Basil George
@cmscollege.ac.in
Assistant Professor, Botany
CMS college kottayam
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Syama Prabha, Aravind K. Vijay, Anjali Devarajan, and Basil George
Elsevier BV
Syama Prabha, Aravind K. Vijay, Rony Rajan Paul, and Basil George
Elsevier BV
Cyanobacteria are well known for their plethora of applications in the fields of food industry, pHarmaceuticals and bioenergy. Their simple growth requirements, remarkable growth rate and the ability to produce a wide range of bio-active compounds enable them to act as an efficient biorefinery for the production of valuable metabolites. Most of the cyanobacteria based biorefineries are targeting single products and thus fails to meet the efficient valorization of biomass. On the other hand, multiple products recovering cyanobacterial biorefineries can efficiently valorize the biomass with minimum to zero waste generation. But there are plenty of bottlenecks and challenges allied with cyanobacterial biorefineries. Most of them are being associated with the production processes and downstream strategies, which are difficult to manage economically. There is a need to propose new solutions to eliminate these tailbacks so on to elevate the cyanobacterial biorefinery to be an economically feasible, minimum waste generating multiproduct biorefinery. Cost-effective approaches implemented from production to downstream processing without affecting the quality of products will be beneficial for attaining economic viability. The integrated approaches in cultivation systems as well as downstream processing, by simplifying individual processes to unit operation systems can obviously increase the economic feasibility to a certain extent. Low cost approaches for biomass production, multiparameter optimization and successive sequential retrieval of multiple value-added products according to their high to low market value from a biorefinery is possible. The nanotechnological approaches in cyanobacterial biorefineries make it one step closer to the goal. The current review gives an overview of strategies used for constructing self-sustainable- economically feasible- minimum waste generating; multiple products based cyanobacterial biorefineries by the efficient valorization of biomass. Also the possibility of uplifting new cyanobacterial strains for biorefineries is discussed.
Aravind K. Vijay, Said Ali M. Salim, Syama Prabha, and Basil George
Elsevier BV
Aravind K Vijay, Syama Prabha, Jubin Thomas, Jeeva Susan Kurian, and Basil George
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Exogenous supplementation of phytohormones to promote the selective enrichment of biomolecules without hampering biomass production is regarded as a promising approach to improve the techno-economic feasibility of biofuels and other value-added products derived from microalgae. The present work outlines the influence of natural auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and two synthetic analogues, 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acetic acid (2,4-D) on the growth pattern and biochemical productivity of the green alga Ankistrodesmus falcatus CMSACR1001. A maximum biomass production of 431 mg L−1 with a concomitant increase in the protein and carbohydrate content (20.2% and 49.6% DCW respectively) was achieved under supplementation of 10 μM IAA. Biomass productivity at 1 μM concentration was found to be comparable for both IAA and NAA (32.8 mg L−1 day−1 and 32.4 mg L−1 day−1). At higher supplemented concentrations 2,4-D induced a 30–40% increase in carotenoid production and exhibited an increased lipid content of 41–47% DCW as compared with control (34.2% DCW). The current study also reports a substantial increase in the neutral lipid proportion as much as 73.9% and 79% under supplementation of NAA and 2,4-D respectively at 100 μM. The results indicate that the auxin and its analogues under the study could increase the biomass production and favourably modulate the biochemical composition of A. falcatus.
Chetan Paliwal, Tonmoy Ghosh, Basil George, Imran Pancha, Rahulkumar Maurya, Kaumeel Chokshi, Arup Ghosh, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
Abstract There are more than 600 different carotenoids which perform a range of functions in various organisms including microalgae. In the present study, chemosystematics approach was followed to segregate 57 microalgal strains based on their carotenoid composition using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. The present findings suggest that lutein and violaxanthin can be effective chemotaxonomic markers for Chlorophyta members with an average content of 1.26 mg g − 1 and 0.14 mg g − 1 dry cell weight (DCW), respectively. Similarly, myxoxanthophyll and echinenone can be used as markers for Cyanophyta members with average contents of 0.23 mg g − 1 and 0.32 mg g − 1 DCW, respectively. The total carotenoid content ranged from 0.23 to 7.2 mg g − 1 DCW. Our method combining PCA and artificial hierarchical clustering has been proposed as an alternative method for identification of carotenoids as biomarkers for classifying unknown microalgal strains based on their pigment profiles.
