Cryptothecia sp. is a crustose lichen having varied medicinal properties. The present study aims to isolate and to determine the antimicrobial activity of endolichenic fungi from the surface sterilized lichen thallus of Cryptothecia sp.... more
Cryptothecia sp. is a crustose lichen having varied medicinal properties. The present study aims to isolate and to determine the antimicrobial activity of endolichenic fungi from the surface sterilized lichen thallus of Cryptothecia sp. The isolation was done on three different media i.e., Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Water Agar (WA) media. A total of 19 isolates of endolichenic fungi were recovered. The isolates were identified on the basis of colonial morphology and microscopic investigation. Dominant endolichenic fungus was Monilinia sp. (23.33%) followed by Mycelia sterilia (16.66%). Other fungal isolates were Trichoderma sp., Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp.and Dreschlera sp. The fungal isolates were tested for antimicrobial activity by agar cup diffusion assay against clinically significant human pathogenic test organisms such as Escherichia coli (MTCC 443), Candida albicans (MTCC 227) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737) procured from IMTECH, Chandi...
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While revising the lichen genus Buellia sensu lato from India, species Cratiria rubrum with brick red pigmented thallus is described as new to science. The new species is characterized by a red pigmented thallus, Buellia type ascospore,... more
While revising the lichen genus Buellia sensu lato from India, species Cratiria rubrum with brick red pigmented thallus is described as new to science. The new species is characterized by a red pigmented thallus, Buellia type ascospore, KOH+ red. Five species are reported for the first time from India viz., Amandinea efflorescens, A. incrustans, Baculifera orosa, Hafellia dissa and H. reagens.
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Bacidia pycnidiata (Ramalinaceae), Malmidea nigromarginata (Malmideaceae), Porina malmei and P. nuculastrum (Porinaceae), and Pyrenula laetior and P. wrightii (Pyrenulaceae) are reported for the first time from India. The specimens were... more
Bacidia pycnidiata (Ramalinaceae), Malmidea nigromarginata (Malmideaceae), Porina malmei and P. nuculastrum (Porinaceae), and Pyrenula laetior and P. wrightii (Pyrenulaceae) are reported for the first time from India. The specimens were collected from the state of Assam. Taxonomic descriptions, distributions, and illustrations are provided for each species.
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The present paper deals with 25 new records of lichens under 19 genera and 11 families for the state of Assam in India. The newly reported species from Assam are Alyxoria apomelaena, A. culmigena, A. varia, Caloplaca pseudisteroides,... more
The present paper deals with 25 new records of lichens under 19 genera and 11 families for the state of Assam in India. The newly reported species from Assam are Alyxoria apomelaena, A. culmigena, A. varia, Caloplaca pseudisteroides, Cryptothecia striata, Diorygma rupicola, Dirinaria papillulifera, Flavoplaca citrina, Graphis sundarbanensis, Herpothallon echinatum, Lecanographa rufa, Letrouitia muralis, Myriotrema clandestinum, Opegrapha discolor, Parmotrema crinitoides, Phaeophyscia hispidula, Porina eminentior, P. interstes, P. mastoidella, Pyrenula submastophora, P. thelomorpha, Rinodina oxydata, Synarthonia bicolor, Zwackhia bonplandii, and Z. viridis. Brief descriptions of these additional lichen taxa from Assam are provided to facilitate their identification.
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With growing urbanization and industrialization India faces the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water. In the name of economic growth most rivers and streams are turning into sewers. Pollution effect is equally damaging... more
With growing urbanization and industrialization India faces the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water. In the name of economic growth most rivers and streams are turning into sewers. Pollution effect is equally damaging both biotic and abiotic components. Microalgae play an interesting role in forecasting changing environment. Pollution in aquatic environment like changing pH; addition of oil, heavy metals; increase of organic matter and chemical fertilizers can be traced by studying algal community. Abundant growth of particular algae, drastic change in species diversity and depletion of long inhabitant algal flora indicates the pollution in a very initial stage. In the present study, attempt has been made to point out some indicator algae of Kolong River which is getting polluted day by day and in placed among the 71 most polluted stretch of river in the country. In our investigation, we have found microalgae mainly from groups Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Desmid...
