Response of wheat and maize to different nitrogen sources: II. Nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase enzyme activities,and plastid pigment content

Glutamine synthetase and nitrate reductase enzyme activities occurred both in roots and leaves of maize (Zea mays L., hybrid Pioneer 3737) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cultivar Jantar) plants grown on different nitrogen (N) sources. Enzyme activities and plastid pigment content in maize plants were higher in the treatments with a mixture of nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄) than with either N source alone. In wheat plants, plastid pigment content, nitrate reductase activity, and root glutamine snynthetase activity were higher in the treatments where NO₃ alone was applied to the nutrient medium.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) kernel

The moisture-dependent physical properties are important to design post harvest equipments of the product. The physical properties of Karanja kernel were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 8.56–22.22% d.b. The average length, width, thickness and 1000 kernel mass were 25.29 mm, 15.58 mm, 7.88 mm and 1036.45 g, respectively, at moisture content of 8.56% d.b. The geometric mean diameter and sphericity increased from 14.55 to 15.97 mm and 0.57 to 0.6 as moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b., respectively. In the same moisture range, the bulk density decreased from 663 to 616 kg/m³, whereas the corresponding true density and porosity increased from 967 to 1081 kg/m³ and 31.44 to 43.02%, respectively. As the moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b., the angle of repose and surface areas were found to increase from 27.69 to 37.33° and 665.74 to 801.63 mm², respectively. The static coefficient of friction of Karanja kernel increased linearly against the surfaces of three structural materials, namely plywood (28.72%), mild steel sheet (29.88%) and aluminium (18.86%) as the moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b.     

Immense essence of excellence: marine microbial bioactive compounds

Oceans have borne most of the biological activities on our planet. A number of biologically active compounds with varying degrees of action, such as anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-microtubule, anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, photo protective, as well as antibiotic and antifouling properties, have been isolated to date from marine sources. The marine environment also represents a largely unexplored source for isolation of new microbes (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, microalgae-cyanobacteria and diatoms) that are potent producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Extensive research has been done to unveil the bioactive potential of marine microbes (free living and symbiotic) and the results are amazingly diverse and productive. Some of these bioactive secondary metabolites of microbial origin with strong antibacterial and antifungal activities are being intensely used as antibiotics and may be effective against infectious diseases such as HIV, conditions of multiple bacterial infections (penicillin, cephalosporines, streptomycin, and vancomycin) or neuropsychiatric sequelae. Research is also being conducted on the general aspects of biophysical and biochemical properties, chemical structures and biotechnological applications of the bioactive substances derived from marine microorganisms, and their potential use as cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals. This review is an attempt to consolidate the latest studies and critical research in this field, and to showcase the immense competence of marine microbial flora as bioactive metabolite producers. In addition, the present review addresses some effective and novel approaches of procuring marine microbial compounds utilizing the latest screening strategies of drug discovery.