Enhanced biodiesel and ß-carotene production in Rhodotorula pacifica INDKK using sugarcane bagasse and molasses by an integrated biorefinery framework.

Dependency on fossil fuels raises an economic and ecological concern that has urged to look for alternative sources of energy. Bio-refinery concept is one of the alternate frameworks for the biomass conversion into biofuel and other value-added by-products. The present work illustrates importance of an oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula pacifica INDKK in an integrated bio-refinery field by utilizing renewable sugars generated from lignocellulosic biomass. The maximum 11.8 g/L lipid titer, 210.4 mg/L ß-carotene and 7.1 g animal feed were produced by R. pacifica INDKK in bioreactor containing 5% (v/v) molasses supplemented with enzymatically hydrolyzed and alkali-pretreated sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (35% v/v). Furthermore, xylooligosaccharides (20.6 g/L), a beneficial prebiotics were also produced from the hemicellulosic fraction separated after alkali pretreatment of bagasse. This novel concept of integrated yeast bio-refinery for concomitant production of biodiesel and multiple value-added products with minimum waste generation is proposed as a sustainable and profitable process.

Chemical profile and therapeutic potentials of Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem.: A literature-based review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Historically, mangrove plants are among the potential sources of foods and remedies for humans living in the forests and nearby communities. Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem., an important mangrove medicinal plant, has been traditionally used for many purposes such as treatment of fever, dysentery, diarrhea, swelling, and abdominal disorders. The aim of the present work was to summarize the chemical reports and biological activities of the mangrove medicinal plant X. moluccensis based on information collected from different databases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An up-to-date search (till Aug 2019) was carried out in databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and various patient offices (e.g., WIPO, CIPO, USPTO) using the keywords: 'Xylocarpus moluccensis', and/or paired with 'ethnobotanical use', and 'phytochemical'. In vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo studies were included. RESULTS: Findings suggest that X. moluccensis contains various important minerals and phytochemicals, where flavonoids, terpenes and terpenoids are the most prominent isolated phyto-constituents of X. moluccensis. Extracts/fractions or isolated compounds from this plant possess diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antineoplastic, anti-diarrheal, insecticidal, anti-feedant, neuropharmacological (e.g., central nervous system depressant), anti-atherosclerotic, and lipid-lowering activity. Only one report suggests that the methanol and aqueous extracts of this plant did not exert cytotoxic effects on normal mouse fibroblast cells. However, no clinical studies were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Taken all together, X. moluccensis may be one of the best sources of pharmacologically active lead compounds. More research, however, is necessary to establish the safety and efficacy, and its toxicogenetic effects in animal models.

Redox responsive xylan-SS-curcumin prodrug nanoparticles for dual drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Chemotherapeutic agents with different anticancer mechanisms could enhance therapeutic effect in cancer therapy by their combined application. In this study, redox-sensitive prodrug nanoparticles based on Xyl-SS-Cur conjugate were developed for co-delivery of curcumin and 5-FU in cancer therapy. The Xyl-SS-Cur conjugate was synthesized via covalent conjugation of curcumin to xylan through a disulphide (-S-S-) linkage. The Xyl-SS-Cur conjugate could self-assemble in aqueous medium into nanoparticles and the lipophilic 5-fluorouracil-stearic acid (5-FUSA) prodrug was encapsulated into the hydrophobic core of Xyl-SS-Cur NPs through dialysis membrane method. The obtained Xyl-SS-Cur/5-FUSA NPs had an appropriate size (∼217 ±â€¯2.52 nm), high drug loading of curcumin (∼ 31.4 wt%) and 5-FUSA (∼ 11.8 wt%) and high stability. The interaction of Xyl-SS-Cur/5-FUSA NPs with blood components was investigated by hemolysis study. The cytotoxicity study demonstrated that Xyl-SS-Cur/5-FUSA NPs induced higher cytotoxicity than free drugs against the Human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29, HCT-15). These results indicate that Xyl-SS-Cur/5-FUSA NPs can serve as a promising drug delivery system in cancer therapy.

Amaranth seeds (Amaranthus palmeri L.) as novel feedstock for biodiesel production by oleaginous yeast.

The potential of lipid accumulation by oleaginous yeast Cryptococcus vishniaccii grown on amaranth seed aqueous extract (AAE) media was assessed. Maximum cell biomass productivity of 104 mg/L/h, lipid productivity of 54 mg/L/h, and lipid content of 52.31% were recorded on AAE when carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio increased from 134 to 147 after removal of ammonia nitrogen. The lipid droplet (LD) size (2.32 ± 0.38 µm) was visualized by fluorescence microscopy using Nile red stain indicating maximum accumulated triacylglycerol (TAG) at C:N 147. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile obtained after transesterification of extracted lipid revealed the presence of palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), and linoleic acid (18:2). Data showed the presence of high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content (68.17%) depicting improved winter operating conditions of biodiesel. Various quality parameters of biodiesel were evaluated and compared to the American and European biodiesel standards specifications. Based on the lipid productivity, distribution of fatty acids, and evaluated properties obtained; the lipid accumulation by C. vishniaccii utilizing amaranth seeds as substrate could serve as a feasible feedstock for biodiesel production.

Boosting accumulation of neutral lipids in Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae HIMPA1 grown on hemp (Cannabis sativa Linn) seed aqueous extract as feedstock for biodiesel production.

Hemp seeds aqueous extract (HSAE) was used as cheap renewable feedstocks to grow novel oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae HIMPA1 isolated from Himalayan permafrost soil. The yeast showed boosted triglyceride (TAG) accumulation in the lipid droplets (LDs) which were transesterified to biodiesel. The sonicated HSAE prepared lacked toxic inhibitors and showed enhanced total lipid content and lipid yield 55.56%, 8.39±0.57g/l in comparison to 41.92%, 6.2±0.8g/l from industrially used glucose synthetic medium, respectively. Supersized LDs (5.95±1.02µm) accumulated maximum TAG in sonicated HSAE grown cells were visualized by fluorescent BODIPY (505/515nm) stain. GC-MS analysis revealed unique longer carbon chain FAME profile containing Arachidic acid (C20:0) 5%, Behenic acid (C22:0) 9.7%, Heptacosanoic acid (C27:0) 14.98%, for the first time in this yeast when grown on industrially competent sonicated HSAE, showing more similarity to algal oils.