Exploring the plastic-fed Indian mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) gut bacterial strain (Bacillus subtilis AP-04) - A potential driver of polyethylene degradation.

Plastic biodegradation by microbes is an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach that has no negative consequences. In this study, mealworms were fed with 9 different diets with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene foam (PF), after 28 days of incubation mealworm survival rates were highest at 93.3 % when fed wheat bran alone whereas 83.

Characterization of Priestia megaterium S1, a polymer degrading gut microbe isolated from the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed on Styrofoam.

This study reveals that Tenebrio molitor larvae are fed with two different feeds i.e., barley bran along with Styrofoam, and barley bran without Styrofoam, the survival percentage of mealworms shows 86 and 89%, respectively.

(Kadarpassi chooranam) Phytochemical analysis and biological significance - a novel Siddha drug.

Objectives: To evaluate biological activity and the phytochemical analysis of kadarpassi chooranam. Seaweeds are the marine macro algae, species belonging to Protista kingdom that has no true system, internal vascular systems, seeds and flowers. It has a lot of biological activity and has been proven to have a lot of medicinal benefits.

Analgesic and CNS Depressant Activities of Sea Anemone Heteractis aurora Nematocyst Toxin.

Marine organisms are the excellent sources for biologically active compounds. Cnidarian venoms are potentially valuable materials used for biomedical research and drug development. The present work was carried out to analyse haemolytic, analgesic and CNS depressant activity of sea anemone Heteractis aurora.

Physiological characteristics of crab Portunus sanguinolentus egg mass extract from southeast coast of India.

Background: The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the physiological characteristics of crab egg mass (Portunus sanguinolentus) crude extract.

Methods: Assays were followed by standard methods.

Results: A maximum of 256 hemolytic units (HU) and a minimum of 128 HU were found in chicken and goat erythrocytes.

In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of seaweeds from hare island, Tuticorin coast of India.

Objective: To assess the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities from methanolic extracts of brown and red seaweeds.

Methods: Padina tetrastromatica, Stocheopremum marginatum and Phorphyra sp. were evaluated by in vitro standard methods.

Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) DNA sequencing of the ascidians Didemnum granulatum (JQ013198) and D. psammathodes (JN624758).

Two colonial ascidians Didemnum granulatum and D. psammathodes were collected from Tuticorin coastal waters. These ascidians were sequenced at 603 and 576 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) for phylogenetic analysis.

Larvicidal and pupicidal activity of spinosad against the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi.

Objective: To investigate the larvicidal and pupicidal activity of spinosad against Anopheles stephensi Listen.

Methods: Spinosad from the actinomycete, Saccharopolyspora spinosa was tested against Anopheles stephensi at different concentrations (0.01, 0.

Antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of fish epidermal mucus Cynoglossus arel and Arius caelatus.

Objective: To study the antimicrobial, hemolytic activity and immunomodulatory activity of fish epidermal mucus and their chemical constituents from Cynoglossus arel (C. arel) and Arius caelatus (A. caelatus).

Larvicidal and repellent potential of Moringa oleifera against malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae).

Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal and pupicidal potential of the methanolic extracts from Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) plant seeds against malarial vector Anopheles stephensi (A. stephensi) mosquitoes at different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm).

Sediment texture and nutrients of Arasalar estuary, Karaikkal, south-east coast of India.

Sediment samples were collected for texture, composition and nutrient such as organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus for a period of two years from three stations in Arasalar estuary. The sediment temperature, pH and nutrients were higher during summer season and lower during monsoon season. At station 1, sediment texture was loamy sand during summer and premonsoon season.

Distribution and abundance of fish eggs and larvae in Arasalar estuary, Karaikkal, south-east coast of India.

The distribution and abundance of fish eggs and larvae have been studied at two Stations of Arasalar estuary. Eggs of Stolephorus sp., Mugil cephalus, Sardinella sp.

Influence of physico-chemical properties on the abundance of a few economically important juvenile fin-fishes of Vellar estuary.

Studies on the economically important juvenile fin-fishes such as Elops machnata, Chanos chanos, Lates calcarifer, Epinephelus sp., Sillago sihama, Etroplus suratensis, Mugil cephalus, Liza parsia and Liza tade with relation to the hydrographical parameters as rainfall, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH of Vellar estuary during September 2001 to August 2002. The simple correlation co-efficient showed positive significance against juvenile density with water temperature and dissolved oxygen.

Foraminifera of Arasalar estuary, Karaikkal, south east coast of India.

A total of fifty-two foraminiferal species belonging to 23 genera and 16 families were recorded from Arasalar estuary for a period of one year (July 2000 to June 2001). Miliammina fusca, Quinqueloculina agglutinans, Q. seminula, Cibicides refulgens, Ammonia beccarii, Elphidium clavatum, E.