ID: 50842
Title: Production of thermostable alkaline proteinase by Aspergillus fumigatus
Author: T.S.Wathore and M.B.Patil
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus, Proteinase, Microbial biotechnology
Abstract: Indigenously isolated Aspergillus fumigatus was found to produce thermostable alkaline proteinase in a medium containing wheat bran after 8 days of incubation at 30 0C with initial pH 10. Additional carbon sources like arabinose, pectin and inulin and nitrogen sources such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and yeast extract increased enzyme production. Metal ions like K+ , Zn++ and Mn ++stimulated the synthesis of proteinase production. However sodium, potassium and ZSM salts of zeolites and EDTA inhibited enzyme synthesis. The partially purified enzyme exhibited broad range of pH stability from pH 9 to pH 11 at 60 0C. The optimum pH and temperature was found to be 10.5 and 55 0C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at 80 0C for 20 minutes. The heavy metal ions like CO++ ,Pb++,Mn++ and Zn++ did not inhibit the enzyme activity. It was stable with the organic solvents like petroleum ether followed by isoamyl alcohol. The partially purified proteinase also exhibited compatibility with detergents. It was found to retain 100% activity with Active wheel and Vim at 37 0C for 30 minutes indicating the possible suitability of its exploitation in detergent industries.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50841
Title: Effect of pectinase concentration produced utilizing whole wheat flour on the colour yield of enzyme extracted plant carotenoids
Author: M.P.Kusuma and M.V.V.Chandana Lakshmi
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Carotenoids, Extraction,Pectinase, Aspergillus flavus, Whole wheat flour, Whole rice flour, pectin
Abstract: Batch fermentation was carried out using cereal raw materials by Aspergillus flavus. It was found that utilizing whole wheat flour as a cheap and readily available cereal raw material, it was possible to obtain pectinlyase activity at a very acceptable yield. A comparative study was carried out to estimate ?-carotene extracted from Daucas carrota (carrot) utilizing the obtained crude enzyme and commercially purchased enzyme. It was found that carotenoid concentration extracted by crude enzyme was appreciably equivalent to that of commercial enzyme.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50840
Title: Bacteriological quality of drinking water around Vrishabhavathi Valley of Bangalore, Karnataka
Author: B.M.Sreedhara Nayaka, Jayaprakash and S.Ramakrishna
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Drinking water quality, E.coli, Coliform, MPN
Abstract: Thirty water samples collected from different locations around Vrishabhavathi Valley were analyzed for bacterial contamination. Fifty percent of the samples were found to be contaminated with total coliform and fecal coliform. Maximum contamination with total coliform and fecal coliform were observed in borewell water samples of Kodipalya, Cholarapalya and Lingapura.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50839
Title: Effect of supplementation of malted cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) flour in the enhancement of Yeast cell viability and ethanol production in VHG fermentation
Author: P.Pradeep and O.V.S.Reddy
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Ethanol production, High gravity fermentation, Media supplementation, Cowpea malt, Saccharomyces bayanus
Abstract: Production of high ethanol concentration by using very high gravity fermentation technology eliminates the expensive steps in the conventional ethanol fermentation process and saves time. In the present study, a final ethanol concetration was enhanced to 15% (v/v) within 48 h by adding malted cow pea (Vigna unguiculata L) flour (2-4% w/v) to a simple medium with very high concentration of 300 g/L of glucose. The supplementation has simultaneously led to an increase in the rate and extent of growth of Saccharomyces bayanus resulted in higher productivity (>2g/L/h). Physical and chemical factors of malted cowpea may help to reduce the osmotic stress, and aid in complete fermentation towards achieving enhanced ethanol yield.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50838
Title: Screening of Macrofungi for Lignin Degrading Enzymes
Author: J.Vinaya Sagar Goud, M.Jaya Prakash Goud and M.A.Singaracharya
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Basidiomycetes, Lignolytic enzymes, Quntitative assay, Biobleaching
Abstract: 40 basidiomycetes species were screened for the presence of three important lignolytic enzymes. Maximum enzyme activity was observed in Clitopilus sps. 0.560 u/mL (laccase), Lentinula edodes, 0.521 (mnp) and Sphaerobolous sp, 0.700 (lip). Lignolytic enzymes can be exploited in biobleaching and biopulping process.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50837
Title: Effect of Chromium on Microbial Growth
Author: M.Ilamathi, T.Mahalakshmi and T.B.Sridharan
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Chromium, E.coli, Saccharomyces cereviceae, Metal -microbe interactions, Microbial growth
