Botanical Defenders: Evaluating the Antibacterial Potential of Allium cepa, Allium sativum, and Solanum trilobatum against Bacterial Flacherie in Bombyx mori L. |Chapter 3 | Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 3

Bacterial resistance continues to pose a significant global threat, largely driven by the excessive and inappropriate use of conventional antibiotics. This crisis necessitates the development of alternative, eco-friendly antimicrobial agents, particularly those derived from medicinal plants. Botanicals offer several advantages over synthetic drugs, including lower toxicity, reduced side effects, and cost-effectiveness. The present study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of three potent medicinal plants—Allium cepa (onion), Allium sativum (garlic), and Solanum trilobatum—against bacterial flacherie in the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), a disease primarily caused by Bacillus thuringiensis and other pathogenic bacteria. Aqueous extracts of these plants were examined both in vitro and in vivo to assess their antibacterial properties. The results demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains associated with silkworm infections. These findings underline the potential of plant-based formulations as effective, sustainable alternatives for managing bacterial diseases in sericulture. Incorporating phytotherapeutic agents into silkworm health management could reduce dependency on chemical antibiotics and promote environmentally responsible practices.

 

Author (s) Details

G. S. Anantha Selvi
Department of Zoology, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil -629002 Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Shenbagamoorthy Sundarraj

Department of Zoology, V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi – 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mbrao/v3/5338

Botanical Defenders: Evaluating the Antibacterial Potential of Allium cepa, Allium sativum, and Solanum trilobatum against Bacterial Flacherie in Bombyx mori L. |Chapter 3 | Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 3

 

Bacterial resistance continues to pose a significant global threat, largely driven by the excessive and inappropriate use of conventional antibiotics. This crisis necessitates the development of alternative, eco-friendly antimicrobial agents, particularly those derived from medicinal plants. Botanicals offer several advantages over synthetic drugs, including lower toxicity, reduced side effects, and cost-effectiveness. The present study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of three potent medicinal plants—Allium cepa (onion), Allium sativum (garlic), and Solanum trilobatum—against bacterial flacherie in the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), a disease primarily caused by Bacillus thuringiensis and other pathogenic bacteria. Aqueous extracts of these plants were examined both in vitro and in vivo to assess their antibacterial properties. The results demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains associated with silkworm infections. These findings underline the potential of plant-based formulations as effective, sustainable alternatives for managing bacterial diseases in sericulture. Incorporating phytotherapeutic agents into silkworm health management could reduce dependency on chemical antibiotics and promote environmentally responsible practices.

 

Author (s) Details

G. S. Anantha Selvi
Department of Zoology, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil -629002 Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Shenbagamoorthy Sundarraj

Department of Zoology, V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi – 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mbrao/v3/5338

Isolation and Identification of Infectious Agents of Bacterial Flacherie in Bombyx mori (L) | Chapter 9 | Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 1

Sericulture is a highly cost-effective entrepreneurship providing opportunities for farmers to accelerate stable and gainful profits. The primary constraint in silk production is the occurrence of silkworm diseases, particularly Bacterial Flacherie. This disease is caused by a variety of bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus cereus. These pathogens have been identified and isolated from infected silkworms using techniques such as colony morphology, staining properties, and biochemical tests. The main objective of this study is to isolate and identify the causative agents of Bacterial Flacherie and this study can help in developing effective control measures, thereby reducing the economic losses caused by disease outbreaks of the specific pathogens responsible for Bacterial Flacherie in Bombyx mori. The significance of this work lies in its potential to contribute to the improvement of silkworm health and productivity.

 

Author (s) Details

 

G. S. Anantha Selvi
PG & Research Department of Zoology, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil-629002, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mbrao/v1/4968

Bioinformatic Approaches and Their Applications in Sericulture | Chapter 5 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 2

Bioinformatics, the fusion of biology, computer science, and information technology, has become indispensable for comprehending and managing the immense biological data generated by modern molecular techniques. This review explores the significance of bioinformatics in sericulture, focusing on its applications in silkworm (Bombyx mori) and host plant research. Numerous online databases, including SilkDB, KAIKObase, SilkBase, and MorusDB, have been established to organize and provide access to genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data for silkworms, mulberry, and associated organisms. Bioinformatic analyses have facilitated the identification of genes conferring desirable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and olfactory modulation in silkworms and host plants. Case studies exemplify the utility of bioinformatics in unraveling the defense mechanisms of the silkworm cocoon and tracing horizontal gene transfer events during evolution. The integration of bioinformatics tools has accelerated research progress, enabling informed decision-making for the enhancement of silkworm health, productivity, and the overall sericulture industry. As sericulture in Assam and India possesses immense potential with four distinct silkworm varieties, the strategic application of bioinformatics is crucial for leveraging next-generation sequencing data to drive advancements in this field.

Author(s) Details:

Dipankar Brahma,
Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam-641301, India.

Nilav Ranjan Bora,
Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam-641301, India.

Rushali Chakraborty,
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, AAU, Jorhat 785013, India.

Jugabrat Sarma,
Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam 783350, India.

Abhigyan Rajhowa,
Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam 783350, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V2/article/view/14120