Innovations in Biological Science Vol. 6

The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to India's western coast, covering 160,000 square kilometers in 1,600 kilometers. Older than the Himalayan mountains, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. Pteridophytes are vascular cryptogams that dominated the earth 250 million years ago. Currently, there are 13,600 species of pteridophytes around the world, and is the second most dominant plant group. In India, there are 1200 pteridophyte species with 70 families and 192 genera. The pteridophyte hotspots in India are the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Central India, and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. The Western Ghats occupies only 6% of the Indian landmass and still holds a pteridophyte diversity of 384 species. Fern and fern allies are highly sensitive to changes in their natural habitat, thus habitat destruction, anthropogenic influences, climate change, etc., are causing a fast decline in their population. Epiphytic species are easily destroyed due to the felling of trees and because of this at present 41- 43% of epiphytic pteridophytes in India are reported to be threatened. Frequent analysis of the pteridophyte flora of a region is necessary to ensure the existence of its species diversity. Understanding the flora of a region always helps in understanding the change in the ecosystem. The current study presents a review of the pteridophyte flora of the Western Ghats with the intention of assessing the extent of changes in the diversity of fern flora in this mountain range.

Metabolomics is the systematic study of small molecule metabolites found within cells, tissues, or biofluids. It aims to provide a functional readout of biochemical activities and hence can provide an integrated view of the biochemical status of living systems. Metabolomic studies have been used to better understand various disease states, identify biomarkers, and study the effects of drug treatments or toxic exposures. This chapter will introduce the concepts and technologies behind metabolomics experiments including mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Methods for metabolite identification, quantification and data analysis will be discussed. A key application of metabolomics data is in mapping metabolites to biochemical pathways and constructing metabolic networks. Various bioinformatics resources for pathway mapping and analysis will be presented such as KEGG, Reactome and WikiPathways. Computational approaches for metabolic modeling and simulation will also be covered. Case studies demonstrating how integrated metabolomic and pathway analysis has provided novel insights into cancer metabolism, drug toxicity and personalized medicine will be reviewed. The chapter will conclude by discussing current challenges and future opportunities in metabolomics and metabolic pathway analysis, such as integrating ‘omics data and applying network-based approaches for systems-level understanding of metabolism.

Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, is a vibrant orange-yellow spice that has been a staple in cuisines worldwide for its distinctive flavour and numerous health benefits. Originating from South Asia, particularly India, turmeric is revered not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Rich in nutrients like fibre, calcium, iron, and potassium, turmeric is hailed as a superfood for its wide-ranging health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This article provides an overview of the various forms of turmeric, including raw, ground powder, essential oil, and paste, along with their uses and nutritional content. Additionally, it explores the differences between white and yellow turmeric and offers insights into selecting high-quality turmeric products. Furthermore, the article delves into the diverse types of turmeric available in India, highlighting the nutritional composition and unique features of each variety. Special emphasis is placed on Lakadong turmeric, renowned for its exceptionally high curcumin content and therapeutic properties. From improving liver function to reducing the risk of chronic diseases, turmeric offers a myriad of health benefits, making it an essential addition to a healthy lifestyle. However, it is essential to be mindful of potential side effects and precautions while incorporating turmeric into one's diet or skincare regimen. Overall, turmeric stands as a versatile and indispensable ingredient that not only enhances the flavour of dishes but also promotes overall well-being and vitality.

The present study summarizes the possible exposure of infants to microplastics (MPs) as well as the detection of possible released MPs in infant feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. Microplastics are small plastic pieces with sizes less than 5 mm. People are in close contact with microplastics, which, due to their physical and chemical properties, have a negative effect on human health. Exposure to microplastics even in small amounts already in childhood can affect human health throughout life. The potential risks of microplastics may be greater for infants because they do not have sufficiently developed metabolizing enzymes, have less ability to remove microplastics, and have highly sensitive target organs. The specific behavior of children, such as crawling, hand—to—mouth movement, makes children more exposed to harmful substances than adults. Infants should be breastfed for the first six months of life. Breast milk is considered to be the most complete and suitable source of nutrition. However, if breastfeeding during this period is not possible, it is necessary to use formulas designed for infant initial feeding. Infants may be exposed to higher levels of microplastics through infant foods or plastic products.

It follows from the results of several studies, polypropylene feeding bottles, plastic packaging for baby food and plastic toys should be considered as potential sources of microplastics. Studies have found that infant formula prepared in a polypropylene bottle releases up to millions of microplastics. Polyamid content was higher in meconium than in placenta. The amount of microplastics in feces was higher in children who used to suck plastic toys.