Meenakshi B. Paswan, Meghna M. Chudasama, Madhusree Mitra, Khushbu Bhayani, Basil George, Shruti Chatterjee, and Sandhya Mishra
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Phycocyanin is a natural brilliant blue colored, fluorescent protein, which is commonly present in cyanobacteria. In this study, C-phycocyanin was extracted and purified from Spirulina platensis, which are multicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria of greater importance because of its various biological and pharmacological potential. It was analyzed for its binding affinity towards blood cells, algal cells, genomic DNA of microalgae, and bacteria at different temperature and incubation time. It showed good binding affinity with these components even at low concentration of 2.5 μM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of C-phycocyanin as a green fluorescent dye substituting carcinogenic chemical dyes.
Subir Kumar Mandal, Vipul R. Patel, Ganesh Temkar, Basil M. George, and Mini Raman
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Discosphaera tubifer, a coccolithophore has been first time reported as a bloom-forming organism from an over-crowded fishing harbour at Veraval, west coast of India. Physiochemical and optical parameters were measured following standard protocols. Average concentration of inorganic nutrients, such as NO2–N (17.26 ± 2.92 μM), NO3–N (643.80 ± 215.99 μM), PO4–P (74.10 ± 26.52 μM) and SiO3–Si (137.66 ± 25.83 μM) were recorded as very high at Veraval port as compared to other coastal stations i.e., 1.48 ± 0.66, 49.16 ± 13.73, 10.03 ± 5.31 and 96.23 ± 22.74 μM, respectively. The pH and salinity (‰) were observed to be low (7.80 ± 0.15 and 28.00 ± 4.54 ‰) as compared to coastal seawaters (8.34 ± 0.06 and 33.24 ± 2.32 ‰). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectral signature (absorbance and reflectance) study revealed that the bloom-forming organism was D. tubifer. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) study detected that chlorophyllide-a represent nearly 47.53 % of total pigment composition followed by chlorophyll c2 (27.40 %) and chlorophyll c3 (14.25 %). Four prominent absorption peaks were observed within 350 to 700 nm. The first peak was very wide and ranged from 350 to 530 nm and the rest of the three peaks ranged from 550 to 590, 590 to 650 and 650 to 690 nm, respectively. In case of reflection, three peaks appeared between 550 and 590, 590 and 630 and 630 and 670 nm. Nearly 100 % reflection was observed after 720 nm. The eutrophic condition of the port water along with low salinity and low pH might be the reason for D. tubifer bloom formation. This species-specific spectral signature of the D. tubifer bloom may be helpful for developing algorithm of remote sensing data analysis.
Madhusree Mitra, Shailesh Kumar Patidar, Basil George, Freny Shah, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
Abstract The holy grail of the present work was to study the effects of salinity (20, 30, 35, and 40 g/L), light intensity (60 and 150 μmol photons m − 2 s − 1 ) and photoperiod (24 h:0 h, 18 h:06 h, 12 h:12 h, 06 h:18 h and 00 h:24 h light:dark) on selective nutraceutical properties of Nannochloropsis gaditana with a focus on eicosapentaenoic acid production. The maximal biomass (45.01 ± 1.01 mg L − 1 day − 1 ) and lipid productivities (14.63 ± 0.79 mg L − 1 day − 1 ) were obtained at a salinity gradient of 20 g/L, whereas the maximal eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) productivity was found at 60 μmol photons m − 2 s − 1 and a photoperiod regime of 18 h:06 h (light:dark), which yielded high EPA contents of 37.83 ± 0.37% and 32.16 ± 0.40%, respectively. Low salinity augmented both the chlorophyll-a and carotenoid contents (11.71 ± 0.40 and 4.32 ± 0.15 μg/mL, respectively) compared with high salinity. The eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5) content of the strain was in the range of 19.13 ± 0.08 to 37.83 ± 0.37%. Principal component analysis demonstrated a correlation between saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis. After significant extraction of long-chain PUFA (EPA and AA), the residual oil can be used for the production of biodiesel that complies with the European standards for biodiesel. This study investigated the nutrient profile of EPA-enriched microalgae N. gaditana , which can be used for nutraceutical production, and established that the remaining oil (excluding EPA and AA) may be a promising biodiesel feedstock due to its high SFA and MUFA contents.
