The present study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal potential of the essential oil (EO) of
(
)
and to investigate its molecular mechanism of action by qPCR. Furthermore, in silicointeraction study ...of the major
EO compounds with the enzyme cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) was also performed.
EO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that α-pinene (26.44%),
-cadinol (26.27%), caryophyllene Oxide (7.73 ± 1.04%), and α-Cadinene (3.79 ± 0.12%) are the major compounds of
EO. However, limited antioxidant activity was observed, as this EO was ineffective in neutralizing DPPH free radicals and in inhibiting β-carotene bleaching. Interestingly, it displayed effective leishmanicidal potential against promastigote (IC
of 6.79 and 5.25 μg/mL) and amastigote (IC
of 8.04 and 7.32 μg/mL) forms of
and
, respectively. Molecular mechanism investigation showed that
EO displayed potent inhibition on the thiol regulatory pathway. Furthermore, a docking study of the main components of the EO with cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) enzyme revealed that
-cadinol exhibited the best binding energy values (-7.5 kcal/mol), followed by α-cadinene (-7.3 kcal/mol) and caryophyllene oxide (-7 kcal/mol). These values were notably higher than that of the conventional drug fluconazole showing weaker binding energy (-6.9 kcal/mol). These results suggest that
EO could serve as a potent and promising candidate for the development of alternative antileishmanial agent in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
An extremely affordable virus concentration method based on adsorption-elution to glass wool and subsequent reconcentration through polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) precipitation was optimized to ...recover not only non-enveloped viruses but also enveloped viruses. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) were employed as surrogates for naked and enveloped viruses, respectively, to set up the methodology. Initial experimentation in small-volume samples showed that both types of particles readily adsorbed to the positively charged glass wool but were poorly detached from it through standard elution with 0.05 M glycine with 3% of beef extract buffer, pH 9.5, with elution efficiencies of 7.2% and 2.6%, for HAV and TGEV, respectively. To improve the recovery of enveloped viruses, several modifications in the elution were assayed: increasing the elution pH, extending glass wool and eluent contact time, adding a detergent, or performing the elution by recirculation or under agitation. Considering practicability and performance, recircularization of the eluent at pH 11.0 for 20 min was the elution procedure of choice, with efficiencies of 25.7% and 18.8% for HAV and TGEV in 50 L of water. Additionally, employing 20% PEG instead of 10% for virus reconcentration improved recoveries up to 47% and 51%, respectively. The optimized procedure was applied to detect naturally occurring HAV and coronaviruses in surface water of Wadi Hanifa, Riyadh. HAV was detected in 38% of the samples, while one sample was positive for an alphacoronavirus. This cheap virus detection system enables the comprehensive surveillance of viruses present in water samples.
Agitation speed influenced the production rate of laccase. Orbital speed not only influenced the enzyme production, but was also effective to dissolve the oxygen during growth of mycelium, spores, ...and chlamydospores. Shear effects of speed greatly influenced the morphology of mycelium. Ganoderma multistipitatum was identified by ITS marker. Phylogenetic tree was constructed for species identification. Qualitatively by plate method contained guaiacol indicator, while quantitatively by submerged fermentation and Central Composite Design applied on agitation parameter for maximum laccase potential of this species. The effects of agitation speed on mycelium morphology were observed under compound and scanning electron microscope. Statistical optimization of agitation conditions were performed by using response surface methodology to enhance the production of laccase from Ganoderma multistipitatum sp. nov. Maximum laccase yield (19.44 x 10.sup.5 + or - 0.28 U/L) was obtained at 150 rpm grown culture, which was higher than predicted value of laccase production (19.18 x 10.sup.5 U/L) under aerobic conditions (150 rpm). The 150 rpm provided the continuous flush of oxygen. The DO (dissolved oxygen) was maximum (65%) for "27 h" incubation at 150 rpm during laccase synthesis. The statistical value of laccase production was minimum under anaerobic or nearly static condition of 50 rpm. The predicted (12.78 x 10.sup.5 U/L) and obtained (12.82 x 10.sup.5 U/L) yield was low at 50 rpm. Optimization of orbital shaking for aeration conditions were performed by the use of "Response Surface Methodology". The submerged shaking flasks were utilized as a nutrients growth medium to maximize the production of laccase from G. multistipitatum. The minimum incubation time highly influenced the laccase yield from 7 to 15 days via utilization of less cost-effective medium under a promising and eco-friendly method. The morphological effects of rpm on mycelium were examined under compound and scanning electron microscopy. Higher rpm (200, 230) shear the mycelium, while 150 to 200 rpm exhibited smoother and highly dense branches of mycelia. The shear forces of 200 rpm caused the damages of mycelium and cells autolysis with less laccase production. This study concluded that 150 rpm saved the life of mycelium and enhanced the production rate of enzymes.
