Showing papers by "Department of Biotechnology published in 2005"
TL;DR: Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are photosynthetic prokaryotes used as food by humans and are reported to be a source of fine chemicals, renewable fuel and bioactive compounds.
Abstract: Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are photosynthetic prokaryotes used as food by humans. They have also been recognized as an excellent source of vitamins and proteins and as such are found in health food stores throughout the world. They are also reported to be a source of fine chemicals, renewable fuel and bioactive compounds. This potential is being realized as data from research in the areas of the physiology and chemistry of these organisms are gathered and the knowledge of cyanobacterial genetics and genetic engineering increased. Their role as antiviral, anti-tumour, antibacterial, anti-HIV and a food additive have been well established. The production of cyanobacteria in artificial and natural environments has been fully exploited. In this review the use of cyanobacteria and microalgae, production processes and biosynthesis of pigments, colorants and certain bioactive compounds are discussed in detail. The genetic manipulation of cyanobacteria and microalgae to improve their quality are also described at length.
539 citations
TL;DR: The present review has been emphasized on the nutritional potential of this underutilized, nonconventional legume and current state of its utilization as food/feed for both human beings and livestock throughout the world.
Abstract: Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, an underutilized tropical legume has a nutritional quality comparable to soya beans and other conventional legumes as it contains similar proportions of protein, lipid, minerals, and other nutrients. The beans have been traditionally used as a food in a number of countries, viz., India, Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, and Malawi. Recently, the velvet beans are exploited as a protein source in the diets of fish, poultry, pig, and cattle after subjected to appropriate processing methods. Although the velvet beans contain high levels of protein and carbohydrate, their utilization is limited due to the presence of a number of antinutritional/antiphysiological compounds, phenolics, tannins, L-Dopa, lectins, protease inhibitors, etc., which may reduce the nutrient utilization. Unfortunately, even though many researchers all over the world working on Mucuna, only scanty and conflicting information are available regarding its utilization as a food/feed and no scientific gathering to date has focused on the food/feed applications of Mucuna. Hence, the present review has been emphasized on the nutritional potential of this underutilized, nonconventional legume and current state of its utilization as food/feed for both human beings and livestock throughout the world.
142 citations
TL;DR: Food consumption, efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food, relative growth rate, and consumption index values declined significantly, but at the same time an increase in approximate digestibility was also observed.
137 citations
TL;DR: The result highlights that rootstock extracts had good anti-bacterial properties than leaf extracts, which support the use of this plant in traditional medicine to treat fever, wound infections and intestinal disorders.
121 citations
TL;DR: A synergistic effect of botanical insecticides and virus was found when combined in low doses and these effects are most pronounced in early instars.
106 citations
TL;DR: The results show that RAPD markers could be used to detect the genetic similarities and dissimilarities in micropropagated material.
106 citations
TL;DR: The prospects of producing methionine by fermentation are discussed and approaches to selecting microorganism having relaxed and complex regulatory control mechanisms for Methionine biosynthesis are examined.
100 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that not only oxygen consumption but ROS production is enhanced in the calorie restricted condition and Sir2, a potential effector of CR response in the activation of scavenging enzymes are activated by a Sir2 independent manner.
Abstract: Aging is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidation-induced damage to intracellular structures and membranes. Caloric restriction (CR) has been demonstrated to delay aging in a variety of species. Although the mechanisms of CR remain to be clearly elucidated, reductions in oxidative damage have been shown to increase lifespan in several model systems. Contrary to the general belief that ROS production is reduced in CR, this article provides evidence that not only oxygen consumption but ROS production is enhanced in the calorie restricted condition. To understand the biological mechanism underlying the anti aging action of CR, the role of scavenging enzymes was studied. It was found that super oxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) all are over expressed in CR. We further investigated the role of Sir2, a potential effector of CR response in the activation of scavenging enzymes. No marked difference was found in CR mediated activation of SOD and catalase in the absence of Sir2. Our results suggest that in CR scavenging enzymes are activated by a Sir2 independent manner.
