Search

Objective: To assess the effect of Evolvulus alsinoides (E. alsinoides) on glycoprotein levels in liver, kidney and pancreas of control and diabetes induced rats. Methods: Wistar albino rats were used for the present study. The diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 45 mg/kg body weight. After the induction of diabetes the rats were treated with glibenclamiede and E. alsinoides for 45 d. At the end of the experimental period the glycoprotein levels were estimated by using standard protocols. Results: Significantly higher levels of glycoproteins were observed in the tissues of diabetic rats when compared with the control rats. After treated with ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides and standard drug resulted in the reduction of glycoproteins when compared with the diabetic control rats. Conclusions: The present study proved that that ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides owned a beneficial effect on glycoprotein components. Hence, it can be used in the prevention of glycoprotein medicated complications in diabetes mellitus.

Microbial production of chitinase has captured the worldwide attention of both industrial and scientific environments, not only because of its wide spectrum of applications but also for the lacuna of an effective production method. Chitinase production by a terrestrial Streptomyces species was studied under sub-merged fermentation. Chitinase production started after 24 h of incubation and reached maximum levels during the sixth day of cultivation. A high level of chitinase activity was observed in the culture medium with pH 7 at 30°C. Culture medium amended with 0.4% colloidal chitin was found to be suitable source and the influence of additional carbon on chitinase production was also studied and the results revealed that the sucrose served as a good carbon source to enhance chitinase yield. Chitinase was purified from crude enzyme extract by two steps (ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis) and the molecular weight was determined by SDS-PAGE which exhibits a distinct protein band near to 34 kDa. The present study provides a suitable medium for improved chitinase production by Streptomyces species. Moreover, the study reflects the potential of Streptomyces species to produce chitinase for biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protease production under solid state fermentation (SSF) was investigated using isolated Aspergillus flavus. Different agro-industrial waste products were evaluated to check the possibility of potential utilization of substrates in SSF for protease production by Aspergillus flavus using wheat bran as a substrate. The results showed that the optimum conditions for maximum protease production were found to be 7th day of incubation at pH 5.0, temperature 30 °C; inoculum size 3%; substrate concentration 3% and 3% KNO3 as nitrogen source. The purified enzyme produced 5.8 fold with recovery of 3.2% by DEAE-column chromatography and the molecular weight was estimated to be 46kDa by SDS-PAGE. It has a Vmax value of 60.0 U/mg and Km value of 0.6 mg/ml at pH of 7. The enzyme activity was found to be stable at 50 °C and it was stimulated by metal ions like Cu2+ and Zn2+ and inhibited by Ca2+ and Mg2+ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]