Impaired brain equanimity and neurogenesis in the diet-induced overweight mouse: a preventive role by syringic acid treatment.

OBJECTIVES: In this study mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish diet-induced obesity and syringic acid (SA) was assessed for anti-obese, neuroprotective, and neurogenesis. METHOD: Animals were given HFD for 12 weeks to measure metabolic characteristics and then put through the Barns-maze and T-maze tests to measure memory. Additionally, the physiology of the blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress parameters, the expression of inflammatory genes, neurogenesis, and histopathology was evaluated in the brain. RESULT: DIO raised body weight, BMI, and other metabolic parameters after 12 weeks of overfeeding. A reduced spontaneous alternation in behavior (working memory, reference memory, and total time to complete a task), decreased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, oxidative biomarkers, increased neurogenesis, and impaired blood-brain barrier were all seen in DIO mice. SA (50 mg/kg) treatment of DIO mice (4 weeks after 8 weeks of HFD feeding) reduced diet-induced changes in lipid parameters associated with obesity, hepatological parameters, memory, blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurogenesis. SA also reduced the impact of malondialdehyde and enhanced the effects of antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total thiol (MDA). Syringic acid improved neurogenesis, cognition, and the blood-brain barrier while reducing neurodegeneration in the hippocampal area. DISCUSSION: According to the results of the study, syringic acid therapy prevented neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, DIO, and memory loss. Syringic acid administration may be a useful treatment for obesity, memory loss, and neurogenesis, but more research and clinical testing is needed.

Anti-obesity potentiality of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E2_MCCKT isolated from a fermented beverage, haria: a high fat diet-induced obese mice model study.

Obesity is a growing epidemic worldwide. Several pharmacologic drugs are being used to treat obesity but these medicines exhibit side effects. To find out the alternatives of these drugs, we aimed to assess the probiotic properties and anti-obesity potentiality of a lactic acid bacterium E2_MCCKT, isolated from a traditional fermented rice beverage, haria. Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing, the bacterium was identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E2_MCCKT. The bacterium exhibited in vitro probiotic activity in terms of high survivability in an acidic environment and 2% bile salt, moderate auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity. Later, E2_MCCKT was applied to obese mice to prove its anti-obesity potentiality. Adult male mice (15.39 ± 0.19 g) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 5) according to the type of diet: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with E2_MCCKT (HFT). After four weeks of bacterial treatment on the obese mice, a significant reduction of body weight, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, whereas, improvements in serum glucose levels were observed. The bacterial therapy led to mRNA up-regulation of lipolytic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α which may increase the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as acyl-CoA oxidase and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase-1. Concomitantly, both adipocytogenesis and fatty acid synthesis were arrested as reflected by the down-regulation of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase genes. In protein expression study, E2_MCCKT significantly increased IL-10 expression while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1Ra and TNF-α) expression. In conclusion, the probiotic Lp. plantarum E2_MCCKT might have significant anti-obesity effects on mice.

Amelioration of obesity induction by a high-fat diet and related inflammation by Phasa fish (Setipinna phasa) oil in BALB/c mice.

We have extracted and characterized Phasa fish (Setipinna phasa) oil for the first time to evaluate the anti-obesity and related anti-inflammatory effects on obese mice. Inbred male albino BALB/c mice were segregated into three categories: control (C), Obese control group (OC), and Phasa fish oil treated group (TX). To establish the potentiality of Setipinna phasa oil for its anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties, it was extracted and characterized using GC-MS method. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect, different parameters were considered, such as body weight, lipid composition, obesity, and obesity associated inflammation. The physicochemical characteristics of Phasa fish oil revealed that the oil quality was good because acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, Totox value, refractive index, and saponification value were within the standard value range. The GC-MS study explored the presence of fatty acids beneficial to health such as Hexadec-9-enoic acid; Octadec-11-enoic acid; EPA, DHA, Methyl Linolenate, etc. The application of Setipinna phasa oil on the treated mice group acutely lowered body weight and serum lipid profile compared to the obese group. In connection with this, leptin, FAS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α genes expression were downregulated in the treated group compared to the obese group. The Phasa oil treated group had an elevated expression of PPAR-α, adiponectin, LPL gene, and anti-inflammatory markers IL-10 and IL-1Ra compared to the obese group. This study suggests that Phasa fish oil, enriched with essential fatty acid, might be used as an anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory supplement.

