Floristic composition and ecological gradient analyses of the Liakot Forests in the Kalam region of District Swat,Pakistan

Kalam Kohistan is a dry,temperate hilly region in the Hindu Raj Series of the Greater Hindu Kush Mountains with diverse forests.As plant distribution and composition is expression of a range of various environmental variables,ecological and floristic attributes of vegetation in the Laikot Forests were therefore evaluated via consecutive explorative trips.These forests have not been evaluated ecologically before due to harsh climatic conditions and issues of accessibility and the study in hand is one of the first in its nature.Quantitative ecological techniques were used to sample forest vegetation and identify species in quadrats of 2 m×2 m for herbs,5 m×5 m for shrubs and 10 m×10 m for trees.All the data of 195 plant species and environmental factors were analyzed via Two-way Cluster Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis using PCORD and CANOCO software.Among 195 plant species from 63 families were 27 species of Asteraceae,the most-speciose family,followed by Poaceae(20 spp.).The dominant life form was therophyte(86 spp.;44%share),followed by phanerophyte(41 spp.;21%share).For the leaf size spectrum,most prevalent was nanophyll(73 spp.;44%)followed by microphyll(66 spp.,34%)and mesophyll(44 spp.;23%).Calcium carbonate,pH,potassium,sand,silt,organic matter,slope aspect and grazing significantly influenced species composition,distribution and habitat.The floristic variation in the region was diverse due to elevational and aspect gradients and thus devided into three zones.This vegetation zonation can be utilized for forest management,species and habitat conservation.Both in situ and ex situ conservation of threatened plant species may improve their conservation status in future if address properly.     

Influence of Degree of Hydrolysis on Chemical Composition,Functional Properties,and Antioxidant Activities of Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) Hydrolysates Obtained by Using Alcalase 2.4L

Protein hydrolysates from Chinese sturgeon were prepared using Alcalase 2.4L enzyme. Under the optimum conditions (enzyme–substrate ratio of 3.5%, pH of 8.5, and temperature of 55°C), the degree of hydrolysis (DH) was 13.8%, 16.7%, and 19.1% after 1, 3, and 6 h, respectively. The contents of crude protein and amino acid increased at DH of 19.1% to 86.97% and 78.29%, respectively. There was an obvious increase in the low-molecular-weight peptides, which could enhance the hydrolysate’s functional properties such as solubility, representing more than 90% at different pH levels. The obtained protein hydrolysates revealed good emulsification properties and high oil absorption. Furthermore, good antioxidant activities such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition, ferric reducing power, and ferrous ion (Fe²⁺⁾ chelating ability were attained depending on the solution concentration. The findings indicate that the functional and antioxidant properties of protein hydrolysates could be useful in many applications of the food industry.     

绢蒿荒漠草地两种主要植物的生态化学计量特征分析

【目的】研究退化伊犁绢蒿荒漠草地恢复后,主要植物的生态化学计量特征的变化,为干旱区草地恢复提供理论依据。【方法】以该草地的建群种伊犁绢蒿(Seriphidium transiliense)和伴生种木地肤(Kochia prostrata)为对象,分析两种植物的C、N、P、K含量及计量比以及放牧和封育条件下,两种植物的生态化学计量特征,研究两种植物的养分利用策略以及封育对两种植物的生态化学计量特征的影响。【结果】伊犁绢蒿的P(0.82 g/kg)极显著高于木地肤的P(0.58 g/kg),伊犁绢蒿的N(15.11 g/kg)、K(13.06 g/kg)含量和N/P(22.46)极显著低于木地肤的N(25.14 g/kg)、K(21.17 g/kg)含量和N/P(43.75)。封育改善了荒漠草地植物的生长环境,但与放牧相比,伊犁绢蒿与木地肤的C、N、P、K含量及元素计量比变化不显著。【结论】伊犁绢蒿与木地肤的养分利用策略不同,伊犁绢蒿以吸收利用P为主,木地肤以吸收利用N和K为主,伊犁绢蒿的生长率高于木地肤。封育对荒漠草地两种植物的生态化学计量特征影响不显著。     

Seasonal deviation effects foliar endophyte assemblage and diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus racemosus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemidesmus indicus</Emphasis>

Background

Fungal endophytes are the living symbionts which cause no apparent damage to the host tissue. The distribution pattern of these endophytes within a host plant is mediated by environmental factors. This study was carried out to explore the fungal endophyte community and their distribution pattern in Asparagus racemosus and Hemidesmus indicus growing in the study area.

