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Starch-grafted polyacrylamide hydrogels were successfully prepared via chemical polymerization method in basic solution, which provides a homogeneous suspension in the reaction system. The results obtained from Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance confirmed that the monomer polyacrylamide was grafted onto the starch backbone as shown by the crosslinked peak at 1638 cm −1 . Scanning electron microscopy showed that the morphology of starchgrafted polyacrylamide hydrogels has a highly porous structure which provides excellent water absorption capacity with a swelling ratio up to 124%. The X-ray diffraction showed no significant crystallization peaks, indicating that an amorphous hydrogel has been produced. Supported by differential scanning calorimetry, the highest transition glass temperature was observed at 101°C. The starch-grafted polyacrylamide hydrogel extracts inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Salmonella typhimurium growth The fish embryo toxicity test demonstrated that the hydrogel with 2:1 ratio of polyacrylamide: starch has an acceptable level of toxicity. This result indicates that the synthesized hydrogel is applicable for biological purposes with further modifications.

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The aim of the present investigation was to exploit the cheap agro-waste, sugarcane bagasse as a substrate for cellulase enzyme production using Bacillus licheniformis MTCC 429. The cellulase producing ability of B. licheniformis MTCC 429 was assessed using CMC agar plates. The factors affecting cellulase production were optimized by varying the parameters of incubation period, temperature and pH. The maximum cellulase enzyme production was achieved when the production medium pH was maintained at pH 7.0, temperature of 35°C with an incubation time of 48 h. Among the different concentration of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate tested, CMC medium amended with 5% seemed to exhibit maximum cellulase productivity. Further, the partially purified enzyme was tested for its pH and temperature stability. The properties presented by B. licheniformis MTCC 429 suggest that the strain showed enhanced production of lignocellulosedegrading cellulase enzyme under the optimized conditions. The temperature and pH stability of the enzyme suggested its potential for industrial applications involving elevated conditions.

The present study aimed at the production of cellulase enzyme from the cellulolytic fungi Trichoderma reesei CEF19 and subsequent application of the cellulase for the fermentation of ethanol. For the same, the cellulolytic fungi, Trichoderma reesei CEF19 was isolated and was allowed to produce cellulase enzyme using optimized conditions. The cellulase enzyme was extracted and purified with the help of ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis followed by ion exchange chromatography with DEAE-Sephadex column. The purified cellulase enzyme was characterized using SDS-PAGE analysis. The saccharification of the cellulosic substrates was done using the cellulase enzyme. The fermentation of saccharified cellulosic substrates into ethanol was carried out using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. From the results obtained, rice straw was found to be the better source for the ethanol production when compared to the other substrates.