Production of protease from biodiesel waste derived semipurified glycerol

387-395Glycerol generated as the by-product of biodiesel production from vegetable oil or animal fat, has increased the availability of crude glycerol in the market. New strategies need to be developed for the utilization of this abundant carbon source. Using biodiesel waste derived semipurified glycerol as the carbon source, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus cereus were compared for the production of protease, an industrially important enzyme. Results showed that the medium with 1% semipurified glycerol was an effective carbon source for protease production by these organisms. In addition to glycerol concentration, the parameters such as temperature, pH, incubation period and volume of the inoculum were optimized to increase the protease production. Among the three Bacillus species studied, B. amyloliquefaciens was found to be the best producer of protease. A maximum protease production of 543.95 ± 1.84 U/mL occurred at 48 h with the pH of the medium 9.0, and an inoculum density of 2.6 × 108 cells mL-1 at 45°C by B. amyloliquefaciens.</em

Ethnomedicinal plant-extract-assisted green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using Allium saralicum extract, and their antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal and cutaneous wound-healing activities

The aim of the experiment was the evaluation of antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal and cutaneous wound-healing activities of green synthesized iron nanoparticles using Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch leaves (FeNPs@AS). These nanoparticles were spherical with a size range of 40-45 nm, and were characterized using various analysis techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to determine the presence of FeNPs@AS in the solution. We studied functional groups of A. saralicum extract in the reduction and capping process of FeNPs@AS by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy; crystallinity and FCC planes by X-ray diffraction pattern; and surface morphology, shapes and size of FeNPs@AS by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Agar diffusion tests were done to determine the antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. FeNPs@AS prevented the growth of all bacteria and removed them at 2-8 mg/ml concentrations (P <= 0.01). In the case of antifungal potentials of FeNPs@AS, they inhibited the growth of all fungi and destroyed them at 2-4 mg/ml concentrations (P <= 0.01). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for FeNPs@AS and butylated hydroxytoluene. The synthesized FeNPs@AS had great cell viability dose-dependently and indicated this method was non-toxic. For the in vivo experiment, after creating the cutaneous wound, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: treatment with 0.2 FeNPs@AS ointment; treatment with 0.2 A. saralicum ointment; treatment with 0.2 FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O ointment; treatment with 3 tetracycline ointment; treatment with Eucerin basal ointment; and untreated control. These groups were treated for 10 days. Use of FeNPs@AS ointment in the treatment groups significantly decreased (P <= 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes, and significantly raised (P <= 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared with other groups. These results show that the inclusion of A. saralicum extracts improves the therapeutical properties of FeNPs, which led to a significant enhancement in the antioxidant, non-cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal and cutaneous wound-healing activities of the nanoparticles

Improving screening and chemoprophylaxis among child contacts in India's RNTCP: a pilot study

Background: While contact screening and chemoprophylaxis is recommended by India's Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme for asymptomatic children aged &#60;6 years who are household contacts of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients, implementation is suboptimal. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) register and card in improving the adherence of health care workers (HCWs) to programmatic guidelines. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted in two Tuberculosis Units in South India. Child contacts of smear-positive PTB patients initiated on treatment between November 2009 and January 2010 were screened, and IPT was initiated in asymptomatic children. HCWs were trained in the use of the IPT register and card. The process was evaluated using patient and HCW interviews. Results: Of 87 children identified aged &#60;6 years, 71 (82%) were traced by HCWs; 53 were screened for TB and initiated on IPT, and 39 completed treatment. HCWs expressed satisfaction with the use of the IPT card and register, saying that it helped them to remember to complete required tasks. Conclusion: In a programme setting, with HCW training and introduction of specific documentation (IPT card and register), implementation of contact tracing and chemoprophylaxis for child contacts improved from 19% to 61%

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Stachys lavandulifolia flower, and their cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial and cutaneous wound-healing properties

In a biological process where the herbal tea (Stachys lavandulifolia) aqueous extract was applied as a capping and reducing agent, nanoparticles (NPs) of silver (Ag) were synthesized. These AgNPs were characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The synthesized AgNPs had great cell viability dose-dependently investigating the effect of the plant on human umbilical vein endothelial cell line and indicated this method was non-toxic. In this study, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging test was carried out to examine antioxidant properties, which revealed similar antioxidant properties for AgNPs and butylated hydroxytoluene. Agar diffusion tests were applied to determine the antibacterial characteristics. The macro-broth tube test was run to determine minimum inhibitory concentration. All data of antibacterial and cutaneous wound-healing examinations were analyzed by SPSS 21 software (Duncan post hoc test). AgNPs showed higher antibacterial property than all standard antibiotics (p <= 0.01). Also, AgNPs prevented the growth of all bacteria at 2-8 mg/ml concentrations and destroyed them at 2-16 mg/ml concentrations (p <= 0.01). For the in vivo experiment, after creating the cutaneous wound, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: untreated control; treatment with Eucerin basal ointment; treatment with 3% tetracycline ointment; treatment with 0.2% AgNO3 ointment; treatment with 0.2% S. lavandulifolia ointment; and treatment with 0.2% AgNPs ointment. These groups were treated for 10 days. For histopathological and biochemical analysis of the healing trend, a 3 x 3-cm section was prepared from all dermal thicknesses at day 10. Use of AgNPs ointment in the treatment groups substantially reduced (p <= 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, macrophage and lymphocyte, and remarkably raised (p <= 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared with other groups. Seemingly, AgNPs can be used as a medical supplement owing to their non-cytotoxic, antioxidant, antibacterial and cutaneous wound-healing properties