Research Paper in Archive

Mass Culture of the Edible Microalga, Spirulina platensis

J.D.Saroch, Azmat Fatma Malik, Rekha Shrivastav, Susan Manohar, and T.A. Quereshi

Spirulina are multicellular and filamentous blue-green algae that has gained considerable popularity in the health food industry and increasingly as a protein and vitamin supplement to aquaculture diets. It grows in water, can be harvested and processed easily and has very high macro- and micro-nutrient contents.The present work was carried out in the department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University. Following Zarrouk formula, Spirulina was cultured using innoculum brought from Offer Nalayan, Chennai. The culture was carried out in plastic tubs which were maintained serially and tap water was added having temperature range of 28-300c. The first harvesting was done after 15 days of culture and further harvesting was performed after every fourth day. The chemicals were added just after every harvesting by calculation as given in the materials and methods. Proper agitation was done after an interval of half an hour for the whole day for the proper reproduction of Spirulina in the tubs. Harvesting was done in the morning every fourth day. The culture was performed for two consecutive months.The wet slurry obtained every 4 days from the culture tubs on an average was found to be 12 gm from each tub in two months culture and harvesting. The final dried mass obtained after each harvesting was 10 gms from all the tubs with an optimum average range of pH of 12, temperature of 300C, density of 0.25 cm and growth upto an average of 1.2 cm.

A Photochemical Method for Estimation of Thiomalic Acid Using Sodium Nitroprusside

Shailendra Singh Rathore, Ravi Sharma and Ajay Sharma

A newer fast, convenient and inexpensive quantitative method for the determination of Thiomalic acid using photochemical exchange reaction of sodium nitroprusside has been investigated. Sodium nitroprusside is a photolabile complex and it undergoes photochemical ligand exchange reactions rapidly. Some recent efforts have been made to utilise such reactions for the estimation of some sulphur containing anions and electron rich organic molecules. The progress of the reaction is observed spectrophotometrically. The effects of different parameters like pH, change of concentration of sodium nitroprusside, concentration of ligands, light intensity etc. on percentage error was investigated. The efforts were made to minimise the percentage error and some optimum conditions were obtained. Such reaction can be used for the determination of Thiomalic acid in the range of millimoles to micromoles, hence it is important to know whether such estimations can be done successfully and that to with the desired accuracy.

Indigenous Knowledge of using Medicinal Plants in Treating Skin Diseases in Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

Devendra Kadam and Ajay Sharma

A large number of medicinal plants are found in Panchmarhi biosphere reserve of Madhya Pradesh. The plant diversity of Panchmarhi is quite rich and the people especially the tribals depend on plants for procuring household remedies. Various plant species used in the treatment of skin diseases like leprosy, scabies, rash, wound,psoriasis, swelling, eczema, dandruff are found in this region. A large number of plants/plant extracts / decoctions or pastes are being used since ages as home remedies by layman and traditional medicinal practioners in India for treatment of cuts, wounds and burns. This work provides ethno medicinal information on 29 plant species belonging to 20 families, documented by interrogating the traditional practitioners. The scientific names of the concerned plants, their family, vernacular names, parts used, disease cured by these plants all have been discussed in this paper.

Use of Cupric Oxide as Photocatalyst in Solar Desalination

Manisha Sindal, Narendra Singh and Ajay Sharma

Water is one of nature's most important gifts to humankind. Essential to life,a person's survival depends on drinking water. The over utilization of groundwater, poor recharge, uncertainty of monsoon, poor aquifer conditions, absence of proper monitoring and management have gradually influenced the quality of water. An effective,convenient and inexpensive method for the purification of water has investigated. A solar desalination plant fabricated to utilize solar energy to obtain distilled water. The effect of cupric oxide on the rate of production of distilled water and its quality made and it found that the rate of production of desalinated water increased to a remarkable extent.A comparative study of different parameters like pH, conductivity, concentration anions and cations, etc. was made between raw water and desalinated water under these conditions.

Standardization and Optimization of Ayurvedic Herbo-Mineral Formulation Used In Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Hardik Soni, Kruti Pandya, Surendra Bhatt, Vidhi Parikh, Sapan Tailor, and Pradip Patel

Standardization of a herbo-mineral formulation is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs, based on the concentration of their active principles. The formulation is prepared keeping in mind, the Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) that occurs mainly in old age males. The product is standardized and authentified keeping all the parameters in mind and the actives are quantified with the help of sophisticated instruments. We have also carried out microbial analysis and heavy metal analysis to reveal that the quality of the raw materials are of good and standard uality.

