Medium optimization for the production of amylase by Bacillus subtilis RM16 in Shake-flask fermentation.

This study was carried out in shaking incubator and covers the optimization of culture conditions of Bacillus subtilis for the maximum production of amylase. Optimal activity was found to be 350 U ml(-1) when soluble starch was used as a substrate. Parameters taken into consideration to observe their effect on the optimum production of amylase include incubation time, incubation temperature, pH, inoculum size, carbon source, nitrogen source and metallic ions. All parameters were monitored in order to obtain high level of the enzyme units in cell-free broth. The established optimized conditions for Bacillus subtiliss train RM16 were found to be: incubation time 24 hours, temperature 40°C and pH 8.0. Inoculum size was 5%, starch (1%) as a carbon source while yeast extract (1.5%) as a nitrogen source. Magnesium ions (0.1%) exerted maximum stimulating effect for the production of amylase which can be further used at large scale applications.

Re description and molecular identification of Thalamita danae (Stimpson 1858) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) based on fresh material from the coastal waters, Pakistan.

Thalamita danae (Stimpson1858), re-described as a new report, based on an integrative taxonomy approach combining 16S rRNA partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA and morphological analyses was used for the accurate identification of specimens. The morphological and molecular analysis provides the confirm evidence of T. danae in coastal waters of Pakistan. Results were confirmed by amplification of partial sequences of 16S rRNA mt-DNA gene and the sequence was searched for similarity using BLASTn (Basic Local Alignment Tool), the result showed 97% sequence similarity with partial sequences of T. danae Stimpson, 1858 as obtained from gene bank. The attained sequence was submitted to gene bank after confirmation of genetic and morphological similarity. High sequence similarity with accession no: FJ152165.1 indicated, that misidentification of species does not occur.