Aspergillus fumigatus

A cellulolytic fungal strain, Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3, was isolated from straw retting ground. Cellulase and xylanase production by A. fumigatus NITDGPKA3 in submerged fermentation of rice straw was studied. The culture conditions for maximum enzyme production were found to be initial pH 4, 1% substrate concentration, temperature 30°C, incubation time 5 days, 0.2% tryptone as nitrogen source, and inoculum volumes 7% v/v (for cellulase) and 5% v/v (for xylanase). Addition of Tween 80 in fermentation broth improved xylanase production (193.58 IU/ml) much more compared to cellulase production (6.53 IU/ml). Xylanase activity found in the culture broth was approximately 50% higher compared to most of the reported data. The crude enzyme was further applied for reducing sugar production from alkali pretreated rice straw, where a dosage of 40 IU/g CMCase produced 0.522 g reducing sugar/g dry substrate after 36 hours which was higher than that in the reported literature. The high concentration of reducing sugar yield was most probably due to the extraordinarily high titer of β-glucosidase (80.1 IU/ml) found in the crude enzyme. The crude enzymes secreted by Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3 efficiently hydrolyzed alkali pretreated rice straw suggesting that Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3 is a robust microorganism

Cellulase and Xylanase Production from Rice Straw by a Locally Isolated Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3 under Solid State Fermentation – Statistical Optimization by Response Surface Methodology

Alkali pretreated rice straw was used as substrate for cellulase production by a locally isolated fungus Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3 under solid state fermentation. Critical process parameters such as incubation period, temperature, basal medium content and pH were statistically optimized for an enhanced cellulase and xylanase yield by response surface methodology. The design predicted an optimum yield of 3.1 IU/g dry substrate, 64.18 IU/g dry substrate and 1040.57 IU/g dry substrate for FPase, CMCase and xylanase respectively under the optimum conditions of incubation period of 90 h, temperature at 33oC, initial basal medium content of 62% and initial pH 4. The experimental values under optimum conditions correlated well with the predicted results. Further, crude enzyme extract from Aspergillus fumigatus NITDGPKA3 was used for saccharification of pretreated rice straw and this released 189.50 mg/g of reducing sugar. This work was carried out in the Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur-713209, West Bengal, India, during the period 2010 to 2011

Effect of extrusion cooking on anti-nutritional factor tannin in linseed (Linum usitatissimum) meal

Primary objective Various oilseeds and their by-products usually constitute a major source of dietary protein as aquafeeds for warmwater herbivorous/omnivorous fish species. The oilseed meals available in India are fairly rich in protein and most of them are traditionally used as valuable feed for farm animals. However, among the factors that limit incorporation of these ingredients in aquafeeds are amino-acid imbalance and presence of anti-nutritional factors. Enhancement of the nutritive value of these ingredients and reduction (or removal) of anti-nutritional factors can be attempted by processing so as to increase the bio-availability of these nutrients. It has been found that various anti-nutritional factors can be destroyed by the process of extrusion cooking. Extrusion is a process whereby raw feed material is exposed to controlled conditions of high temperature, pressure and moisture. In the present experiment, extrusion cooking is used to reduce the anti-nutritional factor tannin in linseed (Linum usitatissimum) meal. Research design A single-screw cooking extruder, designed and manufactured at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, was used for the study. Experiments were carried out following a rotatable central composite design to determine the optimum values of the process variables for which maximum reduction of tannin (Y) occurs. The process variables selected for the study were: barrel temperature (X1) (60-100° C), extruder speed (X2) (60-100 rpm) and oilseed moisture content (X3) (30-50%). Following the design, a second-order response model was fitted. Main outcomes and results The optimized values of the process variables were found to be X1=82.5°C, X2=90 rpm and X3=41.22%, and the value of the predicted response (i.e. reduction of tannin Y) was found to be 61.25%

Clinical Evaluation of Angamardaprashamana Mahakashaya and Kativasti in the Management of Lumbar Spondylosis (Katigraha)