Ethylation of ethyl benzene by the use of acid zeolite based catalyst IM-5

Kanchan Pathak and Asutosh K. Pandey

IM-5 contributes to the isomerization of p-DEB to m-DEB. The isomerization step can generally follow two models: (i) the isomerization of p-diethyl benzene to m-diethyl benzene takes place exclusively on the outer surface, or (ii) the isomerization occurs on the acid sites located both on the outer surface and inside the zeolite channels. Therefore, their elimination of acid sites from the zeolite surface will be helpful for the reaction selectivity with respect to the desired dialkylaromatics.However, if the zeolite modification can be done, not only leading to elimination of the surface sites but also lead to narrowing of the pore opening, like,with the surface silylation or deposition of metal oxides, such zeolite modification results increase p- selectivity.

A study on adsorption of Copper (II) ions in aqueous solution by Chitosan reinforced by Banana stem fibre

J. Thilagan, S. Gopalakrishnan, T. Kannadasan

The heavy metal contamination is an environmental threat as serious as global warming. Removal of Cu+2 ions in aqueous solution has been analysed by using Chitosan reinforced by Banana stem fibre. Batch adsorption experiments were carried as a function of adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature. The optimum pH was found to be 5. The experimental data were tested with Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms and the data have been fitted very well with the Langmuir isotherm. The energy of adsorption showed that the adsorption of Copper by Chitosan-Banana stem fibre beads was physical adsorption.Adsorption kinetics data were modeled with the application of Pseudo first order, Pseudo second order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion models. The results revealed that the Pseudo second order model was the best fitting model. . The adsorption mechanism followed two stages in which the first one was fast and the other was slower. The Boyd plot exposed that the intra-particle diffusion was the rate controlling step of the adsorption process of Copper (II) ions by Chitosan-Banana stem fibre beads.

Azomethines and Biological Screening Part-1: An approach towards Green Sustainable Chemistry by Environmental Friendly Grindstone Method compared with Conventional
Method and Screening of the Benzylidineanilines

C. J. Patil, C. A. Nehete and Hemant A. Mahajan

For developing the sustainable chemistry, in connection with the study of grindstone method, reduction in time cycle for the synthesis of azomethines chosen as simple reaction.In was work azomethines A-D were synthesized from substituted benzaldehyde and the time require is compared with that of conventional method. It is marked that the method shows various benefits, like work-up made simple, low temperature reaction and environment friendly nature of the reaction. In addition,reaction time reduced and yields were improved.

Covalent Attachment of Poly (Glycolic Acid) on the Surface of CNT

Asutosh K. Pandey

In this article, the grafting of glycolic acid to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using dehydropolycondensation techniques. To introduce functional groups, MWCNTs were functionalized. The functionalized MWCNTs were reacted with glycolic acid through insitu polymerization. The attachment of PGA homopolymer chains to the MWCNTs were confirmed by TGA, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Kinetic approach to the mechanism of the oxidation reaction of 2-phenylethylamine and N-chlorobenzamide in aqueous acetic acid medium

Santosh Kumar Singh, M.U. Khan, H.P. Dwivedi, P.K. Singh, S.S.Parihar

A kinetic study of oxidation of 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), a bioactive compound, with potent oxidant, N-Chlorobenzamide (NCB) has been carried out in the presence of HCl in aqueous acetic acid medium, at 308 K. The experimental rate laws obtained are:-d [NCB]/dt = k [NCB][PEA][H+] in aqueous acetic acid medium.The reaction is fully acid catalyzed and retardation of the added benzamide. Variation of ionic strength of the medium shows negligible effect on rate of reaction. Decrease in dielectric permittivity of the medium decreased the rate. The stoichiometry of the reaction was found to be 1:1. The oxidation products of PEA were identified as the 2-phenylacetaldehyde. The reactions were studied at different temperatures and the activation parameters have been evaluated. The reaction constants involved in the proposed mechanisms were computed. The proposed mechanisms and the derived rate laws are consistent with the observed experimental results.

