Browsing by Author "Sarvesh Rustagi"

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Biodiversity and biotechnological applications of rhizomicrobiome for agricultural, environmental and industrial sustainability
(Elsevier, 2024) Divjot Kour; Simranjeet Kaur; Tanvir Kaur; Babita Sharma; Rajeshwari Negi; Sofia Sharief Khan; Imran Sheikh; Damini Maithani; Harpreet Kour; Seema Ramniwas; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashok Yadav; Neelam Thakur; Ajar Nath Yadav; Amrik Singh Ahluwalia
A century of incremental research along with the technological advances and need for sustainable agricultural practices, the study of beneficial rhizomicrobiomes has increased. Rhizomicrobiomes have emerged as an important and promising tool for sustainable agriculture. These plant associated microbiomes play a major role in plant growth promotion by direct and indirect mechanisms and are generally referred to as plant growth promoting microbes. Plant growth promoting microbes also act as the stress alleviators for plants by increasing the accumulation of the osmolytes, reducing the inhibitory ethylene concentrations and producing reactive oxygen species scavengers. These beneficial microbes can be applied to the plants as biofertilizers and biopesticides to reduce the use of the harmful chemicals as well as for the amelioration of abiotic stresses. The present chapter describes the functional diversity of the rhizomicrobiomes, their agricultural and environmental applications further highlighting their role in industrial sector. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Biodiversity, mechanisms, and potential biotechnological applications of minerals solubilizing extremophilic microbes: A review
(Open Science Publishers LLP Inc., 2024) Rubee Devi; Tanvir Kaur; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Sohini Chowdhury; Monit Kapoor; Sangram Singh; Sarvesh Rustagi; Sheikh Shreaz; Pankaj Kumar Rai; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Ashok Yadav; Divjot Kour; Ajar Nath Yadav
The earth’s surface consists of arid, semi-arid, and hyper-arid lands, where life is profoundly challenged by harsh conditions such as temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, high levels of solar radiations, and soil salinity. The harsh environmental conditions pose serious consequences on plant survival, growth, and productivity accessibility of nutrients reduces. To cope with the harsh environments and increase plant productivity, an extremophilic microbe has attracted agriculturists and environmentalists. The extremophilic microbes, adapted to extreme environmental conditions, offer an unexploited reservoir for biofertilizers, which could provide various forms of nutrients and alleviate the stress caused by the abiotic factors in an environment friendly manner. Worldwide, minerals solubilizing extremophilic microbes are distributed in various hotspots and belong to three domains of life including, archaea, bacteria, and eukarya. The minerals solubilizing extremophilic microbes belongs to diverse phyla, namely, Ascomycota, Actinobacteria, Basidiomycota, Bacteroidetes, Crenarchaeota, Deinococcus-Thermus, Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Mineral solubilizing extremophilic microbes achieve the mineral solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and selenium by secreting special compounds such as organic acid, exopolysaccharides, and different enzymes. Consequently, extremophilic microbes are becoming increasingly important in agriculture, industries and environmental biotechnology as well, paving the way for novel sequencing technologies and “metaomics” methods, including metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics. The extremophilic microbial diversity and their biotechnological application in agriculture and industrial applications will be a milestone for future needs. The present review deals with biodiversity, mechanisms and potential biotechnological applications of minerals solubilizing extremophilic microbes. © 2024 Rubee Devi, et al.
Biological control of tephritid fruit flies Bactrocera spp. in Himachal Pradesh, India
(Horizon e-Publishing Group, 2024) Preety Tomar; Priyanka Thakur; Sangram Singh; Sheikh Shreaz; Sarvesh Rustagi; Pankaj Kumar Rai; Ashok Yadav; Ajar Nath Yadav
Over the years, chemical-based insecticides have been used to enhance crop yield in the agricultural industry. However, the hazards associated with these insecticides have highlighted the need for an alternative method that is economical, eco-friendly, and safe. In this investigation, the efficacy of various biological materials, such as Neem kavach, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo), and clay, was evaluated against fruit flies under open field conditions. The results revealed that the highest infestation was recorded in the control (71.67 %), while the lowest infestation (25.67 %) was observed in the plot treated with B. bassiana (1.5 %). This was followed by Neem kavach-treated plot (4 %) with an infestation rate of 26.67 %, and the clay-treated plot (15 g/L) with an infestation rate of 38.67 %, after the third spray. The impact of these biological agents on cucumber yield was also evaluated. The highest yield, 9.36 kg/plot, was obtained from the B. bassiana-treated plot, followed by Neem kavach-treated plots with yields of 8.94 and 7.28 kg/plot, respectively. The lowest yield of 4.58 kg/plot was recovered in the untreated plots. These findings suggest that the application of these biological agents is highly effective, as they repel egg-laying (oviposition deterrence), thereby minimizing fruit infestation and maximizing yield profit. Copyright: © The Author(s).
