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Production of Bioethanol from Sugarcane Bagasse Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
No full textEthanol is an alternative fuel derived from renewable biological resources. It\u27s a good substitute for gasoline in spark ignition engines. In this study, the sugar cane bagasse was chemically pretreated with 1% NaOH at room temperature for 2 hours. Dilute acid H2SO4 and Aspergillus niger was used to hydrolyse the biomass to sucrose. Fermentation of the hydrolysed sample was done using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fermented product was purified by distillation process at 78oC, and the fraction was collected, and the ethanol was determined by measuring the specific gravity. The production of ethanol from sugar cane bagasse with Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined after the inoculation into sample A1, A2 and B1 and B2 and highest ethanol produced were from B1 with 0.090 followed B2 0.074, A2 with 0.069% and D 0.116. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae gives a better yield. The result of this study can be of a better application in the large production of biofuel from sugar cane bagasse which is renewable and highly abundant, it is saving costs by recycling of wastes, and it also helps to alleviate environmental problem such as an excessive release of greenhouse gases from combustion of non-renewable fossil fuel. From the chromatograph, when the peaks spectrum wave analysed by mass spectrometer of the three volatile organic compounds, two were common to both samples, A contains the abundance of Acetic acid 22.37%, Ethyl alcohol 13.55% isobutene 64.08%. While that of Sample B contains the abundance Acetic acid 17.43%, Ethyl alcohol 7.12% and Propane 75.4.according to Pasteur this is due to Microbial oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid that decreases metabolic toxicity to the yeast cells. This study has proven the efficiency of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of bioethanol.  
Fruit Peel from Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. AS Substrate for Lipases Production by Aspergillus niger A2B1
No full textThe fruit of Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. are consumed by population in the Brazil Northern resulting fruit peels. These peels are rich in lignocellulose and fat. The present study investigated peels from the Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. as a substrate for lipases production by solid state bioprocess. To reach this objective: 1) we isolated fungi from peels from the fruit of Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey; 2) we screened the isolates for lipase production (screening in petri dish and screening in submerged bioprocess), 3) we investigated the production of lipases by using peels from Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey as substrate. The isolates belonged to the genera Aspergillus (16), Penicillium (3) and Fusarium (1). These strains were submitted to petri dishes and submerged fermentation for lipases production, these experiments resulted in the selection of five strains belonging to the Aspergillus genera. The lipases produced by these five strains performed enzymatic transesterification; however, the lipases from the strain Aspergillus niger A2B1 produced the highest ester content. The utilisation of fruit peel from Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. as the main substrate, fruit peel from Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey. oil (13%), moisture (70%) and 75 h of incubation were the optimal conditions identified for the production of lipases by Aspergillus niger A2B1(17.42 U/g) in solid state bioprocess (SSB)
Single Subunit RNA Polymerases: An Insight into their Active Sites and Catalytic Mechanism
No full textAim: To analyze various single subunit DNA dependent RNA polymerases and identify conserved motifs, active site regions among them and propose a plausible mechanism of action for these polymerases using the T7 RNA polymerase as a model system.
Study Design: Bioinformatics, Biochemical, Site-directed mutagenesis and X-ray crystallographic data were analyzed.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai – 625 021, India, from 2010 to 2013.
Methodology: The advanced version of Clustal Omega was used for protein sequence analysis of various SSU DNA dependent RNA polymerases from viruses, mitochondria and chloroplasts. Along with the conserved motifs identified by the bioinformatics analysis and with the data obtained by X-ray crystallographic, biochemical and site-directed mutagenesis were also used to confirm the possible amino acids involved in the active sites and catalysis of these RNA polymerases.
Results: Multiple sequence analyses of various single subunit (SSU) DNA dependent RNA polymerases from different sources showed only a few highly conserved motifs among them, except chloroplast RNA polymerases where a large number of highly conserved motifs were found. Possible catalytic regions in all these polymerases consist of a highly conserved amino acid K and a ‘gate keeper’ YG pair. In addition to, these polymerases also use an invariant R at the -4 position from the YG pair and an invariant S/T, adjacent to the YG pair. Furthermore, two highly conserved Ds are implicated in the metal binding site and thus might participate in the catalytic process. The YG pair appears to be specific for DNA templates as it is not reported in RNA dependent RNA polymerases.
