Vishalakshi N;Lingappa K;Amena S;Prabhakar M; Dayanand A
019810 Vishalakshi N;Lingappa K;Amena S;Prabhakar M; Dayanand A (Microbiology Dep, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga-585 106) : Production of alkaline protease from Streptomyces gulbargensis and its application in removal of blood stains. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 280-5.
The alkaline protease obtained from a newly isolated strain of Streptomyces gulbargensis was used for the washing of surgical instruments. The isolate showed b-haemolysis. Therefore, the isolate was employed for the production of thermo stable alkaline protease enzyme using wheat bran as the substrate under solid state fermentation. The characterization studies of the enzyme showed that it is active at 45°C and pH 9.0 with casein as the substrate. The wash performance analysis of blood stains on cotton fabrics and on surgical instruments showed an increase in the reflectance as the time increased with the enzyme treatment. The removal of blood stains completely was observed at 20 min incubation of cotton cloths and surgical instruments.
Ul Qadar S A;Shireen E;Iqbal S;Anwar A
019809 Ul Qadar S A;Shireen E;Iqbal S;Anwar A (Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization and, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan) : Optimization of protease production from newly isolated strain of Bacillus sp. PCSIR EA-3. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 286-90.
A newly isolated strain of Bacillus sp. PCSIR EA-3 showed maximum protease production in 48 h. Cell free filtrate (CFF) from the strain was investigated for its proteolytic activity. The isolated strain exhibited highest proteolytic activity when grown on skim milk agar; average area of zone of inhibition was 480 mm2. Enzyme showed maximum activity at 35°C and pH 7.0 with glucose as an important medium component. It was strongly activated by metal ions, such as, Ca+2 ion. Protease from PCSIR EA-3 can easily be used in food industry, especially in cheese manufacturing due to its thermostability at neutral pH.
Sugumaran P;Seshadri S
019808 Sugumaran P;Seshadri S (NO, Shri AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Taramani, Chennai-600 113) : Evaluation of selected biomass for charcoal production. J scient ind Res 2009, 68(8), 719-23.
Casuarina equisetifolia L. and Lantana camara L. leaf litter, sugarcane bagasse and empty oil palm fruit bunch (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were converted into charcoal using carbonization process. Calorific value of fresh biomass and pyrolysed charcoal, respectively, was maximum in C. equisetifolia L. leaf litter (18.48 MJ/kg and 29.89 MJ/kg) and minimum in oil palm fruit bunch (16.96MJ/kg & 18.46MJ/kg).
Sonawane S H;Gharat S H;Dixit J;Patil K;Mane V S
019807 Sonawane S H;Gharat S H;Dixit J;Patil K;Mane V S (Chemical Engineering Dep, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Bibwewadi, Pune-37, Email: shirishsonawane@rediffmail.com) : Biodiesel synthesis from Karanja oil using transesterification reaction. Asian J Chem 2008, 20(2), 857-62.
A process for the production of the ethyl ester from Karanja oil to use as a biodiesel fuel has been studied. The essential part of the process is the transesterification of Karanja oil using methanol. NaOH is used as catalyst to yield methyl ester of Karanja oil as a product and glycerol as a by-product. Experiments have been performed to determine the optimum conditions for the preparation of ester. The process variables were temperature, catalyst, methanol used. Further the engine performance of biodiesel were checked with petroleum diesel and found almost identical.
4 illus, 7 tables, 8 ref
Shafique S;Bajwa R;Shafique S
019806 Shafique S;Bajwa R;Shafique S (Institute of Mycology and Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus Lahore, Pakistan) : Mutation of Alternaria tenuissima FCBP-252 for hyper-active α-amylase. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(7), 591-6.
Production of extracellular α-amylase enzyme by a filamentous fungus, Alternaria tenuissima was studied in solid-state fermentation (SSF) as well as submerged fermentation (SmF). The potential strain was successfully mutated by UV and ethyl methanesulfonate ( EMS). High-level of a-amylase activity was obtained by the mutant At-Ch-5.6 (76.75 Units mL-1) after chemical treatment followed by UV mutant At-UV-2.8 (63.12 Units mL-1) which was significantly higher than parental A. tenuissima FCBP-252 (32 Units mL-1). These mutants with high levels of activity were genetically characterized using RAPD-PCR. Expression pattern of mutants exhibited that the mutants were isogenic variants of parent strain and out-performance of the mutants could be attributed to change in genetic make up. Represents the first report of strain improvement in Alternaria for hyper activity of α-amylase enzyme and suggested that this fungus could be used to extract purified enzyme.
Saravanan R;Sambasivam S;Shanmugam A;Satish Kumar D;Tamil Vanan T;Nazeer R A
019805 Saravanan R;Sambasivam S;Shanmugam A;Satish Kumar D;Tamil Vanan T;Nazeer R A (Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Paraingipettai-608 502) : Isolation, purification and biochemical characterization of conotoxin from Conus figulinus Linnaeus (1758). Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 266-71.
Cone snails are remarkable for the extent and diversity of gene-encoded peptide neurotoxins that are expressed in their venom apparatus. The protein content of the crude toxin extract of Conus figulinus Linneaus was found to be 1900 μg/mL. The crude extract (dilution up to 10-5) expressed hemolytic activity. The crude extract subjected to gel filtration chromatography yielded 60 fractions; the fractions 7, 12 and 55 showed significant peaks at 280 nm. The fractionated toxin was then characterized by performing SDS-PAGE having the lower peptides ranging from 10 to 43 kDa; two lower peptides below 14 kDa have been identified. The total RNA and purified mRNA were characterized by Agarose gel electrophoresis and for total RNA two prominent bands of 18s and 28s were obtained of which 28s showed double intensity than the other. For mRNA a single band of 6000 base pairs was obtained.
Sannigrahi A K
019804 Sannigrahi A K (Proof and Experimental Establishment, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Chandipur, Balasore-756 025) : Biodegradation of leaf litter of tree species in presence of cow dung and earthworms. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 335-8.
The dry leaves of Psidium guajava Linn., Ficus benghalensis Linn., Codiaeum variegatum Linn., Polyalthia longifolia Sonner., Eucalyptus citriodora Hook., Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn., Syzygium cumini Linn., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Musa paradisiaca Linn., Plumeria rubra Linn., Litchi chinensis Gaertn., Pinus insularis Endl., Elaeocarpus sphaericus Gaertn., Bombax ceiba Linn., Streblus asper Lour. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. were converted to vermicomposts in about 5 to 8 months while those of Mangifera indica Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn. and Tectona grandis Linn. took about 10 months. However, Leucaena leucocephala Lamk. leaves took only 2 months to become vermicompost. These vermicomposts contained: N, 0.9 to 1.9; P, 0.5 to 1.2; K, 0.9 to 2.5; Na, 0.8 to 3.5; Ca, 0.9 to 4.9 and S, 0.9 to 2.2%. The vermicompost of Bombax ceiba flowers produced in 3.5 months contained: N, 1.2; P, 0.6; K, 1.8; Na, 1.4; Ca, 0.4 and S, 0.9%. Nutritional status of these vermicomposts varied with the variation of tree species. This information would motivate farmers for vermicomposting of dry leaves instead of burning.
Rajendran K;Kavitha P;Anbalagan T
019803 Rajendran K;Kavitha P;Anbalagan T (Zoology and biotechnology Dep, A. V. V. M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi-613 503, Email: anbu_cas@yahoo.co.in) : Isolation of fungi and bacteria from various tissues of ice stored marine crab Charybdis feriata (Decapoda : Portundiae). J Aquatic Biol 2008, 23(1), 181-4.
