Comparative taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: First report.

In the present research project, the first report on comparative analysis of the taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected Hibiscus rosa sinensis (L.) leaves of the family Malvaceae was done by using different micro and macroscopic techniques. First of all, leaves were characterized for Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) and its associated betasatellite (Cotton leaf curl Multan Betasatellite; CLCuMB). Different morphological parameters like shape and size of stem, leaves, seeds and roots, presence and absence of ligule, distance between nodes and internodes and type of inflorescence etc. were analyzed. CLCuMuV infected H. rosa-sinensis revealed systematic symptoms of infection like chlorosis of leaves, stunted growth, decrease in size of roots, shoots and distortion etc. Anatomical investigation was performed under light ad scanning electron microscope. Different anatomical features like length and shape of guard cells, subsidiary cells, presence or absence of stomata, secretory ducts and trichomes were examined. In both plant samples anomocytic types of stomata and elongated, non-glandular and pointed tip trichomes were present, but the size (especially length and width) of trichomes and other cells like epidermal, subsidiary, and guard cells were highest in virus infected plants likened to healthy one. In the antibacterial activity, the maximum antibacterial potentail was seen in methanolic extract of K. pneumonea while antifungal activity was shown by methanolic extract of A. solani. Plants interact with different biological entities according to environmental conditions continuously and evolved. These types of interactions induce changes positively and negatively on plant metabolism and metabolites production. Many plant viruses also attacked various host plants consequently alter their secondary metabolism. To overcome such virus infected plants produces many important and different types of secondary plant metabolites as a defense response. Subsequent analysis of this n-hexane plant extract using Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy technique revealed that Hibiscus eluted contained 10 main compounds in Healthy sample and 13 compounds in infected one. Presence of essential secondary metabolites were also analyzed by FTIR analysis. The present study provides a comprehensive and novel review on taxonomy (morphology, anatomy) and antimicrobial potential of both healthy and geminivirus infected H. rosa-sinensis.

Flavonoids as potential anti-platelet aggregation agents: from biochemistry to health promoting abilities.

Cardiovascular ailments are the number one cause of mortalities throughout the globe with 17.9 million deaths per year. Platelet activation and aggregation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of arterial diseases, including acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular transient ischemia, unstable angina, among others. Flavonoids-rich plant extracts are gaining interest for treating the heart-related problems due to safe nature of these herbal extracts. Consumption of plant-food-derived bioactives, particularly flavonoids, has shown antithrombotic, and cardiovascular protective effects due to its anti-platelet activity. Preclinical and clinical trials have proven that flavonoid-rich plant extracts are protective against the cardiac ailments through anti-platelet aggregation activity. This review aims to highlight the anti-platelet aggregation potential of flavonoids with a key emphasis on the therapeutic efficacy in humans. The mechanism of flavonoids in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases is also highlighted based on preclinical and clinical experimental trials. Further studies are the need of time for exploring the exact molecular mechanism of flavonoids as anti-platelet aggregation agents for treating heart-related problems.

Genome wide association mapping of yield and various desirable agronomic traits in Rice.

BACKGROUND: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the staple foods worldwide. To feed the growing population, the improvement of rice cultivars is important. To make the improvement in the rice breeding program, it is imperative to understand the similarities and differences of the existing rice accessions to find out the genetic diversity. Previous studies demonstrated the existence of abundant elite genes in rice landraces. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for yield and yield related traits to find the genetic diversity. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 204 SSRs markers were used among 17 SSRs found to be located on each chromosome in the rice genome. The diversity was analyzed using different genetic characters i.e., the total number of alleles (TNA), polymorphic information content (PIC), and gene diversity by Power markers, and the values for each genetic character per marker ranged from 2 to 9, 0.332 to 0.887 and 0.423 to 0.900 respectively across the whole genome. The results of population structure identified four main groups. MTA identified several markers associated with many agronomically important traits. These results will be very useful for the selection of potential parents, recombinants, and MTAs that govern the improvements and developments of new high yielding rice varieties. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of diversity in germplasm is important for the improvement of cultivars in the breeding program. In the present study, the diversity was analyzed with different methods and found that enormous diversity was present in the studied rice germplasm. The structure analysis found the presence of 4 genetic groups in the existing germplasm. A total of 129 marker-trait associations (MTAs) have been found in this study.

Antioxidant potential and chemical characterization of bioactive compounds from a medicinal plant Colebrokea oppositifolia Sm.

