Use of Cellulase enzyme obtained from Monilia (Moniliophthora roreri) for treatment of solid waste of Cob, Rice husks and Cocoa shell.

Ecuador generates lots of lingo cellulosic organic waste from cocoa, rice and corn agribusiness, and these products are rich in cellulose and can be used in fermentation processes by enzyme producing yeasts. In this study, the phytopathogenic fungus Moniliophthora roreri was isolated, characterized and the kinetics of production of cellulose was studied using rice husks, cocoa shell and cob as a growth inducer substance for a period of 20 days. The carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as specific substrate to evaluate the kinetic parameters of the enzyme at different concentration of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%; to evaluate the Vmax, Km, specific activity, Kcat we worked with the Michaelis-Menten and Line weaver-Burk linearization and the crude enzyme was purified with ammonium sulfate. The enzyme production was increased on 10th, 15th and 20th day in rice husk, cocoa shell and cob, respectively. There was also an increased enzyme activity and the kinetic parameters obtained from rice husk. The purification is a step to increase the specific activity of the enzyme in each of the extracts is under study.

Effect of Azospirillum spp. and Azotobacter spp. on the growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria vesca) in hydroponic system under different nitrogen levels.

It is well established fact that bacterial species promotes plant growth. This growth enhancing activity was believed to be through different mechanisms such as synthesis of phytohormones, nitrogen-fixing, and biological control. For this reason, in this present investigation we have isolated and identified Azotobacter spp. and Azospirillum spp. through macromorphologically and micromorphologically in order to assess its effect on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria vesca) an Albion variety in hydroponic system. The inoculation and co-inoculation of bacterial culture was performed in combination with three nitrogen levels (50, 100 and 150 ppm), growth parameters such as plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of root and aerial parts, leaf area, chlorophyll content, nutrient content, solid soluble, caliber, yield/plant. It is observed that in T8 (co-inoculation in100 ppm N) group showed significantly increase in plant height (18.57cm), chlorophyll content (48.57 Soil Plant Analysis Development-SPAD), fresh root weight (25.82g) and dry root weight (5.93g), while in treatment group T5 (Azotobacter spp. 100ppm of Nitrogen) and T6 (Azotobacter spp. 150ppm of Nitrogen) showed significant increase in root length, leaf area, dry and fresh weights of aerial parts. The N content of leaf for all treatments was in the ranges of 2.42 - 2.83 % that is suitable for cultivation. Similarly, the treatment group T5 and T6 showed increase in yield per plant and soluble solids content. So, Azotobacter and Nitrogen treatment has growth related benefits in strawberries under hydroponic system.

Identification and characterization of Lactobacillus bacterial genera most prevalent used to improve silage digestibility of important forage species for livestock sector.

The objective of this study is to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria and their effect as a microbial inoculants in silage digestibility of Lolium perenne –Trifolium pratense (Rye grass - Red clover) (RG-RC), Avena sativa – Vicia sativa (Oat-Vetch) (O-V) and Corn Stover Zea mays (Corn) (C). The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from three mixtures were identified at 40 day of evolution of micro silages. Morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular techniques were used to characterize the isolates lactic acid bacteria. The following species were identified from the mixture namely Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus acidilactici. 54 micro silages with each feed material were produced, 27 micro silos were inoculated with bacteria’s and the rest was used as a control. The nutritional value of protein, ether extract (EE), ash, energy, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) at 20, 30 and 40 days of ensilage was compared. The percentage of each in vitro digestibility of treatments performed on day 40 was obtained that corresponded best A-V and RG-TR inoculated with bacteria as they were 35% and 41% more digestible than the control treatments appropriate, concluding that the inoculation of lactic acid bacteria facilitated improved digestibility of silage obtaining good nutritional quality, with optimal values. These results will enable future research on the relationship between LAB species and silage fermentation quality. Use of lactic acid bacteria is recommended as an additive to improve the nutritional quality of food animals as alternative in times of scarcity of fodder or as a supplement to improve the nutritional status of livestock herd.