Arsenic transforming bacterial strains belong to genus Pseudomonas sp.AK9 (KY569424), were isolated from the middle Gangetic plains of Bihar, India. The Pseudomonas sp. AK9 strains were able to transform toxic arsenite to a less toxic arsenate. In the present work, the presence of different arsenic resistance genes (aoxB, arsB, acr3 and aoxAB) were observed in isolated strain. Furthermore, the aoxB gene was amplified from genomic DNA of AK9, cloned in E.coli/DH5 alpha cells, and sequenced. The BLASTn results and phylogenetic study of the aoxB gene showed 95.32 % and 90.07 % identity with the large subunit of aoxB gene of previous reported Thiomonas arsenivorans strain DSM16361 and Thiomonas arsenivorans strain b6, respectively. Further overhang primers were designed for amplifications of full length aoxB gene (-1200 bp), and cloned in to the expression vector and host E.coli/BL21 cells. The GST-aoxB gene was expressed in BL21 cells, and a profound expression product of -72 kDa was observed in SDS PAGE. The detection of a large subunit (aoxB) of arsenate oxidase protein in western blotting assay affirmed the expression of aoxB gene in recombinant E.coli/BL21 clone. Further, the recombinant E.coli/ BL21cells showed increased growth than the normal E.coli/BL21 cells against As (III). Thus, this study showed the presence of aoxB gene in Pseudomonas sp. AK9 genome which regulates the resistant ability to arsenic toxicity.

Wetlands deliver a bunch of ecosystem services but are under continuous threat due to various anthropogenic activities. The present study has been carried out to examine the suitability of Kusheshwar-Asthan wetland's water for agriculture. Total 57 water samples were analyzed for various water quality parameters like electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, DO, major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), and major anions (PO43-, SO42-, N-NO3-, Cl-, HCO3-). Overall, the water of the wetland was found to be alkaline. The pre-monsoon samples had a relatively higher concentration in most of analyzed parameters except for pH, DO, NO3-, PO(4)(3- )and Cl-. The concentration of cations follows the order of Na+ > Ca2+> Mg2+ > K+ in both seasons and for anions it is HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > PO(4)(3-)for pre-monsoon and HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > NO3- > PO(4)(3-)for post-monsoon. According to Piper diagram and Durov plot, Na-K-HCO3 was the major hydro-chemical facies of the surface water. The various irrigation quality parameters showed that wetland water falls in good to excellent quality. As a result, this finding can aid in the long-term sustainable use of the wetland water with regulated anthropogenic interventions. The study will be beneficial in designing longterm extensive management plans for the conservation of the wetland.

Phosphorous (P) entering into the water bodies through point and non-point sources is a causal agent for eutrophication. Nature Based Solutions (NBS) like Constructed Wetlands (CW) are cost effective methods for treating the grey waters in order to protect the water bodies form risk of eutrophication. The P removal efficiency of Constructed Wetlands (CW) can be improved by adding new substrate having potential P removal efficiency.The study was conducted to determine the phosphorus removal from wastewater using Baked Clay Ball (BCB) media in Vertical Flow Reed Beds (VFRB). The BCB was prepared with a mixture of river clay and saw dust. The field and lab-scale experimentation were set and operated in batch feeding mode using institutional wastewater for four months. The VFRBs were filled with BCB and planted with locally available reed grass (Phragmites karka). The hydraulic retention period in VFRB was 48 hours. Prime goal of the experiment was to investigate the Phosphorus (P) removal efficiency of the VRFBs apart from other conventional wastewater quality parameters. The concentration of phosphorus of the institutional wastewater was in the range of 27.3 mg/l to 16.3 mg/l. The average phosphorus removal efficiency of the VFRB 1 and 2 filled with BCB was 93.47%, while the average P removal efficiency of gravel filled VFRB 2 and 3 was 68.20%. Thus the experiment reflected that the BCB is a better media than the gravel for P removal. Therefore, the BCB may be used at a field scale to remove P from wastewater in constructed wetlands.Further, there is scope to develop new substrate materials focusing on its P retention capacity, long lasting performance and cost of the substrate to be applied in real treatment situations.

Ocimum sanctum L. is the most significant wellspring of medications utilized in the pharmaceutical industries and in the field of medicine. O. sanctum has a distinctive combination of pharmacological actions that support resilience and wellbeing. The secondary metabolites of O. sanctum show beneficial effects in the treatment of various diseases. This plant contains anti-oxidant properties and high amount of phenolic compounds which protect the body from toxin-induced damage. Due to its very high demand and less yield of the pharmaceutical content or secondary metabolites, there has been a persistent need to improve the productivity of the plant by using modern technology. There are various biotechnological methodologies which are utilized for the genetic improvement of this therapeutic plants viz micropropagation, direct or indirect in vitro regeneration, secondary metabolite enhancement by different types of elicitors, somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation by various gene transfer approaches like Agrobacterium tumefiaciens, particle bombardment, etc. Genetic engineering for improvement of production of secondary metabolite and its biosynthesis pathways by overexpressing vital genes involved in the metabolite biosynthesis were reviewed. Omics techniques were also studied for understanding the genome structure, candidate genes and candidate proteins involved in secondary metabolites production. Overall, this review paper discusses the application of biotechnological techniques for enhancement of secondary metabolites production in O. sanctum.

The discharge of untreated wastewater in River Kshipra had brought annual average of BOD, TKN and TS levels up to 39 mg/l, 38 mg/l and 781 mg/l respectively in the study area. Treatment performance by Artificial Floating Reed Beds (AFRB) was evaluated for removal efficiency of TS, NH4-N, NO3-N, TKN and BOD from river water, initially, under a pilot scale by an AFRB of size 200 m2 planted with local reed grass, Phragmites karka, in the part of River Kshipra at the confluence with meeting point of a wastewater stream. The system performance was recorded as 43% reduction in TS, 38% reduction in TKN and 39% BOD reduction. The experimental AFRBs were buoyant structure planted with reed grass, each unit had a rectangular size and covered an effective surface area of 2 m2. The experiment with the mesocosms with treatment of River water resulted that AFRB was reducing pollution load by 55-60% of TS, 45-55% of NH4-N, 33-45% of NO3-N, 45-50% of TKN and 40-50% of BOD. AFRB may be recommended as an in-situ, eco-friendly river water treatment structures for small shallow, slow flowing (or slightly stagnant) water bodies.