ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9019-968X
Current Organisation
Federation University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-09-2012
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1155/2014/468975
Abstract: The adsorption of natural pigments onto TiO 2 nanoparticles was investigated. The pigments were extracted from the dark purple colored pulp of the berry-like capsule of Kuduk-kuduk ( Melastoma malabathricum L.). The Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Sips isotherm models were used to analyze the equilibrium experimental data. Data correlated well with the Sips isotherm model, where the heterogeneity factor ( n = 0.24 ) indicated heterogeneous adsorption characteristics, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.0130 mg/g. The heterogeneous adsorption character was further supported by results obtained from zeta-potential measurements. When a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was sensitized with the extracted pigment, the photo-energy conversion efficiency was measured to be 0.83%, thus proving the suitability of Kuduk-kuduk fruit pulp as a sensitizer in DSSCs.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-1998
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 1997
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-10-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-02-2014
DOI: 10.1111/BTP.12088
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-04-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2002
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 29-08-2022
Abstract: The intrusion of weeds into fertile areas has resulted in significant global economic and environmental impacts on agricultural production systems and native ecosystems, hence without ongoing and repeated management actions, the maintenance or restoration of these systems will become increasingly challenging. The establishment of herbicide resistance in many species and unwanted pollution caused by synthetic herbicides has ushered in the need for alternative, eco-friendly sustainable management strategies, such as the use of bioherbicides. Of the array of bioherbicides currently available, the most successful products appear to be sourced from fungi (mycoherbicides), with at least 16 products being developed for commercial use globally. Over the last few decades, bioherbicides sourced from bacteria and plant extracts (such as allelochemicals and essential oils), together with viruses, have also shown marked success in controlling various weeds. Despite this encouraging trend, ongoing research is still required for these compounds to be economically viable and successful in the long term. It is apparent that more focused research is required for (i) the improvement of the commercialisation processes, including the cost-effectiveness and scale of production of these materials (ii) the discovery of new production sources, such as bacteria, fungi, plants or viruses and (iii) the understanding of the environmental influence on the efficacy of these compounds, such as atmospheric CO2, humidity, soil water stress, temperature and UV radiation.
Publisher: ACM
Date: 03-11-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2007
Abstract: The morphology of the hypogeous root holoparasite Hydnora triceps is highly reduced, and as with many holoparasites, the vegetative body is difficult to interpret. The vegetative body of H. triceps has been historically considered a "pilot root" studded with lateral appendages known as "haustorial roots." We found the vegetative body of H. triceps to consist of a rhizome with a thickened root-cap-like structure that covered a vegetative shoot apical meristem. From the apical meristem, procambial strands originated and developed into endarch collateral vascular bundles arranged radially around a pith without an interfascicular cambium. Xylem vessels had scalariform pitting and simple perforation plates. A continuous periderm without root hairs was observed. Increase in girth was attributed to cork and fascicular cambia. "Haustorial roots" or bumps on the surface of the vegetative body were exogenous, contained meristems and were the origins of vegetative branching, budding, and haustoria. The haustoria of H. triceps were cylindrical and penetrated the host root stele. Phloem and xylem elements were observed within the endophyte, and direct xylem to host-xylem contacts were observed. The arrangement of vascular tissues and xylem anatomy of H. triceps are likely plesiomorphic features in light of Hydnoraceae's placement in the Piperales.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-09-2015
DOI: 10.1111/WBM.12077
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-11-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 26-07-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-08-2021
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 10-2006
DOI: 10.1139/B06-118