Hunt for α-amylase from metagenome and strategies to improve its thermostability: a systematic review.

With the advent of green chemistry, the use of enzymes in industrial processes serves as an alternative to the conventional chemical catalysts. A high demand for sustainable processes for catalysis has brought a significant attention to hunt for novel enzymes. Among various hydrolases, the α-amylase has a gamut of biotechnological applications owing to its pivotal role in starch-hydrolysis. Industrial demand requires enzymes with thermostability and to ameliorate this crucial property, various methods such as protein engineering, directed evolution and enzyme immobilisation strategies are devised. Besides the traditional culture-dependent approach, metagenome from uncultured bacteria serves as a bountiful resource for novel genes/biocatalysts. Exploring the extreme-niches metagenome, advancements in protein engineering and biotechnology tools encourage the mining of novel α-amylase and its stable variants to tap its robust biotechnological and industrial potential. This review outlines α-amylase and its genetics, its catalytic domain architecture and mechanism of action, and various molecular methods to ameliorate its production. It aims to impart understanding on mechanisms involved in thermostability of α-amylase, cover strategies to screen novel genes from futile habitats and some molecular methods to ameliorate its properties.

Extraction of chitin from Litopenaeus vannamei shell and its subsequent characterization: an approach of waste valorization through microbial bioprocessing.

Chemical extraction of chitin is very hazardous and costly which can be overwhelmed by microbial bioprocessing. In this study, potent protease and lactic acid-producing bacteria were screened and identified as Alcaligens faecalis S3 and Bacillus coagulans L2, respectively. Productions of protease and lactic acid by the respective bacterial strains were optimized. The shell of Litopenaeus vannamei was sequentially treated with the partially purified protease and lactic acid and the treatment conditions were optimized for betterment of chitin yield. Spectral characterization by SEM-EDS, IR, XRD, NMR, XPS and thermal characterization by TG and DTG analysis of the extracted chitin was made and compared with commercial one. It was revealed that both the chitin have similar characteristics. Therefore, it can be articulated that chitin can be extracted from crustacean shells in pure form by microbial bioprocessing which will be a good catch for biorefinary industries for chitin extraction through greener route.

Multipotent antioxidant and antitoxicant potentiality of an indigenous probiotic Bifidobacterium sp. MKK4.

Probiotic bacteria are now becoming an effective natural medicine for alleviating many non-communicable lifestyle-related diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and antitoxicant properties of a foodborne probiotic Bifidobacterium sp. MKK4 and its rice fermented beverage. The extracts of culture broth, whole cells, fermented beverage, and it's heat-inactivated counterparts subjected to in vitro antioxidant/antiradical assays by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP analysis. Except for heat-inactivated states, all samples exhibited strong antioxidant activity. In the experimental rat model, both Bifidobacterium sp. MKK4 and its rice fermented beverage significantly prevented arsenic toxicity by inducing a higher level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione and preventing lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA fragmentation, and transmembrane mitochondrial potential. Besides, the organism supported systematic protection by improving the level of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, and uric acid. The inherent antioxidant nature of the isolate can be exploited as an ingredient in functional food and an effective antidote against arsenic toxicity.

Therapeutic potential of different commercially available synbiotic on acetaminophen-induced uremic rats.

BACKGROUND: Currently kidney disease appears a foremost problem across the world. Acetaminophen is a commonly used antipyretic agent, which in high doses, causes uremia and used for experimentally induction of kidney disease. Bacteriotherapy affords a promising approach to mitigate uremic toxins by ingestion of urease positive bacteria, probiotics and symbiotic able to catabolize uremic solutes within the gut. The present study evaluates the effect of seven commercial symbiotic on kidney disease. METHODS: Fifty-four albino male rats were randomly divided into nine groups. Control group (Group-I) received distilled water interperitoneally for 7 days. Positive control group (Group-II) received 500 mg/kg acetaminophen interperitoneally for 7 days. Commercially available seven symbiotic combinations at a dose of 10(9)cells/day for 3 weeks was administered to the tested groups (Group III-IX) after receiving 500 mg/kg/day acetaminophen interperitoneally for 7 days. Blood, kidney, liver and stool samples were collected after scarification for biochemical tests and DNA fragmentation assay of kidney tissue, kidney histological studies. Limited fecal analysis was conducted. RESULT: Blood urea nitrogen and toxicity indicators were increased, and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in Group-II. Blood urea nitrogen, toxicity indicators, glomerular necrosis, DNA damage of kidney tissue were reduced, and antioxidant enzymes were increased significantly in the treated Groups IV and IX (p < 0.05) in response to Group-II. Number of pathogenic bacteria decreased in synbiotic treated groups than Group I and II. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that some of commercial symbiotic combination can reduce the sever effect of kidney disease.

Thermodynamics and kinetic properties of halostable endoglucanase from Aspergillus fumigatus ABK9.

An endoglucanase from Aspergillus fumigatus ABK9 was purified from the culture extract of solid-state fermentation and its some characteristics were evaluated. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme (56.3 kDa) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, zymogram analysis and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The enzyme was active optimally at 50 °C, pH 5.0 and stable over a broad range of pH (4.0-7.0) and NaCl concentration of 0-3.0 M. The pKa1 and pKa2 of the ionizable groups of the active sites were 2.94 and 6.53, respectively. The apparent Km , Vmax , and Kcat values for carboxymethyl cellulose were 6.7 mg ml(-1), 775.4 µmol min(-1) , and 42.84 × 10(4) s(-1), respectively. Thermostability of the enzyme was evidenced by the high activation energy (91.45 kJ mol(-1)), large enthalpy for activation of denaturation (88.77 kJ mol(-1)), longer half-life (T1/2) (433 min at 50 °C), higher melting temperature (Tm ) (73.5 °C), and Q10 (1.3) values. All the characteristics favors its suitability as halotolerant and thermostable enzyme during bioprocessing of lignocellulosic materials.

Modulation of small intestinal homeostasis along with its microflora during acclimatization at simulated hypobaric hypoxia.

At high altitude (HA) hypobaric hypoxic environment manifested several pathophysiological consequences of which gastrointestinal (GI) disorder are very common phenomena. To explore the most possible clue behind this disorder intestinal flora, the major player of the GI functions, were subjected following simulated hypobaric hypoxic treatment in model animal. For this, male albino rats were exposed to 55 kPa (approximately 4872.9 m) air pressure consecutively for 30 days for 8 h/day and its small intestinal microflora, their secreted digestive enzymes and stress induced marker protein were investigated of the luminal epithelia. It was observed that population density of total aerobes significantly decreased, but the quantity of total anaerobes and Escherichia coli increased significantly after 30 days of hypoxic stress. The population density of strict anaerobes like Bifidobacterium sp., Bacteroides sp. and Lactobacillus sp. and obligate anaerobes like Clostridium perfringens and Peptostreptococcus sp. were expanded along with their positive growth direction index (GDI). In relation to the huge multiplication of anaerobes the amount of gas formation as well as content of IgA and IgG increased in duration dependent manner. The activity of some luminal enzymes from microbial origin like a-amylase, gluco-amylase, proteinase, alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were also elevated in hypoxic condition. Besides, hypoxia induced in formation of malondialdehyde along with significant attenuation of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase activity and lowered GSH/GSSG pool in the intestinal epithelia. Histological study revealed disruption of intestinal epithelial barrier with higher infiltration of lymphocytes in lamina propia and atrophic structure. It can be concluded that hypoxia at HA modified GI microbial imprint and subsequently causes epithelial barrier dysfunction which may relate to the small intestinal dysfunction at HA.

Study on regulation of growth and biosynthesis of cellulolytic enzymes from newly isolated Aspergillus fumigatus ABK9.

This study was aimed to evaluate the pattern of cellulase biosynthesis from Aspergillusfumigatus ABK9 under submerged fermentation. Production was increased concomitantly with fungal growth up to 72 h and reached maximum (Xmax -6.72 g/l) with specific growth rate (mu max) of 0.126/h. Highest specific rate of enzyme production (q ) was found at initial medium pH of 5.0 and incubation temperature of 30 degrees C. At the same time, in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, the production of cellulolytic enzymes, viz, carboxymethyl cellulase activity (CMCase), filter paper degrading activity (FPase) and P-glucosidase activity reached maximum of 132.2, 21.3 and 28.9 U/ml, respectively. Cellulase biosynthesis was induced in respect to higher volumetric production rate (Qp), specific rate of enzymes production (qp, U/g biomass/h) and enzyme/biomass yield (YE/X) when grown in carboxymethyl cellulose in comparison to other saccharides as sole carbon source. Induction ratios (IR) of cellulases were between 12.3 and 24.4 in the presence of 1.5% (w/v) CMC in the culture media. The strain was quite resistant to catabolic repression by glucose up to 0.4% (w/v). Cellulases production was greatly influenced in the presence of yeast extract and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2POA) as nitrogen and phosphate sources in the culture media. C/N ratio of 10.0 and C/P ratio of 4.0 proved to be the best for the production of enzyme cocktail. Along with the high production yield, the crude enzymes showed a promising cellulose hydrolyzing efficiency of rice straw, indicating the enzyme could be beneficial for its large scale industrial exploitation.

