Ramya, R; Dr.Balasundaran, M; Dr.Jose, Kallarackal(Kerala Forest Research Institute, July , 2010)
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Abstract:
S. album L. is the source of highly priced and fragrant heartwood which on steam
distillation yields on an average 57
per cent oil of high perfumery value. Global
demand for sandalwood is about 5000-6000
tons/year and that of oil is 100 tons/year.
Heartwood of sandal is estimated to fetch up to Rs. 3.7 million/ton and wood oil
Rs.70,000-100,000/
kg in the international market. Sandal heartwood prices have
increased from Rs. 365/ton in 1900 to Rs. 6.5 lakhs/ton in 1999-2000
and to Rs. 37
lakhs/ton in 2007. Substantial decline in sandalwood production has occurred from 3176
tons/year during 1960-‘
65 to 1500 tons/year in 1997-98,
and to 500 tons/year in 2007.Depletion of sandal resources is attributed to several factors, both natural and
anthropogenic. Low seed setting, poor seed germination, seedling mortality, lack of
haustorial connection with host plant roots, recurrent annual fires in natural sandal
forests, lopping of trees for fodder, excessive grazing, hacking, encroachments, seedling
diseases and spread of sandal spike disease are the major problems facing sandal. While
these factors hinder sandal regeneration in forest areas, the situation is accelerated by
human activities of chronic overexploitation
and illicit felling.Deterioration of natural sandal populations due to illicit felling, encroachments and
diseases has an adverse effect on genetic diversity of the species. The loss of genetic
diversity has aggravated during recent years due to extensive logging, changing landuse
patterns and poor natural regeneration. The consequent genetic erosion is of serious
concern affecting tree improvement programme in sandal. Conservation as well as mass
propagation are the two strategies to be given due importance. To initiate any
conservation programme, precise knowledge of the factors influencing regeneration and
survival of the species is essential. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the
objective of investigating the autotrophic and parasitic phase of sandal seedlings
growth, the effects of shade on morphology, chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll
fluorescence of sandal seedlings, genetic diversity in sandal seed stands using ISSR
markers, and the diversity of fungal isolates causing sandal seedling wilt using RAPD
markers. All these factors directly influence regeneration and survival of sandal
seedlings in natural forests and plantations.
Divya, Jose; Dr. Mohandas, A; Dr. Bright Singh, I S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, November , 2011)
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Abstract:
In the present study,heterotrophic protease producing bacterial isolates were screened for protease activity and a potent protease producing bacterial isolate was selected,identified and coded as Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCCB 123.The organism was capable of producing three different types of enzymes each having potential industrial applications.The non-toxic nature of the bacterial strain and the relatively non-toxic nature of three enzymes suggested their poetential application in various industries.Application of LasA protease and beta-1,3 glucanase in DNA extraction is a promising area for commercial utilization. LasB protease can find its potential application in detergent and tanning industries.As on today Bacillus sp.has been the source of commercial proteases,and the ones produced form P.aeruginosa 123 can pave way for making the industrial and biomedical processes more cost effective and refined.
Description:
National Centre for Aquatic Health,Cochin University of Science and Technology
Alex Paikada,Mathew; Sivasankara Pillai,V N(School of rural development and appropriate technology: CUSAT Environmental studies, 2005)
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Abstract:
The study conducted on the salinity intrusion and seasonal water quality variations in the tidal canals of cochin. The main objectives are, salinity intrusion profile, water quality variation of the surface water of the canals,hierarchical utility of the water bodies and to understand the non-conservative components in the water body. The parameters monitored werepH,temperature,alkalinity,conductivity,DO(dissolvedoxygen),COD(chemical oxygen demand),BOD(biochemical oxygen demand0,chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, dissolved phosphate, nitrate, total iron, sulphate, turbidity, total coliform and SUVA at 254nm. The tidal canals of GCDA were found to be creeks extending to the interior, canals inter connecting parts of the estuary or canals with seasonally broken segments. Based on utility the canals could be classified as: canals heavely polluted and very saline,canals polluted by urban waste , canals having fresh water for most part of the year and not much polluted, fresh water bodies heavily polluted.
During the rainy months carbon fixation by plankton is nonexistent,and during the dry months Chitrapuzha becomes a sink of phosphate. The study indicated abiotic subrouts for dissolved phosphate and revealed the potential pitfalls in LOICZ modeling exercise on sewage ladentidal canals. It was also found that all canals except for the canals of West cochin and chittoorpuzha have fresh water for some part of the year. The water quality index in the durable fresh water stretches was found to be of below average category.
Suresh, P G; Dr. Mohandas, A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, 1990)
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Abstract:
The problem investigated is on the haematological aspects of two freshwater pulmonate snails, Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshayes),and Lymnaea acuminata f.rufescens (Gray). An important aspect of the present investigation is to emphasize the utilization of freshwater organisms as models for research directed at understanding the basic biomedical problems that remain unresolved. Another aspect is to demonstrate how haemolymph can be treated as a tissue because of late, it has been shown that several parameters of blood can be taken as reliable indicators for diagnostic purposes, and also to monitor environmental pollution. The various haematological parameters studied are total haemocyte number,packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and inorganic as well organic constituents in three size groups of both the snail species. The effect of copper toxicity was measured in terms of total haemocyte count, and the activity pattern of selected phosphatases and transaminases.The study concluded that enzyme activity levels can be taken as reliable indicators to monitor pollution. Age is a factor that determines several of the physiological, biochemical and metabolic activities. This study also indicates that haemolymph can be taken as an organ system to study the various changes taking place at organ systems levels.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Reju, M K; Dr. Mohandas, A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, 1990)
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Abstract:
The present study is an attempt to understand the physiological responses of a freshwater gastropod, in terms of haematological parameters, in normal conditions as well as in various natural and man made altered conditions of the environment.Pila virens, a freshwater prosobranch,commonly found in paddy fields, ponds, and streams of Kerala is selected as the test animal for the present investigation. Various haemolymph constituents such as total carbohydrate, glycogen, total protein, total lipid, urea,ammonia,sodium,potasium, calcium, and chloride which are directly involved in the control and maintenance of different physiological systems, were analysed in the present study. Selected haematological parameters like total haemocyte number, and packed cell volume were also determined. Besides , the activity pattern of selected haemolymph enzymes such as acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),Glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), all having diagnostic value in terms of internal defence system and metabolism of the organism, were also studied.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies,Cochin University of Science and Technology
Balachandran,M; Sivasankara Pillai,V N(Cochin University of Science and Technology, October , 2004)
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Abstract:
The current water treatment technology is oriented towards the removal of contaminants, mostly organic compounds, by activated carbon. Activated carbons are classified as Granular Activated Carbons (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbons (PAC) on the basis of the particle size of the carbon granules. Powdered carbons are generally less expensive than granular carbon, operating costs with powdered carbon could be lower. Though powdered activated carbon has many advantages over granular carbon, its application in large-scale separation process is limited by difficulty in recovery and regeneration. Deposition of magnetic iron oxide on carbon particles provides a convenient way of recovering the spent carbon from process water. The study deals with the preparation and physico-chemical characterization of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbons. The evaluation of absorption properties of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbon composites. The target molecules studied were phenol, p-nitro phenol and methylene blue. The feasibility of magnetic separation of iron oxide loaded activated carbons were studied and described in this thesis.