Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Distribution: Australia, New Zealand, New South Wales
Habitat: Ponds, ditches, stagnant pools
Description: These green unicellular lagellates (protists or green algal proto-
zoans) are photosynthetic with radially arranged chloroplasts and hetero-
trophic like animals. The bilagellated cells (80 × 20 µm) of this species,
which are rounded anteriorly and pointed posteriorly, are fusiform during
locomotion and are highly plastic when stationary. The nucleus of the cell
is posteriorly placed.
Compounds and activities: The organic extracts of this species have shown
antibacterial properties against virulent pathogens like
Pseudomonas
putida
,
P. aeruginosa
,
P. luorescens
,
Aeromonas hydrophila
,
Edwardsiella
taida
,
Vibrio anguillarum
,
V. luviatilis
,
V. parahaemolyticus
,
V. h ar veyi
,
and
Escherichia coli
(Amaro et al.,
2011).
XYRIS INDICA
LINNAEUS
Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Poales Family: Xyridaceae
Common name: Indian yellow-eyed grass, tall yellow-eyed grass
Distribution: Indian continent, South China, Southeast Asia, Malaysia to Australia
Habitat: Swamps, streams, pools, ponds, rice ields
Description: This perennial herb is partially submerged. The stem is erect and
has a maximum height of 150 cm. Roots are white or brown and ibrous.
Leaves (2 × 2 cm), which are in a rosette, are sessile, narrow, alternate, and
entire. Flowers (2 cm across) are hermaphroditic, yellow, sessile, and clus-
tered and are grouped together in a terminal inlorescence.
Compounds and activities: The bioactive compounds isolated from this spe-
cies are xyridin A and B. Xyridin A was saponiied to the corresponding
