Prashant D. Kunjadia

A novel alkaline keratinase from Bacillus subtilis DP1 with potential utility in cosmetic formulation

The Bacillus subtilis DP1 was isolated from poultry farm soil at Anand district, India. The highest enzyme production (379.65U/ml) was obtained at pH 10.0, a temperature of 37°C and a growth period of 72h. The extracellular keratinase was purified by gel filtration chromatography with 27.98 purification fold. Purity was also confirmed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, where a major peak having retention time of 2.5min was obtained on C18 column using photo diode array detector. Purified keratinase was stable in a broad range of pH (8-12) and temperature (20-50°C) with optimum at pH 10.0 and 37°C. The metallic ions, Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) enhance keratinase activity. Secondary structure from Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra implies that purified keratinase is largely β-pleated sheet rich protein. For preparation of dehairing cream formulation, compatibility studies of excipients were carried out. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of sodium stearate, calcium carbonate and sodium lauryl sulphate shows no reactivity of functional groups and hence mixture was compatible for formulation of keratinase dehairing cream. Prepared biological depilatory was able to remove hair more efficiently compared to marketed formulations.

Isolation and partial purification of erythromycin from alkaliphilic Streptomyces werraensis isolated from Rajkot, India

An alkaliphilic actinomycete, BCI-1, was isolated from soil samples collected from Saurashtra University campus, Gujarat. Isolated strain was identified as Streptomyces werraensis based on morphological, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis. Maximum antibiotic production was obtained in media containing sucrose 2%, Yeast extract 1.5%, and NaCl 2.5% at pH 9.0 for 7 days at 30 °C. Maximum inhibitory compound was produced at pH 9 and at 30 °C. FTIR revealed imine, amine, alkane (C 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 C) of aromatic ring and p-di substituted benzene, whereas HPLC analysis of partially purified compound and library search confirmed 95% peaks matches with erythromycin. Chloroform extracted isolated compound showed MIC values 1 μg/ml against Bacillus subtilis, ≤0.5 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, ≤0.5 μg/ml against Escherichia coli and 2.0 μg/ml against Serretia GSD2 sp., which is more effective in comparison to ehtylacetate and methanol extracted compounds. The study holds significance as only few alkaliphilic actinomycetes have been explored for their antimicrobial potential.

Isolation, molecular characterization and predatory activity of two Indian isolates of nematode-trapping fungi

Two nematode trapping fungi were isolated from the arable soil samples collected from district Anand (Gujarat) India and identified on the basis of their culture-morphological characteristics and 18S rRNA gene sequencing as Arthrobotrys conoides (GenBank accession No. JX979095) and Duddingtonia flagrans (GenBank accession No. JX979094). These fungal isolates were assessed for their trapping efficiency against root knot disease causing nematode Meloidogyne spp., isolated from the infected tomato plants. When incubated with nematodes for 24 hr, the trapping efficiency of A. conoides and D. flagrans was 92–95 and 22–29%, respectively. Growth conditions with respect to medium, temperature and pH were also optimized. This study showed that A. conoides is a promising candidate to control root-knot nematodes. Phylogenetic relationship with other nematophagous fungi showed that isolates formed monophyletic clade with other nematode trapping fungi as well.

Seaweed Pretreatment of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Enhances Post Harvest Preservation by Reducing Germination

The plant growth enhancer property of seaweeds has been studied in different crops. Seaweed (Sargassum wightii and Uluva lectuca) were collected from costal region of Mangrol and studied for its effect on germination and storage of chickpea. Chickpea seeds were soaked in 1% seaweed extracts for 6 h and dried at room temperature before sowing for germination in the soil. Percentage of seeds germination was less in S. wightii (67%) and U. lectuca (65%) treated seeds as compared to control. Furthermore, the treatment also prolonged germination time as compared to untreated control. Seaweed extracts effects on seeds viability upon longer storage was affected by the storage conditions. For instance, storage of seeds treated with seaweeds extracts at room temperature was more affected as compared to 4-8°C and -20°C. These results showed that seaweed extract is possible to use for increasing post harvest shelf life of chickpea without affecting its natural texture.