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Padma Venkatasubramanian ¹, S. P. Balasubramani ¹, S. K. Nandi ², Mohd Tariq ²

Affiliations
1 TransDisciplinary University, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, 74/2, Jarakabhande Kaval, Attur Post, via Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560 106, IN
2 G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN

Abstract

Medicinal plants are used as a source of raw drugs, chemical compounds or bioactive metabolites. Many of the medicinal plant species are facing threat of extinction due to indiscriminate harvesting by humans. Conservation of such species is no longer an altruistic choice but a necessity to ensure sustainable supply of bioactive compounds to the drug industry. This article demonstrates that conservation of threatened species is possible through large-scale cultivation of elite germplasm identified using biochemical markers. Six species, viz. Aconitum balfourii Stapf, Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (syn = Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) T. S. Ying), Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Berth., Berberis aristata DC. and Embelia ribes Burm. f. were selected for the study under the all-India coordinated project on threatened species. The approach proved to be effective for bringing back the species from the verge of extinction.

Keywords

Bioactive Metabolites, Conservation Strategy, Medicinal Plants, Elite Germplasm.

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C. R. Deb ¹, G. R. Rout ², A. A. Mao ³, S. K. Nandi ⁴, R. K. Nilasana Singha ³, D. Vijayan ³, T. Langhu ¹, Z. P. Kikon ¹, S. Pradhan ³, Mohd Tariq ⁴, D. Swain ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Nagaland University, Lumami 798 627, IN
2 Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar 751 003, IN
3 Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong 793 003, IN
4 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN

Abstract

To prevent extinction of threatened species, in vitro regeneration protocols for the propagation of six threatened species were standardized. The regenerated micro-shoots were ischolar_mained in nutrient medium supplemented with low concentrations of auxin. The well-developed plantlets were successfully established in field conditions, thus improving the probability of self-sustenance of the introduced populations. The success story of these six threatened species reaffirms the role of in vitro propagation in conserving plants facing the threat of extinction.

Keywords

Conservation, In vitro Regeneration, Microshoots, Threatened Species.

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Anwar Ali ¹, Mohd Tariq ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, IN

Abstract

Thermal expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility of binary liquid mixtures of varying nature have been calculated using density and ultrasonic speed data. Excess thermal expansivity, and isothermal compressibility of binary liquid mixtures have also been calculated and the results are interpreted in terms of strength of molecular interactions between the component molecules of the liquid mixtures. Moreover, thermal expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility of pure liquids and liquid mixtures has been calculated using Flory's theory and various hard sphere models. The results are useful in predicting the superiority of Flory's theory over the hard sphere models in predicting the above properties.

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