Isolation and Characterisation of Microorganisms from Rhizospheric Soil of Seabuckthorn from Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand

TWENTY-THREE different bacterial and fungal isolates were grown and screened for their capability to transform soy glycosides to their aglycone forms with higher titer of antioxidant activity compared to unfermented soy flour. Most of the bacterial isolates showed higher amounts of daidzein than of genistein, which are the aglycone products of daidzin and genistin. After fermentation of soybean flour using bacterial and fungal isolates, the content of isoflavone aglycones varied from 0.0 to 431.89 μg/g compared to unfermented autoclaved soybean flour. Extracellular β-glucosidase activity was ranged from 1.22 to 11.56 mU/mL and 0.3-534.3 U/mL for bacterial and fungal isolates, respectively, while, bacterial cell-bound β-glucosidase ranged from 44.72 to 128.89 mU/mL. Most of the bacterial isolates more efficiently transformed daidzin and genistin into the aglycones than fungal isolates. Among the tested bacterial isolates, the most potent one was selected, characterized according to the morphological and 16S rDNA sequence analysis and identified as Bacillus licheniformis NRC24.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterium causing bacterial wilt, particularly in Solanaceae crops, including tomatoes. Due to pathogen’s wide host plant range, pesticide resistance, and ability to overcome cultivars utilized for innate resistance, not even a single measure is effective against the pathogen. Screening the rhizosphere of bacterial wilt tolerant tomato plants from Bomet, Kiambu, Kajiado and Kirinyaga regions of Kenya for beneficial bacterial and fungal isolates was done using nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar, respectively. Morphological, biochemical, and microscopic characterization to identify the genus of fungal and microbial isolates revealed a total of 41 bacterial and 42 fungal isolates distributed as Bomet>Kiambu>Kajiado>kirinyaga while fungal isolates were as Bomet>Kiambu>Kirinyaga>Kajiado. Methyl Red (MR) and Voges-Proskauer (VP) tests, catalase reaction, citrate reaction, starch hydrolysis, and triple iron sugar (TSI) tests showed that the predominant bacteria were Burkholderia, Bacillus and Micrococcus species. Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Serratia, and Enterobacter species were the least. Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Fusarium species were the most dominant fungal isolates from the four counties. Hierarchical cluster analysis was done using DARwin software V6 to reveal different dissimilarity levels among the isolates based on biochemical and morphological characteristics. Key words: Ralstonia solanacearum, rhizosphere screening, fungal isolates, bacterial isolates, biological control.

Globally, the use of face masks is one of the non-pharmaceutical interventions recommended as a method of preventing spread of SARS-CoV-2. Lagos State was an epicenter of COVID-19 and as such, the State Government made the use of facemasks mandatory while in the public and social gatherings. Due to the alarming rate of spread of COVID-19 pandemic, shortage of masks and respirators has been observed and reported globally. This has led to production and use of different types of facemasks including locally made facemasks of different fabrics. A total of 400 consisting of 200 made of local fabrics, 100 imported face/surgical masks and 100 N95 respirators were selected from different sources in Lagos State between May 2020 and November 2020. Samples were immersed aseptically into conical flask containing 100ml Nutrient broth and incubated 18-24hrs. The broth culture was sub-cultured onto Sabouroid Dextrose Agar in duplicates. One of the SDA was incubated at room temperature and the other at 37°C. Blood, Chocolate and MacConkey agar plates were also inoculated and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hrs. Isolates were identified using phenotypic identification methods. Of the total 400 samples, 346 (86.5%) had no bacterial or fungal growth while 44 (11.0%) had one bacterial isolate and 10 (2.5%) had mixed growth of bacterial isolates. Of the 200 locally-made face masks, 39 (19.5%) had one bacterial isolate and 9 (4.5%) had two bacterial isolates and 5 (2.5%) had fungal isolates while out of the 100 imported surgical masks, only 4 (4.0%) had one bacterial isolate and one (1.0%) had mixed growth of bacterial isolates. One (1.0%) of the imported N95 respirator had only one bacterial isolate <i>(Lactobacilli spp)</i>. Generally, the isolated bacteria were <i>Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species and Lactobacilli species while fungal isolates were Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus</i>. The locally-made face masks were contaminated with both bacterial and fungal isolates. Face masks with no bacterial or fungal growth had a p-value of 0.02 and it is statistically significant in terms of the face masks tested in this study. Face masks with one bacterial isolate had a p value of 0.35 and those mixed growth of two different bacterial and fungal isolates had a p value of 0.36 which indicated a non-statistically significant results of the face mask tested in these categories. Locally made face masks were more contaminated with single or mixed bacterial and fungal agents. Cautionary use of the masks is recommended.

