South Asian Journal of Experimental Biology

Isolation, characterization and bioremediation efficiency of some bacterial strains from Aurangabad, India with reference to heavy-metal polluted water in a lab-scale microcosm

Tejal Joshi — 2025-07-03

Inherent heavy metal presence in soil is exacerbated by geological and anthropogenic activities, posing threats to both plant and animal life. This study isolates 11 bacteria from Naregaon garbage and Yash Raj Engineering soil samples, with 6 strains demonstrating adept hydrolysis of various metal ions (Cu, Co, Mn & Cr) for growth. The most efficient bacterial isolate in degrading heavy metals was identified as Achromobacter sp. HM6 through 16S rRNA sequencing and remaining isolates were identified as Kocuria pelophila, Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolius, Liquorilactobacillus mali, Burkholderia cepacia, Bacillus megaterium as per Bergey's Manual and ABIS software. In laboratory-scale experiments, these isolates demonstrated substantial remediation of heavy metal-polluted water (78% Lead, 82% Cobalt, 90% Chromium, and 92% Copper) within 15-20 days. Optimal conditions determined through Plackett-Burman design (pH 6.9, Temp 40.5℃, and sub 0.06%) yielded a 96% bioremediation efficiency within 4.5 days. Furthermore, landfilling bioremediation reduced the toxicity of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn & Cu) in polluted soil by 80-90%, and land farming bioremediation significantly enhanced overall plant growth compared to control conditions. These findings highlight the capability of the isolated bacteria to eco-friendly and cost-effectively mitigate the toxicity of heavy metals in polluted soils and water, offering a sustainable solution for environmental remediation.

Potential effects of glyphosate on specific gut enzymes in Eudrilus eugeniae, an epigeic earthworm

Lekshmi Priya R — 2025-07-03

The flora and fauna of the soil ecosystem are negatively impacted by the frequent use of chemical pesticides in agricultural fields. Earthworms immensely contribute to increasing the fertility of soil. They may act as a bioindicator for the ecotoxicological analysis of pesticide-induced soil pollution. From this perspective, earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae were exposed to different concentrations of glyphosate for 96h by soil toxicity method. The LC50 of glyphopsate was determined by probit analysis. E. eugeniae were exposed to three sub-lethal doses,1600,1700 and 1800μl/kg, and their effect on gut enzyme activities were analyzed. Various biochemical estimations such as specific activity of protease, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, cellulase and amylase, were carried out in the gut of E. eugeniae. The result showed that there was a significant decrease in the activities of amylase and protease, while there was a substantial increase in the activities of cellulase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Such changes indicate potential health risks to E. eugeniae if exposed to the high concentrations of glyphosate accumulated in soil.

Potential of Vermicompost for Improvement of Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture

Ruby Yadav — 2025-07-03

The ultimate goal of numerous agricultural researchers is to develop more sustainable and less dangerous commodities for farming applications. Due to the increasing population, persistent monoculture practices, and the indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers, the long-term management and quality of resources require heightened attention. Vermicomposting is more efficient and feasible than other bio-waste composting processes, and it can facilitate the transition from degraded land to highly rich soil. It is a bio-oxidative composting technique that employs earthworms to degrade organic materials into compost under regulated circumstances. The application of vermicompost has demonstrated remarkable results in horticultural crops, supported by numerous reports and guidelines. In this communication we have enlightened the opportunity and scope of application of vermicomposting for the betterment of soil as well as for the improvement of sustainable agriculture.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Jackfruit Seed Extracts Against Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in Fish Liver Cells: A Comparative Study

ARYA RAJ R. S — 2025-07-03

Fish are a vital source of protein and nutrients, but their health is threatened by oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of different extracts of Jackfruit seed parts viz. Jackfruit seed slimy sheath powder (JSS), Jackfruit seed slimy sheath- pectin (SSP), Jackfruit seed brown tegmen powder (JST), and the fleshy white jackfruit seed extract (jackfruit seed without any protective coat) (JSE) on ferrous sulphate-induced lipid peroxidation in Anabas testudineus hepatocytes. Using an in vitro model, fish hepatocytes were treated with varying concentrations of extracts and incubated for 30 and 60 minutes. The results showed that these extracts exhibited protective effect against oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation products (MDA and CD) and modulating antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT). The order of protective activity was JSE > SSP > JSS > JST, with effects being temporal and concentration-dependent response. SSP and JSE exhibit maximum hepatoprotective activity against FeSO4-induced toxicity compared to the other extracts used in the study.

Green Mordant Fixatives for Natural Dye Application on Fabrics

Bhuvaneswari Manoharan — 2025-07-03

Natural dyes are derived from plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and seeds. Either it can be produced as powder format or extract of the specific parts can be utilized. One of the major causes in the current scenario is synthetic dye effluent production, which can be alternatively changed by using plant extracts as natural dye and fixative agents called natural mordants. Three different plant sources selected for natural colourant extraction such as curcumin pigment from rhizome of Curcuma longa L., anthocyanin pigment from petals of Caesalphinia pulcherrima Sw. and Clitoria ternatea L. were extracted by adding the juice of Citrus limonum L. used as a citric acid natural solvent, citric acid crystals and water were used as solvent to extract dyes and seeds of Terminalia chebula used as natural mordant. The cotton fabric was dipped in fixative plant extracts, dried after some time and it is immersed in plant extracts of natural dye. Then, the fabric was examined under washing fastness and light fastness tests of the different natural dyes with Terminalia chebula seeds powder mordant application, which showed better results in the dye Curcuma longa L. The current study emphasises eco-friendliness and economic usefulness to the textile industries.