Tetrahydropalmatine from medicinal plants activates human glucokinase to regulate glucose homeostasis.

Many synthetic glucokinase activators (GKAs), modulating glucokinase (GK), an important therapeutic target in diabetes have failed to clear clinical trials. In this study, an in silico structural similarity search with differing scaffolds of reference GKAs have been used to identify derivatives from natural product databases. Ten molecules with good binding score and similar interactions to that in the co-crystallized GK as well good activation against recombinant human GK experimentally were identified.

Potential of Y. lipolytica epoxide hydrolase for efficient production of enantiopure (R)-1,2-octanediol.

The recombinant Yleh from a tropical marine yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589 exhibited a high epoxide hydrolase activity of 9.34 ± 1.80 µmol min mg protein towards 1,2-epoxyoctane (EO), at pH 8.

Coculture induced improved production of biosurfactant by Staphylococcus lentus SZ2: Role in protecting Artemia salina against Vibrio harveyi.

Coculturing microorganisms can lead to enhanced production of bioactive compounds as a result of cross-species or cross-genera interactions. In this study, we demonstrate improved production of the biosurfactant (BS-SLSZ2 with antibiofilm properties) by the marine epibiotic bacterium Staphylococcus lentus SZ2 after cross-genera interactions with an aquaculture pathogen Vibrio harveyi. In cocultures, growth of V.

Efficacy of cell free supernatant from Bacillus licheniformis in protecting Artemia salina against Vibrio alginolyticus and Pseudomonas gessardii.

Bacterial diseases are widespread in aquaculture farms and causative agents often adapt to biofilm mode of growth. These biofilms are detrimental to aquaculture species as they resist antibiotics and other agents that are used to control them. Two bacterial pathogens isolated from infected prawn samples were identified as Vibrio alginolyticus and Pseudomonas gessardii on the basis of morphological features, biochemical characteristics, 16S r RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Biosurfactant from a marine bacterium disrupts biofilms of pathogenic bacteria in a tropical aquaculture system.

Bacterial infections are major constraints in aquaculture farming. These pathogens often adapt to the biofilm mode of growth and resist antibiotic treatments. We have used a non-toxic glycolipid biosurfactant (BS-SLSZ2) derived from a marine epizootic bacterium Staphylococcus lentus to treat aquaculture associated infections in an eco-friendly manner.

Selenium nanoparticle-enriched biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica enhances growth and survival of Artemia salina.

Controlling disease outbreaks is a major challenge in aquaculture farms and conventional methods are often ineffective. Nutritional supplementation and probiotic preparations help in reducing severity of such infections. The generally regarded as safe yeast (Yarrowia lipolytica) was used in the current study.

Relationship between salt tolerance and nanoparticle synthesis by Williopsis saturnus NCIM 3298.

This work describes cell associated and extracellular synthesis of nanoparticles by the yeast, Williopsis saturnus. The yeast was able to grow in the absence and presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) and form nanoparticles in a cell associated manner. The content of melanin, a stress-associated pigment was found to be progressively greater in the presence of increasing concentrations of NaCl.

Biogenic Nanoparticles from Schwanniomyces occidentalis NCIM 3459: Mechanistic Aspects and Catalytic Applications.

When cells of Schwanniomyces occidentalis NCIM 3459 were incubated with 1 mM tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4) or silver nitrate (AgNO3), cell-associated nanoparticles were obtained. Their presence was confirmed by scanning electron microscope observations. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the yeast mediated the synthesis of gold nanoparticles.

Biotransformation of hexavalent chromium into extracellular chromium(III) oxide nanoparticles using Schwanniomyces occidentalis.

Objectives: To demonstrate biotransformation of toxic Cr(VI) ions into Cr2O3 nanoparticles by the yeast Schwanniomyces occidentalis.

Results: Reaction mixtures containing S. occidentalis NCIM 3459 and Cr(VI) ions that were initially yellow turned green after 48 h incubation.

Nocardiopsis species: Incidence, ecological roles and adaptations.

Members of the genus Nocardiopsis are ecologically versatile and biotechnologically important. They produce a variety of bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial agents, anticancer substances, tumor inducers, toxins and immunomodulators. They also secrete novel extracellular enzymes such as amylases, chitinases, cellulases, β-glucanases, inulinases, xylanases and proteases.

Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589, a tropical marine yeast, degrades bromoalkanes by an initial hydrolytic dehalogenation step.

The widespread industrial use of organobromines which are known persistent organic pollutants has led to their accumulation in sediments and water bodies causing harm to animals and humans. While degradation of organochlorines by bacteria is well documented, information regarding degradation pathways of these recalcitrant organobromines is scarce. Hence, their fates and effects on the environment are of concern.

Fungal production of single cell oil using untreated copra cake and evaluation of its fuel properties for biodiesel.

This study evaluated the microbial conversion of coconut oil waste, a major agro-residue in tropical countries, into single cell oil (SCO) feedstock for biodiesel production. Copra cake was used as a low-cost renewable substrate without any prior chemical or enzymatic pretreatment for submerged growth of an oleaginous tropical mangrove fungus, Aspergillus terreus IBB M1. The SCO extracted from fermented biomass was converted into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by transesterification and evaluated on the basis of fatty acid profiles and key fuel properties for biodiesel.

Nocardiopsis species as potential sources of diverse and novel extracellular enzymes.

