Advances in Applied Science Research http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2.html The antimicrobial activity (MIC) of Adhatoda vasica was assessed against clinical pathogen solvents like methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, diethyl ether and water were used for the preparation of plant extracts in various concentrations by disc diffusion method the antimicrobial activity (MIC) was measured. From this, solvents showed higher activity in the order of diethyl ether > methanol > ethanol > acetone > Chloroform> water. The plant extract of Adhatoda vasica showed higher activity for different clinical pathogens in the order of Klebsiella pneumoniae>Staphylococcus aureus > Proteus valgaris > Pseudomonas aeroginosa > Streptococcus Pyogens. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-83-88.pdf The antibacterial properties of the stem bark in ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of two medicinal plants viz., Syzigium cumini (L.) and Lannea coromentalica Houtt (Merr.) were tested against two human pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus) by agar well diffusion method. Lannea coromentalica of ethanol extract was exhibited maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (16mm) and Aspergillus niger (15mm). Aqueous extract showed minimum zone of inhibition against in Bacillus subtilis (12mm) and Aspergillus flavus (11mm). Syzigium cumini of methanol extract showed maximum zone of inhibition was against in Bacillus subtilis (15mm) and ethanol extract were Aspergillus niger (15mm). Preliminary phytochemical analysis of Lannea coromentalica showed the presence of steroids, phenols, protein, saponins, alkaloids, and coumarins were present. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-89-94.pdf Methanol and aqueous extracts of Costus pictus was tested in vitro for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities. An antibacterial activity analysis was carried out using agar well diffusion and broth dilution techniques. The antibacterial assay of leaf, root, stem and flower extracts of C. pictus against four bacteria are presented. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all the extracts of C. pictus were found to be between 20-30μg/ml. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by DPPH radical scavenging capacity assay. Methanol extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity. The total phenolics in the extracts were determined colorimetrically by using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The total flavonoid content of the extracts was evaluated by a spectrophotometric method. The total phenolic content ranged from 148.67 ± 0.83 to 233.83 ± 0.44 μg of gallic acid/g of plant extracts. The flavonoid content varies from 370.08±0.96μg of quercetin/ g of plant extracts. The reduction of NBT by Amadori products was inhibited by incubating glucose/ BSA system with different parts of C. pictus (leaf, root,stem and flower) and aminoguanidine, and every parts showed a stronger inhibitory effect than aminoguanidine . The ability of the test samples to inhibit NBT reduction was in the order of stem methanol >flower methanol > root methanol> leaf methanol. The present study reveals that the selected plant would exert several beneficial effects by virtue of its antioxidant and antiglycation activity and could be harnessed for drug formulation. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-95-101.pdf Hyperglycemia, a condition characterized by an abnormal excess of sugar in the blood, has been linked to the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated to oxidation-linked vascular complications. Medicinal plants and legumes have been shown to exert their hypoglycemic effect by several mechanisms which include the inhibition of the key enzymes, pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase. The aim of the present study was to investigate the enrichment of soy seed (Glycine max) substrates with phenolic antioxidants via fungal-based solid-state bioconversion (SSB) system by dietary fungus (Rhizopus oligosporus) and its effect on the inhibition of above enzymes. Total phenol content (Lowry’s method) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were determined. Inhibition of α- amylase and α-glucosidase activities were measured using starch and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as substrates respectively. Protein and total phenol content of the seed extracts increased with fungal incubation time. The extract indicated high antioxidant activity (85±0.6%), during early growth stage (days 4-6) followed by reduced activity during later growth stage (days 8-10). A direct association between higher phenolic contents during early growth stage (days 4-6) and antioxidant activity suggested a link to mobilization of polymeric and hydrophobic phenolic forms. SSB process substantially improved in vitro α-amylase inhibition activity in soy seed extracts to 75% on day 4 which is compared to higher levels of antioxidant activity. It is concluded that SSB is a good strategy to improve the phenolic content of above seed for enhanced functionality with improved antioxidant activity that contributes to α-amylase inhibition relevant to potential diabetes management. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-102-109.pdf Azima tetracantha (Lam.) belonging to family Salvadoraceae was collected from Orathanadu, Tahnjavur District. The phytocompounds were separated by using TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography). Phytocompound analysis of Azima tetracantha revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and sterols. The isolated phytocompounds were used for antibacterial activity performed by using agar well diffusion method. Antibacterial activity of phytocompounds separation from alkaloids, flavonoids and sterols were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. The sterols compound exhibited maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (25mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24mm). The alkaloid compound showed minimum zone of inhibition was observed in Bacillus subtilis (12mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12mm). Maximum zone of inhibition was observed in sterols compound when compared with alkaloids and flavonoids. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-110-114.pdf The ethanol extract of leaves and shoot portion of the fresh Eichhornia crassipes were screened for the presence of various phytochemicals by standard procedures. The present study indicates that the fresh plant contain alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, sterols, terpenoids, anthoquinones and protein. The aqueous, chloroform fractionates and the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts were screened for antibacterial activity and antifungal activity against two bacteria Micrococcus luteus and Rhodospirillum rubrum and two fungi Monoscus ruber and Rhodospirillum rubrum by disk diffusion method. The extracts and fractionates of fresh Eichhornia crassipes showed a significant and remarkable activity against two bacteria and two fungal species when compared to standard. The present work shows the presence of significant secondary metabolites in the world’s worst weed and its appreciable antimicrobial activity. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-115-122.pdf Free and esterfied phenolic acids of Jatropha curcas were extracted with Methanol in soxhlet apparatus and determined by HPTLC. The phenolic acid such as kaempferol, coumarin, catechin, and quercetin acids were detected by the Linomat 5 (Camag, Switzerland). The Linomat 5 is controlled by wincats planar chromatography manager, version 1.3.4. Plate dimensions, number and distance of tracks, names of samples and volumes to be applied on to each track are conveniently programmed and saved as wincats analysis file. The planar chromatogram was developed with Toluene-Acetone-Formic acid (4.5: 4.5: 1) and the developed plate were sprayed with respective spray reagent and dried at 100°C in Hot air oven. The plate was photo-documented at Day light and UV366nm using Photo-documentation (Camag reprostar 3) chamber. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-123-128.pdf The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of some medicinal plants on growth parameters and diseases, like alternaria canker, blight, leafspot, fruitspot, blossom end rot and sunscald of Lycopersicum esculentum. To understand the mechanism, the phytochemical analysis of plants and its effect on bacterial and fungal cultures were investigated. The effects of selected plant extracts on tomato were observed. Ten medicinal plants were applied for the control of diseases, and its antibacterial and antifungal effect was tested against Clavibacter michigenesis, Alternaria solani, and Septoria lycopersici, Pythium debaryanumand and Phytopthora capsici that cause alternaria canker,early blight, leaf spot, fruit spot, blossom end rot and sunscald disease in Lycopersicum esculentum..Extract of Ageratum.conyzoides was efficient in inhibiting the growth of Clavibacter michigenesis while mycelial growth of Alternaria solani,Septoria lycopersici,Pythium debaryanum & Phytopthora capsici was inhibited by Tagetes patula, Piper nigrum, Aegle marmelos & Ageratum conyzoides.Among the plant extract tested in field, Ageratum.conyzoides was found most effective in reducing the Alternaria canker disease by 78.20% and Azadirachta.indica reduced the Early blight & leaf spot disease by 53.84% & 40.78%respectivilly,Aegle marmelos reduced the fruit spot disease by 61.29%.Pongamia piñata & Brassica campestris reduced the Blossom end rot disease by 86.95% and 82.17% and Ageratum.conyzoides & Pongmia piñata reduced the sunscald disease by90.08% & 76.85% respectively in Lycopersicum esculentum. The result suggests the applications are also growth promotive and cost effective and non-hazardous in agro-ecosystem. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-129-142.pdf Abutilon indicum is an important medicinal plant belonging to family malvaceae. The plant has medicinal property like aphrodisiac, laxative, diuretic, sedative, expectorant and demulcent.The present study provides botanical, physico-chemical and preliminary phytochemical details, which helpful in laying down standardization and pharmacopoeial parameters. The microscopical characters of the bark showed biseriate medullary ray, prism shaped calcium oxalate crystals and bundles of phloem fibres. The important parameters studied other than macro and microscopical are measurement of length of fibre, diameter of starch grain, histochemical studies, ash analysis, total extractive values, moisture content, behavior of powder with different chemical reagent & fluorescence analysis. Qualitative phytochemical screening of hydroalcoholic extract showed the presence of carbohydrate, steroid, glycoside flavonoid, alkaloid and phenolic compound. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-143-150.pdf Position of Rauwolfia in industry is emerging. Reserpine is the first herbal constituent included in modern medicine system.Due to its high demand over the world market the genuine plant (i.e R.serpentina Linn. benth.exkurz) is almost on The track of extinction and in future can be categorized as an endangered species. Therefore The present study was attempted to search reserpine from other parts of R.serpentina and R. tetraphylla. So both the species can be explored for the isolation of bioactive reserpine and the commercial plant R. Serpentina can be minimized from over exploitations and extinction.And also establish the various Pharmacognostical parameters of Rauwolfia species of Estern Odisha for their correct identifications. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-151-162.pdf In the present study an attempt has been made to study the influence of ultrasound (25 Kc sec-1) waves of different durations on physiological variables like photosynthetic rate, inter cellular CO2 concentrations, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency and total chlorophyll content, a content, b content, a/b ratios, DCPIP, protein content, nitrate and nitrite reductase and glutamin synthetase. Photosynthetic rate, inter cellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rates, total chlorophyll content, total protein content have increased and DCPIP levels reduced up to 35 days, whereas, water use efficiency decreased and glutamine synthatase activity increased between 25 and 35 days of treatment of ultrasound in all three cultivars. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-163-172.pdf In vitro propagation techniques were applied for the mass propagation of economically important plant Calamus travancoricus Bedd.ex. Becc. & Hk.f. For callus induction, the explants were cultured on MS medium augmented with different auxins separately. The study showed 2, 4-D (10mg/ml) is effective to induce callus. The calli were subcultured on MS medium with various concentrations of cytokinins for shoot formation. The medium supplemented with BAP (5mg/l) showed better response. The medium supplemented with1.0mg/l of GA3 was found suitable to culture microshoots for elongation. The in vitro shoots thus obtained were successfully rooted in ½ MS medium supplemented with IBA (1.5mg/l) and NAA (1mg/l) separately. The rooted plantlets were transferred to the field after acclimatization. Synthetic seeds were prepared. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-173-179.pdf Biological control of soil borne plant pathogens is a potential alternative strategy to agrochemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Thus the present study focuses on the screening of indigenous soil isolates with multiple traits related to biocontrol of Xanthomonas, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. Rhizosphere soils were collected from different areas of Bangalore in India. Out of 12 actinomycetes and 51 bacterial isolates that were isolated, 1 actinomycete and 3 bacterial isolates showed maximum antagonistic activity against Xanthomonas spp (13- 20%) and Fusarium oxysporum (25-76%), Rhizoctonia solani (55- 83%) by dual culture technique. These isolates were identified as B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, Streptomyces spp and P. fluorescens. The four isolates were further screened for PGPR traits. P.aeruginosa p6 showed positive for all PGPR traits and antagonism due to siderophore and HCN production. B.subtilis B2 showed mycolytic enzymes mediated antagonism. Streptomyces sp. 9p and P. fluorescens R showed concurrent production of both mycolytic enzymes and PGPR traits. All the four isolates showed increase in seed germination in the range of 28 to 71% when compared to control (14%). Present study reports the PGPR potential and biocontrol ability of the strains which can be used as biofertilizers as well as biocontrol agents. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-180-186.pdf Medicinal plants, herbs, spices and herbal remedies are integral components of alternative system of medicine since times immemorial Cassia auriculata Linn. is a potential folklore medicinal plant (Caesalpiniaceae) used for Aurveda and Siddha systems of medicine. In this study, fatty acid esters, fatty acid, triterpene, diterpene alcohols and phytol were identified as the major chemical groups in the methanol fractions of Cassia auriculata seeds extract. Their structures were elucidated, on the basis of GC-MS data .Grape seed oil 31.02%, n-Hexadecanoic acid 21.31%,9-Octadecenoic acid, (E)- 12.60%, E,Z-1,3,12-Nonadecatriene 12.27%, Stearic acid 9.39% these different active phytochemicals have been found to possess a wide range of activities. In conclusion Cassia auriculata contains biologically active compounds that may serve as candidate for the discovery of new drugs in the treatment of antihyperlipidaemic and antidiabetic. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-187-192.pdf GC-MS-MS analysis was carried out for the identification of the phytochemicals present in the methanolic leaf extract of Trichilia connaroides. It indicates that the leaf extract is rich in phenolics, fatty acids, flavonoids and antioxidants. Many phytochemcial compounds such as Naphthalene, Palmitic acid, Oleic acid, Isotridecanol, phytol, Lycopersen, Isochiapin B and Serverogenin acetate have been identified. These compounds have been found to possess anti-insect, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiulcerogenic activities. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-193-197.pdf Betulinic acid, a terpenoid isolated from the bark of Ziziphus jujuba [Rhamnaceae] exhibited growth regulating activity against the stored grain pest Tribolium confusum [Duval] [Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae]. The fifth instar, sixth instar larvae and pupae were treated with 1μg/μl of Betulinic acid. Interference in moulting process, ecdysial failure and blockage of adult emergence were the important morphogenetic abnormalities observed which resulted in the formation of permanent larvae, larval-pupal intermediates, abnormal pupae, pupal-adult intermediates and deformed adults. These resultant forms were ruled out from further development and reproduction. Our results suggest that Betulinic acid shows an effective insect growth regulating activity and exhibits great promise in suppressing the population of stored grain pest, Tribolium confusum. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-198-206.pdf GC-MS-MS analysis was carried out for the identification of the phytochemicals present in the methanolic leaf extract of Trichilia connaroides. It indicates that the leaf extract is rich in phenolics, fatty acids, flavonoids and antioxidants. Many phytochemcial compounds such as Naphthalene, Palmitic acid, Oleic acid, Isotridecanol, phytol, Lycopersen, Isochiapin B and Serverogenin acetate have been identified. These compounds have been found to possess anti-insect, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiulcerogenic activities. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-207-211.pdf Curcuma longa is a major spice crop grown abundantly in India and other tropical countries. Its major constituent is curcumin which gives turmeric its unique aroma, flavor and medicinal properties. The present study aimed at comparing the in vitro antimicrobial activity of two varieties of turmeric, the PTS and Erode variety and to screen the phytochemicals present in turmeric leaves. Six Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria namely Serratia marcesens, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebshiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyrogens and Staphylococcus aureus were subjected to test the antimicrobial activity along with two fungi namely, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts of rhizomes and leaves were subjected to microbial susceptibility assays using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of two leaf varieties was done to test the presence of phytochemicals responsible for the antimicrobial potential of leaves of C.longa. The results of the present study revealed that both ethanol and methanol extracts showed antimicrobial activity on rhizome and leaf extracts. The rhizome extracts showed high inhibition over E.coli, S.pyrogens, B.subtilis and C.albicans. The leaf extracts possessed antimicrobial potential against S.pyrogens, B.subtilis and C.albicans. The phytochemical screening of leaf extracts showed the presence of flavanoids, cardiac glycosides and phenols in both the leaf varieties. The present study indicated the antimicrobial property of turmeric leaves which can also be used for therapeutic purposes along with other medicinal plants. Among the two varieties tested, the Erode variety was found superior in its antimicrobial potential. http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/asian-journal-of-plant-science/vol2-iss2/AJPSR-2012-2-2-212-219.pdf