Research Symposium-2011

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Browsing Research Symposium-2011 by Subject "Biotechnology"

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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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    Evaluation of Different Culture Types and Development of a Set Yoghurt With Cost Optimized Culture Option
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Padmaraja, S.A.V.; Abesinghe, A.M.N.L.; Mudannayake, D.C.; Perera, M.N.P.
    NOTE: see the PDF version Over the last decade yoghurt and its preparations have developed into one of the most well-accepted and consumed acidified products. Mild acidic tastes, good digestibility, variations in taste and high dietetic value as well as stable quality have contributed to this growth. The starter culture is a critical factor in the production of set yoghurts it influences the organoleptic properties of the set yoghurt. A few studies have been conducted on evaluating the potential of using different culture types for yoghurt production. Kumari (2001) reported about the selection of a starter culture to improve the texture of plain set yoghurt at reduced total solid levels. Wijesinghe (1997) tested production of yoghurts using different ratios of Streptococcus therniophilllus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and found that the best ratio of Streptococcus thermophilllus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus is 1:1. This study was carried out in one of the dairy factory in Sri Lanka where probiotic yoghurts are produced using two imported yoghurt starter culture types as base culture and probiotic culture. Base culture includes S. thermophilllus , L. bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium species. From these three species, first two are considered as authentic yoghurt starter bacteria whereas the other is a probiotic bacterium. Probiotic culture includes Bifidobacterium lactic. The viable bacteria count in probiotic yoghurts at the end of shelf life is 106 cfu mL-I However, it was found that the probiotic bacteria in base culture do not contribute much to maintain the viable probiotic bacterial population in set yoghurt. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to select a suitable non- probiotic base culture for the existing set yoghurt without changing its organoleptic properties and thereby optimize the cost of set yoghurt production by selecting suitable non-probiotic base culture.
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    Evaluation of the Adoption Behavior of Barn Automation Technology in Flue Cured Tobacco Industry in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Perera, R.A.D.M.; Dharmadasa, R.A.P.I.S.; Abeysekara, N.N.R.
    Note: See the PDF Version Tobacco is a well-known profitable cash crop cultivated in different areas of Sri Lanka. Curing considered as the one of the major process in primary processing of tobacco. Curing of tobacco is done in barns. It was stated that stabilization of the barn in given temperature till end of each stage is extremely important to obtain desired characteristic. There are lots of drawbacks observed in manual barn controlling. To overcome these constraints after several years of successful experimentation one farmer introduced an automated furnace in year 2001. Introducing of an automated furnace was recognized as a revolutionary change by the experts of the tobacco industry. Therefore company expected to grater adoption rate with in a shorter period. Population of barn owners in flue cured tobacco industry is about nearly 2000 (BAT leaf system). However, the automated furnace has only adopted in 54 barns up to now. Therefore even after four years of implementation the expected progress in adoption to the technology has not met. Therefore this study was conducted to evaluate the different dimension of adoption behavior and identifying the determinants of non-adopter’s intention to use the automation technology.
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    Investigation of Genetic Variation in Bmp4 Gene in Local Indigenous and Jamnapari Crossbred Goats in Damana Veterinary Service Division Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Wijesena, H.R.; Bulumulla, P.B.A.I.K.; Lokugalappatti, L.G.S.; Ariyarathne, H.B.S.
    Small ruminants, such as goats (Capra hircus), constitute an important livestock resource in most countries and are essential for the livelihood of many farmers (Baker et al., 2003). Application of molecular genetics approaches for the genetic progress of quantitative economic traits such as growth and reproduction in goats is an effective way of increasing their production as these methods could lead to finding of genetic markers useful for improved selection. Molecular genetics approaches have been used in the world for goat production in the recent past, and these strategies are yet to be established in Sri Lanka since they require high knowledge and capital investments. Therefore, this study was conducted as a preliminary step for the application of molecular genetics approaches in selection of goats for improved production in Sri Lanka. Single Stranded confirmation Polymorphism (SSCP) analysis is one such powerful genetic screening method to identify the sequence variation in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplified products. In the present study, we investigated the PCR-SSCP genetic variation in the intron 2 of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) gene, which plays a major role in growth and reproduction. The study was focused on Local types (LT) and Jamnapari crossbred (JC) goats in Damana Veterinary Service (VS) division in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka.
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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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    Screening of Wood Rotting Basidiomycetes Fungi for Bioremediation Ability of Textile Dye Effluents
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2011) Hapuarachchi, H.A.V.T.P.; Wijesekara, K.B.; Premathilake, S.N.
    Note: See the PDF Version Sri Lanka is considered to be one of the world’s leading apparel producers. The textile industry utilizes large volumes of water in its processing operations and generates substantial quantities of dye containing waste water which is usual I y discarded into water bodies mostly without feather treatments. About I 0- I 5% of all dyes are directly lost to wastewater in the dying process and removal of color front effluent is one of the major problems that the textile industry faces. The presence of color in water tinder’s the absorption of solar radiation, thus reducing the natural photosynthetic activity, causing changes in aquatic biota. Furthermore, textile dyes pose serious health threats to humans due to their carcinogenicity and lead to mutagenic and toxic effects on organisms. Amongst many classes of synthetic dyes, triphenyl methane group of dyes such as crystal violet and malachite green are the most used iii the textile and dyeing industries (Bumps and Brock, 1988).The decolonization and degradation of textile dye effluent does not occur when treated with conventional effluent treatment systems (Murugesan et at., 2007). Use of microorganisms to remove dyes from industrial effluents or bioremediation is inexpensive and the end products of complete mineralization are nontoxic. Basidiomycete fungi produce an array of extracellular enzymes helpful in removing synthetic dyes from industrial effluents (Asana duct ml., 2005). This study investigates the ability of some selected Basidiomycete fungi to decolonize malachite green.
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    Study on Changes in Root Systems of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L) and Support Tree (Gliricidia sepium L) between Two Consecutive Support Tree Prunings
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Pradeep, V.P.P.; Subhasinghe, H.M.P.A.; Chandrasena, G.; Withanage, N.S.
    Black pepper is highly demanding spice crop among the other spices which is known as `king of the spices'. It is scientifically known( as Piper nigrum L and belongs to family Piperaceae. It is the most distinct spice in international trade in Sri Lanka 2007 (Anon., 2007). It can be grown as a mono crop or mixed crop in coconut and tea plantations using a live or dead support. Gliricidia sepium is the commonly used support tree in Sri Lanka due to its higher availability, establishment rate, as well as low pest and disease condition (Anon, 1996). In addition to the above benefits, shade provided by Gliricidia is essential for growth of young pepper vines and reduces stress for mature vines during dry periods. (Gunarathne and Heenkenda, 2004). But canopy growth rate of Gliricidia sepium is very high. Then there is a competition in between these two for sun light and other resources. Therefore, support for tree pruning is needed to facilitate light penetration to pepper canopy and to reduce the competition. In Gliricidia sepium L and black pepper system, removal of Gliricidia canopy enhances almost all the physiological activities of black pepper plant, but it reduces those in the support tree, Therefore, It may affect on the root activity and/or root volume of both Black pepper and support tree. These variations in both root systems, may directly affect on water and nutrient up take of pepper and ultimately on it's different yield attributes of the black pepper.Therefore, this study was carried out to study the effect of support tree canopy pruning on growth behavior of both pepper (Piper nigrum L) and support tree (Gliricidia sepium L) root systems and to find out the relationship in between canopy growth and root growth behavior of both pepper and support tree during two consecutive support tree prunings.