016547   Bhagat M;Arora J S;Saxena A K (School of Biotechnology, Jammu Univ, Jammu) : In vitro cytotoxicity of extracts and fractions from areial parts of Calotropis procera against CNS cancer cell line. Asian J Bio Sci 2009, 4(1), 69-72.

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br., a popular medicinal species in Indian system of medicine, is widely used for the treatment of various diseases. The cytotoxicity of the three extracts and their fractions from aerial parts of Calotropis procera was evaluated against central nervous system (SNB-78) human cancer cell line. The results showed that hydro-alcohloic extract has more potential at three different concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg/ml, among all the three extracts viz., alcoholic, hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts. On evaluation of the various fractions, n- butanol fraction of both hydro-alcoholic and alcoholic extracts had shown antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell line of central nervous system (SNB-78) at three different concentrations of 10 and 30 μg/ml. Aqueous extract was found to be least active.

3 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

016546   Baskar R;Lavanya R;Mayilvizhi S;Rajasekaran P (Biotechnology Dep, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 006, Email: bhubaski@rediffmail.com) : Free radical scavenging activity of antitumour polysaccharide fractions isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst. Nat Prod Radiance 2008, 7(4), 320-5.

The study was conducted to investigate the free radical scavenging activities of polysaccharide fractions extracted from the fruiting body of medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst (Reishi) using different antioxidant capacity assays. Four intracellular polysaccharide fractions were obtained by the hot-water extraction and precipitation with ethanol, by ammonium oxalate extraction and by extraction with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by precipitation with acetic acid and precipitation with ethanol. The results revealed that out of four fractions, acetic acid-NaOH fraction exhibited potent antioxidant activity and effectively scavenged free radicals in a dose dependent manner from 50 to 250μg/ml followed by hot water fraction and ammonium oxalate fraction. However, ethanol-NaOH fraction showed least inhibition in all in vitro models. Thus, the antitumour activities of Reishi may be due to the antioxidants present in its polysaccharide fractions.

5 illus, 39 ref

016545   Arora S;Kaushik D (Univ Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra-139 116, Email: tony_just4u@msn.com) : Free radical scavenging activity of Salvadora persica Linn.. Asian J Chem 2007, 19(6), 4638-44.

The study comprises of in vitro antioxidant activity on hydro alcoholic (SPHA) and aqueous (SPW) extracts from shade dried roots of Salvadora persica L. by various models. Both SPHA and SPW extracts showed significantly high scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical (87.60 and 72.29% at 400 μg/rnL), 2,2-azino bis(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical (87.50 and 78,45% at 500 μg/mL), superoxide nitroblue-tetrazoliun (NBT) radical (54.39 and 42.25% at 600 μg/mL) and reduction of ferric ion solution (73.10 and 64.90% at 500 μg/mL). Result indicates the powerful electron donating and radical scavenging activity of S. persica L. Hence both the extracts can be considered as effective chain breaking in vivo antioxidants.

4 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

016544   Arngasamy A (NO, , National Research Centre on Equine Production Campus, P.B. No. 80, Bikaner-334 001) : Effect of seminal plasma proteins on hypoosmotic swelling test of stallion spermatozoa. Indian vet J 2008, 85(12), 36-8.

Study was undertaken to study the hypo-osmotic sperm swelling response with the group of heparin (HBPs) and gelatin binding (GBPs) proteins on in vitro fertility (HOST) assessment with frozen thawed stallion spermatozoa of 12 ejaculates. The addition of HBPs and GBP proteins to frozen - thawed stallion spermatozoa had the beneficial influence on stallion seminal plasma proteins and membrane integrity on in vitro condition. It can be concluded that the addition of HBPs enhances the HOST +ve responses and the optimum dose level was 40 μg of protein.

1 table, 7 ref

016543   Anto Jeya Dayalan S;Edison N;Prakash S (P.G. Dep of Biotechnology, Udaya School of Engineering, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu) : Effect of aeration and agitation on volumetric oxygen transfer in Pichia pastoris culture system. Asian J Bio Sci 2009, 4(1), 63-8.

The oxygen mass transfer coefficient (K_La) often serves to compare the efficiency of bioreactors and their mixing devices as well as being an important scale up factor. In submerged fermentation, four methods are available to estimate the overall oxygen mass transfer coefficient. Each method provides a distinct estimation of the value of K_La. Dynamic gassing out method was used to obtain a more probable value of K_La during the fermentation in 5L fermentor with Pichiapostoris. The aeration and agitation were varied to study the effect on K_La. Results showed that the K_La value increased with increase in agitation and aeration. While working in 5L fermentor with Pichiapastoris the maximum K_La value of 441.36 was obtained when the agitator speed 300 RPM and aeration 1.5 vvm was maintained. This shows that the volumetric oxygen transfer rate varies in variation with aeration and agitation and not based on organism used. The optimum conditions of agitation and aeration to achieve maximum K_La for a given microorganism depends on its shear sensitive nature.

10 illus, 2 tables, 4 ref

015414   Uma S;Backiyarani S;Kasin A;Yadunandam;Akbar A (NO, National Research Centre for Banana, Thayanur Post, Thogamalai Road, Trichy-620 102) : Edible banana vacccine to control Hepatitis-B. Indian Hort 2008, 53(5), 8-10.

Edible vaccines involve introduction of selected desired genes into plants and then inducing these altered plants to manufacture the encoded proteins. Like conventional subunit vaccines, edible vaccines are composed of antigenic proteins and are devoid of pathogenic genes. Thus, they have no way of establishing infection, assuring its safety, especially in immuno-compromised patients. In contrast to conventional vaccines, edible vaccines enhance compliance, especially in children, and because of oral administration, eliminate the need for trained medical personnel and use of renewable resources for their production. Their production is highly efficient and can be easily scaled up. For example, hepatitis-B antigen required to vaccinate whole of China annually, could be grown on a 40-acre plot, while all babies in the world each year from just 200 acres of land. They are cheaper (single dose of hepatitis-B vaccine cost approximately only 23 paise), grown locally using standard methods and do not require capital-intensive pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, whereas recombinant HBs vaccines cost around Rs.1,400 (5 dose vial). Production of vaccines in plants is less expensive, eliminates risk of contamination with animal pathogens, provides a heat-stable environment and enables oral delivery, thus eliminating injection-related hazards.

