Antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracted samples from the leaves and fruits of Capsicum annuum.

The current research describes the antimicrobial potential of methanol, n-hexane, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracted samples from the leaves and fruits tissues of Capsicum annuum. Different solvent extracted samples were screened against six pathogenic microorganisms including five bacterial and one fungal specie by disc diffusion susceptibility assay using 1, 2 and 3 mg disc-1 concentrations. When analyzed statistically the data showed that different solvent extracted samples from both leaves and fruits of Capsicum annuum revealed varying degrees of antibacterial and antifungal activities. n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracted fractions from both leaves and fruits showed significant inhibition of growth against all the tested microorganisms at 1, 2 and 3 mg disc-1 concentrations. Escherichia coli were completely resistant to aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves at all the three concentrations. Klebsiella pneumonia was resistant to n-hexane extracted fraction from leaves at 1mg disc-1 concentration, however, was susceptible at 2 and 3 mg disc-1 concentrations. The growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were effectively inhibited by all the solvent extracted fractions from the fruits while aqueous fraction was not able to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis. The growth of Candida albicans was effectively inhibited by ethyl acetate extracted fraction from leaves at 3 mg disc-1 concentration.

Source apportionment of heavy metals in farmland soil with application of APCS-MLR model: A pilot study for restoration of farmland in Shaoxing City Zhejiang, China.

The conditions of the sources of heavy metals are essential to assess its potential threats to human health. The identification of the origin of heavy metals is essential for planning effective measures to control long-term accumulation of heavy metals. In this study, analysis of pollution sources was performed on 100 soil samples with geostatistics and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model. The descriptive statistics revealed that concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) have exceeded the background value of Zhejiang Province. The coefficient of variation is Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr. The APCS-MLR and geo statistical analysis showed that sources of pollution: PC1 was Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn because of soil parent material. The contribution rates were 89.42%, 87.19%, 29.64%, and 33.58%, respectively. The PC2 was Pb, Zn and Cu which were mainly caused by anthropogenic mining activities. The contribution rates were 95.92%, 24.81%, and 40.62%, respectively. The PC3 was Cd、Zn and Cu which was mainly caused by agricultural inputs, and their contribution rates were 91.96%, 41.61%, and 30.14% respectively. According to Nemero Synthesis Index evaluation method, the Shaoxing City Zhejiang, China is heavily polluted with heavy metals.

Effect of different solvent extracted samples from the leaves and fruits of Datura stramonium on the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Different solvent extracted samples from the leaves and fruits tissues of D. stramonium were tested against five pathogenic microorganisms by disc diffusion susceptibility method using 1, 2 and 3mg disc-1 concentrations. Methanol and chloroform extracted fractions from both leaves and fruits measured good growth inhibition of all the tested microorganisms at all concentrations. Bacillus subtilis was very resistant to n-butanol and aqueous extracted fractions of fruits tissues at all the tested three concentrations. The growths of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pnuemonia were efficiently reduced by all the solvent extracted fractions from the fruits while aqueous fraction was unable to restrain the growth of Bacillus subtilis. The growth of Candida albicans was effectively reduced by aqueous extracted fraction from the leaves tissue at the highest concentration. Maximum growth reduction of (77%) was shown by chloroform extracted fractions from the leaves against Klebsiella pneumonia at 3mg disc-1 concentration. Minimum zone of inhibition (35.4%) was measured by n-butanol extracted fractions from the leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the lowest concentrations of 1mg disc-1. In case of leaves the most vulnerable bacteria was Bacillus subtilis while in case of fruits Klebsiella pneumonia was the most susceptible while Bacillus subtilis was the most resistant one.

