The development of artificial intelligence combined with microcontroller-based systems proves to be a breakthrough method in the precision farming. It allows smart decision-making and optimizes the usage of resources with real-time processing capability. This review describes the current system of AI-based systems in leaf age and maturity identification in most detail, with special focus on microcontroller inclusion, computing difficulties, and use cases. The review systematically examines many Artificial Intelligence methods such as convolutional Artificial Intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and edge computing strategies in solving leaf classification problems. Key advantages of microcontroller-based AI systems include cost-effectiveness 60–70% reduction compared to server-based systems low power consumption <50 mW, real-time decision-making capabilities >90% latency reduction, and cloud independence > 95% uptime in poor connectivity areas. Nevertheless, there are still serious issues such as the lack of computing resources, changes in the environment, and special skills. A combination of IoT, blockchain and enhanced sensor networks should provide the opportunities to improve the data security, the positioning the supply chain and deploy it at scale. The future research directions improve hybrid AI architectures, federated learning, and optimizing/training with a quantum advantage to address the computational bottleneck challenges favouring ecosustainability and efficiency in AI. The review presents a guideline to other researchers and practitioners as to how they can develop their own independent data-driven agricultural systems to be able to attain higher productivity, with reduced damage to the environment.
This study investigates the behavior of wild marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in Yala, Sri Lanka, focusing on nesting behavior and intruder dynamics using a trail camera. A burrow near Kochchipatana Tank was monitored over 72 days, documenting the frequency of four distinct behaviors: nest guarding (GR), burrow digging (DI), entry into the burrow (MO), and chasing intruders (CS). guarding behavior (GR) was the most frequent, with 133,880 occurrences, while CS was the least observed. Behavioral changes before and after hatching revealed a significant decline in GR post-hatching, though statistical analysis using Chi-Square tests showed no significant difference in behavioral frequencies between the two stages. Monitoring nest intruders recorded 12 species, including predators like the gray mongoose (Urva edwardsii) and domestic animals such as cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris), highlighting potential anthropogenic pressures on the nesting site. These findings emphasize the critical role of nest guarding in reproductive success and point to the need for targeted conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of human and predator interference. Future research should explore the long-term effects of environmental stressors and intruder interactions on reproductive success.
Pod borer (Helicoverpaarmigera-Hubner) is considered as one of the major chickpea pests causing damage from seedling to maturity. Two experiments were conducted at Elmadina Arab, Gezira State during two seasons: 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 to investigate the infestation level of seven chickpea varieties (Burgeg, Hawatta, Atmour, Baladi, Shandi, Gabel Marra and Wad Hamid) by the pod borer. The experiments were laid out in Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four replicates. The blocks were divided into seven subplots (2 mustabs 5 m x 2 m) and each variety was sown two seeds per hole having 10 cm spacing between holes. Cultural practices were carried out as recommended by the Agriculture Research Corporation. Tested varieties showed a considerable difference in infestation levels in the two seasons with a significance difference in infestation between varieties on 75 days after planting. Jabel Marra variety showed the lowest infestation by pod borer on leaves and pod in both seasons followed by Shandi whereas, Hawata and Atmore recorded high seed yield despite the high infestation of pod borer. Therefore, they may be considered as tolerant varieties and could be used in breeding programs for the development of pod borer-resistant chickpea varieties.
Rice is a staple food providing essential nutrients to populations worldwide. In Sri Lanka, improved red and white varieties of Oryza sativa are widely consumed, yet limited research exists on their nutritional composition and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and nutritional properties of selected red and white rice varieties in Sri Lanka. Six improved rice varieties (Ld408, Ld371, Ld368, Ld376, Ld253, and Ld365) were collected from the Rice Research Institute, Labuduwa, Sri Lanka. Methanolic extracts of the rice grains were analyzed for in-vitro antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, the ferric-reducing power activity assay, and the total phenolic content (TPC) assay. Nutritional composition, including total carbohydrate, protein, and amylose contents, was determined using the phenol-sulfuric acid method, Lowry method, and iodine colorimetric method, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 9, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The red rice variety Ld408 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, as indicated by ferric-reducing power, DPPH scavenging activity, and total phenolic content (p<0.05). Among the white rice varieties, Ld368 had the highest carbohydrate content (p<0.05), while Ld408, a red variety, had the highest protein content (p<0.05). The red rice variety Ld376 contained the highest amylose content. The results indicate that while white rice varieties often have a higher carbohydrate content, red rice variants, especially Ld408, possess higher protein content and stronger antioxidant potential. These findings highlight the nutritional benefits of red rice and the necessity of incorporating different types of rice varieties into daily diets to promote dietary diversity.
