010705   Goswami-Giri A S (Chemistry Dep, B.N. Bandodkar College of Science, Thane-400 601) : Isolation, purification and characterisation of Catcholase from Solanum melangena. Bionano Front 2010, 3(1), 31-5.

Catecholase is a copper containing metalloenzyme; ubiquitous in nature. Solanum melangena is popular and commonly grown vegetables throughout the year in India. After cutting, it turns black or brown in color, which is due to the oxidation of o-diphenol to dopachrome by catecholase. Catecholase from greenish white colored brinjal was isolated and purified on lignin column. The elution profile showed 9 peaks of catecholase with maximum fold purification in peak II was 257. Native PAGE of purified catecholase revealed two activity bands when stained with catechoi. The molecular mass of catecholase was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 54KDa and 120KDa. HPLC pattern of pure catecholase showed single sharp peak at 280 nm and half of a single peak at 260 nm. Multiplicity of catecholase was observed extensively after storage. The enzyme showed optimum pH 6.8 to 7.4.

4 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

010704   Dubey B;Buragohain A K;Ray S K (Microbiology and Cell Biology Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: bndubey81@rediffmail.com) : Positive correlation of bacterial genome GC% with the number of different anticodons used by the genome to decode all the codes. Icfai Univ J Biotechnol 2009, 3(1), 39-47.

Comparative study of tRNA genes in 28 bacterial genomes revealed the presence of tRNA genes having anticodons with C at the 1st position, which can only pair with G at the 3rd position of codons, though tRNA genes corresponding to the same codons but with T at the 1st position of anticodons that can wobble pair with G were also found. This might be due to the less preference for wobble pairing between U at the 1st position of anticodons and G at the 3rd position of codons. Bacterial genomes with less GC% were found to be lacking tRNA genes for alanine, proline and valine codons having pyrimidine at the 3rd position. A highly significant correlation between genome GC% and the number of different anticodons used in the genome to decipher all the codons was observed. This study might have an evolutionary implication related to a wide range of genome GC% in bacteria.

1 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

010703   Dhawale R N;Hajare S T;Dudhare M S (College of Agricultural Biotechnology, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani-431 402) : Assessment of genetic diversity among rice accesions from international rice molecular breeding programme (IRMBP) using molecular market (RAPD) analysis. Green Fmg 2009, 2(10), 667-70.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the world's single most important food crop and primary source of the food for more than half the world's population. Genetic diversity is the key to overcome to biotic and abiotic stresses, so exploitation of germplasm diversity is the only solution. DNA based and biochemical study clearly allows the composition of genetic material avoiding any environmental influence on the gene expression. The present study was planned to characterize the rice biodiversity of the given thirty lines of IRMB?, using RAPD Markers. DNA based marker (RAPD) was highly efficient for the assessment of genetic diversity as compared to the biochemical markers. All the accessions were different and genetically distant from each other at the molecular level. The results of the present study as the representative accessions of IRMBP led to a conclusion that the rich biodiversity still exists and should be explored for allele mining, and rice improvement programs.

2 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

010702   Damse D N;Dhawale R N;Pawar S V (College of Agril Biotechnology, Latur, Marathwada Agriculture University, Parbhani-413 402) : Molecular characterization of pigeon pea (Cajanus sp.) using molecular markers (RAPD). Green Fmg 2009, 2(12), 838-40.

Considering the vast natural genetic variability available in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill Spaugh) and presence of its wild relatives in the region, it has been, postulated that India is primary centre of origin of Pigeonpea molecular tool (RAPO) is sensitive to changes in experimental parameters. The problems of non reproducibility of markers could be overcome by sufficient repetitions, scoring only reproducible bands and by applying exactly the sa protocol. In the view of above content, the present studies have been carried out to analyse the genetic diversity thro RAPO markers in selected wild and cultivated accessions from Agricultural Research Station, Badnapur (Maharashtra).

2 illus, 8 ref, 1 table

010701   Belewu M A;Muhammed N O;Ajayi F T;Adbulgafar D T (icrobial Biotechnology and Dairy Science Laboratory, Animal Production Dep, Ilorin, Nigeria, Email: mikyinka@yahoo.com) : Performance characteristics of goat fed Trichoderma treated feather meal-rice husk mixture. Anim Nutr Feed Technol 2009, 9(2), 203-8.

Twelve West African Dwarf goats (10.0 ± 3.5 kg BW) were devided into three equal groups in a completely randomized design model and fed for a 56 day period either diet A (control, soybean based diet), diet B (10% feather meal +15% rice husk) or diet C (12.5% feather meal +12.5% rice husk). Total DM intake was highest in diet C, followed by B and A, respectively. Similar trends were recorded for crude protein intake and crude fibre intake. Diet C also recorded highest ether extract intake while diet B was lowest. Dry matter digestibility, crude protein digestibility, crude fibre digestibility and ether extract digestibility were also significantly higher in C compared to other diets. The results of the haematological parameters showed similarities among the experimental diets. In conclusion the result suggests that the diet of West African goats can be composed of 12.5% feather meal plus 12.5% rice husk with encouraging results in all the parameters studied.

3 tables, 16 ref

010700   Balamurugan R;Manikannan M;Dinesh S;Rajendran P;Ramachandran V;Manickan E (Microbiology Dep, Dr. ALM. PG Institute of Basic Medical Science, Madras Univ, Taramani, Chennai-600 113) : Comparative evaluation of immune modulation properties of leaf versus seed extracts of Phyllanthus amarus Linn. Biomedicine 2009, 29(1), 56-61.

Cytokines assist in regulating the development of immune effector cells and some posses direct effector function of their own. Imbalance of cytokine(s) leads to progression of many diseases. Immunotherapy is a recently emerging tool to correct those cytokine imbalances. Of the several Indian medicinal plants, P. amarus is popularly known for its biological properties against various diseases such as viral hepatitis. Previous studies however used whole plant only and there are no reports addressing the best plant part that may offer the best results. Hence the present study was conducted with the notion to find out the best plant part (leaf versus seed) that can offer best cytokine stimulation. Using different extraction method, various extracts were obtained from dried plant parts and used for the stimulation of PBMCs. Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines profile were analyzed from the culture supernatants obtained from stimulated PBMCs at different time points by ELISA method. Results of the current study indicated that both leaf and seed extract extracts of P. amarus induced comparable levels of both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines as shown by the enhanced production of IFN-g and IL-10. However aqueous seed extracts induced more Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines in comparison to leaf extracts. Results also revealed that IL-2 levels remained at basal levels and there was no IL-4 induction. From this study it could be concluded that aqueous extraction of seed induced higher levels of both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines in comparison to aqueous leaf extract. Extracts derived from other solvents, though induced higher levels of the above cytokines, there was no difference between leaf versus seeds.

