Biological Sciences - PJSIR

Some Records of Skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea: Hesperiidae) from Balochistan Province, Pakistan

2022-03-01T15:35:41-05:00

Skipper fauna of Balochistan province is not properly studied. To fill this gap, a study was conducted to explore the skipper's fauna from previous literature and new collection from Balochistan, Pakistan. We report 21 species of skippers from two subfamilies, Coeliadinae and Hesperiinae. Out of 21 species five species namely Hesperia comma (Linnaeus, 1758), Parnara guttatus (Bremer and Grey, 1852), Pyrgus cashmirensis Moore (1874), Pyrgus darwazicus Grum-Grshimailo (1890) and Pyrgus sidae (Esper, 1784) under subfamily Hesperiinae are recorded for the first time from Balochistan. Out of five reported species from Balochistan, two species Pyrgus darwazicus and Pyrgus sidae are new records for Pakistan.

Spirocamallanus sindensis n. sp. from Catfish Rita rita (Siluriformes: Bagridae) of Pakistan

2022-02-23T16:17:26-05:00

The aimed of present studies to examination of helminth parasites of Indus river Siluriformes catfishes. 57 (41 + and 16 ) specimens were collected from 31 hosts fishes Rita rita (F. Hamilton, 1822) belong to genus Spirocamallanus (Baylis, 1923) processes as live specimen were killed in hot 70% ethanol, preserved, made temporary mounts for detail study. On the basis of differential characters such as body shape and size, striated cuticle format, buccal capsule shape and 13-14 spiral numbers, cephalic and cervical papillae, basal ring shape, spicules shape and size, vulva position and shape, vagina shape, the new species Spirocamallanus sindensis identified.

Dual Effect of Plant Materials Against Pulse Beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) on Chickpea

2022-02-23T16:27:46-05:00

The laboratory studies were undertaken to evaluate the repellent effect of different plant materials i.e. lemon, neem, nerium, Acacia, Eucalyptus at 6% concentration (w/w) against Callosobruchus maculatus on chickpea. In addition, the corrected mortality and seed characteristics (seed germination %, root length and seed vigor Index) were also observed. The results showed a repellent effect with an index value of RI=0.8 for lemon and Eucalyptus at 24 h. The overall corrected mortality showed the highest (24.73%) at neem and the lowest (4.30%) at Eucalyptus. The seed characteristics showed that storage of chickpea seeds until two months was ideal. The best results were recorded after one month of preservation in Acacia and control with maximum germination (100%), root length (2.18±0.06 and 3.25±0.11 cm) and V.I (219.0 and 326.0) followed by neem with germination of 96.67% and lemon with root length of 2.37±0.18 cm and V.I 222.13. Thus, it is concluded that all plant materials were not good repellent for pulse beetle, whereas, neem extract displayed an efficient efficacy to kill the pest and lemon showed an ideal repellent effect.

Optimization of Planting Density of Indian Spinach in a Recirculating Aquaponics System Using Nile Tilapia

2022-03-01T07:28:54-05:00

An experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks to compare the effect of planting density on the growth and yield of Indian spinach (Basella alba) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a re- circulating aquaponics system. Indian spinach was planted at four densities (4 plants/m2, 8 plants/m2, 12 plants/m2 and 16 plants/m2). Stocking density of Nile tilapia (Av. body wt. 32.5 g) was 45 fish/tank (water capacity 300 L) in all planting densities. The highest weight gain, percent weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of fish were obtained at planting density of 12 plants/m2. Feed conversion ratio was also lowest at this density. Number of leaves per plant, plant length, plant weight and yield of Indian spinach were the highest at 12 plants/m2. It was concluded that the plant density of 12 plants/m2, for Indian spinach integrated with 45 fish/tank was suitable for production of both vegetable and Nile tilapia in a recirculating aquaponics system.

Augmenting the Tolerance Potential of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Using Salicylic Acid

2022-02-23T16:50:43-05:00

Salicylic acid (SA) is considered an important plant hormone that controls many aspects of plant growth and development, as well as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In current investigations, a pot experiment consisting of four different levels of SA (0, 1, 2 and 3 mM SA) were tested on growth and physiological attributes of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), grown at different salinity levels (0, 50, 100 mM NaCl). Results revealed that all the morphological and physiological attributes were significantly (P<0.05) adversely affected by salinity stress, whereas application of SA improved growth rate of muskmelon both in saline and non-saline conditions. SA treated plants showed higher total chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate and stomatal regulations as compared to control plants. SA application reduced the salt deleterious effects by inhibiting toxic Na+ ions accumulation in leaf and increased K+/Na+ ratio. Among the various applied concentrations, 2 mM SA increased shoot fresh weight by (30%), dry weight (34%), leaf area (25%) and K+/Na+ ratio by (84%) as compared to control plants. Thus, 2 mM SA concentration is concluded to be the best ameliorative treatment in salt stressed environments to enhance the muskmelon production.