This study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties of the hydroethanolic extract derived from Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson. Initial phytochemical screening revealed a diverse array of compounds in the crude extract, potentially contributing to its observed biological activities. The research employed various methodologies to investigate these properties. Antioxidant capacity was measured using hydrogen peroxide and DPPH radical scavenging assays, utilizing UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined through an in vitro HRBC membrane stabilization method, comprising hemolytic and membrane stabilization experiments. Hemoglobin release from damaged erythrocyte membranes was quantified at 540 nm. Analgesic effects were assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated via the disc diffusion method, comparing plant extracts with standard treatments. The phytochemical analysis identified several key secondary metabolites in the extract, including phenols, tannins, saponins, volatile oils, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, cholesterols, carboxylic acids, and lignins.While investigating the extract's antioxidant potential through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays, the researchers determined that the concentration required for 50% inhibition (IC50) varied significantly between the two methods, as the DPPH assay yielded an IC50 value of 229.6 µg/ml, whereas the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity demonstrated a considerably lower IC50 value of 31.67 µg/ml. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the extract at 400 µg/ml exhibited 82.23% protection against RBC hemolysis, comparable to the 83.16% inhibition shown by diclofenac sodium at the same concentration. Analysis of the analgesic properties demonstrated that, while both diclofenac sodium and A. bettzickiana extract exhibited significant writhing inhibition (p ≤ 0.01) with values spanning from 35.44% to 87.76%, their efficacy differed notably as reflected in their IC50 values, where diclofenac sodium showed superior potency at 36.88 µg/ml compared to the A. bettzickiana extract's value of 101.39 µg/ml when tested against the control group. Antimicrobial testing showed that the plant extract was effective against B. megaterium (9 mm inhibition zone) and A. flavus (8 mm inhibition zone) out of six tested microorganisms. These findings suggest promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic (Pain-relief) effects of the A. bettzickiana hydroethanolic extract, as evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo observations.
Proteins are complex macromolecules that perform a variety of biological functions in the living cell only when they are in their native state. Anfinsen’s experiment shows that the native structure of a protein depends on the primary structure of the protein. The native state of protein is attained by protein folding, and this process is initiated by different intra- and intermolecular forces. Thermodynamic stability plays a key role in guiding protein folding, as proteins continuously shift and adjust their structure until they reach their most stable form. Molecular chaperones, cellular enzymes, and other cellular mechanisms drive protein folding. Despite all the guiding factors, proteins may misfold and form toxic aggregates of amyloid fibrils, and it can develop neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, and prion diseases. Recent studies show that the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein folding is becoming a threat to global health. Unfortunately, these diseases are incurable, and therapeutic approaches are currently being researched by scientists to mitigate this issue. Thus, study of protein folding and misfolding remains a key area of research in the bio-medical field.
Microplastics (MPs) are a worldwide persistent insoluble micropollutant that significantly threatens the marine environment. Their ubiquitous presence has induced many adverse ecological impacts on the coastal and marine environments. Plastic particles that are less than 5 mm in size are termed MPs. Their small size and higher concentrations in the water surface and sediments have made them available for active and passive ingestion specially during foraging activities. MPs have affected marine biota, such as marine birds, mammals, turtles, fish, and mollusks to sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs and algae communities, reducing biodiversity and altering the community structure of organisms in their natural habitats. Almost all the marine food sources, from shellfish to finfish, are contaminated with MPs. The toxic chemicals that MPs adsorb from the surrounding environment may lead to bioaccumulate along the food chains. Thus, impact food webs. The presence of MPs in food induces health implications in organisms, including humans, by leaching adhered toxicants into the body tissues. MPs present in coastal environment have to be managed, since their contamination will eventually lead to the bioconcentration of MPs in different trophic levels and will lead into biomagnification MP adsorbed toxic substances.