Neetin Desai

Pearl millet genome sequence provides a resource to improve agronomic traits in arid environments

Pearl millet [Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone] is a staple food for more than 90 million farmers in arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, India and South Asia. We report the ∼1.79 Gb draft whole genome sequence of reference genotype Tift 23D2B1-P1-P5, which contains an estimated 38,579 genes. We highlight the substantial enrichment for wax biosynthesis genes, which may contribute to heat and drought tolerance in this crop. We resequenced and analyzed 994 pearl millet lines, enabling insights into population structure, genetic diversity and domestication. We use these resequencing data to establish marker trait associations for genomic selection, to define heterotic pools, and to predict hybrid performance. We believe that these resources should empower researchers and breeders to improve this important staple crop.

Remediation of textile azo dye acid red 114 by hairy roots of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. and assessment of degraded dye toxicity with human keratinocyte cell line

Bioremediation has proven to be the most desirable and cost effective method to counter textile dye pollution. Hairy roots (HRs) of Ipomoea carnea J. were tested for decolourization of 25 textile azo dyes, out of which >90% decolourization was observed in 15 dyes. A diazo dye, Acid Red 114 was decolourized to >98% and hence, was chosen as the model dye. A significant increase in the activities of oxidoreductive enzymes was observed during decolourization of AR114. The phytodegradation of AR114 was confirmed by HPLC, UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The possible metabolites were identified by GCMS as 4- aminobenzene sulfonic acid 2-methylaniline and 4- aminophenyl 4-ethyl benzene sulfonate and a probable pathway for the biodegradation of AR114 has been proposed. The nontoxic nature of the metabolites and toxicity of AR114 was confirmed by cytotoxicity tests on human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). When HaCaT cells were treated separately with 150 μg mL(-1) of AR114 and metabolites, MTT assay showed 50% and ≈100% viability respectively. Furthermore, flow cytometry data showed that, as compared to control, the cells in G2-M and death phase increased by 2.4 and 3.6 folds respectively on treatment with AR114 but remained unaltered in cells treated with metabolites.

Hairy root induction and phytoremediation of textile dye, Reactive green 19A-HE4BD, in a halophyte, Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.

Highlights • Hairy roots induction from A. rhizogenes NCIM 5140 strain in Sesuvium.• Textile dye degradation and color removal using hairy roots.

Indian Grape Wines: A Potential Source of Phenols, Polyphenols, and Antioxidants

Indian grape wines are analyzed for total phenolic content and antioxidant activity along with other parameters, such as pH, alcohol content, and reducing sugars. Concentration of polyphenols, like tannic acid, catechol, vanillin, caeffic acid, ferullic acid, and resveratrol, was quantified using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography and ultra high performance liquid chromatography. The red wines showed the highest concentration of phenolic content (6.5 ± 0.1 mg/ml) and antioxidant activity (84.60 ± 1%) as compared to white and port wines, while red wine R2 showed the highest radical scavenging activity among red wines and R4 showed the lowest total phenolic content. The white wine W3 showed less total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Further, a positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed.

Comprehensive tissue-specific proteome analysis of drought stress responses in Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (Pearl millet)☆

UNLABELLED Pearl millet is the fifth most important cereal crop worldwide and cultivated especially by small holder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions because of its drought and salt tolerance. The molecular mechanisms of drought stress tolerance in Pennisetum remain elusive. We have used a shotgun proteomics approach to investigate protein signatures from different tissues under drought and control conditions. Drought stressed plants showed significant changes in stomatal conductance and increased root growth compared to the control plants. Root, leaf and seed tissues were harvested and 2281 proteins were identified and quantified in total. Leaf tissue showed the largest number of significant changes (120), followed by roots (25) and seeds (10). Increased levels of root proteins involved in cell wall-, lipid-, secondary- and signaling metabolism and the concomitantly observed increased root length point to an impaired shoot-root communication under drought stress. The harvest index (HI) showed a significant reduction under drought stress. Proteins with a high correlation to the HI were identified using sparse partial least square (sPLS) analysis. Considering the importance of Pearl millet as a stress tolerant food crop, this study provides a first reference data set for future investigations of the underlying molecular mechanisms. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Drought stress is the most limiting factor for plant growth and crop production worldwide. At the same time drought susceptible cereal crops are among the largest producers worldwide. In contrast, Pearl millet is a drought and salt tolerant cereal crop especially used in arid and semi-arid regions by small farmers. The multifactorial molecular mechanisms of this unique drought tolerance are not known. Here, we employ shotgun proteomics for a first characterization of the Pearl millet drought stress proteome. The experimental setup and the data set generated from this study reveal comprehensive physiological and proteomic responses of the drought stressed Pearl millet plants. Our study reveals statistically significant tissue-specific protein signatures during the adaptation to drought conditions. Thus, the work provides a first reference study of the drought stress proteome and related drought responsive proteins (DRPs) in Pearl millet.

Differential Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes During Degradation of Azo Dye Reactive black 8 in Hairy roots of Physalis minima L.

The enzymes involved in the protection of plant metabolism in presence of azo dye was characterized by studying activities of the role of antioxidant enzymes in the hairy roots (HRs) of Physalis minima L. during degradation of an azo dye, Reactive Black 8 (RB8). When the HRs were exposed to RB8 (30 mg L−1), a nine fold increase in SOD activity was observed after 24 h, while 22 and 50 fold increase in activity was observed for POX and APX respectively after 72 h, whereas there was no significant change in activity of CAT. The activation of different antioxidant enzymes at different time intervals under dye stress suggests the synchronized functioning of antioxidant machinery to protect the HRs from oxidative damage. FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation of dye and the non-toxic nature of metabolites formed after dye degradation was confirmed by phytotoxicity study.

Identification and Structural Elucidation of New Process Impurity in Testosterone

The main objective of this study is identification, isolation and characterization of potential impurity of testosterone. Testosterone was analyzed as per European pharmacopeial method for related substances by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). One new unknown impurity was found along with other pharmacopeial impurities at a level more than 0.10%. This unknown impurity was isolated by preparative HPLC using Symmetry C18 column. The isolated impurity was spiked in sample containing impurities and was found to have the same retention time as that of this unknown impurity. This isolated impurity was fully characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as LC-MS/MS, 1H, 13C NMR and DEPT as per the requirements of the ICH guidelines and was characterized as bisnoralcohol impurity.

Effect of TDZ on Various Plant Cultures

This chapter provides the effect of thidiazuron (TDZ) on various plant cultures. Plant cell cultures still remain to be of great benefit to many disciplines including studies, viz., physiology, mechanism, etc. Apart from plant potency, this supremacy can be attributed to the increase in number of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Growth regulators are the mile stones in plant tissue culture history. Plant growth regulators depict some interesting functions; they singly, in synergy or antagonistically, function in growth of plant. Also, their concentrations play pivotal role in plant response. These PGRs are categorized in one of the five classes of plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs), ethylene (C2H4), and abscisic acid (ABA). In recent years apart from natural PGRs available, different synthetic PGRs are made available. The use of thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea) has been successfully demonstrated to promote axillary shoot proliferation and to encourage shoot formation in plants. Recalcitrant woody species have been great responders to TDZ, reason being its high cytokinin-like activity and better response. It facilitates initiation of multiple shoots in many recalcitrant woody tree species. It has been observed that lower concentrations (<1 μM) of TDZ show greater axillary proliferation compared to other cytokinins. Besides, it has many adverse effects on culture, viz., higher concentration of TDZ causes no shoot elongation. Thus, the present chapter reveals the effect of TDZ on various plant cultures.

Effect of Chemical Elicitors on Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Production in In Vitro Cultures of Achyranthes aspera L.

Bioprocess technology for the production of phytochemicals from plant cell cultures mainly depends upon elicitation for enhancing the yields. The application has been successfully demonstrated in various plant species for a number of metabolites of interest. Achyranthes aspera L. is a highly traded medicinal plant known for a wide array of pharmacological properties. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), jasmonic acid (JA), and chitosan (CH) on growth and accumulation of betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA), and ursolic acid (UA) in cultures of A. aspera was investigated using RP-UFLC technique. Results for in vitro cultures grown on various concentrations of selected elicitors (50, 100, and 200 μM) were collected and studied at 7-, 15-, and 30-day intervals. Two separate experiments for elicitors with and without plant growth regulators (PGRs), i.e., 6-benzylaminopurine 3.0 mg/L and thidiazuron 0.5 mg/L, were studied. Higher fresh and dry weights were observed in all the treated tubes as compared to control. Optimum cell growth along with higher BA content was observed in MeJA-treated cultures with and without PGRs. Increased OA content was evident in 30-day cultures growing on 100 and 200 μM MeJA supplemented with PGRs. Chitosan both in media supplemented with and without PGRs produced higher content of UA at 30th day. Furthermore, it becomes important to understand the biochemical conversions in light of the metabolic pathways so that we can use this data in maneuvering production of metabolites in A. aspera.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Annona muricata (Laxman phal) against ESBLs Producers (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae)

For centuries, quinine, an alkaloid obtained from the bark of various species of cinchona tree has been used in the treatment of malaria; even aspirin and morphine are plant derived drugs from willow bark and opium poppy (Sanjoy et al., 2003). For two thousand years the powdered roots Rauvolfia serpentina has been used in treatment of mental illness in India (Ajay Kumar et al., 2009). Multidrug resistance has been a biggest threat to the medical world as bacteria are acquiring antibiotic resistance day by day. Interesting conundrums have been encountered in investigations of links between antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic resistance (Julian Davies et al., 2010). Nowadays more and more bacteria are becoming resistant which were earlier sensitive to the antibiotics. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 3 (2017) pp. 1339-1344 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com