015413   Ramesh Kumar A;Sivakumar D (Seed Science & Technology Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003) : Role of hormones on seed germination. Agric Rev 2008, 29(4), 281-9.

Hormone is a Greek word derived from 'hormao' which means to urge or to stimulate. Thimann suggested to use the term 'phytohormone' for hormones of plant origin. According to him phytohormones are organic substances which are naturally produced in plants that regulate the growth or other physiological functions at a site remote from its place of production and active in extremely minute quantities. In plants growth is regulated through interactions of several growth substances. This can be well explained taking the example of vegetative growth in plants which depends upon cell division, enlargement and differentiation. All these are influenced by auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene etc. These have variable effects on the processes e.g. auxins increase cell division in cambium but inhibit the growth of lateral buds. Gibberellins also influence cambial growth and promote cell division in subapical (internodal) regions of shoot. Cytokinins promote cell division in callus tissues and promote growth of lateral buds. Absclsic acid inhibits cell division but its effect can be overcome by exogenous auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins etc. Ethylene has little effect on cell division but it has strong effect on cell enlargement.

^iia63 ref

015412   Rajak K K;Harsh Kumar (Tissue Culture Laboratory, Agricultural Biotechnology & Moleculor Biol, Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa (Samastipur)-848 125) : Enjoying more redder litchies through biotechnology. Indian Hort 2008, 53(3), 21-2.

Biotechnological tools comprising tissue culture, molecular markers, recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering can help fulfil consumers' demand. The development of multiple shoots from nodal explants of important litchi cultivars, Shahi and China, is a big achievement. The role of polyphenols causing hinderances in micropropagation in litchi has been overcome due to certain phytohormones. Now micropropagation protocol for litchi can easily be developed and if the efforts will succeed, will bring breakthrough in micropropagation of litchi along with other added advantages.

015411   Pandey M;Dhar U;Bhatt I D;Thengane S R (National Chemical Laboratory, , Dr. Homi Bhabha Road Pashan, Pune-411 008, Email: meenaj2@rediffmail.com) : In vitro propagation of Selinum wallichianum (DC) Raizada & H.O. Saxena, a high value medicinal plant of the Himalaya. Asian J expl Sci 2009, 23(1), 363-8.

Reports the organogenetic potential of mature leaves of Selinum wallichianum Syn. Selinum tenuifolium. The basal medium, Murishige and Skoog (1962) supplemented with different concentrations of auxin showed callus induction. However, the maximum leaf explants (67%) produced callus in 3.0J.lM 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). Significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage of explants producing shoots (100%), shoot number. (14 shoots/explant) and shoot length 5.7cm was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 μM gibberellic acid (GA) combination. Regenerated shoots were rooted on Murashige and Skoog (MS medium) fortified with 2 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and maximum 93.3% rooted shoots were achieved after 4 weeks of incubation in rooting medium. About 79% plantlets survived after 60 days of transfer in autoclaved sand and soil (1:1 ratio). The results provided practical way to sustainable utilization of Selinum wallichianum, one of the high value medicinal plants of Himalaya region.

1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref

015410   Muthukumar B;Natarajan E;Nagamurugan N (Botany Dep, National College, Tiruchirappalli-620 002) : Induction of haploid androgenic embryoids from Datura metel L. J Swamy Bot Club 2008, 25(1-4), 11-14.

Haploid androgenic plantlets were produced through culture of anthers of Datura metel L. on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentration of 2, 4-D and coconut water. The haploid nature of plantlets was confirmed through cytological observations. The percentage of anther callus and number of embryoids were high in 10% coconut water and 2 mg/l 2,4 - D combination. Further development of embryoids was achieved in MS basal medium without growth regulators.

2 tables, 10 ref

015409   Makky E A (Botany & Microbiology Dep, Faculty of Science, Nasr City, P.N. Box. 11, Al-Azhar University, Cairo; Egypt, Email: essam22001@gmail.com) : Comparison of osmotic stress on growth and pectinase production by Aspergillus favus in liquid and solid-state cultures. Asian J expl Sci 2009, 23(1), 19-26.

A comparative study on the effect of osmotic stress on the growth and pectinase production by Aspergillus flavus was undertaken. A flavus when grown on different naturally available pectic substrates as the sole carbon source in liquid and solid-state cultures (SSC). Fungal growth on Dead Tree Leaves (DTL) and Rice Straw (RS) as substrates was unihibited in presence of potassium chloride (KCI). The presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) however was growth inhibitory to A flavus cultures. The protein content of the cultures from RS spent cultures was highest in presence of KCI rather than in media containing NaCl. While the protein obtained from DTL substrate was not. Total Pectin Lyase/Pectate Lyase (TPNLlPL) activity was maximum, when A. flavus was grown in SSC with DTL as substrate and KCI as stressor. The fungus was able to resist up to 2.5 M KCI but, in culture media with DTL the salt resistance was poor in liquid culture. The RS substrate also showed low tolerance to salt stress in both modes of culture. The production of Exo-polygalacturonase (Exo-PGL) from RS by A flavus was unaffected by salt up to 2 M KCI in both cultures. On the other hand, Exo-PGL production from DTL in SSC was unaffected to salt stress of 2 M NaCl. For both substrates SSC mode of A. flavus was better than liquid culture for enzyme production; however the study could not establish the best substrate.

6 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

015408   Luna L;Lima B;Tapia A;Feresin G E;Duschatzky C;Possetto M;Marina P de L;Schuff C (NO, Instituto de Ciencias Basicas-Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad, Avenida Libertador General San Martin 1109-O-San Juan, Argentina, Email: gferesin@unsj.edu.ar) : Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Satureja parvifolia (Phil.) epling essential oil. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2008, 11(1), 106-11.