Microbial phosphate (P) solubilisation has been reportedly impacted by various environmental conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the effects of different cultural/environmental conditions on phosphate solubilisation in bacteria and fungi. Phosphate-solubilising microorganisms (PSM) were isolated from rhizospheric soil of tomatoes, cowpea, and corn and then screened for phosphate solubilsation on Pikovskaya (PVK) agar. Effects of different environmental conditions on phosphate solubilisation were evaluated by cultivating PSM in National Botanical Research Institute's Phosphate growth medium (NBRIP) amended with different carbon and nitrogen sources, salt concentrations and maintained at varying pH and temperature regimes. Five strains of the microbes produced halo zones on PVK agar. Isolate NF1 had the highest solubilisation index (4.0), followed by NB3 (3.5) and NF2 (3.45), NB1 (2.0), and then NB2 (1.0). In terms of supporting P solubilisation, carbon sources performed in the order: glucose&gt;fructose&gt;sucrose&gt; maltose&gt;mannitol in the best performed fungal (NF1) and bacterial (NB3) isolates (P≤0.05). Similarly, the nitrogen sources performed in the following order: (NH4)2SO4&gt;NaNO3&gt;Ca(NO3)2&gt;KNO3 (P≤0.05)in both NF1and NB3. pH 7.0, 30 oC and 0% NaCl were found to support the highest quantity of P solubilised. The highest P solubilised was 0.67 mg/mL in NB3 and 0.72 mg/mL in NF1. Given the conditions employed in this study, the fungal isolate was more efficient in phosphate solubilisation than its bacterial counterpart. NF1 and NB3 were identified through microbiological and molecular methods as Pseudomonas mosseliid7 and Aspergillus niger VITAF1 respectively. Therefore, optimum solubilisation was dependent on the interplay between organisms and their environmental conditions.

Climate change and associated glacier recession have led to the formation of new glacial lakes and the expansion of existing ones across the Himalayas. Many pose a potential glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) threat to downstream communities and infrastructure. In this paper, 4418 glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region and 636 transboundary lakes are analyzed. We consider hazard, exposure, and integrated danger levels using robust geographic information system-based automated approaches. The hazard level of lakes was estimated based on the potential for avalanches to strike the lake, size of the lake and its upstream watershed, and distal slope of its dam. Exposure levels were calculated by intersecting cropland, roads, hydropower projects, and the human population with potential GLOF trajectories. Then, GLOF danger was determined as a function of hazard and exposure. The study demonstrates that Jammu and Kashmir (JK) is potentially the most threatened region in terms of total number of very high and high danger lakes (n = 556), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (AP) (n = 388) and Sikkim (SK) (n = 219). Sectorwise, JK faces the greatest GLOF threat to roads and population, whereas the threat to cropland and hydropower is greatest in AP and SK, respectively. Transboundary lakes primarily threaten AP and, to a lesser extent, Himachal Pradesh (HP). For Uttarakhand (UK), the impacts of potential future glacial lakes, expected to form during rapid ongoing glacier recession because of climate change, are explored. Finally, a comparison of current results with previous studies suggests that 13 lakes in SK, 5 in HP, 4 in JK, 2 in UK, and 1 in AP are of highest priority for local investigation and potential risk reduction measures. Current results are of vital importance to policymakers, disaster management authorities, and the scientific community.

Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius,1775) has distribution extending in peninsular India from Maharashtra to Kerala; Andhra Pradesh, and in northeastern India from West Bengal to Sikkim &amp; Arunachal Pradesh. In north-western India it has been reported from Delhi &amp; Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and also from Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands. In the current observation, the occurrence of G. t. thyrsis was recorded from New Forest Campus of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun which is the first known authentic record from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.

Periphytic biofilm and rice rhizosphere phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fungi: A possible use for activating occluded P in periphytic biofilms in paddy fields

Polymicrobial Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Australia: Predictors, Treatment, and Outcomes

Microbial detoxification of metalaxyl in aquatic system

Paul A, Gajurel PR, Das AK. 2015. Threats and conservation of Paris polyphylla an endangered, highly exploited medicinal plant in the Indian Himalayan Region. Biodiversitas 16: 295-302. The Indian Himalayan Region is home of numerous globallysignificant medicinal plants. Paris polyphylla Smith is an important medicinal perennial herbaceous species used mostly in traditionalmedicine, having medicinal properties like anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, cytotoxicity, steroid saponins etc. Thepresent study highlights the uses, population status and threats to P. polyphylla in Arunachal Pradesh. P. polyphylla is distributed intropical to temperate region of South East Asia, particularly in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. InIndia it is distributed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,Nagaland, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. In the Eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, the species found to be occurring with distinctmorphological interspecific variations. In the past 5 years the market demand of the species increased tremendously, which ultimatelyled to the over exploitation of the species and traded illegally in heavy quantities. The present study showed very poor populationdensity, which ranged between 0.42 individuals m-2 to 1.48 individuals m-2. While, Importance Value Index of the species rangedbetween 3.37 to 8.45. Because of the unsustainable extraction and poor natural regeneration of the species, wild populations are at riskof extinction and accordingly it has been listed as an endangered species. The rhizome is the primary mode of regeneration, although itregenerate from seeds. Because of the commercial demand of the rhizome, the population of the species may entirely be wiped out ifproper conservation initiatives have not been taken. Effective conservation strategies both in situ and ex situ may help to protect thespecies from its extinction. Inclusion of the species under the priority species list of both the National and State Medicinal Plant Boardsfor cultivation may be helpful for its long term management and conservation. Mass awareness and active involvement of local peoplefor large scale cultivation may reduce the pressure on wild populations. This will meet the market demand and boost the rural economyand will also help in conservation of the species.

Exploitation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and fungi as bioinoculants instead of chemical fertilizers is known to promote plant growth through the supply of plant nutrients. In view of this, the present investigation was planned to assess the phytobeneficial traits of phosphate solublizing bacterial and fungal isolates recovered from coffee arabica rhizosphere/ vermicompost and to determine their potential in growth promotion of coffee seedlings. They were isolated and purified following standard methods. A total number of 154 bacteria and 72 fungi were isolated from vermicompost and coffee rhizosphere. Out of these, twelve potent bacterial and nine fungal isolates were selected and investigated. Among twelve bacterial isolates, three of them showed significant potential to solubilize Ca₃ (PO₄)₂ and had phytobeneficial traits, viz, indole acetic acid, NH₃, HCN production and N-fixing ability. The three bacterial isolates (RCHVCB₁, RScB1.19 and RMaB2.11) exhibited also remarkable tolerance to ecophysiological factors such as heavy metal, acidity and salinity. These potent isolates were selected for further identification based on morphological and biochemical characteristics and presumptively identified as genera of Pseudomonas (RCHVCB₁) and <i>Bacillus</i> (RScB1.19 and RMaB2.11). Similarly, three fungal isolates with superior phosphate solubilizeation ability were characterized and identified as genera <i>Penicillium</i> (RSCF1.19) and <i>Aspergillus</i> (RCHVCF2 and RLVCF2). Consequently, these three efficient bacterial and fungal isolates were evaluated on the coffee seed germination on Petri dish based trial under laboratory condition. The results of inoculated seeds showed significant (p≤0.05) differences in germination rate and vigor index compared to the control. Among all inoculums RScB1.19, RMaB2.11+RSCF1.19 and RMaB2.11 + RLVCF2 showed significantly (p≤0.05) high germination rate (20.59%) over the control (13.33%). Moreover, a single inoculation of RLVCF2, RSCF1.19 and co-inoculation of RMaB2.11 with RLVCF2 also showed significant (p≤0.05) mean root length (1.31cm) and mean shoot length (1.48cm) over the control. These effective bacterial and fungal solublizers can be recommended under field condition as biofertilizer agent and reducing the cost required for chemical fertilizers and providing a step forward towards sustainable agriculture.