Kaumeel Chokshi, Imran Pancha, Khanjan Trivedi, Basil George, Rahulkumar Maurya, Arup Ghosh, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
Lack of control over temperature is one of the major issues in large scale cultivation of microalgae. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effects of cultivation temperature on the growth and physiology of microalgae. In the present study, freshwater microalgae Acutodesmus dimorphus was grown at different temperature in continuous and two stage cultivation. Results revealed that during continuous cultivation A. dimorphus grows better at 35°C than at 25°C and 38°C. At 35°C, A. dimorphus produced 22.7% lipid (containing 59% neutral lipid) and 33.7% carbohydrate along with 68% increase in biomass productivity (23.53mg/L/day) compared to 25°C grown culture. Stress biomarkers like reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes like catalase and ascorbate peroxidase and lipid peroxidation were also lowest in 35°C grown culture which reveals that A. dimorphus is well acclimatized at 35°C.
Asil and Eorge
Applied Ecology and Environmental Research
A study on the relationship between physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton assemblage in Narmada estuarine region (21◦40’05.19”N and 72◦34’26.90”E) of the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India was carried out from July 2009June 2010. Principal Component Analysis with environmental variables like pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, silicate and chlorophyll-a reveled two factors influencing variability in the water nutrient composition up to 72% during the whole study period. Canonical Correlation Analysis between environmental variables and 31 dominant taxa of phytoplankton showed the freshwater influence on phytoplankton distribution in the estuarine zone. The maximum diversity in phytoplankton assemblage was observed during the postmonsoon (November, December, January, February) and pre-monsoon (March, April, May, June) period. The same period reported a high load of inorganic nutrients at the middle and upper reaches of the estuary due to anthropogenic influence and low freshwater flow in this zone.
Shailesh Kumar Patidar, Kaumeel Chokshi, Basil George, Sourish Bhattacharya, and Sandhya Mishra
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Industrial clusters of Gujarat, India, generate high quantity of effluents which are received by aquatic bodies such as estuary and coastal water. In the present study, microalgal assemblage, heavy metals, and physico-chemical variables were studied from different habitats. Principal component analysis revealed that biovolume of cyanobacterial and cryptophytic community positively correlated with the heavy metal concentration (Hg, As, Zn, Fe, Mo, Ni, and Co) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) under hypoxic environment. Green algae and diatoms dominated at comparatively lower nitrate concentration which was positively associated with Pb and Mn.
Basil George, Imran Pancha, Chahana Desai, Kaumeel Chokshi, Chetan Paliwal, Tonmoy Ghosh, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
Media composition, light intensity and photoperiod significantly affect the algal growth and productivity and their optimization is important for the commercialization of microalgae based biofuels. In the present study, effects of different culture medium, light intensity and photoperiod were studied on growth, biomass productivity, and biochemical composition of a fresh water microalgae Ankistrodesmus falcatus in batch culture. The results revealed that A. falcatus could yield more than 35% of total lipid (containing around 65.74% neutral lipid) along with optimal growth (0.20 μ) and biomass productivity (7.9 mg/L/day) in the BG-11 medium under a light intensity of 60 μmol m(-2) s(-1) and 12:12 (Light: Dark) cycle. The highest total lipid yield of 67.2% (containing 72.68% of neutral lipid) was observed in Zarrouk's medium grown culture but with altered cell morphology and ultra-structural changes.
Shailesh Kumar Patidar, Madhusree Mitra, Basil George, R. Soundarya, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
Mixotrophic growth at flask level and, autotrophic-mixotrophic and autotrophic growth in photobioreactor by utilizing CO2/air/flue gas were checked for the isolated strain of Monoraphidium minutum from polluted habitat. Our study confirmed that it is a saturated fatty acid rich (30.92-68.94%) microalga with lower degree of unsaturation oil quality (42.06-103.99) making it potential biodiesel producing candidate. It showed encouraging biomass productivity (80.3-303.8mgl(-1)day(-1)) with higher total lipid (22.80-46.54%) under optimum glucose, fructose, microalgal biodiesel waste residue and sodium acetate fed mixotrophic conditions. The pH control by intermittent CO2, continuous illumination with 30% flue gas, and utilization of biodiesel glycerin were effective schemes to ameliorate either biomass productivity or % lipids or both of these parameters at photobioreactor scale (7.5L working volume). The modulation of environmental variables (pH control, CO2 and organic substrates concentration) could augment % saturated fatty acids, such as C16:0.