10 illus, 23 ref

010699   Badgujar S B;Mahajan R T (Biotechnology Dept, SSBT's, College of Engineering and Technology, Bambhori, Post Box No 94, NH-6, Jalgaon-425 001) : Evaluation of nematicidal properties of some laticiferous plants. Green Fmg 2009, 2(10), 680-4.

Twenty one latex bearing plants belonging to seven different families were screened for their antiparasitic activity. Screening was carried out at four dose levels, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg of plant latex per gm of soil by using pot study of okra against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in terms of percentage mortality. High level doses of plant latex i.e. 10 mg exhibits strong nematicidal activity. The latex sample of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham., Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br., Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Shum, Plumeria rubra L., Ficus racemosa L. and Carica papaya L. showed significant activity by suppressing nematode population and external morphological characters of experimental okra crop. All latex exposing crops were analyzed for their chlorophyll density by measuring the spad value. Highest spad value about 43.25 was occurred in papaya latex exposing crop. This probably explains the use of latex as a biocontrol agent by farmer against infectious management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita.

2 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

010698   Ali S A;Malik S;Meitei K V;Sultan T;Sajid M; Ovais M (Biotechnology Dep, Saifia College of Science and Education, Bhopal-462 001, Email: drshariqali@yahoo.com) : Pharmacological effects of lead nitrate, adrenaline and potassium on isolated fish melanophores. Biosci Biotechnol Res Communs 2008, 1(1), 64-9.

Agonistic effects of lead nitrate, adrenaline and potassium chloride have been studied on the isolated scale melanophores of a teleost fish, Cirrhinus mrigala, using the mean melanophore size index assay. It has been found that adrenaline, lead nitrate and potassium chloride all aggregated the isolated scale melanophores in the decreasing order. This is for the first time that lead in molar concentrations has been found to induce dose dependent melanin aggregation within the fish melanophores along with the known adrenergic agonists like adrenaline and potassium chloride.

4 illus, 34 ref

010697   Ahmed A B A;Arun Kumar R (Plant Science Dep, School of Life Science, Bharathidasan Univ, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, Email: arunkumarkarthi@yahoo.com) : Stem cell treatment and its curative value. Biomedicine 2009, 29(1), 19-21.

Stem cell treatments are a type of cell therapy that introduces new cells into damaged tissue in order to treat a disease or injury. Many medical researchers believe that stem cell treatments have the potential to change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering. The ability of stem cells to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations that can differentiate offers a large potential to culture tissues that can replace diseased and damaged tissues in the body, without the risk of rejection.

9 ref

010696   Agrawal M;Santra S B;Anand R;Swaminathan R (Biotechnology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781 039, Email: santra@iitg.ernet.in) : Effect of macromolecular crowding on the rate of diffusion-limited enzymatic reaction. Pramana J Phys 2008, 71(2), 359-68.

The cytoplasm of a living cell is crowded with several macromolecules of different shapes and sizes. Molecular diffusion in such a medium becomes anomalous due to the presence of macromolecules and diffusivity is expected to decrease with increase in macromolecular crowding. Moreover, many cellular processes are dependent on molecular diffusion in the cell cytosol. The enzymatic reaction rate has been shown to be affected by the presence of such macromolecules. A simple numerical model is proposed here based on percolation and diffusion in disordered systems to study the effect of macromolecular crowding on the enzymatk; reaction rates. The model qualitatively explains some of the experimental observations.

4 illus, 22 ref

009824   Zope V P;Kulkarni M V (Biotechnology Dep, North Maharashtra Univ, Jalgaon-425 001) : Evaluation of toxicity of decolourised reactive textile dyes towards various agriculturally important microbial strains. Adv Pharmac Toxic 2009, 10(3), 85-8.

Much research has been carried out on dye containing effluent with the help of microbial decolourisation. Although decolourisation occurs, degraded end product should be checked for its toxicity before its disposal into environment. Utilization of such treated water is most important for agricultural sector particularly effect of such effluent on microtlora residing in rhizosphere soil. Screening, isolation technique was followed and A.niger has been selected as a result of its decolourisation pattern. A.niger culture was used for decolourisationof reactive red 195 and reactive green 11 under static condition Percent decolourisation was found to be in the range of 75 to 87.8 at 50 ppm, and 57 to 65.8 at 200 ppm concentration for reactive red 195 and reactive green 11 respectively. Zone of clearance for both dyes was in between 0.5-0.8 mm and 0.3-0.9 mm respectively for reactive red 195 and reactive green 11. Under parallel experimentation for their decolourised samples, zone of inhibition falls between 0.1-0.8 mm and 0.1-0.6 mm respectively for reactive red 195 and reactive green 11. Represents here effect of toxicity of decolourised sample of reactive dyes on agriculturally important microbial strains such as Azotobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Rhizobium sp. which might be useful for recycling of decolourised effluents for some useful purposes.

2 tables, 5 ref

009823   Zhou L;Mao W P;Fen J;Liu H Y;Wei C J;Li W X; Zhou F Y (Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal Univ, Nanjing 210046, P R China, Email: maoweiping@njnu.edu.cn) : Selection of scFvs specific for the HepG2 cell line using ribosome display. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(2), 221-6.

Aim of this study was to construct a ribosome display library of single chain variable fragments (scFvs) associated with hepatocarcinoma and screen such a library for hepatocarcinoma-binding scFvs. mRNA was isolated from the spleens of mice immunized with hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Heavy and k chain genes (VH and k) were amplified separately by RT-PCR, and an anti-HepG2 VH/k chain ribosome display library was constructed by assembling VH and k into the VH/k chain with a specially constructed linker by SOE-PCR. The VH/k chain library was transcribed and translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. In order to isolate specific scFvs, recognizing HepG2 negative selection on a normal hepatocyte line WRL-68 was carried out before three rounds of positive selection on HepG2. After three rounds of panning, cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that one of the scFvs had high affinity for the HepG2 cell and lower affinity for the WRL-68 cell. In this study, we successfully constructed a native ribosome display library. Such a library would prove useful for direct intact cell panning using ribosome display technology. The selected scFv had a potential value for hepatocarcinoma treatment.

5 illus, 15 ref

009822   Zhang S H;Cheng S P;Wang H Q;He F;Wu Z B (Research Institute of Engineering and Technology, Yunnan Univ, Kunming, 650091, China, Email: wuzb@ihb.ac.cn) : Allelopathic interactions between the Potamogeton spp and toxic cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa). Allelopathy J 2009, 23(2), 379-90.

