Indole acetic acid and ACC deaminase from endophytic bacteria improves the growth of Solarium lycopersicum

Background: Endophytic bacteria are ubiquitous in all plant species contributing in host plant's nutrient uptake and helping the host to improve its growth. Moringa peregrina which is a medicinal plant, growing in arid region of Arabia, was assessed for the presence of endophytic bacterial strains. Results: PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA of bacterial endophytes revealed the 5 endophytic bacteria, in which 2 strains were from Sphingomonas sp.; 2 strains from Bacillus sp. and 1 from Methylobacterium genus. Among the endophytic bacterial strains, a strain of Bacillus subtilis LK14 has shown significant prospects in phosphate solubilization (clearing zone of 56.71 mm after 5 d), ACC deaminase (448.3 ± 2.91 nM α-ketobutyrate mg-1 h-1) and acid phosphatase activity (8.4 ± 1.2 nM mg-1 min-1). The endophytic bacteria were also assessed for their potential to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Among isolated strains, the initial spectrophotometry analysis showed significantly higher IAA production by Bacillus subtilis LK14. The diurnal production of IAA was quantified using multiple reactions monitoring method in UPLC/MS-MS. The analysis showed that LK14 produced the highest (8.7 uM) IAA on 14th d of growth. Looking at LK14 potentials, it was applied to Solanum lycopersicum, where it significantly increased the shoot and root biomass and chlorophyll (a and b) contents as compared to control plants. Conclusion: The study concludes that using endophytic bacterial strains can be bio-prospective for plant growth promotion, which might be an ideal strategy for improving growth of crops in marginal lands.

Ethno-Medicinal Plants of Tahsil Barawal Bandi Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.

This study is carried out to identify the folk knowledge medicinal plants of Tahsil Barawal Bandi, District, and Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Various field trips were made to collect medicinal plants and ethno botanical information. A total of 62 species belonging to 36 families have been found to be used by the local people for curing various diseases. This efforts includes the local name, family name, flowering season, part used and folk knowledge of medicinal plants.

Nutritional Assessment and Mineral Composition of Some Selected Edible Vegetables.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the nutritional significance of some of the commonly consumed vegetables collected from Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Study Design: The study was designed in randomized block design and each analysis was performed with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat and the duration of the study was one year. Methodology: Present study was conducted to determine the nutritional importance of the commonly consumed vegetable viz. Amaranthus caudatus, Lathyrus aphaca, Abelmoschus esculenthus, Solanum melongena, Raphanus sativus and Brassica rapa. These vegetable species were evaluated for their nutritional values and mineral composition. By the nutritional analysis of these vegetable species, the total proteins, fats, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture contents were evaluated, whereas the macro-elements (Mg and Na) and micro-elements (Fe, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cd) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method. Results: The moisture content was found to be highest in R. sativus (13.59%±0.01), whereas A. caudatus was found to be highest in crude fats (2.91%±0.01), ash content (24.16% ± 0.03) and the protein value (15.65% ± 0.02). The fiber analysis indicated the highest value in A. esculenthus (30.93%±0.03), whereas B. rapa was found to be highest in the content of carbohydrates (86.65%±0.02) and thus the energy value was also calculated to be highest in B. rapa (352.52 ± 0.09). A. caudatus was also separated from the rest of the vegetables based on principal component analysis. 3-D component plot and rotated component matrix showed that this separation was due to variations in Pb and protein contents. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that Amaranthus caudatus and Raphanus sativus are the most balanced sources with respect to nutritional values and mineral composition, as both of them were found to contain the highest content of essential nutrients and the mineral elements (macro and micro-elements).

Ethono Medicinal Study of Parachinar, Kurram Valley (FATA) KPK, Pakistan.

The Present studies were carried out to identify the medicinal plants, folk knowledge of medicinal plants and to motivate the inhabitants of Kurram Agency to use their knowledge in a better way. The area has high potential regarding its biodiversity as well as valuable medicinal plants. The Information was collected from traditional experts regarding 26 medicinally important species belonging to 17 families. Asparagus officinalis Royal is used for constipation, Berberis lyceum Royal is used for urine and chest problems, Cichorium intybus Linn is used as antipyretic, Foeniculum vulgare Millis is used for stomach problems, blood purifier & intestinal diseases, Fumaria indica Haussk is used as a drug for blood purification and as antipyretic, Quercus ilex Rox is used in diabetes, Seriphidium kurramensis L is being used as a good anti-malarial drug and a vermifuge and Ziziphora teniour Linn is used as carminative and for colic pain. These specimens were deposited in the herbarium at plant sciences department, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan for further medicinal investigation.

