A 36-kDa phospholipid transfer protein (PLT-P(R)), which preferentially transfers phosphatidyl choline (PC) compared to phosphatidyl inositol (PI), was purified 827-fold from rabbit lung homogenate. Incorporation of cholesterol in unilamellar vesicles reduced the PC transfer activity of PLTP(R). Dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline uptake by alveolar type II cells was increased in the presence of the protein, and further enhanced in the presence of surfactant liposomes. However, a decrease in uptake was noted with cholesterol in host membranes. Incorporation of PI into host membranes had a low stimulatory effect on the process. All these effects were more pronounced in adult type II cells compared to premature, term and 3-day-old pups.

Abstract. The illegal use of formalin for quality control purposes is a widespread practice in today's fish industry. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the quality characteristics of formalin treated (5% formalin for 30 min) mrigel carp, Cirrhinus mrigala, Hamilton, stored on ice. The formalin detected was 12.19 ± 0.814 μg g -1 for freshly treated samples and 8.10 ± 0.068 μg g -1 for treated samples stored on ice. In the control fish, the formalin concentration was almost negligible. The assessment of the organoleptic characteristics of the treated fish revealed that the gills had blackened, the eyes had become whitish and opaque, the muscles had lost tenderness, and the fish had stiffened. The quality assessment score of the control batch was significantly higher than that of the treated batch. The microbes in the fish were still lower than the amount specified for fish spoilage. Lipid hydrolysis in the treated fish was much higher than that of control, especially when storage time increased. High levels of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble protein in the treated fish, as compared to that of the control fish, were observed throughout the storage period. Considering the low organoleptic status and poor nutritional quality, formalin treatment in the fish industry is not recommended even though the formalin content and the microbiological counts were still below permissible limits.

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The purpose of this research was to assess native Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for antimicrobial activities in relation to fish preservation. LAB were isolated from intestine of Oreochromis sp. Listeria monocytogenes, being a big microbial hazard of fresh as well as preserved fish food, was chosen against LAB antimicrobials. In the present study sixteen LAB like isolates from fish intestine were judged for their anti-listeria activities by agar well diffusion assay. Thirteen of them were antagonized Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 657) by creating inhibition zone in nutrient agar plate. Antagonistic activities with inhibitory zones but not with growth circles clearly marked that inhibition was due to antimicrobials but not for competitive exclusion. LAB like bacteria in different forms like live cells, cell-free supernatant, alkaline cell-free supernatant and heated cell-free supernatant conferred antibacterial activities. No acid and hydrogen peroxide inhibition was reported. Except few, most of the alkaline and catalase treated culture supernatant when being heated to 90ºC exhibited strong antagonism against the pathogenic strain. Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes to LAB antimicrobials seemed to be caused by both thermostable and thermolabile compounds and could be practiced in fisheries industry for food hygiene and also as biopreservatives.