Antifungal Characteristics Research Articles

Evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of Echinacea and Arctium extracts and Zataria essential oil

Dental caries and oral infections have become a widespread issue in the modern world. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxicity characteristics of the extracts of Echinacea purpura, Arctium lappa, and the essential oil of Zataria multiflora as a potential herbal mouthwash. The essential oil of Z. multiflora leaves and the extracts of E. purpurea and A. lappa roots were prepared. The characterization was carried out by GC-MS and also, total phenol and flavonoid were assed for all three samples. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The cytotoxic effect of the samples was evaluated on HEK 293 and HDFa cells by MTT test. Thymol and carvacrol contents in EO of Z. multiflora were measured at 31% and 42.2%, respectively. A. lappa had the lowest total phenolic and flavonoid value among the samples. On the other hand, the total phenolic content of Z. multiflora and the total flavonoid content of E. purpurea were the highest. The MIC values of Zataria, Arctium, and Echinacea against S. mutans were 0.011% v/v, 187.5 mg/ml, and 93.75 mg/ml, while MBC were 0.011% v/v, 375 mg/ml, and 187.5 mg/ml, respectively. The formulation showed bactericidal activity against S. mutans in the concentration of 5.86 mg/ml for Echinacea and Burdock extracts and 0.08 µl/ml for EO of Zataria. The formulation significantly affected microbial biofilm formation and induced biofilm degradation. The cell viability percentages were higher than 50% during 24 and 48 h. The formulation had a significant antimicrobial effect on cariogenic bacteria and C. albicans, with the lowest cytotoxic effects. Therefore, this formulation can be an appropriate candidate for mouthwash.

Evaluation of cinnamaldehyde mucoadhesive patches on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background & objectiveThe use of herbal medicines to treat common oral diseases increases rapidly. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases, which has an unclear etiology and could lead to severe pain and dysfunction. Cinnamaldehyde is a major component of cinnamon bark oil. Biological properties of cinnamaldehyde, such as antioxidant, antitumor, antifungal, cytotoxic, and anti-mutational characteristics, have been identified. Considering the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and the importance of using herbal resources for treatment, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mucosal adhesive patches containing Cinnamaldehyde on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis lesions.Material & methodsIn this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, patients were divided into two groups. The intervention group received three daily mucosal adhesive patches to be used in the morning, afternoon, and night. The control group also did the same with a placebo. To evaluate the healing and determine the diameter of the lesions, patients were clinically examined on days zero, 3, 5, and 7. The VAS scale evaluated pain at baseline and after each meal for seven days. The Fisher's exact test, t-test, Shapiro Wilk test, Friedman test, and the Mann–Whitney test were used to analyze the data using the SPSS 20 software.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the mean diameter of the inflammatory lesion and pain intensity in the two groups in the baseline (p > 0.05). However, the ulcer size was significantly reduced in the cinnamaldehyde group on the third, fifth, and seventh days of the study. Except for baseline, the mean pain intensity significantly decreased in the cinnamaldehyde group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).ConclusionCinnamaldehyde mucoadhesive patches effectively reduced and improved aphthous lesions and pain intensity in patients and can be considered a treatment for RAS. Registration number: IRCT20180312039060N2—First registration date: 20/07/2018. The present study was registered as a retrospective study.

Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, DFT Calculations And Molecular Docking Studies Of 2-Amino-N-(2-Fluorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1-Benzothiophene-3-Carboxamide

Thiophene is a heterocyclic compound having pharmacological properties. In medicine, its derivates shows anti-HIV and anti-cancer activities. Benzothiophene derivatives exhibits various biological activities like antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Intermolecular interactions were studied using the Hirshfeld surface analysis and it shows that H-H contacts have 47.3% and H-C contacts have 16.3% contribution. In addition, the molecular structure was optimized using density functional theory with B3LYP hybrid functional method. The UV-Visible spectrum shows strong absorption peak at 306.0 nm. NBO analysis reveals inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonding and hyperconjugative interactions accountable for the stability of molecular structure. The molecular docking studies were performed using AutoDock 4.2 tool. The ligand molecule (1a) docked with protein target 3FDN having binding energy of -07.2 kJ per mol with a ligand efficiency of -0.36.

