Current Biotechnology - Volume 7, Issue 4, 2018

Background: Pullulan is a neutral exopolysaccharide produced aerobically by a yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. The distinct linkage of α (1 → 4) & α (1→ 6) in pullulan impart its nonimmunogenic, non-mutagenic and non-cancerous traits. These characteristics are being exploited in food, health care, pharmacy, lithography, cosmetics. During the last four decades, pullulan has had a breakthrough in diverse fields incl Read More

Background: β-Xylosidase plays a crucial role in xylan hydrolysis and is a necessary component in enzyme cocktails used for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. The enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass needs a highly balanced composition of cellulases and hemicellulases. Commercial cellulases are often poor in accessory hemicellulolytic enzymes like β-xylosidase. Hence the present investigation was focus Read More

Background: Peels from root and vegetable crops such as sweet potato (SP), elephant foot yam (EFY), tannia and ash gourd (AG) along with mixed vegetable wastes (MVW, comprising non-edible parts of common vegetables, rotten vegetables, seeds and pulp covering them etc.) discharged from households and restaurants constitute a major part of the biodegradable wastes. Considering the pollution hazards due to inadequ Read More

Background: Protein kinases and phosphatases are involved in the regulation of numerous biological processes by catalyzing proteins phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation status respectively. Protein Phosphatase 2C requires divalent ion for its activity and is categorized under family protein serine/threonine phosphatases i.e. they act on serine or threonine residues. Objective: The present study is focused on ge Read More

Background: Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) positive breast cancer is considered to be one of the most common metastatic diseases. Estrogenic signalling in breast cancer is one of the most critical oncogenic pathways. Recently Lemur Tyrosine Kinase 3 (LMTK3) was identified as a potential oncogenic ERα regulator with a significant role in endocrine resistance. Therefore, targeting LMTK3 in breast cancer would control ERα Read More

Background: The endophytes of African medicinal plants are largely underexplored despite their potential as repositories of bioactive compounds. Objective: To identify the endophytic fungi associated with Annona senegalensis and evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of their crude ethyl acetate extracts. Method: The surface sterilization technique (using ethanol and sodium hypochlorite) was used to isolate th Read More

Background: Medicinal plants play an important role in the search for bioactive strains of endophytic fungi. Objective: The aim of the study was to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi associated with Kigelia africana and Warburgia salutaris and evaluate their bioactivity. Methods: Endophytic fungi were isolated from the stem and leaf tissues of Kigelia africana and Warburgia salutaris and identified by rDNA sequencing of the I Read More

Background: Whey is a watery part (serum) that remains after the coagulation of milk by acid or proteolytic enzymes and it contains mainly, lactose, proteins, minerals and water. Most of the countries have large dairy and cheese production units which generate huge amounts of whey per liter of milk processed. However, land disposal of whey as a waste product has been widely practiced all over the world that poses s Read More