Absract Archive
August 2009
Research article
RAPD Analysis of Phylogenetic Relationship(s) and Genetic Variation(s) in the Genus Allium
Abstract
This mini-review has highlighted the importance of onions as vegetable and has shown its taxonomic position among 750 species of genus Allium. It has compared merits of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers vs Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and established the superiority of RAPD over RFLP. Further, significance of RAPD markers in onion breeding program is indicated and subsequently validated by its multi-faceted applications to (i) assess in-bred integrity, (ii) establish genetic relationship in conjunction with morphological markers, (iii) prove hybrid status in conjunction with genomic in-situ hybridization (GISH), (iv) establish origin and relationship between two taxa, (v) establish phylogenetic relationship, (vi) confirm inter-specific hybrids, (vii) assess genetic diversity among the onion cultivars and (viii) prepare genetic map of onion cultivars.
Keywords: RAPD, RFLP, GISH, morphological characters, status of onion sp.Authors: G G Adsul, A K Chaurasia, A V Dhake and R M Kothari
For Correspondence: E mail : biotech@jains.com
Research article
Construction of Microbial Consortium for Improved Biodegradation of
Starch Blended LDPE Packaging PolymerAbstract
In search of new polymers, because of disposal problems with conventional plastic films, an alternative has been to blend existing polymers to produce materials with improved degradable properties. This study demonstrates that polyethylene - considered to be inert - can be biodegraded if it is properly blended and the right microbial combination is selected. In this study, degradable low density poly ethylene (LDPE) samples were prepared by blending with maleic anhydride as compatibiliser and starch as hydrophilic additive. The efficiency of biodegradation was evaluated in single and combinations of Bacillus subtilis (strain 2414), Bacillus subtilis (strain 3401), Bacillus cereus (strain 1307), Bacillus firmus (strain *488), Pseudomonas putida (strain 2467), Pseudomonas alkaligens (strain *493), Streptomyces badius (strain 3025), Streptomyces setonii (strain 3756), and Bacillus macerans (strain 3348) in aqueous media and soil burial test. The degree of degradation was assessed by optical density, percentage of weight loss and tensile strength. This study revealed that maximal biodegradation can be obtained in microbial combinations rather than single strains. A significant degradation was observed when there was a combination of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, Streptomyces badius, and Bacillus firmus.
Keywords: Biodegradation, Microbial consortium, Tensile Strength. Authors : K. Vigneswari., K. Jegatheesan and S. KarthikumarFor Correspondence: E mail :drvigneswari@gmail.com
Research article
Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Organisms cause Urinary Tract Infection in Diabetic Patients and Young Children's
Abstract
Two different groups of urine sample were collected and inoculated in different culture media and the isolates were quantified and identified biochemically. Anti microbial susceptibility testing was done according to Kirby Bauer method. In young children's gram negative organisms are predominant than gram positive. In diabetic patient Staphylococcus saprophyticus was the predominant isolates 55% followed by E. coli (20%). Young children revels the predominant of E. coli where as Diabetic patient revels the predominant of Staphylococcus Saprophyticus.
Key words: Diabetic patient, young children's and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.Authors : N.V. Baskar, V. Sivakumari, S. Arun Kumar and S. Senthil KumarFor Correspondence: E mail :vsivamicro@gmail.com
Research article
Assessment of Occupational Genotoxic Risk by using Micronucleus Test Among Cement Mill Workers of South India
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that occupational exposure to cement dust may have deleterious effects on the lungs and on hematology and liver functions. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between buccal cell micronuclei induction and exposure to cement dust. The people who are working in the cement industries are exposed to cement dust for long period. In the present study, we analyzed the samples of 46 people working in cement industry including 16 smokers and 15 non-smokers and compared with 15 controls (no exposure to cement dust or any known physical or chemical agent.) of the same age group were analyzed using standard micronucleus (MN) test protocol. A significant increase in the micronuclei are observed in the residents with smoking habit (2.00±1.102), when compared to the residents without smoking habit (1.95±1.029 ) and controls( 0.96±0.624 ).In this study concluded that high number of buccal cell micronuclei induction is possible in case of long term exposure to cement dust and that may cause adverse health impact.
