Lipase production by marine fungus Aspergillus Awamori Nagazawa

The present study indicate the scope for the utilization of the marine fungus Aspergillus awamori Nagazawa BTMFW 032 for extracellular lipase production employing submerged fermentation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on lipase production by a marine fungus employing statistical modeling towards industrial production. The characterization of purified lipase produced by A. awamori showed stability in organic solvents, oxidizing agent and reducing agents, I,3-regiospecificity and hydrolytic activity. These properties make this lipase an ideal candidate for biocatalysis in organic media for the production of novel compounds such as biodiesel and sugar fatty esters. 91.4 % reduction in oil and grease content in ayurvedic oil by the treatment of A. awamori lipase indicates that there is a scope for this enzyme in the treatment of oil effluents and bioremediation. There is ample scope for further research on the biochemistry of the enzyme, structure elucidation and enzyme engineering towards a wide range of further applications, besides enriching scientific knowledge on marine enzymes.

Characterization of laccase from Streptomyces psammoticus: an enzyme for eco-friendly treatment of environmental pollutants

The present study has identified an actinomycete culture (S. psammoticus) which was capable of producing all the three major ligninolytic enzymes. The study revealed that least explored mangrove regions are potential sources for the isolation of actinomycetes with novel characteristics. The laccase production by the strain in SmF and SSF was found to be much higher than the reported values. The growth of the organism was favoured by alkaline pH and salinity of the medium. The enzyme also exhibited novel characteristics such as activity and stability at alkaline pH and salt tolerance. These two characters are quite significant from the industrial point of view making the enzyme an ideal candidate for industrial applications. Many of the application studies to date are focused on enzymes from fungal sources. However, the fungal laccases, which are mostly acidic in nature, could not be used universally for all application purposes especially, for the treatment of effluents from different industries, largely due to the alkaline nature of the effluents. Under such situations the enzymes from organisms like S. psammoticus with wide pH range could play a better role than the fungal counterparts. In the present study, the ability of the isolated strain and laccase in the degradation of dyes and phenolic compounds was successfully proved. The reusability of the immobilized enzyme system made the entire treatment process inexpensive. Thus it can be concluded from the present study that the laccase from this organism could be hopefully employed for the eco-friendly treatment of dye or phenol containing industrial effluents from various sources.

Proteases from an Environmental Isolate of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa MCCB 123 and Their Applications

In the present study,heterotrophic protease producing bacterial isolates were screened for protease activity and a potent protease producing bacterial isolate was selected,identified and coded as Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCCB 123.The organism was capable of producing three different types of enzymes each having potential industrial applications.The non-toxic nature of the bacterial strain and the relatively non-toxic nature of three enzymes suggested their poetential application in various industries.Application of LasA protease and beta-1,3 glucanase in DNA extraction is a promising area for commercial utilization. LasB protease can find its potential application in detergent and tanning industries.As on today Bacillus sp.has been the source of commercial proteases,and the ones produced form P.aeruginosa 123 can pave way for making the industrial and biomedical processes more cost effective and refined.

A Study on Variations in Industrial Electricity Tariff & Regulatory Intervention in kerala State

Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology

The influence of organophosphorus pesticide-methylparathion on protein, lipid metabolism and detoxifying enzymes in rohu (Labeo rohita)

