Jayamuthunagai Jayaraman

D-tagatose is a naturally existing rare monosaccharide having prebiotic properties. Minimal absorption, low metabolizing energy, and unique clinical properties are the characteristics of D-tagatose. D-tagatose gained international attention by matching the purpose of alternate sweeteners that is much needed for the control of diabetes among world population. Recent efforts in understanding tagatose bioconversion have generated essential information regarding its production and application. This article reviews the evolution of D-tagatose as an important rare sugar by appreciable improvements in production results and its significant applications resulted of its unique physical, chemical, biological, and clinical properties thus considering it an appropriate product for requisite improvements in technical viability. Based on current knowledge and technology projections, the commercialization of D-tagatose rare sugar as food additive is close to reality.

Algal biomass is a potentially inexpensive source of energy which has high lipid content. As India is the Asia’s largest milk producing country (104.8 million tons in the year 2008), the milk production terminates with an effluent production of 5.24% of the total milk produced i.e., 20 million tons of dairy waste is produced. This effluent can be broken down in many ways, but a more economical way is broken down by the growth of the algal species Chlorella vulgaris which results in the tremendous reduction in various toxic salts concentration and other complex chemicals. As the dairy effluent is hostile to the natural environment, the algae is used not only to break down the toxic substances but also to produce Biomass, which is produced at a rate of 17g/l, which contains a lipid content of 30% ( from 1:1 ratio of effluent and water). Also the treated effluent has low chemical oxygen demand [COD], hence this can be used for irrigation of farms mainly those which are heavily fed with chemical fertilizers. The biosynthesis of organics salts, alkanoates [PHAs] and other phenolic compounds, involves algal species the process is secured by using i) large inoculums ii) tolerant strain (pure strain or GM, if available). This research work uses the pure strain of Chlorella vulgaris which involves the treatment of effluent with three different dilutions and analyzing them.