Siddhartha Singh

IMMOBILIZATION AND APPLICATIONS OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE: A REVIEW

Immobilized enzymes have been used extensively in the fields of food industry, materials processing, textiles, detergents, biochemical and chemical industries, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Studies on immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have been less extensive than those for other industrially applicable enzymes. Immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been carried out for the formation of biosensors for the estimation of glucose, ATP, phosphate, and so on. The present review deals with the attempts made for immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and its applications for various purposes.

Immobilization Increases the Stability and Reusability of Pigeon Pea NADP + Linked Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

Immobilization of enzymes is valuably important as it improves the stability and hence increases the reusability of enzymes. The present investigation is an attempt for immobilization of purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from pigeon pea on different matrix. Maximum immobilization was achieved when alginate was used as immobilization matrix. As compared to soluble enzyme the alginate immobilized enzyme exhibited enhanced optimum pH and temperature. The alginate immobilized enzyme displayed more than 80% activity up to 7 continuous reactions and more than 50% activity up to 11 continuous reactions.

Low Cost Hydroponic Seed Germination Technique for Rangpur lime ( Citrus limonia )

Citrus seed being recalcitrant seed, 100 per cent germination is difficult under the field condition. In the hydroponic technique of seed germination, Rangpur Lime germination started after 13 days with the germination percentage of 98.9 per cent as compared to 21.4 per cent in the field condition which germinated after 30-35 days after sowing. This experiment proved to be cheap and better seed germination for the citrus seed, which could be used for the seed propagation for raising rootstock.

Loranthus ligustrinus – A causal factor for Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Balnco.) decline in Arunachal Pradesh

A survey was conducted in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India during the period 2013-2014 for the identification of Loranthus species infesting the Khasi mandarin orchards in this region. Study on its habit, mode of seed dispersion, host plants, its life cycle and its management in different sites of East Siang district was conducted. It is identified that the Loranthus species as Helixanthera ligustrina ( Loranthus ligustrinus ) which flowers during the month of April - May and the seed dispersal is mainly done by two birds viz ., Plain flowerpecker and Fire breasted flowerpecker in June-July period. The study also revealed that it is one of the main problems causing Khasi mandarin decline by lowering down its yield and productivity and finally killed the plant after 4-5 years of infestation. This parasitic weed is slowly spreading to other nearby orchards and needs emergency attention for the citrus grower.

Rodent outbreak in relation to bamboo flowering in north-eastern region of India

Rodent outbreaks have been recorded in the north-eastern hill region of India since time immemorial. This study was carried out in Arunachal Pradesh where rodent outbreaks are associated with Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa tulda, Bambusa balcoa and Schizostachyum arunachalensis. Four species of rodents are reported in the flowering area of which Rattus rattus is predominant and causes greatest damage to many crops. The greatest damage recorded in rice ranged from 12.9% to 15.4% in the bamboo flowering year, whereas it was 5.3% to 5.8% in the non-flowering year. Higher levels of damage were also observed in maize, pineapple, cabbage, French bean, potato, tomato and tapioca in bamboo flowering affected area than in other areas. Live burrows count, trap index and percent damage revealed that in bamboo flowering areas, the rodent population was significantly increased. The comparison of nutrient content of bamboo seeds and other food materials suggested that higher carbohydrate content of the bamboo seeds triggered the active behaviour of rodents. Damage was caused only to those crops which are a very good source of carbohydrate. The cumulative effects of rainfall, flowering season, hunting of predatory animals or birds and geographical barriers might be responsible for the outbreak of rodents. The study also explains why every flowering season does not result in a rodent outbreak of the same severity.

Cuscuta: A Freeloading Weed, their Dilemma and Property

Cuscuta (Dodder) a total stem parasite depends completely on their host for their life processes. It is treated as a noxious weed which causes loss of several major crops in the agricultural field by their root like haustorial adaptation. But apart from their weed nature, they have medicinal, pharmacological and industrial importance. They have been used for treatment of diseases like jaundice, headache, rheumatism, liver diseases. They were also found to possess antibacterial, antiviral, anti-HIV, anti-inflammator and anticancerous properties. This review deals with positive prospects and associated problems of Cuscuta which can be helpful in future exploration of their hidden aspects.