Y Thangam

The focus of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity, growth and survival responses of earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae, exposed to textile dye effluent. The textile dye effluent samples were collected from Erode, Tamil Nadu (India) and analysed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metal content. The effluent samples were used in subsequent toxicity and biochemical tests on E. eugeniae. Garden soil was used in comprehensive study on the behaviour of E. eugeniae. The natural soil test method was used to expose the epigeic earthworm species E. eugeniae to varying concentrations (5 to 25 mL kg-1) of textile effluent for 7 and 14 days. The results revealed that the LC50 values of textile effluent were 26.55 and 6.586 mL kg-1 after 7 and 14 days, respectively. The lethal effects of textile effluent were assessed by exposing earthworms to 5 concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mL kg-1) of LC50 of textile effluent for 28 days to record fecundity and growth rates. Maximum growth of earthworms was observed in control group (10.12 cm length and 6.04 g weight) while effluent-treated earthworms showed reduced growth with increased effluent concentration affecting the growth more severely. A lower number of cocoons and young ones (31.4 cocoons and 107.4 young ones) were observed in high concentration (25 mL kg-1) of textile effluent in comparison to the control group (65.6 cocoons and 306.4 young ones). The study revealed that textile effluents cause potential health risk to E. eugeniae if exposed to high concentrations.

Sulphonic acid groups have been grafted onto the surface of Vulcan XC-72 carbon of the Pt/Vulcan XC-72 catalyst to improve platinum utilization in methanol electrooxidation studies. The sulphonic acid modification has been carried out by reacting the Pt/Vulcan XC-72 catalyst with formaldehyde and sodium sulfite. The resultant sulphonated catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. FT-IR spectra confirm the incorporation of the sulphonic acid group on the carbon black support of the catalyst. XRD shows better dispersion of the Pt nanoparticles upon sulphonic acid modification. The electrochemical measurement using cyclic voltammetry shows enhanced activity for methanol electrooxidation for the sulphonic acid modified catalyst as compared to the unmodified one.

Soil samples from barren and cultivated lands were collected from Thamaraikulam, Tamilnadu, and analyzed for various soil parameters for a period of twelve months in order to understand the effect of cultivation on soil properties. The values of pH, soil moisture content and ammonium-nitrogen were optimum for barren land providing suitable condition for better yield of crops. The values of correlation coefficient for all possible correlations among soil parameters were computed (range of r = -0.917 to 0.988). Highly significant correlation between various parameters like salinity and pH, calcium and soil moisture content for barren land, salinity and pH, calcium and salinity for cultivated land were reported. The correlations provide an excellent tool for the prediction of parameter values. It was determined that the long-term continuous cultivation has changed the characteristics of the soil.

The present study was to evaluate nitrite toxicity in fish hormone T4 and T3 during long term exposure of sublethal concentration of sodium nitrite (NaNo2). The effect of nitrite on thyroid hormones, Thyroxine(T4) and Triiodothyronine(T3), were evaluated from 7,14, 21, 28 and 35 days in Indian freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala to a sublethal concentration of nitrite (28.31)ppm for different periods. Exposure of fish to nitrite showed a significant decrease in Thyroxine(T4) hormone. Plasma T4 level was found to be decreased at the end of the 7 day showing a percent decrease of 14.38. After 7 day, significant increase in Plasma T4 observed showing a percent increase of 14.56, 47.02, 52.27 and 64.28 at the end of 14,21, 28, 35 days. Where as plasma triiodothyronine(T3) level was increased throughout the exposure period showing percent increase of 20.00, 25.00, 33.33, 47.05 and 75.00 at the end of 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days.

