Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

Department of Biotechnology

This research aims to discover the right physiological age of fertilized egg for tetraploid induction and the parameters of heat shock treatment in Heteropnestus fossilis. The heat shock parameters are shock temperature (39°C, 40°C, and 41°C); time at which the shock is initiated (23 to 28 min after fertilization) and for a duration of 1, 2 and 3 min. The confirmations of tetraploid were based on chromosome counting. The result indicates that the window time to start the heat shock treatment for maximum tetraploid induction is 25 to 27 min after fertilization at an ambient water temperature of 27°C. Shock treatment at 40°C and for 2-min duration, stated at 27 min after fertilization has shown highest tetraploid induction, i.e. 28% (p &lt;.05) with 76% survival. Tetraploids form the main source for the induction of higher ploidy levels. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor &amp; Francis.

Department of Bio-Medical Sciences

School of Bio Sciences and Technology

Vellore Campus

World University root node

Journal of Applied Aquaculture

The effect of heat shock and timing on the induction of tetraploidy in Catfish, Heteropnestus fossilis

β-Glucan-binding protein (βGBP) is important for the rational expansion of molecular biology. Here, zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONP) was synthesized using βGBP from the crab Scylla serrata (Ss-βGBP-ZnONP). Ss-βGBP-ZnONP was observed as a 100 kDa band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel and characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy at 350 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis displayed values consistent with those for zincite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional groups, including amide, alcohol, alkane, alkyl halide, and alkene groups. The zeta potential (-5.36 mV) of these particles indicated their stability, and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of 50 nm nanocones. Ss-βGBP-ZnONPs were tested at 100 μg/mL against the gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and gram-negative Pseudomanas aeruginosa using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the bacterial viability assay was also performed. The growth of MCF7 breast cancer cells was inhibited following treatment with 75 μg/mL Ss-βGBP-ZnONPs. Thus, Ss-βGBP-ZnONPs have the ability to control the growth of pathogenic bacteria and inhibit the viability of MCF7 breast cancer cell lines.

Language

School of Social Science and Languages

Chennai Campus

Microbial Pathogenesis

Antibiofilm and anticancer potential of β-glucan-binding protein-encrusted zinc oxide nanoparticles

Targeting anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is one of the important treatment strategies for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present perspective, multidimensional approaches were used for the identification of ALK inhibitors. Initially, an e-pharmacophore model was generated using the PHASE algorithm and was used as a 3D query to screen 468,200 molecules of ASINEX database. Prior to the screening process, the model was evaluated for its significance and the ability to differentiate actives from inactives, using enrichment analysis. Subsequently, the hierarchical docking protocol and binding free energy calculations were instigated using GLIDE algorithm and Prime module, respectively. Further, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) properties and toxicities of the hit compounds were envisaged respectively using QikProp program, Osiris explorer, and Protox-II algorithm. These approaches retrieved two hits namely BAS 00137817 and BAS 00680055 with acceptable absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties and higher affinity towards ALK protein. Additionally, density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to validate the inhibitory activity of the lead compounds. It is noteworthy to mention that all the hits constitute of particular scaffolds which play a major role in the downregulation of some ALK-positive lung cancer pathways. We speculate that the outcomes of this research are of substantial prominence in the rational designing of novel and efficacious ALK inhibitors.

VIT Unitversity

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Density Functional Theory and Molecular Simulation Studies for Prioritizing Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitors

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Snakebite is a severe problem in many parts of the world, specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. A range of medicinal plant extracts are administered for treating snake bite. Of the many common plants, extracts of Citrus species have been documented to be used for treating snake bite and have been shown to decrease the snake venom toxicity. Aim: The aim of the current work is to evaluate the utility of citrus peel extracts (Citrus aurantium L. and Citrus reticulate Blanco) in the management of Indian cobra envenomation. Materials and methods: Peels of citrus species were evaluated for their phospholipase A2, protease and haemolytic inhibition properties. The phytochemicals present in the extract were inferred using GC-MS. In-vivo studies, using mice model, were done to confirm the inhibitory effect of the extracts. Molecular docking was used to understand the possible binding modes of selected phytochemicals to snake venom phospholipase. Results: Citrus peel extracts are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins. The methanolic extract of Citrus aurantium L. and Citrus reticulate Blanco inhibits phospholipase (75%), protease (71%) and hemolysis (80%) activity of the venom. GC-MS analyses indicate the presence of β-sitosterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, and flavone in both the extracts. In addition, C. reticulate extract contains α-tocopherol and squalene. Molecular docking revealed that α-tocopherol, spiro [androst-5-ene-17,1′-cyclobutan]-2′-one,3-hydroxy-(3β,17β)- and β-sitosterol acetate bind with moderate affinity to the catalytic site of phospholipase A2. Conclusion: The present study provides new molecular insight and scientific evidence on the utility of the methanolic extracts of citrus peels to neutralize the venom toxins of Naja naja. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Metabolites from the citrus extracts inhibit the activity of selected proteins in Indian Cobra (Naja naja) venom