Analysis of alteration of gut microbial population under the exposure of graded hyperbaric pressures: application of metagenomic approach.

Gastroenterological disorders are very common at hyperbaric conditions. The present study was conducted to find out the impact of gut flora on the gastrointestinal disorders created at such environmental circumstances. For this, male albino rat were exposed to graded hyperbaric pressures (915 and 1277 mmHg) and large intestinal content was examined for microbial composition using culture based and PCR-DGGE tools. After 30 day exposure, total aerobes (38.54 and 375.57 folds, 1.35 and 1.58 gdi) and E. coli (126.05 and 873.23 folds, 1.31 and 1.44 gdi) were increased whereas total anaerobes (7.01 x 10(4) and 8.84 x 10(3) folds, -1.56 and -1.39 gdi), Enterobacter spp. (-2.45 and -1.00 gdi) and Clostridium perfringens (12.88 and 54.16 folds, -1.38 and -1.75 gdi) were decreased significantly in respect to control after exposure of simulated hyperbaric pressures like at 915 and 1277 mmHg, respectively. Metagenomics study revealed an overall reduction in total microbial profile was noted than control at higher level hyperbaric pressure, i.e., 1277 mmHg air pressure for highest duration of exposure. Though, some new bands also appeared which indicated the expansion of dormant or new microbiota, Variation in the numbers of these newly dominated bacteria was correlated to dose and duration of hyperbaric treatment. The histological results clearly indicated that hyperbaric environment induced severe inflammation in the mucosal and submucosal layer of large intestine. Thus, the result suggest that hyperbaric pressure is an important exogenous factor that strongly modulated the intestinal morphology and microbial ecology, and induced several gastrointestinal ailments during hyperbarism.

Exploitation of fermented shrimp-shells hydrolysate as functional food: assessment of antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic and prebiotic activities.

In the present study the bioactivities of chitooligosaccharides of fermented shrimp-shell hydrolysate (SSH) in respect to hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and prebiotic activity were tested in male albino rat. Rats were treated with four different diets, viz., (i) cholesterol-rich (5%) basal diet (ChB), (ii) ChB+10% chitin, (iii) ChB+10% SSH and (iv) control group (without cholesterol). After 4 weeks of treatment, body mass index, liver weight, serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in groups (ii) and (iii) were decreased significantly than group (i). SSH supplementation significantly resists oxidative stress by reducing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and by increasing catalase, superoxide dismutase and free radical scavenging activity. The colonization of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium population in small and large intestine were more in group (iii) than other groups. Reduction of Clostridium perfringens population and non-significant changes of E. coli was also noted in SSH supplement group. Histological study revealed that the villus height and villus:crypt of the small intestine were increased significantly in SSH supplemented group (iii) without any diarrheal symptoms. The results demonstrated that the shrimp-shells hydrolysate has hypocholesterolemic effect, can resist lipid peroxidation and can influence the growth of health beneficial microbes, hence can be used as functional food for hypercholesterolemic patients.

Extraction of chitosan from biologically-derived chitin by bacterial chitin deacetylase: Process optimization and product quality assessment.

Commercial chitosan manufacturing process relies on strong chemical treatment on chitin that generates chitosan with undesirable properties and leads to environmental pollution. To overcome the adverse consequences, enzymatic chitosan preparation from chitin was undertaken in the current study. A potent chitin deacetylase (CDA) producing bacterial strain was screened and subsequently identified as Alcaligens faecalis CS4. After optimization 40.69 U/mL of CDA production was achieved. By treating the organically extracted chitin with partially purified CDA chitosan yield of 19.04 % was attained having 71 % solubility, 74.9 % degree of deacetylation, 21.16 % crystallinity index, 246.4 kDa molecular weight and 298 °C highest-decomposition temperature. FTIR and XRD analysis revealed characteristics peaks respectively within 870-3425 cm-1 wavenumber and 10°-20°, for enzymatically and chemically extracted (commercial) chitosan that endorses their structural similarity which validated through electron microscopic study. At 10 mg/mL chitosan concentration 65.49 % DPPH radical scavenging activity endorsed its antioxidant potential. Minimum inhibitory concentration of chitosan was 0.675, 1.75, 0.33 and 0.75 mg/mL for Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Vibrio sp., respectively. Mucoadhesiveness and cholesterol binding properties were also exhibited by extracted chitosan. The present study opens a new vista for eco-friendly extraction of chitosan from chitin that is proficient and sustainable in environmental perspective.

