Research Papers
Fungi as a potential source of pigments: Harnessing filamentous fungi
Kalra Rishu , Conlan Xavier A, Goel Mayurika
| 2020
The growing concern over the harmful effects of synthetic colorants on both the consumer and the environment has raised a strong interest in natural coloring alternatives. As a result the worldwide demand for colorants of natural origin is rapidly increasing in the food, cosmetic and textile sectors. Natural colorants have the capacity to be used for a variety of industrial applications, for instance, as dyes for textile and non-textile substrates such as leather, paper, within paints and coatings, in cosmetics, and in food additives.
Endolichenic fungi: a hidden source of bioactive metabolites
Agrawal Shivankar, Deshmukh Sunil K, Reddy M. Sudhakara , Ram Prasad, Goel Mayurika
| 2020
Lichens are synergetic organisms composed of a mycobiont in relationship with one or more photosynthetic partners (photobiont). These organisms grow on various substrates and sometimes under extreme ecological environments. A different group of non-obligate micro-fungi also resides inside the internal tissues of the lichen thalli without causing any harm to them. These microfungi are called as endolichenic fungi (ELF).
Endophytic Fungi - An Untapped Source of Potential Antioxidants
Mishra Rahul C., Goel Mayurika , Barrow Colin J, Deshmukh Sunil K.
| 2020
Antioxidants are the substances that interact inside and outside of a biological system against the damaging effects of highly reactive free radicals produced during metabolism. Among various natural alternative sources of bioactive metabolites, endophytic fungi ave emerged as a significant reservoir of potent antioxidant compounds. These scantly explored micro-organisms are prolific producers of novel compounds and have the capability to produce metabolites that are exclusively isolated from Plantae.
COVID-19: a wake-up call to protect planetary health
Pachauri Ash, Sevilla Norma Patricia Muñoz, Kedia Shailly, Pathak Drishya, Mittal Komal, Magdalene Philo
| 2021
Set from the perspective of planetary health, the objective of this chapter is to examine the trends set in motion by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), attempting to discuss the long-term environmental and humanitarian implications. The emergence of zoonotic diseases has underscored that risk-based interventions need to be designed from the perspective of planetary health. The pandemic response must account for its implications on humans and the planet.
Vulnerability of Child Health to Climate Related Agricultural Productivity Threat in India
Sehgal Meena , Kumar Sujit, Kanwal Ghosh, Singh Nayan, Gupta Vidhu, Lal Kanhaiya, Sehgal Anu, Ajay Mathur
| 2021
India faces the burden of under-nutrition, especially among children under five years of age. The gap in nutritional needs and intake, point to the inadequacies in the food and nutrition security of India. This study examines data at the district level to identify vulnerable populations across the geographical expanse of the country. In order to identify districts appropriate for improving the food and nutrition security, a statistical approach was developed to prioritize areas for public health interventions.
Energising change: Clean cooking and the changing social position of women
Govindan Mini, Murali Rashmi
| 2021
The development community clearly recognises the urgency of switching to clean cooking solutions while also creating just energy systems by gainfully involving women as entrepreneurs in the clean cooking value chain.
Influence of Electricity Access on Gender: Evidences from Nepal
Murali Rashmi, Brahmachari Deborshi, Govindan Mini
| 2019
Access to modern energy has been found to especially benefit rural women, in terms of reducing their drudgery and increasing their efficiency of time use. This paper draws from the findings of a primary household survey and qualitative study in Nepal in order to analyse how access to modern energy affects gendered aspects of health, education, income generation, and decision-making. It was found that a higher percentage of children (boys and girls) from households with electricity access were enrolled in schools and spent more hours studying.
A method of wet algal lipid recovery for biofuel production
Patel Swati, Kannan Dheeban Chakravarthi
Drying of algae is resource-intensive (land, energy) for biofuel production. A method to recover lipids from wet algae has been developed at lab scale. The method is based on introduction of polar solvent first into wet algae to replace the water inside the cells, followed by gradual introduction of non-polar solvent to replace the polar solvent and thus extract lipids.