Acidic pH Levels Research Articles

L-cysteine-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a platform for enzymes immobilization: Amplifying biocatalytic activity of Candida antarctica Lipase A

This study presents the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles coated with L-cysteine (Fe3O4@LC) and their subsequent utilization as a support matrix for the immobilization of Candida antarctica Lipase A (CALA). The immobilization process involved physical interactions and covalent bonding mediated by glutaraldehyde. Comprehensive characterization was conducted using techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), providing compelling evidence of a successful synthesis. Under optimized conditions, employing 1 mg of protein per gram of support, pH 7 in a 25 mM phosphate buffer, and a 5 h reaction at 25 °C, immobilization on glutaraldehyde-activated support achieved an impressive yield of 85.0 % ± 2.6, accompanied by a specific activity of 212.5 ± 1.3 U/g, outperforming the physical adsorption approach. Remarkably, the immobilized enzyme exhibited higher activity than the free enzyme at alkaline and acidic pH levels. Furthermore, thermal and pH inactivation studies revealed that the biocatalyst's half-life exceeded that of free CALA by more than 8 times at pH 10. These results underscore the potential of the Fe3O4@LC-GLU-CALA system as a robust biocatalytic matrix with promising applications in biodiesel production, ester synthesis, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Peat water purification using nanohydroxyapatite synthesized from Carbon Negative Precipitated Calcium Carbonate precursor

Peatlands covers a vast area globally and used as drinking water source in some parts of Indonesia. Peat water, commonly found in swampy areas, stands out for its striking color intensity, acidic pH levels, and its high affinity for metal binding. Developing various peat water treatment techniques can help provide clean water for local communities. This study reported the preparation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) via hydrothermal method using Carbon Negative Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) as precursor, obtained from PT. Pertamina, a leading energy company of Indonesia, for treating peat water. HAps were synthesized from precursors that were calcined at 900 °C (HAp 900) and 1000 °C (HAp 1000). Its potential as an adsorbent for peat water purification was evaluated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed good crystallinity in HAp 900 and HAp 1000, with values of 82.33 % and 86.90 %, respectively. These samples also displayed nano-sized crystals, measuring 14.2 ± 0.3 nm and 23.80 ± 0.2 nm. The Ca/P molar ratios were 1.6 for HAp 900 and 1.57 for HAp 1000, which was close to the the theoretical hydroxyapatite ratio of 1.67. FTIR analysis detected the presence of carbonate groups at 1450.42 cm−1 for HAp 900 and 1426 cm−1 for HAp 1000, indicating the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed agglomerations and irregularly shaped particles in both HAp samples. Optimal conditions for peat water purification experiment, determined through UV-Vis spectrophotometry, were pH 2, 1 h contact time, and 1 g adsorbent mass for both HAp 900 and HAp 1000.

A subgroup of light-driven sodium pumps with an additional Schiff base counterion

Light-driven sodium pumps (NaRs) are unique ion-transporting microbial rhodopsins. The major group of NaRs is characterized by an NDQ motif and has two aspartic acid residues in the central region essential for sodium transport. Here we identify a subgroup of the NDQ rhodopsins bearing an additional glutamic acid residue in the close vicinity to the retinal Schiff base. We thoroughly characterize a member of this subgroup, namely the protein ErNaR from Erythrobacter sp. HL-111 and show that the additional glutamic acid results in almost complete loss of pH sensitivity for sodium-pumping activity, which is in contrast to previously studied NaRs. ErNaR is capable of transporting sodium efficiently even at acidic pH levels. X-ray crystallography and single particle cryo-electron microscopy reveal that the additional glutamic acid residue mediates the connection between the other two Schiff base counterions and strongly interacts with the aspartic acid of the characteristic NDQ motif. Hence, it reduces its pKa. Our findings shed light on a subgroup of NaRs and might serve as a basis for their rational optimization for optogenetics.

