This investigation was conducted to determine the predatory potential of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. The laboratory experiments were designed with ten replicates to estimate the predatory potential of each developmental stage of C. sexmaculata on adult cotton mealybugs at 25.0 - 1.0°C temperature, 65.0 ± 5.0% R.H., and 14L:10D photoperiod under unstarved and starved conditions. When satiated, the first instar grub, second instar grub, third instar grub, fourth instar grub, adult male, and adult female exhibited a mean consumption of 3.8 ± 0.09, 7.1 ± 0.28, 10.4 ± 0.20, 19.5 ± 0.23, 13.6 ± 0.18, and 16.5 ± 0.29 mealybug/insect/day, respectively. Upon exposure to starvation for 2 h before the experiment, the average consumption for unsatiated first instar grub, second instar grub, third instar grub, fourth instar grub, adult male, and adult female was reported to be 4.4 ± 0.24, 8.3 ± 0.13, 11.4 ± 0.23, 21.1 ± 0.38, 14.5 ± 0.14, and 18.3 ± 0.11 mealybug/insect/day. The findings show that the unsatiated grubs and adults indicated higher predatory potential when compared to their satiated counterparts. The adult female exhibited higher predatory potential over the adult male. The fourth instar grub elucidated the highest predatory potential among all development stages. This study identifies C. sexmaculata as an avid predator of cotton mealybug, P. solenopsis. This study also offers insight on using C. sexmaculata as a biocontrol agent to suppress pest populations of cotton mealybugs.. KEYWORDS :Coccinellids, Biological control, Mealybugs, IPM, Predaceous ladybirds, Feeding Potential

High humidity and inappropriate storage conditions enhance the moisture level of dehydrated food-stuffs, resulting in their deterioration by insect and fungal attacks. The microbes lead to unpalatable attributes of stored food like discoloration, loss of dry matter through nutrients such as carbohydrates (as energy-source), degradation of proteins and lipids, also the volatile metabolites formed by them produce off-odors and mycotoxin production making them unfit even as animal feed. Therefore, samples of white sesame, fig, pistachio, and musk melon from various markets of Gorakhpur were analyzed for fungal pathogens. Species of Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, and Yeast were isolated using the Agar plate method. Among them, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus fumigatus were the major ones. Fungal contamination was maximum during months from July to October. The effect of the fungal deterioration was evaluated on the basis of their difference in nutrient analysis of deteriorated and undeteriorated samples. Together with the physical deterioration observed, the moisture content was higher in the deteriorated samples. During biochemical analysis, the protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content of the dried food commodities experienced a moderate decrease. Thus, the experiment gave an insight to the quality of food commodities in terms of their biological deterioration so that one can be warned to take the apt precautions before their consumption. . KEYWORDS :Cucumis melo (muskmelon seeds), Ficus carica (fig), Pistacia vera (pistachio), Post-harvest fungi, Sesamum indicum (sesame seeds)

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly acknowledged as a serious environmental threat, particularly to vulnerable animal and human populations. In urban settings, MP pollution is a growing issue, especially in commercial areas characterized by high human activity and intensive plastic usage. The current study examines the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of MPs in street dust from five commercial sites in Jaipur City. The result revealed a mean MP concentration of 366.26 ± 168.12 particles/100 g of street dust, with the maximum levels observed at locations S5, S2, and S4 likely associated with extensive tourism and commercial activity. The majority of MPs were found to be smaller in size, <500 μm, and primarily consisted of fibers, followed by fragments and granules, linking their probable source to synthetic textiles and breakdown of plastic materials. RAMAN spectroscopy identified polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride as the most prevalent types of MPs polymer, indicating contributions from packaging materials and construction-related waste. The MPcontamination factor revealed moderate to considerable contamination across the sampling locations. The detection of MPs in street dust highlights potential risks of human exposure through inhalation and ingestion, emphasizing the urgent need for improved waste management and targeted mitigation strategies in areas with high levels of contamination.. KEYWORDS :Microplastic abundance, Pollution load index, Polymers, Street dust

The study investigates the revitalization of Uttarakhand's traditional cuisine through the integration of Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree, to foster a sustainable approach to food innovation. Uttarakhand, a northern Indian state known for its rich culinary heritage, faces challenges related to food security, nutrition, and agricultural sustainability. The following study examines the nutritional benefits of Moringa, its potential to enhance traditional recipes, and its role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The technique employed of combining qualitative and quantitative research. The findings help in investigating the present state of traditional Uttarakhand cuisine and its impact on local food systems. The study concludes the importance of blending indigenous cognition with innovative solutions to address contemporary food and environmental challenges. This research contributes in Uttarakhand's traditional cuisine with Moringa oleifera, by advocating a holistic approach to food innovation that respects cultural heritage while promoting health, sustainability, and resilience in local food systems. . KEYWORDS :Bioactive compounds, Nutritional benefit, Sustainable food innovation

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the pollution levels of heavy metals in the River Ganga, focusing on the sources, concentrations, and their potential environmental and human health impacts. The paper highlights the anthropogenic activities contributing to metal contamination, such as industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and urban waste. Various methodologies for monitoring heavy metal contamination, including water and sediment analysis, are explored, alongside risk assessment frameworks to evaluate the impact on human health and biodiversity. By presenting a detailed risk assessment of heavy metals in the Ganga, this paper emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts in pollution control to safeguard both the river ecosystem and public health. . KEYWORDS :Pollution, Heavy metal, River Ganga, Toxicity, Municipal Wastewater