Commercially important marine animals such as crabs, shrimps and fishes arrive at the local market daily under ice stored condition. All of such stored animals are not sold in a single day. They are retained in the same condition for a couple of days more from their day of arrival. Such storage, irrespective of the duration, may lead to microbial infection. Hence in the work an attempt has been made to find out the existence of Microbial communities in the ice-stored products. For this ice stored marine crab, Charybdis feriata were collected from Keelavaasal Fish Market, Thanjvur, Tamil Nadu, India. Observations were made in the tissues of gonad, hepatopancreas and muscles. The study revealed that the infection of the crab tissues by sixteen species of fungi and five species of bacteria. Hence it is suggested that the edible marine animals should be stored properly before marketed for consumption.
2 tables, 17 ref
Pawar S S;Malakar D;De A K;Akshey Y S
019802 Pawar S S;Malakar D;De A K;Akshey Y S (Animal Biotechnology Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001) : Stem cell-like outgrowths from in vitro fertilized goat blastocysts. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(8), 635-42.
With an aim to isolate, culture and characterize goat embryonic stem cell-like cells derived from in vitro fertilized goat blastocysts, slaughterhouse derived goat oocytes were in vitro matured in maturation medium in 5% CO2 air at 38.5°C. Matured oocytes were fertilized in vitro with fresh capacitated spermatozoa. Total 636 (36.5%) cleaved embryos were obtained which were further co-cultured with goat oviductal epithelial cells (GOEC) for 7-10 days. GOEC culture system was better for formation of morula (150; 44.3%) and hatched blastocyst (13; 3.8%) than embryo development medium culture system, [morula (69; 23.1%) and hatched blastocyst (5; 1.6%)]. Out of total blastocysts (48) the primary colonies were formed in 23.3% (7/30) blastocysts, and 66.6% (12/18) of hatched blastocysts. The cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) derived primary colonies were small, aggregated and tightly packed in nature forming embryoid bodies on further subculture. The colonies were stained to see the expression of alkaline phosphatase and positive result was obtained. Goat embryonic stem cell like outgrowths were also characterized for Oct-4 expression and positive result was found. It could be concluded that ICM cells were isolated from in vitro fertilized goat blastocysts and cultured for embryonic stem cell-like cells and expression of alkaline phosphatase and Oct-4 in these cells were positive.
Pare B;Singh P;Jonnalgadda S B
019801 Pare B;Singh P;Jonnalgadda S B (Photocatalysis Lab, Chemistry Dep, Govt Madhav Science Post Graduate College, Vikram University, Ujjain-456 010) : Degradation and mineralization of victoria blue B dye in a slurry photoreactor using advanced oxidation process. J scient ind Res 2009, 68(8), 724-9.
Photocatalysed degradation of victoria blue B (VBB) dye has been studied in aqueous suspension of zinc oxide using visible spectrophotometric analysis technique. Decrease in COD and increase in CO2 and NO3- concentration indicated mineralization of dye. Zinc oxide proved potentially efficient photocatalyst for proposed visible and solar light system.
Pandian P S;Kumaravel M;Singh M
019800 Pandian P S;Kumaravel M;Singh M (NO, , SGN Educational Foundation and J.C.E., Velachery, Chennai-600 042, Email: msingh_iitm@yahoo.com) : Optical imaging and parametric characterization of frostbite changes in human hand tissues. Curr Sci 2008, 95(2), 196-203.
Frostbite is a condition in which body tissues freeze and cause damage to skin and soft tissues. The work deals with the optical characterization of frostbite of the hands, which involves the skin and tissue structure beneath it and is carried out by laser reflectometry and Monte Carlo simulation. The grid of the dorsal side of the hand is developed on a computer monitor and the same is scanned point-to-point. Data obtained in the form of normalized back-scattered intensity (NBI), after interpolation and median filtering are displayed as colour-coded images. In controls the NBI is significantly higher at the abductor brevis muscle and minimum at the tendon of the flexor digitorum, pollicis longus and at the nails compared to that at the other regions. Due to frostbite the NBI values are lower at various locations in the fingers and dorsal sites in these subjects compared to those of the respective controls. The variation in NBI is maximum for the first probe compared to the other probes. The optical parameters, absorption and scattering coefficients, as determined by matching of the measured surface profile with that as obtained by Monte Carlo simulation of photon-scattering process, show an increase in absorption coefficient and decrease in scattering coefficient of the frostbite-affected tissues compared to those of control subjects.
7 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref
Panda S;Panda S;Sinha J
019799 Panda S;Panda S;Sinha J (Biological Sciences Dep, Gupta College of Technological Sciences, Asansol-713 301) : The saga of cytotoxin evolution-Switching of destructive role to a constructive role. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 259-65.
Snake venom contains the toxin proteins, cytotoxins. Cytotoxins exert their effect upon the target cells by interacting with membrane lipids and proteins. Ultimate objective of a cytotoxin is to destroy the target cells. These cytotoxins contain cysteine residues responsible for disulphide linkage between them. Similar variety of peptides enriched with cysteine is also found in many other organisms. But interestingly, in those cases they never have a cell destructive function, in turn, they act to be cell-friendly. Analyses the cytotoxins and related peptides in terms of amino acid percentage profile, multiple sequence alignment, codon usage, isoelectric point determination, protein secondary structure prediction and phylogenetic tree construction through different softwares. Among all the interesting results, lysine profile was very much informative. High amounts of lysine are conserved in all the cytotoxins whereas in other related peptides it is in less numbers. Phylogenetic tree showed a stepwise dynamic evolution of these interesting molecules. Shows that there is a great possibility to turn harmful natural peptides into a beneficial engineered molecule for the betterment of lives of mankind.
Nandedkar P;Chohan P;Patwardhan A;Gaikwad S; Bhartiya D
019798 Nandedkar P;Chohan P;Patwardhan A;Gaikwad S; Bhartiya D (Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Dep, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel Mumbai-400 012) : Parthenogenesis and Somatic cell nuclear transfer in sheep oocytes using Polscope. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(7), 550-8.
Parthenogenesis and Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) techniques, offer a unique approach to manipulate the genetic composition of derived human embryonic stem cells - an essential step if the full opportunities for disease modeling, drug discovery or individualized stem cell therapy are to be realized. The present study describes the use of sheep oocytes to acquire expertise and establish methods to reconstruct embryos for obtaining blastocysts before venturing into human SCNT where the oocytes are a very precious starting material. Maturation of sheep eggs in vitro for 20-24 hr resulted in 65% metaphase II (MII) eggs which were either parthenogenetically activated using calcium ionomycin or ethanol or subjected to SCNT using cumulus cell as somatic cell. Sixteen blastocysts were produced by parthenogenetic activation of 350 eggs whereas reconstructed embryos, after SCNT carried out in 139 eggs, progressed only up to morula stage. The procedure of parthenogenesis and SCNT will be useful to generate autologous ES cells using human eggs.
Maheshwari R
019797 Maheshwari R (NO, , 53/A2, Sritheertha, 4th Main, 17th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore-560 055, Email: ramesh.maheshwari01@gmail.com) : Genome sequence of a fungus for the biofuel industry. Curr Sci 2008, 95(2), 161-2.
1 illus, 2 ref
Laskar M A;Hynniewta M;Rao C S
019796 Laskar M A;Hynniewta M;Rao C S (Biotechnology Dep, St Anthony's College, Shillong-793 001) : In vitro propagation of Citrus indica Tanaka-an endangered progenitor species. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 311-6.
A method for in vitro propagation of Citrus indica Tanaka by shoot organogenesis from leaf-derived callus was developed. Regenerative calli were induced on MS medium supplemented with 0.01 mg L-1 TDZ and 0.1 mg L-1 NAA. Shoots were regenerated on WPM medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 BAP, 0.25 mg L-1 TDZ and 0.25 mg L-1 NAA. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 NAA. Sixty per cent of the rooted plantlets were acclimatized successfully under ex situ conditions.
