Optimization of protease production from Bacillus halodurans under solid state fermentation using agrowastes.

Marine microbes are potential source for novel metabolites. They are efficient in producing these metabolites utilizing agrowastes. Protease is one of the enzymes which find wide industrial applications. In the present study, protease producing bacteria was isolated from marine sediments and the organism was identified as Bacillus halodurans. The organism was subjected to protease production under solid state fermentation (SSF) using different agrowastes as substrates. Among the substrates used, wheat bran yielded maximum quantity of protease. The fermentation process was carried out under different cultural conditions to optimize the parameters influencing the enzyme production. The results of the stain removal studies by the enzyme revealed the increased efficiency of the microbial enzyme than the commercial detergent.

Biomedical and therapeutic potential of exopolysaccharides by Lactobacillus paracasei isolated from sauerkraut: Screening and characterization.

The intention of the study was evaluated for purification and characterization of exopolysaccharides from Lactobacillus paracasei; was isolated from homemade Sauerkraut sample collected from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, confirmed by biochemical and gene sequencing (16S rRNA). The purification and characterization of exopolysaccharides from candidate bacterium were studied on appearance, solubility of the EPS, carbohydrate estimation, emulsifying activity, sulphate, protein, uronic acid content, FTIR, HPLC and GC-MS analysis. The percentage of elemental carbon, (54.36%) hydrogen (21.74%), nitrogen (9.63%) and sulphur content (18.03%) were recorded in exopolysaccharides. The emulsification index (E24) of EPS was higher in toluene (79.20) and benzene (78.867) supplemented medium. FTIR spectrum of the candidate bacterial EPS confirmed presence of sulphate compounds, carboxyl group, and hydrogen bonded compounds etc. EPS exhibited 76.34% of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), 71.15% of reducing power, 68.65% of Hydrogen Peroxide scavenging activity and also 60.31% DPPH radical scavenging activity. The potential antioxidant properties observed in exopolysaccharides from Lactobacillus paracasei is considered as valuable drugs.

A new black fly species of Simulium (Nevermannia) (Simuliidae: Diptera) from the Southern Eastern Ghats, India.

A new black fly species, Simulium (Nevermannia) karavalliense sp. nov. is described from Southern Eastern Ghats of South India. This new species is placed in the Simulium ruficorne species-group of the subgenus Nevermannia. S. (N.) karavalliense sp. nov. is characterized by female with a long sensory vesicle, male upper eye with 14 vertical columns and 16 horizontal rows of large facets, pupal gill with 8 filaments and larval hypostoma with 6 hypostomal bristles lying parallel to lateral margin. Taxonomic keys are provided to distinguish this new species from related species in India.

Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India.

Two new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) dinakarani sp. nov. and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) krishnani sp. nov. are described based on reared adult, pupal and larval specimens collected from the Western Ghats of India. These two new species are placed in the Simulium batoense species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein. The morphological characters of two new species are compared with other related species of batoense species-group in India. The COI gene has successfully differentiated these two new species from its allies, S. (G.) panagudiense and S. (G.) takaokai of the batoense species group and the phylogenetic analysis by using COI gene sequences supporting its morphological classification.

A new mayfly species of Choroterpes (Euthraulus) (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from South India.

A new mayfly species, Choroterpes (Euthraulus) kalladaensis sp. n. is described based on nymphs and subimagoes from South India. The nymph of Choroterpes (Euthraulus) kalladaensis sp. n. is characterized by a labrum with antero-median emargination well broad and 'V' shaped, femora with two black spots on median and basal region, claw with 2 sections of 13 denticles with 3 smaller serrations, posteriolateral spines present on segment 2-9, paraprocts smooth with pores and their inner margin with small triangular spines and outer margin with long setae and in the subimago the fore wing has four intercalary veins between costa and subcosta, penis lobes are short, membranous, separated apically and covered with minute setae. Taxonomic notes are given to distinguish this new species from closely related species.

A new species of Prosopistoma Latreille, 1833 (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) from South India.

A new species of Prosopistoma (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) is described on the basis of mature nymphs from Coorg, Karnataka, South India. Prosopistoma coorgum, new species can be readily distinguished from the other members of Prosopistoma by the following combination of characters: inner margin of outer canine near apex with 2-3 short spines, the length ratio of maxillary palp segments (3.3:4.8:1), ventral margin of fore tibia with 6-8 pectinate setae, and gill II leaf-like and cleft.

A new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India, with keys to Indian members of the subgenus Gomphostilbia.

A new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) cauveryense sp. n., is described based on adult female, adult male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Kushalanagar, Karnataka, South India. This new species is placed in the decuplum subgroup of the batoense species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia. Keys to the species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia reported from India are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.