Chemical composition, GC and GC-MS analysis and in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oils of the aerial parts of Satureja parvifolia (Phil.) Epling collected in San Juan Province Argentine were performed. Twenty six compounds were identified accounting for 94.1% (area %) of the essential oil. The major constituents were piperitone (34.9%), piperitenone (27.3%), cis-piperitenone epoxide (15.0%) and piperitenone oxide (6.0%). The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated by the microdilution method, with Cefotaxime as the standard antibiotic against seven Gram-negative and three Gram-positive bacteria. A. strongest activity was observed for the essential oil against all Gram negative bacteria assayed, principally Yersinia enterocolitica-PI and Salmonella enteritidis-MI with a MIC value equal to 0.82 mg/ml.

2 tables, 14 ref

015407   Lakshmiprabha A;Chandrasekar B R;Nandagopal V;Jayabalan N (Plant Science Dep, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli-620 024, Email: alprabha03@yahoo.com) : In vitro mass propagation of Andrographis lineata Nees. through nodal explant - an important ethnomedical plant. J Swamy Bot Club 2008, 25(1-4), 1-10.

In the investigation, in vitro mass propagation was successfully achieved using developed through nodal segments of Andrographis lineate. It is widely used for the treatment of liver ailments. The explants were tested with different medium, amino acids, carbohydrates in various concentration and combination with plant growth regulators. The highest percentage (94.2%) of proliferation of multiple shoots were obtained by placing nodal segments on MS salts with B₅ vitamins (mMS) supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2ip in combination with 0.6 mg/L Kin and Glutamine (20 mg /L) which produced 7.8 shoots per explant. The elongated shoots were excised and transferred onto mMS medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.5 to 3.0 mg/L) of IAA, IBA and NAA. Among the three auxins 2.0 mg/L IBA supplemented medium produced highest percentage (95.6%) of root length. The well rooted plantlets were transferred to pot containing garden soil and farm yard manure (2:1) and placed in environmental plant growth chamber for proper acclimatization and subsequently transfer to the green house condition. The in vitro propagated plants were established successfully in vivo and the survival rate was 78%.

3 illus, 2 tables, 29 ref

015406   Geetha A;Sivakumar P;Sujatha M;Palanisamy P N (Chemistry Dep, Kongu Engineering College, Erode-638 052, Email: ageetha80@yahoo.co.in) : Adsorption of CR(VI) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution using agricultural solid waste. J envir Sci Engng 2009, 51(2), 151-6.

Areca nut shell, an agricultural solid waste by-product, has been studied for the removal of ªheavy metals Cr(VI) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Parameters, such as equilibrium time, effect of initial metal ion concentration, effect of pH on the removal, were analyzed. An initial pH of 4.0 was found most favourable for Cr(VI) removal and 5.0 for Pb(II) removal. Two theoretical isotherm models, namely Langmuir and Freundlich, were analyzed for the applicability of the experimental data. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q₀) was calculated. The results of thermodynamic parameters suggest the exothermic nature of the adsorption. The desorption studies were carried out using dilute hydrochloric acid. Maximum desorption of 88% for Cr(VI) and 91 % for Pb(II) were achieved. Areca nut shell waste, the low cost adsorbent is found to be effective in the removal of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) ions, and hence it can be applied for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. etals Cr(VI) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Parameters, such as equilibrium time, effect of initial metal ion concentration, effect of pH on the removal, were analyzed. An initial pH of 4.0 was found most favourable for Cr(VI) removal and 5.0 for Pb(II) removal. Two theoretical isotherm models, namely Langmuir and Freundlich, were analyzed for the applicability of the experimental data. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q₀) was calculated. The results of thermodynamic parameters suggest

10 illus, 4 tables, 23 ref

015405   Gaherwal S;Prakash M M (Biotechnology Dep, Govt. Holkar Science College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh) : Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis response in mice infected with hymenolepis diminuta. Indian J Field Vet 2009, 4(3), 57-8.

Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test was carried out for determination of the immediate type hypersensitivity (ITH) response in infected and vaccinated mice with different somatic antigens of Hymenolepis diminuta. In ITH response IgE antibody binds to basophilmast cell and released pharmacological substances. Result of this experiment ITH response increased in vaccinated mice compare to non-vaccinated mice. These study proved different somatic antigens of H. diminuta were responsible for imparting immunity in mice.

1 illus, 5 ref

015404   Dudhare M S;Deshmusk A G (Biotechnology Center, Agri Botany Dep, Dr. P.D. Agricultural University, Krishinagar. Akola-444 104) : Importance of Bt insect resistance technology and its biosafety issues in agricuture : a biocontrol approach. Green Fmg 2009, 2(4), 259-60.

6 ref

015403   Damjanoviae-Vratnica B;Dakov T;Sukoviae D; Damjanoviae J (Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, Montenegro Univ, Cetinjski put bb., 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, Email: biljanad@cg.ac.yu) : Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of wild-growing Salvia officinalis L. from Montenegro. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2008, 11(1), 79-89.

Essential oil composition of wild-growing Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) from Montenegro was analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS and its antimicrobial activity tested at different oil concentrations. Twenty-five compounds were identified in the essential oil, with major components: α-thujone (29.50%), camphor (22.52%) and 1,8-cineole (12.19%). The amount of several minor compounds in the essential oil was also significant: camphene (5.35%), borneol (4.43%) and limonene(4.21%). Sixteen different microorganisms were used in this study as test organisms, including four reference ATCC strains and twelve clinically isolated strains. These included human pathogens, food poisoning and spoilage bacteria and the blastomycete opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. Results showed that the sage essential oil exhibited a significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The most sensitive strain was Staphyloccocus aureus, and of Gram-negative species even at the lowest concentration of oil, Providencia stuartii was the most sensitive. The origin of the bacterial strain and the fact of being Gram-positive or Gram-negative appeared to have little influence on the sensitivity of the oil; in general all the bacteria, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteridis, were susceptible in various degrees to the different concentration of sage essential oil. Noteworthy is significant activity of sage essential oil against clinically isolated bacterial strains and yeast C. albicans.

1 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

015402   Apurva P;Thakur P C (Botany Dep, Chas College, Chas, Bokaro-827 013, Email: drpcthakur@gmail.com) : Somatic embryogenesis and root proliferation from internode of Anthocephalus cadamba In vitro. Asian J expl Sci 2009, 23(1), 99-102.

