Surabhi Mahajan

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Curcuma longa rhizome extract against Staphylococcus aureus

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of different fractions obtained from rhizome of Curcuma longa was investigated against standard strain and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical isolates were found more sensitive for different fractions, than the standard strain of S. aureus. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that test pathogen treated with C. longa extract showed morphological deformity, with partial lack of the cytoplasmic membrane, which leads to cell disruption The ability of rhizome of C. longa extracts to inhibit the growth of test pathogen is an indication of its broad spectrum antimicrobial potential which may be employed in the management of microbial infections.

Bioleaching and Biomining

Universal reserves of high-grade ores are diminishing at an alarming rate due to the rapid increase in the demand for metals. Biomining is the extraction of specific metals from their ores through biological means, usually microorganism. Biomining is done in two steps often called bioleaching and biooxidation. Bioleaching commonly refers to biomining technology applied to base metals; whereas, biooxidation is normally applied to sulfidic-refractory gold ores and concentrates. Even though it’s a new technique used by the mining enterprise to extract minerals equivalent to copper, uranium, and gold from their ores, however, nowadays, biomining occupies an increasingly primary place among the available mining applied sciences. The biomining methods are affordable, nontoxic, effective, and likewise environment pleasant. Utilizing biotechnology, efficiency of biomining can also be extended with the aid of genetically modified microorganisms.