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA). Genetic manipulation of obligate intracellular pathogens is extremely difficult, as these organisms possess small genomes made primarily of essential genes and rely significantly on the host cell for proliferation. To date, only a handful of genetic tools have been developed to study the pathobiology of Anaplasma, and doxycycline remains the only available treatment for HGA. ClpB and DnaK are molecular chaperones responsible for reactivating and resolubilizing protein aggregates within the cellular environment. Recently, ClpB has emerged as a promising target for the development of novel antimicrobials, as it is essential for the survival of many pathogens and lacks apparent orthologs in metazoans. Initial findings indicate that these chaperones have different substrate preferences, despite being almost identical across different species, providing a unique approach to develop novel therapeutics against specific species.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that function as significant post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, influencing a wide range of biological processes, including immune modulation, inflammation, and cellular remodeling. Their dysregulation has been implicated in diverse chronic diseases, including asthma. Elderly-onset asthma (EOA) presents substantial clinical challenges due to its distinct immunopathophysiology, heterogeneous phenotypic presentations, and differential response to standard therapies. Emerging evidence underscores the integral role of miRNAs in asthma pathogenesis, modulating inflammatory cascades, immune dysregulation, and airway remodeling. This systematic review explores the significance of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in EOA, emphasizing their differential expression profiles and involvement in disease progression. Key regulatory miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-155, miR-140-3p, and miR-221, modulate molecular pathways implicated in Th2-driven inflammation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immune homeostasis. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs correlates with disease severity, therapeutic responsiveness, and long-term pulmonary outcomes, highlighting their clinical relevance in precision medicine. However, the translational applicability of miRNA-based biomarkers is constrained by methodological inconsistencies in miRNA profiling, including sample variability and the need for standardized protocols. Despite these challenges, the non-invasive nature and diseasespecific expression patterns of miRNAs present a compelling case for their integration into biomarker-driven diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. Future research should prioritize the validation of miRNA markers in diverse cohorts and explore their functional implications in EOA. By developing the regulatory networks governed by miRNAs, this review sets the stage for molecular asthma diagnostics and therapeutics, underscoring the potential of miRNA-targeted interventions in optimizing disease management and clinical outcomes in elderly populations.
Essential oils (EOs) from insecticidal plants are becoming prominent again because of their effectiveness in managing disease vectors as well as their eco-friendly nature. The present study evaluated the insecticidal activity of three Citrus species, namely Citrus limon, C. sinensis, and C. aurantifolia, against larvae and adults of Anopheles gambiae. These fully mature Citrus species collected from Ilorin, Nigeria, were extracted, and the chemical components were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The EOs extracted were then assessed for toxicity efficacy against larvae and adults of An. gambiae using WHO protocols. Citral was a major component identified in C. aurantifolia, D-limonene in C. limon and Myrtenol in C. sinensis. The highest percentage knockdown was recorded in 0.3 ml of C. limon (95.6±1.15 mosquitoes) against An. gambiae, while the lowest KDT50 and KDT90 were found in 0.5ml of C. aurantifolia (5.79 mins) and C. limon (19.61 mins), respectively. A 100% mortality rate was observed in adult female An. gambiae at concentrations of 0.1 ml of C. limon and 0.3 ml of both C. limon and C. aurantifolia. This result was not significantly different from the 99% mortality rate observed with the control, deltamethrin. Additionally, 100% mortality was recorded in An. gambiae larvae at 0.3 ml of both C. aurantifolia and C. limon after 48 hours of exposure. The lowest LT50 and LT90 values were recorded at 0.5 ml of C. limon, with times of 3.86 hours and 9.49 hours, respectively. The three citrus oils evaluated demonstrated significant adulticidal and larvicidal bioactivities, indicating promising outcomes that can be further developed for An. gambiae management.
