Assessment of biodegradability of PVC containing cellulose by white rot fungus

Aims: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most widely used and environmentally damaging plastic. Processing, production and disposal of PVC cause release of toxic chlorine based compounds into environment. The objective of the present study was to assess the biodegradability of cellulose blended PVC by white rot fungi i.e. Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Methodology and results: Biodegradability of the strain for the polymer was tested on plate assay, sturm test, soil burial and shake flask experiments. The biodegradability of the polymer was determined by visual changes, plate assay and carbon dioxide production. Morphological changes in the polymer such as pits, extensive spotting, clear surface erosion, fungal attachment, roughening and deterioration of some parts were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Chemical changes like appearance and shortening of peaks using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also confirmed the biodegradability of the polymer. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The present study confirmed that mixing of small amount of cellulose increases the hydrophilicity of the polymer and lead to its microbial degradation and Phanerochaete chrysosporium has great potential for the treatment of solid waste containing plastics.

Inhibition of multiplication of leprosy bacilli in nude mice by intermittent dosed new rifamycin derivative krm-1648 combined with sparfloxacin

The inhibition of multiplication of mycobacterium leprae inoculated into footpads of nude mice by the oral administration of new rifamycin derivative KRM-1648 and a new quinolone, sparfloxacin [SPFX]; was examined. When these two drugs were administered alternately at intervals of 3 or 4 days [thus once weekly for each drug] between 3 and 5 months after infection, the use of 0.6 mg/kg of KRM-1648 and 10mg/kg of sparfloxacin were found to be sufficient to prevent entirely multiplication of M.leprae. However with the alternate administration of 0.3 kg of KRM-1648 and 5 mg/kg sparfloxacin the inhibition of multiplication of M.leprae was partial as it was also examined with the administration of 1 mg/kg of KRM-1648 alone or 20 mg/kg/ of sparfloxacin alone once a weekly. However the simultaneous administration of 0.6 mg/kg of KRM-1648 with 10 mg/kg of sparfloxacin once per week entirely prevented the multiplication of M. leprae. Taking these findings into consideration there is possible future use of these type multi drug regimens was discussed

Inhibition of multiplication of leprosy bacilli in nude mice by simultaneous adminstration of new rifamycin derivative krm-1648 and sparfloxacin combined with dapsone

The inhibition of multiplication of mycobacterium leprae inculated in to foot pads of nude mice by oral administration of new rifamycin derivative KRM-1648 and a new quinoline, sparfloxacin [SPFX] combined with dapsone [DDS]: was examined. When these drugs administered simultaneously once weekly, the use of 0.6 mg/Kg of KRM, 10 mg/kg of sparfloxacin and 0.001/ Dapsone, entirely prevented the multiplication of M. leprae even the number of non solid bacilli detected was less than that inoculated into each foot pad. This study revealed the possible future use of this multi-drug regimen in the chemotherapy of leprosy patient