Absract Archive May 2009 Research article Preliminery characterization of Sepia Mitogenome Abstract Many factors have contributed to the destruction of fish habitats. Hydroelectric dams, water pollution and other environmental changes have resulted in the eradication of natural stocks. The aim of this study was to detect the genetic variation in Sepia officianalis from five collection sites in the area of influence of the Arabian sea and on the Bay of Bengal Of Indian peninsular coast at the following Locations:kochin, kollam,Vizhinjam, chinnamuttam, colachal coast using the mitogenome analysis. The mitochondrial genome is one of the most frequently used loci in phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses,and it is becoming increasingly possible to sequence and analyze this genome in its entirety from diverse taxa.The mt DNA samples from the above locations were digested with 2 different restriction enzymes such as TaqI, And Hae III. From the overall conclusion which was made by observing the mitogenome or RFLP ,it was clearly understood that there was variation in mitogenomes in different populations.In the RFLP using Taq 1 restriction enzyme,the population from Cochin to Chinnamuttam were grouped together ,whereas the population from Vizhinjam had distinct genetic distance and it did not clusters with other populations.In the second enzyme also there was clear banding pattern in DNA from different populations. Key words: Sepia Officianalis; RFLP; Mitogenome; restriction enzyme; Taq I; Hae III. Authors: Mary Reena Jacob, Dr.Aldous J Huxley, Dr.Susheela Gomathi For Correspondence: reena.shabu@yahoo.co.in Research article Characterization of fungal contaminants from wheat and the speculation of Mycotoxin with reference to aflatoxin Abstract Thirty wheat samples procured from storage units in different zones of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India were processed to isolate the predominant fungal contaminants. Heterogeneous group of fungi were enumerated by standard plate count, among which four predominant organisms namely Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tamorii, Rhizopus spp. and Fusarium spp. are identified by macroscopic and microscopic observations. Since reputed journal reports, continuously highlight the impact of mycotoxin production in wheat by Aspergillus flavus, the isolate was chosen and processed to examine the production of aflatoxin and further analysis and confirmation was done using Albino rats and analytical techniques such as Thin Layer Chromatography, Immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoroses. Coconut extract broth was used for the production of aflatoxin. Thin Layer Chromatography revealed the presence of G2 type of mycotoxin at a concentration of 15 ppb. For the future confirmation the extract was injected to Albino rat, antisera was raised, which when subjected to Immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoroses, showed the presence of specific antibody against mycotoxin. Key Words: Aspergillus flavus, Mycotoxin, Aflatoxin, Immunodiffusion. Authors: Anand.R, Senthil Prabhu.S, Sundaramoorthi.C, Bhuvaneswari.K For Correspondence: anand_ramus@rediffmail.com Research article Screening of agrochemicals on Caenorhabditis elegans Abstract The usage of Agrochemicals in high concentrations contributes to major environmental pollution. Therefore a rapid method to assess the effect of these toxic chemicals is required. In the present study the toxicity of five pesticides were evaluated on Caenorhabditis elegans model organism. The mortality after 24 hr was adopted as the endpoint for toxicity testing. The LC50 data was calculated and dose responsive curves were obtained. The study revealed that the toxicity was in order of Methyl parathion> Chloropyriphos> Malathion > Endosulfan > Carbaryl. The LC50 values were then compared with published data of LD50 of rats and mice using Spearman Rank correlation method .The data obtained showed a high positive correlation of pesticides in C.elegans with rats and mice and hence we demonstrate C.elegans as a suitable model organism for toxicity testing. Key Words : Acute toxicity, Pesticides, C.elegans Authors: Surjo Prabha Paul, Dr. Seeba Manoj For Correspondence: surjoprabhapaul@gmail.com Review article A novel approach in delivering Immunobiologicals : A Glimpse Abstract To find an appropriate, needle free alternative to the traditional needle for the delivery of vaccines remains an important goal. One of the major challenges is that there are no such things in a global immunobiologicals industry. What is required for the developing countries is not necessarily the same as that for industrialized nation or for emergency. In developing countries, pricing and access to new technologies appear to be the most important features: Especially those technologies that (a) Improve stability thus removing the need for cold chain storage and (b) Improve the ease of use with minimum cross contamination. Industrialized nations cost of the producing the immunobiologicals and therefore the selling prices are significantly higher than in the developing countries. Only in these industrialized nations patient afford the prevailage of pain free alternative to needles with no adverse effects or cross contamination, but these often come at an increased price. Many immunobiologicals has to be delivered several times to attain full immunity. Patients having needle phobia regrets to take booster doses which lean them to fully unprotected state. A range of alternative delivery system is being developed for vaccines. This review article deals with diverse techniques obtainable for pain free delivery of immunobiologicals. Key words :Needle free, Delivery, Safety, Immunobiologicals Authors: Jagannathan.S, Chaansha.S, Santhiya.T, Rajesh.K, Jayaraj.D, Ayyappan.S.R For Correspondence : seljag2005@yahoo.com   Short communication Evaluation of antioxidant properties of different varieties of Tender coconuts Abstract The antioxidant property of tender coconut endosperm (TCE) and tender coconut water (TCW) for different varieties of coconut (Cocos nucifera, Chowghat Orange Dwarf, Laccadive Micro and Chowghat Green Dwarf) was analyzed by ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Ce IV sulphate and DPPH assays. The investigation revealed that the endosperm of Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety exhibited promising antioxidant activity than all other varieties of TCE. Similarly, among all the TCW samples, the Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety showed the most potent antioxidant activity. The results indicate that the TCE of Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety possessed potent reducing power (Mean OD of Frap 0.287 and Ce IV sulphate 0.271) and radical scavenging activity (DPPH 77%) than the TCW of Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety (Mean OD of Frap 0.268, Ce IV sulphate 0.314 and DPPH scavenging activity 75%). From the studies it was concluded that Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety (both TCE and TCW) proved to be a good source of antioxidants than all other varieties. The antioxidant activity of these TCE and TCW samples adds a positive attribute to its known health-promoting factor in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Further investigation may be carried out in isolating the compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity. Keywords: Antioxidant, reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging ability, Ce IV sulphate assay, Chowghat Orange Dwarf variety Authors: P.Rajasekaran, T.Sathishkumar,Mariam Varghese, Manju Barathi.L,S.Shanmugam For Correspondence : bthodraj@gmail.com Short communication Effect of Salinity and pH on growth of Cyanobacteria Isolated from cyanolichens Abstract Axenic cultures of symbiotic cyanobacterial isolates Aphanocapsa sp. (NTK28), Nostoc sp. (NTK29) and Nostoc sp. (NTY30) were subjected to different concentration of Salt (NaCl) and various pH. Among six salt (NaCl) concentrations tested, 1% NaCl level showed maximum growth rate in all the three symbiotic cyanobacterial isolates. In different pH tested, the maximum growth rate was observed in pH 6, 7, and 9 for Aphanocapsa sp. (NTK 28), Nostoc sp. (NTY30) and Nostoc sp. (NTK29) respectively. Key words:  lichens, Cyanobacteria, Salinity, pH, Growth. Authors: Shyam Kumar. R, R  Thajuddin. N For Correspodence: kingshyam2003@yahoo.co.in