Search

Efficient degradation of hazardous contaminants from contaminated water is the major challenge for researchers, wherein heavy metals are the prominent contaminants. Consequently, the assessment of multimetal removal is necessary using efficient biosorbant. In this work, the capability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium is evaluated for the individual and simultaneous removal of heavy metals. Individual and simultaneous removal of As, Cd, and Cr is optimized using response surface methodology based on the central composite design by changing the variables, i.e., pH, fungal biomass, and metal concentration. Optimization of the individual metal removal study reveals that fungus effectively absorbs As (29.95 mg L-1), Cd (18.1 mg L-1), and Cr (26.34 mg L-1) at 6.1, 5.64, and 4.15 of pH, respectively. Similarly, As (14.18 mg L-1), Cd (4.53 mg L-1), and Cr (9.28 mg L-1) are absorbed by fungal hyphae simultaneously within 1 h. Changes in the morphology of fungal hyphae are detected in metal absorbed samples as compared to the control hyphae. Interaction of metal-absorbed fungal hyphae is analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy, revealing that the proteins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids present in the fungal cell are interacted with metals. The model white rot fungi used in the present study can be applied efficiently for the multimetal removal in effluent treatment plants.

Lignocellulosic wastes available in abundance can be excellent substrates for the production of cellulase and β-glucosidase enzymes by solid state fermentation (SSF). A cellulase system, showing enhanced hydrolytic potential and β-glucosidase under SSF, was obtained by cocultivation of Aspergillus ellipticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Different types of substrates and various pretreatments were used to improve hydrolytic process. Among the various substrates examined, sugarcane bagasse gave the highest activity and 2% calcium hydroxide treatment was found to be the most favorable treatment for the enzyme production. The maximum enzyme production was obtained on the eighth day of the fermentation process.

Mannich bases obtained from Biginelli-derived DHPMs (I) are assayed for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against E.

Three series of N-Mannich bases of 3,4-dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-ones(DHPMs) 7a-g, 8a-g, and 9a-g have been prepared by Mannich reaction of DHPMs 4a-c with seven different heterocyclic secondary amino compounds 6a-g and formaldehyde 5. The precursors DHPMs 4a-c have been derived by a Biginelli reaction of three aromatic aldehydes 1a-c with ethylacetoacetate 2 and urea 3. The chemical structure of all the three series of N-Mannich bases have been elucidated by elemental analysis and spectral studies (IR, H and C NMR). They have been assayed in vitro for their biological activity against E. coli and B. subtilis bacterial species and A. niger and C. albicans fungal microorganisms.