Absract Archive January 2009 Research article Screening and selection of efficient AM fungus for Sorghum bicolor l. and Sorghum vulgare pers. Abstract Screening and selection of native AM fungus for symbiotic efficiency and higher biomass production of Sorghum biocolor L. and Sorghum vulgare Pers. were done in pot culture studies. Three indigenous AM fungi were screened for their symbiotic responses. Among the three different AM fungi tested, plants inoculated with Glomus aggregatum performed best in improving percent root colonization and spore count in the rhizosphere soil. Similarly plant height, root and shoot biomass, total chlorophyll content in the leaves and the concentration of P and K in the root and shoots were significantly higher in plants inoculated with Glomus aggregatum when compared to other AM fungi. All these parameters were lowest in the uninoculated plants. Keywords - Sorghum, Allium cepa, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus       mosseae,  Acaulospora marrowae, Scutellospora heterogama. Introduction Plant have been associated with different types of microorganicms, Of which mycorrhizae, the mutualistic symbionts, play an important role in mobilizing phosphorus from the deeper layers of the soil and supplying it to the host plants. Among the mycorrhizae, Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizase (AM) occupy a unique ecological position and their association in many crop plant species including fodder grasses. The importance of AM fungi in agricultural crop for their growth, mineral and productivity has been well documented. The AM fungi increase plant growth through enhanced nutrient uptake and cycling of phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, zinc, copper and other minerals (Vasanth Raj and Chandrasekar, 2003; Theodose and Bowman 1997; Wallander et al., 1999; Liu et al., 2000). The genus Sorghum is an annual or perennial habit usually robust grasses, distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics of both the hemispheres, with a few species extending into the temperature regions. The genus includes a large number of economically important Sorghum. Some of which are extensively cultivated in many countries and grown chiefly for their grain, commonly called Sorghum or sometimes great millet. It is used chiefly as a feed for poultry, cattle and other animals. However for evoking better plant growth response and for enhancement of nutritional and phytochemical components of the inoculation of AM fungi in fodder crops are an untapped resource and, therefore, they merit study. The present study the species richness, root colonization and diversity of AM fungi associated with Sorghum bicolor and Sorghum vulgare which were collected from three different localities of Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India, to identify dominant efficient native AM fungi and their multiplication in the root of compatible host (Allium cepa) in pot culture for use in the inoculation experiment and to assess the effect of three different native AM fungal inoculatiom on growth,  nutrition and  phytochemical components of  Sorghum bicolor and  Sorghum vulgare. Authors:R. Rajasekaran, V. Mahesh, M. Muthuselvam, T. Selvzraj. Research article Observation on the reaction rate kinetics in cellulosic paper waste Abstract Experimental studies were conducted to study the efficacy of the particulate size and addition of organic manure along with bacterial fungal cultures to achieve time reduction in period of composting. Shredded paper and paper pulp cellulosic waste materials which form bulk of urban solid wastes' were used for purpose of biodegradation and subsequent composting. The control cow dung and M3 culture inoculated lots were setup. Parameters of the biodegradation reaction rates have been considered hitherto as parameters to monitor the fluctuating values of BOD and C/N. The authors feel this usage is not prudent and instead suggest the direct computation of reaction rates or 'K' values by graphical evaluation method. The results recorded have shown the great utility of cow dung inoculation which has increased the reaction rates at least three times. Reduction of % BOD values from 41. 