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Ashok Pandey

Publications and source records attributed to Ashok Pandey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fermentative production of lactic acid from biomass: an overview on process developments and future perspectives.

The concept of utilizing excess biomass or wastes from agricultural and agro-industrial residues to produce energy, feeds or foods, and other useful products is not necessarily new. Recently, fermentation of biomass has gained considerable attention due to the forthcoming scarcity of fossil fuels and also due to the necessity of increasing world food and feed supplies. A cost-effective viable process for lactic acid production has to be developed for which several attempts have been initiated. Fermentation techniques result in the production of either D: (-) or L: (+) lactic acid, or a racemic mixture of both, depending on the type of organism used. The interest in the fermentative production of lactic acid has increased due to the prospects of environmental friendliness and of using renewable resources instead of petrochemicals. Amylolytic bacteria Lactobacillus amylovorus ATCC 33622 is reported to have the efficiency of full conversion of liquefied cornstarch to lactic acid with a productivity of 20 g l(-1) h(-1). A maximum of 35 g l(-1) h(-1) was reported using a high cell density of L. helveticus (27 g l(-1)) with a complete conversion of 55- to 60-g l(-1) lactose present in whey. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation is proved to be best in the sense of high substrate concentration in lower reactor volume and low fermentation cost. In this review, a survey has been made to see how effectively the fermentation technology explored and exploited the cheaply available source materials for value addition with special emphasis on lactic acid production.

Biomass↗

Fungal biosynthesis of endochitinase and chitobiase in solid state fermentation and their application for the production of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from colloidal chitin.

The present study was directed to the production of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine using endochitinase and chitobiase from fungal cultures in solid culturing. Fifteen fungal strains were evaluated for endochitinase and chitobiase production under solid-state fermentation using agro-industrial residues, of which Penicillium aculeatum NRRL 2129 showed maximum endochitinase activity whereas Trichoderma harzianum TUBF 927 showed maximum chitobiase activity. Eleven substrates, alone and in combination with chitin, were evaluated for the enzyme production. Optimization of physico-chemical parameters such as incubation period and initial moisture content, and nutritional parameters such as chitin source, inorganic and organic nitrogen sources, were carried out. Optimization resulted in more than 3-fold increase in endochitinase production (from 3.5 to 12.53 U/g dry weight of substrate) and about 1.5-fold increase in chitobiase production (from 1.6 to 2.25 U/g dry weight of substrate). Studies on the degradation of colloidal chitin to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine showed improved efficiency when endochitinase and chitobiase were used in combination.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Oil cakes and their biotechnological applications--a review.

Oil cakes have been in use for feed applications to poultry, fish and swine industry. Being rich in protein, some of these have also been considered ideal for food supplementation. However, with increasing emphasis on cost reduction of industrial processes and value addition to agro-industrial residues, oil cakes could be ideal source of proteinaceous nutrients and as support matrix for various biotechnological processes. Several oil cakes, in particular edible oil cakes offer potential benefits when utilized as substrate for bioprocesses. These have been utilized for fermentative production of enzymes, antibiotics, mushrooms, etc. Biotechnological applications of oil cakes also include their usages for vitamins and antioxidants production. This review discusses various applications of oil cakes in fermentation and biotechnological processes, their value addition by implementation in feed and energy source (for the production of biogas, bio-oil) as well.

Bacteria↗

Solid-state fermentation for the production of Monascus pigments from jackfruit seed.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the feasibility of jackfruit seed powder as a substrate for the production of pigments by Monascus purpureus in solid-state fermentation (SSF). A pigment yield of 25ODUnits/g dry fermented substrate was achieved by employing jackfruit seed powder with optimized process parameters such as 50% initial moisture content, incubation temperature 30 degrees C, 9x10(4)spores/g dry substrate inoculum and an incubation period of seven days. The color of the pigments was stable over a wide range of pH, apparently due to the buffering nature of the substrate, which could be a significant point for its scope in food applications. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on pigment production using jackfruit seed powder in solid-state fermentation (SSF).

Artocarpus↗

Simultaneous saccharification and L-(+)-lactic acid fermentation of protease-treated wheat bran using mixed culture of lactobacilli.

