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Production and Immobilization of Halophilic Invertase Produced from Honey Isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 (KF774181)
Pages 36-45
Mona Abdeltawab Esawy, Amany Lotfy Kansoh, Zeinab Hassan Kheiralla, Hala Abd Elmonem Ahmed, Tarek Aly-Kamal Kahil and Eman Karam Abd El-Hameed

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.02.1

Published: 22 July 2014

Open Access 


Abstract: Honey isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 was a good halophilic invertase producer in the presence of wheat bran as a complete medium (114.55 U/g), using solid state fermentation technique. Different parameters influence the enzyme productivity such as different pH values, temperature, incubation period, nitrogen and carbon sources were investigated. The optimum pH, temperature and incubation period for enzyme production were 5.5, 30oC and 72 hrs, respectively. Sucrose at 2 % was more suitable carbon source for invertase production (144.39 U/g) and (NH4)2SO4 at 0.15 % was the ideal nitrogen source. Among different metals ions MnSO4 enhanced the enzyme productivity than other tested ions to 194.71 U/g. The partially purified enzyme was successfully entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol sponge shielded with agar starch layer (PVAsp Gs) and achieved 71% immobilization yield. The optimum conditions for immobilization were: pH 5.2, an incubation time of 15 min and a protein concentration of 250 mg/ml. Immobilized enzyme was reused 12 times with 29% activity loss. The free enzyme lost its activity completely at 70˚C after 45 minute and the immobilized form retained 80% of its activity at the same condition.The free and immobilized form reported extreme halophilic property since the highest enzyme activity was obtained between 3.5- 5 M.

Keywords: Honey isolate, invertase, Aspergillus awamori, immobilization, entrapment.
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The Influence of Diet and Exercise on the Physical Health of Affected Individuals with VCP Disease
Pages 46-52
Katherine Hamorsky, Abhilasha Surampalli, Marie Wencel, Manaswitha Khare, Virginia Kimonis

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.02.2

Published: 22 July 2014

Open Access 


Abstract: While there is no curative treatment for the Inclusion body myopathy, Paget disease of bone and/ or frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) disorder, it is worthwhile to investigate alternate therapies that may slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life in this patient population. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of diet and exercise changes on the Quality of Life questionnaire. We assessed data from the questionnaire in 30 individuals (mean age 50.86 years; range 27-65 years; 16 Males, 14 Females) that participated in the clinical study of Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) disease. Eleven affected individuals consumed a high fat/sugar diet and 15 low fat/sugar diet of 4.09±0.25 and 1.53±0.13 servings/day respectively. Eleven individuals reported not exercising and 12 reported moderate exercise of 2.44±0.74 hours/week. In this cohort we found significantly higher mean physical health domain score for all those who exercised (P=.02) and surprisingly in those who had a high fat/sugar diet (P=.01). In the high fat/sugar diet group there was a significantly greater ability to walk; greater perceived muscle strength in arms and legs (P=.03; P=.02 and P= .02 respectively). Therefore lifestyle changes with exercise training and a higher fat/ sugar diet may have a beneficial effect in affected individuals with VCP disease. Nevertheless, larger studies with further research are needed to confirm these preliminary studies before making clinical practice recommendations.

Keywords: IBMPFD, inclusion body myopathy, valosin-containing protein, diet, exercise.
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Endophytic Mycoflora of Indian Medicinal Plant, Terminalia arjuna and their Biological Activities
Pages 53-61
M.P. Patil, R.H. Patil, S.G. Patil and V.L. Maheshwari

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.02.3

Published: 22 July 2014

Open Access 


Abstract: Studies were undertaken to isolate, identify and evaluate the biological activities of endophytic mycoflora of Indian medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna. A total of 20 isolates of endophytic fungi were obtained from the leaves, twigs and bark tissues of the Terminalia arjuna. Out of 20, six isolates exhibited promising antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities when cultivated at shake flask level. The selected isolates were identified on the basis of morphology and ITS gene sequencing. Three isolates, designated as TA BA 1, TA L1 and TA L2 were identified as Aspergillus flavus whereas; the remaining three endophytic fungi were identified as Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2), Alternaria Sp. (TA TW1) and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (TA BA2). Aspergillus flavus was found as the predominant endophyte in leaves and bark tissues of the plant. The crude extract of the test isolates showed considerable antimicrobial activity against common human bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella abony and Bacillus subtilis) and fungal (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Penicilium sp.) pathogens. The extract of Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) significantly reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical as percent DPPH scavenging activity was found to be highest (69.56%) in comparison with other isolates. The % inhibition of hemolysis of RBCs was found to be highest (82.85%) with Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) in comparison (83.26%) with standard drug (Ibuprofen). Among all, the extract of the Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) showed excellent biological activities and hence was subjected to further characterization. The phytochemical investigation of the extract revealed the presence of terpenoids as the major phytoconstituents which was supported by TLC and UV spectroscopic studies. The results indicate that the isolated endophytes could be the valuable source of these bioactive molecules with diverse biological activities. The bioactivities may be attributed to the terpenoids present in the endophytic extract.

Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Aspergillus flavus, anti-inflammatory, ITS, terpenoids, antimicrobial activity.
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Bioproduction of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Yogurt by Probiotic Bacteria 
Pages 62-68
Kianoush Khosravi-Darani, Fatemeh Seyed Reihani and Reza Feili

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2014.03.02.4

Published: 22 July 2014

Open Access 


Abstract: Conjugated linoleic acid as unique fatty acid of milk fat has beneficial properties including antioxidant‚ anticarcinogen‚ antidiabetic‚ antiblood pressure‚ stimulating the body immune system and reducing cholesterol. The aim of this studywas assessing ability of some probiotics for biotransformation of linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid. Effect of process variables were investigated on production of conjugated linoleic acid in probiotic yogurt. An 8 run Plackett-Burman design was used to study the effect of 7 variables included: addition of supplements (whey powder‚ the amount of added grape seed oil), fermentation (temperature, pH, incubation time) and inoculum condition (age and size) on biomass and conjugated linoleic acid production in probiotic yogurt containing strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus La5, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Propionibacterium freudenerchii grown in medium containing free linoleic acid. The highest amount of conjugated linoleic acid was obtained by addition of 8% w/v whey powder, addition of 4%v/v grape seed oil in pH=6.0, inoculation of 0.7%v/v Inoculum of 36 h age and fermentation at temperature of 35°C for 27 h. This research showed that at the optimized conditions‚ the amount of conjugated linoleic acid in probiotic yogurt was increased by 40% from an average of 8.01 mg/g fat in non-treated yogurt to 11.03 mg/g fat of probiotic yogurt containing grape seed oil.

Keywords: Probiotic yogurt‚ Conjugated linoleic acid‚ Lactobacillus acidophilus La5, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Propionibacterium freudenerchii, Plackett-Burman Design.
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