Message in a molecule Sarkar, Tanmay; Selvakumar, Karuthapandi; Motiei, Leila ...
Nature communications,
05/2016, Letnik:
7, Številka:
1
Journal Article
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Since ancient times, steganography, the art of concealing information, has largely relied on secret inks as a tool for hiding messages. However, as the methods for detecting these inks improved, the ...use of simple and accessible chemicals as a means to secure communication was practically abolished. Here, we describe a method that enables one to conceal multiple different messages within the emission spectra of a unimolecular fluorescent sensor. Similar to secret inks, this molecular-scale messaging sensor (m-SMS) can be hidden on regular paper and the messages can be encoded or decoded within seconds using common chemicals, including commercial ingredients that can be obtained in grocery stores or pharmacies. Unlike with invisible inks, however, uncovering these messages by an unauthorized user is almost impossible because they are protected by three different defence mechanisms: steganography, cryptography and by entering a password, which are used to hide, encrypt or prevent access to the information, respectively.
α-amylase is known to have antibiofilm activity against biofilms of both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Partially purified α-amylase from
Bacillus subtilis
was found to have ...inhibit biofilm formed by
P. aeruginosa
and
S. aureus.
The spectrophotometric and microscopic studies revealed that the antibiofilm efficacy of the working strain is greater than commercially purchased α-amylase. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) help to predict the optimum conditions pH 8, treatment time 6 h and enzyme concentration (200 µg/mL) for maximum biofilm eradication. This was confirmed by several in vitro experiments. Molecular docking interactions of α-amylase with the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of both
P. aeruginosa
and
S. aureus
indicate towards the existence of an efficient energy driven spontaneous process. Thus, this study highlights a combination of experimental and computational approach showing the naturally extracted α-amylase from
B. subtilis
having the potency of removing the biofilms of harmful bacterial strains involved in causing various nosocomial infections.
The applications of natural plant pigments are growing rapidly with the increasing awareness of the negative health impacts of synthetic colorants. Additionally, natural pigments possess various ...biological properties and therapeutic activities. But their functions are hindered by their poor bioavailability, bioaccessibility, low absorption rate, and susceptibility to destructive environmental changes during processing and delivery. Encapsulation is a method of entrapment of bioactive ingredients within suitable carriers to provide protection and for the appropriate delivery into the targeted site by the formation of particles or capsules in micrometer or nanometer scales. Encapsulation imparts several benefits including improved thermal and chemical stability, preserves or masks flavor, taste, or aroma, controlled and targeted release, and enhanced bioavailability of pigments. Micro and nanoencapsulation of pigments will provide extensive and intensive platforms for the development of a new stage in the production of novel and healthy foods. This review mainly focuses on the advanced developments in the fields of micro and nanoencapsulation of pigments.
Mango (Himsagar cultivar) is a high moisture-bearing seasonal fruit and cultivated in a wide range of the world. Mango pulp is generally preserved by sun drying. In recent days, industries are using ...hot-air oven, freeze, and microwave drying for mango leather (dried mango pulp in the sheet like texture) processing. Here, all these four drying methods were studied to determine the effect of drying on mango leather processing. RP-HPLC and FTIR were studied for analysis of polyphenol profile and predominant functional groups in raw and processed samples. The phytochemical analysis and medicinal properties (antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activity) of all five mango samples were studied. The bioinformatics approach was studied to evaluate the bioactive potential of the phytochemicals derived from the samples. Freeze-dried mango leather was found to be the highest in DPPH (74.23%) and Superoxide (66.04%) activity, though raw mango pulp was observed with the highest H
2
O
2
activity (73.24%). Gallic acid was the predominant phenolic acid present in all five samples and it was maximum in the case of freeze-dried sample (2.76 ± 0.04 mg/100 g MD). On the other hand, quercetin was the predominant flavonoid, it was found maximum for freeze-dried sample (3.93 ± 0.21 mg/100 g MD).
The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led to the search for alternate antimicrobial treatment strategies. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) for efficient penetration into a living ...system have become more common in the world of health and hygiene. The use of microbial enzymes/proteins as a potential reducing agent for synthesizing NPs has increased rapidly in comparison to physical and chemical methods. It is a fast, environmentally safe, and cost-effective approach. Among the biogenic sources, fungi and bacteria are preferred not only for their ability to produce a higher titer of reductase enzyme to convert the ionic forms into their nano forms, but also for their convenience in cultivating and regulating the size and morphology of the synthesized NPs, which can effectively reduce the cost for large-scale manufacturing. Effective penetration through exopolysaccharides of a biofilm matrix enables the NPs to inhibit the bacterial growth. Biofilm is the consortia of sessile groups of microbial cells that are able to adhere to biotic and abiotic surfaces with the help extracellular polymeric substances and glycocalyx. These biofilms cause various chronic diseases and lead to biofouling on medical devices and implants. The NPs penetrate the biofilm and affect the quorum-sensing gene cascades and thereby hamper the cell-to-cell communication mechanism, which inhibits biofilm synthesis. This review focuses on the microbial nano-techniques that were used to produce various metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles and their "signal jamming effects" to inhibit biofilm formation. Detailed analysis and discussion is given to their interactions with various types of signal molecules and the genes responsible for the development of biofilm.
