scholarly journals Utility Potential ofParthenium hysterophorusfor Its Strategic Management

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Saini ◽  
Neeraj K. Aggarwal ◽  
Anuja Sharma ◽  
Manpreet Kaur ◽  
Anita Yadav

Parthenium hysterophorus, one of the world’s most dangerous weeds, is responsible for huge losses to the biodiversity, agriculture, economy, and health of livestock and human beings. High competitive success rate and adaptability of the species enable it to dominate diverse types of habitats. Various weed control strategies are being used globally to reduce its population to manageable levels. But owing to many limitations associated with the conventional methods, management ofPartheniumstill remains a challenge. Recently large scale utilization has been taken up as a holistic approach for the control of weeds.Parthenium hysterophoruscan be managed by exploiting this weed in diverse fields. In agriculture, it can be used either as green manure or after composting. Industrially it can be used for producing various value added products. The weed also exhibits many environmental applications. Chemical constituents ofPartheniumshow extensive range of pharmacological activities suggesting its role as a chemotherapeutic agent. This review briefly discusses the problem ofPartheniumand enlists its possible utilities which can open new avenues for effective management of this violent weed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepti Agarwal

ABSTRACT Nature has plentiful plant sources to fulfil the needs of human beings in terms of food and medicines. Rhododendron tree is one of them. The literature reviewed from online resources suggests that Rhododendron arboretum belongs to family Ericaceae and bears pale pink to deep red colour flowers. It is a national flower of Nepal and a state flower of Uttarakhand. The flowers generally blossom in the months of March to April and June to September. Rhododendron contains significant amount of minerals and many phytochemicals and secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins and steroids. Rhododendron arboreum has various therapeutic properties like anti-diabetic property, anti- inflammatory property, antioxidant property, anti-hyperlipidemic property, anti-cancerous property, cardio protective properties. People of India use it in preparation of many valued products like jellies, squashes, ready to serve drinks etc. But their commercialized value added products are not available. This study suggests for more extensive studies on development of commercial product for utilization of its nutritional and therapeutic value.


Author(s):  
Sowmyalakshmi Venkataraman ◽  
Gunda Srilakshmi

Context: The focus of the present review is to compile the different phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of bignoniaceous plants, namely Kigelia africana and Mansoa alliacea. Objective: Medicinal plants are routinely used in clinical practice for the treatment of various diseases of human beings over thousands of years across the world. In rural areas of the developing countries, they are still used in practice due to the easy availability of the medication. The main objective of this work is to explore the phytochemical studies and biological activities of plants belonging to Bignoniaceae family. Methods: The present study also discusses about the different phytochemical constituents of K. africana and M. alliacea that were isolated and characterized using various analytical methods. Different extracts of these plants were subjected to different in vitro anticancer, analgesic, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities using earlier reported methods were also discussed. Results: K. africana is commonly referred to as sausage or cucumber tree due to its huge sausage or cucumber-like fruit. These plants find application as traditional medicine for treating several ailments such as malignant tumor, ulcer, aging, and malaria among others. It is conjointly used for the treatment of reproductive organ infections, renal ailments, dizziness, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, depression, metabolism disorders, skin grievance, leprosy, impetigo, helminthic infections, athlete’s foot, tumors, etc. These plant extracts have also been used as a cosmetic by enhancing the collagen action and thus exhibit antiaging properties. Conclusion: The present study attempts to provide collective information on various phytochemical constituents and pharmacological actions of K. africana and M. alliacea belonging to Bignoniaceae. This review in its present form is believed to help the researchers to provide adequate information about the chemical constituents and biological uses of these plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 90-97
Author(s):  
Rashmi Niranjan ◽  
Vishal Ahuja ◽  
Arvind Kumar Bhatt

