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Commercial potential of biotechnology is immense since the scope of its activity covers the entire spectrum of human life. The most potent biotechnological approach is the transfer of specifically constructed gene assemblies through various techniques. However, this deliberate modification and the resulting entities thereof have become the bone of contention all over the world. Benefits aside, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have always been considered a threat to environment and human health. In view of this, it has been considered necessary by biosafety regulations of individual countries to test the feasibility of GMOs in contained and controlled environments for any potential risks they may pose. This paper describes the various aspects of risk, its assessment, and management which are imperative in decision making regarding the safe use of GMOs. Efficient efforts are necessary for implementation of regulations. Importance of the risk assessment, management, and precautionary approach in environmental agreements and activism is also discussed.

Invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus species (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. terreus) is life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Understanding the innate and adaptive immune response particularly T-helper cells (TH-cells) against these Aspergillus species and how the different sub-set of TH-cells are regulated by differentiating cytokines at primary target organ site like lung, kidney and brain is of great significance to human health. This review focuses on presentation of Aspergillus through Antigen presenting cells (APCs) to the naive CD4+ T-cells in the host. The production of differentiating/effector cytokines that activate following TH-cells, e.g., TH1, TH2, TH9, and TH17 has been reported in association or alone in allergic or invasive aspergillosis. Chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL1, and CCL20) and their receptors associated to these TH-cells have also been observed in invasive aspergillosis. Thus, further study of these TH-cells in invasive aspergillosis and other elements of adaptive immune response with Aspergillus species are required in order to have a better understanding of host response for safer and effective therapeutic outcome.

Triphala, a mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellirica, containing ingredients from plant origin, is often prone to microbial contamination. A high level of microbial contamination was observed in Triphala samples obtained from different sources. On gamma radiation processing, a sharp decline in log CFU was observed with increasing radiation dose and a complete decontamination at 5 kGy. Average D10 value for total aerobic and fungal counts were observed to be 0.55 +/- 0.073 kGy and 0.94 +/- 0.043 kGy, respectively. Water extracts of irradiated samples showed linearly increasing concentration of gallic acid (3.3 to 4.5 times), total phenolic contents (2.16 to 2.87 times), and antioxidant properties with increasing radiation dose up to 25 kGy. The increase could be attributed to easy release of active ingredients from their radiation degraded complex forms. Aflatoxin B(1) and ochratoxin could not be detected in the samples. Gamma-radiation dose up to 5 kGy could be safely used to hygienize Triphala.

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Background: Biosurfactants (BSs) are amphipathic, surface active molecules produced by microorganisms and can reduce the surface tension and interfacial tension. The present study emphasizes the isolation and structural characterization of the BS produced by Pseudomonas otitidis P4.Results: An efficient BS producing bacterial strain isolated from the unexplored coal mining site of Chirimiri, India was identified as P. otitidis P4 based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The surface tension of the culture medium was reduced from 71.18 to 33.4 mN/m. The surface tension and emulsification activity of the BS remained stable over a wide range of temperature, pH and salt concentrations indicating its scope of application in bioremediation, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Structural attributes of BS were determined by biochemical tests, thin layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) spectroscopy analyses, which confirmed the glycolipid nature of BS. Lipid and sugar fractions were the main constituents of the extracted BS. Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed the thermostable nature of BS. As determined from TGA graph, the degradation temperature of biosurfactant was found to be 280 °C while complete weight loss was observed after 450 °C. Conclusion:The BS isolated from P. otitidis P4 was identified as glycolipid and showed high emulsification activity and stability in a wide range of temperature, pH and salinity which makes it suitable for various industrial and environmental applications.

The eggs and second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura were treated with different concentrations of conidial suspensions of six isolates of fungi belonging to five species, Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (Metschnikov) Sorokin (ARSEF 7487), Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch) Zare & W Gams (ARSEF 7037 and ARSEF 6118), Cordyceps cardinalis (ARSEF 7193), Fusarium lateritium Nees (ARSEF 8291/MTCC 9050) and Aspergillus sp. (ARSEF 8519). In bioassay with unscaled eggs, M. anisopliae, C. cardinalis, F. lateritium and Aspergillus sp. resulted in 100% mortality above 10 6 conidia/mL. However, with scaled egg masses, the highest hatching rate (56%) was observed with L. muscarium (ARSEF 6118) whereas the lowest hatchings were observed in the case of M. anisopliae followed by L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037), Aspergillus sp., F. lateritium, and C. cardinalis. The larvae were also found susceptible to all isolates in a dose dependent manner. Three promising isolates against larvae, viz. M. anisopliae, F. lateritium and L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037) resulted in average percent mortalities of 88, 89 and 77%, respectively at :10 8 conidia/mL. When both larvae and the leaves (provided as food) were treated with :10 8 conidia/mL, mortality further increased for these isolates. Based on the mortality data and the LC 50 values, we suggest that M. anisopliae, F. lateritium and L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037) could be developed as potential biocontrol agents against rice cutworm in IPM programs.