Rapid increase in energy consumption and depletion of fossil fuel has lead to an extensive research in the field of alternative fuel. In this context, bioethanol has been reported as an alternative fuel because it is renewable, non toxic

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Context:The therapeutic potential of the genus Vernonia has been well documented over the years. However the pharmacological potential of the plant Vernonia arborea (Asteraceae) has been relatively less explored. Objective: To investigate the antiinflammatory effect of the ethanol leaf extract of V. arborea against formalin induced inflammation in rats. Materials and methods: Formalin induced inflammation method was used to induce inflammation in rats.0.1 ml/kg body weight (b.w.) of formalin was administered to the rats via sub-plantar injection to induce inflammation. The rats were pretreated with ethanol leaf extract of V. arborea at concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w. once daily for 30 days. Indomethacin (25 mg/kg b.w.) was used as standard drug. Biochemical and hematological parameters along with levels of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. Results: Administration of formalin reduced antioxidant enzyme levels, total RBC and Hb. Pretreatment with ethanol leaf extract of V.arborea at dose dependent levels significantly increased (p<0.05)the levels of the above parameters. A significant increase (p<0.05) in paw thickness, level of serum enzymes (Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase and Creatine kinase), Lipid peroxide and leucocytes was observed in the rats induced with formalin, while these levels were normalized on pretreatment with ethanol leaf extract of V.arborea. Conclusion: The results of the present investigation demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanol leaf extract of V.arborea. However, it is imperative to isolate and purify the active principles involved in the pharmacological potency of this plant and determine its mechanism of action.

Rivers contaminated with sewage are the most disturbed ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities such as release of heavy metals, organic pollutants and pharmaceuticals as well as faecal and pathogenic microorganisms, which coexist with the indigenous microbial population. Coovum is such a much polluted river in Chennai city, India. There have been several programs in operation and plan to remediate the Coovum river. In this context, the present study has aimed to explore some of the beneficial bacteria from this polluted river to be used for environmental and horticultural applications. A total of 43 bacteria were isolated from two different water samples collected from Coovum river. Physicochemical parameters were analysed and found the water is not suitable for either drinking purposes or irrigation purposes. As such, the Coovum water also inhibited the germination and reduced growth of tested seeds and seedlings, respectively thus double confirms its unfitness for irrigation purposes. All these 43 bacteria were screened for different plant growth promotion potentials such as production of phytohormones (Indole Acetic Acid-IAA) and phosphate solubilization. They were also characterized for the production of hydrolytic enzymes, heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance to characterize their bioremediation potential. While screening for IAA production, 7 strains were found to produce this plant growth promoting hormone. Similarly, 10 strains were able to solubilize phosphate. All the 17 strains were also characterized for their production of lytic enzymes and found only nine strains were able to show amylolytic activity and nine strains showed proteolytic activity. While screening their antagonistic activity against plant pathogenic fungi, one strain has inhibited the mycelia growth of Macrophomina phaseolina and five strains were able to inhibit Alternaria alternata. Three efficient strains, AMET3006, AMET3028 and AMET3030 were able to grow even at 5 μm concentrations of Hg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Cr. Among these, the best performing strain AMET3006 was identified as Pseudomonas sp. Thus, the present study concludes that even in much polluted ecosystem like Coovum river, bacteria were having plant growth promotion activities, bioremediation potential, heavy metal and antibiotic resistance and added advantage of antifungal activity. These bacteria can be employed to bioremediate the contaminated water which can be used for the purpose of irrigating ornamental plants due to their plant growth promotion activities. Further studies on the practical applications of the selected strains will produce more encouraging results which are underway.

Coastal sand dunes (CSD) are important marine ecosystems which received less attention. The coastal sand dune plants also little explored. India has a vast coast line of a coastline of 7,517 km was reported to have 338 species of CSD flora, of which 92 species are found to be common to the west and east coasts. The coastal sand dune plants of west coast of India are studied for their diversity, biology and bioprospecting adequately. However, the coastal sand dune plants though less approached for diversity and bioprospecting knowledge on the biology is rarely attempted. Hence, in the present study we have taken two coastal sand dune plants such as Canavalia sp. and Ipomoea sp. and studied the morphometrics and germination biology of their seeds. Both Canavalia sp. and Ipomoea sp. The fresh weight of the Canavalia sp. seeds from different locations exhibited little temporal variations. The the average fresh weight of the Canavalia sp. in the Chennai coastal sand dunes was 0.84 g. The dry weight of Canavalia sp. was in the range of 47.90-64.73 g (100 seeds weight). Average moisture content of Canavalia sp. seeds was found to be 36.7%. The average fresh weight for the Ipomoea sp. seeds was 24.3 g (100 seeds), average dry weight of 8.7 g (100 seeds) and the seeds were having an average moisture content of 23.8%. Canavalia sp. seeds were having average length of 14.42 mm, average height of 26.95 mm and average breadth of 8.35 mm. Average volumes of Canavalia sp. seeds from the south east coast of India is 33.1mm 3. Ipomoea sp seeds were having average length of 6.95 mm, average height of 6.81mm and average breadth of 5.63mm. Average volumes of Ipomoea sp seeds from the south east coast of India is 19.4 mm 3. Canavalia sp. seeds are relatively faster in germination which usually germinates in 2 days where as Ipomoea seeds germinate in 12 days. Direct sowing was found to be best for germination of Ipomoea seeds while water soaking for 24 is found essential for the germination of Canavalia sp.