Toxicological attributes of plant chemicals and their biochemical impacts on cholinesterase and protein levels in relation with conventional insecticides against mosquito larvae of Karachi city

In order to control mosquito, different chemicals were applied against the larvae of Culex fatigans (Diptera Culicidae). The tested chemicals were Lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, Azadirachta indica (Spindales meliaceae) neem extract, and Sueda monoica extract. All chemicals were found to have significant efficacy against Culex fatigans mosquito larvae. In terms of efficacy, the biochemical effects after treatment with such chemicals were found to vary. Total protein levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were the parameters examined. Chlorpyrifos, Lambda cyhalothrin, and neem elevated AChE activity levels whereas the plant extract S. monoica decreased enzymic activity. Total protein levels were decreased by Lambda cyhalothrin and chlorpyrifos whereas protein was increased by neem extract and S. monoica.     

Direct toxicity of amyloid beta peptide on rat brain mitochondria: preventive role of Mangifera indica and Juglans regia

Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress has been well documented in various cognitive-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence indicates that Aß formation impairs mitochondrial function and that mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of AD. The present study was, therefore, designed to investigate the direct toxicity of Aß peptide on isolated mitochondria obtained from rat brain. Various mitochondrial toxicity/integrity parameters such as succinate dehydrogenase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release were measured following the addition of Aß peptide on isolated mitochondria and then, mitoprotective effect of aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica and Juglans regia against mitochondrial toxicity endpoints parameters induced by Aß peptide were assessed. Our results showed that exposure to Aß peptide (30 nM) in isolated brain mitochondria induced mitochondrial ROS formation, MMP collapse, mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release which is the starting point of apoptosis signaling. All these mitochondrial toxic endpoints induced by Aß peptide inhibited by aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica (100–400 µg/ml) and Juglans regia (200–400 µg/ml). To our knowledge, this is one of the first apparent studies to claim directly targeting of brain mitochondria and induction of apoptosis by Aß peptide as a new hypothesis for etiology of AD and other related neurodegenerative diseases as well as mitopreventive role of common antioxidant nutritional products including walnut and mango.     

Co-metabolic transformation of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid by the new soil isolate Pseudoxanthomonas indica CGMCC 6648

A new imidacloprid (IMI) degrading bacterium Z-9 (deposited number CGMCC 6648) was isolated and identified as Pseudoxanthomonas indica by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Two metabolites were identified as olefin and 5-hydroxy IMI by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. P. indica CGMCC 6648 degraded 70.1% of IMI (1.22 mmol L^?1) and formed 0.93 mmol L^?1 5-hydroxy IMI and 0.05 mmol L^?1 olefin IMI in 6 days and in the presence of 100 mmol L^?1 glucose. The half-life of IMI degradation was 3.6 days. P. indica CGMCC 6648 transforms IMI via a co-metabolism mechanism and different carbohydrates have significant effects on 5-hydroxy IMI formation, whereas different organic acids have substantial effects on olefin IMI production. Lactose is the best co-substrate for IMI degradation and 5-hydroxy IMI formation with 0.77 mmol L^?1 degraded and 0.67 mmol L^?1 formed in 48 h, respectively. Pyruvate is the best co-substrate for olefin IMI formation with 0.17 mmol L^?1 produced in 96 h for all carbon sources tested. Pyruvate significantly stimulates the conversion of 5-hydroxy IMI to olefin IMI, whereas glucose slightly inhibits this reaction. P. indica CGMCC 6648 rapidly degrades IMI and forms olefin IMI, which may enhance its potential for biodegradation of IMI and increase its insecticidal activity, which can decrease the IMI dosage required.     

3种浮床植物生长特性及氮、磷吸收的优化配置研究

选取美人蕉、再力花和千屈菜3种当地常见植物作为研究对象,构建上海市淀山湖富营养化治理生态浮床工程,对3种植物的生长特性、氮磷吸收能力的优化配置进行比较研究.结果表明,成活率为:美人蕉83.33%,再力花83.33%,千屈菜为76.67%.除千屈菜外,其他2种植物基本没有出现病虫害,收割时再力花和美人蕉两种植物的生物量较移栽时均有明显增加,分别为3.65kg/株和2.40kg/株;3种植物对水体TN、TP的吸收能力差异显著(P￡0.05),单位面积磷吸收量排序为美人蕉>再力花>千屈菜;单位面积氮吸收量大小排序为再力花>美人蕉>千屈菜.美人蕉与再力花栽种面积比为4:3时,混作浮床系统比单种美人蕉时磷吸收量低7.72g/m2,但是氮吸收量却高85.42g/m2,所以此种面积搭配的浮床系统能够在保证较高水平磷吸收量的条件下,具有比单种美人蕉的浮床系统更强的氮去除能力;美人蕉与再力花栽种面积比为3:4时,混作浮床系统较单种再力花时氮吸收量降低21.09g/m2,磷吸收量高出7.72g/m2,故此面积搭配的混作浮床系统能够在保证氮吸收量较高的同时,比单种再力花的浮床系统吸收更多的磷.     