Kavyashree R
019795 Kavyashree R (Plant Biotechnology Unit, Annexe-Botany Dep, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056) : An efficient in vitro protocol for clonal multiplication of Ginger - var. Varada. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 328-31.
An efficient, in vitro multiplication protocol was developed for Zingiber officinale Rosc., var. Varada through direct regeneration of vegetative buds. Multiple shoots were induced from vegetative buds on LSBM fortified with BAP (17.76 μM) with 96% initiation response. The repeated subculture resulted in rapid shoot multiplication at the average rate of 4-fold per culture. The well-developed multiple shoots formed roots on the same medium after 2-3 passages of subculture, thus eliminating the step of in vitro rooting. The statistical data pertaining to multiple shoot and root formation revealed highest mean number of 19.1 and 12.3, respectively. The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the field with 86% survival frequency after few days of indoor acclimatization.
Kaul D;Hussain A
019794 Kaul D;Hussain A (Molecular Biology Unit, Experimental Medicine & Biotechnology Dep, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh-160 012, Email: dkaul_24@hotmail.com) : Cellular AATF gene encodes a novel miRNA that can contribute to HIV-1 latency. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(3), 237-40.
HIV-1 encoded microRNA hiv1-miR-H1 is known to induce CD4+ lymphopenia through its ability to downregulate cellular AATF gene. The present study directed to examine the target sites of this miRNA on AATF gene revealed the existence of a novel miRNA designated as hmiR-che-1 which had the inherent capacity to target HIV-1 genome especially regions coding for hiv1-miR-H1 as well as Vpr gene. Further, the expression of AATF gene coupled with its encoded microRNA hmiR-che-1 exhibited characteristic antagonism with the expression of hiv1-miR-H1 within the lymphocytes, derived from asymptomatic as well as symptomatic AIDS subjects. Based upon these observations, we propose that the widely recognised HIV-1 latency in CD4+ T-lymphocytes may arise, because of the orchestrated balance that may exist between the expression levels of hiv1-miR-H1 and hmiR-che-1 within lymphocytes infected with HIV-1.
Kapilan N;Krishna;Reddy R P
019793 Kapilan N;Krishna;Reddy R P (Biotechnology Dep, Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology, Devanahalli, Bangalore-562 110, Email: kapil_krecmech@yahoo.com) : Methyl esters of mahua oils as an ecofriendly fuel in heavy duty vehicles. Asian J Chem 2008, 20(2), 1245-50.
Mahua oil methyl ester (MOME) was prepared by transesterfication using potassium hydroxide. According to the ASTM procedure, several tests were conducted to characterize mahua oil in relation to diesel oil. Various physical, chemical and thermal properties such as viscosity, flash point, fire point and calorific value were evaluated. From the analysis, it was observed that the properties of mahua oil methyl ester are close to diesel oil. Evaluates the mahua oil methyl ester as a fuel for diesel engine and dual engine, it was used as a fuel in a single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection, constant speed, compression ignition diesel engine and dual fuel engine. From the experimental results, it was observed that the mahua oil methyl ester result in performance and emissions close to diesel operation.
4 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref
Kannan P;Ignacimuthu S;Gabriel Paulraj M
019792 Kannan P;Ignacimuthu S;Gabriel Paulraj M (NO, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai-600 034, Email: entolc@hotmail.com) : Buffering capacity and membrane H<. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(3), 261-5.
A facultative alkaliphilic protease-producing gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria (EMGA 5) was isolated from mangrove soil and confirmed as Bacillus flexus by the 16S rDNA sequence. Buffering capacity and membrane H+ conductance of this alkaliphilic isolate were investigated for the cells grown at pH 7.2 and 10.5 using acid pulse technique. Suspensions of B. flexus cells grown in poly peptone yeast glucose medium at pH 10.5 exhibited higher cytoplasmic membrane buffering capacity values (70 æmol H+/pH unit/mg protein at pH 9.9) than the cells grown at pH 7.2 (41 μmol H+/pH unit/mg protein at pH 9.9). B. flexus grown aerobically at pH 7.2 showed higher H+ conductance values than the cells grown at pH 10.5 (0.032 μmol H+/s/pH unit/mg protein at pH 9.9 and 0.028 μmol H+/s/pH unit/mg protein at pH 9.8, respectively). Reveals that the buffering capacity and membrane H+ conductance of the B. flexus isolates were influenced by pH of the medium.
Joshi N;Dave A;Vyas S;Purohit S D
019791 Joshi N;Dave A;Vyas S;Purohit S D (Plant Biotechnology Lab, Botany Dep, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur-313 001) : Growth and shoot proliferation in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. in vitro under different carbon dioxide environment. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 323-7.
In vitro growth and shoot proliferation in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. were studied in a controlled CO2 environment. The cultures were grown on BA supplemented MS medium with or without 3% sucrose. A range of CO2 concentrations (0.0, 0.6, 10.0 and 40.0 g m-3) was controlled in small chambers by using solutions of NaHCO3, Na2CO3, KHCO3 and K2CO3. In order to maintain a CO2-free environment, a saturated solution of KOH was kept in the chambers. It was observed that the growing shoot cultures required either sucrose in the medium as a carbon source or an environment with controlled CO2 concentration. Complete absence of a carbon source caused severe yellowing of shoots and death within 15 d. The growth of shoot cultures at 40.0 g m-3 CO2 was comparable to the growth obtained with 3.0% sucrose in the medium. With both CO2 and sucrose being available, the best response was obtained at 40.0 g m-3 CO2 in the chamber. At this concentration the increase in number of shoots was nearly double the standard rate obtained when exposed to the natural CO2 level and sucrose supplemented medium. Total fresh and dry wt and shoot number were the maximum under this condition.
Jayashri T N;Anuradha R;Punekar N S
019790 Jayashri T N;Anuradha R;Punekar N S (Biotechnology Group, School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai-400 076, Email: nsp@iitb.ac.in) : Single-stranded megaprimer splicing through OE-PCR: Construction of full-length Aspergillus niger arginase cDNA. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(3), 266-8.
A useful variant of PCR technique was devised to generate full-length Aspergillus niger arginase cDNA for expression. Briefly, a 450 bp amplicon was first constructed through overlap extension PCR (OE-PCR) by splicing in a 101 nucleotide long single-stranded megaprimer, facilitated by inclusion of an additional, shorter forward primer in the reaction. The amplicon was suitably cloned into pBlueScript to obtain pArg440 and the insert sequenced. The full-length arginase cDNA was subsequently assembled in pArg440 and moved into pET23a for heterologous expression. An interesting feature of this strategy was not to stoichiometrically incorporate the oligonucleotide megaprimer, but use it only as an early template. This OE-PCR strategy to utilize long single-stranded megaprimer may prove handy in terms of efficiency, yield and sequence choice.
^ssc
Jayalalitha V;Dhanalakshmi B;Elango A
019789 Jayalalitha V;Dhanalakshmi B;Elango A (Dairy Science Dep, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai) : Identification of lactobacilli from raw milk by PCR. Indian J Dairy Sci 2008, 61(5), 360.
Genom/c DIVA was extracted by using Qiagen Kit. From all the lactobacillus isolates DNA was extracted and quantified. The concentration varied from 55-200 ng/μl and purity ranged from 1.5-1.9. size of the DNA was more than 20 Kb. Extraction of Genomic DNA from milk without added lactobacilli was not satisfactory. PCR test showed positive reaction for all the 30 isolates of lactobacillus with genus specific primer and amplicon size was 0.4Kb. PCR from raw milk DNA without added lactobacilli showed negative reaction. 12 suspected isolates of L.acidophilus tested for species specific PCR, showed positive reaction and size of amplicon was 550bp. In order to validate PCR, raw milk was intentionally added with different dilutions of lactobacilli (107, 105, 103, 10) and PCR was carried out. Up to JO3 cfu/ml of lactobacilli in raw milk showed positive reaction in PCR. This study concluded that JO3 cfu/ml is required to identify the lactobacillus from raw milk by PCR.
3 tables, 13 ref
Ghosh M;Pathak S
019788 Ghosh M;Pathak S (Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences Dep, Thapar University, Patiala-147 004) : Biopolymer based intervention for Salmonella in water. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 298-303.
Evaluates the potential of a bacterial polymer for binding and removal of Salmonella spp. currently deemed as a biowarfare agent in water. The biopolymer previously characterized as a polysaccharide with flocculating activity is produced extracellularly by the bacterium, Klebsiella terrigena. The biopolymer could effectively remove 3 log cfu/mL of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 23564, within a period of 30 min from amongst other indicator (Escherichia coli DH5α and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 35550) and enteropathogens of moderate concern (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144) spiked in water samples at ambient temperature. The optimum dose of biopolymeric flocculant for removal of Salmonella was 2 mg/L. FISH and CLSM demonstrated that the removed S. typhimurium was selectively bound to the biopolymer matrix. The results indicate a significant possibility of using this biopolymer for rapid detection and removal of key biowarfare agents (for instance Salmonella) transmitted through water.
Dubey A;Ghorui S K;Kashyap S K
019787 Dubey A;Ghorui S K;Kashyap S K (NO, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner-334 001) : Differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus strains based on 16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic space polymorphism. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 276-9.
Discrimination of Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from camel abscesses and mastitic milk of camel, cattle and goats, on the basis of 16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic space polymorphism was carried out. Two sets of primers were used for amplification of DNA of intergenic space; the one having a highly conserved sequence in eubacterial 23S rRNA transcript, while the other having less conserved sequence of 16S rRNA, reported earlier by other workers. Of the two sets of primers used, amplification could be achieved with one set of primers. Of 60 strains of S. aureus tested, amplification could be achieved in only 18 strains. In these strains the most frequent bands of DNA were of 350, 500, 750 and 1500 base pairs. Polymorphism was noted in the number of the rRNA transcripts and size of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic space, as evident by variable band pattern in different strains of S. aureus.
Das A;Ghosh U
019786 Das A;Ghosh U (Microbiology Dep, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore-721 102) : Solid-state fermentation of waste cabbage by Penicillium notatum NCIM NO-923 for production and characterization of cellulases. J scient ind Res 2009, 68(8), 714-8.
Solid-state fermentation (SSF) of waste cabbage was carried out by Penicillium notatum NCIM NO-923 for production of extracellular enzymes. Highest activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (CMC) (817.19±1.2 IU/gds) was obtained at 30°C and 48 h fermentation time and that of filter paper activity (FPA) (67.49±1.33IU/gds) was obtained at 30°C and 24 h fermentation time. SSF of mixed substrate (cabbage and bagasse; 3:2 w/w) resulted in increase in CMC activity by 3277.3±1.22 and FPA by1280.76±1.33. Both enzymes exhibited significant thermo stability up to 50°C.
Boobathy S;Ajith Kumar T T;Kathiresan K
019785 Boobathy S;Ajith Kumar T T;Kathiresan K (Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai-608 502) : Isolation of symbiotic bacteria and bioactive proteins from the marine sponge, Callyspongia diffusa. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 272-5.
The marine sponge, Callyspongia diffusa, collected near Mumbai coast, was studied for symbiotic bacterial association and biologically active proteins. Four bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholera) were found associated with the sponge. Crude protein from the sponge was extracted at concentration of 1.43 mg/mL in methanol and 1.62 mg/mL in aqueous extract. Antibacterial activity of the extracts against the four symbiotic bacteria inhibited the growth of only V. cholera. Both extracts exhibited hemolytic activity on chicken erythrocytes at 6.99 HT/mg for methanolic and 8.64 HT/mg for aqueous extracts. On SDS-PAGE, the crude protein yielded eight bands in methanolic extract and five bands in aqueous extract, with molecular weight ranging from 14.4 to 116 kDa with three well defined bands of 19.5, 39.0, 66.2 kDa in both the extracts.
Bhaskara Thathaji P;Udya Bhaskara Rao P; Subramanian C
019784 Bhaskara Thathaji P;Udya Bhaskara Rao P; Subramanian C (Zoology Dep, Vikas P G College, Vissannapeta-521 215) : Heamatological changes in Cyprinous carpio communis exposed to sublethal concertration of butachlor and machete, an herbicide. J Aquatic Biol 2008, 23(1), 155-8.
Haematological changes in the fish Cyprinus carpio comnunis (Linnaeus) was estimated to sublethal concentration of butachlor and machete. Decreased values were observed in total red blood cell count, haemoglobin per cent, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. But increased values were observed in total white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume.
1 table, 23 ref
Asokan R;Mohan K S;Vageeshbabu S;Hanur V S
019783 Asokan R;Mohan K S;Vageeshbabu S;Hanur V S (Biotechnology Div, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake (PO), Bangalore-560 089, Email: asokan@iihr.ernet.in) : Enhanced persistence of insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp Kurstaki by transforming the predominant phyllosphere bacterium, Bacillus megaterium. J biol Control 2008, 22(2), 357-67.
The insecticidal crystal proteins (ICP) of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have relatively short persistence when applied as foliar spray. The limited persistence of the ICP on the phyllosphere is mainly due to alkaline pH and UV radiation in the solar spectrum. In this regard, chemical adjutants, plant derived substances such as phenols and flavinoids have been employed to improve the persistence of the ICP. Alternatively, expression of ICP in a predominant phyllosphere bacterium has been shown to be useful in enhancing the persistence ' of the same. Therefore, Bacillus megateriiim, a predominant phyllosphere bacterium of cabbage, was engineered to express the ICP of Bt subsp kurstaki (Btk) through conjugal transfer. A total of seven stable transformants, v/z., A3, B3, C3, El, E2, E3 & F were obtained in the above. Among them, B3 was highly toxic to the important pests of cabbage, Plutella xylostella (0.36 ng/ cm2) and Crocidoloinia binotalis (1.74 ng/cm2). Additionally, B3 had extended lysis (96 hours) and higher persistence (9 cfu/cm2) as compared to the rest of the transformants and Btk.
3 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref
Annamalai N;Thavasi R;Jayalakshmi S; Balasubramanian T
019782 Annamalai N;Thavasi R;Jayalakshmi S; Balasubramanian T (CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai-608502) : Thermostable and alkaline tolerant xylanase production by Bacillus subtilis isolated form marine environment. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 291-7.
Isolates a thermostable and alkaline tolerant xylanase producing strain from an estuarine environment, and to produce, purify and characterize the enzyme. The bacterium, Bacillus subtilis isolated from the estuarine environment was grown in shake flasks to derive the optimum culture conditions and also cultured in lab scale fermentor to obtain more xylanase. Maximum enzyme production (128 U/mL) was recorded in stationary phase (36 h) of the culture. The enzyme was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation (60% saturation), followed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The enzyme was optimally active at 55°C and pH 9.0. Influence of metal ions on enzyme activity revealed that, Fe2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ greatly enhanced the enzyme activity to 238, 148, 208 U/mL, respectively; whereas Hg2+ (0 U/mL) and EDTA (18 U/mL) strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. Based on the results obtained, xylanase isolated in this study may be useful in pulp pre-bleaching process to remove the hemicelluloses. The use of thermostable alkaline tolerant xylanase for enzyme assisted pulp bleaching could greatly reduce the need for pH and temperature readjustment, thus offering enormous technical and economic advantages.
