Original Research Article Investigation of Antioxidant Potential in Ocimum basilicum Flower

Aims: The present work is particularly focused on antioxidant properties of flower of Ocimum basilicum plant. Study Design: Study is basically designed on Column chromatography of extracts. Place and Duration of Study: Sample collection and all experimental work was done in Chemistry Department Government College University, Lahore. The study comprises duration of 6 months. Methodology: The flower of Ocimum basilicum were collected, dried and grinded. It was soaked in methanol-water (70:30) in dark bottle for a week. Followed by a scheme (column chromatography). After TLC of extracts, three activities were done. Phosphomolybdate, Ferric thiocyanate (FTC), and Folin-Ciocalteu (FC reagent) for determination of antioxidant capacity, peroxidation, determination of total phenols respectively. Results: The sample OC2 and crude have maximum absorbance at the concentration of 100µl, 200µl and 300µl. The results show that crude has maximum antioxidant capacity. The phenolic contents are in the increasing order of fraction OC2, OC5, and crude. The maximum phenolic contents are present in crude. Reference has the maximum ability for peroxidation for ferric thiocyanate complex by giving red colour. Conclusion: Overall it is concluded that Ocimum basilicum flower has antioxidant capacity as good as a standard antioxidant. It is recommended in food/medicine as natural herbal product.

Glitter Interference On Photosynthetic Rates of A Submerged Macrophyte (Egeria Densa)

This study analyzed the photosynthetic rates (by the light and dark bottle method) of the submerged macrophyte Egeria densa in the presence of three concentrations of glitter: 0.0235 g (T1/T4), 0.0117 g (T2/T5) and 0.0058 g (T3/T6), as well in its absence (control treatment, CT1 and CT2). About 800 apical fragments of E. densa were distributed in 8 subtreatments (4 under light conditions and 4 in the dark to obtain respiration), with 100 specimens in each. The CT showed the highest net photosynthesis rate (PN = gross photosynthetic (PG) rate subtracted from respiration (RD)) of E. densa, with 59.3%, 32.8%, 13.0% higher compared to T1, T2 and T3, respectively. At T3 it was observed the highest mean respiration rate (RE) o E. densa and at T1, the lowest. Comparing PN with RD, we found that the photosynthetic process was, on average 3.5, 2.47, and 2.93 times higher in CT, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The presence of glitter may have increased the reflectance of water, as it is a suspended particle and reflected light intensely, considering that it is a metal coated particle. Glitter reflects radiation, decreasing the light absorption process, compromising the use of underwater radiation by E. densa. The microplastic interferes with the absorption of light necessary for photosynthetic processes, reducing them, enabling an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Primary Productivity of Jatigede Reservoir Based on Light and Dark Bottle Method

This research aims to determine the value of primary productivity by using light-dark bottles at different depths in Jatigede Reservoir, Sumedang, West Java. This research was conducted from October 2020 until March 2021 using survey method research. Determination of the research location was done by using the purposive sampling method. Sampling was carried out at five stations and three depths: surface, 0.5 compensation depth, and compensation depth. The results showed that the primary productivity in Jatigede Reservoir ranged from 300.29-1013.47 mgC/m3/day. The results of supporting water quality parameters are light transparency ranging from 38-150 cm, temperature ranging from 26.6-29.7 oC, pH ranging from 6.69-8.7, carbon dioxide (CO2) ranging from 4.4-22.0 mg/ l, dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 3.00–6.6 mg/l, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) ranged from 1.62-16.22 mg/l, ammonia ranged from 0.0004-0.0055 mg/l, nitrate ranged from 0.017-0.044 mg/l and phosphate ranged from 0.06-0.14 mg/l. Based on the value of primary productivity, the waters of the Jatigede Reservoir are categorized as mesotrophic waters.

Phytoplankton primary production in the lake Kenon (Zabaykalsky krai, Russia)

Located in the Amur watershed, Lake Kenon is an urban reservoir that hosts recreational and commercial fishery activity. The current status of the lake is connected with the Chita Thermal Power Plant No 1, the basin’s human population, and the density of railways as well as highways within the basin. From the start of the thermal power plant’s operation, the reservoir’s ion composition significantly changed from largely sodium and bicarbonate species to sulfate, bicarbonate, chloride, sodium, calcium, and magnesium chemical species. Additionally, heavy metals have been accumulating in Kenon’s sediment. The results presented in this article are based on field measurements and comparative analysis with previous studies. Primary production was calculated using a light-dark bottle method. During the study period, current evidence corroborated previous investigations that respiration and decomposition rates generally tend to exceed photosynthesis rates. As noted in June 2015, in the cent of the lake where complete mixing occurs, primary production as well as respiration decreases with depth in the water column. With increased warming since August 2015, primary production exceeded respiration in upper layers. Considering the lake’s relatively small area for thermal fluxes (10% of the lake’s surface area), production-respiration processes are within Lake Kenon’s ecological capacities. The observed photosynthesis-respiration ratios from long-term study suggest that the system is resilient to the current anthropogenic load.

Odum’s dark bottle and an ecosystem approach

Eugene Odum was an ecological pioneer, writing the discipline’s first textbook, Fundamentals of Ecology, in 1953. Although his work is almost 70 years old, it laid the groundwork for contemporary landscape systems thinking. Since Odum’s time, a lineage of ecological research and theory has helped to define concepts pertaining to ecology, ecosystems, and nature. With these terms in peril of becoming ambiguous, especially in the design arts, this chapter revisits the origins and development of ecologic thinking in order to construct a more critical understanding of nature, and the role of the designer for Building with Nature. One particular experiment by Odum is used as the foundation of concept development. A pond is his reference site and he ‘dissects’ it, using dark and light bottes to illustrate its nuances and the overall ecosystem idea. Three important principles can be derived. First, the ecologist, or the designer, should understand the ‘nature’ of the system, or site, where they are working. Second, nature is formed through functional interactions over extended periods of time. Lastly, through an ecosystem approach, it is shown that systems involve indirect effects. In ecological networks, sites are impacted by forces beyond their immediate boundaries, as well as through other social and cultural systems. Case studies located along the Florida Gulf Coast are used to explain Odum’s and others’ concepts. Florida has developed in parallel with human’s capacity to manipulate their environment. For this reason, it is a useful reference site, illustrating trajectories in ecological thinking.

Validation of a Primary Production Algorithm of Vertically Generalized Production Model Derived from Multi-Satellite Data around the Waters of Taiwan

Basin-scale sampling for high frequency oceanic primary production (PP) is available from satellites and must achieve a strong match-up with in situ observations. This study evaluated a regionally high-resolution satellite-derived PP using a vertically generalized production model (VGPM) with in situ PP. The aim was to compare the root mean square difference (RMSD) and relative percent bias (Bias) in different water masses around Taiwan. Determined using light–dark bottle methods, the spatial distribution of VGPM derived from different Chl-a data of MODIS Aqua (PPA), MODIS Terra (PPT), and averaged MODIS Aqua and Terra (PPA&T) exhibited similar seasonal patterns with in situ PP. The three types of satellite-derived PPs were linearly correlated with in situ PPs, the coefficients of which were higher throughout the year in PPA&T (r2 = 0.61) than in PPA (r2 = 0.42) and PPT (r2 = 0.38), respectively. The seasonal RMSR and bias for the satellite-derived PPs were in the range of 0.03 to 0.09 and −0.14 to −0.39, respectively, which suggests the PPA&T produces slightly more accurate PP measurements than PPA and PPT. On the basis of environmental conditions, the subareas were further divided into China Coast water, Taiwan Strait water, Northeastern upwelling water, and Kuroshio water. The VPGM PP in the four subareas displayed similar features to Chl-a variations, with the highest PP in the China Coast water and lowest PP in the Kuroshio water. The RMSD was higher in the Kuroshio water with an almost negative bias. The PPA exhibited significant correlations with in situ PP in the subareas; however, the sampling locations were insufficient to yield significant results in the China Coast water.

Effects of aloe vera extracted on liver and kidney function changes induced by hydrogen peroxide in rats

Background: Aloe vera (Aloes) is a member of the Liliaceae family that is used as herbal medicine in many cultures for several purposes. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Aloe vera leaf gel extracts on lipid profiles and liver and kidney functions in rats.Methods: In this experimental investigation, a total of 20 healthy rats were divided into four following groups. Group I fed with normal diet and water. Group II administrated by 1% hydrogen peroxide with drinking water in a dark bottle prepared daily. Group III administrated with 5 ml of aloe vera oil added to 25 grams of their ratio for each rat (25 ml oil/125 g) also prepared daily with normal drinking water. Group IV also administrated with 5 ml of aloe vera oil added to 25 grams of their ratio with drinking water that contains 1% hydrogen peroxide in a dark bottle. The rats in all four groups fed for 21 days.Results: The subjects who were included in H2O2 had significantly higher concentrations of TG (146.79 vs. 73.09 mg/dL; p<0.001), cholesterol (123.60 vs. 68.90 mg/dL; p=0.001), and lower concentration of HDL (5.79 vs. 7.53 mg/dL; p<0.001) compared to the control group. While, the subjects in Aloe Vera group had lower concentration of cholesterol (55.90 vs. 68.90 mg/dL; p=0.004), and higher level of HDL (9.22 vs. 7.53 mg/dL; p<0.001). The subjects in the H2O2 had significantly higher concentrations of AST (76.64 vs. 30.04; p<0.001), ALT (64.94 vs. 23.38; p<0.001), urea (59.68 vs. 37.10; p=0.003), uric acid (0.92 vs. 0.59; p<0.001). Whereas, the subjects in Aloe Vera had substantially lower levels of AST (18.76 vs. 30.04; p=0.008).Conclusions: The present study showed that aloe vera gel extract is effective to improve the lipid profile and liver and kidney function.

Plankton Composition in Relation to Water Quality in the Coastal Waters of Nigeria

Coastal waters of Ondo State, Nigeria have diverse assemblage of fish, yet there is dearth of information on its plankton composition. This study investigates plankton components in relation to physicochemical characteristics of the coastal waters bordering Olotu, Ayetoro and Bijimi in providing baseline information that can be used for planning and implementation of policies for monitoring, impacts assessment and conservation. Surface water samples were collected on monthly basis from March to June 2015 to analyze physicochemical parameters while plankton net of 55μm mesh size was used for collection of plankton using standard methods prescribed by APHA. The light and dark bottle method was used to determine primary productivity. Shannon-wiener, Margalef and Equitability Indices were used for diversity. Values of the physicochemical parameters observed ranged as follows: temperature, 27.47±2.06-29.27±0.31ºC; turbidity, 43.43±0.91-65.33±2.52NTU; pH, 5.54±0.31-6.12±0.30; BOD, 2.20±0.29-5.43±0.54 mg/l; COD, 6.08±2.71-6.66±1.52 mg/l; dissolved oxygen, 6.39±0.39-7.78±0.19 mg/l and salinity, 2.03±0.06-3.77±0.04 mg/l. Fifteen species of phytoplankton and three developmental stages of zooplankton were recorded. Phytoplankton accounted for 83.3% as against 16.7% zooplankton. Diatoms (93.3%) and dinoflagellates (6.7%) represented phytoplankton whereas 66.7% of zooplankton belonged to the phylum Arthropoda. Primary productivity ranged between 132.194±13.48m-3hr-1 and 134.48±15.27m-3hr-1. Some dominant species recorded were Coscinodiscus, Biddulphia, Copepod, Skeletonema and Ditylum. pH and Temperature were major determinant of the composition, diversity and abundance of plankton. The observed plankton group indicates the suitability of the creeks as habitat and breeding ground for diverse aquatic species. The water quality falls within acceptable range hence the environment can be classified as healthy ecosystem.

PRIMARY AQUATIC PRODUCTIVITY OF FISHPOND IN PALM OIL PLANTATION IN GUNUNG MELATI VILLAGE BATU AMPAR SUBDISTRICT TANAH LAUT REGENCY

This research attempted to find out the level of primary aquatic productivity of fishpond in palm oil plantation in Gunung Melati Village Batu Ampar Subdistrict Tanah Laut Regency and to find out the quality of water based on the abundance of plankton. The measurement of the primary productivity used combination of two oxygen methods, withdrawal of sample of water, and plankton analysis. The result of the measurement was tabulated in form of table and described in form of graphic so that the difference in every observational station would be seen. Data analysis of primary productivity used oxygen measuring methods; those were dark bottle and clear bottle methods. The classification used for fertility level was according to Purnomo, et al, 1993.Result of the measurement showed that station 1 and station 2 had fertility level that belonged to trophic oligotrophic level (less fertile). Index value of plankton diversity t in station 1 and station 2 were ranked not extremely low and belonged to minor contaminated category.