Surveillance of pesticide residues in tomato and eggplant and assessment of acute and chronic health risks to the consumers in Pakistan.

Pesticide application has become a mandatory requirement of the modern agricultural system, resulting in the objectionable levels of pesticide residues in the treated food commodities and posing health threats to the consumers. This study aimed at optimization and validation of an analytical method which can be reliably applied for routine monitoring of the selected eighteen widely reported pesticides in tomato and eggplant. The principle of quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe, i.e., QuEChERS, involving the acetate-buffered extraction followed by cleanup using the primary secondary amines (PSA) was employed. The analytical method was validated at three spiking levels (0.05, 0.01, 0.005 mg/kg) using gas chromatograph-micro electron capture detector (GC-µECD). Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometric detector (GC-MSD) was also used for confirmation and quantification using selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The method was applied on fresh samples of tomato (n = 33) and eggplant (n = 27) collected from local markets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in the crop season 2020-2021. Twenty-five (76%) tomato samples and fifteen (56%) eggplant samples were found positive for one or more pesticides. Though the chronic and acute health risk assessments indicate that both of these vegetables are unlikely to pose any unacceptable health threat to their consumers, yet the risks from regular intake of pesticides-contaminated food commodities should be regularly addressed for possible protection of the public health and assurance of safe and consistent agro-trade, alike.

Synthesis, characterization, and applications of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Objective: The green synthesis method for nanoparticles is getting more attention globally, due to its lesser cost, non-hazardous, and eco-friendly nature. The novelty of the present work is to investigate the anti-bacterial and degradation activity of the green synthesized Iron Oxide NPs. Methods: In this study, the Iron Oxide NPs were synthesized through a green synthesis route from leaves of Ficus Palmata. UV-Vis confirmed Iron Oxide NP's peaks between (230-290 nm), while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that several groups were involved in reduction and stabilization. Results: Results indicated that the highest photo thermal activity was shown in light and it was almost 4 folds greater than the control. Similarly, Iron Oxide NPs showed excellent antimicrobial potential against bacterial species "Salmonella typhi" "Xanthomonas Oryzae" and "Lactobacillus" at low concentrations (150 µg/mL). Hemolytic assay results showed that the toxicity was lesser than 5% at both dark and light conditions. Moreover, we also evaluated the photo-catalytic potential of Iron Oxide NPs against methylene orange. Results indicated that almost complete degradation was noted after 90 min in the presence of continuous light. All tests were performed in triplicates. All the data was subjected to P-test (P < 0.5) using Excel and graph pad (V.5.0). Conclusion: Iron Oxide NPs holds a promising future and could be used in treating diseases, and microbial pathogenesis and also could be used as a vector in drug delivery. Moreover, they can also eradicate persistent dyes and could be used as an alternative to remediate pollutants from the environment.

Foliar Residual Toxicity of Insecticides to Brassica Pests and Their Natural Enemies.

Overuse of pesticides can result in the development of resistance, secondary pest outbreaks, and pest resurgence due to a reduction in natural enemies. The present study compares the residual toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin, a relatively nonselective insecticide, with abamectin, indoxacarb, and spinosad, compounds which have been reported to be less harmful to arthropod natural enemies. Two key cosmopolitan pests of crucifer crops, (Plutella xylostella) and (Myzus persicae), and two of their respective hymenopteran parasitoids, (Cotesia vestalis) and (Aphidius colemani) were used as representative pests and natural enemies. The pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin was found to be the most persistent toxicant against both pest and both parasitoid species tested, while the lactones abamectin and spinosad were the least persistent toxicants. A leaf wax stripping technique was used to compare the contact toxicity of insecticide residues against adult C. vestalis and A. colemani in the epicuticular wax layer. For each compound, removal of epicuticular wax reduced the 24 h residual toxicity (LC50) of fresh deposits (day 0) by about an order of magnitude against C. vestalis. A second residual toxicity experiment showed that removal of epicuticular wax significantly reduced the residual toxicity of each compound against A. colemani at 0, 7, and 14 d after application, with little or no detectable residual activity for the oxadiazine indoxacarb or abamectin/spinosad respectively after 14 d. The present data supports the view that in addition to the intrinsic toxicity of insecticides to natural enemies, differences in their persistence as foliar residues should also be considered in IPM systems.

