International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Study of the Efficiency of a Double-chambered Microbial Fuel Cell using Citrobacter sp
Get PDFMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that use bacterial metabolism to convert chemical energy in organic matter to electrical energy from a wide range of organic substrates. In this work, the efficiency of a double-chambered microbial fuel cell was studied by taking Citrobacter sp.as the bacterium of interest, under different operational conditions with sucrose as the carbon source. Both the chambers of the MFC were separated by Nafion i.e. the proton exchange membrane (PEM) while the carbon cloths act as the respective electrodes. The maximum power density measured in this system was found as 125.67 mW/m². In this study, the growth condition of the bacteria was optimized for ambient temperature, which clearly revealed the temperature dependence of the MFC system for production of maximum current and voltage. Moreover, a pH optimization test of the MFC system was performed wherein the performance of the Citrobacter sp. was found to be better at pH 7.4 as compared to other pH values.
 
Mode of p38 and Nf-kβ Signalling Pathway on Induction of Apoptosis in Response to Flavonoids of Aloe Vera in Glioblastoma
Get PDFThe phytochemical, Flavonoid has been shown apoptosis by numerous studies of cancer cell lines. Here, we have investigated the role of flavonoids of Aloe vera in regulation of apoptosis through p38 and Nf-kβ gene against human glioma-U87MG cells in vitro. The potential invasion of flavonoid on human glioma-U-87MG cells was examined by MTT assay and DNA fragmentation assay and expression of p38 and Nf-kβ gene was analysed by RT-PCR. Flavonoids significantly suppressed the apoptosis with IC50 113.29±0.5µg/ml and confirmed by DNA fragmentation assay. The results suggest that flavonoids induce apoptosis with decreased expression of p38 and Nf-kβ gene and protein analysis with SDS-PAGE. Assessments of cell viability represent that U-87MG cells were very sensitive to flavonoids and indicating DNA and protein synthesis delayed. In conclusion, flavonoids of Aloe showed inhibitory effect on Glioblastoma a brain tumor cells by apoptosis through regulation of p38 and Nf-kβ pathway at transcription and post –transcription level.
 
Exploring the Role of Selected Bacterial Strains in Chromium (Cr(VI) Reduction from Soil
Get PDFWorld’s rapidly evolving population and its progressive attraction towards luxurious life has unsurprisingly led to an increase in anthropogenic sources of pollution. Environmental contamination of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is of serious concern for its toxicity as well as mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Bacterial chromate reduction is a cost-effective technology for detoxification and removal of Cr(VI) from polluted environment. In current study, a total of 15 Cr(VI) resistant bacterial isolates were isolated after enrichment at three different Cr(VI) concentrations- 25mg/L, 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L. Out of 15 only three- S1B, S10D and S3-A with a maximum tolerance of 100mg/L Cr(VI) concentration were selected for further study. On the basis of biochemical characterization isolates were identified, S1-B as Enterococcus faecalis, S10-D as Bacillus megaterium and S3-A as Bacillus cereus. Efficiency of chromium reduction by selected isolates was evaluated at optimized growth conditions. All the three isolates have shown excellent chromium reduction with 100% by S10D, 78.6 % by S1B and 61.36% by S3-A at 25mg/L of Cr(VI) concentration. All three isolates had shown around 60% reduction within 48 h of incubation period. Multimetal resistance was also determined against six different heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Co, Mn). Cd and Hg were highly toxic and supressed the bacterial growth completely, only S10D was resistant to Cd. S2D, S3A and S10D were resistant against Co, Pb and Mn while growth of S3A was inhibited by Zn. These potential bacterial isolates could be used at industrial level for effluent treatment and also have great significance for bioremediation of chromium contaminated sites.
 
Screening of Ethnic Indian Fermented Foods for Effective Phytase Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria for Application in Dephytinization of Phytate Rich Foods
Get PDFDephytinization of phytate rich foods is required to increase their nutritional quality. Phytase producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of special interest as this group of organisms are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for human consumption, moreover they have an added characteristic of acting as probiotics. Despite being highly advantageous very few reports are there on LAB producing phytase with desired characteristics. In present study ethnic fermented foods from various regions of India were analyzed for phytase producing LAB. Seventeen strains of LAB were isolated from various fermented foods. Out of which seven isolates showed the ability to produce phytase. Detailed analysis confirmed all the isolates to have characteristics typical to that of LAB. Some of the LAB isolates (KA1, SA2, SM1) showed the ability to produce phytase effectively. All the isolates hydrolysed phytate in soy milk and rice bran therefore they can be good candidates for their application in the processing of phytate rich foods.
 
Zinc oxide (ZnO) induced toxicity and behavioural changes to oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex (Muller)
Get PDFZinc is among the important trace element of the body by participating in several biological processes. But it shows toxicity after a certain concentration. Zinc oxide (ZnO), a hazardous heavy metal, is frequently used in both bulk and nanoparticle format in industrial and household purposes throughout India. In the present study the 24, 48, 72 and 96h LC50 values of ZnO was monitored to benthic oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex (Muller) through Finney’s probit analysis method. Different abnormal behavioural changes in the worm were also recorded during the exposure period. The 24, 48, 72 and 96h LC50 values of Zinc oxide (ZnO) to Tubifex tubifex was obtained as 30.88, 24.15, 19.95 and 11.15 mg/l respectively. The mortality rate of Tubifex tubifex varied significantly (p<0.05) with a dose and time dependent manner (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The exposed worm showed several erratic behaviors with the gradually increasing concentrations of the metal and with the progress of time of exposure. The safe concentration of this metal was ranged between 0.0001115 -1.11 mg/l. Based on 96h LC50 value the Maximum allowable concentration (MAC), no observable effect concentration (NOEC) and the lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) of Zinc oxide to Tubifex tubifex were 1.11, 1.3 and 2.1 mg/l respectively. The present study will be useful in determination of the safe dose of the toxicant before its disposal to the environment.
 