Colebrookea oppositifolia is a highly used medicinal plant and an enriched source of essential oils. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim to extract the chemical constituents and to evaluate its antioxidant potential. Fresh plant parts were subjected to the extraction of volatile chemical constituents by maceration using n-hexane as the menstruum. The resulting n-hexane fractions were purified and then subjected to GC-MS and FTIR analysis. In-vitro antioxidant abilities were evaluated by, DPPH, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) method against the standard solutions of (Gallic acid, Quercetin) as a positive control. The GC-MS analysis of leaves, stem and inflorescence showed a total of 100, 98 and 48 components out of which 47, 16 and 17 peaks were identified representing the 67.64 %, 73.16 % and 61.93 % of the total oily fractions, respectively. The FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of various functional groups. In-vitro antioxidant results exhibited that leaves showed the highest antioxidant potential by DPPH (3.365 ± 0.002), and the highest total phenolic content by FC method (203.00 ± 0.091). Foliar micromorphological features were found significant in the authentication of C. oppositifolia. Further pharmacognostic studies of this plant are recommended to evaluate its therapeutic potential.

Malva species: Insights on its chemical composition towards pharmacological applications.

Malvaceae family is typical from the Mediterranean region, contains 240 genera and more than 4,200 species. They are most commonly used as ornamental plants, although they can also be conceived as a food resource and remedy for various diseases, such as digestive, respiratory, genitourinary, throat infections, and skeletal and skin disorders, as also injuries where they are profoundly applied for skin care and as antiseptic and demulcent. They also possess diuretic, lenitive, spasmolytic, and laxative effects, besides to be used as antidiarrheal. Thus, the present review provides in-depth data on Malva spp. potential applications and phytochemical composition for food and pharmaceutical industries. Habitat and cultivation conditions and the clinical reports related to its biological effects are also emphasized. Malva spp. possess a wide variety of chemical constituents (such as polysaccharides, coumarins, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins, terpenes, and tannins) found in different plant organs, especially in leaves and flowers, connected to their biological activity. In general, Malva spp. have rather moderate antimicrobial activity, high antiinflammatory and wound healing activities, strong antioxidant activity, and anticancer properties. Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments encourage more in-depth studies, namely clinical trials, towards to improve knowledge on the use of Malva spp. for the treatment of various health conditions in humans.

Mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1) used for molecular identification of Bactrocera zonata in Pakistan.

Bactrocera zonata is fruit pest mostly attacked on peach and cause heavy destruction in production of peach fruits by sucking their juice. For their management, we start to detect them on basis of their molecular characterization. As mitochondrial genome encodes a gene COI used as biomarker for identification of eukaryotes including insects. In present study, we amplified COI gene and cloned into pTZ57R/T vector (Fermentas). Cloned gene was confirmed through restriction analysis and sequenced through its entirety on both strands from Macrogen (South Korea) by Sanger sequencing method. Different computational tools were utilized for comparative analysis of sequence with other related sequences retrieved from databases. Related species were identified through phylogenetic analysis using Mega 7 tool. Pairwise sequence alignment showed the sequence identity about 96% with Bactrocera zonata. By identifying the pests with more authentic molecular biomarker may help the research to control them more effectively in future.

Molecular characterization of Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus strain D in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) from District Dera Ismail Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV), a member of genus Mastrevirus (family Geminiviridae) is an important viral pathogen of chickpea and other legume crops in Middle East, North Africa, India and Pakistan. Among sixteen known strains of CpCDV three are known to infect legume crops in Punjab province of Pakistan. In this study diversity of CpCDV was explored in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. In year 2016, during a survey in the chickpea growing areas of district Dera Ismail Khan, CpCDV infected plants were identified. Leaf samples were collected, and a diagnostic PCR confirmed mastreivrus infection in 4 out of 100 samples. From these samples full-length genome of CpCDV was amplified using specific back-to-back primers. Virus molecules were sequenced to their entirety and sequence analysis of a molecule KRF4 (GenBank accession # KY952837) showed the highest pair wise sequence identity of 97% with a CpCDV molecule (KM229787) isolated from chickpea plant. An SDT analysis revealed it to be the D strain of CpCDV and a recombination detection program (RDP) showed it to be a recombinant between C (KM229780) and L (KT634301) strains of CpCDV. Thus, further supporting the intra-species recombination for CpCDV and presence of the same strain in chickpea growing areas of Pakistan other than Punjab province. This is the first identification of CpCDV (genus Mastrevirus family Geminiviridae) from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) plants in District Dera Ismail Khan, KP province, Pakistan.

