Micro-plastics in aquaculture have emerged as a research hotspot as micro-plastic pollution has grown to be a global environmental concern. A thorough grasp of micro-plastic pollution in aquaculture is required for reasons related to food safety, economic efficiency, and environmental safety. An overview of the causes and consequences of micro-plastics in aquaculture is provided in this review. Micro-plastics have the potential to release toxic additives, adsorb pollutants, deteriorate the aquaculture environment, have toxicological effects, and alter the behaviour, growth, and reproduction of aquaculture products, all of which can lower aquaculture’s economic benefits. Aquaculture products that contain micro-plastics could also be harmful to human health in a number of ways. Furthermore, there are currently workable solutions for reducing micro-plastic contamination in aquaculture employing microorganisms to break down plastic and packaging, as well as for enhancing aquaculture management New portable micro-plastic monitoring systems and remote sensing technology are thought to have a wide range of potential applications as preventative measures, little is known about the impact of micro-plastics on human health and the toxic effects that may vary depending on the type, size, shape, and concentration of micro-plastics. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of micro-plastic toxicity and related pathologies.
Lithium batteries have emerged as the primary energy storage solution in electric vehicles (EVs) owing to their superior specific energy, high energy density, extended service life, low self-discharge and strong power capability compared to conventional batteries technologies. However, as the performance, durability and safety of lithium batteries were highly sensitive to operating temperature, thermal regulation has become a critical aspect of EV battery design. Exposure to uneven or extreme temperatures adversely affected the electrochemical behavior, accelerated the degradation processes and posed serious safety risks. High temperatures promoted undesirable side reactions, increased internal resistance and triggered thermal runaway and potentially resulted in short internal circuits, gas release, fire or even explosion. In contrast, operation at low temperatures hampered ionic mobility and charge transfer reactions, which encouraged lithium plating and dendritic growth, led to capacity loss, higher impedance and poor low-temperature performance. The current paper presented a detailed review of the thermal characteristics of lithium batteries under different operating conditions and systematically analysed the thermal management systems (BTMS) of the existing batteries, including air cooling, liquid cooling, phase change materials and hybrid techniques. Each approach was assessed in terms of thermal efficiency, temperature uniformity, system complexity, energy requirements and its effectiveness in enhancing safety for electric vehicles.
Two spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae, a major non-insect pest of Bhendi crop caused huge setback in cultivation. A study was carried out to evaluate the bioefficacy of different oil combinations against two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) on Bhendi by leaf disc and dry film methods under in vitro conditions. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design (RBD) with twelve treatments for Neem (Azardirachta indica) oil combinations by leaf disc method and dry film method under in vitro conditions with different concentrations (T1 to T4 - 1%; T5 to T8 - 2%; T9 to T12 - 3%; C - Control) in four replications. Similarly, fifteen treatments for Pungam (Millettia pinnata) oil and Pinnai (Calophyllum inophyllum) oil combinations by leaf disc method and dry film method under in vitro conditions with different concentrations (T1 to T5 - 1%; T6 to T10 - 2%; T11 to T15 - 3%; C - Control) in four replications. Number of dead adults of the two spotted spider mite (TSSM) were recorded for two days (48h) at 12h and 24h intervals after treatment application. The maximum mite mortality of 97.5% (Neem oil + Pungam oil (3%) – T9) and 95% (Neem oil + Pungam oil (3%) - T9) was observed by leaf disc method and dry film method, respectively. Similarly, maximum mite mortality of 90% (Pinnai oil + NSKE (3%) - T15) and 87.5% (Pinnai oil + NSKE (3%) - T15) was observed by leaf disc method and dry film method, respectively.
AbstractEndophytic bacteria, which inhabit internal plant tissues without causing disease, have increasingly been recognized as valuable sources of pharmacologically active compounds. This present study explored the bioactive potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from four medicinal plants viz., Sesbania grandiflora, Senna auriculata, Tabernaemontana divaricata, and Artemisia pallens, collected from Nilambur, Tamil Nadu, India. Healthy leaves were surface-sterilized, homogenized and serially diluted before being cultured on nutrient agar. Pure bacterial isolates were screened for non-toxicity using blood agar, and one non-haemolytic isolate from S. grandiflora and was selected for further analysis. The isolate was found to be Gram-negative and exhibited positive results in methyl red, TSI, and starch hydrolysis tests, indicating acid production and enzymatic activity. In vitro toxicity assessment using RBC haemolysis confirmed the sample's non-toxic nature. The bacterial extract was evaluated for pharmacological activities, which revealed significant antioxidant potential through hydrogen peroxide scavenging, FRAP and reducing power assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated via. albumin denaturation and RBC membrane stabilization, while anti-obesity potential was shown through pancreatic lipase inhibition. Anticancer activity was assessed against the B16 melanoma cell line using MTT assays, which showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity. GC-MS analysis identified several bioactive compounds such as eicosane, isopropyl myristate, triacontane, phenol derivatives, and butanoic acid which were associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anticancer properties. These findings highlighted the multifaceted pharmacological capabilities of endophytic bacteria and their promise as sustainable, natural alternatives to synthetic drugs. The study supported bioprospecting of plant-associated microbiota as an innovative, ecofriendly approach to drug discovery and development, integrating microbiology, pharmacology, and analytical chemistry.
AbstractThe widespread reliance on synthetic plastics and the associated environmental concerns have intensified interest in biopolymers as sustainable alternatives. Among the different classes of bioplastics, chitosan has gained considerable attention due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, and intrinsic antimicrobial activity. These unique characteristics, together with its ability to undergo chemical modification, make chitosan highly versatile for diverse applications, ranging from food packaging to biomedical devices. This review highlights the sources, extraction techniques, and physicochemical properties of chitosan-based polymers, with particular emphasis on their use in wound healing, drug delivery, and water purification. Furthermore, it addresses the current challenges in large-scale production, including the need for cost-effective extraction methods, improvement of mechanical properties, and technological innovations required to meet modern industrial demands. By consolidating these insights, the review aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive perspective on the potential of chitosan biopolymers across multiple sectors.
AbstractDowny mildew, the most important disease of grapevine was caused by Plasmopara viticola. In the present study the management of the disease was studied using a fungicide molecule Pyraclostrobin 12.8% + Boscalid 25.2% WG. The experiment was laid out with Randomized Block Design with 8 treatments and one control. Spraying of Pristine 38% WG at 600 g ha-1 was found significantly superior in managing downy mildew disease of grapevine with least disease severity on leaves, inflorescence and berries coupled with highest fruit yield as against untreated control which registered the highest disease severity coupled with lowest fruit yield.
AbstractNinhydrin, a principal agent used in amino acid identification, has hardly been studied for its antimicrobial properties. The present study investigated its effects on the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two model bacterial pathogens. The cultures of E. coli and S. aureus were grown in nutrient broth supplemented with ninhydrin at concentrations of 0.25%, 1% and 2%. Growth was quantified by the colony count on solid media plates and the curve analysis was performed. Both organisms showed a decline phase in growth in comparison to control cultures. All the concentrations taken into consideration exhibited the most growth inhibition, with a significant reduction in OD readings noticeable in both strains. Thus, ninhydrin has shown excellent activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
AbstractTrypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) and Odontamblyopus roseus (Valenciennes, 1837), were morphologically similar. The total length and total weight relationship of both species showed a negatively allometric growth. Due to their morphological similarity, these species were generally regarded as a single species. Therefore, the present study was carried out to distinguish these species. The relationships between otolith parameters (length, weight, perimeter, width, area, roundness, circularity, ellipticity, rectangularity and aspect ratio) and fish size (total length and total weight) of T. vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) and pattern, while length and area of otoliths of both species revealed highly positive correlation at significant P value (t-test, P<0.05). The extracted data fitted well to the regression model for area and width of otolith to otolith length of T. vagina and area, width and weight of otolith to otolith length of O. roseus. These relationships can be used as a helpful tool in predicting fish size from the otoliths, calculating the biomass of these fish species and also for taxonomic discrimination of the species, when two species were morphologically similar.
AbstractBreast cancer, a danger to all women, especially as they age, the risks of which have not been uniformly distributed among ethnic groups in general and the risks differed among ethnic groups for various forms of breast cancer. Due to their natural constituents, medicinal plants have the potential to promote unique, safe and effective anti-cancer medications and has a promising cancer therapeutic option. The anti-cancer activity of fruit extracts from Psidium guajava L., Annona squamosa L., and Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) displayed active medicinal activity. It could be a prominent source of plant-based drugs for cancer treatment.
AbstractThe Black Soldier Fly (BSF), specifically its larvae (BSFL), has offered a significant potential in addressing the global challenges related to organic waste management and sustainable protein production. The present review provided a comprehensive overview of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae (BSFL) as a viable solution to address global issues related to organic waste management and alternative protein production. BSFL have been considered to be highly efficient in converting a wide range of organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass and offered an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional feed ingredients such as fishmeal and soybean meal. With their high protein and lipid content, along with bioactive compounds like antimicrobial peptides and chitin, BSFL have significant potential for use in animal feed, biofertilizers, biofuels and functional foods and pharmaceuticals. The present review explored the wide-ranging applications of BSFL beyond animal nutrition, including in medical and industrial fields. However, challenges such as the need for standardized rearing practices, optimized bioconversion processes and stronger regulatory frameworks have to be addressed. Further research into the bioavailability, functionality and large-scale deployment of BSF-based products has become crucial for unlocking their full potential in sustainable bioresource utilization.