82 to 20.79 occurred during 32 day experimental period achieving faster reaction rates of 0.048. The M3 inoculated lot has attained not only a higher reaction rate and BOD percentage, reduction rate but also have shown great reduction in organic carbon content from 470 mg/g to 101.5 mg/g. This  observation suggest that the identification and utilization of M3 culture as potent inoculums for extremely rapid degradation of cellulosic waste which create hazards in the rayon, pulp industry etc. due to their extremely slow biodegradation rates. Further studied in this direction are suggested for designing special treatment plants to achieve these objectives. Key words:  Cellulosic waste, Percent BOD, Absolute BOD,  C/N Ratio, Reaction rate. Introduction Biodegradation of cellulosic paper wastes have attracted scientific attention1,2,3,4 for the utilization of cellulosic paper wastes for composting and agro fertilization. Their high nutritive value, moisture retention quicker nutrient release and acceleration of cation exchange capacity5 initiated studies on their biodegradation. Recent realization of the colossal problem of urban solid paper waste disposal has accelerated these studies to achieve their quicker and complete degradation for urban public health.It is recently established6 that their bioconversion with relation to C/N, BOD, COD, organic carbon, total nitrogen and other parameters. The present research aims for the first time to measure the reaction rate of cellulosic paper wastes with relation to their particulate size and addition of M3 microbial culture is a mutant of Trichoderma Virdie secrets cellulase enzyme which resist in room temperature and it is not coagulates in heat achieving the aim of reducing the time period of their bioconversion into compost. It is expected that this new approach will go a long way in the utilization of urban paper wastes for composting and solve the problem of their accumulation to colossal amount causing public health hazards coagulates in heat achieving the aim of reducing the time period of their bioconversion into compost. Authors:Rahul  Shrivastava,Ugam K. Chauhan,Roma Sarkar, Aniruddha Chatterjee. Research article Enhanced production of cellulase protein on mixture of xylose, lactose, cellulose and sugarcane leaf using Trichoderma reesei 992 6a Abstract   Cellulase production was studied on the mixture of xylose, lactose and cellulose then it was compared to the natural source (sugarcane leaf) by the strain Trichoderma reesei 992 6a.  The experiment was conducted on single substrate i.e., xylose, lactose, cellulose and the combination of these three substrates.  Then sugarcane leaf was used as another substrate.  The combination of the three substrate produced highest cellulase activity and reached the maximum protein than others. When compared to the other individual substrates and natural source (sugarcane leaf).  A Triauxic pattern of utilization of three carbon sources was observed as well as compared to the single and natural carbon sources.  Xylose and lactose was utilized first to support growth followed by cellulose to induce the cellulase enzyme production.  The mixture of xylose, lactose and cellulose used in batch enzyme production.  This mixture produced the highest maximal cellulase activity of 6.4 IFPU/ml in same time than others. Key words- Cellulase production, Trichoderma reesei 992 6a, xylose, lactose, cellulose, sugarcane leaf. 1. INTRODUCTION Enzymes are proteins that speed up bio-chemical reactions without being consumed or changed by the reaction. They are found naturally in the environment and all living things. Enzymes speed up biological reactions and this process of action by enzymes is referred as enzyme catalysis. Various classification systems have evolved based on substrate used or products formed. Presently, the enzymes are classified with six main categories. The present day classification system shares its rules with the nomenclature also, thus easing the process of identifying a particular enzyme. They are classified as oxidoreductase, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases. Authors:B.Bharathiraja, S.Ayyappasamy, R.Santhosh Kalash. Research article Synthesis of Aspergillus fumigatus mediated silver nanoparticles and it’s in vitro Antileptospiral effect Abstract   Leptospirosis, a contemporary zoonotic disease needs novel diagnosis and proper treatment. Current days, it was observed that the leptospiral serovars have wide antibiotic resistance and need alternative drugs for prompt treatment. The biosynthesis and characterization of silver - Aspergillus fumigatus nanoparticles complex in aqueous environment showed observable color change from yellow to brown depicted the formation of myco-silver nanoparticles. The pH was checked periodically showed increase from 6.0 – 9.0. This is the first study in nanoscience by which it was observed that the alkaline pH is required for the complete formulation and structural data of the nanoparticles. The pellets of myco (A. fumigatus) nanoparticles obtained in this procedure interpreted to perform antileptospiral activity showed better to inhibit Australis, Autumnalis, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Grippotyphosa at the concentration of 250μg/ml. In the listed fungi included, A. fumigatus showed better inhibition than others. Key words: Aspergillus fumigatus - Nanoparticles – leptospirosis – leptospiricidal action Introduction Emerging and reemerging infections are attracting greater attention from the public health and