Recent advances in production,purification and applications of phycobiliproteins

An obligatory sunlight requirement for photosynthesis has exposed cyanobacteria to different quantity and quality of light. Cyanobacteria can exhibit efficient photosynthesis over broad region(450 to 650 nm) of solar spectrum with the help of brilliantly coloured pigment proteins called phycobiliproteins(PBPs). Besides light-harvesting, PBPs are found to involve in several life sustaining phenomena including photoprotection in cyanobacteria. The unique spectral features(like strong absorbance and fluorescence), proteineous nature and, some imperative properties like hepato-protective, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activity of PBPs enable their use in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. PBPs have been also noted to show beneficial effect in therapeutics of some disease like Alzheimer and cancer. Such large range of applications increases the demand of PBPs in commodity market. Therefore, the large-scale and coast effective production of PBPs is the real need of time. To fulfil this need, many researchers have been working to find the potential producer of PBPs for the production and purification of PBPs. Results of these efforts have caused the inventions of some novel techniques like mixotrophic and heterotrophic strategies for production and aqueous two phase separation for purification purpose. Overall, the present review summarises the recent findings and identifies gaps in the field of production, purification and applications of this biological and economically important proteins.

Eco-Friendly Phyto-Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Jatropha Seedcake Extract

Phytosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is gaining importance due to their biocompatibility,low toxicity and eco-friendly nature.In the present study,an aqueous extract of Jatropha seedcake(JSC)is assessed as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles(AgNPs).The maximum reduction of silver ions occur when 1 mM AgNO_(3) solution is treated with 0.1 volume fraction of JSC extract in boiling water bath for 10 min.The synthesis of AgNPs is monitored by the excitation of surface plasmon resonance using UV-vis spectrophotometry.The AgNPs are found to be mono-dispersed,spherical with average particle size of 10.48±74 nm when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.The selected area electron diffraction(SAED)ring pattern indicated the polycrystalline nature of the AgNPs.The x-ray diffraction data further confirm the presence of characteristic(111),(200),(220),(311)and(222)diffraction planes of face centered cubic structure,and the calculated lattice parameter comes out to be 4.083Å.FTIR analysis reveals the involvement of proteins and phenols in reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles.The synthesized AgNPs have significant antibacterial action on both the Gram positive and negative bacteria.

Prevalence and distribution of <i>Tomato leaf curl virus</i>in major agroclimatic zones of Gujarat

A study was conducted to establish the prevalence and severity of Tomato leaf curl viral disease in the major agroclimatic tomato cultivating regions of Gujarat. Districts of Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mehsana, Panchmahal and Rajkot of Gujarat were surveyed. The survey aimed at assessing types of symptoms, severity and yield loss in the tomato plants. Results obtained indicate vast spread of Tomato leaf curl virus in majority of the tomato fields in Gujarat. The maximum infection was observed in the Kheda district with almost complete crop loss followed by Mehasna and Gandhinagar districts showing high prevalence of infection. Influence of the climatic conditions and cultural practices were observed on the level of infection.