Production, Purification of Exo-Polygalacturonase from Soil Isolate Paecilomyces variotii NFCCI 1769 and Its Application.

The aim of the present study was to produce exo-polygalacturonase from potent soil isolate by submerged fermentation and its application for fruit juice treatment. Pectinase producing strains were selectively isolated from pectin industry waste. A selected isolate C2 was found to produce significant amount of exo-polygalacturonase. The isolate was identified as Paecilomyces variotii on the basis of morphological characteristics and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The exo-polygalacturonase produced by the isolate was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, size exclusion chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme had MW of 39.4 kD based on SDS PAGE. Under partially optimized conditions, purified exo-polygalacturonase showed specific activity of 98.49 U/mg protein at pH 6.0 and 30°C. The enzyme was comparatively stable from 10 to 30°C and the activity decreased with increasing temperature. Purified enzyme brought about considerable reduction in viscosity of fruit juice samples.

Bacillus spp. of human origin: a potential siderophoregenic probiotic bacteria.

Bacillus spp. ST13, isolated from human stool, was evaluated for siderophoregenic and probiotic qualities prior to its possible application for iron nutrition in humans and animals. It was tested for siderophore production in iron-limiting conditions and found to produce catecholate type of siderophore on the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), FT-IR, NMR, and mass spectra analysis. The isolate was screened for probiotic properties as per WHO and FAO guidelines. The strain ST13 can survive stomach acidity, bile salt and partially simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions. It was susceptible to most of the antibiotic tested and showed antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens like Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Strain ST13 showed close similarity with Bacillus subtilis using 16S r-RNA gene sequence analysis and biochemical characterization. The methanolic extract of ST13 siderophore was evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging activity, which showed 94.55 ± 0.9% of radical scavenging effect.

A potential probiotic culture ST2 produces siderophore 2,3-dihydroxybenzoylserine under intestinal conditions.

The aim of this study was to characterise siderophores of a culture bearing better probiotic qualities of human origin. In this direction, bacterial strain ST2 was isolated from faecal sample of 6-month-old healthy infant, which showed close similarity with Escherichia coli based on 16S r-RNA gene sequence analysis and biochemical characteristics. It was tested for siderophore production under in vitro iron limiting intestinal conditions. The siderophore produced was catecholate type of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoylserine on the basis of FTIR, NMR and mass spectra analysis. The strain obeyed probiotic properties as per WHO and FAO guidelines. It showed excellent tolerance in partially simulated gastro-intestinal tract conditions, non-haemolytic nature, susceptibility to many antibiotics tested and antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens like Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, this culture could be a possible probiotic candidate in iron nutrition, but only after conducting proper animal and human trials.

Production of hyaluronic acid from Streptococcus zooepidemicus MTCC 3523 and its wound healing activity.

Exopolysaccharide produced and purified from Streptococcus zooepidemicus MTCC 3523 was identified as hyaluronic acid (HA) based on IR and NMR spectroscopy while its Mw was found to be 5.38 × 10(5)Da. HA produced passed bacterial endotoxin test and showed significant wound healing activity in Wistar rats on 12th and 16th day.

Cholesterol biotransformation to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione by growing cells of Chryseobacterium gleum.

Cholesterol oxidase activity was studied during biotransformation of cholesterol to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) by Chryseobacterium gleum. Spent LB media, containing cholesterol (3 mM approximately = 1 g l(-1)) where the bacterium was grown for 24 h, at 30 degrees C with constant shaking at 120 rpm, had the highest enzyme activity (167 U mg(-1)). The growing cells produced 0.076 g ADD from 1 g cholesterol l(-1).

Probiotic bile salt hydrolase: current developments and perspectives.

Probiotic has modernized the current dietetic sense with novel therapeutic and nutritional benefits to the consumers. The presence of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) in probiotics renders them more tolerant to bile salts, which also helps to reduce the blood cholesterol level of the host. This review focuses on the occurrence of bile salt hydrolase among probiotics and its characterization, importance, applications, and genetics involved with recent updates. Research on bile salt hydrolase is still in its infancy. The current perspective reveals a huge market potential of probiotics with bile salt hydrolase. Intensive research in this field is desired to resolve some of the lacunae.

Characteristics of sulfobacin A from a soil isolate Chryseobacterium gleum.

A nonmotile, nonspore-forming, Gram-negative, aerobic, small rod-shaped bacterium, isolated from soil, was identified as Chryseobacterium gleum on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It was observed to grow luxuriously at pH 9 and tolerate highly alkaline environment up to pH 12. Orange red color was a peculiar character of these cells which on purification obtained 60-80 mg/l and found to be sphingosine type of sulfonolipid "sulfobacin A" on the basis of infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectral data. Inhibition of sulfobacin A synthesis by incorporation of L: -cycloserine in culture growth medium suggested presence of serine palmitoyl transferase which is one of the important enzymes involved in its biosynthesis. Sulfobacin A from C. gleum LMG P-22264 exhibited cytotoxicity against four cell lines tested. Maximum activity against human mammary adenocarcinoma cells was indicative of its potential as an anticancer agent.

Production, purification and chemical characterization of the catecholate siderophore from potent probiotic strains of Bacillus spp.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the probiotic qualities of Bacillus isolates and study their siderophore prior to possible siderophoregenic probiotic application for iron nutrition in animals and humans. Bacillus strains were selectively isolated from dairy waste and mango pulp waste. Best two siderophore positive isolates, JHT3 and DET6 showed high homology with Bacillus megaterium (98%) and B. subtilis (99%), respectively, using partial 16S-rRNA sequencing and biochemical characterization. These isolates produced catecholate type of siderophore under iron stressed conditions and were screened for probiotic properties as per WHO and FAO guidelines. Spores of these strains showed excellent tolerance in partially simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions and exhibited antimicrobial activity against organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus flavus and Escherichia coli. Importantly, these isolates were susceptible to the most of the antibiotics tested, in conflict that they would not donate resistance determinants if administered in the form of probiotic preparations.

Siderophoregenic Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from wheat rhizosphere with strong PGPR activity

Thirty-two bacterial isolates were obtained from wheat rhizosphere in black cotton soils of North Maharashtra region and subsequently tested for in-vitro siderophore production. Wheat isolate SCW1, being a strong siderophore producer, was selected, identified and confirmed as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The strain produced catechol type of siderophores during exponential phase which was influenced by iron content of medium. Seed bacterization with siderophoregenic A.calcoaceticus improved plant growth in pot and field studies. Such PGPR activity was attributed to the ability of strain to solubilise phosphates and produce IAA. Siderophore mediated antagonism was observed against common phytopathogens viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Colletotrichum capsicum and Fusarium oxysporum

Rhizobacteria in mycorrhizosphere improved plant health and yield of banana by offering proper nourishment and protection against diseases.

The corporate R&D banana orchards of Musa paradisiaca (dwarf Cavendish AAA, var. shrimanti) on a medium black alluvial soil with low nutrients harboured diversified species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. These fungi infected the roots severely (69.2%), showed elevated (69.8 g(-1) soil) spore density, increased soil bacterial density (245 x 10(8) cfu g(-1)), produced siderophores (58.2%) and reduced nematode population (2.3 g(-1)) in the mycorrhizosphere of plants for integrated plant nutrition management (IPNM) system as compared to traditional treatment of applying chemical fertilisers alone and other test treatments. The interactions of plant roots with native VAM and local and applied rhizobacteria in the matrix of soil conditioner enabled proper nourishment and protection of crop in IPNM treatment as compared to traditional way. Hence, exploitation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria through judiciously designed IPNM system revealed the (a) relatively increased banana productivity (21.6%, 76 MT ha(-1)), (b) least occurrence of fusarial wilt and negligible evidence of Sigatoka, (c) saving of 50% chemical fertilisers and (d) permitted control over soil fertility in producer's favour over traditional cultivation practices. These findings are discussed in detail.