Department Of Botany

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Author: search.filters.author.Rani, Alka

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
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    Status, Issues, and Challenges of Biodiversity: Marine Biota
    (Springer Nature, 2022-09-15T00:00:00) Yadav, Digvijay Singh; Rani, Alka; Dubey, Sheetal; Bast, Felix
    India is one of the mega biodiversity countries, owing to its tropical location and warm climate. With more than 7500 km, India is blessed with a long coastline-one of the longest in the world. However, marine biodiversity remains poorly documented compared with that of terrestrial biodiversity. On top of it, the threats from climate change are imminent and have already started wreaking havoc on species diversity, for instance, ocean acidification causing coral bleaching in the atolls of the Laccadive Islands. A systematic approach to acquiring complete and exhaustive knowledge about marine biodiversity may help us understand the extent of anthropogenic damage and take appropriate actions and policies to prevent further loss. Currently, we merely know the tip of the global biodiversity iceberg; with merely 1.3 million species characterized yet, estimates suggest there might be around 9 million species of eukaryotes alone. Conserving biodiversity is crucial not only for ecosystem services but also for future generations as a possible revenue generator-the so called bequest value. This chapter reviews the status of marine biodiversity along India�s coasts, efforts on its economic utilization, and the impact of climate change. � Indian National Science Academy 2022.
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    A review on microbial products and their perspective application as antimicrobial agents
    (MDPI, 2021-12-13T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Saini, Khem Chand; Bast, Felix; Varjani, Sunita; Mehariya, Sanjeet; Bhatia, Shashi Kant; Sharma, Neeta; Funk, Christiane
    Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and microalgae are an auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. In this review, the existing research regard-ing antimicrobial molecules from microorganisms is summarized. The potential antimicrobial compounds from actinomycetes, particularly Streptomyces spp.; archaea; fungi including endophytic, filamentous, and marine-derived fungi, mushroom; and microalgae are briefly described. Further-more, this review briefly summarizes bacteriocins, halocins, sulfolobicin, etc., that target multiple-drug resistant pathogens and considers next-generation antibiotics. This review highlights the pos-sibility of using microorganisms as an antimicrobial resource for biotechnological, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. However, more investigations are required to isolate, separate, purify, and characterize these bioactive compounds and transfer these primary drugs into clinically approved antibiotics. � 2021 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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    Arctic biodiversity amidst looming climate apocalypse: Current status and way forward
    (Elsevier, 2021-08-27T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Gupta, Kriti; Saini, Khem Chand; Narwal, Sahil; Bast, Felix
    Arctic region is at the forefront of climate crisis; this is where the planet is warming maximally and the effects of climate change are most obvious. In this review, we introduce the topic in broader perspective by discussing first on why Arctic biodiversity matters, and scientific evidences for a changing Arctic biodiversity due to climate change. The Arctic then dwells into the current status of Arctic biodiversity covering species diversity and its conservation status with an emphasis on species important for bioprospecting. Subsequently, threats to Arctic biodiversity will be reviewed including climate change, shipping, oil exploration, overfishing, and overharvesting. This essay would then further deliberate why Arctic matters to India in particular. Himadri-Indian research station at Svalbard, Norway-will be briefed followed by an overview of Svalbard Global Seed Vault and why signing a pact with this international facility would benefit the country. The essay concludes with final thoughts and way forward including strategies to minimize Arctic biodiversity loss, UN SDGs (Ssustainable Ddevelopment Ggoals), and climate action. � 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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    DNA barcode-based phylogenetic assessment of selected mangroves from sundarbans delta and Kerala
    (Springer Nature, 2021-06-02T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Jugale, Smita; Bast, Felix
    India harbors the wealthiest biodiversity of mangroves, yet the utilization of sequence-based DNA barcodes for the characterization of mangrove diversity from the Indian coastal region is needed to be explored. In the present study, we assessed DNA barcode-based phylogenetics of mangroves from Sundarbans Delta and Kerala at the ITS locus of the nuclear genome. The phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian inference, which proved to resolve the evolutionary affinities effectively. Our study presents mangroves� systematic assessment with total 6 DNA sequences generated from 5 genera, and the first DNA barcode of Volkameria inermis and Avicennia marina from Payyanur Kerala, Avicennia alba and Suaeda maritima from the Sundarbans Delta was reported from ITS locus. The phylogenetic assessment confirmed that Avicennia belongs to the family Acanthaceae and placed the Volkameria inermis from Payyanur and Clerodendrum eriophyllum under the same monophyletic clade. � 2021, Indian National Science Academy.
