Systematic metabolic characterization of hydrocarbon and exo-polysaccharide producing microalga Botryococcus braunii

Chaudhari S. Systematic metabolic characterization of hydrocarbon and exo-polysaccharide producing microalga Botryococcus braunii. Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld; 2018.Renewable energy in the form of bio-diesel, bio-methane, bio-hydrogen, and hydrocarbons from microalgal biomass is gaining attention for research in recent years. The use of microalgal biomass as a source of proteins, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, peptides, fatty acids and polysaccharides have led to many applications in biofuels, food and feed industry and for its use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The green colony forming microalga Botryococcus braunii is well known for its ability to produce large amount of hydrocarbons (~75% of dry biomass) and exo-polysaccharides and is divided into three different races (A, B and L), based on the types of hydrocarbon they produce. The production of metabolically expensive compounds such as hydrocarbons and polysaccharides is one of the main reasons for its slow growth rate and is largely depend on the physiological state of the cells. Apart from slow growth rate, variations across different races and strains in terms of growth behavior, formation of product and biomass yield are some of the main challenges for the commercial applications of this microalga. This leads to the identification and characterization of novel strains of B. braunii which can perform better despite of challenges associated with it. Therefore, the current study focuses on the systematic metabolic characterization and comparison of B.braunii race A and race B strains in order to address some of the challenges associated with its slow growth rate and product formation. Furthermore, the result obtained in the current work shows the impact of different physiological state of the cell on product formation and on overall metabolome profile. Additionally, the strains of race A and race B were compared with respect to their growth behavior, metabolome profile and product formation abilities. The study revealed that the investigated B. braunii strains differed greatly in terms of biomass accumulation and hydrocarbon/EPS formation. Race A and race B strains have distinct growth and hydrocarbon/EPS formation phases depending on their physiological state, based on the total chlorophyll content. Comparison between race A and B strains revealed extended linear growth phase for race B strain AC 761. Moreover, the hydrocarbon production in race A strain CCAP 807/2 and race B strain AC 761 differed during the duration of cultivation. For race A strain (CCAP 807/2) the hydrocarbon biosynthesis was promoted during late linear and early stationary phase, whereas race B produces hydrocarbons continuously from the beginning of the cultivation and the hydrocarbon productivity is maximum during the linear phase. Besides, the primary metabolome analysis of race A and B strains also showed significant differences in the abundance of metabolites related to carbohydrate metabolism especially sucrose. Moreover, race B showed higher intracellular lipid content than race A strains. Strikingly, even though the race A strains CCALA 778 and CCAP 807/2 showed similar growth behavior, they significantly differed in their ability to produce hydrocarbons. CCALA 778 was majorly carbohydrate producer with presence of only detectable amount of hydrocarbons whereas CCAP 807/2 was able to produce both hydrocarbons and carbohydrates. Furthermore, the gradual increase in the hydrocarbon formation was proportional to the decrease in oleic acid. Notably, intracellular lipid content in CCAP 807/2 was two-fold more than CCALA 778. The very long chain fatty acid (VLCFAs) which are intermediates for the hydrocarbon biosynthesis in race A were detected in both race A and race B strains. In addition, the primary metabolome analysis showed sucrose as the most abundant metabolite in both the strains of race A. Altogether, this work presents for the first time the distinct and shared characteristics of growth behavior, metabolome and product formation for the B. braunii race A strains CCLA778 and CCAP 807/2 with race B strain AC761. In addition, the results in this study also show the potential link and impact of different physiological state of the cell on product formation and on the overall metabolome profile

Nevirapine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome from a tertiary care hospital in Central India

A 42 year old man, a known case of AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy – stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine since 4 weeks, was admitted with erythematous rash, with blisters, and abnormal liver function test. A diagnosis of Steven-Johnson syndrome was made excluding other opportunistic infection and differential diagnosis. Nevirapine was discontinued until the patient recovered. After recovery patient was started with stavudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz treatment without re-challenge with nevirapine

Integrated platform for high-throughput media optimization 79 Integrated platform for high-throughput media optimization

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A case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to rifampicin

A 25 year old female known case of category II pulmonary Tuberculosis was on anti-coch’s treatment in the FDC of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and Streptomycin. Fifteen days after the commencement of Cat II anti TB treatment she developed diffuse erythematous rash on face, trunk and both extremities which turned into blisters. There were ulcers on oral and genital cavity. A diagnosis of Stevens Johnson’s syndrome was made. The patient had a history of cat I pulmonary TB and treated for 8 months and at the end of 8th month she was sputum smear negative. Four months later she had a relapse of sputum smear positive for pulmonary TB. She responded to the stoppage of drugs and oral/inj. Corticosteroids, antihistaminics and antibiotics

Acute and subchronic toxicity study of Tamra Bhasma (incinerated copper) prepared with and without Amritikarana

AbstractBackgroundTamra Bhasma (TB) is one among herbo-metallic preparations extensively used in routine ayurvedic practice. In the present era, Bhasma preparations used in ayurvedic system of medicines are always under stern observations for containing heavy metals which may raise the question of safety aspect.ObjectiveIn the present study, TB prepared with and without Amritikarana was subjected to toxicity study to ascertain the role of Amritikarana on safety profile of TB in rats.Materials and methodsBoth the samples of TB were administered to rats for 28 consecutive days at the doses of 5.5, 27.5, and 55 mg/kg. The effects of both drugs were assessed on ponderal changes, hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathology of various organs.ResultsResults showed that both the samples of TB did not produce any sign and symptoms of toxicity at therapeutic dose level (5.5 mg/kg) and therapeutic equivalent dose (TED) × 5 (27.5 mg/kg) while at higher dose of TED × 10 (55 mg/kg) TB has mild toxicity in liver, kidney, heart, and thymus on repeated administration for 28 days in rats. The sample without Amritikarana has more magnitude of toxicity than the sample with Amritikarana.ConclusionFrom the present study, it is concluded that TB with Amritikarana was found to be relatively safer than TB without Amritikarana at different dose levels in rats and hence suggest for safely use in humans at therapeutic dose level. It proves the role of Amritikarana in the preparation of TB

Ethno medicinal values of Citrus genus: A review

Fruits of Citrus genus play an important role as a dietary supplement and therapeutic assent as well since ages. The present review summarizes some such attributes of Citrus genus. Literature review was done through published works to gather information on nutritional and ethnic values, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Citrus. Information about the plant and phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities were collected from the published reports. The plant was found to possess significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, and hypolipidemic properties. They are found to be significant antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and hypoglycemic activity. The phytoconstituents which are present in the plant are mainly coumarins and flavonoids which are responsible for the actions. The phytochemical constituents and isolated bioactive compounds of Citrus can be investigated further to develop novel herbal drugs by using reverse pharmacological approaches especially in the treatment of liver diseases, arthritis, malignancies, and other inflammatory diseases

Therapeutic potentials of Tamra (copper) and its alloys A review through Brihatrayi

Metals and minerals are known to man since human civilization and became integral part of Ayurvedic therapeutics. Tamra (copper) and its alloys (Pittala and Kamsya) are one among such metals. They are emphasized throughout classical literature for various therapeutic and non therapeutic purposes. A number of formulations are found in Brihatrayi in contexts like internal administration, external application, utilization in the preparation of instruments and other purposes. Formulations of Tamra are recommended in diseases like Hicca (hiccup), Swasa (respiratory distress), Pipasa (Thirst), Visha (Poison) and Pandu (Anemia) etc. In the current review, an attempt has been made to compile all such references of copper and its alloys referred in Brihatrayi