Browsing by Author "Karunathilake, A.A.K."

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    Antimicrobial Activity of Plumbago Rosea Root Extract against Human Pathogens
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2011) Mihirani, M.A.A.M.; Henagamage, A.P.; Karunathilake, A.A.K.; Madhusinghe, M.M.G.
    Note: See the PDF Version Plumbago prosea, also known as Plumbago indica is an ornamental garden plant. Root of this plant wild acrid, vesicant, a iterative, digestive, stimulate abortifacient and oral contraceptive ve properties is used in Ayurvedic medicine (Okeyo, 2006). According to the previous studies root of P.rosea contains plumbagin or 5-hydroxy-2- methyl- 1,4- napthoquinone (Mallavadhani 2002). Plumbago is present in all the varieties of genus plumbago to a maximum of about 0. 9 I %. Pliiml›ago zeylanicas, another species belong to genus plumbago has been reported for its antimicrobial properties. (Dhale, 2011). The emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of human pathogens and side effects of currently available drugs are becoming a serious problem , for witch alternative therapies are urgently required. Infections caused by staphylococcus aureus especially due to methicillin -resistant S.aureus (M RSA) in immune compromised patients is continue to be a serious problem in worldwide. Staphylococcus aureus is a cause for community- acqu ired urinary tract infections in young women. Opportunistic pathogens which as Pscu‹loiiioiias act uginos which causes range of human infection and the Escherichia coil are also, being reported for the antibiotic resistance. Drug resistant strains of CanJi‹la albicans, which causes cand id iasis is also a problems with global concern,
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    Bioactivity of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl), Tagetes erecta L. and Lantana camara L. against Grain storage Pests Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2011) Gunathilake, G.G.V.L.; Henagamage, A.P.; Karunathilake, A.A.K.; Hapuarachchi, H.A.C.S.
    Note: See the PDF Version According to the viewpoint of economists, farmers have an opportunity to take advantages of seasonal price rises, but the benefits can only be achieved if grain is deal longer on the farm with no deterioration in quality. Then it appears the necessity of post-harvest management. Post-harvest deterioration of grains is principally causal by bi0logical spoilage organisms including insects, fungi and small vertebrates (Golob e/ at., 2002). Control of these insects relies heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides and fumigants. But their widespread use has led to some serious problems including development of insect strains resistant to insecticides, toxic residues on stored grain, toxicity to consumer and increasing costs of application (Jbilou et at., 2006; Golob ei at., 1999), Thus, several of natural plant extracts had been tried in the control grain storage pest insects with the view of advantages such as local availability, little or no toxicity to humans and simple preparation procedures (Okigbo ei at., 2009). The present study was undertaken to analyze the insecticidal activity of Laiitana carnal a L., Tagetes erecta L. and Tilhonia ‹diversifolia (Hemsl) with the aim of development of plant base insecticidal fumigants to apply on grain storage pests. These are underutilized plants in Sri Lanka which are heavily used in conventional farming to eliminate insects. Also they have been shown to have repellent and insecticidal activities against certa in insects (Adedire ct at., 2004, Nike:on e/ ml., 2009; Ogendo e/ n/. 2004). Insects, red flower beetle, Tribolium caslaneum (Herbst) is considered as a major pest of stored grains (Jbilou e/ uf., 2006).
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    Effect of Aerva lanata in Controlling Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita of Tomato in Sri Lanka
    (2011) Nanayakkara, G.D.T.M.; Ratnaweera, P.B.; Karunathilake, A.A.K.
    Introduction The root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne syy.) are a group of endo-parasites which are among the most damaging agricultural pests, attacking a wide range of crops worldwide. In Sri Lanka, tomato (Lyeopersicon esciileiiiutn commercial and a widely grown vegetable which is often severely prone to attack by root-knot nenj6t0de, M lDi‹1 iii cogri/‹z. Other than in tomato, the Meloi’Jog 5'n e syy. Cause serious reduction in yield in several economically important plants such as potato, chilies, okra, mung-bean, rice, tea and tobacco (Akfitar, 2000). Nematode control is mainly based on, chemica1 nematicides, which present potential risk on non-target organisms and the environment. Their high costs, non-availability at the time of need and the hazards they pose, discourage most potential users. In the search for more environmental to chemicals, possibilities are being investigated to exploit nematode-anatagonistic plants for nematode control. Leaf extracts of certain plants are known to have nematicidal or nematostatic properties against several plant parasitic nematodes (Gapasin c/ at., 2002). The nematicidal activity of the plant extracts can leads for development of plant-based agrochemicals. Weeds are usually aggressive growers with the presence in large quantities. These plants species may therefore contain active biological compounds to resist various nematode infections. Biological nematicides prepared with weed plant extracts have the advantage of readily availability, low cost and environmental safety over other conventional nematicides. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Aeixa lonala (Ameranthaceae) weed p l ant species for nenaaticidal activity against MeloiJog tie incognita, root-knot nematode collected front tomato.
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    Fumigant and Contact Toxicity of Tithonia Diversifolia (Hems!), Tagetes erecta, Helliunthus Annus and Bidens Sulphurea against Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2012) Premarathna, V.L.; Henagamage, A.P.; Karunathilake, A.A.K.; Hapuarachchi, H.A.C.S.
