http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1997 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/2057 Title: Biochemical composition of eight benthic algae collected from Sunderban <br/> <br/>Authors: Chakraborty, Sukalyan; Santra, S C <br/> <br/>Abstract: Eight abundantly found benthic algal species from Sunderban were collected and compared for their biochemical composition. The algae showed significant quantities of nutrient parameters like - total carbohydrate, reducing sugar, total protein, total free amino acid, proline, total lipid along with fatty acids. C16 and C18 PUFAs were present in maximum amount. The major fatty acids identified were 14:0, 16:0, 18:1, and 18:2, 18:3, 18:4 acids. Vitamin C was also present in small amounts. Pigments chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were present in considerable quantities. Individual differences were noticeable in the biochemical composition of the algae studied. Overall observation suggests their suitability for exploitation in food and pharamaceutical industry. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 329-332 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/2056 Title: Marine-derived fungi as a source of proteases <br/> <br/>Authors: Kamat, Tonima; Rodrigues, Celina; Naik, Chandrakant G. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Microbial enzymes have continued to assist diverse reactions as biocatalysts. Marine derived microbes offer a prospective resource for such enzymes. In this study thirteen fungi were isolated from marine organisms (soft coral and sponge) collected from Mandapam (Tamil Nadu) coast. The fungal isolates were screened for the protease activity. Fungi Beauveria brongniartii and Acremonium fusidioides showed remarkable protease activity. Isolation, purification and characterisation of proteases from these fungi may reveal special, significant properties. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 326-328 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/2055 Title: Isolation and characterization of meta-toluic acid degrading marine bacterium <br/> <br/>Authors: Prakash, Divya; Raushan, Rakesh Kumar; Sangodkar, U.M.X; Rivonker, C.U. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The analysis of the sea water samples using sequential enrichment technique revealed a report of marine bacterium capable of degrading meta toluic acid a component of crude oil. An attempt to characterize the isolated culture using biochemical tests indicated the culture as a Gram- negative aerobic rod that was highly motile exhibiting biodegrading ability and was identified as Pseudomonas spp. strain GUI13. Further, a comparative analysis of the biochemical characters with the archae type terrestrial soil bacterium indicated that the isolate required marked amounts of Sodium chloride (NaCl) in the medium to retain its viability. Substrate constant (Ks) of strain GUI13 with respect to meta toluic acid was found to be eight times lower when compared to that of a terrestrial bacterium. A similar ratio was observed in case of Michaelis constants (Km) for the key degradative enzyme, Catechol 2,3 dioxygenase, emphasizing the distinguishing feature of the marine bacteria that helps it to carry on the process of bio transformations at very low concentrations of carbon, a unique condition that exists in the sea. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 322-325 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/2054 Title: Evaluation of the seed production and grow out culture of blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in India <br/> <br/>Authors: Maheswarudu, G; Jose, Josileen; Nair, K R Manmadhan; Arputharaj, M R; Ramakrishna, A <br/> <br/>Abstract: The demand for crabs is more for their delicacy. In view of developing protocol for seed production, nursery rearing and grow-out culture of P. pelagicus, experiments were conducted on the same aspects. Two larval rearing experiments, one at 50 larvae/l density and the other at 100 larvae/l density were conducted to assess the impact of stocking density on survival. Higher survival (10.3 ± 5.76%) from Zoea1 to first crab instar was recorded at lower density than (P < 0.05) that (1.8 ± 0.91%) of higher density. A nursery rearing experiment (250 first crab instars/t), conducted to measure survival, yielded low survival (8.6 ± 0.91 %) after 15 days due to cannibalism despite provision of shelter and feed ad libitum. The grow-out culture performed in a 0.06 ha earthen pond by stocking first crab instars directly (2.6 first crab instars/m²), to assess survival and growth, yielded 784 kg/ha on day 135 with 32.0% survival and Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 1.8. Crab attained commercial size (116 mm CW/112 g. wt.) as well as maturity after 5 months (20 days larval rearing + 134 days grow-out). After 135 days live crabs from grow-out can be shifted to recirculation system to produce soft shell crabs that have demand and fetch higher price than that of hard shell crab, to make the crab culture venture economical. The present study is a significant development in bringing out, P. pelagicus as a potential species for aquaculture. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 313-321 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:58:59 GMT