Browsing by Author "Kadigamuwa, C. C."

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Antimicrobial activity of poly-herbal formula “Dasapanguwa” against several Gram positive bacteria and Gram negative bacteria
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Samaraweera, G. A.; Gunathilaka, V. H. N. M.; Perera, M. A. S. N.; Perera, P. D. V. M.; Wageesha, N. D. A.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
The resistance of bacteria against available antibiotics has become a rising problem worldwide. Therefore, the discovery of alternatives using medicinal plants is widely studied. Although medicinal plants have been studied individually, the impact of herbal formulas was studied rarely. “Dasapanguwa” is a poly-herbal formula prepared as a decoction of 10 different plant parts to use in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka for colds, fever, and infectious diseases. Although the formula is used as a treatment for infectious diseases in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka, the antimicrobial action of this preparation was not scientifically assessed. The objective of the research was the determination of the antibacterial activity of the Dasapanguwa formula against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Plant parts of Mollugo cerviana (L.) Ser., Solanum virginianum L., Solanum melongena L., Justicia adhatoda L., Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Zingiber Officinale, Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr., Piper nigrum L., and Coriandrum sativum L. were collected in dried form. Water extracts of decoction 1 (D1) (plant part: 5.0 g) and Decoction 2 (D2) (plants parts: 5.0 g ground into fine powder) were prepared by refluxing in 500.0 ml of water for two hours at 100 °C followed by freeze-drying. The antibacterial susceptibility test was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Enterococcus faecalis), and Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). Antibiotic discs were prepared for each concentration of two decoctions (1.0 to 15.0 mg ml-1). Commercially available tetracycline (30 μg) and ceftriaxone (30 μg) were used as positive controls against Gram’s positive and Gram’s negative bacteria respectively according to the CLSI guideline. The diameter of the clear zones was measured. There were no inhibition zones against all the bacteria for tested concentrations of both decoctions compared to positive controls. Previous studies showed that the antibacterial activity of an herbal extract could depend on the plant, solvent, test pathogens, and concentrations. Furthermore, the activity could depend on the plant itself or the formula of poly-herbal. Therefore, it is recommended to further study the antibacterial activity of both decoctions for higher concentrations from 15 mg ml-1 against selected bacteria. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity could be studied for extracts prepared by different solvents including methanol and ethanol.
Assessment of contaminant levels of hazardous toxic metals and subsequent risk analysis in agricultural soil and selected comestibles within a region afflicted by CKDu in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Perera, M. A. S. N.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.; Gunathilaka, V. H. N. M.; Samaraweera, G. A.; Perera, W. P. R. T.; Perera, P. L. R. A.; Liyanage, J. A.; Premaratne, W. A. P. J.
Agricultural commodities constitute a pivotal component of the human daily sustenance, yet they are susceptible to contamination by pernicious heavy metals, notably Hg, Cd, Pb, and As. Consequently, agricultural products represent a substantive source of apprehension for human well-being and health. This study aims to evaluate related risk indices of agricultural soils (n=25) and selected comestible grains, namely Oryza sativa (n=25), Vigna radiata (n=25), Vigna unguiculata (n=25), and Vigna unguiculata subsp. (n=25), within the endemic region of Nikawewa Grama Niladhari Division (GND) in North Western Province (NWP) and the reference region, Wewagedara GND in NWP where no evidence for Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). The concentrations of metals in the collected samples were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and based on that risk indices were calculated. The mean geo-accumulation index (Igeo) for four metals in soil was As - 0.82, Cd - 1.47, Cu - 0.91, and Pb 1.31. That indicates no anthropogenic activities related to As, Cd and Cu while Pb is responsible for moderate pollution in endemic area. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for these heavy metals were calculated with respect to the all grains. EDI means of As and Pb in the endemic and the reference areas for all grain samples were within the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) set by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (As-0.300 􀁐g/kg/day) and World Health Organization (WHO) (Pb-3.600 􀁐g/kg/day) while Cd (EDI in endemic area; Oryza sativa-6.385 􀁐g/kg/day, Vigna unguiculata-3.386 􀁐g/kg/day and Vigna unguiculata subsp.-3.866 􀁐g/kg/day) highly exceeded the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (Cd-2.5 􀁐g/kg/week) in both areas. EDI of Cr in rice samples (1.138 􀁐g/kg/day) in endemic area exceeded the TDI set by EFSA (1.0 􀁐g/kg/day) and all other values of Cr were below the TDI in both areas. According to the USEPA (intolerable cancer risk (CR) - > 1 x 10-4) cancer risk exist for all these staple grains. Igeo of Pb in the soil, raising concerns about their bioavailability and uptake by the food crops and EDI were indicated the long-term consumption of these foods especially Oryza sativa poses a serious threat to human health. Implementing proper soil management practices, monitoring heavy metal levels in crops, and raising public awareness about safe consumption practices are crucial steps towards mitigating the risk of CKDu.
Characterization of adsorption properties of naturally occurring clay deposits in Mannar District to remove lead and cadmium from aquatic systems
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Chandrasiri, D. K.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Water is a fundamental resource for life on earth. Water pollution by heavy metal contamination has a major negative impact on human health due to its toxicity. To remove heavy metals from aquatic environments several methods have been implemented. From these methods, use of natural clays for adsorption of heavy metals is considered to be environmentally friendly and cost effective method. Montmorillonite is one major type of natural clays which is well known for its adsorption ability. Therefore, this study was basically focused on assessing the potential of lead and cadmium adsorption by MMT-rich clay in different places in Sri Lanka. Three soil samples from selected places of Mannar District were collected and conditions were optimised for Pb2+ and Cd2+ adsorption. Then the adsorption was assessed using Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. 100 mg/L initial concentration, 0.10 g adsorbent dosage, and pH 4 as optimum conditions for Pb2+ adsorption, whereas 100 mg/L initial concentration, 0.10 g adsorbent dosage, and pH 6 as optimum conditions for Cd2+ adsorption were observed. Langmuir constants obtained for Pb2+ and Cd2+ were -1.233 L/mg and 0.0477 L/mg. Freundlich constants obtained for Pb2+ and Cd2+ were 2.489 mg/g and 0.764 mg/g respectively. Based on the values obtained for the constants, 1/n, qmax, and RL, it was assumed that both metal ions show multilayer adsorption on a heterogenous surface, which favours Freundlich isotherm. Optimized conditions were applied to the soil samples collected from Giant’s tank, Marvelankeni, and Allavankai areas areas of Northern province. Reduction percentages obtained for adsorption of Cd2+ by soil samples from Giant’s tank, Marvelankeni, and Allavankai areas were 91.385%, 98.381%, 68.152% respectively and adsorption capacities were 111.239 mg/g, 119.755 mg/g, 82.969 mg/g respectively. Reduction percentages obtained for adsorption of Pb2+ by soil samples from Giant’s tank, Marvelankeni, and Allavankai were 48.472%, 30.561%, 58.481% respectively and adsorption capacities were 211.807 mg/g, 133.561 mg/g, 255.286 mg/g respectively. The values obtained were compared with the control sample (reduction percentages 75.633%, 83.751% respectively for Cd2+ and Pb2+), adsorption capacities 92.076 mg/g and 365.986 mg/g respectively for Cd2+ and Pb2+. Based on these results, there might be a potential of using Montmorillonite rich soil in Mannar district to remove Pb2+ and Cd2+ from aquatic systems.
Comparison of proximate composition and fiber content between varieties of sri lankan green leafy vegetables ipomea aquatica, centella asiatica and sesbania grandiflora
(Nastec - Sri Lanka, National Science And Technology Commission, 2024) Dahanayaka, Lakshanee W.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.; Mapa, Mapa S. T.
Nutrition stands as vital for human existence. Despite its critical importance, nations with lower and middle incomes, such as Sri Lanka, can be exceptionally susceptible to food insecurity, especially in the face of economic crises right after the pandemic. Many Sri Lankans are consequently leading to malnutrition, with considerable difficulty in securing an ample supply of nutritious food during this crisis period. Thus, Sri Lanka consists of cost effective, readily available, nutrientdense, and locally sourced food. Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) comprise abundant essential dietary components, including vital macronutrients [1], [2]. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends five servings of vegetables each day, with one of those servings specifically emphasizing GLVs [HHS/USDA 2020-2025]. Notably, the traditional Sri Lankan diet mainly comprises GLVs. Sri Lanka with its tropical climate abides by a diverse range of GLVs. Consequently, exploring the nutritional value of the GLVs, particularly as a sustainable approach to combat malnutrition, is important and justifies further investigation. The nutrient constituents of GLVs can vary depending on several factors including environmental factors, agricultural practices and intrinsic factors such as species and variety. Numerous studies have demonstrated the fluctuations in the nutritional profiles of species, yet inquiries related to varieties are scarce. This study was carried out to study the comparative proximate analysis (the moisture, ash, carbohydrate, protein, and fat contents) and fiber content between two varieties of selected three GLV species; Ipomea aquatica, Centella asiatica and Sesbania grandiflora (Figure 1), which are commonly consumed in Sri Lanka. I. aquatica samples were collected from the home gardens of Jaffna and S. grandiflora and C. asiatica samples were collected from Kalutara. Two different varieties of each species were acquired from similar geographical locations, grown under similar growth conditions such as light, water, nutrients, and temperature, and were identified based on morphological characteristics. The knowledge from this study holds the potential to refine the selection processes of GLVs in agriculture. Furthermore, this study paves the way to expand the GLV applications within the food industry leading to amplified nutritional advantages.
