Turmeric is a spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems that send out shoots as well as roots. The bright yellow color of turmeric comes mainly from fat-soluble, polyphenolic pigments known as curcuminoids. Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid found in turmeric, is generally considered its most active constituent. Other curcuminoids found in turmeric include demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. In addition to its use as a spice and pigment, turmeric has been used in India for medicinal purposes for centuries. More recently, evidence that curcumin may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities has renewed scientific interest in its potential to prevent and treat the disease.

The genotoxicity of EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate) was evaluated at various parameters of sesame (Sesamum indicum L. var. IC413205). Seeds of sesame were treated with 0.5% solution of EMS for 3 durations, i.e. 3, 5, and 7 h. During the present investigation many chromosomal anomalies, namely precocious movements, stickiness, univalents, bridges, laggards, multivalents etc, were induced in inbred line of sesame. Higher frequencies of chromosomal anomalies were displayed at the maximum dose (7 h) of treatment. From the present study it can be concluded that the mutagenic effectiveness increased with the increase in the dose/treatment. This work investigates the effects of EMS on germination, plant height, seed yield and its correlation with meiotic behavior of Sesame in M1 generation. Although Sesame is not a model system for cytological studies, but we found that it is possible to conduct some significant cytogenetic studies on this species. Though some modifications in the standard methods for meiotic studies were necessary to obtain satisfactory results.

In the present study we investigated the comparative genotoxic potential of laser rays and gamma rays on somatic and gametic cells of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Mutagenic parameters like mitotic and meiotic consequences were accessed from the plants that showed a linear relationship between dose absorbed and chromosomal anomalies. A wide spectrum of chromosomal aberrations was encountered in both the laser and gamma ray irradiated set but the most frequent anomaly dominated was the stickiness of chromosomes. Some noble cytological mutants were also isolated like chain and multivalent formation at metaphase and cytoplasmic bridge formation at anaphase. The percentage of chromosomal aberrations observed in case of gamma rays treated set was higher than laser rays treated sets suggesting that gamma rays could be successfully employed for creating additional genetic variability in safflower.

Micromorphological characters for Lawsonia inermis L. are not reported. The leaves are frequently used as a herbal remedy for an array of human disorders including wounds, ulcers, strangery, cough, bronchitis, lumbago, hemi crania, leucoderma, scabies, boil, hepatopathy, spleenopathy, ophthalmic conditions, falling of hairs and jaundice. The main constituents in the plant are carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds and gums and mucilage. It is characterized by the presence of distinct midrib from lamina, which is broadly shallow on adaxial side and convex on abaxial side. Mesophyll tissue is differentiated into palisade cells and spongy parenchyma. Vascular bundle is small and collateral but not prominent. It has a single layered polygonal epidermal cells containing cuticle on outer layer only. It also consists of unicellular covering trichome. Diacytic stomata are present on both the surface. The leaf is dorsiventral as oblong palisade cells are present below the upper epidermis and absent on lower epidermis. The abaxial epidermis is also very thin and distinct. The ground tissue of the midrib is parenchymatous and homogeneous. The cells are circular or angular and compact. Tannin is seen in some of the cells. The vascular strand is single, small, collateral and hemispherical in shape. It consists of a thick horizontal band of xylem and fairly wide band of phloem. Xylem elements are narrow, angular, thin walled and somewhat diffuse. Phytochemical investigation of leaf shows total ash (14.60 %), acid insoluble ash (4.50 %), and water soluble ash (3.0 %). Loss on drying is (4.5 %). Alcohol soluble extractive value and aqueous extractive value were (3.8 % w/w and 5.0 % w/w), respectively. The percent practical yields of alcohol and aqueous extract percent yield were found to be 12.34 % and 15.50 %. In alcoholic extract and aqueous extract carbohydrate, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds and gums and mucilage were present in good quantity and saponins, alkaloids, phytosterols, fixed oils, fats, proteins, amino acids, volatile oils were absent.

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv (Solanaceae: Solanales) is a annual or perennial weedy herb that is also known as wild tobacco. Leaves of N. plumbaginifolia Viv. were collected air dried and powdered. Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared and observed their antibacterial activity on five human pathogenic bacteria. Viz Bacillus cereus, Bacillus fusiformis, Salmonella typhimurium Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by paper disc diffusion method. The significant results were obtained by aqueous as well as methanolic extracts of leaves against all the tested bacteria. However, the aqueous extract showed strongest activity on Bacillus fusiformis and methanol leaf extract also showed strongest activity on Bacillus fusiformis .The leaves of N.plumbaginifolia were also evaluated for phytochemicals and were found to contain alkaloids, saponin, tannin, flavonoides, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, steroids, terpenoides and carbohydrates.

Isolation of cyanobacteria from natural environments is needed to obtain axenic cultures of cyanobacteria which can be mainly used for studies in fundamental and applicative researches. The aim of this study is to present the results concerning the purification from sulphurous mesothermal spring of cyanobacteria in axenic culture by an improved lysozyme method which uses a second antibiotic, tienam, added after organic nutrients.