Evaluation of indigenous plants’ extracts for mosquitocidal activity against different stages of Culex quinquefasciatus say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Being vector of West Nile Virus and falariasis the control of Culex quinquefasciatus is likely to be essential. Synthetic insecticide treatment is looking most effective for vectors mosquito control. However, these products are toxic to the environment and non-target organisms. Consequently, ecofriendly control of vectors mosquito is needed. In this regard botanical insecticide is looking more fruitful. Therefore, the present research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of methanolic extract and various fractions, including, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, chloroform, and aqueous fraction, obtained from methanolic extract of Ailanthus altissima, Artemisia scoparia, and Justicia adhatoda using separating funnel against larval, pupal, and adult stages of Culex quinquefasciatus. The larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus were exposed to various concentrations (31.25-1000 ppm) of methanolic extract and its fractions for 24 hours of exposure period. For knock-down bioassay (filter paper impregnation bioassay) different concentration of the methanolic extract and its various fractions (i.e. 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1mg/mL) were applied for 1 hour exposure period. The results were statistically analysed using standard deviation, probit analysis, and linear regression. The R2 values of larvae, pupae, and adult range from 0.4 to 0.99. The values of LC50 (concentration causing 50% mortality) for late 3rd instar larvae after 24 hours exposure period range from 93-1856.7 ppm, while LC90 values range from 424 -7635.5ppm. The values of LC50for pupae range form 1326.7-6818.4ppm and and values of LC90 range from 3667.3-17427.9ppm, respectively. The KDT50 range from 0.30 to 2.8% and KDT90 values range from1.2 to 110.8%, respectively. In conclusion, Justicia adhatoda may be effective for controlling populations of vector mosquito.

Machine Learning and In Vitro Chemical Screening of Potential α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Thai Indigenous Plants

Diabetes mellitus is a major predisposing factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes are the rate-limiting steps for carbohydrate digestion. The inhibition of these two enzymes is clinically used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Here, in vitro study and machine learning models were employed for the chemical screening of inhibiting the activity of 31 plant samples on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The results showed that the ethanolic twig extract of Pinus kesiya had the highest inhibitory activity against the α-amylase enzyme. The respective ethanolic extract of Croton oblongifolius stem, Parinari anamense twig, and Polyalthia evecta leaf showed high inhibitory activity against the α-glucosidase enzyme. The classification analysis revealed that the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Thai indigenous plants was more predictive based on phytochemical constituents, compared with the α-amylase inhibitory activity (1.00 versus 0.97 accuracy score). The correlation loading plot revealed that flavonoids and alkaloids contributed to the α-amylase inhibitory activity, while flavonoids, tannins, and reducing sugars contributed to the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In conclusion, the ethanolic extracts of P. kesiya, C. oblongifolius, P. anamense, and P. evecta have the potential for further chemical characterization and the development of anti-diabetic recipes.

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PUBLIC SPACE TO THE SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS

Landscape is a dynamic system in geography that has a spatial structure created by natural and cultural causes. Landscapes are made up of geophysical, which are formed by physical terrain elements (mountains, hills and water bodies and streams), living elements (indigenous plants), man-made elements (land uses, buildings, and structures), and temporary elements such as lighting and weather conditions. Traditional settlements are one of the key cultural land-uses and landscape assets in terms of history, customs, culture, and architecture. Modernization and continuous development have sometimes radically altered the physical terrain environment over time, obliterating traditional settlements in favor of more modern land uses with public facilities. Will these facilities continue to operate as a social sustainability accelerator for residents living in traditional settlements? This research aims to address the roles of the public infrastructure in determining the social sustainability of the people in two traditional settlements in Kuala Terengganu. A mixed methods strategy was used in this study, which comprised of observation and survey questionnaires. To identify the important components that determine social sustainability, a questionnaire survey was employed that collected data from 400 residents. The major conclusions emphasize three most significant characteristics of public space under the most preferred public infrastructures selected by the residents: They are: (i) adequate amenities; (ii) public spaces that support a variety of activities; and (iii) public spaces that are accessible to the general public. The research implicates that a better socio-cultural and traditional heritage will be generated and preserved as a result of a more organised settlement, underlining the value of culture and history in developing a sense of community and belonging.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Background: Knowledge of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers are mostly confined among the locals and the adherents, hence, proper enquiry and documentation can help the ever dynamic scientific world to find permanent cure to the menace of such deadly diseases such as cancer. This study aimed at (1) specifically recording medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, South Africa, and (2) documenting the different methods of preparation and administration of those medicinal plants as recorded during the study. Method: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 90 willing traditional healers in Hammanskraal and Winterveld area, Tshwane Municipality, South Africa to document plants used for cancer treatments. The study was conducted over a period of six months (July – December, 2018). Descriptive statistics was used to present the obtained data. Results: The study recorded twenty-eight plant species belonging to 18 families for the treatment of different types of cancer. Plant species in the Fabaceae family particularly Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J.C. Manning, Senna italica Mill and Trifolium pratense L. were the most prominently mentioned (highest citation frequency) by the traditional healers for lung, and skin cancer treatment. Based on the citation frequency, the most treated cancer by the traditional healers is in the order: skin cancer > lung cancer > breast cancer > prostate cancer > cervical cancer. The method of preparation included decoction(32.3%), infusion (29%), paste (16.1%) and maceration (22.6%). Conclusion: In addition to the documentation of indigenous knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in the traditional management of cancer in South Africa, this study opens a vista for investigations into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the documented plants. Keywords: Cancer; Indigenous plants; Medicinal plants; South Africa; Traditional practitioners.