Abstract: This study is primarily conducted in order to determine the tolerance level of microbes to chromium ions. Here a prokaryotic organism (E.coli) as well as a eukaryotic microorganism (Saccharomyces cereviceae) has been taken for the study. When chromium concentration increases, a significant reduction in the growth of microbial populations has been observed in E.coli. These E.coli populations were under high fluctuation where as in S.cereviceae significant level of tolerance to chromium has been observed. Chromium concentration of 3 to 4 fold higher is required to inhabit the growth of the S.cereviceae than E.coli. The present study indicates tha the chromium tolerance level in eukaryotes is several fold higher when compared to prokaryotes.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50836
Title: Isolation and characterization of an extracellular protease by Bacillus subtilis from poultry soil
Author: N.Vani and R.Suganthi
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Poultry soil, Bacillus subtilis, Extracellular protease
Abstract: Bacillus species are versatile chemoheterotrophs capable of respiration using a variety of simple organic compounds (sugars, Amino acids Organic acids). Bacillus sp. produces many different extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, which include proteases (Markland and Smith 1971; Priest,1977). Proteases execute a large variety of functions and have important biotechnological applications in detergents, leather industry, food industry, Pharmaceutical industry and bioremediation processes (Anwar and Saleemuddin, 1998; Gupta et al.2002). Many different types of bacteria produce extracellular enzymes. In this study, attempts have been made to compare the production of protease from Bacillus subtilis and to characterize the enzyme activity. Bacillus subtilis was subjected to different substrates and the protease activity was assayed by the method of Lowry ' s et al. (1951). It was also subjected to different optimum pH, temperature, carbon source and nitrogen source at which Bacillus subtilis showed the highest protease activity was recorded. Therefore the appreciably high enzyme activity; and stability at high temperature and PH makes Bacillus subtilis an industrially promising organism with special interest for basic and applied research.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50835
Title: Predict and describe relationships between the levels of Methylmercury in hair samples of Kuala Lumpur residents and their social characteristics
Author: A.M.Bobakera, I.Alakilla, Elr.Eli.Elkhidirb and S.B. Sarmanic
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Antibacterial, Acacia leucophioea, Methanol, Ethanol, Water
Abstract: A quasi-quadratic polynomial model is developed to predict and descrive relationships between the level of methylmercury in hair samples of Kuala Lumpur residents and their social characteristics. The race, gender, age and fish diet factors appear to account for the ability to predict level of methylmercury. The model has a high explanatory power with coefficient of determination R2 = 88.4%. The results including interaction terms, showed a significant correlation at 1% level of significance. The results further revealed that the depicted rate of methylmercury level is heavily depending on the prevalence of the fish diet factor with an increasing rate.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50834
Title: Studies on Plant Growth - Promoting Rhizobacteria isolated from Choba Rivers State Nigeria
Author: E.C.Wokoma
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Plant growth - promoting rhizobacteria, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Pseudomonas sp., Biocontrol, Nigeria
Abstract: Forty - eight strains of Pseudomonas putida, P.fluorescene , P.aeruginosa and Bacillus were isolated from the rhizosphere, root washings, and root segments of corn, tomato cassava, fluted pumpkin, plantain, banana, waterleaf and pawpaw, grown in Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria. Seventeen strains were identified as P.putida, eight as P.fluorescene, 17 as P.aeruginosa and six as Bacillus. Fourteen strains were selected and screened for their biocontrol potential by evaluating their ability to inhibit in vitro growth of Botryodiplodia theobramae, a common soil borne pathogen attacking several field crops in the region. Three strains of P.putida and three of P.aeruginosa were shown to have antifungal activity against B.theobromae by inhibiting biomass (mycelium dry weight) of the fungus. Analysis of results showed that the strains were significantly (p=0.05) more antagonistic than a known biocontrol strain of P.putida (W4P5) but were comparable in antifungal activity to P.fluorescens Pf-5, another known biocontrol agent. The plant growth promoting activity of test bacterial strains was assessed by bacterizing corn seeds before planting in potted soil and potted builders ' sand. Bacterization of corn seeds improved emergence by 72%, three days after planting, and significantly enhanced seedling height five days after planting. These findings establish the biocontrol potential and plant growth-promoting ability of local strains of Pseudomonas.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50833
Title: Periodic adjustments of body weights and some haematological parameters during aestivation of the African Lungfish, Protopterus annectens of Oguta lake, Nigeria
Author: A.I.Okafor, P.I.Ndukuba and J.C. Amaefula
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Body weights, Haematological, Aestivation, Periodic adjustments.