Quality evaluation of Coconut Based Snack during storage period
Get PDFNatural versatile ingredients packed with potent nutrients such as beet root, carrot, ginger and mint have been selected for the recent study for their variable vast phenolic compounds and other functional properties as osmotic infusions in the form of filtrates. Sliced samples (0.8±0.1mm) of matured coconuts were subjected to the process osmotic dehydration from 0 min to 720 min at room temperature. Then the slices were dried in a hot-air oven at temperature 45-60°C for about 6-7 hours and freeze drying at temperature (-40 to 30°C) for a period of 14-16 hours. Osmotic medium without the infusion of filtrates of functional ingredients serves as the control. The snack samples were packed using Aluminium foil laminated LDPE pouches with infusion of 100% nitrogen gas composition and stored at ambient temperature till analyzing the shelf life features like free fatty acids, peroxide value, total sugars, moisture content and microbial growth and the results were interpreted using SPSS tool t test (p≤0.05). Upon three months of storage study, the products quality remained good, where as slight deterioration of shelf life characteristics seen beyond three months, showed the keeping quality of the snack.
 
Investigation on Antimicrobial Activity of Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with Schiff Base Derived from Aminoacid Valine With Citral: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Analysis
Get PDFNi(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes with Schiff base derived from Citral and Valine are synthesised and characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, and UV-Visible) and magnetic susceptibility studies The IR spectral data indicated that the Schiff base coordinated to central Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions in a bridged-tridentate and bidentate fashion respectively. Magnetic moment and spectral studies suggest distorted octahedral around the Ni(II) ion and tetrahedral geomtry around Zn(II) ion. The preliminary antimicrobial activity has been evaluated against two Gram-negative bacteria; namely, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli, one gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and antifungal activity are tested against Aspergillus sps and Candida albicans using disc diffusion method. The result revealed that Ni(II) complex exhibited potent activity when compared to Zn(II) complex and Schiff base.
 
DNA barcoding and evolutionary lineage of banana skipper Erionota torus (Evans) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Malabar, a part of Southern WesternGhats, India
Get PDFAll Severe incidence of banana leaf roller Erionota spp. has been noticed in banana plantations of Malabar region of Kerala a part of Western Ghat, India. It is currently proposed that banana defoliater E. thrax and E. torus occur together in Kerala and many researchers have treated them as a single species. At present there is no published information regarding whether, one or both the species of Erionota coexist during the occasional outbreak of banana skipper in Kerala.Also it is unknown whether in the field the associated parasitoids attack both species ,equally or showed some preference for one or the other .This information is essential for the implementation of effective biological control programmes against this pest. Since the early stages of E. thrax and E. torus cannot be distinguished easily , and as they are common pests of banana, morphological identification of species is difficult. The present study is aimed to confirm the Erionota species from Malabar region of Kerala by using a molecular genetic approach. We sequenced the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequence (COI ) having 650 base pair DNA from specimens collected from selected localities of Malabar region of Kerala ,India. The COI sequences of the banana skipper supported the existence of E.torus species in the infested areas and all the parasitoid species collected during the course of study where that of E.torus .
 
The Ecology of Merops Orientalis
Get PDFAn ecosystem functions by the interrelationship between the different types of living organisms found in it. The birds are a vital component of many a food chains as they occupy diverse habitats and therefore, they play a very important role in establishing ecological balance in the nature. Thus, study of avian ecology is very important aspect of life-science. The Merops orientalis, commonly called as the ‘green bee-eater’, is a very beautiful bird which is commonly found in the countryside. This study has been conducted to know the feeding, social and nesting behaviors of these tiny green bee-eaters. These amazing insectivorous birds are commonly found in this lush green region of Mosabani, a rural area in Jharkhand. These small hunters are slender having very colorful plumage and a typical tail structure. They mostly occur in pairs and nest in colonies. They roost on trees huddled in large groups making loud shrilling ‘treee- treee’ sounds. These birds camouflage beautifully with the green leaves of the trees and bushes
 
Long-Term Exposure of Arsenic Caused Arsenic Bioaccumulation, Imbalance in Hepatic Markers, Oxidative Status, and Histological Changes in the Liver of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
Get PDFThe present experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of sub-lethal concentration of 1.11mg/l of arsenic (III) oxide over long-term (15, 30, 45, 60 days) exposure on the liver of zebrafish. The arsenic (III) oxide exposed zebrafish liver showed a significant increase in arsenic bioaccumulation with the increase of exposure duration. The activities of lipid peroxidation (LPO) markers like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were also significantly increased with the increase of arsenic exposure duration, while the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities were notably increased during the initial short term arsenic exposure (15 and/or 30 days), but later decreased significantly in the fishes that were exposed to arsenic for an extended period (45 & 60 days) when compared to normal. Further, the hepatic enzymes like alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly increased in serum, and degenerative changes were also found in the histology of the zebrafish liver. Thus, the above results suggest that long-term exposure to arsenic can lead to bioaccumulation of arsenic as well as alter the function and tissue architecture of the zebrafish liver.