Photogenerating efficiency of two naphthoquinones, 2-methyl-7-methoxy-3-chloromethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ1) and 7-methoxy-2,3-bis-(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ2) is evaluated. Using N,N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO) bleaching assay and electron magnetic resonance (EMR) study, the singlet oxygen generating efficiencies of the quinone are determined relative to rose Bengal (RB). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitable cytochrome c reduction assay is   used to determine the superoxide anion radical (O 2−• ) yield upon photoirradiation. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate a correlation between O 2−• generation efficiency and redox potential of quinones. In addition, antimicrobial activity of these quinones is also investigated. Photoinduced DNA scission studies show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the DNA strand break. Key words: Quinones, singlet oxygen, spin trapping, superoxide anion, DNA cleavage.

... I would like to thank Miss. Monica Anita, Dr. Mrs. Anusha Bhaskar, teaching staff, Bishop Heber college for their guidance and support. I would like to thank my parents and sister for their loving and caring support during my stay at Mysore. ...

The effects of nitrite toxicity in freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala is mainly focused on acute and sublethal toxicity. During acute toxicity, poisoning, impaired oxygen carrying capacity of blood together with other physiological changes (disruption of ion regulatory, cardiovascular, and excretory processes) leads to death of fish. The fish showed various behavioural changes such as restlessness, abnormal swimming, behaviour, loss of balance, copious secretion of mucous and spreading of excess mucous all over the body surface, hyper excitability, loss of scales, floating upside down with abdomen directed towards, rapid opercular movement, gulping of air, asphyxiation and finally jerky movement before the death. Long-term exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of nitrite have considerable influence on fish health and physiological functions, namely a reduction of assimilation efficiency and subsequent decrease and suppression of growth, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values and...

The Nanotechnology industry is growing rapidly, leading to concerns about the potential ecological consequences of the release of nonmaterial to the environment. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used in commercial products such as sunscreens and toothpastes, industrial products like paints, lacquers and paper, and in photocatalytic processes such as water treatment. Also, TiO2 NPs are indirectly discharged in agricultural soils through irrigation or sewage-sludge application and directly as nanofertilizers or nanopesticides. Soil microorganisms are key contributors to nutrient cycling and are essential for the maintenance of healthy soils and sustainable agriculture. Although the antimicrobial effects of a broad range of nanoparticulate substances have been characterised in vitro, little is known about the impact of these compounds on microbial communities in environments such as soil. This study focused on the acute effects of TiO2 NPs on soil microbial communit...

Ammonia is widespread in the environment due to agricultural runoff, industrial runoff and decomposition of biological waste. Ammonia is a major toxicant to fishes and other aquatic life. It enters natural water system from several sources including industrial waste, sewage effluents, coal gasification and liquefaction conversion process plants and agricultural discharges including feed lot runoff. It is a metabolic waste product to fishes. Ammonia is toxic to all vertebrates causing convulsions, coma and death, probably because elevated NH displaces K and depolarizes neuron which leads to Ca and subsequent cell death in the central nervous system (Randall DJ, Tsui TK, 2002). The term ammonia refers to two chemical species which are in equilibrium in water, NH3, ionized form and NH 4+

Mosquito vectors are spread deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and lymphatic filariasis now a day nanotechnology used for eco-friendly approach to control of mosquitoes and platforms in the area microbial biology have attracted remarkable attention. This research proposed a novel method of biosynthesis silver nanoparticles using seaweed, Turbinaria ornata. Nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDX and XRD. In laboratory assays, the T. ornata-synthesized silver nanoparticles against A. stephensi the LC50 values ranging from 9.150 ppm (I) to 24.977 ppm (pupae); LC50 values for Cx. quinquefasciatus ranging from 11.963 ppm (I) to 27.643 ppm (pupae) and LC50 values for A. aegypi ranging from 10.214 ppm (I) to 23.630 ppm (pupae). In addition, the antibacterial activity of T. ornata -synthesized AgNp was evoked inhibition zone wider. Overall results of this study demonstrate that the green synthesized nanoparticles potential to be used as a p...