MS medium with 2.3 μM 6-furfuryl amino purine (KIN) plus 5.4 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) induced best proliferation of roots and medium with KIN (9.3 μM) plus NAA (5.4 μM) produced maximum number of somatic embryos in internodal explants of Anthocephalus cadamba. Embryoids differentiated directly from explant without going to callus phase. The best differentiation of roots was achieved from callus cultured on medium with KIN (4.6 μM), NAA (5.4 μM) and 15% coconut water (CW). Largest number of somatic embryos was produced in calluses cultured on the medium with KIN (23.2 μM), NAA (2.7 μM) and CW (15%).

4 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

015401   Adhyapak U S;Kalyanraman V;Ghole V S (Environmental Science Dep, Univrsity of Pune, Pune-411 007, Email: gholevs@yahoo.com) : Biodegradation of monoethylene glycol on continuous bench scale reactor by bacterial consortia. J envir Sci Engng 2009, 51(2), 81-6.

Wastewater containing monoethylene glycol (MEG) was investigated for biodegradation on a continuous bench scale bioreactor applying an activated sludge process. The bacterial consortia were prepared using three isolated bacterial strains and process conditions, viz. HRT, biomass concentration and air requirements were optimized to achieve efficient biodegradation. The results show 89% COD, 95% BOD reduction at a HRT of 10 h and organic loading of 0.0136 kg/day. The reduction in CODIBOD was related to removal of MEG concentration. The metabolic pathway was investigated in a batch mode and confirmed the formation of acetaldehyde and acetic acid as intermediates.

5 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

014426   Villegas J D;Gnansounou E (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), , Station 18, 1015 Lausanne (CH), Email: edgard.gnansounou@epfl.ch) : Techno-economic and environmental evaluation of lignocellulosic biochemical refineries: need for a modular platform for integrated assessment (MPIA). J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 927-40.

Ethanol production from lignocellulosic residues has potential to significantly improve sustainability of biofuels for transport by avoiding land-use competition with food crops and reducing impacts related to agricultural inputs. However, high production costs remain bottleneck for large-scale development of this pathway. A huge potential exists in upgrading energy producing pathways into biorefineries in order to improve its economic performance and long-term sustainability. A promising general model for a lignocellulosic biochemical refineries (LCBR) is based on sugar-lignin platform, in which 5-carbon (C5) and 6-carbon (C6) sugars, resulting from lignocellulosic matrix fractionation, are converted into fuels and building block chemicals by biotechnological or chemical pathways. In this context, comprehensive, flexible and dynamic modelling approaches are needed to solve a problem with multiple optimization criteria (economic and environmental), high levels of uncertainty and dynamic behaviour. Process simulators and comprehensive databases of production processes can help to determine rigorous and thermodynamically consistent material and energy balances permitting robust scale-up and reducing uncertainty in economical and environmental impact evaluation in a dynamic context. Paper discusses the need for developing a modular platform for process synthesis aiming at selection of technically, economically and environmentally sound pathways for lignocellulosic biorefineries.

4 illus, 2 tables, 89 ref

014425   Venkata Mohan S (Bioengineering and Environmental Centre, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vmohan_s@yahoo.com) : Fermentative hydrogen production with simultaneous wastewater treatment: influence of pretreatment and system operating conditions. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 950-61.

H₂ is a sustainable and viable form of green/alternative energy source. Study reviews the work on H₂ production from wastewater treatment pertaining to inoculum pretreatment and system operating conditions. Process was evaluated and discussed based on pretreatment procedures applied on mixed parent anaerobic culture to selectively enrich acidogenic culture, operating pH and retention time (HRT) in concurrence with wastewater type as substrate.

2 illus, 1 table, 104 ref

014424   Tomas-Pejo E;Oliva J M;Ballesteros M (CIEMAT, Biomass Div, , Av. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain, Email: mariaelia.tomas@ciemat.es) : Realistic approach for full-scale bioethanol production from lignocellulose. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 874-84.

Reviews the current status of bioethanol production including substrates, fermenting microorganisms and technology for a full-scale process development. Considering main drawbacks, several parameters (high substrate loadings, sugar recovery after pretreatment, tolerance to inhibitory compounds and xylose fermentation by yeast) must be optimized for a successful industrial process for bioethanol production from lignocellulose.

^iia2 illus, 2 tables, 129 ref

014423   Tamuly S;Saxena M K;Ambwani T;Lakhchaura B D (Animal Biotechnology Center, Veterinary Biochemistry Dep, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pantnagar-263 145) : RAPID detection of salmonella from poultry faecal sample using PCR targeting InvA gene. Indian vet J 2008, 85(9), 919-20.

Conserved InvA gene of Salmonella was amplified using a specific primer of the gene. Crude Bacterial cell lysate (Prepared by hot cold lysis) was used directly for PCR amplification. Presence of 284 bp fragment correlated well with slide agglutination test using poly O antiserum. Serotyping results revealed Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Virchowand Salmonella Galiema. This method was found to be highly suitable for rapid detection as it takes less than 18 hours for confirmation of Salmonella.

8 ref

014422   Stambuk B U;Eleutherio E C A;Florez-Pardo L M;Souto-Major A M;Bon E P S (Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia de Leveduras, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brasil, Email: bstambuk@mbox1.ufsc.br) : Brazilian potential for biomass ethanol: challenge of using hexose and pentose co-fermenting yeast strains. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 918-26.

Paper reviews Brazilian scenario and efforts for deployment of technology to produce bioethanol vis-a-vis recent international advances in the area, including possible use of hexose and pentose co-fermenting yeast strains.

3 illus, 95 ref

014421   Sinha D P;Amudha J;Balasubramani G (Biotechnology Dep, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Post Box No. 2, Maharashtra-440 010) : Genetic diversity among drought tolerant tetraploid and diploid cotton by RAPD and ISSR markers. Indian J Crop Sci 2008, 3(1), 71-5.