Lumbar spondylosis is a degenerative disease where degeneration occurs in lumbar vertebrae, intervertebral disc and in intervertebral joints, characterized by loss of hydration of disc followed by formation of osteophytes and transdiscal bridging. It involves the entire joint including the nearby muscles, underlying bone, ligament, disk and give rise to symptoms of Lumbar spondylosis. Katigraha is a Vataja nanatatmaja vyadhi mentioned by Sharangadhar and Shodala. As per Acharya Shodala, Vata situated in Asthi of Kati region, increased due to various Nidana (causes) and produce symptoms of vitiated Vata as Shula (pain), Pangutwa (disability) both the lower limbs known as Katigraha. Hence for treatment of lumbar spondylosis is correlated and treatment given according to Chikitsa modalities of Katigraha (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa). To evaluate the efficacy of Angamardaprashamana Mahakashaya and Kativasti in the management of lumbar spondylosis clinically a open, random, clinical trial is carried out on 100 patients in one group, as intervention Angamardaprashamana Mahakashaya Churna (powder form) is given orally and Kativasti (a type of sudation therapy) on lumbar region is given externally. Follow up taken in every 20th day upto 60 days. After treatment for statistical analysis of data paired t test is done and data shows highly significant result and shows remarkable changes in signs and symptoms. But its result of radiological changes are found not significant statistically. The relief % is analysis by using Oswestry Disability Index which shows 91% respond to treatment and 74% got major improvements. Thus, the study says that trial drug and therapy have capacity to improve lumbar spondylosis (Katigraha) significantl

Hydrothermal synthesis of defect-induced pristine alpha-NaCe(WO4)(2): a novel material for solid state lighting and gas sensing

Triclinic NaCe(WO4)(2) with oxygen monovacancies and divacancies has been successfully prepared via a facile cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal technique. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been employed to determine the unit cell and microstructure of the NaCe(WO4)(2). The oxygen vacancies, structural distortion etc. have been investigated using Fourier-transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The synthesized samples exhibit an intense blue emission at 434 nm due to the 5d-4f transition of Ce3+ within the CeO8 dodecahedra, while the emission at 485 nm is ascribed to the 5d-4f transition within CeO7. It has also been identified that two emissions at 451 and 520 nm come from CeO6. Additionally, we find that the temperature of the hydrothermal reaction guides the formation of CeO7 and CeO6. In contrast to a previous ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-assisted synthesis of NaCe(WO4)(2) that results in a predominant green emission, our samples exhibit strong violet emissions indicating that less CeO7 and CeO6 is formed when using CTAB. We have also conducted ab initio calculations using density-functional theory, which reveals that the valence and conduction bands comprise of the O(2)p orbitals and a O(2)p-Ce 5d hybridization, respectively. The Ce(5)dz(2), 5dyz and 5dxz orbitals mostly facilitate the 5d-4f transition within the CeO7 and CeO6 polyhedra. Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage coordinates are found in the blue region with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of similar to 7715 K indicating the potential for a-NaCe(WO4)(2) to be used in cold solid state lighting applications. Finally, we also observe that the oxygen vacancies can act as active centers for the adsorption of molecular oxygen, which in consequence leads NaCe(WO4) 2 to have gas sensing properties

Rice under combined salt and flooding stress

Not AvailableChlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters measured with fluorescence imaging techniques were used to investigate the combined effect of salt and partial submergence stress to understand photosynthetic performance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). ChlF parameters such as maximal fluorescence (Fm), variable fluorescence (Fv = Fm –F0), the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and the quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation of PSII (Y(NO)) were able to distinguish genotypes precisely based on their sensitivity to stress. Upon analysis, we found the images of F0 were indistinguishable among the genotypes, irrespective of their tolerance to salt and partial submergence stress. On the contrary, the images of Fm and Fv/Fm showed marked differences between the tolerant and susceptible genotypes in terms of tissue greenness and the appearance of dark spots as stress symptoms. The images of effective PSII quantum yield, the coefficient of nonphotochemical quenching (qN) and the coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP) captured under different PAR were able to distinguish the tolerant and susceptible genotypes, and were also quite effective for differentiating the tolerant and moderately tolerant ones. Similarly, the values of electron transport rate, qN, qP and Y(NO) were also able to distinguish the genotypes based on their sensitivity to stress. Overall, this investigation indicates the suitability of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technique for precise phenotyping of rice based on their sensitivity to the combined effect of salt and partial submergence

Abstracts of 1st International Conference on Machine Intelligence and System Sciences

This book contains the abstracts of the papers presented at the International Conference on Machine Intelligence and System Sciences (MISS-2021) Organized by the Techno College of Engineering, Agartala, Tripura, India & Tongmyong University, Busan, South Korea, held on 1–2 November 2021. This conference was intended to enable researchers to build connections between different digital technologies based on Machine Intelligence, Image Processing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Conference Title: 1st International Conference on Machine Intelligence and System SciencesConference Acronym: MISS-2021Conference Date: 1–2 November 2021Conference Location: Techno College of Engineering Agartala, Tripura(w), IndiaConference Organizer: Techno College of Engineering, Agartala, Tripura, India & Tongmyong University, Busan, South Korea