Laser induced structural phase transformation of cobalt oxides nanostructures.

Face-centered-cubic (fcc) and hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) phases of cobalt monoxide (CoO) nanostructures are prepared using thermolysis route at the same reaction temperature 296 degrees C with synthetic approach conditions. These nanostructures show mixture of nearly spherical and nanoflake morphologies. The structural phases of these nanostructures transform to spinel-Co3O4 by application of heat or Raman excitation laser beam power. The absorbance spectra of fcc and hcp-CoO and Co3O4 nanostructures yield significantly higher values of band gap which can be explained by electron confinement. Such results provide new opportunities for optimizing and enhancing the properties and performance of cobalt oxide nanomaterial.

Growth promoting effects of some lichen metabolites on probiotic bacteria.

In the present study, the extract of four natural lichen species Canoparmelia eruptens, Everniastrum cirrhatum, Parmotrema austrosinense and Rimelia cetrata were studied for the source of natural antioxidant and their purified secondary metabolites were evaluated for growth promoting effects on probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus casei. The methanolic fraction of lichen species showed moderate to high antioxidant activity in the order P. austrosinense > E. cirrhatum > C. eruptens > R. cetrata. The lichen metabolites showed antioxidant activity with an IC50 values (µg/ml); lecanoric acid 79-95, salazinic 88-108, atranorin 100-116 and consalazinic acid 119-125. As far as the growth promoting effects of lichen metabolites on L. casei is concerned, lecanoric acid at 100 µg/ml conc. showed high growth stimulating activity in terms of increased dry matter of biomass (56.08 mg) of L. casei. Other lichen metabolites; salazinic acid, atranorin and consalazinic acid produced relatively less dry biomass 43.98 mg, 41.1 mg, 40.68 mg, respectively. However, standard antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Trolox after 36 h produced 39.04-47.81 mg dry biomass. At lower pH the growth promoting activity of lichen metabolites was found stable.

Tailoring magnetism in spinel vanadate CoV2O4epitaxial thin films.

Near itinerant cubic bulk CoV2O4is at variance with other spinel vanadates by not showing orbital ordering down to low temperature, albeit it displays fragile anomalies related to spin, and lattice structure, signaling a spin/orbital glass transition around 95 K. We investigate tetragonal-like epitaxial CoV2O4films on SrTiO3and (La0.3Sr0.7)(Al0.65Ta0.35)O3substrates that exhibit pronounced signature of spin reorientation transition from toa/bplane around 90 K unlike its bulk counterpart. Using in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic measurements, we demonstrate the intricate link between Co2+and V3+sublattice magnetizations that give rise to anisotropic magnetic switching. In-plane magnetic measurements reveal a wasp-waist shapedM(H) loop below reorientation transition temperature, while the out-of-plane follows antiferromagnet-likeM(H) response. The wasp-waist shaped feature could be linked to in-plane spin-canted (anti)ferromagnetism induced by canting away of V-spins away from antiferromagnetically coupled Co-spin direction below reorientation transition temperature. Further, we uncover the evidence for slow relaxation over a period of ∼104 s at 20 K and memory effect that indicates the possible existence for magnetic glassy phase in the low temperature regime. Using epitaxial strain as a control knob, our results inspire future study to manipulate orbital states, spin texture and itinerant electron character in tailored CoV2O4films away from cubic lattice symmetry.

Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of some cultured lichens.

The lichen species namely Usnea ghattensis, Heterodermia podocarpa, Arthothelium awasthii and Parmotrema tinctorum have been cultured in vitro and were screened for their antioxidant and antibacterial potential using different assay systems. The methanol extract of lichens showed antioxidant and antibacterial activities according to the order U. ghattensis>A. awasthii>H. podocarpa>P. tinctorum. The IC(50) values for the antioxidant activities of U. ghattensis and A. awasthii are less or equivalent to that of standard antioxidants. The methanolic extracts of the mycobiont and photobiont cultures of lichenU. ghattensis and A. awasthii were effective against Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was found between 5 and 10microg extract/ml. The results suggested that the extract of mycobiont and photobiont cultures of lichen U. ghattensis and A. awasthii could be of use as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial properties for the possible food supplement or in the pharmaceutical industry.

Effect of processing temperature on Eudragit RS PO microsphere characteristics in the solvent evaporation process.