The knowledge of genetic divergence in cotton is essential to enhance the crop Improvement programme for abiotic, biotlc and other agricultural important traits. Drought tolerant is one of the major limiting factor in cotton production. RAPD and ISSR markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among drought tolerant tetraplold (Gossypium hlrsutum L.) and diplold (Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium herbaceum) genotypes. The RAPD primers amplified a total no. of 795 bands out of which 35% were polymorphic. The ISSR primer (GATA), showed 78% similarity and the primer (GC)₁₄ has shown 80% similarity. The diploid and tetraploid genotypes grouped into separate clusters and tetraploid showed less genetic diversity than diploids.

2 illus, 2 tables, 29 ref

014420   Show K Y;Zhang Z P;Lee D J (Chemical Engineering Dep, National Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Email: djlee@ntu.edu.tw) : Design of bioreactors for biohydrogen production. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 941-9.

Using dark fermentation, hydrogen can be generated from renewable organics including waste materials. Key to successful application of anaerobic fermentation is to uncouple liquid and biomass retention times in reactor system. Paper reviews reactor configurations (fixed-bed, fluidized-bed, upflow anaerobic sludge blanket and continuous stirred tank reactors) and operating processes (batch, semi-continuous and continuous). Immobilized- and suspended- cell systems are compared based on biomass growth in forms of granular, biofilm, gel-entrapped bioparticle and flocs.

1 illus, 1 table, 73 ref

014419   Sen U;Shakdwipee M;Banerjee R (Energy Science and Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Mumbai-400 076, Email: rangan@iitb.ac.in) : Status of biological hydrogen production. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 980-93.

Paper analyzes yields, reaction rates and reactor designs, and compares effectiveness of different substrate-microorganism combinations. Net energy analysis of processes reveals directions for viability and screening of options. Techniques like metabolic flux analysis can be used to establish targets for increased yields. Factors influencing production and possibility of using genetic engineering to increase production rates are discussed. The paper identifies gaps and possible directions for future development of biological hydrogen production.

3 illus, 14 tables, 86 ref

014418   Saratale G D;Chen S D;Lo Y C;Saratale R G; Chang J S (Sustainable Environment Research Center, National Cheng Kung Univ, Tainan, Taiwan, Email: changjs@mail.ncku.edu.tw) : Outlook of biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic feedstock using dark fermentation. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 962-79.

Hydrogen becomes a promising alternative energy carrier to fossil fuels since it is clean, renewable, contains high energy content and does not contribute to greenhouse effect. Therefore, using cheap or renewable resources, such as lignocellulosic materials, as the feedstock for hydrogen production, in particular, dark fermentative hydrogen production has a great potential to give major contribution to future energy supply. The main challenges are the low hydrogen yield arising from poor efficiency on direct microbial assimilation of cellulosic materials. Considerable research efforts have been made to improve the pretreatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. Development of novel and effective cellulase enzymes, optimization and improvement of cellulase system, as well as engineering approaches on cellulose pretreatment and saccharification are gaining increasing interest. Information from genomics and molecular genetics combined with improved genetic engineering offer a wide range of possibilities for enhancing performance of cellulose feedstock utilization and biohydrogen production. Study reviews key technologies and variables to be considered during biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic feedstock.

^iia 5 illus, 3 tables, 162 ref

014417   Sankaranarayanan S;Bama P;Deccaraman M; Vijayalakshmi M;Murugesan K;Kalaichelvan P T;Arumugam P (Industrial Biotechnology Dep, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute Univ, Mathuravoyal, Chennai-600 095, Email: gloris.biomed@gmail.com) : Isolation and characterization of bioactive and antibacterial compound from Helianthus annuus Linn.. Indian J expl Biol 2008, 46(12), 831-5.

A bioactive compound with antibacterial activity was isolated and purified from the extract of leaves of sunflower, Helianthus annuus. The bioactive compound was characterized using ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The compound induced auxin, gibberellins and cytokinin in Oryza sativa and Phaseolus mungo. It also showed activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

2 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

014416   Poganietz W R;Reinhardt T;Bauer C (Technology-Induced Material Flow Dep, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, (ITAS-ZTS), Email: witold-roger.poganietz@itas-zts.fzk.de) : Lignocellulosies-to-bioethanol in the context of Germany: modelling life cycle implications of policy options. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 908-17.

Paper compares lignocellulosic based bioethanol to traditional bioethanol regarding environmental impact focussing on greenhouse gases, considering manifold opportunities to use biomass and competitive stance to fossil energy carriers. Using a market processes simulating technique-based process chain model, it is observed that environmental impact of ligno-bioethanol depends crucially on market conditions, although relevance of market constraints varies.

7 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

014415   Panichelli L;Gnansounou E (Laboratory of Energy Systems, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland, Email: edgard.gnansounou@epfl.ch) : Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from indirect land-use change in biofuels production: concepts and exploratory analysis for soybean-based biodiesel production. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 1017-30.

Due to changes in carbon stock of soil and biomass, indirect land-use change (ILUC) has consequences on green house gas (GHG) balance of a biofuel that are not presently considered in evaluation of environmental merits of biofuels. Significant changes in land-use are expected to occur in biofuel producing countries and their consequences may affect global markets. Paper aims to: 1) Review state-of- art of accounting for indirect effects in biofuels production and their influence on GHG balance of a biofuel pathway; 2) Present a model to estimate and optimize GHG emissions from LUC; and 3) Estimate potential GHG emissions for the case of soybean-based biodiesel production. ILUC concepts and a classification of ILUC sources are proposed. Then a methodological framework to quantify GHG emissions is discussed and applied to the case study. Different scenarios to achieve demand are proposed and their implications related to ILUC are determined. Using a system-wide approach and a non-linear programming (NLP) model, GHG emissions are evaluated in terms of carbon pay back time and optimized based on soybean supply strategy to produce biodiesel.

1 illus, 4 tables, 40 ref

014414   Mohammad T A;Arora S K;Kelkar A J;Itankar P R (Pharmaceutical Sciences Dep, R.T.M., Nagpur Univ, Nagpur-440 033, Email: mohd.tauqeer@rediffmail.com) : Determination of polyphenol content and free radical scavenging activity of successive extracts of Flemingia strobilifera. Adv Pharmac Toxic 2009, 10(1), 89-95.

