Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Sanchari Das ¹, Priyanka Samanta ¹, Uma Shankar Prasad Uday ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology & Biosciences, Brainware University, 398, Ramkrishnapur Road, Barasat, Kolkata 700125, IN

Abstract

Research on Amylase has significantly increased due to its potential applications in paper and pulp industries, enzymatic scarification and liquefaction of starch, textile processes, baking industry and detergent industries. The present study was aimed to isolate the potent amylase producing fungal strain. Five different fungal strains were isolated from the garden soil of Brainware University, Kolkata, India. After screening, three out of these strains were found to have amylolytic activity. These three strains were further screened for production of amylase in liquid medium.

Keywords

Amylase production, Fungi, Strain isolation, Fermentation.

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Bisweswar Bera ¹, Priyanka Samanta ¹, Samir Ranjan Sikdar ², Pijush Mallick ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology & Biosciences, Brainware University, 398, Ramkrishnapur Road, Barasat, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata-700125, IN
2 Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, P-1/12, CIT Rd, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata-700054, IN

Abstract

Towards establishment of biodiversity character via analysis of relative DNA content of wild edible mushroom, Termitomyces species is used here for the first time. Dye propidium iodide (PI), an intercalating fluorescent molecule with molecular mass of 668.4 Da is used for staining of Termitomyces protoplasts to analyse the cellular DNA content using flow cytometer. PI binds the cellular nucleic acids at 535 nm excitation and 617 nm emission range. The protoplasts were isolated from liquid MYG grown vegetative tissues of edible mushroom strain Termitomyces heimii. The isolated protoplasts were purified with 0.6M manitol (MW 3350) followed by washing in PBS buffer. Protoplast pellet was suspended in PI (l mg/ml) hypotonic solution and final volume made up with sterile water. Incubation was done at 37°C for 30 min followed by analyzing using flow cytometer. Results showed that staining depends upon the protoplast purity, size and viability. The vegetative tissue showed a heterogeneous protoplast population in terms of sizes which is ultimately reflected on the relative amount of DNA content. The heterogeneous protoplast population in the suspension through cytometry score results the unequal amount of DNA content in every cell meaning unequal size, age and viability. It is established that PI can be used for staining of mushroom protoplast in biodiversity and genetic research.

Keywords

Edible mushroom, Protoplast, Propidium iodide, Flow cytometry, DNA content.

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Pijush Kanti Mandal ¹, Priyanka Samanta ¹, Suman Bhandary ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Barasat, Kolkata, 700125, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

The use of phytochemicals for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is economical, easily accessible and harmless, and that can provide nanoparticles of controlled size and morphology. The current study focused on the green, quick, simplistic and cost-effective synthesis of AgNPs using Vaccinium corymbosum, a perennial flowering plant with blue or purple-colored berries, and antibacterial potential of synthesized AgNPs. UV-Visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of AgNPs. DLS analysis showed that the phytochemicals present in blue berries resulted in monodispersed spherical AgNPs in the size range of 40 to 80 nm. AgNPs possessed potential antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and were nontoxic. Therefore, green synthesis of nano silvers has the potential to serve as a powerful antimicrobial agent for various therapeutic applications.

Keywords

Silver Nanoparticle, Phytochemicals, Antibacterial, Blue Berries.

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Supriti Sarkar ¹, Priyanka Samanta ¹, Nirlipta Saha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Kolkata-700125, IN

Abstract

Random extraction of wild stock of a medicinalplant, Swertia chiratacaused marked depletion of natural population of the plant. In vitro tissue propagation helps in maintaining stock and availability of the plant in need. Application of nanoparticles encapped byphytochemicals on regenerating shoot meristems enhance shoot proliferation. Maintenance of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance and better bio-acceptance of silver nanoparticles play vital role in improved in shoot regeneration and proliferation of the plant. The outcome of the study may help conservation of medicinal plant species.

Keywords

Silver Nanoparticles Plant Tissue Culture · Shoot Regeneration. Reactive Oxygen Species.

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Raghunath Jha ¹, Partha Halder ², Priyanka Samanta ¹, Subhash Haldar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Kolkata-700125, IN
2 Department of Rog Nidan (Pathology), Institute of Post Graduate Ayurvedic Education & Research, SVSP Hospital, Kolkata-700009, IN

Abstract

Historically, plants have been used as a source for the development of novel drugs in human welfare. Both crude extracts and purified active compounds from Ocimum plants, viz., Ocimum gratissimum and O. tenuiflorum have significant preventive effects against periodontitis and other diseases such as hyperlipidemia, cardiac, immunomodulatory diseases, etc., and also used as a diaphoretic in malarial fever. Both plants have played a vital role against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp.) and gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Samonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis) bacteria and also against pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans. It has long been recognized that these two medicinal plants possess antioxidant properties, as a COX2 inhibitor and ROS scavenging activity. Several researchers carried out bioassay for antimicrobial activities from these two plants extract. The present review article provides the updated information regarding the antimicrobial efficacy of these two medicinal plants, Ocimum gratissimum and O. tenuiflorum.

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Antimicrobial Activity, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum tenuiflorum.

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