Methylparathion (MP) is an organophosphorus insecticide used world wide in agriculture due to its high activity against a broad spectrum of insect pests. The aim of the study is to understand the effect of methylparathion on the lipid peroxidation, detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes namely catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione Stransferase (GST), total reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and disease diagnostic marker enzymes in liver, sarcoplasmic (SP) and myofirbirllar (MF) proteins in muscles, lipids and histopathlogical changes in various organs of Labeo rohita of size 75 i 6g at lethal and sublethal level of exposure. The probit analysis showed that the lethal concentration (LC 50%) for 24, 48, 72 and 96h were 15.5mg/L, 12.3mg/L, 11.4mg/L and 10.2mg/L respectively which is much higher compared to the LC50 for juvenile fish. The LPO level and GST activity increased five folds and two folds respectively on exposure to methylparathion at 10.2 mg/L and the level of the enzymes increased, on sub lethal exposure beyond 0.25mg/L. AChE activity was inhibited by 74% at a concentration of 1.8mg/L and 90% at 5.4mg/L. The disease diagnostic marker enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and LDH increased by about 2, 3 ,3 and 2 folds respectively at pesticide concentration of 10.2mg/L when compared to control. On sub lethal exposure, however the enzymes did not show any significant changes up to 0.5mg/L. At a concentration of 10.2 mg/L, there was a three fold increase in myofibrillar proteins while the increase in sarcoplasmic protein was above 1.5 fold. On sub lethal exposure, significant alteration was noticed up to 30 days up to 1mg/L of methylparathion concentration. Further exposure up to 45 days increased sarcoplasmic proteins (upto 0.5mg/L). ln the case of myofibrillar proteins, noticeable changes were observed at 1mg/L concentration right from 15th day. The cholesterol content in brain tissues increased by about 27% at methylparathion concentration of 5.4 mglL. However at 0.25mg/L sub lethal concentration, no significant alteration was observed in enzyme activity, muscle proteins, lipids and histopathology of the tissues. The results suggest that methylparathion has the potential to induce oxidative stress in fish, and that liver, muscle and brains are more sensitive organs of Labeo rohita, with poor antioxidant potentials at higher concentrations of the pesticide. The various parameters studied in this investigation can also be used as biomarkers of methylparathion exposure.

Legal Control of Industrial Pollution

Industries constitute the main spring of development. Without industrial development no country could reach a stage in which a decent living for its citizens would be achieved. Increasing production to meet the basic needs of society augmented scientific invention and machine oriented industrial order.Environmental pollution ls a burning global issue. It is more serious and dangerous than terrorism. Started with the discovery of fire and development of civilization. Pollution went unnoticed throughout the centuries of human growth until its adverse effects on human environment become explicit.National concern tor environment started in our country only atter the cause of protection of environment received global attention. At present legal control ot industrial pollution is in a scattered framework of piece meal processes with overlapping provisions and authorities.Environmental protection- should be an item not only in the concurrent list of schedule 7 to the Constitution but also in the list of matters entrusted to the panchayati institutions in the Schedule 11. It is heartening to note that so far as municipalities are concerned the Constitution of India lives up to the expectation. In the wake of New Industrial Policy based on liberalisation a long list of small scale industries fall outside the purview of environmental clearance. The Indian concept of environmental im»act assessment introduced under the Environment Act by notification excludes the entire gamut of small scale industries and r.elates only to scheduled industries covered by the notifica~ion. Most of them are subjected to ETA only it the investment goes above ~.50 crores. This provision dilutes the impact assessment considerably A mandatory impact assessment with public partiCipation and with provision for a review by specialized environmental courts will eliminate the possible evils of this judicial passiveness.

Characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates accumulating vibrios from marine benthic environments and production studies of polyhydroxyalkanoates by Vibrio sp. BTKB33

