ROLE OF VENTILATION, CALCIUM AND BORON ON SHOOT TIP NECROSIS AND HYPERHYDRICITY REDUCTION OF IN VITRO ROORSTOOCKS OF PISTACIO ‘BADAMI’ ȘI ‘UCB1’

Shoot tip necrosis (STN) is one of the main physiological disorders in the micropropagation of pistachios. In the current study, the effects of CaNO3.4H2O at 196 mg/L and 291 mg/L, H3BO3 at 196 mg/L and 291 mg/L, and CaCl2.2H2O at 2,980 mg/L on STN and hyperhydricity reduction of Pistacia vera L., ‘Badami’ and ‘UCB1’ rootstocks were assessed, compared to the MS standard medium containing 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) (1.5 mg/L), indole butyric acid (IBA) (0.1 mg/L). For ventilation parameter, filter container vessels with a 50-µm microporous polypropylene membrane (Pardis®) were used. Based on the results, an increase in calcium chloride content of the MS standard medium prevented hyperhydricity in the UCB1 rootstock, whereas it increased STN, yellow leaves, decreasing the multiplication of shoots in the ‘Badami’ rootstock. The results also showed that increasing boric acid from 196 mg/L up to 291 mg/L decreased STN in the UCB1 rootstock and increased this disorder by 37% in the ‘Badami’ rootstock. Ventilation showed no significantly reducing effect on the percentage of STN in the regenerated shoots of the ‘Badami’ rootstock, whilst it decreased the STN of the ‘UCB1’ rootstock to the lowest percentage. For the ‘Badami’ rootstock, CaNO3.4H2O at 196 mg/L led to the highest proliferation rate, shoot height, shoot diameter, and leaf number, but for the ‘UCB1’ rootstock, an increase in the concentration of CaNO3.4H2O up to 291 mg/L under ventilated conditions resulted in an increase in proliferation, shoot height, and shoot diameter.

PENGARUH 2,4- D TERHADAP PENINGKATAN KUALITAS DAN KUANTITAS KALUS YANG DIINDUKSI DENGAN KOMBINASI AUKSIN DAN SITOKININ PADA KULTUR DAUN RUMPUT BENGGALA ( Panicum maximum) VARIETAS TRICHOGLUME

To determine the effect various concentration 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/l of 2,4- D (2,4- dicloropenoxy acetic acid) on callus induction of Benggala grass variety Trichoglume leaf culture on Murashige and Skoog (MS) standard medium and its organogenesis stimulated using deffent concentration of growth regulator, namely [N6- (2- isopenteny)- adenine] or 2iP (0, 0.2 and 1.0 mg/l ) and (l- naphthalene acetic ent, wacid) or NAA (0, 0.03, 0.16 and 3.0 mg/l) were performed. Percentage of callus were measured and organogenesis from callus were subjected to description analysis . The results showed that callus induction was optimum when 2,4-D was treated at 4 mg/l, friable callus were produced. Percentage production of callus week 4 was 46.2 percent, while using 8 mg/l 2,4 –D the callus production was about 59.7 percent yellowish coloured and more compact callus were produced. Combination of 0 mg/l 2iP ( auxin) + 3mg/l (cytokinin) at 3 weeks showed reseilted 100 % of calluses produced roots, the highest amaunt roots (9,0) was observed in combination 0 mg/l 2iP + 3 mg/l NAA, and the longest root (17,0 mm) was recorded in combination 0 mg/l 2iP + 3 mg/l NAA. Calluses yielded varied from white, yellowish to brown colour.

Evaluation of Microalgae Culture in PA and Commercial Urea Media

This work aimed to evaluate the growth and cost cultivation of Chlorella sp microalgae in PA and commercial urea medium solutions compared to BBM standard medium. We cultivated the microalgae Chlorella sp in BBM, PA urea, and commercial urea media, evaluating their growth for 8 days. In addition, we appraised the cost of the culture media considering the quotation of the reagents and the mass used for pilot-scale cultivation (100l). It was possible to observe the similar growth of microalgae with urea PA and BBM. The use of urea PA as a culture media for microalgae has the potential to reduce the cost of the medium by 68%. Thus, the cultivation of Chlorella in urea medium represents an alternative to reduce the production costs of biomass from this microorganism.

