006442   Kumar G;Gupta P (Plant Genetics Laboratory. Botany Dep, Allahabad Univ, Allahabad-211 002, Email: Kumar_girjesh@yahoo.com) : Comparative genotoxic potential of inorgnic fertilizers and bilfertilizers on meristematic cells of Capsicum annum L.. Natn Acad Sci Lett 2008, 31(5-6), 181-5.

Use of inacgnic fertilizers incteases the yield of plants but -their->excesive use may cause many ill effects. The objective of the study was to assess the cytological effects of two inorganic fertilizers Di Ammonium phosphate (DAP) and Urea and a biofertilizer Agrozyme on the root tips of Capsicum annum L. The two applied inorganic fertilizers induced a significant decrease in mitotic activity while the biofertilizer induced an increase in the mitotic activity. Moreover, the two inorganic fertilizers also induced a range of chromosomal anomalies like stickiness, scattering, precocious movement, bridge etc. In case of biofertilizer though some chromosomal disturbances were observed but they were very less in comparison to inorganic fertilizers.

3 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

006441   Jiang Y;Li J;Shi J (Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Dep, College of Food Science, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou-310 035, Email: ymjiang@scib.ac.cn) : Enhanced effect of L-cysteine and citric acid combination on browning inhibition and quality maintenance in harvested litchi fruit. J Fd Sci Technol 2008, 45(1), 75-7.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit peel was extracted and the effect of L-cysteine (L-cys), citric acid (CA) or combination at different concentrations (0-4 mM) on the PPO activity was assayed. L-cys inhibited PPO activity and the inhibitory effect enhanced with higher concentrations, whereas CA at low concentrations slightly stimulated the activity of the enzyme, but at 2 mM or higher concentration markedly inhibited the activity. Further, the combination of L-cys and CA exhibited much stronger inhibition of the PPO activity. On the basis of the inhibitory effect of the PPO activity in vitro, the use of L-cys and CA combination for pericarp browning control in relation to quality maintenance of harvested litchi fruit was investigated. Litchi fruits were dipped in 2 mM L-cys and 2 mM CA for 3 min, packaged in 0.03 mm polyethylene bags, and stored at 25°C. Changes in PPO activity of pericarp tissues were evaluated. Changes in skin browning index and aril eating quality were also assessed. The use of L-cys and CA combination significantly reduced the browning index, inhibited the PPO activity, reduced the loss in the concentrations of total soluble solids and titratable acidity, and extended the shelf-life. It is suggested that application of L-cys and CA combination could be an effective means of reducing the skin browning while maintaining the aril quality of harvested litchi fruit.

2 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

006440   GnanaSoundari S;Sashi V (NO, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology P.S.G.R. Krishnammal College for, Coimbatore 4) : Partial purification of Xylanase from Aspergillus flavus. J Ecobiol 2008, 23(4), 341-4.

The objective of this study was to investigate the xylanase production from Aspergillus flavus. Several agro residues such as wheat bran, rice bran, sugar cane bagasse, Cyanodon grass, sorghum stem were tested for the maximum xylanase production. Among the tested agroresidues wheat bran promoted maximum xylanase production at pH6.5 and temperature 35°C under the static conditions. In order to find the molecular weight of the xylanase produced by _A flavus, the partial purification was carried out in DEAE cellulose column. The partially purified enzyme yielded a molecular weight at 102 kDa and 87 kDa. The optimum temperature and pH for activity of the enzyme was 40°C and 6.0.

2 illus, 14 ref

006439   Dalal S;prasad G;Minakshi;Maan S (NO, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon (SK), Canada S7N5A8, Email: sad950@mail.usask.ca) : VP7 geme based molecular characterization of tow Indian isolates of bluetongue virus. Haryana Vet 2008, 47(Dec), 41-5.

In the study, vp7 gene specific primer pair was used to amplify two cell culture adapted Indian isolates of bluetongue virus (BTV-1 Avikanagar, BTV-15 Hyderabad). The purified and polished 1137 bp and 1154 bp PCR products of BTV-1 (Avikanagar) and BTV-15 (Hyderabad) were cloned into PCR-Script Amp SK (+) vector. The recombinant clones were screened for the presence of insert using restriction endonuclease digestion (Xhol) and PCR assays with vp7 gene specific primers. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the two Indian BTV isolates showed a 79 - 99.9% nucleotide identity. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis of Indian isolates tree showed that the BTV-1 Avikanagar formed a monophyletic group with BTV-18 and BTV-23 Indian isolates and cluster together with South African, Australian and Chinese isolates of serotype 1, 2, 4 while BTV-15 (Hyderabad) falls in a separate cluster along with BTV-10 and 17 from US. This study suggested that the vp7 gene based phylogenetic tree depicts grouping of Indian BTV isolates at random and this gene does not assort according to topotype or serotype, even over large geographic distances.

3 illus, 21 ref

006438   Cavusoglu K;Yalcin E (Biology Dep, Faculty of Science and Art, University of Giresun, 28049, Giresun, Turkey) : Radioprotective effect of lycopene on chromosomal aberrations (CAs) induced by gamma radiation in human lymphocytes. J envir Biol 2009, 30(1), 113-17.

Study was carried out to evaluate the radioprotective role of lycopene on chromosomal aberrations (CAs) induced by gamma (γg) radiation in human lymphocytes. For this purpose, we used in vitro dose-effect relationship, and correlate these data with statistical parameters. CAs were evaluated in terms of chromosome break, dicentric, tricentric, acentric, fragment and ring. Mitotic index (MI) and aberrant metaphase number (AMN) were also calculated. Nine groups of lymphocyte culture were prepared: (I) Control group did not received radiation or lycopene, (II) positive control; lymphocytes were treated only with 0.020 μM lycopene, (III) radiation group; lymphocytes were treated with only 10 Gy γ-radiation, (IV) lymphocytes were treated with 0.001 μM lycopene before irradiation, (V) lymphocytes were treated with 0.005 μM lycopene before irradiation, (VI) lymphocytes were treated with 0.010 μM lycopene before irradiation, (VII) lymphocytes were treated with 0.015 μM lycopene before irradiation, (VIII) lymphocytes were treated with 0.018 μM lycopene before irradiation, (IX) lymphocytes were treated with treated with 0.020 μM lycopene before irradiation. The results indicated that all lycopene-supplemented lymphocytes showed a lower CAs frequency than lymphocytes in only radiation treated group. It was seen that lycopene had a protective effect on CAs particularly at 0.010, 0.015 and 0.018 μM concentrations, but this effect saturated at 0.020 μM concentration. Besides, MI increased and AMN decreased depending on applied lycopene doses. In vitro results showed that the lycopene supplementation decreases frequency of CAs and its protective role against chromosome damages induced by radiation is dose-dependent until a certain stage.

1 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

006437   Cakir O;Ari S (Molecular Biology and Genetics Dep, Faculty of Science, Instabul University, 34118, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey) : Defensive and secondary metabolism in Astragalus chrysochlorus cell cultures, in response to yeast extract stressor. J envir Biol 2009, 30(1), 51-5.

