A Manual of Soil Fungi

Factors of Soil Formation

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles is an active area of research in the field of nanotechnology. A variety of chemical and physical methods are used for synthesis of nanoparticles. However, these methods suffer from many drawbacks including use of toxic solvents, high energy consumption, hazardous by products etc. Hence, there is an essential need to develop environment-friendly methods for synthesis of metal nanoparticles. A promising approach to overcome this need is to harness the biological sources for synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Over the past several years, plants and their different products have come up as a low-cost, energy-efficient and non-toxic approach for synthesis of metal nanoparticles. In the present review, the authors provide an overview of various reports of the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by plants, the progress and future prospects of this field.

https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1049/iet-nbt.2012.0031

Plants as potential synthesiser of precious metal nanoparticles: progress and prospects

Nanotechnology and Plant Sciences

New insights concerning the occurrence of fungi in water sources and their potential pathogenicity

Water bodies play an important role in the stabilization of any civilization India is facing a turbulent water future, as its major water source rainfall fluctuates widely, seasonally as well as regionally Water body provides a large amount of easily accessible fresh water which is important for the stable commodity for any population Raipur city is capital of Chhattisgarh state, situated in the fertile plains of Mahanadi River For the study of fungal community present in river water, we have collected fungi from water, to understand the overall diversity among different taxonomic groups of fungi present, as well as their occurrence, frequency and contribution of the fungal species in the river The quantitative and qualitative fungal composition of river water was surveyed monthly for a year ie March 2009 to February 2010 A variety of fungal strains was isolated and identified from the water of river Out of a total 389 fungal colonies, 31 fungal species belongs to 20 fungal genera were isolated Aspergillus niger was most frequent species with (8333%), Rhizopus sp (75%) followed by A flavus and A fumigatus with (5833)% frequency It was also found that maximum percentage contribution was observed for Aspergillus fumigatus (1516%), which was followed by Aspergillus niger with a (0951%) contribution 

Isolation of fungi from the surface water of river

To develop a new green approach for biosynthesis of nanoparticles, myconanotechnology has been represented as a novel field of study in nanotechnology. Several scientists have re-explored the fungi including yeasts and filamentous fungi as a biofactory for eco-friendly, cost-effective synthesis of nanoparticles. The advantageous of fungal-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles have turned the attention of scientists to the kingdom of fungi. The most notable benefits of applying fungi in nanoscience are their resistance to many harsh conditions as well as secretion of extracellular reductive proteins so that it makes the downstream processes easier. This review focuses on general introduction, synthesis of nanoparticles through fungi and its application in biology.

Myconanotechnology and application of nanoparticles in biology

Over the last decade, nanotechnology has been one of the fastest-growing areas of science and technology. The unique physico-chemical properties of various nanomaterials make it possible to create new structures, systems or devices with potential applications in a wide variety of disciplines. Presently, because of nanodimension of functional components of living cells, the application of nanotechnologies in biomedical purposes is inevitable. Zinc oxide (ZnO) possesses unique semiconducting, optical, and piezoelectric properties, so it has been investigated for a wide variety of applications. One of the most important features of ZnO nanomaterials is low toxicity and biodegradability. One of the most promising directions is to use zinc nanoparticles for molecular diagnostics, target delivery of drugs, developing new pharmaceutical preparations. The paper reports the synthesis, characterization of ZnO nanoparticles. Their location in the organism and role in important biological processes, which show the ways of possible practical applications of zinc nanoparticles in biomedicine are also discussed.

Synthesis and Applications of ZnO Nanoparticles in Biomedicine

The Western foot hill gaps of Central Aravallis are stabilized with indigenous and exotic tree species. In the present investigation three different sites were selected, i.e. Pushkar Valley sand dunes (dominated by Acacia tortilis), Leela Sewri sand dunes (dominated by A.senegal) and Pachkund sandy plains (dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Herbaceous flora under the various tree plantations was listed separately to determine the influence of the tree species on phytosociological parameters of herbaceous vegetation. Studies on the influence of individual tree species on the structure of herbaceous vegetation show that species responses vary under different plantations. It is clear from the data that many species which show high value of frequency may not be dominants with respect to IVI (Importance Value Index). Grasses are common for all the sites of study. However, some species respond differentially and to some extent dominance of a species under a particular tree plantation may affect the soil properties and floor dynamics.

Influence of various dominant trees on phytosociology of under storey herbaceous vegetation

Fungal ability in production of pigments and organic acids have crucial role in discoloration and degradation of different types of stone in cultural heritage objects. Additionally, stone objects may support novel communities of microorganisms that are active in biodeterioration process. This investigation focuses on mycological analysis of microbial biofilm from Mahadev temple, made of sandstone, and which was heavily colonized by fungi. The 22 fungal flora including filamentous micro fungi with specific distribution on sandstone substrate was isolated. During the investigation period it was observed that Aspergillus Scalrotium was found as dominant. The identified micro fungi cause discoloration, as well as mechanical exfoliation of building stone material that was analyzed through mechanical hyphae penetration and production of dark pigments and organic acids.

Kavita Sharma

Papers

Isolation of fungi from the surface water of river

Myconanotechnology and application of nanoparticles in biology

Synthesis and Applications of ZnO Nanoparticles in Biomedicine

Influence of various dominant trees on phytosociology of under storey herbaceous vegetation

The role of fungi in biodeterioration of sandstone with reference to Mahadev temple, Bastar, Chhatisgarh