Bioinspired synthesis and characterization of gold nano-particles from medicinally important Periploca hydaspidis and their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

This research investigates the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles from Periploca hydaspidis and their antimicrobial and anti oxidant activity. The synthesis of AuNPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and structure by a high resolution atomic force microscope. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy was used to study the crystallite size and different functional groups. DPPH radical scavenging activity and disc diffusion protocol was applied for the determination of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. A ratio of 1:8 of 1mM AuCl3 solutions with plant boiled extract used for synthesis of gold nano-particles. The formation of the gold nano-particles was determined by the color change from yellow to dark purple which were confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Gold nano-particles were stable between 24°C and 39°C, mM concentration of the salt and neutral pH. The groups responsible for the synthesis of gold nano-paricles were Alkenes and aliphatic amines. The AuNP were cubic in nature and the nanocrystallite size was 6.99nm. Gold nano-particles revealed good antioxidant activity and controlled the growth of K. pnemoniae, E. coli, X. compestris, C. albicans and P. chrysogenum.

Phytochemical analysis, phytotoxic and insecticidal activities of medicinally important Periploca hydaspidis.

The present study investigates the phyto-chemical analysis, phytotoxic activity and insecticidal activity of the stem and root tissues of medicinally important Periploca hydaspidis. All the extracted samples exhibited the phytotoxic activity. The data confirmed that water was the best solvent to extract the phytotoxic compounds from stem and root tissues. Roots extracted with different solvents exhibited better phytotoxic potential than samples obtained from the stem tissues. Samples extracted in methanol and water from both stems and roots tissues were active against the subject insects while hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol extracted samples in both parts exhibited no insecticidal activity. Water extracted samples of the stem and root exhibited better insecticidal activity compared with methanol extracted samples. Tribolium castaneum and Rhizopertha dominica were more sensitive in both the cases than Callosobruchus maculates. The plant contained alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrate, proteins and saponins.

Antinociceptive, antimicrobial potential and phytochemical screening of different solvent extracted samples from the stem of Acer pentapomicum.

The present study investigates the antinociceptive, antimicrobial activity and phytochemical assessment of samples from A. pentapomicum. Different microbes were tested using disc diffusion assay at three concentrations (1, 2 and 3 mg/disc). Antinociceptive activity was determined by acetic acid induced and hot plate methods. The tested plant extracts revealed significant antinociceptive activity at dose dependent manner when measured by acetic acid induced method. The growth of all the tested microbes was inhibited by methanol, butanol, and ethyl acetate extracted samples at all concentrations. Chloroform, n-hexane and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of the different microbes at high concentration. The most susceptible microbe was P. aeruginosa measuring 94% and 79% zone of inhibition by butanol and ethyl acetate extracts at 3mg /disc. C. fruendii, however, was the most resistant bacterium followed by S. aureus. The presence of alkaloids, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and fats were confirmed in phytochemical screening of different extracts.

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of different solvent extracted samples of Arisaema jacquemontii.

The current research was carried out to assess the antibacterial activities and phytochemical analysis of the methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol soluble fractions and aqueous extracts of the tubers of Arisaema jacquemontii. All the extracts were tested for their antibacterial potential at 1, 2 and 3 mg disc-1 concentrations against 6 bacterial strains through disc diffusion suseptibility assay. The data suggested that different extracts showed varying degree of growth inhibition against the tested microbes. Statistical analysis revealed that n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions significantly inhibited the growth of all the bacterial strains at the tested concentrations. Moderate activities were recorded for n-butanol and methanolic extracted samples at different concentrations against all the tested strains of bacteria. P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and X. campestris showed resistance to all the tested concentrations of the aqueous extract. B. subtilis and K. pneumoniae were resistant at 1 and 2 mg disc-1 concentrations of the aqueous extract and 3 mg disc-1 of the same extract reduced the growth of the same bacteria. Phytochemical analysis of the different solvent extracted samples suggested the presence or absence of various metabolites including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, sterols, flavonoids, protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Impact of different solvent extracts from leaves and fruits of Eucalyptus globulus on growth of different bacteria and fungi.

