Isolation of alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis AKRS3

This research study was mainly focused on phenotypic, biochemical characterization, 16s rRNA sequence based species level identification of isolate and determination of the higher production of alkaline protease through optimization study (carbon, nitrogen, incubation period, temperature, pH and sodium chloride concentration), production by submerged fermentation and analytical studies (protease assay, protein and biomass estimation). The produced crude enzyme was been used for dehairing activity on goat and sheep hides. Primary screening was achieved by skim milk casein hydrolysis method. Microbiological, biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolated bacterium was Bacillus subtilis AKRS3 with an optimum alkaline protease producing temperature, 37°C and pH 9.0. The maximum alkaline protease production was achieved at 24 h of incubation period. Among various nitrogen (organic and inorganic) sources, beef extract was found to be the best inducer for alkaline protease in the concentration of 1.5% as was reported for the maximum alkaline protease production. Effect of carbon sources for example xylose, on protease production proved high protease production than the other tested carbon sources and subsequently 2% concentration registered an optimum to enhance the protease production. The halotolerancy of B. subtilis AKRS3 for alkaline protease production indicated that 3% of sodium chloride was optimum to yield maximum protease activity. During production, agitation rate was 250 rpm at air flow rate of 1 VVM. Maximum protease activity of 42.7556 U/ml was observed at the end of 24 h cell free supernatant of fermentation broth. Crude alkaline protease was most active at 55°C, pH 9 with casein as substrate. According to our knowledge, this study demonstrated the first report on alkaline protease producing B. subtilis AKRS3 isolated from fish waste. The produced enzyme could be effectively used to remove hair from goat and sheep hide indicating its potential application in leather processing industry.Key words: Bacillus subtilis AKRS3, 16S rRNA sequence, alkaline protease, submerged fermentation (SmF), dehairing activity

Comparative evaluation of functional outcome of discectomy versus discectomy with posterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of lumbar disc herniation

Background: Lumbar disc herniation is the most common cause of low back pain and significant disability with economic impact too. Management of disc herniation is challenging, often confusing when surgical treatment is considered, because of frequent failures after surgery in many patients to relieve symptoms.Methods: Our study was a prospective study conducted in Department of Orthopaedics, Coimbatore medical college. Thirty six patients operated for intervertebral disc herniation of lumbar spine from March 2015 to February 2017 were included in the study.Results: VAS score was not significant between two groups, at one month, but at 6 months, PLIF group had better VAS score and was statistically significant. ODI scores showed a similar pattern.Conclusions: Discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is still the procedure of choice but with any subtle instability, then it should be combined with stabilisation like posterior lumbar interbody fusion

Optimal conditions for production of extracellular alkaline protease from a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain AKRS3

A new strain of alkaline protease producing Bacillus bacterium was isolated from an alkaline soil sample and was characterized. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis. The organism was coded as B. subtilis AKRS3. The growth curve of the organism was elucidated by culturing in a basal medium in shake flasks under ambient shaking conditions. The optimal conditions for alkaline protease production were studied by following the monofactorial methodology. Enzyme yield was found to be optimum close to 24 hours, which coincided with the commencement of the stationary phase of the bacterium. A pH of 9.0, temperature of 37o C and agitation speed of 125 rpm were also identified to be optimum for enhanced enzyme yields in shake flasks. An inoculum of 4% v/v with 24 hrs of age was also identified to be ideal for inoculation. Xylose at 2 g/l concentration and beef extract at 1.5 g/l concentration were preferred by the organism for optimum enzyme productivity in the broth. The organism displayed an NaCl tolerance of upto 1 % as optimum. Fe2+ salts at 0.01 % concentration was the preferred metal component in the medium

Statistical Score Calculation of Information Retrieval Systems using Data Fusion Technique

Abstract Effective information retrieval is defined as the number of relevant documents that are retrieved with respect to user query. In this paper, we present a novel data fusion in IR to enhance the performance of the retrieval system. The best data fusion technique that unite the retrieval results of nu merous systems using various data fusion algorith ms. The study show that our approach is more efficient than traditional approaches

Challenges of Learning English in 21st Century: Online vs. Traditional During Covid-19

Free online resources are user-friendly technologies which have become available through the Internet in recent years and gaining popularity during Covid-19. Since learners use smartphones, free online resources are easily accessible. Books are portable, but learners find it somewhat difficult to learn English language via books which may only be available in the classroom context, whereas free online resources are easily accessed. The purpose of this study is to identify learners’ perception learning English via free online resources and traditional learning. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in the present study. Twenty-five international pre-elementary intensive English students took part in this study. It was found that learners perceived the free online resources as valuable tools for learning English in relation to reading, conversation, and vocabulary and also free online resources help promote free learning norms in learning the English language. The learners also had constructive attitudes towards free online resources. Free online resources always provide a motivating learning environment, enhance learners’ analytical and critical thinking skills, and encourage social interaction between teachers and learners, learners and their peers, and learners and other participants

Impact evaluation of marine fisheries interventions among Tribal Fisher Commune of Car Nicobar Island, India

Fisheries and tourism are two important sectors that provide livelihood and employment in the tropical Islands. Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands is a biodiversity hotspot in the Bay of Bengal inhabited by settler population along with indigenous tribal communities. The Nicobar tribal community is one among occupying the Nicobar group of Islands in the majority and are quite socialized tribal communities of the Islands. Agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries are the major sectors that contribute to the livelihood and nutritional security of the Nicobar tribes. Traditional fishing activities have been a part of their culture over the years however, tribal youths were reluctant in taking up fishing as a profession considering the changing scenario and alternative employment options. To reinstate fisheries as a profession and to improve their livelihood and employment opportunities, interventions were carried out in Car Nicobar Island. The interventions were mainly aimed towards increasing fish catches, to expand their fishing grounds and to sensitize safe fishing and navigation practices. Fishing inputs such as modern fishing boats, GPS and outboard engines were provided as inputs to tribal fishers based on the outcome of an expert consultation meeting. Structured questionnaires were prepared to analyze the impact of the interventions. The results indicated that the interventions led to a significant improvement (p <0.001) in the expansion of their fishing grounds (3.47 ± 0.2 km), reduced time spent to reach the fishing grounds (2.3 ± 0.25 hour) and increased catch per unit effort (7.93 ± 1.23 kg/boat). This study shows that the targeted interventions coupled with awareness and sensitization programmes could make fishing activities profitable, attractive and can motivate the unemployed youths to opt for fishing as a profession