Delineation of molecular interactions of plant growth promoting bacteria induced ß-1,3-glucanases and guanosine triphosphate ligand for antifungal response in rice: a molecular dynamics approach.

BACKGROUND: The plant growth is influenced by multiple interactions with biotic (microbial) and abiotic components in their surroundings. These microbial interactions have both positive and negative effects on plant. Plant growth promoting bacterial (PGPR) interaction could result in positive growth under normal as well as in stress conditions. METHODS: Here, we have screened two PGPR's and determined their potential in induction of specific gene in host plant to overcome the adverse effect of biotic stress caused by Magnaporthe grisea, a fungal pathogen that cause blast in rice. We demonstrated the glucanase protein mode of action by performing comparative modeling and molecular docking of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) ligand with the protein. Besides, molecular dynamic simulations have been performed to understand the behavior of the glucanase-GTP complex. RESULTS: The results clearly showed that selected PGPR was better able to induce modification in host plant at morphological, biochemical, physiological and molecular level by activating the expression of ß-1,3-glucanases gene in infected host plant. The docking results indicated that Tyr75, Arg256, Gly258, and Ser223 of glucanase formed four crucial hydrogen bonds with the GTP, while, only Val220 found to form hydrophobic contact with ligand. CONCLUSIONS: The PGPR able to induce ß-1,3-glucanases gene in host plant upon pathogenic interaction and ß-1,3-glucanases form complex with GTP by hydrophilic interaction for induction of defense cascade for acquiring resistance against Magnaporthe grisea.

Molecular characterization and genetic diversity studies of Indian soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars using SSR markers.

BACKGROUND: The genetic base of soybean cultivars in India has been reported to be extremely narrow, due to repeated use of few selected and elite genotypes as parents in the breeding programmes. This ultimately led to the reduction of genetic variability among existing soybean cultivars and stagnation in crop yield. Thus in order to enhance production and productivity of soybean, broadening of genetic base and exploring untapped valuable genetic diversity has become quite indispensable. This could be successfully accomplished through molecular characterization of soybean genotypes using various DNA based markers. Hence, an attempt was made to study the molecular divergence and relatedness among 29 genotypes of soybean using SSR markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 35 SSR primers were deployed to study the genetic divergence among 29 genotypes of soybean. Among them, 14 primer pairs were found to be polymorphic producing a total of 34 polymorphic alleles; and the allele number for each locus ranged from two to four with an average of 2.43 alleles per primer pair. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values of SSRs ranged from 0.064 to 0.689 with an average of 0.331. The dendrogram constructed based on dissimilarity indices clustered the 29 genotypes into two major groups and four sub-groups. Similarly, principal coordinate analysis grouped the genotypes into four major groups that exactly corresponded to the clustering of genotypes among four sub-groups of dendrogram. Besides, the study has reported eight unique and two rare alleles that could be potentially utilized for genetic purity analysis and cultivar identification in soybean. CONCLUSION: In the present investigation, two major clusters were reported and grouping of large number of genotypes in each cluster indicated high degree of genetic resemblance and narrow genetic base among the genotypes used in the study. With respect to the primers used in the study, the values of PIC and other related parameters revealed that the selected SSR markers are moderately informative and could be potentially utilized for diversity analysis of soybean. The clustering pattern of dendrogram constructed based on SSR loci profile displayed good agreement with the cultivar's pedigree information. High level of genetic similarity observed among the genotypes from the present study necessitates the inclusion of wild relatives, land races and traditional cultivars in future soybean breeding programmes to widen the crop gene pool. Thus, hybridization among diverse gene pool could result in more heterotic combinations ultimately enhancing genetic gain, crop yield and resistance to various stress factors.

Biodiesel Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Oleaginous Microbes: Prospects for Integrated Biofuel Production.

Biodiesel is an eco-friendly, renewable, and potential liquid biofuel mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiesel has been produced initially from vegetable oils, non-edible oils, and waste oils. However, these feedstocks have several disadvantages such as requirement of land and labor and remain expensive. Similarly, in reference to waste oils, the feedstock content is succinct in supply and unable to meet the demand. Recent studies demonstrated utilization of lignocellulosic substrates for biodiesel production using oleaginous microorganisms. These microbes accumulate higher lipid content under stress conditions, whose lipid composition is similar to vegetable oils. In this paper, feedstocks used for biodiesel production such as vegetable oils, non-edible oils, oleaginous microalgae, fungi, yeast, and bacteria have been illustrated. Thereafter, steps enumerated in biodiesel production from lignocellulosic substrates through pretreatment, saccharification and oleaginous microbe-mediated fermentation, lipid extraction, transesterification, and purification of biodiesel are discussed. Besides, the importance of metabolic engineering in ensuring biofuels and biorefinery and a brief note on integration of liquid biofuels have been included that have significant importance in terms of circular economy aspects.

