Concomitant yield optimization of tannase and gallic acid by Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 through submerged fermentation : an industrial approach

The present study is concerned with the evaluation of tannase and gallic acid production effi cacy of Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 under diff erent environmental conditions through submerged fermentation. Results have shown that diff erent environmental conditions and mineral sources have diff erential infl uences on tannase and gallic acid production. Highest tannase and gallic acid yield was observed at incubation period of 18 h and 22 h, respectively. At tannic acid concentration of 15 g/l, maximum cell mass (0.75 g/l), cell yield coeffi cient (0.08 g/g), specifi c growth rate (37.5 mg/g/h), tannase yield (16.3 U/g) and specifi c tannase production rate (0.80 U/g/h) were observed, however, at higher tannic acid concentration a decrease in tannase yield and production rate were observed, but gallic acid production increased with increasing tannic acid concentration. Additional carbohydrate sources like glucose, fructose, and lactose showed positive infl uence on enzyme yield. Among the studied nitrogen sources urea and NH4Cl, and of the phosphate sources KH2PO4 showed favourable eff ects on cell growth and simultaneous enzyme and gallic acid production. Temperature of 35 °C was found to be optimum for tannase and gallic acid production. Of all the studied metal ions Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ showed positive eff ect whereas, Co2+, Ag2+, Pb2+, Hg2+ showed inhibitory eff ects

A permissive approach for optimization of L-glutaminase production using wheat bran as supporting substrate and assessment of its cytotoxic potentialities

Microbial L-glutaminase has considered as one of the most important therapeutic enzymes considering its anticancer or antitumor activity. In this study, one L-glutaminase producing potent fungus was isolated from the coastal soil and identified as Fusarium nelsonii KPJ-2. During parametric optimization, it was noted that wheat bran supported maximum L-glutaminase production than other agro-industrial wastes tested. Solid substrate fermentation was mechanized with optimum pH of 4.0, incubation temperature at 25 °C, inoculums concentration of 2.0% (v/v), substrate concentration of 7.0% (w/v) and moisture of the production media suits at 20.0% (w/v). Statistical optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was improved the L-glutaminase production by 14.5% (68.93 U/gds) than unoptimized state. The SEM-EDX analysis demonstrated the overgrowth of fungus on wheat bran and utilization of its associated minerals. A comparative cytotoxic effect of the partial purified glutaminase was examined on both cancerous HCT cell and normal Vero cell line. The result clearly demonstrated that L-glutaminase from F. nelsonii KPJ-2 is specifically cytotoxic against cancer cell line with IC50 of 203.95µg/ml, but, non-responsive against normal cell. The newly isolated fungal strain can produce a considerable amount of L-glutaminase utilizing very low-cost substrate and the enzyme have therapeutic value for real life application owing to its anticancer effectiveness

Decrypting the multi-functional biological activators and inducers of defense responses against biotic stresses in plants

Plant diseases are still the main problem for the reduction in crop yield and a threat to global food security. Additionally, excessive usage of chemical inputs such as pesticides and fungicides to control plant diseases have created another serious problem for human and environmental health. In view of this, the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for controlling plant disease incidences has been identified as an eco-friendly approach for coping with the food security issue. In this review, we have identified different ways by which PGPRs are capable of reducing phytopathogenic infestations and enhancing crop yield. PGPR suppresses plant diseases, both directly and indirectly, mediated by microbial metabolites and signaling components. Microbial synthesized anti-pathogenic metabolites such as siderophores, antibiotics, lytic enzymes, hydrogen cyanide, and several others act directly on phytopathogens. The indirect mechanisms of reducing plant disease infestation are caused by the stimulation of plant immune responses known as initiation of systemic resistance (ISR) which is mediated by triggering plant immune responses elicited through pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The ISR triggered in the infected region of the plant leads to the development of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) throughout the plant making the plant resistant to a wide range of pathogens. A number of PGPRs including Pseudomonas and Bacillus genera have proven their ability to stimulate ISR. However, there are still some challenges in the large-scale application and acceptance of PGPR for pest and disease management. Further, we discuss the newly formulated PGPR inoculants possessing both plant growth-promoting activities and plant disease suppression ability for a holistic approach to sustaining plant health and enhancing crop productivity

The effect of implant design on the stress distribution in a three-unit implant-supported distal cantilever fixed partial denture: A three-dimensional finite-element analysis

