Satpal Singh Bisht

Investigations on microbial diversity of Jakrem hot spring, Meghalaya, India using cultivation-independent approach

Jakrem hot water spring is located in the West Khasi Hill District of the state of Meghalaya, and is one of the most popular hot springs of the state. There is a populist belief among the inhabitants and people that the hot spring water has got curative properties against various skin ailments. This is the first report on V3 hyper-variable region of 16S rDNA metagenome sequence employing Illumina platform to profile the microbial community of this less known hot spring from Meghalaya, India. Metagenome comprised of 10, 74,120 raw sequences with a sequence length of 151 bp and 56.35% G + C content. Metagenome sequence information is now available at NCBI, SRA database accession no. SRP056897. A total of 8, 77, 364 pre-processed reads were clustered into 694 OTUs (operational taxonomical units) comprising of 14 bacterial phyla including unknown phylum demonstrating 49 families. Hot spring bacterial community is dominated by Firmicutes (61.60%), Chloroflexi (21.37%), Cyanobacteria (12.96%) and unclassified bacteria (1.2%) respectively.

Recent Trends of Polymer-Protein Conjugate Application in Biocatalysis: A Review

Proteins, particularly enzymes, are often used in bioreactors to catalyze biosynthetic reactions. However, one of the major challenges in applying proteins in bioreactors is enzyme stability and recovery. This review is an enlightening discussion on recent trends and advancements used to alleviate these limitations completely or to minimize them. Two major strategies, polymer-based enzyme immobilization and polymeric enzyme nanoreactors have been discussed systematically. Further, this review puts light on various methods such as smart polymer-based supports which have been exploited for their ability to regulate ligand-protein interactions. In addition, chemical moieties like protein-based microcrystals, cross-linked enzyme aggregates, and polymer-based nanoreactors have also been discussed in a comprehensive way focusing more on their unique applicability and target-specific actions. Polymer-based nanoreactors are described in detail in vivo together with enhancement of the enzyme stability and controlled function based on the compartmentalization of enzymes. Among the two novel nanoreactor approaches, dendrimers have been exploited as multifunctional enzymatic carriers, while capsomes are designed to regulate poly-enzymatic reactions through intravesicular compartmentalization of a multitude of enzymatic reactions.

Biochemical Characterization and 16S rRNA Sequencing of Few Lipase-Producing Thermophilic Bacteria from Taptapani Hot Water Spring, Orissa, India

Three lipase-producing thermophilic bacteria (AK-P1, AK-P2, and AK-P3) were isolated from the Taptapani hot water spring in Orissa, India. The crude extra cellular lipases from cell-free culture supernatant were reacted in an olive oil mixture, and their lipolytic activities were compared. Identification of the bacteria was carried out using biochemical tests, 16SrRNA sequencing and sequences submitted to NCBI GenBank. Strain AK-P3, exhibited the highest lipolytic activity of 5.5 U/mL was identified as Porphyrobacter sp. The lipolytic activities of strains AK-P1 and AK-P 2 were 4.5 U/mL and 3.5 U/mL, respectively. Strains AK-P1 and AK-P2 were identified as Acinetobacter sp. and Brevibacillus spp. The GenBank accession numbers of the 16S rRNA gene sequences determined in this study for the strains AK-P1, AK-P2, and AK-P3 are HM359120, HM359119, and HM359118, respectively.

Abundance and seasonal activity of earthworms in croplands of Kumaon Himalayas

Abstract Earthworm population dynamics were studied in croplands of Kumaon Himalayas. Thirteen species of earthworms were found: three Lumbricidae, nine Megacolecidae, and one Moniligastridae. Densities ranged from 5.8 to 55.8 ind·m−2 and the biomass from 0.6 to 28.3 g·m−2. Earthworm density showed positive correlations with soil moisture and soil C. Depth distribution of earthworms indicated that a mean of 84.0 % of total earthworms and 97.7% of total biomass at Shyamkhet, and 88.4% of worm number and 93.0% of total biomass at Patwadangar were collected at the 0–10-cm soil layer. Age structure of earthworms indicated that clitellates were more abundant than aclitellates during the wet periods (June—October) and aclitellates were found throughout the year at Patwadangar.

Biotechnological Potential of Thermophilic Actinobacteria Associated With Hot Springs

Abstract Actinobacteria is one of the most widely studied taxa of prokaryotes due to its significance in biotechnology, medical science, ecology, and other branches of biology, found ubiquitously in soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Although various reports are available on the ecology of Actinobacteria, information is scant on actinobacterial diversity inhabiting hot springs. Recent advances in genome sequencing technology and multiomics approaches have significantly increased the understanding of actinobacterial diversity from various ecosystems. The present chapter highlights the diversity and biotechnological potential of actinobacteria isolated from various hot springs, with special reference to actinobacterial metabolites, i.e., antibiotics, anticancer compounds, enzymes, and enzyme inhibitors, etc.