Abstract 684: DT-9045, a novel PAR2 inhibitor with best-in-class properties that reduces resistance to both EGFR-targeting therapies and immunotherapy in oncology models

Abstract Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a promising therapeutic target in oncology and immuno-oncology. It is upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types. A pan-cancer meta-analysis showed that PAR2 is one of the genes most significantly associated with resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and T cells dysfunction in cancer patients. Mechanistically, being expressed by various cells of the tumor microenvironment, PAR2 promotes both survival and proliferation of cancer cells and dampens the anti-cancer immune response. Domain Therapeutics has developed a novel PAR2 inhibitor, DT-9045, with best-in-class properties. Indeed, compared to its most advanced competitors, DT-9045 is a small molecule, orally bioavailable, insurmountable, biased, and active in tumor-like conditions (i.e. acidic pH and high level of activating proteases). This compound is also highly potent and selective on PAR2. Pharmacokinetic properties are suitable with a once-a-day oral administration. In vitro, DT-9045 completely prevented PAR2-mediated resistance to EGFR-targeting drugs. In vivo, its combination with anti-PD1 therapy showed a significant increase in efficacy over monotherapies in preclinical syngeneic mouse cancer models. This result was similar to the one observed in PAR2 knockout mice, indicating that oral administration of DT-9045 induces a complete inhibition of the receptor. We have further demonstrated that treatment with a PAR2 inhibitor enhances dendritic cell-mediated T cell activation and intratumoral infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as a decrease in M2 macrophage infiltration. In conclusion, Domain Therapeutic has identified a novel PAR2 inhibitor, DT-9045, with clear competitive advantages. This preclinical candidate has shown strong potency in alleviating the resistance to both EGFR-targeting therapies and immunotherapy in preclinical cancer models. IND-enabling studies are currently ongoing to bring this new hope for cancer patients to the clinic. Citation Format: Thibaut Brugat, Maleck Kadiri, Samya Aouad, Anne-Laure Blayo, Baptiste Rugeri, Antoine Mousson, Aurélie Janvier, Edith Steinberg, Luc Baron, Mandy Recolet, Xavier Wirth, Maria Jesus Garcia-Leon, Quentin Ruet, Meriem Semache, Laurent Sabbagh, Orphée Blanchard, Christel Franchet, Stanislas Mayer, John Stagg, Nathalie Lenne, Stephan Schann. DT-9045, a novel PAR2 inhibitor with best-in-class properties that reduces resistance to both EGFR-targeting therapies and immunotherapy in oncology models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 684.

Unveiling the Health Benefits of Prebiotics: A Comprehensive Review.

Prebiotics play a pivotal role in fostering probiotics, essential contributors to the creation and maintenance of a conducive environment for beneficial microbiota within the human gut. To qualify as a prebiotic, a substance must demonstrate resilience to stomach enzymes, acidic pH levels, and intestinal bacteria, remaining unabsorbed in the digestive system while remaining accessible to gut microflora. The integration of prebiotics and probiotics into our daily diet establishes a cornerstone for optimal health, a priority for health-conscious consumers emphasizing nutrition that supports a balanced gut flora. Prebiotics offer diverse biological functions in humans, exhibiting antiobesity, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cholesterol-lowering properties, along with preventing digestive disorders. Numerous dietary fibers possessing prebiotic attributes are inadvertently present in our diets, emphasizing the broader significance of prebiotics. It is crucial to recognize that, while all dietary fibers are prebiotics, not all prebiotics fall under the category of dietary fibers. The versatile applications of prebiotics extend across various industries, such as dairy, bakery, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other food products. This comprehensive review provides insights into different prebiotics, encompassing their sources, chemical compositions, and applications within the food industry.

Bioprocess optimization for enhanced xylitol synthesis by new isolate Meyerozyma caribbica CP02 using rice straw.

