Polyalthia longifolia (PL) seed biomass was effectively converted into pristine and activated biocarbon using KOH mediated chemical activation process at 800 degrees C under N-2 atmosphere for 1 h. Both the synthesized pristine and activated biocarbon materials were characterized by PXRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, SEM, TG and BET surface analyses in order to understand their physicochemical, structural, morphological and thermal properties. The obtained biocarbon materials showed the turbostratic structure possessing both the graphitic and amorphous features. Activation process greatly enhanced the specific surface area of the biocarbon material and it is found to be 688 m(2)/g, whereas their pristine form showed as low as 1 m(2)/g. Under the studied conditions, mung bean seeds treated with the activated biocarbon (PL-AC) exhibited the superior germination efficiency with enhanced shoot and leaf growth compared to their pristine counterpart (PL-PC) and control. Mung bean seed treated with 1000 mg PL-AC exhibited enhanced plant growth (total length/weight of plant similar to 24.4 cm/0.482 g; leaf length/weight/width of plant 5.08 cm/0.068 g/1.84 cm) than mung bean seed treated with 1000 mg PL-PC (total length/weight of plant similar to 20.3 cm/0.480 g; leaf length/weight/width of plant 5.2 cm/0.078 g/1.64 cm). The statistical analysis of the obtained plant parameters indicate the P value of < 0.05 (P = 0.010 for PL-PC and P = 0.006 for PL-AC), which suggests a strong statistical confidence of the results.

The aqueous extract of endophytic fungi (Periconia sp.) was effectively used as a reducing agent to anchor Ag nanoparticles on the ZnO surface. The XRD, UV-Vis, SEM-EDX and TEM analyses were performed to ensure the formation of AgNP@ZnO architecture. TEM analysis confirmed that the 4-20 nm sized Ag nanoparticles were anchored evenly on the surface of ZnO with 16-78 nm in size. The antimicrobial study showed the superior performance of AgNP@ZnO functional nanoparticles than the pristine ZnO against pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative). Hence, AgNP@ZnO functional particles were effectively explored as antimicrobial reinforcement for fabricating composite films using polylactic acid (PLA) as a matrix. The obtained nanocomposite films showed excellent antibacterial activity, which increases with increasing AgNP@ZnO loading.

Azadirachta indica (Neem) gum was effectively used in the combustion process as the sustainable fuel for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using zinc nitrate as the metal precursor. Thermal degradation of gum intermediate, which contains uniformly distributed Zn ions in gum matrix, by means of exothermic combustion reaction results in the formation of ZnO nanoparticles at a relatively lower temperature of 220∘C. Further, the phase stabilization of ZnO nanoparticles was performed at 700∘C for 3 h in ambient condition, which also led to the complete removal of organic residues. FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX and TEM characterization of the ZnO nanoparticles reveals its phase purity and organic-free nature with a size ranging between 40 and 60 nm. Its optical activities were studied by UV–Visible and photoluminescence studies and the UV–Visible analysis reveals its band gap energy as 3.17 eV. Further, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed splendid germicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacteria), Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) and Candida albicans (fungal pathogen). In addition, the bio-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent antioxidant behavior with the 81% of free radical quenching while employing 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL nanoparticle concentration.

Periconia sp. (endophytic fungus) biomass was effectively explored as the source for the fabrication of carbon nanostructures by one-step carbonization at 800 ∘ C for 2[Formula: see text]h. The morphological characterizations of obtained biocarbon through SEM and TEM analysis revealed the formation of 2D-platelet-like carbon nanostructures. Further, its phase and structural characterizations through Raman and XRD analysis also supported the same. The obtained biocarbon was coated upon mung bean seeds to investigate its influence on germination and growth. The preliminary results revealed that the biocarbon accelerates seed germination and growth behavior of mung bean, which was observed by means of length, mass, and surface area profile respectively for the the plant’s shoots, roots, and leaves. It was also found that the germination and growth effects are highly dependent on the concentration of the biocarbon, in which 1000[Formula: see text]mg of biocarbon in 50[Formula: see text]mL of water is found to be higher than the lower concentration for seed germination and seedling growth.