Anita Josephine W;Jaba Priya T;Wilfred Sugumar R
019781 Anita Josephine W;Jaba Priya T;Wilfred Sugumar R (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Dep, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Chennai-500 119) : Mineralization of reactive dyes. Bull envir Sci 2006, 24(1), 33-7.
Wastewaters from the dye baths of a non-formal textile-dyeing unit containing C. I. Reactive Black 5 and C.l Reactive Red 120 were subjected to degradation in a two stage anaerobicªaerobic reactor. The technical samples of the dyestuffs and the dye bath wastes were treated in an anaerobic reactor, using an adapted mixed culture of anaerobic microorganisms. The dyestuffs were biotransformed into colourless substituted amine metabolites in the reactor. The biotransformation was assisted by cometabolic process. The amine metabolites did not undergo further degradation in the anaerobic reactor. The effluent from the anaerobic reactor was treated in an aerobic rotating biological contactor and the amine metabolites were found to undergo complete mineralization. This two-stage treatment resulted in 94% elimination of dissolved organic carbon. In addition, 85% of organic nitrogen was converted into nitrate in the aerobic reactor during nitrification process.
5 illus, 7 ref
Ali M;Hariharan A G;Mishra N;Jain S
019780 Ali M;Hariharan A G;Mishra N;Jain S (NO, Smriti College of Pharmaceutical Education, Dewas Naka, Nipania, Indore-452 010) : Catalytic antibodies as potential therapeutics. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 253-8.
The idea that enzymes can be generated by employing antibodies complimentary to haptenic groups, resembling the transition state of a given reaction, laid down the foundation of catalytic antibodies. New possibilities arise for their therapeutic applications, because of high degree of reaction specificity, greater affinity towards transition state analog and the latent ability to block unwanted protein-protein interactions. Antibody directed abzyme prodrug therapy (ADAPT) will largely replace antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) for selectively delivering chemotherapeutic agents to the affected tissues. They can enzymatically cleave specific surface proteins and sugars on viruses or tumour cells, thereby disrupting the invaders. They had also been successfully used to detoxify drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. Desired reaction selectivity can be induced in antibodies to exhibit a wide range of chemical reactions, so that they would prove to be a milestone in human endeavour to treat genetic diseases, which show brighter prospects for their therapeutic applications in near future. This review aims at analyzing the updated information on biochemical and mechanistic implications of catalytic antibodies with special reference to their therapeutic application and the advances made in these areas.
Ajungla L;Patil P P;Barmukh R B;Nikam T D
019779 Ajungla L;Patil P P;Barmukh R B;Nikam T D (Botany Dep, University of Pune, Pune-411007) : Influence of biotic and abiotic elicitors on accumulation of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in root cultures of Datura metel L.. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 317-22.
Leaf-derived root cultures of Datura metel L., established on B5 medium containing 1.2 μM IAA, were employed to study the influence of biotic (Aspergillus niger, Alternaria sp., Fusarium monoliforme and yeast extract) and abiotic (salicylic acid, AlCl3, CaCl2, NaCl and Na2SO4) elicitors on the growth and production of hyoscyamine and scopolamine, the medicinally important tropane alkaloids. The hyoscyamine and scopolamine contents in control root cultures were 1.39 mg/g dw and 0.069 mg/g dw, respectively. The highest hyoscyamine (4.35 mg/g dw) and scopolamine (0.28 mg/g dw) accumulation was obtained in cultures treated with 500 μM salicylic acid, followed by treatment with 0.75 g L-1 yeast extract (3.17 mg/g dw hyoscyamine & 0.16 mg/g dw scopolamine) and 250 μM AlCl3 (2.49 mg/g dw hyoscyamine and 0.11 mg/g dw scopolamine).
Ajinder Kaur;Gosal S S
019778 Ajinder Kaur;Gosal S S (School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004) : Desiccation of callus enhances somatic embryogenesis and subsequent shoot regeneration in sugarcane. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(3), 332-4.
Callus cultures were established in three commercial sugarcane varieties, viz., CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86, from spindle leaf segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 4 mg/L) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 0.5 mg/L). The calli were sub-cultured on MS+2,4-D (2 mg/L)+BAP (0.5 mg/L)+agar (0.8% w/v) medium (control) and MS+2,4-D (2 mg/L)+BAP (0.5 mg/L)+agar (1.6% w/v) medium (treatment) to study the effect of desiccation caused by double agar on somatic embryogenesis. Per cent somatic embryogenesis observed in treatment-calli of sugarcane varieties CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86 was 90, 90.63 and 89.66, respectively; while in control-calli the corresponding figures were 66.67, 64.52 and 63.33. Likewise, shoot regeneration from desiccated calli on MS+BAP (0.5 mg/L) medium was also higher over non-desiccated control, i.e., 84.27, 86.52 and 83.13% as compared to 54.35, 56.25 and 50.38%, respectively in CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86. Thus, this fairly simple double agar medium provided an alternative method for improving somatic embryogenesis and, hence, regeneration frequency of sugarcane callus.
Agnies E G;Antczak NM H S;Piotrowicz-Wasiak M;Antczak T Z
019777 Agnies E G;Antczak NM H S;Piotrowicz-Wasiak M;Antczak T Z (Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences D, Technical University of Lodz, Stefanowskiego 4/10, 90-924 Lodz, Poland, Email: mirszcz@p.lodz.pl) : Endopeptidases of Bacillus subtilis IBTC-3 and B. alcalophilus PB92 in synthesis of precursors of biologically active peptides. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(3), 213-20.
Two endopeptidases (from Bacillus subtilis IBTC-3 and from B. alcalophilus PB92-commercial preparation) efficiently synthesized amino acid esters (NAc-Tyr-OEt and NAc-Phe-OEt) and dipeptides (NAc-Tyr-Gly-NH2 and NAc-Tyr-Arg-NH2) in organic solvent/water systems. The rate of NAc-Tyr-OEt synthesis mediated by the native subtilisin IBTC-3 was maximum (0.23 Umg-1) in ethanol/5-7% w/v water system, while the highest activity of the freeze-dried enzyme (0.18 Umg-1) was achieved, when water content was 9-10% w/v. The preferred system for dipeptide synthesis (using NAc-Tyr-OEt as acyl donor) by both the enzymes was acetonitrile/4% w/v water. In this system, the maximum yield of NAc-Tyr-GlyNH2 was 71 and 80% and that of NAc-Tyr-Arg-NH2 was 53 and 40% for subtilisin IBTC-3 and peptidase PB92, respectively. In contrast to the peptidase PB92, the subtilisin efficiently catalyzed esterification of NAc-Tyr with 1-butanol and isopropanol.
Vasanth D;De A K;Akshey Y S;Malakar D
018750 Vasanth D;De A K;Akshey Y S;Malakar D (Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Email: dhrubamalakar@yahoo.com) : Preliminary study of isolation and characterization of embryonic stem cells-like cells from in vitro produced goat blastocysts. Indian J Dairy Sci 2008, 61(4), 258-64.
