Among the various inorganic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have received substantial attention in the field of antimicrobial research. For safe and biocompatible use of silver nanoparticles in antimicrobial research, the different biogenic routes are developed to synthesize silver nanoparticles that do not use toxic chemicals. Among those, to synthesize silver nanoparticles, the use of plant part extract becomes an emerging field because plant part acts as reducing as well as capping agent. For large-scale production of antibacterial silver nanoparticles using plant part, the synthesis route should be very simple, rapid, cost-effective and environment friendly based on easy availability and non-toxic nature of plant, stability and antibacterial potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles. In the present study, we report a very simple, rapid, cost-effective and environment friendly route for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extract as reducing as well as capping agent. This plant has been opted for the present study for its known medicinal properties, and it is easily available in all seasons and everywhere. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV-Vis and TEM analysis. The average particle size is 40 nm in the range of 10-90 nm. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 741 has been measured by disc diffusion method, agar cup assay and serial dilution turbidity measurement assay. The results show that green synthesized silver nanoparticles, using guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extract, have a potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

There is an increasing demand for silver nanoparticles due to its wide applicability in various area of biological science such as in field of antimicrobial and therapeutics, biosensing, drug delivery etc. To use in bioprocess the silver nanoparticles should be biocompatible and free from toxic chemicals. In the present study we report a cost effective and environment friendly route for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Vasaka (Justicia adhatoda L.) leaf extract as reducing as well as capping agent. This plant has been opted for the present study for its known medicinal properties and it is easily available. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and TEM analysis. It is observed the nanoparticles are well shaped and the average particle size is 20 nm in the range of 5-50 nm. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 741 has been measured by disc diffusion method, agar cup assay and serial dilution turbidity measurement assay. The results show green synthesized silver nanoparticles, using Vasaka leaf extract, have a potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

A novel actinomycete strain, assigned as Am3, was isolated from the root nodules of Alnus nepalensis at Mirik hills, India. Analysis of the 16s rRNA gene sequence placed this new strain within the genus Prauserella. The genome was sequenced by Illumina sequencing and resulting 5.33-Mbp high quality draft genome sequenced with a G + C content of 70.0 % and 4828 candidate protein-encoding genes. Phylogenetically, Prauserella clusters very close to Amycolatopsis and was previously placed under the genus Amycolatopsis. Our main focus was to reveal the genomic similarities and dissimilarities of the newly sequenced Prauserella sp. Am3 with the type strain, Prauserella rugosa DSM 43194 T, and to determine its relationship with Amycolatopsis, which is happened to be the closest genus of Prauserella. Taking an in silico approach, bioinformatic analysis revealed that the core genome of Amycolatopsis and Prauserella contained 1589 genes. The two Prauserella genomes shared approximately 4224 genes, and 237 and 245 unique genes were found in the P. rugosa and Prauserella sp. Am3 genomes, respectively. Analysis of various phylogenetic trees including a 16s rRNA gene tree, MLSA protein-based tree and concatenated core-genomebased tree, placed both Prauserella genomes together with Amycolatopsis halophila YIM 93233 as its closest neighbor. Blast Matrix analysis of the predicted proteomes revealed about 86 % homology between the two Prauserella genomes. Analysis of the strand variation property revealed the absence of replication-transcriptional selection. Overall, a high degree of similarity was found between the two Prauserella genomes and a high percentage of similarity occurred among the Prauserella genomes and Amycolatopsis halophila.

Background: India is a land of diverse ethnicity with plethora of ethnic foods. One of the ethnic foods is Posa kumura (a form prepared from matured fruit of Benincasa hispida) which is consumed in Assam. However, being not so popular, till date there is no written document to provide an evidence of its origin. Methods:The present ethnobotanical study consists of both online (Google form) and offline (field visits and interviews) survey with 918 informers of the state having different gender, age groups and occupation through semi-structured questionnaires along with the preliminary phytochemical analysis. Results:The findings revealed that of 918 respondents (559 male, 358 female and 01 transgender) from 35 districts of Assam, 372 consumes Posa kumura in various forms. Of the 372 people, 75.81% opined that the matured Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. is placed in shade for varying periods of time for conversion to Posa kumura. Though the production process reported is similar, it is different in terms of how people intend to consume. Frying of Posa kumura (49%) was the most favoured mode of consumption followed by curry (27%), dry (6%) and pitha (6%). The age-old health benefits claimed by the consumer of Posa kumura includes improved digestion, anti-diabetic, promotes weight loss, etc. The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, phytosterols, saponins, coumarins. However, phenolics, tannins, phlobatannins, triterpenoids, lignins, quinones, anthraquinones, resins, fixed oils and fats were absent. Besides, Posa kumura also enhances milk production and helps prevent foot and mouth disease of cows.Conclusion: Thus, it can be inferred that the functional ingredients of this food lead to improvement in health in a holistic way.

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