Production of Phytase by three thermophilic fungi

Production of phytase by three thermophilic fungi, Thermomyces lanuginosus, Talaromyces luteus and Rhizomucor pusillus under different cultural conditions was assessed. Temperature of 45°C, pH-6.0 were optimum for phytase production by the all three fungi under investigation . Carbon and nitrogen sources for production of phytases by the three thermophilic fungi varied with the fungus. When T. lanuginosus opted for D-glucose followed by D-fructose, T. luteus preferred D-glucose, D-mannose and mannitol for production a phytase. On the other hand, R. pusillus produced maximum phytase during its growth on mannitol and maltose as carbon source. L- asparagine, L- arginine and L-asparatic acid were preferred nitrogen sources for production of phytase by T. lanuginosus. On the other hand T. luteus, opted for L- asparagine, L-glutamic acid and L- glycine for the activity of phytase. R. pusillus produced maximum phytase in medium containing L-argine, L-asparagine and L- asparatic acid.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Rapid Antigen Test against RT-PCR and its Correlation with Cycle Threshold (CT) values: an Institutional Experience

Rapidly increasing COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 in whole world caused a tremendous pressure on existing diagnostic setup to give accurate diagnosis on time by gold standard RT-PCR technique forcing scientist to think beyond RT-PCR which ultimately ended with invent of Rapid antigen test which can give about 100% specific and rapid result but may miss many case due to low sensitivity. So we wanted to evaluate the Rapid antigen test against RT-PCR for its diagnostic accuracy. We followed standard procedure for sample collection, Rapid antigen test and RT-PCR test. In about one and half month span we collected 554 antigen negative samples in our hospital. About 13% sample (74/554) turned out as positive by RT-PCR test. About 40 % (30/74) positive samples had low Ct value (<25) indicating higher viral load present in those patients. Above findings indicate that only antigen test will miss a significant portion of positive cases with higher viral load which may complicate the pandemic by unknowingly spreading the virus within the society. So we should try to improve our infrastructure to carry out more RTPCR test so we can detect more cases to identify and isolate them from others to prevent or slowdown the transmission chain.

A case report of Sino-orbital Mucormycosis in a COVID-19 patient from eastern India: a “Red-alert” to physicians emphasizing the importance of early microbiological diagnosis

A 65 years old diabetic female, presented with swelling of left eye and multiple discharging sinuses near the inner canthus of the left eye. She had a history of recent COVID-19 infection and was treated with steroids. The pus from peri-orbital sinuses, in KOH stain showed presence of broad, non-septate, right-angle branching fungal filaments. An early microbiological diagnosis of Mucormycosis, based on the direct smear findings substantiated the clinical diagnosis and helped the patient to get timely treatment. We emphasize that a request for an early microbiological diagnosis may affect the outcome in this highly invasive fatal disease.

STUDY OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF WHOLE CELL EXRACTS OF CYANOBACTERIA BY MEMBRANE STABILIZATION & TRYPSIN INHIBITION ASSAY

Inflammation is a complex mechanism in response to any infection, injury, or irritation. The prolonged inflammation leads to tissue damage and loss of function result in various disease conditions like osteoarthritis, and autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and Crohn’s disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to control inflammatory response and prevent tissue damage .Cyanobacteria are rich sources of phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids are known to have anti-inflammatory activity. Because of ease of cultivation and faster growth rate than plants, they are preferred candidates over plants. This study focuses on screening of cyanobacterial isolates for their anti-inflammatory activity. The human erythrocytes (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay indicated the potential of whole cell extracts of cyanobacteria to stabilize lysosomal membrane and thereby prevent tissue damage by lysosomal chemokines and enzymes. The trypsin inhibition assay is an indicator for potential to inhibit proteinases and decelerate tissue damage. The whole cell extracts of 10 cyanobacterial isolates of different genus namely Weistellopsis, Pseudophormidium, Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Phormidium, Chlorella, Hapalosiphon under study showed 85%-94% membrane stabilization in hypotonicity induced hemolysis and 92% to 97% membrane stabilization in heat induced hemolysis. The test extracts also showed 48% to 52% inhibition of trypsin. Thus, the isolates under study have application as anti-inflammatory agent.

ISOLATION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM TRIDAX PROCUMBENS GROWN IN CONTAMINATED SITES AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR HEAVY METAL TOLERANCE

Seven strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of Tridax procumbens and were first screened individually for tolerance to heavy metals like Zn, Pb, Cu, Mg, and Cr from 5 ppm to 50 ppm on Potato dextrose agar medium. They were further tested for resistance at 75, 100, 200, 400, and 600 ppm of heavy metals. The fungal isolate on the PDA medium without any heavy metal was used as a control for growth comparison. It was observed that with increasing concentration of heavy metal from 5 to 600 ppm there was a decrease in the number of fungal isolates. Few of the fungal isolates were able to tolerate heavy metals up to 600 ppm. The screening test revealed heterogeneity in the heavy metal tolerance of the isolates.