An Assessment of Water and Soil Parameters Using Geospatial Techniques, A Case Study of Botanical Garden of University of the Punjab, Pakistan

2022-02-23T17:03:51-05:00

This paper presents an in depth analysis of geospatial characteristics of water and soil parameters and its impact on herbs productivity. The study area considered for this research was Botanical Garden, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan. Eleven soil samples and six water samples were collected from eleven sections and six sections of botanical garden respectively. Seven water parameters EC, Ca, Mg, Na, CO3, HCO3 and Cl were studied, while for soil EC, pH, organic matter, K and P were examined. Interpolation maps were formed to show the spatial pattern of the selected water parameters and graphical representation was done for soil parameters' analysis. Directional distributional ellipse (GIS statistical analysis) was performed to show the distribution of soil and water parameters and no abnormalities were found in the results which indicates that the soil and water is suitable for the productivity of plants and herbs found in the garden.

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The Usefulness of Common IVY (Hedera helix L.) Extracts Against Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens Found in Local Hospitals

2022-02-23T17:22:00-05:00

The current study was carried out to highlights the antibacterial and antifungal activity of Hedera helix L. by using its different fractions. Both activities were carried out under agar well diffusion method, while for fractions obtaining the cold maceration method was followed which were tested against four fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavors, P. pallidum and Alternaria alternate and four bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Serratia marcescens and Methicillin resistance, Staphylococcus aureus. The fractions which were extracted from the Hedera helix shown different zone of inhibition (ZOI) against both the fungal and bacterial strains. Chloroform and n-hexane extracted samples showed the highest antifungal activity against Polyspondylium pallidum with complete inhibition zone and the least activity was shown by an aqueous fraction. In the antibacterial activity, the crude methanolic extracts have shown the highest inhibition zone (46-57%) against the selected bacterial strains, while the lowest activity was reported from aqueous fractions (21-26%). The other fractions moderately inhibit the growth of the selected strains but were significant.

Biochemical Parameters and Protein Oxidation Relationship for Hepatitis C Patients and Healthy Ones

2022-02-23T17:55:21-05:00

Globally hepatitis C virus is recognized as one of the basic health issues of liver and result in chronic liver diseases whose diagnosis is difficult and possible only with symptoms until it may leads to liver cancer. DNA damage along with lipids and protein oxidation is caused as result of oxidative stress in hepatitis patients. This work was carried out to search out the oxidation of protein and lipids per-oxidation with relative to DNA damage for hepatitis C patients. Sampling was done in 50 suspected patients among them 20 were positive for HCV, while 30 were negative. With the help of 2-4, dinitrophenyl hydrazine assay quantification of protein carbonyls was done and results showed much increased values than normal. Biochemical parameters of HCV such as complete blood count, triglycerides and cholesterol level were recorded. The results were significant in positive cases than the control group. The study elaborated a new window in the research of chronic HCV patients for severe biochemical parameters alterations, over oxidation of proteins and liver dysfunction. It was therefore concluded that oxidative stress was responsible for increased level of protein oxidation and altered biochemical parameters that leads to damage of liver

Wound Healing Potential/Activity of Polyherbal Ointment Containing Salvadora persica, Azadirachta indica and Calendula officinalis Extracts: An Experimental Study

2022-02-24T07:00:41-05:00

The present study explore the wound healing potential of a novel herbal ointment formulation, fast wound healing ointment (FWHO) composed of 10% w/w crude ethanolic extracts of Salvadora persica (sticks), Azadirachta indica (leaves) and Calendula officinalis (whole plant) on excision wound model in albino rats. The FWHO was applied topically once daily on the wound to evaluate the rate of contraction and period of epithelialization in rats. Complete contraction and epithelialization of wound was observed at 19 day (P<0.0005) in test group animals compared with standard (polyfax skin ointment) at 23 day (P<0.0005) and control group (blank petroleum jelly) at 29 day respectively. It was observed that 10% FWHO has potent wound healing capability as evidenced by decrease in the period of epithelialization and increase in the rate of wound contraction in test group as compared to the standard and control groups. The test group illustrates 34.4%, while the standard group shows 20.6% decrease in the time of epithelialization as compare to control group. The study revealed that test ointment (10% FWHO) has a potential to promote wound healing by accelerating the rate of epithelialization and scar formation as compare to standard (polyfax skin ointment) and control (blank petroleum jelly) groups.