The present work deals with the characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates accumulating vibrios from marine benthic environments and production studies of polyhydroxyalkanoates by vibrio sp.BTKB33. Vibrios are a group of (iram negative, curved or straight motile rods that normally inhabit the aquatic environments.The present study therefore aimed at evaluating the occurrence of PHA accumulating vibrios inhabiting marine benthic environments; characterizing the potential PHA accumulators employing phenotypic and genotypic approaches and molecular characterization of the PHA synthase gene. The study also evaluated the PHA production in V:'hri0 sp. strain BTKB33, through submerged fennentation using statistical optimization and characterized the purified biopolymer. Screening for PHA producing vibrios from marine benthic environments. Characterization of PHA producers employing phenotypic and genotypic approaches.The incidence of PHA accumulation in Vibrio sp. isolated from marine sediments was observed to be high, indicating that the natural habitat of these bacteria are stressful. Considering their ubiquitous nature, the ecological role played by vibrios in maintaining the delicate balance of the benthic ecosystem besides returning potential strains, with the ability to elaborate a plethora of extracellular enzymes for industrial application, is significant. The elaboration of several hydrolytic enzymes by individuals also emphasize the crucial role of vibrios in the mineralization process in the marine environment. This study throws light on the extracellular hydrolytic enzyme profile exhibited by vibrios. It was concluded that apart from the PHA accumulation, presence of exoenzyme production and higher MAR index also aids in their survival in the highly challenging benthic enviromnents. The phylogenetic analysis of the strains and studies on intra species variation within PHA accumulating strains reveal their diversity. The isolate selected for production in this study was Vibrio sp. strain BTKB33, identified as V.azureus by 16S rDNA sequencing and phenotypic characterization. The bioprocess variables for PHA production utilising submerged fermentation was optimized employing one-factor-at-a-time-method, PB design and RSM studies. The statistical optimization of bioprocess variables revealed that NaCl concentration, temperature and incubation period are the major bioprocess variables influencing PHA production and PHA content. The presence of Class I PHA synthase genes in BTKB33 was also unveiled. The characterization of phaC genes by PCR and of the extracted polymer employing FTIR and NMR analysis revealed the presence of polyhydroxybutyrate, smallest known PI-IAs, having wider domestic, industrial and medical application. The strain BTKB33 bearing a significant exoenzyme profile, can thus be manipulatedin future for utilization of diverse substrates as C- source for PHA production. In addition to BTKB33, several fast growing Vibrio sp. having PHA accumulating ability were also isolated, revealing the prospects of this environment as a mine for novel PHA accumulating microbes. The findings of this study will provide a reference for further research in industrial production of PHAs from marine microorganisms .

Compensation to Workmen for Industrial Injuries

This thesis Entitled compensation to workmen for industrial injuries.Evaluation of the different forms of liability for compensating industrial injuries makes it evident that the liability under the social insurance scheme is the most befitting one, as it eliminates the problem of evasion of liability by the employer by providing for sharing of liability. Liability for compensation under the workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 and the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 arises only in the case of accidents, arising in the course of and out of employment. Majority of the workers, covered by the workmen's Compensation Act, have supported lumpsum payment of compensation under the Act. It appears that workers are ignorant of the cemerits of lumpsum payment. So, the workers should be properly educated by the Inspectorate, proposed above, about the comparative advantages of periodical payments. It is suggested that the workmens Compensation Act, 1923 may be amended, imposing fee upon the parties for each adjournment. It is also suggested that provision may be made in the workmens Compensation Act, 1923 for the expeditious despatch of amendments of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, the Workmens· Compensation Rules, 1924 and the Schedules, made from time to time, to the comrnissioners for workmens Compensation, This will help them mete out justice to an injured workman, as required by the changes in the law. The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 and the Rules may be amended, requiring the employers to provide the employees with necessary information, in the vernacular language, about the employment injury benefits available under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 and the formalities for obtaining the same. This will help the illiterate employees, especially the casual ones, avail of employment injury benefits. Changes in the law, on the lines suggested above, are imperative to make the system of compensation for industrial injuries prove effective and beneficial to injured workmen.

Chitinase production by.marine fungi

In this thesis an attempt is made to explore the potential of marine fungi for the production of chitinolytic enzymes and to recognize the ability to hydrolyse native chitin through submerged as well as solid substrate fermentation culture conditions, using wheat bran and shellfish processing waste such as ‘prawn waste’ as solid substrates. Attempt was made to isolate a potential chitinase producing fungus from marine environment and to develop an ideal bioprocess for the production ofchitolytic enzymes.Present study indicate scope for utilization of B. bassiana for industrial production of chitinase using prawn waste as solid substrate employing solid substrate fermentation.

