Evaluation of acrylamide production by Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS-6) cells immobilized in agar matrix.

AIMS: The efficiency of acrylamide production was examined with immobilized cells of Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS-6) containing NHase. METHODS AND RESULTS: Different entrapment matrices such as agar, alginate and polyacrylamide were used. Various immobilization parameters like agar concentration, cell concentration and reaction conditions affecting the bioconversion process using suitable matrices were determined. The cells immobilized with agar matrix were found to be most effective for acrylonitrile conversion. The bioconversion was more efficient in beads prepared with 2% agar and 5% (v/v) cell concentration. The entire conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide with agar entrapped cells was achieved in 120 min at 15°C. The agar entrapped R. rhodochrous (RS-6) cells exhibited 8% (w/v) tolerance to acrylonitrile and 35% tolerance to acrylamide. The immobilized cells also retained 50% of its conversion ability up to seven cycles. The laboratory-scale (1 L) production resulted in 466 g L-1 accumulation of acrylamide in 16 h. CONCLUSIONS: The cells immobilized in agar showed better stability and biocatalytic properties and increased reusability potential. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The agar-immobilized Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS-6) cells showed enhanced tolerance for both the substrate and product and is economical for the large-scale production of acrylamide.

Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of l-asparaginase from Fusarium culmorum ASP-87 on human leukemia cells (Jurkat).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer properties of l-asparaginase purified from fungal isolate Fusarium culmorum ASP-87 against human T-cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat). The growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of purified l-asparaginase on Jurkat cell lines were investigated by determining its influence on cell viability, colony formation, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle progression. The results revealed that purified l-asparaginase showed significant decrease in cell survival with IC50 value of 90 µg/mL (9 IU/mL). The enzyme inhibited colony formation and showed characteristic laddering pattern on agarose gel thereby confirming the induction of apoptosis. Further, cell cycle analysis revealed that the enzyme induced apoptotic cell death by arresting the growth of cells at G2 -M phase. However, the enzyme did not elicit any toxic effects on human erythrocytes. l-asparaginase purified from F. culmorum ASP-87 showed significant and selective cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human T-cell leukemic cells in dose-dependent manner. Results of the study give leads for the anticancer effects of fungal l-asparaginase and its potential usefulness in the chemotherapy of leukemia.