Biological, Technical, and Financial Feasibilities Study of Spirulina sp. Biomass Production with Modified Commercial Medium in Indonesia

Spirulina sp. is the most common cyanobacteria commodity used in the bioindustry for functional food, source of protein, bioactive compounds, and biopigment. Production of Spirulina sp. still facing several problems such as high cost of culture medium with the less effective result, especially in developing countries. The medium was modified with commercial chemicals and fertilizers locally available in Indonesia to reduce the production cost. This study aimed to assess the biological, technical, and financial feasibility of Spirulina sp. biomass production using a modified commercial medium. Based on the biological feasibility study, the modified commercial medium (ZK1 and ZK2) gives a similar result to the standard medium, equal for growth rate and protein content. However, the result contains lower fat, carbohydrates, and biopigment. The financial feasibility analysis suggested that the system is feasible starting from 1.2-1.5 kg biomass production in a month. The best result gained on the production capacity of 5 kg biomass using ZK2 medium, with NPV of IDR 183,208,962 (US$12,769), IRR of 73%, B/C ratio of 7.8, and payback period in 7 months. It can be concluded that modified commercial medium was biologically, technically, and financially feasible to be applied in industrial biomass production of Spirulina sp.

DSC reveals variation in enthalpy associated with free water molecules in water-ethanol solution exposed to x-rays and magnetic field

Aqueous ethanol is the standard medium for all drugs used in homeopathy. X-ray and Magnetispoli ambo are 2 homeopathic drugs prepared by exposure of aqueous ethanol to x-rays and static magnetic field, respectively.Mother tinctures (MT)weresuccessively diluted with solvent 1:100 and succussed in several steps to prepare centesimal potencies 8 cH, 14 cH and 32 cH. The solvent was processed in the same way. Although identical in chemical composition (0.03 molar ethanol) and water content (96%) these preparations like the Mother tinctures and three potencies of X-ray and Magnetispoli amboexhibit different therapeutic pathological effects. Potency 8cH of each preparation was diluted with water to reach concentrations 4%, 20%, 40% and 80% ethanol. The aim of the study was to establish whether these potencies exhibited variation in free water molecules. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of MT and potencies exhibited almost similar freezing and melting points, but they remarkably differed in freezing and melting enthalpy and free water molecules. The various dilutions of potency 8cH exhibited variation in enthalpies and free water molecules, being this variation independent of the amount of water added. We conclude that exposure of aqueous ethanol to x-rays and magnetic field, with subsequent dilution and agitation induces changes in the solvent involving free water molecules. All X-ray and Magnetispoli ambo potencies were analyzed by means of Raman spectroscopy for free water molecules. The results were compared to the ones of DSC, being more or less similar.

Antioxidant Properties of Metabolites from New Extremophiles Microalgal Strain (Southern, Tunisia)

With the demand for bioproducts that can provide benefits for biotechnology sectors like pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals, the exploration of microalgal products has turned toward extremophiles. This chapter is intended to provide an insight to most important molecules from halotolerant species, the cyanobacteria Phormidium versicolor NCC-466 and Dunaliella sp. CTM20028 isolated from Sfax Solar Saltern (Sfax) and Chott El-Djerid (Tozeur), Tunisia. These microalgae have been cultured in standard medium with a salinity of 80 PSU. The in vitro antioxidant activities demonstrated that extremolyte from Dunaliella and Phormidium as, phycocaynin, lipids, and polyphenol compound presents an important antioxidant potential.

Medical Plaster Enhancement by Coating with Cistus L. Extracts within a Chitosan Matrix: From Natural Complexity to Health Care Simplicity

Our investigation was focused on the preparation and characterization of novel plasters based on Carboxymethyl Chitosan derivative (CMC), to be used for the treatment of radiation dermatitis with Biologic Active Compounds (BACs) in a moist wound-healing environment. After performing the extraction and characterization of BACs from Cistus L., we optimized the BACs/CMC solution for subsequent plaster preparation. Then, plasters were prepared by dip-coating with a different number of layers, and we characterized them by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), Contact Angle (CA) and release tests in water for 24 h. Taking into account the flexibility of the plasters and the amount of released BACs after 24 h, the sample obtained after two dip-coating steps (2La) appeared promising in regard to comfortable mechanical properties and active principles administration. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test performed on keratinocytes cultured in standard medium shows that cells treated with released extract from 2La start to proliferate, extend cellular viability and form colonies typical for epidermal cells.