Emotional Intelligence and Organisational Role Stress — A study among managers in selected industrial organisations in Kerala

Emotional intelligence is very important in organisations and the ability to manage feelings and handle stress is an important aspect of El. Even though a number of studies have been done to prove that E1 is related to organisationally relevant variables like leadership effectiveness, job satisfaction, performance, career success etc., and the theoretical grounding for emotional intelligence-stress-relationship seems sound, only a few studies have been done to establish this linkage. This study is an attempt to measure emotional intelligence and organisational role stress of managers working in industrial organisations and to examine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Organisational Role Stress. It also attempts to explore the influence of personal and occupational variables viz., age, education, gender, marital status, experience, department, type of organisation and designation on emotional intelligence. The investigator has also examined the difference in the level of role stress experienced by junior, middle and senior-level managers. The main objective of the study is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and organisational role stress.

Growth response of phytoplankton exposed to industrial effluents in river Periyar

The thesis entitled Growth Response of Phytoplankton Exposed to Industrial Effluents in River Periyar. The present investigation has been conducted in two phases: field observation and algal assays. The monthly distribution of hydrographic features is represented graphically. The sampling year has been divided into three seasons: monsoon (June to September), postmonsoon (October to January) and premonsoon (February to May). The data were analysed using Student's t-test to find whether there was any significant difference between surface and bottom samples. The spatial variation of the variables was assessed by Page's L (trend) test (Ray Meddis, 1975). The standard procedure for algal toxicity test (Ward and Parrish, 1982) was followed throughout the study. Statistical analysis (Page's L (trend) test) showed that there was no significant difference in Secchi disc transparency between the stations. The field observations as well as the laboratory assays confirm that the rate of discharge in river Periyar during premonsoon is insufficient to effect dilution of wastewater received in the industrial zone.

An economic evaluation of industrial estates in kerala

A massive programme for the development of small scale industries in India known as ‘Industrial Estates Programme‘ was launched by the Government of India in 1955, This technique of industrialisation was recommended by the Small Scale Industries Board in 1955. The first industrial estate in India was set up at Rajkot (Gujarat) in September 1955 and the first shed allotted in December 1955. Since the Government of India entrusted the state governments with the responsibility of starting the estates, the Government of Kerala decided to start one industrial estate in each district during the second plan. It was envisaged that each district should have two industrial estates each, one as urban estate, the other as semi-urban or rural estate. This study attempts to make an economic evaluation of the Industrial estates programme in Kerala. It is based on a survey of all working industrial units in the 17 major industrial estates of Kerala.

Dismissal in industrial employment

This is a study in labour law.. Dismissal of workmen in private lndustrial sector is the area of this study. Confined within the framework of the Industrial Disputes act 1947, the study is an analytical assessment of the decisions of the supreme Court of India. on dismissal in industrial employment. Few attempts were made in the past to analyse on identical lines the problems in this area. Hence what is| written in this thesis is ones own. Dismissal carries a stigma. the dismissed employee may find it difficult to get alternative employment especially in a land of severe unemployment. The need for law with built in safeguards against arbitrary dismissal cannot be overemphasized. From this perspective the study examines to what extent the industrial disputes act 1947 provides protection and how far the protection is adequate.

Echno economic studies on industrial fishing in the upper east coast of India

The present scenario of industrial fishing in India is that most of large trawlers are based at Visakhapatnam and congregate in the potential shrimp ground in the upper East coast of India commonly known as the Sandheads. These are outriggcr vessels operating two or four trawl nets along with a testing trawl called try net. In the early Seventies these vessels were operating on a very high economic return which was evident from the steady increase in number of outriggers over a period of twenty years. Since the total allowable catch has to be shared by all vessels including the increasing fleet, reduction per vessel output is bound to happen. Therefore some of them could not survive the competition and withdrew from the scene. The number of outriggers did not increase subsequently. However, there arose a doubt whether the existing fleet of about 180 vessels are fishing economically or whether there is any scope for further introduction of industrial vessels in the region. This study is focussing to the techno economic aspects of industrial fishing in the upper East coast of India