There is still not enough data available for this study area. Therefore, it is necessary to pay increased attention to minimizing the negative effects of microplastics on human health. The microparticles, which are created by the degradation of plastics, have spread to all areas of the environment, with a negative impact on human health and the overall ecosystem. Our review is based on scientific studies to clarify the extent of the presence of microplastics in various aspects of life, including breast milk, baby bottles, toys, and milk forms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the In vitro antioxidant activity of the phenolic extracts of olive leaves and olive mill wastewater and their protective effect against lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant activity of two varieties (Chemlal and Sigoise) of the tested olive leaves and olive mill wastewater was evaluated using three different antioxidant assays (DPPH radical scavenging test, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay). The protective effect of the tested extracts against lipid peroxidation in an in vitro model of rat liver homogenate was evaluated through the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The obtained results showed that the phenolic extracts of olive leaves and olive mill wastewater are rich in phenolic compounds mainly flavonoids, with the highest content found in the extract of Chemlal olive leaves (88.35±0.73 mg GAE/g of extract for polyphenols and 45.98±0.36 mg QE/g of extract for flavonoids). Furthermore, significant anti-free radical activity and reducing power have been shown by the tested extracts. In fact, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can be neutralized by the studied extracts. The extract of Chemlal olive leaves exhibited the most important antioxidant activity. The tested extracts showed a significant decrease in malonic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and a protective effect against lipid peroxidation. The high protective effect was exhibited by the phenolic extract of Chemlal olive leaves. According to the obtained results, it appears that the phenolic extracts of olive leaves and olive mill wastewater have an important antioxidant potential and protective effect against lipid peroxidation and they can be used as natural antioxidant agents in food and pharmaceutical industries.

This study focuses on the plants that improve the air quality and purify air. Air pollution can be reduced using phytoremediation by knowing the right plants to remove the pollutants. In the present study, the role of indoor and outdoor plants helps in air purification and compared the pollutants removed by selected indoor plants. The importance of the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of selected outdoor plants was also analysed. Indoor air pollution, originating from various sources, accumulates and significantly impacts human health. Major pollutants like carbon monoxide, sourced from fuel and tobacco combustion, impair oxygen transport in the body, leading to headaches, fatigue, and reduced reflexes. The literature was retrieved through a search on electronic databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The keywords and phrases used during the search were medicinal plants, mechanism of action, air pollution, indoor plants, and outdoor activity. Plants clean the air through the process of photosynthesis. Oxygenic photosynthesis involves the conversion of water and CO₂ into complex organic molecules such as carbohydrates and oxygen.

This study highlights the potential of ocean calcifiers to sequester atmospheric carbon in quantity and even reverse climate change. The study, which we hope will show why cultivating calcifiers in the short term would be advantageous, attempts to provide a different, biological, viewpoint of the published data bearing on two specific issues, namely ocean acidification and return of CO₂ to the atmosphere by the calcification reaction itself. We find reasons to doubt the validity of both issues. Experiments showing ocean acidification is damaging to calcifiers have all used experimental pH levels that are not projected to be reached in the oceans until the next century or later; today’s oceans are alkaline. In open water habitats in equilibrium with the atmosphere, it may be true to claim precipitation of CaCO₃ by calcification as a net source of atmospheric CO₂, but only if the solidified limestone is ignored as sequestered CO₂. In these kinds of conditions, the calcification response is not carried out by living calcifiers. The chemistry of life is distinguished from that of open water by occurring on enzyme polypeptide surfaces, inside organelles with phospholipid membranes that selectively absorb certain ions, and inside cells encased in phospholipid bilayer membranes. Nowadays, marine calcifiers (coccolithophore algae, Foraminifera [protists], Mollusca, Crustacea, Anthozoa [corals], Echinodermata and some annelids) convert atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) into solid calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) protective shells which are left when they die. These organisms could be the biotechnological carbon capture and storage mechanism to control climate change. Ignoring what is known about the biology, physiology, and molecular biology of living calcifiers leads to erroneous conclusions and deficient advice about the potential for calcifier biotechnology to contribute to atmosphere remediation. We conclude that the world’s aquaculture industries already operate biotechnology that, with massive and immediate global expansion, can sustainably control atmospheric CO₂ levels at a reasonable cost. We hope that this view of marine calcifiers will show the value and promise of the contribution that aquaculture could make to bringing equilibrium to the atmosphere.

