The present study reveals the presence of potential antioxidants and antimicrobial properties in the plant extract which could be exploited for pharmaceutical application.

Twenty five fungal strains were isolated from soil of Similipal Bioreserve Forest and screened for pectinase and cellulase activity. Aspergillus sp. was found to be predominant in the sample. Out of which, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus showed high cellulolytic and pectinolytic activity having potency index of 4.5 for I Fcel and 4.1 for I Fpect, respectively. Parameters like pH and temperature were optimized for the potent strains. The present study concludes that both of the strains can be further utilized for large scale industrial purpose.

The qualitative and quantitative distribution of phytoplankton with regional variation in the coastal waters of Orissa coast were presented out of the pooled data of eight stations sampled during summer season of 2008-09 and 2009-10. Significant spatial variations in temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, phosphate, silicate were monitored during the study. Total ninety five species of phytoplankton were recorded belonging to Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Haptophyceae group. Phytoplankton density ranged from approximately 8460-50720 nos. /l and showed complete dominance of diatom genera (Bacillariophyceae) in both the year in all stations. The concentration of chlorophyll-a ranged from 0.45 to 7.6 mg/m 3. Statistical analysis predicted that the phytoplankton population was positively related to the chlorophyll-a concentration and nutrients. The present study indicates that the phytoplankton population, diversity and species composition fluctuate significantly in relation to the various physico-chemical parameters.

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