Qualitative analyses of lignocellulolytic enzymes produced by Emericella sp strain HST9 under diverse culture conditions

Aim: Optimization of cultural conditions for improved lignocellulolytic enzyme production by an ascomycete HST9 isolated from leaf and litter waste. Methodology: The fungus HST9 was isolated from leaf and litter waste collected from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Culture experiments were conducted at different temperature, pH, incubation periods and aeration conditions. Effects of addition of different concentrations of various metal ions, different carbon complexes and nitrogen salts on enzyme production were also studied under submerged culture condition. Enzyme activities were measured by standard protocols using spectrophotometer. Results: HST9 grew well and produced optimum enzymes at 30oC on 7th day of incubation at stationary conditions and pH- 6. Overall enzyme activities decreased after addition of metal salts. Carboxymethyl cellulose (300 mg l-1) and alkali lignin (200 mg l-1) were observed to be the best carbon complexes for cellulolytic and ligninolytic activities. Ammonium sulfate was found to be a better nitrogen source compared to others. Under optimum conditions, different enzyme activities observed were 0.011 IU m l-1 FPase, 0.015 IU ml-1 CMCase, 6.5 IU m l-1 Lac, 57.5 IU m l-1 LiP and 4 IU ml-1 MnP. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the strain confirmed that strain HST9 showed closeness with genus Emericella. Interpretation: Lignocellulolytic enzyme activity of Emericella isolate HST9 enhanced at optimum culture conditions, signifying that it can be used as a biological agent to degrade lignocellulosic waste.

Indigenous medicinal plants used by the tribal healers of chittagong hill tracts to treat diarrhoea and dysentery

More information was gathered about traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery by the tribal communities of three hilly districts [Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari] in Chittagong. The tribal communities depend on medicinal plants for treating many difficult diseases. These medicinal plants have been used by them as effective remedy from time immemorial. The present study reveals that, the tribal communities use 56 plant species belonging to 36 families for the prevention as well as treatment of above mentioned diseases. All of the plants were collected from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Short diagnostic description of plants, botanical name, family name, Bengali name, English name, Tribal name, systematic position, plant preparation, uses and dosage information are described