Penicillium simplicissimum was isolated from a local dumpsite of Shivamogga district for use in the biodegradation of polyethylene. Degradation was carried out using autoclaved, UV-treated and surface-sterilized polyethylene. Degradation was monitored by observing weight loss and changes in physical structure by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. P. simplicissimum was able to degrade treated polyethylene (38 %) more efficiently than autoclaved (16 %) and surface-sterilized polyethylene (7.7 %). Enzymes responsible for polyethylene degradation were screened from P. simplicissimum. Enzymes were identified as laccase and manganese peroxidase. These enzymes were produced in large amount, enzyme activity was calculated using spectrophotometric method, and crude extraction of enzymes was carried out. Molecular weight of laccase was determined as 66 kDa and that of manganese peroxidase was 60 kDa. Capacity of crude enzymes to degrade polyethylene was also determined. By observing these results, we can conclude that P. simplicissimum may act as solution for the problem caused by polyethylene in nature.

Trichoderma harzianum was isolated from local dumpsites of Shivamogga District for use in the biodegradation of polyethylene. Soil sample of that dumpsite was used for isolation of T. harzianum. Degradation was carried out using autoclaved, UV-treated, and surface-sterilized polyethylene. Degradation was monitored by observing weight loss and changes in physical structure by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. T. harzianum was able to degrade treated polyethylene (40%) more efficiently than autoclaved (23%) and surface-sterilized polyethylene (13%). Enzymes responsible for polyethylene degradation were screened from T. harzianum and were identified as laccase and manganese peroxidase. These enzymes were produced in large amount, and their activity was calculated using spectrophotometric method and crude extraction of enzymes was carried out. Molecular weight of laccase was determined as 88 kDa and that of manganese peroxidase was 55 kDa. The capacity of crude enzymes to degrade polyethylene was also determined. By observing these results, we can conclude that this organism may act as solution for the problem caused by polyethylene in nature.

The present study focused on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from an endophytic fungus isolated from the medicinal plant Abrus precatorius. The endophytic fungus was identi ed as Phyllosticta owaniana KUMBMDBT-32 (NCBI Accession number MW007919). The fungus was cultured in submerged fermentation and extracted with ethyl acetate (1:1 V/V). The extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis which have revealed the presence of 42 bioactive compounds of secondary metabolites. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by Bio-spectrophotometer, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD and DLS. The absorption spectra in the Bio-spectrophotometer analysis showed a peak at 400 nm, con rmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR study revealed peaks corresponding to various functional groups possibly involved, con rming the reducing and capping of silver nanoparticles. The spherical form of silver nanoparticles was revealed through SEM-EDAX studies, the EDAX study showed that silver atoms are present at 3keV. XRD studies revealed the crystalline structure of the silver nanoparticles. DLS study determined size of synthesized silver nanoparticles i.e., 65.81 nm. Antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against pathogenic bacteria. S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and K. pneumoniae. Antibiotic enhancing activity of silver nanoparticles was determined by using commercial antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Cefpodoxime, Gentamicin, Ampicillin, and Imipenem. Antifungal activity silver nanoparticles was determined against fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus brassiliensis, and Aspergillus avus. Synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited effective antioxidant, measurement of cell viability by MTT assay and in-vitro and in-vivo anti-in ammatory activities. These results certainly determines pharmaceutical and biomedical importance of silver nanoparticles.

The present study focused on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from an endophytic fungus isolated from the medicinal plant Abrus precatorius. The endophytic fungus was identified as Phyllosticta owaniana KUMBMDBT-32 (NCBI Accession number MW007919). The fungus was cultured in submerged fermentation and extracted with ethyl acetate (1:1 V/V). The extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis which have revealed the presence of 42 bioactive compounds of secondary metabolites. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by Bio-spectrophotometer, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD and DLS. The absorption spectra in the Bio-spectrophotometer analysis showed a peak at 400 nm, confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR study revealed peaks corresponding to various functional groups possibly involved, confirming the reducing and capping of silver nanoparticles. The spherical form of silver nanoparticles was revealed through SEM-EDAX studies, the EDAX study showed that silver atoms are present at 3keV. XRD studies revealed the crystalline structure of the silver nanoparticles. DLS study determined size of synthesized silver nanoparticles i.e., 65.81 nm. Antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against pathogenic bacteria. S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and K. pneumoniae. Antibiotic enhancing activity of silver nanoparticles was determined by using commercial antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Cefpodoxime, Gentamicin, Ampicillin, and Imipenem. Antifungal activity silver nanoparticles was determined against fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus brassiliensis, and Aspergillus flavus. Synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited effective antioxidant, measurement of cell viability by MTT assay and in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activities. These results certainly determines pharmaceutical and biomedical importance of silver nanoparticles.