Epidemiological Characteristics of Strongyloidiasis in Inhabitants of Indigenous Communities in Borneo Island,Malaysia

Epidemiological study on strongyloidiasis in humans is currently lacking in Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among the inhabitants of longhouse indigenous communities in Sarawak. A single stool and blood sample were collected from each participant and subjected to microscopy, serological and molecular techniques. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified by stool microscopy. None of the stool samples were positive for S. stercoralis. However, 11% of 236 serum samples were seropositive for strongyloidiasis. Further confirmation using molecular technique on stool samples of the seropositive individuals successfully amplified 5 samples, suggesting current active infections. The prevalence was significantly higher in adult males and tended to increase with age. S. stercoralis should no longer be neglected in any intestinal parasitic survey. Combination of more than 1 diagnostic technique is necessary to increase the likelihood of estimating the ‘true’ prevalence of S. stercoralis.     

Evaluation of the potential of cassava-based residues for biofuels production

Cassava is the third significant source of calories after rice and maize in tropical countries. The annual production of cassava crop is approximately 550 million metric tons (MMT) which generates about 350 MMT of cassava solid residues, including peel, bagasse, stem, rhizome, and leaves. Cassava peel, bagasse, stem, and rhizome can be exploited for solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels production. Biofuels production from cassava starch started in the 1970s and researchers are now extensively studying cassava residues like peel, bagasse, stem, rhizome, and leaves to unravel their applications in biofuels production. However, there are technical and economic challenges to overcome the problems existing in the production of biofuels from cassava-based residues. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the techniques used for biofuels production from various cassava-based residues.     

MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF GLUTAMIC ACID PRODUCTION USING MIXED CULTURE OF Corynebacterium glutamicum NCIM2168 AND Pseudomonas reptilivora NCIM2598

In this study, a hybrid system of response surface methodology followed by genetic algorithm has been adopted to optimize the production medium for L-glutamic acid fermentation with mixed cultures of Corynebacterium glutamicum and Pseudomonas reptilovora. The optimal combination of media components for maximal production of L-glutamic acid was found to be 49.99 g L^?1 of glucose, 10 g L^?1 of urea, 18.06% (v/v) of salt solution, and 4.99% (v/v) of inoculum size. The experimental glutamic acid yield at optimum condition was 19.69 g L^?1, which coincided well to the value predicted by the model (19.61 g L^?1). Using this methodology, a nonlinear regression model was developed for the glutamic acid production. The model was validated statistically and the determination coefficient (R ²) was found to be 0.99.     

Process design and optimization of bioethanol production from cassava bagasse using statistical design and genetic algorithm

Abstract

Bioethanol production from agro-industrial residues is gaining attention because of the limited production of starch grains and sugarcane, and food–fuel conflict. The aim of the present study is to maximize the bioethanol production using cassava bagasse as a feedstock. Enzymatic liquefaction, by α-amylase, followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), using glucoamylase and Zymomonas mobilis MTCC 2427, was investigated for bioethanol production from cassava bagasse. The factors influencing ethanol production process were identified and screened for significant factors using Plackett–Burman design. The significant factors (cassava bagasse concentration (10–50?g/L), concentration of α-amylase (5–25% (v/v), and temperature of fermentation (27–37?°C)) were optimized by employing Box–Behnken design and genetic algorithm. The maximum ethanol concentrations of 25.594?g/L and 25.910?g/L were obtained from Box–Behnken design and genetic algorithm, respectively, under optimum conditions. Thus, the study provides valuable insights in utilizing the cost-effective industrial residue, cassava bagasse, for the bioethanol production.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel ε-caprolactam-degrading microbe, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, from industrial wastewater by chemostat-enrichment

For the isolation of a ε-caprolactam-degrading microbe from wastewaters of a factory producing caprolactam, we applied a chemostat-enrichment technique with a selective medium containing caprolactam as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. This allowed for the isolation of a novel caprolactam-degrading microbe, identified as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The strain had a critical tolerance of 19 g caprolactam l^?1 in minimal medium, which is higher than any previously reported caprolactam-degrading microbe. A. calcoaceticus also decreased the caprolactam content in medium by 65 % within 72 h despite the high caprolactam content (10 g l^?1). This study highlights the potential use of A. calcoaceticus strain for the bioremediation of recalcitrant synthetic polymers, such as caprolactam.     

Herbicidal influence on the uptake of phosphorus by paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary Phosphorus uptake is significantly reduced in paddy and maize by the application of atrazine, DPA, EPTC and 2, 4-D from quarter normal to twice normal levels except 2 kg/ha of 2, 4-D which increased phosphorus absorption in maize. The most effective treatments are 2 kg/ha atrazine and 8 kg/ha EPTC which reduced P uptake to 55.50 and 48.12 % of control in paddy and maize respectively. Absorption of³²P by paddy and maize has also been reduced significantly by the application of above mentioned herbicides with the exception of 1 kg/ha EPTC which slightly increased it in maize.