An increasing demand for natural additives has shifted the attention from synthetic to natural antioxidants. The work examines the potential of six successive extracts (per, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and hydro-alcoholic) of aerial parts of Flemingia strobilifera Linn. (Fabaceae) (FS), as a source of natural antioxidants by using standard in vitro models and determines polyphenolic content of three extracts (acetone, methanol and hydro -alcoholic) on the basis of phytochemical screening. The extracts were prepared, preliminary phytochemical screening was done then three extracts were allowed for the determination of phenolic content by Folin-Coicalteau method and the anti-oxidant activity of successive extracts of Flemingia strobilifera (SEFS) was studied using 1, l-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and reducing power method. The successive acetone, methanol and hydro-alcoholic extracts of FS possess significant and concentration dependent anti-oxidant activity comparable to that of standard vitamin C in the studied models. The total phenolic content in acetone, methanol and hydro-alcoholic extracts of FS were found to be 150.16, 174 and 231.39 mg/g respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the aerial parts of FS are potential source of natural antioxidants.

3 tables, 24 ref

014413   Mathew G M;Sukumaran R K;Singhania R R;Pandey A (Biotechnology Div, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR), Trivandrum-695 019, Email: ashokpandey56@yahoo.co.in) : Progress in research on fungal cellulases for lignocellulose degradation. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 898-907.

Fungal cellulases offer advantages of a secreted enzyme complex and relative easiness and economy of producing enzyme. Considerable amount of work has been done on fungal cellulases, especially with resurgence of interest in biomass-ethanol and concept of bio-refineries. Significant information has also been gained on basic biology of organisms producing cellulases, and in process development for enzyme production and biomass saccharification. Review addresses developments in the field of fungal cellulases for lignocellulose degradation.

1 illus, 116 ref

014412   Lee J S;Parameswaran B;Lee J P;Park S C (Bioenergy Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, , 71-2 Jang-dong Yuseong-ku Daejeon 305-343 Republic of Korea, Email: bmjslee@kier.re.kr) : Recent developments of key technologies on cellulosic ethanol production. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 865-73.

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol involves pretreatment process followed by enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis to make fermentable sugars. Efficient pretreatment method can significantly enhance hydrolysis of biomass and hence can reduce ethanol cost. Optimization of enzyme loading and selection of suitable fermentation technique based on biomass will further improve ethanol yield. Present review focuses on various pretreatment techniques based on composition of lignocellulosic biomass and also discuss simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation and co-immobilization for cellulosic ethanol production.

2 illus, 2 tables, 56 ref

014411   Karthic K;Kirthiram K S;Sadasivam S; Thayumanavan B;Palvannan T (Biotechnology Dep, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 006, Email: sadacpmb@hotmail.com) : Identification of α amylase inhibitors from Syzygium cumini Linn seeds. Indian J expl Biol 2008, 46(9), 677-80.

The aqueous extract of S. cumini or Eugenia jambolana seeds and Psidium guajava leaves showed higher inhibition against the porcine pancreatic α-amylase among the medicinal plants studied. The α-amylase inhibitors from S.cumini seeds were separated from the extract by preparative thin layer chromatography into fractions with different Rf values. The fraction with R_f- value between 0.285 and 0.43, which showed maximum inhibitory activity, was eluted and analyzed through LC-MS. The compounds identified from the seed extract of S. cumini were betulinic acid and 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxy flavanone, which were reported earlier from S. formosanum and other plants. Dixon plot showed that the inhibition was non-competitive in nature.

2 tables, 20 ref

014410   Kar S;Ray R C (Regional Centre of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, , PO, Dumduma Housing Board, Bhubaneswar-751 019, Email: rc-ray@rediffmail.com) : Partial characterization and optimization of extracllular thermostable Ca<. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(1), 58-64.

Culture parameters for optimum production of extracellular α-amylase by moderately thermostable Streptomyces erumpens MTCC 7317 isolated from a brick-kiln soil were found to be pH (6.0), temperature (50 °C) and incubation period (36 h). Enzyme production was more in soluble starch (1%), beef extract (1%) and glycerol (0.02%) as compared to other carbon (1%: wheat flour, cassava starch, potato starch, cassava flour, etc.), nitrogen (1%: yeast extract, peptone, casein, ammonium chloride, etc.) and surfactant [0.02%: Cween (Tween) 20, Cween 40, Cween 60, Cween 80, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and triton x 100] sources tested, respectively. Glycerol concentration (0.02 %) was most stimulatory in enzyme production. Addition of Ca²⁺ (even at 10 mM) inhibited a-amylase production. S. erumpens cells immobilized on sodium alginate beads produced more (9.0-23.4%) amylase as compared with free cells. Partially purified enzyme (by ammonium sulphate precipitation) had a molecular mass of 54,500 Da in native SDS-PAGE.

6 illus, 1 table, 32 ref

014409   Kansal R;Kuhar K;Verma I;Gupta R N;Gupta V K; Koundal K R (Biochemistry Dep, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra-136 119) : Improved and convenient method of RNA isolation from polyphenols and polysaccharide rich plant tissues. Indian J expl Biol 2008, 46(12), 842-5.

It has been difficult to extract a good quality total RNA from the plant parts (such as seeds) which contain high levels of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates and other compounds that bind and/or co-precipitate with RNA. A simple, rapid and efficient method for isolating total RNA from polyphenols and polysaccharide rich plant tissues has been developed. Seeds of leguminosae family were chosen for the study. The good quality and high yield of total RNA was achieved with A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio of 1.9. Seeds of three different crops (Cajanus cajan, Dolichos biflorus and Vigna mungo) at different developmental stages were evaluated for total RNA extraction using standardized protocol. Seeds at 21 days after flowering (DAP) gave the best results among others (7 DAF and dry seeds). Quality of isolated RNA from all the three crops was further checked by cDNA synthesis. The extracted RNA was found suitable for further molecular applications such as reverse transcription and cDNA library construction.

4 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

014408   Kalam M A;Saifullah M G;Masjuki H H;Husnawan M;Mahlia T M I (Mechanical Engineering Dep, Malaya Univ, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email: saifullahmg@um.edu.my) : PAH and other emissions from coconut oil blended fuels. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 1031-5.

