DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF THE GENUS OSCILLATORIA VAUCHER EX GOM. (OSCILLATORIALES, CYANOPROKARYOTE) IN TRIPURA, INDIA

Present paper deals with the diversity and distribution pattern of the genus Oscillatoria in Tripura, India. The genus Oscillatoria is a filamentous, unbranched, Non heterocystous and motile Blue-green Alga. In the present investigation we report sixteen species of the genus Oscillatoria from Tripura, India, out which, all the species are new addition to the flora of Tripura and seven species are new addition to Indian flora. Our study also revealed that out of total sixteen species of Oscillatoria, thirteen grow in rice fields and as well as in other habitats, but rest three taxa flourish only on specific habitats of Tripura, India.

Effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on growth and biochemical content of blue-green alga Wollea salina

The current study aimed to test the blue-green alga Wollea salina on growth in culture media containing different concentrations of magnesium nanoparticles in addition to the control group (free of nanomaterials) in order to find out the effect of those minutes on the algae's physiology by studying their effect on the growth rate and chlorophyll-a Carotenoids, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The alga under study was classified according to microscopy and based on some taxonomic keys after it was isolated, purified, and then grown in culture medium (BG-11). Three cultures containing three different concentrations of nano-magnesium oxide solution (93.8, 187.5,281.3) mg/L were used to compare that with the growth in the culture medium (control) free of these substances, to be then produced with biomass. For the purpose of ascertaining and knowing the size of the nanoparticles at the nanoscale, the nanocomposites of magnesium oxide were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The height of the molecular assemblies of the magnesium nanoparticles was determined, and the height of the molecular assemblies was 466 nm, with an average particle size of 35 nm. The algae were also photographed with a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) before and after treatment with magnesium nanoparticles, where the pictures showed the presence of morphological changes at the cellular level for these isolates. The growth rate was (0.388) for W. salina at a concentration of (187.5) mg/l of magnesium oxide (MgO NPS), while the results recorded the highest growth rate when the control treatment (without nanomaterials) was (0.507). Representative dyes were also studied, including chlorophyll-a, and the results showed that the highest value of chlorophyll-a at concentration (281.3) mg/l of MgO NPS was (1.068) µg/l. Also, it was noted that the highest value of carotenoid dye was recorded at a concentration of (281.3) mg/l of MgO NPS, which reached (0.992) µg /l. The highest value of protein (23.63) mg/L was recorded at a concentration of (281.3) mg/L of MgO NPS. As for the total carbohydrates, its content was (4.30) mg/L at concentration (281.3) mg/L compared to the control (4.37) mg/L. The results also recorded an increase in the algae's total fat content of( 0.058) g/l at the concentration (281.3) mg/l of MgO NPS compared to the control treatment, which recorded a total fat content of (0.048) g/l). The results of the statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between the nanocomposites used in the study represented by magnesium in their effect on the physiology of the algae under study, and the control unit (without nanomaterials) at a significant level of p<0.05.

SPIRULINA – A WONDER NUTRACEUTICAL AGAINST CANCER: A REVIEW

Spirulina, a filamentous and spiral-shaped blue-green alga, contains an array of bioactive compounds and has emerged to be a nutraceutical. It has a unique blend of around 70 biologically active compounds which enhances its therapeutic significance. Its role against carcinogenesis can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of ingredients like C-Phycocyanin, ?-Carotene, Calcium Spirulan, Linoleic and Linolenic acids. Spirulina extracts were shown to enhance endonuclease activity, DNA repair and induction of apoptosis in cells. Some studies also reported myelosuppression and enhanced immune function. Murine studies indicated there was a possibility of reversing the mechanism of carcinogenesis, particularly in oral, stomach, breast and skin cancers as well as in doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and DBMA-induced tumours. Spirulina also appeared to reduce cardio-, nephro- and hepato-toxicity in rodents. The chemo and radioprotective effect of Spirulina was also observed in various carcinogenic human cell lines. The C-phycocyanin component was shown to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells in vitro. Commercially available Spirulina is administered as an adjunct to chemotherapy. The evidence of effectiveness of Spirulina in cancer is extremely limited as far as the clinical trials are concerned. The Spirulina studies conducted on various types of carcinogenesis show a degree of similitude but are in a haphazard state. The current anatomization is an attempt on part of the authors to coalesce all the contemporaneous data and create a systematic review.

Mechanical characteristics of buckwheat noodles made with blue-green alga, ishi-kurage (Nostoc commune Vauch.)

The present study was conducted to clarify the effect of a kind of blue-green algae, i.e., ishi-kurage , on the mechanical characteristics of buckwheat noodles. Mechanical analysis of buckwheat noodles with ishi-kurage showed that incorporation of ishi-kurage into buckwheat noodles enhanced breaking stress and energy. Sensory evaluation with human panels showed that buckwheat noodles with ishi-kurage were more preferred when compared with noodles without ishi-kurage. On the other hand, incorporation of ishi-kurage into buckwheat noodles enhanced decreased solubility of the albumin plus globulin fraction. The present study finding suggests that the endogenous protein may be an important factor responsible for the mechanical characteristic of buckwheat noodles with ishi-kurage.

Role of Oxidation-Reduction Processes in Formation of Toxic Properties of Natural Aqueous Environment

Redox processes involving hydrogen peroxide, as oxidizing agent, and compounds of sulfur as carrier of reducing equivalents form the quality of natural waters. The inflow of reductants interacting with H2O2 can lead to a toxic quasi-reductive state. Dynamic change of redox in a natural aqueous medium is pernicious for organisms with intensive water-exchange, such as larvae of fishes, despite the concentration of dissolved oxygen being normal. Favorable conditions for “flowering” of emerging toxins blue-green alga are formed. In reductive state, copper ions become biologically unavailable. Sewage after biological cleaning are the main anthropogenic source of the reductants, mainly hydrosulphide. The natural sources of reductants are blue-green alga and the bottom sediments. The ions of Cu(I) and Fe(II) form high-strength 1:1 complexes with reduced sulfur compounds that are stable to O2 but efficiently react with H2O2. The increased content of manganese can form mixed-valence manganese species Mn(III,IV) giving super-oxidizing state of the aquatic environment, which is also toxic.