Nanoencapsulation is widely considered as a highly effective strategy to enhance essential oils' (EO) stability by protecting them from oxidative deterioration and evaporation. The present study aims ...to optimize and characterize an efficient technique for encapsulating
essential oil into chitosan nanoparticles using response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover, the optimized
EO nanoparticle was investigated for its antibacterial (against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria), antifungal (against
), and antiparasitic activity (against
parasites). Five parameters were investigated using a Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken statistical design: the chitosan molecular weight, TPP concentration,
EO/chitosan ratio, mixing method, and the duration of the reaction. Encapsulation efficiency and anti-candida activity were considered as responses. The antibacterial, anticandidal, and anti-leishmanial activities were also assessed using a standard micro-broth dilution assay and the cytotoxicity assay was assessed against the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The optimized nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy. The study results indicated that under optimal conditions, the nanoencapsulation of
EO into chitosan nanoparticles resulted in an encapsulation efficiency of 92.58%, with a regular distribution, a nanoparticle size of 480 ± 14.55 nm, and a favorable Zeta potential of 35.64 ± 1.37 mV. The optimized
EO/chitosan nanoparticles showed strong antifungal activity against
pathogens (CMI = 125 µg mL
), notable antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (ranging from 125 to 250 µg mL
), high leishmanicidal potential against the promastigotes form of
and
(IC50 = 10.47 and 15.09 µg mL
, respectively), and a four-fold cytotoxicity reduction compared to non-encapsulated essential oil. These results suggest that
EO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles could be a promising delivery system for the treatment of cutaneous
infections.
The present study investigated the antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of different aerial parts (flowers, leaves and seeds) of
. The plant material was extracted ...with 80% methanol for about 24 h. The sensitivity to microorganisms analysis was performed by the microdilution technique. Antioxidant tests were performed by scavenging the DPPH and ABTS radicals, and by FRAP assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through the inhibition of nitric oxide production in activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viability was assessed with an MTT assay. Results show that the flower extract revealed a powerful antimicrobial capacity against Gram-positive bacteria and strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. No significant cytotoxicity to activated macrophages was recorded. High resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis identified two molecules with important anti-inflammatory effects: 12α-hydroxydaturametelin B and daturametelin B. Molecular docking analysis with both pro-inflammatory agents tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 revealed that both compounds showed good binding features with the selected target proteins. Our results suggest that
flower is a promising source of compounds with potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Isolated withanolide steroidal lactones from
flower extract with promising anti-inflammatory activity have therapeutic potential against inflammatory disorders.
Shortly after the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many countries implemented sewage sentinel systems to monitor the circulation of the virus in the population. A fundamental part of these ...surveillance programs is the variant tracking through sequencing approaches to monitor and identify new variants or mutations that may be of importance. Two of the main sequencing platforms are Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Here, we compare the performance of MiSeq (Illumina) and MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies), as well as two different data processing pipelines, to determine the effect they may have on the results. MiSeq showed higher sequencing coverage, lower error rate, and better capacity to detect and accurately estimate variant abundances than MinION R9.4.1 flow cell data. The use of different variant callers (LoFreq and iVar) and approaches to calculate the variant proportions had a remarkable impact on the results generated from wastewater samples. Freyja, coupled with iVar, may be more sensitive and accurate than LoFreq, especially with MinION data, but it comes at the cost of having a higher error rate. The analysis of MinION R10.4.1 flow cell data using Freyja combined with iVar narrows the gap with MiSeq performance in terms of read quality, accuracy, sensitivity, and number of detected mutations. Although MiSeq should still be considered as the standard method for SARS-CoV-2 variant tracking, MinION's versatility and rapid turnaround time may represent a clear advantage during the ongoing pandemic.
