Occurrence of new Philometra sp. in mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus from the Karachi coast, Pakistan.

A recent examination of Philometra nematodes from mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskal, 1775) from the Karachi coast, Kemari was done in the years 2021-2022. The present study reported three new species of genus Philometra (Costa, 1845) (Nematoda: Philometridae) Philometra kolachii, Philometra lutjani and Philometra kemarii. A total of 140 fish samples were examined, and 76 were infected. The intensity of infected fish was 54.28%. In Pakistan, literature on Philometrid nematodes is limited, therefore, this research would be helpful for the documentation and enhancement of nematods in Pakistan.

Role of fungal-induced stress in biochemical and phytochemical profiling of Peganum harmala.

The current study was designed to evaluate bioactive compounds under the influence of biotic stress on seedlings of Peganum harmala. Biologically active compounds were determined by using different techniques. The HPLC and GC-MS analyses detected the significant amount of phenolic acids and active biological compound. Total protein content, activity of proteases, α-amylases, catalases and peroxidases were observed to be accelerated under fungal stress. The seedling extracts exhibited prominent antifungal and antimicrobial activity against selected strains. The present study showed that P. harmala is a good candidate to be used in natural therapies and medicine.