DESCRIPTION This dataset includes vegetation plot data on trees, lianas, understorey plants, and regeneration, and related data and species name matching files in five rainforest sites collected in 2003 as part of the following study: MUTHURAMKUMAR, S., AYYAPPAN, N., PARTHASARATHY, N., MUDAPPA, D., RAMAN, T. R. S., SELWYN, M. A. & PRAGASAN, L. A. 2006. Plant community structure in tropical rain forest fragments of the Western Ghats, India. Biotropica 38: 143–160. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x The regeneration data were analysed and presented in the following publication and related dataset: OSURI, A. M., CHAKRAVARTHY, D., MUDAPPA, D., RAMAN, T. R. S., AYYAPPAN, N., MUTHURAMKUMAR, S. & PARTHASARATHY, N. 2017. Successional status, seed dispersal mode and overstorey species influence tree regeneration in tropical rain-forest fragments in Western Ghats, India. Journal of Tropical Ecology 33(4): 270-284. DOI: 10.1017/S0266467417000219 OSURI, A. M., CHAKRAVARTHY, D., MUDAPPA, D., RAMAN, T. R. S., AYYAPPAN, N., MUTHURAMKUMAR, S. & PARTHASARATHY, N. 2017. Data from: Successional status, seed dispersal mode and overstorey species influence tree regeneration in tropical rain-forest fragments in Western Ghats, India, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn CONTACTS CONTACT #1 1. Name: T. R. Shankar Raman 2. Work Address: Nature Conservation Foundation, 1311, 12th A Main, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru 570017, Karnataka, India 3. Work Phone: +91 821 2515601 4. Email address: trsr@ncf-india.org 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1347-3953 CONTACT #2 1. Name: Divya Mudappa 2. Work Address: Nature Conservation Foundation, 1311, 12th A Main, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru 570017, Karnataka, India 3. Work Phone: +91 821 2515601 4. Email address: divya@ncf-india.org 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9708-4826 CONTACT #3 1. Name: Anand M. Osuri 2. Work Address: Nature Conservation Foundation, 1311, 12th A Main, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru 570017, Karnataka, India 3. Work Phone: +91 821 2515601 4. Email address: aosuri@ncf-india.org 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9909-5633 CONTACT #4 1. Name: N. Ayyappan 2. Work Address: French Institute of Pondicherry, No. 11, Post Box No. 33, Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry – 605 001, India. 3. Work Phone: + 91- 413-2231616 4. Email address: ayyappan.n@ifpindia.org 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4383-557X CONTACT #5 1. Name: S. Muthuramkumar 2. Work Address: V.H.N.S.N. College, 3/151-1, College Road, Virudhunagar - 626001, Tamil Nadu, India. 3. Work Phone: + 91-4562-280154 4. Email address: muthuramkumar@vhnsnc.edu.in 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7791-8499 CONTACT #6 1. Name: N. Parthasarathy 2. Work Address: Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, R Venkat Raman Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India 3. Work Phone: + 91-413-2654326 4. Email address: parthapu@yahoo.com 5. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4172-5441 KEYWORDS Anamalai hills; biodiversity hotspot; disturbance; endemics; fragmentation; lianas; plant conservation; tree diversity; tropical rain forest; understory plants. GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE 1. Location/Study Area: Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India; Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India 2. GPS coordinates: Valparai Plateau (10°15'- 10°22'N, 76°52' - 76°59'E); Anamalai Tiger Reserve (10°12' - 10°35'N, 76°49' - 77°24'E) TEMPORAL COVERAGE 1. Begins: 2003-03-01 (Year, Month, Day) 2. Ends: 2003-04-30 (Year, Month, Day) METHODS Methods involved systematic vegetation plots for trees, lianans and understorey plants as described in Muthuramkumar et al. 2006 (Biotropica 38: 143–160. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x) and for tree and woody regeneration as described in Osuri et al. 2017 (Journal of Tropical Ecology 33(4): 270-284. DOI: 10.1017/S0266467417000219). The vegetation sampling methods are briefly described below. The present study was conducted in five tropical wet evergreen forest fragments located on the Valparai plateau (Fig. 1): Akkamalai (AK, 2600 ha), Upper Manamboli (UM, 100 ha), Lower Manamboli (LM, 100 ha), Tata Finlay (TF, 32 ha), and Injipara (IP, 18 ha). In each site, vegetation was sampled in randomly placed noncontiguous plots of 20 × 20 m located at least 50 m apart and at least 20 m into the fragment interior from the edges, major trails, or roads. We sampled 20 plots each in IP, TF, and LM, and 25 plots each in UM and AK. Within each plot, all trees ≥30cm girth at breast height (gbh, at 1.3 m; corresponding to DBH of 9.55 cm) and lianas ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were identified to species, counted, and their girth/diameter measured. For multi-stemmed trees bole girths were measured separately, basal area calculated and summed. Each 20 x 20 m plot was divided into four 10 × 10 m quarters. For understory plants, 2 × 2 m quadrats were laid at the four corners of the 20 × 20 m plot (one in each of the corresponding four quarters) and all shrubs, undershrubs, herbs, ferns, and small twiners found within the quadrats were enumerated and identified. The regeneration sampling was done in a 5 × 5-m plot (0.0025 ha) placed at the outer corner of the first (south-west) quarter of the 20 x 20 m plot. Within each regeneration plot, we identified, counted and measured all tree saplings >1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh, at 1.3 m) and <9.55 cm dbh (equivalent to <30 cm girth at breast height, gbh). Woody shrubs of 1–9.55 cm dbh were alsorecorded in the regeneration plots (but these were excluded in the Osuri et al. 2017 analysis). For vegetatively propagating plants a clump of stems that is basally connected was considered as one individual. Canopy height was measured with a range finder and canopy closure was measured using a spherical densiometer. Vouchers were identified with regional flora and confirmed with the Western Ghats collections available in the herbarium of Salim Ali School of Ecology, Pondicherry University, from our previous works in the region. FILES INCLUDED Besides the 00_README.txt file that contains this metadata, the dataset includes the following 11 files, whose details and contents are explained below. 