This study investigated the relationship between milk stability and physico-chemical characteristics of raw milk of four cow breeds in Sri Lanka: Sahiwal, Friesian Cross, Jersey Cross, and Australian Friesian Sahiwal. This study examined the changes in electrical conductivity (EC), pH, turbidity, and total soluble solids (TSS%) during an 8 h storage period at ambient temperature (28±1 oC) and their correlation with the alcohol test results as a platform test. Results indicated that EC did not significantly change in the raw milk samples of Sahiwal, Friesian cross, or Australian Friesian Sahiwal breeds. Milk pH of all samples decreased with the storage period; however, significant (P<0.05) reductions of pH were observed in the Jersey cross and Australian Friesian Sahiwal breeds, compared to their initial pH of the raw milk samples 6.10±0.2 and 6.36±0.2, respectively. The turbidity of raw milk samples of the four cow breeds was significantly increased with the storage period (P<0.05). Australian Friesian Sahiwal breeds showed the highest turbidity development (241.0±3.7 NTU) while Jersey Crossbreeds showed the significantly (P<0.05) lowest turbidity development of 191.2±11.3 NTU. Both Sahiwal and Jersey Cross breeds significantly decreased (P<0.05) TSS content from 9.35 to 7.10% and 9.25 to 7.25% respectively with the storage period. The chi-square results indicated that there is no significant association (P>0.05) between alcohol test and the milk samples obtained from the different breeds. The significant negative correlation of turbidity (ρ>-0.8; P<0.05) and TSS% (ρ>-0.4; P<0.05) showed with the alcohol test in all cow breeds. Binary logistic regression results showed that the significant correlation between alcohol test and milk turbidity (Wald X2 = 4.44, P<0.05). These findings highlight measuring the turbidity of raw milk would be a critical parameter for assessing milk stability and development of an in-situ instrument to quantitatively detect raw milk turbidity instead of the qualitative alcohol test.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal grown for its edible seeds and has been the staple food crop in Andean region of South America. Global interest on cultivating quinoa grew due to its outstanding nutritional richness and resistance to abiotic and biotic stress conditions. However, quinoa has not received due recognition as a high-scope crop in Sri Lanka mainly because of lack of knowledge about the crop. The aim of the study was to investigate growth and development and morphological and biochemical characteristics of selected varieties of quinoa. A preliminary pot experiment in greenhouse conditions (27-310C, 65-70% RH and 16/8h light dark period) was conducted using three commonly grown commercial varieties in the world, namely, Amarillo Marangani, INIA 427 Amarillo Sacaca and Blanca de Junin (05 replicates each). Morphological characteristics (plant height, stem diameter and number of branches) were recorded across 32-weeks. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid, and proline contents of the fully opened new leaves, and total protein contents of the seeds were analyzed. Data were subjected to descriptive data analysis using Minitab software (version17.1). After 32-weeks of growth, all the varieties reached a mean height of 70-90 cm, and a mean stem diameter of 7.0 - 9.5 mm. INIA 427 Amarillo Sacaca variety showed a rapid increase in height and stem diameter. Total chlorophyll contents were in the range of 2.8-3.3 μg/g and average proline contents were 4.7- 9.9 μmoles /g of fresh weight again recording significantly higher values for INIA 427 Amarillo Sacaca variety (3.30, p=0.05) and (9.90, p=0.05 ) respectively. Total protein contents of the seeds were 1300-1900 ppm and seeds of INIA 427 Amarillo Sacaca variety recorded the highest protein content. Preliminary data showed enhanced growth performance in INIA 427 Amarillo Sacaca compared to the other two varieties. Further, high proline accumulation in leaves of this variety suggests better stress tolerance ability. The findings of this study will provide groundwork for comprehensive future research to initiate growing quinoa as a novel crop.
This research investigates antifungal potential of ethanolic extracts from Allium sativum (AS), Alpinia galangal (AG), and the hexane extract of Costus speciosus (CS), with a primary emphasis on preserving their stability through encapsulation. A comprehensive evaluation of three extraction methods was conducted, namely, column extraction, Soxhlet extraction, and maceration for 24 hours. Qualitative tests, such as sodium nitroprusside and lead sulfide tests, were employed to identify sulfur compounds associated with antifungal activity. Quantitative assessments included total polyphenolic content and analyses utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Encapsulation was applied to extracts demonstrating antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. The subsequent characterization of encapsulated beads involved assessing particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The choice of extraction methods was guided by their efficiency, with column extraction selected for AS (4%) due to its capacity to preserve heat-sensitive compounds. Soxhlet extraction (100 ℃, 4 h) was deemed effective for AG (26%) and CS (11%) owing to higher yields. Accurate sulfur detection methods, including the lead sulfide test and XPS analysis, revealed exclusive sulfur compounds in AS. The phenolic content of AS, AG, and CS was quantified at 59.0 ± 0.3, 60.7 ± 0.0, and 65.1 ± 1.0 mg GAE/g, respectively. Notably, only AS (500000 mg/L) exhibited significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, with a mean inhibition zone of 23.7 ± 7.3 mm after 48 hours of incubation at 35℃. To enhance the antifungal efficacy of AS, microencapsulation was employed, and the encapsulated AS beads displayed an average size of 2.38 ± 2.00 μm, a zeta potential of 2.09 ± 0.81 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 23%. The presence of phenolics and sulfur compounds in AS suggests promising applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical antifungal products.
