The mesophyll is differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma. Abundant covering trichomes emerge from the upper epidermis. Trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular. Strips of collenchyma are present below and upper layer of epidermis., Conclusions: It can be concluded that the pharmacognostic profile of the C. trifolia is helpful in developing standards for quality, purity and sample identification.