Study aimed to investigate the allelopathic activities between 3 Potamogeton spp. (Potamogeton maackianus, Potamogeton nialaianux and Potamogeton pectinatus) and the toxic cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa). All Potamogeton spp inhibited the growth of M. aeruginoxa in both coexistence and exudates experiments. Inhibition of M. aeruginosa growth by plant exudates depended strongly on the biomass of P. malaianus. Initial pH (6.5-9.8) did not influence the inhibitory effects of P. malaianus exudates. However, the M. aeruginosa inhibited the net photosynthesis and respiration of all three pondweed test spp.. The decreases in photosynthesis and respiration were probably caused by the toxic compounds released by M. aeruginoxa, rather than its shading effects. The M. aeruginoxa also decreased the nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) uptake rates of macrophytes. The absorption rates of phosphorus and nitrogen and net photosynthesis were decreased sharply. These results will help to restore submerged plants in eutrophic waters.

5 illus, 44 ref

009821   Yadav J K;Prakash V (Protein Chemistry and Technology Dep, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 020, Email: prakash@cftri.com) : Thermal stability of α-amylase in aqueous cosolvent systems. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(3), 377-87.

The activity and thermal stability of α-amylase were studied in the presence of different concentrations of trehalose, sorbitol, sucrose and glycerol. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was found to be 50 ± 2°C. Further increase in temperature resulted in irreversible thermal inactivation of the enzyme. In the presence of cosolvents, the rate of thermal inactivation was found to be significantly reduced. The apparent thermal denaturation temperature (T_m)_app and activation energy (E_a) of α-amylase were found to be significantly increased in the presence of cosolvents in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of 40% trehalose, sorbitol, sucrose and glycerol, increments in the (T_m)_app were 20°C, 14°C, 13°C and 9°C, respectively. The E_a of thermal denaturation of α-amylase in the presence of 20% (w/v) trehalose, sorbitol, sucrose and glycerol was found to be 126, 95, 90 and 43 kcal/mol compared with a control value of 40 kcal/mol. Intrinsic and 8-anilinonaphathalene-1-sulphonic acid (ANS) fluorescence studies indicated that thermal denaturation of the enzyme was accompanied by exposure of the hydrophobic cluster on the protein surface. Preferential interaction parameters indicated extensive hydration of the enzyme in the presence of cosolvents.

6 illus, 2 tables, 62 ref

009820   Wu Z B;Gao Y N;Wang J;Liu B Y;Zhou Q H;Zhang Y Y (State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China, Email: wuzb@ihb.ac.cn) : Allelopatic effects of phenolic compounds present in submerged macrophytes on Microcystis aeruginosa. Allelopathy J 2009, 23(2), 403-10.

In laboratory studies, the allelopathic effects of 3 (Hydrocharitaceae family) submerged macrophytes (Elodea nuttallii (Planch) St. John, Hydrilla vertic.illata (L.f.) Royle and Vallisneria spiralis L.) were investigated on two strains of Microcystis aeruginosa. Both aqueous methanol extracts and exudates of three macrophytes inhibited the growth of both strains of Microcystis aeruginosa. After 3-days culture, E. nuttallii, H. verticillata and V. spiralis excreted 0.8, 0.3 and 1.0% of total phenolic compounds (TPC), respectively, into the surrounding water. After removing phenolic compounds by polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), the plant exudates showed very weak activity. The inhibitory rates of exudates of E. nuttallii, H. verticillata and V. spiralis, against non-toxic M.aeruginosa were decreased by 35.7, 43.4 and 59.1% respectively. Thus 3 submerged macrophytes released the phenolic compounds into the surrounding water, to inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa. This information may help us in understanding the mechanism of allelopathy in aquatic ecosystems and to control the algal bloom in eutrophic water bodies.

3 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

009819   Wu J;Wu M C;Zhang L F;Lei J Y;Feng L;Jin J (School of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Jiangnan Univ, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China, Email: jinjian31@hotmail.com) : Identification of binding peptides of the ADAM15 disintegrin domain using phage display. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(2), 213-20.

ADAM 15 plays an important role in tumour development by interacting with integrins. In this study, author investigated the target peptides of the ADAM15 disintegrin domain. First, we successfully produced the recommnant human ADAM15 disintegrin domain (RADD) that could inhibit melanoma cell adhesion by using Escherichia coli. Second, four specific binding peptides (peptides A, B, C, and D) were selected using a phage display 12-mer peptide library. The screening protocol involved 4 rounds of positive panning on RADD and 2 rounds of subtractive selection with streptavidin. By using the BLAST software and a relevant protein database, integrin α_vβ₃ was found to be homologous to peptide A. Synthetic peptide A had a highly inhibitory effect on RADD-integrin α_vβ₃ binding. The results demonstrate the potential application of short peptides for disrupting high-affinity ADAM-integrin interactions.

5 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

009818   Wu C;Shan Y;Liu X;Song W;Wang J;Zou M;Wang M; Xu D (College of Life Sciences, Hebei Univ, Boading, Hebei, 071002, P R China, Email: xudg@nic.bmi.ac.cn) : GalNAc-T14 may be involved in regulating the apoptotic action of IGFBP-3. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(3), 389-95.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is known to induce apoptosis in an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-dependent and IGF-independent manner, but the mechanism underlying the IGF-independent effects remains unclear. Polypeptide JV-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 14 (GalNAc-T14) is a novel IGFBP-3 binding partner. In this paper, small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting GalNAc-T14 was used to examine whether GalNAc-T14 affects the apoptotic action of IGFBP-3. Using semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis, we determined that GalNAc-T14 expression was downregulated by the siRNA directed against GalNAc-T14. Apoptosis analysis of IGFBP-3-overexpressing cells treated with siRNA against GalNAc-T14 was performed to determine if GalNAc-T14 was specifically involved in IGFBP-3 signalling. The results, as determined by flow cytometric analysis and caspase-3 assay, showed that the extent of apoptosis induced by IGFBP-3 increased with RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of GalNAc-T14. Our data suggest that GalNAc-T14 influences the apoptotic action of IGFBP-3 and might mediate the signalling pathway of IGFBP-3. Experiments to determine the role of GalNAc-T14 in the regulation of apoptosis induced by IGFBP-3 are under way.

4 illus, 24 ref

009817   Walia V K;Wadhawan D (Entomology Section, Zoology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: virinder_k_walia@rediffmail.com) : New species of Heteralcis meyrick (Lepidoptera : Lecithoceridae) from India. J appl Biosci 2009, 35(2), 169-71.

