Use of manganese oxide nanoparticle (MnO2 NPs) and Pseudomonas putida for the management of wilt disease complex of carrot.

Wilt disease complex of carrot is caused by Ralstonia solancearum and Meloidogyne incognita and is responsible for considerable yield loss. Manganese oxide nanoparticle (MnO2 NPs) and Pseudomonas putida were used alone and in combination for the management of wilt disease complex. In vitro, MnO2 NPs 0.10 g.L-l caused 49.36% reduction in hatching and 14.23% mortality of second stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita while paper disc dipped in MnO2 NPs suspension caused 0.51 mm inhibition zone around R. solanacearum in nutrient agar medium. Inoculation of P. putida to plants with pathogens caused a similar increase in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents as caused by foliar spray with 0.10 g.L-1 MnO2 NPs. Use of P. putida with NPs foliar spray to plants with pathogens caused a greater increase in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than with P. putida or NPs foliar spray. Inoculation of M. incognita/R. solanacearum/M. incognita plus R. solanacearum/P. putida/MnO2 NPs and MnO2 NPs plus P. putida caused increase in proline contents. Root colonization by P. putida was reduced in plants with test pathogens. Foliar application of MnO2 NPs and P. putida reduce wilt disease indices. Galling and populations of M. incognita was also reduced in plants co-inoculated with R. solanacearum. The greatest reduction in nematode populations and galling was observed in plants with NPs spray together with P. putida. Principal component analysis demonstrated a clear influence of NPS and P. putida and their combination on various studied parameters in diseased plants.

Distribution, screening and biochemical characterization of indigenous microalgae for bio-mass and bio-energy production potential from three districts of Pakistan.

Trend of biofuel production from microalgal triacylglycerols is enhancing, because this substrate is a good sustainable and advantageous alternative to oil and gas fuel. In the present study, indigenous micro algal isolates were screened from water (n=30) and soil (n=30) samples collected from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan to evaluate their biofuel production potential. The samples were inoculated on BG - 11 agar medium plates by incubating at room temperature of 25°C providing 1000 lux for 16h light cycle followed by 8h of dark cycle for 15 d. Water samples were found to be rich in microalgae and 65.33% microalgae (49 isolates) were isolated from Faisalabad district. On the basis of microscopic morphology microalgal isolates (n=180) were selected and subjected to lipid detection by Nile red staining assay. Nile red positive isolates (n=23) were processed for biochemical (lipid, protein and carbohydrates) characterization. AIN63 isolate showed higher lipids (17.4%) content as detected by micro vanillin assay. Algal isolate AIN128 showed best protein contents (42.91%) detected by Bradford assay and AIN172 isolate showed higher carbohydrate contents (73.83%) as detected by anthrone assay. The selected algal isolates were also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for confirmation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid analysis. These indigenous algae have the potential for in-vitro biofuel production from agricultural waste.

Bio-efficacy of iron and zinc fortified wheat flour along with bio-assessment of its hepatic and renal toxic potential.

Study was planned to assess the bio-efficiency along with toxicity of iron and zinc fortified whole wheat flour in Sprague dawley albino rats. Whole wheat flour was fortified with different dosage of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA), ferrous sulphate (FeSO4), zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). The rats (n=3) in each group were fed on fortified wheat flour for 2 months. Liver biomarkers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin were recorded from serum samples. Increased concentration of ZnSO4 affected the liver biomarkers to be highest among all whereas, bilirubin levels were less than the rats fed on control diet. The above mentioned fortificants have negligible effect on renal biomarkers including creatinine and urea. Moreover, hematological parameters were also checked and reportedly, sodium iron EDTA fed rats presented highest amount of hemoglobin, iron and total iron binding capacity. Highest zinc level was observed in rats fed on whole wheat flour fortified with 60mg/Kg Zinc oxide. Microscopic observation of liver tissue depicted that rats fed on iron and zinc fortified wheat flour have more toxic effects whereas, histopathology presentation of kidney tissue has least toxic impact. It has been concluded that mandatory fortification of wheat flour with iron and zinc may cause increased serum biomarkers along with toxicity of vital organs like liver, hence fraction of wheat flour may be fortified to fulfill the requirements of deprived and vulnerable group.

Potential of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in plant disease diagnostics and management: Recent advances and challenges.

