Inventum Biologicum: An International Journal of Biological Research

Impact of Wood Ash on Mulberry Plant Health and Cocoon Crop Productivity

2025-01-22T11:44:45+00:00

Silkworms require a balanced and nutrient-dense diet to thrive and the quality of mulberry leaves plays a critical role in determining their health and feeding efficiency. Wood ash as an organic amendment in mulberry cultivation to enhance plant health and cocoon crop productivity within sericulture is one of the sustainable techniques to meet out the quality mulberry leaf. It is rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals which serves as a multifaceted soil amendment that improves soil pH, nutrient density and plant structural integrity. These enhancements in mulberry plant vigour and disease resistance directly translate into improved leaf quality, which positively impacts silkworm health, cocoon yield and silk quality. Wood ash as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, promoting nutrient recycling and reducing costs for farmers. However, precise application methods and optimal dosages require further research to maximize the advantages of wood ash while mitigating potential soil alkalinization. Ultimately, the use of wood ash aligns with sustainable agriculture goals, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach that enhances mulberry productivity and supports the sericulture industry. This review article underscores the potential of wood ash to contribute to more resilient and sustainable sericulture practices.

Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Use of Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India

2025-01-23T17:19:14+00:00

This study investigates the traditional knowledge surrounding the use of wild edible and medicinal plants among traditional healers in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India. These healers play a crucial role in safeguarding and transmitting indigenous wisdom about local flora with therapeutic and nutritional applications. By employing methods such as structured interviews, participant observation, and field visits, the research catalogs the diversity of plant species, their preparation techniques, and utilization patterns. The findings underscore the richness of traditional knowledge and the indispensable role wild plants play in local healthcare and nutrition systems. This study also emphasizes the urgent need to preserve this heritage in the face of modern challenges, offering valuable insights for future research and promoting the sustainable use of plant resources.

GCMS and ADME Profiling of Extract from Seeds of Passiflora edulis

2024-12-10T07:43:40+00:00

Passiflora edulis is a tropical fruit from the family passifloraceae. It is used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of several ailments. However, preliminary studies and several literature have mentioned these seeds to possess huge medicinal properties. This study is based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and in-silico techniques (ADME) applied to identify the bioactive phytocompounds present in extracts of the seeds in the fruit. The parameters considered for analysis were molecular weight, lipophilicity, GI absorption, water solubility, drug-likeness, Lipinski rule of 5, blood-brain barrier permeability, synthetic accessibility, bioavailability, and lead likeness. Among the eleven phytocomponents subjected to ADME analysis, ten of them were found to possess medicinal properties and four were identified as novel to these extracts. The compounds found in the GCMS analysis were propanedioic acid, oxirane derivative, anthranilanilide, a cytotoxic agent, an anticancer agent, and an antiproliferative agent. The chemical compounds present in the seeds impart them with medicinal properties, which would allow one to understand the relationship between the different bioactive compounds in seeds and the human body. Further studies need to be performed to identify its potential in ameliorating the neurological properties.