Seed Coat Morphology and Sculpturing of Selected Invasive Alien Plants from Lesser Himalaya Pakistan and Their Systematic Implications.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered as the second major threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction worldwide. They are aggressive competitors and dominate an ecosystem where they introduce and cause reduction in indigenous diversity. Invasive plants alter the evolutionary pathways of native species by competition, niche displacement, hybridization, introgression, predation, and ultimately extinction of native species. Biological invasion also results in economic and environmental damage and harm to human health. Invasive plants have an effective reproductive as well as dispersal mechanisms. Most invasive plants produce abundant fruits and seeds that are widely disseminated and remain viable in the soil for several years. Invasive plants may change their seed character in order to adapt themselves to the new environment and facilitate their performance. A study on seed coat sculpturing in invasive alien plants collected from Lesser Himalaya region, Pakistan, was conducted using scanning electron microscope to determine the importance of seed morphological characters as an additional tool for identification. Quantitative characters such as seed length and width, macromorphological characters including color, hilum position, and seed shape, and micromorphological characters of seed including surface patterns and periclinal and anticlinal wall of seeds were studied. Findings at the present indicate that most of the seeds were found spherical followed by ovate and elliptical in shape with smooth surface and showed terminal hilum. Almost reticulate seed patterns were observed in seeds. Majority of seeds showed raised anticlinal walls with protuberance periclinal walls. The seeds of Xanthium strumarium were observed with maximum length of 13 mm and with width of 8 mm. Length by width ratio of seeds was also calculated; it was found that maximum L/W ratio was observed in Sonchus oleraceus L., i.e., 2.66. Seed characters, both macro- and micromorphological, furnish useful data for classification and delimitation of invasive taxa. This study will help to understand the invasion mechanism in plants due to variations in seed surface, shape, and other characters. Adaptive behavior of the seed during the invasion process of the new ecosystem is also elaborated.

Palyno-morphological diversity of Asteraceous and Poaceous allergenic plant using microscopic techniques in lesser Himalaya-Pakistan.

In classification and identification of plant species, palyno morphological character has remain helpful for plant taxonomist. The aim to investigation this study was to identify the characteristic features of Asteraceae and Poaceae family member collected from lower Himalayas of Pakistan. Light microscope and Scanning electron microscope were used for feature study of allergenic pollen. Our study includes 10 species of Asteraceae and Poaceae family. The most dominant shape of pollen was Oblate-spheroidal, Prolate-Spheroidal, Prolate and Suboblate shape of pollen. Quantitative character of pollen includes maximum pollen diameter found in Dichanthium annulatum (46.0 µm) and minimum polar axis pollen diameter found in Parthenium hysterophorous (16.0 µm). Similarly highest value of P/E ratio was noted in Cenchrus echinatus (1.05) and smallest value of P/E ratio was observed in Erigeron bonariensis (0.88). Poaceae family member were monoporate. Character feature of exine sculpturing include Microechinate, granulate, echinate, conical base, lacunae Nanogammate, Aerolate-Scabratre, Verrucate, like variation found in exine of both family member. Highest value of pollen fertility was observed in P. hysterophorous 93%, Similarly maximum value of pollen sterility was noted in E. bonariensis and Brachiaria reptans 24%. This investigation provides the characteristic feature of allergenic pollen species and help to arrange them in define class. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Pollen has affected many people around the world. Using microscopic techniques, morpho-palynological analysis of Asteraceae and Poaceae families were recognized. LM and SEM study show both qualitative and quantitative character of pollen. Identification of allergenic pollen and microscopic identified character play important role for proper guideline of identification of pollen having allergenic potential.

Chemo-taxonomic and biological potential of highly therapeutic plant Pedicularis groenlandica Retz. using multiple microscopic techniques.