Comprehensive review of sustainable utilization of Arenga obtusifolia Griff. as a food
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Saamir Akhtar; Arun Kumar Gupta; Aditi Varshney; Mahek Rawat; Aditya Choudhary; Rohan Kandpal; Avinash Kumar Jha; Sadhna Mishra; Bindu Naik; Vijay Kumar; Rajeev Ranjan; Muzamil Ahmad Rather; Sarvesh Rustagi; Manpreet Singh Preet
This review delves into the utilization of non-conventional starch sources through a specific cultural lens, focusing on the practices and significance of Arenga obtusifolia Griff., commonly referred to as the sugar palm, and its derivative product called Tassey. The tassey is widely popular in the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India, a region renowned for its biodiversity and abundant palm tree varieties, including the sugar palm. Highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of the sugar palm, this review expounds upon Tassey's creation, consumption, and versatile applications. Tassey, a substance extracted from the sugar palm's stem, emerges as a pivotal element of the Nyishi tribe's cultural heritage and sustenance strategies, especially during times of scarcity and natural calamities. This review sheds light on the integral role played by Nyishi women in the cultivation and preparation of tassey, underscoring their vital contribution to upholding this time-honoured practice. Furthermore, the economic ramifications of tassey production and its commercial viability are explored, elucidating its role in bolstering the tribe's livelihood. Extending beyond its dietary role, tassey exhibits a diverse array of applications, spanning from human consumption to its incorporation in the crafting of traditional alcoholic beverages and even as a therapeutic resource for livestock. By offering insights into the profound relationship between the Nyishi tribe and the sugar palm, this review enriches our comprehension of traditional ecological wisdom and sustainable exploitation of resources within a culturally vibrant backdrop. Ultimately, this comprehensive exploration contributes to a nuanced appreciation of the intricate interplay between heritage, environment, and innovation in this distinctive region. © 2023 The Author(s)
Corrigendum to “Comprehensive review of sustainable utilization of Arenga obtusifolia Griff. as a food” [J. Agricult. Food Res. 15 (2024) 100945] (Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (2024) 15, (S2666154323004520), (10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100945))
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Saamir Akhtar; Arun Kumar Gupta; Aditi Varshney; Mahek Rawat; Aditya Choudhary; Rohan Kandpal; Avinash Kumar Jha; Sadhna Mishra; Bindu Naik; Kumar Vijay; Rajeev Ranjan; Muzamil Ahmad Rather; Sarvesh Rustagi; Manpreet Singh Preet
The authors regret and plea to remove Fig. 1 and 2 and addition of reference [5,15] in the section 4.3. and 4.4.1>. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. © 2023 The Author(s)
Effect of indigenous mineral availing microbial consortia and cattle manure combination for growth of maize (Zea mays L.)
(Springer, 2024) Rubee Devi; Marwa Fadhil Alsaffar; Duraid K.A. AL-Taey; Sanjeev Kumar; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Sangram Singh; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashok Yadav; Tanvir Kaur; Divjot Kour; Ajar Nath Yadav; Amrik Singh Ahluwalia
Plant growth promoting bacterial strains were used as bioinoculants on cereal crops to improve plant growth and plant productivity. Crop responses to inoculation are complex because bacteria are not compatible with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to increase our understanding of the microbial ecology of crop rhizosphere under various agricultural techniques. In tropical agriculture, cattle manure is used as an organic fertilizer to increase soil fertility, however use of microbes as consortium have found as sustainable method for the enhancement of crops productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three potential plant growth-promoting rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial strains EU-C3ST.R1, IARI-JR-44, and IARI-S-45 and organic fertilizers (cattle manure) individually and as consortia on maize (Zea mays L.) under both in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. A total of 123 bacterial strains were sorted out and screened for nitrogen fixation, phosphorus, and potassium solubilization. The potential N2-fixing; P and K solubilizing bacterial strains were identified using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas sp. EU-C3ST.R1, Micrococcus indicus IARI-JR-44, and Bacillus horikoshii IARI-S-45 respectively. The inoculation of these three strains on maize as microbial consortium and individual inoculum significantly increased the growth characteristic including height and biomass of the plants, as well as physiological characteristics i.e., chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and total soluble sugar content of the plant with respect to chemical fertilizers, cattle manure, and untreated control plant. The consortia were found to be more effective with respect to individual inoculants, cattle manure, and uninoculated control plants, so it can be utilized as biofertilizers for inoculation of cereal crops growing in hilly regions. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research 2024.