The present work models the fermentation process parameters of the newly isolated, Meyerozyma caribbica CP02 for enhanced xylitol production and its fermentability study on rice straw hydrolysate. The study examined the impact of each of the process variables by one variable at a time optimization followed by statistical validation. Temperature of 32°C, pH of 3.5, agitation of 200rpm, 1.5% (v/v) inoculum, 80 gL-1 initial xylose was optimized. Subsequently, a sequential two-stage agitation approach was adopted for fermentation. At these optimized conditions, xylitol yield of 0.77 gg-1 and 0.64 gg-1 was achieved using media containing commercial and rice straw derived xylose, respectively. For scale up, in 3L batch bioreactor, the highest xylitol yield (0.63 gg-1) was attained at 72h with rice straw hydrolysate media containing initial xylose (59.48 ± 0.82 gL-1) along with inhibitors (1.55 ± 0.10 gL-1 aliphatic acids, 0.0.048 ± 0.11 gL-1 furans, 0.64 ± 0.23 gL-1 total phenols). The results imply that even under circumstances characterized by an acidic pH and elevated initial xylose level, M. caribbica CP02, as an isolate, displays robustness and shows favorable fermentability of rice straw hydrolysate. Therefore, isolate CP02 has potential to be used in bio-refineries for high yield xylitol production with minimal hydrolysate processing requirements.

Fabrication of a Nanomagnetic Smart Polymer Carrier as a Potential Candidate for a Drug Delivery System

We developed an intelligent device capable of controlled release of anti-cancer drugs. The nano-carrier consists of two key components: firstly, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized through co-precipitation and then functionalized for attaching anti-cancer drugs; secondly, a polymer (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)) sensitive to pH and temperature was synthesized and employed to encapsulate the drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles. This responsive polymer exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 38.5 °C, indicating a phase transition behavior. Numerous techniques and analyses, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potentials, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy, were employed to confirm the successful execution of the aforementioned process. In vitro release assessments of the anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin, were conducted across various media (pH 5–8 and temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 °C). The outcomes revealed higher drug releases at temperatures exceeding the LCST (40 °C) and at slightly acidic pH levels (5–5.3). Notably, compared to the effectiveness of the unloaded drug, the magnetic smart polymer loaded with DOX exhibited a more potent cytotoxic effect. Considering these results, this nano-carrier emerges as a promising candidate for targeted therapeutic delivery to cancerous tissues.

Crystal structure of human serum albumin in complex with megabody reveals unique human and murine cross-reactive binding site.

The pharmacokinetic properties of small biotherapeutics can be enhanced via conjugation to cross-reactive albumin-binding ligands in a process that improves their safety and accelerates testing through multiple pre-clinical animal models. In this context, the small and stable heavy-chain-only nanobody NbAlb1, capable of binding both human and murine albumin, has recently been successfully applied to improve the stability and prolong the in vivo plasma residence time of multiple small therapeutic candidates. Despite its clinical efficacy, the mechanism of cross-reactivity of NbAlb1 between human and murine serum albumins has not yet been investigated. To unveil the molecular basis of such an interaction, we solved the crystal structure of human serum albumin (hSA) in complex with NbAlb1. The structure was obtained by harnessing the unique features of a megabody chimeric protein, comprising NbAlb1 grafted onto a modified version of the circularly permutated and bacterial-derived protein HopQ. This structure showed that NbAlb1 contacts a yet unexplored binding site located in the peripheral region of domain II that is conserved in both human and mouse serum albumin proteins. Furthermore, we show that the binding of NbAlb1 to both serum albumin proteins is retained even at acidic pH levels, thus explaining its extended in vivo half-life. The elucidation of the molecular basis of NbAlb1 cross-reactivity to human and murine albumins might guide the design of novel nanobodies with broader reactivity toward a larger panel of serum albumins, thus facilitating the pre-clinical and clinical phases in humans.

