Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences

Environmental Drivers and Spatiotemporal Variability of Bioaerosols and Their Health Impacts

2026-05-25T11:29:36+00:00

Bioaerosols are airborne particles of biological origin, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and their fragments, which play an important role in atmospheric processes and human health. These are released into the atmosphere from a combination of natural and human-made sources. Their distribution varies significantly across space and time, influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind patterns, land use, and human activities. This study provides an overview of bioaerosol sources, characteristics, and key atmospheric processes, including emission, transport, dispersion, and transformation. Bioaerosols originate from both natural sources, such as soil, vegetation, and water bodies, and anthropogenic activities, including agriculture, industrial operations, and waste treatment. Their size, typically ranging from 0.02 µm to 100 µm, determines their atmospheric behavior and deposition within the respiratory system. Environmental conditions, particularly ultraviolet radiation and humidity, affect their survival and transformation during atmospheric transport. Human exposure occurs mainly through inhalation, along with direct contact and deposition in the respiratory tract. Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of health effects. Bioaerosols are associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and tuberculosis, and allergic and inflammatory responses. Vulnerable populations are particularly at risk. Understanding the interactions between environmental drivers and bioaerosol dynamics is essential for effective monitoring, risk assessment, and the development of mitigation strategies to protect public health. This review provides a foundation for future studies by identifying key knowledge gaps in bioaerosol sources, behavior, and health effects.

The Role of Genetically Modified Crops in Eradicating Hunger and Their Acceptance in Indian Society

2026-04-17T13:14:48+00:00

Aim: This study evaluate the multifaceted role of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in addressing dual challenges of food security and hidden hunger in India. This paper examines the dual potential of GM technology to stabilize crop yields against escalating climate volatility and to address malnutrition through biofortification, specifically focusing on indigenous developments like GM Mustard (DMH-11) and Vitamin A-enriched Golden Rice.

Study Design and Methodology: The approach demands a thorough analysis of current developments, such as recent trade discussions between the US and India and court rulings relating to agricultural patents. The study classifies barriers to adoption as economic (corporate monopolies), cultural (natural vs. manufactured food), and administrative (regulatory transparency). The impact of these elements on small-scale farmers and consumer autonomy is the main importance of this "middle-out" investigative method.

Results and Discussion: The results show that although GM technology has great potential to increase caloric and nutritional production, prevalent distrust prevents its integration. Because corporate monopolies are seen as a threat to seed sovereignty, "Indian perception" is still cautious in 2026 (Beej Swaraj). The findings show that traditional food systems continue to be preferred by society over "engineered" substitutes. The report also finds a serious lack of faith in regulatory transparency, which is made worse by unclear, essential labeling and doubts about the supremacy of multinational patents over advances in the public sector.

Conclusions: Strong socioeconomic safeguards must be linked with biotechnology innovation to end hunger. A "middle-out" approach that puts public-sector research and domestic innovations ahead of international patents is necessary to incorporate GM crops. In the end, protective consumer rights through strict labeling and decentralized laws, safeguarding the rights of small-scale farmers, and closing the trust gap through regulatory transparency are all necessary to ensure national food security.

Mangrove Ecosystem for Climate Resilience and Coastal Protection

2026-05-20T07:09:41+00:00

The most productive and valuable coastal ecosystems derive their ecological services from mangrove ecosystems which deliver carbon sequestration, coastal protection, nutrient cycling and biodiversity conservation. The ecosystems serve as vital transition zones which link land areas with marine zones while providing assistance to fishing activities and sustaining the economic activities of nearby coastal populations. The blue carbon storage capacity of mangroves enables them to store large quantities of carbon through their biomass and sediment deposits which also protects against the effects of rising sea levels and coastal erosion and extreme weather events. Human activities which include deforestation, aquaculture expansion, urbanization and pollution along with climate change effects have emerged as major threats to these ecosystems. These ecosystems require effective conservation and restoration strategies for their sustainable preservation. Key approaches encompass the protection of existing mangrove forests through the restoration of degraded areas which requires correct site selection for hydrological rehabilitation while creating conditions for natural regeneration which will lead to active community engagement. The ecosystem resilience and sustainable management of mangroves and their ecosystem services will improve through the combination of scientific management methods with policy making and financial support from initiatives like blue carbon programs.

