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BSTRACTS

.0.05

iscovery of a novel crystal protein from Pakistani Bacil-us thuringiensis strain toxic to Tribolium casteneumHebst) (coleoptera: tenebrionidae)

. Kausar

Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

he biotoxicity analysis of crystal protein of some Bacillushuringiensis strains has been carried out against the larvae of redour beetle Tribolium casteneum (Hebst), previously. Seven isolatesere found highly active against T. casteneum. The most toxic iso-

ate SG31.11 has calculated LC50 value of 0.2 �g/mg of artificialiet. Presently, the active protein of isolate SG31.11was sequencednd data showed that it resembles with a novel Cry3 protein.

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.909

.0.06

x situ conservation of medicinal plants in Valikamamrea of the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

. Nandakumar

University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

ri Lanka is blessed with over 1400 medicinal plant species com-rising nearly 24% of the Islands flowering plants. These plantsave been identified as having a wide array of medicinal proper-

ies for one or more of over 300 different ailments and diseases.ssociated with them are rich tradition and a wealth of indigenousnowledge on their use either alone or in mixture against a wideange of diseases and ailments. Knowledge of such plants is useful.

The objectives of this preliminary study are to explore the possi-ility of ex situ conservation of medicinal plants in Valikamam. Thebjectives of the ex situ conservation unit at Department of Botanyre threefold, to make an awareness for the students and publicbout the species richness and availability of medicinal plants inalikamam, Jaffna; to continue future study of development ofapid and simple propagation techniques to overcome the shortupply of planting material which is one of the most serious con-traints to the wide spread cultivation of medicinal plants that canarn foreign exchange in Jaffna, Sri Lanka (propagation and sus-ainable use of medicinal plants) and expanding and increasingx situ and in situ conservation units in the hope to ease the pres-ure on wild stocks of medicinal plants because over exploitationrom the natural habitat causes habitat degradation and substan-ial reduction of wild population; to serve as a unit of conservationf Biodiversity medicinal plants of Valikamam, Jaffna.

Information about the local names of medicinal plants inalikamam region was gathered from local people, Siddha doctorsnd Mr K.S. Kugathasan (Ecologist, President, Field Work Centre,affna) and these plants were collected as seeds, seedlings and cut-

ings from various places in Valikamam area and conserved asx situ conservation in green house, Department of Botany, Uni-ersity of Jaffna. This study was carried out from March 2004 toctober 2004. Nearly 150 medicinal plants were collected from

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370 www.elsevier.com/locate/nbt

New Biotechnology · Volume 25S · September 2009

ome gardens, temple gardens, cultivated areas and wild areas inalikamam region and grown in pots with garden soil:sand:cowung (1:1:1) kept inside the green house (herbs) and outside thearden (shrubs, climbers and trees). These medicinal plants weredentified, classified, photographed after they mature and a check-ist was prepared (Medicinal plants. Jayaweera 1978, Checklist ofome medicinal plants of botanical and general interest with briefescription, Mr K.S. Kugathasan, 2004).

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.910

.0.07

iological chromium (VI) reduction by chromium-esistant Ochrobactrum anthropi isolated from tanneryffluent

. Sultan ∗ , S. Hasnain

University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

idespread use of chromium compounds in different industriesas resulted in extensive environmental contamination of waternd soil systems. Chromium-resistant bacteria isolated from indus-rial wastes can be used to detoxify/remove toxic chromium fromontaminated sources. From the effluent of Shafiq Tannery, Kasur,akistan, four bacterial strains STCr-1, STCr-2, STCr-3 and STCr-4hich could endure 40 mg ml−1 of potassium chromate in nutrientgar medium were isolated. All of them were gram negative, aero-ic and motile rods. One strain STCr-1, identified as Ochrobactrumnthropi by 16S rRNA gene sequence homology, demonstrated sub-tantial Cr(VI) reduction at pH 7 and temperature 37◦C. It reducedr(VI) to 100%, 71.2% and 42.8% at concentrations of 200, 500nd 1000 �g ml−1, respectively. Rate of Cr(VI) reduction increasedith increase in cell and Cr(VI) concentration. The presence ofu2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ significantly stimulated Cr(VI) reduction.ssay with cell free extracts clearly indicated that Cr(VI) reduc-

ion was solely associated with the soluble fraction of the cell.igh Cr(VI) resistance as well as high Cr(VI) reduction capac-

ty makes it an appropriate candidate for the bioremediation ofr(VI)-contaminated wastes.

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.911

.0.08

ffect of pesticide exposure in erythrocyte membraneound acetylcholinesterase

. Sathishkumar ∗ , T. Palvannnan, R.V. Rajesh, R. Boopathy

Periyar University, Salem, India

hirty-eight blood samples were collected from pesticide affectedubjects (showing abnormal symptoms) in Enmakaje Grama Pan-hayath at Kasaragod district in Kerala, India. Samples collected

ere analysed for their cholinesterases activity and further to con-rm the alteration in the levels, the normal persons living inasaragod and Coimbatore were also studied. The hemoglobin

evels from pesticide affected subjects did not show significant dif-