University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Biodegradation of petroleum by the microorganisms in polluted site has been gaining attention from the environment clean-up point of view. Two isolated organisms Acinetobacter junii CTA3 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa OCD1 were tested for their petroleum degrading ability in liquid Bushnell-Hass broth. Both the organisms degraded higher boiling petroleum fractions more efficiently. The strain OCD1 showed better degrading ability than the strain CTA3. The highest degradation of 47% and 57% was obtained with diesel after 20 days of incubation by the organism CTA 3 and OCD1 respectively. Also it was observed that, most of the oils were degraded in first 10 days of incubation for both the isolates.

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Chemical Technology

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Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia

Study of the potential of two isolated microorganisms to degrade various petroleum fractions

This work was aimed to develop water resistant biocide film from renewable resources for applications in food and water technology. Guar gum, a polymeric galactomannan, was intrinsically modified to a new guar gum benzamide. Benzoylation was carried out by benzoyl chloride reaction in water medium and a propyl amine spacer was used to impart a high degree of hydrophobicity. The new guar gum benzamide was resistant to water and soluble in non aqueous solvent like dimethyl sulfoxide. Cast films of thickness 0.162mm had a breaking point tensile strength of 21.95Mpa. The water vapor permeability of biomaterial film was 0.28gmmkPa-1h-1m-2 and water contact angle on evaporative surface was 90.35 degree. Qualitative and quantitative biocide activity of film was established against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The new guar gum benzamide absorbed strongly in UV region. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Bioresource Technology

New water resistant biomaterial biocide film based on guar gum

Six different cultivars of banana flowers (Musa paradicicus) (Kathali, Bichi, Shingapuri, Kacha, Champa, and Kalabou) were analyzed for the content of polyphenol expressed as gallic acid equivalent and flavonoid expressed as quercetein equivalent, and thein vitrototal antioxidative activities of the flower extracts were compared with standard and expressed as trolox equivalent. The reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS +) scavenging activities, inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid emulsion system, and liposome peroxidation system were measured and compared with respective standard antioxidants. Iron-mediated Fenton reaction was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of the extract of banana flower (Kacha cultivar) against H2O2-induced DNA damage. The Kacha variety contains the maximum amount of polyphenol (11.94 ± 0.03 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry weight) and flavonoid (0.174 ± 0.001 g of quercetin equivalent/g of polyphenol). It also has the highest total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS + radical scavenging activity with a least EC50 value of 0.051 mg/mL. Hepatic cell damage in iron-mediated Fenton reaction caused by free radicals is reduced by the banana flower extract. On the basis of the results obtained, the banana flowers are found to be a potential source of natural antioxidants. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts from banana flowers. The study suggests that the flowers ofM. paradicicusthat are found in India and consumed as vegetable can provide valuable functional ingredients that help in the prevention of oxidative stress. © 2011 Institute of Food Technologists®.

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Journal of Food Science

In vitroAntioxidant Activity of Different Cultivars of Banana Flower (Musa paradicicusL.) Extracts Available in India

Mullite and spinel forming sols were prepared from hybrid precursors having both organic and inorganic origins. Refractory grade graphite flakes were coated by these sols and their performances were compared in terms of oxidation resistance and water-wettability. Particle size distribution, structural evolution and related characteristics of both mullite and spinel gels have been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectra (IR) studies. Coated graphites have also been studied by IR and XRD tests along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectral (EDS) analysis. The better performance of spinel coated graphite was confirmed. The mechanism of spinel formation on graphite was suggested to take place via intermediate gamma alumina phase formation from boehmite sol. It was clarified by DLS, XRD and microstructural analysis of dried and calcined gels. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

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Ceramics International

Development of mullite and spinel coatings on graphite for improved water-wettability and oxidation resistance

The present study was designed to investigate the chemoprotective effect of different extracts from an edible Mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and evaluation of the glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione-Stransferase (GST) activity. Persistent nodules were developed in rat liver by diethylnitrosoamine (DENA) and its activity was further increased by a carcinogen promoter phenobarbitol (PB). A 20 week study was carried out by supplementing the rats with different extracts of the mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus in drinking water at doses of 0.2 ppm and 0.5 ppm for a period of 4 weeks, 8weeks and 12weeks to study the effect on glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione-S- transferase (GST) activity in different tissue like liver, small intestine, large intestine and kidney. Treatment of the rats with the different extracts resulted in fewer number of persistent nodules. Mean nodular volume decreased, nodular volume as a percentage of liver volume also decreased concomitantly. Treatment with aqueous extract resulted in increase of glutathione level and glutathione-S- transferase activity which again varied according to different tissue types like liver, small intestine, large intestine, kidney. Thus, Polyporus grammocephalus extracts demonstrate a chemoprotective effect against diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinoma in rats and a significant increase in glutathione level and glutathione-S- transferase activity.

Pharmacologyonline

Chemoprotective effect of polyporus grammocephalus (berk) extract on diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis

The potential production of biosurfactant was investigated with a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa OCD1, which was isolated from air in our laboratory. The degradation of different hydrocarbons was studied with this microorganism. The values of surface tension and emulsification index of culture broth were very promising when n-octadecane was used as substrate. Characterization of biosurfactant revealed that the biosurfactant was rhamnolipid in nature. The surface tension of water was reduced to 31.5 mN/m from 72 mN/m with the critical micelle concentration of 35 mg/L. A low rhamnolipid concentration (&lt;5 mg/ L) had a strong effect on reduction of surface tension.

Journal of Oleo Science

Biosurfactant production from n-paraffins by an air isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa OCD1

In the present communication, an attempt has been made to develop an empirical relationship between HLB and equilibrium surface tension values of surfactants having characteristics of intermediate class between anionic and non-ionic type, viz. ethanolamine derivatives of long chain alkyl ester of phosphoric acid. It requires a new methodology to evaluate their HLB value experimentally following the Becher's method of studying its behavior in aqueous solution as all other existing formulae except Davies' theoretical approach are not applicable to them. The validity of the proposed formula log HLB = 0.12 γeqm -2.65, to calculate HLB over a wide range of surfactants varying ionic nature, viz. ethanolamine derivatives of alkyl sulphate, alkyl esters and ethoxylates of different polarities, has been found to be acceptable. © 2009 Indian Society for Surface Science and Technology.

Journal of Surface Science and Technology

Development of an equation of HLB value for intermediate class of surfactants like amino phosphate series

Oxidation resistance and water wettability of graphite flakes have been improved by a thin sol-gel film of magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl 2O4) over its surface. The hydrosol has been synthesized by less expensive precursors and the spinel formation has been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), supplemented with energy dispersive spectral analysis. After an easy-to-use mixing procedure, drying (110°C), and subsequent calcination (550°C), coated graphites were sieved to below 75 μm. The coating over the powder contained 1.5 wt% MgAl2O 4, which enormously increased the oxidation resistance (performed at 600°, 900°, and 1200°C) and water wettability, as revealed by hydrophilic functional groups from infrared spectra. Defective, intermediate spinel structure of fine, lamellar Mg-doped γ-Al2O3 has been considered to be significant for this improvement. An approximate (1:2) stoichiometry of (Mg:Al) in the coting composition was confirmed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy test. Castables prepared by this graphite remarkably improved their bulk density and apparent porosity compared with those prepared by the as-received graphite. Casting water was reduced along with the amount of antioxidants. This also enhanced the resistance toward the basic slag by retaining the graphite in the refractory. © 2009 The American Ceramic Society.

Journal of the American Ceramic Society

Spinel-coated graphite for carbon containing refractory castables

Strain CTA3 was isolated from oil contaminated soil and tested with various petroleum fractions /intermediates viz. gasoline, kerosene, diesel, vacuum gas oil (VGO), lubricating oil base stock (LOBS) as well as some pure hydrocarbons. Based on DNA sequence CTA3 was identified as Acinetobacter junii. The isolated strain CTA3 has been found to be very effective for biodegradation of petroleum fractions at 37° in liquid Bushnell-Haas (BH) media at pH 7. The study reveals that the strain has good potential for degrading higher n-paraffins, above C10.