Investigates inducibility of secondary metabolism in Astragalus chrysochlorus by yeast extract which is known to cause the synthesis of defensive phenolic metabolites. Cell suspension cultures of Astragalus chrysochlorus responded to elicitor treatment (10 gl^{-1 yeast extract) by increasing phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL E.C. 4.3.1.5) activity, the key enzyme of phenylpropanoid pathway and accumulation of phenolic compounds. Yeast extract was added on 13th day in the cultures when cells were at early stage of logarithmic phase. The highest PAL activity (2.71 U μg protein-1 min-1) was measured at 36 hr after addition of yeast extract and increasing of total phenolics accompanied with 221 μg g-1 value as fresh weight (FW). Total phenolic content reached maximum value, 343.86 μg g-1 FW, at 48 hr while control's value was 162 μg g-11 FW. Maximum PAL activity and total phenolic content were 2.88 and 2.12 times higher than the controls of A. chrysochlorus cells, respectively. The results indicate that there is a positive correlation between induced PAL activity and accumulation of total phenolics. It is considered that early defense response given to environmental stressors such as biotic and abiotic factors by upregulation of phenolic branch of secondary metabolism occurs in A. chrysochlorus with addition of yeast extract.}

3 illus, 37 ref

005480   Zhao L;Lu L;Zhang L;Wang A;Wang N;Liang Z;Lu X;Tang K (Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, School of Agric, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China, Email: kxtang@sjtu.edu.cn) : Molecular evolution of the E8 promoter in tomato and some of its relative wild species. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 71-83.

The E8 gene is related to ethylene biosynthesis in plants. To explore the effect of the expression pattern of the E8 gene on different E8 promoters, the molecular evolution of E8 promoters was investigated. A total of 16 œ8 promoters were cloned from 16 accessions of seven tomato species, and were further analysed. The results from 19 E8 promoters including three previously cloned E8 promoters (X13437, DQ317599 and AF515784) showed that the size of the E8 promoters varied from 2101 bp (LA2150) to 2256 bp (LA2192); their sequences shared 69.9% homology and the average A/T content was 74.9%. Slide-window analysis divided E8 promoters into three regions - A, B and C - and the sequence identity in these regions was 72.5%, 41.2% and 70.8%, respectively. By searching the czs-elements of E8 promoters in the PLACE database, mutant nucleotides were found in some functional elements, and deletions or insertions were also found in regions responsible for ethylene biosysnthesis (-1702 to -1274) and the negative effect region (-1253 to -936). Our results indicate that the size of the functional region for ethylene biosynthesis in the E8 promoter could be shortened from 429 bp to 113 bp (-1612 to -1500). The results of molecular evolution analysis showed that the 19 E8 promoters could be classified into four clade groups, which is basically consistent with evolution of the tomato genome. Southern blot analysis results showed that the copy number of E8 promoters in tomato and some other wild species changed from 1 to 4. Taken together, our study provides important information for further elucidating the E8 gene expression pattern in tomato, analysing functional elements in the E8 promoter and reconstructing the potent E8 promoter.

5 illus, 3 tables, 55 ref

005479   Srivastava A (General Clinical Research Center, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, 1376 Mowry Road, Room 492-A, Florida College of Medicine Univ, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA, Email: aruns@peds.ufl.edu) : Antiviral activity of copper complexes of isoniazid against RNA tumor viruses. Resonance 2009, 14(8), 754-60.

Discovery of reverse transcriptase in 1970 [1,2J prompted the search for a specific drug, which could be used to target this key enzyme in order to inhibit the growth and replication of RNA tumor viruses. In 1974, when the zinc metallo-protein nature of reverse transcriptase was reported, Prof. T Rama-krishnan embarked on the idea of using a metal chelating agent - isoniazid, one of the most potent antitubercular drugs - on which research was being carried out in his laboratory for over two decades, to chelate the zinc ion out of the enzyme to render it inactive, thereby inhibiting the viral life cycle. He hypothesized that isoniazid could also prove to be a potent inhibitor of RNA tumor viruses. Describe the work that culminated in the use of isoniazid and its copper complexes for the specific inhibition of reverse transcriptase as well as the elucidation of the underlying mechanism of this inhibition.

1 illus, 5 ref

005478   Shin H W (Marine Biotechnology Dep, Soonchunhyang Univ, Asan City-336 745, South Korea, Email: hwshin@sch.ac.kr) : Rapid attachment of spores of the fouling alga Ulva fasciata on biofilms. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 613-19.

Attachment of spores of Ulva fasciata to natural biofilms was examined to probe the basis for specificity in settlement. Within 30 min from initial exposure in laboratory assays, spores attached to 1-, 3-, 6- or9-day biofilms formed on acid-cleaned glass slides. The greatest number of spores attached to biofilms aged for 6-day (573.3 ± 45 spores mm^{-2, p<0.025J. The Moris/fa index (Ml) was used to investigate relationships between the spatial pattern of spores on natural biofilms, and was found to be random for 1-, 3- and 6-day biofilms (Ml = 0.93,0.98 and 0.95, respectively), but non-random on 9-day biofilms (0.82). In addition to the attachment of spores to nafural biofilms, experimentally manipulated biofilms that provided potentially specific receptor sites were studied. Epifluorescence microscopy of 1-day biofilms confirmed that experimental sugar was incorporated into natural biofilms. The Jacalin galactose specific probe snowed a homogeneous pattern of galactose incorporation on biofilms, whereas Concanavalin Aprobe (mannose) showed a discrete pattern for this sugar Similarly, the addition of fetuin to a biofilm was detected as a heterogeneous pattern. Rapid spore attachment of U. fasciata found on natural biofilms was induced by fetuin (1 -day: 1482 ±46.6 spores mm2); specific molecules similar to fetuin may play a role in triggering settlement. Specific sugars and their analogs are important surface receptors and play an integral role in attachment of Ulva fasciata spores to aged biofilms. Biofilm age and the role of specific sugars on attachment are discussed.}

3 illus, 2 tables, 62 ref

005477   Sathyanarayana N;Vikas P B;Rajesha R;Bharath Kumar T N (Biotechnology Dep, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore-562 157) : In vitro mass multiplication of Abrus precatoius (Linn.) through axillary bud culture. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 57-63.

A rapid and reliable protocol for in vitro mass multiplication of plants through axillary bud cultures was established for Abrus precatorius. Axillary bud explants from 14-d-old seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of cytokinins. During the first culture, maximum of 16.33 ± 1.53 shoots with an average shoot length of 1.86 ± 0.60 cm were produced on MS medium supplemented with BAP (11.10 μM). The number of shoots increased up to 20.00 ± 1.00 recording an average length of 3.20 ± 0.95 cm, when the intact shoots were subjected to re-culturing on MS + BAP (2.22 μM). Rooting of elongated shoots was favored on half-strength MS medium supplemented with NAA (13.43 μM). The plantlets were acclimatized by transferring them first to wet peat moss, followed by sand: top soil (1:1) mixture, recording 95% survival. This system provides a reliable tool for micropropagation of this important medicinal plant.

4 illus, 3 tables, 28 ref

005476   Saravanan R;Revathi K;Balakrishna Murthy P (NO, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (Formerly FIPP, Padappai-601 301, Email: rsaravanan2@yahoo.com) : Lambda cyhalothrin induced alterations in Clarias batrachus. J envir Biol 2009, 30(2), 265-70.