Eudragit RS PO microspheres containing stavudine as a model drug were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using acetone liquid paraffin system. The influence of processing temperature: 10, 30 and 40 degrees C on various parameters like particle shape, size distribution, drug loading, drug polymer interaction and release kinetic were studied. It was found that at lower temperature (10 degrees C) small particles of irregular size, rough and wrinkled surface were formed, whereas higher temperature gradually increases the particle size as well as improves the shape and smoothness of microspheres. It was found that temperature had no effect on encapsulation efficiency and drug polymer compatibility. Drug release rate from microspheres were found to be a function of mean particle size distribution.

Microbial cellulases - Diversity & biotechnology with reference to mangrove environment: A review.

Cellulose is an abundant natural biopolymer on earth, found as a major constituent of plant cell wall in lignocellulosic form. Unlike other compounds cellulose is not easily soluble in water hence enzymatic conversion of cellulose has become a key technology for biodegradation of lignocellulosic materials. Microorganisms such as aerobic bacteria, fungi, yeast and actinomycetes produce cellulase that degrade cellulose by hydrolysing the ß-1, 4-glycosidic linkages of cellulose. In contrast to aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria lack the ability to effectively penetrate into the cellulosic material which leads to the development of complexed cellulase systems called cellulosome. Among the different environments, the sediments of mangrove forests are suitable for exploring cellulose degrading microorganisms because of continuous input of cellulosic carbon in the form of litter which then acts as a substrate for decomposition by microbe. Understanding the importance of cellulase, the present article overviews the diversity of cellulolytic microbes from different mangrove environments around the world. The molecular mechanism related to cellulase gene regulation, expression and various biotechnological application of cellulase is also discussed.

Phosphate solubilization and acid phosphatase activity of Serratia sp. isolated from mangrove soil of Mahanadi river delta, Odisha, India.

Phosphorus is an essential element for all life forms. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria are capable of converting phosphate into a bioavailable form through solubilization and mineralization processes. Hence in the present study a phosphate solubilizing bacterium, PSB-37, was isolated from mangrove soil of the Mahanadi river delta using NBRIP-agar and NBRIP-BPB broth containing tricalcium phosphate as the phosphate source. Based on phenotypic and molecular characterization, the strain was identified as Serratia sp. The maximum phosphate solubilizing activity of the strain was determined to be 44.84 µg/ml, accompanied by a decrease in pH of the growth medium from 7.0 to 3.15. During phosphate solubilization, various organic acids, such as malic acid (237 mg/l), lactic acid (599.5 mg/l) and acetic acid (5.0 mg/l) were also detected in the broth culture through HPLC analysis. Acid phosphatase activity was determined by performing p-nitrophenyl phosphate assay (pNPP) of the bacterial broth culture. Optimum acid phosphatase activity was observed at 48 h of incubation (76.808 U/ml), temperature of 45 °C (77.87 U/ml), an agitation rate of 100 rpm (80.40 U/ml), pH 5.0 (80.66 U/ml) and with glucose as a original carbon source (80.6 U/ml) and ammonium sulphate as a original nitrogen source (80.92 U/ml). Characterization of the partially purified acid phosphatase showed maximum activity at pH 5.0 (85.6 U/ml), temperature of 45 °C (97.87 U/ml) and substrate concentration of 2.5 mg/ml (92.7 U/ml). Hence the present phosphate solubilizing and acid phosphatase production activity of the bacterium may have probable use for future industrial, agricultural and biotechnological application.

Experimental studies on the growth and usnic acid production in "lichen"Usnea ghattensis in vitro.

The study was aimed to optimize the culture conditions for the production of usnic acid in the cultured cell aggregates composed of symbionts in lichen Usnea ghattensis in vitro. The cultured lichen tissue composed of symbionts appeared after about 2-3 weeks of inoculation in water-agar and malt-yeast extract (MYE) media and shown the production of usnic acid after 2-3 months of inoculation. However, the growth of symbionts was strongly affected by different culture conditions. The addition of excess carbon and nitrogen sources in the media has significantly enhanced the growth as well as usnic acid content. The cultured symbionts in MYE medium having 4% sucrose, 4% polyethyl glycol (PEG) gave 7.63 g dry biomass with 3.9 microg usnic acid/g dry biomass. In water-agar medium having 4% sucrose and 4% PEG gave 3.08 g dry biomass with 1.11 microg usnic acid/g dry biomass. The positive effects of medium on the growth of symbionts and the production of usnic acid are seemed to be due to nutritional factors.