Acesulfame degradation by thermally activated persulfate: Kinetics, transformation products and estimated toxicity

The existence of the artificial sweetener acesulfame (ACE) in quantities of significance can negatively impact water quality, and its consumption has been associated with deleterious health effects. The present investigation explores the efficacy of heat-activated sodium persulfate (SPS) for eliminating ACE. The complete degradation of 0.50 mg L−1 of ACE was achieved within 45 min under a reaction temperature of 50 °C and 100 mg L−1 of SPS. The impact of thermal decomposition on ACE at a temperature of 60 °C was negligible. This study considers several factors, such as the SPS and ACE loading, the reaction temperature, the initial pH, and the water matrix of the reactor. The results indicate that the method's efficiency is positively correlated with higher initial concentrations of SPS, whereas it is inversely associated with the initial concentration of ACE. Furthermore, higher reaction temperatures and acidic initial pH levels promote the degradation of acesulfame. At the same time, certain constituents of the water matrix, such as humic acid, chlorides, and bicarbonates, can hinder the degradation process. Additionally, the data from LC-QToF-MS analysis of the samples were used to investigate transformation through suspect and non-target screening approaches. Overall, ACE's eight transformation products (TPs) were detected, and a potential ACE decomposition pathway was proposed. The concentration of TPs followed a volcano curve, decreasing in long treatment times. The ecotoxicity of ACE and its identified TPs was predicted using the ECOSAR software. The majority of TPs exhibited not harmful values.

Influence of Vinasse and Mechanized Harvesting on the Physical and Chemical Aspects of Soil in Paudalho Municipality - PE

Sugarcane cultivation methods and processes usually have negative impacts on the environment. However, this industry has been seeking more sustainable technologies, ranging from the adequate disposal of the organic residues produced to the elimination of pre-harvest burning and introduction of mechanized harvest. The objective of this work was to verify the influence of vinasse application and mechanized harvesting on the physical and chemical aspects of a dystrophic Red Yellow Argisol of medium texture, cultivated with sugarcane. For this, a field experiment in a Completely Randomized Design, with a factorial scheme was conducted. Four management treatments, with three replications, were evaluated: T1 - Without application of vinasse, burned cane followed by manual harvest, without irrigation; T2 - With application of vinasse, mechanized harvest, without irrigation; T3 - With application of vinasse, mechanized harvest, with irrigation; T4 - With application of vinasse, burned cane followed by manual harvest, without irrigation. Soil samples were collected in three depths (0 – 20 cm, 20 – 40 cm and 40 – 60 cm) and soil physical and chemical characteristics were determined. The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA and compared by the Tukey test (p≤0.05) of probability, using the statistical program ASSISTAT 7.7 beta. The results showed that fertigation with vinasse did not influence soil density, particle density, and total porosity. However, mechanized harvesting increased soil density and total porosity. The soil in the experimental unit without vinasse application presented a more acidic pH and high levels of aluminum saturation, causing a decrease in the availability of nutrients, and the soils treated with vinasse had an increase in nutrient availability. Therefore, the addition of vinasse can be an important strategy in maintaining and increasing long-term soil fertility in sugarcane cropping systems.

Weakly acidic pH-responsive liposomal content release induced by histidine-modified agents.

Internal stimuli-responsive controlled release from liposomal vesicles is an innovative approach for site-specific delivery of therapeutic drugs. In this study, to enhance the endosomal pH control of drug release from liposomes, a series of histidine-modified pH-sensitive Cn-His (n = 8, 12, 18) agents were designed and utilized as triggers for liposomal content release. The pH-dependent properties of Cn-His-incorporated liposomes were characterized using dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The liposomes maintained a relatively uniform size across all pH conditions. However, the ζ-potential exhibited positive values at endosomal acidic pH levels and neutral or negative values at physiological pH levels. Furthermore, acidic pH-dependent release of both polar content (carboxyfluorescein) and nonpolar content (Nile red) was observed from the Cn-His-incorporated liposomes. Notably, with C12-His as the pH sensitizer, the pH dependence of liposomal content release was significantly evident. This work establishes endosomal pH-controllable liposome platforms, laying the groundwork for developing clinically applicable triggered release formulations.

