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K. V. Bhaskara Rao ¹, A. S. Arun Prasad ²

Affiliations
1 Division of Environmental Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, IN
2 School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Decolorization and degradation of Azo dye Reactive Red-22 (RR-22) by a bacterial strain isolated from marine seawater and identified as Bacillus infantis sp. AAA was assessed. Maximum decolorization (95%) of RR-22 (100 mg/L) was achieved at pH 9, 37°C and 3% salt concentration under static conditions in 6h. Various environmental characteristics such as pH, temperature, salt concentration and dye concentration were analysed to determine the optimum decolorization conditions. Decolorization analysis was carried out by UV-vis spectrophotometer. The FTIR spectra showed the absence of -N=N- in the degraded sample. The HPLC chromatogram showed the presence of multiple peaks at different retention times conforming degradation. The phytotoxicity results exhibited the toxic nature of RR-22 compared to the less toxicity of degraded metabolites on seeds of Vigna mungo and Vigna radiata showing 30% and 20% germination.

Keywords

Biodecolorization, Bacteria, Reactive Red 22, Toxicity Assessment.

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Purbasha Saha ¹, K. V. Bhaskara Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Biomolecules Laboratory, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014, T. N., IN

Abstract

Biosurfactants are surface active compounds produced by a great diversity of microorganisms. They act by lowering the surface tension at the interfaces of solid, liquid and gases. The chemical surfactants that are practiced on a large commercial basis are toxic to the environment and non-biodegradable. These synthetic compounds may bio-accumulate and also their production, processes and by-products causes various environmental hazards. Due to the rising concern of environmental safety, biosurfactants have gained much importance. Biosurfactants are biodegradable, effective under extreme conditions, and are less toxic; which is advantageous in comparison to their chemical counterparts. In-depth studies have been carried out in the final few decades, bringing out their widespread application in different fields. Nevertheless, practical applications of biosurfactants are limited by their high production cost, and less information about their interactions with cells and the abiotic environment. In this paper, we have reviewed the diverse group of organisms that are capable of producing biosurfactants, use of alternative cheap substrates by these organisms to reduce the production cost and their various applications in the field of environmental remediation and petroleum industry.

Keywords

Biosurfactants, Surface Tension, Biodegradable, Environmental Hazard.

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K. V. Bhaskara Rao ¹, S. Veena ², S. Pooja ², Y. Shriya ², R. Shivram ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, TN - 632 014, IN
2 Molecular and Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Research for the selection of different enzyme producing microorganisms are increased around the world. Marine actinomycetes are one of the most investigated group since they are considered as a potential source of biotechnologically interesting products. The aim of the present study was to isolate commercially useful enzymes producing marine actinobacteria from Kanyakumari marine sediments. A total of 10 actinobacterial colonies were isolated which were designated as PV-1 to PV-10. In primary screening PV1, PV5, PV7 and PV8 showed good activity for cellulase and lipase enzyme production with a zone of hydrolysis of 10 mm and above. The isolate PV7 showed maximum activity with a zone of hydrolysis of 20 mm and 19 mm for cellulase and lipase enzyme respectively. Among all isolates PV7 and PV10 showed higher protease enzyme production with a zone of hydrolysis 19 mm and 14 mm respectively. In secondary screening PV7 showed maximum activity of 18.65 U/ml for cellulase followed by 15.32 U/ml of protease and 11.34 U/ml of lipase activities. The potential isolate PV7 was identified as Actinomycetales bacterium-PV7 using molecular methods by 16S rRNA sequencing. This study concludes that marine actinobacterial can be considered as source for the production of industrial and pharmaceutical enzymes.

Keywords

Marine Actinobacteria, Lipase, Protease, Cellulase, Actinomycetales bacterium.

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N. Akshatha ¹, T. Niki ¹, S. Sripradha ¹, S. Veena ¹, K. V. Bhaskara Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Molecular, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The present study focused on the isolation and extraction of biosurfactant producing bacteria. Bacterial colonies were isolated from oil-soaked soil sample collected from an automobile work shop in Bangalore, India on Nutrient Agar medium. A total of 8 bacterial colonies were isolated and were designated as ANS-1 to ANS-8. All isolates were then screened for biosurfactant production. The primary screening consisted of haemolytic assay, where isolates ANS1 and ANS6 showed β-haemolysis and isolates ANS2 and ANS5 showed α-haemolysis. For secondary screening, oil displacement test and drop collapse test and emulsification index calculation were conducted. Isolate ANS6 showed positive for drop collapse test and oil displacement test. ANS6 demonstrated highest emulsification index of 63.333%. Extracted biosurfactant was characterized using FTIR which showed glycerine as a cyclic lipopeptides. The potential isolate with high biosurfactant producing ability was identified using 16s rRNA sequencing as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens VITANS6.

Keywords

Biosurfactants, Haemolysis, Oil Contamination, Oil Displacement, Drop Collapse, Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens.

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