Prof. Sachin Kumar and his research scholars including Mr. Satyendu Nandy, Mr. Nilave Ranjan Bora, and, Mr. Shubham Gaurav, have studied the proteins found in the outer membrane (capsule) of ASFV, with a particular focus on the p30 protein.

Membrane proteins also help viruses evade detection by the host cell’s immune system. Understanding the biochemistry behind these processes enhances our knowledge of how viruses infect cells and can guide the development of treatments and vaccines that target these points of entry, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Research

Prof. Sachin Kumar, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati spoke about the research. He said their ongoing research into ASFV aims to uncover the functional roles of proteins like p30, which are integral to the virus’s ability to infect and evade the host’s immune response.

Technology Transfer

It is notable that the research group has also completed technology transfer to roll out the first recombinant vaccine for Swine Fever Virus in the recent past.

The researchers from IIT Guwahati had previously identified specific regions on the p30 protein, called epitopic domains, that can activate the immune system in the host.

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These domains are important because they help the immune system recognize and respond to the virus, potentially aiding in developing ways to fight the infection.

An RNase (ribonuclease) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of RNA into smaller components.

In viruses, RNases are rare but significant because they help the virus by breaking down the host’s RNA to evade immune defenses, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Methodology

Emphasizing the methodology, Prof. Sachin Kumar said, in their study, RNA extracted from mammalian cells was exposed to the p30 protein to analyze its RNase activity.

We employed methods such as electrophoresis and fluorimetry to quantify the extent of RNA degradation by p30, he said.

The researchers observed that the p30 protein’s degradation of host cell RNA depends on its concentration and duration of exposure, he said.

This protein is released in a soluble form in ASFV-infected cells, and its RNA-degrading ability could assist the virus in altering host cell functions, thereby promoting its survival.

The researchers also found that altering the amino acid from cysteine to alanine in p30 resulted in the loss of its RNA-degrading activity.

Understanding how the p30 protein in ASFV affects host cell RNA helps illustrate how the virus manipulates cellular functions to survive and spread.

This insight could inform future research into therapies that target these viral mechanisms, potentially leading to new ways to combat ASFV infections.

The researchers acknowledge that critical questions remain unanswered, including the precise role of p30 in ASFV infection in pigs and whether its RNase activity targets specific host RNA molecules, say IIT Guwahati researchers. They intend to study these aspects in the future.

At present, the Institute has eleven departments, nine interdisciplinary academic centres and five schools covering all the major engineering, science, healthcare, management, and humanities disciplines.

They offer BTech, BDes, BSc(Hons), MA, MDes, MTech, MSc, MS(R), MBA and PhD programmes.

The institute offers a residential campus to 439 faculty members and more than 8,600 students at present.

Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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