Micropropagation of Solanum lycopersicum L. using chemical free formulated organic plant growth media

Micropropagation is currently the most commercially effective plant biotechnology that helps in the rapid generation of a large number of clonal plants of many plant species in a short period. Effective protocol was developed for in vitro micropropagation of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) using chemical-free organic vermicompost (VC) extract medium. This experiment aims to expose the advancement in plant tissue culture technique by using synthetic Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) medium and a chemical-free organic VC (30%) extract along with 4% coelomic fluid (obtained from the earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae) as a growth medium for in vitro studies. The response of roots, leaves, shoots, and nodes in both synthetic (MS) medium and chemical-free organic VC extract medium was compared statistically using Student’s t-test. Statistically significant differences for the number of roots (P =0.011), leaves (P=0.012), and nodes (P=0.001) between the two media were reported. Both media showed the same shoot induction where no significant differences were reported with a P value of 1.000 for shoots. The protocol has led to a 100% plant survival rate on chemical-free organic vermicompost extract media. The results have also shown a significant difference in growth rate between two different media. Vermicompost and coelomic fluid used in media have antimicrobial activities which led to minimal contamination level and this consequently minimized timely subculturing. Through our studies, we found that chemical-free organic vermicompost extract media proved to be more economical and a better prospective than MS media for in vitro propagation of tomato

Bioremediation of hexavalent chromium from electroplating effluents by wild and mutant strains of Bacillus amyloliquifaciens

Chromium, a heavy metal, is a major xenobiotic element found in electroplating effluents. It is a recalcitrant of concern as it is highly toxic and carcinogenic. It exists as Cr (VI) which is highly soluble and bioavailable. Various conventional treatment technologies like adsorption, ion exchange, filtration, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis have been used but they generate lot of sludge and residue. Hence, there is a need for an economical, faster and ecofriendly means of remediation for which bioremediation is preferred. In this study we attempted chromium removal by employing improved indigenous isolate Bacillus amyloliquifaciens sourced and identified from a previous study from chrome plating effluent collected from Peenya industrial area, Bengaluru, India. Strain improvement was achieved using physical mutagen (UV radiation) and chemical mutagens (ethidium bromide, ethyl methane sulphonate and acrylamide). A comparative study was carried out to screen the chromium remediation potential of wild type and mutants in chromium spiked sample and the electroplating effluent. The mutant generated using acrylamide (150 µg/mL) in comparison with wild type and other mutants was more capable of remediating chromium. At the end of 18 days, from the chrome electroplating effluent containing chromium (490 mg/100mL), the wildtype could remove 74% (362.6 mg/100 mL), UV radiation induced mutant removed 83% (406.7 mg / 100 mL) whereas acrylamide induced mutants removed 96.67% (470.4 mg/100 mL) of chromium. Enzyme assays confirmed involvement of enzymes at sub cellular level in chromium remediation

Bioremediation of hexavalent chromium from electroplating effluents by wild and mutant strains of Bacillus amyloliquifaciens

722-729Chromium, a heavy metal, is a major xenobiotic element found in electroplating effluents. It is a recalcitrant of concern as it is highly toxic and carcinogenic. It exists as Cr (VI) which is highly soluble and bioavailable. Various conventional treatment technologies like adsorption, ion exchange, filtration, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis have been used but they generate lot of sludge and residue. Hence, there is a need for an economical, faster and ecofriendly means of remediation for which bioremediation is preferred. In this study we attempted chromium removal by employing improved indigenous isolate Bacillus amyloliquifaciens sourced and identified from a previous study from chrome plating effluent collected from Peenya industrial area, Bengaluru, India. Strain improvement was achieved using physical mutagen (UV radiation) and chemical mutagens (ethidium bromide, ethyl methane sulphonate and acrylamide). A comparative study was carried out to screen the chromium remediation potential of wild type and mutants in chromium spiked sample and the electroplating effluent. The mutant generated using acrylamide (150 µg/mL) in comparison with wild type and other mutants was more capable of remediating chromium. At the end of 18 days, from the chrome electroplating effluent containing chromium (490 mg/100mL), the wildtype could remove 74% (362.6 mg/100 mL), UV radiation induced mutant removed 83% (406.7 mg / 100 mL) whereas acrylamide induced mutants removed 96.67% (470.4 mg/100 mL) of chromium. Enzyme assays confirmed involvement of enzymes at sub cellular level in chromium remediation

Synthesis and Characterization of Iron oxide Nanoparticles with Thymoquinone

Nigella sativa is a medicinal plant used for its antimicrobial properties. Thymoquinone (TQ) being the lead component of this plant seeds, exerts antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity. It has also shown promising activity against cancer and inflammation through different modes of action. In recent developments for new applications in the field of medicine, nanotechnology has excelled as a very prominent and important field. Nanoparticles are generally in the dimension range of 1–100 nm. Iron oxide nanoparticles show enhanced antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria. The current research focuses on comparing the yield, stability and purity of thymoquinone synthesised iron oxide nanoparticles using different organic solvents, the benefits expressed by thymoquinone as a herbal drug and a novel approach to green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles with thymoquinone and testing for their stability, size and functional groups