Protease-treated wheat bran (20% w/v) of particle size less than 300 microm containing 65% (w/w) starch was used for the simultaneous saccharification and L-(+)-lactic acid fermentation by the mixed cultures of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Maximum lactate yield after various process optimizations was 123 g l(-1) with a productivity of 2.3 g l(-1) h(-1) corresponding to a conversion of 0.95 g lactic acid per gram starch after 54 h at 37 degrees C. By using protease-treated wheat bran around tenfold decrease in supplementation of the costly medium component, like yeast extract, was achieved together with a considerable increase in the production level.

Bioreactors↗

Statistical approach to optimization of fermentative production of gellan gum from Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461.

Gellan gum, a high-molecular-weight anionic linear polysaccharide produced by pure-culture fermentation from Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461, has elicited industrial interest in recent years as a high-viscosity biogum, a suspending agent, a gelling agent, and an agar substitute in microbial media. In this paper we report on the optimization of gellan gum production using a statistical approach. In the first step, the one factor-at-a-time method was used to investigate the effect of medium constituents such as carbon and nitrogen sources; subsequently, the intuitive analysis based on statistical calculations carried out using the L16 -orthogonal array method. The design for the L16 -orthogonal array was developed and analyzed using MINITAB 13.30 software. All the fermentation runs were carried out at 30+/-2 degrees C on a rotary orbital shaker at 180 rpm for 48 h. In the second step, the effects of amino acids and gellan precursors such as uridine-5'-diphospate (UDP) and adenosine-5'-diphospate (ADP) on the fermentative production of gellan gum were studied. Media containing 4% soluble starch, 0.025% yeast extract, 1.0 mM ADP and 0.05% tryptophan gave a maximum yield of 43.6 g l(-1) starch-free gellan gum, which was significantly higher than reported values in the literature.

Bioreactors↗

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cassava bagasse for L-(+)-lactic Acid production using Lactobacilli.

Saccharification and fermentation of cassava (Manihot esculenta) bagasse was carried out in a single step for the production of L-(+)-lactic acid by Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Using 15.5% w/v of cassava bagasse as the raw material, a maximum starch to lactic acid conversion of 96% was obtained with L. casei with a productivity rate of 1.40 mg/mLxh and maximum yield of 83.8 mg/mL. It was 94% with L. delbrueckii with a productivity rate of 1.36 mg/mLxh and maximum yield of 81.9 mg/mL. Supplementation of bagasse with 0.01% w/v MnCl2 showed positive influence on the lactic acid production by L. casei.

Bioreactors↗

Comparison of phytase production on wheat bran and oilcakes in solid-state fermentation by Mucor racemosus.

Comparisons were made for phytase production using wheat bran (WB) and oilcakes as substrates in solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Mucor racemosus NRRL 1994. WB was also used as mixed substrate with oil cakes. Sesame oil cake (SOC) served as the best carbon source for phytase synthesis by the fungal strain as it gave the highest enzyme titres (30.6 U/gds). Groundnut oil cake (GOC) also produced a reasonably good quantity of enzyme (24.3 U/gds). Enzyme production on WB was surprisingly much less (almost 3.5 times less in comparison to SOC). Mixing WB with SOC (1:1 ratio) resulted in better phytase activity (32.2 U/gds). Optimization of various process parameters such as incubation time, initial moisture content and inoculum concentration was carried out using the single variable mode optimization technique. Under optimized conditions, the production of phytase reached 44.5 U/gds, which was almost 1.5-fold higher than the highest yield obtained with any individual substrate used in this study and was more than 4-fold higher than that obtained from WB.

6-Phytase↗

L(+)-lactic acid production using Lactobacillus casei in solid-state fermentation.

Lactobacillus casei was grown at 37 degrees C on sugarcane bagasse (5 g) soaked with cassava starch hydrolysate (final moistening volume 34 ml) containing 3 g reducing sugar in a solid-state condition. The maximum yield of L-lactic acid after various process optimisations was 2.9 g/5 g initial substrate corresponding to 97% conversion of sugar to lactic acid with initial substrate moisture of 72%.

Biomass↗

Comparative study of amidase production by free and immobilized Escherichia coli cells.