01_all_sites.csv Description: The file contains details of the five study sites (three continuous forest and two forest fragment sites). Note: Current Name of TF (Tata Finlay) site is Old Valparai, current name of Akkamalai (AK) is Iyerpadi-Akkamalai complex. Sites and codes correspond to the Muthuramkumar et al. 2006 paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x). Column names and descriptions: eventDate: Date range when sampling was carried out in the sites old_sitename: Name of the site as used in the Muthuramkumar et al. (2006) paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x) sitecode: Site code as used in the Muthuramkumar et al. (2006) paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x) site: Site name as at present and used in this dataset decimalLatitude: latitude in decimal degrees North decimalLongitude: longitude in decimal degrees East geodeticDatum: Geodetic Datum WGS 84 coordinateUncertaintyInMeters: Uncertainty in metres of the GPS location (as only one location available for entire site where points were distributed) type: Indicates whether site was continuous rainforest or rainforest fragment Area_ha: Area in hectares Altitude_min_m: Minimum altitude in metres of sampled plots Altitude_max_m: Maximum altitude in metres of sampled plots Ownership: Whether site is in privately owned land or within state-protected reserve Average_canopy_height_m: average canopy height in metres Canopy_closure_%: estimated canopy closure in percentage Nearby_plantations: Adjoining plantations 02_all_trees_adult_data.csv Description: The file contains records of all adult trees >= 30 cm girth at breast height of 1.3 m (gbh) recorded within 20 m x 20 m plots across three continuous forests and two forest fragments. Note: Same as in the Osuri et al. (2017) dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn), with Tithonia diversifolia added back in Injipara and data from one additional site (Manamboli Lower) added back from the original dataset corresponding to the Muthuramkumar et al. 2006 paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x). Column names and descriptions: x: Row index site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m adult tree plot within each site q_no: An unique number assigned to each of four 10m x 10m quarters within each adult plot t_no: An unique number assigned to each individual tree within each site. old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (refer to Appendix A of the main paper for full species names, and the 06_all_species_names.csv file with this dataset) osuri_code: Revised species codes used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) current_code: Species codes used at present gbh_1 to gbh_16: Girth at breast height of single- (gbh_1) and multi-stemmed (gbh_2 – gbh_16) individuals, measured in centimetres (cm) P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 03_all_liana_data.csv Description: The file contains records of all lianas >= 1 cm diameter at breast height of 1.3 m (dbh) recorded within 20 m x 20 m plots across three continuous forests and two forest fragments. Note: Lianas were not included in the Osuri et al. (2017) dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn). Column names and descriptions: x: Row index site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m adult tree plot within each site q_no: An unique number assigned to each of four 10m x 10m quarters within each adult plot t_no: An unique number assigned to each individual tree within each site. old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (refer to Appendix A of the main paper for full species names, and the 06_all_species_names.csv file with this dataset) osuri_code: Indicated as NA since these data were not used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) current_code: Species codes used at present dbh_1 to dbh_11: Diameter at breast height of single- (dbh_1) and multi-stemmed (dbh_2 – dbh_11) individuals, measured in centimetres (cm) P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 04_all_herbs_data.csv Description: The file contains records of all understorey plants (shrubs, undershrubs, herbs, ferns, and small twiners) recorded in 2 m × 2 m quadrats laid at the four corners of each 20 m × 20 m plot in three continuous forests and two forest fragments. Note: Understorey plants were not included in the Osuri et al. (2017) dataset (https: //doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn). Column names and descriptions: x: Row index site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m plot within each site corner_no: An unique number assigned to each of four 2 m x 2 m quadrat laid at the four corners of the 20 m x 20 m plot t_no: A number assigned to each individual species recorded within the corner plot. old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (refer to Appendix A of the main paper for full species names, and the 06_all_species_names.csv file with this