Therapeutic Potentials of “Rasayana Churna”: A Review

Hardik Soni, Surendra Bhatt, Biswajyoti Patgiri

Ayurveda helps to maintain healthy life to human beings. In recent era stress and low immunity place a major role for development of diseases like cancer,diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcer, immunosuppressive diseases and more. Rasayana Therapy or Rasayana Drugs are used from ancient time for treatment of such type of diseases. This review article involved therapeutic potentials of ingredients of Rasayana Churna. In this article specially focused on immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant and gastrointestinal cytoprotective activity of Rasayana Churna. Pharmacological review on individual ingredients of Rasayana Churna showed good effect. But there is no scientific evidence available in modern research for immunomodulation and gastrointestinal cytoprotective activity of Rasayana Churna. This review article may help to some extent in focusing the future research work on such a tremendous Ayurvedic classical formulation.

Estimation of the Type and Quantity of Sugars in Banana
(Musa cumenita or Cavendish group)

Anita Makwana, Ekta Gupta and Ajit V Pandya

The utilization of locally available fruits is limited due to lack of information and knowledge on their nutritive values. The sugars present in the banana fruit were investigated. The green banana tasted plain because it contained large amount of starch, while the yellow banana tasted sweet since it contained large amount of reducing sugars. The result revealed that the sugars present in banana arefructose,glucose and sucrose; were found to be as 4.35 g in 20gm of quantity. The value obtained were found to be below the daily recommended intake. The analysis revealed that banana has greater amount of fructose, glucose and sucrose present in it.It is therefore recommended that banana should be consumed in our daily life. The total amount of sugars present in banana is 27.5g in a medium sized banana.

Designing of less Hazardous and Renewable Substances and Processes

Deepshikha Sharma

Phosphorite, phosphate rock or rock phosphate is a nondetritus sedimentary rock , which contains high amounts of phosphate bearing minerals. The phosphate content of phosphorite is at least 15- 20%. The major activity of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited is the mining of Rock phosphate ore. It operates one of the largest and fully mechanized mines in the country at Jhamarkotra, located in Rajasthan, India. The waste generated at Jhamerkotra requires beneficiation before its utilization by fertilizer industries as a raw material. In the present study the cationic and anionic guar-gums are used for beneficiation process of rock phosphate ore which are to be very useful, efficient and economic.

Estimation of the Type and Quantity of Sugar in Apple(Malus Domestica)

Ajit V Pandya, Ekta Prajapati and RuchiSinha

Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of organic compounds found in living organisms. It is present as a storage form in all the fruits in its various forms and quantities. It was determined through a series of experiments performed on a selected sample of a small sized Apple (Malus Domestica) as the research fruit and the results revealed that it contained two types of sugars: Glucose and Fructose, which are classified under the class of Monosaccharides. The quantity of sugar was estimated to the value of 2.23 gm in 123.5gm of apple. The values obtained were found to be below the recommended daily intake. A large red apple contains 34g of total carbohydrates,including 25g of sugar, 6g of dietary fiber and 3g complex carbohydrates. Under certain conditions, the sugar content of the fruit may vary such as temperature, time on which the experiment was performed on it, degree of ripeness of the fruit, level of oxidation the fruit has undergone, season of the fruit harvesting and the methods used during cultivation. Thus it is recommended to consume fruits regularly and in large quantities in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the body.

Estimation of the Quantity of Carbohydrate content in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Jinehi T Shah and Ajit V Pandya

The utilization of locally available vegetable is limited due to the lack of information and knowledge on the amount of energy obtain. The carbohydrate content in the potato was investigated. The result revealed that the carbohydrate content of potato is 70gm% respectively. The value obtained was found to be equal to the recommended daily intake. The analysis reveals that potato contains higher proportion of starch in it. Thus it is recommended that vegetables should be cooked fresh so to retain the starchy(carbohydrate) content.

Kinetic approach to the mechanism of the oxidation reaction of 2-phenylethylamine and N-chlorobenzamide in aqueous acetic acid medium

Santosh Kumar Singh, M.U. Khan, H.P. Dwivedi, D.B.S.Chauhan, H.D.Gupta

A kinetic study of oxidation of 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), a bioactive compound, with potent oxidant, N-Chlorobenzamide (NCB) has been carried out in the presence of HCl in aqueous acetic acid medium, at 308 K. The experimental rate laws obtained are:-d [NCB]/dt = k [NCB][PEA][H+] in aqueous acetic acid medium.The reaction is fully acid catalyzed and retardation of the added benzamide. Variation of ionic strength of the medium shows negligible effect on rate of reaction. Decrease in dielectric permittivity of the medium decreased the rate. The stoichiometry of the reaction was found to be 1:1. The oxidation products of PEA were identified as the 2-phenylacetaldehyde. The reactions were studied at different temperatures and the activation parameters have been evaluated. The reaction constants involved in the proposed mechanisms were computed. The proposed mechanisms and the derived rate laws are consistent with the observed experimental results.

