PROGRESS REPORT

UNDER STAR COLLEGE SCHEME

Dept. of Biotechnology

Govt. of India

2012-2015

St. Agnes College (Autonomous)

Mangaluru

Reaccredited with “A” grade by NAAC (2012)

College with Potential for Excellence 2006

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

FACULTY & COMBINATION

Dr. Noeline J. Pinto

Ph. D, B.Ed.

Minor Research Projects (2) Completed Guided one M.Phil dissertation

Dr. Maria G. Lobo

Ph. D., PDF – (USA) Minor Research Projects -2 Completed - 1, ongoing -1

Sl No Activities conducted Number

1 New Practicals 07

2 Student’s Projects 20

3 Hands-on Training Programs 02

4 Paper Presentations 07

5 Field visits/ Educational tours 04/02

6 Seminars 03

7 Guest Lectures / Invited Speakers 02

8 Extension / other Activities 04

LIST OF ACTIVITIES

Sl. No. Equipment Name (Model no.)

1 Horizontal Submarine Electrophoresis System 106470

2 Electric Power Supply 106856

3 Digital PH meter 335

4 Electronic Balance GE412

5 Table Top Centrifuge R-8C

6 UV Transilluminator with filter 107171

7 Microcontroller based visible Spectrophotometer

8 Visible Spectrophotometer - Model 166

9 Microcontroller based Flame Photometer

10 Horizontal Electrophoresis (10 x 7)

11 Canon camera with lens & Accessories

12. Tilting Shaker Model RTS-1

13. Digital Colorimeter

EQUIPMENT PROCURED FOR THE

PROPOSED NEW PRACTICALS

TRI ACID DIGESTION

NEW INSTRUMENTS HANDLED

MUFFLE FURNACE

SHAKER FLAME PHOTOMETER SPECTROPHOTOMETER

SOXHLET TRI ACID DIGESTION

POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.

AGAROSE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.

LIST OF NEW PRACTICAL'S

I B. Sc. II B. Sc. III B. Sc.

1. Bacterial and fungal culture techniques

1. In-vitro pollen germination and micrometry to measure the length of pollen tubes.

1. Determination of alkalinity & Phosphate content of water using colorimeter.

2. Haemocytometer to calculate phytoplankton density.

3. DNA extraction from coconut endosperm.

4. Agarose/Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

5. Plant tissue culture – Callus induction, Anther culture.

NEW / IMPROVEMENT IN THE EXISTING PRACTICALS

1. Culture techniques

• Earlier/existing :

Bacterial culture plates from microbiology used as

spotters

• Improvement:

Culture media for Bacteria and Fungi. Preparation

of media, culture plate and inoculation / Culture technique

2. Gram Staining of Bacteria

• Earlier/existing:

Observation of prepared slides

• Improvement:

Students individually test and identify gram +ve and –ve bacteria from their cultures.

I B.Sc.

I

1. In-vitro pollen germination and micrometry to measure the length of pollen tubes

Earlier/existing:

Demonstration by the teacher and observation by

student

Improvement:

Micrometers provided to students individually, so they can perform independently.

2. Digital record of plants

Earlier/existing:

Submission of herbaria only

Improvement: Students use digital camera to photograph Angiosperm Plants in the wild, label them and Submit for the examination. Learn the use of technology.

II B.Sc.

1. Physiology experiments – a. Ganong’s potometer;

b. Ganong’s respirometer;

c. Kuhne’s fermentation apparatus;

d. Thistle funnels;

e. Hydrotropism;

f. Garreau’s potometer;

g. Chlorophyll separation – hair driers

Existing: Limited apparatus so experiments performed in groups Improvement: With individual apparatus the student is confident to perform the experiment.

III B.Sc.

2. Estimation of Carbohydrates and Proteins

Existing: Limited instruments/Glassware so experiments performed in groups. Improvement: With additional instruments students perform the experiments are individually.

3. Isolation of DNA from Coconut Endosperm

Existing: Not a part of the syllabus Improvement: Training students in the technique of DNA isolation

4. Determination of

alkalinity & Phosphate content of water using colorimeter

Existing: Not a part of the syllabus Improvement: Students learn the ecological relevance in estimation of alkalinity & phosphates.

5. Haemocytometer to

calculate phytoplankton density.

Existing: Not a part of the syllabus Improvement: Students learn the ecological relevance in estimation of phytoplanktons

6. Gel Electrophoresis – Horizontal & Vertical

Existing: Not a part of the syllabus Improvement: Students learn gel casting, loading & gel running to see the illuminated bands

7. Plant Tissue Culture Existing: Not a part of the syllabus Improvement: Students get ‘Hands-On’ training and learn types of tissue culture

Exposure to small research projects based on some practicals.

Trained in literature survey, report writing, designing suitable experiments, handling new instruments.

Opportunity to attend Seminars, present papers and aim to obtain best awards.

INTERDISCIPLINARY / INTERDEPARTMENTAL

PROJECTS EXECUTED BY THE STUDENTS

PROJECT TITLE -2012 -13 No. of

Students

1 Nutritional Profile of Dry fruits (Interdisciplinary- With Chemistry) 3

2 Nutritional aspects of Edible Mushrooms (Interdisciplinary - With Chemistry)

3

3 Antimicrobial activity of Acmella oleracea 3

4 Diversity of Ferns of Dakshina kannada/ Western Ghats. ( Contd. 3 years)

2

Antimicrobial activity Analysis of Carbohydrates and Proteins

STUDENT’S PROJECTS 2013-14

Sl

No Project Title

No. of

Students

1 Estimation of Protein from Grapes, Tomato, Pomeogranate & Apple 2

2 Estimation of Chlorophylls from Murraya, Melia, Moringa & Trigonella

leaves.

2

3 Determination of titrable acid number from Grapes, Tomato, Orange

water melon, Apple and Pomeogranate

3

4 Estimation of Protein and Carbohydrates of Cassia tora leaves 1

5 Estimation of Protein and Carbohydrates of Cassia tora seeds 1

6 Estimation of Protein and Carbohydrates of Anethum graveolens 1

7 Estimation and extraction of Lycopene from Tomato 2

8 Estimation and extraction of Lycopene from Red Capsicum 2

9 Estimation and extraction of Lycopene from Watermelon 2

10 Antimicrobial activity of Vernonia antihelmintica 3

Extraction of Lycopene from Watermelon

Drumstick Methi Murraya Neem

1.1

05

1.2

57

0.6

85

1.4

61

0.5

55

0.6

21

0.3

94

0.7

92

1.6

6

1.8

78

1.0

79

2.2

53

Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b Total Chlorophyll

Extraction of Chlorophyll

Determination of TAN

Samples for Protein

Spectrophotometric Analysis Analysis of Proteins

Extraction Procedure

STUDENT’S PROJECTS 2014 -15

Project Title No. of

Students

1 Estimation of Protein and Proline of selected Pulses 3

2 Estimation of Chlorophylls and Carotenoids of

Sauropus, Coleus & Margosa

3

3 Estimation of Tannins Tea, Amla & Amchur 3

4 Estimation of Phenols from selected fruits. 3

5 Estimation of Free fatty acids from edible oils and fats 3

6 Study of Bacterial population in the Campus 3

PAPER PRESENTATIONS 2012 - 2013 2013 - 2014 2014 - 2015

1. Comparative Study of

Protein & Carbohydrate

contents of five Dry

Fruits

4. “Study on Diversity

of Ferns of Dakshina

Kannada”

5 . Nutritional Profile of

wild edible

Musrhrooms . ( Won II place

2. Nutritional Profile of

Mushrooms – A Study

6 . Antimicrobial Activity

of Vernonia antihelmintica

3. Antimicrobial Activity of

Acmella oleracea - ( I Place)

7. Nutrient analysis of

Cassia tora leaves and seeds

• Seminar on ‘Challenges and Prospects of Basic Sciences’ September 1st – 2012.

• National Level Seminar on ‘Emerging Trends in Biological sciences’ on January 18- 19, 2013 – Biological sciences.

• Workshop on “Science in Action”– January, 8 _10, 2015

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ORGANIZED IN TOPICAL AREAS FOR STUDENTS BY THE DEPARTMENTS

Seminar on ‘Challenges and Prospects of

Basic Sciences’ September 1st – 2012.

Inauguration of the ‘STAR COLLEGE SCHEME’ with

Guest Lectures

Dr. Raviraja N. S.

Centre Head Stemputics, Manipal.

“Stem Cells and their Applications”

National Level Seminar on ‘Emerging Trends in

Biological sciences’ on January 18- 19, 2013

Mr. Sammilan Shetty.

Butterflies & Their Conservation

Dr. Raviraja N. S.

Nanobiotechnology & its

Applications

Dr. Ethel Suman

Valedictory Address

Dr. Goldin Quadros

Role of Intertidal fauna along Mangrove

Ecosystem

Dr. George V. Thomas.

Keynote Address

Dr. Sheila Donde.

Brain Matters

Workshop on “Science in Action”– January, 8- 10, 2015 -

“Plastination”- students practicing process of plastination

Sheep lung plastinated

2012 - 2013

FACULTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS INITIATED

FOR THE FACULTY

Three days training at Department of

Biotechnology , St. Aloysius College,

Mangaluru in Biological Techniques under

Tissue Culture

Gel Electrophoresis

Thin Layer Chromatography

No. of students : 05

Faculty : 02

Ten days ‘Hands on’ training at CPCRI

Kasargod.

1. Media types and preparation

2. Embryo culture - Coconut

3. Meristem culture - Palm oil

4. Leaf culture - Papaya.

5. Stem culture - Centella

6. Root culture - Carrot

7. Anther culture – Datura

No. of students : 08

Faculty: 02

2013 - 2014

Seminars Attended 2012 -13

Date Institution Title of the Programme

No. of students/

Faculty

April, 23-24, 2012

MGM College, Udupi

Principles and Techniques of Plant Taxonomy with a special reference to Western Ghats and Coastal Region of Karnataka

3+1

August,13 - 2012

Alvas College Moodbidri

Intercollegiate Competition Model on Cloning

Feb.8, 9. 2013

St. Aloysius college, Mangalore

National Seminar on Ferns

2 +1

March, 23, 2013

CPCRI, Kasargod

Training Cum Awarenes Programme “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers right act

4

Seminars Attended 2013 -14

Date

Institution

Title of the Programme

No. of students/

Faculty

July, 27. 2013 St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.

“Biospark: Catch them Young” 10 +1

Dec. 10, 11 2013

St. Aloysius College, Mangalore

“Trends in Biotechnology and its Appplications”

4 + 1

Dec.16,17 2013

St. Philomena College, Puttur

National Seminar “World Heritage Tag and conservation of Biodiversity”

4 +2

Jan. 23, 24. 2014

MGM College, Udupi.

National seminar on “Plant Biodiversity of Western Ghats and Sustainable management”

3+1 Paper presented

Feb. 03, 04 2014

SDM College, Ujire “Science Academies’ Lecture Workshop

4

Seminars Attended 2014 -15

Date

Institution

Title of the Programme

No. of

students

Paper

presented

Oct. 31. & Nov. 1, 2. 2014

Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli

International conference on “Trends in Plant Systematics”

3 +1 Yes

Dec., 12. 2014

Vivekanada College, Puttur

Seminar on “Edible and non edible Mushrooms”

2+1 Yes II place

Dec., 17,18, 2014

University College, Mangaluru

“DNA Barcoding”- Concepts and Application

3+1 -

Feb., 6,7 –2015

Alva’s College, Moodbidri

“Advancements in Environmental Biotechnology for Sustainability

3+1 -

Feb., 14. 2015

Alva’s College, Moodbidri

University level Seminar presentation competition in Biological Sciences

2 I Place

Visit to Central Plantation Crop Research Institute, Kasargod

VISITS TO INDUSTRY AND IMPORTANT LABS OF NATIONAL

EMINENCE

CPCRI Genetic Resource and Plant Breeding

Tissue culture Lab Vermicomposting

Educational Tour organized from 14 – 17, November, 2013 to

Coimbatore and Ooty.

Visit to Tamilnadu

Agricultural University,

Departments of

Biotechnology,

Pathology, Plant

breeding and

Bioenergy.

Ooty Botanical garden

for plant diversity study

and collection of

Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes

Educational Tour from 14 – 17, November, 2014 to Wayanad, Mudumalai, Neelambore, Peechi.

1. M.S. Swaminathan Institute of biodiversity, Wayanad.

2. Kerala Forest Research Station Bioresource center, Neelambore.

3. Kerala Forest Research Station, Peechi.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Research Institutes visited

1. Plant collection at Madikeri on 21-01-2013 2. Fern Collection at Kudremukh on 10-02-2013 3. Algae collection at Bekal fort and Someshwar on 14-01-

2013 / 07-01-2014 4. Oddoor Farms – Yedapadav and Manipal on 15-03-2014 Production of biogas, Sustainable agricultural practice. Generation of electricity using biogas, solar lighting, Irrigation, rain water harvest etc.

Manipal: Visited Anatomy museum, Biological sciences

lab and planetorium.

Name Topic No. of students

Queenie Lasrado Alia orchids, M’lore.

“Orchids – Domestication and Conservation”

68

Dr. Sham Sunder JSS Medical College.

“Plastination - Importance in preservation”

52

LECTURES DELIVERED BY EXPERTS/SPEAKERS IN

RELEVANT SUBJECT AREA

“Basic Science Experimental Fair” for PUC students on

November 12, 2014

No. of students - 40

OUT REACH PROGRAMS

1. Identify the morphology of different plant groups. 2. Preparation of herbarium sheets 3. Study of distribution of stomata. 4. Separation of plant pigments. (Paper chromatography) 5. Germination of pollen grain on stigma. 6. Study of plant population by quadrat. 7. Extraction of DNA from coconut endosperm. 8. Preparation of synthetic seeds.

1. Estimation of Proteins

2. Estimation of carbohydrates 3. Extraction of DNA from coconut Endosperm 4. Preparation of synthetic seeds

Vacation School for Degree Students on December 1 – 4, 2014

No. of students - 28 from 6 Colleges

“Home Pharmacy” exhibition on medicinal plants and home remedies.

Display of Science/General articles on bulletin board

‘Plant of the week’ Display of one plant per week

with importance and key features

FERNS - Herbarium and Photograph Record

About 50 Herbarium sheets of Ferns are added to the Department Herbarium collected from Western

Ghats and A digital record is also maintained.

OUTCOMES OF THE SCHEME

Additional practicals in the curriculum enable students to have a better edge over affiliated college students.

Equipping the department with additional equipments and books

Opportunity to undertake project work thereby inculcating research culture among students.

Performing experiments individually rather than in group enhances confidence and accuracy.

Opportunity to attend seminars in different places. Paper presentations to enhance skills in practical work and presentation Exposure and interactive opportunities through guest lectures, seminars, training, field trips, industrial visits, Study tour.

ACTION PLAN

• Summer school: For affiliated college students.

• Workshop/Training: For Mangalore University Lecturers/

Lab assistants

• Industrial Visit/ Research Institute Visit:

• Student projects:

• Guest Lectures:

• Other if any:

Paper presentations on projects by the students.

Participation in Model competition.

Exhibition of medicinal plants.

Competition on seminar presentation.