In vitro Studies of the Utilization of Industrially Important Substrates by Lactobacillus sp. AAF-1 Isolated from Coconut Water

2022-02-24T07:50:07-05:00

Coconut water (Cocos nucifera L.) possesses natural hydrating qualities, functional health properties and various nutritional benefits. Lactobacillus species AAF-1 has been isolated and purified from coconut water. The isolated culture was screened for the production of extracellular secreted enzymes having industrial value. Growth of the Lactobacillus sp. AAF-1 on MRS agar containing respective substrates showed that the Lactobacillus sp. AAF-1 is the potential producer of amylase, protease, cellulase and beta galactosidase. Further cell free filtrates of the Lactobacillus sp. AAF-1 showed large zone of hydrolysis of starch, gelatin, cellulose and lactose that reflected the extracellular production of the above enzymes in culture medium at 50 °C. It has been observed that activities after 72 h of incubation in cell free filtrates of protease, amylase, cellulase and beta galactosidase as the zone of respective substrate hydrolysis measured as 10, 8, 6 and 10 mm respectively. Thus, Lactobacillus sp. AAF-1 could be the potential producer of the enzymes having industrial value.

Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Traditional Yoghurt (Dahi) in Sindh Pakistan

2022-02-24T08:08:00-05:00

The probiotic properties of Lactobacillus isolates of traditional yoghurt were investigated during the study. For that seven species of Lactobacillus were identified phenotypically. Out of 84 isolates, 23 acidophilus, 21 L. casei, 11 L. helveticus, 09 each L. delbrueckii sub sp. bulgaricus and L. delbrueckii sub sp. lactis, 03 L. viridescense and 02 L. plantarum were identified. All of these identified species were screened for antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, acid and bile tolerance and antibiotic resistance pattern. The results indicated that L. casei S66, L. delbrueckii sub sp. bulgaricus S65, L. acidophilus S26 and L. plantarum S19 produced antimicrobial substances against the indicator organisms and showed tolerance against acidic pH of 2.5 and survival against the bile salt concentration of 0.1 and 0.2. The L. acidophilus S26 survived the 0.3% bile salt concentration and was resistant to antibiotics ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, penicillin and vancomycin.

Assessing Interactive Response of Humic Acid Amended Media and IBA on the Growth and Propagative Capacity of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Stem Cuttings

2022-02-24T08:20:19-05:00

This study assessed the interactive effects of humic acid (HA) amended growing media (GM) and indole butyric acid (IBA) on a range of parameters determining growth and propagative capacity of Fig (Ficus carica L., var Black Mission) stem cuttings. Cuttings were treated varying IBA concentration (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/L) and propagated in nine GM consisted of sandy loam and clay soils amended with four levels of HA (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 g/m2) and a mixture of sandy loam and clay soils (1:1 v/v) without HA. Ranking of GM changed across IBA concentrations for the majority of parameters, including plant survivability (PS) indicated significant GMxIBA interaction. PS increased with rising IBA concentration (500-1000 mg/L) under lower levels of HA (2.5-5.0 g/m2) across GM. However, the relative response was better in sandy loam based GM. Based on stepwise multiple linear regression, seven parameters viz., percent bud sprout (PBS), shoot length (SL), shoot diameter (SD), leaf area (LA), leaf chlorophyll content (LCC), root to shoot ratio (R/S) and plant N uptake (NUP) explained most of the variance (R2= 99.8%) in plant survival (PS) and acted as the critical determinants of survivability in Fig propagation via stem cuttings. Strong inter relationships existed among the critical traits, thus creating complex trade-offs affecting the overall propagative capacity of Fig stem cuttings. Our approach could be useful in developing indirect selection criterion determining success rates in propagation via stem cuttings.

Total Phenolic Contents, Ascorbic Acid and Antioxidant Potential of Different Fruits

2022-02-24T08:28:54-05:00

The experiment was conducted at Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad Pakistan, during the year 2017-18 to assess the total phenols and antioxidants potential of mango, grapes, banana, guava, mulberry, strawberry, loquat, melon, apricot and phalsa. Fruits samples were obtained from the market of Faisalabad Pakistan, washed, dry at room temperature, extracted their juice/pulp. The juice was stored at 4 °C for further analysis. Juice samples were processed for Vitamin- C, pH, TSS, total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that among all the ten fruits vitamin C was higher in mango (24.33 mg/100 mL) followed by phalsa (19.74 mg/100 mL) and Grapes (11.25 mg/100 mL), whereas lower value was observed in melon (3.3 mg/100 mL) and loquat (3.4 mg/100 mL). Vitamin C for other fruits lies between these. Highly acidic pH of fresh juices of all the fruits was observed except in melon (5.82) and guava (5.38) which is less acidic. Percentage of TSS was higher in phalsa, mulberry and mangoes (13.8, 13.5 and 13.9% respectively) and lesser in melon (5.6%). Antioxidant capacity (% DPPH reduction) was found higher in grapes (91.9%) and mango (91.2%) which was statistically at par with melon (90.9%), while lesser value was observed in mulberry (51.6%). Total phenolics were significantly higher in grapes (1266.4 µg GAE/mL), whereas minimum phenolic contents were found in melon (4.1 µg GAE/mL). Therefore, it was concluded that grapes are more nutritious and healthy fruit than other.