Xylitol is a poly-hydroxy straight-chain five-carbon alcohol that can replace sugar in daily uses without any side effects. Lowered risk of dental carries and bone demineralization further support its involvement in a healthy lifestyle. In addition, its role in the synthesis of various commercial products like glycol, ethanol, and resins etc. increases its market value and makes it one of the most valuable bio-products. Microbial fermentation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for xylitol production from agricultural residues as available xylose is reduced to xylitol by Xylose reductase (XR) using an equivalent amount of NADPH as a mediator for electron transfer. Previous literature emphasized the use of fungi and yeast for xylitol production rather than bacteria. In contrast to available reports, the potential of the bacterial isolate was evaluated for xylitol production. The effect of process parameters was observed on xylitol yield in terms of XR activity. Out of sixty-eight bacterial isolates obtained, XYLBV-05 was selected for XR production after screening and was identified as Citrobacter sp. based on morphological, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics. Parametric analysis increased the XR production by 4.12 folds (36.61 U/ml). Preliminary results also proved its efficiency in conversion of biomass hydrolysate to xylitol at lab scale but further efforts are needed for xylitol production using agro-industrial lignocellulosic biomass at a large scale which will not only aid in the generation of revenue as a result of value-added products but will also help in environment conservation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2-S) ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
Kapil Kumar Verma ◽  
Akanksha Sharma ◽  
Hans Raj ◽  
Bhopesh Kumar

Achyranthes aspera plant is very useful for the cure and treatment of various diseases of human beings. Different parts of the plants is used to cure various diseases like leprosy, asthma, arthritis, wound, snakebite, dermatological diseases, cardiac disease, kidney stone, gynecological disorder, malaria, gonorrhea, pneumonia, dysentery, rabies, toothache, etc. Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, diseases, traditional uses of the Achyranthes aspera may explain briefly in review articles with in-vivo and in-vitro studies. This article provided the complete latest information on the Achyranthes aspera which may include Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, diseases, traditional uses, etc. Some extensions regarding Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, diseases, traditional uses may explain in this review. Data may have the info about different activities of various diseases such as hepatoprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, thyroid-stimulating, antiperoxidative, abortifacient, antilaprotic, immunomodulators, contraceptives, etc. It may have many chemical constituents Glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, amino acid, ecdysterone, hentriacontane. Some chemical constituents which are Glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, amino acid, ecdysterone, and hentriacontane of the Achyranthes aspera used in high range throughout the world. There should be many investigations for these further clinical trials. This plant may be investigated on the next level for a novel drug system. Keywords: Pharmacological activities, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, clinical trials.


Author(s):  
Georgi Derluguian

The author develops ideas about the origin of social inequality during the evolution of human societies and reflects on the possibilities of its overcoming. What makes human beings different from other primates is a high level of egalitarianism and altruism, which contributed to more successful adaptability of human collectives at early stages of the development of society. The transition to agriculture, coupled with substantially increasing population density, was marked by the emergence and institutionalisation of social inequality based on the inequality of tangible assets and symbolic wealth. Then, new institutions of warfare came into existence, and they were aimed at conquering and enslaving the neighbours engaged in productive labour. While exercising control over nature, people also established and strengthened their power over other people. Chiefdom as a new type of polity came into being. Elementary forms of power (political, economic and ideological) served as a basis for the formation of early states. The societies in those states were characterised by social inequality and cruelties, including slavery, mass violence and numerous victims. Nowadays, the old elementary forms of power that are inherent in personalistic chiefdom are still functioning along with modern institutions of public and private bureaucracy. This constitutes the key contradiction of our time, which is the juxtaposition of individual despotic power and public infrastructural one. However, society is evolving towards an ever more efficient combination of social initiatives with the sustainability and viability of large-scale organisations.


Author(s):  
Robert Boyd

Human beings have evolved to become the most dominant species on Earth. This astonishing transformation is usually explained in terms of cognitive ability—people are just smarter than all the rest. But this book argues that culture—our ability to learn from each other—has been the essential ingredient of our remarkable success. The book shows how a unique combination of cultural adaptation and large-scale cooperation has transformed our species and assured our survival—making us the different kind of animal we are today. The book is based on the Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University, featuring challenging responses across the chapters.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-265
Author(s):  
Dr.Navdeep Kaur