Imran Pancha, Kaumeel Chokshi, Basil George, Tonmoy Ghosh, Chetan Paliwal, Rahulkumar Maurya, and Sandhya Mishra
Elsevier BV
The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen limitation as well as sequential nitrogen starvation on morphological and biochemical changes in Scenedesmus sp. CCNM 1077. The results revealed that the nitrogen limitation and sequential nitrogen starvation conditions significantly decreases the photosynthetic activity as well as crude protein content in the organism, while dry cell weight and biomass productivity are largely unaffected up to nitrate concentration of about 30.87mg/L and 3 days nitrate limitation condition. Nitrate stress was found to have a significant effect on cell morphology of Scenedesmus sp. CCNM 1077. Total removal of nitrate from the growth medium resulted in highest lipid (27.93%) and carbohydrate content (45.74%), making it a potential feed stock for biodiesel and bio-ethanol production. This is a unique approach to understand morphological and biochemical changes in freshwater microalgae under nitrate limitation as well as sequential nitrate removal conditions.
Basil George, J. I. Nirmal Kumar, Rita N. Kumar, and P. R. Sajish
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT The species of Aspergillus niger Tiegh isolated from estuarine sediments has been studied for tolerance to heavy metals such as Hg and Pb and for its capacities to uptake metals. A. niger was allowed to grow in monometal- as well as bimetal-containing media (25 mg L−1) to determine the biosorption capacity of the organism. The effects of temperature and pH on biosorption were studied to elucidate the biosorption property and optimum growth conditions for the organism. Results revealed that 91.1% of Pb and 97.1% of Hg were removed from the monometal solutions, and there was a reduction of 96.9% of Hg and 89.3% of Pb from the bimetal solution after 92 h of fungal growth. The binding mechanism involved between metal ion and functional groups present on the cell surface of the biomass was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), which confirms the presence of amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phosphate groups. The adsorption of metal ions on the biomass surface was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDAX) studies. The experimental study proved that A. Niger can be used as a suitable biosorption agent for removing metal ions when present in low concentration.
J.I. Nirmal Kumar, G. Basil, N.K. Rita, P.R. Sajish, and V. Shailendra
AEPress, s.r.o.
Basil George, J.I. Nirmal Kumar, and Rita N. Kumar
Elsevier BV
Abstract Physicochemical properties play a major role in determining the density, diversity and occurrence of phytoplankton in an estuarine ecosystem. The present study is conducted to assess the relationship between physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton assemblages which in turn can serve as a suitable method to assess the quality of estuarine ecosystem. Results showed an increased concentration in physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton density during post-monsoon season followed by pre-monsoon and monsoon season. Canonical correspondence Analysis (CCA) between environmental variables and dominant taxa of phytoplankton indicated the influence of freshwater on phytoplankton distribution in the estuarine precinct.
J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Basil George, Rita N. Kumar, P.R. Sajish, and Shailendra Viyol
Informa UK Limited
The sorption of Hg and Pb from mono‐metal and bi‐metal solution under different concentrations (20ppm–80ppm) was studied using dried Aspergillus niger biomass. The biosorption of Hg and Pb from the mono‐metal solution was found to be much better than from the bi‐metal solution. The maximum sorption of heavy metals was observed at pH 5–6 and at temperature 25°C–26°C. Biosorption of heavy metals from mono‐metal and bi‐metal solutions followed the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. The role of different functional groups like amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl and the phosphate group was confirmed by FTIR. The adsorption of metal ions on the biomass surface and the possible ion exchange mechanism was confirmed using SEM‐EDAX studies. A. niger can be used as a good biosorption agent for removing Hg and Pb from aqueous solution when present individually or in combination.
J.I. NIRMAL KUMAR
Applied Ecology and Environmental Research
A study pertaining to seasonal variation in physicochemical properties was carried out at five sites of Tapi estuarine zone for a period of one year i.e. July 2008 to June 2009. It revealed that the estuarine zone was significantly influenced by freshwater input during monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Concentration of all the nutrients and dissolved oxygen (DO) was relatively high during the monsoon, whereas, and salinity were at their minimum level during this period. Phytoplankton production peak in terms of chlorophyll-a (Chl a) was observed in summer and winter during which a typical marine condition prevailed. In present study observed correlated values of salinity, nitrate, phosphate, silicate, values are significantly high in the estuarine zone. Cluster analysis carried out for both monthly and station-wise and average values gives different clusters depending on the affinity and relation between months and sites due to environmental conditions prevailed in the estuary zone. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used in the ordination of samples (site, season and physicochemical parameters). The PCA was performed using all variables, Eigenvalues accounts and Scree plot showed that the first three Principal Components are the most significant components which represent more than 75% of the variance in water quality parameters in Tapi estuary, 48.5% by PC1, 14.4% by PC2 and 12.1% by PC3.