Evaluation of acrylamide production by Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS-6) cells immobilized in agar matrix.

Aims: The efficiency of acrylamide production was examined with immobilized cells of Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS-6) containing NHase.

Methods And Results: Different entrapment matrices such as agar, alginate and polyacrylamide were used. Various immobilization parameters like agar concentration, cell concentration and reaction conditions affecting the bioconversion process using suitable matrices were determined.

Response surface methodology: An effective optimization strategy for enhanced production of nitrile hydratase (NHase) by (RS-6).

Nitrile hydratase is an enzyme which catalyze the hydration of nitriles into amide and their role as catalysts for acrylamide production in industries are well known. The present study aims at statistically optimizing physiological and nutritional parameters for NHase production from (RS-6). The effect of incubation period, temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of NHase was investigated by one factor at a time strategy.

Absorption and Reduction of Chromium by Fungi.

Biosorption has gained increased attention as a reliable and proven technology for the remediation of industrial effluents rich in chromium. The present study was planned to isolate potential fungi from effluents contaminated sites and assess their efficiency for the absorption and reduction of chromium. Two species of Aspergillus and a species of Trichoderma which were isolated from contaminated sites and exhibited resistance to 10 mM of chromium on agar were chosen for the study.

A simple, efficient and rapid screening technique for differentiating nitrile hydratase and nitrilase producing bacteria.

Nitrile hydrolyzing enzymes catalyze the hydration of nitrile compounds to corresponding amides and acids. Bacteria, isolated from soil samples were screened for nitrile hydrolyzing enzymes by simple dye based 96 well plate and nesslerization method. Bromothymol blue was used as an indicator for the detection of amides and acids based on colour change of the indicator dye from blue to dark green or yellow.

Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of l-asparaginase from Fusarium culmorum ASP-87 on human leukemia cells (Jurkat).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer properties of l-asparaginase purified from fungal isolate Fusarium culmorum ASP-87 against human T-cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat). The growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of purified l-asparaginase on Jurkat cell lines were investigated by determining its influence on cell viability, colony formation, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle progression. The results revealed that purified l-asparaginase showed significant decrease in cell survival with IC value of 90 μg/mL (9 IU/mL).

Complete Genome Sequence of Soil Fungus Aspergillus terreus (KM017963), a Potent Lovastatin Producer.

We report the complete genome of Aspergillus terreus (KM017963), a tropical soil isolate. The genome sequence is 29 Mb, with a G+C content of 51.12%.

Harnessing indigenous plant seed oil for the production of bio-fuel by an oleaginous fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana- JSK2, isolated from tropical soil.

Cunninghamella blakesleeana- JSK2, a gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) producing tropical fungal isolate, was utilized as a tool to evaluate the influence of various plant seed oils on biomass, oleagenicity and bio-fuel production. The fungus accumulated 26 % total lipid of their dry biomass (2 g/l) and 13 % of GLA in its total fatty acid. Among the various plant seed oils tested as carbon sources for biotransformation studies, watermelon oil had an effect on biomass and total lipid increasing up to 9.