Accumulation of lead and cadmium by four tropical forage weeds found in the premises of an automobile battery manufacturing company in Nigeria

The potentials of tropical weeds namely, Nephrolepis biserrata, Panicum maximum, Eleusine indica, and Chromolaena odorata to accumulate lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from soil within the premises of an automobile battery manufacturing company in Ota, south-western Nigeria, were explored. The weed samples were collected in both wet and dry seasons. Standard analytical methods were employed to collect, digest, and analyze the weeds. Lead levels in the weeds for both seasons ranged from 1990–4870, 1090–1730, 4800–7890, and 400–1210 µg g^?1 dry weight (DW) for Nephrolepis biserata, Panicum maximum, Eleusine indica, and Chromolaena odorata, respectively, while the cadmium level in the weeds for both seasons ranged from 3.92–6.78 µg g^?1 DW for N. biserata, 1.99–6.85 µg g^?1 DW for P. maximum, 2.90–7.40 µg g^?1 DW for E. indica, and 2.90–5.09 µg g^?1 DW for C. odorata. There was no significant difference in the accumulation of both Pb and Cd for the two seasons. All the weeds showed Pb levels higher than the phytotoxic range. On the contrary, 99% of the weeds showed Cd concentration within the phytotoxic range. The weeds demonstrate good phytoremediation potentials of contaminated soil.     

几何法测定生物栅中美人蕉根系面积

设计了1种测定生物栅中水生植物根系面积的方法.通过分别测定美人蕉(Canna indica)3级根平均直径和2级根平均直径计算得到植物根系总面积.这种方法比常用的不分级测定植物根系直径及表面积的方法准确度高1个数量级,可以应用于大根系植物的根系测定.研究结果表明,生物栅装置中美人蕉根系总面积39.4 m2,3级根系面积是2级根系的22.2倍,而体积比接近2:1,3级根和2级根平均直径比小于1:10.应用生物栅技术处理富营养化水体时,表面积占绝对优势的3级根系在对氮、磷等元素的吸收,作为微生物附着的重要载体及加强植物与填料的固着能力,改善根系与填料的空间结构等方面起重要作用.     

籼爪交后代的花药培养效率

对爪畦稻J15、J21、J20以及J211与不同的籼型杂交稻三系亲本杂交后代不同世代进行了花药培养.结果表明:当同一爪哇稻与三系亲本杂交时,其F1花药培养力高低顺序为:爪哇稻/保持系>爪哇稻/恢复系>爪哇稻/不育系的杂种后代.这种差异可能存在细胞质效应.4个爪哇稻品种中,以J15所配组合的出愈率和培养力为最高,绿苗分化率以J20所配组合最高.低代材料花药在适合籼粳交的SK3培养基上反应较好,高代材料的花药在适合籼稻的M8培养基上反应较好.改良M8和改良SK3培养基的花培效果分别优于M8和SK3培养基.F5、F6代材料的花药在改良M8培养基上出愈率可超过50％.琼脂糖代替琼脂可显著提高出愈率和培养力.高温预培养(30-32℃)24 h其花药培养效率达到最高值.图2表3参15     

Combinations of Azadirachta indica and Cedrus deodara oil with piperonyl butoxide, MGK-264 and Embelia ribes against Lymnaea acuminata

The binary and tertiary combinations of plant-derived molluscicides Azadirachta indica and Cedrus deodara oil with synergists MGK-264, piperonyl butoxide (PB) and fruit powder of Embelia ribes were used against the Lymnaea acuminata. It was observed that the toxic effects of these mixtures were time- and dose-dependent. The binary and tertiary mixtures of plant-derived molluscicides with synergists were more toxic with respect to the single treatment of the plant-derived molluscicides. Maximum synergistic action in binary and tertiary combinations was found in A. indica + C. deodara oil and A. indica + PB + C. deodara in 1:7 and 1:5:7 ratio, respectively.     

Efficacy of biochar in removal of organic pesticide,Bentazone from watershed systems

Abstract

Bentazone is one of the toxic insecticides used to control forest tent caterpillar moths, boll weevils, gypsy moths, and other types of moths in various field crops. We report the efficacy of biochar prepared from the Azardirachta Indica waste biomass as adsorbent for removal of Bentazone. Biochar material was prepared by pyrolysis process under limited oxygen conditions. Biochar material was characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis, SEM analysis, FTIR analysis and TG/DTA analyses. The Bentazone adsorption capacity by biochar from aqueous solutions was assessed. Effect of time, adsorbent dosage, insecticide concentration and pH on the adsorption characteristics of the biochar were evaluated. Adsorption parameters were obtained at equilibrium contact time of 150?min, with biochar dosage of 0.5?g at pH 8. From the optimization studies, desirability of 0.952 was obtained with response (adsorption uptake) of 79.40?mg/g, for initial concentration of insecticide (50?mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0.448?g), time 30.0?min and pH 2. The adsorption isotherm data for the removal of Bentazone fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm. This study indicates that the biochar produced from the bark of Azardirachta Indica biomass could be employed as a potential adsorbent for removal of synthetic organic pollutants from the water streams.     

美人蕉生态护坡对径流污染净化作用的初步研究

2010-04-10月,研究了合肥市南淝河美人蕉生态护坡对河道的水质改善作用。试验用水取自南淝河,TSS、TN、NH4+-N、TP和COD的平均浓度分别是94.1,5.42,2.98,0.202和55.5 mg/L,河水经流生态护坡后,相应的平均去除率分别为:76.4%,45.6%,57.5%,40.1%和29.0%。另外,考察了植物对土壤微生物(细菌、真菌、放线菌)数量的影响,美人蕉护坡微生物的数量显著多于无植物坡岸(p<0.01),微生物总数分别为:3.17×107和0.830×107cfu/g。由此,植物护坡兼具净化和生态景观效应。