Studies on degradation of diesel and other petroleum fractions by Acinetobacter junii, CTA3

A continuous B. Braun fermenter undergoing the first stage of bioreduction of gaseous pollutant, SO2-abiotically transformed to sulfite solution, using Desulfotomaculum nigrificans, purchased from NCIM, Pune (India), has been analysed both under steady and dynamic states. The kinetics of the microbial growth have been observed to face product inhibition in the entire range of inlet sulfite concentration of 0.904-1.696 g/dm3. The kinetic parameters like maximum specific growth rate (μm), saturation constant (KS) and product inhibition constant (KP) have been evaluated by non-linear regression analysis and their values have been found to be 0.185 ks-1, 6.512 × 10-3 g/dm3 and 0.045 g/dm3, respectively. The yield coefficient of generation of biomass with respect to the uptake of sulfite, YX/S, has been observed to vary non-linearly with the fractional conversion of sulfite and the functional relationship has been determined as 1.918 exp(-1.984XA). Under the present range of values of dilution rate (2.778 × 10-3 to 0.056 ks-1), the steady state conversion of sulfite has been observed to lie in the range of 99.6-6.12%. Non-ideality, i.e., the extent of deviation from the ideal hydrodynamic behavior of the bioreactor has been assessed using a two-parameter model. The parameters of this model have been evaluated conducting step-type tracer experiments for residence time distribution (RTD) of inlet tracer molecules in the fermenter. The values of the non-ideal parameters indicate that the reactor behaves almost ideally under the present investigation. For a priori determination of the stable regime of operation of this biosystem, in general, global and local stability analyses have been done by the techniques of separatrices and linear analysis, respectively. The process dynamics and the control behavior of the system have been assessed by the analysis of its response with respect to step changes in the forcing functions, namely flow rate and the sulfite concentration in the inlet stream of the bioreactor. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Stability and response of bioreactor: An analysis with reference to microbial reduction of SO2

Various species of Mycobacteria produce a major cell wall-associated lipoglycan, called Lipoarabinomannan (LAM), which is involved in the virulence of Mycobacterial species. In this study, we tried to establish the role of the increased IL-10 secretion under Arabinosylated-LAM (Ara-LAM) treatment, the LAM that induces apoptosis in host macrophages or PBMC. We have studied the survival and apoptotic factors by western blotting, and estimated nitrite generation by Griess reaction, quantified iNOS mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and ultimately the fate of the cells were studied by Flow Cytometric Analysis of AnnexinV-FITC binding. As per our observations, neutralization of released IL-10 in C57BL/6 peritoneal macrophages prior to Ara-LAM treatment, as well as macrophages from IL-10 knockout (KO) mice treated with Ara-LAM, showed significant down regulation of pro-apoptotic factors and up regulation of survival factors. These effects were strikingly similar to those when peritoneal macrophages were subjected to TNF-α and IL-12 neutralization followed by Ara-LAM-treatment. However, under similar conditions virulent Mannosylated-LAM (from Mycobacterium tuberculosis) treatment of macrophages clearly depicts the importance of IL-10 in the maintenance of pathogenesis, proving its usual immunosuppressive role. Thus, from our detailed investigations we point out an unusual pro-inflammatory action of IL-10 in Ara-LAM treated macrophages, where it behaves in a similar manner as the known Th1 cytokines TNF- α and IL-12. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Glycoconjugate Journal

An unusual pro-inflammatory role of interleukin-10 induced by arabinosylated lipoarabinomannan in murine peritoneal macrophages

The study examines the potential of bioremediation technologies to clean up oil spills in order to minimize the environmental pollution. The microorganism was isolated from an oil contaminated soil sample. The growth of this organism was observed to be maximum in Bushnell-Haas media containing 15% diesel at pH 7 within 3 days at 37 °C. The properties of this treated diesel was tested and compared with the untreated diesel. The experiment was also carried out for other petroleum fractions like Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO), Cycle Oil and Lube Oil.

Journal of the Indian Chemical Society

Effect of Pseudomonas sp. on diesel and other petroleum fractions

Monolauryl and monostearyl phosphoric acid esters were synthesized by phosphorylation of the corresponding long chain fatty alcohols which were subsequently neutralized with mono-, di- and tri-ethanolamines. Monoalkyl nature of phosphate derivatives was ascertained by evaluating phosphorus contents. All the phosphate derivatives displayed appreciable lowering of surface tension of water and the monoethanolamine compounds, in particular, showed lower CMC values compared to the conventional anionic surfactant, linear alkyl bezene sodium sulphonate. Monoethanolamine derivatives of lauryl and stearyl esters of phosphoric acid exhibited lower water solubility compared to diethanolamine and triethanolamine derivatives. Foam characteristics of all the compounds were, in general, poor. Monolauryl diethanolamine phosphate ester indicated superior wetting power.