Abstract: Periodic adjustments of body weights, blood haematocrit, haemoglobin, pH and osmolality levels during a twelve month laboratory aestivation of the West African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (Owen) obtained from Oguta lake at Oguta of Imo State, Nigeria were investigated. There was a significant elevation of blood haematocrit, haemoglobin contents and osmolality, with a significant reduction in body weights and blood pH within the first two months of aestivation and continued through the fourth, sixth and up to the twelfth month. The essence of these physiological adjustments which ensure survival throughout the duration of aestivation are discussed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50832
Title: Antifungal effects of solvent extracts of Neem leaves on seed pathogens of Groundnut
Author: E.C.Wokoma and C.Nwaejike
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Azadirachta indica extract, Groundnut seed, Germination, Fungi
Abstract: The blotter method was used to assay soybean, groundnut and cowpea seeds for germination and fungal infection levels. Soybean significantly (p=0.05) had the best germination (86%), followed by groundnut (50%) and cowpea (8%) while groundnut had the highest infection level (91%) followed by cowpea (32%) and soybean (9%). Assay of four groundnut seed lots indicated that germination and infection levels ranged from 60% to 80% and 67% to 91%,respectively. Fungi isolated from the four seed lots were Fusarium moniliforme, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium digitatum, P. oxalicum, Aspergillus flavus and A. niger. Potato dextose agar (PDA) amended with different concentrations of chloroform extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves was used to evaluate the efficacy of A.indica in controlling F.moniliforme isolated from groundnut seeds. Linear growth, mycelium dry weight and sporulation of F.moniliforme was significantly reduced with increasing concentrations of the extracts. The effects of seed treatments using two brands of NaOCl and A.indica extracts, on in vitro germination and infection level of the seeds was also evaluated after4 days of incubation. Seed treatment with imported NaOCl or A.indica did not reduce germination below the expected range of 60% to 80%, earlier detected in naturally infected seed lots. 15% solution of imported NaOCl reduced infection by 34% while 10mL methanol and chloroform extracts per 200 seeds reduced infection by 31.5% and 37%, respectively. Therefor, A.indica leaf extracts may be acceptable substitutes for treating groundnut seeds before planting.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50831
Title: Biodiversity of Macrobenthic invertebrates in the Semenyih River : A Revisited Study
Author: C.K.Yap, J.Nor Hafiza, A. Rahim Ismail and M.K. Izwan
Editor: P.K.Wong, R.K.Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2008
Publisher: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) Vol.10, No.4, 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Semenyih River, Macrobenthic invertebrates
Abstract: This study was to determine the density and abundance of macrobenthic invertebrates at Semenyih River, in order to compare those collected from the same river in 1997 as reported by Yap et al.(2003). The river generally supported diverse groups of macrobenthic invertebrates such as Tubificida, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Gastropoda, Odonata as well as Crustacea. The data showed that the upstream stations have the highest density of Trichopteran larvae; Macrostemum similar and Amphipsyche meridiana in agreement with the good water quality at the upstream stations. On the other hand, the polluted downstream stations were dominated by a resistant worm, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri. Since this worm species is known to be able to tolerate polluted conditions such as low oxygen dissolved and therefore, the higher density of them at the polluted downstream stations can be used as a bioindicator for the polluted ecosystem. Therefore these Trichopteran larvae and resistant worm were good bioindicator for the clean and polluted river ecosystems, respectively, confirming those reported by Yap et al. (2003). In general, the species diversity was declining from the upstream to the downstream stations. Human activities such as constructions, agricultural activities, urbanization and industrialzations along the river have been the major factors that influenced the density and abundance of macrobenthic invertebrates at the Semenyih River
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50830
Title: Earth surface deformation analysis of 2005 Qeshm earthquake based on three-dimensional displacement field derived from radar imagery measurements
Author: Masoome Amighpey, Behzad Vosooghi, Maryam Dehghani
Editor: Alfred Stein
Year: 2009
Publisher: Elsevier, Volume 11, issue 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Interferometry, Azimuth offset, Strain, Dilation, Maximum shear, Finite differences method, Finite element method