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Living a healthy reproductive life is one of the major concerns among women. Unwanted conception among rural tribal population like the Karbis is managed by using traditional medicinal plants. The present work was carried out to document... more
Living a healthy reproductive life is one of the major concerns among women. Unwanted conception among rural tribal population like the Karbis is managed by using traditional medicinal plants. The present work was carried out to document the traditional uses of medicinal plants or its products for inducing abortion. Field studies were undertaken in different Karbi dominated areas of Karbi Anglong district using informal and formal conversations, discussions, and semi–structured and unstructured interviews involving 35 informants (male 11 and female 24). A total of twelve medicinal plants, belonging to twelve genera and twelve families were reported to be used for inducing abortion. The study showed that the Karbis are rich in ethnomedicinal practises using plant and its products as an abortifacient. The knowledge of the practises of traditional medicines needs to be incorporated with scientific methods and concepts for betterment of future mankind. Biochemical evaluations of abort...
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In India the genus Sirodotia has been documented solely on morphological data. A new species of Sirodotia (Sirodotia assamica sp. nov.) was found in two localities in the State of Assam, India. Phylogenetic relationships of the new... more
In India the genus Sirodotia has been documented solely on morphological data. A new species of Sirodotia (Sirodotia assamica sp. nov.) was found in two localities in the State of Assam, India. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species were inferred on the basis of DNA sequence data for the plastid rbcL gene and the barcode region of the mitochondrial COI-5P gene. Taxonomic affinities of the new species were determined by morphological analyses and a distinctive character was found for this species: spermatangia arranged in clusters. Although this character is also observed in S. huillensis, both species are genetically highly divergent (4.5–5.0% for rbcL and 9.6–10.1% for COI-5P). DNA sequences from Indian specimens formed a well-supported clade, sister to S. delicatula from Malaysia. DNA sequence divergence between S. assamica and S. delicatula varied from 2.5–2.7% for rbcL and COI-5P. Intraspecific divergence between the two sequences from India were low (0.4–0.5%). A full description and photographs of the new species are provided, as well as a comparison with morphologically similar and phylogenetically allied species reported from India and other Asian regions.
In vitro antibacterial activity of acetone, methanol, petroleum ether, and diethyl ether extracts of three foliose lichen species Dirinaria picta, Dirinaria Papillulifera, and Dirinaria applanata have been investigated against two... more
In vitro antibacterial activity of acetone, methanol, petroleum ether, and diethyl ether extracts of three foliose lichen species Dirinaria picta, Dirinaria Papillulifera, and Dirinaria applanata have been investigated against two clinically significant human pathogenic bacteria (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, MTCC 737 and Gramnegative Escherichia coli, MTCC 443) using agar cup diffusion method. Commercial drug streptomycin (1 mg/ml) was taken as a standard positive and 5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as a negative control. All the extracts were found effective by showing the solvent dependent zone of inhibition. Largest zone of inhibition against E. coli by D. picta, D. papillulifera, and D. applanata have been recorded for acetone (37.1 ± 0.2 mm), methanol (23.5 ± 0.6 mm), and acetone (30.6 ± 0.4 mm) extracts, respectively. On the other hand, S. aureus was inhibited with maximum zone by methanol (23.6 ± 0.4 mm), diethyl ether (24.2 ± 0.4 mm), and acetone (21.6 ± 0.5 mm) extrac...