Pedicularis groenlandica is one of the most important medicinal plant of Deosai Plateau (Gilgit-Baltistan) Pakistan. The present study was aim to evaluate the micromorphological features, phytochemical screening and pharmacological potential of P. groenlandica by using multiple microscopic techniques. Six different solvents were used to prepare P. groenlandica extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate antidiabetic, α-amylase inhibition assay was performed. Cytotoxicity was tested using brine shrimp assay. Anti-leishmanial via MTT assay. Disc-diffusion assay was used for protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Palyno-anatomical study showed significant variation for the authentication and correct identification of this highly therapeutic plant by using light and scanning electron microscopic techniques. All extracts were found rich in phytochemicals, significant amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in methanol extract (PGM) 95.78 mg GAE/g and 66.90 mg QE/g. Highest DPPH scavenging potential with IC50 88.65 µg/mL, total antioxidant capacity (60.33 mg AAE/g sample) and total reducing power (83.97 mg AAE/g) were found for PGM. Disc-diffusion method showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Noticeable growth inhibition in L. tropica was displayed by n-hexane extract (IC50 112 µg/mL). Brine shrimp with highest LD50 (67.65 µg/mL) in ethyl-acetate extract. Ethanol extract gives persuasive protein kinase inhibition (26 mm) against Streptomyces 85-E hyphae. Highest alpha-amylase inhibition (74.10%) was found in n-hexane extract. In conclusion, our findings scientifically support the ethno-medicinal and biological potential of P. groenlandica. In future, the plant needs to be explored for further identification and isolation of bioactive compounds to develop new drugs to treat several aliments.

Quality assurance and authentication of herbal drug (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) through comparative light and scanning electron microscopy.

The quality assurance and authentication of crude herbal drugs play important role in the effective therapeutic effect of herbal drug and their products. There are many reported problems in quality assurance of herbal crude drugs concerning to their correct identification. The present study was designed with the aim to document the authentication and quality assurance of the herbal crude drugs (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) thorough light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The detailed foliar anatomical studies showed polygonal epidermal cells having anticlinal walls in Argyrolobium roseum while rounded epidermal cells were observed in Viola stocksii. The anomocytic stomata type was observed in Argrolobium roseum while actinocytic was noticed in Viola stocksii. The pollen of studied species appeared as tricolporate showing reticulate exine sculpturing in Argrolobium roseum while fine perforations were recorded in Viola stocksii. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity showed high flavonoid and phenol content in Argyrolobium roseum as compared with Viola stocksii. It was observed that Argyrolobium roseum was discriminated from the Viola stocksii based on the leaf and pollen micromorphological traits by using LM and SEM techniques. It was concluded that LM and SEM techniques were found useful for the quality assurance of botanicals and their authentication.

Comparative pollen and foliar micromorphological studies using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of some selected species of Lamiaceae from Alpine Zone of Deosai Plateau, Western Himalayas.

The study was conducted to highlight a detailed account of morphology of pollen chosen species of Lamiaceae through scanning electron microscopy, and the anatomical characteristics of leaf epidermis of seven species using simple light microscopy. In results, Anisomeles indica and Otostegia aucheri belong to subfamily Lamioideae because it has tricolpate pollen while the rest eight species belong to subfamily Nepetoideae (hexacolpate pollen). The exine sculpturing of pollen of studied species was found to be reticulate. In the family Lamiaceae, four kinds of stomata were found anomocytic, anisocytic, diacytic, and actinocytic, respectively. The cell wall patterns of epidermal cells were irregular or polygonal with straight or undulate walls. It was noted that the variety of the epidermal trichomes seems of taxonomically important for the identification of species of Lamiaceae. Both nonglandular and glandular trichomes were analyzed. The nonglandular trichomes were characterized with long, thin, and pointed apical unicellular cells. The nonglandular trichomes were A-shaped in Thymus linearis. In Perovskia abrotanoides, stellate glandular trichomes were observed whereas in A. indica and Mentha royleana both glandular and nonglandular trichomes were found. In A. indica, the nonglandular trichomes were sessile and peltate in M. royleana. For the first time in this study, pollen and foliar micromorphological features of selected species of this area are carried out. These taxonomic characters were found to be important in discrimination of species from each other. In future, the detailed study with comprehensive morphology coupled with other important characters is required for delimitation of taxa at various levels.

Pollen micromorphological analysis of tribe Acacieae (Mimosaceae) with LM and SEM techniques.

The morphology of pollen grains of the 06 species of tribe Acacieae (Mimosaceae) belonging to one genus were investigated using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and light microscopic (LM) approach. Lactic acid acetolysis method was used for (LM) while non-acetolysis for (SEM). The species were examined for the both qualitative and quantitative palynological features. Qualitatively the pollen was studied for the shape, exine sculpturing, pollen shape, and pollen type. Oblate spheroidal shape of pollen was observed in Accacia modesta. Subprolate shape in Accaca nilotica. In Accacia farnesiana, prolate pollen was examined while prolate spheroidal in Acacia tortilis and spheroidal pollen grains were studied in Acacia catechu, respectively. Pollen exine sculpturing of the studied tribe possesses novel variation. Foveolate, reticulate, foveolate-psilate, faint reticulate, fossulate, perforate, and scrabate exine sculpturing were noticed. Colpi were absent in all species. Excessive variation was observed in both qualitative and quantitative character of pollen. SPSS software was use for the quantitative measurement of the pollen grains. The current study will be helpful for the identification of the problematic species and phylogenetic studies of family Mimosaceae.

Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy: Implications for authentication of misidentified herbal drugs.

Plant-based drugs have reached remarkable acceptability as therapeutic remedy for various diseases due to the adverse effects of contemporary medicines. This increasing popularity of herbal drugs leads to a growing herbal market for the development of plant-based drugs, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Herbal drug adulteration is a complex problem which currently has undeniable consequences on health and nutrition. Ambiguities in nomenclature, misidentification and resemblance of colour and texture of the crude herbal drugs are the major causes of adulteration. Three different species commercially marketed under the same trade name Halion are Lepidium apetalum, Asparagus officinalis, and Lepidium didymum. The genuine source of Halion is Lepidium apetalum, which is authenticated by using basic and advanced taxonomic techniques. Morphology, anatomy and palynology of the misidentified sources were done using light and scanning electron microscopic techniques for authentication. This study may help to set microscopic techniques as a tool to achieve quality and standardization of the genuine source of the herbal drug. Phytochemical analysis and biological screening is needed for the further establishment of authenticity and quality of herbal drugs.

Taxonomic significance of caryopsis in subfamily Panicoideae (Poaceae) using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.

In recent study, 13 taxa of subfamily Panicoideae were investigated for morphological characterization of caryopsis. Light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were utilized to study macro- and micro-morphological caryopsis features respectively. Caryopsis size in studied taxa was recorded as 1.5-10 mm long and 1-4 mm wide. Caryopsis color was brown, green, yellow, and whitish-brown. Caryopsis shape studied was obovate, elliptic, linear oblate, and round shallowly obtriangular. Hilum position is grooved and depressed. Caryopsis compression type was lateral and dorsiventral. Major variations among studied taxa were observed in terms of caryopsis surface pattern and epicuticular projection types. Six types of caryopsis surface pattern were observed viz. scabrate, rugose, striate, reticulate, papillate, and scabridulous. Structures such as silica cells, bulges, spines, prickles, granules, and bicellular microhair were studied as epicuticular projections. Major variations were observed among Cenchrus pennisetiformis and Cenchrus ciliaris as both has entirely two different types of surface patterns and epicuticular projections. Anticlinal wall thickness and pattern as well as periclinal wall texture and level were investigated. The present research work emphasized on caryopsis characterization of subfamily Panicoideae and it is recommended to establish phylogeny within subfamily Panicoideae and with other subfamilies of Poaceae.

Identification of missense mutation (I12T) in the BSND gene and bioinformatics analysis.

Nonsyndromic hearing loss is a paradigm of genetic heterogeneity with 85 loci and 39 nuclear disease genes reported so far. Mutations of BSND have been shown to cause Bartter syndrome type IV, characterized by significant renal abnormalities and deafness and nonsyndromic nearing loss. We studied a Pakistani consanguineous family. Clinical examinations of affected individuals did not reveal the presence of any associated signs, which are hallmarks of the Bartter syndrome type IV. Linkage analysis identified an area of 18.36 Mb shared by all affected individuals between markers D1S2706 and D1S1596. A maximum two-point LOD score of 2.55 with markers D1S2700 and multipoint LOD score of 3.42 with marker D1S1661 were obtained. BSND mutation, that is, p.I12T, cosegregated in all extant members of our pedigree. BSND mutations can cause nonsyndromic hearing loss, and it is a second report for this mutation. The respected protein, that is, BSND, was first modeled, and then, the identified mutation was further analyzed by using different bioinformatics tools; finally, this protein and its mutant was docked with CLCNKB and REN, interactions of BSND, respectively.