Annamalai University

About: Annamalai University is a education organization based out in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Lipid peroxidation & Antioxidant. The organization has 8098 authors who have published 10758 publications receiving 203872 citations.

Aging effect on enzyme activities in pressmud vermicasts of lampito mauritii (kinberg) and eudrilus eugeniae (kinberg)

Abstract: Cellulase, amylase, invertase, protease and phosphatase activities in pressmud (PM; filter cake) and PM vermicasts of fresh, 15- and 30-day-old casts of Lampito mauritii and Eudrilus eugeniae decreased considerably with cast age. Enhancement of the activities of these enzymes could be ascribed to the nutrient-rich substrate, active microbial populations and optimal moisture conditions. Aged casts showed reduced enzyme activities because of a decreased moisture content, lower nutrient concentrations and a decline in microbial activity. Earthworm-microbe symbiosis seems to operate in a stepwise fashion, controlling groups of enzymes during the metabolism of PM to keep the flux of nutrients in casts (soil) in balance in the biosphere.

Phycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye using silver (Ag) nanoparticles synthesized from Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J.V. Lamouroux

Abstract: In the present investigation, simple and eco-friendly chemical reaction for the synthesis reported on biological synthesis of nano-sized silver and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Hypnea musciformis at room temperature along with photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye. The nanoparticles of silver were formed by the reduction of silver nitrate to aqueous silver metal ions during exposure to the extract of red alga H. musciformis. The optical properties of the obtained silver nanoparticles were characterized by applying UV–visible absorption and room temperature photoluminescence. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were in the cubic phase. The existence of functional groups was identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and size of the synthesized particles were studied with atomic force microscope measurements. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was measured spectrophotometrically by using silver as nanocatalyst under visible light illumination. The results revealed that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using H. musciformis was found to be impressive in degrading methyl orange.

Phytoplankton diversity in Pichavaram mangrove waters from south-east coast of India.

Abstract: The results of an investigation carried out during September 2002 to August 2003 on hydrography, composition and community structure of phytoplankton including chlorophyll 'a' (Chl-a) content and primary productivity (PP) of the Pichavaram mangrove (South-east coast of India) are reported Atmospheric and surface water temperatures varied from 300 to 348 degrees C and from 297 to 342 degrees C respectively while the light extinction coefficient values (LEC) (K) ranged between 32 and 149 Salinity values varied from 96 to 354 per thousand and the pH ranged between 72 and 86 Variation in dissolved oxygen content was from 32 to 65 ml l(-1) The ranges of inorganic nutrients viz, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were: 7-3623, 031-546, 028-370 and 1226-56 64 microM respectively Chlorophyll 'a' content ranged between 020 and 10560 microg l(-1) and the ranges of gross and net primary productivities (PP) were: 1654-8268 and1152-6102 mg Cm(-3) hr(-1) respectively Presently a total of 94 species of phytoplankton were identified Among these, the diatoms formed predominant group Population density of phytoplankton varied from 400 to 3,21,000 cells(-1) While the peak diversity (523 bits/ind) of the phytoplankton was observed during summer season, the maximum population density was found during summer season coinciding with the stable hydrographical conditions

Protective role of caffeic acid against alcohol‐induced biochemical changes in rats

Abstract: Caffeic acid is a well-known phenolic compound mainly present in plants. In this study, caffeic acid was evaluated for its protective effect against chronic ethanol-induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats. Administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg/day) for 45 days induced liver and kidney damage as manifested by a significant increase in the levels of serum hepatic and renal markers namely aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and levels of hemoglobin. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and hydroperoxide were significantly elevated where as the levels of nonenzymic antioxidants [reduced glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C] were significantly decreased in alcohol-intoxicated rats. Administration of caffeic acid along with alcohol significantly decreased the serum levels of liver and kidney markers to near-normal levels. In addition, administration of caffeic acid significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation markers while the levels of antioxidants were significantly increased in circulation of alcohol-fed rats. All these results were accompanied by histological observations in liver. The results demonstrate that caffeic acid has a beneficial effect in reducing the adverse effect of alcohol.