Predictive simulation of the geographical distribution of the studied object has become an important tool in agroecology, since it uses the previous information about the spatial distribution of species in the ecosystem, limiting predictive models to the nearest ecological niche, thus generating a forecast of possible areas of occurrence based on environmental conditions that are similar to the identified populated area. The paper considers the approaches and possibilities of using two types of simulation: the species distribution model and the ecological niche model. The study aimed to simulate favorable habitats and the potential spread of nongregarious locust pests in North Kazakhstan based on satellite and ground data for preventive measures. Four regions of North Kazakhstan were selected and covered as the research area, namely, the Akmola, Pavlodar, Kostanay, and North Kazakhstan regions and the analyses were carried out for the period 1999–2021. The MaxEnt software was used to conduct the simulation. According to the species distribution model, high indicators of the habitat are predicted in the Pavlodar and Kostanay regions, on 69.9–100% of the studied territory. With the simulation of ecological niches for non-gregarious locust pests, the following class boundaries were determined for the transition from quantitative to qualitative indicators from I (85–100%) to IV (0–50%), which indicates the zones of the probability of pest attack from a higher indicator to a lower one. According to the fundamental model, high indicators of the area of pest occurrence, that is, zones I and II, are located in the central and northern parts of the Pavlodar region. Here, the probability of non-gregarious locust occurrence of zones I and II with a ratio of 1:1 is observed in a slightly arid, moderately warm agroclimatic zone. In the southern part of the Kostanay region, the simulation predicts the probability of occurrence in zones I and II with a ratio of 1:2 in the moderately arid warm agroclimatic zone of this region. In the southern and southeastern parts of the Akmola region, the model predicts the probability of occurrence in zones I and II with a ratio of 1:3 in a slightly humid, moderately warm agroclimatic zone of the region. These results of studies on the simulation of favorable habitats and the potential spread of nongregarious locust pests may allow prioritizing the areas for risk assessment, monitoring, and early warning measures for the development and spread of pests. The considered species distribution model can be used as a modern tool for long-term forecasting of the spread of nongregarious locust pests since it takes into account the peculiarities of the agricultural landscape. The fundamental niche model can be used in a long-term population forecast since it focuses more on the theoretical conditions of pest habitats. In the future, similar studies can be conducted throughout Kazakhstan to obtain a complete digital map of preferred locations for the spread of non-gregarious locust pests to adequately plan plant protection products.

Hydatid cyst disease (HCD) or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious and important zoonotic disease. In the seventh decade of the 20th century, researchers aimed to use benzemidazole and its derivatives such as albendazole  (ABZ), mebendazole (MBZ), fenbendazole , and other drugs as a treatment for hydatid cysts disease but 30% Aqueous has completely treated Andasul Alps, while 40-50% have responded after a short period of treatment then the effects of this treatment appeared in the body, especially when used for a long time. This study aims to analyse the Effect of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Green Algae Spirogyra sp. in Reducing the Protoscolices' Viability In vitro Compared with Albendazole Drug. The crude alcoholic extract of Spirugera sp. algae with concentrations (250, 500, and 1000) mg/ml and albendazole with concentrations (250, 500, 1000) mg/ml effects was studied in the viability of protoscolices in vitro, the viability of the protoscolices in 10 microliters and the three replicates calculated in the fixed-size method. There were no significant differences in the first three treatments (0,24,48 hours), whereas the coefficients of 72-144 hours showed significant differences. The mean S.D. ± viability of the protoscolices at the highest rate at treatment at 0 hours (33 ± 5.29) protoscolices, while the mean of the protoscolices dropped to the lowest ratio at 144 to 14 ± 1 protoscolices. While the mean S.D.± mean of the protoscolices viability of the treatments 24-120 hours between 31.33 ± 1.52-16.66 ± 1.52 protoscolices. The total number of protosclices ranged from 177-193. The average number of live protoscolices ranged between 170-177 protoscolices/100 µl, While the number of dead protoscolices ranged from 6-16 protoscolices/100 µl. Sixty-nine chemical compounds were extracted from the crude alcoholic extract of Spirogyra sp. Varied between phenols, turbines, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds. The results of this study showed a decrease in the percentage of the viability of the protoscolices when exposed to the concentrations of the crude alcoholic extract of Spirugera sp. The concentration of 250 mg/ml resulted in a decrease in the percentage of protoscolices from 92.75±0.62 at 0 hours to 27.06±0.48 at 144 hours compared with the control group (76.56 ± 0.79), while the concentration of 500 mg/ml decreased from 92.59±0.58 per hour to 0.14±0.25% at 144 hours compared with the control group, while the concentration was 1000 mg /ml has led to the killing of all protoscolices at 144 hour compared with the control group, The results of used albendazole drug showed significant differences. concentrations reduced the percentage of viability of protoscolices. When exposed to 250 mg/ ml, the result was a decrease from 93.75 ± 0.77 at 0 hour to 4.15 ± 0.36 at 144 hours, while the concentration of 500 mg/ml reduced the percentage from 48 ± 0.85 at 0 hour to 0,4±0.48 at 144 hours, while The concentration of 1000 mg/ml resulted in the killing of all protoscolices indications at 120 hours compared to 0 hour where the percentage of viability of protoscolices was 45.5 ± 0.98. The results of this study showed a similar effect of a Spirogyra sp extract and an albendazole drug on the viability of the protoscolices with increased concentration and duration of exposure to the drug or alcoholic extract.