Akhilesh Kumar Pandey

Optimization for the production of cellulase enzyme from municipal solid waste residue by two novel cellulolytic fungi.

The main purpose of this study is to reduce the production cost of cellulase by optimizing the production medium and using an alternative carbon source such as municipal solid waste residue. In the present investigation, we aim to isolate the two novel cellulase producing fungi (Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma sp.) from municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste residue (4-5% (w/v)) and peptone and yeast extract (1.0% (w/v)) were found to be the best combination of carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of cellulase by A. niger and Trichoderma sp. Optimum temperature and pH of the medium for the cellulase production by A. niger were 40°C and 6-7, whereas those for the production of cellulase by Trichoderma sp. were 45°C and 6.5. Cellulase production from A. niger and Trichoderma sp. can be an advantage as the enzyme production rate is normally higher as compared to other fungi.

Evaluation of thermophilic fungal consortium for organic municipal solid waste composting

Influence of fungal consortium and different turning frequency on composting of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was investigated to produce compost with higher agronomic value. Four piles of OFMSW were prepared: three piles were inoculated with fungal consortium containing 5l each spore suspensions of Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus and with a turning frequency of weekly (Pile 1), twice a week (Pile 2) and daily (Pile 3), while Pile 4 with weekly turning and without fungal inoculation served as control. The fungal consortium with weekly (Pile 1) turning frequency significantly affected temperature, pH, TOC, TKN, C/N ratio and germination index. High degradation of organic matter and early maturity was observed in Pile 1. Results indicate that fungal consortium with weekly turning frequency of open windrows were more cost-effective in comparison with other technologies for efficient composting and yield safe end products.

Co-composting of organic fraction of municipal solid waste mixed with different bulking waste: Characterization of physicochemical parameters and microbial enzymatic dynamic

The effect of various bulking waste such as wood shaving, agricultural and yard trimming waste combined with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) composting was investigated through assessing their influence on microbial enzymatic activities and quality of finished compost. All three piles of OFMSW with different bulking waste were inoculated with microbial consortium. The results revealed that OFMSW combined with wood shaving and microbial consortium (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were helpful tool to facilitate the enzymatic activity and shortened composting period within 4 weeks. Maximum enzymatic activity were observed in pile 1 and 3 during the first 3 weeks, while in pile 2 relatively very low. But phosphatase activity was relatively higher in all piles until the end of the process. Maturity parameters of compost quality also favored the pile 1 as the best formulation for OFMSW composting.

Co-composting of gelatin industry sludge combined with organic fraction of municipal solid waste and poultry waste employing zeolite mixed with enriched nitrifying bacterial consortium

This work illustrates the co-composting of gelatin industry sludge (GIS) combined with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and poultry waste (PW) employing 10% zeolite mixed with enriched nitrifying bacteria consortium (ENBC). Five piles of GIS were prepared mixed with OFMSW and PW at 2:1:0.5, 4:1:0.5, 6:1:0.5 and 8:1:0.5 and without GIS 0:1:0.5 (dry weight basis) served as control, while 10% zeolite mixed with ENBC was inoculated in all piles and composted for 42days. The Pile-4 with GIS, OFMSW and PW ratio 6:1:0.5 and 10% zeolite+ENBC were drastically reduced the nitrogen loss and enhance the mineralization rate as compare to other piles. The co-amendment of 6% GIS effectively buffered the pH between ∼7.5 to 8.0 and shortened the compost maturity period, while lower concentration of GIS was comparatively delayed the early decomposition. Therefore, our results suggested that suitability of 10% zeolite+ENBC with initial feedstock ratio 6:1:0.5 as the best formulation for the composting of GIS into value-added stable product.

