Identification of yeast strains isolated from marcha in Sikkim, a microbial starter for amylolytic fermentation

Marcha or murcha is a traditional amylolytic starter used to produce sweet-sour alcoholic drinks, commonly called jaanr in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet (China). The aim of this study was to examine the microflora of marcha collected from Sikkim in India, focusing on yeast flora and their roles. Twenty yeast strains were isolated from six samples of marcha and identified by genetic and phenotypic methods. They were first classified into four groups (Group I, II, III, and IV) based on physiological features using an API test. Phylogenetic, morphological, and physiological characterization identified the isolates as Saccharomyces bayanus (Group I); Candida glabrata (Group II); Pichia anomala (Group III); and Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Saccharomycopsis capsularis, and Pichia burtonii (Group IV). Among them, the Group I, II, and III strains produced ethanol. The isolates of Group IV had high amylolytic activity. Because all marcha samples tested contained both starch degraders and ethanol producers, it was hypothesized that all four groups of yeast (Group I, II, III, and IV) contribute to starch-based alcohol fermentation.     

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic preserved meat products of the Western Himalayas

We used culture- and molecular-biology-based methods to investigate the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the ethnic chevon (goat) meat products chartayshya, jamma and arjia of the Western Himalayas. In six chartayshya, six jamma and four arjia samples, LAB were the predominant microbial component involved in the fermentation of these samples, and the total LAB population in arjia (7.8 ± 0.1 log cfu g⁻¹; mean ± SD) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in chartayshya (6.9 ± 0.1 log cfu g⁻¹) and jamma (7.5 ± 0.1 log cfu g⁻¹). We identified 53 LAB samples by 16S rRNA and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase (pheS) genes sequencing. The LAB isolates were identified as Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus hirae, Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella cibaria. These results revealed that there is a high level of diversity of LAB in the Himalayan ethnic preserved meat products.     

Probing the photoresponse of individual Nb2O5 nanowires with global and localized laser beam irradiation

Photoresponse of isolated Nb(2)O(5) nanowires (NW) padded with platinum (Pt) at both ends were studied with global irradiation by a laser beam and localized irradiation using a focused laser beam. Global laser irradiation on individual NW in ambient and vacuum conditions revealed photocurrent contributions with different time characteristics (rapid and slowly varying components) arising from defect level excitations, thermal heating effect, surface states and NW-Pt contacts. With a spot size of < 1 μm, localized irradiation highlighted the fact that the measured photocurrent in this single NW device (with and without applied bias) depended sensitively on the photoresponse at the NW-Pt contacts. At applied bias, unidirectional photocurrent was observed and higher photocurrent was achieved with localized laser irradiation at reverse-biased NW-Pt contacts. At zero bias, the opposite polarity of photocurrents was detected when the two NW-Pt contacts were subjected to focused laser beam irradiation. A reduced Schottky barrier/width resulting from an increase in charge carriers and thermoelectric effects arising from the localized thermal heating due to focused laser beam irradiation were proposed as the mechanisms dictating the photocurrent at the NW-Pt interface. Comparison of photocurrents generated upon global and localized laser irradiation showed that the main contribution to the photocurrent was largely due to the photoresponse of the NW-Pt contacts.     

Interfacial phenomena and microstructural connectivity in explosively fabricated Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

Measurements of supercurrent transport and current density in explosively fabricated superconducting prototypes have been erratic, with current densities measured to be in excess of 10³ A/cm². This erratic behavior appears to be related to the degree of consolidation achieved for Y-Ba-Cu-O powders and, more specifically, to the connectivity or interfacial structure at individual, contacting, superconducting particles. We have used SEM and TEM to characterize and illustrate some of these features in preliminary superconducting prototypes composed of Y-Ba-Cu-O powder channels consolidated and encapsulated in copper and aluminum matrices by explosively generated shock waves. Observations of grain boundaries and interface phase regions cast some light on the prospects for producing good connectivity through optimizing the consolidation process and process parameters as well as the elimination of surface reactions on particles prior to consolidation, or thermal effects during consolidation.     