Abstract: Structural attributes of Santalum album L. (Sandalwood) haustoria have been long overlooked in the literature. This is surprising since successful haustorial formation is key to the survival of in iduals of this ecologically and economically important plant. We investigated the morphology of haustoria formed by S. album attached to one of its principal hosts Tithonia ersifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray. The bell-shaped mature haustoria were composed of a peripheral hyaline body and a centrally located penetration peg. The parasite penetration peg can penetrate the host by means of direct pressure and the secretion of cell-wall-degrading enzymes when forming a successful graft union. The latter mechanism is supported by this study as we observed no evidence of collapsed host cells as the result of parasite applied pressure. Upon reaching the xylem tissue of the host root, the penetration peg formed a thin ellipsoidal disc and the host–parasite interface was almost entirely composed of parenchymatous tissue. Luminal continuities were absent between the xylem conducting tissues of the partners, thus suggesting mass flow of solutes is unlikely to occur in this association. High densities of contact parenchyma were found at the host–parasite interface thus it is probable that these are the principal structures formed by the parasite that facilitate the acquisition of host-derived xylem resources. This study therefore concludes that haustorial anatomy of S. album supports cross membrane (potentially selective) uptake of host-derived solutes as opposed to mass flow via vascular continuity.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1071/FP10211
Abstract: Our understanding of mineral nutrition and carbon heterotrophy in mistletoes is derived largely from arid and temperate plant communities. Sharp differences between the tropical, temperate and arid communities, such as seasonality, water availability and mean temperature may influence basic assumptions regarding mistletoe physiology. Thus, we present mineral nutrition profiles and natural abundance carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data for tropical mistletoes and their hosts. Parasite–host mineral nutrition profiles were estimated for three Loranthaceous mistletoes: Scurrula ferruginea Danser, Macrosolen cochinchinensis Blume, and Dendrophthoe curvata Blume and 12 unique mistletoe–host associations. δ13C and δ15N values were estimated for 12 parasite–host associations. Differences between host and parasite δ13C values were small but showed significant depletion in mistletoe leaves compared with the distal branch and proximal branch host leaves. Host and mistletoe δ13C values were uncorrelated whereas δ15N values were significantly correlated, demonstrating mistletoe N dependence. Concentrations of K were higher in mistletoes relative to hosts and significantly higher for Dendrophthoe host associations. For Scurrula and Macrosolen, mean mistletoe–host concentrations of major and minor elements did not differ significantly.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
Publisher: Seameo Biotrop
Date: 2015
Publisher: EManuscript Technologies
Date: 08-01-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-1996
DOI: 10.1007/BF00328740
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 12-2009
DOI: 10.1139/B09-078
Abstract: We provide the first germination data on the root-holoparasitic Hydnoraceae. Aqueous root extracts of host and non-host Euphorbia spp. were applied to seeds of Hydnora triceps Drège & Meyer, a narrow endemic of Namibia and South Africa. The seeds of H. triceps germinated only in response to root extracts of its exclusive host, Euphorbia dregeana Meyer, and not for co-occurring non-host Euphorbia spp. This pattern of host specific germination suggests that germination response to host-root cues may be responsible for host partitioning. Provenance of H. triceps seeds and E. dregeana root extracts did not significantly affect germination rates. The round-eared elephant shrew ( Macroscelides proboscideus ) and the striped mouse ( Rhabdomys pumilio ) were observed feeding on the fleshy pulp of H. triceps fruits. Small-mammal droppings collected from the same partially consumed fruits contained intact seeds (1.9 ± 1.1 seeds/dropping) providing indirect evidence of seed dispersal by small mammals.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-09-2014
DOI: 10.1111/NJB.00628
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-08-2016
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-1997
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-1997
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 23-02-2014
DOI: 10.1155/2014/739514