Survey and Chemo-physiological Assessment of Biochemical Preservatives and Physicochemical Properties of plants used for preservation of fruits

The rate at which agricultural produce such as fruits are being infected by pests or spoilt as a results of lack of appropriate natural preservatives posed threat to food security and safety in many communities of Ogun State. However, there is need for study that can evaluate natural preservatives and physicochemical properties of some plants. In the present study, survey of indigenous plants commonly used for preservation of fruits was conducted using one hundred structured questionnaires randomly administered on fruit-sellers to elicit information on spoilage as threat affecting sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Also, biochemical constituents and physicochemical properties in the leaves of most plants used for fruits preservation were determined using standard procedure. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Nauclea latifolia, Chromolaena odorata, Psidium guajava, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Aloe vera were the plants commonly used for preservation of fruits in the study area. Fruit spoilage (84.0%) was the major threat affecting the sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Saponin (0.68±0.03 mg/100g) and terpenoid (0.22±0.08 mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in A. indica leaves as well as alkaloid (16.49±0.01 mg/100 g) in M. oleifera leaves. Also, phenol (0.41±0.02 mg/100g) and flavonoid (0.71±0.09mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C. odorata and A. vera leaves. Phytate (0.35±0.01 mg/100 g) and oxalate (0.32±0.03 mg/100 g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the leaves of C. odorata. Furthermore, specific gravity of M. oleifera leaves (0.98±0.05) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with leaves of other plants. Iodine value (81.65±0.03 mg/100 g) and acid value (22.72±0.07) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Aloe vera leaves. The study revealed that spoilage was the major challenge facing the sales of fruits in Abeokuta. Also, leaves of the plants contained high proportions of natural preservatives and physicochemical properties. Spoilage was the major challenge facing the sales of fruits, however, leaves of the plants contained high amount of preservative and physicochemical parameters that could be adopted for preservation of fruits.

Chapman: To be or not to be

<p>Declining core business in the conventional beverage categories of beer and carbonated sodas has compelled companies to turn to innovation to grow their sales and profitability. The research focus of this project was to determine, through adjacent category innovation whether my new branded premium craft carbonated soda product range was a consumer relevant innovation, scalable and therefore able to sustainably enhance market growth and profitability for my project partner, DB Breweries. A mixed methods research approach using qualitative and quantitative surveys revealed strong consumer preferences for the product to be authentic, artisanal, premium, health focussed and particularly targeted to females, older consumers and as an alternative to alcohol. These findings represented market opportunities, however, the clear-cut preference for a homespun, handcrafted, local and small batched produced product as opposed to mass machine manufactured, was an unexpected finding with significant implications for the project. This core finding created a tension between the preference for authenticity and the original concept of leveraging my project partner’s scale machine based manufacturing capacity. These findings and my advisory board’s guidance reshaped the business model canvas, proposing a joint venture between Chapman (my company) and my project partner, which as an established beverage company would bring know-how and distribution with my company being the entrepreneurial, authentic, artisanal, small batch producer. The reshaped strategy and business model shifted the adjacent category innovation from a product to a geographical perspective, with export potential to China and possibly the Muslim market. The online sales channel in China has significant export appeal with its deep retail market penetration and rapid growth, but very low current penetration in the beverage category which is forecast for significant growth. Successful export entry into China would establish a potential platform to enter segments of the global Muslim market, a commercially attractive market for premium non-alcoholic beverages. A deeper understanding of the rapidly growing negative consumer perception of artificial sweeteners led to a further innovative opportunity emerging from this project. As a consequence of this intersectional thinking a sub-project to develop a New Zealand natural sweetener based on indigenous plants, fruits or trees commenced. This research project has revealed the new branded premium carbonated soda product range to be a consumer relevant innovation, scalable but not as a straight forward product adjacent category innovation and with export success has the potential to significantly enhance market growth and profitability for DB Breweries. This project is now on a trajectory to be commercialised.</p>