Diversity and antagonistic potential of Bacillus spp. associated to the rhizosphere of tomato for the management of Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract Bacillus spp. has emerged as the most effective alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides. To get a better insight in the antagonistic potential of Bacillus strains, rhizospheric soil samples of healthy tomato plants from Indo-gangetic plain regions of India were analysed. A total of 108 Bacillus strains were obtained from preliminary screening. Potent strains identified on the basis of in vitro antagonistic and biochemical assays were subjected to diversity analysis using 16S-rDNA, BOX and ERIC-PCR. Furthermore, the four best performing antagonistic Bacillus strains under in vitro plant growth promotion and antagonistic assay were selected for pot experiment. In field study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MB101 and Bacillus subtilis MB14 showed drastic reduction in disease index by 55.7 and 41.74% with significant elevation in fruit yield up to 220 and 184 qha–1, respectively. The present study was successful in selecting effective Bacillus strains by performing phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Bacillus strains that can be used as an integral component of integrated disease management of tomato root rot and damping-off.

Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of rDNA of appendaged and non-appendaged strains of Microsporum gypseum reveals Microsporum appendiculatum as its synonym.

Recently a new taxon of geophilic dermatophytes was established as Microsporum appendiculatum Bhat and Mariam, based on the presence of appendaged macroconidia. However, such appendages are already known in the related species Microsporum gypseum. We conducted a survey of soil in central India as a part of a microbial biodiversity project and obtained two strains of M. gypseum with appendaged macroconidia. Using phenotypical characterization in combination with sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, we found that all strains of appendaged species are identical. Therefore M. appendiculatum is regarded as a synonym of M. gypseum.

Ectomycorrhizal mushrooms in Indian tropical forests

Abstract A study was undertaken of the occurrence of ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical forests of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, India. A total of 61 ectomycorrhizal mushroom species representing 9 genera were identified. Out of 61, 38 were Agaricales (61%), 11 Boletales (17%) and 12 Sclerodermatales (19%). Russula was found to be the dominant genus inhabiting sal (Shorea robusta) forests of these two provinces. The interdependence of vegetation with fungi of this area occurring in various forest types is discussed. Ectomycorrhizal associations are considered key factors for the survival and growth of trees by supplying nutrients to host plants, particularly immobile nitrogen and phosphorus. Knowledge of the distribution and ecology of ectomycorrhizal fungi is important for monitoring and retention of diversity and selection of species for forest nurseries.

An improved zymographic method for detection of amylolytic enzymes of fungi on polyacrylamide gels

Zymography is an electrophoretic technique by which enzyme activity can be visualized directly on a polyacrylamide gel as discrete bands. A modified, more rapid technique for amylase zymography is described and compared with previously published methods. Whereas previous methods are based on 0.1 M acetate buffer as substrate buffer, our method utilizes 50mM Tris buffer containing Ca 2+ , Na + , NaN 3 and Triton X-100 which helps rapid hydrolysis of the starch and stabilization of the enzyme. The staining procedure, previously requiring overnight incubation of the gel in iodine solution at 4°C, has been reduced to 5 min at room temperature. Both methods gave rise to comparable levels of enzyme activity on polyacrylamide gels. Our modified method requires 8 h to complete the whole zymographical procedure instead of 18-20 h as in previous methods.

Diversity analysis of biocontrol Bacillus isolated from rhizospheric soil of rice–wheat ( Oryza sativa – Triticum aestivum L.) at India

Diversity analysis of biocontrol Bacillus isolated from rhizospheric soil of rice–wheat ( Oryza sativa – Triticum aestivum L.) at India

An Overview of the Potential of Bioremediation for Contaminated Soil from Municipal Solid Waste Site

The soil contamination due to open disposal of municipal solid waste has become a serious issue particularly in the developing countries. Several studies have revealed variable impacts of pollutant toxicity on the environment and exposed inhabitants. This chapter provides an overview of the application of bioremediation of sites contaminated owing to municipal solid waste. The application of bioremediation technologies and well-organized mechanisms for environmental safety measures of these methods were discussed. Because some pollutants can be seriously affect to the environment, the chapter furthermore suggests strategies for better remediation of site. In addition, more detail studies exploring the linkage between the fates, and environmentally important factors are necessary to better understand the parameters on using bioremediation technologies.