Phytochemical Profiling of Methanolic Fruit Extract of Gardenia latifolia Ait. by LC-MS/MS Analysis and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity.

Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Rubiaceae) is also known as Indian Boxwood is a small deciduous tree often growing in southern states of India. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of methanolic extract of G. latifolia fruits were carried out using FTIR and LC-MS/MS analysis. Besides, its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential have been analysed using DPPH activity, differential pulse voltammetry and resazurin microtiter assay, respectively. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 22 major diversified compounds and main were 3-caffeoyl quinic acid (chlorogenic acid), 3,4-Di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, 6-O-trans-feruloylgenipin gentiobioside, 10-(6-O-trans sinapoyl glucopyranosyl) gardendiol, isoquercitrin, scortechinones, secaubryenol, iridoids and quercetin 3-rutinoside (rutin). The extract showed antioxidant activity (IC50 = 65.82) and powerful antibacterial activity with lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (15.62 µg/µL), Bacillus subtilis (31.25 µg/µL) than gram negative Escherichia coli (62.5 µg/µL), Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.5 µg/µL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31.25 µg/µL). This study shows that the fruits of G. latifolia have tremendous potential to be used in food industries, phyto-therapeutics and cosmetic industries.

Data on optimization of microprojectile bombardment parameters in development of salinity tolerant transgenic lines.

This data deals with the optimization of microprojectile bombardment particles for efficient genetic transformation in an indica rice involving AmSOD gene for development of salinity tolerant transgenic lines [1]. In this study, various parameters such as effect of genotypes, helium pressure, osmoticum, explants, flight distance, particle size, particle volume, vacuum, carrier DNA and stopping screen properties have been evaluated to determine their role in transformation of indica rice involving AmSOD gene for development of salinity tolerant Pusa Basmati 1 rice variety. To perform the transformation process, plasmid vector pCAMBIA 1305.2 was used, which harbours GUS Plus™ gene, intron from the castor bean catalase gene, pBR322 ori, kanamycin resistant gene and Xho I site. The transformants have been confirmed using slot blot, polymerase chain reaction and Southern hybridization techniques.

Green solvents and technologies for oil extraction from oilseeds.

Oilseeds are crucial for the nutritional security of the global population. The conventional technology used for oil extraction from oilseeds is by solvent extraction. In solvent extraction, n-hexane is used as a solvent for its attributes such as simple recovery, non-polar nature, low latent heat of vaporization (330 kJ/kg) and high selectivity to solvents. However, usage of hexane as a solvent has lead to several repercussions such as air pollution, toxicity and harmfulness that prompted to look for alternative options. To circumvent the problem, green solvents could be a promising approach to replace solvent extraction. In this review, green solvents and technology like aqueous assisted enzyme extraction are better solution for oil extraction from oilseeds. Enzyme mediated extraction is eco-friendly, can obtain higher yields, cost-effective and aids in obtaining co-products without any damage. Enzyme technology has great potential for oil extraction in oilseed industry. Similarly, green solvents such as terpenes and ionic liquids have tremendous solvent properties that enable to extract the oil in eco-friendly manner. These green solvents and technologies are considered green owing to the attributes of energy reduction, eco-friendliness, non-toxicity and non-harmfulness. Hence, the review is mainly focussed on the prospects and challenges of green solvents and technology as the best option to replace the conventional methods without compromising the quality of the extracted products.

Enzymatic polishing of cereal grains for improved nutrient retainment.

Consumer acceptance of food products is largely driven by the dietary and functional quality of their ingredients. Though whole cereal grains are well known for bioactive components, scientists are facing dire need for better technologies to prevent the nutritional losses incurred through the conventional food processing technologies. Application of enzyme for depolymerisation of carbohydrates present in bran layer of grain is becoming an efficient method for phenolic mobilization and dietary fiber solubilisation. The present article emphasizes deep insights about the application of enzyme as an alternative technology for cereal grain processing to improve the product quality while forbidding the nutritional losses in an eco-friendly manner.

Optimization of lipid enriched biomass production from oleaginous fungus using response surface methodology.

Oleaginous microorganisms have emerged as potential sources of oils for biodiesel production. To replenish as an alternative to the vegetable oils, higher lipid accumulating strain coupled with process optimization is indispensable. In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) based central composite design (CCD) was used for optimization of lipid content from oleaginous fungus Aspergillus sp. Maximum lipid yield of 73.07% (w/w) was achieved at 3% (v/v) inoculum volume, pH 5, glucose 1% (w/v), urea 0.5 % (w/v) and incubation time of 5 (days). Biomass (2.08 g/L) having a lipid content of 73.07 % (w/w) with major constituents of hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 9-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester were obtained. The lipid composition signifies that from the oleaginous microbe are highly encouraging and desirable to be considered as diesel substitute.