Cucurbits Plants: A Key Emphasis to Its Pharmacological Potential.

Cucurbita genus has received a renowned interest in the last years. This plant species, native to the Americas, has served worldwide folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites, among other clinical conditions. These pharmacological effects have been increasingly correlated with their nutritional and phytochemical composition. Among those chemical constituents, carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, and functional carbohydrates and polysaccharides are those occurring in higher abundance. However, more recently, a huge interest in a class of triterpenoids, cucurbitacins, has been stated, given its renowned biological attributes. In this sense, the present review aims to provide a detailed overview to the folk medicinal uses of Cucurbita plants, and even an in-depth insight on the latest advances with regards to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer effects. A special emphasis was also given to its clinical effectiveness in humans, specifically in blood glucose levels control in diabetic patients and pharmacotherapeutic effects in low urinary tract diseases.

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) planch extracts of bark and stem.

The phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of bark and stem of Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) planch was assessed in order to verify its ethnopharmacological significance. All major secondary metabolites e.g. alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones were present. Antioxidant activity was analysed by using five techniques which included DPPH Free Radical Scavenging Activity, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), TAA (Total Antioxidant Activity, TPC (Total Phenolic Content and MC (Metal Chelating) Activity. Ethanolic extract of bark showed the highest scavenging effects of 90.01±0.01%, with IC50 value of 24.32mg/ml. Aqueous stem extract showed best activity with IC50 value of 13.6±0.34mg/ml. The significance antioxidant potential indicates the effectiveness of bark and stem of P. quinquefolia in treatment of many diseases.

A computational structural analysis of functional attributes of hypodermin A and B proteins: A way forward for vaccine development.

Hypodermosis is a parasitic disease of cattle. The pathogenicity of the disease is attributed to Hypodermin proteins (Hypodermin A, Hypodermin B and Hypodermin C). Studies suggest that Hypodermin proteins may be defined as Serine proteases and collagenases. The structure of both proteases Hypodermin A and Hypodermin B were modeled using the Swiss-model server followed by its validation using Procheck, Errat and Verify-3D. Afterwards, both Hypodermin A and Hypodermin B were docked against collagen in order to study its interaction with respective Hypodermin proteins. The structure of both Hypodermin A and Hypodermin B showed more bent towards hydrophobic nature as more beta sheets were present in them. Both structures were also superimposed to check out similarities and differences present between them. Serine, Aspartic acid, Histidine, Glutamic acid and Lysine are found as interacting residues that are involved in hydrogen bonding with collagen. The interactions are found in the active domain region of Hypodermin proteins. The interacting residues were present in the active region of the hypodermin proteins thus validating the docking studies. This study may help in the drug development against hypodermosis with least side effects.

Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 3.

The present study introduces seven new species, one new combination, one new variety and several interesting taxonomical notes and/or geographical records. Most of the new taxa are Ascomycetes, but the study also includes a new variety of a Basidiomycete. Novel species include Gyromitra khanspurensis (Discinaceae, Pezizales, Pezizomycetes) from Pakistan growing near Cedrus deoadara and Paramyrothecium guiyangense and Paramyrothecium verruridum (Stachybotriaceae, Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) both isolated from soil in China. New species from South Africa are Sclerostagonospora elegiae on culm litter of Elegia equisetacea, Sclerostagonospora fusiformis on culm litter of Thamnochortus spicigerus, Sclerostagonospora pinguis on culm litter of Cannomois virgata and Sclerostagonospora sulcata on culm litter of Ischyrolepis subverticellata (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). Hapalocystis berkeleyi var. kickxii with its basionym Hypoxylon kickxii is shown to be a taxon on species level and thus recombined as Hapalocystis kickxii (Sydowiellaceae, Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), and it is lecto- and epitypified. The new variety Pluteus romellii var. luteoalbus (Pluteaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) growing on a mossy fallen stem of a deciduous tree is described from Czech Republic. Cortinarius scaurocaninus (Cortinariaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) is new for Austria, Humicola grisea (Chaetomiaceae, Sordariales, Sordariomycetes) is an interesting new record for Chile. Two taxa are reported as new for Turkey: the lichenicolous fungus Opegrapha parasitica (Opegraphaceae, Arthoniales, Arthoniomycetes) growing partly immersed in the thallus of Aspicilia and the lichen Rinodina zwackhiana (Physciaceae, Teloschistales, Lecanoromycetes) from calcareous rock. Finally, Xerula strigosa (Physalacriaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes), described from China, is confirmed to be present also in Pakistan.