Tissue-culture of selected species of the Graphis lichen and their biological activities.

The results on the biological activities of the in vitro culture of Graphis guimarana, G. nakanishiana and G. schizograpta lichen are reported. The methanolic extracts of natural thalli and their cultures were found to inhibit tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase and to scavenge superoxide.

Effect of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 crystal structures on magnetization of (1 1 1) oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3-SrRuO3 superlattices.

A series of superlattices consisting of 15 bilayers of ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) and SrRuO3 (SRO) were grown with either stacking order on (1 1 1) oriented SrTiO3 (STO) substrates using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The Raman spectra of these superlattices show the existence of rhombohedral and orthorhombic crystal structures of LSMO in (111)STO/[11-unit cell (u.c.) LSMO/n-u.c. SRO]X15 superlattices with n = 2 and 3. Interestingly, the Raman spectra of (1 1 1)STO/[11-u.c. SRO/n-u.c. LSMO]X15 superlattices with n = 2 and 3 show only the orthorhombic structure of LSMO. The (1 1 1)STO/[11-u.c. LSMO/n-u.c. SRO]X15 superlattices exhibit enhanced magnetization with weak antiferromagnetic coupling whereas reduced magnetization with strong antiferromagnetic coupling is observed in (1 1 1)STO/[11-u.c. SRO/n-u.c. LSMO]X15 superlattices. The observed magnetic properties of these superlattices can be explained by the interfacial structural coupling, as evident from their Raman spectra which suggest a modification in the stereochemistry of Mn at the interfaces.

Genotoxic potential of an organophosphate insecticide, phosphamidon (dimecron): an in vivo study in mice.

The genotoxic effect of phosphamidon in mice in an in vivo test system was investigated by 3 different assays: chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and sperm-shape abnormality. The chemical was administered to groups of mice via 3 routes (i.p., p.o. and s.c.), acutely in 3 dose regimens (5, 4 and 3 mg/kg) and subacutely or chronically (5 X 1 mg/kg). The animals were sacrificed at different times: after 6, 24, 48 and 120 h for chromosomal aberration, 30 h for micronucleus and 35 days for sperm-shape abnormality. Significant effects were observed in all assays. Chronic exposure to fractionated doses induced less effect than the equivalent acute dose. The results were dose- as well as time-responsive and indicated the genetic peril of phosphamidon in the present, in vivo system.

Relative genotoxicity of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as revealed by different cytogenetic assays: bone marrow chromosome aberration, micronucleus and sperm-head abnormality in the mouse.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has been tested for mutagenicity in a mouse in vivo system. Three different cytogenetic assays--bone marrow chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and sperm-head abnormalities--have been carried out. Swiss mice have been treated with the chemical, administered via different routes (i.p. and p.o.), and in three acute and/or fractionated doses (5 consecutive daily) equivalent to the highest acute dose, and their cells sampled at different intervals. A variety of anomalies, occurring in higher percentages compared to controls, was observed in all cases. Comparison between single and fractionated dosing revealed the single dosing to be more effective cytogenetically. The results were route and time-dependent but not dose-responsive (exclusive of gaps). The relative sensitivity of the assays has been found to be: chromosome aberration greater than sperm-head abnormality greater than micronucleus. The results revealed the genotoxic property of TCA in the present test system.

Studies on the genotoxicity of asataf (acephate), an organophosphate insecticide, in a mammalian in vivo system.

The genotoxic potential of asataf (acephate) was evaluated by a battery of in vivo tests: bone marrow chromosome aberrations, micronucleus, sperm-shape abnormality and dominant lethal tests in mice. A significant enhancement in the percentage of chromosome aberrations was noticed in 3 doses, 3 routes and 3 h after asataf treatment of groups of mice as well as in chronic (sub-acute) treatment. A significant difference in the occurrence of micronuclei was found only at the highest dose whereas all the results of the sperm-shape abnormality test were highly significant. In the dominant lethal mutagenicity assay only the result (dead implants) of a single week (3rd) with the higher dose differed significantly from control. On the basis of the present in vivo results in mouse test systems asataf may be considered to be a potential mutagen.