BIOFILM FORMING ACTIVITY OF NON-FERMENTING GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

The aim: To study the influence of chemical, physical factors on the biofilm forming activity of P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii. Materials and methods: Biofilm forming activity of P. aeruginosa (10 isolates) and A. baumannii (10 isolates) was studied in nutrient media of different composition. There was used the method in 96-well crystalline violet staining plates with spectrophotometry (STAT FAX®4300, wavelength of 620 nm). Results: Results showed that in standard medium (trypto-soy broth), strains of P. aeruginosa (90%) and A. baumannii (60%) obtained high biofilm forming activity. A. baumannii formed biofilms even in sterile water. Biofilm forming activity of urease positive P. aeruginosa increased in the medium with 1.0% urea. Both Acinetbacteria and Pseudomonas intensively produced their biofilms in the presence of 5% serum or sub-bacteriostatic concentrations of levofloxacin in the media. High concentrations of sodium chloride inhibited their biofilm activity. Conclusions: Isolates of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas obtain the protective biofilm-forming ability under such adverse environmental conditions as insufficient nutrients, high osmotic pressure, the presence of antibiotics but at high concentrations sodium chloride biofilm-formation is stimulated only in the first bacteria and suppressed in the second one.

Komagataeibacter intermedius V-05: An Acetic Acid Bacterium Isolated from Vinegar Industry, with High Capacity for Bacterial Cellulose Production in Soybean Molasses-Based Medium

Research background. Despite the great properties of bacterial cellulose, its manufacture is still limited due to difficulties in production at large-scale. These problems are mainly related to low production yields and high overall costs of the conventional culture media normally used. Reversing these problems makes it necessary to identify new cheap and sustainable carbon sources. Thus, this work aimed to isolate and select a high cellulose-producing Komagataeibacter strain from vinegar industry, and study their potential for bacterial cellulose synthesis in an industrial soybean co-product, known as soybean molasses, to be used as fermentation medium. Experimental approach. For one isolated strain that exhibited high level of cellulose production in the standard Hestrin-Schramm medium, the ability of this biopolymer production in a soybean molasses-based medium was determined. The produced membranes were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, water holding capacity and rehydration ratio for determination of its characteristics and properties. The selected strain was also characterized by genetic analysis for determination of its genus and specie. Results and conclusions. An isolated strain was genetically identified as Komagataeibacter intermedius V-05 and exhibited the highest cellulose production in Hestrin-Schramm medium (3.7 g/L). In addition, the production by this strain in soybean molasses-based medium was 10.0 g/L. Membranes from both substrates were similar in terms of chemical structure, crystallinity and thermal degradation. Soybean molasses proved to be a suitable alternative medium for biosynthesis of cellulose in comparison with standard medium. In addition to providing higher production yield, the membranes showed great structural characteristics, similar to those obtained from standard medium. Novelty and scientific contribution. In this research, we have isolated and identified a Komagataeibacter strain which exhibits a high capacity for cellulose production in soybean molasses medium. The isolation and selection of strains with high capacity of microbial metabolites production is important for decreasing bioprocess costs. Furthermore, as there is a necessity today to find cheaper carbon sources that provide microbial products at a lower cost, soybean molasses represents an interesting alternative medium to produce bacterial cellulose prior to its industrial application.

A comparison of several media types and basic techniques used to assess outdoor airborne fungi in Melbourne, Australia

Despite the recent increase in interest in indoor air quality regarding mould, there is no universally accepted standard media for the detection of airborne fungi, nor verification of many commonly used techniques. Commonly used media including malt-extract agar (MEA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (Sab), potato dextrose agar (PDA) with and without antibiotics chloramphenicol & gentamycin (CG) were compared for their suitability in detecting a range of airborne fungi by collecting 150 L outdoor air on a number of different days and seasons via an Anderson 400-hole sampler in suburban Melbourne, Australia. There was relatively little variation in mean numbers of colony forming units (CFU) and types of fungi recovered between MEA, PDA, Sab media groups relative to variation within each group. There was a significant difference between Sab, Dichloran-18% glycerol (DG18) and V8® Original juice agar media, however. Antibiotics reliably prevented the growth of bacteria that typically interfered with the growth and appearance of fungal colonies. There was no significant evidence for a growth enhancing factor from potato, mineral supplements or various vegetable juices. Differing glucose concentrations had modest effects, showing a vague ideal at 2%-4% with peptone. Sanitisation of the aluminium Andersen 400-hole sampler top-plate by flame is possible, but not strictly required nor advisable. The use of SabCG as a standard medium was generally supported.