dataset) osuri_code: Indicated as NA since these data were not used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) current_code: Species codes used at present count: Number of individuals counted (for vegetatively propagating plants a clump of stems that was basally connected was considered as one individual) P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 05_all_regeneration_data.csv Description: The file contains records of woody seedlings and saplings (1-5 cm diameter at breast height at 1.3 m, dbh) and larger-stemmed trees (>5 cm dbh) recorded within single 5 m x 5 m regeneration plots nested within 20 m x 20 m plots. Plots were located in three continuous forests and two forest fragments. Data were filtered during analysis in Osuri et al. (2017, Journal of Tropical Ecology) to retain only seedling and saplings, defined as individuals with effective diameter <=5 cm. Note: Same as in the Osuri et al. (2017) dataset, with Tithonia diversifolia added back in Injipara from original dataset; and data from one additional site (Manamboli Lower) added back from the Muthuramkumar et al. 2006 dataset. Column names and descriptions: x: Row index site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m adult tree plot within each site q_no: The 5 m x 5 m plot was placed in the SW corner of the 20 m x 20 m plot in this q_no which indicates one of the four 10 m x 10 m quarters of the 20 m x 20 m plot, where each quarter was given a unique number in each site t_no: An unique number assigned to each individual seedling, sapling or tree within each site. old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (for full species names refer to 06_all_species_names.csv file with this dataset) osuri_code: Revised species codes used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) current_code: Species codes used at present dbh_1 to dbh_12: Diameter at breast height of single- (dbh_1) and multi-stemmed (dbh_2 – dbh_12) individuals, measured in centimetres (cm) eff_dbh: Effective diameter at breast height (cm)- calculated as ((dbh)^2 +(dbh_1)^2 +...+(dbh_12)^2)^(1/2), P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 06_all_canopy_readings.csv Description: The file contains canopy-related measurements taken in each 20 m × 20 m plot in three continuous forests and two forest fragments. Note: Units of light meter reading were not recorded Column names and descriptions: site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m adult tree plot within each site reading: A number assigned to the 1 to 4 readings taken in each plot light: Light measurement taken with a light meter in the plot canopy_openness: Canopy openness (scored from 0-100%) using a spherical densiometer (Canopy cover = 100 - canopy openness) P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 07_all_extracanopy_trees_data.csv Description: The file contains records of additional trees outside the 5 x 5 m plot whose canopy was overhead of the plot. Note: Species codes are used to denote presence (not count of stems) of that species in the overhead canopy. Column names and descriptions: site: Name of forest site plot_no: An unique plot number assigned to each 20m x 20m adult tree plot within each site q_no: The 5 m x 5 m plot was placed in the SW corner of the 20 m x 20 m plot in this q_no which indicates one of the four 10 m x 10 m quarters of the 20 m x 20 m plot, where each quarter was given a unique number in each site old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (for full species names refer to 06_all_species_names.csv file with this dataset) osuri_code: Revised species codes used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) current_code: Species codes used at present P_ID: Unique plot ID created by combining columns site and plot_no 08_all_species_names.csv Description: This file provides species codes and species scientific names as originally used in the Muthuramkumar et al. 2006 paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00118.x), and as matched with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) species name matching tool Note: For plots that had no species occurrences (old_code = No herbs, Noliana), NA has been used for other columns Column names and descriptions: group: Code indicating main dataset group where species occurs (tree and regeneration data, liana data, understorey plants data) old_code: Species codes used at the time of data collection (refer to traits data file for full species names) osuri_code: Revised species codes if used in the Osuri et al. 2017 paper in Journal of Tropical Ecology 33: 270-284 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467417000219) and related dataset (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd0nn) or else indicated as NA current_code: Species codes used at present original_name: Scientific name of plant species as used at the time of the original publication (Muthuramkumar et al. 2006) original_fullname: Scientific name and authorship of plant species as used at the time of the original publication (Muthuramkumar et al. 2006) original_family: Family of the plant species as used at the time of original publication GBIFname: Scientific name as matched by GBIF species name matching tool key: GBIF name matching tool key number matchType: Type of match confidence: Confidence returned by name matching tool status: Whether accepted name or synonym rank: Taxanomic rank (level) to which identified kingdom: Taxonomic Kingdom phylum: Taxonomic Phylum class: Taxonomic Class order: Taxonomic Order family: Taxonomic Family genus: Taxonomic Genus species: Taxonomic Species canonicalName: Canonical part of scientific name matched by GBIF authorship: Authorship of scientific na

