The influence of different light spectra on physiological responses, antioxidant capacity and chemical compositions in two holy basil cultivars

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an artificial light source used in indoor cultivation to influence plant growth, photosynthesis performance and secondary metabolite synthesis. Holy basil plants (Ocimum tenuiflorum) were cultivated under fully controlled environmental conditions with different red (R) and blue (B) light intensity ratios (3R:1B, 1R:1B and 1R:3B), along with combined green (G) LED (2R:1G:2B). The photosynthetic activities of both cultivars were maximal under 3R:1B. However, the highest fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weight values of green holy basil were recorded under 3R:1B and 2R:1G:2B, significantly higher than those under alternative light conditions. For red holy basil, the highest FW and DW were recorded under 1R:3B. Moreover, 2R:1G:2B treatment promoted pigment (chlorophyll and carotenoid) accumulation in green holy basil, while red holy basil was found to be rich in both pigments under 3R:1B. Antioxidant capacity was also influenced by light spectrum, resulting in greater total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH accumulation in both cultivars under 1R:3B. The highest content of flavonoid in green holy basil was detected under 1R:1B; meanwhile, 1R:3B treatment significantly promoted flavonoid content in red holy basil. In addition, anthocyanin content increased in red holy basil under 1R:3B conditions. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) analysis of chemical composition showed higher proportional accumulation in Methyleugenol and Caryophyllene of two cultivars grown under all light spectrum ratios at two developmental stages. Overall, specific light spectrum ratios induced different chemical composition responses in each cultivar and at each developmental stage. These results suggest that 3R:1B was favorable for biomass accumulation and photosynthetic responses in green holy basil, while 1R:3B provided antioxidant accumulation. For red holy basil cultivation, 1R:3B provided optimal growing conditions, promoting improvements in plant biomass, and physiological and antioxidant capacities.

A Review on Adaptation Practices of Affected People with Riverine Floods in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a riverine country. Every year flood devastated Bangladesh. Therefore, response and adaptation strategies of flood affected people are important for planning future mitigation action. Present study focuses to review on adaptation practices of affected people with riverine floods in Bangladesh to reduce vulnerability of awaited flood. Consequently, they adopt several adaptation techniques by their life long experience. The major adaptation practiced of the people are raise homesteads using ‘dig-elevate-dwell’ principle of settlement, cultivate flood tolerant paddy (e.g. bona aman), cultivate vegetables in floating bed, tube well have been placed on an elevated base or raised with an additional pipe, and cementing the base of tube well. People also use their indigenous knowledge to cure diseases during flood. Hence, holy basil, and basak (Adhatoda Vasica) are used to treat colds and fevers. On the contrary, durba grass, gando badal (Gaultheria Fragrantissima), garden mint, and Indian pennywort are used for diarrhea and dysentery. Basically, people’s indigenous adaptation techniques have helped them to reduce damages of property and lives as well. Therefore, various types of adaptation should incorporate at the local level plan and implement by the concerned authority.

Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum Linn.): AN AYURVEDIC AND CONTEMPORARY REVIEW

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn. Family - Lamiaceae) has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits. It is a me- dicinal herb used in the indigenous system of medicine. Tulsi has been adored in almost all ancient ayurvedic texts for its extraordinary medicinal properties. It is pungent –bitter(tikta) in taste and hot (Ushna), light(laghu) and dry(ruksa) in effect. Its seeds are considered to be cold in effect. The roots, leaves and seeds of Tulsi possess several medicinal properties. Ayurvedic texts categorise Tulsi as a stimulant, aromatic and antipyretic. In the pre- sent review, the reported scientific activity of Tulsi is compiled and collected from different compendia and avail- able literature presented systematically. In the present review, the references related to Tulsi are collected and compiled from different Ayurvedic texts, Modern research articles and other relevant compendia. This review is presented in a systematic manner which will help the researchers as well as clinicians dealing with Tulsi to know its proper usage as this herb is seemed to be highly valuable, possessing many pharmacological/medicinal proper- ties according to Ayurveda as well as modern aspects. Keywords: Ayurveda, Drug Research, Holy basil, Immunity, Tulsi

Comparitive Study of Formulated Herbal Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks with Market Product

The mosquito repellent formulations that are available on the market are causing irritations like coughing, sneezing, allergic reactions and respiratory disorders to human.The mosquito repellents available in the market are in various forms like colis,mats,sprays and fast cards. So the present study was carried out to formulate mosquito repellent incense sticks using herbals like Vitex negundo, Neem, Holy basil, and Garlic. The poly herbal mosquito repellent formulation are made by hand rolling method.The solid formulation containing binders and additives are rolled in the form of incense sticks and dried for 24 hrs. After drying its evaluated and compared with the market formulation. The prepared herbal mosquito incense sticks are potent, safe with more duration of time and less cost.

Larvicidal activity of granulated pharmaceutical products using Indonesian holy basil leaf extract

<em>Ocimum sanctum</em> Linn, known as holy basil, is a larvicide, which is relatively safe compared to synthetic insecticides. This study investigates the larvicidal activity of a granule formulation of Indonesian holy basil leaf extract against third larval instar of <em>Aedes aegypti</em>. The extract of holy basil leaves was obtained by a maceration process with 96% ethanol. The granule was formulated with various concentrations of holy basil leaf extract, including F1 (2000 ppm), F2 (4000 ppm), and F3 (6000 ppm). The extract contained terpenoid, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, and polyphenol compounds. The extract granules had a moisture content of 3.01%, flowability of 1.51 seconds, and dispersion time of 1.09 seconds. The mortality rates of mosquitos treated with the different formulation groups were significantly different from positive control with values of 25.33% (F1), 50.67% (F2), and 90.67% (F3). In conclusion, the granulated formulation of holy basil leaf extract has a larvicidal LC₅₀ of 4405.803 ppm and LC₉₀ of 6080.714 ppm. Therefore, a granulated pharmaceutical product derived from holy basil leaf extract could be developed as a potent larvicide to control dengue fever.