Separation of lead from aqueous phase by cucumber peel in column bioreactor: A phenomenon of interaction between biological and chemical system and its ecological importance.

This research work represents a holistic approach of separation of aqueous lead through dynamic adsorption on cucumber peel in fixed bed column bioreactor and highlights the biological perspective of mode of interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate. Additionally attempt has been made to elucidate the importance of this process in preservation of aquatic ecosystem. The study illustrates influence of design parameters, periodic surveillance of generated effluents, statistical and mathematical model analyses of results and desorption.

Evaluation of quantity and quality of chitosan produce from Rhizopus oryzae by utilizing food product processing waste whey and molasses.

Low cost whey salt medium (WSM) and molasses salt medium (MSM) have been constructed utilizing food processing byproduct whey and molasses for the production of bio-polysaccharide chitosan from Rhizopus oryzae and subsequently comprehensive physico-chemical characterization of the fungal chitosan has been carried out using various analytical tools to apprehend its biochemical utility. Same has been repeated with chitosan from conventional potato dextrose broth (PDB) for comparison purpose. The yields of chitosan in three different media were 0.

Adsorption of Lead on Lentil Husk in Fixed Bed Column Bioreactor.

This study depicts successful employment of fixed bed column bioreactor for adsorption of lead in continuous mode using lentil husk as sorbent. Design parameters considerably controlled the reactor performance, amongst which height of the fixed bed and flow rate were crucial in generating cleaner effluent. Adsorption capacity was found to shoot up to the level of 205.

A study on antifungal activity of water-soluble chitosan against Macrophomina phaseolina.

The objective of this study was to evaluate antifungal effect of water-soluble chitosan (s-chitosan) on Macrophomina phaseolina (M. phaseolina) causing jute seedling infection and monitor the change in activity of released enzymes during infection. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of s-chitosan for M.

Correlation between body size and fecundity in fish louse Argulus bengalensis Ramakrishna, 1951 (Crustacea: Branchiura).

The life history traits like fecundity and body size are useful predictors of life history strategies of organisms. The information on these aspects provided necessary input for control measures for ectoparasites. In view of this, the variations in the life history traits of the fish louse Argulus bengalensis Ramakrishna (1951) were assessed using age as an explanatory factor.

Nano-silica fabricated with silver nanoparticles: antifouling adsorbent for efficient dye removal, effective water disinfection and biofouling control.

A nano-silica-AgNPs composite material is proposed as a novel antifouling adsorbent for cost-effective and ecofriendly water purification. Fabrication of well-dispersed AgNPs on the nano-silica surface, designated as NSAgNP, has been achieved through protein mediated reduction of silver ions at ambient temperature for development of sustainable nanotechnology. The coated proteins on AgNPs led to the formation of stable NSAgNP and protected the AgNPs from oxidation and other ions commonly present in water.

Silver-nano biohybride material: synthesis, characterization and application in water purification.

A green chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through in situ reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) by a fungal strain of Rhizopus oryzae is described along with the promising eco-friendly role of the synthesized nano-silver bioconjugate (NSBC) material in water purification process. The NSBC has been characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron (HRTEM) microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The NSBC exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and high adsorption capacity towards different organophosphorous pesticides.

Green pigment from Bacillus cereus M(1)(16) (MTCC 5521): production parameters and antibacterial activity.

A bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus M(1)(16) (MTCC 5521), isolated and identified in our laboratory produces a green pigment when grown in nutrient broth at stationary condition. Optimum fermentation parameters for maximum pigment production are pH 7.0, temperature 30°C, time of incubation 72 h and inoculum volume 1% from 20 h grown cell suspension.

Adsorption profile of lead on Aspergillus versicolor: a mechanistic probing.

The adsorption of lead on Aspergillus versicolor biomass (AVB) has been investigated in aqueous solution with special reference to binding mechanism in order to explore the possibilities of the biomass to address environmental pollution. AVB, being the most potent of all the fungal biomasses tested, has been successfully employed for reducing the lead content of the effluents of battery industries to permissible limit (1.0 mg L(-1)) before discharging into waterbodies.

Mechanistic studies on the binding of Acid Yellow 99 on coir pith.

The interaction of Acid Yellow 99 (AY 99) with coir pith has been investigated in aqueous medium to understand the mechanism of adsorption and explore the potentiality of this biomass towards controlling pollution resulting from textile dyes. The obtained results establish that one gram of coir pith can adsorb 442.13 mg of AY 99.

Microbial synthesis of multishaped gold nanostructures.

The development of methodologies for the synthesis of nanoparticles of well-defined size and shape is a challenging one and constitutes an important area of research in nanotechnology. This Full Paper describes the controlled synthesis of multishaped gold nanoparticles at room temperature utilizing a simple, green chemical method by the interaction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4 x 3H20) and cell-free extract of the fungal strain Rhizopus oryzae. The cell-free extract functions as a reducing, shape-directing, as well as stabilizing, agent.

Beta-D-galactosidase from Enterobacter cloacae: production and some physicochemical properties.

A bacterial strain isolated from soil and identified as Enterobacter cloacae had been found to be capable of producing both intra and extracellular beta-D: -galactosidase.The intracellular enzyme was thermostable and its optimum temperature, pH and time for enzyme-substrate reaction were found to be 50 degrees C, 9.0 and 5 min respectively, using ONPG as substrate.