We studied the phytoplankton community structure and their relationship to the physicochemical properties of water by selecting five major freshwater reservoirs; Bandagiriya, Kattakaduwa, Lunugamvehera, Ridiyagama, and Tissa in the Southern dry zone of Sri Lanka during the declining phase of tropical monsoon rainfall (December 2019 to January 2020). Fifty-seven species, dominated by Cyanophyta (63%), followed by Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Euglenophyta were identified morphologically and through DNA sequencing. The majority of Cyanophyta were filamentous forms (62%) with approximately 88% being cyanotoxin producing species. The species composition of phytoplankton communities is reservoir specific. Microcystis was dominant in Lunugamvehera while the diatom Melosira was dominant in Ridiyagama, Kattakaduwa and Tissa. The lowest phytoplankton density and diversity were observed in Bandagiriya mainly due to high turbidity and total suspended solids which interfere with light penetration through the water column. Physicochemical properties of water were significantly different among reservoirs, leading to reservoir specific correlations between phytoplankton density and physicochemical properties of water which might have been driven by the inter-correlative effects of biotic and abiotic factors at the time of sampling. Therefore, the interactive effects might be responsible for the observed variations in phytoplankton community composition. Thus, the present study provides important information on the phytoplankton community structure at the onset of successional episodes in five tropical freshwater reservoirs in relation to their spatial variations in hydrological regimes and physicochemical properties. Such data would provide essential information for planning and implementation of reliable and efficient strategies for monitoring, sampling, forecasting, and managing algal blooms.
Geosmin, a taste and odor (T & O) compound that has been hypothesized to occur in higher magnitudes in water bodies due to climate change, is a water quality parameter for human consumption, but an olfactory cue for elephants to migrate towards water holes. It is proposed here to culture bacteria capable of geosmin biodegradation for the development of a unitary, or a consortium of microbes, to lower the geosmin content in human settlement-proximal water holes, to discourage the encroachment of elephants to villages.This novel idea aims to protect both, the elephant population and the human footprint in harm’s way, furnishing a program to conserve elephants while ensuring that human lives are protected. The environmental and social impacts of this proposed nature-based solution will be centered on 1. Elephant conservation 2. Reduction of incidences of the human-elephant conflict, which together provide a natural solution to a dilemma that so far has lacked tangible, sustainable, and long-term, bio-centric remedies.This editorial projects to protect both humans and elephants in a climate-change-impacted dry zone of Sri Lanka, where there are an estimated >5000-6000 elephants, which makes up 10% of the Asian elephant population in 2% of the range, the highest density of Asian elephants in any country. In an increasingly water-impoverished landscape, encroaching on human settlements for water and food flares up the human-elephant conflict that claims hundreds of lives across the human-animal divide, in any given year.There is a quote by arguably the greatest artist that walked on this earth, Pablo Picasso, who coined this wonderful line “God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things”. We scientists too need to be like artists – “try other things” to save the opulence of biodiversity – those giraffes, pachyderms and big cats, threatened by habitat expansion and human encroachment, of which the elephant holds the pinnacle rung. This editorial is simply a wake-up call for the scientific community to try other things.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the body's inability to regulate blood glucose levels effectively. An autoimmune disease known as type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system erroneously targets and kills beta cells in the islets of the pancreas. Insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells do not adequately respond to insulin, causes type 2 diabetes. As the available hypoglycemic drugs exhibit several side effects, it is important to search for natural remedies to treat hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The unroasted coffee beans used to make green coffee are rich in chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant effects and several biological activities. According to previous studies, chlorogenic acid improves insulin sensitivity, glycemic management, and glucose metabolism. Similarly, green tea is rich in catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which exhibits several biological properties. Numerous studies have revealed that EGCG may help to enhance insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and glucose management. However, more research is required to determine the molecular mechanisms by which these phytochemicals in green tea and green coffee ameliorate the development of hyperglycemia and improve insulin sensitivity.
