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R. Ravisankar ¹, G. Senthilkumar ², S. Kiruba ³, A. Chandrasekaran ⁴, Prince Prakash Jebakumar ⁵

Affiliations
1 PG & Research Dept. of Physics, Govt. Arts College, Tiruvanamalai-606601, TN, IN
2 Dept. of Physics, University College of Engg., Arani-632317, TN, IN
3 Dept. of Physics, St.Joseph’s College of Engg., Chennai-119, TN, IN
4 Department of Physics, Sacred Heart College, Thirupattur-635601, TN, IN
5 National Institute of Ocean Technology, Pallikaranai, Chennai -601302,TN, IN

Abstract

Qualitative analysis was carried out to determine the major and minor constituent minerals present in sediment samples collected at the coastal area of Tuna, Gujarat by FT-IR and XRD technique. From the IR absorption band or the locations of the different peaks, the minerals were identified with the available literature. In addition to the band positions, the sharpness or diffuseness of bands was helpful in the identification of mineral components. The IR study on sediment samples was highly useful in identifying the various minerals in sediments. Further, the representative sediment samples were analyzed by XRD technique to yield more information about the minerals. Both of these methods were non-destructive and can be used in the identification of mineralogical composition. These results confirmed that the applied techniques are relatively quicker and more reliable in mineral analysis.

Keywords

Sediment Samples, Mineral Analysis, FT-IR, XRD Technique

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R. Ravisankar ¹, S. Kiruba ², A. Chandrasekaran ³, G. Senthilkumar ⁴, C. Maheswaran ⁵

Affiliations
1 Post Graduate & Research Dept. of Physics, Government Arts College, Tiruvanamalai-606601, TN, IN
2 Department of Physics, St.Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai-119, Tamilnadu, IN
3 Department of Physics, Sacred Heart College, Thirupattur-635601, Tamilnadu, IN
4 Department of Physics, University College of Engineering, Arani-632317, Tamilnadu, IN
5 Anthropology Section, Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai-600008,Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

We report the spectroscopic investigation of ancient potteries excavated in Tamilnadu. Qualitative analyses were carried out to determine the major and minor constituent minerals present in the samples based on the band position or location of IR absorption peaks. From the prominent i.r. absorption peaks, the minerals were identified from the available literature. The constituents of minerals present in the potteries are further confirmed by XRD technique. Both FT-IR and XRD techniques reveals the mineral composition of ancient potteries. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to determine the major, minor and trace element composition of potsherds of ancient potteries. The concentration of trace elements is helpful for the characterization of pottery produced in a given region. The combined techniques are very much useful for the characterization of potteries.

Keywords

Ancient Pottery, Mineral Analysis, FT-IR, XRD, EDXRF, Elemental Analysis

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P. I. Divya ¹, M. Prabu ¹, A. Serma Saravana Pandian ¹, G. Senthilkumar ¹, B. Jaya Varathan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Husbandry Economics Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai-7, IN

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the energy use pattern in cow milk production based on the primary data collected from sixty dairy farmers from Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that the highest input energy per animal per day was noticed in large farms (182.59 MJ), followed by medium farms (178.30 MJ), small farms (159.38 MJ) with the overall average of 173.85 MJ. Of all the input energy components, green fodder occupied a major share (61.92 %), followed by concentrate (23.49 %), veterinary expenses (8.34 %), dry fodder (3.78 %) and human labour (2.22 %). Average output energy per animal per day was the highest in large farms as the milk yield was higher (18.17 MJ), followed by small farms (15.32 MJ) and medium farms (15.02 MJ) with the overall average output energy of 15.83 MJ. Out of the total output energy, 83.83 % was from milk and the rest from manure. The results of energy ratio indicated that, small and large farms were having the higher energy ratio of 0.10 compared to energy ratio of medium farms (0.08). Regarding the energy productivity, large farmers were more productive with 100 MJ of energy, 3 litres of milk was produced. Regarding the factors influencing the energy use efficiency of dairy farms, the parameter estimates of the determinants of energy productivity showed that variable farm size (number of animals) and breed were found to be significantly influencing the energy productivity.

Keywords

Dairy Farm, Energy Use, Inputs and Output, Energy Ratio

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G. Senthilkumar ¹, A. Josphine ¹, P. Madhanraj ², A. Panneerselvam ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur (Dt.) - 613 503, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Dept. of Microbiology, Thanthai Hans Roever College of Arts and Science, Elambalur, Perambalur - 621 212, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The marine fungi occurring on the wood samples were studied. Diversity of marine fungi colonizing the lignicolous wood samples was assessed and their distribution pattern was determined. The antibacterial activity of Aspergillus oryzae was tested against five human pathogens by agar well diffusion method. Based on the results, the compounds were separated by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and these compounds were tested against three human bacterial pathogens. The separated compounds were further analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the functional groups, for the antibacterial activity.

