The present study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of cow urine extracts of nine plants against two fungi viz., Fusarium aphanidermatum and a bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum rhizome rot of ginger. Antifungal and antibacterial activity of cow urine extracts was investigated by poison food technique and agar extent of growth of test fungi in plates poisoned with extracts was lesser when compared with the control plates. Among fungi, high susceptibility was recorded in case of oxysporum. Cow urine extract of Elaegnus k aphanidermatum whereas cow urine extract of Croton roxburghii and Maesa indica caused high inhibition of caused inhibition of R. solanacearum. Extract of followed by H. indicus, E. kologa and others. Overall, cow urine extracts of plants selected in this study caused varied inhibition of test microbes. These extracts may find a possible application in agriculture against phytopathogenic microorganisms.

In the present study, we investigated for the first time mineral composition, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of a foliose macrolichenEverniastrum cirrhatum(Fr.) Hale (Parmeliaceae) from Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka, India. Mineral content of the lichen was estimated by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer after acid digestion. The secondary metabolites were detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical assays. The lichen material was extracted with methanol in soxhlet apparatus. Total phenol content was estimated by folin ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, Ferric reducing and metal chelating assays. Among the principal elements, calcium was found in high concentration followed by magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Among trace elements, iron was detected in high amount followed by zinc, manganese and copper. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be dose dependent with an IC50of 6.73 μg/mL. In ferric reducing assay, the absorbance increased with the concentration of extract suggesting reducing power. The extract exhibited good metal chelating activity with an IC50value of 29.28 μg/mL. Total phenol content was 101.2 mg tannic acid equivalents per gram of extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. TLC revealed atranorin, salazinic acid and protolichesterinic acid. The lichen can be consumed as a source of minerals required for the body as appreciable amount of minerals has been detected. The marked antioxidant activity may be attributed to the presence of phenol content in the extract. Further studies on isolation of metabolites and their bioactivities are under investigation.

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Article InformationThis study was carried out with the objective of determining the quantity of selected essential and nonessential metals; K, Na, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, Fe and Zn in the leaf and stem of Rhamnus prinoides. Samples were collected from the low-altitude (1500-1670 meters above sea level) and medium-altitude (1670-2000 meters above sea level) areas of Bako Tibe. Wet acid-digestion using a mixture of HNO3, HClO4 and H2O2 for leaf (2.5, 1, 0.5 mL) and for stem (2.5, 1.5, 1 mL) was used. K and Na were analysed using flame photometry, Ca and Mg were determined titrimetrically and the other metals with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after appropriate quality control measures were undertaken to verify and maintain the quality of the data generated. The results of the study showed that the average concentrations determined were ranged from 8855.543 (stem) to 12927. for Zn and below method detection limit for Cd. The concentrations of the metals were also compared with recommended maximum permissible limits and some international reports; and found to be in a good agreement indicating no exposure risk of using the leaves and stems of Rhamnus prinoides under the current situation.

Forest ecosystem is one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems of the world. Biodiversity is a dynamic process among living organisms exhibiting different degrees of activities according to their placement in nature. The present study was carried out in the Hulikal forest (1346'15" N to 1342'30" N and 751'30" E to 755'15" E) Hosanagar taluk of Shimoga district, Karnataka. Study areas are located at an elevation range of 560 MSL to 800 MSL above the sea level and it is having highest rainfall receiving area in Karnataka. The Hulikal forest consists of almost evergreen forest with swamp/marshy vegetation. Major tree species found in the study are Litsea floribunda, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Cinnamomum verum, Myristica malabarica etc. with shrubs like Carissa carandas, Croton malabaricus, Memecylon malabaricum, Maesa indica, Leea indica etc. In Hulikal forest a total of 2172 samples were recorded from 30 quadrats. They are belongs to 231 species and 60 families, among them 53 herb, 51 shrubs, 31 climbers and 96 were trees species. Lower diversity of herbaceous plants is present here because of closed canopy. The Hulikal forest showed more canopy trees with evergreen forests. The trees are tall and long in height. Fahrenheitia zeylanica is an important species with Impotence Value Index (IVI) of 10.4 and basal area of 0.7. The Shannon diversity index value of the herbaceous species, climbers and tree species were 3.6, 3.8 & 4.3 respectively. The study revealed that this region is very rich in species composition.

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The present study was conducted to screen antimicrobial activity of three foliose macrolichens viz., Parmotrema reticulatum (Taylor) M. Choisy (Parmeliaceae), (Nyl.) Trevis (Physciaceae) and Dirinaria consimilis two fruticose macrolichens viz., Ramalina pacifica hossei H. Magn & G. Awasthi (Ramalinaceae) growing on barks of areca trees. The lichens were identified on the basis of morphological, anatomical and metabolites (lichen substances) were identified by thin layer chromatography. Antibacterial activity of lichen extracts was evaluated against three Gram positive and five Gram negative bacteria by Agar well diffusion assay. The lichen extracts were effective in inhibiting all test bacteria. Overall, extract of D. consimilis antibacterial efficacy. Marked inhibitory activity was observed against Antifungal effect of lichen extracts was determined against four molds by Poisoned food technique. Among fungi, the growth of Colletrotrichum capsici by lichen extracts. The observed inhibitory activity of lichens could be ascribed to the presence of lichen substances.