Enhanced inulinase production by Fusarium solani JALPK from invasive weed using response surface methodology

Bos taurus (A-2) urine assisted bioactive cobalt oxide anchored ZnO: a novel nanoscale approach

In this study, a novel synthetic method for cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles using Bos taurus (A-2) urine as a reducing agent was developed. In addition to this ZnO nanorods were produced hydrothermally and a nanocomposite is formed through a solid-state reaction. The synthesized materials were characterized through modern characterization techniques such as XRD, FE-SEM with EDS, DLS, zeta potential, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopic analysis, and TGA with DSC. The free radical destructive activity was determined using two different methods viz. ABTS and DPPH. The potential for BSA denaturation in vitro, which is measured in comparison to heat-induced denaturation of egg albumin and results in anti-inflammatory effects of nanomaterial was studied. All synthesized nanomaterials have excellent antibacterial properties, particularly against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. The composite exhibits excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison to pure nanomaterials. This reveals that these nanomaterials are advantageous in medicine and drug administration.

Optimization of fermentation parameters for high-activity inulinase production and purification from Rhizopus oryzae by Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken

The aim of study was to optimize fermentation parameters for inulinase production from Rhizopus oryzae by a statistical approach and to carry out purification of inulinase. Five isolated fungal strains were screen out inulin degradation by using Lugol's iodine solution. R. oryzae exhibited maximum zone of clearance around the colony and was used as an inulinase producer. The effect of carbon sources (inulin, glucose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, onion peel, stevia root, wheat bran) as medium component and fermentation parameters (temperature (25-45 °C), initial pH (4-7), time (3-7 days)) on inulinase production was investigated by Plackett-Burman Design. Wheat Bran (WB), temperature, pH, and incubation time were found to be significant for the production of inulinase (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Box-Behnken Design was employed to optimize fermentation conditions. The maximum experimental results for inulinase activity and specific activity were 348.36 EU/mL and 3621.78 EU/mg, respectively. The results were obtained at 5 days of incubation time, 35 °C of incubation temperature, initial pH of 5.5, and 2% (w/v) WB. Also, inulinase was purified by using ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography with 2.19-fold and its molecular weight was found as 89.12 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 4.0 and 60 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the purified enzyme showed excellent stability at 60 °C. In conclusion, the present study offers cost-effective method to produce inulinase from Rhizopus oryzae. Also, it can be suggested that the purified inulinase has strong potential for usage in production of fructose syrup and other industrial areas.

Production of cutinase from Fusarium falciforme and its application for hydrophilicity improvement of polyethylene terephthalate fabric

Among 23 isolates of cutinase-producing fungi from Thailand, one strain of Fusarium falciforme PBURU-T5 exhibited the greatest cutinase activity (3.36 ± 0.12 U ml^-1) against p-nitrophenyl butyrate. This strain was found to produce an inducible cutinase when cultivated in the liquid mineral medium containing cutin from papaya peel as the sole carbon source. By optimizing the production condition based on the central composite experimental design, the maximal cutinase activity up to 4.82 ± 0.18 U ml^-1 was attained under the condition: 0.4% (w/v) papaya cutin as the carbon source, 0.3% (w/v) peptone as the nitrogen source, incubation temperature at 30 °C for 4 days, and initial pH 7.0. The crude enzyme was optimally active at 35 °C and pH 9.0 which was suitable for textile industrial application. The treatment with the crude PBURU-T5 cutinase (100 U g^-1 dry weight of fabric) could enhance the wetting time, water adsorption and moisture regain of polyethylene terephthalate fabric up to 1.9-, 1.2- and 1.3-fold, respectively, comparing with the conventional 1M NaOH treatment. The increment of these fabric properties by enzymatic treatment could facilitate the dyeing process and enhance the fabric softness. Thus, F. falciforme PBURU-T5 is the promising source of cutinase for the modification of the PET fabric surface.