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Biomedical subjects

S F D'Souza

Publications and source records attributed to S F D'Souza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Electrochemical biosensor for catechol using agarose-guar gum entrapped tyrosinase.

An electrochemical biosensor using tyrosinase was constructed for the determination of catechol. The enzyme was extracted from a plant source Amorphophallus companulatus and entrapped in agarose-guar gum composite biopolymer matrix. Catechol was determined by direct reduction of biocatalytically liberated quinone species at -0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3M KCl). The response was found to be linear and concentration dependent in the range of 6 x 10(-5) to 8 x 10(-4)M with a lower detection limit of 6 microM. It has reusability up to 20 cycles and a shelf life of more than 2 months when stored at 4 degrees C.

Benzoquinones↗
PubMed2006

Phytoremediation of radiostrontium ((90)Sr) and radiocesium ((137)Cs) using giant milky weed (Calotropis gigantea R.Br.) plants.

Potential of plants to remove radionuclides/toxic elements from soils and solutions can be successfully applied for removal of important radionuclides such as strontium-90 ((90)Sr) and cesium-137 ((137)Cs). When uptake of (137)Cs and (90)Sr by Calotropis gigantea plants incubated in distilled water spiked with the radionuclides either alone or in combination was studied, it was found to have a high efficiency for the removal of (90)Sr, with 90% being removed from solutions (5 x 10(3)kBql(-1)) within 24h of incubation. However, in case of (137)Cs, about 44% could be removed from solutions (5 x 10(3)kBql(-1)) at the end of 168h of incubation. Accumulation of (90)Sr and (137)Cs was higher in roots compared to shoots. The plants could remediate both (90)Sr and (137)Cs when they were added together to the solution. When two months old plants were incubated in low level nuclear waste, 99% of activity disappeared at the end of 15 days. The present study suggests that C. gigantea could be used as a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation of (90)Sr and (137)Cs.

Calotropis↗
PubMed2006

Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

Development of reliable and eco-friendly process for synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is an important step in the filed of application of nanotechnology. One of the options to achieve this objective is to use natural processes such as use of biological systems. In this work we have investigated extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Aspergillus fumigatus. The synthesis process was quite fast and silver nanoparticles were formed within minutes of silver ion coming in contact with the cell filtrate. UV-visible spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver ion showed a peak at 420 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph showed formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles in the range of 5-25 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD)-spectrum of the silver nanoparticles exhibited 2theta values corresponding to the silver nanocrystal. The process of reduction being extracellular and fast may lead to the development of an easy bioprocess for synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Aspergillus fumigatus↗
PubMed2006

Uranium sorption by Pseudomonas biomass immobilized in radiation polymerized polyacrylamide bio-beads.

A Pseudomonas strain identified as a potent biosorbent of uranium (U) and thorium was immobilized in radiation-induced polyacrylamide matrix for its application in radionuclide containing wastewater treatment. The immobilized biomass exhibited a high U sorption of 202 mg g(-1) dry wt. with its optimum at pH 5.0. A good fit of experimental data to the Freundlich model suggested multilayered uranium binding with an affinity distribution among biomass metal binding sites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous nature of the radiation-polymerized beads with bacterial cells mostly entrapped on pore walls. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) coupled with SEM ascertained the accumulation of uranium by the immobilized biomass without any physical damage to the cells. A significant (90%) part of biosorbed uranium was recovered using sodium bicarbonate with the immobilized biomass maintaining their U resorption capacity for multiple sorption-desorption cycles. Uranium loading and elution behavior of immobilized biomass evaluated within a continuous up-flow packed bed columnar reactor showed its effectiveness in removing uranium from low concentration (50 mg U L(-1)) followed by its recovery resulting in a 4-5-fold waste volume reduction. The data suggested the suitability of radiation polymerization in obtaining bacterial beads for metal removal and also the potential of Pseudomonas biomass in treatment of radionuclide containing waste streams.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2005

Phenol removal using Brassica juncea hairy roots: role of inherent peroxidase and H(2)O(2).