Study was undertaken to find out the toxic effect of synthetic pyrethroid lambda cyhalothrin on the functioning of endocrine glands in freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus, The fish were exposed to the pesticide for a period of 45 days at a sublethal concentration of 5.768 ppm. Analysis of hormone profile was carried out on the 15,30 and 45 days of exposure to find out the alteration in hormone secretion and the response of the fish to the compound. The results obtained showed a significant decline(p<60>0.05) in levels of thyroid hormones and testosterone while a significant increase (p <60> 0.05) was observed in cortisol levels during the different days of exposure of the fish to lambda cyhalothrin.

1 table, 59 ref

005475   Sarani R;Udayaprakash N A;Subashini R;Mridula P;Yamane T;Sekar K (Bioinformatics Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: sekar@serc.iisc.ernet.in) : Large Sryptic internal sequence repeats in protein structures from Homo sapiens. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 103-12.

Amino acid sequences are known to constantly mutate and diverge unless there is a limiting condition that makes such a change deleterious. However, closer examination of the sequence and structure reveals that a few large, cryptic repeats are nevertheless sequentially conserved. This leads to the question of why only certain repeats are conserved at the sequence level. It would be interesting to find out if these sequences maintain their conservation at the three-dimensional structure level. They can play an active role in protein and nucleotide stability, thus not only ensuring proper functioning but also potentiating malfunction and disease. Therefore, insights into any aspect of the repeats - be it structure, function or evolution - would prove to be of some importance. This study aims to address the relationship between protein sequence and its three-dimensional structure, by examining if large cryptic sequence repeats have the same structure.

4 illus, 4 tables, 18 ref

005474   Saifuddin N;Raziah A Z;Nor Farah H (Chemistry Unit, Engineering Sciences Dep, College of Engineering Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 43900 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: saifuddin@uniten.edu.my) : Production of biodiesel from high acid value waste cooking oil using an optimized lipase enzyme/acid-catalyzed hybrid process. E J Chem 2009, 6(S1), 485-95.

Study is aimed at developing an enzymatic/acid-catalyzed hybrid process for biodiesel production using waste cooking oil with high acid value (poor quality) as feedstock. Tuned enzyme was prepared using a rapid drying technique of microwave dehydration (time required around 15 minutes). Further enhancement was achieved by three phase partitioning (TPP) method. The results on the lipase enzyme which was subjected to pH tuning and TPP, indicated remarkable increase in the initial rate of transesterification by 3.8 times. Microwave irradiation was found to increase the initial reaction rates by further 1.6 times, hence giving a combined increase in activity of about 5.4 times. The optimized enzyme was used for hydrolysis and 88% of the oil taken initially was hydrolyzed by the lipase. The hydrolysate was further used in acid-catalyzed esterification for biodiesel production. By using a feedstock to methanol molar ratio of 1:15 and a sulphuric acid concentration of 2.5%, a biodiesel conversion of 88% was obtained at 50 °C for an hour reaction time. This hybrid process may open a way for biodiesel production using unrefined and used oil with high acid value as feedstock.

4 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

005473   Saha A;Mandal P;Dasgupta S;Saha D (Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Botany Dep, North Bengal Univ, Siliguri-734 013, Email: drishtanta@yahoo.com) : Influence of culture media and environmental factors on mycelial growth and sporulation of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl. J envir Biol 2008, 29(3), 407-10.

Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a common tea (Camellia sinensis) pathogen, usually does not sporulate or sporulates poorly in common media, which makes spore production difficult. In this study the effects of culture media, carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, pH and light on mycelial growth and sporulation were evaluated. Among several carbon sources tested, glucose and sucrose were found superior for growth. Potassium nitrate supplemented media showed maximum growth amongst the tested inorganic nitrogen sources while peptone produced maximum growth among the tested organic nitrogen sources. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium was found to be the most suitable for mycelial growth and sporulation of L theobromae. The fungus grow at temperatures ranging from 4° to 36°C, with optimum growth at 28°C and no growth was noted at 40°C. There was no significant effect of different light period on growth of L. theobromae, but light enhanced sporulation. The fungus grow at pH 3.0-8.0 and optimum growth was observed at pH 6.0. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium with pH 6.0 was the most suitable for production of conidia of L theobromae at 28°C. Hence this media may be recommended for inoculum production for further studies.

2 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

005472   Park J Y;Back S S;Chun B S (NO, Institute of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Puk, Daeyeon dong, Busan, 608-737 Korea, Email: bschum@pknu.ac.kr) : Protein properties of mackerel viscera extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 443-8.

Extraction of mackerel viscera using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO₂) was performed under the conditions of temperature range from 35 to 45°C, and constant pressure 25 MPa. The digestive enzyme activities were determined in comparison of untreated and treated SCO₂ and solvent treatment. Activities were maintained with high level compared to that of solvent extraction. Also from result of SDS-PAGE, the protein denaturation was minimized when using SCO₂ extraction. The major ammo acids in the mackerel viscera were determined as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, lysine and the free amino acids were taurine, L-alanine, L-leucine, 1-methyl-L-histamine, 3-methyl-L-histidine.

4 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

005471   Park E M;Kim Y O;Nam B H;Kong H J;Kim W J;Lee S J;Jee Y J;Kong I S;Choi T J (Biotechnology Research Institute, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang ri, Gijang eup, Gijang gun, Busan 619-902, Republic of Korea, Email: bhnam@momaf.go.kr) : Cloning and expression analysis of a small HSP26 gene of pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 577-80.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are evolutionally conserved from micro organism to mammals and play Important roles In many biological processes including thermal tolerance We isolated a homologue of small HSP26 (sHSP26j from a subtracted cDNA library of heat shock-treated abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). The abalone sHSP26 encompossed 793 nt, including a coding region of 501 nt. The deduced amino acid sequence of the abalone sHSP26 contained well conserved α-crystallin domain and showed overall identities of 27-31 % with the other species' sHSP proteins. The abalone sHSP26 transcript was induced by heat shock treatment, but not by cold shock treatment.

4 illus, 16 ref

005470   Nigam V K;Khandelwal A K;Gothwal R K;Mohan M K;Choudhury B;Vidyarthi A S;Ghosh P (NO, Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, Jaipur-302 001, Email: nigam.bisr@gmail.com) : Nitrilase-catalysed conversion of acrylonitrile by free and immobilized cells of Streptomyces spp. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 21-6.

The biotransformation of acrylonitrile was investigated using thermophilic nitrilase produced from a new isolate Streptomyces sp. MTCC 7546 in both the free and immobilized state. Under optimal conditions, the enzyme converts nitriles to acids without the formation of amides. The whole cells of the isolate were immobilized in agar-agar and the beads so formed were evaluated for 25 cycles at 50°C. The enzyme showed a little loss of activity during reuse. Seventy-one per cent of 0.5 M acrylonitrile was converted to acid at 6 h of incubation at a very low density of immobilized cells, while 100% conversion was observed at 3 h by free cells.

3 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

005469   Nagendrakumar S B;Madhanmohan M;Rangarajan P N;Srinivasan V A (Research and Development Centre, Indian Immunologicals Limited, Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500 032, Email: srini@indimmune.com) : Genetic analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A of Indian origin and detection of positive selection and recombination in leader protease- and capsid-coding regions. J Biosci, Bangalore 0000, 34(1), 85-101.