The aim of the study was to culture embryonic stem cells-like cells from in vitro produced goat blastocysts. Total 2884 oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and A (454) & B (551) grade oocytes were matured in vitro with maturation medium containing TCM-199, 5 μg/ml FSH, 100 μg/ml LH, 1 μg/ml estradiol 17 β, 3 mg/ml BSA and 10% estrus goat serum in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5°C for 27 h. Fresh semen was collected from healthy bucks and capacitated with modified defined medium (m-DM). Maturated oocytes were co-incubated with capacitated spermatozoa in TALP medium containing 10 μg/ml heparin and 400 μg/ml caffeine for 18 h at 5% CO2 incubator. Cleaved embryos (18.80%) were cultured in embryo development medium for blastocyst (28.04%), and five hatched blastocysts were produced. Feeder layer was prepared from goat fetal fibroblast cells in RPMI-1640 with 10% FCS. The confluent feeder layer was inactivated with 10 μg/ml mitomycin-C in RPMI-1640 for 3 h. The embryonic inner cell mass from hatched blastocyst were isolated mechanically and cultured on inactivated feeder layer. The embryonic inner cell mass was grown and subsequent proliferation and elongation was observed on 3rd and 4th day of plating. An embryonic stem cells-like cell was characterized with the expression of alkaline phosphatase. From the present study, it could be concluded that embryonic inner cell mass could be isolated from hatched blastocysts of goat and cultured successfully. Alkaline phosphatase was detected histochemicalfy for confirmation of goat embryonic stem cells-like cells.
6 illus, 1 table, 43 ref
Tokas J;Kaul G
018749 Tokas J;Kaul G (Animal Biochemistry Div, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Email: gkndri@gmail.com ) : Unique class of adult stem cells : male germ cells. Indian J Dairy Sci 2008, 61(4), 236-41.
Stem cells are a subject of intense and increasing interest because of their biological properties and potential medical importance. Adult stem cells occur in mature tissues. Like embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells can self-replicate. Their ability to self-renew can last throughout the lifetime of individual organisms. But unlike embryonic stem cells, it is usually difficult to expand adult stem cells in culture. Adult stem cells reside in specific organs and tissues, but account for a very small number of cells in tissues. They are responsible for maintaining a stable state of specialized tissues. In recent years, scientific community has become increasingly interested in spermatogonial stem cells. Spermatogonial stem cells are unique among the adult stem cells because they pass genetic information to the next generation. This makes it a perfect target for genetic manipulations, especially if spermatogonial stem cells can be cultured and their numbers increased before transplantation into recipient testes. Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation has allowed the detection of spermatogonial stem cells activity and study of spermatogonial stem cells biology. Methodological breakthroughs, such as germ cell transplantation, cryopreservation, long term culture and enrichment of stem cell population combined with novel germ line transfection studies make more significant breakthroughs likely in the near future. Such achievements will have applications in the basic science, domestic and wild animal reproduction. Although still in a developmental state, germ cell transplantation is an emerging technology with the potential for new opportunities in livestock production.
^iia1 illus, 49 ref
Thirupathi K;Krishna D R;Ravi Kumar B;Apparao A V N;Krishna Mohan G
018748 Thirupathi K;Krishna D R;Ravi Kumar B;Apparao A V N;Krishna Mohan G (Pharmacognosy and Centre for Ethnopharmacology Dep, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya Univ, Warangal-506 009, Email: drgkrishnamohan@yahoo.co.in) : Hepatoprotective effect of leaves of Balanites roxburghii against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damag in rats. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 219-24.
The methanolic extract of leaves of Balanites roxburghii (BLR) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. It was evaluated by measuring levels of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SCOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBR). The histological studies were also carried out to support the above parameters. Administration of BLR (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly prevented CCl4-induced elevation of levels of serum GPT, GOT, ALP and TBR. A comparative liistopatho logical study of liver exhibited near to normal architecture, as compared to CCl4-treated group.
1 illus, 1 table, 23 ref
Tan S;Erene A;Ada K;Katircioglu H
018747 Tan S;Erene A;Ada K;Katircioglu H (Biology Dep, Faculty of Science and Letters, Kirikkale Univ, 71450 Yahsihan, Kirikkale, Turkey, Email: ayergene@yahoo.com) : Kinetic and equilibrium studies on the biosorption of Cl reactive orange 16 dye by immobilized Scenedesmus quadricauda. Asian J Chem 2008, 20(5), 4059-70.
The biosorption of commonly used reactive dye, reactive orange 16 (RO 16), from aqueous solutions by live (ILSq) and heat inactivated Scenedesmus quadricauda (IHISq) immobilized Scenedesmus quadricauda was studied in a batch system with respect to pH, temperature and biosorption time. The ILSq and IHISq exhibited the highest dye uptake capacity at 30 °C, the initial pH value of 2.0 and the initial dye concentration of 300 mg L-1. At 300 mg L-1 initial dye concentration in the batch system the adsorption capacity was determined as 88.4 mg g-1 of dye biosorption for IHISq in 0.5 h. The adsorption capacity of ILSq was observed as 71.2 mg g-1 in 0.5 h and 76.4 mg g-1 and 82.8 mg g-1 of dye biosorption within 1 and 3 h, respectively. The equilibrium concentration and the adsorption capacity at equilibrium were determined using four different sorption models i.e., Langmuir, Temkin, Flory-Huggins and Freundlich isotherm.
9 illus, 2 tables, 27 ref
Surekha D;Sailaja K;Nageswararao D;Padma T; Raghunadharao D;Vishnupriya S
018746 Surekha D;Sailaja K;Nageswararao D;Padma T; Raghunadharao D;Vishnupriya S (Genetics Dep, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad, Email: drsattivishnupriya@yahoo.com) : Polymorphism of glutathione-S-transferase genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 and risk for breast cancer. J Cell Tissue Res 2008, 8(1), 1323-6.
Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, including an array of environmental carcinogens, chemotherapeutic agents and also free radicals generated during oxidative stress. A group of 250 breast cancer patients including 9 male breast cancer cases and controls were analyzed for GSTMI and GSTT1 polymorphisms by using multiplex PCR method. The frequency of GSTMI null genotype (MO), GSTTI null genotype (TO) and GST double null (T0M0) did not show any significant association with breast cancer. MO (38.4%,p=0.03) genotypefrequency was significantly elevated inpostmenopausalpatients when compared to premenopausalpatients. T0 (13.6%, 15.6%) genotypefrequency was also increased in overweight and obese women with breast cancer. When the occupation of patients was considered MO (48.1%) genotypefrequency was elevated in women who are exposed to agricultural pesticides. TO (15.4%) frequency was elevated among patients with receptor status positive for HER2/neu. Double null (T0M0) genotype was found to be elevated among breast cancer patients who were positive for progesterone and HER2/neu receptor status, negative nodal status and with obesity. In conclusion, our data suggested that GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes might be acting independently in the development and the clinical outcome of the of breast cancer.
3 tables, 21 ref
Surekha D;Sailaja K;Nageswara Rao D;Padma T; Raghunadharao D;Vishnupriya S
018745 Surekha D;Sailaja K;Nageswara Rao D;Padma T; Raghunadharao D;Vishnupriya S (Genetics Dep, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad, Email: sattivishnupriya@gmail.com) : Association of CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A5*6 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 181-7.
CYP3 A5 gene is located on chromosome 7q21.1 and is responsible for the metabolism of over 50% of all clinically used drugs. 250 breast cancer and same number of healthy age matched controls were analyzed for the polymorphisms of CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A5*6 by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The normal wild type allele CYP3A5* produces correct transcript and individuals with at least one CYP3 A5* 1 allele can express CYP3 A5 at higher levels. In the present study, the frequency of heterozygotes for CYP3A5*! (1/3) was significantly increased in breast cancer (53.0%) when compared to controls (41.4%) with corresponding increase in CYP3A5*1 allele frequency. The frequency of 3/3 genotype was increased in postmenopausal (40.0%) patients with high BMI, ER, PR and HER2/neu positive status and in housewife group. There was an increase of 1/3 genotype frequency in patients with positive family history and agricultural laborers (55.6%). In conclusion our results suggested that the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism might influence the breast cancer etiology which mainly depends on the type of exposure. CYP3A5*6 allele was not observed in cases as well as in controls.