Heteralcis spatulata sp. nov., collected from a locality each in the two Indian states i.e. Haryana and Rajasthan, is described. The number of species described under this genus from India is enhanced to four.

6 illus, 8 ref

009816   Vijaya Sree N;Udaya Sri P;Sambasiva Rao K R S (Biotechnology Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Guntur-522 510, Email: vijaya_1410@yahoo.com) : Biosurfactants production utilising substrates from renewable resources. J appl Biosci 2009, 35(2), 103-9.

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules produced by microorganisms. These have gained importance in the fields of enhanced oil recovery, environmental bioremediation, food processing and pharmaceuticals. Surface-active compounds commonly used in industries are chemically synthesized. Biosurfactants have received more attention in recent years to replace the synthetic surfactants due to their biodegradability and low toxicity. Their use has, however, been limited due to the high production cost. Nevertheless, biosurfactants can be produced with high yield by some microorganisms, especially Pseudotnonas. sp., by using various agro industrial wastes as the potential carbon source, thereby leading to their economical production and simultaneously reducing pollution caused by these wastes.

7 illus, 1 table, 57 ref

009815   Vaidyanathan K;Lakhotia S;Ravishankar H M; Tabassum U;Mukherjee G;Somasundaram K (Microbiology and Cell Biology Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: skumar@mcbl.iisc.ernet.in) : BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation analysis among Indian women from south India: identification of four novel mutations and high-frequency occurrence of 185delAG mutation. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(3), 415-22.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes profoundly increase the risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer among women. To explore the contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the development of hereditary breast cancer among Indian women, we carried out mutation analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 61 breast or ovarian cancer patients from south India with a positive family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Mutation analysis was carried out using conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) followed by sequencing. Mutations were identified in 17 patients (28.0%); 15 (24.6%) had BRCA1 mutations and two (3.28%) had BRCA2 mutations. While no specific association between BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations with cancer type was seen, mutations were more often seen in families with ovarian cancer. While 40% (4/10) and 30.8% (4/12) of families with ovarian or breast and ovarian cancer had mutations, only 23.1% (9/39) of families with breast cancer carried mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In addition, while BRCA1 mutations were found in all age groups, BRCA2 mutations were found only in the age group of ≤ 40 years. Of the BRCA1 mutations, there were three novel mutations (295delCA; 4213T→A; 5267T→ G) and three mutations that have been reported earlier. Interestingly, 185delAG, a BRCA1 mutation which occurs at a very high frequency in Ashkenazi Jews, was found at a frequency of 16.4% (10/61). There was one novel mutation (4866insT) and one reported mutation in BRCA2. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance of mutation screening in familial breast and/or ovarian cancers, and the potential implications of these findings in genetic counselling and preventive therapy.

1 illus, 1 table, 41 ref

009814   Udaya Sri P;Vijaya Sree N;Sambasiva Rao K R S (Biotechnology Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Guntur-522 510, Email: pudayasri@gmail.com) : Use of extracellular enzymes for enhancing bioremediation. J appl Biosci 2009, 35(2), 91-102.

Extracellular enzymes are either secreted by organisms such as white rot fungi or are produced during a fermentation process and possess the ability to break down bonds within organic compounds and/or catalyze their transformation into less toxic and more biodegradable forms. Unlike many microbes, enzymes remain effective at a wide range of pH and temperature, particularly if immobilized on some carrier, and can degrade a wide variety of compounds. Enzymes from white rot fungi have been shown to effectively degrade TNT, phenols, PCBs, PAHs, and dyes; enzymes protease, lipase, and cellulase have the ability to reduce pathogen counts, reduce the solid content, and increase deflocculation in sludge. Currently, high production costs inhibit the widespread use of extracellular enzymes for remediation, but bench and field studies have shown enzymatic treatment to be a feasible option for bioremediation. The paper explores the current state of use of extracellular enzymes in enhancing the bioremediation of recalcitrant substances and wastewater.

7 tables, 59 ref

009813   Tripathy A;Tripathi R;Qureshi T A (Biotechnol Dep, School of Sci and Technol, Lovely Professional Univ, Phagwara, Punjab, Email: aquaimmuno@yahoo.co.in) : Ultrastructural and immunoelectron microscopic studies on epizootic ulcerative syndrome in fresh water fish, Channa Gachua and experimental infection trial. J appl Biosci 2008, 34(1), 35-40.

Ultrastructural, immunoelectronmicroscopic (lEM) and immunodiffusion studies have been done in Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) infected Channa gachua. Experimental infections were done with three suspected pathogens; a virus (SHRV-RV-19E), a bacterium (Aeromonas hydrophila) and a fungus (Aphanomyces invadens), individually as well as in various possible combinations. Damage was observed in skin and kidney at cellular level while no significant damage was noticed in liver cells. The syndrome was observed to develop at three different stages, i.e. initial red inflamed circular ring on the skin, advanced ring is replaced by lesions and chronic with ulceration.

13 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

009812   Thombre D K;Kulkarni S S;Shembekar V S (Biotechnology Dep, Rajarshi Shahu College, Latur-413 512, Email: dipthombre@gmail.com) : Production and purification of siderophores from Pseudomonas spp. and optimization of conditions for siderophore production. J Aquatic Biol 2009, 24(1), 181-4.

Siderophore production from Pseudomonas spp. was carried out in iron deficientsuccinate medium. Siderophores were detected by yellow-green pigmentation of broth, change in pH to alkalinity and confirmed by CAS test. These siderophores were purified by Amberllite XAD 4 column chromatography. Spectral scan analysis showed that this siderophores belongs to pyoverdin type. Also effect of various carbon sources on siderophore production was studied. Glutamic acid found to be optimum carbon source. Similarly effect of temperature, pH and salinity by using Succinate medium as a basal medium was studied and optimized.

3 illus, 8 ref

009811   Swaminathan Vinobha C;Rajadurai M;Rajasekaran E (P.G. & Research Dep of Bioinformatics, PRIST Univ, Thanjavur, Email: mr.rajadurai@gmail.com) : DNA barcoding : new techniques for identifying the species. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 35-6.

In the 1700s and 1800s, naturalists classified organisms based on morphology, devoting their careers to naming newfound plants and animals. Today biologists still use Linnaean taxonomy as the foundation of scientific classification. But with just a fraction of the estimated 5-30 million species on the planet already named and too few specialists to do the job, biologists are looking for high-throughput tools that can rapidly and accurately identify both individuals of a species and entirely new species. That's what some scientists say the DNA barcode will do. Scientists are currently gathering a DNA barcode for every species of plant and animal on the planet. The idea is that a short stretch of genetic code from a reference gene is unique enough to one species to distinguish it from every other species, and that comparison of sequence variations in that stretch of gene can reveal evolutionary relationships among species.

