Research Papers

Microalgae bioremediation: A perspective towards wastewater treatment along with industrial carotenoids production

Kalra Rishu, Gaur Suchitra, Goel Mayurika
| 2021

Carotenoids are natural pigments known for their various health benefits for humans together with various other applications in diverse industries. Considering the high market value of carotenoids in the food and health sector, sustainable production of these metabolites for commercial applications is the need of time. Among various microbial alternatives, microalgae are considered as a rich source of carotenoids along with other metabolites and received special attention.

Inhibition of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by combination of oxacillin and a bioactive compound from Lichen Ramalina roesleri

Goel Mayurika, Kalra Rishu, Prija Ponnan, Jayaweera J.A.A.S., Kumbukgolla W.W
| 2021

Lichens are known to be useful and important in ethanopharmacology since ages and still possess substantial interest in alternative medical practices around the world. The intent of the investigation was to evaluate and to understand the antibacterial potential of usnic acid which was isolated from Himalyan fruticose lichen Ramalina roesleri. Usnic acid is predicted for its pharmaceutical properties through in -silico studies.

Lichen allelopathy: a new hope for limiting chemical herbicide and pesticide use

Kalra Rishu, Conlan Xavier A, Goel Mayurika
| 2021

Agriculture development remains the most significant and integral part of the economic growth of any country with pests, such as plant pathogens, weeds, insects, nematodes and animal, imposing a major threat to the overall productivity. Approximately 25% of the total crop production worldwide is damaged due to these weeds, animal and microbial pest attacks and thus application of agrochemicals to enhance crop productivity has become an integral part of agriculture practices.

Lichen allelopathy: a new hope for limiting chemical herbicide and pesticide use

Kalra Rishu, Conlan Xavier A, Goel Mayurika
| 2021

Agriculture development remains the most significant and integral part of the economic growth of any country with pests, such as plant pathogens, weeds, insects, nematodes and animal, imposing a major threat to the overall productivity. Approximately 25% of the total crop production worldwide is damaged due to these weeds, animal and microbial pest attacks and thus application of agrochemicals to enhance crop productivity has become an integral part of agriculture practices.

Metabolite Profiling of the Indian Food Spice Lichen, Pseudevernia furfuracea Combined with Optimised Extraction Methodology to obtain Bioactive Phenolic Compounds

Kalra Rishu, Conlan Xavier A. , Areche Carlos , Dilawari Rahul, Goel Mayurika
| 2021

Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf (Parmeliaceae) is a well-known epiphytic lichen commonly used in Indian spice mixtures and food preparations such as curries. This study is an attempt to find the best extraction methodology with respect to extractive yield, total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of lichen P. furfuracea.

Role of fungi in neurodegenerative diseases

Chaudhary Renu, Kalra Rishu, Goel Mayurika
| 2020

Thousands of patients with dreadful diseases are treated every year with medicines obtained by fungi. In fact, the medicinal value of fungal metabolites has been known for centuries, however, there has been an unprecedented change in the pattern and the prevalence of mycotic infections in humans due to the opportunistic and pathogenic fungi during the last 15-20 years.

Fungi as a potential source of pigments: Harnessing filamentous fungi

Kalra Rishu , Conlan Xavier A, Goel Mayurika
| 2020

The growing concern over the harmful effects of synthetic colorants on both the consumer and the environment has raised a strong interest in natural coloring alternatives. As a result the worldwide demand for colorants of natural origin is rapidly increasing in the food, cosmetic and textile sectors. Natural colorants have the capacity to be used for a variety of industrial applications, for instance, as dyes for textile and non-textile substrates such as leather, paper, within paints and coatings, in cosmetics, and in food additives.

Endolichenic fungi: a hidden source of bioactive metabolites

Agrawal Shivankar, Deshmukh Sunil K, Reddy M. Sudhakara , Ram Prasad, Goel Mayurika
| 2020

Lichens are synergetic organisms composed of a mycobiont in relationship with one or more photosynthetic partners (photobiont). These organisms grow on various substrates and sometimes under extreme ecological environments. A different group of non-obligate micro-fungi also resides inside the internal tissues of the lichen thalli without causing any harm to them. These microfungi are called as endolichenic fungi (ELF).

Endophytic Fungi - An Untapped Source of Potential Antioxidants

Mishra Rahul C., Goel Mayurika , Barrow Colin J, Deshmukh Sunil K.
| 2020

Antioxidants are the substances that interact inside and outside of a biological system against the damaging effects of highly reactive free radicals produced during metabolism. Among various natural alternative sources of bioactive metabolites, endophytic fungi ave emerged as a significant reservoir of potent antioxidant compounds. These scantly explored micro-organisms are prolific producers of novel compounds and have the capability to produce metabolites that are exclusively isolated from Plantae.

COVID-19: a wake-up call to protect planetary health

Pachauri Ash, Sevilla Norma Patricia Muñoz, Kedia Shailly, Pathak Drishya, Mittal Komal, Magdalene Philo
| 2021

Set from the perspective of planetary health, the objective of this chapter is to examine the trends set in motion by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), attempting to discuss the long-term environmental and humanitarian implications. The emergence of zoonotic diseases has underscored that risk-based interventions need to be designed from the perspective of planetary health. The pandemic response must account for its implications on humans and the planet.