This study was conducted in order to investigate the antibacterial potency of the Ononis spinosa L. extracts. The phenolic compounds in the aerial parts of Ononis spinosa were examined using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-UV/DAD) technology, and were assessed due to their antimicrobial properties. The greatest total phenolic amount of the extracts, as measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent procedure, was found to be 43.03 ± 1.02 mg GAE/gDW in stem extract, while the utmost flavonoid content value was 31.45 ± 0.45 mg QE/gDW in stem extract, as measured by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Based on HPLC analysis, we find that epicatechin (5.1 mg/g) constituted the predominant compound in the aerial plant extract. The antibacterial capability of the extracts was determined against twelve strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The strains evaluated were chosen for an antibacterial assay utilizing the in vitro disc diffusion and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. All examined extracts exhibited antibacterial potential, varying from moderate to strong, with the stem extract demonstrating the most pronounced effect, significantly inhibiting the development of Staphylococcus aureus recording diameter of inhibition zone, MIC, and MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) of 30 mm, 4.68 mg/ ml, and 9.36 mg/ ml, respectively. The extracts from Ononis spinosa showed a high antibacterial efficacy, thus they may have potential applications in food and pharmaceutical products.

Nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), accounting for a significant burden on patient outcomes and healthcare resources. Most cases are linked to catheter use, prolonged hospitalization, and poor infection control practices. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of nosocomial UTIs, covering their epidemiology, classification, risk factors, causative pathogens, resistance mechanisms, diagnostic advancements, and prevention strategies. Gram (-) bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the leading uropathogens, often exhibiting multidrug resistance through biofilm formation, efflux pumps, and β-lactamase production. Emerging diagnostic methods, including molecular techniques, biosensors, and AI-assisted microscopy, offer faster and more accurate pathogen detection. Preventive measures such as minimizing catheter use, adherence to aseptic protocols, staff education, and antimicrobial stewardship remain essential. To mitigate the clinical and economic impact of nosocomial UTIs, integrated strategies combining rapid diagnostics, targeted therapies, and robust infection control measures must be prioritized. Continued research and system-wide implementation of best practices are essential to reduce infection rates and combat antimicrobial resistance.

Petroleum bioremediation is internationally recognized as a cost-effective and ecologically sustainable solution. The aim of this study is isolating and identifying the PPFM bacterium from oil contaminated soil. So, this bacterium was isolated from soil samples collected from Rumaila oil field in Basra, southern Iraq, using a mineral salt medium (MSM) complemented with 1% methanol as the only carbon and energy source. Genetic identification of the promising bacterium was performed using the 16S rDNA gene and identified as Methylorubrum pseudosasae AAZ2 (OR226418.1). MxaF gene that encodes for the methanol dehydrogenase enzyme was also detected, confirming the identification of PPFM. Growth was achieved in MSM medium supplemented with 1% crude oil as a carbon source, recording highest optical density (OD600) of 0.7 after 5 days of incubation in a shaking incubator at 120 rpm and 30 °C. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis showed high rates of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-alkane) degradation after incubation in the MSM medium with 1% (w/v) crude oil at 65.45% and 74.6% after 5 and 10 days of incubations, respectively. It also showed high rates of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) degradation of 94.77% and 98.11% after 5 and 10 days of incubation. The Methylorubrum pseudosasae AAZ2 strain has proven to be highly efficient in remediating crude oil, and hence can be exploited to remediate contaminated environments.

Soil microbiota serves as a rich source of different microbial enzymes including α-amylase. In this study we aimed to isolate, optimize amylase-producing bacterial strains, and evaluate the effectiveness of agro-waste in replacing conventional starch-based fermentation substrates. Soil samples were collected from different areas of Pakistan. Bacteria that produce α-amylase were isolated and characterized. Initial screening in vitro was performed by starch hydrolysis assay. This process resulted in the identification of two promising bacterial isolates, AU1 and AU2, which were further characterized through biochemical testing and 16S rRNA sequencing. They were identified as Brevibacillus reuszeri and Brevibacillus brevis, respectively. Optimization of the fermentation conditions revealed optimal pH 7, temperature of 38 °C, incubation period of 72 h, and yeast extract as an organic nitrogen source. Additionally, using different agro-waste, general waste, and several sources of starch including corn comb, wheat bran, rice bran, potato peel, rice starch, potato starch, and corn starch, Brevibacillus reuszeri, and Brevibacillus brevis were tested for the production of α-amylase. The maximum amylase production was observed by Brevibacillus reuszeri with wheat bran (381 μmol/ min.) and Brevibacillus brevis with potato peel (395 μmol/ min.). Our research provides significant insights into the optimization of the fermentation processes for α-amylase production, highlighting the economic and sustainable potential of utilizing agro-waste materials in enzyme production industries.

