Bioactive compounds from marine resources against novel corona virus (2019-nCoV): in silico study for corona viral drug.

Present research reports the molecular docking analysis of 2019-nCoV inhibition by antiviral compounds from marine natural resources. For this study, the structure of ligand (antiviral compound) and 2019-nCoV main protease (Mpro) was received from the databases of PubChem and Protein Data Bank (PDB), respectively. Molecular Docking was performed by Autodock version 4.2.6 software. Eight antiviral compounds identified showed inhibitory activities against novel 2019-nCoV protease. Of these compounds, Esculetin ethyl ester (-8.42 kcal/mol) from Marine Sponges Axinella cf. corrugata, has the strongest interaction with the protease enzyme of 2019-nCoV and it may be considered as an effective 2019-nCoV antiprotease drug.[Figure: see text].

Studies on the zooplankton biodiversity and density in Adyar estuary, Chennai, India.

The Adyar estuary was once known for its unique ecology and endemic flora and fauna, has lost its pristine condition due to urbanization, discharge of untreated domestic wastes, industrial effluents and encroachments. Zooplankton were monitored for a period of one year from July 2009 to June 2010, following standard methods to evaluate the seasonal variations in diversity and density in relation to environmental parameters like temperature (28.6-33.6 degrees C), salinity (23.3-30.3 per thousand), pH (7.3-7.8) and DO (4.4-7.1 mg l(-1)). Highest diversity was observed during post-monsoon (20 species) and pre-monsoon (19 species), followed by summer (9 species) and monsoon (9 species). The zooplankton density was maximum during summer (1887167 m(-3)) followed by pre-monsoon (1843832 m(-3)), post-monsoon (1153333 m(-3)) and monsoon (182334 m(-3)). Zooplankton community structure and dynamics showed a differential pattern with dominance of harpacticoids and rotifers in pre-monsoon; cyclopoids and rotifers during post-monsoon and summer. The significance of monitoring zooplankton biodiversity as a base-line study for future investigations on environmental changes in this area is discussed.