Since its evolution environment has remained both a matter of awe and concern to man. The frontier attitude of the industrialized society towards nature has not only endangered the survival of all other life forms but also threatened the very existence of human life. The realization of such potential danger has necessitated the dissemination of knowledge and skill vis-a-vis environment protection at all stages of learning. Therefore, learners of all stages of learning need to be sensitized with a missionary zeal. This may ensure transformation of students into committed citizens for averting global environment crisis. The advancement of science and technology made the life more and more relaxed and man also became more and more ambitious. With such development, human dependence on environment increased. He consumed more resources and the effect of his activities on the environment became more and more detectable. Environment covers all the things present around the living beings and above the land, on the surface of the earth and under the earth. Environment indicates, in total, all of peripheral forces, pressures and circumstances, which affect the life, nature, behaviour, growth, development and maturation of living beings. Irrational exploitation (not utilization) of natural resources for our greed (not need) has endangered our survival, and incurred incalculable harm. Environmental Education is a science, a well-thought, permanent, lasting and integrated process of equipping learning experiences for getting awareness, knowledge, understanding, skills, values, technical expertise and involvement of learners with desirable attitudinal changes about their relationship with their natural and biophysical environment. Environmental Education is an organized effort to educate the masses about environment, its functions, need, importance, and especially how human beings can manage their behaviour in order to live in a sustainable manner.  The term 'environmental awareness' refers to creating general awareness of environmental issues, their causes by bringing about changes in perception, attitude, values and necessary skills to solve environment related problems. Moreover, it is the first step leading to the formation of responsible environmental behaviour (Stern, 2000). With the ever increasing development by modern man, large scale degradation of natural resources have been occurred, the public has to be educated about the fact that if we are degrading our environment we are actually harming ourselves. To encourage meaningful public participation and environment, it is necessary to create awareness about environment pollution and related adverse effects. This is the crucial time that environmental awareness and environmental sensitivity should be cultivated among the masses particularly among youths. For the awareness of society it is essential to work at a gross root level. So the whole society can work to save the environment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sicong Liu ◽  
Jonathan Folstein ◽  
Lawrence Gregory Appelbaum ◽  
Gershon Tenenbaum

Although the unwanted intrusive thoughts (UITs) exist widely in human beings and show similar characteristics between clinical and nonclinical forms, its control process remains unclear. Thoughts of choking under pressure, particularly among high-achieving athletes, represent a meaningful UIT type due to their psychological and performance-related impact. Taking a dynamic view of UIT control process, this study tested the effect of thought-control strategies among sub-elite to elite athletes, applied to individualized choking thoughts. Ninety athletes recollected recent athletic choking experiences prior to being randomized into one of three thought control interventions using strategies of either acceptance, passive monitoring (control), or suppression. To control for individual differences, athletes’ working memory capacity was measured and modeled as a covariate at baseline. The activation of choking thoughts during and after the intervention was gauged through multiple measurement approaches including conscious presence in mind, priming, and event-related potentials (P3b and N400 amplitudes). Results indicated that, relative to the control, suppression led to enhanced priming and reduced conscious presence of choking thoughts, whereas acceptance resulted in an opposite pattern of reduced priming and increased conscious presence of choking thoughts. In addition, thought-related stimuli elicited less negative-going N400 amplitudes and more positive-going P3b amplitudes than control stimuli. These findings advance understandings of the control mechanism underpinning UITs, and generate applied implications regarding UIT control in high-risk populations such as those with athletic expertise.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1681-1684
Author(s):  
Georgi Toskov ◽  
Ana Yaneva ◽  
Stanko Stankov ◽  
Hafize Fidan

The European Commission defines the bioeconomy as "the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy. Its sectors and industries have strong innovation potential due to their use of a wide range of sciences, enabling and industrial technologies, along with local and implied knowledge." The Bulgarian food industry faces a lot of challenges on the local and national level, which have direct influence on the structure of the production companies. Most of the enterprises from the food sector produce under foreign brands in order to be flexible partners to the large Bulgarian retail chains. The small companies from the food sector are not able to develop as an independent competitive producer on the territory of their local markets. This kind of companies rarely has a working strategy for positioning on new markets. In order to consolidate their already built positions for long period of time, the producers are trying to optimize their operations in a short term. However, the unclear vision of the companies for the business segment does not allow them to fully develop. Tourism in Bulgaria is a significant contributor to the country's economy.


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