INVESTIGATIONS ON SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF THE EARTHWORM OCTOLASION CYANEUM (SAVIGNY, 1826) (LUMBRICIDAE: ANNELIDA) IN HIGH ALTITUDE FOREST SYSTEM OF THE KUMAUN HIMALAYAS, INDIA

The study was conducted in Nainital 29°23′27.94′′ N, 7926′53.34′′ E at 2046 m a.s.l. and describes the population dynamics of earthworm Octolasion cyaneum (Lumbricidae: Annelida) during three seasons i.e. summer (March-June), rainy (July-October) and winter (NovemberFebruary) to determine the density of earthworm Octolasion cyaneum and its relationship with climatic and physico-chemical factors of soil. The area is inhabited by the earthworm Octolasion cyaneum which has been reported first time in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, India and is considered as the inhabitant of higher altitudes of Indian Himalayas. A mean total of 2550 earthworms from 6 field collections were collected in two consecutive study years i.e. 2015-17. The mean density of earthworm ranged between 10 m to 48.25 m during the study period. The study showed that the maximum density of earthworm was recorded in the upper monolith (0-15 cm) as the organic content is more abundant in upper strata. The age structure of earthworms indicated that the clitellates were more abundant than aclitellates. The mean soil pH from the forest sample was slightly acidic i.e. 6.5 and C: N has been found 11.3. A significant positive correlation has been obtained between worm density and soil temp (r<0.05) and soil C (r<0.05).

Effect of pesticide exposure on the Female Rats and their pups throughout their Gestation Period

The present study shows the effect of pesticide exposure (mosquito coil smoke and hit spray) on the female rats and their pups throughout their gestation period. This study was carried out using female Wistar rats (200-250gms) Female rats when exposed to mosquito coil smoke containing d-transallethrin and Hit spray containing imiprothrin 0.07% and cypermethrin (0.2%) for a period of 5 hours per day throughout their gestation period The exposed female rat produces statistically significant decrease in the body weight and increase in gestation duration as compared to control group in this study. The morphological parameters of rat pups like crown rump length, brain size, forelimb size, hindlimb size, tail length were observed and significant differences (p<0.05) in these parameters against control were analyzed. Exposed group rat pups shows significant decrease in their morphological parameters like body weight, brain size, forelimb size, hindlimb size, tail length as compared to the control group. No abnormalities including microcephaly, anopthalmia, micromelia were found in this study. Results of the present study indicate that the exposure of pesticides during gestational period in females is potentially harmful to the growth and development of the foetus.

Comparative Study of Tryptophan Synthase Beta Chain between Pyrococcus furiosus (Archaea) and Salmonella typhimurium (Proteobacteria)

The present investigation deals with comparative study of beta chain of the enzyme tryptophan synthase from Salmonella typhimurium and Pyrococcus furiosus. The study yielded few significant results that the sequence of beta 2 subunit (PF1706) from Pfu is closely related to the beta chain of Salmonella typhimurium in comparison to the beta 1. The phylogenetics of these two strains indicates that the beta 2 subunit plays a vital role in tryptophan synthesis in Pyrococcus furiosus. In the present investigation Salmonella typhimurium was used as a reference organism for comparative genomics of tryptophan synthase beta chain amongst a group of organisms 13 archaea and 41 proteobacteria respectively. The study reveals that most of the sequences of archaea are distantly related and was observed that there are certain sequences like pfu PF1706 which are closer to Stm that is a proteobacteria.

Phytoremediation St udies on Coal Mine Waste and Coal Fly Ash by Leucaena Leucocephala

P ot culture experiments were conducted by using various % of Soil, Coal Fly Ash and Coal Mine waste as contaminant to study the relative growth characteristics and yield potentials of Leucaena leucocephala .The level of different compositions are Soil (100%), Coal Mine Waste (100%), Coal Fly Ash (100%), Soil + Coal Mine Waste (50:50) %, Soil + Coal Fly Ash (50:50) %.The data on seed germination, growth parameters e.g total length, shoot length, root length, leaf number, total biomass production, chlorophyll, carotenoid and protein was recorded. Index Terms—Pot cultu re experiment, Leucaena leucocephala, Coal fly ash, Coal mine waste I. INTRODUCTI ON Coal wh ich used for thermal power generation is known for its high ash content (40-45 %).Due to low grade of coal and use of inferior model of electrostatic precipitators higher amount of fly ash evolves. Emission of particulate matters and noxious gases cause environmental hazards because the ash comprises of SiO2, Al2O3 and oxides of iron and other toxic metals. These oxides change the chemical and biochemical composition of the plant grown on fly ash(1). To mitigate pollution due to thermal power plants particularly fly ash, it is essential to select suitable plant species which can easily colonize in fly ash. Fly ash as such is not suitable for plant growth unless it is weathered for some period and organic amendments are added. (2)- (4).One of the most promising use of fly ash is to utilize it for tree plantation purpose which beside land reclamation also helps to lock up the toxic heavy metal present in the fly ash, in the wood biomass for longer periods as compare to crop plants. Present study highlights how Leucaena leucocephala is utilized for removal of pollutants from fly ash. Coal mine spoils vary from neutral to acidic in nature. They are sandy and subjected to severe erosion by wind and rain. In order to check the erosion re-vegetation of mine spoil has become mandatory. Keeping the reclamation and re-vegetation of coal mine spoil and coal fly ash in view a pot culture experiment has been conducted to study the effect of garden soil amended coal fly ash and coal mine spoil with Leucaena leucocephala.