84 citations
TL;DR: Among various carbon and organic nitrogen sources used, molasses and peptone were the most effective for enzyme yield and the rate of enzyme production was enhanced when metal ions were added to the medium.
70 citations
TL;DR: Austronesian populations of the Pacific and Austro-Asiatic populations of southeast Asia most frequently carry the 9-bp deletion in that region implying their shared common ancestry in haplogroup B, and the low polymorphism in the D-loop sequence of the Nicobarese B5a samples suggests their recent origin and a founder effect, probably involving migration from southeast Asia.
Abstract: Length variation in the human mtDNA intergenic region between the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and tRNA lysine (tRNAlys) genes has been widely studied in world populations. Specifically, Austronesian populations of the Pacific and Austro-Asiatic populations of southeast Asia most frequently carry the 9-bp deletion in that region implying their shared common ancestry in haplogroup B. Furthermore, multiple independent origins of the 9-bp deletion at the background of other mtDNA haplogroups has been shown in populations of Africa, Europe, Australia, and India. We have analyzed 3293 Indian individuals belonging to 58 populations, representing different caste, tribal, and religious groups, for the length variation in the 9-bp motif. The 9-bp deletion (one copy) and insertion (three copies) alleles were observed in 2.51% (2.15% deletion and 0.36% insertion) of the individuals. The maximum frequency of the deletion (45.8%) was observed in the Nicobarese in association with the haplogroup B5a D-loop motif that is common throughout southeast Asia. The low polymorphism in the D-loop sequence of the Nicobarese B5a samples suggests their recent origin and a founder effect, probably involving migration from southeast Asia. Interestingly, none of the 302 (except one Munda sample, which has 9-bp insertion) from Mundari-speaking Austro-Asiatic populations from the Indian mainland showed the length polymorphism of the 9-bp motif, pointing either to their independent origin from the Mon-Khmeric-speaking Nicobarese or to an extensive admixture with neighboring Indo-European-speaking populations. Consistent with previous reports, the Indo-European and Dravidic populations of India showed low frequency of the 9-bp deletion/insertion. More than 18 independent origins of the deletion or insertion mutation could be inferred in the phylogenetic analysis of the D-loop sequences.
66 citations
TL;DR: This study shows that drug resistant strains are able to transfer genes encoding drug resistance, which was determined by the development of antibiotic resistance in the recipients.
TL;DR: The present study is a classical example of the exploitation of an analogue based drug design, which culminated in the development of good anti-inflammatory agents that have the potential of becoming dual inhibitors.
TL;DR: It is reported that the arsenite resistant strain of L. donovani promastigotes shows cross-resistance to novobiocin, a catalytic inhibitor of topoisomerase II, with IC50 value of 320 microg ml-1, which strongly suggest the apoptosis-like mode of cell death.
TL;DR: In isolation and identification of the proteolytic bacteria from Gangotri glacier sediments, taxonomical characterization of the study isolates may serve as a base line data for taxonomic characteristics of the cold adapted protease producing microorganisms.
TL;DR: Products formed during degradation of β-cyfluthrin have been identified as α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-3(2, 2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate and 4- fluoro- 3- phenoxy-α-cyanobenzyl alcohol.
Abstract: β-Cyfluthrin [α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate] pesticide has been in agricultural use in the recent years for controlling Lepidopteran pests affecting solanaceous crops. The extensive use of synthetic pyrethroids like β-cyfluthrin has resulted in wide spread environmental contamination. The purpose of this study was to isolate bacteria from soil and to determine their ability to degrade β-cyfluthrin and identify the intermediates in culture broth using spectroscopy. An aerobic bacterium capable of degrading β-cyfluthrin was isolated by enrichment culture. The 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of the isolate (strain S1) had 100% identity to the sequence from Pseudomonas stutzeri. Finally products formed during degradation of β-cyfluthrin have been identified as α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate (M.W. 341); 4-fluoro-3-phenoxy-α-cyanobenzyl alcohol (M.W. 243) and 3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (M.W. 208).
TL;DR: A three point pharmacophore has been established for designing novel anti-inflammatory molecules from the QSAR studies of a series of 43 thiophene analogs, giving an insight into the dominant role played by electronic properties like energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ELUMO) and dipole moment (dipole) in modulating the anti- inflammatory activity.