Rhus longipes Engl. Leaf Extract Reduces Hyperglycaemia and Modulates NF-κB, GLUT-4 and Glucose-6-Phosphatase in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

2026-06-20T11:22:15+00:00

Diabetes mellitus is associated with persistent hyperglycaemia, altered glucose metabolism, and inflammatory activation. This study evaluated the effects of methanolic leaf extract of Rhus longipes on fasting blood glucose, glucose-6-phosphatase activity, glucose transporter type 4, and nuclear factor-kappa B levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were allocated to six groups of five rats each. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin at 30 mg/kg body weight. Diabetic rats received glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg or methanolic leaf extract of Rhus longipes at 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg orally for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose was measured, while glucose-6-phosphatase activity, glucose transporter type 4, and nuclear factor-kappa B levels were assessed using biochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test at p < 0.05. Streptozotocin administration increased fasting blood glucose from 80.00 ± 4.08 mg/dL in normal control rats to 340.00 ± 65.57 mg/dL in untreated diabetic rats. Treatment with Rhus longipes extract reduced fasting blood glucose to 105.33 ± 22.14, 102.00 ± 29.10, and 117.67 ± 28.02 mg/dL at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Untreated diabetic rats showed reduced glucose-6-phosphatase activity and increased nuclear factor-kappa B levels. Extract-treated groups showed increased glucose-6-phosphatase activity towards control values and reduced nuclear factor-kappa B concentrations. Glucose transporter type 4 levels varied among groups, with the highest value observed in untreated diabetic rats. These findings suggest that methanolic leaf extract of Rhus longipes improved fasting blood glucose and altered selected metabolic and inflammatory markers in this experimental model. Further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Assessment of Genetic Parameters for Yield Improvement in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

2026-08-14T12:31:25+00:00

The present investigation was conducted to assess the extent of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, and mean performance among twelve diverse okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) genotypes for yield and its contributing traits. The experiment was carried out during the kharif season of 2025 at the Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications. Observations were recorded for ten quantitative characters, namely days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of internodes on the main stem, internode length, number of branches per plant, days to first picking, fruit length, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and fruit yield per plant. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied, indicating the presence of considerable genetic variability. Phule Utkarsh recorded the highest fruit yield per plant (225.76 g), followed by Kashi Pragati (213.12 g), Pusa Makhmali (209.71 g), and Arka Abhay (207.76 g), whereas Kashi Vibhuti exhibited the lowest fruit yield (107.59 g). High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for the number of branches per plant (29.42% and 30.19%, respectively), followed by the number of internodes on the main stem and fruit yield per plant, indicating substantial variability in these traits. High broad-sense heritability was recorded for the number of branches per plant (95.00%), internode length (93.90%), number of internodes on the main stem (84.10%), number of fruits per plant (79.00%), and plant height (77.10%). The number of branches per plant also exhibited the highest genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (59.23%), followed by the number of internodes on the main stem (30.38%), indicating the predominance of additive gene action and the potential effectiveness of selection for these traits. The results suggest that Phule Utkarsh, Kashi Pragati, Pusa Makhmali, and Arka Abhay are promising genotypes for yield improvement. Furthermore, the number of branches per plant, number of internodes on the main stem, plant height, and number of fruits per plant may be effectively utilised as selection criteria in okra breeding programmes aimed at developing high-yielding cultivars.

Quinoline-based Aromatic Aldehydes as Novel Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Transketolase: An In-silico Study

2026-09-09T12:44:57+00:00

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, especially those showing resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), highlights the critical need for new antimalarial compounds that target different biochemical pathways.

Objectives: This study explores the inhibitory potential of quinoline-derived aromatic aldehydes against Plasmodium falciparum transketolase, a key enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway that plays a vital role in parasite nucleotide synthesis and redox homeostasis, through an in-silico assessment.

Methodology: A combination of ligand-based and structure-based drug design strategies was employed. Drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties were assessed using qualitative drug estimation and ADMET profiling. Molecular docking was used to determine binding affinities, while binding free energies were calculated using molecular mechanics. The stability of binding interactions was further examined using molecular dynamics simulations.

Results: Molecular docking studies identified 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (A3) and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (A6) as having the highest binding affinities for Plasmodium falciparum transketolase (−8.3 kcal/mol and −8.2 kcal/mol, respectively), outperforming the reference drug oxythiamine. MM-PBSA analysis further confirmed Compound A6 as the thermodynamically most favourable complex, exhibiting superior overall binding free energy (ΔG_bind), driven by significant van der Waals and covalent contributions. Pharmacokinetic evaluations, including drug-likeness and ADMET profiling, indicated favourable drug-like properties and low toxicity across all compounds. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns further validated Compounds A3 (7-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) chromenoquinoline) and A6 (7-(2-nitrophenyl) chromenoquinolinone) as the most stable complexes with Plasmodium falciparum transketolase, recording average RMSD values of 0.24–0.25 nm, RMSF values of 0.12–0.14 nm, radii of gyration of 2.85–2.93 nm, and consistent hydrogen-bond persistence throughout the trajectory.

Conclusion: Compared with the reference drug oxythiamine, both compounds demonstrated superior conformational stability and active-site complementarity, reinforcing their potential as credible antimalarial lead candidates.

Changes in Ovarian Stroma and Serum Reproductive Hormones in Rat Model of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Following Benzo[a]pyrene Toxicity

2026-09-09T12:53:58+00:00

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystem endocrine disorder characterised by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and abnormalities in ovarian cytoarchitecture. Pathological extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and stromal fibrosis contribute to follicular arrest and increased tissue rigidity. However, the role of the environmental xenobiotic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in modulating stromal alterations and reproductive hormone profiles within a hyperandrogenic microenvironment remains largely undefined. This study investigated the interaction between testosterone-induced hyperandrogenism and low-dose BaP exposure in relation to ovarian stromal remodelling and gonadotropin profiles.

Fifteen prepubertal female Wistar rats (40–50 g) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: Control (subcutaneous corn oil), PCOS (10 mg/kg/day testosterone propionate), and PCOS+BaP (10 mg/kg/day testosterone propionate and 10 µg/kg/day BaP) for 28 days. Serum concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and ovarian tissues were stained using the Gordon and Sweet technique for reticular fibre visualisation.

Somatic growth and serum LH and FSH levels did not differ significantly across groups (p > 0.05). Histopathological analysis, however, showed that both the PCOS and PCOS+BaP groups exhibited multiple cystic follicles and follicular arrest. The PCOS+BaP group had the highest percentage area of reticular fibres within the theca externa (60.70% ± 10.31%), compared with the PCOS group (39.94% ± 3.63%) and the control group (32.84% ± 2.80%). The PCOS+BaP group differed significantly from the control group (p < 0.05) but not from the PCOS group. These microstructural alterations occurred without significant between-group differences in serum LH or FSH at terminal sacrifice.

These findings indicate that BaP co-exposure was associated with greater ovarian stromal reticular fibre deposition and more pronounced structural alterations in the testosterone-induced PCOS model.

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Its Associated Traits in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) Germplasm

2026-09-10T12:05:57+00:00

The present study was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and its associated traits in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) germplasm. Eleven quantitative traits, namely days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant, were assessed. Substantial variation was recorded among the genotypes for all the traits evaluated. The widest phenotypic range was observed for seed yield per plant (4.90–12.03 g), followed by plant height (48.93–73.67 cm) and number of pods per plant (13.20–28.20). The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were highest for seed yield per plant (19.56 and 20.51%, respectively), followed by number of pods per plant (19.11 and 19.88%) and number of clusters per plant (17.91 and 18.80%). In general, the close correspondence between GCV and PCV indicated a comparatively lower influence of environmental factors on the expression of several traits. Broad-sense heritability was high for most of the characters, ranging from 54.20% for days to maturity to 96.70% for 100-seed weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant. Seed yield per plant recorded high heritability (90.90%) and high genetic advance as per cent of mean (38.42%), suggesting the predominance of heritable genetic effects and the effectiveness of selection for improving this trait. The results indicated substantial genetic variability among the mungbean germplasm and identified yield-associated traits with greater potential for direct selection in breeding programmes. Therefore, selection based on the number of pods per plant, the number of clusters per plant, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant may be effective for developing superior mungbean genotypes.