The marine environment is a relatively unexplored source of functional ingredients that can be used in food processing, storage, and fortification in a variety of ways. Marine microorganisms are a ...possible source of novel bioactive chemicals with potential human utility. Some of these microbes can live in the harsh marine environments, resulting in complex compounds with unique biological properties that can be used in several industrial and biotechnological applications. So far, several marine microorganisms (fungi, myxomycetes, bacteria, and microalgae) have been isolated that produce antioxidant, antibacterial, apoptotic, antitumoral, and antiviral chemicals. Furthermore, it emphasizes the enormous potential for marine microbes to produce very important bioactive chemicals. The main goal of this review is to provide a concise overview of several constituents of marine bioactives. Anticoagulant, anticancer, and hypocholesterolemic effects have been demonstrated for bioactive peptides extracted from fish protein hydrolysates, as well as algal fucans, galactans, and alginates. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish oils and marine microorganisms, while potent antioxidants such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds can be found in crustaceans and seaweeds. This review focuses on the potential use of marine-derived chemicals as functional food ingredients for health maintenance and chronic disease prevention, based on their bioactive qualities.
Aegle marmelos or bael has been known from prehistoric times in India with mythological importance. Each part of the tree like root, bark, fruit, leaf, and flower has therapeutic significance in ...Ayurvedic as well as other traditional medicinal systems in treating ailments. Modern researches have successfully supported the pharmacological action of bael by discovering the presence of valuable bioactive compounds. Studies have revealed the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial nature of bael which aids in inhibiting gastrointestinal problems, different cardiac issues. Hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-diabetic, wound healing activities are also unveiled by bael. The aim of the present research work is to study the ethno-botanical importance of each part of the tree, nutritional and phytochemical profiling, preservation techniques of the fruit, and medicinal actions of it.
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•Ethnobotanical description of bael (Aegle marmelos).•Nutritional profile and food products can be derived from bael.•Thorough literature survey associated with nutritional and medicinal aspects of different portions of bael.•In-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological potency of different parts of bael.
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is recognized as a multifaceted, versatile biomaterial with abundant applications. Groups of microorganisms such as bacteria are accountable for BC synthesis through static ...or agitated fermentation processes in the presence of competent media. In comparison to static cultivation, agitated cultivation provides the maximum yield of the BC. A pure cellulose BC can positively interact with hydrophilic or hydrophobic biopolymers while being used in the biomedical domain. From the last two decades, the reinforcement of biopolymer-based biocomposites and its applicability with BC have increased in the research field. The harmony of hydrophobic biopolymers can be reduced due to the high moisture content of BC in comparison to hydrophilic biopolymers. Mechanical properties are the important parameters not only in producing green composite but also in dealing with tissue engineering, medical implants, and biofilm. The wide requisition of BC in medical as well as industrial fields has warranted the scaling up of the production of BC with added economy. This review provides a detailed overview of the production and properties of BC and several parameters affecting the production of BC and its biocomposites, elucidating their antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy with an insight to highlight their therapeutic potential.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely explored and are well-known for their medical applications. Chemical and physical synthesis methods are a way to make AuNPs. In any case, the hunt for ...other more ecologically friendly and cost-effective large-scale technologies, such as environmentally friendly biological processes known as green synthesis, has been gaining interest by worldwide researchers. The international focus on green nanotechnology research has resulted in various nanomaterials being used in environmentally and physiologically acceptable applications. Several advantages over conventional physical and chemical synthesis (simple, one-step approach to synthesize, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and biocompatibility) have drawn scientists' attention to exploring the green synthesis of AuNPs by exploiting plants' secondary metabolites. Biogenic approaches, mainly the plant-based synthesis of metal nanoparticles, have been chosen as the ideal strategy due to their environmental and in vivo safety, as well as their ease of synthesis. In this review, we reviewed the use of green synthesized AuNPs in the treatment of cancer by utilizing phytochemicals found in plant extracts. This article reviews plant-based methods for producing AuNPs, characterization methods of synthesized AuNPs, and discusses their physiochemical properties. This study also discusses recent breakthroughs and achievements in using green synthesized AuNPs in cancer treatment and different mechanisms of action, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, leading to apoptosis, etc., for their anticancer and cytotoxic effects. Understanding the mechanisms underlying AuNPs therapeutic efficacy will aid in developing personalized medicines and treatments for cancer as a potential cancer therapeutic strategy.
Diosgenin encapsulated PCL-Pluronic nanoparticles (PCL-F68-D-NPs) were developed using the nanoprecipitation method to improve performance in brain cancer (glioblastoma) therapy. The nanoparticles ...were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS)/Zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The encapsulation efficiency, loading efficiency, and yield were calculated. The in vitro release rate was determined, and the kinetic model of diosgenin release was plotted and ascertained. The cytotoxicity was checked by MTT (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)assay against U87-MG cells (glioblastoma cell lines). The obtained nanoparticles demonstrated good size distribution, stability, morphology, chemical, and mechanical properties. The nanoparticles also possessed high encapsulation efficiency, loading efficiency, and yield. The release rate of Diosgenin was shown in a sustained manner. The in vitro cytotoxicity of PCL-F68-D-NPs showed higher toxicity against U87-MG cells than free Diosgenin.
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