The problem of antibacterial resistance to frequently used antibiotics has led to a search for newer and alternative compounds for the treatment of drugresistant infections [1]. Although pharmaceutical companies have designed a number of new antibiotics in the last three decades, resistance against these drugs by microorganisms has also been observed. Drug resistant bacterial infections are causing immense mortality and morbidity worldwide. For example, in 2005, in the United States, 19 000 out of 95 000 patients affected from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have died. Number of death was higher than number of deaths combined from HIV/ AIDS, Parkinson's disease, emphysema, and homicides combined [2]. As many branches of treatments like postsurgical care, neonatal care, transplantation medicine, cancer chemotherapy, and care of the critically ill patients need effective antibiotic treatment, failure of conventional antibiotic treatment to combat multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens, caused high rate of mortality. With this background, World Health Organization (WHO) identified MDR bacteria as one of the top three high priority threats to human health. Infectious Disease Society of America has addressed the biomedical community to declare a war against the MDR bacterial threat. Along with intensifying research on understanding the resistance pattern of MDR infection, they have stressed that the ultimate goal of scientist would be to identify appropriate and efficient antimicrobial drugs to the patients.

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Acid mine drainage and coal fly ash both are the sibling products from man's increasing demand for power. Mining of coal from coal mines generates acid mine drainage (AMD), and burning of coal for thermal power generation produces fly ash (FA). Although both are hazardous to the ecosystem and human health, reunion of them into one would reduce their toxic effect on nature. Mining causes exposure of hidden rock materials containing an abundance of sulphide to the atmosphere. Oxidation of the metal sulphides (pyrite, as iron sulphide) within the surrounding rock and overburden generates acidity. Subsurface mining that pumps out water to prevent flooding releases acidic water to nearby areas, known as acid mine drainage. Tailings piles, mine waste rock dumps, and coal spoils contribute in AMD. Improper disposal of the fly ash contaminates the soil, water and air by leaching of the pollutants or air borne particulate matters. However filler properties and presence of macronutrients makes fly ash an excellent filler material for mine sites, and its soil-like properties help in plant growth if provided with organic carbon and nitrogen. This chapter proposes development of a green cover into AMD site after treatment of the AMD site with FA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of two green seaweeds: Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca collected from the Matla river of Indian Sunderbans Delta. Both seaweeds showed antibacterial activities against several gram positive, and gram negative human pathogens obtained either clinically or from microbial type collection centre. Several pathogens among the clinically isolated strains were multidrug resistant isolates. Among the different solvents tried, best activity was noted in the n-Hexane fraction. Along with the antimicrobial activities, both seaweeds also showed antifungal activities. The MIC values of the activities were determined by disc diffusion assay and macrodilution assay. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of xanthoprotein, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, glycosides, saponins and cardiac glycosides.

The present paper is an attempt to assess the carbon and nitrogen percentages in the Above Ground Biomass (AGB) of wheatgrass (Triticaum aestivum) collected from the organic garden of Techno India University, West Bengal after a period of 14 days from the date of sowing seeds on 4 th March, 2017. The carbon percentage ranges between 30.99% to 31.92% (mean value = 31.51 ± 0.404). The nitrogen percentage is significantly less compared to carbon value (1.26% -1.31%; mean value = 1.292± 0.016). The stored carbon and nitrogen levels in the seedlings suggest the species as a potential sink of green house gases.