American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 

About: American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Fermentation & Chemistry. It has an ISSN identifier of 1558-6332. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 658 publications have been published receiving 9358 citations. The journal is also known as: Biochemistry & biotechnology & American journal of biochemistry and biotechnology.

Biodiesel Fuel Production from Algae as Renewable Energy

Abstract: Biodiesel is biodegradable, less CO2 and NOx emissions. Continuous use of petroleum sourced fuels is now widely recognized as unsustainable because of depleting supplies and the contribution of these fuels to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the environment. Renewable, carbon neutral, transport fuels are necessary for environmental and economic sustainability. Algae have emerged as one of the most promising sources for biodiesel production. It can be inferred that algae grown in CO2-enriched air can be converted to oily substances. Such an approach can contribute to solve major problems of air pollution resulting from CO2 evolution and future crisis due to a shortage of energy sources. This study was undertaken to know the proper transesterification, amount of biodiesel production (ester) and physical properties of biodiesel. In this study we used common species Oedogonium and Spirogyra to compare the amount of biodiesel production. Algal oil and biodiesel (ester) production was higher in Oedogonium than Spirogyra sp. However, biomass (after oil extraction) was higher in Spirogyra than Oedogonium sp. Sediments (glycerine, water and pigments) was higher in Spirogyra than Oedogonium sp. There was no difference of pH between Spirogyra and Oedogonium sp. These results indicate that biodiesel can be produced from both species and Oedogonium is better source than Spirogyra sp.

Production of biodiesel by enzymatic transesterification: review.

Abstract: Problem Statement: The research on the production of biodiesel has increased significantly in recent years because of the need for an alternative fuel which endows with biodegradability, low toxicity and renewability. Plant oils, animal fats, microalgal oils and waste products such as animal rendering, fish processing waste and cooking oils have been employed as feedstocks for biodiesel production. In order to design an economically and environmentally sustainable biodiesel production process, a proper understanding of the factors affecting the process and their relative importance is necessary. Approach: A comprehensive review of the literature on the subject of biodiesel production was carried out. Traditionally biodiesel has been produced using either acid or base catalysts. The multi-step purification of end products, wastewater treatment and energy demand of the conventional process has lead to search for alternative option for production of biodiesel. The use the enzyme lipase as a biocatalyst for the transesterification reaction step in biodiesel production has been extensively investigated. Lipase is produced by all living organisms and can be used intracellularly or extracellularly. Conclusion: To date, the most popular microbes used for their lipases have been filamentous fungi and recombinant bacteria. A summary of lipases used in transesterification and their optimum operating conditions is provided. In addition to the choice of lipase employed, factors which make the transesterification process feasible and ready for commercialization are: enzyme modification, the selection of feedstock and alcohol, use of common solvents, pretreatment of the lipase, alcohol to oil molar ratio, water activity/content and reaction temperature. Optimization of these parameters is necessary in order to reduce the cost of biodiesel production. Use of no/low cost waste materials as feedstocks will have double environmental benefits by reducing the environmental pollution potential of the wastes and producing an environmentally friendly fuel.

Papain, a Plant Enzyme of Biological Importance: A Review

Abstract: Papain is a plant proteolytic enzyme for the cysteine proteinase family cysteine protease enzyme in which enormous progress has been made to understand its functions. Papain is found naturally in papaya (Carica papaya L.) manufactured from the latex of raw papaya fruits. The enzyme is able to break down organic molecules made of amino acids, known as polypeptides and thus plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes in physiological and pathological states, drug designs, industrial uses such as meat tenderizers and pharmaceutical preparations. The unique structure of papain gives it the functionality that helps elucidate how proteolytic enzymes work and also makes it valuable for a variety of purposes. In the present review, its biological importance, properties and structural features that are important to an understanding of their biological function are presented. Its potential for production and market opportunities are also discussed.

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Banana (Musa, AAA cv. Cavendish) Fruits Peel

Abstract: The fresh green and yellow banana peel of, (Musa, cv. Cavendish) fruits were treated with 70% acetone, which were partitioned with chloroform (CHCl3) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc), sequentially. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using the thiocyanate method, β-carotene bleaching method and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical elimination. While, antimicrobial activities of the extracts and isolated components were evaluated using paper disc methods and Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC). The EtOAc and water soluble fractions of green peel displayed high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, respectively. Antioxidant activity of water extracts was comparable to those of synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. Among all isolated components β-sitosterol, malic acid, succinic acid, palmatic acid, 12-hydroxystrearic acid, glycoside, the d-malic and 12-hydroxystrearic acid were the most active against all the Gram-negative and positive bacterial species tested. The MIC of d-malic and succinic acid was varying between 140-750 ppm, respectively.

The Antidiabetic Efficacy of Combined Extracts from Two Continental Plants: Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) (Neem) and Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) (African Bitter Leaf)

Abstract: Polyherbal therapy is said to be a current pharmacological principle having the advantage of producing maximum therapeutic efficacy with minimum side effects. We assessed the antidiabetic efficacy and hence the impact on biochemical indices of toxicity by a combination of extracts from neem and bitterleaf. Thirty rats, 25 diabetic and 5 non-diabetic rats, were used for the study. The diabetic rats were divided equally into five groups and respectively treated: saline (diabetic control), extracts from neem and bitterleaf combined, neem only, bitterleaf only and chlorpropamide for a 24 day period. After oral administration of the first dose of extract (400 mg kg-1 b.w.) and chlorpropamide (4.286 mg kg-1 b.w.), blood glucose was monitored in vivo at various time intervals for 9 h, thereafter daily administration continued for 24 days. Whereas single dose treatment with neem only showed peak reduction (28.56%) an hour after, treatments with combined extracts, bitterleaf and chlorpropamide had their peak reductions all at the 7th hour (24.78, 47.31 and 60.51%, respectively). Percentage reductions in blood glucose relative to their initial values at the end of treatment were 71.05, 44.95, 88.63 and 75.83 for combined extract, neem, bitterleaf and chlorpropamide respectively. The decrease in blood glucose for the groups treated with combined extracts and bitterleaf only compared well (p<0.01) with chlorpropamide and non diabetic control, but not with neem alone. Determination of markers of hepatotoxicity in serum including GPT and GOT activities, total protein, albumin and urea indicated that, of the four treatments, neem provides the best protection against hepatic dysfunction. In the group treated with combined extracts these alternate selective advantages of neem and bitterleaf were expressed as a positive synergy, hence more beneficial than individual treatments.