The commercial hand sanitizers are made from alcohol which might not have residual antibacterial activity because alcohol is highly volatile. This study was performed to determine the efficacy of hand sanitizer incorporated with Alpinia malaccensis crude extract. Different concentrations (5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 50mg/ml) of A. malaccensis containing hand sanitizers were compared with that of World Health Organization (WHO) formulation and recommended commerciallyavailable hand sanitizers. Disk diffusion assay and synergistic antimicrobial activity test were used as in vitro methods to evaluate antimicrobial inhibition. Finger imprint method was conducted as in vivo method to evaluate the efficacy of hand sanitizer on resident microflora for 0, 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Disk diffusion assay was tested against Staphylococcus aureus 113, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. The commercial sanitizer (T4) showed a significantly (p˂0.05) smaller diameter inhibition zone 14.33±0.58 mm for S. aureus compared to other treatments, namely 5 mg/ml (T1), 10 mg/ml (T2) of A. malaccensis containing sanitizers and WHO formula (T3). There is a possibility to add A. malaccensis crude extract to enhance the efficacy of the commercial sanitizer. A significant synergistic antimicrobial inhibition 7.99±0.02 cfu/ml was recorded in 50 mg/ml+55% alcohol hand sanitizer (T2) compared to the control (T4). The finger imprint method did not show any significant differential reduction within the tested time. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers incorporated with herbal A. malaccensis could be used to enhance the efficacy of the available commercial sanitizers.
Eutrophication, which results from the excessive introduction of phosphorus into water bodies, poses a critical ecological challenge, although it is not the exclusive factor driving this phenomenon. The indispensability of phosphate fertilizers for global food production, coupled with the gradual depletion of natural phosphate reserves, underscores the urgency of sustainable phosphorus management. This research investigated the efficacy of two aquatic plant species, Salvinia and Pistia, for phosphate removal from cattle farm effluent while also exploring their potential use as organic fertilizers. These two species have been extensively employed in phytoremediation studies, underscoring their established roles in environmental remediation processes. Additionally, the study measured alterations in water quality parameters within an artificial wetland (AW) designed for wastewater treatment. Cattle farm effluent was collected during the cleaning and washing of the animal farm. Macrophytes were collected within a 500m diameter area of the pond using the systematic random sampling technique. The selected macrophytes were grown in identical plastic tanks filled with cattle farm effluent. Following a 21-day growth period, the harvested plants were subjected to drying at 70°C and were then ground into smaller particles to be transformed into fertilizer. The collected water samples were analyzed for residual phosphate concentrations and other water quality indicators, including pH, temperature, conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen percentage (DO%). Measurements of water quality indicators were replicated three times to report the average data and standard deviations. In this experimental setup, different water samples (AW I, AW II, AW III and AW IV) served as the experimental units, with corresponding dilution factors of 1:3 for AW I and AW III, and 1:2 for AW II and AW IV. The plant species involved in the study were Salvinia for AW I and AW II, and Pistia for AW III and AW IV. Statistical analysis employing Minitab 17 software enabled quantitative comparisons. Results demonstrated a consistent reduction in phosphate concentrations within the AWs over time, affirming their phosphate-removing potential. The phosphate removal efficiency of Salvinia was 37.87±6.50% and 35.69±1.32% for AW I and AW II, respectively. Similarly, for AW III and AW IV, Pistia demonstrated remarkable removal rates of 84.32±4.26% and 47.51±3.98%, respectively. Phosphate content in the fertilizers derived from Salvinia was 35.71±1.48 mg/kg and 29.44±0.91 mg/kg for AW I and AW II, respectively, while Pistia fertilizers from AW III and AW IV contained 38.00±2.29 mg/kg and 31.56±1.23 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, the investigation underscored the effectiveness of AWs as a potent phytoremediation technology for wastewater treatment, as evidenced by the water quality parameter analysis. This study not only highlights the promising potential of aquatic plants for sustainable phosphate management but also underscores the vital role of AWs in addressing phytoremediation potential in aquatic ecosystems.
Marine biotechnology is a broad field with a profound and global sociological footprint. Within that sociological macrocosm, marine algae act as an emerging field of research that is exemplified by the superabundance of natural sources to harvest bioactive compounds. Algae synthesize a comprehensive array of bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, polyphenols, sterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, proteins, essential fatty acids, enzymes, vitamins, and carotenoids. Many of these bioactive compounds are composed of significant biological properties such as antioxidant, ultra-violet protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkling, skin-whitening, anti-microbial, anti-thrombotic, and anti-cancer activities. With the discovery of novel bioactive compounds from marine algae, it as a collective performs the role of a conveyer belt of ingredients for industrial applications, namely the pharmaceutical industry, cosmeceutical industry, nutraceutical industry, energy industry, and functional food industry, etc. New generations have now focused their attention towards natural, safe, and highly available bioproducts as it downplays the risks linked to consumption while providing benefits. Considering the rising demand for natural bioproducts globally, marine algae turn into biological factories with vast economic potential. Therefore, this mini-review mainly focuses on the impact of algal research and its potential for industrial applications.
