Chitta Ranjan Deb

Rapid Multiplication and Induction of Early In Vitro Flowering in Dendrobium Primulinum Lindl

Dendrobium primulinum is an important epiphytic orchid. A successful protocol for mass multiplication and early in vitro flowering was developed. Immature embryos of 4 week after pollination exhibited about 96% germination within 30 days of culture on MS medium containing sucrose (3%) (w/v), NAA and BA (6 and 9 μM) in combination. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) formed from the germinating seeds on the germination medium. Rooted plantlets were formed within 2-3 wk on MS medium containing sucrose (3%), NAA and BA (3 and 12 μM in combination) where about 29 shoot/buds produced per cycle of 4 wk interval. The well rooted plantlets produced 4-5 floral buds per spike when they were maintained on MS medium containing sucrose (3%), fresh apple juice (10%) (v/v) for four wk followed by on MS medium freed of apple juice but enriched with NAA and BA (3 and 12 μM respectively). The hardened plantlets were transferred to community potting mix where the about 80% transplants survived after two months of transfer.

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration of Melia azedarach L (Ghora Neem) from Cotyledonary Segments

Embryogenic calli were obtained within 3–4 weeks on MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 200 mg I-1 caseinhydrolysate, and 3 mg l−1 each of 2,4-D and NAA from 3–4 days imbibed seeds. Heart-shaped embryos differentiated when growth regulators were withdrawn gradually. Quantification of somatic embryo formation showed a direct relationship between initial response, somatic embryo formation and its subsequent germination. The somatic embryos germinated into emblings with 90% conversion frequency on MS medium containing 2% sucrose.

In Vitro Regenerative Competence of Cleisostoma racimeferum (Orchidaceae) Aerial Roots

Regeneration competence of aerial roots of Cleisostoma raeimeferum (Orchidaceae) from in vivo and in vitro sources was tested. The protocorm-Iike bodies and shoot buds were obtained from 2 w old in vivo grown aerial roots and 20 wold in vitro grown roots on Murashige and Skoog medium containing sucrose (3%) (w/v), casein-hydrolysate (2 g l−1), coconut water (15%) (v/v), citric acid (200 mg l−1) and different plant growth regulators. The morphogenetic response from in vivo grown roots was poor and only 20% of the cultures yielded protocorm-like bodies and shoot buds on medium containing IAA (2 µM) and kinetin (2 µM) in combination after 75 d of culture. While 100% morphogenetic response was exhibited by in vitro grown roots on MS medium enriched with IAA (1 µM) and kinetin (1 µM) in combination only after 25 d of culture initiation. The response initiated at the cut ends of the roots and subsequently the entire root length was taken over. Both IAA and kinetin singly stimulated mostly callusing of the explants. The rooted plantlets and multiple shoot buds were obtained after 30 d of culture from protocorm-like bodies and shoot buds on basal medium enriched with IAA (2 µM) and kinetin (6 µM) in combination. The well developed rooted plants could be obtained for transferring to potting mix after ∼24 w of culture initiation.

Molecular docking simulation analysis of the interaction of dietary flavonols with heat shock protein 90

Hsp90 is a major protein involved in the stabilization of various proteins in cancer cells. The present investigation focused on the molecular docking simulation studies of flavanols as inhibitors of Hsp90 at the high affinity adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site and analyzed absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME-toxicity). The molecular docking analysis revealed that the flavanols showed competitive inhibition with ATP molecule at the active site and enhanced pharmacological parameters.

MD Simulation Studies of Fumarase Reveal Thermo Dynamical Stability

Fumarase enzyme is known to catalyse the stereo specific inter conversion of fumarate to L-malate which is a part of the Krebs cycle. Despite the biological significance and importance of this enzyme, the reaction mechanism of fumarase is not completely understood or known. In this context an experiment on molecular dynamics simulation was carried out for at least 10 nanoseconds molecular dynamics simulation run using Nano Scale Molecular Dynamics program implemented in Discovery Studio 4.0. The trajectory analysis of various energy parameters revealed the thermo dynamical stability of the enzyme. The present findings may aid in understanding the biological significance of this enzyme.

Molecular Interaction Studies of Chitosan Cross-linked Compounds as Drug Delivery Substrate for Anticancer Agents

Chitosan is known for its absorption and adhesion property and it is a non-toxic biodegradable hetero polymer. It has a strong affinity for water and high degree of solubility in acidic medium. In addition, chitosan hydrogels showed low mechanical strength and minimum ability to control the delivery of encapsulated compounds. And hence, in this investigation a set of compounds cross linked with Chitosan was screened for anticancer agent using computational technique (molecular docking) against NOS enzyme (PDB ID: 4NOS). The result was interesting as majority of the compounds screened turned up with favorable molecular interaction and binding affinity as evidenced from the docking score. Furthermore the molecular interaction analysis represents the cross linked compounds possessed heavy molecular interaction at the active site residue of the enzyme. Thus, Chitosan cross linked compounds target the specific active site residue and hence can be used in future for drug delivery.

Studies on some fermented foods and beverages of Nagaland, India

Traditional fermented foods are consumed and an integral part of diet of tribal community since early history and one of the oldest and economical methods for production and food preservation. In Northeastern region of India, fermented foods are made from local crops and biological resources. Nagaland is one of the state in North Eastern region of India inhabited by indigenous ‘Naga’ tribe comprising of 16 tribes having varied forms of rich cultural heritage and food habits. The traditional fermented foods and beverages form important constituents of staple diet of Naga tribes. It is more like an art of technology passed from generation to generation. The present paper documents the major fermented foods used by the different Naga tribes and the technique of preparation. Some of them are Axone/Akhone, Anishi, Bastanga, fermented pork fat, Hungrii, Jangpangnatsu, Jang kap, Zutho, Tsutotuocie and fermented fruit beverages.

In vitro regeneration of Cinnamomum tamala Nees from cotyledonary segments

Cinnamomum tamala Nees., a valuable spice-yielding plant of Himalaya, is vulnerable in its natural habitat due to its over-collection for spice and medicinal purpose. In the present study, a successful attempt was made for in vitro shoot bud induction from cotyledons and plant regeneration. The cultured cotyledons of 10–11 wk after flowering induced meristematic response within 4–5 wk of culture where ∼43% explants responded positively on MS medium for tified with 3% sucrose, polyvinyl pyrollidone (100mgL−1) and 6 μM benzyl adenine wherein ∼5–6 shoot buds developed cotyledon−1. Themicro-shoots/shoot buds, developed on initiationmedium, were maintained on MS medium fortified with 3% sucrose and 3 μM kinetin where shoot buds converted into plantlets and supported culture proliferation. Shoots (4 cm long) with fully open leaves were rooted by maintaining on MS medium enriched with 3 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid where 5–6 roots developed per micro-shoot. The rooted plants were transferred to potting mix and maintained in agro-shade ca75% shading where ∼65% transplants survived after two months of transfer.