EXTRACTION OF GLUCAN FROM Acremonium diospyri AND ITS APPLICATION IN Macrobrachium rosenbergii LARVAL REARING SYSTEM ALONG WITH BACTERINS AS MICROSPHERES A thesis submitted to the Cochin University of Science and Technology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY under THE FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by A. Anas Reg. No. 2361 CENTRE FOR FISH DISEASE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Kochi – 682 016, Kerala, India October 2005