Addition of fishmeal to the soil infested with the pathogen led to a remarkable reduction in the percentage of disease compared to the soil non-amended with fishmeal. 28 fungal isolates, 22 yeast isolates, 43 isolates of actinomycetes and 8 isolates of bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere associated soil of cotton plant. Three fungal isolates, 3 yeast isolates, 4 isolates of actinomycetes and 4 isolates of bacteria were characterized by their potent and remarkable antagonistic activities, and were identified as: Eupenicillium senticosum, Penicillium herquer, Trichoderma viride, Hansenula arabitolgenes, Candida incommunis and Candida steatolytica, Streptomyces erumpens, S. purpureus, S. aurantiacus, S. microflavus , Arthrobacter ramosus, Aureobacterium terregens, Curtobacterium pusillum and Pseudomonas putida respectively. The use of a mixture of fungal, yeast, actinomycete and bacterial species led to an increase in inhibition of the pathogen, an increase in induction of resistance of cotton plant and an increase in growth measurements of cotton plant than each of them alone. Candida incommunis, S. purpueus and A. ramosus have the ability of solubilizing phosphate and have the ability for production of indolacetic acid (IAA) and siderophores. New Egyptian Journal of Microbiology Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 148-168

The settling plate method was used to examine the air microflora in 6 units at the Clifford University Medical Centre, Ihie campus, Owerrinta, Abia state, Nigeria. The male ward, male restroom, female ward, female restroom, theater room, and environment were among the 6 units. At each of the sample locations, the culture plates containing potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar media were exposed to the atmosphere for about 15 minutes. A total count of 11 CFU and 295 CFU fungal and bacterial isolates respectively were identified from the medical center but 5 fungal isolates and 29 bacterial isolates were obtained as pure cultures. These fungi were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton sp, Penicillium sp, and white mold. The bacterial genera were Staphylococcus sp, Streptococcus sp, Micrococcus sp, and Bacillus sp. Staphylococcus sp and Aspergillus sp. were the two most prevalent microorganisms in this investigation. It can be said that the Clifford University Medical Centre employed for this study featured numerous types of Gram-positive bacteria, a high prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, and a high prevalence of pathogenic fungi in both the indoor and outdoor air. The majority of the fungal isolates are molds, whereas certain bacterial species are commensals that live on human skin, the fungal isolates are of environmental origin. The bacterial and fungal isolates contained a few non-pathogenic species. The study was carried out to determine if air microfloral affects the infection rate in the University Medical Centre.

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented and non-fermented ethnic foods and alcoholic beverages. Diverse tribal communities in IHR (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura) have been long known for their rich culture and food habits. Having strong ritual importance among the ethnic people of the IHR, alcoholic beverages are being consumed in various cultural, social, and religious events for ages. Consumption of in-house prepared alcoholic beverage is the socio-cultural tradition in India as well as across the globe. The processes and ingredients involved in alcoholic beverage preparations vary with raw material availability in different regions. The majority of the fermented drinks are cereal-based with a significant proportion of various plants and fruits as the main raw material, making a beverage more unique in taste. Some plant ingredients used for traditional alcoholic beverages have potential nutraceutical as well as therapeutic properties that are well documented. These properties could constitute an additional economic value for traditional alcoholic beverages commercialization, which, in turn, could promote the local rural economy. Until now, such beverages have only received marginal attention by ethnobotanists and few studies concern traditional fermented beverages in the IHR. In this view, the current review focused on preparation, diversity, cultural, and economic significance and health benefits of ethnic beverages used by tribal communities in the IHR.

Bacterial and fungal isolates from 107 cases of ulcerative keratitis in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses (2017–2021)