The emergence of multidrug-resistant microbes and newly outbreaking diseases are one of the major threats before mankind. This paves the way for researchers to explore new antimicrobial agents that possess common day-to-day applications. In this concern, we have fabricated the antimicrobial Ag-kaolin functional nanostructures by simple and sustainable protocol employing Murraya koenigii fruit extract. UV-visible spectra (UV-Vis) of the Ag-kaolin exhibit absorption peak at 430 nm which corresponds to the characteristic surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) shows the diffraction peak at 37.6° confirms their face-centred cubic nature with (111) plane. Furthermore, the formation of Ag-kaolin functional nanostructures was confirmed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX) analysis. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies reveal the effective formation of quasi-spherical monodispersed Ag nanoparticles having 20–30-nm diameters on the kaolin clay. The bio-synthesized Ag-kaolin nanostructures showed excellent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis ) and gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) bacteria respectively with the inhibition zones of 26 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm.

Puffball (Lycoperdon Sp.) spores were effectively explored as a new class of renewable feedstock for the synthesis of hierarchical nanostructured biocarbon. The systematic characterization of the puffball spores and their derived biocarbon material indicates the effective retention of their hierarchical structure dur -ing the carbonization with minimum size shrinkage. The derived biocarbon found to have a uniform size ranging from 2.6 to 3 lam with nanostructured hierarchical morphology and the specific surface area of 51.5 m(2)/g. The preliminary investigation on their application potential is explored for the energy storage application. The fabricated symmetric supercapacitor using the puffball spores derived biocarbon elec-trodes showed the specific capacitance of 33 F/g at 1 A/g and the capacitance retention of 96.2% after 1000 cycles. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract A lack of spatial congruence between carbon storage and biodiversity in intact forests suggests limited cobenefits of carbon‐focused policies for conserving tropical biodiversity. However, whether the same applies in tropical human‐dominated landscapes (HDLs) is unclear. In India's Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, we found that while HDL forests harbor lower tree diversity and aboveground carbon stocks than relatively intact forests, positive diversity–carbon correlations are more prevalent in HDLs. This is because anthropogenic drivers of species loss in HDLs consistently reduce carbon storing biomass volume (lower basal area), and biomass per unit volume (fewer hardwood trees). We further show, using a meta‐analysis spanning multiple regions, that these patterns apply to tropical HDLs more generally. Thus, while complementary strategies are needed for securing the irreplaceable biodiversity and carbon values of intact forests, ubiquitous tropical HDLs might hold greater potential for synergizing biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