Gender and occupation wise knowledge, Awareness and prevention of tuberculosis among people of district Muzaffarabad AJ & K.

To assess the awareness about the spread and control of tuberculosis as well as to investigate the gender and occupation wise differences among people regarding knowledge and attitude towards tuberculosis in the State of AJ & K. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in district Muzaffarabad and a sample of 4000 respondents was selected by using stratified random sampling technique. The stratification was done with respect to gender and occupation. The occupation wise classification includes households, labors, and shop keepers, government employers, under graduate students of social and natural sciences, medical students and doctors. A close ended structured questionnaire was developed to collect the data and data were analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Chi-Square test was used for association and Logistic Regression model was used to find out the most significant risk factors with gender. Majority of the males were more aware of tuberculosis than females regarding different aspects related to tuberculosis. The respondents from household, labors and shopkeepers have less awareness and knowledge than those who belong to other professions. The doctors and medical students have almost 100% awareness and knowledge of tuberculosis. It was examined that all the variables were associated with gender except threat, curable and transmissible. Only three variables mentioned above showed non- significant result, while all other variables were strongly associated with gender. Males were found more aware about TB than females. Moreover, the literate people were more conscious concerning the prevalence and threats of the disease.

Insights into Nimbolide molecular crosstalk and its anticancer properties.

Nimbolide, one of the main ingredients constituent of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract, has garnered attention for its potential as an anticancer agent. Its efficacy against various cancers and chemopreventive action has been demonstrated through numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. This updated review aims to comprehensively explore the chemopreventive and anticancer properties of nimbolide, emphasizing its molecular mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications in oncology. The review synthesizes evidence from various studies that examine nimbolide's roles in apoptosis induction, anti-proliferation, cell death, metastasis inhibition, angiogenesis suppression, and modulation of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Nimbolide exhibits multifaceted anticancer activities, including the modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways related to inflammation, invasion, survival, growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. However, its pharmacological development is still in the early stages, mainly due to limited pharmacokinetic and comprehensive long-term toxicological studies. Nimbolide shows promising anticancer and chemopreventive properties, but there is need for systematic preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicological research. Such studies are essential for establishing safe dosage ranges for first-in-human clinical trials and further advancing nimbolide's development as a therapeutic agent against various cancers. The review highlights the potential of nimbolide in cancer treatment and underscores the importance of rigorous preclinical evaluation to realize its full therapeutic potential.

Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide-copper nanocomposite: An innovative solution for green environment and antimicrobial studies.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize ecofriendly nano-composite in which agricultural waste (seeds of Tamarindus indica) was used to synthesize tamarind seed polysaccharides (TSP) and its composite with copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) for the purpose of green and clean environment as well as reduction of green-house gases. Confirmation of extracted TSP, synthesized nanocomposite was carried out using FTIR, SEM, PXRD and EDX techniques. In FTIR analysis TSP gives a strong broad peak at 3331 cm-1 due to -OH group and in case of composite its intensity is reduced which might be due to the interactions between -OH and Cu+2 ions. SEM analysis gives that TSP have irregular and rough surface while Cu-NPs exhibited spherical morphology and composite showed clustering of spherical shape to rough surface. EDX analysis quantitatively represented copper having atomic ratio 0.57 % which confirms the synthesis of composite. Furthermore, synthesized composite demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive (S.aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E.coli) even greater than standard medicine (ciprofloxacin). From this study it was revealed that agriculture waste can be utilized to make environment green as well as synthesized composite from agricultural waste seed also displayed excellent antimicrobial activities which directs that they can be utilized in medical field. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial properties of the nanocomposite, aiming to contribute to the development of effective antimicrobial agents. Through these objectives, the research seeks to bridge the gap between green technology and antimicrobial efficacy, offering a promising avenue for both environmental conservation and healthcare advancements.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping for Yield and Yield-Related Traits in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Using SNPs Markers.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for more than 50% of the world's population. Rice cultivar improvement is critical in order to feed the world's growing population. Improving yield is one of the main aims of rice breeders. However, yield is a complex quantitative trait controlled by many genes. The presence of genetic diversity is the key factor to improve the yield hence, the presence of diversity in any germplasm is important for yield improvement. In the current study, the rice germplasm was collected from Pakistan and the United States of America and a panel of 100 diverse genotypes was utilized to identify important yield and yield-related traits. For this, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify the genetic loci related to yield. The GWAS on the diverse germplasm will lead to the identification of new genes which can be utilized in the breeding program for improvement of yield. For this reason, firstly, the germplasm was phenotypically evaluated in two growing seasons for yield and yield-related traits. The analysis of variance results showed significant differences among traits which showed the presence of diversity in the current germplasm. Secondly, the germplasm was also genotypically evaluated using 10K SNP. Genetic structure analysis showed the presence of four groups which showed that enough genetic diversity was present in the rice germplasm to be used for association mapping analysis. The results of GWAS identified 201 significant marker trait associations (MTAs. 16 MTAs were identified for plant height, 49 for days to flowering, three for days to maturity, four for tillers per plant, four for panicle length, eight for grains per panicle, 20 unfilled grains per panicle, 81 for seed setting %, four for thousand-grain weight, five for yield per plot and seven for yield per hectare. Apart from this, some pleiotropic loci were also identified. The results showed that panicle length (PL) and thousand-grain weight (TGW) were controlled by a pleiotropic locus OsGRb23906 on chromosome 1 at 10,116,371 cM. The loci OsGRb25803 and OsGRb15974 on chromosomes 4 and 8 at the position of 14,321,111 cM and 6,205,816 cM respectively, showed pleiotropic effects for seed setting % (SS) and unfilled grain per panicle (UG/P). A locus OsGRb09180 on chromosome 4 at 19,850,601 cM was significantly linked with SS and yield/ha. Furthermore, gene annotation was performed, and results indicated that the 190 candidate genes or QTLs that closely linked with studied traits. These candidate genes and novel significant markers could be useful in marker-assisted gene selection and QTL pyramiding to improve rice yield and the selection of potential parents, recombinants and MTAs which could be used in rice breeding programs to develop high-yielding rice varieties for sustainable food security.

Trying to Understand the Complicated Taxonomy in Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae): Insights on Seeds Micromorphology.

Amaranthus is a genus taxonomically complex because of its high morphological variability, which led to nomenclatural disorders, misapplication of names, and misidentifications. Floristic and taxonomic studies on this genus are still incomplete, and many questions remain open. Seed micromorphology has been shown to play an important role in the taxonomy of plants. Regarding Amaranthaceae and Amaranthus, investigations are rare, and they refer to one or a few species. With the primary aim to test if seed features are helpful in the taxonomy of Amaranthus, we here present a detailed SEM study on seed micromorphology in 25 Amaranthus taxa using morphometric methods. Seeds were collected from field surveys and herbarium specimens; 14 seed coat features (7 qualitative and 7 quantitative) were measured on 111 samples (up to 5 seeds per sample). The results obtained revealed that seeds micromorphology provides interesting new taxonomic data concerning some taxa (species and below ranks). In fact, we were able to distinguish a few seed types, including one or more taxa, i.e., blitum-type, crassipes-type, deflexus-type, tuberculatus-type, and viridis-type. On the other hand, seed features are not useful for other species, for example, those included in the deflexus-type (A. deflexus, A. vulgatissimus, A. cacciatoi, A. spinosus, A. dubius, and A. stadleyanus). A diagnostic key of the studied taxa is proposed. Subgenera cannot be distinguished using seed features, thus confirming the published molecular data. All these facts reveal, once again, the taxonomic complexity of the genus Amaranthus since, e.g., just a few seed types can be defined.

Morpho-anatomical characters of family Oscillatoriaceae (algae) identified using primitive (LM) and advance technique (SEM) from Punjab, Pakistan.

In this study, 34 species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All species belong to nine genera of which two species belong to Arthrospira, six species to Lyngbya, ten species belongs to Oscillatoria, six species belong to Spirulina, seven species to Phormidium, three species to Microcoleus. The morpho-anatomical characters were identified among different species using LM and SEM. These studies highlighted that north-eastern area of Punjab was blessed with the diversity of algae. These outcomes also indicated that for internal examination along with LM, SEM was necessary for correct identification of algal sample up to specie level. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The different Oscillatoria species abundance in waste-water of four different areas. The sampling was carried out randomly in different seasons from the water bodies especially from waste-water. The morpho-anatomical characters were recognized using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty-four species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on LM and SEM.