Members of the genus Nocardiopsis are generally encountered in locations that are inherently extreme. They are present in frozen soils, desert sand, compost, saline or hypersaline habitats (marine systems, salterns and soils) and alkaline places (slag dumps, lake soils and sediments). In order to survive under these severe conditions, they produce novel and diverse enzymes that allow them to utilize the available nutrients and to thrive.

Yarrowia lipolytica and pollutants: Interactions and applications.

Yarrowia lipolytica is a dimorphic, non-pathogenic, ascomycetous yeast species with distinctive physiological features and biochemical characteristics that are significant in environment-related matters. Strains naturally present in soils, sea water, sediments and waste waters have inherent abilities to degrade hydrocarbons such as alkanes (short and medium chain) and aromatic compounds (biphenyl and dibenzofuran). With the application of slow release fertilizers, design of immobilization techniques and development of microbial consortia, scale-up studies and in situ applications have been possible.

Occurrence of parotoid glands in tadpoles of the tropical frog, Clinotarsus curtipes and their role in predator deterrence.

Tadpoles of the tropical bicolored frog, Clinotarsus curtipes are unique in having parotoid glands secreting a white viscous fluid and are structurally similar to granular glands from other amphibians. To ascertain the involvement of these glands and their secretion in predator deterrence, it was tested against a predatory fish, Clarias gariepinus, using a paired choice behavioral assay. The results showed that the fish avoid eating C.

Bioinspired inimitable cadmium telluride quantum dots for bioimaging purposes.

Synthesis of quantum nanoparticles of specific size, shape and composition are an aspect important in nanotechnology research. Although these nanostructures are routinely synthesized by chemical routes, the use of microorganisms has emerged as a promising option. The synthesis of cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots by two hitherto unreported marine bacteria (Bacillus pumilus and Serratia marcescens) is reported here.

Psychrotrophic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCYC 789 mediates the synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles via cell-associated melanin.

A psychrotrophic marine strain of the ascomycetous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica (NCYC 789) synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a cell-associated manner. These nanostructures were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) analysis. The brown pigment (melanin) involved in metal-interactions was obtained from the cells.

Disruption of microbial biofilms by an extracellular protein isolated from epibiotic tropical marine strain of Bacillus licheniformis.

Background: Marine epibiotic bacteria produce bioactive compounds effective against microbial biofilms. The study examines antibiofilm ability of a protein obtained from a tropical marine strain of Bacillus licheniformis D1.

Methodology/principal Findings: B.

Removal of hexavalent chromium ions by Yarrowia lipolytica cells modified with phyto-inspired Fe0/Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

The removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)], an important ground water pollutant by phyto-inspired Fe(0)/Fe(3)O(4) nanocomposite-modified cells of Yarrowia lipolytica (NCIM 3589 and NCIM 3590), was investigated. Electron microscopy and magnetometer studies indicated an effective modification of yeast cell surfaces by the nanocomposites. The effect of pH, temperature, agitation speed, contact time and initial metal ion concentration on the removal of Cr (VI) was determined.

Bioleaching of fly ash by the tropical marine yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589.

Fly ash collected from an Indian thermal power plant was characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. The effect of fly ash on the growth and morphology of a metal-tolerant tropical marine yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589, was studied. The growth of the yeast was unaffected by the presence 0.

Disruption of Yarrowia lipolytica biofilms by rhamnolipid biosurfactant.

Background: Yarrowia lipolytica is an ascomycetous dimorphic fungus that exhibits biofilm mode of growth. Earlier work has shown that biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids are efficient dispersants of bacterial biofilms. However, their effectiveness against fungal biofilms (particularly Y.

Removal of Ni (II) ions from aqueous solutions by biosorption onto two strains of Yarrowia lipolytica.

The removal of Ni (II) ions from aqueous solutions by two strains of Yarrowia lipolytica (NCIM 3589 and NCIM 3590) under different environmental conditions was studied. Biosorption of Ni (II) was enhanced with an increase in pH, temperature, agitation, contact time and initial concentration of the metal ion. NCIM 3589 and NCIM 3590 at pH 7.

Phyto-inspired silica nanowires: characterization and application in lipase immobilization.

Silica nanostructures were phyto-fabricated on different surfaces by using pomegranate (Punica granatum) leaf extracts. On zinc films, nanowires were obtained. On other surfaces such as silica, alumina, zinc oxide, and glass, spherical aggregates, cubic assemblies, microflakes, and acicular structures, respectively, were observed.

Growth of a tropical marine yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589 on bromoalkanes: relevance of cell size and cell surface properties.

Yarrowia lipolytica 3589, a tropical marine yeast, grew aerobically on a broad range of bromoalkanes varying in carbon chain length and differing in degree and position of bromide group. Amongst the bromoalkanes studied, viz. 2-bromopropane (2-BP), 1-bromobutane (1-BB), 1,5-dibromopentane (1,5-DBP) and 1-bromodecane (1-BD), the best utilized was 1-BD, with a maximal growth rate (μ(max) ) of 0.

Anti-biofilm potential of a glycolipid surfactant produced by a tropical marine strain of Serratia marcescens.

A tropical marine bacterium isolated from the hard coral, Symphyllia sp. was identified as Serratia marcescens on the basis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA analysis. The bacterium showed antimicrobial activity towards the pathogens Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the marine biofouling bacterium Bacillus pumilus.