Kuvempu University

About: Kuvempu University is a education organization based out in Shimoga, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cyclic voltammetry & Carbon paste electrode. The organization has 1575 authors who have published 2210 publications receiving 39755 citations. The organization is also known as: KU.

Antifungal activity of Carbendazim-conjugated silver nanoparticles against anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in mango

Abstract: Mango is one of the popular fruits in the tropical region including India and the production of this is adversely affected by Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This fungal infection during pre-and post-harvesting seasons causes significant economic loss and thus there is a need for effective fungicide to control the disease. Currently, many fungicides including Carbendazim at high concentrations are being used which is a serious environmental hazard. Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being used as a potent means of controlling various pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we have synthesized Carbendazim-conjugated silver nanoparticles (Cz-AgNPs) by a chemical method and tested their efficacy against C. gloeosporioides, in vitro. The Cz-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible, FTIR, SEM and XRD analysis. The shape of Cz-AgNPs was found to be spherical with an average particle size of 19–24 nm. The antifungal activity of Cz-AgNPs was found to be dose-dependent and the maximum potency was observed at a low concentration of 0.1% as compared to fungicide alone at 1% concentration. These results indicate that the Cz-AgNPs could be effectively used to control anthracnose disease in mango and in other crops as well. Further studies with other fungicides and field studies are in progress.

Genetic structure and diversity of Coscinium fenestratum : a critically endangered liana of Western Ghats, India

Abstract: Coscinium fenestratum is a critically endangered medicinal plant, well-known for its bioactive isoquinoline alkaloid berberine. The species has been over harvested from its natural habitats to meet the huge requirement of raw drug market and industrial consumption. This has lead to a rapid decline in the population size and has also led to local population extinction at few locations in the Western Ghats, India. In this study, inter-simple sequence repeat markers were used to investigate the genetic variation and population structure of seven extant populations of C. fenestratum from the central Western Ghats, India. Eight primer combination produced a total of 57 unambiguous bands, of which (47.1 %) were polymorphic. The species exhibited a moderate to low level of intra population genetic diversity (Hs = 0.347 ± 0.008; Ht = 0.378 ± 0.006 (POPGENE) and Hs = 0.262 ± 0.0028; Ht = 0.204 ± 0.020 (HICKORY)). The populations were low to moderately differentiated from one another (GST = 0.221) and geographical distance was not significantly correlated with genetic distance, suggesting that these long-lived, geographically distant remnant populations were once connected through gene flow. There was a significant amount of genetic variation among populations (19.85 %). The Bayesian software STRUCTURE and HICKORY were used to further reveal the genetic structure of C. fenestratum. The results revealed weak population structure (K = 2) with one single widespread gene pool, and indicated that gene flow and inbreeding are likely to be the major driving force in shaping current population genetic structure of C. fenestratum. Thus, an understanding of the genetic diversity and population structure of C. fenestratum can provide insight into the conservation and management of this species.

Direct and indirect method of plant regeneration from root explants of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.--a threatened medicinal plant of Western Ghats.

Abstract: An in vitro regeneration protocol has been standardized via direct and indirect methods from excised root explants of C. bonduc, a threatened woody legume used for the treatment of contagious diseases, inflammation, leprosy, antiperiodic, febrifuge, anthelmenthic, urinary disorders, leucorrhoea, piles and to heal wounds. MS medium supplemented with 17.75 micromol BAP and 2.46 micromol IBA, induced a mean of 3.40 +/- 1.07 shoots directly from the surface of excised root explant. Subsequently, the shoots rooted readily on MS half strength medium with out growth regulators. In indirect organogenesis, callogenic frequency was optimized (96.66%) at the concentration of 9.04 micromol 2, 4-D and 0.88 micromol BAP. An average, 15.30 +/- 5.25 shoots were differentiated from the root callus at the concentration of 17.57 micromol BAP and 2.85 micromol IAA. Shoots regenerated through callus were rooted well on MS half strength medium with growth regulators at 2.95 micromol IBA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to the pots containing sterilized soil and were successfully hardened at greenhouse condition for three weeks then exposed to the natural environment. Survival rate was more (95%) in plantlets derived through direct organogenesis than (60%) the plantlets regenerated through root calli.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes-based electrochemical sensor for the electrochemical investigation of pantoprazole in pharmaceuticals and biological samples

Abstract: A novel and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the electrochemical investigation of pantoprazole (PPZ) have been established based on single-walled carbon nanotubes-modified carbon paste electrode (SWCNTs/CPE). The developed SWCNTs/CPE has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An excellent electrocatalytic activity is observed for the modified electrode with respect to pantoprazole. The phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0 was used as an analytical medium, in which the pantoprazole exhibited well-defined oxidation peak at + 1.09 V and the process was found to be irreversible and diffusion-controlled. The effects of various experimental parameters such as pH, scan rate (υ), and concentration (C) on the voltammetric response are investigated. The electrochemical parameters such as surface concentration (Γ), electron transfer coefficient (α), and standard rate constant (k0) of pantoprazole at modified electrode have been determined. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the proposed sensor is found to exhibit a rapid response towards pantoprazole in the linear range from 10 × 10−9 to 400 × 10−9 M with low detection limit of 4.9 × 10−10 M. The analytical applicability of the proposed sensor has been successfully evaluated for the determination of pantoprazole present in pharmaceutical dosages, human serum, and urine samples with respect to sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, specificity, accuracy, and precision.