The Periconium sp. extract mediated sol-gel process was effectively utilized for the synthesis of ZnO nano-particles. The aqueous fungal extract acted as chelating agent for the Zn2+ ions and lead to the formation of gel. The dried gel was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) respectively to identify their phase, structural coordination, morphological feature and thermal degradation profile. The XRD analysis reveals that the biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles are exist in hexagonal wurtzite structure with the average crystallite size of 40 nm. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles did show the quasi spherical shape with 16-78 nm in size. The Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis showed their zeta potential and hydrodynamic particle size respectively as - 88.6 mV and 338 nm. The UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis depicts their band gap energy as 3.15 eV. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Escherichia coll. (Gram negative) and Candida albicans (fungi) with an average inhibition zone of 16, 14 and 24 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 50, 50, 40 mu g/ml, the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of 50 mu g/ml and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 22, 38 and 21 mu g/ml respectively. Further, the ZnO nanoparticles also exhibited good antioxidant property with the 85.52% free radical quenching for 100 mu g/ml concentration.

A simple and rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles was achieved using the aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis leaf as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Reaction kinetics of the bioreduction process was investigated to understand the effects of various parameters such as silver ion concentrations, volume of leaf extract, pH of the reaction mixture and reaction duration. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by employing various techniques such as Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained silver nanoparticles showed face- centered cubic phase and found to have the spherical shape with an average size of 28.69 nm as respectively observed from XRD and TEM analysis. The biogenic silver nanoparticles showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the multi-drug resistant pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus, which is comparable with the standard broad spectrum antibiotic streptomycin. Further, the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were explored for the functionalization of glass slide without using any binding agents, which showed the strong resistance against the growth of biofilm forming Proteus mirabilis.

Silver based functional nanomaterials receive increasing importance with the application potential for antimicrobial products. Among the various synthesis processes, plant extract mediated biosynthesis of functional nanostructures receives great attention due to their greener approach. In this perspective, the present investigation deals with the effective functionalization of talc with silver nanoparticles by employing Tecoma stans flower extract as the reducing/capping agent. The Ag-Talc nanostructure formation was confirmed using UV–Vis spectroscopy (characteristic peak at 440 nm) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis (FCC Ag peak at 38°) with the crystallite size of ~57 nm. SEM-EDX analysis ensured the silver content of 0.52 wt% in talc. TEM images reveal the mean diameter of the Ag nanoparticles, which were found 50–60 nm. The synthesized Ag functionalized talc exhibits good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with the inhibition zone of 24 mm and 16 mm respectively.

Studies on the residual impact of logging on the diversity and composition of tropical forests are scarce in India. We examined the impact of selective logging on tree species richness, composition and structure prevalent after 27 years. Trees ≥ 30 cm girth at breast height were inventoried in four 1 ha plots in selectively logged patches and two 1 ha plots in an adjacent unlogged patch of lowland dipterocarp forest continuum, Uppangala, central Western Ghats, India. We enumerated 2343 trees (598 trees ha–1) belonging to 116 species (63 species ha–1) and 1345 trees (672 trees ha–1) belonging to 68 species (55 species ha–1) in logged and unlogged plots, respectively. The species richness in logged plots as compared to unlogged plots varied with spatial scale of sampling: at 1 ha scale two logged plots had higher species richness whereas it was high in only one plot at 400 m2 scale. Logged plots had low floristic similarity between them and also with the unlogged plots. Mantel and partial Mantel tests proved that logging was the main driver for the species composition rather than the elevation and spatial distance. Higher abundance of species belonging to canopy, intermediate and light wood categories and lower density of emergent, understory and medium wood types were recorded in the logged plots. As compared to unlogged plots, logged plots had 20–59% less above ground biomass (AGB) due to paucity of larger trees, especially in the emergent and medium wood types but higher AGB in canopy and hardwood categories. Our study shows the residual impact of logging even after 27 years and suggests that the recovery process may depend on the resurgence of emergent and medium wood categories.