2 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref
Sreethi Reddy K;Souframanien J;Reddy K S; Dhanasekar P
018744 Sreethi Reddy K;Souframanien J;Reddy K S; Dhanasekar P (Biotechnology Dep, Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Chennai-600 103, Email: ksreddy122@yahoo.co.in) : Genetic diversity in mungbean as revealed by SSR and ISSR markers. J Fd Legume 2008, 21(1), 15-21.
Assessment of genetic diversity in a crop species is prerequisite to its improvement. The use of germplasm with distinct DNA profiles helps to generate breeding populations with broad genetic base. In order to obtain an overview of the genetic diversity present in mungbean, 30 genotypes were analyzed at the DNA level by simple sequence repeat (SSR) and inter simple sequence repeat (TSSR) markers. Nineteen SSR and 35 ISSR primers were used of which, 10 and 20 primers respectively showed amplification. Of the 10 SSR primers 7 showed polymorphism with 1.6 polymorphic fragments per primer. The SSR primers amplified 1 (VR2,VR3,VR4, MB14 & MB77) to 3 (VR9F and 9R) alleles of 150 bp to 300 bp. The 20 ISSR primers which showed amplification produced 116 bands of which 72 were polymorphic (62%). The number of amplified bands ranged from 2 _(ISSR807, 809, 819, 820) to 12 (ISSR842) and the size ranged from 200 bp to 2,700 bp. Primers based on AC motif produced more polymorphism per primer (7.3) in comparison to AG motifs based primers (2). Dendrogram based on SSR and ISSR data grouped the 30 mungbean genotypes into five clusters. Dendrogram indicated clear pattern of clustering of genotype according to the location from which they were collected. The pattern of clustering was also reiterated by the grouping by principal component analysis (PCA). The genotype Madhira mung was represented as separate Operational Taxanomic Unit (OTU) showing low similarity coefficient with (he other genotypes studied. Genotypes Mulmarada and Karnataka Local grouped separately, while Samrat formed a separate OTU. The results indicate the usefulness of SSR and ISSR markers in the assessment of genetic variability among the mungbean genotypes.
3 illus, 3 tables, 32 ref
Shadab Ahmed;Saraf T;Goyal A
018743 Shadab Ahmed;Saraf T;Goyal A (Biotechnology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781 039, Email: arungoyl@iitg.ernet.in) : Homology modeling of family 39 glycoside hydrolase from Clostridium thermocellum. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 210-18.
The homology based 3-Dimensioanl structure prediction of family 39 glycoside hydrolase (CtGH39) from Clostridium thermocellum was carried out using bioinformatics tools. The Ctgh39 gene from Clostridium thermocellum is 1170 base pair sequence. The CtGH39 sequence on PSI-BLAST analysis for homology search revealed 54 hits and out which a few had significant E score (E <0.005) and better sequence similarity. The phylogenetic tree showed that CtGH39 evolved from dockerin type cellulosome enzyme from Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405 and its closest neighbour is a hypothetical protein from Thermotoga petrophila. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of CtGH39 using MultAlin and HHpred showed above 90% similarities with protein sequences of Thermotoga petriphila (Hypothetical protein), Geobacillus slereothermophilus (1w91; 99.5%; E score=1.2 E-ll), Thermoanaerobacterium saccharoly-ticum (luhv; 99.4%; E score=2.9 E-ll) and Bacillus slereothermophilus (Iqw9; 98.5%; E score=4.9 E-6) from the PDB database. The secondary structure of C/GH39 using PSIPRED VIEW revealed many helices, strands and coils in the protein structure. The tertiary structure prediction of QGH39 by MODELLER 8v2 showed a (Mx) fold. The program VERIFY 3D assessed the quality of the predicted structure of CtGH39 with acceptable scores. Ramachandran plot revealed that the structure of CtGH39 contains many segments of helix and further showed a tight grouping of phi (φ), psi (ψ) angles around -50, -50. There were 22 residues in 310 helical regions and 188 residues in beta sheets. The number of residues in alpha helix is 156 which are close to φ ~ 50 and ψ ~ -50 and these residues are clustered together. The Ramachandran plot for CtGH39 using RAMPAGE software showed that among 390 residues, 352 (90.7%) were in favoured region. 26 (6.7%) were in allowed region and 10 (2.6%) were in disallowed region elucidating the acceptability of the predicted model. All the results converged to the fact that the predicted 3-Dimensional structure of CtGH39 is of good quality with acceptable scores.
8 illus, 29 ref
Saravana Kumar A;Saravanan V S;Vanitha J; Mohanraj P;Shivakumar T
018742 Saravana Kumar A;Saravanan V S;Vanitha J; Mohanraj P;Shivakumar T (Pharmaceutical Bio-Technology Dep, Nandha College of Pharmacy, Erode-638 052, Email: saravanan_biotech@yahoo.com) : In vitro release study of diphtheria toxoid loaded chitosan microspheres. Asian J Chem 2007, 19(5), 3532-6.
The majority of available vaccines require several booster doses to induce effective immunity and these results in significance compliance problems, particularly in developing world. On basis of this, Tetanus toxoid (TT) has the model antigen encapsulated with in chitosan micropheres by emulsion cross-linking method, with an aim of targeting the drug to the site of inflammation and for controlled release. The in vitro release studies of Tetanus toxoid encapsulated chitosan microspheres were evaluated by using limes flocculation test. In this case Tetanus toxoid started to release only on the 8th day and there after showed a pulsed release upto 40th day. The drug was released continuously over 60 d with no burst effect with a maximum release of 83.33%. A single administration of chitosan microspheres showed better release kinetics when comparated to markedly available vaccine. These results indicated the possibility of drug being released at a controlled rate from chitosan micro spheres and targeted at the size.
3 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref
Ravi Kant Singh;Shashi Kumar;Surendra Kumar
018741 Ravi Kant Singh;Shashi Kumar;Surendra Kumar (Biotechnology Dep, IMS Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh) : Production of α-amylase from agricultural byproducts by Humicola lanuginosa in solid state fermentation. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 172-80.
In this study α-amylase activity expression in Humicola lannginosa was evaluated under different environmental conditions using solid state fermentation (SSF) on different agricultural byproducts. The solid supports for α-amylase production in SSF process were wheat bran, wheat straw, rye straw, and corncob leaf. Wheat bran has been found to yield maximum production of α-amylase among these solid substrates. Effects of process variables, namely incubation time & temperature, initial moisture content, pH, supplementary carbon source, and inoculum level, on production of a -amylase have been studied, and accordingly optimum conditions have been determined. It has been found that the α-amylase production is the highest at 144 hr incubation period, 50°C incubation temperature, 90% initial moisture contents, pH of 6 and 20% inoculum level. Soluble starch has been found the best supplementary carbon source.
7 illus, 1 table, 42 ref
Prasanna Kumar S;Salimath B P
018740 Prasanna Kumar S;Salimath B P (Studies in Biotechnology Dep, Mysore Univ, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, Email: Salimathuom@rediffmail.com) : Withaferin a suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in ehrlich ascites tumor cells via Sp1 transcription factor. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 138-48.