Key words: Cement dust, buccal cell, micronuclei, smokers, non smokersAuthors : B.Mythili, S.Sudha and P.SubashiniFor correspondence: Email - biotechmythili@gmail.com
Research article
Production and Optimization of Cellulase by Bacillus subtilis Using Coir Waste and Sawdust
Abstract
Cellulase is commonly degraded by an enzyme called cellulase. This enzyme is produced by several microorganisms, commonly bacteria and fungi. In this present study enzymes produced by Bacillus subtilis are widely used as additives in laundry detergents. The waste substrate used for cellulase enzymes production, such as Coir waste and Sawdust. Simultaneously, separate fermentation media were prepared for coir as well as saw dust substrates. The total amount of reducing sugars in 1ml supernatant was determined by modified Dinitro salicylic method (DNS). A partial purified cellulase enzymes fraction was analyzed by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. Among this study the enzyme production was large amount present in Coir waste (0.089±0.004 IU ml-1) compared then sawdust (0.088±0.001 IU ml-1). In the protein fractions of Cellulase two bands were obtain in the case of Bacillus subtilis grow on coir waste, the molecular weight of bands 39kDa and 26kDa respectively.
Key words: Cellulase, Bacillus subtilis, Coir waste, Sawdust and Dinitro salicylic method (DNS).Authors : Arunkumar.S., Prabakaran.P , Muthuselvam.M. and Rajesekaran.RFor Correspondence : E-mail: microbiologyarun@yahoo.com
Research article
A study on the Decomposition of Coir Pith Employing Cyanobacteria
Abstract
Coir is a 100% organic fibre from a renewable source. Coir fibre is a lignocellulosic, hard and vegetable fibre extracted from the husk of coconut. Coir pith takes decades to decompose causing environmental hazard and disposable problem. However this problematic waste is really a valuable biomass and it can be turned into manure through biological process. The use of coir pith in agriculture has brought in favourable changes in soil drainage, mulching, rooting soil conditioning and seed germination aspects on analysis of coir pith for minerals and major nutrients its is believed to contain 0.11% Nitrogen, 0.9% Phosphorus, 0.84% Potash, 0.42% Calcium, 0.70% Magnesium and 2.46% of ash. Further it is found to be rich in Iron and Manganese 17ppm water soluble manganese 35ppm of exchangeable and 81 ppm of reducible iron and slightly acidic with the pH value of 5.7-6.7. Cyanobacteria are capable of abating various kinds of pollutants and have advantages as potential biodegradation organism. These organisms besides degrading various aromatic hydrocarbons they are useful for metal removal from polluted water. As these organisms have simple growth requirements, they could be attractive host for production of valuable organic product. Among microorganism, oxygen evolving prokaryotic photoautotroph, fresh water and marine cyanobacteria have also been reported to degrade aromatic compound through ring cleavage.
Key worlds :Biodegradation, Coir pith, Cyanobacteria, Biofertilizer, Environmental pollutionAuthors : Arunachalam, C and R. RajasekaranFor Correspondence: E mail : agro_arun@rediffmail.com
Research article
Identification of Lingual Antimicrobial Peptide in the Female
Reproductive Rract of Buffalo.Abstract
Bubalus bubalis (Ruminantia: Bovidae, Bovinae) is an economically important animal of many Asian countries, making significant contribution to milk and meat production. Sub clinical infection of the reproductive tract is one of the important causes for reduced reproductive efficiency in dairy herd of buffaloes. Antimicrobial peptides are component of innate immune system which helps in augmenting the resistance to infection at epithelial surfaces e.g reproductive tract epithelium. In this study we have identified a b-defensin called Lingual Antimicrobial Peptide (LAP) in buffalo reproductive tract. Interestingly the gene was 100 % identical to the LAP isolated from the tongue epithelium of Bos taurus. The 195 bp cDNA of LAP codes for 64 amino acids and of which 50% are cationic amino acids. Phylogenetic studies indicate that LAP of reproductive epithelium of buffalo is different from other beta defensins isolated from the various tissues of same species, but all beta defensin were found to have the same progenitor gene. It is concluded that buffalo reproductive tract epithelium lining contains LAP.
Key words: Lingual antimicrobial peptide, female reproductive tract, buffalo and b-defensin.
Authors : Dhanya Joseph, Tukaram More and Hemen DasFor Correspondence: E.mail:jdhanya7@gmail.com
Short Communication
Production of Bacitracin from Bacillus subtilis and Evaluation
of its Antimicrobial Activity Against Escherichia coliAbstract
The present study involves the production of the antibiotic bacitracin from Bacillus subtilis through shake flask and bioreactor methods. Bacitracin is a constituent in Neosporin ointment for controlling skin infections. The 24 hours old culture of B.subtilis inoculated in the full strength medium showed a maximum bacitracin concentration on the 7th day of the production cycle. Results proved that the half strength and full strength medium of bioreactor method (39µg/20ml, 52µg/20ml) produced a good yield of bacitracin than the shake flask method (31.2µg/20ml, 44.2µg/20ml). Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of bacitracin against E.coli (20 mm) was proved to be potent.
Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Bacillus subtilis, bacitracin, Bioreactor
Authors : P.Rajasekaran, S.Shanmugam , T.Sathishkumar, V.Sathvika, M.Arun, I.Sivaranjani and P.Muthukumaran
Short Communication
Heat Stable Esterase- a Biochemical Marker for Evolution of
Thermo Tolerant Breeds of Bombyx mori ( L ).Abstract
An innovative study was carried to identify heat stable esterase isozyme as a biochemical marker in the polyvoltine silkworm race Pure Mysore (PM) and Pure Mysore irradiated races (PMX) and their F1 crosses. The present findings of esterase biochemical marker inherited through female parent becomes an innovated technique to be adopted during the evolution of temperature tolerant breeds .
Key words: Heat stable Esterase, Polyvoltine, F1 cross
Authors : P. Somasundaram , K. Ashok Kumar, G.K.S. Babu and C.K. KambleFor Correspondence : E.mail: babu_jica@yahoo.co.in
Short Communication
Cellulolytic Activity of Pestalotia Psidii under the Influence of
KH2PO4 and MgSO4Abstract
“Cellulolysis rate” of the pathogenic fungus, Pestalotia psidii, was determined by estimating the loss in dry weight of a filter paper. It varied in relation to changing phosphorus and magnesium content of the nutrient solution. There was positive correlation between the growth rate of the fungus and the mean loss in dry weight of the filter paper discs.
Key words: Cellulolysis rate, Pestalotia psidii, KH2PO4 and MgSO4
Authors : R.senthil kumar, A. Panneerselvam, N. Thajuddin, R.saravana muthu
For correspondence : drmicrsk@yahoomail.com
Short Communication
Significance of Aryl-Amine-N-Acetyl Transferase as a Potential
Drug Target in Anti-Tubercular Therapy A Bioinformatic ApproachAbstract
Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide in the present century. The mortality and spread of this disease has further been aggravated because of synergy of this disease with HIV. The emergence of Multidrug Resistant TB threatens tubercular control effects across the world. This resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis even to the front line anti-tubercular drugs like Rifampicin is attributed to the presence of a unique family of enzyme called Aryl Amine N Acetyl Transferase (NAT). Detailed study of the structure of NAT revealed the presence of a Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad believed to be responsible for the activation of the active site cysteine residue which in turn plays an important role in the inactivation of anti-tubercular drugs. In the present study the mode of binding of anti-tubercular drugs to NAT was determined using data collected with bioinformatics databases that would pave way to a better understanding of drug target mechanism. The detailed study of the structure function relationship of NAT would facilitate rational drug designing for antitubercular therapy. Taking this as the scratch point, a comparative study about the binding efficiency of a synthetic antitubercular drug and a natural drug to NAT was carried out and the results obtained were reported and the prophecy of the work may however be ascertained by further wet lab investigations. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Aryl Amine N -Acetyl Transferase
Authors : J.Kavitha SriLakshmi, S.Sriram, V.Meenaa and Dr.C.SasikumarFor Correspondence : Email address:kavis.akils@gmail.com