Optimization and Characterization of Thermostable Endo and Exocellulases by Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03

Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03, a cellulase producer was isolated from horse dung manure collected from Hyderabad, Telangana. In the present study, endo and exoglucanase production from Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03 was studied and optimization of the cultural conditions to enhance production of enzymes has been reported. Among the twenty fungal cellulase producers isolated from different thermogenic habitats, the fungal strain ‘HD3’ identified as Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03 exhibited highest cellulase activity by plate screening assay. To enhance the production level of the enzyme, different cultural conditions were optimized and observed that optimum pH and temperature for endo and exoglucanase production was 5.0 and 45oC respectively. Maximum growth as well as enzyme production was recorded on 3rd day of incubation period in shake flask (100RPM) containing Mandel’s Weber medium. Urea and malt extract among the organic nitrogen sources while ammonium chloride as inorganic nitrogen source were found to be the best nitrogen source (0.2%) for endo and exoglucanase production. The endo and exoglucanase activities are higher in media containing glucose as their carbon source (1%) followed by xylose and lactose. The organism showed maximum dry weight in pH of 9.0-10.0, temperature of 45oC, cellulose as carbon sources, yeast extract and malt extract of nitrogen source. The endo and exocellulases produced by the Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03 are highly stable at pH 8.0 and temperature of 750C. The results indicate that the endo and exocellulases produced by Humicola sp. SKESMBKU03 are more stable at high temperature and alkaline pH

Vibrio parahemolyticus septicaemia in a liver transplant patient: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p><it>Vibrio parahemolyticus </it>is the leading cause of vibrio-associated gastroenteritis in the United States of America, usually related to poor food handling; only rarely has it been reported to cause serious infections including sepsis and soft tissue infections. In contrast, <it>Vibrio vulnificus </it>is a well-known cause of septicaemia, especially in patients with cirrhosis. We present a patient with <it>V. parahemolyticus </it>sepsis who had an orthotic liver transplant in 2007 and was on immunosuppression for chronic rejection. Clinical suspicion driven by patient presentation, travel to Gulf of Mexico and soft tissue infection resulted in early diagnosis and institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 48 year old Latin American man with a history of chronic kidney disease, orthotic liver transplant in 2007 secondary to alcoholic end stage liver disease on immunosuppressants, and chronic rejection presented to the emergency department with fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, left lower extremity swelling and fluid filled blisters after a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico. Samples from the blister and blood grew <it>V. parahemolyticus</it>. The patient was successfully treated with ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Febrile patients with underlying liver disease and/or immunosuppression should be interviewed regarding recent travel to a coastal area and seafood ingestion. If this history is obtained, appropriate empiric antibiotics must be chosen. Patients with liver disease and/or immunosuppresion should be counselled to avoid eating raw or undercooked molluscan shellfish. People can prevent <it>Vibrio </it>sepsis and wound infections by proper cooking of seafood and avoiding exposure of open wounds to seawater or raw shellfish products.</p

Growth Inhibition of Human Gynecologic and Colon Cancer Cells by Phyllanthus watsonii through Apoptosis Induction

Phyllanthus watsonii Airy Shaw is an endemic plant found in Peninsular Malaysia. Although there are numerous reports on the anti cancer properties of other Phyllanthus species, published information on the cytotoxicity of P. watsonii are very limited. The present study was carried out with bioassay-guided fractionation approach to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction capability of the P. watsonii extracts and fractions on human gynecologic (SKOV-3 and Ca Ski) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells. P. watsonii extracts exhibited strong cytotoxicity on all the cancer cells studied with IC50 values of ≤ 20.0 µg/mL. Hexane extract of P. watsonii was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and yielded 10 fractions (PW-1→PW-10). PW-4→PW-8 portrayed stronger cytotoxic activity and was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and resulted with 8 sub-fractions (PPWH-1→PPWH-8). PPWH-7 possessed greatest cytotoxicity (IC50 values ranged from 0.66 – 0.83 µg/mL) and was selective on the cancer cells studied. LC-MS/MS analysis of PPWH-7 revealed the presence of ellagic acid, geranic acid, glochidone, betulin, phyllanthin and sterol glucoside. Marked morphological changes, ladder-like appearance of DNA and increment in caspase-3 activity indicating apoptosis were clearly observed in both human gynecologic and colon cancer cells treated with P. watsonii especially with PPWH-7. The study also indicated that P. watsonii extracts arrested cell cycle at different growth phases in SKOV-3, Ca Ski and HT-29 cells. Cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of the endemic P. watsonii was investigated for the first time by bioassay-guided approach. These results demonstrated that P. watsonii selectively inhibits the growth of SKOV-3, Ca Ski and HT-29 cells through apoptosis induction and cell cycle modulation. Hence, P. watsonii has the potential to be further exploited for the discovery and development of new anti cancer drugs

Harnessing the potential benefits of Bacillus thuringiensis for management of insect pests of castor (Ricinus communis L.). In: Bacillus thuringiensis - Cultivation, Applications in Agriculture and Environment Safety

Not AvailableHarnessing the potential benefits of Bacillus thuringiensis for management of insect pests of castor (Ricinus communis L.). In: Bacillus thuringiensis - Cultivation, Applications in Agriculture and Environment SafetyNot Availabl