Ayurveda is one of the most prestigious traditional systems of drugs. It makes use of a mixture of herbs and medicinal plants to treat various diseases. Plants also carry a wide range of phytochemicals such as phenolics, alkaloids, and saponins that may cause harmful health effects. The phytochemical effect of two medicinal plants Vinca rosea and Withania somnifera was studied on model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Withania was extracted using MASE method and Vinca was extracted in water. Drosophila reared on Vinca rosea and W. somnifera diets and compared with the control diet reared flies. Behavioral assays of adult and larvae at Stage 3 were performed to study the effect of these extracts which included courtship, survivorship, crawling, and climbing behavior. The developmental toxicity assay was also conducted to evaluate the effect of extracts on the total life span of Drosophila. Withania root extract and Vinca leaf extract supplementation leads to the developmental delay and several phenotypic anomalies in D. melanogaster. . KEYWORDS :Drosophila melanogaster, MASE method and behavioral assays, phytochemical effect, Vinca rosea, Withania somnifera

This paper presents current information on the variety, ecological characteristics, and preservation of aquatic insects. Although aquatic insects play vital roles in aquatic food webs, nutrient cycling, and serve as bioindicators of water quality, their numbers are currently under risk due to several human-induced stressors, such as habitat destruction, pollution, the introduction of exotic species, and the effects of climate change. This page provides an overview of the primary classifications of aquatic insects, their life cycles, their ability to adapt to aquatic environments, and their ecological roles. This analysis focuses on the conservation obstacles that aquatic insects encounter, such as the consequences of changes in land utilization, chemical pollutants, modifications to water flow patterns, and increasing water temperatures. There are still important areas of information that need to be filled in when it comes to understanding the classification and ecological behavior of aquatic insects in various regions. In addition, we need to better understand the various factors that are negatively affecting their populations, as well as develop efficient methods for conserving them. . KEYWORDS :Bioindicators, Metamorphosis, Diapause, Benthos, Trophic level

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens presents a significant public health challenge, as many potent drugs have proven ineffective against these challenging pathogens. This study aims to explore a novel biomaterial-bhasma, for its antibacterial activity, focusing on its solubility index. The solubility of 12 bhasma (ashes) used in Ayurveda, especially Patanjali Ayurved, was thoroughly evaluated. The solubility of these bhasmas was tested in eight different solvents to understand their solubility properties and potential applications in therapeutics. Subsequently, their antibacterial efficacy was tested against multidrug-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) using the Kirby - Bauer well diffusion technique. The solubility study recorded distilled water, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethyl alcohol as the most effective solvents, with 25-75% solubility ranges. In vitro, antibacterial assays demonstrated significant growth inhibition of E. coli at 10 mg/mL with Abhrak (mica), Rajat (silver), Shankh (calcined shell), Sphatika (Alum), Tamra (copper), and Vang (tin) bhasma. Similarly, S. aureus growth was inhibited by Kapardak (conch), Kasis (ferrous sulfate), Rajat (silver), Spahtika (alum), Tamra (copper), and Vang (tin) bhasma in the respective solvents. This study highlights the potential of bhasma as an antibacterial agent, with their solubility in edible solvents paving the way for future development into nano drugs akin to homeopathic decoctions. Further, in vivo studies are necessary to validate these findings and explore their clinical applications. . KEYWORDS :Antibacterial activity, Bhasma, Multidrug-resistant organisms pathogens, Solubility.

Alstonia scholaris (A. scholaris) L., known as Saptaparni in Hindi or the Devil Tree in English, has gained attention in recent years due to its potential in the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles (NPs) represent a noteworthy class of nanostructured materials with diverse applications in pharmacology, wastewater treatment, and pest management. Naturally occurring biomolecules and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, and saponins facilitate environmentally friendly, one-step biosynthesis of biogenic NPs by acting as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. Studies indicated that silver and copper NPs synthesized from the bark and leaf extracts of A. scholaris exhibit significant pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiepileptic activities, while also exhibiting potential in dealing with environmental issues such as biological pest management and water pollution mitigation. In a nutshell, future researchers should focus on the mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical trials are required for toxicity and safety purposes. Life cycle assessment studies should be directed to assess the environmental impact of large-scale production, safeguarding association with green chemistry principles and contributing to sustainable development goals. . KEYWORDS :Alstonia scholaris, Environment, Green synthesised nano-particles, Phytochemistry, Sustainable development goal

India is the most populous country in the world. Extensive agriculture practices are currently used to fulfill human food demands. This leads to huge waste generation, and vermicomposting is a cheap and eco-friendly procedure to diminish the waste management problem. Seven vermibins were prepared to conduct this experiment. The garden and kitchen wastes (KW) were chopped and dried in sunlight. Results showed that composting all garden and KW with cow dung (CD) increased the percentage weight change (137-174%). However, the cocoon production rate (CRP) was higher at 65 days than at 35 days, and the maximum CRP and hatchling production rate were recorded in K3 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]; CPR at 35 days: 51.67 ± 0.57; CPR at 65 days: 62.33 ± 1.52, hatching production rate: 63.33 ± 0.58), respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum percentage of hatchling success was in K1 with mean ± SD; 78.33 ± 2.88. This study aimed to assess the change in the biomass and reproductive potential of Eudrilus eugeniae in two different feeding stock organic materials with CD. . KEYWORDS :Eudrilus eugeniae, Organic waste, Reproductive potential, Vermicomposting