Micropropagation of Paphiopedilum x Dalatense

Paphiopedilum x dalatense is a beautiful orchid species with large flowers in variable colors and leaves covered with stripes and beautiful unseen mosaic spots. Recently, many people exploit this species, causing it becomes very rare. In this study, we studied the effects of various organic matter: potato, banana and tryptone, yeast powder, peptone on the growth and development of P. dalatense shoots as well as the effects of NAA and humic acid on in vitro rooting of this orchid were investigated. The research results showed that MS medium supplemented with 100 g/L banana in combination with 100 g/L potato (5,4 shoots/sample, 18,8 mm/shoot, 4,5 leaves/shoot, and shoots survival rate of 100%) or MS medium supplemented with 1 g/L peptone (4,19 shoots/sample, 15 mm/shoot, 4 leaves/bud, and 92% of shoots survival rate) were the best response for the shoot formation and development. In addition, the half strength MS culture medium supplemented with 1 mg/L NAA (5,2 leaves/sample, 4,6 roots/buds, 3,56 cm/root, and 100% rate for rooting) was the suitable medium for the in vitro rooting of P. dalatense. Being cultured on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L humic acid, the rooting rate reached 100% with the greatest root number and the longest root (5 roots/shoots, 5,5 cm/root). The obtained results on the in vitro propagation on this orchid helps contribute to the conservation and increases the genotic pool of this precious wild orchid species, as well as the rapid multiplication of healthy plantlets serving the commercialization of precious orchid species.

The silicon–carbon nanofibers-carbonized yeast powder composites with excellent electrochemical properties as lithium-ion anode materials

Silicon–carbon nanofibers-carbonized yeast powder composite (SCNFs/CYP) was fabricated using the electrostatic spinning and hydrothermal processes. Experimental results show that the carbon nanofibers can restrain the volume expansion of silicon in the electrochemical process and the microporous structure of carbonized yeast powder can increase the specific surface area and promote the penetration of electrolyte. The compound was cyclically tested at charge–discharge rate of [Formula: see text]C, and the first charge/discharge capacity was 1725 and 1732 mAh/g. Although it is lower than the capacity of single structure silicon–carbon nanofibers (SCNFs), with the increase of the number of cycles, the capacity of charging and discharging has been greatly improved, and it can be maintained at 1656 mAh/g after 180 cycles. The [Formula: see text] after 1 cycle, 10 cycles and 100 cycles were 486, 286.5 and 231 [Formula: see text], from which we can see that the SCNFs–CYP has lower overall impedance values as the cycle increases. This indicated that the addition of carbon nanofibers and carbonized yeast powder inhibited the volume expansion and increased the specific surface area, providing more electrical contact sites.

Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Zare & Gams, as an efficient biocontrol agent of tea thrips, Scirtothrips bispinosus Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Background Continuous and non-judicial application of synthetic insecticides to control the tea thrips, Scirtothrips bispinosus (Bagnall), one of the major tea pests in South India has led to certain undesirable issues in the ecosystem besides the presence of the pesticide residues in manufactured tea. Biological control agents are of immense importance in tea cultivation. The present study was designed to isolate Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Zare & Gama from the field-collected cadavers of the insects/mites infected by fungi of tea growing areas of Anamallais (Tamil Nadu, South India), and to evaluate their field bio-efficacy against the tea thrips. Results Lecanicillium lecanii isolated from the tea ecosystem had been formulated into a wettable powder (WP) formulation and evaluated against tea thrips under both laboratory and field conditions. Among the several media evaluated, the PDAY (Potato Dextrose Agar + 1% Yeast powder) was found to be the best suitable medium for the growth and germination of spores. Optimum conditions for the growth of L. lecanii were found in PDAY medium at the pH 6-7, temperature 25-30°C and 90-95% RH. Exposure to UV light for more than 30 min significantly inhibited the growth of the fungus. Lecanicillium lecanii at (1 × 107 spore/ha) was found significantly effective against thrips. Fungal development index (FDI) of L. lecanii + jaggery significantly differed than other treatments. Lecanicillium lecanii at 1500g (1×107 conidia/ml) mixed in 400 l of water was effective against the tea thrips. Addition of equal amount of jaggery with L. lecanii wettable powder in the tank mixture could increase the efficacy of the mycopesticide against tea thrips. Conclusion The powder formulation of L. lecanii was found safer to natural enemies present in the tea ecosystem. After fulfilling the requirements for its registration and label claim on tea, this strain of L. lecanii could be commercialized for the benefit of the tea industry for the management of tea thrips in an eco-friendly manner.

