Development and Characterization of Drug Loaded PVA/PCL Fibres for Wound Dressing Applications.

Nowadays, synthetic polymers are used in medical applications due to their special biodegradable, biocompatible, hydrophilic, and non-toxic properties. The materials, which can be used for wound dressing fabrication with controlled drug release profile, are the need of the time. The main aim of this study was to develop and characterize polyvinyl alcohol/polycaprolactone (PVA/PCL) fibres containing a model drug. A dope solution comprising PVA/PCL with the drug was extruded into a coagulation bath and became solidified. The developed PVA/PCL fibres were then rinsed and dried. These fibres were tested for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, linear density, topographic analysis, tensile properties, liquid absorption, swelling behaviour, degradation, antimicrobial activity, and drug release profile for improved and better healing of the wound. From the results, it was concluded that PVA/PCL fibres containing a model drug can be produced by using the wet spinning technique and have respectable tensile properties; adequate liquid absorption, swelling %, and degradation %; and good antimicrobial activity with the controlled drug release profile of the model drug for wound dressing applications.

Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of lysine production process in Brevibacterium lactofermentum.

Detailed kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for lysine production from Brevibacterium lactofermentum are investigated for the first time in this study. Production of the essential amino acid, L-lysine, by B. lactofermentum was assessed in a flask and a continuously stirred tank fermentor (22 L). Maximum lysine production was achieved after 40 h of growth and at 35 °C. The effect of different nitrogen sources such as NH(4)NO(3), (NH(4))(2)SO(4), (NH(4))(2)HPO(4), corn steep liquor, NaNO(3), and urea showed that corn steep liquor gave a better lysine yield. Lysine production was increased when dissolved oxygen was maintained at 50 % saturation. The use of dissolved oxygen was critical for high productivity. This indicates that dissolved oxygen greatly affects L-lysine productivity. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters during lysine production from molasses and glucose mixture showed that B. lactofermentum efficiently converted the substrate mixture into cell mass and lysine. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were significantly higher compared with other microorganisms which may be due to the high metabolic activity of B. lactofermentum. This study will have a significant impact on future strategies for lysine production at industrial scale.

Production, purification and characterization of beta-1,4-endoglucanase from a novel bacterial strain CTP-09 of a Bacillus sp.

Bacillus strain CTP-09 yielded maximum productivity (1120 IU/L.h) of extracellular endoglucanase (CMCase) on 0.5% cellobiose after 10 h fermentation at 55 degrees C. The purified enzyme is mono-meric in nature and exhibits stability up to 80 degrees C and over a pH range (6.0-9.0). Activation energy, enthalpy and entropy of catalysis, and inactivation indicated that this CMCase is highly thermos-table. Purified enzyme possessed high power of defibrillation of textile and was minutely inhibited by anionic detergent and oxidizing agent comparable with inhibition by commercial enzyme. This polypeptide could be exploited for mass production and application in local industries.