^ssc10 ref

009810   Suresh Kumar K;Ponmurugan P;Murugesh S (Biotechnology Dep, M.G.R. College, Hosur-635 109, Email: drponmurugan@rediffmail.com) : Effect of azoreductase on the degradation of carcinogenic Azo dyes. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 25-8.

A total of four bacterial strains such as Bacillus, Klebsilla, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from textile effluents to induce the secretion of extra cellular azoreductase for the biological degradation of azo dyes. Azoreductase was further purified and assayed which revealed 14000, 22000 and 36000 KDa protein molecules. Kinetic studies of azoreductase by Pseudomonas spp. to determine the suitable physical conditions during the enzyme production were performed under in vitro condition. The results showed that the optimum pH and temperature was found to be 8 and 40°C; respectively. The degradation of the azo dyes was evaluated by a UV-VIS spectrophotometer and HPLC system which revealed a prominent OD value at 519.57 nm was recorded in the samples treated with enzyme. Three minor peaks were noted with the retention time of 11.15 min, 16.44 min and 19.25 min in the samples treated with the same enzyme whereas only one peak was noted in the control samples with a retention time of 3.59 min. In conclusion, as a preliminary step in the development of textile effluent biotreatment using indigenous microbes, we have discovered some strains with potency to decolourize and/or remove COD and BOD.

^ssc9 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

009809   Sulekha Rani;Rana J S (Bio & Nano Technology Dep, Guru Jambheshwar Science & Technology Univ, Hisar, (Haryana), Email: jogenderrana@yahoo.co.uk) : Micropropagation of Tylophora indica, from petiolar explants without callus intervention. J appl Biosci 2009, 35(2), 127-31.

A rapid in vitro propagation system has been established by the formation of multiple adventitious shoot buds, without callus intervention, from petiolar explant of a highly valuable endangered medicinal plant-Tylophora indica. The explant was cultured on Gamborg's medium (B₅) supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) along with Silver nitrate(AgNo₃) and Cobalt chloride(CoC1₂) for shoot bud initiation and multiplication.4.5 mg/1 6-BAP together with 0.5 mg/1 AgNo₃ produced the greatest average number of shoot buds (404 ± SE42) per explant. Effect of basal media, hormones, sucrose concentration and gelling agent on root differentiation in shoot regenerates has been worked out. Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with 1 mg/1 α-Napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 10g/1 agar and 30g/1 sucrose showed highest efficiency for rooting. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to the pot through successive acclimatization process and ultimately transplanted and grown in the field. The percent survival during hardening was 65-70.

5 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

009808   Sudha Madhuri R;Kranthi G;Pinnamaneni R (Biotechnology Dep, Jagarlamudi Kuppuswamy Choudary College, Guntur-6, Email: pinnamaneniraj@gmail.com) : Cloning and expression of VP 24 protein of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). J appl Biosci 2009, 35(2), 132-7.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a large, circular dsDNA virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans. The nucleocapsid consists of three major proteins of 26 (VP26), 24 (VP24) and 15 kDa (VP15). VP24 was found to be present exclusively in the envelope fraction and was found to function at an early stage in virus infection. In order to identify the control measures, we cloned and characterized its genomic DNA coding for VP24 and it was successfully cloned into pUC 57 vectors which were expressed in the form of a protein. The culture containing VP 24 can be used as a vaccine for the prevention of the disease in shrimps.

4 illus, 18 ref

009807   Sonwane A A;Sonal;Dahiya S S;Patel C L;Pandey K D;Rai A;Gupta P K (Animal Biotechnology Div, Biological Products Div, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122) : Polybrene-mediated enhancement of transgene expression by recombinant adenovirus in BHK-21 cells. J Immun Immunopath 2009, 11(1), 42-7.

A replication-deficient, recombinant adenovirus vector expressing LacZ transgene was used to analyse the effect of polybrene-mediated transduction in BHK-21 cells. The replication-defective recombinant adenovirus was produced by transfecting engineered adenoviral genome which contained E1a and E1b deletion and LacZ transgene, into adenoviral packaging cell line HEK-293. The produced virus was harvested and its titer was determined in terms of plaque forming units/ml (pfu/ml) in HEK-293 cells. To enhance adenovirus transduction efficiency and LacZ transgene expression, the virus vector was treated with polybrene and used to transduce BHK-21 cells. Transduction efficiency was monitored by observing percentage of cells expressing b-galactosidase. Polybrene with 6 μg/ml concentration in virus inoculum at 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI) helped to achieve approximately 95% transduction. In the control experiment, non-treated virus could achieve very little (2.3%) transduction. The results of the present study indicated that pre-treatment of recombinant adenovirus with polybrene enhanced its transduction efficiency and transgene expression in BHK-21 cells.

3 illus, 17 ref

009806   Shrivastava R;Sarkar R;Chatterjee A;Khadikar P V (School of Biotechnology, Chemical & Biomedical Engng, VIT Univ, Vellore-632 014, Email: raj_success3@yahoo.com) : QSAR studies on the action of an algicide from a Cyanobacterium: Oscillatoria latevirens, on photosystem II activity. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 15-18.

Discussed quantitative-structure-activity-relationship (QSAR) studies on the activity of an algicide from a cyanobacterium viz. Oscillatoria laetevirens, on photo system II activity. For this purpose, we have used Ki values for inhibitors (mμ) for oscillatorin, atrazine, bentazon, diuron & metribuzing against Spinacia oleracea, Cassiatorra, Tephrosia purpuria, Alternathera Sessiles, Amaranthus viridis, and Parthenium hysterophorus and modeled their photo system II activity using molecular descriptors usually called topological indices, Satisfactory results are obtained.

^ssc4 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

009805   Sharma M K;Solanke A U;Jani D;Yogendra Singh; Sharma A K (Plant Molecular Biology Dep, Delhi South Campus Univ, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110 021, Email: arun@genomeindia.org) : Simple and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated procedure for transformation of tomato. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(3), 423-33.

