Modulation of unsaturated fatty acids content in algae Spirulina platensis and Chlorella minutissima in response to herbicide SAN 9785

The accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by algae Spirulina platensis and Chlorella minutissima was studied. Response of these organisms to the substituted pyridazinone, SAN 9785, an inhibitor of the long chain fatty acid desaturase, indicated that fatty acid synthesis and their desaturation were regulated differently in these organisms. While the pool of palmitic acid, the precursor for the unsaturated C18 fatty acids, was stringently maintained in the green alga C. minutissima, in the cyanobacterium S. platensis the level of palmitic acid was liberally maintained in spite of the enhanced accumulation of unsaturated C18 fatty acids

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in organised layer farms and associated environmental samples of Central Kerala

Campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter spp. is the prime cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Chicken and other poultry birds act as the major reservoir for Campylobacter and thereby play a crucial role in the transmission of this zoonotic disease to humans. The current investigation was undertaken to study the occurrence of Campylobacter in organised layer farms and their associated environmental samples. A total of 260 samples comprising of cloacal swabs, feed, litter, soil, water and handwash of personnel were collected from two organised layer farms of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. Isolation and identification of the organism by conventional culture technique followed by molecular confirmation of Campylobacter isolates using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) revealed an overall occurrence of 17.31 per cent in layer farms. Majority of the isolates obtained in the study were C. jejuni (75.6 per cent) followed by C. coli (24.4 per cent). In the current scenario, where the consumer demand for chicken meat and eggs is continuously increasing, the occurrence of Campylobacter in layer farms needs to be addressed seriously. Appropriate interventions and control measures at farm level and also across the poultry production chain is necessary to minimise the impact of the disease on human health and economy

Seasonal analysis of leptospirosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle of Pananchery panchayat in Thrissur district, Kerala

Leptospirosis is an economically important zoonotic bacterial disease of cattle with global distribution. The present study investigated the seroprevalence and distribution of leptospiral serovars in cattle population in Pananchery panchayat of Thrissur district, Kerala. From 52 apparently healthy dairy cattle, serum samples were collected in both pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. All samples were subjected to microscopic agglutination test (MAT) against 13 serovars of Leptospira spp. Among the samples tested, 13 (25 per cent) samples in pre-monsoon and 19 (36.54 per cent) samples in post-monsoon were found to be positive. The predominant serovars detected in pre-monsoon were Hardjo (29.41 per cent) followed by Grippotyphosa (17.64 per cent), Bataviae and Pomona (11.76 per cent each). Similarly in post-monsoon, Hardjo (28.57 per cent) followed by Grippotyphosa (23.81 per cent), and Bataviae (19.05 per cent) were identified as the most common serovars. Higher seroprevalence of disease in apparently healthy cattle in post-monsoon compared to pre-monsoon indicate the influence of rainfall on occurrence of leptospirosis

Occurrence of oxytetracycline residues in milk samples from Palakkad, Kerala, India

Background and Aim: Food of animal origin such as milk is vital for nutritional security and should be free of any antibiotic residues due to its public health significance. We designed a study aiming to determine the occurrence of antibiotic residues and in further levels of oxytetracycline residues in pooled raw milk samples from Palakkad district, Kerala. Materials and Methods: We collected pooled raw milk samples were collected from Alathur, Chittoor, and Palakkad blocks of Palakkad district, Kerala. A total of 215 samples were screened for antibiotic residues by microbial inhibition assay (MIA) and the positive samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine oxytetracycline residues, this was further confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: We found that out of the 215 pooled raw milk samples screened for antibiotic residues using MIA, 22 samples (10.23%) were positive for antibiotic residues from Palakkad, Kerala. Out of these 22 samples, five (2.33%) were positive for oxytetracycline residues. We further calculated the mean concentration of oxytetracycline residues in these five samples and estimated it to be 201.00±41.25 ng/mL and 272.11±53.21 ng/mL using ELISA and HPLC, respectively. On analyzing these five samples, we found that four samples (1.86%) exceeded the maximum residue limits level of 100 ng/mL for oxytetracycline residues in milk as specified by Codex Alimentarius Commission/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Conclusion: This study revealed that the occurrence of oxytetracycline residues in pooled raw milk samples in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Hence, there is a need for surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic residues in milk due to its impact on public health to ensure consumer safety