Potential of Microbispora sp. V2 as biocontrol agent against Sclerotium rolfsii, the causative agent of southern blight of Zea mays L (Baby corn)--in vitro studies.

The study was undertaken with the aim of exploring novel and beneficial agro activities of rare actinomycetes like Microbispora sp. V2. The antagonistic activity of Microbispora sp. V2 was evaluated as a biocontrol agents against Sclerotium rolfsii, a soil-borne fungal plant pathogen. The methodology performed for evaluation of biocontrol agent was in vitro evaluation assay which comprised of three tests viz., cellophane overlay technique, seed germination test and Thiram (fungicide) tolerance of Microbispora sp. V2. The isolate was found to inhibit the fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii to 91.43% in cellophane assay. In seed germination assay, Microbispora sp. V2 treated seeds resulted in 25.75% increased germination efficiency, as compared to seeds infected by Sclerotium rolfsii. The isolate Microbispora sp. V2 could tolerate 1000 microg mL(-1) of Thiram (fungicide). The in vitro assay studies proved that Microbispora sp. V2 can be used as antifungal antagonist and thus posses' great potential as biocontrol agent against southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Zea mays L (Baby corn) which causes large economical losses.

RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous quantitation of boeravinone E and boeravinone B in Boerhaavia diffusa extract and its formulation.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of two major rotenoids, boeravinone E and boeravinone B, in Boerhaavia diffusa extract and its formulation. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Inertsil ODS-3 column by using gradient mobile phase containing 0.1% v/v orthophosphoric acid in water and acetonitrile. The detection was carried out at 276 nm. The method was validated for specificity, precision, accuracy and robustness. The linearity (r(2) = 0.9989 and 0.9991) was found to be in the range of 7.26-35.75 µg mL(-1) and 2.20-11.00 µg mL(-1) for boeravinone E and B, respectively. The percent recovery observed from the extract sample was 95.22-95.83.

Validated TLC method for simultaneous quantitation of kutkoside and picroside-I from Kutki extract.

INTRODUCTION: The two iridoid glycosides kutkoside and picroside-I are the active hepatoprotective principles of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth (Scrophulariaceae), commonly known as Kutki. Quantitation of these phytoconstituents is important for the routine quality control of Kutki extract. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a simple, precise and rapid thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method for the simultaneous quantitation of kutkoside and picroside-I in Kutki extract. METHODOLOGY: The analysis was performed on a TLC precoated silica gel 60 F(254) plate with ethyl acetate:methanol:glacial acetic acid:formic acid (25:5:1:1, v/v/v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric evaluation of kutkoside and picroside-I was carried out at 265 nm and the mobile phase showed good resolution with R(f) values 0.42 ± 0.03 and 0.61 ± 0.03 for kutkoside and picroside-I, respectively. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision. RESULTS: The content of kutkoside and picroside-I was found to be 2.18 and 1.90%, respectively, and was comparable with those obtained by HPLC. The linearity was found to be in the range of 80-480 ng/spot for both kutkoside and picroside-I. The average recovery values were found to be 96.5 and 96.0% for kutkoside and picroside-I, respectively. CONCLUSION: The developed method was found to be relatively simple, precise and reproducible for the simultaneous quantitation of kutkoside and picroside-I. The method does not employ any derivatisation procedure and can be used as a quality control tool for the routine analysis of commercial Kutki extracts.