RESUMO
Aim: This study aims to investigate the ability of laccase producing fungal strains Cladosporium uredinicola GRDBF21 and Bipolaris maydis GRDBF23 isolated from decaying wood bark in decolouration and detoxification of tannery effluent. Methodology: Fungal strains from decaying wood bark samples were isolated by serial dilution technique followed by single spore isolation method. The selected fungal isolates were investigated for their laccase enzyme production. Their effect on physio-chemical properties of tannery effluent collected from final effluent drainage of a leather-tanning factory in Chrompet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India was analysed. Toxicity of treated and untreated tannery effluent was analysed by seed germination test. Results: The lignolytic and constitutive producers of laccase enzyme, C. uredinicola GRDBF21 and B. maydis GRDBF23 exhibited a tolerance index of 1.2 and 1.5, respectively, at 60% effluent concentration. The isolates were able to increase pH and reduce colour, turbidity, total suspended solids and electrical conductivity of the effluent. Besides observing a decrease in the BOD and COD levels, there was also a reduction in the sodium and hexavalent chromium content. C. uredinicola GRDBF21 and B. maydis GRDBF23 treated effluent showed a seed germination percentage of 66.6% and 76.6%, respectively. The untreated effluent completely inhibited the seed germination. Interpretation: The study confirms that the fungal species C. uredinicola GRDBF21 and B. maydis GRDBF23 could be effectively used in decolouration and detoxification of tannery effluent.
RESUMO
Background: Chronic hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus leads to increased lipid peroxidation in the body, followed by the development of chronic complications due to oxidative stress.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare total antioxidant (TAO) levels and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with that of healthy controls without diabetes.Methods: A total of 98 participants (57 T2DM and 41 healthy people) gave their consent and participated in the study. Routine biochemical methods were used for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile measurements. Serum TAO levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were analysed using standard commercial reagent kits.Results: A significant rise in FPG, HbA1c, triglycerides, MDA and ox-LDL, and a significant reduction in TAO and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was observed in T2DM patients compared with controls. A significant negative relationship was observed between TAO levels and MDA levels in the T2DM group. Increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant levels were observed in T2DM patients.Conclusion: Early management through an antioxidant-rich diet and lifestyle changes in T2DM patients would help to avert the debilitating complications of diabetes