Systemic Review of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi): Morphological Characteristics, Phytoconstituents and Therapeutic Applications

Plants have been used medicinally by humans for millennia. Tulsi is one of these drugs. A plant's perfume emanates from within. It is found all over India. It is harvested around Hindu temples or places of worship. Its leaves, seeds, and roots are employed in Ayurvedic treatment. Tulsi contains a variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Tulsi's key chemical components are Linalool, caryophyllyne, Oleanolic acid, and Rosmalinic acid. Tulsi standardisation has been used in modern science. Two active ingredients are eugenol (essential oil) and ursolic acid (acide). A diaphoretic, anti-periodic, and anti-bronchitis leaf. A decoction of the leaves can treat coughs, malaise, and colds. Not only is it moisturising. Flowers' oils can treat ringworm. Because of its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, Ocimum sanctum has been used in numerous therapeutic trials. This page discusses the chemistry and pharmacology of Ocimum species.

Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic/Antibacterial Effects of Nine Iranian Propolis Extracts on Human Fibroblast Cells and Oral Bacteria.

Multimicrobial infections caused by pathobionts are called dysbiotic multimicrobial illnesses. Commercial mouthwashes, such as chlorhexidine, have negative side effects that can prevent tooth decay and infection. The present study aimed to determine the antifungal, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity characteristics of the propolis extracts from different areas (Iran). The ethanolic extract of propolis was prepared. GC/MS carried out the characterization to determine the thymol, carvacrol, and menthol extracts, and also, total phenol and flavonoid were assed for all samples. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects were evaluated against S. mutans, S. mitis, S. salivarius, L. acidophilus, E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The cytotoxic effect of extracts was measured on human fibroblast cells by MTT test. The MIC values in mg mL−1 were ranged as follows: S. salivarius (0.003 to 0.048), S. mutans (0.003 to 0.029), S. mitis (0.007 to 0.058), L. acidophilus (0.007 to 0.117), C. albicans (0.014 to 0.234), E. coli (0.007 to 0.058), and S. aureus (0.007 to 0.058), while MBC were, respectively, S. mutans (0.007 to 0.058), S. salivarius (0.007 to 0.117), S. mitis (0.007 to 0.117), L. acidophilus (0.014 to 0.234), C. albicans (0.029 to 0.468), E. coli (0.014 to 0.234), and S. aureus (0.007 to 0.117). Cariogenic bacteria and Candida albicans were demonstrated to be resistant to propolis extracts. Therefore, propolis extracts may make good mouthwashes.

Biological agents for synthesis of nanoparticles and their applications

In terms of cost-efficiency, biocompatibility, environmental friendliness, and scalability, green nanoparticle (NP) synthesis is a novel field of nanotechnology that outperforms both physical and chemical approaches. Plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae have lately been used to produce metals and metal oxide nanoparticles as an alternate method. The development of alternative strategies to restrict the growth of hazardous bacteria, as well as the building of resistance by germs to various antibiotics, led to the introduction of nanoparticles as novel antimicrobial agents. Metal oxides have been found to form oxide monolayer structures for drug delivery when they react with a transporter's surface. Metal oxide nanoparticles have emerged as biomedical materials in recent years, with applications in immunotherapy, tissue treatment, diagnostics, regenerative medicine, wound healing, dentistry, and biosensing platforms. Biotoxicology and its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral characteristics were hotly contested. Metal oxide nanoparticles have tremendous applicability and commercial value, as evidenced by important discoveries in the realm of nanobiomedicine in terms of locations and amounts. This paper describes the production of nanometal oxides from various green materials, as well as their applications.

