In this report, aqueous phase green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticle utilizing Platanus orientalis is elucidated for the first time. The phytoconstituents of the P. orientalis leaf extract serve a dual role as reducing and capping agent during the fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles. The role of the leaf extract in the synthesis of iron oxide has been briefly demonstrated in this work. The tailored iron oxide particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering technique. Nonetheless, X-ray diffraction pattern reveals the mixed phase nature of the ensuing iron oxide, i.e. α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3. The spherical oxide particles have an average diameter of 38 nm as determined from transmission electron microscopy. Infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the stabilization of iron oxide nanoparticles by the phytochemicals present in the leaf extract. Iron oxide nanoparticles show significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Mucor piriformis, employed as model fungi, but found to be more active toward M. piriformis.

No abstract

Mushrooms had long been used for medicinal and food purposes since decades. It is now increasingly recognized that correct diet, controls and modulates many functions of human body and consequently participates in the maintenance of state of good health, necessary to reduce the risk of many diseases. Modern pharmacological research confirms large parts of traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal effects of mushrooms due to their antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and antiviral properties, besides being used as functional foods. This paper sums up diverse beneficial health effects of mushrooms to humans, in the form of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, food and drugs, and medicines.

No abstract

The inhibitory activity of five plant extracts viz. Artemisia absinthium L., Rumex obtusifolius L., Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers, Plantago lanceolata L. and Malva sylvestris L. were evaluated against the mycelial growth of three fungi Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Penicillium expansum Link ex Thom. and Mucor piriformis Fisher that cause rot diseases in fruits and vegetables resulting in low yield and quality of fruits and vegetables. Results revealed that all the concentrations of plant extracts brought about significant inhibition in the mycelial growth of these pathogenic fungi. However, the highest concentration caused maximum inhibition in the mycelial growth followed by lower concentrations of plant extracts. The extract of A. absinthium leaves at highest concentration (S) proved highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all these pathogenic fungi followed by other plant extracts. These plants thus may have potential as the new natural fungicide for management of fungal rot diseases.

This article aims to give a comprehensive review on the use of microbial antagonists (fungi and bacteria), botanicals and compost extracts as biocontrol agents against different pathogenic fungi causing postharvest fungal rots in rosaceous fruits which shows that they can play an important role in the biomanagement of fungi causing rot diseases. Plant extracts reported in the literature against pathogenic fungi indicate that they can act as a good biological resource for producing safe biofungicides. However most of the work has been done under experimental conditions rather than field conditions. There is still a need for research to develop suitable formulations of biofungicides from these microbial biocontrol agents and plant extracts. The review reveals that extensive ecological research is also required in order to achieve optimum utilisation of biological resources to manage various postharvest diseases of fruits.

Objective: Mushrooms are known for their nutritional and medicinal importance from ancient times throughout the world. The use of mushrooms as valuable tonic, food, and ethnomedicines has also been reported from India. However, information on the ethnomedicinal use of mushrooms is not available from the surveyed area of Kashmir valley. Therefore, the objective of this work is to study the ethnomedicinal use of wild mushrooms from the Northern districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Materials and Methods:Different remote areas of Northern districts, Baramulla and Kupwara of Kashmir Valley were surveyed to document the indigenous use of various mushrooms growing in the area by local tribal people and local herbalists. Mushroom hunters, local Hakims, herbalists and aged people from tribal communities and nomads were consulted, interviewed and taken as guides to collect various mushroom species. Results:The mushroom samples collected from the study area were used as a source of food and medicines for different ailments. The specimens collected were photographed by Sony cyber shot 12.1 megapixel camera in their natural habitats and were identified on the basis of macro and microscopic characters, expert mushroom taxonomists, field guides and standard related literature. The study revealed that 33 mushroom species belonging to Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes were used for their nutritional and medicinal values. These mushrooms were used by the local hakims against various ailments ranging from respiratory, blood and heart ailments, arthritis, nervous and urogenital diseases either alone or in combination with some herbs. Conclusions:It was concluded from this study that all the mushrooms used by the local tribal people and local herbalists for different ailments can be further evaluated for medicinal value and for bioactive constituents.

The medicinal use of mushrooms has a very long tradition in Asian countries because of their use as a valuable tonic, food, and in herbal medicines. A study was carried out to document the indigenous uses of various mushrooms growing in the Kashmir Himalayas. After consulting local herbal healers (Hakims) and people from tribal communities inhabiting inaccessible hinterlands of the region regarding the use of mushrooms growing in their locality, it was found that 35 species of mushrooms belonging to different ecological and taxonomical groups were used for their nutritional and medicinal values. These mushrooms were used for their activities against a broad spectrum of diseases, ranging from simple skin diseases to present-day complex diseases such as diabetes and tumors.