Browsing by Author "Rituraj Borah"

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Bacillus thuringiensis as microbial biopesticide: uses and application for sustainable agriculture
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2021) Pradeep Kumar; Madhu Kamle; Rituraj Borah; Dipendra Kumar Mahato; Bharti Sharma
Background: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used in agriculture for a long time because of its insecticidal proteins which make it a valuable environment-friendly biopesticide. However, its use is not only limited to insecticidal properties. Current and previous studies indicate its potential as a biofertilizer for promoting plant growth, the development of transgenic plants, and others. It is the presence of δ-endotoxins, especially cry protein, which attributes the insecticidal property to the bacteria. Besides, there are some vegetative and secreted insecticidal proteins that exert their toxic activity towards specific species. Main body of abstract: The present review briefly provides an overview of the Bt uses and application as a biocontrol agent against insect pest for sustainable agriculture. Historical development of Bt as biocontrol, classification of various cry proteins, their mechanisms of actions against different insect-pest, and incorporation of cry genes in the plant for developing transgenic Bt plants such as Bt cotton, potato, and maize. Applications of Bt as biofertilizer and the various bioformulations as biopesticide are also described. Short conclusion: Uses of harmful pesticides and chemical cause various health issues and environmental problem; therefore, the Bt served as the best alternative to overcome the above issue. Also, we aim to explore the potential as plant growth-promoting potential and solubilization of minerals and the uses as a biofertilizer, keeping the high specificity and environmental safety of Bt. Its various formulations are commercially available and considered an efficient alternative to chemical pesticides. © 2021, The Author(s).
Ochratoxins in food and feed: Occurrence and its impact on human health and management strategies
(Elsevier Ltd, 2020) Pradeep Kumar; Dipendra Kumar Mahato; Bharti Sharma; Rituraj Borah; Shafiul Haque; M.M. Chayan Mahmud; Ajay Kumar Shah; Deepaksshi Rawal; Himashree Bora; Sukni Bui
Ochratoxins (OTs) are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. which are ubiquitous. They infect the crops during pre- and post-harvest conditions and contaminate various food and feed. Among all the OTs produced, ochratoxin A (OTA) poses serious health issues like neurotoxicity and carcinogenesis. The harmful impact of the toxins is observed in both humans and animals. The toxins get accumulated in the organs of animals through the contaminated animal-feed which further contaminate the products derived from them, such as milk and meat-based products. Therefore, sensitive and robust identification, detection, and quantification methods along with efficient management and control measures are crucial. Spectrometric and spectroscopy techniques are quite sensitive and lead to better detection of the toxin in the food products. Control and preventive measures during harvesting, storage and transportation are found to be effective in managing the production of such toxins. This review insight on the occurrence, chemistry, biosynthesis, effects on human health and agriculture, detections, management, and control strategies of ochratoxins. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Pharmacological properties, therapeutic potential, and legal status of Cannabis sativa L.: An overview
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2021) Pradeep Kumar; Dipendra Kumar Mahato; Madhu Kamle; Rituraj Borah; Bharti Sharma; Shikha Pandhi; Vijay Tripathi; Hardeo Singh Yadav; Sheetal Devi; Umesh Patil; Jianbo Xiao; Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
Marijuana, or Cannabis sativa L., is a common psychoactive plant used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In many countries, cannabis-based medicines have been legalized under certain conditions because of their immense prospects in medicinal applications. With a comprehensive insight into the prospects and challenges associated with the pharmacological use and global trade of C. sativa, this mini-review focuses on the medicinal importance of the plant and its legal status worldwide; the pharmacological compounds and its therapeutic potential along with the underlying public health concerns and future perspective are herein discussed. The existence of major compounds including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene contributes to the medicinal effects of the cannabis plant. These compounds are also involved in the treatment of various types of cancer, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease displaying several mechanisms of action. Cannabis sativa is a plant with significant pharmacological potential. However, several aspects of the plant need an in-depth understanding of the drug mechanism and its interaction with other drugs. Only after addressing these health concerns, legalization of cannabis could be utilized to its full potential as a future medicine. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.