Heavy Metal Resistant Bacteria Isolation from Koodankulam Coast: Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. as Potential Agents for Bioremediation

The present study investigates the heavy metal resistant bacteria were isolated from offshore sea soil of Koodankulam coast, Gulf of Mannar, South East coast of India., Tamil Nadu, India. Bacterial communities in the soil were screened by morphological, biochemical and plasmid analysis and were identified as Bacillus sp., and Pseudomonas sp. High concentrations of toxic metals negatively affect bacterial growth, and therefore, the minimum inhibitory concentration of isolated bacteria was determined against Pb, Hg and Zn by agar dilution technique. The heavy metal polluted soil contains some microorganisms that exhibit tolerance to the metals which in turn helps in the reduction of heavy metals toxicity accumulated in the soil. Isolation, screening and characterization are involved to determine the level of resistance of the bacteria. Here, out of several isolates the Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. has showed increased resistance to Pb, Hg and Zn. Consequently, this microbial isolate can be potentially used in bioremediation of heavy metal polluted environment

Purification, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of Hemolymph Lectin from the Larva of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Lectins are renowned hemagglutinins and multivalent proteins with a well-known quality for sugar-binding specificity that participate significantly in invertebrate defense functions. Studies on biological activity of lectin from coleopteran insect are very scarce. A lectin with specific affinity for N-acetyl neuraminic acid was purified from the hemolymph of the larva of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus by biospecific adsorption using formalinized rabbit erythrocytes and affinity chromatography using PSM-linked cyanogen bromide activated Sepharose 4B. The specific activity of the lectin purified by affinity chromatography was much higher than the lectin purified by biospecific adsorption. The binding specificity of the weevil lectin distinguishes it from other known insect lectins. Like the crude agglutinin, the lectin purified by affinity chromatography also showed the same pattern of specificity towards erythrocytes. However, 4-to-8-fold decrease in HA titer was observed when tested with the purified lectin. In the same way, reduction is also observed in the HAI titer of the purified lectin with most of the inhibitors except PSM where the HAI titer was identical both in the crude agglutinin and purified lectin. Sugars N-acetyl neuraminic acid, N-acetyl mannosamine and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine inhibited the HA titer of the purified lectin with greater efficacy than the crude agglutinin. The sialic acid specificity of the lectin was confirmed by 16-fold reduction in HA titer with asialo rabbit erythrocytes and 32-fold reduction in HAI titer with desialylated PSM. The purified lectin is homogenous on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide electrophorogram with a molecular weight of about 60 kDa. The lectin showed antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeroginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger

Physico-Chemical Characterization Of A Naturally Occurring Agglutinin In The Hemolymph Of The Larva Of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus

The hemolymph of most invertebrates contains naturally occurring hemagglutinins with diverse specificities for erythrocytes. A natural agglutinin with high affinity for rabbit erythrocytes was detected in the hemolymph of the larva of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus  ferrugineus. The HA titer can be ranked as rabbit > guinea pig = dog = horse > human B > human O = buffalo > goat = pig > human A = rat = mice = cow erythrocytes.  Maximum hemagglutinin activity with rabbit erythrocytes was observed at pH 7.5 and temperature 30°C to 40°C.  The hemagglutinability was calcium dependent and reversibly sensitive to EDTA. The HA activity of the larval hemagglutinin was inhibited by the glycoproteins, Porcine stomach mucin = Fetuin > Bovine thyroglobulin > Transferrin = Apotransferrin > Bovine submaxillary mucin and sugars, N-acetyl mannosamine = melibiose = α-lactose > D-galactosamine > N-acetyl-D-galactosamine = N-acetyl neuraminic acid. Reduction in HA titer with the sialidase treated rabbit erythrocytes revealed the sialic acid specificity of the agglutinin. Presence of a single agglutinin and its proteinaceous nature were unveiled by cross adsorption studies and treatment with denaturing agents respectively.  Therefore, the preliminary description of the hemolymph agglutinin would offer ways to perform lectin purification from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, the red palm weevil.&nbsp

Exploring the Antibacterial Potency of Citrus Fruit Peel Extracts Using Various Solvents

The study evaluates the inhibitory effect of different solvent-extracted citrus peel extracts (Citrus lemon, Citrus sinensis, Citrus maxima, Citrus reticulata and Citrus aurantiifolia) on the growth of various bacterial strains (Klebsiella. pneumonia, Staphylococcus. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli). Citrus lemon extract demonstrated the most significant inhibition with methanol and acetone showing the highest zones of inhibition. Citrus sinensis extract showed antibacterial activity, with the choice of solvent influencing the effectiveness. Methanol and acetone generally performed well.  Citrus maxima extract demonstrated antibacterial activity, with methanol and butanol being effective solvents. Citrus reticulata extract's effectiveness varied depending on the solvent and bacterial strain tested. Ethanol and butanol were more effective solvents for inhibiting the growth of some bacteria, while acetone and methanol showed limited effectiveness. The Citrus aurentiifolia peel extract exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. The effectiveness of the extract depended on the solvent used and the type of bacteria. For some bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus, the extract showed significant inhibitory effects, particularly when using Ethanol as the solvent. Further research and optimization may be necessary to enhance the antibacterial properties of Citrus aurentiifolia peel extract

Exploring Biodiversity: Sampling, Analysis, and Identification of Microbial Treasures in Diverse Soil Ecosystems

In the present study, bacterial colonies in Cashew Oil Industry Soil (COS), Fertilizer-applied Field Soil (FFS) and Control samples were enumerated and characterized across varying dilution factors. The results revealed significant variations in bacterial colony formation across dilution factors, indicating diverse growth rates and population densities. The investigation aimed to discern the microbial populations and characteristics in these contrasting samples. COS and FFS exhibited dilution-dependent colony counts, showcasing distinctions in bacterial populations compared to Control samples. Morphological analysis revealed diverse colony sizes, shapes, and colours, ranging from small to medium, with hues spanning yellow to orange. Margins, elevations, and opacities varied, and Gram staining indicated both positive and negative strains and Gram-positive cocci and diplococci, were identified illustrating taxonomic diversity. Biochemical tests unveiled diverse metabolic traits, identifying Cellobiosococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. at the genus level in COS and Micrococcus sp. in FFS. Given that these three bacterial strains were isolated from contaminated soil and considering the prior use of Micrococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. in remediation efforts, our upcoming research will specifically concentrate on exploring the bioremediation potential of pollutants using Micrococcus sp., Cellobiosococcus sp., and Staphylococcus sp., with particular emphasis on the unique capabilities of Cellobiosococcus sp as there are nostudies related to Cellobiosococcus sp. involved in bioremediation