Molecular Markers Reveal Only Two Mud Crab Species of Genus Scylla (Brachyura: Portunidae) in Indian Coastal Waters

The taxonomic ambiguity of the Indian mud crab (genus Scylla de Hann 1833) is still a cause of concern as several papers have been published with misleading identification. This is the first attempt to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty of the mud crab commonly available in Indian coastal waters using molecular genetic markers (ITS-1 and sequencing of COI gene) combined with traditional morphometry. Additionally, we developed a PCR method by which Indian mud crab species can be identified rapidly and effectively. The results clearly indicate that the green morph of the Indian mud crab is Scylla serrata and the brown morph is S. olivacea. The S. serrata commonly mentioned in the literature from India is S. olivacea; the S. tranquebarica noted by many Indian researchers should belong to S. serrata. Caution should be taken when interpreting or implementing the biological, molecular, and aquaculture data in the literature.     

Chemical modification of ascorbic acid and evaluation of its lipophilic derivatives as inhibitors of secretory phospholipase A2 with anti-inflammatory activity

This investigation aims to evaluate the antitumor and antioxidant potential of Chrysaora quinquecirrha (sea nettle) nematocyst venom on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor model. Tumor was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of EAC cells. The antitumor effect of sea nettle nematocyst venom (SNV) peptide was evaluated by assessing in vitro cytotoxicity, survival time, hematological, and antioxidant parameters. Intraperitoneal injection of SNV peptide increased the survival time of the EAC-bearing mice. The SNV peptide brought back the altered levels of the hematological and antioxidant parameters in a dose dependent manner in EAC-bearing mice. The results were comparable to that of the result obtained from the animals treated with the standard drug 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg bw). Thus, present study revealed that SNV peptide possessed significant antitumor and antioxidant activity.     

The correlation of meteorological parameters with grasshopper populations in Darjeeling

Population dynamics of five different species of grasshopper were analyzed for the first time in Darjeeling (Lebong and Happy Valley) of the eastern Himalayan region of India. The study is based on the relationship between monthly samples collected using sweep nets for three years (March, 2005 to February, 2008) in relation to meteorological parameters (monthly average rainfall, monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures). The population for each of the five species of grasshopper is plotted against the Aridity Ratio (A.R.). For all species, the population increases at lower A.R. values and then decreases exponentially at higher A.R. values. The exponentially decreasing part of the population is modeled using a simple formula. The monthly population of A. crenulata nymphs and adults in Lebong has also been modeled by iterative equations using A.R. and results compared satisfactorily with the sample data. These works show the possibility of forecasting grasshopper populations using a simple model and thereby easing the regulation process.     

Statistical optimization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus alcalophilus</Emphasis> α-amylase immobilization on iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles

We report the statistical optimization of the immobilization of alkaline α-amylase [E.C. 3.2.1.1] from Bacillus alcalophilus onto nano-sized supermagnetic ironoxide nanoparticles (MNPs) for augmenting the cost effective industrial application of MNP-bound α-amylase. Both Plackett-Burman factorial design and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to screen the influence of different parameters and the central effect of response on the α-amylase-iron oxide MNP binding process. The high coefficient of determination (R2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the quadratic model indicated the competence of the proposed model. The size of the MNPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analyses in which Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested immobilization of the enzyme on iron-oxide MNPs. A significant improvement (∼ 26-fold) in specific activity, thermal and storage stability, and reusability of α-amylase after binding with iron-oxide MNP reinforced the improved biotechnological potential of the α-amylase iron-oxide MNP bioconjugate compared to free α-amylase. These results open new avenues for applying this MNP immobilized enzyme in different industrial sectors, notably in the paper and brewing industries.     

Biotechnological advances in guava (Psidium guajava L.): recent developments and prospects for further research

Guava (Psidium guajava L.), an important fruit crop of several tropical and sub-tropical countries, is facing several agronomic and horticultural problems such as susceptibility to many pathogens, particularly guava wilting caused by Fusarium oxysporium psidii, low fruit growth, short shelf life of fruits, high seed content, and stress sensitivity. Conventional breeding techniques have limited scope in improvement of guava owing to long juvenile period, self incompatibility, and heterozygous nature. Conventional propagation methods, i.e., cutting, grafting or stool layering, for improvement of guava already exist, but the long juvenile period has made them time consuming and cumbersome. Several biotechnological approaches such as genetic transformation may be effective practical solutions for such problems and improvement of guava. The improvement of fruit trees through genetic transformation requires an efficient regeneration system. During the past 2–3 decades, different approaches have been made for in vitro propagation of guava. An overview on the in vitro regeneration of guava via organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, and synthetic seeds is presented. Organogenesis in several different genotypes through various explant selection from mature tree and seedling plants has been achieved. Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in guava have been reviewed. Production of synthetic seeds using embryogenic propagules, i.e., somatic embryos and non-embryogenic vegetative propagules, i.e., shoot tips and nodal segments have also been achieved. Development of synthetic seed in guava may be applicable for propagation, short-term storage, and germplasm exchange, and distribution. An initial attempt for genetic transformation has also been reported. The purpose of this review is to focus upon the current information on in vitro propagation and biotechnological advances made in guava.     

Evaluation of PCR,DNA hybridization and immunomagnetic separation — PCR for detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia mallei</Emphasis> in artificially inoculated environmental samples

Glanders is highly contagious disease of equines, caused by Burkholderia mallei. The disease though rare, can be transmitted to humans. Here, we report a strategy for rapid detection of B. mallei from environmental samples. Different bacteriological media were evaluated and brain heart infusion broth medium with selective supplements (BHIB-SS) of penicillin (200 U/ml) and crystal violet (1:10,00000) was found to support the maximum growth of B. mallei even in the presence of other bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a DNA hybridization method was standardized for 823 bp specific dNA sequence of B. mallei. To enable the quicker and direct enrichment of B. mallei bacteria from environmental samples, an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) method was also standardized. Water, husk, grass and gram samples were artificially contaminated by B. mallei bacteria and after enrichment of B. mallei in BHIB-SS, detection was carried out by PCR and DNA hybridization. PCR was found to be a better method of the two with a detection limit of 10⁴–10⁶ CFU/ml (6 h enrichment in BHIB-SS) in water and other particulate matrices. Detection by PCR in the above samples without enrichment in BHIBSS was carried out following IMS where the detection limit was about 1–2 log higher than PCR following enrichment in BHIB-SS. We recommend PCR for 823 bp for detection of B. mallei from environmental samples either following enrichment in BHIB-SS or IMS. IMS-PCR method may be preferred in situations where numbers of B. mallei bacteria are expected to be high and results are required in short time.