The leader protease (L^{pro) and capsid-coding sequences (P1) constitute approximately 3 kb of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). We studied the phylogenetic relationship of 46 FMDV serotype A isolates of Indian origin collected during the period 1968-2005 and also eight vaccine strains using the neighbour-joining tree and Bayesian tree methods. The viruses were categorized under three major groups - Asian, Euro-South American and European. The Indian isolates formed a distinct genetic group among the Asian isolates. The Indian isolates were further classified into different genetic subgroups (<60>5% divergence). Post-1995 isolates were divided into two subgroups while a few isolates which originated in the year 2005 from Andhra Pradesh formed a separate group. These isolates were closely related to the isolates of the 1970s. The FMDV isolates seem to undergo reverse mutation or convergent evolution wherein sequences identical to the ancestors are present in the isolates in circulation. The eight vaccine strains included in the study were not related to each other and belonged to different genetic groups. Recombination was detected in the Lpro region in one isolate (A IND 20/82) and in the VP1 coding 1D region in another isolate (A RAJ 21/96). Positive selection was identified at aa positions 23 in the Lpro (P<60>0.05; 0.046*) and at aa 171 in the capsid protein VP1 (P<60>0.01; 0.003**).}

5 illus, 1 table, 51 ref

005468   Mohanraja M;Maruthanayagam C (Chemistry Dep, Nehru Memorial College, Puthanampatti-621 007) : DNA probes in medical diagnostics. J Ecobiol 2008, 23(1), 55-60.

Though monoclonal antibodies are more commonly used than DNA probes for detecting a variety of molecules, stiil the DNA probes have some advantages over monoclonal antibodies. The advantages being their sensitivity nature, requirement of less quantity of sample for analysis an^i the results are more easily computerized. This paper discusses the different target sites of probes and probe labels with the major emphasis on the probe synthesis. Further the chemical basis for the probe reaction and various diagnostic probe assays used in the clinical laboratory have been briefly discussed.

8 ref

005467   Min J K;Rim T Y;Shin Y W;Lee M Y (Marine Biotechnology Dep, Soonchunhyang Univ, Asan, Chungnan-336 600, Email: miyoung@sch.ac.kr) : Isolation of cadmium-induced DNA sequence in microalga Nannochloropsis oculata. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 457-60.

Induced in response to Cd exposure in microalga Nannochloropsis oculata was examined in this investigation. In order to isolate this gene by using nested PCR, degenerated primers were designed on the basis of highly conserved regions of the amino acid sequences of various phytochelatin synthase. The size of the nested PCR amplification product from Nannochloropsis oculata by using two degenerated primers was measured to be 266 bp. The 266 bp DNA fragment was sequenced, and it might be induced by Cd exposure in microalga Nannochloropsis oculata.

2 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

005466   Lee J H;Sidharthan M;Jung S M;Jo Q;Rahman M M;Shin H W (Aquaculture Research Team, East Sea Fisheries Research Institute, NFRDI, Gangneung, Gangwon-Do- 210 861, South Korea, Email: pander27@gmail.com) : Comparison of the effectiveness of four organic chemoattractants towards zoospores of Ulva pertusa and macrofouling. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 621-7.

Algal spores respond to many environmental variables, especially, to chemical "cues". This chemotactic response can be utilized to attract spores, thereby colonization of a new substrata is possible to be influenced. In this attempt, four chemoattractant candidates were screened against spores of Ulva peitusa to reveal their efficiencies. Attachment and subsequent germination of Ulva spores were effectively influenced by these chemoattractant candidates. In particular, 100 μg cm^{2 of D-glucose coating was found to enhance spore attachment by > 150%. Furthermore, field investigations carried out with test panels, clearly indicate the chemoattractive properties of test coatings. In recent years, various anthropogenic activities and natural hazards cause detrimental impacts on the benthic algae and other fishery resources. Artificial reefs have been laid on many coastal regions to increase or restore marine resources. Chemoattractant coatings can be applied on artificial surfaces to increase the colonization of benthic forms. It also can be used in the mariculture devices. Influence of chemoattractants on Ulva spores and fouling biomass estimated on test panels are discussed.}

7 illus, 3 tables, 57 ref

005465   Kim Y I;Ha Y M;Nam Y K;Kim K H;Kim S K (Biotechnology and Bioengineering Dep, Pukyong National Univ, Busan, 608-737, Korea, Email: skkim@pknu.ac.kr) : Production of polyclonal antibody against recombinant ORF 112 L of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) iridovirus (RBIV) and in vitro neutralization. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 571-6.

Rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) is a causative agent of epizootics among cultured rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) in Korea. In this study, the immnogenic property of ankyrin repeats gene (ORF112L) from RB/Vwas evaluated to develop vaccines against RBIV. ORF 112L of RBIV was cloned into expression vector of pGEX-4 T-1. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed using E. coll BL21 (DE3). The soluble recombinant RBIV protein was applied to affinity column for the purification of the protein. Mice were immunized by the injection of purified recombinant protein to produce polyclonal antibodies. ELISA was carried out to identify the immune reaction abilities of polyclonal antibody to recombinant protein. The antigenic property of this protein was evaluated by using in vitro neutralization with BF-2 cells. In neutralization test, BF-2 cells infected with the mixture of RB/V and antisera containing anti-GSJ-ORF 112Lpolyclonal antibody were healthy showing fewcytopathic effect (CPE) similar with the negative control (without RBIV). These studies suggest Mtheprotein from the ankyrin repeats gene, ORF 112L of RBIV may play an important role in the mechanism of infection. Also, it can be possible to develop protein or gene vaccines using ORF 112L against RBIV.

5 illus, 20 ref

005464   Khan M N A;Choi J A;Lee M C;Kim E;Nam T J; Fujii H;Hong Y K (Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, and Institute of Fisheries, Pukyong ational Univ, Namku, Busan-608-737, Korea, Email: ykhong@pknu.ac.kr) : Anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extracts from various seaweed species. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 465-9.

Thirty-seven species of common seaweeds from the coast of Korea were screened for anti-inflammatory activity. Methanol extracts of the seaweeds were tested against mouse ear edema and erythema induced by phorbol myristate acetate. At 40 mg ml^-1 of extract, edema was strongly suppressed by the seaweeds Undaria pinnatifida and Ulva lima, with relative inhibition of 85 and 84%, respectively. These two seaweeds also showed the greatest suppression of erythema, with inhibition of 78 and 70%, respectively. LC_M values of U. pinnatifida were 10,15, and 18 mg ml^-1 when inflammation symptoms of edema, erythema, and blood flow, respectively, were measured. The LC₅₀ of U. linza was 20, 26, and 31 mg ml^-1 when edema, erythema, and blood flow, respectively, were measured. A linear correlation among inhibition rates of edema, erythema, and blood flow was observed with high confidence.

2 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

005463   Kavyashree R (Molecular Biology Dep, Plant Biotechnology Unit, Bangalore Univ, Bangalore-560 056, Email: carya@yahoo.com) : Molceular and morphological characterization of seven varieties of Zingiber officinale. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 101-7.

