Emergent Life Sciences Research

1-7

Authors: Rameshprabu Ramaraj, Rungthip Kawaree, Yuwalee Unpaprom

Microalgae biodiesel are reported to be better than fossil fuels in terms of life-cycle energy performance. Green alga, Botryococcus braunii symbolizes one of the most favorable resources of biodiesel due to relatively high lipid content. The present study focused on the cultivation of Botryococcus braunii with the fed-batch in 4 L lab-scale continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) through inexpensive red Nile tilapia effluent medium (RNTEM), biomass growth, protein, carbohydrate, lipid, hydrocarbon production and fatty acids profiles. Additionally, in this study we have evaluated the feasibility of biodiesel production directly from B. braunii biomass at laboratory scale achieved through direct transesterification process. B. braunii growth confirmed the highest biomass yield (8.57 g L?1) and 35.32% hydrocarbon content was observed. Further, 47.59% lipids, 16.39% proteins and 38.21% carbohydrates were observed under laboratory conditions. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) synthesis by direct conversion of B. braunii biomass was carried out using sulfuric acid as a catalyst and methanol as solvent. The experimental results obtained in the present study proved that the production of B. braunii by RNTEM is potentially feasible.

13-20

Authors: Ammu Joseph, Abirami P.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and associate the level of information on the utilization of placental stem cells before and after video assisted teaching and to associate it with the demographic variables. For this experiment, Quasi experimental - one group pretest and posttest only design was used. The tool used for the data collection consisted of two sections: Section A: demographic variables and Section B: structured questionnaire on utilization of placental stem cells. The experts in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing and Biostatistics did the content validity of the tool. Pilot study was done with 5 staff nurses to assess the feasibility before undertaking the main study. The main study was conducted at Nirmala Medical Centre, Muvattupuzha, Kerala for a period of 1 month. Fifty staff nurses were randomly selected as samples for the experiment. The demographic data was collected using structured questionnaire. Pretest knowledge level of the staff nurses regarding utilization of placental stem cells was assessed using structured questionnaire. A video assisted teaching was given to the staff nurses regarding utilization of placental stem cells. The posttest was conducted on the following week using the same tool which was used for the pre-test. The data obtained using these tools were analyzed in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics. The outcomes of the study showed that the pretest mean score is 40.99 and posttest mean score is 84.93. It is higher than the pretest mean score. The calculated "t" value was 25.36 at 0.05 level of significance which is higher than the table value of 1.96. The findings revealed that the video assisted teaching program had significant effect in the improvement of staff nurses level of knowledge regarding utilization of placental stem cells The demographic variables were not associated with the posttest level of knowledge of staff nurses regarding the utilization of placental stem cells.

26-29

Authors: S. V. Deshpande, C. P. Patel, M. T. Mohite, J. K. Suthar

In the present study, two simple, precise and economical UV methods have been developed for the estimation of Amodiaquine Hydrochloride in bulk formulation using methanol. Method A involved the measurement of UV absorbance in zero order derivative at 343 nm, while Method B involved the measurement of UV absorbance in first order derivative at 217.5 nm. Both methods, A and B followed Beer-Lambert's law with the drug in the concentration range of 10-70 μg/ml and correlation coefficient (r2) 0.9998 and 0.9997, respectively. The limit of detection for zero order and first order was found to be 0.032 and 2.716 respectively. The limit of quantification for zero order and first order was found to be 0.097, 8.231 respectively. Outcomes of the experiments were found appropriate on statistical confirmation. Hence, suggested procedures can be effectively utilized for the assessment of Amodiaquine hydrochloride in regular analytical studies.

34-38

Authors: Geetika Singh, Richa, M. L. Sharma

The effect of invigoration treatments of seed pelleting on various germination parameters of seeds of two bamboo species i.e. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Bambusa bambos have been studied for 18 months period. Our studies were directed to investigate the effectiveness of invigoration treatments on vigor and viability of seeds. During storage, treated seeds (Pre-storage seeds) were stored at controlled temperature and humidity (in desiccators at 4 °C). Pelleting of seeds was done with Calcium oxychloride, Calcium carbonate and turmeric powder in both the species. Statistically, it was observed that pelleting with turmeric powder resulted in maximum germination percentage of 36.4 % and 24.9% over control at 12 and 18 months, respectively, which was zero in Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. In case of Bambusa bambos all the pelleting materials were effective but Calcium oxychloride was most effective in maintaining germination with maximum germination of 31.2% and 15.8% over control at 12 and 18 months, respectively which was zero after 12 months. Moreover, 10% concentration of turmeric powder in Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and 10% concentration of Calcium oxychloride in Bambusa bambos was statistically significant at 5% level in all the treatments for maintaining germination.