The present paper deals with 25 new records of lichens under 19 genera and 11 families for the state of Assam in India. The newly reported species from Assam are Alyxoria apomelaena, A. culmigena, A. varia, Caloplaca pseudisteroides,... more
The present paper deals with 25 new records of lichens under 19 genera and 11 families for the state of Assam in India. The newly reported species from Assam are Alyxoria apomelaena, A. culmigena, A. varia, Caloplaca pseudisteroides, Cryptothecia striata, Diorygma rupicola, Dirinaria papillulifera, Flavoplaca citrina, Graphis sundarbanensis, Herpothallon echinatum, Lecanographa rufa, Letrouitia muralis, Myriotrema clandestinum, Opegrapha discolor, Parmotrema crinitoides, Phaeophyscia hispidula, Porina eminentior, P. interstes, P. mastoidella, Pyrenula submastophora, P. thelomorpha, Rinodina oxydata, Synarthonia bicolor, Zwackhia bonplandii, and Z. viridis. Brief descriptions of these additional lichen taxa from Assam are provided to facilitate their identification.
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Bacidia pycnidiata (Ramalinaceae), Malmidea nigromarginata (Malmideaceae), Porina malmei and P. nuculastrum (Porinaceae), and Pyrenula laetior and P. wrightii (Pyrenulaceae) are reported for the first time from India. The specimens were... more
Bacidia pycnidiata (Ramalinaceae), Malmidea nigromarginata (Malmideaceae), Porina malmei and P. nuculastrum (Porinaceae), and Pyrenula laetior and P. wrightii (Pyrenulaceae) are reported for the first time from India. The specimens were collected from the state of Assam. Taxonomic descriptions, distributions, and illustrations are provided for each species.
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Accumulation of heavy metals on naturally grown epiphytic lichens and its impact on their physiological integrity was examined. Lichen species collected from differently polluted areas (oil refinery, roadside) were compared with the... more
Accumulation of heavy metals on naturally grown epiphytic lichens and its impact on their physiological integrity was examined. Lichen species collected from differently polluted areas (oil refinery, roadside) were compared with the species collected from relatively lesser polluted areas. Heavy metal buildup in lichens were found to have significant damaging effect on their physiological health. Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni and Cr concentrations were found to be higher in the lichen species collected from both the polluted areas. Metal accumulation in lichen thallus has positive correlation at p ≤ 0.01 (r = 0.417 to 0.772) with the recorded protein concentrations. Whereas, other studied parameters like chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, membrane stability and pH documented negative correlation with the accumulated heavy metals. However, abundance of species Dirinaria applanata and Dirinaria sp. at polluted areas with better protein content indicates their tolerance towards heavy metal. Chlorophyll degradation and protein contents in the lichens were found to be efficient physiological parameters to correlate with the air quality of a region. Sensitivity to heavy metals may be the cause of sparsity of species Arthonia cinnabarina, Cryptothecia subnidulans and Lecanora sp. in the polluted areas. However, lesser sensitivity to heavy metals favored the growth of species Dirinaria applanata and Dirinaria sp. even in higher polluted areas.
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While revising the lichen genus Buellia sensu lato from India, species Cratiria rubrum with brick red pigmented thallus is described as new to science. The new species is characterized by a red pigmented thallus, Buellia type ascospore,... more
While revising the lichen genus Buellia sensu lato from India, species Cratiria rubrum with brick red pigmented thallus is described as new to science. The new species is characterized by a red pigmented thallus, Buellia type ascospore, KOH+ red. Five species are reported for the first time from India viz., Amandinea efflorescens, A. incrustans, Baculifera orosa, Hafellia dissa and H. reagens.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Plant Biology and Algae
With growing urbanization and industrialization India faces the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water. In the name of economic growth most rivers and streams are turning into sewers. Pollution effect is equally damaging... more
With growing urbanization and industrialization India faces the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water. In the name of economic growth most rivers and streams are turning into sewers. Pollution effect is equally damaging both biotic and abiotic components. Microalgae play an interesting role in forecasting changing environment. Pollution in aquatic environment like changing pH; addition of oil, heavy metals; increase of organic matter and chemical fertilizers can be traced by studying algal community. Abundant growth of particular algae, drastic change in species diversity and depletion of long inhabitant algal flora indicates the pollution in a very initial stage. In the present study, attempt has been made to point out some indicator algae of Kolong River which is getting polluted day by day and in placed among the 71 most polluted stretch of river in the country. In our investigation, we have found microalgae mainly from groups Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Desmid...