Conventionally, morphological features and quantitative metric traits are used as markers for taxonomical categorization of plant systems. Seven high yielding promising varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) were characterized using molecular markers (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and morphological features. RAPD-PCR analysis involving 8 decamer random primers were used to assess the genetic variation at genomic level among seven varieties. The analysis of the results depicts, of the 8 primers tried, 4 primers generate polymorphic bands. In the other 3 primers the amplification was noticed without any unique bands. Further, amplification of DNA was not observed in the primer OPG 01. In the present study, the varieties were identified at the molecular level based on the presence or absence of polymorphic bands. The variation and the similarities in the varieties both at morphological and molecular level are deemed to be useful in formulating sound conservation strategies for this oriental medicinal spice.

4 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

005462   Kang J H;Kim J H;Kim H C;Noh J K;Lee J H;Kim K K (NO, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Fisheries Research and Deve, 619-902, Republic of Korea, Email: jhkang@nfrdi.re.kr) : Segregation distortion at a microsatellite marker in the olive flounder, Paralichtys olivaceus. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 555-7.

In the course of quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of the back cross (BC₁) families of olive flounder (Paralichtys olivaceus), we observed significant segregation distortion at a microsatellite marker, Poli9-58TUF in two crosses of informative progenies. The family 1 of the random BC₁ progenies derived from a cross between a F1 male genotype (MB) and aF1's female parent genotype (A/C) and the family 2 (A/CxA/C) displayed a strong bias in the locus from the Mendelian inheritance by the elimination of homozygous A/A genotype. The deleterious roles of the AA genotypes are suggested during the metamorphosis and it implies that the parents of these families carried a recessive gene or genes hampering development at an early stage because the offspring of the double heterozygote parents show the reduction in frequency or elimination of one homozygous class, which is an evidence for linkage between the genetic marker and gene(s) with recessive deleterious alfetes. This data support a hypothesis that the region contains a recessive lethal gene or genes.

2 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

005461   Jyothi B;Ansari N A;Sujatha M (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, College of Agriculture, ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030, Email: jyothi_rishik@yahoo.com) : Transient Gus gene expression in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) using particle bombardment. J Res-ANGRAU 2008, 36(4), 49-53.

2 tables, 12 ref

005460   Jin H J;Oh M Y;Jin D H;Hong Y K (Faculty of Marine Bioscience and Technology, Kangnung National Univ, Gangneung 219-702, Korea, Email: ykhong@pknu.ac.kr) : Identification of a Taq DNA polymerase inhibitor from the red seaweed Symphyocladia latiuscula. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 475-8.

Two inhibitors of Taq DNA polymerase were isolated from the marine red alga Symphyocladia latiuscula. The inhibitors were purified by methanol extraction, molecular fractionation below 3,000 MW, and reverse-phase HPLC. The purified compound SL-1 containing three bromines was identified as 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (C₇H₅Br₃O₃: MW 374) by NMR and MS analyses. The purified compound SL-2 was identified as 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (C₈Br₃O₃: MW 388). In a 25-μl reaction mixture containing 1.5 units of Taq DNA polymerase, the enzyme was completely inhibited by 0.5 μg SL-1 or 5 μg SL-2.

2 illus, 24 ref

005459   Hong D D;Hien H T M;Thu N H;Anh H L;Luyen Q H (Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Road, Cau Giay - 1000, Ha Noi, Vietnam, Email: ddhong60vn@yahoo.com) : Phylogenetic analyses of Prorocentrum spp. and Alexandrium spp. isolated from northern coast of Vietnam based on 18S rDNA sequence. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 535-42.

Some species of marine dinoflagellates belonging to genera Alexandrium and Prorocentrum have been responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSPj anddiarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP), respectively. Morphological and molecular studies of 4 species including Alexandrium sp. 5, Alexandrium sp. 16, Prorocentrum sp. 1 and Prorocentrum sp. 3 that were collected in Northern coast of Vietnam were presented for the first time. By morphologic observations, we identified Alexandrium sp. 5 and Alexandrium sp. 16 as Alexandrium minutum, Alexandrium affine, respectively; Prorocentrum sp. 1 and Prorocentrum sp. 3 as Prorocentrum mexicanum. Sequence data from the partial 18S riboxomal RNA genes have been used to generate a phylogenetic framework with database of GenBank. The obtained results of phylogenetic analyses of species of Prorocentrum spp. and Alexandrium spp. based on 18S rDNA sequences are similarto morphological observations. Thus, molecular tool would be helpful for the identification ofdinoflagellate species and further taxonomic studies in Vietnam.

4 illus, 4 tables, 36 ref

005458   Hema M;Chandran D;Nagendrakumar S B; Madhanmohan M;Srinivasan V A (Biotechnology Dep, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Tirupati-517 502, Email: srini@indimmune.com) : Construction of an infectious cDNA clone of foot-and-mouth disease virus type O₁ BFS 1860 and its use in the preparation of candidate vaccine. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 45-58.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O is the most predominant among the endemic serotypes in India. A stable, full-length cDNA clone of FMDV type O₁BFS 1860 preceded by a bacteriophage T7 polymerase promoter was assembled in a plasmid vector pGEM^R-7Zf(-). An ~8.2 kb PCR product was amplified from the cDNA clone and a full-length RNA was generated from it by in vitro transcription. Transfection of BHK-21 cells with the in vitro transcripts resulted in the production of infectious recombinant FMDV particles as evidenced by cytopathic effects (CPE). Further, characterization of the recombinant virus by immunofluorescence, microneutralization test (MNT), antigen ELISA, RT-PCR, plaque assay and electron microscopy revealed similarity to the parental strain. The immunogenicity of an oil-adjuvant vaccine prepared using the inactivated recombinant virus was tested in guinea pigs and cattle. Neutralizing antibodies were produced in both vaccinated guinea pigs and cattle. Vaccinated animals were protected on challenge. The results demonstrated that the recombinant virus was as stable and effective as the parental strain for the preparation of inactivated vaccine, suggesting the potential application of this strategy to make genetically engineered FMDV vaccines.

10 illus, 3 tables, 37 ref

005457   Ha Y M;Kim Y I;Kim K H;Kim S K (Biotechnology and Bioengineering Dep, Pukyong National Univ, Busan, 608-737, Korea, Email: sykim@pknu.ac.kr) : Neutralization of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) for Penaeus chinensis by antiserum raised against recombinant VP19. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 513-17.

Study was carried out to neutralize the WSSV, one of the most virulent pathogen causing large economic damage in shrimp culture industry, using the antiserum produced against recombinant WSSV envelope protein VP19 (rVP19) as a tool to evaluate WSSV infection mechanism. A fragment of VP19 was expressed in Sf21 insect cell using baculovirus expression system as fusion protein with 6 His-tag. Then, polyclonal antiserum against rVP19 was raised in white rabbit. A constant amount of WSSV (at 10^{4 diluted stock) was incubated with various antiserum concentrations and injected into shrimp, Penaeus chinensis, for the neutralization challenge. At 9 days post injection, the shrimp in the positive control injected with WSSV showed 100% mortality. The shrimps injected with WSSV preincubated with preimmune serum showed 83.3% mortality at 15 days post injection. The shrimps injected with the WSSV preincubated with 1 μl, 5 μl or 10 μl r VP19 antiserum and shrimp mortalities showed 66.6%, 40.0% and 26.6% at 15 days post injection, respectively. The high concentration of antiserum group showed lower mortality than those of the low concentration of antiserum group. This indicates that the WSSV can be neutralized by the rVP19 antiserum in a dose-dependent manner. The neutralization challenge result suggested that VP19 might play an important role in WSS V infection to shrimp.}

