Multivariate Analysis of Rotifers Community from Safari Zoo Lake Lahore, Pakistan

Rotifers are zooplanktons that react more sharply to the environmental changes. Objective: To better understand the community composition of rotifers in Safari Zoo Lake, Lahore, PakistanMethods: wecollected 16 water samples on monthly basis, dividing lake into four major sites: northern, southern, eastern, and western sites. Each of these was further subdivided into four locations, for a total of 16 sampling sites. A total 23 rotifer species were recorded from the lake with Brachionus calyciflorus having maximum abundance. A species abundance curve was plotted between months and number of species of rotifers indicating their lowest and highest abundance through the study period. Results: A Cluster Analysis yielded three main groups of closely related species including species like Brachionus quadridentatus, Synchaeta stylata and Brachionus calyciflorusetc. We used a Principal Component Analysis (I and II) to study variation in the rotifer community on a seasonal basis and among sampling sites. A biplot of Principal Component Analysis (PCA I) reflected the relationship of rotifers with the months. Some of the species showed a positive positive relationship, while others showed negative one. PCA II was plotted between months and physico-chemical parameters showing their negative and positive relations. Conclusions: We conclude that a lesser replacement of fresh water, increased density of waterfowl, reptilia and solid waste left overduring boating has resulted in eutrophication of lake leading to overall low diversity of rotifers observed

Analysis and Quantification of Medicinally Important Essential Oil by Mass Spectrometry Method and Chemical Studies on Opuntia Dillenii

The thesis comprises two parts, A and B. Part A deals with the analysis and quantification of medicinally important essential oil, by mass spectrometry method while, the part B describes the chemical studies on cladode of Opuntia dillenii. A short summary on the biosynthesis of steroids, flavonoids, fatty acids and terpenoids are also included in the thesis. Part A This part explains the chemical constituents and their quantification of medicinally important components of extracts on Ixora fulgens, I. coccinea (yellow and orange color flowers), I. polyantha, I. chinensis, Ipomoea batata (blackie), I. batata pink frost, and Cassia fistula, by mass spectrometry method. GC and GC-MS studies were carried out on extracts of different parts especially flowers, leaves and stalks of the plants which led to the identification of 230 chemical compounds from hexane extracts, 324 chemical compounds were identified from chloroform extract of Ixora species. Moreover, 26 metabolites were characterized from methanol extracts of Ixora chinensis flowers extract. From Ipomoea species, 106 chemical compounds were identified from hexane extracts, while, 72 compounds were identified from chloroform extract of the plant. Moreover, 57 phytochemicals were identified from hexane extract, whereas, 51 metabolites were identified from chloroform extracts of C. fistula plant. Different class of compounds were identified from this extracts including hydrocarbons, long chain fatty acids and their esters, alcohols, aromatic acids and their esters, terpenes and vitamins. Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities have also been carried out from all the above mentioned extracts. Part B Total thirteen different fractions of vaccum liquid chromatography (VLC) of antidepressant butanol phase of Opuntia dillenii were selected for chemical analysis. For this purpose GC and GC-MS studies were carried out, which led to the identification of 409 chemical compounds.