Juice nanotechnology: A mini review

In the past two decades, nano-science is widely used in different applications and the increased interest in the utilization of nanoparticles in food processing is clear. Such applications include processing, packaging, development of functional food, safety, foodborne pathogens detection, and shelf-life extension. In this article, the essential facts and the latest uses of nano-science in fruit and vegetable juices were described. The green synthesis of nanoparticles with antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal characteristics is of great interest in food preservation. These nanoparticles such as metals, oxidized metals and its bioactivity in juice were reviewed. The current procedures to prepare nanojuice including nanofiltration and the most recent nanomilling were presented. Beside the preparation, special emphasis has also been given to the chemical as well as the biological (microbial and enzymatic) quality of the produced nanojuice. The role of nanotechnology in the development of the smart and the active food packaging systems for the improvement of food shelf- life and quality was also discussed. Since the physical and chemical characteristics of nanoparticles are completely different from those of macro-size. Therefore, special and urgent attention by responsible authorities should be given and effective policies should be applied for food products to ensure product quality, customer health and safety as well as the environmental protection.

Biosynthesis of Biocompatible AgNPs Using Medicinally Important Carduus edelbergii Rech.f. Extract for Multifarious Biological Activities

In current scenario, plant‐mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has received significant interest owing to its cost‐effectiveness and eco‐friendly methods. This study was planned to find the potential of Carduus edelbergii Rech.f. extract for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their subsequent antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. The prepared plant extract was analyzed for phytochemicals, elements, and nutrients. The fabricated AgNPs were characterized by spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized AgNPs and the Carduus edelbergii extract were investigated for their antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antifungal characteristics. The results showed that the plant extract contains a wide range of important nutrients and secondary metabolites. The synthesized AgNPs were crystalline and globular with an average diameter of 36.5 nm and exhibited a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at roughly 420 nm. As compared to Carduus edelbergii extract, the phytofabricated AgNPs had an increased antioxidant and cytotoxic efficacy. The AgNPs showed substantial antibacterial action against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli) bacteria. The findings revealed that the phytofabricated AgNPs could be an effective antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal for treatment of medical conditions.

Characteristics of antifungal utilization for hospitalized children in the United States.

To characterize antifungal prescribing patterns, including the indication for antifungal use, in hospitalized children across the United States. We analyzed antifungal prescribing data from 32 hospitals that participated in the SHARPS Antibiotic Resistance, Prescribing, and Efficacy among Children (SHARPEC) study, a cross-sectional point-prevalence survey conducted between June 2016 and December 2017. Inpatients aged <18 years with an active systemic antifungal order were included in the analysis. We classified antifungal prescribing by indication (ie, prophylaxis, empiric, targeted), and we compared the proportion of patients in each category based on patient and antifungal characteristics. Among 34,927 surveyed patients, 2,095 (6%) received at least 1 systemic antifungal and there were 2,207 antifungal prescriptions. Most patients had an underlying oncology or bone marrow transplant diagnosis (57%) or were premature (13%). The most prescribed antifungal was fluconazole (48%) and the most common indication for antifungal use was prophylaxis (64%). Of 2,095 patients receiving antifungals, 79 (4%) were prescribed >1 antifungal, most often as targeted therapy (48%). The antifungal prescribing rate ranged from 13.6 to 131.2 antifungals per 1,000 patients across hospitals (P < .001). Most antifungal use in hospitalized children was for prophylaxis, and the rate of antifungal prescribing varied significantly across hospitals. Potential targets for antifungal stewardship efforts include high-risk, high-utilization populations, such as oncology and bone marrow transplant patients, and specific patterns of utilization, including prophylactic and combination antifungal therapy.

A Review on Cucurbitaceae

Plants are basic source of food and energy cucurbitaceous family possess antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal characteristics and showed activities like antioxidant, phytochemical and hypoglycaemic activity. Cucurbitacins which are structurally diverse triterpenes found in the members of Cucurbitaceae and several other plant families possess immense pharmacological potential. The diverse phytoconstituent may prove to be important lead molecules for future research. This review is aimed to provide an insight into the chemical nature and medicinal potential of these compounds.

