Marine microbes are potential source for novel metabolites. They are efficient in producing these metabolites utilizing agrowastes. Protease is one of the enzymes which find wide industrial applications. In the present study, protease producing bacteria was isolated from marine sediments and the organism was identified as Bacillus halodurans. The organism was subjected to protease production under solid state fermentation (SSF) using different agrowastes as substrates. Among the substrates used, wheat bran yielded maximum quantity of protease. The fermentation process was carried out under different cultural conditions to optimize the parameters influencing the enzyme production. The results of the stain removal studies by the enzyme revealed the increased efficiency of the microbial enzyme than the commercial detergent.

No abstract

The environmentalists of the entire world are crying by forecasting the depletion of biotic and abiotic resources at an accelerating rate which may make the survival of life on earth questionable. The main cause of this disastrous degradation is due to unmindful anthropogenic activities. The present generation is unaware of consequences of environmental degradation and the need for the conservation of species and their habitats. It is an imperative need and responsibility to inculcate the culture of loving and living with nature among the youth. The University Grants Commission as per the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court of India directed all the Universities and Colleges to include Environmental Studies course in the curriculum. Accordingly, all the institutions have introduced this course in their curriculum. Nevertheless, there are several constrains in teaching this course to all students in letter and spirit of the law. Though there are certain constrains, there is scope for the enhancement of teaching and learning efficacy. This paper briefly describes the need for the introduction of the course, challenges in teaching and possible solutions.

Unravelling the efficacy of gut biome has a major impact on health. An unbalanced microbiome composition is linked to many common illnesses such as gut dysbiosis, mental deformities and immunological imbalance. An optimistic influence on the gut biome can be made by consuming probiotics. This would stimulate neuroprotection and immunomodulation intended by heavy metals pollution. Lead is a major source of neurotoxin that can induce neural deformities. Lactobacillus species isolated from curd were characterized to confirm its specificity. Zebra fish was reared at standard conditions and preclinical assessment on the intensity of induced neurotoxin lead was performed. The embryo toxic assay, immunomodulation effects and animal behavioural models endorsed the consequence of neurotoxicity. Different concentrations of bacterial isolate with standard antidepressant was considered for analysing the vigour of toxicity and its influence on cognitive behaviour by novel tank diving method. The restrain in the animal behaviour was also conferred by all the test samples with a decreased bottom dwelling time which was authenticated with haematology and histopathological studies. The alterations in morphology of the lymphocytes were balanced by the treated test samples. This study paves a twofold potential of probiotic as neuroprotectant and immune modulator against heavy metal toxicity.