A Novel Cu(II) Loaded Polypeptide SO2 Prodrug Nanoformulation Combining Chemodynamic and Gas Anticancer Therapies.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)-based gas therapy and chemodynamic therapyare both reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated anticancer strategies, but there are few reports of their combined application. To this end, a novel graft-type copolymeric SO2 prodrug, PLG-g-mPEG-DNs, is designed and synthesized in this work. The amphiphilic polypeptides can self-assemble into nanoparticles (NPs) and encapsulated Cu(II) ions by metal-carboxyl coordination. In vitro release results showed that the obtained NPs-Cu can respond to the acidic pH and high glutathione levels typical of a tumor microenvironment to release Cu(II) and SO2 simultaneously. Both a Cu(II)-triggered Fenton-like reaction and the SO2 gas would promote ROS production and upregulate the oxidative stress in tumor cells, leading to an enhanced killing effect towards 4T1 cancer cells compared to either Cu(II) or the NPs alone. Furthermore, the in vitro hemolysis of NPs-Cu is less than 1.0% at a high concentration of 8mg/mL, indicating good blood compatibility and the potential for in vivo tumor inhibition application.

Understanding the binding interaction mechanism of i-motif with fluorophores: A biophysical approach

DNA exists in many canonical and non-canonical forms. i-motif: a non-canonical, tetraplex, antiparallel strand rich in cytosine, formed by hemi protonated cytosine- cytosine+ base pairs under slightly acidic pH levels, i-motifs are utilised in the study of numerous fields of applications. These i-motif tend to exhibit the property of switching the fluorescent nature of ligands such as thiazole orange, crystal violet and berberine upon interaction. This work is focussed on a basic overview of i-motif and its interactions with ligands to form fluorescence probes which could be useful in bio imaging. Herein, we are trying to find the electronic properties of small molecules upon interacting with i-motif. In order to find the active binding site in i-motif, Molecular Docking simulation was performed. The best docked pose obtained from the docking studies were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations. Further, DFT studies, optimization and single point energy calculations were carried out for freeligands and those bounded with the secondary DNA structures to understand the intermolecular interaction and to study their electronic properties.

Erosive tooth wear and salivary parameters among competitive swimmers and non-swimmers in Egypt: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionCompetitive swimmers spend considerable time practicing their sport. Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can alter salivary parameters and might compromise oral health. This study aimed to determine erosive tooth wear status and its related risk factors among competitive swimmers as compared to non-swimmers.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study consisting of 180 athletes (90 competitive swimmers versus 90 competitive rowers “non-swimmers”) was conducted. Participants were interviewed on the common erosion risk factors. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination system was used to assess the status of erosive tooth wear. Stimulated saliva sample was collected before and after a training session and pool pH was evaluated using pH strips for 7 days. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of dental erosion was significantly higher among competitive swimmers (60%) with higher BEWE scores compared to non-swimmers (25.6%). The salivary flow rate was reduced significantly after training sessions in both groups while salivary pH increased among swimmers. Evaluation of pool water revealed a continuous reduction in the pH level, reaching a very acidic pH level of 3.24.ConclusionErosive tooth wear is more prevalent among competitive swimmers. Years of practice and regular consumption of acidic drinks increase the odds of developing erosive lesions. A high incidence of erosive lesions may be attributed to a reduction in swimming pool pH level. Salivary parameters showed variations between groups after training sessions.

Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Quality Assessment for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes in Kakarveni River Basin, Vikarabad District, Telangana, India

Abstract: This study aims to assess the hydrochemistry and groundwater quality in the Kakarveni river basin in Vikarabad district, Telangana, India. Groundwater is a vital natural resource for human, agricultural, and ecological needs. Understanding hydrochemistry and groundwater quality is essential for identifying potential contaminants for selecting water treatment and agricultural management practices. The study will analyse hydro-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and major ions, and collect water samples from different locations to assess permeability index, Kelly’s index, magnesium hazard, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, or Eaton's index. The research methodology involves field sampling and laboratory analysis to ensure accurate and reliable results. The study area is about 192 sq. km and includes agricultural fields, forests, and human settlements. The geology and hydrology of the area are crucial for sustainable development and effective water resource management. The study found significant variations in measured parameters between pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, with slightly acidic pH levels and higher electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids during the post-monsoon season. The study analyses water samples during the pre-monsoon and postmonsoon periods and compares them with the WHO's drinking water quality standards. The study computes the findings and arrives at the suitability of groundwater for irrigation.