TL;DR: The number of bulblets, however, decreased with the increase in concentration of the growth retardants, while the number of roots and leaves decreased in medium with Alar, Cycocel and Paclobutrazol as compared to the control.
Abstract: Bulbscales of oriental lily hybrid Star Gazer were used as the explants. Bulblets were formed on the basal portion of the excised bulbscales on MS medium supplemented with growth retardants, different sucrose concentrations and exposed to continuous light or dark. Alar, Cycocel and Paclobutrazol in concentration 1 mg dm−3 produced higher number of bulblets as compared to the control. The number of bulblets, however, decreased with the increase in concentration of the growth retardants. The number of bulblets was higher at 90 than at 60 g dm−3 sucrose and when the bulbscales were exposed to continuous light than to darkness. The growth retardants, higher sucrose concentration and continuous dark stimulated fresh mass of bulblets. The number of bulblets having roots and leaves decreased in medium with Alar, Cycocel and Paclobutrazol as compared to the control. A few bulblets produced roots and leaves in medium with 90 g dm−3 sucrose and none of the regenerated bulblets produced leaves under continuous dark.
TL;DR: Deletion of MRG19 gene causes metabolic shift in yeast cells, leading to higher intracellular reactive oxygen species, augmentation of scavenging enzymes and longer lifespan compared to wild‐type cells, which suggest that similar to CR, depletion of Mrg19 leads to a condition of mild stress which enhances vitality.
TL;DR: Results indicate that the methanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root possess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
Abstract: The methanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (Asclepiadaceae) root (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally) were tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats to assess their anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities respectively. The paw volumes and pyrexia in rats were reduced significantly (P 0.05) compared to that of control. These results indicate that the extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In vitro clonal multiplication of apple rootstock MM 111 using axillary buds and shoot apices and subcultured on MS medium supplemented with different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators showed less phenol exudation and less contamination.
Abstract: In vitro clonal multiplication of apple rootstock MM 111 using axillary buds and shoot apices were carried out. Vegetative axillary buds of the size of 0.2-2.0 cm and shoot apices measuring 4 mm in length were initiated to shoot proliferation on MS medium supplemented with BA (0.5 - 1.0 mgl(-1)), GA3(0.5 mgl(-1)), with or without IBA(0.05 - 0.1 mgl(-1)). Small size explants showed less phenol exudation and less contamination. Following establishment phase, the small shoots emerged from explants were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators. BA (1.0 mgl(-1)) and GA3 (0.5 mgl(-1)) combination showed highest multiplication rate (1:5), andcl also produced longer shoots. Two step rooting was done by transferring microcuttings to auxin free solid medium after root initiation in dark on 1/2 strength MS liquid medium containing IBA (0.5 mgl(-1) ). Rooted plantlets were transferred to peat containing paper cups and resulting plants of MM 111 acclimated successfully for transfer to field.
TL;DR: Antiimplantation activity of water extract of leaves of H. rosa-sinensis was investigated and the extract exhibited antiestrogenic activity, as judged by increase in uterine weight.
TL;DR: The overexpression of pmt markedly elevated the scopolamine and hyoscyamine levels in the transgenic lines that showed the highest pmt mRNA and PMT protein levels, which may be useful in establishing root culture systems that generate large yields of tropane alkaloids.
Abstract: In wild-type Scopolia parviflora (Solanaceae) tissues, only the roots express the enzyme putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT; EC 2.1.1.53), which is the first specific precursor of the tropane alkaloids. Moreover, the tropane alkaloid levels were the highest in the root (0.9 mg g−1 on a dry weight basis), followed by the stem and then the leaves. We metabolically engineered S. parviflora by introducing the tobacco pmt gene into its genome by a binary vector system that employs disarmed Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The kanamycin-resistant hairy root lines were shown to bear the pmt gene and to overexpress its mRNA and protein product by at least two-fold, as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Northern and Western blottings, respectively. The transgenic lines also showed higher PMT activity and were morphologically aberrant in terms of slower growth and the production of lateral roots. The overexpression of pmt markedly elevated the scopolamine and hyoscyamine levels in the transgenic l...
