The present study was carried out to optimize the production of pullulanase from Klebsilla aerogenes NCIM 2239, a new strain of the bacterium. The organism was screened for its ability to synthesize and secrete extracellular pullulanase, by analysis of pullulan degrading activity. Environmental (pH and temperature) and nutritional (carbon and nitrogen) factors influencing growth and product formation were optimized through fermentation trials in shake flasks. Maximum pullulanase production (78.62 U/ml) was observed at 48 h. Optimized pH and temperature were 7.0 and 37°C, respectively. Different carbon sources (pullulan, starch, sucrose, maltose and glucose) and nitrogen sources (peptone, beef extract, yeast extract and casein) were analysed for maximum production of pullulanase. This bacterium was found to exhibit maximum pullulanase production using starch and peptone as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. In addition, pullulanase production by solid substrate fermentation (SSF) was investigated using K. aerogenes NCIM 2239. The extracellular pullulanase was purified by ultrafiltration method of membrane separation. The pullulanase activity after ultrafiltration was 130.21 U/ml when compared with its crude (83.08 U/ml).

No abstract

Objective: This present study is design to assess the efficacy and frequency of side effects with a newer anti-epileptic agent levertiracetum while comparing an older anti-epileptic, Sodium Valproate, in the patients with generalized tonic colonic epilepsy. Material & Methods: Patients with GTC epilepsy had been allocated in two groups, A and B, Group A was given Sodium valproate while group B was given levertiracetum. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: December, 2017 to December, 2018. Results: Seventy five subjects were taking levertiracetum from three months out of which 56(74.7%)were seizures free, 15(20%) were seizure free on higher dose,6(8%) were with dizziness ,vertigo and 9(12%) were with somnolence. Fifty-four individuals were seizures free with normal dose of sodium valproate from last 3 months, and 16(21%) were seizures free on higher doses among which 53(70%) were with side effects of weight gain and 69(92%) were with hand tremors and this was the most prominent side effects among individuals who were taking sodium valproate. Conclusion: Generalized tonic colonic epilepsy is one of the most common forms of epilepsy and with the advent of newer anti-epileptic drugs like levertiracetum, such seizures can be controlled in with lesser side effects as compared to older antiepileptic agent Sodium Valproate.