@article { ISI:000257271600057, title = {Bacterial synthesis of copper/copper oxide nanoparticles}, journal = {Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology}, volume = {8}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, month = {JUN}, pages = {3191-3196}, publisher = {AMER SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHERS}, type = {Article}, address = {26650 THE OLD RD, STE 208, VALENCIA, CA 91381-0751 USA}, abstract = {

A bacterial mediated synthesis of copper/copper oxide nanoparticle composite is reported. A Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the genus Serratia was isolated from the midgut of Stibara sp., an insect of the Cerambycidae family of beetles found in the Northwestern Ghats of India. This is a unique bacterium that is quite specific for the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles as several other strains isolated from the same insect and common Indian mosquitoes did not result in nanoparticle formation. By following the reaction systematically, we could delineate that the nanoparticle formation occurs intracellularly. However, the process results in the killing of bacterial cells. Subsequently the nanoparticles leak out as the cell wall disintegrates. The nanoparticles formed are thoroughly characterized by UV-Vis, TEM, XRD, XPS and FTIR studies.

}, keywords = {bacterial synthesis, Nanoparticles, TEM, XPS, XRD}, issn = {1533-4880}, doi = {10.1166/jnn.2008.095}, author = {Hasan, Syed Saif and Singh, Sanjay and Parikh, Rasesh Y. and Dharne, Mahesh S. and Patole, Milind S. and Bhagavatula L. V. Prasad and Shouche, Yogesh S.} } @article {46228, title = {Bioactivities and molecular networking-based elucidation of metabolites of potent actinobacterial strains isolated from the Unkeshwar geothermal springs in India}, journal = {RSC Advances}, volume = {9}, year = {2019}, month = {MAR}, pages = {9850-9859}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The bioactive potential of Actinobacteria endemic to hot springs has rarely been investigated. This study highlights the cultivable diversity and bioactivities of Actinobacteria associated with the Unkeshwar hot springs, India. Potent strains were evaluated for their biosynthetic potentials and metabolite analysis was performed using effective dereplication molecular networking tools. A total of 86 actinobacterial strains were isolated and grouped into 21 distinct genera, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These strains included rare members such as Micromonospora, Marmoricola, Actinomadura, Cellulomonas, Cellulosimicrobium, Janibacter, Rothia, Barrentisimonas, Dietzia and Glycomyces. In antimicrobial screening, Micromonospora sp. strain GH99 and Streptomyces sp. strain GH176 were found to be potent antimicrobial strains. The metabolic extracts of these strains exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (NCIM 2493), Shigella flexneri (NCIM 5265), Klebsiella pneumonia (NCIM 2098), and Salmonella abony (NCIM 2257). The extracts also displayed strong anti-biofilm and anticancer activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCIM 5029), Acinetobacter junii (NCIM 5188) and breast cancer cell line MCF7, respectively. Both strains also tested positive for the presence of the PKS biosynthetic gene cluster in their genomes. To effectively delineate the secondary metabolites, the extracts were subjected to MS/MS-guided molecular networking analysis. Structurally diverse compounds including the polyketides 22-dehydroxymethyl-kijanolide (GH99 strain) and Abyssomicin I (GH176 strain) were detected in the extracts. Interestingly, Brevianamide F was detected in the extract of Micromonospora, which has previously been mostly found in fungal species. Other compounds such as cyclic tripeptides, Cyclo(l-Pro-d-Ile) and Cyclo(d-Pro-l-Phe), were also identified in this strain. In summary, for the first time, we explored the diversity of Actinobacteria and evaluated their bioactive potential from the Unkeshwar hot springs. The potent strains isolated in the study could be useful in drug discovery programs.

}, doi = {10.1039/c8ra09449g}, author = {Mehetre, Gajanan T. and Vinodh, J. S. and Burkul, Bhushan B. and Desai, D. and Santhakumari, B. and Dharne, Mahesh S. and Dastager, Syed G} } @article {46042, title = {Biodegradation of mixed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by pure and mixed cultures of biosurfactant producing thermophilic and thermo-tolerant bacteria}, journal = {Science of the Total Environment}, volume = {679}, year = {2019}, month = {AUG}, pages = {52-60}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Applicability of thermophilic and thereto-tolerant microorganisms for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with low water solubility is an interesting strategy for improving the biodegradation efficiency. In this study, we evaluated utility of thermophilic and thermo-tolerant bacteria isolated from Unkeshwar hot spring (India) for biodegradation of four different PAHs. Water samples were enriched in mineral salt medium (MSM) containing a mixture of four PAHs compounds (anthracene: ANT, fluorene: FLU, phenanthrenc: PHE and pyrene: PYR) at 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C. After growth based screening, four potent strains obtained which were identified as Aeribacillus pallidus (UCPS2), Bacillus axarquiensis (UCPD1), Bacillus siamensis (GHP76) and Bacillus subtilis subsp. inaquosorum (U277) based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Degradation of mixed PAH compounds was evaluated by pure as well as mixed cultures under shake flask conditions using MSM supplemented with 200 mg/L concentration of PAHs (50 mg/L of each compound) for 15 days at 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C. A relatively higher degradation of ANT (92\% - 96\%), FLU (83\% - 86\%), PHE (16\% - 54\%) and PYR (51\% - 71\%) was achieved at 50 degrees C by Aeribacillus sp. (UCPS2) and mixed culture. Furthermore, crude oil was used as a substrate to study the degradation of same PAHs using these organisms which also revealed with similar results with the higher degradation at 50 degrees C. Interestingly, PAH-degrading strains were also positive for biosurfactant production. Biosurfactants were identified as the variants of surfactins (lipopeptide biosurfactants) based on analytical tools and phylogenetic analysis of the surfactin genes. Overall, this study has shown that hot spring microbes may have a potential for PAHs degradation and also biosurfactant production at a higher temperature, which could provide a novel perspective for removal of PAHs residues from oil contaminated sites. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Biodegradation, Biosurfactants, Crude oil, Mixed culture, PAHs, Thermophiles}, issn = {0048-9697}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.376}, author = {Mehetre, Gajanan T. and Dastager, Syed G. and Dharne, Mahesh S.} } @article {46742, title = {Biosensors: frontiers in rapid detection of COVID-19}, journal = {3 Biotech}, volume = {10}, year = {2020}, month = {AUG}, pages = {385}, type = {Review}, abstract = {

