Electronic Olfaction for Biotech Applications: Principal Investigaror: Dr. V. Krishna Murthy. The Objective of the Project: Applications for E-Nose in the field of Biotechnology and develop working framework/methodology for soil fertility testing; monitoring of cheese ripening; quality estimation of spice (cardamom) and waste water quality estimation.
Microbial Mediated Tolerance assays for selected Xenobiotic Elements of Environmental Biotechnological importance: Principal Investigator-Dr. Seema Tharannum – ,UGC minor research project of amount Rs.1,50,000/- with ref no. MRP(S)-705/10-11/ KABA037/UGC_SWRO. ( 2011-2013)
Isolation and characterization of chromium tolerant bacteria in industrial effluents with special reference to utilize them as bioremedial agents: The project dealt with enrichment and isolation of the microbial system possessing degradation abilityf from the effluent samples of electroplating industries. This followed Biochemical investigations with reference to chromium and establishing a system of Bioremediation, specific to Chromium bioremediation testable laboratory scale. The study showed maximum tolerable
concentration for the newlymicroorganism detected ranged between 1750 – 30500 mg/L of chromium . The Study conclusively demonstrated that bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amuloliquefaciens and Micrococcus luteus in an immobilized consortia would be a novel combination biomaterial for removal of chromium VI from electroplating industrial effluent.
Evaluation of efficiency of bacterial species as bioremediating agents for endosulfan as a representative pesticide: Principal investigator: Dr. Sarah Sunitha; UGC minor research project of amount Rs.1,80,000/- with ref no. MRP(S)-704/10-11/KABA037/UGC_SWRO: The three new strains of microorganisms designated as PES 3a,3b and 3c were isolated , cultured and their potential to remediate endosulfan pesticide was studied. Strain 3a and 3b showed 98% homology with 16srRNA and 3b and 3c showed 100% homology . The potential degree of Endosulfan remediation was PES 3a> 3c>3b.. Endosulfan was found to be slow degraded when compared to other isomers of endosulfan sulfate. The strains showed degradative activity in concentrations as high as 200mg/L of endosulfan.
Development of Ecofriendly treatment of biomedical waste using epigeic earthworms. Principal Investigator: Dr. M S Dinesh; Co Investigator Dr. V Krishna Murthy – for an Indian Society for Hospital Waste Management, New Delhi . Budget Rs. 65,000/: In the present study, the biodegradable part of infectious bio-medical waste collected from a local hospital and was subjected to vermicomposting using epigeic earthworm species – Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus. The tank efficiencies were: Monoculture tank of Eisenia fetida > Polyculture tank >Monoculture tank of Eudrilus
eugeniae> Monoculture tank of Perionyx excavatus.