Serampore College

About: Serampore College is a education organization based out in Serampore, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Schiff base & Oxidative stress. The organization has 95 authors who have published 231 publications receiving 2725 citations.

Application of phytochemicals as immunostimulant, antipathogenic and antistress agents in finfish culture

Abstract: Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, pigments, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids and essential oils are a large group of plant-derived compounds commonly found in diets high in fruits, vegetables, beans and cereals. Plant remedies are closely linked to the maintenance of good health in the cultural heritage of many countries. Despite the potential benefits to health and performance as noted in various terrestrial animals, the use of phytochemicals in fish farming has rarely been investigated. Fish culture is under pressure to decrease the use of synthetic antibiotics and chemotherapeutics because of the risk caused to humans by chemical residues in food and by antibiotic resistance being passed on to human pathogens. Consequently, efforts are being made to exploit plants, plant extracts or natural plant compounds as potential alternatives to synthetic chemicals for the stimulation of immune responses and disease resistance in fish. The phytochemicals contained in herbs may enhance the innate immune system and possess antimicrobial capabilities that may be of immense use in fish culture without causing any environmental and/or hazardous problems. Most phytochemicals are redox active molecules that have anti-oxidant characteristics that may improve the general physiological condition of fish. This review discusses the results emanating from different studies related to the in vivo application of plants and/or phytochemicals in fish in relation to immunostimulation, antipathogenic and antistress activities. Special emphasis is given to the use of Chinese and Indian herbs as immunostimulants in different finfish species during culture and as antibacterial agents against Aeromonas hydrophila.

Application of phytochemicals as growth‐promoters and endocrine modulators in fish culture

Abstract: There is a constant need to increase productivity in aquaculture, particularly to improve growth rate, feed utilization as well as stress resistance of fish. Because of consumer concerns and strict regulations in many countries, the use of synthetic chemicals, hormones and antibiotics is becoming unviable and natural compounds are more acceptable to the public. A wide variety of chemical compounds are found in plants, and many of them have been shown to have beneficial effects on appetite, growth and the immune status of fish acting through different mechanisms. Phytochemicals contained in herbs may enhance the innate immune system, possess antimicrobial capabilities, and are redox active molecules with antioxidant characteristics that may help to improve the general physiological condition of fish. Many studies have discussed the values of phytochemicals as feed additives. Another paramount concern related to phytochemicals is their endocrine modulator effect that can be applied both in aquaculture targeting the production of table fish and the growing sector of ornamental fish production. Different mechanisms such as the effects at the steroid receptor level, effects on steroid synthesis, distribution and excretion, actions on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis, as well as indirect mechanisms including thyroid and growth hormone disruption have been postulated for the reproductive endocrine disruption in fish populations by phytochemicals. This paper reviews the results of a great number of studies focusing on phytochemicals such as essential oils, saponins, flavonoids and phytosterols discussing their effects on productive traits and the putative mechanism of action.

Impedance spectroscopy study of LaMnO3 modified BaTiO3 ceramics

Abstract: Ba0.97Ti0.97La0.02Mn0.04O3 nanocrystalline powder was prepared by chemical route with the help of soluble tartarate complex of Ti4+ ion. Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of crystal structure showed that a single-phase compound was formed exhibiting tetragonal system. Average crystallite size and particle size were observed to be between 27 and 33 nm, which were analyzed through XRD and transmission electron microscope respectively. Wide range impedance spectroscopy study from 200 to 600 °C showed the presence of both bulk and grain boundary effects up to 500 °C. The bulk conductivity indicated an Arrhenius-type thermally activated process and oxygen vacancies are the possible ionic charge carriers at higher temperatures. The variation of ac conductivity as a function of frequency indicated the possibility of hopping mechanism for electrical process in the system with a non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation.

Photocatalytic oxidation of organic dyes by nano-sized metal molybdate incorporated titanium dioxide (MxMoxTi1- xO6) (M = Ni, Cu, Zn) photocatalysts

Abstract: Different metal molybdates incorporated titanium dioxide were prepared by the chemical solution decomposition (CSD) method. Among many transition-metal molybdates, nickel molybdate incorporated titanium dioxide (NMTI) was found to be more photoactive than P25 TiO 2 and other metal molybdate doped TiO 2 (M x Mo x Ti 1− x O 6 ) (M = Ni, Cu, Zn; x = 0.05), for photocatalytic oxidation of various dyes solution to harmless decolorized solution at room temperature with the help of Hg lamp. The prepared nano powders were characterized by XRD, UV–vis spectra, specific surface area (BET), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, EPR spectrum and TEM analyses. The average particle size of NMT1 was found to be 15 nm measured from TEM and calculated band gap from adsorption edge is found to be 2.66 eV.