Paper presents results of a multi-cylinder diesel engine operated on blends of ordinary coconut oil (COCO; 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) with ordinary diesel oil (OD). Methyl esters from cooking oil are less encouraging to be used as biofuel because this affects food-fuel crisis. However, biofuel obtained from waste cooking oil is more appreciated due to energy savings and environmental issues. Test results indicated that COCO blended fuels (10-30 %) produced similar brake power and net heat release rate as OD. Increasing coconut oil in blend decreases exhaust emissions. Carbon deposited on injector nozzles was observed where no hard carbon was found on injector tip when engine run on COCO blends.

9 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref

014407   Gnansounou E;Dauriat A;Panichelli L;Villegas J (Laboratory of Energy Systems, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Email: edgard.gnansounou@epfl.ch) : Energy and greenhouse gas balances of biofuels: biases induced by LCA modelling choices. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 885-97.

Estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) balances of biofuels is subject to significant biases stemming from modelling choices about system definition and boundaries, functional unit, reference systems and allocation methods, Paper investigates extent to which these choices influence the results. After performing a comparison and constructive criticism of various modelling choices, life cycle assessment (LCA) of wheat-to-bioethanol was used as an illustrative case where bioethanol was blended with gasoline at various percentages (E5, E10 and E85). A large difference was observed in reduction of GHG emissions with a high sensitivity to method used to allocate impacts between co-products, type of reference systems, choice of functional unit and type of blend. The study recommends for basing estimation of energy and GHG balances of biofuels on principles of transparency, consistency and accuracy.

7 illus, 10 tables, 44 ref

014406   Carvalheiro F;Duarte L C;Girio F M (INETI, Dep de Biotechnologia, Unidade de Fisiologia Microbiana e Bioprocessos, Estrada do Paco do Lumiar, 22, 1649-038, Lisboa, Portugal, Email: franciso.girio@ineti.pt) : Hemicellulose biorefineries: a review on biomass pretreatments. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(11), 849-64.

Biomass pretreatment (BP) plays a crucial role in a lignocellulose feedstock-based biorefinery (TLCFBR) fear processing off three major output streams (cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin) into chemicals and biofuels. BP includes processing of lignocellulosic material (LCM) under aqueous, dilute acid or alkaline media to obtain a cellulosic fraction, which is then fermented to produce bioethanol. Hemicellulose is usually treated as a secondary stream doe to lack of efficient fesmcKdXaiSesm off hemicellulosic sugars to ethanol. Review provides BPs assuming that hemicellulose stream should be integrated in LCFB R as a primary fraction for converting into value-added compounds other than bioethanol. Different LCM treatments are analyzed foreseeing bio-based products possible to obtain from hemicelhilose path.

3 illus, 4 tables, 200 ref

014405   Bora D K;Das L M;Gajendra Babu M K (Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110 016, Email: dilipboraesz@rediffmail.com) : Performance of a biodiesel fueled diesel engine. J scient ind Res 2008, 67(1), 73-6.

Study presents application of biodiesel produced from the mixture of polanga oil (Calophyllum inophyllum), karanja oil (Pongamia pinnata) and jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) in CI engines and compares biodiesel performance and emissions characteristics with petro diesel.

5 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

014404   Biswas R;Mukhopadhyay S N (Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110 016, Email: snmukho@dbeb.iitd.ac.in) : Ecobiotechnology advances in bioproduct formation through microbe-plant interactions (MPI). J scient ind Res 2008, 67(10), 821-6.

Ecobiotechnology using ecological engineering provides sustainable ecosystems that integrate society with its environment. Rhizobium sp. growth in root of food producing plant or as an ecofriendly biofertilizer plays important role in microbe plant interaction (MPI) systems. This study reviews importance of ecobiotechnology and aspects in rhizobial-non rhizobial MPI in ecofriendly fertilizer function for industrial/commercial product formation.

5 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

014403   Bhat R S;Mudiyappanavar J H;Bhat Upadya V G; Prabhu S T;Shenoy V V (Biotechnology Dep, Agricultural Sciences Univ, Dharwad-580 005) : RM226, a genic SSR marker detects multiple alleles of oryzacystatin in native landraces of rice. Indian J Crop Sci 2008, 3(1), 29-31.

Twenty three rice accessions with varying levels of tolerance to leaf folder and stem borer revealed multiple alleles for the SSR marker, RM226 flanking AT-repeat motif in oryzacystatln. The most frequent allele (no. 8) cloned and sequenced from BPT 5204 was shorter than that of Nipponbare by (AT)₁₂. No significant association was found between any allellc variant and tolerance to rice leaf folder and stem borer.

2 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

014402   Bajaj R K;Reddy T R P;Dhillon S K (Plant Breeding Dep, Genetics and Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 004) : Variability for self fertility in sunflower parental lines and hybrids evaluated over environments. Indian J Crop Sci 2008, 3(1), 145-9.

Autogamy was studied In a set of 90 crosses and their parents viz. six CMS lines and fifteen restorer lines during spring 2005 In two environments. A wide range of variability for autogamy was observed among the parental lines as well as hybrids. Autogamy In the parental lines as well as in hybrids was affected by the environment to a great extent and it was observed to be genotype specific. The self-fertility of the hybrids was positively correlated with the self-fertility of the restorer lines In both the environments while the female parent did not have significant effect on the autogamy of the hybrids. Strong 'S' allele interaction was observed for realization of the autogamy in some of the hybrids.

2 tables, 6 ref

013325   Ye L;Zhou Q;Liu C;Luo X;Na G;Xi T (Research Center of Marine Drugs, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, R P China, Email: xitaocpu@yahoo.com) : Identification and fermentation optimization of a marine-derived Streptomyces Griseorubens with anti-tumor activity. Indian J Mar Sci 2009, 38(1), 14-21.

