The objective of this investigation was to explore the antioxidant and antimicrobial property of bioactive prodigiosin produced from using rice bran. The antioxidant potential of prodigiosin was examined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging method via UV-visible, electron spin resonance spectrum (ESR), cyclic voltammetry and excitation emission spectrum. The antimicrobial activity of prodigiosin was examined against foodborne pathogens. The shelf life extending capacity of prodigiosin was evaluated with meat extract powder (MEP) as a model food material. The DPPH and ABTS radicals were completely scavenged by prodigiosin at the concentration of 10 mg/L. The food spoilage was inhibited by the addition of prodigiosin with MEP and it was compared with conventional preservative. The prodigiosin has prohibited the growth of foodborne pathogens effectively and the shelf life of the food was also extended significantly. The antimicrobial edible preservative developed in this study inhibited the growth of the microbial populations that produced through storage of the MEP and free radical scavenging activity. The results reveal that the bioactive prodigiosin effectively scavenged the free radical and inhibited the bacterial growth in food stuff.

Aim. The focal theme of present investigation includes isolation of prodigiosin producing fish gut bacteria, enhancing its production using tannery solid waste fleshing, and evaluation of its pharmacological effect. Methods. Optimization of fermentation conditions to yield maximum prodigiosin, and instrumental analysis using FTIR, NMR, ESI-MS, TGA, and DSC. Results. The optimum conditions required for the maximum prodigiosin concentration were achieved at time 30 h, temperature 30°C, pH 8, and 3% substrate concentration. The secondary metabolite was analyzed using ESI-MS, FTIR, and NMR. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by in vitro anticancer studies. Among the pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most susceptible at the lowest concentration followed by Salmonella typhi. IC50 concentration was cell line specific (HeLa cells: 4.3 µM, HEp2: 5.2 µM, and KB cells: 4.8 µM) and remains nontoxic up to the concentration of 25 µM on normal Vero cells suggesting that cancerous cells are more susceptible to the prodigiosin at lower concentration. Conclusion. Maximum prodigiosin production was obtained with tannery fleshing. The potency of the fish gut bacterial secondary metabolite prodigiosin as a therapeutic agent was confirmed through in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer studies.

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Aims:  The aim of the study was to optimize microbial degradation of keratinous waste and to characterize the alkaline active keratinase showing its biotechnological importance. Method and Results:  An extracellular keratinase enzyme was purified from the culture medium of a bacterial isolate and the conditions were optimized. The molecular weight of DEAE‐Sepharose‐purified keratinase was determined by SDS‐PAGE. Instrumental analyses were investigated to study the mechanism of bovine hair hydrolysis. Isolate was identified as Bacillus pumilus based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence. The optimized condition for its growth was pH 8 and 35°C. The molecular weight of the keratinase was estimated as 65 kDa. Activity inhibition by phenyl methyl sulphonyl fluoride confirmed keratinase as serine protease type. Instrumental analysis revealed the sulphitolysis and proteolysis involved mechanism in bovine hair hydrolysis. Conclusion:  This study indicates that the isolated keratinase is an alkaline active serine protease with a high degree of activity towards bovine hair. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study examines a serine protease with high keratinolytic activity and degradation mechanism for bovine hair. The keratinolytic activity of the isolated strain and its reaction mechanism on bovine hair could show biotechnological potential in the leather industry.

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The high concentration of trivalent chromium along with organic/inorganic compounds in tannery sludge causes severe ground-water contamination in the case of land disposal and chronic air pollution during incineration. In the present investigation the sludge was subjected to starved-air combustion at 800• C, which prevented the conversion of Cr 3+ to Cr 6+ . The efficiency of starved-air combustion was confirmed through differential thermo-gravimetric analysis (DTG), electron spin resonance (ESR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The calcined sludge was solidified/stabilized using fly ash, clay, lime and Portland cement as mixture constituents. The solidified specimens were tested for compressive strength and heavy metal fixation. The compressive strength and metal fixation of the calcined sludge (Cs)-fly ash (F)-cement (C) mortar at a ratio of 41.66% Cs, 41.66% F, 16.66% C were 185 kg cm −2 and 93.84%, respectively. The stabilization of chromium(III) in the cement gel matrix was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy. Leachability studies were carried out to determine the percentage of metal fixation and chemical oxygen demand in the leachate.