Therapeutics Effects and Health Benefits of the Caucasus Koumiss: A Review

Koumiss (koumyss, kumiss, kumys, kumyz, kimiz or coomy) has been popular in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Turkic, Mongolian, and Caucasian peoples of Russia: Altay, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, Tatarstan, Tyva, Chuvashia, and Saha (Yakutia). Many countries in numerous Central Asian countries provide Koumiss therapeutic services, which are primarily provided by small and medium-sized accommodation firms that are particularly active in rural areas of those countries.&#x0D; Koumiss is classified as a functional food due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. Many health benefits of koumiss include high probiotic content; antibacterial and antifungal characteristics; regulation of immunity; maintenance of a healthy gastric-intestinal system; regulation of cholesterol and sugar levels; regulation of blood pressure; and induction of some important vitamins. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the health benefits of koumiss.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Electrospun Recycled PET Polymeric Fibers Functionalized with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

Currently, to reduce the environmental problems associated with plastic waste, methods are being sought to use this waste as raw materials in different applications, such as fibers. In addition, to improve these materials and provide different properties, nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated. In the present work, polymeric fibers made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) from post-consumer water bottles, functionalized with 0%, 1.5%, 3% and 6% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in function of r-PET weight, were elaborated to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. The ZnO-NPs were synthesized by the solvothermal method, obtaining particles with a mean diameter of 38.15 nm, while the fibers were obtained by electrospinning with a diameter range between 200–5000 nm. The functionalized fibers were carried out against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis through the agar diffusion method, obtaining the highest inhibition halo at 6% w/w ZnO-NPs, being 26.5 mm and 34.25 mm, respectively. In addition, the same method was used to evaluate the antifungal activity of Penicillium s.p. and Fusarium graminearum, observing antifungal properties due to the presence of nanoparticles in the fibers.

A Comparative Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Antineoplastic Potential of Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Leaf Extract with Its Biologically Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles (R-AuNPs).

Rauwolfia serpentina (R. serpentina), belonging to the family Apocynaceae, is a renowned medicinal herb for its different pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative characteristics. This study has done a comparative assessment of the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activity of R. serpentina aqueous leaf extract (RSALE) with encapsulated gold nanoparticles (R-AuNPs). The R-AuNPs are prepared so that they are significant in size, monodispersed, and extremely stable. Their characterization was done by numerous parameters, including UV-visible spectroscopy (528 nm), transmission electron microscopy (~17 d. nm), dynamic light scattering (~68 d. nm), and zeta-potential (~−17 mV). Subsequently, a potent antibacterial activity was depicted via RSALE and R-AuNPs when examined by disc diffusion against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The obtained zones of inhibition of RSALE (100 mg/mL) were 34 ± 0.1, 35 ± 0.1, 28.4 ± 0.01, and 18 ± 0.01, although those of R-AuNPs (15 mg/mL) were 24.4 ± 0.12, 22 ± 0.07, 20 ± 0.16, and 17 ± 0.3 against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 8114), and Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), respectively. However, no zone of inhibition was obtained when tested against Proteus vulgaris (MTCC 1771). Furthermore, the obtained MIC values for Staphylococcus aureus were 0.91, 0.61, and 1.15 mg/mL; for Escherichia coli, 0.79, 0.36, and 1.02 mg/mL; for Bacillus subtilis 0.42, 0.27, and 0.474 mg/mL; and for Streptococcus pyogenes, 7.67, 3.86, and 8.5 mg/mL of pure RSALE, R-AuNPs, and Amoxicillin (control), respectively, incorporating that R-AuNPs have been shown to have a 1.4-fold, 2.1-fold, 1.5-fold, and 1.9-fold enhanced antibacterial activity in contrast to pure RSALE tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Proteus vulgaris, respectively. Additionally, an enhanced antioxidant potential was detected in R-AuNPs compared to RSALE evaluated by the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picryl Hydrazyl Radical Scavenging (DPPH) Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The determined IC 50 values of RSALE and R-AuNPs were 0.131 ± 0.05 and 0.184 ± 0.02 mg/mL, and 0.110 ± 0.1 and 0.106 ± 0.24 mg/mL via the FRAP and DPPH assays, respectively. In addition, the anti-cancer activity against the human cervical cancer (Hela) cell line was evaluated, and the MTT assay results revealed that R-AuNPs (IC50 88.3 µg/mL) had an enhanced anti-cancer potential in contrast to RSALE (171.5 µg/mL). Subsequently, the findings of this study indicated that R. serpentina leaves and their nanoformulation can be used as a potent source for the treatment of the above-mentioned complications and can be used as a possible agent for novel target-based therapies for the management of different ailments.

Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus Induce Similar Muco-inflammatory Responses in Primary Airway Epithelial Cells.

Aspergillus is increasingly associated with lung inflammation and mucus plugging in early cystic fibrosis (CF) disease during which conidia burden is low and strains appear to be highly diverse. It is unknown whether clinical Aspergillus strains vary in their capacity to induce epithelial inflammation and mucus production. We tested the hypothesis that individual colonising strains of Aspergillus fumigatus would induce different responses. Ten paediatric CF Aspergillus isolates were compared along with two systemically invasive clinical isolates and an ATCC reference strain. Isolates were first characterised by ITS gene sequencing and screened for antifungal susceptibility. Three clusters (A−C) of Aspergillus isolates were identified by ITS. Antifungal susceptibility was variable, particularly for itraconazole. Submerged CF and non-CF monolayers as well as differentiated primary airway epithelial cell cultures were incubated with conidia for 24 h to allow germination. None of the clinical isolates were found to significantly differ from one another in either IL-6 or IL-8 release or gene expression of secretory mucins. Clinical Aspergillus isolates appear to be largely homogenous in their mucostimulatory and immunostimulatory capacities and, therefore, only the antifungal resistance characteristics are likely to be clinically important.

Synthesis and Characterization of Antifungal Nanocomposite AgSiO2 Polymethyl Methacrylate

Objectives Polymethyl methacrylate as the most common material used in denture bases has some problems. The aim of this study was to introduce a new nanocomposite of PMMA to improve flexural strength and antifungal properties. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, AgSiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared, and their characteristics were confirmed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. Then the nanoparticles in the weight ratio of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7% were incorporated to heat-cured PMMA and the control group included no nanoparticles. To measure the flexural strength before and after thermocycling three-point bending test was used. Eight samples per group with dimensions of 65 × 10 × 2.5 mm were used. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans (PTCC 5027) was investigated through colony count method. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS at significance level of p -value ≤0.05. Results The mean flexural strength in groups 0.1, 0.3, and 0.7% was significantly higher than the control. After thermocycling flexural strength of the control group was significantly lower than 0.3 and 0.5% groups. As the concentration of nanoparticles increased the antifungal activity improved ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Addition of nanoparticles AgSiO 2 improved flexural strength and antifungal characteristics of PMMA.

Diversity of culturable bacteria endowed with antifungal metabolites biosynthetic characteristics associated with tea rhizosphere soil of Assam, India

BackgroundRhizosphere soil is a crucial niche for the diverse beneficial microbial communities in plant-microbe interactions. This study explores the antagonistic potential and diversity of the rhizosphere soil bacteria from commercial tea estates of Assam, India which comes under the Indo-Burma mega-biodiversity hotspot. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from six different tea estates to isolate the bacteria. The bacterial isolates were subjected to evaluate for the antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens. The potential isolates were investigated for chitinase production and the presence of chitinase gene. The bacterial genetic diversity was studied by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) and BOX-PCR fingerprinting.ResultsA total of 217 rhizobacteria were isolated from tea rhizosphere soil, out of which 50 isolates exhibited the potential antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens. Among them, 12 isolates showed extracellular chitinase activity and the presence of chitinase genes. The chitinase genes were sequenced and the analysis of the sequences was performed by using PDB protein databank at the amino acid level. It showed the presence of ChiA and ChiA74 gene in the 6 most potent isolates which are involved in the hydrolysis of chitin. These isolates also exhibited antagonistic activity against all tested fungal pathogens. The diversity of 50 antagonistic bacterial isolates were analyzed through ARDRA and BOX-PCR fingerprinting. Diversity analysis and molecular identification of the rhizosphere isolates revealed that these antagonistic isolates predominantly belonged to the genus Bacillus followed by Enterobacter, Serratia, Lysinibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Burkholderia.ConclusionThe present study establishes that rhizobacteria isolated from the poorly explored tea rhizosphere soil could be a rich reservoir for the investigation of potential antagonistic bacterial candidates for sustainable agricultural and industrial applications.