Describes a highly efficient and reproducible Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol applicable to several varieties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, earlier known as Lycopersicum esculentum). Conditions such as co-cultivation period, bacterial concentration, concentration of benzyl amino purine (BAP), zeatin and indole acetic acid (IAA) were optimized. Co-cultivation of explants with a bacterial concentration of 10^{8 cells/ml for three days on 2 mg/1 BAP, followed by regeneration on a medium containing 1 mg/ml zeatin resulted in a transformation frequency of 41.4%. Transformation of tomato plants was confirmed by Southern blot analysis and β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay. The protocol developed showed very high efficiency of transformation for tomato varieties Pusa Ruby, Arka Vikas and Sioux. The optimized transformation procedure is simple, efficient and does not require tobacco, Petunia, tomato suspension feeder layer or acetosyringone.}

4 illus, 4 tables, 44 ref

009804   Sharma A;Bhatia A K (Veterinary Microbiology Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar) : Detection of VT2 gene in e-hyl Escherichia coli by polymerase chain reaction. J Immun Immunopath 2009, 11(1), 68-71.

The Escherichia constrain of serogroup O26 revealed the presence of VT2 gene similar to the VTEC 0157:117 identified PCR using VT2 gene probe product size 478 bp. The haemolytic and E-hly E. coli strains of serogroups O2, O4, O8, O26, O68, O101, O109, OI11, 0117, Ol 19, 143, O156 did not show the presence of VT2 gene.

12 ref

009803   Sengupta J;Ghosh R;Ghosh D (Life Sci Dep, Tripura Univ, Suryamaninagar, West Tripura-799 130) : Biochemical constituents of two cultivars of ripe pineapple (Ananas Comosus) of Tripura. J appl Biosci 2008, 34(1), 91-3.

Biochemical constituents of queen and kew cultivars of pineapple, widely cultivated in Tripura, have been determined. The two cultivars contain 24.143 ± 9.125 and 17.33 ± 8.838 mg/g of total protein, 1.666 ± 0.553 and 2.5 ± 0.5 mg/g of free amino acids, 31.25 ± 8.315 and 13.8 ± 1.462 mg/g oftotal carbohydrates, 4.002 ± 0.259 and 3.312 ± 0.424 units/g amylase, 17.081 ± 1.23 and 14.09 ± 1.08 units/g phosphatase, 83.93 ± 32.6 and 62.01 ±17 trypsin equivalent of protease and 0.264 ± 0.043 and 0.135 ± 0.041 volume activity of peroxidae respectively. The differences have been shown to be significant.

1 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

009802   Sengar R S;Chaudhary R;Singh B (Tissue Culture Lab, College of Biotechnology, S.V.P.U.A.&T., Meerut-250 110) : Role of biotechnology in the development of horticultural crops. J Ass Physns India 2009, 2(1), 1-10.

Biotechnology offers a vast potential in horticulture. The biotechnological tools may likely to have greater impacts in horticulture, where even minor changes such as in colour, aroma quality and postharvest behaviour would make significant commercial impacts Genetic transformation, micropropagation, in vitro conservation of germplasm, synseed technology, virus-cleaning through STG techniques, biofertilizers biopesticides and postharvest biotechnology are important areas in biotechnology of horticultural crops. In India micropropagation of horticultural crops has established well and in vitro protocols have been successfully exploited in ornamental crops, some forest plants, banana, cardamom etc. A few genetically-engineered crops are also in the pipeline at various stages of testing. To provide virus free plants in citrus, shoot tip grafting technique can be successfully employed while embryo-fruitful results in mango breeding. Systematic R & D efforts aimed at commercialization of product and process may go in a long way in promotion of horticulture industry in the country and to enhance India's capability to compete globally.

21 ref

009801   Sathyaseelan K;Tripathi N K;Kamboj D V;Jana A M;Rao P V L (Biotechnology Div, Defence Research and Development, Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior-474 002, Email: sathyak78@hotmail.com) : Production of recombinant Staphylococcal enterotoxin B protein in Escherichia coli. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(7), 17-20.

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 recornbinant 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/1 and cells were further grown for 4 h to reach dry cell weight of 8.61 g/1. The recombinant SEB protein was purified by affinity chromatography and analyzed by SDSPAGE. It was shown to be over 95 % pure and produced with the yields of ~126 mg/1 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.

^ssc3 illus, 1 tabl, 14 ref

009800   Rawat P;Sanjeev Kumar;Pental D;Burma P K (NO, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity Univ, Noida-201 303, Email: pburma@hotmail.com) : Inactivation of a transgene due to transposition of insertion sequence (IS136) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(2), 199-202.

Agrobacterium strains harbour insertion sequences, which are known to transpose into genomes as well as into Ti plasmids. In this study author report the inactivation of a transgene due to transposition of the A. tumefaciens insertion sequence IS 136. The transposition was discovered following transformation of plant tissues, although the fidelity of the binary vector was confirmed following transformation into Agrobacterium. Such transpositions are rare but can occur and it is thus important to check the fidelity of the binary vector at different times of Agrobacterium growth in order to avoid failure in achieving transgene expression.

3 illus, 16 ref

009799   Ravikumar K;Rajaduraipandi K;Panneerselvam K; Manoharan C;Rajashree P V (Biotechnology Dep, Dr. G.R. Damodaran College of Science, Coimbatore-14) : Retropective study on the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Salmonella typhi causing enteric fever from southern Tamil Nadu, India. Sci Soc 2009, 6(1), 37-41.

Treatment and eradication of Salmonella typhi are becoming difficult due to both the changing patterns of antibiotic susceptibility and the development of antibiotic resistant strains. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the antibiogram-resistogram reported for S. typhi pathogens. 14 months microbiology reports of S. typhi positive cases at a diagnostic laboratory were retrospectively reviewed. Prevalence, demography (age and sex), seasonal variations and antibiotic susceptibility patterns towards a group of 15 antibiotics were noted and analyzed. Of the 71 isolates of Salmonella sp isolated from 373 cases, as many as 45 isolates were found to be S. typhi. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern revealed increasing resistance towards norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin along with a gradual reduction in sensitivity towards ofloxacin and cefpirome among S. typhi isolates. On the other hand, sensitivity to gentamicin and amikacin was constantly high. As the antibiogram patterns were found to be diverse and many strains showed resistance to most of the antibiotics, determination of antibiotype for each pathogenic isolate is emphasized to implement appropriate therapy among infected patients.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

009798   Ratta B;Nautiyal B;Ravindra P V;Chaturvedi U; Palia S;Subudhi P K;Rajiv Kumar;Tiwari S;Tiwari A K (Immunochemistry Laboratory, Biochemistry Dep, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, Email: aktiwari63@yahoo.com) : Development of IL-2, IL-18 and IFN-γ gene based genetic adjuvants for use along with CSFV DNA vaccine in pigs. J Immun Immunopath 2009, 11(1), 36-41.

