In the current study, probiotic yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae AKP1 was assessed for its potential as a starter culture in multi-grain (rice, pulses, and soybean, 3:1:1) substrates fermentation. The impact of fermentation of multi-grain-based food on proximate composition, antinutrients, and antioxidants was evaluated. Fermented product showed significant increments (P <.05) in protein (13.6%) and fiber (1.8%) content. Moreover, the rapidly digestible starch (27.5%) and resistant starch (15.0%) levels were found to increase significantly (P <.05) while the slowly digestible starch level decreased (87.7%) in the fermented food sample. After 4 days of fermentation, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents increased by 83.0% and 69.8%, respectively, with a greater antioxidant potential of 85.9%. The fermented food sample showed a significant reduction in the phytate (64.5%) and trypsin inhibitor activity (19.9%) (P <.05) with a substantial increase in phytase level (P <.05). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy clearly revealed the alteration of physico-chemical properties during fermentation with S. cerevisiae AKP1. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis detected the presence of 38 volatile compounds in the fermented food material with the prevalence of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, linoleic acid, among others; alcohols such as isoamyl alcohol, 2,3-butanediol, among others; and esters such as ethyl-2-methylbutanoate. Thus, probiotic yeast S. cerevisiae AKP1 could improve the dietary and functional characteristics of multi-grain substrates and could be regarded as a potential starter for multi-grain substrates fermentation.

Emergence of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium vivax is a serious obstacle towards malaria control in India. This study elucidates the temporal pattern of antifolate [sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP)] resistance in P. vivax infection by means of genetic polymorphisms, especially analysing the single nucleotide polymorphisms of dihydrofolate reductase (pvdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (pvdhps) gene among the field isolates of urban Kolkata Municipal Corporation and rural Purulia region of West Bengal, India. Blood samples were collected from 99 microscopically diagnosed P. vivax patients (52 from Kolkata Municipal Corporation and 47 from Purulia). Parasitic DNA was extracted followed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of different codons of pvdhfr gene (15, 33, 50, 57, 58, 61, 64, 117, and 173 codons) and pvdhps gene (373, 380, 382, 383, 384, 512, 553, 585, and 601 codons) were performed to identify the mutations. Prevalence of double mutant dhfr A15P33N50F57 R 58 T61V64 N 117 I173 allele (53.85 %) was observed in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) whereas in Purulia, wild dhfr A15P33N50F57S58T61V64S117I173 allele was predominated (48.94 %). In pvdhps gene a significant number of isolates (17.31 %) in KMC contained the double mutant S373E380S382 G 383 P384K512 G 553 V585M601 allele. pvdhfr and pvdhps combination haplotype revealed the emergence of quadruple (13.46 %) and quintuple (3.84 %) mutant allele in KMC, which might result in poor clinical response against antifolate drugs. The study reveals that P. vivax parasites in rural Purulia may still be susceptible to SP but additional caution should be taken for treatment of vivax malaria in KMC to limit the blooming of quadruple and quintuple mutant allele in the remainder of the West Bengal, India.

The discovery of several fungal strains as probiotics is expanding a new era in the probiotic family. Because of their unique cellular architecture and better survivability in the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract, fungi are significant probiotic candidates. As the exact mechanism of action, efficacy, and dosage level are not fully understood, the implementation of new fungal strains in a therapeutic approach is not completely validated. Among the fungal strains isolated as probiotic candidates, Saccharomyces boulardii var. cerevisiae is the most promising commercialized probiotic yeast: it exerts several health beneficial effects in both normal and adverse physiological states of the host body. Researchers around the world have tried to evaluate the efficacy of newly isolated probiotic fungi for better bioavailability as well as safety issues. This chapter mainly focuses on newly isolated probiotic fungal stains, their mechanism of action, their health benefits, and also their efficacy in the treatment of various diarrheal, skin, and vaginal complications. Some future prospects regarding safety issues and better industrial application are also covered in this chapter.