ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

IIT, Mumbai has used bimetallic Magnesium
Pallidium catalyst to effectively decolorize and
degrade reactive black 5, sunset yellow FCF and
tartrazine dyes. Colour removal was more than 95%
+4 o o
within 24hrs of reaction using Mg/Pd or Mg /Pd
alumina.
Heavy metal removal
At IIT Chennai, a new bacterial strain Arthrobacter
rombhi RE has been isolated. A continuos aerobic
system was developed which was able to achieve
95% of Cr (VI) reduction (initial concentration:
25mg/L) and around 90% COD reduction (initial
concentration: 2000mg/L and molasses as the
carbon source) at a Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)
of 12hrs. Nolina recurvata (Palam flower),
Ganoderma lucidum (wood rotting fungus) and few
aquatic weeds have been extensively studied for
biosorption potential. Various instrumental
techniques have also been developed for
biosorption of Cr (VI) and Cr (III).
Metal resistant P . putida strain KNP9 was studied in
chickpea at G.B Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology, Pantnagar. The KNP9 strain is resistant
to 1.8mm of lead acetate and 0.546mm CdCl 2
respectively. Probability of metal accumulation was
evident by increase in size of bacterium in presence
of cadmium and lead as seen by Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). It has been found that the metal
resistant 'P' solubilizing bioinoculant KNP9 is
reducing metal toxicity in chickpea in the presence of
cadmium and lead. The ability of microorganisms to
survive and reproduce in metal habitat may depend
on genetic as well as physiological adaptations.
Thus, cadmium and lead resistant strains can be
exploited for bioremediation/ detoxification at sites
containing respective metals.
TERI, New Delhi has characterized the arbuscular
mycorrhizal (AM) fungal germplasm for two major
activities.
1) Functional characterization of AM fungal isolates
of CMCC (Centre for Mycorrhizal Culture Collection)
2) Optimization of protocol for molecular
characterization.
Based on sequence data from 5.8S and 18S
ribosomal RNA genes, primers were designed to
specifically amplify DNA fragment including the ITS
(Internal Transcribed Spacer). The resulting PCR
product can be used to identify the fungal symbionts
at the genus level by DNA sequencing. Optimisation
of protocol for partial sequence analysis of CMCC
germplasm was done by using Glomous specific
primer.
Biodegradable plastics
Scientists at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune have
isolated alkalophilic and salt tolerant bacteria from
Lunar Lake, which are able to synthesize
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). The process has
been optimized for different parameters like
temperature, pH, inoculum density and incubation
period. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy) and H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance) analysis confirmed the presence of
copolymer hydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate in
96:4 proportion. The organism could utilize agro
waste like wheat bran for production of the polymer.
Bacterial strains, taken from available gene pool
including different agro climatic zones (Leh, Chamoli,
Pithoragarh and artificially developed soil bed in
Pantnagar) were screened for their ability to utilize
polymers as 'C' source. Eight strains have shown
better degradation potential against these polymers
and have been identified based on 16S rDNA
sequence and was submitted to NCBI database. TG-
DTG-DTA (Thermal Gravimetric-Differential Thermal
Gravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis)
profiles of consortium treated versus control samples
were compared depicting different patterns of
exotherm and endotherm peaks in thermograms
which confirmed biodegradation of the compound.
In a project, at TERI, New Delhi, 262 bacterial strains
were screened for PHA production. P. genus was the
most frequently isolated PHA producer from the
contaminated sites. Fifteen strains were selected and
125 Research and Development