Results

Foliar endophytes were isolated for 2 years from A. racemosus and H. indicus at four different seasons (June–August, September–November, December–February, March–May). A total of 5400 (675/season/year) leaf segments harbored 38 fungal species belonging to 17 genera, 12 miscellaneous mycelia sterile from 968 isolates and 13 had yeast like growth. In A. racemosus, Acremonium strictum and Phomopsis sp.1, were dominant with overall relative colonization densities (RCD) of 7.11% and 5.44% respectively, followed by Colletotrichum sp.3 and Colletotrichum sp.1 of 4.89% and 4.83% respectively. In H. indicus the dominant species was A. strictum having higher overall RCD of 5.06%, followed by Fusarium moniliforme and Colletotrichum sp.2 with RCD of 3.83% and 3%, respectively. Further the overall colonization and isolation rates were higher during the wet periods (September–November) in both A. racemosus (92.22% and 95.11%) and H. indicus (82% and 77.11%).

Conclusion

Study samples treated with 0.2% HgCl₂ and 75% EtOH for 30 s and 1 min, respectively, confirmed most favorable method of isolation of the endophytes. Owing to high mean isolation and colonization rates, September–November season proved to be the optimal season for endophyte isolation in both the study plants. Assessing the bioactive potential of these endophytes, may lead to the isolation of novel natural products and metabolites.

     

Isolation of Nanocellulose from Water Hyacinth Fiber (WHF) Produced via Digester-Sonication and Its Characterization

The successful isolation and characterization of water hyacinth fiber (Eichornia crassipes) (WHF) nanocellulose is presented in this study. The novelty was in exploring a wider range of properties of highly purified samples of WHF after each stage of production in more depth. The isolation was accomplished by pulping in a digester and sonication. Morphological changes before and after treatment were demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lignin and hemicellulose content decreased during chemical treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analyzer (PSA) were used to determine the morphology of WHF after sonication for 1 h. TEM shows that the diameter and length of nanocellulose WHF were 15.61 and 147.4 nm, respectively. The crystallinity index and crystalline domain area significantly increased after chemical treatment. The highest crystallinity index was 84.87 % after an acid hydrolysis process. The increase in crystallinity leads to good thermal stability. Moisture absorption tests of WHF were carried out before and after treatment. The lowest moisture absorption was in the cellulose fiber after sonication (nanocellulose).     

Impregnation of zinc oxide mediated chitosan nano-composites on polyester fabric for performance characteristics

Present study dealt with the fabrication of chitosan/zinc oxide nano-composites (CZNCs) using a facile preparation method. The structural features of nano-composites were investigated by using advanced analytical techniques. The developed nano-composites exhibited hexagonal structural pattern with an average particle size of about 51 nm. The developed CZNCs were dispersed in 2-propanol and applied on polyester by using the pad-dry-cure method. The treated fabric specimens were characterized for surface, functional and textile properties including antibacterial activity and (ultra violet) UV- blocking. The nano-composite treated polyester fabric exhibited durable antibacterial, UV- blocking and textile properties with fair whiteness index.     

Rice bran, a potential source of biodiesel production in Indonesia

Biodiesel is a biodegradable, renewable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative fuel. The cost of raw materials comprises 60-88% of the production cost in commercial biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAMEs) production. Therefore, the use of low-cost raw material as a substrate and an in situ process for biodiesel production are being preferred. In this case, rice bran, which contains 13.5% oil, was an interesting substrate. In situ esterification of high-acidity rice bran with methanol and sulfuric acid catalyst was investigated. The individual and interaction effects of methanol to rice bran ratio, sulfuric acid catalyst concentration and reaction time on purity and recovery of biodiesel were discussed. Our results suggest that under the following operation conditions: methanol to rice bran ratio of 5 mL/g, sulfuric acid concentration in methanol of 1.5 vol.%, and reaction time of 60 min, an in situ esterification operated on rice bran could yield FAMEs with a high purity and recovery. By applying an in situ esterification with n-hexane/water extractions, Indonesia will be succesfull in obtaining biodiesel from rice bran up to 96,000 ton per year.     

乌鲁木齐县石人沟地衣物种多样性及群落特征

为了查明新疆乌鲁木齐县石人沟地区的地衣物种多样性及其区系和群落特征,在石人沟地区的不同植被带设立16个样点,对地衣进行了样方调查、标本采集和标本鉴定,并对地衣区系成分和生长型进行了分析。结果表明,石人沟地区地衣共有30种,隶属于17属,10科,5目,其中叶状地衣和壳状地衣种类较丰富。地衣区系成分划分为世界广布成分、环北极成分、温带成分、中亚物种和中国特有物种等5个区系成分;按照该地区地衣生长的现状,把其划分为岩面生、树生、藓丛生和地面生等4个类型;该地区地衣的生长型主要以壳状地衣为主,其次为叶状地衣,缺乏枝状地衣种类。同时基于30种地衣及盖度数据,应用双向指示种分析方法(TWINSPAN)和除趋势对应分析(DCA)将该地区的地衣划分为3个样点组,并计算了物种多样性和均匀度指数。