Proficient bioconversion of rice straw biomass to bioethanol using a novel combinatorial pretreatment approach based on deep eutectic solvent, microwave irradiation and laccase.

Current study is the first report of the combined application of chemical (deep eutectic solvent), physical (microwave irradiation) and biological (laccase) pretreatment strategies for enhancing the enzymatic digestibility of rice straw biomass. Pretreated rice straw biomass was saccharified by cellulase/xylanase from Aspergillus japonicus DSB2 to get a sugar yield of 252.36 mg/g biomass.

An eco-friendly novel approach for bioconversion of Saccharum spontaneum biomass to biofuel-ethanol under consolidated bioprocess.

Quest for renewable/eco-friendly energy sources has received immense focus in recent years. Current study involved consolidated bioprocessing of Saccharum spontaneum biomass (SSB) for biofuel-ethanol generation in a 'one pot consolidated bioprocess' (OPCB). SSB was pretreated with protic ionic liquid, triethylamine-bisulfate ([TEA][HSO]), saccharified in-situ with cellulase/xylanase enzymes, and the released sugars were fermented to ethanol.

Phytochemicals targeting JAK/STAT pathway in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Is there a future?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder and the treatment involves the use of traditional and biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Recent studies have shown JAK/STAT signaling pathway as potential target for the treatment of RA. Novel JAK/STAT inhibitors viz tofacitinib and baricitinib have been recently approved by FDA for RA treatment and have attained substantial importance.

Nanobiocatalysts for efficacious bioconversion of ionic liquid pretreated sugarcane tops biomass to biofuel.

This work aimed to study the hydrolysis of ionic liquid (IL) pretreated sugarcane tops (SCT) biomass with in-house developed IL-stable enzyme preparation, from a fungal isolate Aspergillus flavus PN3. Maximum reducing sugar yield (181.18 mg/g biomass) was obtained from tris (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium-methylsulfate ([TMA]MeSO) pretreated biomass.

Phytochemical add-on therapy to DMARDs therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: In vitro and in vivo bases, clinical evidence and future trends.

The use of biologically active compounds derived from plants i.e. phytochemicals, have been known for ages for their pharmacological activities in the treatment of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Chemo-enzymatic approaches for consolidated bioconversion of Saccharum spontaneum biomass to ethanol-biofuel.

A novel strategy involving sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) (SDS assisted tris (2-hydroxyethyl) methyl- ammonium methyl sulphate ([TMA][MeSO], ionic liquid) pretreatment of Saccharum spontaneum biomass (SSB) following its enzymatic saccharification, and conversion into ethanol-biofuel in a consolidated bioprocess (CBP) was developed. Ionic liquid stable enzyme preparation developed from Bacillus subtilis G was used for saccharification. Optimized pretreatment and saccharification variables enhanced the sugar yield (2.

Multifarious cholesterol lowering potential of lactic acid bacteria equipped with desired probiotic functional attributes.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates possessed functional probiotic attributes, such as high hydrophobicity and autoaggregation ability, coaggregation capability with bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and hypocholesterolemic effects. Selected potential probiotic LAB, i.e.

Consolidated bioprocessing of surfactant-assisted ionic liquid-pretreated Parthenium hysterophorus L. biomass for bioethanol production.

The current study presents the first ever report of surfactant (Tween-20) assisted ionic liquid IL, (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methane sulphonate [Emim][MeSO]) pretreatment of Parthenium hysterophorus biomass, its saccharification by in-house developed enzyme cocktail from Aspergillus aculeatus PN14, and fermentation of sugars to bioethanol under consolidated bioprocess. Optimization of pretreatment process variables viz. biomass loading, temperature and time, resulted in enhanced sugar yield (40.

Ultrasound and surfactant assisted ionic liquid pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse for enhancing saccharification using enzymes from an ionic liquid tolerant Aspergillus assiutensis VS34.

Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment represents an effective strategy for effective fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass (LB) to fermentable sugars in a biorefinery. Optimization of combinatorial pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with IL (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [Bmim]Cl) and surfactant (PEG-8000) resulted in enhanced sugar yield (16.5%) upon enzymatic saccharification.

Application of ionic liquid and alkali pretreatment for enhancing saccharification of sunflower stalk biomass for potential biofuel-ethanol production.

Biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels/chemicals has recently gained immense research momentum. Current study reports sequential pretreatment of sunflower stalk (SFS) biomass in a combinatorial regime involving alkali (NaOH) and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride. The pretreatment enhanced the enzymatic digestibility, and resulted in increased sugar yield (163.

Process desired functional attributes of an endoxylanase of GH10 family from a new strain of Aspergillus terreus S9.

Huge industrial application potential of xylanases is stalled due to lack of process suitable characteristics like thermostability, broad range pH stability, and high catalytic efficiency in the available enzymes. Current study presents the first ever report of a pH stable (pH 6-11) and thermostable (80-100 °C) xylanase from a novel strain of Aspergillus terreus S9. The xylanase was purified to homogeneity (6.

Hypocholesterolemic and bioactive potential of exopolysaccharide from a probiotic Enterococcus faecium K1 isolated from kalarei.

Bioprospecting of novel probiotic strains especially from unexplored eco-niches has been a continuous practice. Enterococcus faecium K1, an isolate from indigenously fermented milk product kalarei possesses numerous desirable functional attributes. In current study, E.

Functional Characterization of Potential Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kalarei and Development of Probiotic Fermented Oat Flour.

Considerable variations among probiotics with respect to their health benefitting attributes fuel the research on bioprospecting of proficient probiotic strains from various ecological niches especially the poorly unexplored ones. In the current study, kalarei, an indigenous cheese-like fermented milk product, and other dairy-based sources like curd and raw milk were used for isolation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Among 34 LAB isolates, 7 that could withstand simulated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions were characterized for functional probiotic attributes, viz.

Production, purification and characterization of fibrinolytic enzyme from Serratia sp. KG-2-1 using optimized media.

Intravascular thrombosis is one of the major causes of variety of cardiovascular disorders leading to high mortality worldwide. Fibrinolytic enzymes from microbial sources possess ability to dissolve these clots and help to circumvent these problems in more efficient and safer way. In the present study, fibrinolytic protease with higher fibrinolytic activity than plasmin was obtained from Serratia sp.

Phytase-Producing Potential and Other Functional Attributes of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolates for Prospective Probiotic Applications.

Wide variations among multifaceted-health benefitting attributes of probiotics fueled investigations on targeting efficacious probiotics. In the current study, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from poultry gut, feces of rat, chicken, human infants, and fermented foods were characterized for desired probiotic functional properties including the phytase-producing ability which is one of the wanted characteristics for probiotics for potential applications for upgrading animal nutrition, enhancing feed conversion, and minimizing anti-nutritional properties. Among 62 LAB isolates Weissella kimchii R-3 an isolate from poultry gut exhibited substantial phytase-producing ability (1.

Bioprocess optimization for production of thermoalkali-stable protease from Bacillus subtilis K-1 under solid-state fermentation.

Cost-effective production of proteases, which are robust enough to function under harsh process conditions, is always sought after due to their wide industrial application spectra. Solid-state production of enzymes using agro-industrial wastes as substrates is an environment-friendly approach, and it has several advantages such as high productivity, cost-effectiveness, being less labor-intensive, and less effluent production, among others. In the current study, different agro-wastes were employed for thermoalkali-stable protease production from Bacillus subtilis K-1 under solid-state fermentation.

Cost-effective-substrates for production of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate by a newly isolated Bacillus cereus PS-10.

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) may serve as one of the imperative substitutes for petroleum derived plastics because of their close functional analogy and biodegradation quality. In the present study, PHB producing ability of bacterial isolates was examined on low-cost agro industrial residues. Isolate PS-10 from domestic waste landfills, identified as Bacillus cereus PS-10 produced and accumulated appreciable amount of PHB.

Production and characterization of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate from Bacillus cereus PS 10.

Usage of renewable raw materials for production of fully degradable bioplastics (bacterial poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, PHB) has gained immense research impetus considering recalcitrant nature of petroleum based plastics, dwindling fossil fuel feed stocks, and associated green house gas emissions. However, high production cost of PHB is the major bottleneck for its wide range industrial applications. In current study, Bacillus cereus PS 10, a recent isolate, efficiently utilized molasses, an abundantly available by-product from sugar industries as sole carbon source for growth and PHB production.

Production of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate by Bacillus cereus PS 10 using biphasic-acid-pretreated rice straw.

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to its potential use for production of fully degradable bioplastics, however, high cost of PHB production is the major bottleneck for its wide range industrial applications. In the current study rice straw hydrolysate (RSH) was employed as a cost-effective substrate for PHB production. RSH was prepared based on biphasic acid-pretreatment of rice straw i.

Killer toxin from a novel killer yeast Pichia kudriavzevii RY55 with idiosyncratic antibacterial activity.

The killer phenomenon of yeast may have technological implications in many areas like beverage fermentation, food technology, biological control in agriculture, and in medicine. In the present study the killer phenomenon in Pichia kudriavzevii (P. kudriavzevii RY55) is being reported for the first time.

Studies on an alkali-thermostable xylanase from Aspergillus fumigatus MA28.

An alkalitolerant fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus strain MA28 produced significant amounts of cellulase-free xylanase when grown on a variety of agro-wastes. Wheat bran as the sole carbon source supported higher xylanase production (8,450 U/L) than xylan (7,500 U/L). Soybean meal was observed to be the best nitrogen source for xylanase production (9,000 U/L).

Alkalistable endo-β-1,4-xylanase production from a newly isolated alkalitolerant Penicillium sp. SS1 using agro-residues.

Thermostable and alkalitolerant xylanases have got intense research focus due to their vast applications in various industries including pulp and paper, food, feed, textile, biofuel, etc. In the present investigation, a Penicillum sp. SS1 isolated from degrading woody material was found to produce moderately thermoactive and alkalistable endo-β-1,4-xylanase (xylanase).

Production of xylanase from an alkali tolerant Streptomyces sp. 7b under solid-state fermentation, its purification, and characterization.

Streptomyces sp. 7b showed highest xylanase activity among 41 bacterial isolates screened under submerged fermentation. The organism grew over broad pH (5-11) and temperatures range (25-55 degrees C) and displayed maximum xylanase production on wheat bran (1230 U/g) under solid-state fermentation.