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The research on actinobacteria isolated from traditional medicinal plants is limited. Here, four new Streptomyces isolates (Ha1, Pp1, UzK and UzM) were obtained from the rhizospheres of Helianthus annuus, Pongamia pinnata and Ziziphus mauritiana, frequently utilized in Indian traditional medicine. The Streptomyces isolates aqueous extracts were studied alone against the growth of the Cryptococcus neoformans H99 reference strain, the fluconazole-tolerant T1-5796 and 89–610 strains, three histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes mutant strains, C. gattii NIH198, Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Next, the extracts were employed in combination with aluminium-phthalocyanine chloride nanoemulsion-mediated photodynamic therapy to evaluate a possible interaction. We demonstrated that the C. neoformans T1-5796 fluconazole-tolerant strain was more severely inhibited by the Pp1 isolate extract (MIC: 6 mg mL−1) than H99, which was not inhibited. Growth inhibition of the HDAC null mutants was more prominent for the extract of the UzM isolate, showing inhibition at 2 mg mL−1. The UzM extract was also the most effective in hindering the Candida species proliferation, with MIC values ranging from 10 to 40 mg mL−1. The four Streptomyces extracts, especially UzK and UzM, significantly enhanced the antifungal effect of the photodynamic therapy. Our results indicate these Streptomyces isolates as sources of novel metabolites which could potentiate the effect of photodynamic therapy in controlling yeasts superficial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental concerns associated with mineral oil lubricants have led to the exploration of vegetable oil‐based lubricants as a more sustainable and benign alternative. Nanolubricants have emerged as one of the innovative solution for producing improved friction reduction as well as better thermal and tribological performances. This research investigates the potential of karanja oil as a base lubricant, improved with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles as additives. Different amounts of CuO (ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% w/w) were introduced to karanja oil to form nanobiolubricants. These formulations were subsequently evaluated for their physiochemical and tribological properties, such as thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, and anti‐wear characteristics following ASTM standards. Remarkably, even at low nanoparticle loadings, significant improvements in anti‐wear performance were observed. The study aims to elucidate the lubricating behavior of karanja oil when combined with CuO nanoparticles, revealing that these nanobiolubricants exhibit enhanced physicochemical and tribological properties, as well as improved thermal stability. These results emphasize the key role of nanoparticle concentration in optimizing the effectiveness of formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan is a biodiversity hotspot with a remarkable diversity of endemic plants and animals. Although recent biodiversity surveys have highlighted that gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are the most species-rich taxon of insects worldwide, only 43 species are known presently in the Ryukyus. In this study, an undescribed gall midge developing in the flower buds of Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae) was found on Ishigaki Island, southern Ryukyus, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Morphologically, the gall midge belongs to the supertribe Cecidomyiidi (Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae), but it does not fit the definition of any of the tribes and genera classified of Cecidomyiidi. A molecular phylogenetic analysis including the main tribes of Cecidomyiidi was conducted and reinforced the results of morphological examination. Therefore, Ishigakidiplosis karamae Elsayed, gen. nov. et sp. nov. was introduced for what is no doubt a previously unnamed species. This new genus sheds light on the unique gall midges of the Ryukyus and highlights the importance of conducting further surveys to elucidate their diversity and evolutionary relationships to other known gall midges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the diversity of nectar sources in urban honey samples is crucial for effectively managing honey bee (Apis cerana indica Fabricius, 1978.) colonies and promoting pollinator health. This study analysed honey samples from various urban locations in Bangalore to assess pollen diversity, foraging behaviour, and the significance of urban flora in supporting beekeeping practices. A total of 39 pollen types were identified, with 62.50% of samples being unifloral, predominantly from Eucalyptus sp., followed by Casuarina equisetifolia, Areca catechu, Citrus sp., Mallotus philippensis, Cocos nucifera, and Ocimum sp. Multifloral samples (37.50%) highlighted the diverse diet available to urban bees, promoting biodiversity within urban landscapes. Major plant families contributing to pollen content included Myrtaceae, Arecaceae and Fabaceae. Seasonal variation in pollen composition reflected shifts in dominant nectar sources, with the monsoon season characterized by Casuarina equisetifolia, Areca catechu, Citrus sp., Mallotus philippensis, and Cocos nucifera, while winter saw Eucalyptus sp. and Ocimum sp. as predominant sources, and summer featured Pongamia pinnata. Cluster analysis found high similarity in pollen composition in honey samples from Bagalur, Yelahanka and M S Palya but distinct pollen in GKVK, suggesting unique conditions and emphasizing the importance of considering spatial variations in beekeeping practices and conservation strategies. This research underscores the importance of floral diversity in sustaining urban bee populations and provides guidance for urban planning and policy decisions to promote pollinator health and urban sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common name 'Ferguson squathopper' is proposed for Messena sinuata Atkinson (Eurybrachidae). Cycas circinalis L. (Cycadaceae), Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Pongamia pinnata (L.) Merr. (= Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi), Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.) (both Fabaceae), Terminalia catappa L., T. paniculata Roth (Combretaceae) and Tectona grandis L. f. (Verbenaceae) are newly recorded as host plants of M. sinuata. Messena albifasciata Distant is possibly a junior synonym of M. sinuata. Hymenopteran parasitoids Proleurocerus litoralis Hayat and Kazmi (Encyrtidae, Encyrtinae), Parachrysocharis malabarensis Narendran (Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) and an unnamed Anastatus sp. (Eupelmidae: Eupelminae) (males only) are newly reported as egg parasitoids of M. sinuata. All parasitoids are described with illustrations. The hitherto unknown male of Parachrysocharis malabarensis is described. Notes on parasitisation are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is focus on development of anti-psoriasis activity of Karanjin (isolated from Pongamia pinnata seed oil) loaded liposome based lotion for enhancement of skin permeation and retention. Karanjin was isolated using liquid-liquid extraction method and characterised by HPLC analysis and partition coefficient. Further, isolated Karanjin was loaded into liposomes using thin-film hydration technique and optimised by Box-Behnken design. Selected optimised batch was characterised their mean diameter, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency, morphology (by TEM), FTIR and ex-vivo skin retention. Additionally, Karanjin loaded liposomes were formulated into lotion and characterise their rheological, spreadability, texture, ex-vivo skin permeation & retention, stability and anti-psoriatic activity in mouse tail model. The yield of Karanjin from seed oil was 0.1% w/v and have lipophilic nature. The optimised liposomal formulation showed 195 ± 1.8 nm mean diameter, 0.271 ± 0.02 PDI, −27.0 ± 2.1 mV zeta potential and 61.97 ± 2.5% EE. TEM image revel the spherical shap of liposome surrounded by single phospholipid bilayer and no interection between drug and excipients. Further, lotion was prepared by 0.1% w/v carbopol and found to 615 mPa.sec viscosity, good thixotropic behaviour, spreadability and texture. There was 22.44% increase in drug permeation for Karanjin loaded liposomal lotion compared to pure Karanjin lotion, confirm by ex-vivo permeation and retention. While, in-vivo study revel the liposomal lotion of Karanjin was found to have 16.09% higher drug activity then 5% w/w conventional Karanjin lotion. Karanjin loaded liposomal lotion have an effective anti-psoriatic agent and showed better skin permeation and retention than the conventional Karanjin lotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology can be effectively used in agriculture to