Whole genome sequence analysis of Aeromonas-infecting bacteriophage AHPMCC7, a new species of genus Ahphunavirus and its application in Litopenaeus vannamei culture.

Aeromonas hydrophila, a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium, is responsible for huge economic losses in aquaculture. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophage AHPMCC7 which was isolated by using A. hydrophila MTCC 1739 as a host. This bacteriophage exhibited 10 min latent period and burst size was 275. In liquid culture, bacteriophage AHPMCC7 could completely lyse A. hydrophila MTCC 1739 after 2 h. AHPMCC7 genome was 42,277 bp long with 58.9% G + C content. The genome consisted of 48 CDSs and no tRNA. The comparative genomic analyses clearly implied that AHPMCC7 might represent a novel species of the genus Aphunavirus under Autographiviridae family. Bacteriophage AHPMCC7 could survive at broad pH (3-10), temperature (4-37 °C), and salinity (0-40 ppt). In aquarium trial, AHPMCC7 could control A. hydrophila MTCC 1739 without affecting the survivability of Litopenaeus vannamei. Clearly, the bacteriophage AHPMCC7 might be used in shrimp aquaculture as a biocontrol agent.

Attenuation of fluoride-induced hepatorenal oxidative stress by ferulic acid in vivo: An approach with in-silico analysis and interaction informatics of ferulic acid.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fluoride toxicity induces oxidative strain and lipid peroxidation and imparts deleterious effects on human metabolic organs. AIM: The present study aimed to expose the defensive impact of ferulic acid against sodium fluoride (NaF) induced hepatorenal dysfunction at the biochemical and antioxidative systems. METHODS: In-vivo. Rats were arbitrarily separated into five groups as control, sodium fluoride-treated (200 ppm kg -1), vitamin C -as a positive control, and FA co-administered groups with 10 mg kg -1 and 20 mg kg -1 body weight for 56 days. In the present investigation, we measured antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase by electrozymographic and spectrophotometric methods. Biochemical assessment of TBARS, conjugated diene, and different serum biomarkers was done for liver and kidney functionality tests. In-silico. An in-silico study was conducted through a molecular docking experiment to evaluate the binding potentiality of FA by employing AutoDock Vina [version 1.5.6] to overcome the abnormality in the activities of catalase, and superoxide dismutase in NaF promoted toxicity of hepatorenal system. In-vitro. An in vitro biochemical experiment was conducted to support the in-silico study. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased in the intoxicated rat. Ferulic acid (FA) as an antioxidant remarkably defended the NaF-mediated deterioration of the antioxidative status in the hepatorenal system, lowering lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde, and conjugated diene. Serum biomarkers, ALT, AST, ALP, urea, and creatinine increased in the intoxicated group than in control. Ferulic acid significantly neutralized the ill effects of NaF on serum lipid profile. In-silico analysis hypothesized the strong interaction of FA with the active side of catalase and superoxide dismutase that prevented the binding of NaF at the active site of these mentioned enzymes and this was further validated by in-vitro assay. CONCLUSION: However, FA modulates free radical generation and protected these metabolic organs against sodium fluoride-induced injury.

Production of glutathione from probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KMH10 using banana peel extract.

Glutathione, a tri-peptide (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) with the thiol group (-SH), is most efficient antioxidative agent in eukaryotic cells. The present study aimed to isolate an efficient probiotic bacterium having the potential to produce glutathione. The isolated strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KMH10 showed antioxidative activity (77.7 ± 2.56) and several other essential probiotic attributes. Banana peel, a waste of banana fruit, is chiefly composed of hemicellulose with various minerals and amino acids. A consortium of lignocellulolytic enzyme was used for the saccharifying banana peel to produce 65.71 g/L sugar to support the optimal glutathione production of 181 ± 4.56 mg/L; i.e., 1.6 folds higher than the control. So, the studied probiotic bacteria could be an effective resource for glutathione; therefore, the stain could be used as natural therapeutics for the prevention/treatment of different inflammation-related gastric ailments and as an effective producer of glutathione using valorized banana waste that has excellent industrial relevance.