Comparison of total chlorophyll, carotene and phenolic contents between species/varieties of Sri Lankan green leafy vegetables Sesbania grandiflora, Centella asiatica and Ipomea aquatica
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Dahanayaka, L. W.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.; Mapa, S. T.
Green Leafy Vegetables (GLVs) are rich sources of phytochemicals which are beneficial to reduce chronic non-communicable diseases due to their therapeutic properties such as antioxidant activity. Among numerous dietary supplements of phytochemicals, GLVs are under spotlight as they are rich sources of phenolics and natural pigments including chlorophylls and carotenoids. Availability and the amount of these phytochemicals may vary depending on many factors including the variety of GLVs. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the phytochemical contents; total phenol, chlorophyll and carotene among 3 selected GLV species and 2 varieties of each, Sesbania grandiflora, Centella asiatica and Ipomea aquatica. Each home garden grow variety was acquired from same geographical location which have similar growth conditions. Edible parts of each sample were well washed, air dried at room temperature under shade, and oven dried at 45 ºC to obtain a constant weight. Dried samples were ground and tests were carried out using homogenous sample powder. Total chlorophyll and carotene contents were determined by measuring the absorbance (at the wavelengths of 470 nm, 645 nm and 662 nm) of methanolic extracts and using formulas. Total chlorophyll content in leafy vegetables ranged from 13.75 to 35.56 μg/g dry weight of the sample. The highest chlorophyll content was observed in S. grandiflora variety 1 (V1), whereas the lowest chlorophyll content was observed in I. aquatica variety 2 (V2). The carotene content of studied leaf samples was within the range of 1.08 to 3.89 mg/g dry weight of the sample. S. grandiflora V1 had the highest carotene content whereas the lowest carotene content was observed in C. asiatica V1. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method by measuring the absorbance at 760 nm using the methanolic extracts of leaf samples. TPC were within the range of 3.62 to 18.19 mg GAE/g dry weight of the sample. S. grandiflora V1, leaves showed the highest TPC as 18.19 mg GAE/g dry weight of the sample and the lowest TPC was observed in C. asiatica V2 as 3.62 mg GAE/g dry weight of the sample. The results were analyzed in one-way analysis of variance ANOVA test, which showed a statistically significant difference between species/varieties (p
In vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Paspanguwa decoction and its constituents
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Madushani, H. M. R.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
The Paspanguwa herbal formulation is commonly consumed as a traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. Paspanguwa consists of five ingredients, namely the rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Inguru), leaves and stem of Hedyotis corymbosa (Pathpadagam), dried berries of Solanum xanthocarpum (Katuwalbatu), dried stem of Coscinium fenestratum (Venivalgata), and dried seeds of Coriandrum sativum (Koththamalli). The importance and objective of this study was to prove the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of traditionally used decotion, Paspanguwa claimed to have. In the present study, water extracts of the individual ingredient and the Paspanguwa decoction were screened for their total soluble phenolic content (TPC), total soluble flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and their ability to inhibit protein denaturation (anti-inflammatory activity). The highest and the lowest TPC was seen in Coriander and ginger as 12.76 ± 1.00 and 7.89 ± 0.86 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively. The highest and the lowest TFC was seen in Katuwalbatu and Pathpadagam as 778.19 ± 1.40 and 282.14 ± 1.49 µg Catechin equivalent/g of dry weight, respectively. The lowest and the highest IC50 values for the DPPH assay was seen in Paspanguwa decoction and Katuwalbatu as 253.4 ± 8.2 and 609.7 ± 5.6 µg/mL, respectively, while the standard ascorbic acid showed 111.0 ± 6.1 µg/mL. The highest and lowest reducing power percentages were seen in Paspanguwa decoction and coriander as 94.74 ± 1.31 and 22.95 ± 0.96 while the standard ascorbic acid showed 109.89 ± 0.96. The ability to inhibit protein denaturation varied in the order of: Acetylsalicylic acid (standard) > Paspanguwa decoction > ginger > coriander > Venivalgata > Katuwalbatu > Pathpadagam at all the three concentrations (625, 1250, and 2500 µg/mL). These results suggest that Paspanguwa water extract is a good source of antioxidants with TFC and TPC with a higher ability to inhibit protein denaturation. Our findings corroborate with the previous in vitro studies of the antioxidant activity of Paspanguwa. However, our study is the first to reveal the anti-inflammatory action, total flavonoid content, and reducing power of the Paspanguwa herbal formula. Further, this study validated the use of Paspanguwa as a good source of antioxidants together with anti-inflammatory activity in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
In-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extracts of semiparasitic mistletoe Dendrophthoe falcata on host Punica granatum (pomegranate plants)
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Navanjana, M. M. T. K.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
This study examined the potential antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the mistletoe species (Dendrophthoe falcata), a semi-parasitic plant on the host, pomegranate (Punica granatum). Soxhlet extraction used methanol as the solvent to obtain mistletoe extracts in species of Dendrophthoe falcata, with higher yields. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) were tested for all mistletoe leaf samples. DPPH radical scavenging activity and Potassium Ferricyanide FerricReducing Power (PFRAP) were used to determine the antioxidant activities. In this study, the antiinflammatory activity was determined by examining the heat-induced hemolysis. The correlation between TPC and TFC with the radical scavenging activity was analyzed using Pearson's method. The highest TPC value of 108.542 ± 11.510 mg GAE/g was obtained from the mistletoe leaf sample, S2D from the host plant 02. The highest TFC was 34.927 ± 0.996 mg CE/g for the mistletoe leaf sample, S1D obtained from host 01. The lowest IC50 value from all mistletoe samples was shown by the mistletoe leaf sample (S3D), obtained from host 03 (0.189 ± 0.049 mg/mL). The highest BHT equivalent value for the PFRAP assay was obtained from the mistletoe sample (S3D), taken from host 03 (150.032 ± 31.829 mg BHTE /g). A strong positive correlation was detected between the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities. For TPC, the correlation value was 0.941, and for TFC, the correlation value was 0.912. In the heat-induced hemolysis, the lowest IC50 value, 0.892 ± 0.008 mg/mL was shown by the mistletoe sample (S3D), obtained by the host plant 03. The biological properties of mistletoe leaf samples may vary due to differences in physical characteristics and growth conditions of different locations. However, this limitation did not hinder the assessment of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by their presence. In conclusion, this study has identified that the methanol extracts of mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata) have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that can be used for future therapeutic developments.
Preliminary studies of antibacterial and antifungal activities of Paspanguwa
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Jayawardena, P. A. S. N. P.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Paspanguwa appears to be a traditional Sri Lankan home treatment that has been used for hundreds of years to treat common ailments. The name 'Paspanguwa' term from a combination of five primary herbs ('pas' = five, 'panguwa' = parts): ginger (Zingiber officinale), pathpadagam (Hedyotis corymbosa), katuwalbatu (Solanum xanthocarpum), venivalgata (Coscinium fenestratum), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). This study focused on evaluating the antibacterial and antifungal activities of aqueous extracts from dried herbal constituents in Paspanguwa separately and the Paspanguwa mixture on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922),and Klebsiella pneumoniae (DSM 16358), bacterial strains and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) fungal strain using agar disc diffusion method and also to investigate antifungal activity of Paspanguwa mixture against Aspergillus welwitschiae using agar disc diffusion and spore germination inhibition analysis method. Decoctions of each dried herbal constituent contained in Paspanguwa and their mixture was obtained. To investigate antibacterial and antifungal activities, Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media were utilized respectively. Optical density at 600 nm of S. aureus, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae bacterial suspensions was adjusted to 0.4, 0.4, and 0.2 values accordingly and for C. albicans, A. welwitschiae fungal suspensions at 0.4, 0.18 correspondingly. Discs impregnated in distilled water were used as a negative control and amoxicillin (0.002g/mL, 0.001g/mL, and 0.0016g/mL) as positive controls for S. aureus, E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains, respectively. Carbendazim (0.004 g/mL) was utilized as a positive control against fungal strains. According to the results, aqueous extracts derived from coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (0.7 ± 0.1 cm) and Pasapanguwa mixture (0.7± 0.0 cm) have shown antibacterial potentials only against the S. aureus bacterial strain. Results were obtained for the antifungal effect of herbal extracts on C. albicans and A. welwitschiae fungal strains. Only antifungal activities were achieved against C. albicans in the extractions of ginger (Zingiber officinale) (0.8 ± 0.1 cm) and Pasapanguwa mixture (0.7± 0.1 cm). However, no positive results were found for A. welwitschiae and these results were further proven by the spore germination inhibition analysis technique. In this technique, PDA, and spore suspension were placed on top of the sterile microscopic slides as the first and second layers, respectively. One slide set was prepared by placing distilled water as a negative control on top of the above-mentioned two layers (as the third layer) and another set was prepared by placing a Pasapanguwa mixture instead of distilled water. According to the results observed from the phase-contrast microscope, fungal spores (conidia = asexual spores) in both sets were germinated. Finally, it can be concluded that Paspanguwa water extract has antibacterial and antifungal activity against some strains, but its activity is insufficient to compare with other well-known antibacterial and antifungal drugs.
Preliminary studies of antibacterial and antifungal properties of typical Sri Lankan curry powder
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Weerarathne, H. K.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Curry powder is a mixture of ground spices that are typically used to enhance flavour, aroma, colour, and consistency in curries. The common Sri Lankan curry powder consists of coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum L.), cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), cinnamon sticks (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) as main five ingredients. Mostly, these ingredients are used according to a suitable ratio (coriander: cumin: fennel: cinnamon: curry leaves, 16: 8: 4: 2: 1, respectively) in the mixture. This study evaluates antibacterial activity of common Sri Lankan curry powder against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae and antifungal activity of common Sri Lankan curry powder against Candida albicans and Aspergillus welwitschiae. The agar disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial effect of curry powder and each of the spices in curry powder individually on microbial growth of S. aureus, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae bacterial strains. Aqueous extracts of the spices were used for the study. Similarly, the agar disk diffusion method was done for both C. albicans and A. welwitschiae and the spore germination inhibition analysis was done for A. welwitschiae to determine the antifungal activity. Bacterial strains with different OD600 values (E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans, with OD600 values of 0.3, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.4, respectively) were used in the agar disk diffusion method. Distilled water was used as the negative control for both bacterial and fungal strains. Amoxicillin was used as the positive control for all bacterial strains and carbendazim was used as the positive control for fungal strains. The spore suspension of A. welwitschiae was used for spore germination inhibition analysis. A. welwitschiae growth was observed through phase contrast microscope with distilled water as the negative control and curry powder mixture as the test sample. It was observed that coriander showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (0.7 0 cm) and K. pneumoniae (0.7 0 cm). Cinnamon showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (0.8 0.1 cm) and K. pneumoniae (0.7 0 cm). Curry leaves showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (0.7 0.1 cm) and S. aureus (0.7 0 cm). Cumin showed antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae (0.7 0 cm). Fennel did not show antibacterial activity for any test strains studied. The curry powder mixture showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (0.7 0.1 cm) and K. pneumoniae (0.7 0.1 cm). Cinnamon (0.7 0.1 cm), curry leaves (0.8 0.1 cm), and curry powder mixture (0.7 0.1 cm) showed antifungal activity against C. albicans. There was no antifungal activity against A. welwitschiae in both the agar disk diffusion and slide culture method by curry powder mixture. Cinnamon was found to be the most effective spice against tested microorganisms. The weakest antimicrobial activity was displayed by the fennel. From the results obtained in this study, it could be concluded that even though laboratory-prepared, unroasted curry powder mixture has antibacterial and antifungal activity, it is less effective than its individual unroasted ingredients, which gave better inhibition results.
Preliminary studies of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in methanol extracts of mistletoe (Pilila) in guava
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Tharakee, D. H.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Animal welfare receives great attention as it is highly important for enhancing milk production and microbiological quality. Literature reveals that the apprehension of dairy cow welfare practices among farmers is at a low level and limited studies have been carried out on dairy cattle welfare, in Sri Lanka. This study focused on investigating the impact of cattle management and welfare practices on the microbiological quality of raw milk. A total of 87 dairy cows from 50 tie-stall dairy farms in the Naththandiya Area in Sri Lanka were randomly selected. Three categories of measurements were collected; protocol-based measurements, facility-based measurements and animal-based measurements based on a questionnaire. The microbiological quality of raw milk samples was determined using Total Colony Count (TCC) of bacteria and count of Bacillus cereus. Statistical analyses of data were performed using SPSS 23.0 software. The floor quality was assessed in terms of cleanliness, presence of hoof damageable cracks and the grip. It was found that farmers’ attention on quality of flooring remained low. Improper flooring conditions, including presence of dirt (28%), slippage (62%), and hooves being prone to damage (50%), were observed and correlated (P<0.05), with the prevalence of lameness (12.5%) and hock wounds (12.8%). Based on the survey, concrete flooring was the most prominent bedding type (80%) followed by the soil type (20%). The type of flooring significantly influenced the slipperiness of the shed (P<0.001). A considerable percentage of cows (36.0%) showed signs of wounds, and floor slipperiness significantly (P<0.05) affected the prevalence of wounds. Lower attention on the quality of feeders (14%) and water troughs (12 %) was observed. Positive welfare attitude towards cows was observed in 66% of farmers. The average score of farmer attitudes (6.12) and stockperson attitude obtained, significantly (P<0.001) affected on the floor quality. According to the microbiological analysis, 48 % of the samples were found to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The Total Colony Count (TCC) of bacteria and the count of Bacillus cereus varied significantly (P<0.05) across different farms. TCC is significantly correlated (P<0.05) with the floor dirtiness of particular farm. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in between the floor type, TCC and Count of Bacillus cereus. The current study highlighted the critical welfare issues of dairy cows in Naththandiya area and some of these welfare issues had impact on the quality of raw milk. Therefore, it is essential to improve management practices and increase stockperson awareness to enhance dairy cow welfare and there by the quality of raw milk.
Preliminary studies on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in methanol leaf extracts of mistletoe Dendrophthoe falcata in Citrus crenatifolia (Heen naran)
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Sewwandi, K. V. G. N.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Dendrophthoe falcata is a common mistletoe species containing diverse bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which was widely used to treat various diseases in traditional and folk medicine associated with inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. This study aims to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in methanol leaf extracts of mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata), parasitic on its Heen naran (Citrus crenatifolia) host plant. Three Heen naran (Citrus crenatifolia) host plants with the mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata) were selected from three different locations. Matured mistletoe leaf samples (S1M, S2M, S3M) and Heen naran host leaf samples (S1L, S2L, S3L) were collected from each tree. Soxhlet extraction was used to extract valuable bioactive compounds responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Methanol was used as the solvent because it has a high extraction yield for these compounds. The extracts of the mistletoe and host leaf samples were investigated for their antioxidant potential using total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total condensed tannins (TCT), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). In this study, anti-inflammatory activity was determined by heat-induced hemolysis. Each mistletoe leaf sample (Dendrophthoe falcata) has shown more potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than Heen naran host leaf samples (Citrus crenatifolia). The mistletoe leaf sample (S1M) obtained from host 01 showed the highest TPC (47.39 ± 0.214 GAE mg/g), TFC (260.73 ± 3.22 CE mg/g), and TCT (136.74 ± 7.89 CE mg/g). S1M had the lowest IC50 value (0.131 ± 0.011 mg/mL) for DPPH assay compared to other mistletoe leaf samples, while it showed 0.518 ± 0.022 mg/g BHT equivalent value for FRAP assay. The host leaf sample from host tree 01 (S1L) displayed the highest TPC (36.07 ± 2.19 GAE mg/g) and exhibited the lowest IC50 value (0.834 ± 0.048 mg/mL) in the DPPH test. Heen naran leaves obtained from host 02 (S2L) showed the highest TFC (114.31 ± 2.21 CE mg/g), and TCT (68.04 ± 5.28 CE mg/g). The FRAP assay yielded a value of 0.220 ± 0.068 mg/g BHT equivalent for S1L. The correlation between TPC, TFC, and TCT was analyzed using Pearson's correlation method, and a strong positive correlation was detected between the TPC, TFC, TCT, and antioxidant activities for mistletoe leaf samples. In heatinduced hemolysis, S2M had the lowest IC50 value (278.92 ± 16.62 µg/mL) compared to other mistletoe leaves, and S2L showed the lowest IC50 value (477.99 ± 13.07 µg/mL) than other host samples. Due to the different physical properties and the growth conditions, mistletoe and host leaf samples were distinct from each sample, leading to non-uniform results. However, this limitation was not a barrier to determining the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be concluded that methanol leaf extracts of D. falcata and C. crenatifolia possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which can be used for studies in the future.