Removal of phenol, a major pollutant in aqueous effluents was studied using plant hairy root cultures. Among four different species of hairy roots tested, Brassica juncea showed the highest potential for phenol removal. The effect of phenol concentration and reuse in a batch system was studied using B. juncea hairy root cultures. Unlike most of the studies reported earlier, phenol removal by the hairy roots was seen to take place without the need for addition of external hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). To understand the mechanism of phenol removal, levels of peroxidase and phenol oxidase were monitored in the hairy roots. Peroxidase activity in the roots was enhanced when exposed to phenol, while phenol oxidase remained constant. Since peroxidase has a pre-requisite for H(2)O(2), the levels of H(2)O(2) were monitored for its in situ synthesis. H(2)O(2) levels were seen to increase in the presence of phenol. Thus, a mechanism wherein hairy roots also produce H(2)O(2) besides peroxidase, as a protection strategy of plant against xenobiotic stress is plausible.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2005

Optical microbial biosensor for detection of methyl parathion pesticide using Flavobacterium sp. whole cells adsorbed on glass fiber filters as disposable biocomponent.

An optical microbial biosensor was described for the detection of methyl parathion pesticide. Whole cells of Flavobacterium sp. were immobilized by trapping in glass fiber filter and were used as biocomponent along with optic fiber system. Flavobacterium sp. has the organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme, which hydrolyzes the methyl parathion into detectable product p-nitrophenol. The immobilized microbial biocomponent was disposable, cost-effective and showed high reproducibility and uniformity. The detection of methyl parathion by the use of disposable microbial biocomponent with optical biosensor was simple, single step and direct measurement of very low quantity of the sample. The home made reaction vessel was small and needed only 75 microl of sample. A lower detection limit 0.3 microM methyl parathion was estimated from the linear range (4-80 microM) of calibration plot of organophosphorus hydrolase enzymatic assay. The applicability to synthetic methyl parathion spiked samples was demonstrated.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Heavy metal pollution abatement using rock phosphate mineral.

The low-grade rock phosphate of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh (India), was investigated for its possible application in the removal of lead, copper, zinc and cobalt ions from aqueous solutions. Effects of contact time, amount of adsorbent and initial concentration of metal ions were studied. Adsorption of heavy metal ions was found to follow the order: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+. The probable mechanism of metal ions removal by rock phosphate was found to be by its dissolutions followed by subsequent precipitation.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Cadmium accumulation and its influence on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system in an aquatic plant, Bacopa monnieri L.

Bacopa monnieri L. plants exposed to 10, 50, 100 and 200 microM cadmium (Cd) for 48, 96 and 144 h were analysed with reference to the accumulation of metal and its influence on various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), photosynthetic pigments and protein content. The accumulation of Cd was found to be increased in a concentration and duration dependent manner with more Cd being accumulated in the root. TBARS content of the treated roots and leaves increased with increase in Cd concentration and exposure periods, indicating the occurrence of oxidative stress. Induction in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guiacol peroxidase (GPX) was recorded in metal treated roots and leaves of B. monnieri. In contrast, a significant reduction in catalase activity in Cd treated B. monnieri was observed. An increase was also noted in the levels of cysteine and non-protein thiol contents of the roots of B. monnieri followed by a decline. However, in leaves, cysteine and non-protein thiol contents were found to be enhanced at all the Cd concentrations and exposure periods. A significant reduction in the level of ascorbic acid was observed in a concentration and duration dependent manner. The total chlorophyll and protein content of B. monnieri decreased with increase in Cd concentration at all the exposure periods. Results suggest that toxic concentrations of Cd caused oxidative damage as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased chlorophyll and protein contents. However, B. monnieri is able to combat metal induced oxidative injury involving a mechanism of activation of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2004

Prospects of genetic engineering of plants for phytoremediation of toxic metals.

Bioremediation is gaining a lot of importance in recent times as an alternate technology for removal of elemental pollutants in soil and water, which require effective methods of decontamination. Phytoremediation--the use of green plants to remove, contain or render harmless environmental pollutants--may offer an effective, environmentally nondestructive and cheap remediation method. The use of genetic engineering to modify plants for metal uptake, transport and sequestration may open up new avenues for enhancing efficiency of phytoremediation. Metal chelator, metal transporter, metallothionein (MT), and phytochelatin (PC) genes have been transferred to plants for improved metal uptake and sequestration. Transgenic plants, which detoxify/accumulate cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic and selenium have been developed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of rhizosphere interaction, uptake, transport and sequestration of metals in hyperaccumulator plants will lead to designing novel transgenic plants with improved remediation traits. As more genes related to metal metabolism are discovered, facilitated by the genome sequencing projects, new vistas will be opened up for development of efficient transgenic plants for phytoremediation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2004

Removal of chromium by mucilaginous seeds of Ocimum basilicum.

