ID: 52282
Title: DNA-based fungal identification: First report of double infection of Alternaria tenuissima and Ampelomyces species on malformed pods of Acacia karoo in Namibia
Author: P.M.Chimwamurombe, I.Mapaure and M.S.Haufiku
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Acacia karoo, alternaria tenuissima, ampelomyces, pod malformation, internal transcribed spacer region
Abstract: Acacia karoo tree species has a wide distribution in Namibia. It is generally well adapted to the dry conditions that are present in Namibia. In addition to Acacia karoo, Acacia mellifera, Acacia hebeclada, Acacia erioloba, Acacia lulderitzii and Acacia hereroense are some of the commonest species. These species have a variety of uses, from industrial, medicinal, ornamental to ecological uses. Recently pods of Acacia karoo were observed to be malformed leading to decline of seed production of the trees. In addition, the malformed pods appeared in a variety of morphologies. The objective of this investigation was to pinpoint the identity of the causal agents of pod malformation as a dedicated first step towards design of effective control mechanisms to this disease that blocks the reproduction step of Acacia karoo life cycle. In order to determine the causal agents, fresh malformed pods from Acacia karoo, were sampled and single spore cultures were made. Pure cultures of two fungi were made from single spores. DNA was extracted from these pure cultures and used in an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) PCR used ITSI and ITS 2 primers. The PCR products were purified and sequenced. The sequences were used in BLAST searches to interrogate the Genbank for sequence similarity. High sequence similarity of 100% was obtained with Alternaria tenuissima and a similarity of 98% was observed with Ampelomyces species. From this work we can conclude that Alternaria tenuissima and Ampelomyces sp. are associated with Acacia karoo pod malformation. A new question again arises which of the two fungi is the culprit for malformation or is there double causation or synergistic interaction of the two fungi that leads to pod malformation. This can be answered by experimentation that is guided by Koch ' s postulates. Furthermore, the identity of insect vectors that carry the fungi from one flower to the other need to be determined.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52281
Title: Antibacterial activity of Bacillus megaterium leaf extract
Author: Santhrani Thaakur and Sandhya Rani Boddu
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Bacillus megaterium, antibacterial activity
Abstract: The antibacterial activity of methanolic leaf extract of Ervatamia heyneana was studied. Ervatamia heyneana is a small deciduous tree grown in southwest India. The plant is used for teh treatment of wounds, inflammation of the cornea, sore eyes and some skin diseases and is also used as emmenagogue, aphrodisiac, tonic, purgative; tonic to the brain, liver and spleen. The antimicrobial activity was screened by using broth dilution method and agar well diffusion method against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. The four bacterial species used in the test were Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus megaterium, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. The results indicated that the methanolic extract of Ervatamia heyneana showed antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. The length of inhibition zone was measured in millimeters from the millimeters from the edge of the well to the edge of the inhibition zone. The zones of inhibition exhibited by Ervatamia heyneana ranged between 13mm and 29mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by the extract ranged between 0.1 and 5 mg/mL. The methanolic extract of Ervatamia heyneana showed highest sensitivity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while lowest activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotics Penicillin and Streptomycin showed MIC values varying between 10 ?g/mL and 300 ?g/mL. The leaf extract was more active against gram negative bacteria than gram positive bacteria.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52280
Title: Alterations of cholinergic aspects during the development of behavioral tolerance to chlorpyrifos toxicity in albino rats
Author: S.Rajendra Prasad, A. Nagarjuna, S.Siraz Mohiyuddin, P.Ravi Sekhar and P.Jacob Doss
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Chlorpyrifos, cholinergic aspects, brain regions, albino rats
Abstract: The present study demonstrated that the alterations of cholinergic aspects in different brain regions of wistar strain albino rats during the development of behavior of tolerance t organophosphorus compound, chlorpyrifos toxicity. After the administration of chlorpyrifos (20 mg/kg body weight) as single, double and multiple doses with an interval of 48 hrs, even though the animals were behaviorally tolerated, the cholinergic aspects such as AChE, BuChE were not recovered towards controls.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52279