Thermoplastic elastomer gels: an advanced substrate for microfluidic chemical analysis systems

We demonstrate the use of thermoplastic elastomer gels as advanced substrates for construction of complex microfluidic networks suitable for use in miniaturized chemical analysis systems. These gels are synthesized by combining inexpensive polystyrene-(polyethylene/polybutylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymers with a hydrocarbon extender oil for which the ethylene/butylene midblocks are selectively miscible. The insoluble styrene end blocks phase separate into localized nanodomains, resulting in the formation of an optically transparent, viscoelastic, and biocompatible gel network that is melt-processable at temperatures in the vicinity of 100 degrees C. This unique combination of properties allows microfluidic channels to be fabricated in a matter of minutes by simply making impressions of the negative relief structures on heated master molds. Melt processability allows multiple impressions to be made against different masters to construct complex geometries incorporating multi-height features within the same microchannel. Intricate interconnected multilayered structures are also easily fabricated owing to the ability to bond and seal multiple layers by briefly heating the material at the bond interface. Thermal and mechanical properties are tunable over a wide range through proper selection of gel composition.     

Removal of Salmonella Enteritidis from commercial unpasteurized liquid egg white using pilot scale cross flow tangential microfiltration

Effectiveness of a cross flow microfiltration (MF) process for removal of a cocktail of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis species from commercial unpasteurized liquid egg white (LEW) from a local egg breaking plant, while maintaining its functional properties was evaluated. To facilitate MF, LEW was wedge screened, homogenized and then diluted (1:2 w/w) with distilled water containing 0.5% sodium chloride. Diluted unpasteurized LEW was inoculated with five strains of S. Enteritidis (ATCC 4931, ATCC BAA-708, ATCC 49215, ATCC 49218, and ATCC BAA-1045) to a level of approximately 10⁷ CFU/mL of LEW and microfiltered using a ceramic membrane. Process parameters influencing egg white functional properties and pathogen removal efficiency were evaluated. Average permeates flux increased by almost 126% when pH of LEW was adjusted from pH 8 to pH 7 at 25 °C. Microbial removal efficiency was at least, on average, 6.8 Log₁₀ CFU/mL (limit of detection ≤ 0.5 Log₁₀ CFU/mL). Functional property analysis indicated that the MF process did not alter the foaming power of LEW.     

Study of saw-tooth chip in machining of Inconel 718 by metallographic technique

The present research work aims to understand the chip formation mechanisms in Inconel 718 machining through metallographic technique. The influence of machining speed on shear band and chip shape have been analyzed. Characterization of the shear band has been conducted by analyzing the shear band thickness, strain, strain rate, stress and micro-hardness. Additionally, chip reduction coefficient parameters and chip segmentation ratio parameters have been analyzed to understand the type of chip formation at various machining speeds. The observations and analysis of the same indicated that the formation of the saw-tooth chip is due to high-strain localization within the chip and crack initiation at the free surface of the chip. Thinner shear bands are observed at higher machining speed (120 m/min), and thicker shear bands are observed at lower machining speed (40 m/min). The magnitude of chip segmentation parameters indicates that crack generation increases with increase in machining speed.     

Phenotypic and genotypic identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic fermented bamboo tender shoots of North East India

Mesu, soidon, soibum and soijim are ethnic fermented bamboo tender shoot products prepared by the people in North East India. Microbiological analysis of mesu, soidon, soibum and soijim showed the population dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) ranging up to 10(8) cfu g(-1). The phenotypic characterisation of predominant LAB isolated from the fermented bamboo shoot products was based on general morphology, physiological tests, API and Biolog systems. The genotypic characterisation of LAB was based on RAPD-PCR, rep PCR, species-specific PCR techniques, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridisation. Predominant functional LAB strains associated with the fermented bamboo shoot products were identified as Lactobacillus brevis, Lb. plantarum, Lb. curvatus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, Leuc. fallax, Leuc. lactis, Leuc. citreum and Enterococcus durans.