This was the first comprehensive pollen micromorphological investigation of lactiferous flora (Apocynaceae) of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The pollen morphology of 10 species of the family Apocynaceae was observed and documented using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen was found subspheroidal in shape in most of the species, however peroblate shape was noted in Vinca major. Exine sculpturing patterns (psilate, rugulate, scabrate, and microreticulate) were observed. The result indicated that exine ornamentation of Apocynaceae taxa is systematically informative at generic and species levels. Most of the species have tricolporate type pollen but tetraporate pollen was also observed in Trachelospermum jasminoides and tetracolpate in V. major. Minimum equatorial diameter was noted in Carissa edulis (27.13 μm) and maximum in V. major (108.25 μm). Similarly, maximum exine thickness was found in Cascabela thevetia (9.5 μm). In the present findings, the pollen morphological data are compared with available other pollen studies to evaluate the taxonomic value of pollen traits in Apocynaceae taxa by using multiple microscopic techniques. Furthermore, molecular and phylogenetic studies were recommended to strengthen the systematics of Apocynaceae taxa.

The present study is focused on the detailed foliar epidermal anatomy of some selected wild edible fruits (WEFs) from Pakistan using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The studied species are Ficus racemosa L., Solanum nigrum L., Capparis spinosa L., Physalis divaricata D.Don, Rosa moschata Herrm. and Ribes orientale Desf. collected from various localities of Pakistan. The objective of the present study is to investigate qualitative and quantitative anatomical characters for the identification and differentiation of collected wild edible fruits. The characters studied are shape and size of epidermal cells, anticlinal wall pattern, trichome type and shape, average number of stomata, length and width of stomata and pore. The detailed microscopic investigation and variations in the characters recorded have a key role in the determination and authentication of wild edible fruits. This study possesses great potential for plant taxonomists to further evaluate the species at molecular and genetic levels.

Second‐generation biofuels prove to be a distinctive and renewable source of sustainable energy and cleaner environment. The current study focuses on the exploration and identification of four nonedible sources, that is, Brassica oleracea L., Carthamus oxyacantha M.Bieb., Carthamus tinctorius L., and Beaumontia grandiflora Wall., utilizing light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for studying the detailed micromorphological features of these seeds. LM revealed that size ranges from 3 to 20 mm. furthermore, a great variety of color is observed from pitch black to greenish gray and yellowish white to off white. Seeds ultrastructure study with the help of SEM revealed a great variety in shape, size, color, sculpturing and periclinal wall shape, and so on. Followed by the production of fatty acid methyl esters from a novel source, that is, seeds oil of Brassica oleracea L. (seed oil content 42.20%, FFA content 0.329 mg KOH/g) using triple metal impregnated montmorillonite clay catalyst (Cu‐Mg‐Zn‐Mmt). Catalyst was characterized using SEM–EDX, FT‐IR. Maximum yield of Brassica oleracea L. biodiesel (87%) was obtained at the conditions; 1:9 of oil to methanol ratio, 0.5 g of catalyst, 5 hr reaction time, and 90°C of temperature. Synthesized biodiesel was characterized by FT‐IR, GC–MS, and NMR. Fuel properties of the Brassica oleracea L. FAMES were determined and found in accordance with ASTM standards.