Microalgae role in sustainable bioenergy generation as determined by light microscopy.

The main aim of this study was to explore the role of light microscopy in the identification of microalgae as a source of study. Three microalgal species (Nostoc, Anabaena, and Volvox) were identified by light. In this study, different parameters of the oil extraction process from algae biomass were studied. The samples of Nostoc, Anabaena, and Volvox were collected from the freshwater bodies in Lahore, and the samples were identified by light microscopy. Pretreatment of algae was done which includes harvesting, drying, and grinding. The sun drying of sample was done. Solvent extraction was done for the extraction of oil from algal cells. Solvent n-hexane and diethyl ether were used alone as well as in combination. Effects of n-hexane to oil ratio, size of algal biomass, and contact time on the percentage yield of extracted oil were studied and analyzed. It was concluded that maximum amount of oil was extracted from algae by using a greater ratio of solvent to algal biomass, maximum contact time, and smaller algal biomass size. The extracted oil yield was satisfactory, demonstrating the potential of microalgae for biodiesel production. It was discovered that if algal oil is subjected to transesterification, it can be turned into biodiesel, and light microscopy can be used to assess anatomical characteristics. However, more research will be required for transesterification.

Comparative light and scanning electron microscopic studies of pollen of two marijuana species causing allergies.

Marijuana (Cannabis) belongs to family Cannabaceae. This plant is a great natural source of cannabinoids, which have several medical applications such as it is used for the treatment of anxiety and psychosis, disorders of motility and epilepsy. However, this plant is also notorious for its pollen allergic reactions. Mainly two species, that is, C. sativa L. and C.indica Lam. are involved in allergic reactions. In this study, morpho-palynological studies of both the species were conducted. A number of morphological differences were observed in the both species. C. sativa is tall with narrowed leaves and fibrous stalk plant while C. indica is short, bushier, broad leaves, and having woody stalk plant. Both the species are varied in their pollen characteristics. The polar diameter of C. sativa observed was 7.5 µm and equatorial diameter was 8 µm, and its shape was oblate-spheroidal. C. indica had 7 µm polar diameter, 7.5 µm equatorial diameter but its shape was similar to C. sativa, that is, oblate-spheroidal. About 40%-50% people were affected with both these marijuana species and had symptoms of allergies like dry cough, congestion, itchy eyes, sore throat, nausea, a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing. It was concluded that both species' pollen are allergy causing and pollen of both species are different with variations in morphological and allergic symptoms. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Marijuana has great therapeutic importance but it is also notorious for its pollen allergic reactions. Two species of Marijuana, that is, Cannabis sativa L. and Cannabis indica Lam mainly responsible for these pollen allergies. The present research work focused the morpho palynological analysis of these two Marijuana species through light and scanning electron microscopy.

Light and scanning electron microscopic imaging of leaf transverse sections of indigenous fodder grasses of central Punjab, Pakistan.

The significance of grasses as fodder is enormous. However, it has been observed that different fodder grasses are identified locally with the similar vernacular names. Even same species recognized with different names. This happened due to their reduced and overlapped morphological characters. Hence comprehensive taxonomic keys were required to provide authentic identification of this grass flora. Current study established microscopic identification tools on the basis of leaf transverse anatomical features. Results demonstrated a great diversity in ribs and furrows arrangement among all studied grass members. Lolium temulentum, Phalaris minor, Poa annua, Arundo donax, Aristida adscensionis, Desmostachya bipinnata, Cenchrus biflorus and Digitaria ciliaris possessed ribs and furrows only at adaxial surfaces whereas all other species possessed this feature abaxially. Generally all the species contain three types of vascular bundles i.e. small, medium and large. Therefore, this qualitative feature is valuable only at family level, however, it found insignificant in taxa identification. Diversity was observed in bundle sheath type which could be taxonomically significant. Generally bundle sheath was found complete in most of species but in Bromus japonicus Thunb., Dactylis glomerata L., Acrachne racemosa (Heyne ex Roth) Ohwi, Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf, Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf, Heteropogon contortus (L.) P Beauv. Ex. Roem & Schult. Eragrostis minor Host. and in Agrostis gigantea Roth. had incomplete type of sheath. Results reported great diversity in characters which could be taxonomically viable. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This research highlighted the significance of microscopic examination of leaf transverse anatomical features in field of taxonomy. Established anatomical tools would be of great importance for the identification of studied species.