Effect of indigenous mineral availing microbial consortia and cattle manure combination for growth of maize (Zea mays L.)
(Springer, 2025) Rubee Devi; Marwa Fadhil Fadhil Alsaffar; Duraid K.A. Altaey; Sanjeev Kumar; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Sangram N. Singh; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashok Yadav; Tanvir Kaur; Divjot KOUR; Ajar Nath Yadav; Amrik Singh Ahluwalia
Plant growth promoting bacterial strains were used as bioinoculants on cereal crops to improve plant growth and plant productivity. Crop responses to inoculation are complex because bacteria are not compatible with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to increase our understanding of the microbial ecology of crop rhizosphere under various agricultural techniques. In tropical agriculture, cattle manure is used as an organic fertilizer to increase soil fertility, however use of microbes as consortium have found as sustainable method for the enhancement of crops productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three potential plant growth-promoting rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial strains EU-C3ST.R1, IARI-JR-44, and IARI-S-45 and organic fertilizers (cattle manure) individually and as consortia on maize (Zea mays L.) under both in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. A total of 123 bacterial strains were sorted out and screened for nitrogen fixation, phosphorus, and potassium solubilization. The potential N2-fixing; P and K solubilizing bacterial strains were identified using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas sp. EU-C3ST.R1, Micrococcus indicus IARI-JR-44, and Bacillus horikoshii IARI-S-45 respectively. The inoculation of these three strains on maize as microbial consortium and individual inoculum significantly increased the growth characteristic including height and biomass of the plants, as well as physiological characteristics i.e., chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and total soluble sugar content of the plant with respect to chemical fertilizers, cattle manure, and untreated control plant. The consortia were found to be more effective with respect to individual inoculants, cattle manure, and uninoculated control plants, so it can be utilized as biofertilizers for inoculation of cereal crops growing in hilly regions. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research 2024.
Exploring pharmacological properties and food applications of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari)
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Saamir Akhtar; Arun Kumar Gupta; Bindu Naik; Vijay Kumar; Rajeev Ranjan; Avinash Kumar Jha; Muzamil Ahmad Rather; Sarvesh Rustagi
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), a member of the Asparagaceae family, holds a special position in Ayurveda medicine because of its adaptability in preventing and healing a wide range of ailments. In various vernacular languages, it is also reckoned as Satawar, Satamuli, Satavari. The plant generally cultivated at low altitudes across India. It is popular among all therapeutic plants due to the presence of various bioactive chemicals such as steroidal glycosides, saponins (primarily Shatavarins I, II, III, and IV), polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids (racemosol), and vitamins. Data repository on different extracts of shatavari plant- roots, leaves, blossoms, and stems have illustrated their phytopharmaceutical effects that alleviate issues related to female reproductive system and a variety of ailments such as dyspepsia, neurological disorders, cough bronchitis, throat infections, TB, COVID-19 and so on. Several medications based on shatavari extracts are commercially available as nutraceutical and consumed by mass of people. Hence, the present review article attempted to report an insightful facts and scientific information about the plant profile, detailed phytochemistry, and medicinal properties of different extracts of shatavari. The potential application in food and future scopes are also summarized. © 2024 The Author(s)
Microbes Mediated Nutrient Dynamics for Plant Growth Promotion: Current Research and Future Challenges
(Springer, 2025) Rubee Devi; Tanvir Kaur; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Sanjeev Raj Kumar; Sangram N. Singh; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashok Yadav; Anu Kumar; Divjot KOUR; Ajar Nath Yadav
On earth, soil is one of the most essential parts of nature which plays critical roles in plant growth, water flow, waste products recycling and provides habitats to various organisms. Soil is the combination of organic matter, air, water minerals, and sixteen different essential nutrient elements which are categorized into primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients, and micronutrients. The nutrients elements present in soil either in organic forms or organic forms interchanged by the various microbial mechanisms such including fixation, chelation and solubilization. The microbes from all three domain i.e., archaea, bacteria, and eukarya have been reported for exhibiting the various mechanisms and strain belonging to genera Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Natrinema, and Serratia are widely known for ruling the nutrients dynamics. The microbes playing role in nutrients dynamics, have great economic importance in agriculture sector as agriculturist is in pressure of producing high quality and quantity of food along with managing the sustainability. These microbes could solve agricultural problems such as soil degradation and environmental pollution by using them as bio-fertilizer over chemical-based products. A huge number of reports have supported such statements so, the purpose of the present review aims to complies microbial role in all category nutrients dynamics and their role in plant growth promotion. © Association of Microbiologists of India 2024.
