Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Asymmetric reduction of ethyl-4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate to (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate in aqueous medium by resting cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 was optimized. The influence of culture parameters (inoculum size, inoculum age and biocatalyst harvest time) and reaction parameters (co-substrate, resting cell, pH and substrate concentrations) on the asymmetric reduction were studied. It was found that these parameters significantly influenced the rate of the asymmetric reduction. Under the optimum conditions, the final concentration of (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate, enantiomeric excess and the isolated yield of (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate were 1.38 M (230 g/l), >99 and 95%, respectively. The space time yield was 115 mmol/lh, which is significantly higher than other whole cell biocatalysts reported so far.     

EXO5-DNA structure and BLM interactions direct DNA resection critical for ATR-dependent replication restart

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Two oligosaccharides from Marsdenia roylei

Phytochemical analysis of dried twigs of Marsdenia roylei (family Asclepiadaceae) has resulted in the isolation of a trisaccharide, maryal, and a diglycoside, rolinose. Their structures were determined as O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl++ +-(1-->4)-D- cymaral and ethyl O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-3-O-methyl-6-deoxy-beta-D- allopyranoside, respectively, by chemical degradation and spectroscopic methods.     

The Photoperiodic Entrainment and Induction of Reproductive Rhythms in Male Blackheaded Buntings (Emberiza Melanocephala)

Groups of photosensitive, unstimulated or stimulated, male blackheaded buntings were subjected to photoregimes of 15 hr of green light of three intensities and 9 hr of dark per day. In some groups green light was interrupted with 90 min of bright fluorescent light at different times in the subjective day. While gonads did not develop or regressed in some groups, birds in others behaved as if exposed to long daylengths. The results besides suggesting the involvement of endogenous circadian rhythm during initiation and maintenance of gonadal growth indicate that the reproductive rhythms are entrained and induced by environmental photoperiod.     

Evaluating effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal consortia and Azotobacter chroococcum in improving biomass yield of Jatropha curcas

This study was conducted to study the long-term impact of bioinoculants, Azotobacter chroococcum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth and biomass yield of Jatropha curcas grown in nursery and in field conditions. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design, and the following treatments was designed (T₁ = control, T₂ = Azotobacter, T₃ = inoculation with AMF, and T₄ = inoculation with Azotobacter + AMF). Data on various growth attributes (shoot height and shoot diameter) and biochemical parameters [leaf relative water content (LRWC), sugars, protein, and photosynthetic pigments] were recorded up to 6 months in the nursery and in the field (18 months). Results pertaining to morpho-physiological traits showed Azotobacter and AMF consortia increase shoot height, shoot diameter, LRWC, sugars, proteins, and photosynthetic pigments over control under nursery conditions. Besides enhancing the plant growth, these bioinoculants helped in better establishment of Jatropha plants under field conditions. A significant improvement in the shoot height, shoot diameter, fruit yield/plant, and seed yield (g)/plant was evident in 18-month-old Jatropha plants under field conditions when Azotobacter and AMF were co-inoculated. This work supports the application of bioinoculants for establishment of Jatropha curcas in semi-arid regions.     

De novo organogenesis and plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pongamia pinnata</Emphasis>, oil producing tree legume

Role of Thidiazuron (TDZ) in inducing adventitious organogenesis in Pongamia was studied. TDZ at different concentrations (0, 0.45, 2.27, 4.54, 6.71, 9.08, 11.35, 13.12 and 22.71 μM) were used for induction of caulogenic bud formation in deembryonated cotyledon explants. Each cotyledon was cut into three segments and identified as proximal, middle and distal. Duration of TDZ exposure, influence of the segment and orientation of the explant were studied. TDZ at 11.35 μM concentration was optimum for the induction of shoots and rapid elongation. Shoots induced at higher concentration elongated after several passages in growth regulator free medium, thereby extending the period of differentiation. Exposure of the explant for 20 days yielded more number of buds than 10 days. Proximal segment of the cotyledon was more responsive. Contact of abaxial surface in the medium was more effective and generated more buds than the adaxial side. Buds differentiated and elongated on transfer to MS basal medium for 8–12 passages of 15 days each. Rooting and elongation of shoots was achieved in charcoal supplemented half-strength MS medium. Rooted plantlets survived on transfer to sand soil mixture. The plants were hardened and transferred to green house. This is the first report on in vitro regeneration of Pongamia pinnata via adventitious organogenesis using TDZ. This protocol may find application in studies in genetic transformation, isolation of somaclonal variants and in induction of mutants. It also provides a system to study the inhibitory role of TDZ on shoot differentiation.