Study on thermodynamics and adsorption kinetics of purified endoglucanase (CMCase) from Penicillium notatum NCIM NO-923 produced under mixed solid-state fermentation of waste cabbage and bagasse.

In the current study, one thermostable endoglucanase was purified from Penicillium notatum NCIM NO-923 through mixed solid state fermentation of waste cabbage and bagasse. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 55kDa as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme had low activation energy (Ea) of 36.39KJ mol(-1) for carboxymethyl cellulose hydrolysis and the enthalpy and entropy for irreversible inactivation was 87 kJ mol (-1) and 59.3 J mol (-1) K(-1) respectively. The enzyme was quite thermostable with a Tm value of 62.2°C. The pKa1 and pKa2 of ionizable groups of the active sites were 2.5 and 5.3 respectively. Apparent Km, Vmax and Kcat of the enzyme were found to be 5.2 mg mL(-1), 80 U/gds and 322.4 sec(-1) respectively. The enzyme showed about 1.4 fold increased activity in presence of 10mM MgSO4. Adsorption of endoglucanase on Avicel at wide pH range was studied at different temperatures. Langmuir type adsorption isotherm at 10°C showed maximum adsorption strength of enzyme at pH 3.0, which was in a range of optimum pH of the enzyme.

Rapid screening of tannase producing microbes by using natural tannin.

Use of natural tannin in the screening of tannase producing microbes is really promising. The present work describes about the possibility and integrity of the newly formulated method over the previously reported methods. Tannin isolated from Terminalia belerica Roxb. (Bahera) was used to differentiate between tanninolytic and nontanninolytic microbes. The method is simple, sensitive and superior for the rapid screening and isolation of tannase-producing microbes.

Tailoring in fungi for next generation cellulase production with special reference to CRISPR/CAS system.

Cellulose is the utmost plenteous source of biopolymer in our earth, and fungi are the most efficient and ubiquitous organism in degrading the cellulosic biomass by synthesizing cellulases. Tailoring through genetic manipulation has played a substantial role in constructing novel fungal strains towards improved cellulase production of desired traits. However, the traditional methods of genetic manipulation of fungi are time-consuming and tedious. With the availability of the full-genome sequences of several industrially relevant filamentous fungi, CRISPR-CAS (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) technology has come into the focus for the proficient development of manipulated strains of filamentous fungi. This review summarizes the mode of action of cellulases, transcription level regulation for cellulase expression, various traditional strategies of genetic manipulation with CRISPR-CAS technology to develop modified fungal strains for a preferred level of cellulase production, and the futuristic trend in this arena of research.

Application of Phytochemicals To Combat Fungal Pathogens of Pulses: An Approach toward Inhibition of Fungal Propagation and Invasin Activity.

The present study represented an innovative strategy for inactivating the secreted invasins (lignocellulolytic enzymes) of fungal phytopathogens using natural phytochemicals to combat fungal infection to the pulses. A fungal pathogen (Aspergillus niger SKP1) was isolated from the white lentil (Vigna mungo), which has the ability to synthesize different lignocellulolytic enzymes. An in silico docking study elucidated that quercetin, naringin, epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, and cinnamic acid were the prime efficient phytochemicals to inhibit the activity of fungal invasive enzymes like endoglucanase, endo-1,4-ß-xylanase, and glucoamylase. Considering this observation, extracted phytochemicals in different mixtures were applied to prevent growth of the isolated pathogen under in situ experimental studies. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC50) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC50) values of the first mixture (naringenin, epicatechin gallate, and cinnamic acid) and second mixture (quercetin and curcumin) were 170 and 220 mg/L and 320 and 380 mg/L, respectively. The studied phytochemicals were established to be cytosafe when compared to the commercial fungicides. The seeds of the white lentil were subjected to 1 year of long-term storage with the two aforementioned combinatorial phytochemicals. Subsequent morphological and physiological analyses revealed the complete protection of the stored seeds from the fungal infection. The present work has enough potentiality for the storage of pulses using natural preservatives that circumvent the adverse effect of the chemical preservatives on the ecosystem.