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development. They have also become popular because they may reduce the risk of heart disease. Fish contain unsaturated fatty acids, which, when substituted for saturated fatty acids such as those in meat, may lower cholesterol. The main beneficial nutrient appears to be omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that may reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the body can damage the blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules should do so only under a physician's care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people. However, more recent research suggests that other nutrients in fish or a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients in fish may actually be responsible for the health benefits and the prevention of diseases like Coronary hea...

The common house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera, Muscidae) is a major domestic insect pest, particularly in tropical countries. House fly management uses several integrated methods to control house fly populations. Chemical insecticides gives many problems such as insect resistance, toxic side effects to human or non-target organism and residues in the environment. Hence in the present study a new effort has been made to assess the larvicidal activity of Thevetia peruviana leaves, extracted with acetone and evaluated against the developmental stages of housefly Musca domestica. The result revealed on the age and concentration and is based on the effect of plant extract against the housefly larvae. LC50 and LC90 were noticed and the values are 153.169, 208.642, 251.332, 479.836, 587.287 and 614.775 ppm against I-III instar larvae respectively. The toxic effect were noticed in the order of I>II>III instar larvae respectively. The larvicidal activity may be due to the presence ...

The nanoparticles accumulate in different organs like gill, liver, intestine, kidney and muscle in fish Cyprinus carpio. The acute, chronic toxicity in the body through absorption by the gills and the glucose and glycogen content in the liver were affected and imbalance occurs in the hormone levels. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used widely in applications. Human exposure to AgNPs has been increased in recent years. AgNPs are translated into blood streams and accumulated in organs and it is confirmed as organ toxicity and cause eventually death. Metallic and soluble silver compound when exposed occupationally affects the potential antimicrobial pathogens and cause numerous changes in the skin colour. For the optimum function of body immunity, everyone needs nano-silver circulating in their bloodstream. The intensive ingestion and inhalation of silver compounds create various toxic effects on the living organism in the environment, especially in fishes.

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development. They have also become popular because they may reduce the risk of heart disease. Fish contain unsaturated fatty acids, which, when substituted for saturated fatty acids such as those in meat, may lower cholesterol. The main beneficial nutrient appears to be omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that may reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the body can damage the blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people. However, more recent research suggests that other nutrients in fish or a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients in fish may actually be responsible for the health benefits and the prevention of diseases like Coronary heart d...

The word tannin is very old and reflects a traditional technology. "Tanning" (waterproofing and preserving) was the word used to describe the process of transforming animal hides into leather by using plant extracts from different plant parts of different plant species. Plant parts containing tannins include bark, wood, fruit, fruit pods, leaves, roots, and plant galls. Tannins are phenolic compounds that precipitate proteins. Tannase hydrolyses tannic acid completely to gallic acid and glucose through 2, 3, 4, and 6, tetragalloyl glucose and two kinds of monogalloyl glucose. Tannase has catalytic activity to remove gallic acid moieties from tannins and the polyphenols from tea extracts which results in coldwater soluble products. The treatment of tea with tannase enhances the natural levels of epicatechin and gallic acid which in turn favours the formation of epicatechin flavic acid.

Copper is one of the most toxic heavy metal to fish and consumption of fish after copper treatment in water may pose a serious risk to human health. Fishes are generally used as pollution indicators in water quality management. The use of biological test system for monitoring pollution is gaining importance worldwide by employing toxicity test model Elevated levels of copper may become acutely or chronically toxic to aquatic lives. Chronic effects include reduced growth, shorter lifespan, reproductive problems, reduced fertility and behavioral changes.

