Plastic waste management during and post Covid19 pandemic: Challenges and strategies towards circular economy.

Global petroleum consumption suffered drastically as lockdowns were put in place to contain the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a result, oil costs dropped, making virgin plastics more cost-effective than recycled plastics. The usage of plastic has increased as a result of lifestyle modifications, cost-based incentives, and other factors, further obscuring the issue. The utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic had resulted in a significant surge in the quantity of plastic waste. The plastic packaging industry achieved a revenue milestone of US$ 909.2 billion in 2021, boosting a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 %. The escalating dependence on plastics imposed additional pressure on waste management systems, which were proven to be ineffective and insufficient in addressing the issue. This situation exacerbated the problem and contributed to environmental pollution. Globally, 40 % of plastic waste ended up in landfills, 25 % was incinerated, 16 % was recycled, and the remaining 19 % infiltrated within the environment. By investing in circular technologies like feedstock recycling and enhancing infrastructural and environmental conditions, it expected to become viable to manage plastic waste flows during such a period of crisis. Investing in valorization strategies that transform plastic waste into value-added goods, such as fuels and building materials, receives a compelling macroeconomic signal when both plastic waste and plastic demand are on the rise. A robust circular economy can be accomplished by finalising the life cycle of plastic waste. The concept of Plastic Waste Footprint (PWF) aims to assess the environmental impact of plastic products throughout their intended usage period. In the midst of the emerging challenges in waste management during and post pandemic period, this research study has been conducted to explore the challenges and strategies associated with plastic waste in the environment.

Role of bioactive xenobiotics towards reproductive potential of Odontotermes longignathus through in silico study: An amalgamation of ecoinformatics and ecotechnological insights of termite mounds from a tropical forest, India.

The present research study has evaluated the roles of different naturally occurring compounds in termite mounds of Odontotermes longignathus (GenBank Id: MZ542727.1) which facilitate to promote higher population growth of termites and subsequent biodegradation. The study has also monitored the change in physicochemical parameters along with the trend of biodegradation of complex organic carbon-based compounds like lignin, polysaccharides etc. and nitrogenous compounds from two different types of termite mounds such as developing (T1) and developed (T2) mounds. The GC MS profiling of mound samples have revealed the occurrence of different humic acids like organic materials in both T1 and T2 mound samples. Both the termite mounds have demonstrated a high population density as T1 (23.67 ± 1.56) individuals and T2 (43.51 ± 2.36) individuals per 0.1 kg of mound materials. Such observations have prompted to undertake molecular docking experiments which revealed that different molecules interact at low binding affinity with hormone receptors involved in moulting, spermatogenesis and oogenesis of termite like Adamantane carboxylate (EcR: -7.6 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -6.2 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -7.3 Kcal/mol; VgR: -6.8 Kcal/mol), Benzene dicarboxylic acid (EcR: -5.5 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -5.1 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -5.4 Kcal/mol; VgR: -5.6 Kcal/mol), Hexadecanol (EcR: -6.0 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -4.4 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -6.9 Kcal/mol; VgR: -6.0 Kcal/mol), oxirane (EcR: -5.3 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -4.9 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -5.2 Kcal/mol; VgR: -5.3 Kcal/mol) and tocopherol (EcR: -8.0 Kcal/mol; BTB-KLHL10: -5.4 Kcal/mol; USP-LBD: -7.6 Kcal/mol; VgR: -7.0 Kcal/mol). Such spontaneous ligand binding phenomenon coupled with high population density of termites have established the significance of different bioactive xenobiotics in achieving high reproductive potential of termites which in turn facilitate the process of biodegradation and enhance the nutrient enrichment in the soils of tropical deciduous forest.

Optimization of heavy metal (lead) remedial activities of fungi Aspergillus penicillioides (F12) through extra cellular polymeric substances.