Determination of Pollution of River Zhegra through Algae Bioindicators during Winter Season

Eefa Manzoor and Bilal Ahmad Bhat

The main objective of this study it was to investigate the algoflora and according the algae bioindicators to evaluate the level of pollution of water of river Zhegra, during the winter season in river Zhegra, nearby Gjilani City.The determined taxa of the Zhegra river are 81 species of algae, belonging to 4 divisions, were found.By their abundance, the algae from the divisions Bacillariophyta and Cyanophyta predominated in all locality of the longitudinal profile of the river and by their relative occurrence. Bacillariophyta 57 taxa (70.37%), Cyanophyta 11 taxa (13.58%),Euglenophyta 7 taxa(8.64%) and Chlorophyta 6 taxa (7.40%).

Isolation of 3, 7-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3-(4`-hydroxybenzyl) chroman along with other polyphenolic compounds from Acacia raddiana

Ranveer Singh, Sangeeta Bhargava

Acacia raddiana belongs to family leguminosae. It is well known for the traditional use of “Arabic gum”. It is a medicinal plant, which has been investigated phytochemically only for polyphenols. n-Octacosanol,3-Acetyl-b-Sitosterol, g-Sitosterol, Betulin, Friedelin and 3,7-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3-(4`-hydroxybenzyl) chroman were isolated from the heartwood of this plant. Last one is reported first time in this plant. Characterizations of these compounds were established mainly by UV and 1HNMR spectroscopy.

Activated carbon from Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Shell, an agricultural waste, for the removal of Reactive Red 120 dye by the process of adsorption

S.Mylsamy, C.Theivarasu and N.Sivakumar

Activated carbon was prepared from cocoa shell, an agricultural waste and adsorption of textile dye Reactive Red -120 (RR-120) by the prepared activated carbon was examined. Batch adsorption tests showed that extent of dye adsorption was dependent on dye concentration, contact time and pH. Equilibrium adsorption was attained in 90mins and maximum adsorption occurred at pH 6. The experimental data was analyzed for possible agreement with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm equations. The isotherm data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm with monolayer adsorption capacity of 45.45mg/g. The kinetic data obtained at different concentrations were analyzed using a pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order equation. The experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The results indicated that activated carbon prepared from cocoa shell was more efficient for the removal of RR-120 from aqueous solution.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis- Bird’s eye view

Ramachandran Sudarshan G Sree Vijayabala

Oral submucous fibrosis is a potentially malignant disorder characterized by the urning sensation in the oral cavity and difficulty in opening the mouth. It is caused by recanut and gutka chewing habits. This disorder can be easily diagnosed by the manifestations. Such a premalignancy requires awareness among the unaffected and counselling among the affected population.

Physico-Chemical Parameters with their remedies of Ground Water Samples of Berla Tehsil of Durg District Chhattisgarh, India 

Manoj Kumar Ghosh and Sanjay Ghosh

The physico-chemical analysis of ground water and its adverse health effect in Berla Tehsil of Durg district of Chhattisgarh, India are undertaken. In the present study, fifteen water samples, were collected from the different sites during June 2012 to Dec 2012 from deep bore well and hand pump. Physico-chemical parameters analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, alkalinity, turbidity, total hardness and content of fluoride, lead, arsenic, iron, sulphate and chloride were studied and compared with the standard values prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS). The ground water is characterized by slight high fluoride content in two sample and slightly rich in iron probably due to industrial effluents of Bhilai steel plant. However, most of the water samples did not have high concentrations of the toxic contaminants. The present investigation revealed that some of the ground water sample of Berla village of durg district is not suitable for drinking purpose and they need to proper treatment before use. The process of removal of excess fluoride from water is reverse osmosis, ion exchange devices and bio-remedies. One of bio remedies method is natural adsorption such as Mangrove plant(Sonneratia Apetala) leaf powder (MPLP) and Coconut(Cocos nucifera) coir pith (CCP).