http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/316 2026-04-08T13:27:25Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/359 Characterization of Syzygium travancoricum Gamble (Myrtaceae), a critically endangered endemic species of Kerala Smitha PS; Anto PV The objective of this research was to conduct a comprehensive investigation of Syzygium travancoricum Gamble (Myrtaceae), an endemic and endangered species of Kerala. In addition, another goal was to provide a taxonomic resolution to the ambiguities regarding the identity of this species due to its close resemblance to other species, S. stocksii. The study also aimed to evaluate the medicinal properties of this species. For this, various analytical techniques such as morphological, anatomical, histochemical, phytochemical, molecular and pharmacological methods were used. The study focused on morphologically closely related populations of S. travancoricum spread across five districts in Kerala. The morphological and anatomical studies revealed that populations collected from Pookode and Paliyeri Mookambika Kavu showed unique morphological and anatomical characteristics distinct from S. travancoricum and were closely related to S. stocksii. Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, lignin, starch and essential oils in various parts of S. travancoricum. Using the results of morphological and anatomical studies, the UPGMA phylogram of S. travancoricum showed that the plants found in Pookode and Palyeri Mookambika Kavu are closely related to S. stocksii and have diverged into a separate clade. Phytochemical analysis of S. travancoricum leaf and bark extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, phenols and terpenoids. Moreover, the extracts of S. travancoricum contained high levels of phenolic compounds (240.2 mg GAE/g)and flavonoids. Apart from this, the presence of vitamins, minerals, phenols, anthocyanins, carbohydrates, potassium and calcium was also found in their fruits. The essential oil GC-MS profiling identified that the leaves of S. travancoricum are rich in monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid compounds such as β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene epoxide, β-geraniol, α-farnesene, and α-selinene, monoterpenoids such as α-pinene, β-pinene, ocimene isomers, - -terpineol. The Bayesian phylogenetic tree based on the concatenated dataset revealed paraphyletic relationships between two species, S. travancoricum and S. stocksii. Also, it supported the distinction of S. travancoricum as a distinct species from S. stocksii. The essential oil of the leaves of S. travancoricum effectively prevented the growth of different bacterial and fungal strains. Moreover, the study found that the leaves and bark of this plant are reservoirs of antioxidants, and their aromatic oil and extracts have the potential to work effectively against arthritis, inflammation and diabetes. As part of this study, about 200 trees were conserved through ex situ conservation strategies implemented by establishing green spaces in five grama panchayats of Thrissur, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta in Kerala. 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/326 Molecular characterization and anticancer activity of fungus Sclerotium stipitatum Berk. et. Curr. (nilamanga) Alina K Sebastian; Anto PV 2021-12-01T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/325 A comparative study on the freshwater algal community from main rivers in Palakkad district Seena KK; Ignatius Antony; Anto PV Phytoplankton are the most beautiful and valuable components of aquatic ecosystem. They are indispensable regulators of water quality and quantity. In freshwater ecosystems, algae are taxonomically diverse, very resourceful and play an important role in worldwide ecology help to port organisms and generate oxygen into the environment utilized by organisms in all trophic levels. The algal study opens the possibility of fruitful combinations of physical, chemical, and biological measurements resulting in the relevant information. Analysis of water samples reveal the presence of total of 257 taxa belonging to 70 genera, 26 families, 9 order and 6 classes namely Chlorophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Dinophyceae were identified from the 10 stations. The Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae were the major group in the present study. Micrasterias laticeps var. acuminata is a new species to India and 11 species are new to Kerala. Out of the 257 taxa, 88 species to Chlorophyceae, 1 species to Xanthophyceae, 74 species to Bacillariophyceae, 69 species to Euglenophyceae, 24 species to Cyanophyceae and 1 species to Dinophyceae. The most frequent taxa belong to the class Bacillariophyceae are Synedra ulna, Aulacoseira granulata, Navicula cuspidata and Fragilaria intermedia. Quantitative analysis of phytoplankton also showed maximum at Malampuzha during May and least occurance at stations Mukkali and Seenkara during the month of June. Highest Shannon index value was obtained from Malampuzha during May and least at Mukkali station during June. The same result is observed in Simpson diversity index and species richness. The CCA ordination plot explained temperature, pH and TDS have significant influence on abundance and composition of organisms during months in pre monsoon and have effect on the abundance of only Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae. The taxonomy and ecology of freshwater algae revealed that the river ecosystem of Palakkad district is moderately polluted and high organic pollution occurs in some regions such as Malampuzha, Kalpathy and Kannnadi. Appropriate afforestation packages along the river basins, renovation of river margin vegetation, controlled mining of the sand, sustainable use of the resources of the river are crucial to conserve this freshwater body. The results are discussed and the major conclusions were given in the thesis as a separate chapter. 2021-12-01T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/321 Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Curcuma rhizomes: characterization and application Aiswariya KS; Vimala Jose 2021-12-01T00:00:00Z