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P. Jayaraman ¹, Indira Kalyanasundaram ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. Biotech., Vel Tech. High Tech. Dr.Rangarajan Dr.Sakunthala Engg. College, Avadi, Chennai-600 062, IN
2 CAS in Botany, Univ. Madras, Gunidy Campus, Chennai 600 025, IN

Abstract

Samples of crude- and refined- rice bran oil and de-oiled bran collected from mills and local market places were analysed for the presence of aflatoxins B₁ and the causal fungi. Out of 20 crude rice bran oil and 20 refined rice bran oil samples analysed, 15 and 6 samples, respectively were positive for aflatoxins B1. The aflatxoin B1 in the rice bran oil samples were in the range of trace to 956 ppb and averaged 618 ppb. Out of 30 samples analysed, 20 samples of de-oiled bran were positive and the toxin level ranged from 7 to 144 ppb with an average of 33 ppb. The storage fungi including toxigenic fungi present in the rice bran oil and de-oiled bran samples were Aspergillus glaucus, flavus, A. niger, A . nidulans, A. candidus, A. fumigatus, and Penicillium spp. and Gliocladium viride. In the rice bran oil samples, the fungi found were less in number (1 one to 14 cfu/g) with an average of 2 cfu/g. While, in the de-oiled bran, it was 1 to 130 X 10³ cfu/g with an average of 33 X 10³ cfu/g which include toxigenic A. flavus. About 60% of A. flavus from crude rice bran oil samples and 66.7% of A. flavus strains isolated from de-oiled bran samples were positive for aflatoxin production.

Keywords

Aflatoxins, Mycotoxins, Storage Fungi, aspergillus Flavus, Rice Bran Oil, De-oiled Rice Bran

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P. Jayaraman ¹, E. Sivaprakasam ², V. Rajesh ¹, K. Mathivanan ¹, P. Arumugam ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany Government Arts College for Men (Autonomous) Nandanam, Chennai 600 035, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Botany Government Arts college, Thiruvannamalai 606 603, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Armats Biotech Pvt. Ltd., No.14, Mettu street, Maduvankarai, Guindy, Chennai 600 032, IN

Abstract

Dried seeds of Cassia auriculata Linn., C.absus Linn. and C. fistula Linn. were collected from Javaathu hills, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India for the comparative analysis of phyto-chemical potential with special reference to antioxidant activity. The active compounds were extracted with ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol. The methanol was found as suitable solvent and hence used for further extraction and analysis. The preliminary phytochemical screening of C. auriculata, C. absus C. fistula has revealed for the presence of alkaloids, phenolics and flavanoids in all the species. Absence of reducing sugars in C. absus, glucosides in C. auriculata and saponins in C. fistula were also observed. The quantitative determination of phenol and flavanoids was carried out in C. auriculata, C.absus and C. fistula and found that the total phenolic content as 0.18, 0.15, 0.11 and flavonoids 0.08, 0.092, 0.087% respectively. The antioxidant potential of the seed extracts recorded as much as 50% compared to α- tocopherol as standard. The Super oxide assay for the sample shows as 3% comparable to the standard α-tocopherol (5%). The Phosphomolybdenum assay and metal chelating activity indicate that the plant extract is a potential antioxidant. The details are presented in the present study.

Keywords

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, Radical Scavenging Activity, Cassia Auriculata, Cassia Absus and Cassia Fistula

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K. Mathivanan ¹, E. Sivaprakasam ², R. Palani ¹, V. Rajesh ¹, P. Jayaraman ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany Government Arts College for Men (Autonomous) Nandanam, Chennai 600 035, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Botany Government Arts college, Thiruvannamalai 606 603, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Dried seeds of Cassia auriculata, C.absus and C.fistula were collected from the forest of Javaathu hills, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India for the comparative analysis of antimicrobial activity and phyto-chemical potential. The active bio-compounds from the seeds of above plants were extracted with ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol and found methanol as a suitable solvent, hence used for further analysis. The phytochemical screening of the seeds showed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics and flavanoids in all species; glycosides in C.absus; reducing sugars in C.auriculata and C.fistula; non-reducing sugars in C.absus and C.fistula and Saponins in C.absus and C.auriculata from trace to higher amounts. The quantitative determination of phenol and flavanoids of methanolic seed extracts from C. auriculata, C.absus and C. fistula revealed total phenolic content as 0.18, 0.15, 0.11 and flavonoids 0.08, 0.092, 0.087% respectively. The antibacterial activity of methanolic seed extract was tested using agar well diffusion method and broth dilution method for the inhibitory effect. In the test for antimicrobial activity, methanol extracts show inhibition against almost all tested pathogens. C.absus showed higher zone of inhibition (ZOI) as 21 mm against Micrococcus luteus and as 17 cm against Klepsella pnuemoniae at 1000 μg concentration. But C.auriculata and C.fistula had moderate inhibitory effect on all the bacterial spceies from 500 μg to 1000 μg concentrations. The antifungal activity of C. absus, C.auriculata and C. fistula seed extracts were tested by agar well diffusion method and found to have inhibitory effect against all the tested fungi viz. Candida albicans, C.parapsilosis and C.tropicalis from 11 mm to 21 mm ZOI. Our study provides the scientific validation for their traditional use in medicinal applications.

Keywords

Phytochemical Potential, Antibacterial Testing, Antifungal Activity, Cassia Auriculata, Cassia Absus and Cassia Fistula

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