Plant diseases caused by phytopathogens are a severe threat to global food production. Management of plant diseases mostly rely on the application of pesticides which have several adverse effects on the ecosystem. Innovative and high-performance diagnostic tools are useful for the early detection of phytopathogens. Emerging role of metal and metal oxides nanoparticles (NPs) in plant disease diagnostics to combat crop diseases has been described. These NPs constitute new weapons against plant pathogens and facilitate the early diagnosis/management of crop diseases specifically in resource-poor conditions. The interactions between NPs, phytopathogens and plants showed great diversity and multiplicity which reduces chances of the development of resistant pathogen strains. The present article discusses the available literature as well as challenges and research gaps that are essential in the successful utilization of metal and metal oxide NPs for precise and timely detection and management of plant diseases.

Antibacterial activity of plant essential oils against indigenously characterized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Plant essential oils were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The isolates (n=03) were procured from Institute of Microbiology, UVAS Lahore, Pakistan. After biochemical and 16S rRNA gene-based PCR characterization, accession numbers were retrieved from NCBI i.e. MW344063.1, MW344064.1 and MW344065.1. These isolates exhibited molecular positivity by multiplex PCR for mecA, coa and eta toxin genes. Moreover, these isolates exhibited resistance to cefoxitin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and gentamicin. The antibiotic resistant isolates were evaluated for antimicrobial activity of plant essential oils. The highest zone of inhibition (mean ZOI±S.D.) was measured for Cinnamomum verum (22.67±1.52 mm) followed by Eucalyptus globulus (18.67±2.51 mm) and Syzygium aromaticum (12.67±2.51 mm). Lowest mean MIC value (0.33±0.11 mg/mL) was recorded for E. globulus . Eucalyptus globulus was processed for fractionation by column chromatography and n-hexane, chloroform, n-hexane + chloroform and ethyl-acetate fractions were evaluated for antibacterial activity. Lowest mean MIC (10.04±5.80 mg/mL) was recorded for E. globulus n-hexane fraction. Cell survival percentage of BHK21 cell line was 51.7% at 54.87mg/mL concentration of E. globulus n-hexane fraction. Through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of n-hexane fraction, benzene was found abundant (29.9%) as active compound. It was concluded that E. globulus n-hexane fraction exhibited significantly promising results against MRSA .

N-nitrosodimethylamine in the Kashmiri diet and possible roles in the high incidence of gastrointestinal cancers.

The Kashmiri population is culturally distinct with special dietary features owing to the temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir valley. This has habituated the population to preserve food in smoked, pickled and sundried forms which include considerable amounts of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs). These are known to cause cytotoxicity, DNA damage, mutation, unscheduled DNA synthesis and DNA methylation. All of these changes at molecular level are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer. One of the prominent NOCs found in Kashmiri food is N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Here we review the occurrence of NDMA in sundried foods, dried fish, kehwa, traditional pickle, Brassica oleracia and tobbaco. We also discuss its possible role in the high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers in Kashmir.

Association between p16, hMLH1 and E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation and intake of local hot salted tea and sun-dried foods in Kashmiris with gastric tumors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the methylation status of three important cancer related genes viz. p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and to associate the findings with specific dietary habits in Kashmiris, a culturally distinct population in India, with gastric cancer. The study subjects were divided into three age groups viz. 0-30 yrs (1st), 31-60 yrs (2nd) and 61-90 yrs (3rd). A highly significant association between the intake of local hot salted tea in 2nd (p=0.001) and 3rd (p=0.009) age groups was observed with the promoter hypermethylation of E cadherin. Again a highly significant association between the aberrant methylation of hMLH1 (p=0.000) and p16 (p=0.000) promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea was observed in the 2nd age group of gastric cancer patients. The intake of sun-dried food was also significantly associated with the promoter hypermethylation of E cadherin (p=0.003) and p16 (p=0.015) genes in 3rd age group. The results of the present study suggest a close association between the aberrant methylation of p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea and sun-dried foods in Kashmiri population.

OLA-DRB1 microsatellite variants are associated with ovine growth and reproduction traits.

The DRB1 intron 2 (GT)(n)(GA)(m) microsatellite was genotyped in experimental flocks of seven Merinoland rams and 249 ewes as well as their offspring (381 lambs) from consecutive lambings. A total of 16 DRB1 alleles were detected, ranging between 353 and 857 bp. In comparison with carriers of other alleles, the ewes carrying the predominant 411 bp allele had higher values of all the recorded fertility traits. For ewes carrying the 394 and 857 bp alleles, the birth weight of lambs was about 400 g higher as compared to the residual group of ewes. The observed associations could be due to differences in disease resistance, cell recognition or tissue differentiation between carriers of various MHC haplotypes which can in turn affect individual fertility and growth performance.