Wastewater imposes a great threat to any ecosystem across the world, especially the aquatic one because of the different anthropogenic activities of human beings. The present study emphasizes the optimization of ecological parameters [pH, time (h) and temperature (°C)] employing Box-Behnken design (BBD) to achieve better bio-adsorption of a selected heavy metal [lead (Pb II)] from the wastewater through an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of a benthic fungus, Aspergillus penicillioides (F12) (MN210327). The relevant statistical analysis (ANOVA) has enabled to record of the optimized bio-adsorption (73.14 %) of lead (Pb II) by fungal EPS at pH (8.85) and temperature (32 °C) for a duration of 5.74 h. Besides that, at the concentration of 0.5 mg/L of EPS, the flocculating rate was noted to be highest (88.4 %) in kaolin clay and the 50 % emulsifying activity. This investigation has also opened up new vistas on the possibility of the development of an alternative method of eco-sustainable bioremediation of heavy metals by fungal EPS on an industrial scale.

Attachment and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial associates of zooplanktonic copepod: Lesson for environmental safety.

The present study emphasizes on the antimicrobial susceptibility of different bacterial strains isolated from the external body surface of a commonly found zooplanktonic copepod (Heliodiaptomus viduus, Gurney, 1916) inhabiting both in fresh and brackish water bodies of Midnapore (West and East) Districts, West Bengal, India. Out of 62 bacterial isolated strains, 38 isolates were identified as Gram-positive while the remaining 24 isolates were found to be Gram-negative. Antimicrobial properties of all those bacterial strains were determined by Vitek 2 compact system using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. All isolated bacterial strains had exhibited differential susceptibilities against some selected antibiotics. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) analysis revealed the considerable association of bacteria on the cuticular body parts of the studied zooplankton. The outcomes of the present research are expected to enable health professionals in identifying two major problems -1) bacterial association with zooplankton which is so far mostly considered as a novel source of food for fish in aquatic ecosystems. 2) Selection of antibiotics as treatment measure because of the pathogenic effects of zooplankton associated bacteria on human being. This unattended arena of research is also supposed to evoke a new dimension not only because of bacteria-zooplankton interactions but also on undertaking of judicious strategies to find out proper ways and means to make the surface water suitable for the utilization by the common peoples (minimising bacterial contamination) in the context of human health and environmental safety.

Assessment of qualitative enrichment of organic paper mill wastes through vermicomposting: humification factor and time of maturity.

The process of bioconversion of solid organic wastes through vermicomposting justifies the environmental message for sustainability such as reduce, recycle and reuse of wastes. In the present study, wastes derived from two different types of paper mill sludge (primary and secondary), was used for their bioconversion through the vermicomposting process using an indigenous species of earthworm (Perionyx excavatus). The maturity and stability stage of vermicompost production was assessed using FT-IR, GC-MS and TG analyses. During vermicomposting, different biochemical functional groups present in the wastes have shown differential chemical alteration and turnover as revealed by FT-IR spectroscopy. This study has also confirmed the trend of biodegradation of complex substances like lignin, cellulose, proteins etc. and thereby demonstrates the extent of mineralization. TG spectral analysis had revealed a mass loss of 80% and 71% in vermicompost produced from primary and secondary sludge respectively. GC-MS studies have also shown the presence of several humic acids like octadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid etc. in the decomposing substances demonstrating as an indicator of the maturity of products. This was further confirmed by the decrease of humification index which focuses the combined action of both earthworms and microbes in the degradation of organic wastes. The present study has highlighted the role of an indigenous earthworm in converting specific industrial wastes especially by recording the point of maturation using humic acids an indicator of the quality of decomposing of wastes following several instrumental applications.

Pseudochromadora benepapillata (Timm 1961) comb. n. (Desmodoridae: Nematoda): revision of its taxonomic status and distribution.