Conclusion: The highly conserved amino acid K, the ‘gate keeper’ YG pair and an invariant R which are reported in all DNA polymerases, are also found in these DNA dependent RNA polymerases. Therefore, these RNA polymerases might be using the same catalytic mechanism like DNA polymerases. The catalytic amino acid K could act as the proton abstractor and generate the necessary nucleophile at the 3’-OH and the YG pair, R and the S/T might involve in the template binding and selection of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) for polymerization reactions. The two highly conserved Ds could act as the ‘ NTP charge shielder’ and orient the alpha phosphate of incoming NTPs for reaction at the 3’-OH growing end
In Vitro Regeneration of Banana Cv. Nanjanagud Rasabale (AAB) by Shoot Tip Culture
No full textThe cultivar Nanjanagud Rasabale (Musa spp. AAB, Silk subgroup) geographical indication tagged and leading cultivar of Mysore district. It is known for unique taste, has a huge demand across the country. In vitro regeneration in banana is preferred for faster multiplication rate compared to sucker propagation. The present study was carried out with the objective to investigate the effect of different antioxidants, BAP and auxins on in vitro regeneration of banana cv. Nanjanagud Rasabale. Shoot tip explants cultured on MS liquid medium supplemented with ascorbic acid 50 mg/l was found effective in controlling browning. Enhanced shoot proliferation and shoot growth were observed with MS medium containing BAP 4.0 mg/l + NAA0.50 mg/l. In vitro rooting of microshoots was effective with half strength MS medium supplied with NAA 0.5 mg/l
Correlation and Path Analysis for Yield Determing Traits in Sabita/Sambamahsuri Derivatives of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes
No full textThe present investigation carried out to study the character association and path analysis in twenty three recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Sabita/Sambamahsuri derivatives and four check varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Character association of the yield attributing traits revealed significantly positive association of grain yield per plant with number of panicles per plant (genotypic), panicle weight, panicle length, number of florets per panicle, number of grains per panicle, kernel breadth and harvest index. Hence, selection for these traits can improve yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that ten characters viz. days to maturity, panicle length, number of primary branches per panicle, number of florets per panicle, number of grains per panicle, fertility percentage, grain length, kernel breadth, kernel Length/Breadth (L/B) ratio and harvest index had positive direct effect on yield
Cost Effective Pilot-scale Ajmalicine Production by Catharanthus roseus Cell Suspension Cultures in a 100 Lit Bioreactor
No full textAims: The cosmic production of biomass and bioactive compounds at pilot scale with minimum production costs is an important task to achieve feasible production process of corresponding secondary metabolites at a commercial level.
Materials and Methods: The cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (9.05 µM), kinetin (4.52 µM) were scaled up in a pilot plant bioreactor (100 lit). The cost of production was reduced by addition of substitute carbon source in a basal medium which hardly costs 30% in the medium. Preliminary studies were performed in the 7-lit bioreactor. A 100 lit stainless steel bioreactor equipped with helical impeller top mounted was used for scale-up of C. roseus suspension cultures and ajmalicine production.
Results: The culture medium reduced the cost by 36% by addition of commercial grade sugar whereas medium consist of tissue culture grade sucrose costs 53 USD per 100 lit. The suspension cultures were cultivated in a 100 lit bioreactor containing MS medium fortified with cost-effective carbon source produced ajmalicine 73.18 mg/l DW and achieved 36 kg of fresh biomass on day 20.