6 illus, 14 ref

005456   Ganguly N;Parihar S P (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town Univ, Wernher & Beit Building (South), Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa, Email: toniladri@gmail.com) : Human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins as risk factors for tumorigenesis. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 113-23.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is small, double-stranded DNA virus that infects mucosal and cutaneous epithelial tissue. HPV is sexually transmitted and the viral DNA replicates extrachromosomally. The virus is non-enveloped and has an icosahedral capsid. There are approximately 118 types of HPV, which are characterized as high-risk or low-risk types. High-risk HPVs cause malignant transformation while the low-risk ones cause benign warts and lesions. The expression of E6 and E7 is normally controlled during the normal viral life cycle when viral DNA replicates extrachromosomally. HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins are overexpressed when the viral genome integrates into the host DNA. Deregulated overexpression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins can cause several changes in cellular pathways and functions leading to malignant transformation of cells and tumorigenesis. In this review, we focus on several cellular mechanisms and pathways that are altered in the presence of E6 and E7, the target proteins of E6 and E7 inside the host cell and how they contribute to the development of the transformed phenotype..

^iia4 illus, 33 ref

005455   Brahmachari V (Dr B R Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: vani.brahmachari@gmail.com) : Modified bases in mycobacterial transfer RNA. Resonance 2009, 14(8), 746-53.

Presence of post-transcriptionally modified bases in nucleic acids' is associated with various regulatory mechanisms. The transfer RNA is particularly rich in modified bases. Discusses some of Prof. T Ramakrishnan's contributions to the filed in the context of the times, which illustrate his foresight.

3 illus, 9 ref

005454   Blau A;Neumann T;Ziegler C;Benfenati F (NO, The Italian Institute of Technology, Neuroscience and Brain Technolog, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy, Email: axel.blau@iit.it) : Replica-moulded polydimethylsiloxane culture vessel lids attenuate osmotic drift in long-term cell cultures. J Biosci, Bangalore 2009, 34(1), 59-69.

An imbalance in medium osmolarity is a determinant that affects cell culture longevity. Even in humidified incubators, evaporation of water leads to a gradual increase in osmolarity over time. Presents a simple replica-moulding strategy for producing self-sealing lids adaptable to standard, small-size cell-culture vessels. They are made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a flexible, transparent and biocompatible material, which is gas-permeable but largely impermeable to water. Keeping cell cultures in a humidified 5% CO₂ incubator at 37°C, medium osmolarity increased by +6.86 mosmol/kg/day in standard 35 mm Petri dishes, while PDMS lids attenuated its rise by a factor of four to changes of + 1.72 mosmol/kg/ day. Depending on the lid membrane thickness, pH drifts at ambient CO₂ levels were attenuated by a factor of 4 to 9. Comparative evaporation studies at temperatures below 60°C yielded a 10-fold reduced water vapour flux of 1.75 g/day/ dm² through PDMS lids as compared with 18.69 g/day/dm² with conventional Petri dishes. Using such PDMS lids, about 2/3 of the cell cultures grew longer than 30 days in vitro. Among these, the average survival time was 69 days with the longest survival being 284 days under otherwise conventional cell culture conditions.

9 illus, 42 ref

004449   Yadav A K;Chaudhari A B;Kothari R M (School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon-425 001) : Cost-effective fermentative production of calcium lactate using BISS (below Indian standard sugar) and Spirulina hydrolysate. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 418-24.

Batch fermentation of BISS (below Indian standard sugar) in combination with Spirulina hydrolysate (SH) has been successfully explored at 50 L scale to replace costly glucose and yeast extract (YE) medium as a source of complex nutrients to produce calcium lactate economically by using Lactobacillus delbruckii. This has led to optimization of a protocol for cost-effective production of calcium lactate. Reduction in duration of fermentation has potential to provide additional benefits of (i) more batches per unit capital investment and time, (ii) less consumption of utilities, and (iii) higher output per unit labour cost.

004448   Vakdevi V;Sashidhar R B;Deshpande V (Biochemistry Dep, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vdpande123@rediffmail.com) : Purification and characterization of mycoferritin from Aspergillus flavus MTCC 873. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(5), 360-5.

The fungus Aspergillus flavus MTCC 873, a non-toxigenic isolate demonstrated its capability to synthesize mycoferritin (MF) upon induction with iron in yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium. The molecular mass, yield, iron and carbohydrate contents of the MF were 440 kDa, 0.015 mg/g of wet mycelia, 0.8 and 30.4%, respectively. Native gel-electrophoresis revealed a band corresponding to dimeric form of equine spleen ferritin (ESF). Subunit analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed a single protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 24 kDa, suggesting similar sized subunits in the structure of apoferritin shell. Immunological cross-reactivity was observed with the anti-fish liver ferritin. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an apparent particle size of 100 . N-terminal amino acid sequence of MF revealed a sequence of SLPLQDYA, which showed identities with other eukaryotic ferritin sequences. The spectral characteristics (UV/VIS, fluorescence and circular dichroic spectra) were similar to ESF. The fungus, unlike A. parasiticus 255 (non-toxigenic) was incapable of producing aflatoxins, when grown in YES media.

004447   Tyagi P K;Pal R;Shruti (Molecular Genetics Research Lab, Biotechnology Dep, N.C. College of Engineering Israna, Panipat-132 107, Email: pktgenetics@gmail.com) : Retrospective study of FMD serotypes and seasonal analysis of outbreaks using sero-typing strategy in Uttar Pradesh (India). Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(3), 267-77.

Laboratory evidence based study on FMD was conducted on the diagnosis of retrospective serotyping and seasonal analysis of outbreaks in cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and buffalo. The sample size was tongue epithelium, feet epithelium and blood serum (n= 40) and the samples were screened for the evidence of outbreak of FMD in Mathura, Pratapgarh, Jaunpur, Bhadoi and Etawa district of the study location. Seasonal analysis of the FMDV outbreaks revealed that out of total nineteen outbreaks, the highest 42.10% occurred in April followed by 26.30% in January and 15.80% in both December and March. The maximum numbers of outbreaks are observed in cattle followed by sheep and buffalo. For serotyping study of virus from five districts of Uttar Pradesh all the forty samples were processed using sandwich ELISA and LAB-ELISA techniques and the two-virus type, serotype A FMDV (84.61%) and serotypes O FMDV (15.39%) were recorded. However, serotype C and Asia-1 FMDV was not recorded from any of the outbreaks during the study year. Conducted a retrospective diagnosis study of antibody titre of more than 1.8 log₁₀ against FMDV samples of serotype A were recorded 32 sera samples, 7 sera samples were found showing high titre against serotype O FMDV, 4 sera samples were found showing higher titre against FMDV type Asia-1. The research work of FMDV outbreaks, April (beginning of summer season) and September (end of long rainy season), two times per, year can be suggested as the most suitable time for vaccination against FMD in the study area and imperative that findings of the work might be helpful in to validate the knowledge on diagnosis of FMD.

4 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

004446   Sunitibala H;Kishor R (Medicinal Plants and Horticultural Resources Div, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Takyelpat, Imphal-795 001) : Micropropagation of Dendrobium transparens L. from axenic pseudobulb segments. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 448-52.

