In the 2020, COVID-19 pandemic disease created an havoc situation world widely and mainly caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been challenging task for researchers, scientists and medico-pharmaceutical organisations to find out rapid and reliable diagnosis methods. Among the all testing services, a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is the more accurate, rapid and authenticated molecular technique used for most of the diagnosis of major diseases. It has been a global priority to fix the rapid diagnosis method to combat against the pandemic COVID-19. Thus, the present chapter mainly focussing on the progress of RT-PCR method development though various processes of data collection on isolation of whole genome sequence, its primer and method designing. In this scenario, India suddenly become the global leader for vaccine development and hence the challenges and RT-PCR kit development in India and rest of the world has been be discussed. World wide many Government and private agencies and industries have taken an initiative for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 hence this chapter also summarised the scope of RT-PCR to combat pandemic situation in future.

The current study was carried out to isolate and identify marine fungi from the coastal region of Mumbai and assess their antibacterial potential. Aspergillus fumigatus, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides, Trichophyton rubrum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternate, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Aspergillus terreus were isolated and identified. The metabolite extraction was carried out by broth fermentation and extraction of dry mycelium using organic solvents like chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Antibacterial potential of fungal metabolites was assessed by well diffusion method. Different concentrations (2-150 µg/ml) of extracts of broth and dry mycelia were tested against organisms like Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results revealed that chloroform and ethanolic extracts (2 µg/ml) from C. cladosporioides broth fermentation exhibit 100% growth inhibition of test organisms. Mycelium ethanolic extract of A. fumigatus, ethyl acetate extract of C. cladosporioides and chloroform extract of C. pseudocladosporioides exhibited maximum (100%) growth inhibition against all test organisms at 2 µg/ml. The study confirms the antibacterial potential of fungal metabolites and therefore paves a way for further identification of the active principles.

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In the current study, fungi from the mangrove ecosystem of Mumbai were isolated and their metabolites were screened for antibacterial potential. Two weeks old broth and mycelium were extracted using chloroform and methanol. Antibacterial property of solvent extracts was evaluated at various concentrations (2 – 10 µg/ml) against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli, by well diffusion method. Fungi isolated were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma harzianum, Cylindrocladium scoparium and Colletotrichum wuxiense. Results revealed that broth solvent extracts of isolates inhibited the growth of all gram-positive test bacteria, chloroform broth extract of Cylindrocladium scoparium, Colletotrichum wuxiense and ethanolic broth extract of Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma harzianum exhibited antibacterial potential against gram negative test organisms. Chloroform and ethanol mycelium extracts of Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus flavus, respectively, exhibited 100% growth inhibition potential against all test organisms. The current investigation endorses the potent secondary metabolism of the identified isolates and their potential to synthesise antibacterial compounds.

The extensive spread of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in not only a high danger of death but also a lot of psychological stress. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of cases and deaths has risen globally, and the closure of schools, universities, limited access to research labs, as well as a wide range of preventive measures, has left students feeling impotent, disconnected, frustrated, and uncertain of what would happen with their academic progress. Much psychological research has been done regarding the mental stage of students and to combat such a situation during this phase lots of online sessions, videos, series, different counseling sessions are been organized by many countries. The chapter includes the effect of a pandemic on student psychology, the effect on career as well as how different organizations are having their helping hand in combating this situation.

The extensive spread of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in not only a high danger of death but also a lot of psychological stress. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of cases and deaths has risen globally, and the closure of schools, universities, limited access to research labs, as well as a wide range of preventive measures, has left students feeling impotent, disconnected, frustrated, and uncertain of what would happen with their academic progress. Much psychological research has been done regarding the mental stage of students and to combat such a situation during this phase lots of online sessions, videos, series, different counselling sessions are been organized by many countries. The chapter includes the effect of a pandemic on student psychology, the effect on career as well as how different organizations are having their helping hand in combating this situation. Keywords: Pandemic, Psychological stress, Student, Counselling, Academic

Extremophiles are organisms that can thrive under extreme environmental conditions. There are many types of extremophiles, which require different growth conditions and habitats to grow; among them are the halophilic and the halotolerant microbes. These microbes are reported to grow in habitats of high salinity regions including the sea, sediments, lakes, mines, plant and the soil. They need high carbon source and salt concentration to achieve maximum tolerable condition for their survival. High salinity survival and tolerance of these microbes are mechanized due to their osmotic and ionic stress, which are regulated through their genetic expression of enzymes, proteins, cell wall compositions and transporters. Thus, due to their robustness; the halophiles and halotolerant fungi showed high potential in health care; antimicrobial and anticancer activity, nanoparticle synthesis, enzyme production, genetics, bioremediation and other aspects. The aim of the current study was to explore the halophilic and halotolerant fungi, which are least explored for their habitats, growth requirements, and mechanism for salt resistance and tolerance. This will be followed by their biotechnological applications focusing on the biomedical industry, due to the emergence of the new multi-drug resistant pathogenic microbes.

Biodiesel is a biodegradable, renewable, and carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum diesel that can contribute to the global effort of minimizing the use of fossil fuels and meeting the ever-growing energy demands and stringent environmental constraints. The aim of this work was to 1) review the recent progress in feedstock development, including first, second, third, and fourth-generation feedstocks for biodiesel production; 2) discuss recent progress in lipase research and development as one of the key factors for establishing a cost-competitive biodiesel process in terms of enzyme sources, properties, immobilization, and transesterification efficiency; and 3) provide an update of the current challenges and opportunities for biodiesel commercialization from techno-economic and social perspectives. Related biodiesel producers, markets, challenges, and opportunities for biodiesel commercialization, including environmental considerations, are critically discussed.