RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Sciences

Floristic Indices, Nutrients Accumulation and Nutrients Uptake Ratios of Some Medicinal Plants Along the Altitudinal Gradients of Sand Dunes in Thal Desert of Pakistan

Ghulam Yasin — 2024-06-29

Background: In deserts, precipitation causes unequal distribution of nutrients along altitude of dunes. This can influence the nutrients uptake and distribution of plant species.

Objective: The objective of the studies was to explore the concentration and uptake ratios of various ions in soil of Thal desert along with finding some floristic indices of medicinal plants endemic to the desert. The sites were selected in district Muzaffar Garth (Pakistan).

Methods: Sand dunes for the studies were selected as being of almost equal heights and with typical vegetations type. Plants and their samples were selected and collected in replicates and data were analyzed statistically. Soils samples were brought to laboratory for determination of electrical conductivity, nutrients, organic matter and bi-carbonates. The relationship with uptake was drawn after analysis of samples.

Results: In the upper most altitude EC, nitrogen and sodium contents were the most in quantity. While the contents of bicarbonate, phosphorus and organic matter were maximum in lower most altitude of dunes. Regarding the nutrient’s status, maximum potassium concentration (125.70mg/g) was in Aerva javanica leaves. Maximum potassium uptake and accumulation percentage (311.26%) Aerva javanica stem. Maximum phosphorus concentration (5.41mg/g) in Haloxylone stockii bark. Maximum phosphorus uptake and accumulation percentage (253.65%) Aerva javanica flower. Maximum sodium concentration (13.51mg/g) was in Haloxylone stockii stem. Maximum sodium uptake and accumulation percentage (93.81%) was in Crotollaria burhia stem. As regard the floristic indices, at the most top 1^st altitude zone of sand dune, maximum frequency was of Caligonum polygonoides, Aerva javanica, Crotollaria burhia and Symbopogon jawarancusa. In 2^nd altitude, maximum frequency was of Haloxylone stocksii, Caligonum polygonoides, Aerva javanica and Crotollaria burhia. In altitude 3, maximum frequency was of Aerva javanica and Fogonia arabica. Similarly, in altitude 1, maximum density was of Symbopogon jawarancusa. In altitude zone 2, maximum density was of Crotollaria burhia and in 3^rd altitude zone, maximum density was of Aesphodalus tenuifolius.

Conclusion: It is concluded that altitudinal variations of soil physio-chemical properties were found in sand dunes. Also, vegetation varied along soil physical and chemical properties.

Histological Effects of Sodium Metabisulfite Exposure on the Gills, Kidneys, and Liver of the Labeo rohita

Irfan Ahmad — 2024-06-29

Background: Sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) is a disinfectant and preservative agent that is commonly used in the food industry and polluted water bodies, and spread through industrial wastes.

Objective: Current study was conducted to observe the impact of widely used sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) on the gills, kidneys, and liver of the Labeo rohita.

Methods: During this experimental research, fish were divided into three groups. One group was treated as control. Two groups were exposed to sodium metabisulfite in different concentrations ranging from 29 mg/L to 68 mg/L for 28 days.

Results: The 96h LC₅₀value for sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) was 130 mg/L. Histological changes revealed moderate to severe damage in time and concentration-dependent manners. Photomicrographs of the gills of exposed fish showed different histological alterations such as hyperplasia, marginal gill lamellae, blood congestion, gills lamellae aneurysm, and distortion of the gill cells. Results indicated that exposure to sodium metabisulfite caused severe progressive alterations such as cytoplasmic vacuolization, melanomacrophagy, and expression of hepatocytes and cluster nuclei in the liver tissues of the exposed fish. Kidney tissues of the treated L. rohita revealed different histological changes including the wide hypertrophied nucleus, sinusoidal spaces, cloudy swelling, glomerular expansion, and tubules starting the degeneration process compared to control fish.

Conclusion: Our results represent the pioneering report demonstrating that sodium metabisulfite can act as a potent toxic agent for Labeo rohita.

Antibiogram Profile and Resistance Patterns of Microflora from Vaginal Discharge in Reproductive-age Women at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Chizoba M. Enemchukwu — 2024-10-28

Background: The adult human vagina hosts a complex biota containing diverse communities of microorganisms. The occurrence of multi-drug-resistant strains of these microorganisms has persistently increased due to poor hygiene and misuse or abuse of antibiotics. The vaginal microflora may exhibit patterns of growth, biochemical expression, or response to the standard drugs which consequently lead to answer the complex questions of antimicrobial resistance.

Aim: The study aimed to quantify the susceptibility profile of microorganisms isolated from vaginal discharge and evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration of diverse antimicrobial drugs.

Methods: Fifty vaginal swabs were collected from female students of Madonna University, Nigeria while two samples were collected each from a pregnant and a non-pregnant woman at the university’s tertiary care teaching hospital. The isolates were grown in selective media and identified through Gram-staining and biochemical physiology for identification. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used for microbial susceptibility testing, and the agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of commonly prescribed antibiotics at the teaching hospital.

Results: Sixty-eight microorganisms comprising 17 Gram-positive (Staphylococcus sp.) and 31 Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and others) bacteria and 20 fungi (Candida sp.) were isolated. The bacteria showed a high resistance (>80%) to amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and cefixime but were relatively susceptible (35–100%) to levofloxacin and ofloxacin. Cefepime showed high activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 25–50 µg/mL against the studied bacteria. The isolated fungi were susceptible to amphotericin B (35–40%) but resistant (>85%) to other antifungal drugs tested.

Conclusion: The study suggests that bacterial vaginosis prevalence at the university could best be treated with ofloxacin (second generation- fluoroquinlone), levofloxacin (third generation- fluoroquinolone), and cefepime (fourth generation- cephalosporin) due to their greater sensitivity, while candidiasis could best be treated with amphotericin B (a pyolene).

Maize Kernal Rot Management: Evaluating the Antifungal Strategies Against Fusarium verticillioides1

Ndifon Elias Mjaika — 2024-06-29

Background: Maize is one of the major staple and export crops in several countries. However, many pests and diseases severely reduce its yield. Fusarium verticillioides is a major cause of maize kernel yield loss globally.

Objectives: This research provides practical solutions to Fusarium kernel rot infections via the application of biological, chemical, and botanical agents.

Methods: Three experiments/methods (i.e. biocontrol, chemical, and botanical) were employed to control the kernel rot pathogen in vitro. Each experiment was laid out using a completely randomized design with each treatment being replicated thrice. The data collected included radial growth of the pathogen.

Results: The three experiments yielded the following outcomes. Firstly, the results of the biocontrol experiment revealed that the most effective isolates were Trichoderma harzianum isolate AIPT26, T. virens isolate BGMZ2 followed by T. hamatum isolate ZXPB. Their effects were at par. Secondly, chemical experiment showed that the highest control was from Ridomil (at 50% and 100%), Mancozeb (at 50% and 100%), and Itraconazole (at 50% and 100%). Thirdly, the plant extract experiment revealed that the highest pathogen control was obtained using Ricinus communis (i.e. Castor soap) (at 50% and 100%). The Aframomum melegueta (i.e. Alligator pepper) (at 100%), then Panax ginseng (i.e. Ginseng) (at 100%), A. melegueta (at 50%), and lastly P. ginseng (at 50%) was effective.

Conclusion: All the agents (i.e. biocontrol, chemical, and botanical) were highly successful in inhibiting Fusarium verticillioides. It is recommended that research should continue on integration of these three control measures so as to reduce chemical pesticides usage.