Journal of Bioprocessing & Biotechniques

 Smoking is a most common way of tobacco consumption that provides a pleasurable effect by modulating neurotransmitters in the brain. African Americans (AA) have shown higher susceptibility to nicotine consumption and highest rate of mortality due to cancer. In this study we have examined the levels of 6 neurotransmitters in AA smokers and compared them with nonsmokers of same population. We observed decrease in plasma levels of glutamate and increase in serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine. The level of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine was not changed significantly. The results, in part, explain the basis of higher nicotine susceptibility in AAs and will be helpful to develop population specific strategies for smoking cessation.

An effort has been made to find the best medium and operating conditions for the production of extracellular L-asparaginase by Aspergillus terreus in shake culture fermentation through stepwise optimization strategies like studies on the effect of pH and temperature on L-asparaginase, studies on the enzyme activity in various concentration of L-glutamine and study the growth kinetics for L-glutamine medium. Our study shows that L- glutamine combined with L-asparagine influence the asparaginase production level and physical parameter such as pH and temperature has more contribution in enzyme production. The pH 8 and temperature 35°C found to be good environmental condition the production of extracellular L-asparaginase by Aspergillus terreus.