Evaluation of effects of essential oil vapors on the bacterial count in bioaerosols.

Background: The aerosols generated during dental treatments contain bacteria and other microorganisms that penetrate the body through the respiratory system of dental surgeons and cause infectious diseases. Several studies have been done to reduce these hazards. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of the plant extract essential oil (EO) vapors of Neem, Clove, Cinnamon bark, Thyme, Lemon Grass, and on the bacterial count in bioaerosols near dental units.

Whey valorization for sustainable polyhydroxyalkanoate production by Bacillus megaterium: Production, characterization and in vitro biocompatibility evaluation.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers acclaimed as an eco-friendly substitute of hazardously polluting petrochemical plastics. Using industrial by-products as PHA feedstocks could improve its process economics and market implementation. Valorizing the plenteous, nutritive pollutant whey as PHA production feedstock would be an excellent whey management strategy.

Apoptosis induction in cancer cell lines by the carotenoid Fucoxanthinol from JGI 52.

Context: Microorganisms produce a variety of pigments and many pigments from bacteria were reported to have therapeutic potential including anticancer effects.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticancer potential a yellow pigment from newly isolated JGI 52.

Materials And Methods: Serial dilution method was adopted for the isolation of pigmented bacteria from soil sources.

Production and characterization of alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger JGI 24 isolated in Bangalore.

Five fungal isolates were screened for the production of alpha-amylase using both solid-state and submerged fermentations. The best amylase producer among them, Aspergillus niger JGI 24, was selected for enzyme production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) on wheat bran. Different carbon and nitrogen supplements were used to enhance enzyme production and maximum amount of enzyme was obtained when SSF was carried out with soluble starch and beef extract (1% each) as supplements.

Identification of amino acid residues essential for enzyme activity of sheep liver 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Sheep liver 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase was subjected to specific chemical modification with phenylglyoxal, diethyl pyrocarbonate and N-bromosuccinimide. The second-order rate constants for inactivation were calculated to be 54 M-1 X min-1, 103 M-1 X min-1 and 154 M-1 X min-1 respectively. This inactivation could be prevented by incubation with substrates or products, suggesting that the residues modified, namely arginine, histidine and tryptophan, are essential for enzyme activity.