    Since Sri Lanka is a developing and agriculture based country, it is crucial to minimize the post harvest losses in order to increase the national income. Post-harvest deterioration is principally caused by biological spoilage organisms including insects, fungi and small vertebrates (Golob et al., 2002). The huge post-harvest losses and quality deterioration caused by insects and pests are major problems of assuring food security in developing countries. Therefore, effective and efficient controlling methods are required to eliminate this problem. Control of these insects and pests relies heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides and fumigants. But their widespread use has led to some serious problems including development of insect strains resistant to insecticides, toxic residues, on stored grain, toxicity to consumer and increasing costs of application (Jbilou., 2006). Therefore, the development of bio insecticides has been focused along with an urgent need for safe but effective biodegradable pesticides for a low cost. This study was undertaken to screen the contact toxicity and the fumigant toxicity of Targetes erects, Bidens sulphurea, Helianthus annuus and Tithonia diversifolia which are highly abundant and underutilized herbaceous plants in Sri Lanka against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). This method can be used as a cost effective, environmental friendly and efficient method to develop a bio insecticide as a value added product for grain storage pests.
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    Production of Mosquito Repellent Body Lotion From the Species Ocimum sanctum
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2011) Jayasinghe, J.M.M.W.; Wijesekara, K.B; Karunathilake, A.A.K.
    Note: See the PDF Version Mosquito-transmitted diseases such as Dengue Paver, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Arboreal Encephilitides are major concerns, all over the world. Every year, it is developing new strains of mosquitoes and infecting viruses are reported that lead to the failures iii treatments. The number of dengue dearth reported for the first seven months of 2010 in Sri Lanka is about 165 and the number of dengue patients reported during the sauce period is about 34,000 (Ministry of Health, Sri lanka).The main precaution for these infections is prevention of mosquito bites using repellent methods such as mosquito coils which is also reported to have side effects. Mosquito repellent ability of natural plant substances was well known for hundreds of years. In Sri Lanka plants such as Osmium sanctum, has been used front the ancient times.0. snuciiii›i (holy basil) is one of the common plant species which is having the mosquito repellent ability (Shankar e/ ml. 2009). The active compound of this plant contains 7% eugenol, 4% caryophl lene - 3.8 nig, 1 % tritcrpenoic acids including Uralic acid, oleaiiolic acid, and rosmariiiic acid (Prakash & Gupta, 2005). 0. sanctum belongs to the family Labiate characterized by square stem and specific aroma. Several medicinal properties have been attributed to the plant in Ayurveda and unani systems of need icine. Juice of the leaves is used as demulcent, stimulant and expectorant (Shankar e/ nl., 2009). 0. sanciwn is a common weed in Sri Lanka which is highly available and a low cost value added product can be produced in commercial scale. Aeilcs species and Culex species are two common mosquito species act as vectors respectively for dengue and filarium. Current study is on production of a herbal based mosquito repellent body lotion which can be applied to human without any side effects to assure non toxicity and non-irritancy.
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    Removal of Lead Metal Ion from Aqueous Solutions Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Oxide Bulk Material
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2011) Sivayoganathan, N.; Ratnaweera, P.B.; Weerawarna, P.M.; Karunathilake, A.A.K.
    Note: See the PDF Version Many toxic heavy metals have been discharged into the environment as industrial wastes, causing Serious soil and water pollution. Toxic metal compounds coining to the earth's surface not only reach the earth's waters but can also contaminate underground water in trace amounts by leaking front the soil after rain. Therefore, drinking water obtained front springs which may also be contaminated by various toxic metals. Pb", Cu", Fe", and Cr"‘are especial I y common materials that tend to accumulate iii organisms, causing numerous ‹diseases and disorders (Inglizakis e/ at., 2002). Among these lead (Pb’ highly toxic heavymetal which adversely affects the red blood cells of the human nervous system and kidneys (Potgieter et al., 2006). According to World Health Organization, the maximum in permissible limit of lead in drinking water is 0.05 mg/L (Kanawade and Gaikwad, 201 I). The adsorption of heavy metal ions onto various solid supports such as activated charcoals, ion exchange resins, zeolites and ion chelating agent’s immobilized on inorganic supports is the most common route among the different techniques applied to remove dissolved heavy metals front waste water and industrial effluents (Chen et al., 2003). Many methods using today for decontamination of waste water are not suitable iii developing countries due to the high costs associated with production. Therefore, the use of alternative low-cost materials us potential sorbents for the removal of heavy meals should be investigated. Among inorganic nanoparticles, the zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle has received great attention because of its unique catalytic, antibacterial, electrical, electronic and optical properties as well as its low cost and extensive applications (Kathirvelu el at., 2009). Zinc ox ide bulk materials and zinc oxide nanoparticles are widely used in industry and dai Iy life for various things including as absorbents for gases such as CO, CO, O , H2. SO„ CHP (Scarano et al., 2004). Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO bulk material for the removal of Pb" from aqueous solutions by adsorption,