GC-MS ANALYSIS PROFILE AND BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF FLOWERS OF Bergenia ciliata, A WEED OF ROCK CREVICES

Bergenia ciliata is a weed of hilly areas of Pakistan that generally grows in rock crevices. In the present study, flowers of this weeds were collected from Murree. The dried flowers were extracted in methanol and subjected to GC-MS analysis that showed 7 compounds in it. The predominant compound was hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (48.88%) followed by γ-sitosterol (22.56%). Moderately occurring compound was cyclohexane, 1,3,5-triphenyl- (12.87%). The remaining compounds namely n-hexadecanoic acid (4.97%), pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl-, methyl ester (3.77%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z)- (2.94%) and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- (2.92%) were categorized as less abundant compounds. Literature survey indicated that these compounds possess antimicrobial, larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and/or antidiabetic properties.

Trichoderma spp. from Pine Bark and Pine Bark Extracts: Potent Biocontrol Agents against Botryosphaeriaceae

Pinus sylvestris bark represents a rich source of active compounds with antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the antifungal potential of P. sylvestris bark against Botryosphaeria dothidea, Dothiorella sarmentorum, and Neofusicoccum parvum (Botryosphaeriaceae) through its chemical (water extracts) and biological (Trichoderma spp. isolated from the bark) components. The water bark extracts were prepared at two temperatures (80 and 120 °C) and pH regimes (7 and 9). The presence of bark extracts (30%) caused inhibition of mycelial growth of B. dothidea and D. sarmentorum for 39 to 44% and 53 to 60%, respectively. Moreover, we studied the antagonistic effect of three Trichoderma isolates originating from the pine bark. Trichoderma spp. reduced growth of B. dothidea by 67%–85%, D. sarmentorum by 63%–75% and N. parvum by 55%–62%. Microscopic examination confirmed typical mycoparasitism manifestations (coiling, parallel growth, hook-like structures). The isolates produced cellulase, β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. The volatile blend detected the emission of several volatile compounds with antimicrobial activity, including nonanoic acid, cubenene, cis-α-bergamotene, hexanedioic acid, and verticillol. The present study confirmed in vitro potential of P. sylvestris bark extracts and Trichoderma spp. against the Botryosphaeriaceae. The study is an important step towards the use of environmentally friendly methods of Botryosphaeriaceae disease control.

Second harmonic generation, optical, thermal, piezoelectric and mechanical properties of adipic acid-doped ADP crystals

Single crystals of pure and 2[Formula: see text]mol.% adipic acid (hexanedioic acid) -doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) were grown by conventional slow evaporation of aqueous solution technique. The powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR analyses indicate that the crystals undergo considerable stress as a result of doping. UV–Vis studies show that the absorption of the adipic acid-doped crystals is less than that of pure ADP. Thermal studies (TG/DTG) disclose that the decomposition temperature of doped ADP is more than that of pure ADP. Vicker’s microhardness study reveals that the addition of adipic acid increases the hardness of the ADP. SHG efficiency and piezoelectric charge coefficient of adipic acid-doped ADP are higher than that of pure ADP.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Plant Extracts on Pathogenic Fungi of Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.)

Three pathogenic fungi of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) responsible for dieback disease, identified as Pestalotiopsis clavispora, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, were isolated in the northwestern region of the state of Michoacán, Mexico. The mycelial growth in vitro of these fungi was inhibited by extracts from Lantana hirta, Argemone ochroleuca and Adenophyllum porophyllum, medicinal plants collected in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. The extracts showed different degrees of inhibition; the most effective were: M5L extract from L. hirta and M6LFr extract from A. ochroleuca, both of which inhibited 100% of the mycelial growth of P. clavispora and C. gloeosporioides; and M4LS extract from A. porophyllum, which inhibited 100% of the mycelial growth of the three pathogens. The extracts were fractionated by thin layer and column chromatography, and the most active fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major compounds identified in L. hirta extract were Phytol and α-Sitosterol. The compounds identified in A. ochroleuca were Toluene and Benzene, 1,3-bis(3-phenoxyphenoxy)-. In A. porophyllum, the compound identified was Hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester. These results show the potential of L. hirta, A. ochroleuca and A. porophyllum as a source of antifungal compounds.

Novel Insecticides from Alkylated and Acylated Derivatives of Thymol and Eugenol for the Control of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Plutella xylostella cause considerable harm to the production of broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cabbage and cauliflower. The control of P. xylostella is mainly performed using commercial insecticides, which have even led to the emergence of resistant populations. Two easily available natural products found in different plants essential oil, thymol and eugenol, stand up as possible novel agents to control this pest. In this work a series of alkylated and acylated derivatives of eugenol and thymol were synthesized and screened for antifeedant, larvicidal and ovicidal activities against P. xylostella. The results of biological activities assays suggest that the novel 1,1’-[1,8-octanediylbis(oxy)]-bis(4-allyl-2-methoxy-benzene) (5) was the most toxic in the larvicidal test. Compounds 1-butoxy-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-benzene (8) and hexanedioic acid 1,6-bis(2-isopropyl-5-methyl-phenyl)-ester (10) were the most toxic in the ovicidal assay. The compound 8 presented the most antifeedant activity. Most of the compounds obtained were more active than commercially available insecticidal deltamethrin and azadirachtin.

Hexanedioic acid mediated in situ functionalization of interconnected graphitic 3D carbon nanofibers as Pt support for trifunctional electrocatalysts

A unique approach of in situ functionalization has resulted in the uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on the surface of hexanedioic acid modified electrospun 3D carbon nanofibers (ACNFs).

Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Potentials of Axis Sea Bamboo (Isis hippuris)

Secondary metabolites of the axis section (modulla skeleton) of sea bamboo (Isis hippuris) were identified by GC-MS. The dominant compounds using GC-MS in the ethanol fraction were hexanedioic acid (11.85%), acetamide (9.46%), n-hexadecanoic acid (9.22%) and thiosulfuric acid (7.22%). On the other side, the dominant compounds of the test results in the ethyl acetate fraction were 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0] heptanes (28.27%), 1,2- benzene dicarboxylic acid (14.77%), cis-8-(N-pyrrolidyl)-(2,2,5,5-tetradeutero)bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene (9.98%), hexahydropyridine (7,86%). The dominant compounds of the n-hexane fraction were hexanedioic acid (41.99%), azetidine with a peak number of 40 (9.98%), 1-octadecene (8,36%). Antioxidant activities were also evaluated by DPPH scavenging assay. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions showed total flavonoid contents of 7.86% ± 0.12, 12.97% ± 0.36, 1.88% ± 0.26, respectively and the IC50 in the antioxidant assay were 480.25±74,74, 469.50±19,13, 3221.07±138,69 respectively. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 18(1): 13-20, 2019 (June)