TL;DR: Phytochemical analysis of the leaves from Indian Suregada angustifolia resulted in the isolation and identification of six known compounds, viz. friedelin, epi-friedelinol, n-octacosanol, alpha-amyrin, beta-Sitosterol and beta-sitosterol-3-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
TL;DR: The HPLC-based method is found to be suitable for the quantitative estimation of adenosine deaminase-catalyzed reaction product and for studying inhibition mechanism of different inhibitors.
TL;DR: 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine with amino acid residues Gly799, Glu802, Phe914, Ala 1078, Ala1079 and Glu1261 in the active site of XO play an important role in the stabilization of the E–I complex.
Abstract: The inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) activity by the purine analogue 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine was evaluated and compared with the standard inhibitor, allopurinol and the parent compound adenine. 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine is a highly potent inhibitor of XO (IC50 = 0.45 microM) and comparable to allopurinol (IC50 = 0.80 microM). Furthermore, 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine neither produced any enzymatic superoxide nor reduced XO by an electron transfer reaction unlike allopurinol. 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine (Ki = 0.0475 microM) is about 10000-fold more potent as a XO inhibitor compared to the only known purine analogue 8-bromoxanthine (Ki = 400 microM). 6-(N-Benzoylamino)purine is a competitive inhibitor of XO and the inhibition was not completely reversed even at 100 microM xanthine concentration. The calculated interaction energy [Ecomplex - (Eligand + Eprotein)] of -30.5, -22.6, and -17.2 kcal/mol, respectively, of 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine, 8-bromoxanthine and the parent compound adenine provided the rationale for the better enzyme inhibitory activity of 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine. To understand the role of the benzamido group in the inhibition process, molecular docking studies were carried out and it was revealed that the hydrogen bonding interactions involving N-7 of the purine ring and the N-H of Arg880, N-H of the purine ring and OH of Thr1010, as well as non-bonded interactions of the benzamido group of 6-(N-benzoylamino)purine with amino acid residues Gly799, Glu802, Phe914, Ala1078, Ala1079 and Glu1261 in the active site of XO play an important role in the stabilization of the E-I complex.
01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: The combination of anaerobic bacteria followed by aerobic bacteria is found to be very effective and addition of adsorbent provides several advantages including adsorption of toxic compounds, which reduces toxic effects on the microorganisms, and better sludge settling characteristics.
Abstract: Publisher Summary
This chapter deals with the decolorization of dyes. There are several structural varieties of dyes, such as acidic, reactive, basic, disperse, azo, diazo, anthraquinone-based, and metal-complex dyes. They all absorb light in the visible region. Untreated dye effluent is highly colored and hence reduces sunlight penetration, preventing photosynthesis.. Several chemical and physical methods are available for the removal of color from the textile dye effluent. Decolorization by aerobic bacteria occurs mainly by adsorption of dyestuff on the cell surface rather than by biodegradation; therefore, low color removal efficiencies have been observed. However, anaerobic bacteria provide better chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon removal than anaerobic bacteria. The combination of anaerobic bacteria followed by aerobic bacteria is found to be very effective. Addition of adsorbent provides several advantages including adsorption of toxic compounds, which reduces toxic effects on the microorganisms, and better sludge settling characteristics.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Molecular marker(s) linked to the locus for disease resistance was identified using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers coupled with bulk segregant analysis and may prove useful in MAS for gene introgression, plant genetic diagnostics and gene pyramiding for resistance via genetic transformation for disease Resistance in plants.