Polysaccharides bound to bacteria or in isolated form have been shown to bind heavy metals. A limitation of this technology can be overcome by immobilization. In view of this Ocimum basilicum seeds which swell upon wetting could serve as natural immobilized source of agriculturally-based polysaccharides. The seeds consist of an inner hard core and a pectinous fibrillar outer layer. Pretreating the seeds with acid, alkali, periodate or boiling in water was found to alter the metal binding capacity. Of the various treatments given, seeds boiled in water were found to be superior in terms of mechanical stability and exhibited fairly optimal Cr(VI) uptake kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity as calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 205 mg Cr/g dry seeds. Biosorption of Cr(VI) was found to be pH dependent with maximum uptake at pH 1.5 wherein sorption was not affected by the presence of other metal ions such as Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Ca(2+) and Na(+). Seeds were used in a packed bed reactor for the continuous removal of Cr(VI). Thus O. basilicum seeds may have application as a potential bioresource in tropical countries such as India where they are widely available.

Adhesives↗
PubMed2002

Immobilization of invertase on rice husk using polyethylenimine.

Washed and dried rice husk was coated with 2% polyethylenimine (PEI). Invertase was immobilized on this support through adsorption followed by cross-linking with 2% glutaraldehyde. Immobilized enzyme was reused for the hydrolysis of sucrose without loss in activity. This approach may serve as a simple technique in the future for the covalent immobilization of enzymes on lignocellulosic supports.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

A cloth strip bioreactor with immobilized glucoamylase.

Glucoamylase was immobilized on polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated cotton cloth by adsorption followed by cross-linking with 0.2% glutaraldehyde in the presence of starch. Optimal adsorption of the enzyme was seen when cloth treated with 2% PEI was contacted with the enzyme for 50 min. pH and temperature optima profiles were not changed appreciably on immobilization. However, the bound enzyme exhibited a higher thermal stability. The enzyme-bound cloth strips were used in a specially designed bioreactor for the continuous hydrolysis of starch. The reactor could be operated for over 21 days retaining about 70% of the original activity. An operational temperature of 45 degrees C was found to be optimal.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

Microbial biosensors.

A microbial biosensor consists of a transducer in conjunction with immobilised viable or non-viable microbial cells. Non-viable cells obtained after permeabilisation or whole cells containing periplasmic enzymes have mostly been used as an economical substitute for enzymes. Viable cells make use of the respiratory and metabolic functions of the cell, the analyte to be monitored being either a substrate or an inhibitor of these processes. Bioluminescence-based microbial biosensors have also been developed using genetically engineered microorganisms constructed by fusing the lux gene with an inducible gene promoter for toxicity and bioavailability testing. In this review, some of the recent trends in microbial biosensors with reference to the advantages and limitations are been discussed. Some of the recent applications of microbial biosensors in environmental monitoring and for use in food, fermentation and allied fields have been reviewed. Prospective future microbial biosensor designs have also been identified.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2001

Uranium(VI) biosorption by dried roots of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth).

Uranium uptake by dried roots of Eichhornia crassipes was rapid and the biomass could remove 54% of the initial uranium present within 4 min of contact time. The process was favored at pH 5-6 and was least influenced by temperature. Biosorption data fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. The maximum loading capacity obtained was 371 mg U/g dry biomass. Distribution coefficient of 9336 ml/g was observed at a residual concentration of 4.9 mg U/L. Uptake increased at higher dose of biomass and reached a plateau beyond the concentration of 6 g/L. The specific metal ion uptake decreased with increasing initial uranium concentration. Anions (0.1 M) inhibited the uptake and followed the trend acetate > sulphate > nitrate > chloride. However presence of carbonate had no effect on uranium biosorption.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1999

Stabilization of alginate beads using radiation polymerized polyacrylamide.

A technique has been described for the stabilization of calcium alginate beads using radiation polymerized acrylamide. The technique involved dropping a mixture containing the cells (20%), sodium alginate (2%), acrylamide (2.5%) and N-N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (0.1%) through a syringe needle into cold (-75 degrees C) toluene. The frozen beads obtained were exposed to 60Co gamma-rays (0.5 KGy) and were then thawed in 0.1 M CaCl2 solution. Unlike the calcium alginate beads the conjugate beads were not found to be dissolved when incubated in 3% trisodium citrate solution. Stabilized beads containing entrapped yeast cells could be reused for over 15 batches for the inversion of sucrose without loss in activity or chemical integrity of the beads.

Acrylic Resins↗