Proximate Based Comparative Assessment of Five Medicinal Plants to Meet the Challenges of Malnutrition.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the nutritional significance of some of the economically important medicinal plants species collected from Pakistan. Study Design: The study was designed in randomized block design and each analysis was performed with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat and duration of the study was ten months. Methodology: Present study was conducted to determine the nutritional importance of medicinal plants viz. Achyranthes aspera, Xanthium strumarium, Albizzia lebbeck, Amaranthus cruentus and Calotropis procera. Proximate compositions of these plant species (moisture, ash, fats, fiber, alcohol soluble extractive (ASE), proteins,carbohydrates and energy value) were carried out using standard methods of food analysis. Results: The mean moisture content ranged from 0.334% for X. strumarium to 8.18% for A. cruentus. X. strumarium was found highest in fats, fibers and ASE. Highest percentage of moisture (8.2%) and ash (15.9%) was found in A. cruentus. C. procera was identified as a good source of carbohydrates (67.3%) and energy value (301.9 kcal/100g). The ICPOES analysis of the medicinal plants showed that A. lebbeck had significant concentrations of calcium while A. cruentus had highest concentration of iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorous as compared to other medicinal plants. The heavy metals contents were either absent or negligible. Conclusion: The present finding suggests that the selected medicinal plants have a promising potential to not only cure ailments but to maintain a healthy life.

Phytomedicinal Studies of Kurram Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan.

The present studies were aimed to identify medicinal plants, folk knowledge and to use local recipe for different diseases in the study area of kurram agency. The questionnaire method was adopted for documentation of folk indigenous knowledge. The Preliminary data were collected from the local community, experts, knowledgeable person, Herdsmen and main users of medicinal plants such as Hakims, old wise woman etc. The ethno medicinal data on 21 plants species belonging to 19 families were properly identified i.e. their vernacular names, chemical constituents, scientific names, families, part used, habitat conservative status and locality during the research work. The plants were collected, pressed dried, preserved, mounted and identified through the literature and were confirmed by the experts in plants sciences department, Kohat university of Science and Technology, Pakistan. The specimens were deposited in the herbarium at plant sciences department, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.

Tradable and Conservation Status of Medicinal Plants of KurramValley, Parachinar, Pakistan.

Present study was carried out to find the conservation status, explore the channels for tradable medicinal plants and motivate the inhabitants to use their knowledge in a better way. Several study trips were made to the study area. Kurram agency is one of the seven tribal areas in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Present study revealed that 37 % of the total utility plants are critically endangered, 20 % are endangered, 35% are vulnerable and only 8% are secured. Several drug dealers were interviewed by filling 70 questionnaires to confirm the local names, estimated price, and quantity of the drugs available.

Estimation of phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities of mentha spicata from southern districts of KPK.

The medicinal value of the plant is due to the phytochemical constituents they produce, which exhibit certain physiological actions on human body. Phytochemicals are plant derived chemical compoundS, which are non-essential nutrients, some of which show potential health promoting properties. The phytochemical constituents were determined by using known literature method while the antimicrobial activity was analyzed by classical literature methods. In case of phytochemicals, Tannin, Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Steroids, Coumarines, Sterols and Terpenes were found while saponins and anthraquinones were not determined in all the samples. Antibacterial activity was noted high in all the samples of crude extract followed by ethyl acetate and lowest activity was found was found in aqueous extract of Mentha spicata. The Same results were analyzed for antifungal activity.

Comparison of Phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of Mentha spicata from four northern districts of Khyber pakhtunkhwa.

The medicinal value of plants lies in bioactive phytochemical constituents that produce definite physiological actions on the human body. Some of the most important bioactive phytochemical constituents are Tannin, Alkaloids, Saponins, Flavonoids, Steroids, Anthraquinones, Coumarins and Sterols and Terpenes. Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly one half of all deaths in tropical countries which are also becoming a significant problem in developed countries. Therefore the present study was aimed to analyzed the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities of Mentha spicata. The phytochemical constituents were determined by using known literature method while the antimicrobial activity was analyzed by classical literature methods. In case of phytochemicals, Tannin, Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Steroids, Coumarines, Sterols and Terpenes were found while saponins and anthraquinones were not determined in all the samples. Antibacterial activity was noted high in all the samples of crude extract followed by ethyl acetate and lowest activity was found was found in aqueous extract of Mentha spicata. The Same results were analyzed for antifungal activity.