Plastic substances cause hazards to human health and the environment. In natural, terrestrial and freshwater habitats plastic accounts inadvertent contamination of water with small plastic fragments as a consequence of spreading sewage sludge of fragments of plastic and glass contaminating compost prepared from municipal solid waste and of plastic being carried into streams, rivers and ultimately the sea and fresh water with rain water and flood events. The percentage mortality of Tilapia mossambica fingerlings increased with increase in concentration of plastic chemical was dose dependent. This was the results obtained from this

Phthalates, are organic substances often called Phthalic acid esters, frequently used in many industries. Phthalic acid esters are well known peroxisome proliferators.They are used as the so-called plasticisers, substances that improve mechanical properties of plastic materials, mainly PVC. There is considerable concern about the adverse effects of these chemicals on wildlife and human. Phthalates are generally lipophilic, which influences their leaching and environmental partitioning characteristics. Human exposure to phthalates occur as a result of direct contact or use of a product containing phthalates, through the leaching of phthalates from one product into another, occur with food packaging or intravenous fluids, or by general contamination of the ambient environment. Skin may come into direct contact with phthalate containing clothing, cosmetics, sunscreens, insecticides, other personal care products, modelling clay, toys, yoga pads, waxes, cleaning products and denture mate...

Thevetia peruviana an evergreen shrub, belonging to Apocynanceae family, is a very poisonous shrub in nature and the kernels being the most toxic. This plant is native of central and South America, but now frequently grown throughout the tropical. The shrub or small tree that bears yellow or orange-yellow, trumpet like flowers and its fruit is deep red/black in color enhancing a large seed that bears some resemblance to a Chinese lucky nut . Leaves are covered in waxy coating to reduce water loss. The active principles in yellow oleander are cardiac glycosides. The physical properties of the fruit and kernel are unique and different from other tree borne oilseeds i.e. the storage, transport handling etc. Activities related to the fruits and kernels will require modifications in the processes and structures prevailing for other tree born oilseeds (Balusamy and Manrappan, 2007).

Silver is a noble metal that has a high electrical conductivity, heat stability and special properties. Silver is present in different forms in the environment especially in the living organisms. Silver has been utilized in jewellery, monetary currency and photography and is known to have an antibacterial effect. The toxic effect or heavy metal poisoning is defined as, “a functional or morphologic change in the body produced by an ingested, injected, inhaled or absorbed drug, chemical, or biological agent”. Argyrosis is pathologic bluish-black pigmentation in a tissue resulting from the deposition of an insoluble albuminate of silver. Fish are ideal sentinels for behavioral assays of various stressors and toxic chemical exposure due to their constant, direct contact with the aquatic environment where chemical exposure occurs over the entire body surface. Toxicological studies of the pollutants upon aquatic organisms are very important from the point of environmental consequences. Bi...

Water plays an important role in life. With about 70% of the earth’s cover being water, it undeniably becomes one of our greatest resources. Water is one of the major resistance in our body. Now a day’s water being more polluted due to the abuse of lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers, reservoirs. Pollution of water occurs when a substance that modifies the water in negative fashion and are discharged in it. This discharge of pollutants can be direct as well as indirect. Water pollution is an appalling problem, powerful enough to lead the world on a path of destruction. Water pollutants include both organic and inorganic factors. Organic factors include volatile organic compounds, fuels, waste from trees, plants. Inorganic factors include ammonia, chemical waste from factories, discarded cosmetics. Sirumugai is a river and it is on the bank of river Bhavani. In this river many metals were accumulated, specific metals especially, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Zinc, and Magnesium, we...

Hydrocarbon contamination resulting from leaking above ground and underground storage tanks, spillage during transport of petroleum products, abandoned manufactured gas sites and various industrial processes is hazardous to soil and water ecosystem and is expensive to remediate. There is an increased interest in promoting ecofriendly methods in the process of cleaning oil-polluted sites. Biological and non-biological approaches are being used for remediation of oil pollution. Bioremediation is one of the principle strategies for remediation, wherein the pollution can be removed by use of microorganism or by any biological process that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to return the environment altered by contaminants to its original condition (OluArotiowa et al., 2007).

In the present study the dried leaf powder of Lowsania inermis was extracted with acetone and evaluated against the first, second and third nymphal stages of Pediculus humanus capitis. The L. inermis extract was tested for pediculocial activity by filter paper diffusion method. Samples of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5ml from stock solution were dissolved in 100ml of distilled water to make different concentrations like 100 to 500ppm and each concentration was applied to filter paper (whatman No.1) for antipediculus bioassay. After 18 hours the mortality was calculated. From the morality values observed LC50 and LC90 values were 122.959, 312.539 ppm for first nymphal stage; 171.151, 370.149 ppm for second nymphal stage; 214.458, 369.575 ppm for third nymphal stage respectively. The phytochemical constituents of L. inermis was evaluated by GC-MS shows the presence of 20 different compounds with various molecular weight and retention time. The results obtained suggest that the acetone leaf extract ...

In the present study platinum nanoparticles were exposed to freshwater fish Cirrhinusmrigala and the toxicity(acute and sublethal) assay were investigated. The Lethal concentration value were noted. The median lethal concentration (LC 50) of platinum to an Indian major carp Cirrhinusmrigala for 24 hours and 96 hours were found to be 12 mg/L and 6 mg/L. The main toxic action of platinum on aquatic animals during acute and sublethal toxicity leads to mortality due to metal accumulation in fishes through the gills. During acute treatment of platinum, the fish Cirrhinusmrigala showed behavioral changes such as loss of balance, restlessness, abnormal swimming. During sublethal treatment of platinum, the fish Cirrhinusmrigalashowed the changes such as the gulping of air, opercular movement, erratic jumping.

Phthalates are the most commonly used plasticizers. It is one of the chemical used to make plastics. Phthalates in foods occur mainly as a result of contamination with phthalates from packaging materials. The intake of phthalates contained in food is the most significant source of exposure for humans. It has been established that the amount of phthalates found in foods or meals depends on the initial contamination of ingredients used in the production of the food, food production technologies, the period of storage (the time of contact with packaging materials), storage temperatures, ways of preparing dishes, the fat content in foods, and the type of packaging material used Phthalates are man-made chemicals used in many different products. Results obtained from this study show that percentage mortality of Tilapia mossambica fingerlings increased with increase in concentration of diethyl hexyl phthalate was dose dependent.

4 ABSTRACT: The acetone leaf extract of Melia azedarach L. were extracted with acetone and was tested for larval mortality against I-IV instar larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti. The mortality, LC50 and LC90 values revealed that the IV instar larvae were resist than I, II, III instar larval and pupal stages against the acetone extract of M. azedarach. Furthermore the preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate, steroidal glycoside, saponin, tannin, phenol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids and tannins. In addition 28 phytochemical constituents were listed with different retention time and molecular weight by GC-MS.

Mosquitoes are carriers of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, filariasis etc. They are responsible for the death and illness of millions of people through the transmission of diseases. The vector-borne diseases caused by mosquito are one of the major health problems in most of the countries. It is affecting the socio economic status of many nations and it is an important pest against human causing allergy too. Mosquito is frequently found due to poor drainage system especially during rainy seasons, fish pond, irrigation ditches and rice fields. This provides a better breeding place for mosquitoes.

Mercury interfere with a number of processes, regulated by the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 including blood vessel dilation, neurotransmission and immune function.Mercury chloride exposure toxic to the kidney, stomach, and intestines and lead increased blood pressure. Mercury chloride is the chemical compound of mercury and chlorine with the formula HgCl2. Mercuric salts generally target the gastrointestinal tract extensive precipitation of enterocytes protein occurs, with abdominal pain, vomiting and bleed diarrhea with potential necrosis of the gut mucosa. This may produce death either from peritonitis or from septic hypovolemic shock. Surviving patients commonly develop renal tubular necrosis with anuria. Brain dysfunction also occurs due to exposure of mercury. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) of fish Cirrhinusmrigala exposed to sub lethal concentrations of mercury was presented in Table 2. The plasma triiodothyronine (T3) levels was decreased as the exposure period extended showing a...