Degradation and decolorization of textile azo dyes by effective fungal-bacterial consortium.

Synthetic dyes are one of the main pollutants in the textile industry and bioremediation is considered as an environmentally friendly method to degrade them. Soil microbial consortia (MCs) are reported having the potential of decolorizing most of textile dyes. This study aimed at evaluating dye-degrading ability of MCs developed from fungi and bacteria. Fungi and bacteria were isolated from the soil samples obtained from textile waste dumping site at Horana industrial zone, Sri Lanka and were screened for crystal violet (CV) and congo red (CR) dyes to develop MCs. Decolorization assay was performed for MCs along with individual isolates under variable pH levels. Metabolized products were characterized to confirm the biodegradation. A. tamari (F5) and P. putida (B3) significantly (P < 0.05) decolorized both dyes. All the MCs showed higher decolorization percentages over the individual microorganisms. Neutral pH (pH 7) was the optimum pH for the decolorization of both dyes by individual isolates and the percentages were significantly changed under the acidic and basic pH levels. However, decolorization ability by all MCs was not significantly changed with pH. Consortium with A. tamari - P. putida significantly (P < 0.05) decolourized both dyes under optimum pH 7. All MCs showed better pH tolerance in degrading CV and CR. Thus, it can be concluded that the selected MC with A. tamari - P. putida can degrade CV and CR textile dyes efficiently into non-toxic compounds against plants under neutral pH. Degradation and decolorization of textile azo dyes by effective fungal-bacterial consortium.

Cerium-Biochar composite for the adsorptive and oxidative removal of Sunzol Black dye from aqueous solutions

The toxicity of industrial dyes in water being a major concern due to their high levels of contamination is a pressing issue. We studied the potential of a mesoporous Cerium/Biochar (nZVCe/BC) Corn extract composite to remove Sunzol Black (SB) dye from water. Advanced physical techniques were used to characterize the composite and found that it had a very high crystallinity surface area. The morphology and structure of the newly synthesized composite were thoroughly studied through, Fourier–Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), and Brunner–Emmett-Teller (BET). The morphology of the newly synthesized nanocomposite (nZVCe/BC) appeared to be highly dispersed and uniform. To increase its removal efficiency, to investigate the catalytic potential of the composite with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and found that the OH radical generated by this process significantly enhanced the degradation of SB. The degradation of SB was hindered by the presence of hydroxyl radical scavengers. Using a combination of H2O2 and Ce/BC, the removal of SB increased from 65 to 85% after 90 min when [Ce]⁰, [SB], and [H2O2] were set to 0.5 g/L, 10, and 40 ppm, respectively. This was attributed to the hydroxyl radical, which has a high degree of reactivity. The synthesized Ce nanocomposite had a high surface area (16.82 m2/g) and achieved 63 % removal of SB dye within 85 min, when the starting concentrations of Ce and SB were 0.5 g/L and 10 parts-per-million (ppm), respectively. The impact of the pH of an aqueous solution on the removal of SB through photocatalytic processes was studied. It was found that the degradation of SB was hindered at both highly alkaline and highly acidic pH levels. The results showed that almost 90% of the SB was removed. Additionally, the removal pattern of SB was determined and the nature of the degradation products was identified.

Effect of Varying Levels of pH and Edible Dyes on Tinting and Vase Life of Tuberose