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    Microorganisms: A potential source of bioactive molecules for antioxidant applications
    (MDPI AG, 2021-02-22T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Saini, Khem Chand; Bast, Felix; Mehariya, Sanjeet; Bhatia, Shashi Kant; Lavecchia, Roberto; Zuorro, Antonio
    Oxidative stress originates from an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing cell viability. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which further helps to prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices are the primary sources of antioxidants from time immemorial. In contrast to plants, microorganisms can be used as a source of antioxidants with the advantage of fast growth under controlled conditions. Further, microbe-based antioxidants are nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present review aims to summarize the current state of the research on the antioxidant activity of microorganisms including actinomycetes, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microalgae, and yeast, which produce a variety of antioxidant compounds, i.e., carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and sterol, etc. Special emphasis is given to the mechanisms and signaling pathways followed by antioxidants to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), especially for those antioxidant compounds that have been scarcely investigated so far. � 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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    Status, Issues, and Challenges of Biodiversity: Marine Biota
    (Springer Nature, 2022-09-15T00:00:00) Yadav, Digvijay Singh; Rani, Alka; Dubey, Sheetal; Bast, Felix
    India is one of the mega biodiversity countries, owing to its tropical location and warm climate. With more than 7500 km, India is blessed with a long coastline-one of the longest in the world. However, marine biodiversity remains poorly documented compared with that of terrestrial biodiversity. On top of it, the threats from climate change are imminent and have already started wreaking havoc on species diversity, for instance, ocean acidification causing coral bleaching in the atolls of the Laccadive Islands. A systematic approach to acquiring complete and exhaustive knowledge about marine biodiversity may help us understand the extent of anthropogenic damage and take appropriate actions and policies to prevent further loss. Currently, we merely know the tip of the global biodiversity iceberg; with merely 1.3 million species characterized yet, estimates suggest there might be around 9 million species of eukaryotes alone. Conserving biodiversity is crucial not only for ecosystem services but also for future generations as a possible revenue generator-the so called bequest value. This chapter reviews the status of marine biodiversity along India�s coasts, efforts on its economic utilization, and the impact of climate change. � Indian National Science Academy 2022.
  • No Thumbnail Available
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    A review on microbial products and their perspective application as antimicrobial agents
    (MDPI, 2021-12-13T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Saini, Khem Chand; Bast, Felix; Varjani, Sunita; Mehariya, Sanjeet; Bhatia, Shashi Kant; Sharma, Neeta; Funk, Christiane
    Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and microalgae are an auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. In this review, the existing research regard-ing antimicrobial molecules from microorganisms is summarized. The potential antimicrobial compounds from actinomycetes, particularly Streptomyces spp.; archaea; fungi including endophytic, filamentous, and marine-derived fungi, mushroom; and microalgae are briefly described. Further-more, this review briefly summarizes bacteriocins, halocins, sulfolobicin, etc., that target multiple-drug resistant pathogens and considers next-generation antibiotics. This review highlights the pos-sibility of using microorganisms as an antimicrobial resource for biotechnological, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. However, more investigations are required to isolate, separate, purify, and characterize these bioactive compounds and transfer these primary drugs into clinically approved antibiotics. � 2021 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
  • No Thumbnail Available
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    Arctic biodiversity amidst looming climate apocalypse: Current status and way forward
    (Elsevier, 2021-08-27T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Gupta, Kriti; Saini, Khem Chand; Narwal, Sahil; Bast, Felix
    Arctic region is at the forefront of climate crisis; this is where the planet is warming maximally and the effects of climate change are most obvious. In this review, we introduce the topic in broader perspective by discussing first on why Arctic biodiversity matters, and scientific evidences for a changing Arctic biodiversity due to climate change. The Arctic then dwells into the current status of Arctic biodiversity covering species diversity and its conservation status with an emphasis on species important for bioprospecting. Subsequently, threats to Arctic biodiversity will be reviewed including climate change, shipping, oil exploration, overfishing, and overharvesting. This essay would then further deliberate why Arctic matters to India in particular. Himadri-Indian research station at Svalbard, Norway-will be briefed followed by an overview of Svalbard Global Seed Vault and why signing a pact with this international facility would benefit the country. The essay concludes with final thoughts and way forward including strategies to minimize Arctic biodiversity loss, UN SDGs (Ssustainable Ddevelopment Ggoals), and climate action. � 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    DNA barcode-based phylogenetic assessment of selected mangroves from sundarbans delta and Kerala
    (Springer Nature, 2021-06-02T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Jugale, Smita; Bast, Felix
    India harbors the wealthiest biodiversity of mangroves, yet the utilization of sequence-based DNA barcodes for the characterization of mangrove diversity from the Indian coastal region is needed to be explored. In the present study, we assessed DNA barcode-based phylogenetics of mangroves from Sundarbans Delta and Kerala at the ITS locus of the nuclear genome. The phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian inference, which proved to resolve the evolutionary affinities effectively. Our study presents mangroves� systematic assessment with total 6 DNA sequences generated from 5 genera, and the first DNA barcode of Volkameria inermis and Avicennia marina from Payyanur Kerala, Avicennia alba and Suaeda maritima from the Sundarbans Delta was reported from ITS locus. The phylogenetic assessment confirmed that Avicennia belongs to the family Acanthaceae and placed the Volkameria inermis from Payyanur and Clerodendrum eriophyllum under the same monophyletic clade. � 2021, Indian National Science Academy.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Microorganisms: A potential source of bioactive molecules for antioxidant applications
    (MDPI AG, 2021-02-22T00:00:00) Rani, Alka; Saini, Khem Chand; Bast, Felix; Mehariya, Sanjeet; Bhatia, Shashi Kant; Lavecchia, Roberto; Zuorro, Antonio
    Oxidative stress originates from an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing cell viability. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which further helps to prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices are the primary sources of antioxidants from time immemorial. In contrast to plants, microorganisms can be used as a source of antioxidants with the advantage of fast growth under controlled conditions. Further, microbe-based antioxidants are nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present review aims to summarize the current state of the research on the antioxidant activity of microorganisms including actinomycetes, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microalgae, and yeast, which produce a variety of antioxidant compounds, i.e., carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and sterol, etc. Special emphasis is given to the mechanisms and signaling pathways followed by antioxidants to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), especially for those antioxidant compounds that have been scarcely investigated so far. � 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.