Enhanced production of cellulases by various fungal cultures in solid state fermentation of cassava waste

Cellulases are a group of hydrolytic enzymes capable of degrading cellulose to the smaller glucose units. These enzymes are produced by fungi and bacteria. The solid waste of sago industry using cassava tubers was fermented by Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus stolonifer in solid state fermentation. The cassava waste contained dry wt of 13.4% cellulose and 2.9% protein by dry weight. The highest cellulase activity was observed on the 10th day in R. stolonifer mediated fermentation. R. stolonifer was more efficient in bioconverting cassava waste into fungal protein (9%) compared to A. niger and A. terreus

Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Capsicum frutescens

Capsicum frutescens has been known to contain a high level of antioxidant components. We investigated antioxidant activities in various solvent extracts from C. frutescens. The aim of this study is to evaluate invitro antioxidant activity of acetone, carbinol, hot water and hexane extracts of Capsicum frutescens.  Preliminary analysis revealed that all the four extracts responded positively for all the phytoconstituents. Acetone extract showed the strongest phenolic and tannin content; showed highest activity for FRAP, ABTS, Superoxide Radical and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity.  The present study explored that Capsicum frutescens has efficient antioxidant activity and could act as safe and cost-effective with potential biological applications. Keywords: Capsicum frutescens, Antioxidant, Free radical scavengers, ABTS, FRA

Investigation of Bioactive Compounds of Capsicum Frutescence and Annona Muricata by Chromatographic Techniques

Botanicals and herbal preparations for medicinal usage contain various types of bioactive compounds. The focus of this paper is on the analytical methodologies, which include the extraction, characterization of active ingredients in Capsicum frutescens fruits and Annona muricata L. leaves. Capsicum frutescens used for various problems with digestion including upset for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including poor circulation, excessive blood clotting, high cholesterol, and preventing heart disease. Whereas Annona muricata L. leaves are traditionally used to treat diabetes. People have been consuming raw leaves of Annona muricata L. to control blood glucose levels. The present investigation was designed to study the phytochemical profiling and bioactive component principles of Capsicum frutescens and Annona muricata by Thin layer Chromatography. Bio autography agar overlay test was done to detect the antimicrobial activity of the extracts. The results of this study confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds in the acetone and methanol extracts of both the plants. The chromatographic analysis revealed that Capsicum frutescens fruit extract and Annona muricata leaf extract are composed of various Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Saponins, and Phenolics which are accountable for many biological activities. Bio autography assays shows that Capsicum frutescens shows growth inhibition against bacteria, but Annona muricata does not shown any significant activity. The findings of present study implies that both extracts are potent source for some medicinally important phytochemicals with antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Keywords: Phytochemicals; Thin Layer Chromatography; Bio autography

Evaluation of anti-microbial and anti-haemolytic activity of edible basidiomycetes mushroom fungi

Mushrooms are used for a variety of biotechnological applications, particularly for the production of food, enzymes, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical compounds, feed supplements. Basidiomycetes mushroom fungi have been known for their nutritional values they can be considered as functional foods which can provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients. Mushroom represents a major and untapped source of potent new pharmaceutical products. A wide range of activities including antitumour, cardiovascular and antimicrobial are reported in mushrooms. In developing countries like India mushroom progress is a boon in the field of food, medicine, and in generating employment. The alternative systems of medicine utilize the curative properties of mushrooms. They are also known to possess promising antioxidative, cardiovascular, hypercholesterolemia, antimicrobial, hepato-protective and anticancer effects. The present study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial and antihaemolytic activities of various extracts of Basidiomycetes mushroom fungi. Different Basidiomycetes mushroom fungi extracts (Hot water, Acetone and Hexane) were tested for antimicrobial and antihaemolytic activities. Among these different extracts of Basidiomycetes mushroom fungi the hexane extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius showed potential antimicrobial and antihaemolytic activity. The results of this study suggest the possibility of using Basidiomycetes mushroom fungi as natural sources for the pharmaceutical industry and could act as safe and cost-effective with potential biological activities. These findings encourage studying these fungal strains further for their potential biological applications

Characterization and biological activities of extracellular melanin produced by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Schizophyllum commune </i>(Fries)

380-387Melanins are enigmatic pigments produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. Here, we have isolated and characterized extracellular melanin from mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune. The extracellular dark pigment produced by the broth culture of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">S. commune, after 21 days of incubation was recovered by hot acid-alkali treatment. The melanin nature of the pigment was characterized by biochemical tests and further, confirmed by<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> UV, IR, EPR, NMR and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectra. Extracellular melanin, at 100 <span style="font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold" lang="EN-GB">µg/ml, showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas fluorescens and antifungal activity against Trichophyton simii and T. rubrum. At a concentration of 50 µg/ml, melanin showed high free radical scavenging activity of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) indicating its antioxidant potential. It showed concentration dependent inhibition of cell proliferation of Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma Cell Line (HEP-2). This study has demonstrated characterization of melanin from basidiomycetes mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune and its applications. </span