improve crop production. Biosynthesized nanoparticles can enhance the growth and yield of several crops. In this work, we examine the effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles from Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre leaf extract on the germination and growth of Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper). Upon treatment with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, we found a 22% increase in seed germination and a 36% enhancement in seedling growth. Further, pot experiments revealed a significant increase in root length (33%), pod weight (21%) and grain weight (26%). A significant increase in phenolics (20%) and carbohydrates (17%) was also observed. Assessment of the antioxidative enzymes revealed a significant increase in catalase activity (9%), thus indicating a reduced oxidative stress and associated damage. The results suggest that biocompatibility of the synthesized nanoparticles and efficient ROS scavenging mechanisms together play an important role in exhibiting an overall positive effect on germination, growth and development of Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper). The evidence also suggests that Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre may be a good source for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles and use as a plant growth enhancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pongamia pinnata( karanj) are factory species belonging to the Fabaceae family. They have been traditionally used in various societies for their medicinal parcels. This review composition provides an in- depth analysis of the botanical lives, traditional uses, and pharmacological parcels of Pongamia pinnata( karanj). The end is to slip light on their implicit remedial operations and encourage further disquisition in the field. Psoriasis is a habitual, vulnerable- mediated seditious skin complaint affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite numerous treatment options available, there is a need for safe and effective antidotes with minimal side goods. This review aims to explore the scientific evidence supporting the use of Pongamia pinnata( karanj) as implicit drugs for psoriasis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pongamia pinnata Linn.( Aka Karanja in Ayurveda) is a rough tree and a traditionally used medicinal factory set up throughout the India. It's generally used in Ayurveda and has an immense eventuality in treating colorful skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, itchy skin, infections of skin. The end of present study was to prepare tableware nanoparticle herbal gel expression containing methanolic excerpt of Karanj on psoriasis. Topical gel expression was designed by using methanolic excerpt of seeds of pongamia pinnata in varied attention. The gel was prepared by using tableware nitrate, chitosan, carbopol 934, Pongamia Pinnata Extract( KARANJ), Methanol, propylene glycol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben,triethanolamine, glycerin and needed quantum of distilled water. The set gels were estimated for medicine content, pH, spread capability, physical appearance, density, swelling indicator, prolixity study, unity and grit. The results prove that gel phrasings were good in appearance and unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree shade, particularly shade that obscures direct sunlight near peak periods of midday solar exposure can have a pronounced effect on potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation, and in turn, strongly influence the maximum daily UV index (UVI). In this study, the seasonal influence of tree shade on the UVI is evaluated from 210 hemispherical sky view images collected alongside public walkways and footpaths from 10 residential Brisbane suburbs. The effective sidewalk UV index is calculated underneath planted tree canopies, adjacent residential gardens, buildings and background tree species. Results are presented with respect to seasonal variations in the diurnal solar elevation for each month of the year at Brisbane's latitude. The research also examines the total reduction in UVI due to the presence of individual tree species, showing reductions in the midday UVI of up to 91% of an equivalent unimpeded sky hemisphere when overhead tree canopies are present. Important footpath tree species for peak midday UVI mitigation include Pongamia pinnata, Xanthostemon chrysanthus, Senna siamea, and Libidibia ferrea. The planting and maintenance of existing tree species already growing alongside residential Brisbane streets will improve the shade characteristics of suburbs and enhance UV protection for local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus) is an endemic primate species which mostly occurs in protected areas, such as the Bandealit Resort of Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP), East Java, Indonesia. However, scientific information related to the habitat characteristics of T. auratus in this resort is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the habitat characteristics of T. auratus based on the vegetation stratification in the Bandealit coastal forest of MBNP. This research was conducted in March, April, May, and September 2022 using the scan sampling methods at two sites, including Site I (Camping Ground Block) and Site II (Wisma Block). The data on tree species was collected using a plot method (40 m x 20 m). Furthermore, we used the Spatially Explicit Individual-based Forest Simulator (SexI-FS) version 2.1.0 to construct the stratification profile. Based on the results, there were 17 individuals of T. auratus found in two sites along the observation. This species is recorded as occupying seven tree species, including Alstonia scholaris, A. spectabilis, Calophyllum inophyllum, Dracontomelon sp., Pongamia pinnata, Syzigium sp. and Terminalia catappa. According to stratification, T. auratus was found in Stratum B (21-30 m) to Stratum C (5-20 m) at all sites. Furthermore, this species was widely distributed in Stratum C for locomotion, foraging, social activities and self-protection. Meanwhile, T. auratus was observed using A. spectabilis in Stratum B as a sleeping tree in the afternoon and evening. These results can be the basis for in-situ conservation strategies for T. auratus species in MBNP, particularly for habitat management based on occupied vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high concentration of sodium (Na+) is the primary stressor for plants in high salinity environments. The Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway is one of the best-studied signal transduction pathways, which confers plants the ability to export too much Na+ out of the cells or translocate the cytoplasmic Na+ into the vacuole. In this study, the Salt Overly Sensitive3 (MpSOS3) gene from Pongamia (Millettia pinnata Syn. Pongamia pinnata), a semi-mangrove, was isolated and characterized. The MpSOS3 protein has canonical EF-hand motifs conserved in other calcium-binding proteins and an N-myristoylation signature sequence. The MpSOS3 gene was significantly induced by salt stress, especially in Pongamia roots. Expression of the wild-type MpSOS3 but not the mutated nonmyristoylated MpSOS3-G2A could rescue the salt-hypersensitive phenotype of the Arabidopsis sos3-1 mutant, which suggested the N-myristoylation signature sequence of MpSOS3 was required for MpSOS3 function in plant salt tolerance. Heterologous expression of MpSOS3 in Arabidopsis accumulated less H2O2, superoxide anion radical (O2−), and malondialdehyde (MDA) than wild-type plants, which enhanced the salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Under salt stress, MpSOS3 transgenic plants accumulated a lower content of Na+ and a higher content of K+ than wild-type plants, which maintained a better K+/Na+ ratio in transgenic plants. Moreover, no development and growth discrepancies were observed in the MpSOS3 heterologous overexpression plants compared to wild-type plants. Our results demonstrated that the MpSOS3 pathway confers a conservative salt-tolerant role and provided a foundation for further study of the SOS pathway in Pongamia.Key message: Heterologous expression of Millettia pinnatasalt overly sensitive3 (SOS3) gene enhances salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired physical disability in adults and second leading cause of mortality throughout the world. Treatment strategies to curb the effects of stroke would be of great benefit. Pongamia pinnata is a recent attraction in medicine, owing to its abundant medicinal benefits with minimal side effects. The present study aimed to examine acute and subacute effect of Pongamia pinnata leaf extract on transient cerebral hypoperfusion and reperfusion (tCHR) in Wistar rats. 24 adult Wistar rats (12 each for acute and subacute study) were divided in to four groups each viz normal control group, tCHR + NS group, tCHR + 200mg/kg bw and tCHR + 400mg/kg bw groups. Cerebral ischemia induction was carried out by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion. Ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata leaves were orally administered for 7 days and 21 days after the surgical procedure for acute and subacute study respectively. Behavioural analysis, histological assessment, and estimation of mRNA levels of HIF-1, GDNF, BDNF and NF-kB were performed. In both acute and subacute study, there was significant improvement in the beam walking assay, neuronal count, decreased neuronal damage in histological sections and higher mRNA expression of BDNF and GDNF in the treatment groups. There was no significant difference in the expression of HIF1 and NF-kB. Thus, Pongamia pinnata has excellent neurorestorative property reversing many of the effects of ischemic stroke induced by tCHR in rats with the underlying mechanism being an improvement in the expression of neurotrophic factors GDNF and BDNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a successful application of the physical activation method to convert agricultural biowaste, specifically Millettia pinnata (MP) shells, into activated carbon (AC) for use in cost-effective and environmentally sustainable high-performance supercapacitors. The AC derived from MP shells exhibited remarkable porosity, with a high surface area of 710 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of 0.143 cm3 g−1, as determined by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. Electrochemical assessments revealed that the prepared AC materials demonstrated exceptional electrochemical performance. Experimental results indicate that the AC material achieved a notable specific capacitance of 314.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and retains 80 F g−1 at 20 A g−1 in 6.0 M KOH electrolyte. The symmetric supercapacitors constructed using MPAC exhibit an impressive specific capacitance of 120.4 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and energy density of 16.72 W h kg−1 at a power density of 200 W kg−1. Furthermore, these supercapacitors demonstrate good cyclability with capacity retention of 77.1%, maintaining their performance consistently over an extensive span of 5000 charge–discharge cycles at 1 A g−1. This study highlights the promising potential of AC materials derived from MP shells for the development of high-performance supercapacitors, substantiated by strong experimental evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanical gardens dedicate their resources to the research and preservation of plants as well as educating the public about the diversity of plant species found across the world. As a result, this study was conducted to determine the tree composition and diversity of the Mahatma Gandhi Botanical Garden, GKVK, Bengaluru. The garden was divided into ten parts with an area of 26 hectares. The trees with girth size of at least thirty centimetres were considered for enumeration, after enumeration it was observed that there were 2140 trees from 186 different species; twelve of these are naturalized forest tree species, while the remaining 174 are planted species. The tree diversity was found to be highest in block 1 and lowest in block 2, where the number of tree species was found to be 83 and 34, respectively in block 1 and 2. Importance Value Index (IVI) was found highest for Millettia pinnata (25.71), Azadirachta indica (25.17) and Albizia lebbeck (16.59), where these three tree species comprise around 27.73 per cent of the total tree population. The highest tree population was found in the girth class 30-60 cm, followed by 60-90 cm, where combinedly they account for sixty per cent of total tree population. The majority of the trees fall under height classes 6-9 m, 9-12 m and 12-15 m, where they account for 61.5 per cent of total tree population. It was found that trees in botanical gardens belong to 49 families, where the highest tree population was found in the Fabaceae family, which was followed by Meliaceae and Myrtaceae. The overall results revealed that the botanical garden is rich in tree species composition and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild fruits and vegetables (WFVs) have been vital to local communities for centuries and make an important contribution to daily life and income. However, traditional knowledge of the use of wild fruits is at risk of being lost due to inadequate documentation. This study aimed to secure this knowledge through intermittent field visits and a semi-structured questionnaire. Using various ethnobotanical data analysis tools and SPSS (IBM 25), this study identified 65 WFV species (52 genera and 29 families). These species, mostly consumed as vegetables (49%) or fruits (43%), were predominantly herbaceous (48%) in wild and semi-wild habitats (67%). 20 WFVs were known to local communities (highest RFC), Phoenix sylvestris stood out as the most utilized species (highest UV). Surprisingly, only 23% of the WFVs were sold at markets. The survey identified 21 unique WFVs that are rarely documented for human consumption in Pakistan (e.g., Ehretia obtusifolia, Euploca strigosa, Brassica juncea, Cleome brachycarpa, Gymnosporia royleana, Cucumis maderaspatanus, Croton bonplandianus, Euphorbia prostrata, Vachellia nilotica, Pongamia pinnata, Grewia asiatica, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Morus serrata, Argemone mexicana, Bambusa vulgaris, Echinochloa colonum, Solanum virginianum, Physalis angulata, Withania somnifera, Zygophyllum creticum, and Peganum harmala), as well as 14 novel uses and five novel edible parts. Despite their ecological importance, the use of WFVs has declined because local people are unaware of their cultural and economic value. Preservation of traditional knowledge through education on conservation and utilization could boost economies and livelihoods in this and similar areas worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is a fundamental necessity for man›s life in the digital world today. The rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources forces rigorous alternative fuel analysis. Petroleum diesel can better replace vegetable oils, edible or motored today. The rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources forces rigorous alternative fuel analysis. Petroleum diesel can better replace vegetable oils, edible or not. Karanja may be a possible supplier of diesel fuel for non-edible oil substitution. Current combustion surfaces for pistons, valves, and cylinders have been filled with ceramic materials, which make the engine totally adiabatic (LHR). The performance of a biodiesel-powered compressing ignition (CI) engine may be further boosted by utilising the engine›s heat effectively and increasing thermal efficiency. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is actually one of the most important methods of limiting NOx emissions in internal combustion engines. Explore the output with and without exhaust gas recirculation on a retarded timing engine with diesel and karanja oil methyl ester (KOME). The LHR with a retarded timing engine yielded improved thermal brake efficiency (TBE), decreased HC, smoke, and CO emissions, while increasing KOME›s NOx in comparison with an uncoated engine. As the EGR rate grew, NOx and BTE were reduced marginally with increased HC, CO, and smoke. 24.1 g/kw-hour CO, 10.1 g/kw-hour NOx, and 0.55 g/kW-hour HC were registered at 20 percent of EGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is a clean, renewable fuel that is the best alternative to diesel, but feedstock costs more than 70%. Biodiesel development requires cheap feedstock with high oil content. Biodiesel from non-edible plants is cheap, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. In the present work, six different sources were explored with seed oil content including Simmondsia chinensis (51%), Melia Azedarach (42.7%), Pongamia pinnata (42%), Cannabis sativa (39%), Citrus reticulate (29.5%), and Phoenix dactylifera (17%) respectively. The obtained oil contents were higher than previous studies. The quality of biodiesel was assessed by physico-chemical methods, viscosity (2.9-5.7), density (868-910), cetane number (49-58), flashpoint (137-187), and free fatty acid (0.3-1.21). Optimal conditions were implemented for transesterification, to obtain the highest biodiesel yields up to 98%. Through Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry study, 5-7 fatty acids were detected respectively. Through Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and Elemental analyzer analysis, environmental friendly biodiesel was obtained in which sulphur (0.0013-0.0091%), nitrogen (1.41-1.96%), and oxygen content was (9.33-11.43%). All plants have good physicochemical qualities that met American standard testing material D6751 and European norms 14214 standards. The growth of these plants on barren lands as a substitute