Microbes Mediated Nutrient Dynamics for Plant Growth Promotion: Current Research and Future Challenges
(Springer, 2024) Rubee Devi; Tanvir Kaur; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Sanjeev Kumar; Sangram Singh; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashok Yadav; Anu Kumar; Divjot Kour; Ajar Nath Yadav
On earth, soil is one of the most essential parts of nature which plays critical roles in plant growth, water flow, waste products recycling and provides habitats to various organisms. Soil is the combination of organic matter, air, water minerals, and sixteen different essential nutrient elements which are categorized into primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients, and micronutrients. The nutrients elements present in soil either in organic forms or organic forms interchanged by the various microbial mechanisms such including fixation, chelation and solubilization. The microbes from all three domain i.e., archaea, bacteria, and eukarya have been reported for exhibiting the various mechanisms and strain belonging to genera Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Natrinema, and Serratia are widely known for ruling the nutrients dynamics. The microbes playing role in nutrients dynamics, have great economic importance in agriculture sector as agriculturist is in pressure of producing high quality and quantity of food along with managing the sustainability. These microbes could solve agricultural problems such as soil degradation and environmental pollution by using them as bio-fertilizer over chemical-based products. A huge number of reports have supported such statements so, the purpose of the present review aims to complies microbial role in all category nutrients dynamics and their role in plant growth promotion. © Association of Microbiologists of India 2024.
Plasma treatment: An alternative and sustainable green approach for decontamination of mycotoxin in dried food products
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Rajeev Ranjan; Arun Kumar Gupta; R. Pandiselvam; Anil Kumar Chauhan; Saamir Akhtar; Avinash Kumar Jha; Pratiksha; Tabli Ghosh; Soumya Ranjan Purohit; Muzamil Ahmad Rather; Dhan Prakash; Rajesh Singh; Shubhendra Singh; Pallawi Joshi; Vijay Kumar; Bindu Naik; Sarvesh Rustagi; Manpreet Singh Preet
In the realm of food safety, dried foods have traditionally been perceived as having a lower risk profile. However, recent reports have highlighted concerning levels of mycotoxin contamination in dried food products, such as dried fruits, vegetables, and spices, exceeding permissible limits. This contamination not only compromises shelf life but also poses a significant threat to consumers, while depleting the bioactive components of these products. The food industry grapples with considerable challenges arising from the substantial risk of mycotoxin contamination in dried foods. To meet the demands of a disc; erning food market, there is an imperative need for sustainable mycotoxin-degrading technologies. These technologies must be non-thermal and chemical-free, minimizing thermal damage to treated food to preserve essential nutrients, ultimately enhancing food quality and safety. Developing non-thermal decontamination technologies for dried foods holds enormous economic and public health significance. This review centers its focus on the decontamination of dried foods, proposing a green approach through the utilization of Cold Plasma Technology (CPT). We delve into the working principles and applications of CPT in dried foods, highlight the influential factors affecting its efficacy, and acknowledge the limitations of this innovative technique. Furthermore, we pinpoint and explore emerging research opportunities in the decontamination of dried foods, particularly in conjunction with other complementary methods. CPT, an evolving and environmentally friendly technology, exhibits promising capabilities in controlling pathogens in dried food products and extending their shelf life. Critical determinants encompass the parameters of cold plasma, operational conditions, food-related variables, and microbiological factors, which collectively influence the efficacy of CPT. We advocate for future research dedicated to assessing the impact of CPT on various mycotoxins, food composition, and its interaction with food-related factors. In this vein, it is imperative to emphasize the scaling up of this technology for practical commercial applications, addressing the growing need for enhanced food safety in dried products. © 2023
Potential effect of novel endophytic nitrogen fixing diverse species of Rahnella on growth promotion of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
(Springer, 2024) Kusam Lata Rana; Rajeshwari Negi; Babita Sharma; Ashok Yadav; Rubee Devi; Tanvir Kaur; Sheikh Shreaz; Sarvesh Rustagi; Ashutosh Kumar Rai; Sangram Singh; Divjot Kour; Ajar Nath Yadav
