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Folate producing Lactobacillus sp. CD6 isolated from fermented milk showed 98% similarity with Lactobacillus helveticus based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It was found to produce a folic acid derivative 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (5-MeTHF). The intracellular cell-free extract of strain demonstrated antioxidative activity with the inhibition rate of ascorbate autoxidation in the range of 27.5%±3.7%. It showed highest metal ion chelation ability for Fe 2+ (0.26±0.06 ppm) as compared to Cu 2+. The DPPH (α,α-Diphenyl-β-Picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity for intact cells were found to be 24.7%±10.9% proved its antioxidative potential. Furthermore, it demonstrated 14.89% inhibition of epinephrine autoxidation, 20.9±1.8 μg cysteine equivalent reducing activity and 20.8%±0.9% hydroxyl radical scavenging effect. The strain was evaluated for probiotic properties as per WHO and FAO guidelines. It showed 90.61% survival at highly acidic condition (pH 2.0), 90.66% viability in presence of synthetic gastric juice and 68% survivability at 0.5% bile concentration for 24 h. It was susceptible to many antibiotics which reduces the prospect to offer resistance determinants to other organisms if administered in the form of probiotic preparations. It showed in vitro mucus binding and antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens like Salmonella typhimurium (NCIM 2501), Streptococcus pyogenes (NCIM 2608), and Staphylococcus aureus (NCIM 5021) and moreover it showed nonhemolytic activity on sheep blood agar.

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A marine isolate of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. having the ability to produce the pyoverdine type of siderophores under low iron stress (up to 10 microM iron in the succinate medium) was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using BIOLOG Breathprint and siderotyping. Pyoverdine production was optimum at 0.2% (w/v) succinate, pH 6.0, in an iron-deficient medium. Studies carried out in vitro revealed that purified siderophores and Pseudomonas culture have good antifungal activity against the plant deleterious fungi, namely, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Siderophore-based maximum inhibition was observed against A. niger. These in vitro antagonistic actions of marine Pseudomonas against phytopathogens suggest the potential of the organism to serve as a biocontrol agent.

In the present studies, renewable and nontoxic biopolymer, pectin, was extracted from Indian red pomelo fruit peels and used for the synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO-NPs) having bio-therapeutic potential. The structural information of extracted pectin was investigated by FTIR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Physicochemical characteristics of this pectin suggested its application in the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. Using this pectin as a template, CeO-NPs were synthesized by simple, one step and eco-friendly approach. The UV-Vis spectrum of synthesized CeO-NPs exhibited a characteristic absorption peak at wavelength 345 nm, which can be assigned to its intrinsic band gap (3.59 eV) absorption. Photoluminescence measurements of CeO-NPs revealed that the broad emission was composed of seven different bands. FTIR analysis ensured involvement of pectin in the formation and stabilization of CeO-NPs. FT-Raman spectra showed a sharp Raman active mode peak at 461.8 cm due to a symmetrical stretching mode of Ce-O vibration. DLS, FESEM, EDX, and XRD analysis showed that the CeO-NPs prepared were polydispersed, spherical shaped with a cubic fluorite structure and average particle size ≤40 nm. These CeO-NPs displayed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and non-cytotoxic nature.

The aim of the present study was to produce exo-polygalacturonase from potent soil isolate by submerged fermentation and its application for fruit juice treatment. Pectinase producing strains were selectively isolated from pectin industry waste. A selected isolate C2 was found to produce significant amount of exo-polygalacturonase. The isolate was identified as Paecilomyces variotii on the basis of morphological characteristics and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The exo-polygalacturonase produced by the isolate was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, size exclusion chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme had MW of 39.4 kD based on SDS PAGE. Under partially optimized conditions, purified exo-polygalacturonase showed specific activity of 98.49 U/mg protein at pH 6.0 and 30°C. The enzyme was comparatively stable from 10 to 30°C and the activity decreased with increasing temperature. Purified enzyme brought about considerable reduction in viscosity of fruit juice samples.

The baiting bag method was found to be useful for isolating antagonistic actinomycetes from terrestrial habitat. Out of total 110 actinomycetes isolated from rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil of Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India, 9 isolates exhibited aggressive antagonism against Rhizoctonia solani, screened through dual culture, well diffusion and sealed plate technique. Maximum growth inhibition was recorded up to 50% under well diffusion (S. toxytricini vh22) and 52.6% in a direct confrontation (Actinomycetales bacterium vh41). Whereas maximum disease suppression (53.33%) under green house condition was achieved on seedling treated with S. tricolor vh85. Scanning electron microscopy of antagonists and pathogen interaction exhibited pore formation and hyphal degradation of test pathogen. Physiological and molecular characterization of selected isolates showed wide diversity and uncommon species has been encountered through the selective isolation technique.