BioScientific Review

Antibacterial Effects of Some Common Spices against the Growth of Staphylococcus aureus Under Laboratory Conditions

2021-05-03T04:45:24+00:00

Large variety of botanical extracts are being used for remedial purposes as they are inexpensive, safe and effective. The present study was designed to assess the antimicrobial effects of different spices; black pepper (Piper nigrum), fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), carom (Trachyspermum ammi), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) against Staphylococcus aureus. The effectiveness of different spices against S. aureus was evaluated using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method. It was found by statistical analysis regression method that C. verum possessed significantly higher (p < 0.00) antimicrobial effects followed by C. longa (p = 0.005) against Staphylococcus aureus, while F. vulgare (p = 0.90) and T. ammi (p = 0.78) had non- significant effect against S. aureus. Furthermore, P. nigrum (p = N.A) had no effects against the bacteria. The purpose of this research is to ascertain the antibacterial action of easily cultivated spices against Staphylococcus aureus and will be helpful to treat gastrointestinal infections using common spices instead of antibiotics

The Health Assessment of Vultures (Gyps bengalnesis) From Changa Manga, Lahore: A case Study

2021-05-04T03:48:23+00:00

Vultures are considered as an important indicator of a healthy environment, and they play a vital ecological role as scavengers. The present study was designed to estimate the health of critically endangered Gyps bengalensis in Changa Manga, Lahore, using a technique that does not require drawing blood. Fecal matter of seven pairs were examined and analyzed for protozoan or helminth infections. Gross examination involved checking consistency and color of feces, presence of blood in feces and gross parasites. Obtained samples had different colors and consistency but no blood was found in them. Pair 1 was infested with oocytes, but in pairs 5 and 6 only males were infested, while the female was infested in pair 7. Pair 2, 3, and 4 was completely healthy. Gram staining was also performed to assess the presence or absence of bacteria culture in digestive tracks of Gyps bengalensis. All pairs were infected with either gram positive or negative except Pair 5 which was negative for all gram staining. The present work introduced a technique to assess the health of vultures without drawing blood samples, a process that causes disturbances to their life cycle.

Kanamycin in Cereal Biotechnology: A Screening or a Selectable Marker?

2021-05-07T18:11:52+00:00

Kanamycin is a widely used selection agent in dicot-plant genetic transformation systems. In monocots, however, it does not seem to be effective as it has no or minimal effect on the normal growth of non-transformed plants. Kanamycin was previously demonstrated to bleach the pigments of the non-transgenic plants. This may yield the idea that kanamycin can be used as an effective screening marker rather than a selectable marker in monocots.