Context: Implant design influences the stress distribution in an implant-supported distal cantilever fixed partial denture and supporting bone tissue. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of implant design on the stress distribution in the framework, implant, and surrounding bone, using a three-dimensional finite-element analysis. Materials and Methods: A three-dimensional finite-element model of a mandibular section of bone with implants placed in the first and second premolar region was created to support a distal cantilever fixed partial denture. A one-piece and two-piece implant and its suprastructure were simulated into wire frame models using Pro engineer (Pro E) program. Four models were created in this study. Results: Comparative analysis of all models showed that the maximum stress overall was in the cervical portion of the secondary abutment. When used in combination, the maximum stress was when the two-piece implant was used as secondary abutment. The one-piece implant showed less stress compared to its counterpart when used as secondary abutment. The maximum stress distribution in the bone was around the neck region of the secondary implant. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that stress distribution is better in a one-piece implant design when compared with the two-piece implant design, with stress concentration being more at the junction of the abutment and the implant fixture in the two-piece implant. When implants are used as abutments (either primary or secondary), irrespective of their position and design, the secondary implant shows the maximum amount of stresses

Frequency distribution of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms in sickle cell hemoglobinopathy-A hospital based study in central India

Background: Coexistence of polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with sickle cell gene exerts synergistic effect on complications associated with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. Therefore, the study was planned to determine the frequency distribution of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes in children diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Methods: A total of 249 children diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, between age group 5–18 years, were enrolled for the cross sectional study. The demographic and clinical details were entered in a structured questionnaire. Collected blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin and DNA was extracted for genotypic assay for MTHFR C677T and A1298C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by Real-time PCR. Results: The study groups comprised of 218 sickle cell trait (SCT) and 31 sickle cell disease (SCD) children. The caste distribution between the two study groups was quite uniform (X231 = 44.21, p = 0.06). Frequencies of homozygous mutants 677TT and 1298CC were 2% and 19.7% respectively. The odds for the variant forms for both SNPs were found to be greater in SCD group. The genotypic and allelic frequencies did not reveal any caste preponderance. The mean age (p = 0.001), weight (p < 0.001), height (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001) and hemoglobin concentrations (p = 0.002) were lower in homozygous 1298CC but not so in 677TT children. A1298C also depicted significant association with BMI and anemia (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Homozygous mutant MTHFR variants would be essential genetic markers especially in children with SCD to identify the vulnerable group who frequently get hospitalized for vascular complications

Thermostable acidic protease production in Aspergillus terreus NCFT 4269.10 using chickling vetch peels

A newly isolated fungus, Aspergillus terreus NCFT4269.10, was employed in both solid state (SSF) and liquid static surface culture (LSSC) for the production of protease using different agro-residues. Among different substrates appraised, chickling vetch peels (CVP) supported the enhanced production of protease both at LSSC and SSF (499.99 ± 11 U/ml; 5266.8 ± 202.5 U/gds, respectively). In the presence of peptone (1%, w/v), leucine (5 mM/100 ml), Fe2+ (1 mM) and riboflavin (10 mg/100 ml) with a medium pH of 5.0 incubated at 30 °C for 96 h, 3-fold higher protease production was achieved in LSSC compared with control. Fermentation kinetics studies revealed that the highest specific growth rate of A. terreus was observed in fermentation medium supplemented with riboflavin (10 mg/100 ml), i.e., 256.45 mg l−1 h−1. The growth-associated coefficient of enzyme production (α) by A. terreus was maximal when protease was produced using Fe2+. Further, the protease was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and its molecular mass was determined as 23.8 kDa. The present strain suggests the potential utilization of inexpensive agro-residues (CVP) as medium components for the efficient industrial production using LSSC

Study of nutritional and antibacterial potential of some wild edible mushrooms from Gurguripal Ecoforest, West Bengal, India

222-227Mushrooms are important natural resources concerning human health, nutrition and disease prevention. The present study was conducted for the exploitation of wild edible mushrooms of Gurguripal Ecoforest. The analysis of nutrients in Termitomyces heimii, Astraeus hygrometricus, Leucopaxilus sp., Amanita vaginata, Agaricus campestris, Russula delica, Schizophyllum commune, Pleurotus ostreatus and Cantharellus sp. on dry wt basis showed that these mushrooms were rich in proteins (20.4-38.3%) and carbohydrates (33.2-48.4%), while lipid contents were relatively low (0.8-6.2%). The fibre and ash contents ranged 2.0-18.6% and 2.3-14.9%, respectively. Antibacterial properties of mushroom extracts were studied against some human pathogens like Escherichia coli MTCC118, Shigella flexneri MTCC7061, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC96, Streptococcus faecalis MTCC5383, Salmonella typhi MTCC734, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC109, Enterobacter aerogenes MTCC111, Vibrio cholerae MTCC3906, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC741 and Bacillus subtilis MTCC441. Acetone extracts of P. ostreatus and T. heimii showed noticeable antibacterial potentialities against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using mushroom extracts was performed to increase the effectiveness of antibacterial potentials. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using extracts of Volvariella volvacea and applied against E. coli and S. flexneri, which showed inhibition zones of 15 and 18 mm respectively. The silver nanoparticles were also characterized through UV-Visible spectroscopy and FTIR analysis