Alkaloids constitute a highly diverse group of nitrogen-containing basic molecules produced by plants. These are classified variously on the basis of chemical structure and biochemical origin. These are derived from amino acids like arginine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. These are the end products of the metabolism of waste products and act as reservoirs of nitrogen for protein synthesis. These act as a protective agent against attack by parasites or herbivores; and growth regulators affecting growth, metabolism and reproduction. These show a wide variety of properties like antimicrobial, antimalarial, antiviral, anticancer, antidibetic and insecticidal activities. These have a wide spectrum of mechanisms to control microbial growth byinhibiting bacterial nucleic acid and protein synthesis. These inhibit viral infection using arrays of mechanisms. These are very effective against different species of plasmodium and thus used in designing antimalarial drugs. Currently, these are being used to develop anticancer agents used alone or in combination of other drugs available. Alkaloids reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby, reduce the chances of cancer. Some of the alkaloids promote insulin secretion and peripheral utilization of glucose in the cell. Some alkaloids possess insecticidal property and find role in insect pest management.  Some alkaloids like codein and cocain have psychoactive roles stimulating central nervous system. Some alkaloids are constituents of the human food.

Multifloral honey of indigenous giant honeybee A. dorsata (wild) and Indian hivebee, A. cerana indica (apiary) were collected in Western Ghats of Karnataka and its physical characteristics of refractive index, optical density, viscosity and surface tension in raw, processed and stored honey were determined during November 2021 to October 2022. All the four physical characteristics tested in three grades of honey samples exhibited quantitative variations. The refractive index of A. dorsata and A.cerana raw honey was 1.47 and 1.48 respectively. Similarly optical density of processed honey of A. cerana and A.dorsata was 0.61 and 0.64 respectively. . The viscosity of A. dorsata and A.cerana stored honey was 76.82 poise and 78.94 poise respectively. Further, surface tension of A. dorsata and A.cerana stored honey was 102.31 dynes/cms and 104.13 dynes/cms respectively. The refractive index of A.dorsata raw honey was less than that of stored honey of A.dorsata. The optical density of processed honey of A.dorsata was more than of processed honey of A. cerana. Viscosity and surface tension of processed honey was less than raw and stored honey in A.dorsata and A.cerana. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of viscosity and surface tension of raw, processed and stored honey of A.dorsata and A.cerana was significant at p<0.01% levels while refractive index and optical density of raw, processed and stored was not significant at p<0.01%. 

Multifloral honey of indigenous giant honeybee A. dorsata (wild) and Indian hivebee, A. cerana indica (apiary) were collected from Shimoga, Karnataka and its minor constituents like minerals, vitamins and proteins were determined during February 2021 to March 2022. The potassium content of honey of A.dorsata was 70.12 ppm while honey of A.cerana had 68.50ppm. The potassium content of honey of A.dorsata was highest (70.12 ppm), and honey of A. cerana was least (68.50ppm). The chromium content of honey of A.dorsata was maximum (0.027ppm) while, honey of A.cerana was minimum (0.025ppm). The thiamine (B₁) content of honey of A.dorsata was 0.09 µ gms., while honey of A.cerana was highest of 0.08 µ gms. The pyridoxine (B₆) content of honey of A.dorsata was maximum of 1.80 µ gms. and minimum of 1.44 µ gms. from A cerana honey. The protein content of honey of A.dorsata was highest (0.67%) and least (0.59%) from honey of A.cerana. The potassium of honey from all two honeybee species was statistically significant at 1 % (p<0.01) level and chromium of honey from all two honeybee species was not statistically significant at 1% (p<0.01) level. The thiamine (B₁) content of honey from all two honeybee species was not statistically significant at 1 %( p<0.01) level and pyridoxine (B₆) content of honey of wild and apiary honeybee species was not statistically significant at 1% level (p<0.01). The protein content of honey from two honeybee species was not statistically significant at 1 % level (p<0.01). Results clearly exemplify honey of A.dorsata had relatively higher minor constituents than that of A.cerana. Further, studies obviously indicate that quality of honey of wild and apiary honeybee species are equally good with subtle variations which are discussed in ensuing paper.

Enzymes form integral part and play decisive role in biological metabolism and systems. The present studies delve on the role of enzymes viz., invertase, amylase, glucose oxidase and catalase in nectar-honey transformation during May 2021 to April 2022.  Five stages in formation honey from nectar comprises floral nectar (fn), honey crop of foragers (hf), honey crop of house bees (hh), unsealed honey cells (uh) and sealed honey cells (sh). Invertase in fn and sh cells was minimum of (0.00ml) and maximum of (42.40 ml) respectively. Similarly, amylase in the fn was least (0.00ml) and highest in sh (16.01 ml).  Glucose oxidase in fn and sh cells was minimum of (0.00ml) and maximum of (6.68 ml) respectively. Correspondingly, catalase in the fn was least (0.00ml) and highest in sh (4.96 ml).  The analysis of variance of invertase and amylase was significant at 1 % level (p<0.01), whereas glucose oxidase and catalase were not significant at 1 % level (p<0.01). Results have confirmed that the sources of all enzymes are instigated from hypopharyngeal, post-cerebral, thoracic, labial and mandibular glands of foragers and house bees are accountable for honey formation. Further, each enzyme is substrates specific which are discussed in ensuing paper.

Chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely used organophosphorus insecticides and the deleterious effects like neurotoxicity, genotoxicity of chlorpyrifos to humans, animals and aquatic life have caused much public concern. It is thus essential to develop bioremediation method to degrade and eliminate this pollutant from soil using enzyme systems such as laccases. A novel laccase producing chlorpyrifos degrading strain was isolated and identified by 16S rDNA gene analysis as Bacillus massiliosenegalensis.  This strain utilized 50 mgL^-1 of chlorpyrifos as the sole carbon source and tolerated 100 mg L^-1 under optimum cultural conditions of temperature 30^oC and pH 7. Under optimum conditions, Bacillus massiliosenegalensis metabolized the supplemented chlorpyrifos to 69% within 10 days of incubation. However, with chlorpyrifos 100 mgL^-1 the degradation percentage was 42%. Laccase produced by Bacillus massiliosenegalensis showed potential chlorpyrifos degradation ability. The laccase enzyme was partially purified by Ion exchange chromatography with purification fold of 4.1 and specific activity of 62.54 Umg^-1.  The enzyme was found to be active over a broad pH range (pH 6-10) with maximum activity at pH 8 and temperature 40 ^oC, it was relatively stable at 30 - 50 ^oC retaining 85% of activity.

The purpose of this work is to use the concept of metabolic fingerprinting through the use of Fourier Transform Infrared technology to comprehend the composition, chemical structure and discrimination of biomolecules in medicinal plant Oxystelma esculentum R. Br. To distinguish and identify specific functional groups found in this medicinal plant belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae, IR spectra in the mid-infrared region (4000-400 cm^–1) was utilised. The presence of O-H, C=O, C-H, C=C, S=O,  C-CL were noted. Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, esters, sulfoxides, Amide-I, Halo compounds are all a result of these bonding structures. A sensitive and useful test for the identification and comparison of biomolecules in medicinal plant was utilised in the current investigation and it was called FTIR Spectroscopy. The characteristic peak values and their functional groups were found using the FTIR technique on a spectrophotometer instrument. The present study's findings led to the creation of an FTIR spectrum profile for the medicinally significant plants of Oxystelma esculentum R. Br.