NOPR Collection:

Exploration of Y-chromosome specific markers to discover SNP associated with sub fertility traits in dairy bulls

2011-04-12T16:30:45Z

Title: Exploration of Y-chromosome specific markers to discover SNP associated with sub fertility traits in dairy bulls Authors: Mukhopadhyay, C S; Gupta, A K; Yadav, B R; Mohanty, T K Abstract: The present study was designed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Y-chromosome specific genes, namely, sex determining region, Y-encoded (SRY) and testis specific protein, Y-encoded (TSPY) vis-à-vis, detection of association between the SNP and andrological parameters (like, conception rate and per cent individual motility of semen). A total of 106 bulls, belonging to Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian crossbreds cattle), Sahiwal cattle and Murrah buffalo, were selected based on poor reproductive performance (viz., libido, semen quality & freezability), along with some control bulls with normal andrological parameters. Single strand conformation polymorphism followed by sequencing of the different band patterns revealed only a single novel SNP (Guanine to Adenine transition) in the 4^th intron of TSPY gene in Murrah buffalo. There was no significant association between the genotypes and the andrological parameters under study. Further study, encompassing larger number of animals distributed over many farms, could reveal sizeable number of SNP and association with spermatological parameters. Page(s): 178-182

Prospecting for efficient enantioselective epoxide hydrolases

2011-04-11T16:30:53Z

Title: Prospecting for efficient enantioselective epoxide hydrolases Authors: Sareen, Dipti; Kumar, Ranjai Abstract: Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) from microbial sources have recently been recognized as a versatile biocatalytic tool for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure epoxides and vicinal diols. Keeping in mind the potential of these compounds in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and flavour industries, a range of epoxide substrates have been analyzed using epoxide hydrolase as the catalyst. Enzymatic catalysis is often characterized by exquisite selectivity coupled with limited substrate scope. Hence, research efforts have been on to engineer known EHs for better enantioselectivity and to find novel enantioselective EHs with a wide substrate scope from culturables, non-culturables or from the genome database. Some of the results obtained are promising in terms of the practical utility of these enzymes in the asymmetric hydrolysis of epoxides. Page(s): 161-177

Phytobiosynthesis of gold nano-particles and comparison of two plant species (Canola and Alfalfa)

2011-04-15T16:30:41Z

Title: Phytobiosynthesis of gold nano-particles and comparison of two plant species (Canola and Alfalfa) Authors: Rostami, H; Haghnazari, A; Kavei, G; Ghareyazie, B; Hesari, F Abstract: Different varieties of two plant species, Canola and Alfalfa were grown at exactly same laboratory conditions and bio-reduction of Au (III) to Au (0) was studied. Subsequently, production of gold nano-particles of various morphologies and sizes were characterized. Plant seeds were grown in a culture medium that contained gold ions from KAuCl₄. Gold nano-particle formation was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that the plants pull up gold ions from KAuCl₄ and form gold particles in nano sizes due to chemical behaviour of the gold. Significant differences in the nature of nano-particles were observed when particles synthesized by these two plant species were compared. The size range of gold nano-particles synthesized by Canola was 20-128 nm, while it was 8-48 nm by Alfalfa. Page(s): 245-247

Nitrate reductase: A biochemical marker for screening superior strain of lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats]

2011-04-11T16:30:50Z

Title: Nitrate reductase: A biochemical marker for screening superior strain of lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats] Authors: Sarma, Aniruddha; Sarma, Hemen; Sarma, T C; Handique, A K Abstract: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether nitrate reductase (NR) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) can be used as biochemical marker to screen lemon grass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats] genotypes for higher herbage yield. In the study, 11 strains of essential oil bearing cash crop lemongrass were used. The results revealed that in vivo NR activity has significant positive correlation with herbage yield; however, no significant correlation was found for ALP. Thus, NR activity can be used as biochemical marker for screening lemon grass genotypes for growth and herbage yield. Page(s): 242-244