Major Projects 

Abstract

In this study, biodegradation of 4-Nitrophenol in a batch system by an immobilized microbial consortium was investigated. Different types of carrier molecules such as calcium alginate beads, groundnut shell-alginate beads, loofa-alginate beads, and groundnut shell-loofa-alginate hybrid beads were used in this study. The residual 4-Nitrophenol concentration was determined by UVVisible Spectrophotometer at 405nm. The groundnut shell-alginate beads showed maximum removal efficiency of 99.37% within 30 hrs of the incubation period. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that the microbial consortium attached to the calcium alginate beads. Hence, it can be concluded that the immobilized cells in different alginate beads can be suitable for the biodegradation of 4-Nitrophenol. Phytotoxicity analyses of biodegrading products of 4-Nitrophenol were also studied in three different seed species (Vigna radiate, Vigna mungo, and Cicer arietinum). Vigna radiata and Cicer arietinum showed maximum germination index with 83.3% and 80.3%, respectively. The results signify that the biodegraded products of the 4-Nitrophenol have less toxicity towards the plant species and can be discharged efficiently into the environment.

Abstract

Nanoscale technology is advancing rapidly in bioremediation and environment conservation. In the present study the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Lantana camara and in vitro study of potential use of LcAgNPs in various agricultural related problems such as crop degradation through pest and plant pathogens, waste water treatment and dye decolourization was studied. The characterisation of nanoparticles was done by UV-vis spectroscopy and FTIR analysis. 95.4% of dye degradation of congo red dye in 25min and 96.5% of effluent degradation in 75min was observed at a peak of 430nm. The antipesticidal efficiency of extract was 80%. The biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand of effluent treated with LcAgNPs were 85% and 89.4% respectively. Various dyes such as malachite green, congored, orange G, safranin and rose bengal time dependent photocatalytic decolourization was also observed. The antibacterial and antifungal activity against E.coli, S. aureua and A. niger, F. Solani respectively was observed.

Abstract

Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz. is a plant with vast medicinal properties. The plant and its parts are reported to be used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, dysentery, diarrhoea, liver diseases, etc. The present work attempts to production of herbal capsules and evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical screening using hydroalcholic extracts of Woodfordia fruticosa and authentication of herbal plants. The herbal standardization was carried out on the basis of physico-chemical properties. Physicochemical parameters including ash values, extractive values and fluorescence analysis were evaluated. The qualitative phytochemical screening using Ethyl alcohol solvent extracts of plant revealed the presence of most of the biologically active phytochemicals in the extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flower. TLC profiling of in vivo and in vitro plant part extracts gives an idea about the presence and confirmation of various phytochemicals. Results confirmed the presence of therapeutically potent compounds in the leaf extract predominantly tannins and terpenoids.