Abstract: Natural dyes have become a viable alternative to expensive organic sensitizers because of their low cost of production, abundance in supply, and eco-friendliness. We evaluated 35 native plants containing anthocyanin pigments as potential sensitizers for DSSCs. Melastoma malabathricum (fruit pulp), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (flower), and Codiaeum variegatum (leaves) showed the highest absorption peaks. Hence, these were used to determine anthocyanin content and stability based on the impacts of storage temperature. Melastoma malabathricum fruit pulp exhibited the highest anthocyanin content (8.43 mg/L) followed by H. rosa-sinensis and C. variegatum . Significantly greater stability of extracted anthocyanin pigment was shown when all three were stored at 4 ∘ C. The highest half-life periods for anthocyanin in M. malabathricum , H. rosa-sinensis, and C. variegatum were 541, 571, and 353 days at 4 ∘ C. These were rapidly decreased to 111, 220, and 254 days when stored at 25 ∘ C. The photovoltaic efficiency of M. malabathricum was1.16%, while the values for H. rosa-sinensis and C. variegatum were 0.16% and 1.08%, respectively. Hence, M. malabathricum fruit pulp extracts can be further evaluated as an alternative natural sensitizer for DSSCs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 22-01-2015
DOI: 10.1155/2015/510467
Abstract: Chlorophyll and xanthophyll dyes extracted from a single source of filamentous freshwater green algae ( Cladophora sp.) were used to sensitize dye sensitized solar cells and their performances were investigated. A more positive interaction is expected as the derived dyes come from a single natural source because they work mutually in nature. Cell sensitized with mixed chlorophyll and xanthophyll showed synergistic activity with improved cell performance of 1.5- to 2-fold higher than that sensitized with any in idual dye. The effect of temperature and the stability of these dyes were also investigated. Xanthophyll dye was found to be more stable compared to chlorophyll that is attributed in the ability of xanthophyll to dissipate extra energy via reversible structural changes. Mixing the dyes resulted to an increase in effective electron life time and reduced the process of electron recombination during solar cell operation, hence exhibiting a synergistic effect.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-08-2014
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.12987
Abstract: Foliar elemental concentrations are predictors of life‐history variation and contribute to spatial patterns in biogeochemical cycling. We examined the contributions of habitat association, local soil environment, and elemental interactions to variation in foliar elemental concentrations in tropical trees using methods that account for phylogeny. We s led top‐soils and leaves of 58 tropical trees in heath forest ( HF ) on nutrient‐poor sand and mixed dipterocarp forest ( MDF ) on nutrient‐rich clay soils. A phylogenetic generalized least squares method was used to determine how foliar nutrient and aluminium ( A l) concentrations varied in response to habitat distribution, soil chemistry and other elemental concentrations. Foliar nitrogen ( N ) and A l concentrations were greater for specialists of MDF than for specialists of HF , while foliar calcium ( C a) concentrations showed the opposite trend. Foliar magnesium ( M g) concentrations were lower for generalists than for MDF specialists. Foliar element concentrations were correlated with fine‐scale variation in soil chemistry in phylogenetically controlled analyses across species, but there was limited within‐species plasticity in foliar elemental concentrations. Among A l accumulators, foliar A l concentration was positively associated with foliar C a and M g concentrations, and negatively associated with foliar phosphorus ( P ) concentrations. The A l‐accumulation trait and relationships between foliar elemental and A l concentrations may contribute to species habitat partitioning and ecosystem‐level differences in biogeochemical cycles.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 17-12-2015
DOI: 10.1155/2015/582091
Abstract: The use of anthocyanin dyes extracted from epidermal leaves of Tradescantia spathacea (Trant) and petals of Ixora coccinea (IX) was evaluated in the application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Subsequently, cocktail anthocyanin dyes from these dyes were prepared and how they enhanced the cell’s overall performance was assessed using five different volume-to-volume ratios. Cocktail dyes absorbed a wider range of light in the visible region, thus increasing the cell efficiencies of the cocktail dyes when compared to the DSSC sensitized by in idual dyes. The surface charge (zeta-potential), average size of aggregated anthocyanin molecules (zetasizer), and anthocyanin stability in different storage temperatures were analyzed and recorded. Lower size of aggregated dye molecules as revealed from the cocktail dyes ensured better adsorption onto the TiO 2 film. Tradescantia / Ixora pigments mixed in 1 : 4 ratio showed the highest cell efficiency of η = 0.80 %, under the irradiance of 100 mW cm −2 , with a short-circuit current density 4.185 mA/cm 2 , open-circuit voltage of 0.346 V, and fill factor of 0.499. It was found that the desired storage temperature for these cocktail dyes to be stable over time was −20°C, in which the anthocyanin half-life was about approximately 1727 days.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-1996
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 1997
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