Keywords

Aspergillus oryzae, FTIR, TLC, Sterol.

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A. Murugappan ¹, S. Gnanakumar ¹, G. Senthilkumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, T.N., IN

Abstract

Ever-increasing population and its increasing water needs due to improved life styles have led to more and more tapping of groundwater resources due to continuous deterioration of most surface water resources. This necessitates the urgent need to monitor the quality characteristics of groundwater being tapped for domestic activities. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to assess the physicochemical characteristics of shallow groundwaters in eight residential habitations of Usupur Village Panchayat near Chidambaram town in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu State. The quality parameters namely, pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, chlorides, nitrates, fluorides and iron were analysed using standard procedures. The study revealed that the groundwater was not fit for drinking and cooking but with certain affordable ameliorations at household level it could be made fit for other domestic activities such as bathing, washing and gardening.

Keywords

Shallow Groundwater, Bore Wells, Water Quality, Usupur Village, Residential Habitations.

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S. Suganya ¹, R. Bharathidasan ¹, G. Senthilkumar ¹, P. Madhanraj ², A. Panneerselvam ¹

Affiliations
1 PG and Research Department of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Dept of Microbiology, Thanthai Hans Roever College of Arts and Science, Perambalur - 621 212, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Extraction of essential oils from locally available plant Coriandrum sativam (L.) was carried out using steam distillation followed by ether extraction. Dried and purified extracted oils were screened for their antibacterial activity of both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella typhi) bacterial strains by Agar well diffusion method. Coriandrum sativam shows antibacterial activity against the above given five bacterial strains. GC-MS was done on Coriandrum sativam oil. These results support that this plant oil can be used to cure bacterial infections and may also have role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.

Keywords

Coriandrum sativam, GC-MS, Essential Oil, Antibacterial Activity and Extraction.

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A. Josphine ¹, G. Senthilkumar ¹, P. Madhanraj ², A. Panneerselvam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College [Autonomous], Poondi-Thanjavur, IN
2 Dept of Microbiology, Thanthai Hans Roever College of Arts and Science, Perambalur - 621 212, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The variety and galaxy of fungi and their natural beauty occupy prime place in the biological world and India has been the cradle for such fungi. Only a fraction of total fungal wealth has been subjected to scientific scrutiny and mycologist have to unravel the unexplored and hidden wealth. The marine fungi occurring on the wood samples collected from the inter tidal region of the Muthupet mangrove environment were studied. Diversity and distribution of different organisms in the marine environment are influenced by the physico-chemical properties of the soil. Totally 23 fungal species were recorded.

Keywords

Fungi, Diversity, Wood Samples, Mangroves.

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G. Senthilkumar ¹, P. Madhanraj ², A. Panneerselvam ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept of Botany and Microbiology, A. V. V. M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur (Dt) - 613 503, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Dept of Microbiology, Thanthai Hans Roever College of Arts and Science, Perambalur - 621 212, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The chromosomal DNA was isolated from T. harzianum and PCR amplification was performed. The 18S rDNA gene sequencing was made by using ITS (internal transcribed spacer) method. The 18S rDNA gene sequences were submitted to Genebank, NCBI, the accession number GU646678 has been obtained. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 4 (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis Software version 4.0). Based on the neighbour joining tree analysis the isolate T. harzianum has been found closely related to already existing species of Hypocera tixii at 99 per cent of similarity.

Keywords

Trichoderma harzianum, DNA Isolation, Evolution.

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G. Senthilkumar ¹, P. Madhanraj ¹, A. Panneerselvam ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi-613503, Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Totally 42 species belonged to 20 genera were recorded. A preliminary screening of all the species isolated from soils were made for antifungal (antagonistic) activity against Fusarium oxysporum, a known soil borne fungal pathogen. Among the species tested the Trichoderma harzianum inhibited the pathogenic fungus to the maximum both in dual culture and in food poisoning technique. Gas chromatography mass spectrum analysis of acetonitrile extract of the filtrate of T. harzianum revealed the presence of six compounds represents six major peaks. The peaks correspond with diethyl phthalate, tetradecanoic acid 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (z,z), oleic acid, 1, 2-benzene di oxylic acid, diisooctyl ester and squalene.

Keywords

Fungal Extract, Compounds, GC-MS.

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