THE PREBIOTIC INFLUENCE OF INULIN ON GROWTH RATE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF LACTOBACILLUS CASEI

Objective: This research study is focused on the prebiotic effect of inulin on the antibiotic sensitivity of Lactobacillus casei and on the determination of functionality of specific growth rate (µ) of the probiotic bacteria on the concentrations of lactose (CL = 10-30 g/l) and inulin (CI = 0.164-0.625 g/l) along with the optimization of growth condition through Response Surface Methodology (RSM).Methods: The sensitivity of Lactobacillus casei towards norfloxacin was determined using well diffusion method. Using the initial values of µ (h-1) of Lactobacillus casei at different values of CL (g/l) and CI (g/l), the functionality of µ on the concentrations of the carbon sources have been derived, and the optimum condition has been identified.Results: Although Lactobacillus casei is sensitive to norfloxacin, resistance is developed in the presence of inulin. Quadratic model equation µ = 0.83+0.054*CL-0.035*CI-0.049*CL*CI-0.29*CL2-0.33*CI2 is valid and the optimum value of specific growth rate is 0.8285 h-1 at CL = 20 g/l and CI = 0.32 g/l.Conclusion: The interesting observation of the development of antibiotic resistance of Lactobacillus casei in the presence of inulin suggests that the intake of probiotic Lactobacillus casei, may be done along with prebiotic inulin when a patient is treated with antibiotics like norfloxacin. Moreover, the model equation correlating the functionality of growth rate of Lactobacillus casei on lactose and inulin will be helpful in fortifying the probiotic milk products and drugs with prebiotics like inulin.Keywords: Lactobacillus casei, Prebiotic, Inulin, Antibiotic sensitivity, Statistical growth model, Optimization of specific growth rate, Response Surface Methodolog

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROBIOTIC LACTOBACILLUS CASEI IN FORTIFIED INDIAN MILK CAKES UNDER DIFFERENT PRESERVATION CONDITIONS-EFFECTS OF CO-IMMOBILIZATION OF L. CASEI AND COMMERCIAL PREBIOTIC INULIN (CHICORY BASED) AND MILLET INULIN

Objective: The objective of the present article is to identify the most suitable Indian millet inulin for the growth of probiotic Lactobacillus casei and to evaluate the effects of the fortification vectors (probiotics and probiotic-prebiotic combination in immobilized conditions) and immobilization methods on the sustainability of L. casei in a fortified Indian sweet (milk cake) preserved under different conditions.Methods: Inulin was extracted from pearl, finger and great millets. The concentrations of L. casei, grown on three millet inulins, were compared in 24 h batch culture. The L. casei and probiotic-prebiotic combinations namely L. casei-commercial inulin and L. casei-pearl millet inulin were immobilized using entrapment, external and internal microencapsulation methods. The Indian milk cake samples were fortified with the immobilized probiotic cells, co-immobilized probiotic-prebiotic combinations. The fortified samples were preserved at different conditions (temperature: 4 °C and-20 °C; Time: 1-4 w). The sustainability of L. casei in the preserved samples was determined using spread plate method and the cell concentrations were compared among all fortified samples.Results: Pearl millet inulin is determined to be the most suitable millet inulin for the growth of L. casei. The synergistic combination of L. casei–pearl millet inulin, co-immobilized with internal gelation technique is the best fortification vector for the viability of L. casei in preserved food samples.Conclusion: The L. casei, co-immobilized with pearl millet inulin through internal gelation technique, can be utilized as an effective fortification vector for the sustainability of probiotic cells in preserved Indian milk cakes and similar food samples

STUDIES ON PREBIOTIC FOOD ADDITIVE (INULIN) IN INDIAN DIETARY FIBRE SOURCES - GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM), WHEAT (TRITICUM SPP.), OAT (AVENA SATIVA) AND DALIA (BULGUR)

Objective: In the present investigation inulin has been extracted from dietary fibre rich Indian food stuffs, namely, garlic, wheat, oat and dalia. Inulin in the raw food stuff and in the extract has been assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Methods: Inulin has been extracted from each food source using a combination of lab-scale chemical processes and unit operations. Qualitative assessment of inulin in different food samples and their extracts has been done using FTIR and TLC and quantitative assessment has been done using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and also through combination of TLC and spectro-photometry. Results: The concentration (on dry weight basis) of inulin in natural prebiotic sources has been determined to be 16.60%, 13.07%, 8.94%, 14.95% for garlic, wheat, oat and dalia respectively. The extraction of inulin from garlic, wheat, oat and dalia was possible up to the extent of 99.46%, 77.94%, 53.31% and 89.15% respectively. Conclusion:  It may be concluded that all the food samples, investigated under the study, may serve as potential sources for extraction of prebiotic inulin. The present extraction procedure may be escalated to commercial scale for the production of inulin particularly from garlic for which the efficiency is as high as 99.46%

Revitalizing Civic Engagement through Collaborative Governance: Stories of Success From Around the United States

A growing level of political dysfunction and hyper-partisan polarization has led us to a critical point in the way we govern. With democracy under threat and deep distrust of democratic institutions, how can we instill innovative reforms centered around real influence and decision-making power? At a moment of extreme vulnerability, communities and civic organizations need to have genuine political agency by directly influencing policy decision-making. Collaborative governance—or "co-governance"—offers an opportunity to create new forms of civic power. This report offers lessons from across local, city, state, and federal policymaking and highlights effective models of co-governance from community leaders and those in government

Gain-of-Function Influenza Research: A New Paradigm or an Engineered Pandemic? A Comprehensive Assessment of the Merits and Risks of Gain-of-Function Experiments and a Proposed Framework Going Forward

Influenza A virus poses a grave threat to individual and public health, as seasonal influenza kills upwards of 500,000 people globally every year. Gaping holes in our knowledge of the complex mechanisms underlying its rapid evolution and cross-species transmission persist despite concerted research efforts to elucidate these processes. In light of an imminent pandemic capable of exterminating tens of millions of people and animals in a short period of time, the dire need for intensive basic biology research is indisputable. In 2011, two NIH- supported research groups conducted gain-of-function experiments to study the factors involved in the virulence and transmissibility of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in ferrets, the best available mammalian model organism to study influenza infection in humans. By introducing mutations into the viral genome and serially passaging these flu strains through ferret animals, the Fouchier research group and the Kawaoka research group were able to identify specific mutations that rendered these lab-modified H5N1 variants transmissible in ferrets. After a public announcement of inducing a highly pathogenic avian flu virus H5N1 to become transmissible in mammals by Ron Fouchier, the principal investigator of one of the research groups that conducted these gain-of-function studies, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) reviewed the details of the studies conducted. After instituting a voluntary research moratorium on gain-of-function influenza research, the NSABB, in an unprecedented move, recommended that both papers be published in redacted form, citing a threat to national security. This seminal event stirred a polarized debate centered on issues of academic freedom, censorship, and biosecurity that still persists today. These gain-of- function experiments are classified as ¿dual-use research of concern¿ (DURC), or research that can be used both for good and ill. Open access publication of complete manuscripts posed a biosecurity risk, as knowledge of these studies could be used by malicious individuals to potentially create a pandemic strain of influenza that could be used as a biological weapon against other nations. Scientists, policymakers, national security experts, and concerned members of the public alike question whether the merits of this research outweighed the accompanying risks and whether this type of research should be undertaken in the first place. This prompted further questions regarding the regulation of DURC, leading to a reform in NIH Guidelines and persisting questions about the future of gain-of-function experiments. After investigating the history of DURC in the United States and evaluating lessons learnt from the historical precedent of recombinant DNA technology and the Asimolar Conference in the 1970s, I conducted a comprehensive cost-benefit assessment and concluded that the merits of gain-of-function influenza research outweigh the potential risks. My investigation culminated in the formulation of a framework for evaluating the most salient issues concerning the future of gain-of-function influenza research. Thorough evaluation of these salient issues informed the proposals for policy reform presented in the final chapter, which address the need for legally binding biosecurity and biosafety measures in the regulation of DURC research in order to mitigate the threat to national security and public health

City of Victory - Vijayawada: City Profile

Vijayawada, known as the city of victory historically, is a transit node located in the southern part of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada was the third largest metropolis within the state and a big agglomeration as well. Based on the analysis of the secondary data and stakeholder’s discussion, we found ‘Vijayawada’ has three fold issues to be tackled to become a major metro in the region. These are inclusive spatial development (integration of core and periphery, and inclusion of slum areas in the development process), inter and intra city traffic conflicts and poor infrastructure (especially basic needs). The authors after analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the current spatial development in Vijayawada came out with the following suggestion. These include among other things: Inclusive spatial planning for settlements and infrastructure, proper interface between inter and intra city traffic through road and grade segregation, appropriate junction design, and infrastructure provision equitably and efficiently

City of Victory - Vijayawada: City Profile

Vijayawada, known as the city of victory historically, is a transit node located in the southern part of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada was the third largest metropolis within the state and a big agglomeration as well. Based on the analysis of the secondary data and stakeholder’s discussion, we found ‘Vijayawada’ has three fold issues to be tackled to become a major metro in the region. These are inclusive spatial development (integration of core and periphery, and inclusion of slum areas in the development process), inter and intra city traffic conflicts and poor infrastructure (especially basic needs). The authors after analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the current spatial development in Vijayawada came out with the following suggestion. These include among other things: Inclusive spatial planning for settlements and infrastructure, proper interface between inter and intra city traffic through road and grade segregation, appropriate junction design, and infrastructure provision equitably and efficiently