Preliminary study of anti-inflammatory action of Sri Lankan “dasapanguwa”
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Seneviratne, M. D. I. H.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
The herbal mixture known as “Dasapanguwa” which is frequently used as a traditional medicine in Sri Lanka, contains ten components, including the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Inguru), dried stem of Gerontogea corymbosa (Pathpadagam), dried berries Solanum xanthocarpum (Katuwalbatu), dried seeds of Coriandrum sativum (Koththamalli), dried leaves of Justicia adhatoda (Pawatta), dried stem of Tinospora cordifolia (Rasakinda), dried stem of Coscinium fenestratum (Venivalgata), dried rhizome of Alpinia calcarata (Araththa/Snap ginger), dried stem of Glycyrrhiza brachycarpa (Valmee) and dried stem of Solanum melongena (Eggplant) as most common combination. The objectives of this project were to extract the chemical constituents of each ingredient and the dasapanguwa mixture decoction, to determine the anti-inflammatory action of each extract in dasapanguwa as well as dasapanguwa mixture using the “Heat-Induced Hemolysis” assay. In the present study, the individual ingredients were extracted by deionized water and the dasapanguwa mixture decoction was screened for their anti-inflammatory assay; Heat-Induced Hemolysis. Water extracts were collected according to the ayurvedic traditional method. According to the obtained results of the anti-inflammatory assay, the ability to inhibit protein denaturation (anti-inflammatory activity) varied in the order of dasapanguwa mixture 523.2±31.0 μg/mL > Glycyrrhiza brachycarpa 560.8±59.8 μg/mL > Alpinia calcarata 572.9±18.6 μg/mL > Coscinium fenestratum 787.9±39.4 μg/mL > Solanum xanthocarpum 1634.3±39.0 μg/mL > Gerontogea corymbosa 1880.4±312.2 μg/mL > Tinospora cordifolia 3662.2±366.4 μg/mL > Justicia adhatoda 4184.9±109.6 μg/mL > Zingiber officinale 4290.3±991.9 μg/mL > Coriandrum sativum 5531.7±1883.0 μg/mL > Solanum melongena 6930.3±45.5 μg/mL. The highest IC50 value resulted in the dasapanguwa mixture and the individual extraction of Solanum melongena resulted in the least IC50 value. This study supported the traditional ayurvedic practice of using “Dasapanguwa” as a good source of anti-inflammatory activity. The combination of ten herbals is given higher anti-inflammatory activity than individual herbals.
Preliminary study of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata) on mango host plant (Mangifera indica).
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Raseena, M. T. F.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.
Dendrophthoe falcata is a common mistletoe plant that has widespread use in Sri Lankan traditional medicines. With the escalating incidence of cancer, asthma, and chronic inflammatory ailments among patients, the exploration of natural remedies in developing nations has become increasingly important. Despite existing research focusing on the chemical composition and biological activities of mistletoe plants in general, a critical gap exists in understanding the specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Dendrophthoe falcata when it thrives on its particular host, Mangifera indica. This preliminary study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of mistletoe, Dendrophthoe falcata leaves grown on the host, Mangifera indica in Sri Lanka. The methanolic extracts of Dendrophthoe falcata and Mangifera indica leaf samples were prepared using the cold extraction method. The antioxidant activity was assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, ammonium colourimetric method, 2,2- diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and ferric-reducing power assays. Anti-inflammatory action was evaluated using heat-induced hemolysis and albumin denaturation assays. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to determine whether there is a linear relationship between total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity, antiinflammatory properties of Dendrophthoe falcata and Mangifera indica. A two-sample t-test was done to compare the results of TPC and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Dendrophthoe falcata and Mangifera indica to identify whether these values of mistletoe significantly vary from the host. TPC and TFC of mistletoe were determined to be 1531.0 ± 44.3 mg of gallic acid equivalents per g of extract and 210.7 ± 15.9 mg of catechin equivalents per g of extract through Folin-Ciocalteu assay, ammonium colourimetric method respectively. Mistletoe exhibited an IC50 of 239.70 ± 27.99 µg/mL for DPPH scavenging activity and an EC50 of 6921.0 ± 2419.0 µg/mL for ferric-reducing power. Additionally, mistletoe demonstrated an IC50 of 554.1 ± 42.4 µg/mL for antihemolytic activity and 0.45 ± 0.05 mg/mL for protection against albumin denaturation. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that phenols contribute to antioxidant activities. Furthermore, the presence of phenols and flavonoids contributed to the antiinflammatory properties. A t-test comparison between mistletoe and its host plant for bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties indicated that mistletoe’s bioactive compounds and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are significantly different from host plants. Dendrophthoe falcata leaves emerge as a promising source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This avenue of study bears substantial potential for unlocking novel therapeutic benefits and can be further pursued by determining the chemical structure of the specific bioactive compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
A preliminary study to investigate the impact of geographical variation on phytochemical content and antioxidant properties of selected green leafy vegetables
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Dahanayaka, L. W.; Kadigamuwa, C. C.; Mapa, S. T.
Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) are rich sources of phytochemicals with significant therapeutic potentials including antioxidant activity, mitigating non-communicable diseases. The phytochemicals and antioxidant properties may vary depending on many factors including geographical location. This preliminary study aimed to analyze the variation of these properties in two selected GLV species; Ipomea aquatica and Alternanthera sessilis with geographical location. Plant samples were acquired from different geographical locations (low-country dry zone – Jaffna, up-country intermediate zone – Welimada/Ella, low-country wet zone – Kalutara/Hikkaduwa) cultivated under organic farming practices. A pot study (with controlled growth conditions) was carried out at Gampaha (low-country wet zone). Edible plant parts were cleaned, oven-dried at 45 ºC, ground, and the methanolic extracts were prepared. Each experiment was carried out in triplicates. The total flavonoid content (TFC) and the total phenolic content (TPC) were determined by the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method respectively. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used to determine the antioxidant activity. For statistical analysis, the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test which indicates significant differences among locations, and Tukey’s post hoc test to identify statistically significant differences between locations (p < 0.05) were carried out. A. sessilis showed significant differences towards all experimented aspects (chlorophyll, carotene, TFC, and FRAP) except TPC and DPPH. I. aquatica showed significant differences in chlorophyll and TFC. However, several locations were not significantly different in some aspects. TPC in A. sessilis from Jaffna and Ella were not significantly different from Hikkaduwa, while DPPH of Hikkaduwa and Gampaha were not different from Jaffna. The carotene content of I. aquatica did not show any significant difference between Kalutara and Gampaha samples. The TPC of I. aquatica was not significantly different in the samples of Jaffna, Welimada, and Gampaha. The difference in DPPH inhibition was not significant in Jaffna and Gampaha, while FRAP was not significantly different between Kalutara and Jaffna as well as Welimada and Gampaha. The results indicate that geographical location has contributed to the variation of some experimented aspects. Furthermore, the highest TFC for both plants was recorded from Jaffna samples, while the highest DPPH activity was recorded with the high-altitude locations (Ella and Welimada). No such pattern was observed with other variables. These results evidence the possible variations in the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of GLVs depending on the geographical location. This knowledge can be used to establish comprehensive research to investigate the correlation of geographical variations with phytochemical and antioxidant properties, guide agricultural practices, select better cultivation sites, improve the quality of herbal medicines, and enhance the nutritional value of GLVs.
Sustainable organic farming using biofertilizers – option for synthetic fertilizers
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Kadigamuwa, C. C.; Mapa Mapa, S. T.
In the last few decades, synthetic chemical fertilizers have played a major role in enhancing agricultural productivity in limited agricultural lands to feed the increasing world population. At the same time, the massive usage of chemical fertilizers in the agriculture sector causes harmful impacts on both environmental ecology and human health with great severity. Therefore, enhancing crop productivity and feeding the people without adversely affecting the environmental quality is challenging for the agricultural industry. To overcome these issues, biofertilizers and biopesticides were introduced during the green revolution as a sustainable solution to reduce the usage of synthetic chemicals. Biofertilizers enclose living microorganisms that colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plants to stimulate its growth. When these applied to soils, seeds, or plant surfaces, they enhance the source of primary nutrients to the target crops or its accessibility. The beneficial microorganisms used as biofertilizers can interact with the crop plants and enhance their immunity, growth, and development. So, biofertilizers can be introduced with traditional organic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility for healthy plant growth. Even though biofertilizers are used all around the world, they are not much popular in Sri Lanka. Currently Sri Lanka is planning to promote organic agriculture and must introduce biofertilizers to our agricultural lands to fill the gap of synthetic chemical fertilizers. However, biofertilizers should use with extreme care in control levels to avoid unnecessary impacts in the future. For those authorities should provide the correct guidance to the biofertilizer users, manufacturers, and importers to get the maximum benefit to the Sri Lankan agriculture sector. This will lead to the safe use and to obtain maximum benefit from biofertilizer in sustainable organic farming over synthetic fertilizers.