energy source for the production of biodiesel is supported by our research on a sound scientific basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millettia pinnata (Fabaceae) is a multipurpose legume tree native to Southeast Asia. In this study, the methanolic extract of M. pinnata stem bark powder was utilised for the extraction, phytochemical screening and characterisation of isolated fractions. The high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was created to standardise stem bark utilising karanjin as an active chemical marker. Column chromatography was used to isolate karanjin along with other chemical markers, and HPTLC‒mass spectrometry (HPTLC‒MS) was used for confirmation. The HPTLC technique for karanjin was validated according to the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Q2(R1) standard and was determined to be a reliable, accurate and precise approach. The new method has substantial promise for quantifying karanjin from M. pinnata stem bark. The current study aims to quantify, isolate,= and identify the chemical marker karanjin from M. pinnata stem bark. The proposed HPTLC‒densitometric method may be used for routine quality control analysis for the quantification of karanjin quantification from M. pinnata stem bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cost-effective and step-economic synthesis of pharmaceutically important 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles and 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine derivatives is accomplished without the assistance of external ligands. An environmentally friendly biogenic strategy for the synthesis of single phase δ-MnO2 NPs using the Pongamia pinnata leaf extract was adopted. The phytochemicals detected in the extract of Pongamia pinnata leaves might be responsible for the reduction of Mn(VII) to Mn(IV), which provides stability to the metal centre. The synthesized catalyst was tested for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important benzimidazole and perimidine analogues. In addition, mechanistic experiments and the plausible mechanism were discussed. The δ-MnO2 NP catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity and high durability in the dye removal study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plant species are considered one of the significant drivers of habitat loss, leading to biodiversity loss. They have also been observed to alter the local ecology, resulting in a decline of native flora. The management of invasive species is widely recognised as one of the most severe challenges to biodiversity conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers Lantana camara, as one of the ten worst weeds. Over time, native and indigenous species may evolve to co-exist or compete with invasive species, reducing invader fitness. It is observed that species competition fluctuates throughout environmental gradients, life phases, and abundances. Hence, competition outcome is very context-dependent. To address this challenge, we conducted a comprehensive study in three phases: we identified native species coexisting with Lantana in their natural habitats in the Doon Valley (Phase I) and documented the phenotypic traits of selected coexisting species using the Landmark BBCH (Biologische Bun-desantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale, revealing the phenological growth patterns of selected co-existing species (Phase II). This was followed by conducting pot (Phase IIIa) and field (Phase IIIb) experiments to study the interactions between them. Notably, Justicia adhatoda, Broussonetia papyrifera, Pongamia pinnata, Urtica dioica and Bauhinia variegata demonstrated promising results in both pot and field conditions. Furthermore, after the mechanical removal of Lantana and prior to the plantation in the field experiments, four native grass species were introduced using the seed ball method. Among these, Pennisetum pedicellatum and Sorghum halpense exhibited prompt regeneration and effectively colonised the field, densely covering the cleared area. The study provides a comprehensive management plan for the restoration of Lantana affected areas through competition using native species. This study utilizes phenological assessment for native plant selection using reclamation from native grasses and proposes a management plan for combating invasive Lantana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal characteristics of biodiesels are useful in system design, modeling, and operation. Such investigations are extensively being carried out in combustors, engine, and process industries. This article examines the thermal characteristics of jatropha (Jatropha curcas), honge (Pongamia pinnata), and their equal mixing from thermogravitometry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC) curves for the specific 10°C/min heating rate under atmospheric air. Fuel properties are measured following ASTM standards to compare with diesel properties. Each experiment was repeated three times, and the properties showed insignificant scatter. The average properties of the repeated tests are presented. Two phases of decomposition were observed for diesel, whereas three (viz., devolatilization of aqueous fractions, combustion of methyl esters, and combustion of carbonaceous residues) in biodiesels. Jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) is thermally stable compared to honge oil methyl ester (HOME). Mixed biodiesel (JOME+HOME) is prone to oxidation due to the high content of oleic and linoleic acids. Recorded onset and offset temperatures of mixed biodiesel are low compared to pure biodiesel. Mixed biodiesel exhibited high volatility resembling diesel characteristics. It exhibited an enthalpy of 240 J/g, whereas the enthalpy of diesel, jatropha, and honge exhibited enthalpies of 130, 321, and 570 J/g, respectively. The combustion index (S) of diesel, jatropha, honge, and mixed biodiesel was 41.6, 82.8, 77.74, and 64.6, respectively. Mixed biodiesel reduces the intensity of combustion (Hf), promising better combustion characteristics. Thus, mixed biodiesel shows the potential of an efficient alternative energy source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel production from non-edible oils utilizing a highly efficient eco-friendly catalyst is a crucial necessity for replacing fossil fuels. In the present work, biochar has been applied for both energy and environmental purposes. The biochar was made by slow pyrolysis from a variety of biomass, primarily cassava peel, irul wood sawdust, and coconut shell. All biochars were used as adsorbents to remove an anionic dye (methyl orange) by conducting batch adsorption studies. The biochar made from cassava peels showed the highest dye adsorption, and it was characterized using elements analysis (CHNS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area analyzer (BET), total acid density, and sulfonic acid group density to successfully confirm the presence of weak (–OH) and strong (–COOH, –SO3H) acidic groups. Furthermore, for microwave-assisted biodiesel production from Millettia pinnata seed oil, the dye adsorbed biochar made from cassava peel was utilized as a Brønsted acid catalyst. The catalyst having a surface area of 4.89 m2/g, an average pore width of 108.77 nm, a total acid density of 3.2 mmol/g, and a sulfonic acid group density of 1.9 mmol/g exhibits distinctive mesoporous properties that contribute to a biodiesel yield of 91.25%. By utilizing the catalyst for three more cycles and getting a yield of more than 75%, the reusability of the catalyst was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present research work is to utilise the produced bio-oil from microwave pyrolysis of Karanja, a non-edible seed, as fuel for diesel engines by increasing some up-gradation in the quality of the fuel. The emulsification process is carried out to improve the stability of the diesel–bio-oil blend using SPAN 80 and TWEEN 80, which lasted for 28 days without any layer separation termed as EKB20. The addition of 5% DEE and 10% DEE into EKB20 is done to enhance the combustion characteristics of the diesel engine. The produced bio-oil fuels were tested in a Kirloskar make, four-stroke, single-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine of 5.2 kW rated power output. The addition of DEE reduces the peak pressure by 4 bar and increases the heat release rate due to the higher volatility of DEE. At full load conditions, the thermal brake efficiency improved by 9.31% and 14.11%, respectively, compared to EKB20. Adding 5% DEE and 10% DEE at the rated power output reduced the smoke density by 18.42% and 60.25%, respectively, compared to EKB20 and 5% and 4% compared to diesel. The addition of 5% DEE and 10% DEE shows a 39% and 51% increase in NOX concentration and a 90% reduction in CO emission at the maximum brake power output. Hence, it is concluded that the fuels EKB20 + 5% DEE and EKB20 + 10% DEE can be used as alternative fuels for diesel engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (Zr) via hydrothermal method where bio-extracts of Neem gum (NG) and Pongamia pinnata plant leaves (PP) are used as capping agents. For comparison purpose, the zirconia nanoparticles (CZr) are also synthesized by chemical route without using capping agents. Synthesized zirconia nanoparticles are characterized by XRD, FTIR, HR-TEM, EDX, and DLS. The purity of the final product is checked by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Interaction between surface hydroxyl groups of zirconia and functional groups of PP/NG are established by relocation of the peaks of respective functional groups in FTIR spectra. XRD studies show that the synthesized nanoparticles are of tetragonal phase. HR-TEM micrographs reveal uniform size with reduced agglomeration for PPZr and NGZr in respect to CZr. UV–Vis DRS spectra show a distinct absorption peak at approximately 225 nm, and band gaps of PPZr and NGZr are 4.96 eV and 4.75 eV, respectively. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption study confirms mesoporous nature of the material. The specific surface area of PPZr and NGZr are determined to be 80 m2/g and 100 m2/g, respectively. The zirconia nanoparticles show high dielectric constants in the lower frequency region. While, on the high-frequency side, the dielectric constant remains almost the same, owing to the space polarization effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors restrict honey bees' productivity and pollination potential, especially with the infestation of Greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L., and synthetic pesticides used to manage this pest. Therefore, a study was conducted to examine the efficacy of oils extracted from Pongamia pinnata, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum, and Thymus vulgaris on the biology and survival of wax moth. The results revealed that all treatments exhibited control over the hatching potential of eggs, and the lowest egg hatchability (6.67%) was observed with peppermint and thyme oil (4%). The larval mortality increased with increasing concentrations of the treatments. The basil oil (4%) showed the highest mortality of 3rd (76.67%) and 7th instar larvae (56.67%). All treatments reduced larval duration, while the time of pupation and adult longevity increased compared to the control. The cellular immune active response of 7th instar larvae at LC50 of these botanicals revealed a decrease in the number of granulocytes and plasmatocytes compared to control. This study demonstrated the potential of botanical pesticides in managing greater wax moth infestations, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field trial was carried in Zaid season of 2021 at SHUATS Model of Organic Farm (SMOF), Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The objective was to study the growth and yield of Black gram as influenced by crop geometry and seed pelleting with botanicals under certified organic production system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design to study the effect of seed pelleting with leaf powders of three botanicals, viz., Pongamia pinnata, Prosopis juliflora, and Albizia lebbeck, and sown in three different row spacings of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm, on the growth and yield of black gram. The results revealed that black gram seeds pelleted with Albizia leaf powder and sown at row spacing of 30 cm reported maximum plant height (43 cm), dry weight (12.49 g/plant), number nodules per plant (27.50), seeds per pod (7.07), test weight (42.19 g), grain yield (872.96 kg/ha), and haulm yield (2511.11 kg/ha) which was significantly superior to other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermal barrier-coated (TBC) piston-fitted engine is used to form a low heat rejection (LHR) mode, which helps in the enhancement of thermal efficiency by retaining heat energy. Research reports indicate that generally LHR diesel engines run on Jatropha biodiesel and its diesel blends show improved performance and higher oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in comparison with unmodified engines. This work is aimed at reducing nitric oxide (NO) emission in the LHR by using a natural antioxidant to JME20 (20% JME + 80% diesel). For this purpose, a natural antioxidant is extracted from the Pongamia pinnata leaves (PL). The antioxidant is characterized to ensure its antioxidant ability and doped to JME20 in different concentrations, including 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm. The cylinder pressure is reduced by about 5.9% and the heat release rate by 6.9%, for JME20 at a concentration of 2000 ppm in the LHR engine. The delay period and combustion duration are shortened by 23.6% and 7.3%, respectively, at maximum load for JME20 PLA4 in the LHR engine. The brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of the tested fuel is improved by 21.1% at full load for JME20 PLA3. The engine emissions are reduced by 17.5% and 16.3% for unburnt hydrocarbon (HC) and smoke, respectively, at maximum load for JME20 PLA4, in the LHR engine. The nitric oxide (NO) emission is decreased by 16% for JME20 with 2000 ppm at a higher load in the coated engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication addresses the influence of irrigation scheduling on water use, plant growth, and development for young pongamia trees (Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi). Written by Daniel Palacios, Sandra M. Guzmán, Amir Rezazadeh, Liliana M. Cano, Lorenzo Rossi, and Alan Wright, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2023.

Ceraphronidae is one of the small, commonly collected families of parasitoid Hymenoptera. Aphanogmus cecidovorus Ranjith sp. n. is described here as a parasitoid of the acarivorus cecidomyiid Microdiplosis pongamiae Mani. This is the first host-parasitoid association of Aphanogmus parasitising an acarivorus cecidomyiid reported from outside the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. The new species is described and compared with related species and those with a similar association. Taxonomic placement of the new species and host-parasitoid association are commented on briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) is a prospective biofuel plant with 35 to 45% seed oil. The physical and chemical characteristics of pongamia oil are quite comparable to those of diesel. Pongamia seed oil has been considered as a possible biodiesel source for the past 10 years. The high viscosity and conradson carbon residue of pongamia oil, however, preclude its usage in this capacity. Thus, methyl ester was produced from pongamia oil by optimising the different parameters of transesterification reaction viz., reaction time (90 minutes), amount of catalysist (1.5 wt.%), amount of methanol (210 ml per liter of oil) and optimum temperature (50 °C) needed to complete the conversion of oil into methyl ester. The produced methyl ester was employed as fuel instead of diesel in the engine test using a single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct injection diesel engine. Parameters such engine speed, electrical efficiency, lower and higher heating values, and fuel consumption were investigated. Speed regulation and voltage regulation in the engine experiment provided clear evident that the biodiesel from pongamia oil could be used in an existing diesel engine without any engine modifications. The physical and chemical properties of the methyl ester were also estimated. The biodiesel produced from quality pongamia seed meets the cetane number (52.90) and iodine value (99) as per the biodiesel quality specifications and can be used in varied climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), Psoralea corylifolia (Fabaceae), Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae), and Woodfordia fruticosa (Lythraceae) stand as renowned medicinal plants in India. Traditionally, different parts of these plants have been employed for healing, particularly in the context of treating psoriasis and various other ailments. This catalyzed our investigation into the potential antipsoriatic properties of these botanicals. Objectives: We set out to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical analysis and in vitro antipsoriatic capabilities of acetone, ethanol, and water extracts derived from Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, Psoralea corylifolia, Pongamia pinnata, and Woodfordia fruticosa. Materials and Methods: The antipsoriatic potential of these extracts was assessed through the MTT assay, using HaCaT cells. Additionally, we conducted LDH assays and utilized confocal microscopy to gain further insights. Results: Our investigations unveiled the promising antiproliferative activity of these plants on skin keratinocytes. Notably, compounds A, B, and C demonstrated a significant decrease in cell viability compared to the control group. In contrast, compounds D and E did not exhibit significant differences compared to the control. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings substantiate the traditional uses of these plants in the treatment of psoriasis and underscore their potential as valuable resources in the quest for effective antipsoriatic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field investigation 'Effect of Pongamia pinnata seed source on litter quality and decomposition under agroforestry system' was conducted at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. To find suitable seed sources for inclusion in agroforestry conditions, eleven Pongamia pinnata seed sources from three provenances - Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka were selected. When nitrogen concentration (%) was measured at 12 MAI, the treatment RAK-89 (2.35%) had the highest values at the surface, followed by RAK-05 (2.09%), and the treatment RAK-106 (1.46%). The treatment RAK-22 had greater potassium concentrations of 0.64, 0.60, 0.31, and 0.17 at 3 MAI (Month After Inception), 6 MAI, 9 MAI, and 12 MAI, respectively, while DPS-4 had lower potassium concentrations of 0.28, 0.26, 0.14, and 0 at 3, 6, and 9 MAI, respectively. Higher lignin percentages were obtained at surface placement for the treatment MTP-I with values of 35.8, 29.7, 25.7, and 21.2 at 3, 6, 9, and 12 MAI, whereas a similar trend was observed at subsurface placement with values of 33.3, 27.9, 23.9, and 20.9 per cent for 3, 6, 9, and 12 MAI. There was also variation in the cellulose, ash, and phosphorus levels of the Pongamia pinnata sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in controlling nitrification by using botanical nitrification inhibitors to enhance the nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency. The main objective of this study was to develop a botanical formulation (BF) with Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) and Pongamia pinnata (karanda) leaves to suppress the nitrification rate of two soils (Red Yellow Podzolic (RYP) and Reddish-Brown Earth (RBE)) commonly used for vegetable cultivation in Sri Lanka. A BF was prepared using dried and powdered leaves of cinnamon and karanda, biochar and corn flour. The two soils were treated with BF at three rates (0, 5 and 10%, w/w) and the potential nitrification rate (PNR) was determined using the shaken slurry method in a laboratory incubation. The obtained data were analysed by Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) adopting a two factor factorial design. The BF application significantly delayed (P<0.05) nitrate formation in both soils. The RBE soil had significantly lesser (P<0.05) PNR compared to RYP soil. Application of 5 and 10% BF, significantly reduced PNR in both soils at 4 h of incubation. However, only a 10% BF application rate remained effective in suppressing PNR at 21 h of incubation. Results indicate the possibility of using dried, powdered leaves of cinnamon and karanda for suppressing nitrification in soil. Further studies are required to investigate the effect of developed BF on soil biological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studied the effect of blending low‐viscous Pinus oil with high‐viscous Millettia Pinnata oil on CI engine characteristics. The three blends of a combination of Pinus oil and Millettia Pinnata oil (P70K30, P50K50, and P30K70) were tested in a single‐cylinder water‐cooled computerized diesel engine coupled with an eddy current dynamometer by varying the load from 0% to 100%. The performance result establishes a positive correlation between BTE and the amount of Pinus oil in the blended fuel. Among the tested biofuel samples, P70K30 has the highest brake thermal efficiency of 29.73% but is 4.8% lower than diesel. At full load, the BSFC and BSEC of P70K30 show a 7.4% and 8.6% drop compared to diesel fuel but are higher than P50K50 and P30K70. Among the tested biofuel samples, a maximum in‐cylinder pressure of 70.96 bar was observed for P70K30, which is higher than P50K50 and P30K70 but lower than diesel. The net heat release rate and rate of pressure rise were found to be 48.26 J/oCA and 5.57 bar/oCA for P70K30, the highest among all tested conditions. Cycle‐to‐cycle variations were studied by calculating the standard deviation, range, and coefficient of variation for the in‐cylinder peak pressure of 100 cycles. The P70K30 has a coefficient of variation of 1.24%, which is higher than the P50K50 and P30K70 but lower than diesel. The P‐v diagram concludes that the three tested biofuels have strong thermodynamic properties since they have a good expansion rate and a pattern similar to diesel fuel. The emissions results show that increasing the amount of Pinus oil in blended fuel increases the NOx to 1410 ppm emissions and decreases the CO to 0.18%, HC to 44 ppm, and smoke to 76.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius, among the largest Indian fruit eating bats, is commonly observed with unhurried wing beats at dusk and tends to roost during the day in sizable, noisy colonies situated on trees within bustling towns and villages. Notably, these colonies are prevalent in busy areas of Nagpur city, particularly on expansive Banyan Trees Ficus bengalensis and Pangom Oil Trees Millettia pinnata, owing to the consistent availability of fruits and flowers throughout the year. This study focuses on evaluating gastrointestinal helminth infection in fruit-eating bats during the summer, monsoon, and winter seasons in Nagpur city, Maharashtra. A total of 58 samples were collected, processed, and examined using the double sedimentation technique. Of these, 46 samples (80.01%) tested positive for Ascaris spp. eggs, with a higher percentage during the monsoon season. Additionally, during the peak summer season, a juvenile flying fox from one of the colonies was rescued in a dehydrated state, displaying crusty scab-like lesions on the wing's anterior and posterior regions. Subsequent examination revealed the presence of the ectoparasite Macronyssus spp. on body of the juvenile Indian Flying Fox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly mesoporous Ba(HPW12O40) heterogeneous acid catalysts were successfully synthesized by the two-step impregnation method and characterized for their catalytic activities, the trans-esterification reaction of Karanja oil was evaluated. The various amounts of catalyst were loaded in the acidic medium and then Barium salt of tungstophosphoric acid. The acid catalyst was characterized using a techniques like FT-IR, XRD, BET, TGA, SEM and EDX. The results indicate that Ba2+ was incorporated into the HPW12O40 framework via isomorphous substitution between Ba2+ ions. During the tests, it was observed that Ba (HPW12O40), for transerterification of pongamia oil (89%) at optimized reaction conditions of 120 °C, 16:1 methanol to reactant molar ratio, 0.75 wt% catalyst loading, and 3 hrs reaction time. The results show that all of the solids have catalytic activity in the cracking reaction, which lowers the ultimate acidity of the products. The solids also have catalytic activity in the transesterification of triglycerides, resulting in high ester yields of 95% from Pongamia oil. The biodiesel production from pongamia oils was characterized by FTIR analysis and ¹H- NMR spectroscopy. With significant activity and stability, the used catalysts could be recycled up to three times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The diversity, nitrogen-fixing capacity and heavy metal tolerance of culturable rhizobia in symbiotic relationship with Pongamia pinnata surviving in vanadium (V) - titanium (Ti) magnetite (VTM) tailings is still unknown, and the rhizobia isolates from the extreme barren VTM tailings contaminated with a variety of metals would provide available rhizobia resources for bioremediation. Methods: P. pinnata plants were cultivated in pots containing the VTM tailings until root nodules formed, and then culturable rhizobia were isolated from root nodules. The diversity, nitrogen-fixing capacity and heavy metal tolerance of rhizobia were performed. Results: Among 57 rhizobia isolated from these nodules, only twenty strains showed different levels of tolerance to copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), especially strains PP1 and PP76 showing high tolerance against these four heavy metals. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and four house-keeping genes (atpD, recA, rpoB, glnII), twelve isolates were identified as Bradyrhizobium pachyrhizi, four as Ochrobactrum anthropic, three as Rhizobium selenitireducens and one as Rhizobium pisi. Some rhizobia isolates showed a high nitrogen-fixing capacity and promoted P. pinnata growth by increasing nitrogen content by 10%-145% in aboveground plant part and 13%-79% in the root. R. pachyrhizi PP1 showed the strongest capacity of nitrogen fixation, plant growth promotion and resistance to heavy metals, which provided effective rhizobia strains for bioremediation of VTM tailings or other contaminated soils. This study demonstrated that there are at least three genera of culturable rhizobia in symbiosis with P. pinnata in VTM tailings. Discussion: Abundant culturable rhizobia with the capacity of nitrogen fixation, plant growth promotion and resistance to heavy metals survived in VTM tailings, indicating more valuable functional microbes could be isolated from extreme soil environments such as VTM tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of de-oiled cakes against root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on tomatoes. The de-oiled cakes of Castor, Mahua, Karanja, Mustard and Neem were added to the soil @ 2.5 and 5 g/kg soil. Each treatment was replicated three times. The untreated check was also maintained for comparison. Plants of tomato were harvested after 60 days of transplanting and the observations on plant growth characteristics and nematode reproduction were recorded. Soil application of Neem cake @ 5 g/kg soil was found superior treatment by improving plant growth characters [shoot length (43.22 cm), shoot weight (18.33 g), root length (22.14 cm), and root weight (8.57 g)] and reducing the reproduction of root-knot nematode [No. of galls/plant (12.21), No. of egg masses/plant (14.12), No. of eggs and larvae/egg mass (74.33), nematode juvenile/200 cc soil (220.67), and total nematode population in soil (2952.21)] followed by Neem cake @ 2.5 g/kg soil, Mustard cake @ 5 g/kg soil and Castor cake @ 5 g/kg soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this project is to find an efficient, reasonably-priced adsorbent to remove contaminants from wastewater. Plant extracts can be used to produce silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) more efficiently and inexpensively than traditional processes, and silver nanoparticles are evaluated by UV-visible spectroscopy. When silver nanoparticles are added to the solution, it is observed that there is a notable absorption peak in the UV-visible spectrum between 280 and 320 nm; with a higher concentration of plant extract, silver nanoparticles' size increases. In this investigation a batch study method was used, in which the reaction of PLE and Ag NPs reduces the amount of many contaminants found in wastewater, including pH, total dissolved solids, hardness (TH), BOD, and COD, in a laboratory. According to a recent study, both Millettia pinnata and Justicia adhatoda have the capacity to bio reduce and increase Ag ions on silver nanoparticles. This paper describes a simple and environmentally friendly technique for producing silver nanoparticles that uses water-soluble plant leaf extract as a powerful biodegrading agent for wastewater treatment. The current study finds that treated sewage water is used to create silver nanoparticles that are collected from J. adhatoda and M. pinnata leaves. According to a comparison of the amount of nanoparticles extracted from J. adhatoda and M. pinnata leaves in waste water, M. pinnata could reduce TDS, TH, and BOD levels by 40%, 16%, and 30%, respectively. As a result of the investigation, it is discovered that M. pinnata is the most effective adsorbent, with the influence of various experimental conditions leading to different absorbance intensities. The results show that M. pinnata reduces TDS, TH, and BOD more effectively than J. adhatoda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of the citrus butterfly, Papilio demoleus are serious pests in citrus orchards. Since synthetic pesticides have several ill effects on human health and the ecosystem, biopesticides are feasible alternative to synthetic pesticides. Indian beech tree, Pongamia pinnata plant extracts are well known for their medicinal and pesticidal properties. So, a study was carried out to evaluate P. pinnata plant's aqueous leaf and seed extracts, and seed oil nanoemulsion at 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 PPM concentrations against the 4th instar larvae of P. demoleus. All three test compounds showed concentration-dependent larvicidal activity. Comparatively, leaf extracts showed better larvicidal activity than seed extracts and nanoemulsion of the seed oil. The highest mortality was observed with leaf, seed extracts, and seed oil emulsions at 82.61%, 78.26%, and 73.91% respectively, at 400 PPM concentration. LC50 and LC90 values were lowest for leaf extracts (57.97 and 855.93 PPM), while the highest for seed oil nanoemulsion (107.09 and 1947.90 PPM). This is the first report of the efficacy P. pinnata leaf and seed extracts and seed oil nano emulsions against 4th instar larvae of P. demoleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common banded awl butterfly, Hasora chromus (Cramer, 1780) (Hesperiidae: Lepidoptera) is a defoliator of Pongamia or Indian beech tree, Millettia pinnata (L). (Fabaceae). The younger instar caterpillar feeds on the newly emerged leaf buds of M. pinnata. The later instar caterpillars move to feed on the older leaves resulting in complete defoliation of the tree. Mass feeding of caterpillars of H. chromus was recorded in the avenue plantation of ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) Yelahanka Campus, Bengaluru from March to April 2022. After the completion of the feeding phase of the caterpillars in M. pinnata, the caterpillars usually pupate in the leaves during a normal situation. An unusually high population of caterpillars during this outbreak, they were not pupating on Pongamia for want of sufficient leaves due to severe defoliation. The caterpillars started coming down from Pongamia trees in large numbers like 'armyworms' and moving to other plants in the vicinity for pupation. We documented different plant species in the area for pupation by the later instar caterpillars. The caterpillars were found to pupate on 38 different species of plants from 22 different families. The mean number of rolls made by the late instar caterpillar for pupation in different plants ranged between 0.60 to 4.40 per leaf with a mean number of 1.00 to 5.83 pupae per leaf roll. The caterpillars also preferred tiny leaflets of Caesalpinia pulcherrima for pupation by mere webbing together of the leaflets. The mean number of pupae per stem in C. pulcherrima was 38.40 ± 19.58. On average, the mature caterpillar webbed 5.60 leaflets for enclosing their pupae. Predation of the later instar caterpillars during the movement towards the plants by birds (Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817, Acridotheres tristis L.), solitary wasp Polistes sp., black ant Camponotus compressus (Fabricius, 1787), and red ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775) was documented. Documentation of plants preferred for pupation and pupation behavior will help in the conservation of the naturally occurring population of H. chromus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary source of global warming is the exploitation of fossil fuels. Biodiesel is a renewable energy source that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It has emerged as a promising alternative to petroleum-based fuels due to its lower carbon footprint. However, it is important to note that the economic and energy output of vegetable oil plants that are involved in the production of this fuel is not known. Current research trends on biodiesel fuels have been investigated on non-edible oils, which present better performance when blended with diesel. This work studies the performance of karanja-based biodiesel on VCR engines with different Diesel Blending Ratio (DBR) of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. Engine performance and exhaust gas analysis tests are carried out on a VCR-diesel engine at various loads to examine specific characteristics of karanja biodiesel as a fuel. As per observations, DBR 10%, 20% of biodiesel exhibited better performance than the other blended fuels. To enhance the performance of DBR 10% and 20% biodiesel were graded up with the addition of 5% Methanol. The overall performance of all blended fuels is compared in all aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based oil is a better alternative for replacing petroleum-based oil on account of its good lubricity, biodegradability, availability and low manufacturing cost. The methyl esters obtained from plant-based oils could be used as potential biolubricants in diverse applications, based on their fatty acid profile and properties. The present research investigates the influence of fatty acid composition of three different methyl esters on the physicochemical, thermal and tribological characteristics. Jatropha, Karanja and Cottonseed methyl esters are chosen and important properties viz. fatty acid profile, viscosity, density, TAN and flashpoint are measured. Using a reciprocating wear tester, a sliding contact pair is established between AISI E52100 steel and SS-301. The tribo-tests are carried out under different loads (50, 75 and 100 N) and sliding frequencies (15 and 30 Hz) while keeping the contact pair at 160 °C, simulating the boundary lubrication regime. The output responses such as frictional force, coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter are measured at the end of every trial. The relationship between the fatty acid composition of all investigated methyl esters to their tribological behaviour is deduced and pictorially presented. The test results revealed the supremacy of Jatropha methyl ester over Cottonseed and Karanja. A maximum reduction of about 31% in frictional force and 39% in wear scar diameter are observed with Jatropha methyl ester. The results are substantiated by the microscopic examination of the worn-out surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals beyond their permissible limits are major contaminants and causes of concern due to their persistent nature and health hazards. Several studies validated the utilization of plants as biomonitors and bioaccumulators for heavy metal pollution. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the proficiency for heavy metal monitoring and mitigation by commonly found plant species in urban areas of Delhi. For this objective, four sites (viz., control, residential, commercial, and industrial) and sixteen usually growing plant species were selected. Four heavy metals, i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), were analysed for soil and dust from each site, and leaf samples from each plant, at all sites, and various other parameters were calculated. Among the four elements, Pb and Cd showed maximum geoaccumulation and contamination at all sites. Pollution load index (PLI) values for both soil and dust indicated that industrial sites (1.78, 2.15) were most contaminated followed by commercial (1.52, 1,87), residential (1.41, 1.67), and control (1.22, 1.37) sites. Concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn were found to be highest in Morus alba, while Cd concentrations were found to be highest in Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi. From various analyses, we concluded that commonly found plant species such as Ficus religiosa L., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. Ex DC.) Wight &Arn., Morus alba L., Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., and M. pinnata proved to be exceptional biomonitors and bioaccumulators for heavy metals in urban areas. Therefore, these plant species are highly recommended for plantation in urban areas for decontamination of the air and soil by mitigating heavy metal pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Li-impregnated TiO2 catalyst loaded on feldspar mineral (Li-TiO2/feldspar) was synthesized via a wet impregnation method and was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Using these techniques, it was possible to confirm the catalyst's structural organization with a high crystallinity. This catalyst was used in the transesterification of five waste plant oils of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple), Pongamia pinnata (karanja), Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard), Ricinus communis (castor) and Carthamus oxyacantha (wild safflower). The catalytic tests were performed at temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 °C, employing a variable methanol/ester molar ratio (5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1 and 25:1) and different catalyst concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%) relative to the total reactants mass. Conversion of 98.4% of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was achieved for Pongamia pinnata (karanja). The main fatty acids present in bitter apple, karanja, wild mustard, castor and wild safflower oils were linoleic acid (70.71%), oleic acid (51.92%), erucic acid (41.43%), ricinoleic acid (80.54%) and linoleic acid (75.17%), respectively. Li-TiO2/feldspar produced more than 96% for all the feedstocks. Fuel properties such as iodine value (AV), cetane number (CN), cloud point (CP), iodine value (IV), pour point (PP) and density were within the ranges specified in ASTM D6751. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piling up of fly ash (FA) from thermal power plants ends up degrading land and water sources and the problem has even fester with time. An energy plantation on fly ash amended soil appears to be the most attractive integrated approach towards better waste utilization and sustainable remediation. Recently the research is focused to figure out the best remediation plant alternative among the energy crops. In the present study a comparative assessment of growth, remediation and yield of energy plant viz. Jatropha curcas, Millettia pinnata, and Helianthus annus were made with the fly ash amended soil with 0, 10, and 15% of FA treatments. It includes morphological growth measurements, estimation of remediation efficiency (RE), bio-concentration factor (BCF), and energy yields. The research outcome confers J. Curcas to possess better response altogether in comparison to M. pinnata and H. annus. The plant obtained greater absolute growth rate (AGR), leaf area (LA) as morphological assessment parameters, and greater yield in terms of biomass and energy. Although, H. Annus absorbed maximum metal content but was insusceptible to survive the experimental duration with lesser RE. J. Curcas obtained maximum RE for 10% FA treatment and outcomes to be the potential alternative among the three energy plants. The remediation efficiency of J. curcas for Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn was 187.79%, 150.36%, 118.67%, and 137.43% greater than the control. Based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) J. curcas at F10 treatment has better association of growth, remediation, and yield parameter values among other plant alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are exploring for new alternatives to fossil fuels to improve the performance and reduce the pollution of internal combustion engines. This is because fossil fuels are becoming more expensive and pollution levels are going up. The purpose of this research was to find a way to replace standard diesel with blended fuels. This was done by putting mixtures of diesel, biodiesel, methanol, and nitromethane (CH3NO2) into an engine and looking at how they burned, how well they worked, and how much pollution they made. The fuels that were tested were diesel, B10 (90% D and 10% biodiesel), B10NM1 (diesel 87%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 1%), B10NM2 (diesel 86%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 2%), and B10NM3 (diesel 85%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 3%). Experiments were done on a single-cylinder, four-stroke DI diesel engine using blends of diesel, biodiesel, and nitro methane to find the ideal blending ratio and engine operating conditions for enhancing performance and minimizing emissions. Under normal engine conditions, the B10NM3 blend (made up of 85% diesel, 10% biodiesel, 2% methanol, and 3% nitro methane) gave the highest performance and the least amount of pollution. Compared to pure B10, the B10NM1 mix decreased emissions (HC by 8.1% and CO by 13.6%) while raising BTE by 15.6%, NOx by 7.2%, and cylinder pressure by 2.2%. On the other hand, NOx emissions went up by 7.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are exploring for new alternatives to fossil fuels to improve the performance and reduce the pollution of internal combustion engines. This is because fossil fuels are becoming more expensive and pollution levels are going up. The purpose of this research was to find a way to replace standard diesel with blended fuels. This was done by putting mixtures of diesel, biodiesel, methanol, and nitromethane (CH3NO2) into an engine and looking at how they burned, how well they worked, and how much pollution they made. The fuels that were tested were diesel, B10 (90% D and 10% biodiesel), B10NM1 (diesel 87%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 1%), B10NM2 (diesel 86%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 2%), and B10NM3 (diesel 85%, biodiesel 10%, methanol 2%, CH3NO2 3%). Experiments were done on a single-cylinder, four-stroke DI diesel engine using blends of diesel, biodiesel, and nitro methane to find the ideal blending ratio and engine operating conditions for enhancing performance and minimizing emissions. Under normal engine conditions, the B10NM3 blend (made up of 85% diesel, 10% biodiesel, 2% methanol, and 3% nitro methane) gave the highest performance and the least amount of pollution. Compared to pure B10, the B10NM1 mix decreased emissions (HC by 8.1% and CO by 13.6%) while raising BTE by 15.6%, NOx by 7.2%, and cylinder pressure by 2.2%. On the other hand, NOx emissions went up by 7.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]