Efficient protocol for micropropagation of Dendrobium transparens L. using the axenic pseudobulb segments, derived from in vitro germinated seedlings, was developed. The immature embryos from 120-d-old capsules after pollination were first germinated on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1 mg L^-1 of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) + 2 mg L^{-1 of benzyl aminopurine (BAP). For multiple shoot induction, the axenic nodal segments excised from 120-d-old seedlings were cultured on the medium containing different concentrations and combinations of NAA and BAP. The multiplied shoots were then transferred to half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L-1 of indole-3 acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3 butyric acid (IBA) or NAA. Best response for shoot multiplication was achieved when the medium was supplemented with 1 mg L-1 NAA and 2 mg L-1 BAP, while that for rooting with 1 mg L-1 IAA. The plantlets were hardened off and more than 90% of survived plants were released to the shade house. The plantlets flowered 1 yr after transplantation.}

004445   Subba Rao C;Prakasham R S;Sri Lakshmi C; Bhaskar Rao A (Bioengineering and Environmental Center, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: prakasam@iict.res.in) : Effect of various immobilization matrices on Lactobacillus delbrucekii cells for optically pure (L (+) lactic acid production. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(3), 311-19.

Study reveals the effect of Lactobacillus delbrucekiicells immobilized in various matrices for the production of optically pure L(+) lactic acid. Functionalized alginate matrices were effective and suitable for higher L (+) lactic acid yields compared to other matrices. Repeated batch fermentation showed productivity of 1.74, 1.44, 1.48 and 1.52Y p/s with functionalized alginate, Ca-alginate, k-Carrageenan, and glass beads, respectively. L. delbrucekii cells were immobilized in natural and functionalized alginate beads. The scanning electron microscopic studies showed increase in entrapped microbial cell biomass in modified immobilized beads compared to other matrices. These modified alginate beads showed enhanced stability and selectivity towards L(+) lactic acid production in higher yields with an enantiomeric selectivity of 99% and low by-product production.

6 illus, 31 ref

004444   Soosairaj S;Natarajan D;NaGamurugan N;Radha B (Plant Biology and Biotechnology Dep, St Joseph's College, (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli-620 002) : Aspergillosidal effect of Pongamia glabra and Pedalium murex - a comparative study. J phytol Res 2008, 21(2), 221-4.

The aspergillosidal properties of aqueous and organic solvent extracts (benzene, butanol and dimethylforrnarnide) from the leaves of Pongamia glabra and Pedalium murex were tested against three Aspergillus species like A.flaws, A. fumigatus and A. niger by conducting disc diffusion assay. The aqueous extract contributes some activity in tested fungal strains. The organic solvent extracts were found to have moderate to least activity against most of the organisms tested. Study supports the notion that the aqueous and solvent extraction of these plants may prove/provide better antifungal properties and if may; be suggested to be used to cure diseases caused by Aspergillus groups.

1 table, 22 ref

004443   Sivakumar R;Divakar S (Fermentation Technology and Bioengineering Dep, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 020) : Amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus mold and β-glucosidase from sweet almond catalysed syntheses of riboflavinyl glycosides. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 400-7.

Riboflavinyl glycosides were synthesized enzymatically using amyloglucosidase isolated from Rhizopus mold and b-glucosidase from sweet almond to produce more water soluble riboflavinyl derivatives. The reaction conditions were optimized in terms of incubation period, pH, buffer, enzyme and substrate concentrations. With D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-ribose, sucrose, maltose and lactose, both the enzymes gave yields in the range of 5-40%. Amyloglucosidase catalysis gave C1α and C1β glycosides of D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-ribose, maltose, C6-O-arylated products of D-glucose and maltose and C1-O-arylated product of sucrose. However, b-glucosidase gave C1β-glucoside, C1β-lactoside and C1α and C1β glycosides of D-galactose and D-mannose. Riboflavinyl glycosides showed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values in the 0.8±0.04-2.08±0.1 mM range.

004442   Shyam Prasad G;Girisham S;Reddy S M (Microbiology Dep, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009) : Studies on microbial transformation of albendazole by soil fungi. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 425-9.

Soil enrichment technique was followed to isolate the fungi capable of performing biotransformation of albendazole. Among the 5 fungi isolated, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger and Penicillium chrysogenum could transform albendazole to one metabolite and Fusarium moniliforme could transform albendazole to two metabolites. The transformation was confirmed by HPLC. Based on LC-MS-MS analysis, the metabolites formed were predicted to be albendazole sulfoxide and albendazole sulfone. The results support that the soil enrichment is a promising technique for isolation of fungi with industrial applicability, viz. production of active metabolites from drugs.

004441   Sharma V K (Botany Dep, M.S.J. Govt P.G. College, Bharatpur-321 001, Email: sharmavijendrak@yahoo.co.in) : Tissue culture response and morphogenesis in seedling explants of soybean [Glycine max (L.) merrill]. J phytol Res 2008, 21(2), 229-32.

In vitro morphogenic response of seedling explants of soybean was developed for callus induction, multiple shoot formation and subsequent plant regeneration, Hypocotyl, cotyledon, cotyledonary node and epicotyl explants excised from aseptically grown seedlings were cultured on MS based medium contained different levels of auxins (2,4-D/NAA/IAA/IBA) and cytokinins (Kn/BAP). Callus could be induced from any explants using a wide range of 2,4-D and BAP alone or combinations of 2,4-D + Kn/BAP. Rhizogenesis was observed directly or indirectly from the callus on media with different levels of NAA/IAA/IBA/Kn or combinations of NAA/IAA/IBA + Kn. Proliferation of axillary shoots occurred in cultured nodes on lower levels of NAA/Kn/BAP while more number of multiple shoot (6-10 in number) formation was observed on medium with BAP alone or IAA/IBA + BAP. The best response of multiple shoot formation was found on IBA + BAP. Shoot multiplication was increased upon subculturing on medium with BAP alone or IAA/IBA + BAP. Shoots were elongated and rooted on MS medium supplemented with IBA (1.0 mg/l). The elongated shoots were rooted and transferred to soil where they grew normal and set seeds.

6 illus, 12 ref

004440   Sharma A;Arora D K (Plant Pathology, Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Botany D, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004) : In vitro multiplication of Acalypha wilkesiana `Dwarf' through shoot tip culture. J phytol Res 2008, 21(2), 239-43.

A rapid and reproducible regeneration protocol has been established in Acalypha wilkesiana `Dwarf' through shoot tip culture. It was observed that maximum number of shoot buds sporuted from a single shoot tip on Murashige & Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and IAA(O.5 mg/l). An optimum number of 40.2±0.59 shoot buds were obtained per explant Rooting of the in vitro multiplied shoots was achieved on MS-medium supplemented with NAA (1.0 mg/l). An efficient regeneration protocol for in vitro multiplication of A. wilkesiana. an ornamentally important plant, has been developed in the present study.

1 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

004439   Satinder Kaur;Bansal U K;Khanna R;Saini R G (Plant Breeding Dep, Genetics and Biotechnology, Punjab Agricltural University, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: satink88@yahoo.com) : Genetics of leaf and stripe rust resistance in a bread wheat cultivar Tonichi. J Genet 2008, 87(2), 191-4.