medical communities. Pathologists and other physicians are increasingly aware of the importance of subspecialty of infectious disease pathology as a tool for diagnosis, surveillance and research of emerging infections1. Currently all tertiary level hospitals, reference medical and health care centers are very much interesting in research on infectious disease by forming infection control unit. Leptospirosis is an acute anthropo-zoonotic infection of worldwide significance caused by spirochete Leptospira interrogans. Various factors influencing the animal activity, suitability of the environment for the survival of the organism and behavioral and occupational habits of human beings can be determinants of incidence and prevalence of disease. The disease was considered inconsequential till recently, but it is emerging as an important public health problem2. Leptospirosis has recently caused large outbreaks where the diagnosis was often initially over looked3. Awareness about leptospirosis among physicians in country and to strengthen laboratory capacity for its diagnosis in infectious agents among hospitals is very important4. The use of antimicrobial agents for treatment of human leptospirosis has been restricted generally to penicillin and tetracycline. Other less frequently used antimicrobial agents have been reported to be beneficial in human infections, but the data contain no proof that the course of disease was altered5. Authors:Prabhu Nagarajan, Joseph Pushpa Innocent Danialas, Chinnaswamy Periyaswamy. Short Communication Production of Recombinant Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Protein in Escherichia coli Abstract The Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) are a group of proteins produced by a variety of strains of Staphylococcal aureus, which produce emesis and diarrhea in humans. Here, we report the process development for the production of recombinant SEB protein for its use in the diagnosis of staphylococcal food poisoning due to SEB. The rSEB was produced in a fermentor of 5-litre working volume in semi-defined medium. The dissolved oxygen level was maintained at 30 % of air saturation by control of airflow and stirrer speed and also by using pure oxygen mixed with air wherever necessary. The recombinant E.coli culture was induced with 1 mM of isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside when dry cell weight was 3.24 g/l and cells were further grown for 4 h to reach dry cell weight of  8.61 g/l. The recombinant SEB protein was purified by affinity chromatography and analyzed by SDS–PAGE. It was shown to be over 95 % pure and produced with the yields of ~126 mg/l of culture medium. The purified protein was recognized by Western blot analysis with antisera raised against recombinant SEB protein in mice. This protein has promising potential to be used for the diagnosis of food poisoning due to SEB. Key words: Escherichia coli, fermentation, recombinant staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Introduction Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major pathogens causing food poisoning cases worldwide1.The staphylococcus enterotoxins (SE) are group of toxins with single polypeptide chain and have molecular weight ranging from 27-30 kDa. These toxins are produced by a variety of strains of Staphylococcus aureus.AllSE produce emesis and diarrhea in humans generally called as staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP). Staphylococcus enterotoxins (SE) are classified as members of pyrogenic toxin superantigen and are able to bind to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen, causing massive T-cell stimulation coupled with the release of cytokines. The release of cytokines results in stimulation of neuro-receptors in the intestinal tracts and trigger vomiting centre in the brain2, 3 .There are about 20 different types of SEs produced by Staphylococcus aureus.SEA,SEB,SEC,SED are commonly implicated in Staphylococcal food poisoning. Among the SEs, SEB is the most potent toxin having a molecular weight of approx 29 kDa and listed as biological warfare (BW) agent. It can be an incapacitating agent rather than an infectious agent which causes significant morbidity after either ingestion of food contaminated with preformed toxin or aerosol exposure of SEB. SEB is moderately stable in the environment, including foods. Staphylococcal food poisoning involving SEB is usually diagnosed by the clinical signs and epidemiology. The toxin may be found in the blood, urine, respiratory secretions or nasal swabs for a short period of time. The toxin is detected by ELISA, Chemiluminescence, and Reverse Passive Latex Agglutination (RPLA). The immunological detection System requires specific anti SEB antibodies which in turn depends on the purity of the SEB. Authors:K. Sathyaseelan1, N. K. Tripathi, D.V. Kamboj, A. M. Jana, P.V. L. Rao.