In the present study, a variety of agro-industrial wastes have been utilized for meaningful purpose to produce valuable biocatalyst. All wastes used were low cost and easily accessible while, some available throughout the year. A number of bacterial strains isolated from rotten fruits and vegetables were screened for the production of industrially important polygalacturonase (PGase) using pectin present in these agro-industrial wastes. The strain producing maximum PGase was identified as Bacillus licheniformis KIBE-IB3 on the basis of taxonomic studies and 16S rDNA analysis. Among different agro-industrial wastes studied, high yield of PGase was achieved from fermentation broth having wheat bran (1.0%) as a substrate in to the medium supplemented with nitrogen sources in combination of NaNO3 and yeast extract while KH2PO4 was selected as suitable micronutrient. After optimizing fermentation parameters it was noticed that Bacillus licheniformis KIBE-IB3 was capable of producing maximum PGase at 37 °C, pH 7.0 and after 48 h of incubation time. From the current research, wheat bran was proven as a cheap and easily available source throughout the year for hyper production of pectinase. The utilization of the waste will also help to minimize the concerned environmental issues.

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Aims:The present study was carried out to design a phosphate solubilizing bacterial (PSB)-based biofertilizer using locally produced fruit waste. Method and results:Two PSB strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa CMG4 and AAC1 were inoculated into compost. Six compost piles were prepared with carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio 30:1. Four piles were inoculated with PSB and two piles served as a control. After 125 days, composts were considered mature at 29-31°C in the pH range of 7.1-7.3 and 32%-35% moisture content (MC). Accessible calcium (Ca) content increased up to 50 g kg −1 . Microbial analysis showed the survival of P. aeruginosa species in the maturing compost even at higher temperature (~53°C). Native bacterial load was retrieved in the range of 10 9 -10 11 CFUg −1 . Heavy metal concentrations including copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) were found to occur below critical thresholds. Seed germination index for compost toxicity was found to be >80%, significantly higher than animal manure and chemical fertilizer, that is, 78% and 31%, respectively, suggesting non-toxicity. Conclusions:The evaluation of prepared compost by physicochemical parameters revealed that inoculation of P. aeruginosa does not affect the temperature, MC, carbon to nitrogen ratio, organic matter and Mg content but significantly increased the accessible Ca content, suggesting the solubilization of inorganic Ca bound phosphate. Compost was safe in terms of heavy metal concentration and seed germination. Significance and impact of study:This study encourages that the PSB-rich tailored compost can be utilized as a phosphatic biofertilizer to fulfil the demand for phosphorus which would improve and sustain soil fertility.

The microorganisms play a vital role in fertility of soil and hence favors' large group of plants. In present study we have successfully isolated certain bacteria from soil including both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and access their ability in phosphate solubilization. Effects of temperature, pH and different carbon sources, on phosphate solubilization, by these isolates were also determined. Low temperature 25 °C, pH between 5-7, and glucose as carbon source were found to be best for phosphate solubilization by most of the isolates. Present study highlights the importance of these plants growth promoting bacteria and their uses for agriculture purposes.

Psoralea corylifolia is a well-known medicinal plant, traditionally used against several diseased conditions. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of P. corylifolia seeds. Non/less-polar fraction of methanolic seed extract was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for phytochemical analysis. A total of fourteen compounds were identified which include aromatic, sesquiterpenes, furocoumarins, sterols, fatty acid and their methyl esters. The predominant compounds were epoxycaryophyllene (3), isopsoralen (6), psoralen (7) and bakuchiol (9). Identification of these compounds was also strongly supported by Kovat’s Retention Indices. Furthermore, the n-hexane soluble fraction showed significant antimicrobial activity against several bacterial strains. P. corylifolia seeds represented a unique chemical composition with considerable antimicrobial activity which not only validates their traditional medicinal uses but also indicates their potential as a source of natural antimicrobial compounds.