NOPR Collection: Pages 1-76

Production of α-galactosidase from Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 6322 by solid state fermentation and its application in soymilk hydrolysis

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Production of α-galactosidase from Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 6322 by solid state fermentation and its application in soymilk hydrolysis Authors: Boopathy, Naidu Ramachandra; Gupta, Rishikesh Kumar; Ramudu, Kamini Numbi Abstract: The production of α-galactosidase from the wild fungal strain Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 6322 using solid state fermentation (SSF), its characterization, and its efficacy in the hydrolysis of soymilk using response surface methodology were studied. The optimum conditions for production of α-galactosidase by SSF were: wheat bran (10 g), moisture content (64%), inoculum volume (1.0 mL; 6 × 10⁷ spores/mL) with a yield of 4.1 × 10³ units per gram dry substrate (U/gds) at 96 h. The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 6.0, temperature 40°C, pH stability between 5.0-8.0, and temperature stability between 30-40°C. The enzyme was stable in the presence of trypsin, lipase, and collagenase and it showed susceptibility of the substrates such as raffinose, melibiose, guar gum and soymilk to hydrolysis in varying degrees. The optimized conditions for soymilk hydrolysis were: soymilk (10 mL) from defatted soybean meal (1.5%), α-galactosidase (0.15 UmL^-1) at 30°C, pH 6.0 and duration of 1 h. Page(s): 72-75

Purification and characterization of chitinase from Streptomyces violascens NRRL B2700

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Purification and characterization of chitinase from Streptomyces violascens NRRL B2700 Authors: Gangwar, Mamta; Singh, Vineeta; Pandey, Asheesh Kumar; Tripathi, CKM; Mishra, BN Abstract: Chitinase is one of the important enzymes as it is directly linked to Chitin that has wide applications in industrial, medical and commercial fields for its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Here, we report extracellular chitinase production by Streptomyces violascens NRRL B2700 under submerged fermentation condition. Chitinase production started after 10 h of incubation and reached to maximum level at 72 h of cultivation. Studies on the influence of additional carbon and nitrogen sources on chitinase production revealed that maltose, xylose, fructose, lactose, soybean meal and ammonium nitrate served as good carbon and nitrogen sources to enhance chitinase yield by 1.6 to 6 fold. Medium supplemented with 1% colloidal chitin produced high chitinase concentration (0.1714 U/mg). The enzyme chitinase was purified from the culture broth by 75% ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange and sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The molecular mass of the purified chitinase was 65 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. The apparent Michaelis constant (K_m) and the maximum rate (V_max)of the enzyme for colloidal chitin were 1.556 mg/mL and 2.680 µM/min/mg, respectively suggested high affinity towards chitin. Possibly, it is the first report on production of chitinase from S. violascens NRRL B2700. The findings were encouraging, especially for cost effective production, and further warrants media and purification optimization studies for enhanced yield. Page(s): 64-71

Effect of sweetener and flavoring agent on oxidative indices, liver and kidney function levels in rats

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of sweetener and flavoring agent on oxidative indices, liver and kidney function levels in rats Authors: Amin, Kamal A; Al-muzafar, Hessa M; Elsttar, Adel H Abd Abstract: Food additives while attract consumers, improve quality, control weight and replace sugar, may affect seriously children and adults health. Here, we investigated the adverse effects of saccharin and methylsalicyltaes as sweetener and flavoring agent on lipid profile, blood glucose, renal, hepatic function and oxidative stress/antioxidants (lipid peroxidation, catalase and reduced glutathione in liver tissues). Saccharin and methylsalicylate were administered orally in young male albino rats at low and high dose for 30 days. Rats were divided into 5 groups, 1^st control group, 2^nd and 3^rd (low and high saccharin-treated groups) and 4^th and 5^th (low and high methylsalicylate-treated group). Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose levels and body weight gain were found decreased in saccharin high dose group compared to control. Rats consumed high dose of saccharin showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL levels. Low and high doses of saccharin exhibited a significant increase in liver function marker of ALT, AST, ALP activity, total proteins and albumin levels and renal function test (urea and creatinine levels) in comparison with control group. Further, saccharin at high dose induced significant decrease in liver GSH levels, catalase and SOD activity and increase in hepatic MDA level. Overall saccharin harmfully altered biochemical markers in liver and kidney at higher as well as lower doses. Whereas, methyl salicylates did not pose a risk for renal function and hepatic oxidative markers. Page(s): 56-63

Protective role of diet supplements Spirulina and Tamarind fruit pulp on kidney in sodium fluoride exposed Swiss albino mice: Histological and biochemical indices

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Protective role of diet supplements Spirulina and Tamarind fruit pulp on kidney in sodium fluoride exposed Swiss albino mice: Histological and biochemical indices Authors: Yadav, N; Sharma, Shweta; Sharma, KP; Pandey, A; Pareek, P; Sharma, Subhasini Abstract: Fluoride toxicity through potable water, particularly ground water, is not uncommon in countries such as India, China, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, parts of Africa and Afghanistan. Kidney being the main organ involved in fluoride removal, it accumulates considerable amount of fluoride. Here, we report toxic effects of oral exposure of Swiss albino mice to fluoride (sub-acute: 190 mg/kg body wt. for 7days; and sub-chronic: 94 mg/kg body wt. for 90 days) and recovery of sub-chronic fluoride exposed mice after 90 days of sodium fluoride (NaF) withdrawal. The role of diet supplements (Spirulina and tamarind fruit pulp @ 230 mg/kg body wt. independently as well as in combination) in amelioration of fluoride toxicity has also been screened. Compared with controls, feed intake decreased from 3-43%, body wt. 4-18%, and kidney wt. 5-12% in treated mice (except diet supplement groups of sub-chronic exposure) while their water intake increased from 4-43%. Histopathological changes in the cortical region of kidney in fluoride treated mice were as follows: dilation of bowman’s capsule and thickening of its parietal and visceral layer; alterations in glomeruli size and their sclerotization; increase in bowman’s space; proliferation of mesangial cells; reduction in podocyte counts; and dilation of proximal and distal tubules. Fluoride exposure altered tissue biochemistry (protein, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase content) and increased urea (23-58%) and creatinine content (14-127%) in the serum. Sub-acute exposure was found more toxic. The diet modulation not only reduced fluoride toxicity but also led to better recovery of treated mice after withdrawal, especially in combination. Page(s): 44-55