Isolation and partial characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from soil and marine samples

In the present study the potential of indigenous bacterial isolates from soil rhizosphere and marine environment to promote plant growth was determined

Eight bacterial strains isolated from Soil and marine samples were characterized for the Phosphate solubilizing activity

Qualitative and quantitative estimation of phosphate solubilization is done. MIC of antibiotic and heavy metals were checked for these strains. Strains show a diverse pattern of antibiotic and heavy metals resistance

Optimization of growth conditions for the isolation of dextran producing leuconostoc spp. from indigenous food sources

Leuconostoc are known to produce dextran, which have great commercial importance in chemical, medical and food industry. The present study is an attempt to select the best medium for the isolation of indigenous dextran producing Leuconostoc, measuring their enzyme activities for dextransucrase, production of dextran and identification of dextran producing Leuconostoc CMG706, CMG707, CMG710 and CMG713. Since, dextran producing Leuconostoc produce slimy colonies, twenty-four slime producing bacterial strains were isolated from different food sources, fruits and vegetables. Three different isolation medium were evaluated for the isolation of Leuconostoc only and the best one was found to be one containing sucrose and sodium azide. Further, all slime producing bacterial strains were screened for enzyme activity of dextransucrase, which is responsible for dextran production. Four bacterial strains CMG706, CMG707, CMG710 and CMG713 giving high enzyme activities were selected for dextran production and identified

genetic characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia in Pakistan

Familial hypercholesterolemia [FH] is caused by mutations in the genes coding for the low-density lipoprotein receptor [LDLR], apolipoprotein B-100, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9]. In this study, a molecular analysis of LDLR gene and APOB gene was performed in a group of 17 unrelated patients from Pakistan. All patients were clinically diagnosed with definite or possible hypercholesterolemia according to a uniform protocol and internationally accepted WHO criteria. Mutational analysis included all exons, exon-intron boundaries and the promoter sequence of the LDLR, and fragments of exon 26 and exon 29 of APOB. In our study, SNPs within LDLR exon 12, rs688 and LDLR exon 13, rs5925 were identified. We identified associations between SNPs and increased levels of cholesterol in Pakistani population. We failed to detect polymorphisms in the APOB gene

Molecular studies of ichthyosis vulgaris in Pakistani families

To target and amplify a 1.5 kb FLG gene fragment known to carry R501X mutation responsible for causing ichthyosis vulgaris. A case series. Centre for Molecular Genetics, University of Karachi and Dermatology Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from October 2007 to December 2008. Clinically examined seven ichthyosis vulgaris families were included in this study. The 1.5 kb FLG gene fragment was located in the genomic DNA of both the affected [patients] and unaffected [normal, controls] members of the families by PCR amplification using known primers FilF3 and RPTIP6. Amplification of 1.5 kb FLG gene fragment was successful in four families while one family showed amplification of the gene fragment in 3 members [one affected and two normal]. Two families showed no amplification. The results obtained during this study suggested the possibility of the R501X mutation as being one of the major causes of ichthyosis vulgaris in Pakistan. In addition, the study also revealed the possibility of the presence of novel FLG gene mutations in our population

Screening of phytate hydrolysing marine bacteria isolated from Baluchistan

A total of 100 Marine bacterial strains were isolated and screened for phytate-degrading ability. The phytate degrading ability of the isolates was first qualitatively evaluated by the formation of haloes [clear zones] around the colonies growing on solid medium containing 10mM of sodium phytate and then quantitatively evaluated by measuring amount of free phosphate released as a result of sodium phytate hydrolysis by bacterial strains using high performance liquid chromatography and by spectrophotometric method. Thirteen percent of the isolated strains showed sodium phytate-degrading ability in solid medium and three percent of the strains showed sodium phytate degrading ability in liquid medium. The strains, which showed hydrolysis of sodium phytate both in solid and liquid media, were identified as E. coli, Bacillus steriothermophilus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E.coli released 3.5mM phosphate and Bacillus steriothermophilus released 2.4mM free phosphate where as Pseudomonas aeruginosa released 1.4mM free phosphate

Solubilization of insoluble inorganic phosphate compounds by attached and free living marine bacteria

Phosphorous [P] is a plant nutrient, which is rapidly made immobile and less available for plant use after addition to the soil as a soluble fertilizer. Phosphate solubilizing microoganisms are able to improve the P nutrient availability to plants and thus stimulate plant growth. Marine bacteria isolated from attached and free surfaces were screened for solubilization of insoluble phosphate compounds. Both types of bacteria, attached and free-living demonstrated diverse levels of phosphate solubilization activity under in vitro conditions. Colonies of marine bacteria produced clear haloes on solid medium incorporating insoluble phosphate compounds, but only when glucose was provided as the carbon source. In attached bacteria 30% bacterial strains solubilized zinc phosphate, 19% solubilized calcium tri phosphate whereas, 18% of free-living bacteria solubilized zinc phosphate and 12% solubilized calcium tri phosphate

Characterization of bacterial flora from coastal areas of Pakistan

Microbial flora in coastal areas of Pakistan forms an integral part of this unique marine ecosystem. Samples from Karachi and Baluchistan coast were collected from surface water, deep-sea water, sediments, sea animals and plants. The samples were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of bacteria. A total of 193 bacterial strains were isolated, purified and preserved. Characterization of free and attached bacteria was performed with respect to heavy metals and antibiotics resistance. The bacterial strains were identified by API kits while few of them were also confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing