Biochemical Studies on the Protective Effect of Taurine on Experimentally Induced Fulminat Hepatic Failure in Rats

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a dramatic and challenging syndrome in clinical medicine. Although an uncommon disorder, it is usually fatal and occurs in previously healthy person. While the causes of FHF remain unclear, viral hepatitis and drug-induced liver injury account for the majority of cases. Hepatitis E causes large-scale epidemics of hepatitis in the Indian subcontinent, involving hundreds of thousands of cases with high mortality. FHF is associated with several clinical features like jaundice, shrunken liver, easy bruising, low levels of serum proteins, fatigue, multi-organ failure etc and metabolic derangements like hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyponatremia, defective protein synthesis, reduced energy production, decreased rate of urea production etc. These disturbances are predominantly attributed to oxidative stress, membrane destabilization and osmolytic imbalances. The options available for these patients are quite minimal with liver transplantation being one of them. But the procedure is ridden with issues causing it to find less favor among the patients and the caregivers. Use of hepatoprotective and cytoprotective drugs, is being considered to be a more acceptable alternative as a strategy to enhance liver regeneration. In this regard use of taurine a naturally occurring amino acid that plays a crucial role in many physiological processes would prove to be effective. In the present study, hepatoprotective effect of taurine on a rat model of induced FHF was studied. Taurine supplementation has effectively counteracted the metabolic and structural aberrations in the liver caused by D-galactosamine intoxication.

Biochemical Effect of Dicarboxylic Acids on Oxalate Metabolism in Experimental Rats and Studies on Oxalate Degrading Bacteria

The current study is an attempt to find a means of lowering oxalate concentration in individuals susceptible to recurrent calcium oxalate stone disease.The formation of renal stone composed of calcium oxalate is a complex process that remains poorly understood and treatment of idiopathic recurrent stone formers is quite difficult and this area has attracted lots of research workers. The main objective of this work are to study the effect of certain mono and dicarboxylic acids on calcium oxalate crystal growth in vitro, isolation and characterization of oxalate degrading bacteria, study the biochemical effect of sodium glycollate and dicarboxylic acids on oxalate metabolism in experimental stone forming rats and To investigate the effect of dicarboxylic acids on oxalate metabolism in experimental hyperoxaluric rats. Oxalic acid is one of the most highly oxidized organic compound widely distributed in the diets of man and animals, and ingestion of plants that contain high concentration of oxalate may lead to intoxication. Excessive ingestion of dietary oxalate may lead to hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate stone disease.The formation of calcium oxalate stone in the urine is dependent on the saturation level of both calcium and oxalate. Thus the management of one or both of these ions in individuals susceptible to urolithiasis appears to be important. The control of endogenous oxalate synthesis from its precursors in hyperoxaluric situation is likely to yield beneficial results and can be a useful approach in the medical management of urinary stones. A variety of compounds have been investigated to curtain endogenous oxalate synthesis which is a crucial factor, most of these compounds have not proved to be effective in the in vivo situation and some of them are not free from the toxic effect. The non-operative management of stone disease has been practiced in ancient India in the three famous indigenous systems of medicine, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha, and proved to be effective.However the efficiency of most of these substances is still questionable and demands further study. Man as well as other mammals cannot metabolize oxalic acid. Excessive ingestion of oxalic acid can arise from oxalate rich food and from its major metabolic precursors, glycollate, glyoxylate and ascorbic acid can lead to an acute oxalate toxicity. Increasedlevels of circulating oxalate, which can result in a variety of diseases including renal failure and oxalate lithiasis. The ability to enzymatically degrade oxalate to less noxious Isubstances, formate and CO2, could benefit a great number of individuals including those afflicted with hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate stone disease.

Antibody Based Diagnostic for Detection Of Vibrios and their Biological Control using Antagonistic Bacteria in Macrobrachium Rosenbergii Larval Rearing Systems

The main objective of the work undertaken here was to develop an appropriate microbial technology to protect the larvae of M.rosenbergii in hatchery from vibriosis. This technology precisely is consisted of a rapid detection system of vibrios and effective antagonistic probiotics for the management of vibrios. The present work was undertaken with the realizations that to stabilize the production process of commercial hatcheries an appropriate, comprehensive and fool proof technology is required primarily for the rapid detection of Vibrio and subsequently for its management. Nine species of Vibrio have been found to be associated with larvae of M. rosenbergii in hatchery. Haemolytic assay of the Vibrio and Aeromonas on prawn blood agar showed that all isolates of V. alginolyticus and Aeromonas sp., from moribund, necrotized larve were haemolytic and the isolates of V.cholerae, V.splendidus II, V.proteolyticus and V.fluvialis from the larvae obtained from apparently healthy larval rearing systems were non-haemolytic. Hydrolytic enzymes such as lipase, chitinase and gelatinase were widespread amongst the Vibrio and Aeromonas isolates. Dominance of V.alginolyticus among the isolates from necrotic larvae and the failure in isolating them from rearing water strongly suggest that they infect larvae and multiply in the larval body and cause mortality in the hatchery. The observation suggested that the isolate V. alginolyticus was a pathogen to the larvae of M.rosenbergii. To sum up, through this work, nine species of Vibrio and genus Aeromonas associated with M.rosenbergii larval rearing systems could be isolated and segregated based on the haemolytic activity and the antibodies (PA bs) for use in diagnosis or epidemiological studies could be produced, based on a virulent culture of V.alginolyticus. This could possibly replace the conventional biochemical tests for identification. As prophylaxis to vibriosis, four isolates of Micrococcus spp. and an isolate of Pseudomonas sp. could be obtained which could possibly be used as antagonistic probiotics in the larval rearing system of M.rosenbergii.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies on Tear and Wear Failure of Short Kevlar Fiber-Thermoplastic- Polyurethane Composite

Tear and wear properties of short kevlar fiber, thermoplastic polcurethane (TPU) composite with respect to fiber loading-and fiber onentation has been studied and the fracture surfaces were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Tear strength first decreased up to 20 phr fiber loading and then gradually increased with increasing fiber loading. Anisotropy in tear strength was evident beyond a fiber loading of 20 phr. Tear fracture surface of unfilled TPU showed sinusoidal folding characteristics of high strength matrix. At low fiber loading the tear failure was mainly due to fibermatrix failure whereas at higher fiber loading the failure occurred by fiber breakage. Abrasion loss shows a continuous rise with increasing fiber loading, the loss in the transverse orientation of fibers being higher than that in the longitudinal orientation. The abraded surface showed lone cracks and ridges parallel to the direction of abrasion indicating an abrasive wear mechanism. In the presence of fber the abrasion loss was mainly due to fiber low.

Ecological and Biochemical Studies On Cyanobacteria of Cochin Estuary and Their Application as Source of Antioxidants

The main objectives of the present investigation were to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative distribution of natural cyanobacterial population and their ecobiological properties along the Cochin estuary and their application in aquaculture systems as a nutritional supplement due to their nutrient-rich biochemical composition and antioxidant potential. This thesis presents a detailed account of the distribution of cyanobacteria in Cochin estuary, an assessment of physico-chemical parameters and the nutrients of the study site, an evaluation of the effect of physico-chemical parameters on cyanobacterial distribution and abundance, isolation, identification and culturing of cyanobacteria, the biochemical composition an productivity of cyanobacteria, and an evaluation of the potential of the selected cyanobacteria as antioxidants against ethanol induced lipid peroxidation. The pH, salinity and nutritional requirements were optimized for low-cost production of the selected cyanobacterial strains. The present study provides an insight into the distribution, abundance, diversity and ecology of cyanobacteria of Cochin estuary. From the results, it is evident that the ecological conditions of Cochin estuary support a rich cyanobacterial growth.

Biochemical Investigations on the Stability of Biological Membranes

In this project, an attempt has been made to study the stability of erythrocyte and lysosomal membranes biochemically. Erythrocytes were chosen for the study because of their ready availability and relative simplicity. Biological membranes forming closed boundaries between compartments of varying composition consist mainly of proteins and lipids. They are asymmetric, fluid structures that are thermodynamically stable and metabolically active. Normal cellular function begins with normal membrane structure and any variation in it may upset the normal functions. The degree of fluidity of a membrane depends on the chain length of its lipids and degree of unsaturation of constituent fatty acids. In response to environmental changes, many cells can regulate composition of their membranes to maintain the overall semi fluid environment necessary for many membrane associated functions. The assembly and Maintenance of membrane structures in cells is a dynamic process. The components are not only synthesized and inserted into a growing membrane but are also continuously degraded at a slower rate. This turnover process varies with each individual molecule.Lysosomes are important in the catabolic processes occurring in the cell. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes and are stable under normal conditions. In certain pathological conditions, the lysosomal membrane may rupture, releasing the hydrolytic enzymes into the cell and digestion of cell takes place as a whole. This is very dangerous. In normal life processes of multi cellular organisms, lysosomes rupture following the death of a cell and it may have some value as a built in mechanism for selfremoval of dead cells.An attempt has also been made in this project towards developing lysosome membrane stability as an index of fish spoilage during storage. Different membranes within the cell and between cells have different compositions as reflected in the ratio of protein to lipid. The difference is not surprising given the very different functions of membranes

Studies on Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Pearl Spot (Etroplussuratensis) With Special Emphasis to Biochemical and Microbiological Parameters

A modified atmosphere may be defined as a packaging or storage of a perishable product in an atmosphere other than that of air. A modified atmosphere (MA) applies to food packaged products changes continuously throughout the storage period. The pearl spot (Etroplus suratensis) is an important brackish water fish belonging to the family Cichlidae. The present work was carried out to see the effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the shelf life fresh pearl spot stored in ice to extent the shelf life. The objectives of the present study are to study the suitability of Thermoformed Trays for modified atmosphere packaging, to standardize the most suitable gas mixture for modified atmosphere packaging pearl spot based on sensory evaluation, to find out the effect of modified atmosphere packaging in comparison to air packaging, to study the biochemical, microbiological, sensory and textural characteristics during storage, to study the safety concern regarding the Clostridium botulinum during modified atmosphere packaging, to find out the most suitable chemical quality indices for modified atmosphere stored pearl spot

Biochemical studies on some Tropical Esturine Zooplankton Species

Percentages of protein, carbohydrate and lipid which form the major biochemical constituents of 10 species of zooplankton from Cochin backwaters were estimated . Protein invariably formed the major constituent in terms of dry weight. Carbohydrate content was in general very poor . Both protein and lipid were low for organisms with higher water content and did not show any reciprocal relationship . The results in general supported the view that protein may function as a metabolic reserve in zooplankton and that the availability of a constant supply of food may render large amount of lipid storage unnecessary in tropical zooplankton.

STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF OSMOREGULATION IN TWO INTERTIDAL BIVALVE MOLLUSCS

Division of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Electrophoretic, Biochemical and Morphometric studies on Three Bivalves of Cochin and Nearby Waters

Division of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Aflatoxin on Oreochromis mossambicus ( Peters )

Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Biochemical and Storage Characteristics of Myofibrillar Protein ( Surimi ) from Freshwater Major Carps

School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology