NOPR Collection: Pages 489-548

Storage induced changes in coliform, heterotrophic groups of bacteria and nutrient levels of human urine for its safe use in biological production

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Storage induced changes in coliform, heterotrophic groups of bacteria and nutrient levels of human urine for its safe use in biological production Authors: Jana, BB; Lahiri, Susmita; Sarkar, D; Rana, Sukanta; Bhakta, JN; Paul, Dipak Abstract: Human urine is a potential source of various nutrients, minerals and trace elements. Its use as a fertilizer is growing popular among farmers. Here, we examined the pattern of changes in the counts of coliform, heterotrophic bacteria as well as physico-chemical characteristics of human urine during different days of storage under closed conditions at ambient temperature. We observed that after 253 days of storage under closed condition, the coliform counts were reduced significantly and remained within the safe limit to be used as fertilizer. With increase in storage period, the concentration of phosphate showed decline coupled with rise in pH, alkalinity and electrical conductance. Our study revealed that human urine can be used as safe fertilizer after 8 months of storage under closed conditions at ambient temperature ranging 25-35ºC. Page(s): 544-548

Possible radioprotective effect of folic acid supplementation on low dose ionizing radiation-induced genomic instability in vitro

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Possible radioprotective effect of folic acid supplementation on low dose ionizing radiation-induced genomic instability in vitro Authors: Padula, Gisel; Ponzinibbio, María Virginia; Seoane, Analia I Abstract: Ionizing radiation (IR) induces DNA damage through production of single and double-strand breaks and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Folic acid (FA) prevents radiation-induced DNA damage by modification of DNA synthesis and/or repair and as a radical scavenger. We hypothesized that in vitro supplementation with FA will decrease the sensitivity of cells to genetic damage induced by low dose of ionizing radiation. Annexin V, comet and micronucleus assays were performed in cultured CHO cells. After 7 days of pre-treatment with 0, 100, 200 or 300 nM FA, cultures were exposed to radiation (100 mSv). Two un-irradiated controls were executed (0 and 100 nM FA). Data were statistically analyzed with X2-test and linear regression analysis (P 0.05). We observed a significantly decreased frequency of apoptotic cells with the increasing FA concentration (P <0.05). The same trend was observed when analyzing DNA damage and chromosomal instability (P <0.05 for 300 nM). Only micronuclei frequencies showed significant differences for linear regression analysis (R2=94.04; P <0.01). Our results have demonstrated the radioprotective effect of folic acid supplementation on low dose ionizing radiation-induced genomic instability in vitro; folate status should be taken into account when studying the effect of low dose radiation in environmental or occupational exposure. Page(s): 537-543

Synergistic protective effect of picrorhiza with honey in acetaminophen induced hepatic injury

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Synergistic protective effect of picrorhiza with honey in acetaminophen induced hepatic injury Authors: Gupta, Prashant; Tripathi, Alok; Agrawal, Tripti; Narayan, Chandradeo; Singh, BM; Kumar, Mohan; Kumar, Arvind Abstract: Rhizome of picrorhiza along with honey prevents hepatic damage and cure the acetaminophen (paracetamol) induced hepatotoxicity by modulating the activity of hepatic enzymes. Here, we studied the in vivo effects of Picrorhiza kurroa and honey on acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity Balb/c mice model. Hepatic histopathological observations of acetaminophen fed (day-6) group showed more congestion, hemorrhage, necrosis, distorted hepatic architecture and nuclear inclusion. Such damages were recompensed to normal by picrorhiza or honey alone or both in combinations. We observed increased activity of SGPT and SGOT in injured liver tissues, and that too was compensated to normal with picrorhiza or honey alone or both in combinations. We observed 1.27 and 1.23-fold enhanced activity of SGPT in serum and liver lysate, respectively while SGOT showed 1.66 and 1.11 fold enhanced activity. These two enzymes are signature enzymes of liver damage. Thus, our results support that honey may be used with drug picrorhiza due to its synergistic role to enhance hepatoprotective and hepatoregenerative ability along with allopathic drugs to mitigate the hepatotoxic effects. Page(s): 530-536

Ethanol production from Rice (Oryza sativa) straw by simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Ethanol production from Rice (Oryza sativa) straw by simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation Authors: Goel, Annu; Wati, Leela Abstract: Ethanol production from alkali treated rice straw was investigated by simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF) using commercial cellulase and 3 different yeast strains viz., Saccharomyces cerevisiae HAU-1, Pachysolen tannophilus and Candida sp. individually as well as in combination at varied fermentation temperature and incubation time. Dilute alkali (2%) pretreatment of straw resulted in efficient delignification as observed by low residual lignin (12.52%) with 90.6% cellulose and 28.15% hemicellulose recovery. All the 3 yeast strains were able to produce ethanol form alkali treated rice straw and overall ethanol concentration varied from 5.30 to 24.94 g/L based on different fermentation time and temperature. Comparative analysis of ethanol production from different yeast strains combinations revealed maximum ethanol concentration of 23.48 g/L after 96 h incubation at 35ºC with P. tannophilus individually and 24.94 g/L when used as co-culture with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Page(s): 525-529