http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/3 2026-06-08T18:07:39Z http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7877 Design of a biocompatible Curcuma aromatica functionalized bacterial cellulose polymer composite as a bioactive wound dressing Dias, J.D.; D'Costa, A.H.; Bragança, J.M. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a pure counterpart of plant cellulose is produced by acetic acid bacteria, particularly species of the genus Komagataeibacter, through the metabolization of sugars. Curcuma aromatica (CA), commonly known as wild turmeric or kasturi manjal in India, has been traditionally used for its potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in the treatment of wounds, acne, and various skin disorders. Leveraging these bioactivities, CA was incorporated into BC to fabricate a novel BC-CA composite aimed at enhancing its therapeutic efficacy for wound healing applications. HRLCMS confirmed that C. aromatica contained diverse bioactive metabolites, including curcuminoids alongside terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and other phytochemicals. The UV-Vis and photoluminescence analyses revealed distinct optical properties between curcumin and C. aromatica, reflecting differences in their molecular structure and phytochemical composition. While curcumin showed a single intense absorption and emission profile, C. aromatica exhibited broader absorption and dual emission peaks due to the presence of multiple interacting bioactive constituents. Photostability studies on BC-CA film showed that light exposure, especially sunlight, led to partial photodegradation of curcuminoids, resulting in decreased chromophoric intensity without significant changes in chemical structure. Physico-chemical characterisation confirmed successful adsorption of CA onto the BC matrix. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that BC-1 percent CA exhibited significantly higher bactericidal activity compared to BC- 0.5 percent CA, with the highest inhibition observed against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737). The antibacterial mechanism involved intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation with concomitant bacterial membrane disruption. Furthermore, ABTS antioxidant assays, MTT cytotoxicity tests, and haemocompatibility studies revealed that the BC-CA composites possess potent antioxidant activity while maintaining excellent biocompatibility and haemocompatibility. In vivo wound healing studies showed 99 percent wound closure on day 14 by BC1 percent CA composite film which was better than the positive control (mupirocin). Histological evaluation showed that the bioactive BC scaffold significantly increased re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation and enhanced collagen organisation. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7858 Genomic Innovations for Climate-Smart Crop Development Bhomkar, S.; Yadav, V. Climate change threatens global agricultural sustainability. Accelerating climatic shifts are already reducing crop yields, food availability, and ecological stability across many regions worldwide. This chapter emphasizes the role of genomic science in advancing adaptive crop improvement, to help farmers confront these challenges and build resilience in agricultural practices. The focus is placed on the transformative impact of genome analysis techniques, which enable deeper exploration of genetic diversity and stress tolerance traits. Genome editing tools, especially CRISPR-Cas platforms, are discussed as powerful methods for precision breeding, allowing rapid and targeted modifications for stress tolerance and yield stability. Beyond sequence variation, the chapter briefly examines how various omics-based approaches broaden our understanding of plant adaptation, while bioinformatics and machine learning integrate these multi-omic datasets into predictive models for trait selection. Additionally, we address challenges such as high costs, phenotyping bottlenecks, regulatory complexities, and issues of equitable access, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance and open data sharing. By linking molecular insights with sustainable practices, genomic innovations provide a roadmap for climate-resilient agriculture that maintains productivity, while preserving biodiversity and supporting farmer livelihoods. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7818 Metagenomic studies reveal diverse microbial community in the developmental stages of highly adaptable malarial vector Anopheles stephensi liston Pereira, M.H.; Tyagi, S.; Mohanty, A.; Garg, S.; Ashwani Kumar Anopheles stephensi, a highly adaptable malaria vector species, continues to expand its range from South Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa, posing a serious global public health concern. In India, it serves as the principal urban vector of both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Conventional control measures reliant on chemical insecticides have raised issues of resistance, highlighting the need for alternative strategies such as microbiota-mediated vector control. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that a subset of bacterial taxa persist across developmental stages of An. stephensi, representing potential candidates for transstadial transmission and future paratransgenic manipulation. Using both culture-based data and next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches targeting the 16 S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region), we characterized bacterial communities from breeding water, larvae, pupae, and adult mosquitoes (male and female) collected in Goa, India. Across all developmental stages, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla, while 15 bacterial genera formed the putative core microbiome shared by greater than or equal to 80 percent of stages at greater than or equal to 0.1 percent abundance. Among these, Pseudomonas (adult males: 11.5 percent, pupae: 3.2 percent), Exiguobacterium, Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter, and Asticcacaulis were consistently detected, together contributing approximately 30 percent of total microbial composition. Alpha diversity indices indicated higher richness and evenness in pupae and adults than in larvae, suggesting microbial enrichment during metamorphosis. Beta diversity and PCoA analyses clustered pupal and adult stages distinctly from larvae and breeding water, confirming selective microbial retention through development. These findings reveal that An. stephensi harbors a stable, stage-spanning core microbiome dominated by metabolically versatile genera with potential for transstadial persistence. The dominance of Pseudomonas across life stages supports its candidacy for paratransgenic applications aimed at disrupting malaria transmission. This work provides the first integrated culture-NGS baseline of An. stephensi microbiota from India, offering essential insight for microbiome-based vector control strategies. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7816 Biopolymeric chitosan/ZnO-nanocomposite films from pomegranate peels for sustainable and functional food packaging Sangodkar, V.; Vaidya, M.; Ayyanar, M.; Prabhu, S.; Nadaf, S.; Naik, A.V.; Gurav, N.; Kumbhar, P.; Kharkar, P.; Gurav, S. Chitosan (CS), a biopolymer derived from chitin, is well known for its biodegradability and significant antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and UV-protective properties, making it an intriguing candidate for sustainable and active food packaging solutions. In response to rising environmental concerns and the demand for sustainable food packaging, this study investigates the eco-friendly synthesis of CS-conjugated Punica granatum (PG)-derived zinc oxide nanocomposites (PG-ZnONCs) for use in food packaging applications. A quality-by-design approach was employed to identify optimal conditions that maximize the desired properties of the nanocomposite films, ensuring a robust and efficient formulation process. Nanoparticle and nanocomposite preparation was confirmed by monitoring colour change and validated by UV-visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, SEM, and TEM analyses confirmed the crystallite structures of the particles, with particle sizes of 112.3 nm and 160.8 nm, polydispersity indices of 0.182 and 0.215, and zeta potentials of -21.98 mV and - 10.6 mV, indicating stability. The successful application of DOE (Design of Experiments) ensured a robust and efficient formulation process, contributing to the high-quality characteristics of the final product. PG-ZnONPs and PG-CS/ZnONCs demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, effectively scavenging radicals in DPPH and ABTS assays, and exhibited potent antibacterial effects against foodborne pathogens. The PG-CS/ZnONC films (2.5 percent, 5 percent, and 7.5 percent) exhibit excellent mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, thereby extending the shelf life of fresh foods. Incorporating Alizarin (AZ) as a pH-responsive indicator enabled real-time freshness monitoring. The PG-7.5 percent NC film preserved Solanum lycopersicum (cherry tomatoes) for 16 days and Stolephorus indicus (Indian anchovy) for 9 days, compared to 4 days for uncoated samples. Overall, PG-CS/ZnONC films, particularly with AZ for smart monitoring, present a promising solution for sustainable food packaging, enhancing food preservation while reducing waste. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z