Lactose or milk sugar is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, and is the primary carbohydrate found in mammalian milk. Lactose must be hydrolyzed into the simple sugars (galactose and glucose) to be absorbed by the small intestine. Lactase is an enzyme produced in the mucosa of the intestine that catalyzes the breakdown of lactose. Lactose intolerant children show low levels of lactase activity, and as a result, undigested lactose moves into the distal bowel. Here, symptoms such as bloating, cramps, diarrhea, flatulence and the production of gases occur in children (and lactose intolerant individuals’ in general) as the undigested lactose is fermented by bacteria. One of the health consequences of lactose intolerance (LI) in children is a reduction in calcium intake due to their avoidance of mammalian milk. Because of the problems associated with LI, many lactose-free food products are manufactured by the food industry. This chapter discusses LI in children, key symptoms of LI, methods to diagnose lactase insufficiency, lactase supplements, lactose-free food products and their health benefits and risks, and finally, the world market for these products and regulations and guidelines for industrial manufacturers.

Food Science, Technology and Nutrition for Babies and Children

Lactose-Free Food Products for Lactose Intolerant Children

The positive impacts of prebiotics and probiotics on the gastrointestinal (GI) health of human adults have been known for many years. However, their effects on newborns and infants have not yet been analyzed in detail. Many processed baby foods are now enriched with probiotics, a live microbial food supplement that benefits the host by improving the microbial balance of the intestine. A more recent development has been the inclusion of prebiotics which has been observed to effectively promote the growth of specific gut microflora such as Bifidobacterium. However, a major issue encountered has been the survival of the organisms contained in the supplements both before ingestion, and afterwards on their way to the target organ, the gut. Synbiotics have been seen as a potential solution to this problem. Several studies have shown that probiotics and prebiotics can help to prevent infections in the GI tract of infants and also strengthen their immune system. This could make a huge difference to infants who have been bottle-fed and thus not provided with the probiotics they would normally have received from breast milk. This chapter describes the effects of pre- and probiotic supplements in detail, as well as their mechanisms of action, and also attempts to analyze their possible health benefits to infants.

Prebiotics and Probiotics in the Formulation of Infant Foods.

Proper nutrition during infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the development of a healthy adult. Given the high nutrient demands of children, they are easily one of the population groups most susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies. Early weaning is one of the leading causes of child malnutrition and ultimately increases the risk of infant morbidity and mortality. After the first six months postpartum, breast milk becomes inadequate for the optimal growth and development of babies, and cereal-based foods are often introduced to increase nutrient intake and energy levels. Until children reach 3–5&nbsp;years old their digestive systems are not yet fully developed and the food that is provided should thus contain all the nutrients necessary for a healthy development. Cereal-based foods are by far the major source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals for infants from 6 to nearly 36&nbsp;months old. This chapter deals principally with infant vitality and the importance of cereal foods for infant nutrition, the various types of cereal foods, the nutrients they contain, commercial infant cereals and cereal-based complementary foods for babies. Towards the end of the chapter, potential allergies and food safety parameters for these cereal foods are also discussed.

Baby Foods Based on Cereals

Eleusine coracana (Finger millet) has high nutritional value with numerous health benefits and is of low cost. Isolation of beta-glucan (βG) from E. coracana (Ec-βG) has gained increasing research attention. UV-vis spectroscopy used to measure the surface plasmon resonance at 361 nm to confirm the presence of polysaccharides (glucan molecules) in Ec-βG. X-ray diffraction analysis of Ec-βG displayed a crystalline nature and confirmed the presence of the βG molecule. Further, the bioactive compounds of Ec-βG were screened using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of Ec-βG against both Gram-positive (Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Proteus vulgaris, Shigella sonnei) bacteria were assessed through minimum inhibitory concentrations

Isolation of β-glucan from Eleusine coracana and its antibiofilm, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and biocompatible activities

The aim of this study was to obtain high-yielding cell cultures of Rubia cordifolia by applying gamma irradiation and subsequently scaling up for anthraquinone production in a bioreactor. Calli cultured on MS medium was irradiated at variable doses between 2 Gy and 30 Gy. The callus cultures that were irradiated at 8 Gy accumulated a maximum alizarin level of 26.86 mg g-1 DW and a purpurin level of 44.85 mg g-1 DW during the M1T4 (fourth sub-cultures after gamma irradiation treatment) subculture, which was 6-fold and 11-fold higher than those of the nonirradiated callus cultures, respectively. Suspension cultures that originated from high-yielding callus cultures irradiated at 8 Gy were scaled up in an 8-L stirred bioreactor equipped with different impellers. The callus cultures in a bioreactor using a helical ribbon for homogenous mixing synthesized 63.58 % more anthraquinones than those in the bioreactor equipped with a Rushton disc turbine. This is the first report on the production of alizarin and purpurin in a bioreactor.