Interaction of malathion, an organophosphorus pesticide with Rhizopus oryzae biomass.

Adsorption of malathion on Rhizopus oryzae biomass (ROB) with special reference to binding mechanism has been described. ROB has been found to adsorb approximately 85% of malathion from its aqueous solution as against 47-68% by other fungal biomasses. Hydrogen ion concentration does not influence the adsorption of malathion by ROB which follows Langmuir-Freundlich dual equilibrium isotherm model (r(2)=0.

Adsorption behavior of lindane on Rhizopus oryzae biomass: physico-chemical studies.

Rhizopus oryzae biomass (ROB), depending on the age of the culture has been found to adsorb lindane, an organochloro pesticide from its aqueous solution to the extent of 63-90%. The adsorption process does not depend on the pH of the solution or incubation temperature and is very rapid during the first 15 min and reaches equilibrium within 60 min following pseudo-second-order rate model. The adsorption capacity of 1g ROB towards lindane is 107.

Concurrent primary and secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects in anilinolysis of O-aryl methyl phosphonochloridothioates.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of Y-O-aryl methyl phosphonochloridothioates with substituted anilines (XC(6)H(4)NH(2)) and deuterated anilines (XC(6)H(4)ND(2)) are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at 55.0 degrees C. The Hammett and Brønsted plots for substituent (X) variations in the nucleophiles are biphasic concave downwards with a break region between X = H and 4-Cl.

Gold nanoparticles: microbial synthesis and application in water hygiene management.

A green chemical method to synthesize nanogold-bioconjugate and its eco-friendly promising role to purify contaminated waters has been described. Gold nanoparticles of 10 nm average diameter are produced on the surface of Rhizopus oryzae , a fungal strain, by in situ reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)). The nanogold-bioconjugate (NGBC) showed strong adsorption capacity toward different organophosphorous pesticides.

Biosorption of hexavalent chromium by Termitomyces clypeatus biomass: kinetics and transmission electron microscopic study.

Biosorption of Cr(+6) by Termitomyces clypeatus has been investigated involving kinetics, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) studies. Kinetics experiments reveal that the uptake of chromium by live cell involves initial rapid surface binding followed by relatively slow intracellular accumulation. Of the different chromate analogues tested, only sulfate ion reduces the uptake of chromium to the extent of approximately 30% indicating chromate ions accumulation into the cytoplasm using sulfate transport system.

Structural and nanomechanical properties of Termitomyces clypeatus cell wall and its interaction with chromium(VI).

Alterations of cell surface properties accompanying the complex life cycle of Termitomyces clypeatus have been monitored using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A new hyphae/mycelium is developed on cell division, and the cell wall of the mycelium undergoes a process of internal reorganization (or maturation) followed by morphological and chemical alterations. The changes of the surface ultrastructures during the growth process are correlated to the corresponding changes in relative viscoelasticity and rigidity of the cell wall by employing force spectroscopy.

Adsorption behavior of mercury on functionalized aspergillus versicolor mycelia: atomic force microscopic study.

The adsorption characteristics of mercury on Aspergillus versicolor mycelia have been studied under varied environments. The mycelia are functionalized by carbon disulfide (CS(2)) treatment under alkaline conditions to examine the enhance uptake capacity and explore its potentiality in pollution control management. The functionalized A.

Jute stick powder as a potential biomass for the removal of congo red and rhodamine B from their aqueous solution.

Jute stick powder (JSP) has been found to be a promising material for adsorptive removal of congo red (C.I. 22120) and rhodamine B (C.

Interaction of chromium with resistant strain Aspergillus versicolor: investigation with atomic force microscopy and other physical studies.

The interaction of chromium and a chromate resistant Aspergillus versicolor strain has been studied by atomic force (AFM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopies. The nanomechanical properties such as cell wall rigidity and elasticity were measured by force spectroscopy and found to be 0.61 +/- 0.

Adsorption of rhodamine B on Rhizopus oryzae: role of functional groups and cell wall components.

The role of different functional groups (i.e. amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl as well as phosphate) and cell wall components (such as chitin, chitosan, glucan and phosphomannan) of Rhizopus oryzae on adsorption of rhodamine B is described.

Adsorption behavior of copper ions on Mucor rouxii biomass through microscopic and FTIR analysis.

Mucor rouxii biomass (MRB) was found to be most potent sorbent for the removal of copper from its aqueous solution. Maximum adsorption was noted within pH range 5.0-6.

A study on the adsorption mechanism of mercury on Aspergillus versicolor biomass.

The adsorption behavior of mercury on Aspergillus versicolor biomass (AVB) has been investigated in aqueous solution to understand the physicochemical process involved and to explore the potentiality of AVB in pollution control management. This biomass has been successfully used for reducing the mercury concentration level in the effluent of chloralkali and battery industries to a permissible limit. The results establish that 75.

Enhancement of growth and chitosan production by Rhizopus oryzae in whey medium by plant growth hormones.

The effect of some plant growth hormones, viz., gibberellic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, and kinetin on chitosan production by Rhizopus oryzae in deproteinized whey was studied. Hormones, at different concentrations, increase the mycelial growth by 19-32%.