The cytokine genes when administered along with DNA vaccine may work as immunqlogical adjuvant and enhance immune responses. Hence, the study was undertaken to done and characterize the pig IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-18 cytokine genes. The pig IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-18 gene were amplified using specific primers by RT-PCR and cloned into pTZ57R/T cloning vector. The clone was confirmed by digestion analysis using Kpnl and Apal restriction enzymes. Further, the gene fragment was sub-cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA 3.1(+) and confirmed by restriction digestion as described above. These recombinant plasmids can be used as genetic adjuvants to DNA vaccine against CSFV.

3 illus, 20 ref

009797   Rajasekaran R;Mahesh V;Muthuselvam M;Selvzraj T (P.G. and Research Dep of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College, Poondi-613 503, Email: rrs_rajesh2004@yahoo.com) : Screening and selection of efficient AM fungus for Sorghum bicolor L. and Sorghum vulgaris Pers.. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(7), 10-16.

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.

4 illus, 5 tables, 41 ref

009796   Rajadurai M;Vinobha C S;Rajasekaran E (PG Dep of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Bishop Heber College (Auton, , Tiruchirappalli-17, Email: mr.rajadurai@gmail.com) : PROBANA: a software tool for probability analysis in protein sequences. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(7), 35-6.

The accelerated growth of proteomics data presents both opportunities and challenges. Protein sequence classification and comparison has become incresealingly important in the current 'omics' revolution. Where scientist are working on functional genomics and proteomics technologies for large scale protein function prediction. While proteomics data analysis has been greatly assisted by the many bioinformatics tools developed in recent years, many bioinformatics tools have been used for the management and analysis of proteomics data, we have developed a software tool named PROBANA (Probability Analysis) tool to identify the how and in which place the amino acid presents in the given protein sequences Availability: the package is available for non commercial purpose and can be send by mailing corresponding author.

^ssc3 illus, 4 ref

009795   Pathipati Usha Rani;Yasur J (Biology and Biotechnology Div, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: purani@iict.res.in) : Physiological changes in groundnut plants induced by pathogenic infection of Cercosporidium personatum Deightum. Allelopathy J 2009, 23(2), 369-78.

Studied the role of defence-related enzymes induced in groundnut plants due to pathogen infection by Cercosporidium personatum. The enzymatic changes in three groundnut varieties exposed to leaf spot disease by artificial inoculation technique in greenhouse were estimated using spectrophotometric analysis. Involvement of defence related enzymes in leaf spot pathogenesis was studied in susceptible (ICG 221) and tolerant (ICGV 86590, ICG FDRS 10) groundnut varieties. Temporal accumulation of peroxidase, phenyl alanine ammonia lyase and lipoxygenase enzymes showed maximum activity after pathogen inoculation in tolerant varieties, whereas in susceptible cultivars, there was no significant change between the pathogen free and pathogen infected variety. Tolerant varieties showed higher enzymatic activity after pathogen inoculation than normal (un-inoculated) plants and also the susceptible variety. The glucanase activity was increased in ICG 221 and ICG FDRS 10 and decreased in ICGV 86590 A. hypogaea plants. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the phenolic content in all three varieties and a decrease in the catalase activity. The role of these defence-related enzymes induced in A. hypogaea due to pathogen infection is discussed.

2 illus, 45 ref

009794   Pangrikar P P;Gadgile D P;Chavan A M;Kakde R B;Hatti A D;Gaikwad R S (Botany Dep, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwads Univ, Aurangabad-431 004, Email: pp.pangrikar@yahoo.in) : Rhizosphere fungal population of Bt and non-Bt cotton at different age. Ecotech 2009, 1(2), 106-9.

Deals with the study of comparative rhizosphere fungi of Bt and non-Bt cotton after 15,20,45,60,75,90 days. Eighteen fungi belonging to pathogenic as well as non pathogenic group were found to be associated with the rhizosphere of both Bt and non Bt varieties to a more or less extent. Fungal population of rhizosphere increased with the age in case of non-Bt cotton up to 75th days but in case of By cotton the rhizosphere fungi increased upto 45 days and remained constant till 90 days of the crop. Rhizosphere fungal population of non Bt cotton varieties were in variably found to be higher than rhizosphere fungal population of Bt cotton varieties irrespective to that of age of the plant.

6 tables, 7 ref

009793   Pan Y Q;Luo H L;Li V R (Guangxi Crop Genetic Imorovement and Biotechnology Laboratory, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, Guangxi, P.R. China, Email: liyr@gxaas.net) : Soluble acid invertase and sucrose phosphate synthase : key enzymes in regulating sucrose accumulation in sugarcane stalk. Sugar Tech 2009, 11(1), 28-33.

Study was conducted to assess the relative importance of reducing sugar contents, soluble proteins and activities of four enzymes viz., soluble acid invertase (SAI), sucrose synthase (SS), neutral invertase (NI) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in regulation of sucrose accumulation during the growth and development of internodes in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Fourteen internodes from internode 2 to internode 15 were sampled from the stalks of the first ratoon crop of two sugarcane cultivars, i.e. ROC20 and RB72-454. The internodes were cut into small pieces and frozen in liquid nitrogen and then stored in -30°C freezer until used. Content of sucrose, reducing sugar, soluble protein and activities of SPS, SAI, SS and NI were assayed. The results of multiple regression and partial correlation analyses showed that the sucrose content was negative correlated with the content of the reducing sugar and soluble protein during the growth and development of the internodes. Path coefficient analysis and optimum combination regression equation showed that soluble protein was more important than reducing sugar in regulating the sucrose level in sugarcane internodes. The sucrose content was positively correlated with the activity of SPS and negatively correlated with the activities of SAI, SS and NI in the both cultivars, but only the SAI in ROC20 and SAI and SPS in RB72-454 were significant at the level 0.05 in T-test for the optimum combination regression equation. Soluble protein was more important than reducing sugar in regulating sucrose accumulation in sugarcane internodes. SAI and SPS were the key enzymes in regulating sucrose accumulation during the growth and development of the internodes of sugarcane stalk. The results of the present study provided references for further research on regulating the sucrose accumulation in sugarcane stalk at molecular level.

2 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

009792   Narang A (Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khaz, New Delhi-110 016, Email: anarang@dbeb.iitd.ac.in) : Quantitative effect and regulatory function of cyclic adenosine 5'-phosphate in Escherichia coli. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(3), 445-65.

Cyclic adenosine 5'-phosphate (cAMP) is a global regulator of gene expression in Escherichia coli. Despite decades of intensive study, the quantitative effect and regulatory function of cAMP remain the subjects of considerable debate. Here, we analyse the data in the literature to show that: (a) In carbon-limited cultures (including cultures limited by glucose), cAMP is at near-saturation levels with respect to expression of several catabolic promoters (including lac, ara and gal). It follows that cAMP receptor protein (CRP) cAMP-mediated regulation cannot account for the strong repression of these operons in the presence of glucose, (b) The cAMP levels in carbon-excess cultures are substantially lower than those observed in carbon-limited cultures under these conditions, the expression of catabolic promoters is very sensitive to variation of cAMP levels, (c) =CRPcAMP invariably activates the expression of catabolic promoters, but it appears to inhibit the expression of anabolic promoters, (d) These results suggest that the physiological function of cAMP is to maintain homeostatic energy levels. In carbon-limited cultures, growth is limited by the supply of energy; the cAMP levels therefore increase to enhance energy accumulation by activating the catabolic promoters and inhibiting the anabolic promoters. Conversely, in carbon-excess cultures, characterized by the availability of excess energy, the cAMP levels decrease in order to depress energy accumulation by inhibiting the catabolic promoters and activating the anabolic promoters.

^iia16 illus, 1 table, 70 ref

009791   Nagarajan P;Danialas J P I;Periyaswamy C (Postgraduate and Research Dep of Microbiology, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, An Institution of Kovai Medical C, Coimbatore-641 048, Email: prachanna_76@yahoo.co.in) : Synthesis of Aspergillus fumigatus mediated silver nanoparticles and it's in vitro antileptospiral effect. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(7), 31-4.

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 250 μg/ml. In the listed fungi included, A. fumigatus showed better inhibition than others.

1 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

009790   Muthuselvam M;Sheeba T;Rajasekaran R (P.G. and Research Dep of Microbiology, , Marudupandiyar College, Email: muhuphd@gmail.com) : Analysis of microbial pigment productivety in Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Bacillus subtilis. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 10.

Nature is rich in colour, and pigment producing microorganisms (Fungi, Yeast, and Bacteria) are quit common. Among the molecules produced are carotenoids, melanins, flavins, quinines, and more specifically monascins violancein or indigo. In the present study the microbial pigment production estimated on Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Bacillus subtilis. The test organism such as Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Bacillus subtilis were got from M.T.C.C Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre from Chandigar, Punjab. The Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Bacillus subtilis were inoculated into sterile nutrient broth and molasses. After the incubation pigments were analyzed from the fermentative broth. After fermentation microbial pigments were extracted and estimated. Maximum pigments production was noted in the Pseudomonas aerugionsa (0.18) compared the Bacillus subtilis (0.15). Optimize the pigments production by using various growth factors such as ph, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources. Among the study of optimum products notepH (7-7.5), temperature (40°c) and the nutrient sources are lactose and ammonium chloride used as carbon and nitrogen respectively. Finally concluded the Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Bacillus subtilis used for large scale pigment production. The microbial pigment associated with quality and sensory properties of food.

2 illus, 5 tables, 14 ref

009789   Kulkarni A U;Chavan A M;Gadgile D P (Botany Dep, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwads Univ, Aurangabad-431 004, Email: ram_mango@yahoo.com) : Fungal population of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds. Ecotech 2009, 1(2), 154-5.

Biodiversity of maize seed borne fungi on different agar media like Czapek Dox Agar (CZA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) Glucose Nitrate Agar (GNA) and Rose Bengal Agar (RBA) were studied. Total eighteen fungi were isolated on PDA, RBA, GNA and CZA. Maximum fungal Population was reported on PDA.

1 table, 6 ref

009788   Khan M K;Mishra P K;Sharma T;Verma S K;Misra P;Ramteke P W (Tissue Culture Dep, College of Biotechnology & Allied Sciences, Allahabad Agricultural Ins, Allahabad-211 007) : Screening of micorobial strains for succinic acid production. Ann Pl Soil Res 2009, 11(1), 67-8.

1 table, 3 ref

009787   Khan A S;Ali M S;Baig I J A (Biotechnology Dep, The New College, Madras Univ, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014, Email: saleemkhan83@gmail.com) : Halophilic (aerobic) bacterial growth rate of mangrove ecosystem. J envir Biol 2009, 30(5), 705-7.

Mangroves are woody specialized trees of tropics and are valuable flora contributing to economical, ecological, scientific and cultural resources. They thrive in salty environments like coastal regions and are aid towards disaster management facing the onslaught of giant waves such as Tsunami. Analysis of mangrove soil on the banks of the Adyar river, behind the Theosophical society campus, Adyar, Chennai, India, gave a startling revelation of microorganisms that can tolerate different salinity ranges. Previous studies in Pichavaram delta, have reported bacterial isolates such as nitrogen fixing bacteria, halophiles and several others. However their efficiency in the growth of mangrove forest has been studied to a lesser extent. The present study has been designed and formulated to estimate halophilic(aerobic) bacterial load from mangroves soil sample based on depth and salinity of the soil and further the efficiency if any of these isolates in the growth of mangroves. Results have been correlated and a cohesive conclusion reached for further intensive research. This study throws light on the ecology of the bacterial population in the coastal marine en vironment inhabited by mangroves and its possible role in disaster mitigation.

3 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

009786   Kabilan M;Arun;Saraswathy B;Ramalingam N; Rajasekaran P (Biotechnology Dep, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore) : Comparative study on efficiency of genomic DNA extraction methods in edible mushrooms. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 23-4.

^ssc1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

009785   Jothi Basu M;Yogananth N;Baburaj S (NO, J.J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukkottai-622 009, Email: jothibasu77@gmail.com) : In vitro propagation of Hybanthus enneaspermus linn., f. Muell. from leaf explant. Icfai Univ J Sci Technol 2009, 8(8), 29-31.

Leaf explant of Hybanthus enneaspermus L. gave rise to multiple shoots when cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP and NAA. The highest rate of shoot multiplication was obtained in MS medium containing 4.0mgL^{-1 BAP and 0.5mgL-1 NAA(14.42±1.322a). Differentiated shoot buds elongated to 45 cm within 4 weeks. The regenerated shootlets were rooted on half strength MS basal medium with different concentrations of IBA and NAA. The maximum number of roots was achieved on the medium containing 2.0mgL' NAA. In vitro regenerated plantlets were transferred on to plastic pots containing coco peat as potting mix and thereafter successfully established under ex vitro conditions. The survival percentage of transplanted plantlets was 60.}

^ssc5 illus, 1 table, 22 ref