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Species diversity and abundance patterns of epiphytic orchids were studied in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Western Ghats of northern Kerala. Habitats sampled were wet evergreen (EVEG), montane wet evergreen (MEVG), moist deciduous (MDEC), and semi evergreen (SEVG), on a gradient of altitude from 60 to 1,589 m. Selective tree scanning on linear line transects was deployed (n= 40) across spatial units. A total of 39 orchid species were recorded. Rarefied species richness was maximum in the EVEG (20) habitat. Best suited rank abundance models were analysed for epiphytic orchids in each habitat and checked for significant differences. Bootstrap and Jackknife-1 estimators and species accumulation curves suggested higher species richness than observed, therefore more effort in sampling was needed in order to record all epiphytic orchids of the area. The difference in species richness between habitat types was not statistically significant (ANOVA). 38% of recorded epiphytic orchid species were endemic.

The intention of the study was evaluated for purification and characterization of exopolysaccharides from Lactobacillus paracasei; was isolated from homemade Sauerkraut sample collected from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, confirmed by biochemical and gene sequencing (16S rRNA). The purification and characterization of exopolysaccharides from candidate bacterium were studied on appearance, solubility of the EPS, carbohydrate estimation, emulsifying activity, sulphate, protein, uronic acid content, FTIR, HPLC and GC-MS analysis. The percentage of elemental carbon, (54.36%) hydrogen (21.74%), nitrogen (9.63%) and sulphur content (18.03%) were recorded in exopolysaccharides. The emulsification index (E24) of EPS was higher in toluene (79.20) and benzene (78.867) supplemented medium. FTIR spectrum of the candidate bacterial EPS confirmed presence of sulphate compounds, carboxyl group, and hydrogen bonded compounds etc. EPS exhibited 76.34% of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), 71.15% of reducing power, 68.65% of Hydrogen Peroxide scavenging activity and also 60.31% DPPH radical scavenging activity. The potential antioxidant properties observed in exopolysaccharides from Lactobacillus paracasei is considered as valuable drugs.

Present study was aimed to assess the genetic similarity among the medicinal plants of Asclepiadaceae family members such as Ceropegia juncea, Gymnema sylvestre, Oxystelma esculentum, Pentatropis capensis and Wattakaka volubilis, by using RAPD based molecular analysis. Sixteen primers (OPA, OPC, OPF and OPG series) were used to screen the genetic variation between the selected Ascleipidaceae members. RAPD analysis revealed the presence of 936 bands in which 466 were monomorphic and 256 were polymorphic bands. In particular, 49.78% were monomorphic and 27.35% were polymorphic with an average of 16% polymorphism per primer from the 936 amplified products. The highest number of bands was observed in Ceropegia juncea (198) followed by Pentatropis capensis (190), Oxystelma esculentum (189), Gymnema sylvestre (182) and Wattakaka volubilis (177). Among the primers used OPC 05 (17 bands), OPC 16 (17 bands) and OPC 03 (18 bands) produced maximum number of bands in Wattakaka volubilis, Pentatropis capensis and Gymnema sylvestre respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis revealed that presence of Wattakaka volubilis and Gymnema sylvestre in a same cluster (cluster 1) and Pentatropis capensis and Oxystelma esculentum in same cluster (cluster 2) had close relationship with each other. Findings revealed that presence of Ceropegia juncea in separate sub cluster (2) clearly evidences that species is so distant from other species of Asclepiadaceae. It may be concluded that RAPD tool will be very much helpful for the taxonomist to identify the plant members and place them in the appropriate family through molecular data.

Methylotrophs are one of the prominent microbial community which are known for utilizing methanol as well as carbon sources from various plant metabolic activities and in turn facilitates the host plant growth by synthesizing phytohormones. A pot study was conducted to examine the bio-fertilizing potential of pink pigmented methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) on cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonolaba (L.) Taub and its impact on soil microbial communities. Foliar and soil application modes of treatment was employed for the study. Our results showed that isolated strain from Quisqualis indica leaf was identified as Methylobacterium tardum (strain IHBB) by 16s rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its relationship with other Methylobacterium spp. Soil microbes such as bacterial population (9.25 CFU x 10-6/g), fungal population (70.05 CFU x 10−3/g) and microalgae (9.65 CFU x 10−4/g) were found to be enhanced in 3% of M. tardum (T2) when compared to T1, T3 and control. Soil application of M. tardum exhibited better response on growth, biochemical and yield parameters of cluster bean than foliar application. This study confirms that M. tardum could be a promising candidate as microbial inoculant for plant growth and development as well as a positive driver for enriching the soil microbial community.