Abstract: Resistance to leaf blight in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] accession G-118 was found to segregate as a single dominant trait in a cross to susceptible cultivar, HC-136. Molecular marker(s) linked to the locus for disease resistance was identified using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers coupled with bulk segregant analysis. Genomic DNA from the parental cultivars and bulks were screened by PCR amplification with 50 simple sequence repeat primer pairs. Out of these, 38 SSR primers produced polymorphism between parents. After screening of these 38 SSRs with resistant and susceptible bulk, one SSR primer, Xtxp 309 produced a unique band of approximately 700 bp only in resistant parent and resistant bulk and a unique band of 450 bp only in susceptible parent and susceptible bulk. Upon screening with individual resistant and susceptible recombinant inbred lines (RILs), marker Xtxp 309 produced amplification in 23 of the 26 resistant RILs and no amplification was produced in any of the 25 susceptible RILs. The same marker Xtxp 309 produced amplification in 21 of the susceptible RILs and 3 of the resistant RILs of 450 bp band. This was found to be located at a distance of 3.12 cM away from the locus governing resistance to leaf blight which was considered to be closely linked and 7.95 cM away from the locus governing susceptibility to leaf blight. This marker may prove useful in MAS for gene introgression, plant genetic diagnostics and gene pyramiding for resistance via genetic transformation for disease resistance in plants.
TL;DR: In this article, the normal human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, was transformed using multiple doses of ultraviolet (UV)A+B (UVA, 150-200 mJ/cm(2) and UVB, 15-20 mJ /cm (2) x 6).
Abstract: The normal human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, was transformed using multiple doses of ultraviolet (UV)A+B (UVA, 150-200 mJ/cm(2) and UVB, 15-20 mJ/cm(2) x 6). Malignant transformation was confirmed by upregulation of Cyclin D1 (mRNA) and formation of colonies on soft agar. To identify the genes involved in this transformation process, we have done rapid amplification of polymorphic DNA using RNA from unexposed and multiple-exposed cells. Six percent PAGE showed several differentially regulated genes in exposed cells compared with unexposed cells. Total 19 genes were identified, cloned and sequenced. Three of these 19 cloned genes showed 99% homology at both DNA and protein levels to a stretch of 540 bp (180 aa) of long interspersed element (LINE)-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) open reading frame (ORF-2). Colonies from soft agar showed upregulation of this gene compared with non-colonized (lawn on soft agar) cells as detected by RT-PCR. This data implicates LINE-1 RT (ORF-2) in UV-induced malignancy and can possibly be used as a marker for the diagnosis of UV-induced skin cancer.
TL;DR: DNA analyses of the drug-treated wild type and arsenite-resistant strains revealed an apoptosis-like death in response to paclitaxel and the combination but not to trifluralin, providing valuable information for further development of chemotherapeutic strategies based on anti-microtubule agents against drug resistant Leishmania parasites.
Abstract: In this study the anti-leishmanial activity and anti-microtubule effects of paclitaxel, trifluralin and a combination of paclitaxel and trifluralin have been tested in a wild type and sodium arsenite-resistant strain of Leishmania donovani. Both paclitaxel and trifluralin have been shown to be effective in limiting parasite growth. Specific alterations in morphology, tubulin polymerization dynamics, post-translational modifications and cellular distribution of the tubulins have been confirmed to be a part of the intracellular anti-microtubule-events that occur in arsenite-resistant L. donovani in response to these agents, ultimately leading to death of the parasite. DNA analyses of the drug-treated wild type and arsenite-resistant strains revealed an apoptosis-like death in response to paclitaxel and the combination but not to trifluralin. Data provide valuable information for further development of chemotherapeutic strategies based on anti-microtubule agents against drug resistant Leishmania parasites.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Aspergillus oryzae, isolated from the starch rich litter soil, produced amylase when banana fruit stalk was used as substrate in a solid state fermentation system, and addition of starch increased the amyl enzyme production, when compared with other carbon sources used.
Abstract: Aspergillus oryzae, isolated from the starch rich litter soil, produced amylase when banana fruit stalk was used as substrate in a solid state fermentation system. The effects of incubation period, pH, temperature and various carbon sources on the production of amylase were studied. A maximum yield of 380U/mg was recorded on 96th hour of incubation. The amylase is tolerant to wide range of initial culture pH values (3 to 8) and temperature (25 to 35 degrees C), with an optimum pH of 5 and temperature of 35 degrees C. In SSF addition of starch (1%) increased the amylase production, when compared with other carbon sources used.