Aromatic compounds secreted by plants of the genus Citrus L. in greenhouse conditions

Using the GC/MS method analysis of the chemical composition of aromatic volatile compounds released by the leaves of tropical representatives of the genus Citrus L. (sweet lime (limetta) - Citrus limetta Risso and its varieties: Citrus limetta ‘Marokko', Citrus limetta ‘Kislaya oranzhevaya', sour lime - Citrus aurantiifolia ‘Taiti' and Citrus aurantiifolia ‘Foro', as well as lemon - Citrus limon ‘Beskolyuchii') in greenhouse conditions were studied. The number of aromatic substances of the gas phase of natural essential oils of leaves revealed for each of them was 38, 41, 37, 44, 37 and 30 compounds, respectively. 10 components were characteristic of all six taxa under study, which confirm their genetic affinity: D-limonene, Z-citral (neral), E-citral (geranial), elemene isomer, α-copaene, trans-α-bergamotene, benzoic acid, 3-hexenyl ester, trans-γ-bisabolene, β-caryophyllene oxide, a-humulene epoxide II. For hybrids and varieties of sweet lime (limetta) and sour lime, 7 more components belonging to the class of terpenoids are also characteristic: oxygen-containing compounds (citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl, β-sinensal) and sesquiterpenes (cadina-3.5-diene, β-caryophyllene, trans-β-bergamotene), as well as a number of individual aromatic substances, characteristic for each of the varieties in the bouquet of their citrus-coniferous aroma of leaves. The studied taxa can be recommended as part of compositions of aromatic plants in interiors for various functional purposes.

Green synthesis strategy for producing doped and undoped ZnO nanoparticles: their photocatalytic studies for industrial dye degradation

Facile and green method for synthesizing Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was successfully carried out using unutilized sweet lime i.e., Citrus Limetta rind pulp (U-CLRP) extract. The structural, morphological and optical studies were elucidated to confirm the crystallinity, size, shape of the synthesized NPs. Copper doping on ZnO NPs (CZnO NPs) was carried out to enhance the optical properties. The as prepared and doped nanoparticle's potential for efficient degradation of a commercial dye, Methylene Blue (MB) was tested under Ultraviolet (UV) and visible light radiation. ZnO NPs showed promising results for dye degradation while improved result was witnessed for CZnO NPs. ZnO NPs showed 74% of degradation of MB dye under UV irradiation and 57% degradation under visible light radiation. CZnO NPs presented 85 and 90% degradation in the UV and visible radiation, respectively. This green reduction method utilizing biological waste sources shows a promising path for photocatalysts to be developed economically as well as efficiently in the future. These CZnO/ ZnO NPs proved their potential for embedding them as efficient catalysts for wastewater treatment plants of textile industries.

Acaricidal activity and biochemical analysis of Citrus limetta seed oil for controlling Ixodid Tick Rhipicephalus microplus infesting cattle

The present study was performed with an objective to determine acaricidal activity of Citrus limetta seed oil (CLO) against cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The mode of action of CLO was determined by evaluating biochemical enzymatic levels in treated ticks. CLO was obtained by extracting with n-hexane as solvent in soxhlet apparatus. The active compounds in CLO were analyzed through Gas chromatography. Acaricidal activity of CLO was evaluated using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT). Results of chromatographic analysis showed that palmitic acid, stearic acid, α-Tocopherol and bergamol were present as major active constituents along with other compounds. The lethal concentration (LC50) of CLO was found to be 2.87% and 3.96% for larvae and adult of R. microplus ticks, respectively. In vitro acaricidal bioassay revealed 100% mortality of ticks in both LPT and AIT at 12.5% dose. CLO significantly (p < 0.001) reduced oviposition rate, hatching ability of eggs and reproduction efficiency of ticks. Biochemical analysis of ticks homogenate showed different enzymatic levels. The results revealed that CLO disturbed protective enzymes functions by reducing level of SOD, GST, MAO and AChE but increasing NOS level in ticks as compared with control group. Thus, CLO may be used as an effective acaricidal agent in controlling R. microplus ticks.