Abstract: We derived the 3D vector displacement field due to the 5.9 Mw Qeshm island (Iran) earthquake using ascending and descending interferograms and azimuth offsets obtained from ENVISAT ASAR data. The pick-to-pick estimated displacement was 10 cm in west, 69 cm in south and 22 cm in vertical directions. We then used strain anlysis to study coseismic surface deformation of the earthquake. Finite difference and finite element as two numerical solutions were applied in order to compute the strain tensors.Futhermore, dilation and shear parameters were derived using the strain tensors. Finite differences results showed the maximum expansion of 0.002 and maximum contraction of 0.003. The amounts of maximum shear in xy, xz and yz planes were estimated using finite differences method as 0.05, 0.1 and 0.049, respectively. The maximum expansion and contraction were computed as 0.006 and 0.005 respectively, using finite element approach. Moreover, the maximum shear in xy, xz and yz planes obtained by finite element method was 0.2, 0.4 and 0.19 respectively. Comparison of the two numerical methods shows that the numerical results obtained by the finite differences method are more accurate due to the use of more adjacent and more points to calculate the strain tensor. However,the results of both methods represent the changes and maximum expansion and contraction in the direction of faults proposed by after shock seismicity study of the earthquake. The concentration of the shear and dilution were observed in the central part of the island along the NW-SE oriented fault passing from central part of the island and also we have considerable amount of shear and dilation in the vicinity of Qeshm fault.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50829
Title: Spectral properties of volcanic materials from hyperspectral field and satellite data compared with LiDAR data at Mt. Etna
Author: Claudia Spinetti, Francesco Mazzarini, Ruggero Casacchia, Laura Colini,Marco Neri Boris Behncke, Rosamaria Salvatori, Maria Fabrizia Buongiorno, Maria Teresa Pareschi
Editor: Alfred Stein
Year: 2009
Publisher: Elsevier, Volume 11, issue 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Mt.Etna, Lava, Tephra, Reflectance spectra, Hyperion, LiDAR
Abstract: Spectral properties of volcanic materials in the optical region (350-2500 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum are analyzed. The goal is to characterize air -fall deposits, recent lava flows and old lava flows based on their spectral reflectance properties and on the textural characteristics (grain size) of pyroclastic deposits at an active basaltic volcano. Data were acquired during a spectroradiometric field survey at Mt. Etna (Italy) in summer 2003 and combined with hyperspectral satellite (Hyperion) and airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. In addition, air-fall deposits produced by the highly explosive 2002-2003 eruption have been sampled and spectrally characterized at different distances from the new vents. The spectral analysis shows that air-fall deposits are characterized by low reflectance values besides variations in grain size. This distinguishes them from other surface materials.Old lava flows show highest reflectance values due to weathering and vegetation cover. The spectral data set derived from the field survey has been compared to corrected satellite hyperspectral data in order to investigate the Hyperion capabilities to differentiate the surface cover using the reflectance properties. This has allowed us to identify the 2002-2003 air-fall deposits in a thematic image just few months after their emplacement. Moreover, the observed differences in the field spectra of volcanic surfaces have been compared with differences in the signal intensity detected by airborne LiDAR survey showing the possibility to include information on the texture of volcanic surfaces at Mt. Etna. The approach presented here may be particularly useful for remote and inaccessible volcanic areas and also represents a potentially powerful tool for the exploration of extraterrestrial vocanic surfaces.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 50828
Title: High spatial resolution image object classification for terrestrial oil spill contamination mapping in West Siberia
Author: S.Hese, C.Schmullius
Editor: Alfred Stein
Year: 2009
Publisher: Elsevier, Volume 11, issue 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Oil Spill, Siberia, Contamination mapping, Quickbird, object oriented
Abstract: This work is a part of the OSCaR pilot study (Oil Spill Contamination mapping in Russia). A synergetic concept for an object based and multi temporal mapping and classification system for terrestrial oil spill pollution using a test area in West Siberia is presented. An object oriented image classification system is created to map contaminated soils, vegetation and changes in the oil exploration well infrasturture in high resolution data. Due to the limited spectral resolution of Quickbird data context information and image object structure are used as additional features building a structural object knowledge base for the area. The distance of potentially polluted areas to industrial land use and infrastructure objects utilized to classify crude oil contaminated surfaces. Additionally the potential of Landsat data for dating of oil spill events using change indicators is tested with multi temporal Landsat data from 1987, 1995 and 2001. OSCaR defined three sub-projects: (1) high resolution mapping of crude oil contaminated surfaces, (2) mapping of industrial infrastructure change, (3) dating of oil spill events using multi temporal Landsat data. Validation of the contamination mapping results has been done with field data from Russian experts provided by the Yugra State University in Khanty- Mansiyskiy. The developed image object structure classification system has shown good results for the severly polluted areas with good overall classification accuracy. However it has also revealed the need for direct mapping of hydrocarbon substances. Oil spill event dating with Landsat data was very much limited by the low spatial resolution of Landsat TM 5 data, small scale character of oil spilled surfaces and limited information about oil spill dates.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None