Seduced by tobacco, killed by cancer.

The practice of placing a small amount of chewing tobacoo or snuff in the oral cavity and leaving it in place for extended periods of time appears to be finding its way in to young and middle aged adults as a socially accepectable and popular habit. Cancer development at the site of placement and other oral mucosal lensions caused by these products has been described from several population groups. As the composition and the pattern of use of the product vary, evaluation of each type of smokeless vtobacco (ST) has to be undertaken with caution. This review thus, highlights the use of ST and its significance as the causative for oral cancer.

Isolation and identification of alpha-amylase producing Bacillus sp. from dhal industry waste.

A bacterial strain was isolated from dhal industry red gram waste and identified as Bacillus. A thermostable extracellular amylase was partially purified from the strain. Optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme were found to be 60 degrees C and 6.5, respectively. The maximum amylase production was achieved with maltose as carbon source. Among the nitrogen sources, peptone and yeast extract produced maximum amylase.