Browsing by Author "Sanjeevan, R."

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    Environmental Risk Assessment of Water Basin in Capital City Area of Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Herath, H. M. P. C. K.; Sanjeevan, R.
    Metropolitan city Colombo can be polluted by many ways. This study was addressed to analyze canal/lake sediment and water samples in selected locations within the Colombo basin to assess the possible environmental risks and challenges of people in those areas. Sampling was carried out only between 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon in order to arrest the similar conditions in terms of tidal variations. A grab sampler was used to collect sediment samples at the bottom surface and water samples were collected from the upper 12 inches of the surface. Sulfate, Chloride and heavy metals of sediment samples and pH, Conductivity, COD, BOD, Heavy Metal, Total & Fecal Coliforms and Oil and Grease content of water samples were analyzed in accordance with BS 1377: 1990 and APHA (2005). Heavy metal content varied as for cadmium in the range of 0.4 to 8.3 mg kg-1, chromium 20.1 to 72.8 mg kg-1, lead 30.2 to 805.3 mg kg-1, arsenic 0 to 3.1 mg kg-1 and mercury 0.7 to 3.0 mg kg-1.Sulfate content of sediment varied within the range of 50 to 439 mg kg1. Chloride content of sediments was from 4 to 48mg kg-1.The pH varied in between 7 to 8.5 and mostly pH was 7.6. Conductivity was distributed within 11.1 to 539 𝜇s cm-1. BOD levels were in the range of 9 to 20. COD values were in between 14 to 60 ppm. Oil and Grease content was somewhat high and it was at 7.3 - 296.8 ppm. Total Coliforms was 230000 to 5400000 MPN per100 ml. Fecal Coliforms was in between 130000 to 490000 MPN per100 ml. From the above studies, we conclude Beira Lake has the highest risk for pollution and Madiwela East Lake reported to be at lesser risk with respect to chemicals and microorganism. All measurements indicated that all sampling locations are badly contaminated with fecal matter and hence it will have the considerable adverse impact on human health.
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    Unexplored Plant Family (Violaceae) in Sri Lanka; Potential for Bioactive Cyclic Peptides
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Sanjeevan, R.; Deshani, N.B.S.; Mohotti, S.D.W.; Gunasekera, S.; Hettiarachchil, C.M.
    Cyclotides are a unique class of ribosomally synthesized cysteine-rich mini proteins. Their compact structure consists of a head-to-tail cyclized backbone stabilized by the knotted arrangement of three conserved disulfide bonds, in the combination known as cyclic cysteine knot (CCK) motif. Due to these unique features that imparts ultra -stability to its structure, cyclotide has attracted interest as peptide-based templates for drug design applications. Although cyclotides have a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-HIV, antineurotensin, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities, their natural bioactivity in plants is thought to be as insecticidal with a role in plant defense. To date, the plant families Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Violaceae have been shown to contain cyclotides. However, until the current study was initiated, the cyclotides distribution in Sri Lankan plant species remained unexplored. This investigation was conducted according to a systematic screening of plants belonging to the family Violaceae for the presence of cyclotides. Gel filtration followed by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) techniques were used to identify the molecular weights of cyclotides in the crude fractions of Viola species. Further confirmation of cyclic peptides was carried out by reduction and alkylation reactions. Out of the four plants screened for the discovery of cyclotide masses, presence of cyclotides was confirmed in three Viola species. In the LC-MS chromatogram scan range of 400 to 2000 Da, the cyclotides retention times were in the range from 25 min to 40 min with molecular weights detected at (M+2H)2+. Our study reinforces that investigating of cyclotides in unexplored geographical locations by a systematic approach guided by ethnomedical evidence is a promising strategy to expand our knowledge on the biodiversity and bioactivities of cyclotides.