Title: Isolation, characterization and evalubation of Pseudomonas fluorescens against Sclerotium rolfsii as biocontrol agent
Author: C.N.Murugalakshmi, R. Anand and K.Bhuvaneswari
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Pseudomonas fluorescens, sclerotium rolfsii, dual plate method, antagonism
Abstract: The present investigation focuses on the screening of potential biocontrol agents against the stem rot pathogen of groundnut namely Sclerotium rolfsii. Among the two variety of antagonists screened namely P.fluorescens, isolated from rhizosphere of groundnut and P.fluorescens MTCC 1749, both species were very effective in controlling the growth of S.rolfsii both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Culture filtrate of Pseudomonas isolate and MTCC 1749 were more effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth, thereby causing reduction in dry mycelial weight of S.rolfsii. The outcome of this investigation was derived based on greenhouse experiments that confirm the antagonistic potential of the test biocontrol agents.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52278
Title: Clinical and biochemical evaluation of blood serum enzymes in osteofluorosis
Author: A.Shashi and Manish Kumar
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Alpha-amylase, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, osteofluorosis
Abstract: A case control study was undertaken among individuals residing in a fluoride affected area in Punjab, India. The patients of skeletal fluorosis were examined and compared with 24 age-matched controls for their serum enzymes activities of creatine kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl tranferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alpha-amylase. The activity of CK and GGT was elevated significantly (p<0.001) in all age groups as compared to controls. The levels of serum LDH activities in all age groups were higher than in the controls but only the differences for age groups 20-40 and 70-80 years were statistically significant (p<0.05-0.001). The patients of skeletal fluorosis showed non-significant differences in the activity of alpha-amylase in comparison controls subjects in all groups except in 40-50 years, where a significant (p<0.001) increase occurred.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52277
Title: Toxicology effect of fluoride on the rate testicular glycogen
Author: A.Shashi, S.Grewal and M.Bhardwaj
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Albino rats, fluoride, glycogen, sodium fluoride, spermatogenesis
Abstract: Male Sprague Dawley albino rats were divided into 9 experimental groups and one control. They were administered doses of 30, 45, and 75 mg NaF/kg bw/day for different intervals of time. The glycogen content showed an increase in experimental groups 1 to 6 treated with NaF for 6 to 19 days. Glycogen level was decreased in the experimental groups 7 to 9 treated with 30, 45 and 75 mg NaF for 30 days.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52276
Title: Studies on Streptococcal species from dental caries and antimicrobial studies using various plant root extracts
Author: G.Selvakumar and R.Senthilkumar
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Streptococci, Dental caries, Herbal root extracts
Abstract: Dental caries is a multifactorial pathological condition which involves a susceptible host, cariogenic biota and a cariogenic diet. The aim of the present study was to isolate the Streptococcal species from various age groups within 11-40 affected by dental caries and the use of antimicrobial tests using plant root extracts. Four species Streptococcus defectivus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus equinus were identified from decayed tooth samples. Among the four species S.mutans were predominantly present in mouth and decaying teeth. This might be due to the secretion of acids. Three plant root extracts Achyranthus aspera, Thespesia populania and Mentha sativa were selected to conduct antimicrobial tests against the isolated species. These tests revealed that the root extract of A. aspera against Streptococcus species was more effective than the other root extracts.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52275
Title: Antibacterial activity of Nigerian Honey: An in vitro study
Author: N.Frank-Peterside and O.Alu
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Nigerian honey, antibacterial activities
Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of honey from different locations in Nigeria (North, South, East and West) against Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sputum and wound swabs (collected from Niger Hospital and University of Port-Harcourt teaching Hospital all in Port Harcourt) were studied. The method employed was the well-in-agar diffusion assay, which involved the determination of antibacterial activity by measuring the zone of inhibition produced by the different honey samples. The results of these studies revealed antibacterial activity of all the honey samples against the test organisms, with activity increasing as the percentage concentration of honey increased. Honey from the East was found to be most potent against the test organisms by producing a larger zone of inhibition at all concentrations; this was followed by honey from the West, South and finally honey from the North.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52274
Title: Neuronal DNA damage and apoptosis in brain of rat exposed to fluoride
Author: A.Shashi, S.Neetika and M.Bhardwaj
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Apoptosis, DNA, neurocytochemical changes, phospholipids, Purkinje neurones, RNA
Abstract: This study reports neurocytochemical effect of fluoride on DNA damage and apoptosis in brain of rats exposed to 30, 45, and 75 mg NaF/kg bw/day for 35 days. There was accumulation of RNA in central region of cerebral cortex whereas DNA localized in outer regions. The molecular layer cells of cerebellum showed marked decline in DNA and RNA concentration, but the granular layer cells did not show much variation in the amount of nuclei acid in the different neurons, most of the Purkinje neurones exhibit apoptosis in brain of rats treated with 45 mg NaF/kg bw/day. The level of DNA was decreased in Purkinje neurones as weel as in hypertrophied neurones of granular layer in experimental rats given 75 mg NaF/kg bw/day. A decline in the phopholipid content in the cerebral cortex glial cells was observed in rats intoxicated with 30 mg Na F. In rats treated with 45 mg NaF/kg bw/day for 35 days, the phospholipids, content in all cellular parts of glial cells of cerebral cortex was increased. The darkly stained phospholipids granules were clearly visible. A further increase in the concentration of brain phospholipids was noted in rats treated with 75 mg NaF/kg bw/day.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52273
Title: Phytochemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) from Tamil Nadu, India
Author: P.A.Mary Helen, A.M.Nizzy and T.R.Jegatheesh
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Zingiber zerumbet, antimicrobial activity, GC/MS analysis
Abstract: Volatile oil from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet was isolated and characterized by GC-MS. Eleven compounds were identified and the major compounds Zerumbone (25.37%), ?-pinene (23.75%), Thujyl alcohol (15.7%) and Camphor (14.5%) are as the major constituents and this oil contains the minor constituents like 7-Oxabicyclo heptane (7.66%), 1,5,9-Decatriene (7.17%) and Linalyl acetate (3.65%) were identified. The antimicrobial activity of oil extract was tested against human and plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The oil showed significant inhibitory activity against the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (1.2cm), Lactococcus lactis (0.8 cm), and the fungus Aspergillus awomori (1.5 cm), Fusarium oxysporum (1.0 cm), Aspergillus accularatus (0.9 cm), Candida albicans (0.8 cm), Tricoderma viridae (0.8 cm), Rhodotorula sps (0.8 cm) and Aspergillus niger (0.6 cm). No inhibitory activity was observed against the bacteria, Bacillus cereus and E.coli.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52272
Title: Decolorization of spentwash by marine fungi: optimization of process parameters
Author: Nagaraj, M.Naik, K.S.Jagadeesh and S.G.Patil
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Decolorization, spentwash, aspergillus, pleurotus
Abstract: Out of 17 mangroove fungal isolates, K1 and Ku3 were found promising with significantly higher decolorization yields at all the concentrations of spentwash tested (20-70%). Based on conidial morphology and fruiting body formation, K1 was identified a Aspergillus sp. and KU3 as Pleurotus sp. The process parameters were optimized. Glucose @ 1.0 percent was found to be the best co-substrate for both the isolates. Yeast extract @ 1.0 percent was the optimum N source. Optimum pH and temperature for both fungi were 5.0 and 30oC, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the isolates decolorized 30 percent concentrated spentwash by 83 and 81 percent respectively in nine days.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52271
Title: Polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of yeast and filamentous fungi protoplasts: electron microscopic study
Author: Nivedita Singh and U.S.Bagde
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Volvariella diplasia, Williopsis saturnus, protoplast fusion, strain improvement
Abstract: The recent availability of ready-to-use and affordable DNA technology has resulted in an upsurge of interest in mushroom strain improvement using the techniques of genetic recombination that produce viable intergeneric crosses with the aid of protoplast fusion. In view of this, an effort has been made to develop simple and sensitive methods for the protoplast fusion of two distantly related fungal species, a basidiomycetous filamentous fungi Volvariella diplasia, a popular edible mushroom, with ascomyceteous yeast Williopsis saturnus to produce a resultant fusant that exhibits the desirable traits of both parents in terms of enhanced values of vitamins of the B group thiamine, riboflavin and niacin and protein content of the edible mushroom. Since the goal was the production of a basidiomycetous filamentous fungi containing some of the desirable characteristics of an ascomycetous yeast, protoplast fusion technology could be used successfully to circumvent the barriers to conventional cell fusion that normally do not allow crosses between distantly related and unrelated strains and introduction of foreign genetic information into the fungal cell.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52270
Title: Protoplasts of yeast Williopsis saturnus: formation, regeneration and fine structure
Author: Nivedita Singh and U.S.Bagde
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Williopsis saturnus, yeast, protoplast
Abstract: Spherical, osmotically sensitive protoplasts were efficiently isolated from young cells of yeast Williopsis saturnus by the lytic action of cell wall lysing enzyme Lyticase at a concentration of 0.25%. A variety of experimental conditions were investigated in order to achieve optimal conditions for viable protoplast formation and regeneration. Detailed analysis of different factors affecting the synthesis of protoplasts has been reported. The most suitable conditions for protoplasting have been optimized using 20 hour old culture and0.8M sorbitol as the most suitable osmotic stabilizer. Protoplast formation was spectrophotometrically estimated to be over 98% complete in the end of 90 minutes. Transmission electron micrographs detailed the protoplast ultrastructure and showed the preparations to be completely devoid of cell wall.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52269
Title: Preparation, regeneration and electron microscopy of mycelial protoplasts of Volvariella diplasia
Author: Nivedita Singh and U.S. Bagde
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Volvariella diplasia, Protoplast, electron microscopy
Abstract: We studied the formation and regeneration of viable protoplasts from the mycelia of Volvariella diplasia and optimized the experimental conditions. Several commercial lytic enzymes have been compared for their ability to liberate protoplasts from the mycelia. The composition of the liquid medium for cultivation, culture aging of the mycelium, the combination of lytic enzymes and osmotic stabilizers used had important effects on the isolation of the protoplasts. A mixture of commerically available cellulase, chitinase, lyticase and lysing enzymes (from Trichoderma harzianum) yielded protoplasts exceeding 4.9 x 107 protoplasts per ml of the reaction mixture within 3 hours. Transmission electron microscopic studies of the protoplasts revealed that these protoplasts were totally devoid of cell wall material.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52268
Title: Effect of pectolytic emzymes on clarification of selected fruit juices
Author: D.U.Gawai, R.P.Deshpande and G.D.Lonkar
Editor: P.K Wong, R.K. Trivedy, Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Global Science Publications, India, Vol 11, No 3, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Pectolytic enzymes, clarification, fruit juices, reducing sugar
Abstract: One of the problem encountered in preparation of fruit juice is cloudiness due to presence of pectin which is difficult to remove except by enzymatic epectinization. In the present investigations, five different fungal species were evaluated for clarification of fruit juices of pomegranate, sweet organe and pineapple. All the five fungi-Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium cladosporoides,Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium expansum were found to be pectolytic enzyme producers in vitro. The use of crude pectolytic enzymes resulted in significant clarification of fruit juices of pomegranate, sweet orange and pineapple. The pectolytic enzymes of Aspergillus niger gave more clarification as compared to pectolytic enzymes of Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium expansum in all the three fruit juices tested.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None