Chapman: To be or not to be

<p>Declining core business in the conventional beverage categories of beer and carbonated sodas has compelled companies to turn to innovation to grow their sales and profitability. The research focus of this project was to determine, through adjacent category innovation whether my new branded premium craft carbonated soda product range was a consumer relevant innovation, scalable and therefore able to sustainably enhance market growth and profitability for my project partner, DB Breweries. A mixed methods research approach using qualitative and quantitative surveys revealed strong consumer preferences for the product to be authentic, artisanal, premium, health focussed and particularly targeted to females, older consumers and as an alternative to alcohol. These findings represented market opportunities, however, the clear-cut preference for a homespun, handcrafted, local and small batched produced product as opposed to mass machine manufactured, was an unexpected finding with significant implications for the project. This core finding created a tension between the preference for authenticity and the original concept of leveraging my project partner’s scale machine based manufacturing capacity. These findings and my advisory board’s guidance reshaped the business model canvas, proposing a joint venture between Chapman (my company) and my project partner, which as an established beverage company would bring know-how and distribution with my company being the entrepreneurial, authentic, artisanal, small batch producer. The reshaped strategy and business model shifted the adjacent category innovation from a product to a geographical perspective, with export potential to China and possibly the Muslim market. The online sales channel in China has significant export appeal with its deep retail market penetration and rapid growth, but very low current penetration in the beverage category which is forecast for significant growth. Successful export entry into China would establish a potential platform to enter segments of the global Muslim market, a commercially attractive market for premium non-alcoholic beverages. A deeper understanding of the rapidly growing negative consumer perception of artificial sweeteners led to a further innovative opportunity emerging from this project. As a consequence of this intersectional thinking a sub-project to develop a New Zealand natural sweetener based on indigenous plants, fruits or trees commenced. This research project has revealed the new branded premium carbonated soda product range to be a consumer relevant innovation, scalable but not as a straight forward product adjacent category innovation and with export success has the potential to significantly enhance market growth and profitability for DB Breweries. This project is now on a trajectory to be commercialised.</p>

A Study of the Plant Folk Nomenclature of the Yi People in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, China, and the Implications for Protecting Biodiversity

BackgroundFolk plant nomenclature is a part of knowledge of indigenous people often used to distinguish plant species. This study aimed to document the folk botanical nomenclature of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, north-west Yunnan Province, which has not been systematically investigated to date. The results of this study will assist in conserving biodiversity and the language of the Yi people and will promote the transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge. MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, was conducted from September 2019 to August 2021. Semi-structured Interviews and Key Informant Interviews were conducted to collect and document ethnobotanical information, which was then used to analyse the folk botanical nomenclature of the Yi people. In addition, the folk names of plants used by the Xiaoliangshan Yi community were compared with those of the Yi people living in the Daliangshan, where the environment is considerably different.ResultsIn this study, 266 informants were interviewed, and the names of 228 indigenous plants were extracted from 3088 use reports. The nomenclature used by the local Yi people is based on plant characteristics, plant habitat, plant-use, and the local culture. The folk names and the plant species have three types of correspondence. Moreover, some plant names are related to animals or Chinese loanwords. The comparison between the folk botanical names used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan and those used by the Yi people in the Daliangshan shows that 55 names are identical and the Yi people in both locations use 41 identical plants.ConclusionsThere are certain similarities and differences between the folk nomenclature of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan and those in the Daliangshan. The findings are an example of how language evolves when people from the same ethnic group live in different geographical environments for extensive periods. In addition, the numerous Chinese loanwords in the folk botanical names of the Yi people in both locations indicate that a loss of traditional knowledge may be one of the greatest challenges to preserving the cultural heritage of the Yi people and to the conservation of biodiversity.