The oral microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by forming a dynamic ecosystem across the buccal components. It contributes to oral homeostasis through pathogen defense, pH regulation, local immune support, biofilm formation, nutrient metabolism, and microbial balance preservation. Dental biofilms influence oral health by maintaining balance or contributing to conditions such as dental caries and periodontal diseases. Advancements in studying the oral microbiota have evolved from culture-dependent to culture-independent methods. Next-generation sequencing technologies such as Illumina platforms, have revolutionized the human understanding by revealing comprehensive microbial composition and functional insights. These methods collectively deepen our understanding of oral microbial communities, which are pivotal for maintaining both oral and systemic health. This review aims to explore dental caries, periodontal diseases, and other oral infections, detailing their symptoms, progression, and treatments. Dental caries manifests several symptoms from toothache to abscesses, managed through oral hygiene and restorative procedures. Periodontal diseases cause gum inflammation, necessitating plaque control, deep cleaning, and/ or surgery for resolution. Other infections, including canker sores, oral candidiasis, and herpes are discussed alongside their treatments such as topical agents, antifungals, and antivirals. Conventional treatments encompass antibiotics, antifungals, chlorhexidine, and invasive procedures, thus effectively eliminate pathogens and restore oral health.

The aims of this review are to focus on updating the current knowledge regarding the diversity of bacterial phytases, their importance in increasing the availability of phosphorus and other nutrients necessary for the growth and development of various plants and animals, and their roles in maintaining environmental sustainability. Phytases, enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phytic acid, play a major role in various biotechnological processes; especially in agriculture. Among the diverse sources of phytases as prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, bacterial phytases have gained considerable attention due to their specific characteristics, potentials for genetic manipulation, and various biotechnological and industrial applications. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with phytase activity have been isolated from diverse ecological niches, including soils, fermented foods, plant rhizospheres, and manure. Additionally, probiotic bacteria, essential for maintaining a healthy microbiota, have been shown to produce phytase, suggesting their potential applications in animal and plant growth, human nutrition, and food and feed industry.

Thymus vulgaris is a highly regarded herb known for its wide medicinal and culinary uses. Endophytic fungi, residing harmlessly within plant tissues, have attracted much attention as potential sources of novel bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and biological characteristics of Alternaria alternata as an endophytic fungus isolated from Thymus vulgaris. Alternaria alternata was isolated from Thymus vulgaris leaves and characterized using morphological and molecular identification techniques. Chemical characterization of dichloromethane fraction (DCM) of Alternaria alternata was conducted using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). The biological screenings revealed anticancer potential of the fungal secondary metabolites, while DCM extract showed strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to gentamycin. These findings imply that DCM extract has the potential as an alternative or complementary antibacterial agent; particularly in situations where antibiotic resistance is a concern. DCM extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 70 µg/ ml compared to the more potent Doxorubicin with an IC50 of 10 µg/ ml. This suggests that Alternaria alternata extract may offer a less aggressive alternative for cancer therapy. Docking results revealed that key secondary metabolites such as dihydroaltersolanol showed strong binding activity across multiple bacterial targets; suggesting their broad-spectrum antibacterial potential, while Bicycloalternarene F demonstrated specific high affinity for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme. Alternatone A, tenuazonic acid, and A reductase expressed strong multi-target antibacterial potential, while Bicycloalternarene F and Alternatone A displayed high binding affinity to several anticancer targets; particularly those proteins regulating apoptosis and cell survival. These findings highlighted the potential of these bioactive compounds as effective anticancer agents and warranting further experimental validation.

Around the world, one of the biggest risks to public health is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR poses substantial consequences on country economies and health systems. In the post-antibiotic era, searching for new cost-effective approaches is necessary to compensate for the continuous increase in AMR. The aims of this review are to explore the different biological and sustainable approaches that should be exploited to overcome the problem of AMR, discuss the mechanisms and advantages of different sustainable biological strategies, and introduce several strategies, including probiotic bacteria, predatory bacteria, and bacteriophages, which are powerful tools valuable to fighting resistant microorganisms with fewer chances of resistance development. Naturally synthesized products such as antimicrobial peptides and bacteriocins revealed successful treatment options. Additionally, the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas) system is a gene-editing tool that can re-sensitize the resistant bacteria. Vaccination prevents infectious diseases and halts the emergence of resistant pathogens. Meanwhile, bacterial ghosts (BGs) and bacterial outer membrane vesicles (bOMVs) can be used to develop safe vaccines. bOMVs are also used as efficient tools for drug delivery due to their nanosizes. Additionally, antibody therapy and fecal microbial transplants are successful tools. Developing sustainable strategies to combat AMR through biological means looks promising. When compared to conventional antibiotics, these tactics have different mechanisms of action that may slow the emergence of antibiotic resistance.