Lyophilized yeast powder for adjuvant free thermostable vaccine delivery

Thermolabile nature of commercially available vaccines necessitates their storage, transportation and dissemination under refrigerated condition. Maintenance of continuous cold chain at every step increases the final cost of vaccines. Any breach in the cold chain, even for a short duration results in the need to discard the vaccine. As a result, there is a pressing need for the development of thermostable vaccines. In this proof of concept study, we showed that E. coli curli-GFP fusion protein remains stable in freeze-dried yeast powder for more than a 13 and 6 months when stored at 30 °C and 37 °C respectively. Stability of the heterologous protein remains unaffected during the process of heat-inactivation and lyophilization. The mass of lyophilized yeast powder remains almost unchanged during the entire period of storage. Expressed protein remains intact even after two cycles of freeze and thaws. The protease deficient strain appears ideal for the development of whole recombinant yeast-based vaccines. The cellular abundance of expressed antigen in dry powder after a year was comparable to freshly lyophilized cells. SEM microscopy showed the intact nature of cells in powdered form even after a year of storage at 30 °C. Observation made in this study showed that freeze-dry yeast powder can play a vital role in the development of thermostable vaccines.

A Pilot Safety Assessment for Recombinant Epinephelus lanceolatus Piscidin Yeast Powder as a Drug Food Additive after Subacute and Subchronic Administration to SD Rats

Recombinant Epinephelus lanceolatus piscidin (RELP) was previously shown to improve growth performance and immune response when used as a feed additive for Gallus gallus domesticus. However, the long-term toxicity of RELP has not be thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the subacute and subchronic oral toxicities of RELP in SD rats by hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses. To determine subacute and subchronic toxicities, male and female rats were fed with RELP 1000 mg/kg bodyweight/day for 28 and 90 days, respectively. Bodyweight and food intake were unchanged by RELP treatment over the course of the studies. After exposure, samples of blood, heart, lung, liver, and kidney were collected and analyzed. Results demonstrated that RELP exposure did not cause any observable hematological, biochemical, or histological abnormalities in SD rats. Thus, RELP may be a safe feed additive for use in agriculture and aquaculture.

Study on different diets on the biological parameters of rice moth Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton)

The present investigations were undertaken in laboratory on “Study on factitious host Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) against storage of egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) cards under laboratory conditions” during the year 2018 in the bio-control laboratory, Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U. P.) India. The effects of different rearing media on some biological parameters of factitious host, C. cephalonica are based on results are most effective performance with T3 (Sorghum + Groundnut + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast), treatments i.e. larval, pupal, male and female moths emergence, and egg production in cc and followed by 17530, 16667, 15131,14875, 13545 and 11830 i.e. T3 (Sorghum + Groundnut + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast), T5 (Sorghum + Soyabeen + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast), T6 (Sorghum + Cowpea + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast), T4 (Sorghum + Gram powder + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast), T2 (Sorghum + Green Gram + Yeast powder, 50:50 +5g Yeast), T1 (Sorghum + Black gram + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast) and T7 (Sorghum alone (check) eggs per cc of Sorghum + Groundnut + Yeast powder, 50:50 + 5g Yeast and wheal), respectively.

Isolation of a Bacillus Aryabhattai Strain for the Resolution of (R, S)-Ethyl Indoline-2-Carboxylate to Produce (S)-Indoline-2-Carboxylic Acid

The strain screened from sludge can selectively hydrolyze (S)-ethyl indoline-2-carboxylate to produce (S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid. It was identified as the Bacillus aryabhattai strain based on its morphology, metabolism, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Glucose and yeast powder were used as the best carbon and nitrogen sources to cultured cells with an initial pH of seven. Subsequently, we optimized the key parameters for selective hydrolysis. Finally, when the substrate concentration had reached 3%, with a 35 °C water bath, a pH of seven, and a speed of 600 rpm, the e.e.p value attained 96% with a 33% yield. Thus, we had developed a new method for producing (S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid that used whole microbial cells as the biocatalyst.