2 tables, 20 ref

004438   Satheeshkumar K;Jose B;Soniya E V;Seeni S (Plant Biotechnology Div, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram-695 562) : Isolation of morphovariants through plant regeneration in Agrobacterium rhizogenes induced hairy root cultures of Plumbago rosea L.. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 435-41.

In vitro raised shoots of Plumbago rosea L. were infected with A4 strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes to initiate hairy root formation, which produced 3.0±0.33 hairy roots per incision on explants in 20 d incubation. Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of T-DNA into the genome of the roots. The hairy roots were cultured on MS agar medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP to induce the formation of shoots (3.2±0.24) of 0.2-0.4 cm length in 7-8 wks. Isolated shoots were multiplied through sub culturing in the presence of 0.5 mg/L BAP and the resultant shoots were subjected to combined elongation (3.29ñ0.16 cm) and rooting (12.6±0.57) in a medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IBA. The rooted plants were invariably abnormal with short internodes and wrinkled leaves showing 34.5% establishment in 2 months after transplantation in polybags and rearing under 75% sunlight in a shade house. Out of 38 plants transferred to the field, 20 (52.6%) survived and grew over 10-month period to reveal variations in morphological and growth characters. The growth of all the hairy root-derived plants was slow to varied extent, 13 among them retaining actively growing hairy roots and shoots having short internodes and expanded leaves, one with emerging normal shoot and a tuberous root in the midst of the abnormal shoot and hairy roots and the rest with hairy roots as well as 1-2 normal roots and abnormal shoots having wrinkled leaves. The biomass production ability of the transformed plants contributed by foliage and root characters was poor compared to plants raised from the nodal explants of normal shoot cultures. Southern blot analysis of DNA further confirmed the presence of bacterial T-DNA in these established plants in the field after 10 months. The demonstrated hairy root regeneration system including field establishment of the plants may be useful for scoring new variations especially in non-seed setting P. rosea.

004437   Sahu M;Gour V K;Gupta S (Plant breeding & Genetics Dep, Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur-482 004, Email: egreen@rediffmail.com) : Jatropha oil: an eco-friendly sustainable bio-fuel source. J Ind Pollut Control 2008, 24(2), 177-82.

Jatropha curcas belonging to family Euphorbiaceae, a perennial plant produces seed with 31-7 percent of oil, which can be combusted as fuel without being refined. This fuel known as the process of transesterification can produce bio-diesel. Jatropha plant is grown in marginal and poor soil with minimum cultural practices or in wastelands with low fertility, rockiness, and shallowness of soil. Besides higher cetane number, oil reduces emission of carbon monoxide by 44 percent, sulphates by 100 percent and ozone forming potential by less than 50 percent. Through Jatropha cultivation, not only bio-diesel can be obtained but also a tremendous opportunity will be there for employment generation in an agricultural country like India. P rovides some inputs to show the importance of bio-fuel to combat pollution problems and solve fuel crisis.

6 tables, 4 ref

004436   Rupa Reddy K;Mitra C K (Biochemistry Dep, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500 046, Email: c_mitra@yahoo.com) : Short nucleotide sequences signal spliceosomal binding in nucleic acids. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2009, 46(5), 353-9.

Explores the region around the splice sites of the human intron and exons from the exon-intron database (EID) and located a number of short 6-nucleotide and 7-nucleotide sequences that are relatively common in the regions. These short sequences, we expect play an important role in the selection of the appropriate splicing process. We propose that the external signals via short recognition sequences play the deterministic role in the actual splicing process. We have obtained 50 such sequences each from the exon and intron from the beginning and from the ending and noted a number of common features.

004435   Ruma D;Dhaliwal M S;Kaur A;Gosal S S (Vegetable Crops Dep, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004) : Transformation of tomato using biolistic gun for transient expression of the β-glucuronidase gene. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 363-9.

Reports for the first time, conditions for the biolistic transformation of tomato for the introduction of β-glucuronidase gene (gusA) into different explants viz., shoot tips, hypocotyls and cotyledons of genotype IPA-3. The respective per cent plant regeneration in different explants was 95.16, 79.30 and 90.14% on MS media supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg L^-1) and Kn (1.0 mg L^-1). The influence of physical parameters of particle gun on rates of transient GUS expression have been investigated viz., quantity of DNA, distance between the microcarrier launch assembly and target tissues; and the biological factors associated with the target tissues i.e., effect of osmoticum (mannitol), pre-bombardment culture period and post-bombardment culture period. Maximum GUS expression of 25.00, 33.00 and 22.20% was respectively recorded when 10-d-old shoot tips, hypocotyls and cotyledons were bombarded with 18 μL of DNA suspension. A firing distance of 7.5 cm was found to be most suitable recording 34.12, 36.56 and 22.69% transient GUS expression in shoot tips, hypocotyls and cotyledons, respectively. Addition of osmoticum into the culture medium reduced per cent GUS expression significantly in all the explants even at 1 molar concentration. Pre-culture of explants prior to bombardment also deduced the transformation efficiency, however post bombardment culture period of one day resulted in maximum GUS expression in all the explants.

004434   Ruhl M;Kues U (Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology, Busgen-Institute, Georg-August-University, Gottingen, Busgenweg 2, 37077 Gottingen, Germany, Email: ukuees@gwdg.de) : Automated image analysis to observe pellet morphology in liquid cultures of filamentous fungi such as the basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. Curr Trends Biotechnol Pharm 2009, 3(3), 241-53.

Image analysis system for fungal pellets was developed using the commercial software system analysis and the protocol was evaluated in morphological studies of pellet formation in submerged cultures of the basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. Pellets were analysed on large scale (60 to 130 pellets per image, 225 to 400 pellets per culture). Morphologies of pellets were characterised by the parameters grey value, pellet area, convexity, shape factor, sphericity and pellet diameter. Threshold values were defined for all parameters for object filtering. By application of the parameter filter, aggregated hyphal fragments present in larger amounts particularly in cultures grown at higher temperature (37°C) could be clearly distinguished in image analysis from compact pellets. At a lower growth temperature (25°C), there was little background of loose hyphal material, fungal pellets were regularly shaped and the pellets remained constant in shape and size over a longer cultivation period.

8 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

004433   Roy S C;Chakraborty B N (DRS Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, PO-NBU, Siliguri-734 013) : Genetic diversity and relationships among tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivars as revealed by RAPD and ISSR based fingerprinting. Indian J Biotechnol 2009, 8(4), 370-6.

Genomic fingerprinting in 21 tea genotypes was carried out using 7 ISSR and 12 RAPD primers. Polymorphism was 88.54% in ISSR fingerprinting, but was 77.77% in case of RAPD based fingerprinting. Dendrogram was constructed on the basis of genetic similarity matrix using the UPGMA algorithm, which showed three clusters (China type, Assam type and Cambod type). The genetic diversity over all groups (H_T) on an average was 0.38, diversity within populations (H_S) was 0.27, and genetic differentiation (G_ST) between populations over all loci was 0.25. The China variety had shown the largest within-group diversity (H_S = 0.285-0.291), while the Cambod tea had the least diversity (H_S = 0.193-0.207) and moderate diversity existed in Assam tea (H_S = 0.223-0.241). Interpopulation gene flow [N_m = 0.5(1 - G_ST)/G_ST] was 0.76; N_m < 1.0 shows the limited genetic exchange among populations.