Investigates a potential anti-tumor actinomycete WBF9 isolated from Chinese marine sediment. MTT assay was firstly used to evaluate anti-tumor activity and ID50 value was defined as dilution fold of fermentation broth (FB) that caused 50% inhibition of cell growth. The results reveal its strong anti-tumor activity against Hela, KB and SMMC7721 cells with the ID50 values of 750.3, 921.2 and 803.5, respectively. The strain was identified as Streptomyces griseorubens according to the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, along with the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. The study also reveals the strain WBF9 required natural seawater for good growth and production of anti-tumor metabolites. This implies some degree of marine adaptation of the strain. The one-factor-at-a-time method was used to investigate the enhanced anti-tumor activity of nutrients. The concentration of the four nutritional components was optimized by the orthogonal matrix method. The effects of the nutritional components for improving anti-tumor activity were found to be in the order of CaCl₂>potato extract>yeast extract>glucose and the optimal concentrations were determined as glucose (1% w/v), potato extract (15% w/v), yeast extract (0.6% w/v) and CaCl₂ (0.12% w/v). With the optimized medium, ID₅₀ value of FB reached the maximum level of 1946.8 in 1-l flask after 7d of fermentation, which was 2.1-fold higher than that with the basal medium. It indicated a significant increase of anti-tumor activity of FB. The ethyl acetate extract was preliminarily isolated and the resulting four fractions showed anti-tumor activity. The initial identification data demonstrated that active fractions contained alkaloid, terpene, peptide, and indican. The strain of Streptomyces griseorubens being isolated from the sea was firstly reported, and its anti-tumor activity was initially investigated.

013324   Wang A Q;Chen Y Z;Ye X;Fan Y G;He L F;Yang L T;Li Y R (Guangxi Crops Genetic Improvement Biotechnology Key Lab, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi-530 007, Email: liyr@gxaas.net) : Molecular cloning and tissue specific expression of an elongation factor 1A gene in sugarcane stalks. Sugar Tech 2008, 10(2), 119-23.

Genomic reconstruction done by using the cDNA insert containing the ORF of GZ-1 -alpha as the probe indicated the presence of about 5 copies of eEFIA gene per haploid sugarcane genome. Northern hybridization studies revealed the presence of eEFIA transcripts in Saccharum officinarum stalks at late growth stage. A full-length cDNA clone (GZ-1-alpha) encoding elongation factor 1-alpha has been isolated from stalks of S. officinarum L. (accession number EF581011). The 1736 bp nucleotide sequence and the deduced 447 amino acid sequence shared 65-92 % and 95-99 % identity, respectively, to the other plant elongation factor 1 As. The 400 mg/L ethephon treatment significantly induced the expression of GZ-1 -alpha and maintained higher level in the top internodes for a long time, but did not induce the expression in the mid and bottom internodes. The results suggest that ethephon mediates the tissue and growth stage specific expressions of eEFIA gene isolated from S. officinarum stalks.

5 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

013323   Singh B;Bhat T K;Kurade N P;Sharma O P (Animal Biotechnology Lab, Regional Station, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Palampur-176 061, Email: bsbpalampur@yahoo.co.in) : Metagenomics in animal gastrointestinal ecosystem: a microbiological biotechnological perspective. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 216-27.

Metagenomics- the application of the genom-ics technologies to oonculturable microbial communities, is coining of age. These approaches can be used for the screening and selection of nonculturable rumen microbiota for assessing their role in gastrointestinal (GI) nutrition, plant material fermentation and the health of the host. The technologies designed to access this wealth of genetic information through environmental nucleic acid extraction have provided a means of overcoming the limitations of culture-dependent microbial genetic exploitation. The molecular procedures and techniques will result in reliable insights into the GI microbial structure and activity of the livestock gut microbes in relation to functional interactions, temporal and spatial relationships among different microbial consortia and dietary ingredients. Future developments and applications of these methods promise to provide the first opportunity to link distribution and identity of rumen microbes in their natural habitats with their genetic potential and in situ activities.

^iia1 illus, 1 table, 81 ref

013322   Shashidhara N;Lokesha R;Jangoudar B S (Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Laboratory, College of Agriculture, Raichur-584 101, Email: hatavadi@rediffmail.com) : Shoot regeneration via rapid method of callusing in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Int J Agric Envir Biotechnol 2008, 1(4), 222-4.

Shoot regeneration continued to be a vital step in tissue culture attempts in sesame. Indeed, it is found that the shoot induction via callus in sesame crop is a major bottleneck. In India, the shoot regeneration reported to be very low (<2%). In the investigation we are able to succeed up to 66.66 per cent in vitro shoot regeneration in variety Gujarat Till-II on MS supplemented with 2.2 mg/lNAA+ 3.3 mg/1 BAP and 20M AgNO, followed by 50.00 per cent by Tamil Nadu Local on MS media supplemented with NAA@ 2.0 mg/1 + BAP @ 3.0 mg/1 + AgNO₃ @ 15 M. The results have been discussed in the light of sesame improvement through biotechnological ways particularly in vitro cell line selection.

1 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

013321   Shashidhara N;Lokesha R;Janagoudar B S (Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Laboratory, College of Agriculture, Raichur-584 101, Email: hatavadi@rediffmail.com) : Callus induction and cub-culturing in sesame (Sesamum indicum L). Int J Agric Envir Biotechnol 2008, 1(4), 255-60.

Callus induction was attempted, in sesame (Sesamum indicum - Pedaliaceae), using five different MS media compositions (A= 0.1 mg/1 NAA+ 1 mg/l kinetin+ 1 mg/1 BAP; B= 0.5 mg/1 NAA+ 1.5 mg/1 kinetin + 1.5 mg/1 BAP; C= 0.1 mg/lNAA+ 1.5 mg/1 kinetin+ 1.5 mg/1 BAP; D= 0.2 mg/1 NAA+ 1.0 mg/1 kinetin + 1.0 mg/l BAP and E= 0.5 mg/1 NAA+ 2.0 mg/1 kinetin + 2.5 mg/1 BAP). "Among these composition the medium A was best suited for both callus induction (up to 95 %) and sub-culturing for all the genotypes tested followed by 4, 3 and 5 composition. The results have been discussed in the light of sesame improvement through in vitro cell line selection

1 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

013320   Reddy P B;Kapilan N;Reddy R P (NO, , ) : Experimental investigation of esters of mahua oil as an alternative fuel for dual fuel engine. Energy Fuel Users J 2008, 58(2), 15-20.

7 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref