Production and characterisation of microbial cellulosic fibre from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Acetobacter xylinum</i>

93-96Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been produced by the Gram negative bacterium Acetobacter xylinum at the air liquid interface of sugary rich medium. The BC has been produced from Hestrin Shramn (HS) medium using the efficient cellulose-producing culture isolated from sugarcane juice under static batch fermentation condition. Results show that A. xylinum (sju-1) produces 11g/L BC after 14 days of fermentation period. The water holding capacity of bacterial cellulose is found to be 84.4 %. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus, viscosity and degree of polymerisation of bacterial cellulosic fibre are found to be 120 MPa, 4.9 GPa, 127.4 cP and 2074 respectively. The FTIR results reveal the presence of hydroxyl and CH2 stretching behaviour at the absorption wavelength of 3229 cm-1 and 2911cm-1. The banding patterns of bacterial cellulose closely resemble the structure of pure celluloses. A. xylinum (sju-1) isolate produces bacterial cellulose of type Iα in quantities of commercial interest. The findings of the research reveal that bacterial cellulose can be used in making absorbent pads and nonwoven textiles

Identification of spoilage yeasts in cashew apple (Annacardium occidentale L.) using MALDI-TOF MS

Cashew (Annacardium occidentale L.) is a hardy and golden crop of arid regions, and the pseudo fruit, cashew apple is a vital source of sugars and vitamins that is discarded as a waste during cashew nut processing. Cashew apples start fermenting soon after the harvest, and due to the presence of a wide spectrum of polyphenols and tannins, the change of colour of cashew apples leads to an unappealing marketability and storage stability. The present study is aimed to rapid identification of different spoilage yeasts and to identify them using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectroscopy. Spoilage yeasts like Candida krusei, C. tropicalis, Pichia norvegensis, Brettannomyces bruxellensis were the spoilage yeasts found to have high confidence score values of 2.00 - 3.00 with high consistency

Resistance of Sugarcane Clones (Saccharum spp.) to Red Rot Disease (Collectorichum falcatum Went) and Analysis of Resistant clone by FTIR

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important industrial crop and mainly grown for the sugar and jaggery production. The major constraint in the sugarcane cultivation is the outbreak of red rot disease and many high yielding and high sugar varieties succumb to the disease-causing huge reduction in the cane yield and also quality of cane. The disease is very difficult to manage as the pathogen is deep seated in the stalk. Exploitation of the host resistance in viable way to contain the disease. The sugarcane clones developed were screened for resistance to red rot disease by artificial inoculation. Among the 52 clones screened three clones viz., C15632, 16G032 and 16G031 behaved resistant and thirteen clones C15004, C15006, C15011, C15021, C15095, C15157, C15559, C15603, 16G006, 16G087, 16G046, 15G060 and 15G028 behaved moderately resistant to red rot. In the FT-IR analysis of the leaf samples of resistant type clones spectral peaks were found in wave length of 1046 cm-1, 1044 cm-1 and 1068 cm-1 associate with the functional group of the molecule Aliphatic fluoro compound, C-F stretch / Primary alcohol, C-O Stretch / Primary amine, CN stretch / Phosphate / Silicate ions and these functional group of components may be associated for the resistance to the red rot

Comparative Evaluation of Different Natural Farming System and Its Impact on the Yield of Great Millet (Sorghum bicolor L.)

The most recent and popular trend of organic agriculture in Indian farming system is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) that is derived from the traditional method of cultivation practices. ZBNF approach follow practices viz., Intercropping, green manure incorporation, crop rotation, composting and degradation of agro-wastes and biocontrol of pests and diseases. Field trial was conducted in two consecutive years, with seven treatment options in randomized block design for validation of different natural farming system such as ZBNF approach, Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices. Sorghum intercropping with cowpea (1:1) and ZBNF practices involving the application of traditional organic biostimulants derived from Gir cow (Desi breed) such as Bijamrith + Ghanajeevamrith + Jeevamrith with mulching (Acchadana)(T4) resulted in higher benefit cost ratio of 3.78 and closely followed by sorghum intercropping with cowpea (1:1) and ZBNF practices (Bijamrith + Ghanajeevamrith + Jeevamrith) (T3). Significantly higher grain yield of sorghum (2405 kg ha-1) was recorded in Integrated crop management (ICM-II) practices involving 50 % organic manures + 50 % inorganic fertilizers with need based traditional organic pesticides such as Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra. The findings of the field level validation of ZBNF practices on yield of sorghum intercropping with cowpea suggest that there is an assured initial yield impact when converting to ZBNF compared to organic or conventional systems