Genotoxic effect of isoproturon (herbicide) as revealed by three mammalian in vivo mutagenic bioassays.

Genotoxic effect of isoproturon was assessed by employing in vivo chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and sperm-shape abnormality assays. A significant dose-responsive mutagenic effect was observed in chromosome aberration and sperm-shape abnormality tests whereas in micronucleus assay the effect was significant only at the highest dose (200 mg/kg). Only the result for the chronic dose and the two different fixation times (6 and 48 hr) were not statistically significant. The results indicate the genotoxic property of isoproturon in mammalian in vivo test system.

Studies on nutritional requirement for the culture of lichen Ramalina nervulosa and Ramalina pacifica to enhance the production of antioxidant metabolites.

In the present report, nutritional requirement for the culture of two lichen species Ramalina nervulosa and Ramalina pacifica were studied in order to enhance their growth rate and antioxidant metabolite production. Extract of R. nervulosa cultured in Bold's basal medium (BBM) showed higher antioxidant activity than R. pacifica cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The lichen species were sub-cultured in standardized nutrient media. R. nervulosa in BBM (1% glucose, 50 ppb asparagines, pH 6.5) yielded 2.76 g biomass with 26.18 mg sekikaic acid, 24.32 mg usnic acid/g dry biomass in a period of 60 days. R. pacifica in MS media (3% sucrose, 100 ppb thiamine, pH 5.9) yielded 3.54 g biomass and 58.92 mg salazinic acid, 40.16 mg usnic acid in the same time period. The standardized culture conditions implemented on bioreactor, R. nervulosa yielded 17.7 g biomass with the production of sekikaic acid 122.8 mg, usnic acid 75.4 mg in 4.5 days. R. pacifica produced 10.3 g biomass along with salazinic acid 200 mg and usnic acid 136.8 mg in the same duration. Lichen secondary metabolites produced in bioreactor showed moderate antioxidant activity; sekikaic acid 42% to 56.4%; salazinic acid 33.6% to 41.9% and usnic acid 19.9% to 29.5%.

Protoplast isolation from cultured lichen Usnea ghattensis, their fusion with protoplasts of Aspergillus nidulans, fusant regeneration and production of usnic acid.

Protoplasts isolated from the mycobiont of a cultured lichen Usnea ghattensis were fused with protoplasts of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans in order to increase the growth rate of the cultured lichen mycobiont in vitro. The maximum protoplast yield (102 x 10(4)/g fresh cell mass) was reached in citrate buffer with 50 mmol/L 2-sulfanylethanol ('2-mercaptoethanol') containing 0.1 % Novozym after 1.5 h at pH 5 and

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of a lichen Usnea ghattensis in vitro.

Antioxidative and hepatoprotective activity of a cultured lichen Usnea ghattensis has been studied. The methanolic extract of cultured lichen U. ghattensis showed good antioxidant activity by preventing lipid peroxidation by 67% and 86% in Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity at 20 microg/ml. It also showed superoxide, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, 89%, 89.6%, 94.8%, and 89.6%, respectively, and found levels higher then that known for the synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisol, and quercetin at 20 microg/ml concentration. The cultured lichen extract also showed hepatoprotection against ethanol-induced toxicity in the mice liver slice culture model by a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, along with a decrease in lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase release.

Tissue culture of some lichens and screening of their antioxidant, antityrosinase and antibacterial properties.

Lichen species Usnea ghattensis, Heterodermia podocarpa, Arthothelium awasthii and Parmotrema tinctorum have been cultured in vitro and screened for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and antityrosinase potential using different assay systems. The methanol extract of lichens showed antioxidant, antimicrobial and antityrosinase activities according to the order Usnea ghattensis > Arthothelium awasthii > Heterodermia podocarpa > Parmotrema tinctorum. The IC(50) values for the antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of U. ghattensis and A. awasthii were less than or equivalent to that of standard antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors. The methanol extracts of the lichen cultures Usnea ghattensis and Arthothelium awasthii were effective against Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was found to be between 5 and 10 microg extract/mL. The results suggested that the extract of lichen cultures, U. ghattensis and A. awasthii, could be of use as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants, tyrosinase inhibitory and antimicrobial properties as possible food supplements or in the pharmaceutical industry.