No abstract

No abstract

A rapid and efficient microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for the selective extraction of embelin from Embelia ribes was developed. Solvent selection, microwave energy input and solid loading were optimized. The rate of extraction and purity of embelin depended upon the solvent used and exposure time to microwaves. Maximum MAE was achieved in acetone with total yield of 92% (w/w) embelin with 90% (w/w) purity with 1% (w/v) raw material loading at 150 W power level in 80 s. Non-polar solvents, such as hexane and dichloromethane, were not effective for the selective extraction of embelin.

No abstract

The leaves and tuber of Curcuma raktakanda were investigated as a mosquito larvicide against the early fourth instar larvae of four mosquito species, viz., Culex quinquefasciatus , Culex sitiens , Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi . The petroleum ether extract of the leaves and tuber exhibited toxicity towards all the test species. The LC 90 values of leaf extract for Cx. quinquefasciatus , Cx. sitiens , Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi were 46.77, 27.45, 58.75 and 45.81 mg/l,respectively. The LC 90 values of crude extract of tuber were 44.88, 29.11, 48.08 and 37.49 mg/l for Cx. quinquefasciatus , Cx. sitiens , Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi , respectively. The crude extract of the tuber was fractionated using column chromatography and the activity of the fractions was studied against the test species. The LC 90 values of the biologically active fraction for Cx. quinquefasciatus , Cx. sitiens , Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi were 18.50, 12.82, 19.95 and 18.19 mg/l, respectively. The extracts were active after storage for one year.