From the last few decades, there has been an increasing research interest in the value of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignoellulosic biomass is an inexpensive, renewable abundant and provides a unique natural resource for large-scale and cost-effective bio-energy collection. In addition, using lignocellulosic materials and other low-cost biomass can significantly reduce the cost of materials used for ethanol production. Therefore, in this background, the rapidly evolving tools of biotechnology can lower the conversion costs and also enhance a yield of target products. In this context, a biological processing presents a promising approach to converting lignocellulosic materials into energy-fuels. The present summarized review work begins with an overview on the physio-chemical features and composition of major agricultural biomass. The information is also given on the processing of agricultural biomass to produce industrially important enzymes, e.g., ligninases or cellulases. Cellulases provide a key opportunity for achieving tremendous benefits of biomass utilization.

To enhance bacterial wilt resistance in tomato plants and simplify the protocol of Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer, parameters affecting transformation efficiency in tomato have been optimized. A. tumefaciens strain EHA101, harboring a recombinant binary expression vector pTCL5 containing the Xa21 gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter was used for transformation. Five cultivars of tomato (Rio Grande, Roma, Pusa Ruby Pant Bahr and Avinash) were tested for transformation. Transformation efficiency was highly dependent on preculture of the explants with acetosyringone, acetosyringone in co-cultivation media, shoot regeneration medium and pre-selection after co-cultivation without selective agent. One week of pre-selection following selection along with 400 lM acetosyringone resulted in 92.3% transient GUS expression efficiency in Rio Grande followed by 90.3% in Avinash. The presence and integration of the Xa21 gene in putative transgenic plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses with 4.5-42.12% PCR-positive shoots were obtained for Xa21 and hygromycin genes, respectively. Transgenic plants of the all lines showed resistance to bacterial wilt. T 1 plants (resulting from selfpollination of transgenic plants) tested against Pseudomonas solanacearum inoculation in glasshouse, showed Mendelian segregation.

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Proteomics has contributed to defining the specific functions of genes and proteins involved in plant-pathogen interactions. Proteomic studies have led to the identification of many pathogenicity and defense-related genes and proteins expressed during phytopathogen infections, resulting in the collection of an enormous amount of data. However, the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions remains an intensely active area of investigation. In this review, the role of differential analysis of proteins expressed during fungal, bacterial, and viral infection is discussed, as well as the role of JA and SA in the production of stress related proteins. Resistance acquired upon induction of stress related proteins in intact plant leaves is mediated by potentiation of pathogens via signal elicitors. Stress related genes extensively used in biotechnology had been cited. Stress related proteins identified must be followed through for studying the molecular mechanism for plant defense against pathogens.