Aims: The objective of this study is to explore how manipulating pH levels and incorporating edible dyes can extend the vase life, enhance the tinting, and improve the overall quality of tuberose flowers (Polianthes tuberosa).&#x0D; Study Design: The experiment was designed as a complete randomized design with three replications and a total of twenty-eight treatments.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture lab in Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The study was carried out over a specific duration in 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) flowers were obtained from a local supplier. The flowers were carefully selected based on their uniformity in size and maturity. The study followed a completely randomized design (CRD) with 28 combinations of treatments. The pH levels included three treatments (pH 4, pH 5, and pH 6), while the edible dyes consisted of three treatments (Apple green, Lemon yellow, and orange red) at varying concentrations (1%, 2.5%, and 4%).&#x0D; Results: This research reveals that the best conditions for attaining the desired tinting effect on tuberose flowers are a slightly acidic pH level (pH 5) and a moderate concentration of lemon-yellow color (2.5%). This treatment combination was suitable for increasing the water uptake, floret opening, percent increase in floret opening and vase life. While the concentration of the dye influences the strength of the coloration, the pH level has a significant impact on how the color solution is taken up and absorbed by the flowers.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that maintaining a pH level of 5 and using a moderate concentration (2.5%) of lemon-yellow color positively impacted both the tinting process and the longevity of cut tuberose flowers in vases.

Enterococcus isolated from poultry intestine for potential probiotic use.

To develop species-specific probiotics for poultry, it is ideal to obtain these probiotic microorganisms directly from the intestinal tract of broiler and egg-laying chicks in production environments to ensure adaptation to actual conditions. This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the intestinal tract of broiler and egg-laying chicks to determine their probiotic potential. Twenty-five Ross-308 broilers and 25 Isa Brown egg-laying chicks were raised until days 42 and 120, respectively; they were housed in an individual poultry building. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified from the small intestine mucus of broiler and layer chicks and then evaluated based on resistance to acidic pH levels, bile salt concentration, and antagonistic activity against wild strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. selected strains with probiotic potential were identified by polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by rDNA sequencing. One hundred and fifty Gram-positive isolates were obtained; 28% (42) were catalase and oxidase negative and biochemical identification was made by crystal system: 76.2% (32) Enterococcus spp., 16.6% (7) Lactococcus spp., and 7.2% (3) Streptococcus spp.; and evaluated for hemolysin production; tolerance to low pH and bile salts, and antagonistic potential were carried out. Molecular characterization yielded 56% (24) Enterococcus faecium, and 44% (18) Enterococcus faecalis. About 81% (34) of strains were without vancomycin resistance genes criterion. This study isolated and characterized 36 strains of LAB with probiotic qualities, from the intestines of broiler and egg-laying chicks, selecting E. faecium, Enterococcus avium, and Enterococcus casseliflavus, Lactococcus garviae as promising strains for further in vitro and in vivo research.

Improving the functionality and biological properties of Iranian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) seeds protein with different proteases

In this study, date seeds as a major agricultural by-product were utilized for production of antioxidant peptides with techno-functional properties. Date seeds protein (DSP) was extracted and hydrolyzed by different enzymes (Alcalase, trypsin, pancreatin and pepsin). Then, the degree of hydrolysis (DH), amino acid composition, functional characteristics (e.g., solubility, and water- and oil-holding capacity), free radical inhibiting activity, reducing power, total antioxidant activity (TAA) and metal ion chelating activity of the hydrolysates (DSPHs) were examined. Chemical analysis of the obtained protein concentrate (∼ 65 %) indicated the presence of amide A and B regions. Also, amide I to III regions and secondary structures (α-helix, β-sheet, β-tern and random coils) were observed in the extracted DSP-protein. The DH and essential amino acids content of DSPHs were affected by enzyme type. The hydrolysis treatments resulted in a significant increase in the solubility of DSP, particularly in acidic pH levels and around its isoelectric point. In comparison to DSP, DSPHs also exhibited higher inhibitory activity against free radicals such as DPPH (72.5 %), ABTS (92.5 %), OH (64.5 %), and NO (57.9 %). Furthermore, DSPHs demonstrated greater reducing power (1.84), TAA (2.3), and enhanced chelating activity towards iron (73.2 %) and copper (40.1 %) transition ions. Various factors, including DH and the composition of amino acids, especially the amount of charged, hydrophobic, and antioxidant types, have played a crucial role in these outcomes. With their significant nutritive, functional, antioxidant, and metal ion chelating activities, DSPHs can serve as a natural additive to enhance the nutritional value and stability of various food products.