Depletion of conventional energy resources necessitates the exploration of new alternative raw materials for sustainable biofuel production to improve socio-economic development. This research ...focuses on the cultivation of specific algae varieties, biomass quantification, fatty acid profiling, and their potential application in biodiesel production. The study examines diverse emerging algal species, including
Ulothrix
,
Stigeoclonium
,
Chlorella
vulgaris
,
Cladophora
,
Oedogonium
,
Oscillatoria
,
Spirogyra
, and
H.
reticulatum
. Over a 4-week cultivation period, all species demonstrated increased dry biomass, with
Ulothrix
exhibiting the maximum growth (19 g) and
Stigeoclonium
the minimum (5 g). Lipid composition analysis by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) indicated varying percentages (% DW) among strains, with
Ulothrix
sp. displaying the highest lipid content (62.4%). Lipid yields, crucial for biodiesel, followed the order:
Ulothrix
>
Stigeoclonium
>
C.
vulgaris
>
Cladophora
sp. >
Oedogonium
>
Oscillatoria
>
Spirogyra
sp. >
H.
reticulatum
. Further analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) composition using GC–MS revealed 24 detected FAMEs, with percentage ranges for specific fatty acids. The total FAMEs yield reached approximately 98% (w/w) from algal biodiesel, showcasing variations in saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAMEs content among strains. Fatty acid profiles, emphasizing linoleic, stearic, and oleic acids, were analyzed, identifying
Cladophora
sp.,
Chlorella
vulgaris
, and
Stigeoclonium
sp. as promising biodiesel candidates based on growth rates and fuel properties. All algal strains met or exceeded specifications, except for
H.
reticulatum
in cetane number. Despite highlighting challenges in large-scale algal cultivation for cost-effective biomass production, this study underscores the potential of expanding the algae biorefinery value chain to include advanced biofuels and valuable co-products, presenting a significant global impact on the gross domestic product.
Graphical abstract
Color chemicals contaminate pure water constantly discharged from different points and non-point sources. Physical and chemical techniques have certain limitations and complexities for bioenergy ...production, which motivated the search for a novel sustainable production approaches during dye wastewater treatment. The emerging environmental problem of dye decolorization has attracted scientist's attention to a new, cheap, and economical way to treat dye wastewater and power production via fungal fuel cells. Ganoderma gibbosum was fitted in the cathodic region with laccase secretion in the fuel cell. At the same time, dye water was placed in the anodic region to move electrons and produce power. This study treated wastewater using the oxidoreductase enzymes released extracellularly from Ganoderma gibbosum for dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) degradation via fungal-based fuel cell. The maximum power density of 14.18 mW/m
and the maximum current density of 35 mA/m
were shown by the concentration of 5 ppm during maximum laccase activity and decolorization of RBBR. The laccase catalysts have gained considerable attention because of eco-friendly and alternative easy handling approaches to chemical methods. Fungal Fuel Cells (FFCs) are efficiently used in dye treatment and electricity production. This article also highlighted the construction of fungal catalytic cells and the enzymatic performance of fungal species in energy production during dye water treatment.
Multiantimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli isolates are a global human health problem causing increasing morbidity and mortality. Genes encoding antimicrobial resistance are mainly harbored on ...mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as transposons and plasmids as well as integrons, which enhance their rapid spread. The aim of this study was to characterize 83 multiantimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates recovered from healthy broiler chickens. Among 78 tetracycline-resistant isolates, the tetA, tetB, and tetC genes were detected in 59 (75.6%), 14 (17.9%), and one (1.2%) isolates, respectively. The sul1, sul2, and sul3 genes were detected 31 (46.2%), 16 (23.8%), and 6 (8.9%) isolates, respectively, among 67 sulfonamide-resistant isolates. The PCR-based replicon typing method showed plasmids in 29 isolates, IncFIB (19), IncI1-Iγ (17), IncF (14), IncK (14), IncFIC (10), IncP (8), IncY (3), IncHI2 (1), and IncX (1). The class 1 and 2 integrons were detected in 57 and 2 isolates, respectively; one isolate harbored both integrons. Seven and one gene cassette arrays were identified in class 1 and class 2 integrons, respectively. Our findings show that multiantimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates from chickens serve as reservoirs of highly diverse and abundant tet and sul genes and plasmid replicons. Such isolates and MGEs pose a potential health threat to the public and animal farming.
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