43-49

Authors: Pooja Rani, Navreet Kaur Saini, Anjali Gagneja, Manpreet Kaur

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria, which are being used as additives to prevent microbial spoilage of food items. Bacteriocins in free form are degraded by the enzymes present in the fruit juices. Encapsulation matrix protects the bacteriocin from food components. The present study was designed to elucidate the effectiveness of calcium alginate entrapped bacteriocin of Lactobacillus acidophilus in preservation of fruit juices. Calcium alginate gel was chosen as immobilization matrix because it is cheap, abundant and bio safe. Bacteriocin of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC 343 showed wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and food spoilage microorganisms. It inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Erwinia sp., Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Leuconostoc mesenteroids and Listeria monocytogenes. Immobilized bacteriocin treatment resulted in maximum reduction of bacterial population in apple and pomegranate juice as compared to chemical preservative at 37?C. Calcium alginate entrapped bacteriocin proved to be better and safe preservative as compared to chemical preservatives in fruit juices.

54-58

Authors: Aalolam K. P., Anu John, Nayanathara A. R., Reshma J. K.

he aim of this investigation was to evaluate the activity of some selected fruit peel extracts (Punica granatum, Malus domestica, Citrus sinensis, Vitis vinifera and Citrullus lanatus) as potential source of natural antioxidant in Paneer to improve its shelf life, replacing the synthetic products. The ethanol extract of selected fruit peels were analyzed to check the peroxide value reduction in paneer. In the results obtained, the ability of 2% antioxidant extracts to perform peroxide reduction in Paneer after 8 consecutive days was in the following order, Punica granatum > Malus domestica > Vitis vinifera > Citrus sinensis > Citrullus lanatus. Concluding, the peels of selected fruits can be considered as a potential source of antioxidants that can be utilized in food, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries instead of toxic synthetic antioxidants.

63-65

Authors: Nayanathara A. R., Anu Mathews, Aalolam K. P., Reshma J. K.

Eggplant or brinjal (Solanum melongena) fruit is known as vegetables of diet food because of high moisture content and low coloristic value. Eggplant is endowed with nutrients as other plants. The eggplant fruit possess medicinal properties because of the presence of phyto-chemicals which attributes to its anti-carcinogenic activity. In this study, five eggplants genotypes (violet nadan, long green, small round green, violet suphol and violet with white stripes) were evaluated for total phenolic activity, total flavonoid activity and anthocyanin activity. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid values of eggplant varieties extract varied from 856.76 to 386.75 gallic acid equivalents mg/100 g extract and total flavonoid content from 102.01 to 22.62 catechin equivalents mg/100 g extract Violet suphol which contained high total phenolic and flavonoid content had better anthocyanin value as compared (129.29 mg/gm) to other varieties. Vegetables provide the body, an added source of antioxidants to fight against free radicals.

73-76

Authors: Ayona Jayadev, Lekshmi M.

The study was done with an intention of screening and isolating marine bacterial strains which produce industrially important enzyme, protease. A total of twelve bacterial strains were isolated from three sampling sites along the coast of Arabian Sea. The strains were screened for the production of protease enzyme and six of the twelve strains were showed to be protease producers. Enzyme activities are affected by a number of environmental parameters. Hence, it was attempted to optimize the conditions such as pH, temperature and incubation period for maximum protein production. Strain Bb4 was found to be the best protease producer and showed maximum production at 37°C. Two strains Bb1 and Bb2 showed very high protease production at pH 9. This indicates that these two strains produce alkaline protease which has wide application in industries. The maximum protease production by most of the strains was at the third day of incubation with Bb4 and Tb4 with maximum production.