Bioactive potential of seagrass bacteria against human bacterial pathogens

Study of marine organisms for their bioactive potential, being an important part of marine ecosystem, has picked up the rhythm in recent years with the growing recognition of their importance in human life. Investigation was carried out to isolate 32 strains of endo and epiphytic bacteria in 2 seagrass species viz., Syringodium isoetifolium and Cymodocea serrulata. Morphologically different bacterial strains were tested against 5 antibiotic resistant human bacterial pathogens, of which 10 associated bacteria shown inhibitory activity against one or more bacterial pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) determination with extracellular bioactive compounds from the associated bacteria reveals that, the strain ENC 5 showed inhibitory activity against all the bacterial pathogens with the maximum sensitivity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the MIC value of 500 microg ml(-1).     

Dislodgeable residues of profenofos on jasmine and risk assessment of post application exposure to flower bud pickers

A field study was conducted to measure the dislodgeable residues of profenofos applied to jasmine (Jasminum sambac) and risk assessment was done for laborers engaged in picking of flower buds. Profenofos was applied at 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% concentration and the jasmine bud samples were analysed for residues using GC. The initial deposit of 1.6–3.8, 3.8–7.1, and 5.2–7.6 µg cm^?2 was detected on jasmine buds at 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% concentration, respectively. At the recommended dose of 0.10%, the half-life was 1–2 days and the dislodgeable residues disappeared within 7 days. The results indicate faster disappearance of dislodgeable residues on jasmine buds. Risk assessment was done based on dislodgeable foliar residues and exposure estimates based on surrogate data and expressed as Margin of Exposure (MOE). The entry restrictions for exposure of jasmine flower pickers to profenofos, would be at least, 1 day following application, for the recommended concentration of 0.10% (MOE = 106) and 3 days, at higher concentrations of 0.15% (MOE = 156) and 0.20% (MOE = 115).     

Effect of decontamination and processing on insecticide residues in grape (Muscat Hamburg)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of simple decontamination methods and processing on imidacloprid, dimethoate, and...