Escherichia coli NCIM 2569 was evaluated for its potential for amidase production under submerged fermentation. Among the various amide compounds screened, maximum substrate specificity and enzyme yield (8.1 U/mL) were obtained by using 1% acetamide. Fermentation was carried out at 30 degrees C in shake-flask culture under optimized process conditions. A maximum of 0.52 U/mL of intracellular amidase activity was also obtained from cells incubated for 24 h. Studies were also performed to elucidate the optimal conditions (gel concentration, initial biomass, curing period of beads, and calcium ion concentration in the production medium) for immobilization of whole cells. By using E. coli cells entrapped in alginate, a maximum of 6.2 U/mL of enzyme activity was obtained after 12 h of incubation under optimized conditions. Using the immobilized cells, three repeated batches were carried out successfully, and 85% of the initial enzyme activity was retained in the second and third batches. The study indicated that the immobilized E. coli cells offered certain advantages such as less time for maximum enzyme production, more stability in the enzyme production rate, and repeated use of the biocatalyst.

Acetamides↗

Microbial synthesis of chitinase in solid cultures and its potential as a biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Antifungal activity of chitinase can be effectively utilized in biologic pest control strategies. Because solid-state cultivation has been termed a cost-effective means for fungal growth and metabolite production, chitinase production by Trichoderma harzianum was studied using wheat bran-based solid medium containing 1% colloidal chitin. Chitinase synthesis was found to be growth associated because maximum enzyme (5.4 U/g of dry substrate) and biomass production occurred at 72 h. Substrate moisture had a critical impact on chitinase production; five grams of medium having an initial moisture content of 68.4% when incubated for 72 h increased the enzyme yield to 9.3 U/g of dry substrate. Optimization of colloidal chitin concentration showed that improvements in chitinase yield and maximum activity were attained with a 2% (w/w) concentration. Supplementation of additional nitrogen sources also influenced enzyme production, and the best yield was obtained with yeast extract. The effect of crude chitinase on hyphal morphology of the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was swelling as well as lysis of hyphal wall, depending on the age of the mycelium. Studies of pH and thermal stability showed that crude culture filtrate was active over pH 4.0-6.0 and retained about 48.2% activity after 40 min of incubation at 40 degrees C.

Biomass↗

Eco-epidemiological survey of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis American cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Ribeira Valley River, Paraná State, Brazil.

Leishmaniasis is endemic since last century in Adrianópolis Municipality, Ribeira Valley and is a serious public health. A study carried out during 1993-2003 on epidemiological surveys conducted in rural communities showed 339 new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) detected from four municipalities (Adrianópolis, Cerro Azul, Doutor Ulysses and Rio Branco do Sul). A larger prevalence of cutaneous lesions was observed in rural workers (36%), women with domestic activities (18%), and younger students (31%). Multiple lesions were noticed in 53% of patients, but only one case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis was reported. Twenty stocks were isolated from patients with characteristics lesions and were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis using multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and Random Amplified DNA (RAPD). In Phlebotominae survey, five species were obtained. Lutzomyia intermedia sl. represented 97.5% in peridomiciliar area and 100% in domicile. A canine serological survey made (Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test, IFAT and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA) in six rural county of Adrianópolis Municipality during 1998-1999 showed that 15.1% (24/159) of dogs were sera reactive. No lesions were observed in dogs and no parasite was isolated from lymph node aspirates and biopsies. In wild reservoirs study, only seven animals (Cricetidae, Desmodus sp. and edentates) were captured, but no parasites were found in culture from deep organs. The paper presents results of our 10 years study on cutaneous leishmaniasis survey in the Ribeira River Valley, East Region of Paraná State, Brazil. Environment changes in this region are also discussed.

Animals↗

Extracellular chitinase production by Trichoderma harzianum in submerged fermentation.

Extra-cellular chitinase production by a chitinolytic fungus Trichoderma harzianum TUBF 966 using submerged fermentation was studied. Colloidal chitin (1.5% w/v) was used as sole carbon source. Maximum chitinase production (14.7 U/ml) was obtained when fermentation was carried out at 30 degrees C for 96 h using 72 h old mycelium in a medium containing colloidal chitin 1.5% (w/v) as carbon source and 0.42 (% w/v) peptone as nitrogen source (pH 5.5). Supplementation of additional carbon sources (0.75% w/v) showed no further enhancement in chitinase production while supplementation of nitrogen sources (0.42% w/v) such as peptone and tryptone in the fermentation medium showed a marked increase in production. The process parameters that controlled chitinase production by the fungus were studied and presented here.

Carbon↗

Coconut oil cake--a potential raw material for the production of alpha-amylase.

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) was carried out using coconut oil cake (COC) as substrate for the production of alpha-amylase using a fungal culture of Aspergillus oryzae. Raw COC supported the growth of the culture, resulting in the production of 1372 U/gds alpha-amylase in 24 h. Process optimization using a single parameter mode showed enhanced enzyme titre, which was maximum (1827 U/gds) when SSF was carried out at 30 degrees C for 72 h using a substrate with 68% initial moisture. Supplementation with glucose and starch further enhanced enzyme titre, which was maximum (1911 U/gds) with 0.5% starch. However, maltose inhibited the enzyme production. Studies on the effect of addition of external organic and inorganic nitrogenous compounds further showed a positive impact on enzyme synthesis by the culture. Increase of 1.7-fold in the enzyme activity (3388 U/gds) was obtained when peptone at 1% concentration was added to the fermentation medium. The enzyme production was growth-related, the activity being the maximum when the fungal biomass was at its peak at 72 h. Use of COC as raw material for enzyme synthesis could be of great commercial significance. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on alpha-amylase production using COC in SSF.

Aspergillus oryzae↗

Biosynthesis of rifamycin SV by Amycolatopsis mediterranei MTCC17 in solid cultures.

Studies were performed on the production of rifamycin SV, an ansamycin compound, extensively used for curing tuberculosis, leprosy and several other mycobacterial infections, using a strain of Amycolatopsis mediterranei MTCC17 in solid cultures. Wheat bran was employed as a solid substrate. The culture produced 4 g of rifamycin SV/kg of substrate. Pre-treatment of the substrate with dilute HCl was found to increase the yield of rifamycin SV by 300% (from 4 to 12 g x kg of substrate(-1)). Various process parameters were tested to establish the best conditions for the maximum production of the compound and a initial moisture level of 80%, inoculum size of 40%, initial substrate pH of 7.0, incubation temperature of 26 degrees C and a 7 day fermentation period were found to be optimal. Different solvents were used for the extraction of rifamycin SV from the fermented matter and methanol was found to be most suitable. Under optimized conditions, the yield of rifamycin SV further increased from 12 to 32 g x kg of substrate(-1), showing an 8-fold increase from the initial value.

Actinomycetales↗

Bioremediation: an important alternative for soil and industrial wastes clean-up.

Industrial and environmental biotechnology are going to new paths, resulting in processes with "clean technologies", with the maximum production and the less residues. Technologies of remediation and bioremediation are continuously being improved using genetically modified microorganisms or those naturally occurring, to clean residues and contaminated areas from toxic organics. Bioremediation of soils, water and marine environments has many advantages but at the same time it is a challenge for the researchers and engineers. Consequently, it is extremely important to carry out feasibility study based on pilot-testing before starting a remediation project in order to determine the best conditions for the process. The article presents a brief review of bioremediation including the description of the different methods applied to soil and industrial wastes, and, finally, some experiences of solid-state fermentation in relation to bioremediation.

Bacteria↗

Synthesis of alpha-amylase by Aspergillus oryzae in solid-state fermentation.

Spent Brewing Grains (SBG) was evaluated for its efficacy to be used as sole carbon source for the synthesis of alpha-amylase in solid-state fermentation using a fungal strain of Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 6270. Enzyme production was superior when the culture grew on mesophilic temperatures and best yields were at 25 degrees C. At 30 degrees C, yields were almost comparable. Maximum production of alpha-amylase [6870 U/g dry substrate (gds)] was obtained when SSF was carried out at 30 degrees C for 96 h using SBG medium, which had initial moisture of 70% and was inoculated using a spore suspension containing 1 x 10(7) spores/ml. Supplementation of SBG with external carbon sources such as mono-, di and polysaccharides caused repression in enzyme synthesis by the fungal culture.

Aspergillus oryzae↗

Microbial production of extra-cellular phytase using polystyrene as inert solid support.

Aspergillus ficuum TUB F-1165 and Rhizopus oligosporus TUB F-1166 produced extra-cellular phytase during solid-state fermentation (SSF) using polystyrene as inert support. Maximal enzyme production (10.07 U/g dry substrate (U/gds) for A. ficuum and 4.52 U/gds for R. oligosporus) was observed when SSF was carried out with substrate pH 6.0 and moisture 58.3%, incubation temperature 30 degrees C, inoculum size of 1.3 x 10(7) spores/5 g substrate, for 72 h for A. ficuum and with substrate pH 7.0 and moisture 58.3%, incubation temperature 30 degrees C, inoculum size of 1 x 10(6) spores/5 g substrate for 96 h for R. oligosporus. Results indicated scope for production of phytase using polystyrene as inert support.

6-Phytase↗