Ethyl Acetate Extract of Embelia ribes Seed (Myrsinaceae) and Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol) Protect against Hematological Disorder and Redox Imbalance Associated with Tamoxifen Administration

2026-09-29T06:15:55+00:00

Tamoxifen is a widely used hormonal therapy for the treatment and prevention of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Its prolonged administration may be associated with adverse effects. Natural plant products have gained considerable attention in recent years as potential drug sources. This study evaluated the protective roles of the ethyl acetate extract of Embelia ribes seed and vitamin E against haematological disorders and redox imbalance associated with tamoxifen administration in female Wistar rats. Fifty-six (56) rats, with an average weight of 120 g, were acclimatised and randomly allocated to eight groups, A-H: Group A (control), Group B (2.5 mg/kg tamoxifen only), Group C (100 mg/kg extract and 2.5 mg/kg tamoxifen), Group D (100 mg/kg vitamin E and 2.5 mg/kg tamoxifen), Group E (100 mg/kg extract, 100 mg/kg vitamin E and 2.5 mg/kg tamoxifen), Group F (100 mg/kg extract only), Group G (100 mg/kg vitamin E only), and Group H (100 mg/kg extract and 100 mg/kg vitamin E). Treatments were administered orally in 0.1 mL solutions daily for 60 days. Haematological and tissue redox indices were determined using standard methods. Results showed that tamoxifen significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum and breast total protein levels, red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume, while significantly increasing white blood cell, lymphocyte and platelet counts. In contrast, treatments in Groups C, D and E improved these metabolic alterations, which were reversed to levels comparable with the control. Antioxidant indices in Group B showed significant (p < 0.05) decreases in breast-tissue superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione, with a corresponding increase in malondialdehyde concentration; these changes were reversed by treatments in Groups C, D and E, although the magnitude of the response varied across the measured parameters and treatment combinations. The results suggest adverse effects of tamoxifen through the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation and haematological disorders, while the extract, alone or in combination with vitamin E, exhibited antioxidant and haematological protective potential against some of the biochemical alterations associated with tamoxifen administration. Further studies are required to characterise the active constituents and investigate the underlying mechanisms of action.

Identification of Promising Moisture Stress-tolerant Genotypes in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Using Seed Yield and Stress Tolerance Indices

2026-10-17T10:22:46+00:00

Moisture stress is one of the major abiotic constraints affecting crop productivity, and the identification of genotypes capable of maintaining yield under limited moisture is an important objective of crop improvement programmes. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate twelve fenugreek genotypes for seed yield performance under non-stress and moisture-stress conditions and to identify promising genotypes using different moisture stress tolerance indices. Seed yield per plant was recorded under both environments and the indices of tolerance (TOL), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), stress susceptibility index (SSI) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) were estimated. Seed yield per plant ranged from 7.97 to 12.40 g under non-stress conditions and from 6.18 to 9.91 g under moisture-stress conditions. The mean seed yield decreased from 9.86 g under non-stress conditions to 7.79 g under moisture-stress conditions, representing an average reduction of 21.09 per cent. AFG-4 recorded the highest seed yield under both non-stress (12.40 g) and moisture-stress (9.91 g) conditions. RMT-303 showed the lowest yield reduction (18.94%) and the lowest SSI (0.90). AFG-4 recorded the highest MP (11.16), STI (1.26) and GMP (11.09). Based on the combined performance of seed yield and stress tolerance indices, AFG-4 and RMT-303 were identified as comparatively promising genotypes, followed by Azad Metni, Hisar Mukta and HM-9. The results indicated substantial variability among the genotypes in their responses to moisture stress and demonstrated the usefulness of combining yield performance with multiple stress tolerance indices for genotype identification. The promising genotypes identified in the present study may be further evaluated across environments and moisture-stress levels for their potential utilisation in fenugreek breeding programmes.