In the ayurvedic system of medicine, the medicinal plant, Withania somnifera Dunal (Solanaceae) finds application for numerous ailments including cancer. This herbal plant yields a host of steroidal lactones called withanolides, some of which have shown growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines. Withaferin A amongst these withanolides reportedly is very active in impairing antitumor activity. However; the underlying molecular mechanisms of this activity remains still unclear. In the present study, we have shown that withaferin A inhibited vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) -induced tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. In Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) model, the animals treated with withaferin A suppressed in vivo, the peritoneal angiogenesis and microvessel density. When compared to the untreated animals, the withaferin A treated tumor bearing mice showed a decrease in the volume of ascites and tumor cell number. Quantitation of VEGF levels in ascites from withaferin A untreated or treated tumor bearing mice indicated decreased secretion of VEGF in ascites from treated mice, as measured by ELISA. Studies at molecular level revealed that withaferin A inhibits binding of Spl transcription factor to VEGF-gene promoter, in order to exert its antiangiogenic activity. These results clearly indicate the antiangiogenic potential of withaferin A in modulating antitumor activity.
6 illus, 40 ref
Nagarajan K;Senthamarai R;Devi K;S Deepa Shalini;Anandh N;Krishnaveni P;Mazumder A;Ghosh L K;Umadevi G
018739 Nagarajan K;Senthamarai R;Devi K;S Deepa Shalini;Anandh N;Krishnaveni P;Mazumder A;Ghosh L K;Umadevi G (Pharmaceutical Chemistry Dep, Periyar College of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Girls, Trichy-620 021, Email: nagarajan_mph@yahoo.co.in) : Assessment of antimicrobial activity for the smaller chain dipeptides and tripeptides. J Cell Tissue Res 2008, 8(1), 1265-9.
Disc diffusion method was employed to determine the antimicrobial effect of test compounds I, II and III (Trp-Phe-Asn, Gly-Pro, Gly-Asn) against eight microbial species viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Streptococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonoas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes and Candida albicans. The disc was saturated with 100 fil of compound I and 200 III of compound II and III, allowed to dry and introduced on the upper layer of seeded agar plate. The plates were incubated over night at 37"C. Microbial growth was determined by measuring the zonal inhibition diameters. Compound I showed maximum potency against gram positive S. aureus (28 mm) in comparison with standard Ciprofloxacin (40mm). Compound I was found to be highly sensitive against S. albus (20mm), S. fecalis (16 mm) and E. Coli (15 mm). Compound II shows good potency against S. aureus (13 mm) and S. albus (10mm). Compound III was found to be moderately sensitive against S. aureus (8mm) and Proteus vulgaris (10 mm). Among all the compounds tested, none of them was found to be effective against the fungi Candida albicans.
4 illus, 1 table, 25 ref
Murthy V R;Kishore Kumar K;Jayaraju K;Silas S
018738 Murthy V R;Kishore Kumar K;Jayaraju K;Silas S (Chemical of Chemical Engineeirng, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003, Email: prof.chvrmurthy@sify.com) : Biosorption studies for removal of cadmium from wastewater using immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Asian J Chem 2007, 19(5), 3502-10.
In the study a new biosorbent material a waste product from breweries containing yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was immobilized and was used as an absorbent for removal of cadmium, as yeasts are capable of accumulating various heavy metals. Studies on the removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions using Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in 4% sodium alginate beads were undertaken. Adsorption was carried out using free cells, immobilized beads in presence and absence of biomass. The results indicate that the amount of cadmium adsorbed increases with increase in metal concentration and decreased with decrease in pH. Increase in sodium alginate concentration increased in the metal adsorption. The equilibrium data was fitted to Freundlich type of equation in all cases of the study. Finally an empirical correlation was proposed to estimate the equilibrium distribution of cadmium between immobilized biomass and aqueous solution.
12 illus, 11 ref
Lee J
018737 Lee J (Clinical Lab Science Dep, Dongseo Univ, Busan-617 716, Email: jinhwa2000@gdsu.dongseo.ac.kr) : Regulation of CIP/KIP cell cycle inhibitors and their biological implications. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(2), 128-37.
The cell cycle regulation is a key homeostatic device upon the cellular decision during the multi processes like proliferation, differentiation, survival and death. Human cancers can arise from the result of functional failure in cell cycle regulators. Therefore, activity of the major cell cycle regulator, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), is tightly regulated by cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) such as the 21 CIPl and p27KIP1. These CKIs, mainly functioning as a cyclinE/CDK2 complex inhibitor during the G1 cell cycle, have been reported to play disparate roles including the assembly of cyclinD/CDK4,6 and others that apparently assist cell growth if not help carcinogenesis. While their genetic disruptions are rarely found in human cancers, low expression levels or cytoplasmic mislocalizations of the p21 CIP1 and p27KIPl often correlate with human malignancies. Recent studies show that signalling kinases can directly phosphorylate these proteins as a substrate and change their activities in the role of a cell cycle inhibitor by switching interacting partner proteins after the phosphorylation-driven structural modifications. This report will discuss the complex regulatory mechanisms of p21CIPl andp27KIPl proteins on the cue of extracellular signals and their indications of functional importance to carcinogenesis.
39 ref
Kumar O;Shakya B;Vijayaraghavan R
018736 Kumar O;Shakya B;Vijayaraghavan R (Pharmacology and Toxicology Div, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior-474 002, Email: omkumar63@rediffmail.com) : Development of latex aggutination test for the rapid detection of abrin toxin. J Cell Tissue Res 2008, 8(1), 1317-22.
Abrin is a plant toxin from Abrus precatorious seeds and extremely toxic in nature. Abrin inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating ribosomes in an irreversible manner. Plant toxins (abrin and ricin) are to be considered as potentials bio-terrorism or biological weapons. The development of a fast and sensitive method for the detection of biological agents is an important tool to prevent or deal with the consequences of intoxication due to these toxins. In the study abrin was purified and polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits. Latex particles were sensitized by coating purified IgG antibodies. The optimum binding of antibodies to latex particles was 97 percent. Latex agglutination test was standardized for the detection of abrin. The 95 to 97 percent saturated latex particles can detect abrin up to 62.5 μg/ml. The above-developed reagent (sensitized latex particles) was stable for a period of four months without loss in its sensitivity at 4°C and room temperature. The developed field based test system is sensitive, rapid and does not require trained person and instrumentation.
2 illus, 4 tables, 20 ref
Kumar O;Kannoji A;Jayaraj R;Vijayaraghavan R
018735 Kumar O;Kannoji A;Jayaraj R;Vijayaraghavan R (Pharmacology and Toxicology Div, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior-474 002, Email: omkumar63@rediffmail.com) : Purification and characterization of abrin toxin from white Abrus precatorius seeds. J Cell Tissue Res 2008, 8(1), 1243-48.
In nature, evolution has created proteins that are toxic to mammalian cells. Well-studied classes of such cytotoxic proteins are plant and bacterial toxins. Among plant toxins, abrin and ricin are extremely toxic; a single molecule of these toxins is sufficient to kill a cell. In the present study we have purified and characterized abrin toxin from white Abrus precatorius seeds. The toxin was extracted from white abrus seeds following 30% and 90% ammonium ml/ate saturations. After dialysis crude abrin was purified by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose column. DEAE purified toxin was further purified by size exclusion chromatography using Bio-gel A-0.5. The purity of toxin was checked by poly aery lamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The abrin toxin gives a single band under non reduced condition and two bands under reduced condition. No other band was observed. The purity of abrin was also confirmed by Western blot. Haemagglutination activity was studied and found to be 1:2. The molecular weight of abrin molecule was found to be 65,000 approximately. The abrin after treatment with 1% b-mercaptoethanol for 3 minutes converted into two peptides of molecular weight 35,000 and 30,000. The LD50 value was found to be 7.1 (1.5 to 33.9, 95% confidence limit) mg/kg for male mice through i.p. route for a 7 day observation period. The percent yield of abrin toxin was approximately 2.4 percent of whole abrus seeds.
6 illus, 2 ables, 12 ref