Metachromadora (Bradylaimoides) benepapillata, was first discovered from the coastal mangroves of Bangladesh by Timm (1961). This species was later synonymised with Pseudochromadora cazca, which was described from the Brazilian coast by Gerlach (1956). The present paper proposes to update the taxonomic status of the Timm's species as Pseudochromadora benepapillata comb. n. along with its distribution and comparative morphology. The major differences between P. cazca and P. benepapillata are found in the characteristics of the head capsule; length of cephalic sensilla; length and position of somatic setae; shape of amphideal fovea; shape of spicules and gubernaculum; number and morphology of copulatory and postcloacal thorns. The present report on the occurrence of this species along the eastern most coast of India extends its distribution from the eastern part of Bay of Bengal to its western part.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Roles of a Novel Strain of Bacillus anthracis Isolated from Vermicompost Prepared from Paper Mill Sludge.

Mass production of vermicompost using suitable species of earthworms and selecting target organic waste materials has appeared to be a great development in the realm of biotechnological research for the sustainable eco-management. Although, for the bioconversion of organic wastes to vermicompost, suitable earthworm species play major roles, a hoard of bacterial assemblages by virtue of production of different enzymes facilitate the process of vermicomposting. The present study has documented the roles of vermicompost associated bacteria in combating, preventing, and controlling of cancer so as to open a new vista not only in the field of vermitechnology but also on biomedical research. Earthworms' associated bacterial metabolic products having their unique physicochemical excellence have gained importance due to their roles as a facilitator of apoptosis (programed cell death in a MCF-7 cell line). The antioxidant and anticancer activities of ethyl acetate extracts' of vermicompost associated bacterium Bacillus anthracis were undertaken by antioxidant assay which revealed maximum DPPH radical scavenging effect (75.79 ± 5.41%) of the extracts' at 9 00 µg ml-1. Furthermore, the crude extracts obtained from the same bacteria were found to decrease the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase) with the increase in doses. MTT assay showed potent cytotoxic activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) with the IC50 value of 46.64 ± 0.79 µg ml-1. It was further confirmed through Hoechst 33258 staining of nuclear fragmentation assay and DNA fragmentation analysis. Western blotting test has confirmed a downregulation of Akt upon application of crude extracts. Increase of SOD activity along with decrease of Akt level reflects that the mode of action is entirely PI-3K dependent. This study tends to indicate that B. anthracis isolated from vermicompost could be potentially explored for the development of new therapeutic agents, especially against cancer.

Biomonitoring role of some cellular markers during heat stress-induced changes in highly representative fresh water mollusc, Bellamya bengalensis: Implication in climate change and biological adaptation.

Owing to increasing concern of global climate-change, temperature rise is of great interest which can be primarily evaluated from the seasonal variations in some organisms. Aquatic environment can be extremely stressful to its inhabitants because most of them are poikilothermous. In the present study, attempt was made to evaluate the biological effects of oxidative-stress and adaptive/antioxidant capacities during temperature variations (36-40 °C for 24hrs to 72hrs) in Bellamya bengalensis both in environmental and laboratory conditions by testing some biomarkers like HSP70, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione reductase (GR). The biomarker potency of the molecules and the anti-oxidative metabolic-network was postulated and extrapolated to find its resemblance to the climate-change associated organismal variations. In a natural and eco-restored environment in the Eastern part of India, 10-20 fold increases in CAT, SOD and HSP70 protein expressions (Western blot results) were noticed in Bellamya paralleling to their increased enzymatic activities (gel zymogram studies) due to the seasonal (summer versus winter) temperature variation. It is evident from the consecutive three years' study that this variation resulted in the unfavorable physico-chemical changes of water quality parameters like dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, alkalinity and consequently decreased the animal density in summer. And that was revived due to their higher reproduction-rate in post rainy/winter season when temperature normalizes resulting in a restoration of favorable environment. In laboratory condition, the reduced GR and increased GPx indicated the oxidative damage as evident by higher tissue MDA level following to higher mortality. Changes in SOD and CAT activities suggest activation of physiological mechanism to scavenge the ROS produced during heat stress. However, when mortality increased at different time points (36 °C - 72 h and 38 °C - 72 h), these enzyme activities also decreased as they failed to save the tissues from ROS. The results suggest that temperature variation does alter the active oxygen metabolism by modulating antioxidant enzyme activities, which can be used as biomarker to detect sub-lethal effects of climate change-associated pollution. The parity in environmental and laboratory experimental results may justify this laboratory experiment as model heat-stress experiment and indicate temperature as a universal stressor which alone or in combination with other water parameters initiates a consistent adapting behavior. The Bellamya bengalensis being the highest faunal representative in its habitat may serve as a good bioindicator species.

