Kinetics of dye decolorization using heterogeneous catalytic system with immobilized Achromobacter xylosoxidans DDB6.

Textile effluents containing toxic dyes must be treated effectively before discharge to prevent adverse environmental impacts. Traditional physical and chemical treatment methods are costly and generate secondary pollutants. In contrast, biological treatment is a more suitable, clean, versatile, eco-friendly, and cost-effective technique for treating textile effluent. It is well established that indigenous microbial populations present in effluents can effectively degrade toxic dyes. In this regard, Achromobacter xylosoxidans DDB6 was isolated from the effluent sample to decolorize crystal violet (CV), Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB), and alizarin red (AR) by 67.20%, 28.58%, and 20.41%, respectively. The growth parameters of A. xylosoxidans DDB6 in media supplemented with 100 ppm of various dyes were determined using the modified Gompertz growth model. The immobilized cells in calcium alginate beads showed apparent decolorization rate constant of 0.27, 0.18, and 0.13 h-1 for CV, CBB, and AR, respectively. The immobilized cells in a packed bed reactor with an optimum flow rate of 0.5 mL/min were used to treat 100 ppm of CV with a percentage decolorization of 79.47% after three cycles. Based on the findings, A. xylosoxidans DDB6 could be effectively used for decolorization of various dyes.

Biosynthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite and its composite (hydroxyapatite-gelatin-chitosan-fibrin-bone ash) for bone tissue engineering applications.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioactive and biocompatible material possessing osteoconductive properties used widely in the biomedical sector. In the present study, synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) using a Klebsiella pneumoniae SM24 (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) isolated from the slaughterhouse. HAp synthesized using biological source showed efficient and positive enzymatic activity in the National Botanical Research Institute Phosphate Medium (NBRIP). Characterization of HAp using FTIR revealed the presence of phosphate group hydroxyapatite and XRD spectra showed polycrystalline nature. The morphological characterization of HAp using FESEM revealed the mesoporous structure and EDX spectrum indicated presence of Ca and P as the major components. In addition, a new bone composite was prepared using the synthesized HAp, Gelatine (G), Chitosan (C), Fibrin (F) and Bone ash (HApGCF) using Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) solution. The confirmation of chemical and structural characteristics of HApGCF bone composite was achieved using FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses. The HApGCF bone composite was tested over osteoblast MG-63 cells showing effective biocompatibility and osteoblast attachment on the composite surface. Therefore, the present report proposes the in vitro application of HApGCF bone composite as a replacement for major bone damage and injury in a biocompatible and non-toxic way.

Prevalence of mutations in genes associated with isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from re-treated smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of isoniazid (INH) monoresistance is high in India. In this study, molecular epidemiological characteristics associated with INH resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in codon katG315 and in the promoter region of the inhA gene were investigated. METHODS: Sputum specimens of smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients were subjected to GenoType MTBDRplus assay to identify katG and inhA mutations in M. tuberculosis. In addition to the current study, 17 publications assessed 14100 genotypically resistant M. tuberculosis isolates for mutations in katG inclusive of codon 315. RESULTS: In total, 1821 (11.8%) of 15438 INH-resistant strains had detectable mutations: 71.0% in katG315 and 29.0% in the inhA promoter region. The prevalence of IHN monoresistance was 89.1% in the economically-active age group, 0.4% in the paediatric age group and 10.5% in those aged >60years; the rate in males and females was 12.0% and 10.8%, respectively. Meta-analysis derived a pooled katGS315T resistant TB prevalence of 67.3% (95% CI 59.3-75.4%) with Q=732.19, I2=98.35% and P=0.000 for treated TB cases. CONCLUSION: INH resistance was spread widely and transmission of INH-resistant isolates, especially with katG315T mutation, was confirmed. Therefore, it is important to diagnose katG315T mutants among INH-resistant strains as it may be a risk factor for subsequent development of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Prompt detection of patients with INH-resistant strains would expedite modification of treatment regimens, and appropriate infection control measures could be taken in time to diminish the risk of further development and transmission of MDR-TB.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetase with a unique iterative-alternative-optional mechanism catalyzes amonabactin synthesis in Aeromonas.

Based on the exploration of data generated by genome sequencing, a bioinformatics approach has been chosen to identify the biosynthetic pathway of the siderophores produced by Aeromonas species. The amonabactins, considered as a virulence factor, represent a family of four variants of catechol peptidic siderophores containing Dhb, Lys, Gly, and an aromatic residue either Trp or Phe in a D-configuration. The synthesis operon is constituted of seven genes named amoCEBFAGH and is iron-regulated. The cluster includes genes encoding proteins involved in the synthesis and incorporation of the Dhb monomer, and genes encoding specific nonribosomal peptide synthetases, which are responsible for the building of the peptidic moiety. The amonabactin assembly line displays a still so far not described atypical mode of synthesis that is iterative, alternative, and optional. A disruption mutant in the adenylation domain of AmoG was unable to synthesize any amonabactin and to grow in iron stress conditions while a deletion of amoH resulted in the production of only two over the four forms. The amo cluster is widespread among most of the Aeromonas species, only few species produces the enterobactin siderophore.

Evaluation of bioactive potential of an Aloe vera sterol extract.

We prepared a crude gel material from Aloe vera succulent leaf tissues. The ethanolic extract of lyophilized A. vera gel was used for the GC-MS analysis. Hexadecanoic acid (22.22%) was identified as major compound. Sitosterol and stigmasterol were found to be 2.89% and 2.1% in the extract. HPLC analysis was carried out to confirm the presence of stigmasterol. The concentration of sterol extract needed to scavenge DPPH free radical by 50% was calculated as 5.2 mg mL(-1). In the FRAP assay, the sterol extract showed significant hydroxyl radical scavenging in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value 1.17 µg mL(-1)). Concentration of the sample required to reduce lipid peroxidation was found to be 4.18 µg mL(-1), and the extract also possessed acetylcholinesterase activity (IC50 - 5.26 µg mL(-1)). Catalase activity was 0.196 µM H2 O2 decomposed min(-1) µg(-1) protein, whereas the peroxidase activity was 17.01 µM of pyragallol oxidized min(-1) µg(-1) protein. The extract recorded higher activity against growth of S. greseus and C. albicans in the experiments carried out to determine antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively.

Occurrence of Aeromonas hydrophila in acute gasteroenteritis among children.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The interest on the occurrence multidrug resistance and pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila is increasing worldwide since it causes gasteroenteritis to children. Though reports on the occurrence of gasteroenteritis among children due to A. hydrophila in Tamil Nadu are available from certain areas, no information is available from Coimbatore. Hence, this study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of the pathogenic A. hydrophila in diarrhoeal stool of children, particularly in Coimbatore region. METHODS: Isolation and identification of A. hydrophila was carried out from stool samples collected from children with acute diarrhoea. Multiple antibiotic resistance was determined by disc diffusion method. The pathogenicity of A. hydrophila was confirmed by production of haemolysin, protease and slime. RESULTS: Of the 216 samples, 21 (9.7%) were positive for A. hydrophila. Among them 20 isolates were resistant to bacitracin. Most of the isolates showed multiple antibiotic resistance. Among the 21 isolates, protease and haemolysin producers were 100 and 95 per cent respectively. About 76 per cent of the isolates produced slime. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicated the presence of pathogenic A. hydrophila in the study area causing diarrhoea among children.