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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology × Author: Sabitha, Jose × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Antibacterial and antifungal activity of selected medicinl plants available in Kerala
    (Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Sabitha, Jose; KAU; Usha, P T A
    In the present study cold ethanolic extract and fresh juice of five medicinal plants were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. The plants were Annona squamosa (Aatha), Cassia alata (Anathakara), Coleus amboinicus (Panicoorka), Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) and Tectona grandis (Teak). Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus (MTCC 96), Salmonella enteritidis (MTCC 3219), Escherichia coli (MTCC 723), Pasteurella multocida subsp.multocida (MTCC 1161), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 741), Aspergillus fumigatus (MTCC 870), Candida albicans (MTCC 227) and Cryptococcus neoformans var neoformans (MTCC 4404). Phytochemical analysis was conducted for the presence of routine secondary plant metabolites. The diameter of inhibitory zone at various concentrations of the extract, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were used to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the above mentioned plants. Disc diffusion method, microtitre plate dilution technique and broth dilution technique were used. The reference drugs used in this study were penicillin G, furazolidone, ketoconazole and clotrimazole. The maximum yield was obtained from ethanolic extract of A. squamosa leaves (18.07 per cent). Leaves of C. amboinicus produced the maximum amount of fresh juice among the five plants (8 ml from 10 g of the fresh tender leaves). Phytochemical analysis reported the presence of steroids, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, diterpenes, triterpenes and saponins in the leaves of A. squamosa and C. alata. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and saponins were present in the leaves of C. amboinicus. M. fragrans leaves contain glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds. Qualitative chemical tests revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds and saponins in the leaves of T. grandis. All the extracts showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity on the microorganisms tested. The antimicrobial screening revealed the susceptibility of E. coli to A. squamosa, C. amboinicus and T. grandis. The growth of S. aureus, P. multocida and P. aeruginosa was inhibited by all the five plants. S. enteritidis was found to be susceptible to T. grandis, M. fragrans and C. amboinicus. MIC values ranged from 200-1000 µg/ml and MBC values ranged from 500-1000 µg/ml. In case of A. squamosa, MBC value against E. coli was more than 1000 µg/ml. The antifungal screening revealed that the growth of C. albicans was inhibited by C. alata, C. amboinicus, M. fragrans and T. grandis. A. squamosa and C. alata inhibited the growth of C. neoformans. A. fumigatus appeared to be susceptible to A. squamosa, C. alata and C. amboinicus. MIC values ranged from 250-1000 µg/ml for the fungal strains. MFC values ranged between 500-1000 µg/ml except for A. squamosa and C. alata. MFC of C. alata against A. fumigatus and C. albicans was more than 1000 µg/ml. MFC of A. squamosa against C. neoformans was found to be more than 1000 µg/ml. The growth of S. aureus was inhibited by fresh juice of A. squamosa, C. amboinicus, M. fragrans and T. grandis leaves. E. coli was susceptible to fresh juice of C. amboinicus leaves. Fresh juice of C. alata was found to be effective against C. albicans. P. aeruginosa was inhibited by fresh juice of M. fragrans leaves. All the plants under the study were found to possess antimicrobial properties, thereby justifying their popular use in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant microorganisms. Further study is required to assess the in vivo efficacy of these plants for the said action.