Metabolic engineering of Rhizopus oryzae for the production of platform chemicals

Rhizopus oryzae is a filamentous fungus belonging to the Zygomycetes. It is among others known for its ability to produce the sustainable platform chemicals l-(+)-lactic acid, fumaric acid, and ethanol. During glycolysis, all fermentable carbon sources are metabolized to pyruvate and subsequently distributed over the pathways leading to the formation of these products. These platform chemicals are produced in high yields on a wide range of carbon sources. The yields are in excess of 85 % of the theoretical yield for l-(+)-lactic acid and ethanol and over 65 % for fumaric acid. The study and optimization of the metabolic pathways involved in the production of these compounds requires well-developed metabolic engineering tools and knowledge of the genetic makeup of this organism. This review focuses on the current metabolic engineering techniques available for R. oryzae and their application on the metabolic pathways of the main fermentation products

Evaluation of some Plant Leaf Extracts against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Cowpea

Alcohol and water extracts of Piper nigrum, Ocimum sanctum and Citrus limon were effective against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in culture and in field experiments by checking the incidence and spread of the disease. Extracts of P. nigrum were the best in reducing the growth of the pathogen in culture and in checking the spread of the anthracnose disease of cowpea in the field. This was followed by O. sanctum whereas C. limon failed to check the spread of the disease in the field. P. nigrum and O. sanctum could be sources of pesticides of plant origin to control this cowpea pathogen in the field