A chromium and tannic acid resistance fungal strain was isolated from tannery effluent, and identified as Aspergillus niveus MCC 1318 based on its rDNA gene sequence. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the isolate against chromium and tannic acid was found to be 200 ppm and 5% respectively. Optimization of physiochemical parameters for biosorption of chromium and tannic acid degradation was carried out by Plackett–Burman design followed by response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum chromium removal and tannic acid degradation was found to be 92 and 68% respectively by A. niveus. Chromium removal and tannic acid degradation was increased up to 11 and 6% respectively after optimization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate biosorption phenomena.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A) is a candidate gene for milk fat in livestock. The present study was carried out to investigate polymorphism in PPARGC1A and study its potential association. Methods: Two hundred forty animals from Murrah and Bhadawari Indian buffalo breeds and Egyptian buffaloes were selected. The statistical analysis used was Tukey’s honest significance test to investigate the association of different genotypes. The PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism) assays and sequencing technologies were used to confirm the SNPs. Results: Three Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP1- g.993A greater than T, SNP2- g.1237T greater than A and SNP3-g.1238G greater than C) and one insertion (g.1240_ greater than G bp) were identified in this gene. Due to nucleotide mutations, four non-synonymous mutations were observed in amino acid sequences of buffalo breeds. Significant differences in protein and SNF output were discovered in Egyptian buffalo breeds. In both Murrah and Bhadawari buffaloes, fat, protein and SNF yield were substantially correlated with detected genotypes while there was non-significant association of protein and SNF percent in buffalo breeds. The information provided will be valuable in studying the involvement of PPARGC1A in regulating fat synthesis and enhancing milk quality in buffaloes.

The management of agricultural waste material or lignocellulosic biomass is a big task for scientists as well as farmers. There are many options for managing agricultural waste through ex-situ and in-situ technology, but the rate of degradation of crop residues is very slow during either of the processes. Utilization of the lignocellulolytic fungi can help to enhance the rate of degradation of crop residues. This study investigates the optimization of urea concentration for lignocellulolytic enzyme production using modified Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) media. The four lignocellulolytic fungal strains (Aspergillus niger GKH2, Aspergillus flavus GHR4, Aspergillus terreus GD2, and Trichoderma harzianum JLB) were used for the optimization of varying urea concentrations to enhance enzyme production. The effect of different concentrations of urea on various enzyme productions was checked. Results revealed that supplementation of media with 2% urea concentration was found to be best for the enzyme production by all fungi. The study was conducted in view of the wide C: N ratio of rice straw, which restricts fungal growth due to the immobilization of nitrogen source. When nitrogen source is applied appropriately in the form of urea, it can balance the C: N ratio, encourage fungal growth, and facilitate ex-situ and in-situ degradation of paddy straw. The results demonstrate that 2% urea concentration significantly enhances enzyme activity, suggesting a cost-effective strategy for boosting fungal lignocellulose-degrading capabilities, which could contribute to sustainable agricultural residue management and soil health.