The present research investigates the antimicrobial activities of the samples extracted from the leaves and fruits of Eucalyptus globulus through disc diffusion susceptibility assay using 1, 2 and 3mg disc-1 concentrations. Different extracted samples from the leaves and fruits of Eucalyptus globulus exhibited different degrees of antimicrobial. The data indicated that n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracted fraction of both the leaves and fruits inhibited the growth of all microorganisms at all the tested concentrations. Aqueous extracted sample of the leaves inhibited the growth of Candida albicans while the same fraction from the fruits showed no activity against Bacillus subtilis at any concentration. N-hexane extracted samples of the leaves inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the tested concentrations while no activity was recorded against Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans and Stephylococcus aureus. N-butanol extracted samples from the leaves and fruits showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the tested concentrations. In case of leaves, the most susceptible bacteria was Bacillus subtilis (gram positive) and Stephylococcus aureus (gram positive) was the most resistant one. In case of fruits the most susceptible bacteria was Stephylococcus aureus (gram positive) and E. coli (Gram negative) was the most resistant one.

GC-MS profile of bioactive compounds from medicinally important Periploca hydaspidis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate bioactive compounds in different solvent extracted samples from the stem tissues of P. hydaspidis using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy techniques. GC-mass spectrum was compared with the data base of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) containing more than 62000 patterns of the mass spectrum. During matching with NIST library the match factor greater than 700 was considered only for better and pure results. The results revealed that different solvent extracted samples analyzed through GC-MS contained appreciable quantities of different bioactive molecules including antibiotics, fatty acids and protein which have important pharmacological significance.

Extraction and isolation of important bioactive compounds from the fruit of Physalis ixocarpa.

The current study investigates pharmaceutically important bioactive compounds in the fruits of Physalis ixocarpa. Two different extractions methods were used to study its effect on percent extract yield, recovery of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The data indicated that Soxhlet extraction had high efficiency of recovery than maceration method for extracting compounds; percent extract yield and antioxidant activity of the extracts. In maceration, the percent extract yield was found to be in order of water >methanol >ethyl acetate whereas in Soxhlet extraction, it was in order of methanol >water >ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate extract produced by Soxhlet extraction showed strong antioxidant activity of 59.7% (250ppm) as compared to other extracts. Analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of Triglyceride. GC-MS study of triglyceride revealed the presence of trilinoleinic acid (9,12-Octadecdienoic acid), tripalmitin (hexadecanoic acid) and trioleinic acid (9-Octa decenoic acid). Four impure and three pure compounds were isolated from crude methanol extract of the fruit. The structure of pure compounds were identified by NMR and characterized as sugar, glucose and fructose.

Effect of lead (Pb) on antioxidation system and accumulation ability of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens).

The antioxidation system and accumulation ability of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens), which is a valuable remediation material with large biomass and rapid growth rate were studied in hydroponics and pot experiments. In hydroponics experiment, TBARS concentrations and SOD activities decreased with increase of Pb treatments. The activities of POD boost up with elevated Pb treatments, and reached peak level with application of 400µM Pb. Proline concentrations reduced with application of 20µM Pb and then enhanced consistently with application of 100 and 400µM Pb. The biomass of Moso bamboo improved with increase of Pb treatments upto 400mgkg-1, and then decreased with application of each additional increment of Pb in pot experiment. Application of 800mgkg-1 Pb showed significant increase of photosynthetic pigments, however, non significant variation was observed for other treatments. The Pb concentration in roots, stems and leaves attained 523mgkg-1, 303mgkg-1 and 222mgkg-1 respectively with application of 1600mgkg-1 Pb compared with control. Analysis of TEM-EDX revealed that Pb in cell was mostly concentrated in cytoplasm then in cell wall and followed by vacuole. It is concluded that Moso bamboo may be potential remediation species for phytoremediation in low Pb contaminated soils.

Screening of leaves extracts from Calamus aromaticus for their antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion assay.

The current research investigates the anti-microbial activities of different solvent extracted samples from the leaves of Calamus aromaticus against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi using 500, 1000 and 2000 µg disc-1 concentrations. Escherichia coli, Citorbacter freundii and Candida albicans showed resistivity to crude methanolic extract and the same microbes were more susceptible to water extracted fractions. Maximum activity was measured by hexane extracted fractions against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas campestris and minimum growth inhibition by water extracted fractions. Maximum growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was measured by ethyl acetate fraction. Majority of the tested microbes were resistant to water and butanol extracted fractions. Staphylococcus aureus revealed maximum susceptibility among gram positive bacteria and Bacillus subtilis showed minimum. Among Gram negative bacteria, Citorbacter freundii was more susceptibile while Xanthomonas campestris revealed resistively.

In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of different solvent extracted samples from the stem of Euphorbia heliscopia.

This paper presents the anti-microbial potentials of methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, butanol and water extracted samples from the stem of Euphorbia heliscopia against S. aureus (Gram positive), B. subtilis (Gram positive), P. aeruginosa (Gram negative), K. pneumonia (Gram negative), E. coli (Gram negative), C. albicans (fungal specie) by discs diffusion susceptibility assay using 0.5 and 1mg disc-1 concentrations. Our results showed that all the extracted samples from the stem of E. heliscopia exhibited varying degree of antimicrobial activity. Ethyl acetate extracted samples measured maximum activity against the studies microbial species followed by the n-butanol and crude methanolic extract. n-hexane extracted samples inhibited the growth of all microbial species except P. aeruginosa and E. coli at lower concentration. Aqueous fractions showed inhibitory activity against B. subtilis, K. pneumonia and C. albicans. The most susceptible gram positive bacteria were S. aureus while B. subtilis was the most resistant one. Among Gram negative bacteria, P. aeruginosa showed more susceptibility while K. pneumonia was resistant.

Fractionation of crude extracts from controlled dried and commercially available stem bark of Juglans regia and their antimicrobial effects.

The current research investigates the anti-microbial activities of methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane , n-butanol and water extracted samples from controlled dried and commercial bark of walnut (Juglans regia) against five bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and one fungal pathogenic specie (Candida albicans) by discs diffusion susceptibility assay using 0.5 and 1mg disc-1 concentrations. Our results revealed that all the extracts from controlled dried and commercial bark of walnut showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activities. Ethyl acetate fraction from both sources exhibited maximum activity against all tested microbial species followed by n-butanol and crude methanolic extraxt. N-hexane and aqueous extracted samples from controlled dried bark reduced the growth of all studied microbes except Staphylococcus aureus in case of commercial available bark. Aqueous extracted sample showed inhibitory effects against all tested microbes except Candida albicans respectively in case of commercial bark. The most susceptible gram positive bacteria were S. aureus while Bacillus subtilis was the most resistant one. Among Gram negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most susceptibility while Klebsella pneumonia showed some resistively. Compared to commercial bark samples, controlled dried bark extract and fractions were found to be more active in reducing the growth of all the tested microbes at both concentrations.

Report - Screening of medicinally important Berberis lyceum for their antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion assay.

The present research was focused on the anti-microbial activities of different solvent extracted fractions from commercial available and fresh plants of Berberis lyceum against Gram positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi using 1 and 2 mg disc-1 concentrations. Our results showed that fractions from both sources revealed different degree of antimicrobial activities. Our result indicated that Escherichia coli, Citorbacter freundii and Candida albicans were more susceptible to crude methanolic extract and the same microbes were resistant to water extracted fractions. Similarly, maximum reduction in the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas campestris was measured by hexane-extracted fractions and minimum growth inhibition by water-extracted fractions. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were more susceptible to ethyl acetate fraction. Majority of the tested microbes were resistant to water and butanol extracted samples. Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible gram-positive bacteria and Bacillus subtilis was resistant one. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Citorbacter freundii showed maximum susceptibility while Xanthomonas campestris revealed resistivity.

Antimicrobial potentials of different solvent extracted samples from Physalis ixocarpa.

The present study investigates the antimicrobial activities of different solvent extracted samples isolated from different parts of Physalis ixocarpa through disc diffusion assay using three different concentrations. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that different parts of the plant showed varying degree of inhibition against different bacteria at different concentrations. Different solvent extracted samples from the calyx showed inhibitory activity against most of the bacteria under study. Extracts from leaf and fruit samples showed activity against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae and extracts from the stem tissues were effective to control the growth of E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Crude methanolic extract from the stem and n-butanol extracted samples from fruit exhibited strong inhibitory activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae at highest concentrations. Antifungal activity was observed only in crude methanol extract from the leaf against Rhizopus stolinifer, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum.

Antimicrobial potentials of Catharanthus roseus by disc diffusion assay.

The present research work investigates the in vitro antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracted samples from the aerial parts (stem, leaf, fruit and flower) of C. roseus against different microbial species using disc diffusion assay at two different concentrations of 1 and 2 mg disc-1. Hexane extracted samples inhibited the growth of all tested microbial strains except S. typhi. Similarly, ethyl acetate extracted samples was effective to control the activity of all the tested microbial strains. E. coli and S. typhi showed resistance to chloroform extracted samples and the remaining eight microbial strains were susceptible to the same extract. Butanol extracted samples did not inhibit the growth of K. pneumonia and S. typhi at low concentration, however, at higher concentration the same extract reduced the growth of different microbes. Methanol extracted samples effectively controlled the growth of all tested microbes at both concentrations except for S. typhi. Water extracted samples did not inhibit the growth at low concentration except E. coli, K. pneumonia and S. aureus and were ineffective against P. aeroginosa at both concentration. C. albicans, showed resistance against chloroform and water extracted samples at low concentration and susceptible to other solvent extracted samples at both concentration. All fractions were effective against plant pathogens i.e. E. carotovora and A. tumefaciens.

Effect of copper toxicity on root morphology, ultrastructure, and copper accumulation in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens).

A hydroponic culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of copper toxicity on root morphology, ultrastructure, and copper accumulation in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). Root ultrastructure of Moso bamboo was studied by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Application of 200 µM Cu resulted in an accumulation of 810 mg kg(-1) dry weight and 91 mg kg(-1) dry weight Cu in roots and shoots, respectively. The majority of the plants did not survive the application of 400 µM Cu. Biomass production declined consistently with application of each additional increment of Cu. Root growth was more severely inhibited than shoot growth. Cu adversely affected the root morphology of the plants, however, root surface area and number of root tips increased slightly at low levels of Cu. Root cell ultrastructure and organelles changed significantly under Cu stress, in particular, cell walls, mitochondria, and xylem parenchyma were affected.

In Vitro antimicrobial activity of Allium cepa (dry bulbs) against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi.

The present research was carried out at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, the University of Agriculture Peshawar KPK Pakistan. Analysis of the data revealed that all the extracts from dry bulbs showed different ranges of antimicrobial activities. Ethyl acetate fractions showed inhibitory activities against all tested eight microbes including bacteria and a fungus while chloroform fractions inhibited all the microbes except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Butanol fractions showed second highest activity at both lower and higher concentrations. Ethanol and water fractions were found least effective or ineffective. Among Gram positive microbes, Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible bacteria and the most resistant Gram negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeurginosa and Salmonella typhi.

Report: In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of different solvent extracted samples of Alhagi maurorum.

This research work was conducted at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), The University of Agriculture Peshawar, KPK Pakistan. The aim of the study was to determine the anti-microbial activity of different samples extracted from Alhagi maurorum plant using different solvents. Plant material was collected from the local areas of Peshawar valley during the month of April. The anti-microbial potential of all the six samples were determined against seven bacterial strains, three-gram positive (B. atrophus, B. subtilis and S. aureus) and four-gram negative strains (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia and S. typhi) and one fungal specie (C. albicans) using disc diffusion susceptibility assay. All the extracted samples were applied in concentration of 1 and 2 mg/disc. Analysis of the data showed that butanol extracted samples were the most effective fraction and inhibited the growth of almost all the tested microbes while hexane extracted samples were the least effective. Other extracts (ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol and water) showed variable activity against the tested microbes at both concentrations. The most resistant bacterial strain was P. aeruginosa, which showed resistance to most of the extracts while the most susceptible bacterial specie was K. pneumonia, the growth of which was inhibited by all six extracts. The anti-fungal activity was revealed by ethyl acetate (2 mg/disc) and butanol fractions only. The rest of extracts were ineffective in controlling the growth of C. albicans even at high concentration (2 mg/disc).