A study on the nutritional characteristics of some plants and their effects on ruminal microbial fermentation and protozoa population

We designed this project to determine the nutritional potential and ruminal microbial fermentation properties of eight rangeland plants (Dracocephalum moldavica L., Melissa officinalis L., Ruta graveolens L., Perovskia abrotanoides Kar., Cichorium intybus L., Borago officinalis L., Peganum harmala L., and Teucrium polium L.) collected from the semi-arid region of Iran at two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) for ruminant diets. Medicago sativa as a common forage was also considered as control. We determined the chemical-mineral composition, buffering capacity, in vitro gas yield, ruminal fermentation, and protozoa population in a culture medium with the standard laboratory methods. A significant difference in chemical-mineral compounds was observed among the studied plants (p < 0.05). A lower crude protein range (6.28% for Cichorium intybus L. to 18.4% for Melissa officinalis L.) was observed rather than Medicago sativa (20.3%). The amount of calcium was highest in Peganum harmala L. (23.5–24.2 g/kg DM) and lowest in Ruta graveolens L. (1.15–1.25 g/kg DM). Dracocephalum moldavica L. exhibited the highest acid–base buffering capacity (235–242 mEq×10−3) among other plants. The highest decrease in total protozoa and other protozoan populations was observed when Perovskia abrotanoides Kar. was added to the culture medium. Teucrium Polium L. had the greatest potential gas yield and its total volatile fatty acid was comparable with Medicago sativa. It seems that eight plants are nutritionally suitable for partial replacement of the conventional plants such as Medicago sativa in diets of small ruminants, however dietary supplementation of Peganum harmala L. due to its alkaloids content should be done with caution.

Sustainable, Proficient Fodder Influenced By Bio Diversity in Mineral Composition of Shrub Leaves of Quetta District

The vegetation of Balochistan is of critical value to the quality of life for the local nomadic people. Many important dominant species used for animal grazing were selected to evaluate their value as fodder during 2016-2017. These plants including Amylgdalus brahuica Boiss, Prunus eburnea Aitch, Caragana ambigua Stocks, Sophora mollis Royle, Perovskia abrotanoides Karel, and Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt, (as because Sophora mollis were not found in Zarghoon] were collected seasonally from Hazarganji, Karkhasa and Zarghoon area of Quetta district. These were analyzed for macro and micro elemental composition such as P, Ca, Na, K, S, Fe, Zn, Sr, Al and Mn by using atomic absorption, flame photometer and X-ray florescence spectrophotometer. The elemental concentrations were compared with standard feed table of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council. P. eburnea and B. baluchistanica showed good amount of nutrients in their foliage, these two plants were palatable and preferred by the small ruminants, while A. brahuica and C. ambigua showed medium amounts of minerals and fulfill the requirements of the animal as fodder. The animals did not prefer to eat P. abrotanoides may due to its strong smell while S. mollishad deposition of cutin and suberin on their leaves. It was observed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05] in the concentration of different elements of the forage due to seasonal changes.

Green and Simple Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Aqueous Extract of Perovskia abrotanoides: Characterization, Optimization and Antimicrobial Activity

Background: Herein, we report the biosynthesis procedure to prepare silver nanoparticles as reduction and capping agents with the aqueous plant extract of Perovskia abrotanoides. Methods: The therapeutic application of silver nanoparticles entirely depends on the size and shape of the nanoparticles therefore, their control during the synthesis procedure is so important. The effects of synthesis factors, for example, silver ion concentration, the mass of plant extract, reaction time and extraction temperature, on the size of silver particles were considered and optimized. Several analytical methods were used for the characterization of silver NPs including FT-IR and UV–Vis spectrophotometer, XRD and SEM. Results: The results showed that the mean size of the silver particles was about 51 nm. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of biosynthesized silver NPs were investigated by the minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and Well-diffusion tests. The minimum inhibitory concentration/ minimum bactericidal concentration values of silver NPs and aqueous plant extract versus Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) were 3.03/0.00, 1.20/0.01, 3.06/0.00, 0.98/1.04, 1.00/0.05 and 1.30/0.03 (mg/mL), respectively. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity study displayed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles by plant extract have better antimicrobial properties compared to aqueous plant extract of Perovskia abrotanoides.

Protective Ability of Perovskia abrotanoides Karel Root Extract on the Aggregation of Protein In Vitro

Background: Protein misfolding can lead to aggregation and these protein aggregates are a fundamental cause of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Prion disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In recent years, a wide variety of natural compounds have been investigated as protein aggregation inhibitors. Many investigations have reported the therapeutic effects of botanicals constituents and their derivatives in neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: In this study, we examined the effect of Perovskia abrotanoides Karel (P. abrotanoides) root extract on the 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT)-induced aggregation of proteins. Methods: The anti-aggregation ability of P. abrotanoides root extract was studied using visible absorption spectroscopy (light scattering), fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Results: The protective effect of P. abrotanoides root extract was varied in the three different-sized proteins (insulin, α-lactalbumin, and ovotransferrin). Conclusion: The results showed that P. abrotanoides root extract was able to inhibit protein aggregations in a concentration-dependent manner due to the interaction of P. abrotanoides root extract with hydrophobic area of proteins.