An economic analysis of Jara and Colombo lemon production in Bangladesh

The study was conducted in two districts namely Sylhet and Narsingdi to investigate the production technology of Jara and Colombolemon growers, estimate profitability and identify the constraints of Jara and Colombolemon. A total sample of 120 farmers taking 60 for Jara lemon from Sylhet and 60 for Colombolemon from Narsingdi was selected randomly for the study. Data were collected through face to face interview method by using structured questionnaire during April–May, 2016. Cost return analysis revealed that Jara and Colombolemon cultivation were profitable in the study areas. Jara lemon cultivation highest cost was estimated Tk. 413575/ha in (11–15)th year garden and lowest cost was Tk. 365777/ha in 2nd year garden. Gross return was highest in 5th year garden (Tk.1995750/ha) and lowest Tk. 975600/ha in (11–15)th year garden. The benefit cost ratio at 6.5% rate of interest was 2.85and IRR 78%. Colombo lemon cultivation highest cost was estimated Tk. 316505/ha in 4th year garden and lowest cost was Tk. 257543/ha in (11–15)th year garden. Gross return was highest Tk. 841522 in 5th year garden and lowest Tk. 413616/ha in (11–15)th year garden. The benefit cost ratio at 6.5% rate of interest was 1.81 and IRR 65%. Lack of improved production technology, poor quality saplings, insect/pest infestation, adulteration of fertilizer and insecticides and less number of export buyers were found major constraints both Jara andColombo lemon production

Xylanase and β-xylosidase production by Aspergillus ochraceus: new perspectives for the application of wheat straw autohydrolysis liquor

The xylanase biosynthesis is induced by its substrate—xylan. The high xylan content in some wastes such as wheat residues (wheat bran and wheat straw) makes them accessible and cheap sources of inducers to be mainly applied in great volumes of fermentation, such as those of industrial bioreactors. Thus, in this work, the main proposal was incorporated in the nutrient medium wheat straw particles decomposed to soluble compounds (liquor) through treatment of lignocellulosic materials in autohydrolysis process, as a strategy to increase and undervalue xylanase production by Aspergillus ochraceus. The wheat straw autohydrolysis liquor produced in several conditions was used as a sole carbon source or with wheat bran. The best conditions for xylanase and β-xylosidase production were observed when A. ochraceus was cultivated with 1% wheat bran added of 10% wheat straw liquor (produced after 15 min of hydrothermal treatment) as carbon source. This substrate was more favorable when compared with xylan, wheat bran, and wheat straw autohydrolysis liquor used separately. The application of this substrate mixture in a stirred tank bioreactor indicated the possibility of scaling up the process to commercial production.This work was supported by Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP/Brazil), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq/Brazil), National System for Research on Biodiversity (SISBIOTA-Brazil, CNPq 563260/2010-6/FAPESP no. 2010/52322-3), and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT/Portugal)

Control of Propionibacterium acnes by natural antimicrobial substances: Role of the bacteriocin AS-48 and lysozyme

We report the high susceptibility of several clinical isolates of Propionibacterium acnes from different sources (skin, bone, wound exudates, abscess or blood contamination) to the head-to-tail cyclized bacteriocin AS-48. This peptide is a feasible candidate for further pharmacological development against this bacterium, due to its physicochemical and biological characteristics, even when it is growing in a biofilm. Thus, the treatment of pre-formed biofilms with AS-48 resulted in a dose- and time-dependent disruption of the biofilm architecture beside the decrease of bacterial viability. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential of lysozyme to bolster the inhibitory activity of AS-48 against P. acnes, rendering high reductions in the MIC values, even in matrix-growing cultures, according to the results obtained using a range of microscopy and bioassay techniques. The improvement of the activity of AS-48 through its co-formulation with lysozyme may be considered an alternative in the control of P. acnes, especially after proving the absence of cytotoxicity demonstrated by these natural compounds on relevant human skin cell lines. In summary, this study supports that compositions comprising the bacteriocin AS-48 plus lysozyme must be considered as promising candidates for topical applications with medical and pharmaceutical purposes against dermatological diseases such as acne vulgaris.This research was funded by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF2013-48971-C2-1-R that included funds from European Regional Development, ERDF), and the Research Group General (BIO160, UGR)

Regulation of major cultural components for designing a cost effective medium to increase δ-endotoxin synthesis by Bacillus thuringiensis

The present study was aimed at designing a cost effective medium for increasing the δ-endotoxin (Cry protein) synthesis by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kurstaki HD-73 and indigenous Bt JSc1 harboring potential cry genes active against Lepidoptera insect orders. In this regard, locally available cheap molasses as carbon source, soybean extract as nitrogen source, sea water as trace elements source, cystine as sporulation/growth factor were considered to design a cost effective medium. Molasses and soybean extract in place of glucose and peptone in glucose-peptone (GP) medium supported 78.85% increase in δ-endotoxin synthesis in shake flask culture. The effect of cystine on endotoxin synthesis was highly pronounced in two media with a range of 80.32 to 110% higher δ-endotoxin under comparable fermentation conditions. While, substituting basal salts with sea water, Btk HD-73 yielded satisfactory and comparable endotoxin (74.3% of yield with basal salts). It was detected that the rapid decrease of endotoxin synthesis in the culture after 24 h was due to the degradation by the endogenous protease, synthesized with the progress of fermentation. This degradation of the endotoxin was much better protected (1.23 mg/ml endotoxin versus 0.312 mg/ml) by adding 4% ammonium sulfate in the optimized medium. The medium thus formulated with molasses, soybean extract, ammonium sulfate, cystine and sea water was then used in 3.0 L bioreactor cultivation for endotoxin synthesis by both Btk HD-73 and Bt JSc1 under 30% saturation of dO2 through cascade control of agitation and aeration producing  a higher yield of δ-endotoxin (2.1 and 2.63 mg/ml, respectively). The present results may successfully be used for large scale production of Bt biopesticide in Bangladesh.Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticide, cheap substrates, cystine, protease activity, ammonium sulfate.

Is COVID-19 spreading and curing silently: an observation of three family clusters in Bangladesh.

Objectives The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases is increasing in Bangladesh. Many people have suffered from symptoms like COVID-19 during this pandemic, and some people have cured without taking any treatment or taking minor pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. However, they might be spreading their infections among their family members and perhaps in the community. It is unsure that individuals with COVID-19-like symptoms are positive with COVID-19, but our concern is, during this pandemic, any types of symptoms such as flu-like symptoms should have been taken seriously. This study was observed in the cases from three families with COVID-19 like symptoms. Case presentation This observational study was done between May 20 and Jun 2, 2020, in Bangladesh. The members of the inspected families shared COVID-19 like symptoms that were lasted for 3-10 days. Conclusions COVID-19 might be spread and cured silently in Bangladesh, which recommends that awareness is needed throughout the country to prevent the spreading of the disease