The present investigation aims to isolate nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria from cereals crops and their potential role in plant growth promotion of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for sustainable growth. In the present investigation, endophytic bacteria were isolated from different cereal crops growing in the Divine Valley of Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India and isolates were screened for nitrogen fixation. The nitrogenase activity exhibiting bacterial isolates were further screened for other plant growth promoting traits including solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, and zinc; production of indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and extracellular enzyme. The potential nitrogen fixing strains were molecularly identified and evaluated for the growth promotion of wheat. A total of 304 putative endophytic bacterial isolates were isolated from wheat, oats, barley, and maize using selective and complex growth media. Among 304 putative endophytic bacteria, 8 isolates exhibits nitrogenase activity. On the basis of nitrogenase activity and other plant promoting traits, two efficient strains i.e. EU-E1ST3.1 and EU-A2RNfb were molecularly identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and found that these strains belongs to genera Rahnella. The wheat inoculated with two selected nitrogen-fixing endophytic bacterial strains showed considerable enhancement in total chlorophyll, nitrogen, Fe and Zn content over the un-inoculated control. In comparison of two selected nitrogen-fixing endophytic bacterial strains, Rahnella aquatilis EU-E1ST3.1 was found to enhance better growth and physiological parameters and it might be developed as biofertilizers to establish a sustainable agriculture system. In the present investigation, the isolated potential nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria could be used as biofertilizer or bioinoculant for growth of diverse cereal crops growing in hilly region for agricultural sustainability. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Korean Society of Crop Science (KSCS) 2024.
Production, characterization, and application of novel fungal pullulanase for fruit juice processing
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Bindu Naik; Vijay Kumar; S.K. Goyal; Abhisek Dutt Tripati; Javed Masood Khan; Mohammad Irfan; Saurav Chandra Bhatt; Arun Kumar Gupta; Sarvesh Rustagi
The present study aimed to produce, characterize, and apply pullulanase from Aspergillus flavus (BHU-46) for fruit juice processing, assessing its enzymatic properties and impact on juice quality. Pullulanase was produced via solid-state fermentation using wheat bran as the substrate. Purification and characterization included specific activity, molecular weight, pH and temperature optima, and substrate specificity. The enzyme was immobilized in sodium alginate beads and used for clarifying mosambi, apple, and mango juices. Parameters such as yield, clarity, reducing sugar, total soluble solids (TSS), total phenol, and enzymatic browning were evaluated pre-and post-treatment. The purified pullulanase had a specific activity of 652.2 U/mg and a molecular weight of 135 kDa. Optimal pH values were 6.5 and 10, with maximum activity at 50 °C. Pullulanase showed a high affinity for pullulan and starch, indicating Pullulanase type II classification. Immobilized pullulanase improved yield, clarity, reducing sugar, TSS, and total phenol in fruit juices. The highest yield and clarity were observed in mosambi juice. Additionally, the enzyme reduced enzymatic browning, increasing the lightness of the juice. This study provides a significant contribution to the juice processing industry and represents the first report on the application of pullulanase for fruit juice processing. © 2023
Pullulanase: unleashing the power of enzyme with a promising future in the food industry
(Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Bindu Naik; Vijay Kumar; S.K. Goyal; Abhishek Dutt Tripathi; Sadhna Mishra; Per Erik Joakim Saris; Akhilesh Kumar; Sheikh Rizwanuddin; Vivek Kumar; Sarvesh Rustagi
Pullulanases are the most important industrial group of enzymes in family 13 glycosyl hydrolases. They hydrolyze either α-1,6 and α-1,4 or both glycosidic bonds in pullulan as well as other carbohydrates to produce glucose, maltose, and maltotriose syrups, which have important uses in food and other related sectors. However, very less reports are available on pullulanase production from native strains because of low yield issues. In line with the increasing demands for pullulanase, it has become important to search for novel pullulanase-producing microorganisms with high yields. Moreover, high production costs and low yield are major limitations in the industrial production of pullulanase enzymes. The production cost of pullulanase by using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) process can be minimized by selecting agro-industrial waste. This review summarizes the types, sources, production strategies, and potential applications of pullulanase in different food and other related industries. Researchers should focus on fungal strains producing pullulanase for better yield and low production costs by using agro-waste. It will prove a better enzyme in different food processing industries and will surely reduce the cost of products. Copyright © 2023 Naik, Kumar, Goyal, Dutt Tripathi, Mishra, Joakim Saris, Kumar, Rizwanuddin, Kumar and Rustagi.