Informatics Publishing Limited

K. Parani ¹, B. K. Saha ¹

Affiliations
1 Research and Development, Multiplex Biotech Pvt Ltd, Peenya 1st Stage, Bangalore - 560058, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Prodigiosin produced by Serratia marcescens strain (SR₁) is a promising drug owing to its reported characteristics of having antifungal, immunosuppressive and antiproliferative activity. From a commercial point of view, there is a necessity to select a suitable medium for the enhancement of cell growth as well as pigment production simultaneously, from Serratia marcescens (SR₁) was the aim of the work. Compared to the nutrient broth and glycerol-yeast extract media, the casein-enriched medium supplemented with 4% vegetative oil mixture (sunflower, coconut and olive oil) showed a higher yield of prodigiosin (765.1 mg I⁻¹) with a cell weight (2.1 g I⁻¹ dry wt), was observed after the incubation period of 84 h at 30 ± 2°C with pH 7.0. The antifungal activity of the crude prodigiosin, separated through solvent extraction process and purified by TLC was tested against fungal pathogens following the well-diffusion method, which showed the maximum inhibitory zone against Helminthosporium sativum, Fusarium oxysporium and Rhizoctonia solani in decreasing order.

Keywords

Antifungal Activity, Fusarium oxysporium, Helminthosporium sativum, Prodigiosin, Rhizoctonia solani, Serratia marcescens.

Full Text

   

B. K. Saha ¹, N. C. Nandi ²

Affiliations
1 Hamadryad, 230, Green Park, Narendrapur, Kolkata-700 103, IN
2 Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, IN

Abstract

A checklist of ophidian fauna (snakes) comprising of 112 species belonging lo 9 families from West Bengal, India is presented along with their Bengali names, status, distribution and conservation needs. Of these, 46 species are considered herein to be rare, 2 species as threatened and 1 species as endangered in West Bengal. The Hill and Dooars region represents the highest number of 79 species of ophidian fauna from West Bengal. A considerable number of ophidian species exclusively inhabit the coastal waters and the Himalayan foothills. Some suggestions towards conservation and management have been given and inclusion of King Cobra under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act has been recommended.

Keywords

Ophidic, Checklist, Status, Distribution, Conservation.

Full Text