Probiotic microorganisms were isolated from fermented dairy products viz. yogurts, cheese, whey, fermented cream, fermented fruits & vegetables. For isolation modified MRS, Bifidobacterial Medium, Leuconostoc medium & Lee's agar medium were used. Isolation procedures were carried out under aerobic and anaerobic environments. Out of 200 organisms 43 were finally selected for detail studies. Among all the selected microbes, 34 isolates resembled the genus Lactobacillus, while other isolated genera were Leuconostoc, Streptococcus and Pediococcus. All the selected organisms were tested for their...

Commercial formulations of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were subjected to an outdoor soil burial test for two years to investigate the environmental degradation under natural conditions. Samples periodically retrieved from soil were examined for changes in physical character, tensile properties, dielectric behaviour, X-ray diffraction pattern and FTIR spectra. Irrespective of thickness and colour, load-extension curves of all samples reflect complete or partial destruction of plastic and elastic regions after 15 to 17 months of soil exposure. IR spectra after 17 months revealed major...