Assessment of microbial roles in the bioconversion of paper mill sludge through vermicomposting.

PURPOSE: Main thrust of the present study is to determine the role of microbes in changing the proportion and turnover of nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen during vermicomposting of paper mill sludge through the assessment of ß-glucosidase and Leucine arylamidase activities. METHODS: The change in the ratio of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) during sludge composting using paper mill sludge, cow dung, straw in the ratio of 5:4:1 have been determined alongside observing ß-glucosidase and Leucine arylamidase activities in different phases (0th, 30th and 60th days) of vermicomposting. The present study also assessed the bacterial assemblages in order to predict their role as major producers of these enzymes as estimated by Vitek 2 system. RESULTS: A declining trend of C/N ratio was observed which exhibited significant negative and positive correlations with the activity of ß-glucosidase and Leucine arylamidase respectively. Twenty-four strains were isolated under two genus Bacillus spp. and Lysinibacillus spp. which revealed differential sensitivity towards major carbon and nitrogen turnover mediating enzymes. CONCLUSION: Change in the activities of carbon and nitrogen turnover enzymes due to microbial growth and proliferation are the mediator for the change in C/N ratio.

Cyathoshiva amaleshi gen. n. sp. n. (Nematoda: Cyatholaimidae) from the coast of India.

A new genus, Cyathoshiva, of free-living marine nematodes from the subfamily Cyatholaiminae (family Cyatholaimidae, order Chromadorida), is described from the Indian coast. The new genus differs from other known Cyatholaiminae genera in having a unique combination of morphological characters: buccal cavity with well-developed dorsal tooth and two subventral teeth, proximally unpaired gubernaculum and non-cup shaped supplements. The type species Cyathoshiva amaleshi gen. n. sp. n. is characterized by having multispiral amphids with 4.5 turns, punctated cuticle with a weak lateral differentiation, a conical tail, three supplements possessing both tubular and setoid parts, and a gubernaculum with a serrated and dentate distal end.

Assessment of thermal stress adaptation by monitoring Hsp70 and MnSOD in the freshwater gastropod, Bellamya bengalensis (Lamark 1882).

Expression of the stress biomarkers 70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was measured as the molecular basis of adaptive response against increased experimental temperatures (32-40 °C for a span of 24-72 h) on the fresh water molluscan species, Bellamya bengalensis (Lamark 1882). The experimental snail specimens were collected during summer and winter seasons from two contrasting wetlands: an ecorestored (free from human interference) site (SI) and other experiencing anthropogenic stresses (SII). The mortality rate of the B. bengalensis and the immunoblotting of MnSOD and Hsp70 of their digestive glands were performed at regular intervals during the period of heat stress. The SI provided a lower stress environment based on physicochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and alkalinity for the survival of test species, although both sites experienced mortality due to thermal stresses. The parity in protein expressions displayed a uniform mode of adaptive impact to temperature elevations in both field and laboratory exposure. The Hsp70 expression was minimal at lower thermal stress, but increased with a rise in temperature. It is very likely that higher Hsp70 levels are not directly related to survival or adaptation. In contrast, MnSOD levels appeared to be an indicator of adaptive responses vis-a-vis survival of the animals. So, the expression levels of a universal free radical scavenger like MnSOD are recognized as a potential biomarker in a bioindicator species like Bellamya.