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Volume 16, Issue 3 (5-2014)
Abstract
Throughout the present study, some Bacillus spp. were isolated from soil, and the effectiveness of the medicinal plant Cuminum cyminum L.’s essential oil extracts were tested against the isolated bacteria. The Bacillus spp.were identified through 16S rDNA sequence analysis and the antibacterial activity of various organic solvent extracts as well as the essential oils of C. cyminum L. determined in vitro using agar diffusion method and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) tests. The hydrodistilled essential oil was analyzed through GC-MS. Twenty-seven compounds representing 92.61% of the total oil were identified. Oxygenated monoterpenes and scsquiterpene hydrocarbons constituted the major components of the oil. The inhibition zones of essential oil (extracted through organic solvent) against the tested bacteria were found within the range of 14.4 to 20.2 mm. Organic extracts of C. cyminum L. also revealed a great potential of antibacterial activity against Bacillus spp. Among all the extracts, ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Bacillus megaterium with an inhibition zone of 22.9 mm and MIC value of 500 µg ml-1. In most cases, the essential oil and organic extracts exhibited either similar or higher antibacterial activity in comparison with the standard drug Erythromycin. The results finally suggest that the essential oil as well as organic extracts of C. cyminum L. can act as sources of natural antimicrobial agents with potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Volume 24, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Farmers of the coastal region in Bangladesh are vulnerable to various climatic hazards that affect agricultural productivity and livelihoods. This study investigated the yield gap, risk attitude, and poverty status of Aman rice farmers and also assessed the relationship among them in the climate-vulnerable southern coastal areas of Bangladesh. This study selected 125 Aman rice farmers using a simple random sampling technique to estimate three types of yield gaps. Risk attitude was calculated using the safety-first model, and the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke model was employed to estimate poverty status. Results revealed a significant amount of yield gaps in Aman rice production, while farmers had opportunities to increase their production through the optimal use and scientific management of inputs. The yield gaps are reflected in the farmers’ risk aversion attitude, with the majority of farmers being highly risk-averse. The study also revealed that half of the sampled farmers were poor, with a poverty gap of 15%. However, an increased number of non-poor was revealed due to a reduction both in yield gaps and farmers’ risk-aversion attitudes. Therefore, the study suggests limiting the yield gap to manage farmers’ risk-aversion attitudes, which would also facilitate improving their poverty situation.