Conclusion: The results of the present finding demonstrated the feasible and cost-effective production process of ajmalicine at pilot scale
Micropropagation in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. ‘Bhagwa’ through Indirect Organogenesis and Assessment of Genetic Fidelity by RAPD Marker
No full textPomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit crop belonging to the family Punicaceae. Conventionally, pomegranate is propagated through air layering, hard wood and semihard wood cuttings. Recently micropropagation is gaining popularity due to rapid mass propagation of disease free plants in short period of time and small space. Rapid regeneration of plants by micropropagation can be achieved by indirect organogenesis involving induction of callus with exogenous application of plant growth regulators. In the present study nodal segment was found superior for induction of callus when cultured on MS basal medium consisting of BAP 5 mg/l + NAA 0.4 mg/l. Early shoot initiation, more number of shoots per explant and maximum shoot length was noticed when proliferated calli were cultured on MS basal medium containing BAP 2 mg/l + NAA 0.1 mg/l + GA3 0.5 mg/l. Early in vitro root initiation, highest per cent rooting and maximum number of roots per plantlet were recorded when microshoots were cultured on full strength MS medium supplemented with IBA 3 mg/l. RAPD marker analysis revealed 90.66 and 9.33 % monomorphic and polymorphic bands, respectively among tissue culture regenerated plantlets of pomegranate
Effects of Length of Fermentation and Storage Media on Chemical Properties of Palm Oil
No full textThis study examined the effects of different length of fermentation and storage media on quality characteristics of palm oil produced at the processing centre of Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Fresh palm fruits were collected immediately after harvesting and divided into three samples. Each sample was processed into palm oil at intervals of three days and the respective palm oil obtained from each sample was subjected to laboratory test under the same conditions to determine their respective saponification values, moisture content, free fatty acid values and thiobabituric acid number (TBA). Samples were also stored in media such as tin, rubber and glass and their chemical properties were determined after 18 days of storage. The result shows that free fatty acid (FFA) increases with increase in day of fermentation of the palm fruits for both freshly processed oil and those stored for 18 days. Only the oil processed in the first day have the moisture content which are within the 0.01-0.04% standard moisture content values of palm oil while the oil stored in glass had the lowest saponification value of 202.97mgKOH/g and TBA values which are within the standard values of 0.1 to 0.2
Low-dose Sekikaic Acid Modulates Host Immunity and Protects Cells from Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
No full textIntroduction: Investigations of Ramalina farinaceae and its isolated compounds had reportedly shown appreciable anti-RSV activity albeit within a slim therapeutic window. Sekikaic acid represent one of such compounds. In this present study, sekikaic acid in very low dose was evaluated as a cell restorative and immunomodulatory factor.
Methodology: The effect of sekikaic acid on the cell viability of RSV-infected HEp2 cells was investigated. Further assay for cellular immune response in primed mouse splenocytes was established by cell culture and flow cytometry. Splenocytes were treated with graded concentrations of sekikaic acid (6.25-25 µg/ml) and screened for their effect on the expression of IFNγ and IL-2 and T-lymphocytes markers CD4+ and CD8+ using intracellular cytokine staining and Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.
Results: Results reveal that sekikaic acid protects RSV-infected Hep 2 cells from infection-induced cytopathology. Moreover, sekikaic acid displayed some degree of immune-regulatory activity in the primed mouse splenocytes increasing the proportion of CD8+/IFNγ+ (70.95-73.8%) and CD4+/ IFNγ+ (3.44-4.13%) T lymphocytes when compared to the cells in untreated controls 2.75% (CD4+) and 69.35% (CD8+) respectively. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression and signalling by T-Lymphocytes was selective but pronounced for CD4+ cells activation (sekikaic acid 2.67-3.6%, control 0.44%). Similar scenario was recorded for Intracellular IL-2 secretion by the T-lymphocytes.
Conclusion: Low-dose sekikaic acid protects RSV infected cells and lead to immune lymphocytes proliferation. This recorded T-lymphocyte-specific immune-modulatory property may contribute to explain in part the dynamics associated with the overall antiviral effect of Sekikaic acid, and may also find relevance as a necessary cellular immune response precursor to infection-associated disease management
Investigation of Differential Genes Expression in the Genome of Epipactis flava Seidenf. (Orchidaceae) under Flooded Condition Using cDNA-SRAP Analysis
No full textEpipactis flava Seidenf. is classified into a rare type of orchid species, a rheophyte. The specific habitat for its life cycle requires a strong current and flooding time. In this study, differential gene expression between submerged and non-submerged conditions was studied using the cDNA-SRAP method. RNAs were extracted from rhizomes at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after submergence. Seven candidate genes were selected to study the relative gene expression by real-time RT-PCR and found to be upregulated in submergence condition. Six of these, RNA polymerase sigma factor gene, ATPase gene, Plant homeodomain finger Alfin-like genes, DNA-3-methyladenine glycosylase gene, and Allene oxide synthase gene were induced to the highest level within 12 hrs. Subsequently, the expression of five genes decreased at 24 and 48 hrs of treatment except for UDP-glucosyl transferase gene which showed stable expression at all time. Apart from others, dolichyl-diphosphooligosaccharide glycosyl transferase gene was induced to the highest level at 24 hrs and was stable until 48 hrs. This suggested that the induction of genes expression by flooding occurred within 12-24 hrs and most genes in this finding involved in stress responses which were easily upregulated in rheophytic plants during submergence. The more differentially expressed genes should be analysed for a further understanding of the rheophytic habit of this plant