ChemBioEng ReviewsVolume 4, Issue 1 p. 3-4 ContentsFree Access Table of Contents: ChemBioEng Reviews 1/2017 First published: 22 February 2017 https://doi.org/10.1002/cben.201770013AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume4, Issue1February 2017Pages 3-4 RelatedInformation

Nanoparticles of silver, gold, palladium and platinum are widely applied in medicine, sensor, energy and catalysis and have been widely investigated for their unique physicochemical properties. Next to silver and gold nanoparticles, palladium receives extensive attention due to their distinctive size-dependent catalytic performance. Traditionally, Pd nanoparticles have been synthesized using various physical and chemical methods involving sophisticated equipment and excessive chemicals. Expanding demand and the emerging economic/environmental concerns in synthesizing palladium nanoparticles created the necessity for the development of simple, eco-friendly, and cost effective processes. Within this context, biological processes that use plants, microorganisms, enzymes and biochemicals have been used for the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles as the green alternative. The aim of this article is to review the recent biological trends in the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles employing various plants and their effective utilization.

The effects of fragmentation and overstorey tree diversity on tree regeneration were assessed in tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats, India. Ninety plots were sampled for saplings (1-5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh); 5x5-m plots) and overstorey trees (>9.55 cm dbh; 20x20-m plots) within two fragments (32 ha and 18 ha) and two continuous forests. We tested the hypotheses that fragmentation and expected seed-dispersal declines (1) reduce sapling densities and species richness of all species and old-growth species, and increase recruitment of early-successional species, (2) reduce the prevalence of dispersed recruits and (3) increase influence of local overstorey on sapling densities and richness. Continuous forests and fragments had similar sapling densities and species richness overall, but density and richness of old-growth species declined by 62% and 48%, respectively, in fragments. Fragments had 39% lower densities and 24% lower richness of immigrant saplings (presumed dispersed into sites as conspecific adults were absent nearby), and immigrant densities of old-growth bird-dispersed species declined by 79%. Sapling species richness (overall and old-growth) increased with overstorey species richness in fragments, but was unrelated to overstorey richness in continuous forests. Our results show that while forest fragments retain significant sapling diversity, losses of immigrant recruits and increased overstorey influence strengthen barriers to natural regeneration of old-growth tropical rain forests.

ABSTRACTA recent development in the manufacturing of carbon nanotubes is the usage of renewable feedstocks as a carbon source. This new development is receiving much support and is a source of excitement among the global research communities due to the positive environmental impacts, reduced carbon footprints, and economic benefits. Various types of renewable feedstocks such as vegetable oils, plant derivatives, and other types of biomasses have been used for the green synthesis of carbon nanotubes by employing conventional fabrication techniques. As the global demand increases for green manufacturing, efforts to synthesize carbon nanotubes from renewable resources are receiving immense attention while also strengthening the concept of biorefinery. This also enables the efficient use of resources as well as improved waste management. The present review summarizes the recent developments and current status of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using renewable feedstocks along with technical discussions, opportunities for novel precursors, and future directions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44255.

This chapter describes variation in species composition, density, climbing mechanisms and dispersal syndromes of lianas across four principal forest types of peninsular India. The forest types include: wet evergreen forest (WEF), semi-evergreen forest (SEF), seasonal dry forest (SDF), and dry evergreen forest (DEF). The chapter compares the characteristics of Indian lianas to those reported for other forests around the world. It presents a table that summarizes the details of the 40 study sites, including the forest type, altitude, the forest stature, the mean annual rainfall, the length of the dry season and the sample design. The distribution of lianas in the four forest types showed a pronounced dominance by a limited subset of species. Five climbing mechanisms were employed by lianas in the four forest types. The lianas of SDF and DEF sites displayed four different climbing mechanisms.