The rapid community-spread of novel human coronavirus 2019 (nCOVID19 or SARS-Cov2) and morbidity statistics has put forth an unprecedented urge for rapid diagnostics for quick and sensitive detection followed by contact tracing and containment strategies, especially when no vaccine or therapeutics are known. Currently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is being used widely to detect COVID-19 from various types of biological specimens, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive and may not be rapidly deployable in remote or resource-limited settings. This might lead to hindrance in acquiring realistic data of infectivity and community spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population. This review summarizes the existing status of current diagnostic methods, their possible limitations, and the advantages of biosensor-based diagnostics over the conventional ones for the detection of SARS-Cov-2. Novel biosensors used to detect RNA-viruses include CRISPR-Cas9 based paper strip, nucleic-acid based, aptamer-based, antigen-Au/Ag nanoparticles-based electrochemical biosensor, optical biosensor, and Surface Plasmon Resonance. These could be effective tools for rapid, authentic, portable, and more promising diagnosis in the current pandemic that has affected the world economies and humanity. Present challenges and future perspectives of developing robust biosensors devices for rapid, scalable, and sensitive detection and management of COVID-19 are presented in light of the test-test-test theme of the World Health Organization (WHO).

}, keywords = {Biosensors, COVID-19, Rapid detection, SARS-CoV-2}, issn = {2190-572X}, doi = {10.1007/s13205-020-02369-0}, author = {Samson, Rachel and Navale, Govinda R. and Dharne, Mahesh S.} } @article {48960, title = {Bioprocess optimization of penicillium funiculosum NCIM 1228 for improved production and hydrolytic efficiency of cellulases on sugarcane bagasse}, journal = {Sugar Tech}, volume = {26}, year = {2024}, month = {FEB}, pages = {215-233}, type = {Journal Article}, abstract = {

The cellulase enzyme is currently the world{\textquoteright}s third largest commercial enzyme. Because of its requirement in various industries like textiles, food, waste management, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, pulp paper, biofuels, and others, its demand curve has increased sharply. The response surface methodology (RSM) approach was employed to optimize media components and process parameters in the current investigation, which successfully increased the cellulase production from Penicillium funiculosum NCIM 1228. Statistical optimization for the hyperproduction of cellulases was conducted using RSM. The Plackett-Burman design (PBD) approach was used to investigate the critical factors of the cellulase production medium. Subsequently, the Box-Behnken design (BBD) method was used to statistically estimate optimum values and conditions that substantially impacted cellulase production. The estimated optimal combinations of parameters for cellulase production were urea (0.2\%), CaCl2 (0.2\%), MgSO4 (0.05\%), peptone (1.5\%), microcrystalline cellulose (5.0\%), wheat bran (2.5\%), corn steep liquor (CSL) (2.5\%), KH2PO4 (0.15\%), inoculum (10.65\%), agitation (157 rpm), pH (5.88), and temperature (29.84 C-degrees). Conclusively, experimental validation under optimal conditions detected an increased production of 3.82- and 3.61-fold in filter paper assay (FPase) and beta-glucosidase, respectively. Additionally, 1.66- and 1.57-fold enhancement in FPase and beta-glucosidase specific activity was observed where an xylanase activity was enhanced by 3.29-fold. Furthermore, the enzyme showed 51.30 per cent hydrolysis efficiency on sugarcane bagasse lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), at a dose of 7 FPase units per g of cellulose. P. funiculosum NCIM 1228 offers the benefit of producing cellulase with an entire cellulolytic system of enzymes that can be synthesized extracellularly, thus acting as a promising biocatalyst for biofuel industries.

}, keywords = {Cellulase, Lignocellulosic biomass, Penicillium funiculosum, Response surface methodology, Submerged fermentation, Xylanase}, issn = {0972-1525}, doi = {10.1007/s12355-023-01324-6}, author = {Chavan, Sambhaji B. and Shete, Ashvini M. and Dharne, Mahesh S.} }