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The optical, structural, and dielectric properties of SnO2–Ga2O3 nanocomposites were investigated in details. Sn-mixed Ga2O3 compounds (Sn content ~ 0–10 mol%) were synthesized using high-temperature solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of monoclinic structure of Ga2O3. The grain size and lattice parameters of pure Ga2O3 were not significantly affected by Sn incorporation. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy images showed the formation of SnO2–Ga2O3 nanocomposites. These nanocomposites agglomerate with increasing Sn content. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and mapping data confirmed the chemical stoichiometry of all the samples and uniform distribution of the elemental composition over the microstructure. The dielectric properties of as-grown samples showed the traditional dielectric dispersion behavior and follows Maxwell–Wagner polarization. The mixing of Sn in Ga2O3 has significantly influenced the frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric measurements. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss decrease, while the electrical conductivity increases with increasing Sn content. The Nyquist plot showed that both grains and grain boundaries contribute to the relaxation process. The frequency dependence of the dielectric constant follows the modified Debye model with a relaxation time of ~ 325 to 508 μs and a spreading factor of 0.3781 to 0.5469. The temperature dependence of dielectric study showed that the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and electrical conductivity increase with the increase in temperature. The activation energy values for relaxation time and conductivity were found within the range 0.122–436 eV and 0.188–588 eV, respectively. The results show that the structure, optical, and dielectric properties can be tailored by tuning Sn content in the Sn-mixed Ga2O3 compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A menippid crab Myomenippe hardwickii (Gray, 1831) was obtained in the macrobenthic collections from Hukitola, a mangrove-associated Bay located south of Bhitarkanika, Odisha, on the east coast of India. Although the crab was reported from the coastal waters adjoining Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, documentation of the species from Odisha remained elusive until the current study. Therefore, species diagnosis with suitable illustrations and ecological details are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lindernia crustacea (L.) F. Muell is a small herbaceous plant with several ethnomedicinal values. The present study investigated the phytochemical content and alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory property of Lindernia crustacea. Methanolic crude extract of plant was obtained following the Soxhlet method. The crude extract was studied for alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Furthermore, docking study was carried out with the phytocompounds to see the binding affinity with the enzymes. In silico drug-likeness and pharmacological properties were also carried out using Swiss absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity lab tools. The plant extracts showed concentration-dependent inhibition of enzyme activities with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 3.11 mg/ml and 548.9 µg/ml for alpha-amylase and alpha glucosidase, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry study identified ten phytocompounds with molecular weights ranging from 264.4 to 561 g/mol. Docking study showed 1-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl)- 6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline as the best binding compound with the enzymes. Phytocompounds identified from Lindernia crustacea were predicted to have substantial drug-likeness and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties. The enzyme inhibition study and binding interactions of phytocompounds suggest promising alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Lindernia crustacea. Therefore, the aerial part of Lindernia crustacea may be further investigated to know the exact mode of biological actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical, antioxidant and larvicidal property of different solvent extracts of leaves of Clerodendrum infortunatum and fruit peel of Citrus grandis. The antioxidant property was studied by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 1,1‑diphenyl‑2‑picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were estimated following standard protocols. Larvicidal activity of the plant extracts were evaluated following standard WHO protocol. In a series of test doses (100 to 2000 μg/mL), 20 numbers of Aedes aegypti larvae were exposed and the mortality was recorded after 24 h and LC50 were calculated. The study showed that the C. grandis extracts have better phytochemical, antioxidant and larvicidal activity compared to C. infortunatum. Among the four solvent fractions, diethyl ether extract showed higher activity in both the plants. The present study thus showed potential larvicidal property of the plants against A. aegypti. However, further characterization and identification of active compound (s) need to be carried out to study the exact mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]