Effect of Betel Leaf (Piper sp.) Water Extracts to Control Penicillium digitatum Causes of Green Mold in Dekopon Citrus (Citrus reticulata)

Green mold disease ( Penicillium digitatum Sacc.) is one of the main problems in citrus fruits. Some studies had made use of biopesticides in treating postharvest diseases. Some studies reported that plant extracts can suppress various pathogens caused to have antifungal characteristics. One of the plants that are widely used as an extract is green betel leaf ( Piper betle ) and red betel ( Piper ornatum ).. This study aims to determine the effect of water extracts from green betel leaf and red betel leaf in suppressing P. digitatum in dekopon citrus ( Citrus reticulata Shiranui). The experiment used the experimental method of Completely Randomized Design with 7 treatments and 3 replications. The results showed that the water extracts of green betel leaf and red betel can inhibit the pathogen P. digitatum both in vitro and in vivo. The red betel leaf water extract at concentration of 10% was able to inhibit the colony diameter of P. digitatum in vitro at 43.61% and green betel lef extract at concentration of 10% was 39.34%. The best inhibition of green water extract and red betel the diameter of green mold disease on dekopon fruit was 15.95% and 39.74%, respectively. The water extracts of green betel leaf and the red betel leaf were able to inhibit green mold disease in vivo successively was 0.52-19.62% and 17.64-52.67%. The treatment of 10% green betel water extract was able to suppress the growth of green mold disease in dekopon fruit was 19.62% and 10% red betel water extract inhibition was 19.62%.

GC-MS Metabolomics and Antifungal Characteristics of Autochthonous Lactobacillus Strains

Lactobacillus strains with the potential of protecting fresh dairy products from spoilage were studied. Metabolism and antifungal activity of different L. plantarum, L. brevis, and L. sakei strains, isolated from Sardinian dairy and meat products, were assessed. The metabolite fingerprint of each strain was obtained by GC-MS and data submitted to multivariate statistical analysis. The discriminant analysis correctly classified samples to the Lactobacillus species and indicated that, with respect to the other species, L. plantarum had higher levels of organic acids, while L. brevis and L. sakei showed higher levels of sugars than L. plantarum. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression correlated the GC-MS metabolites to the antifungal activity (p &lt; 0.05) of Lactobacillus strains and indicated that organic acids and oleamide are positively related with this ability. Some of the metabolites identified in this study have been reported to possess health promoting proprieties. These overall results suggest that the GC-MS-based metabolomic approach is a useful tool for the characterization of Lactobacillus strains as biopreservatives.

Gauging performance of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles loaded polypropylene nonwoven based textile electrodes for 3-lead health monitoring electro cardiogram on analogous system

This work reports the engineering of textile electrodes, considered safe for humans even if worn next to skin for a longer time. Obliging this phenomenon conductive Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized from Silver Sulphate (Ag2SO4) and medicinal values enriched Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi)leaves extract. These conductive Silver nanoparticles were loaded by spray technique on polypropylene nonwoven fabric having inbuilt antifungal characteristics, to reduce its resistivity (10Ω) for the fabrication of textile electrodes. The adequate skin-electrode impedance values were observed for the fabricated textile electrodes, viz; 1.44 MΩ–1.83 MΩ and 1.01 MΩ–1.18 MΩ, in the dry and wet state respectively. The 3-lead health monitoring electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained on the Analogous system with the textile electrodes; dry and wet state as well as gel electrodes. The cardiograms were also taken at a smaller triangle than usual, only for the high resistance textile electrodes. The wet electrodes have executed considerably better clarity of PQR wavelets than reference gel electrodes ECG plots, and their performance was found consistent when tested after six months’ time leap. However, higher motion artifacts caused in the case of dry electrodes have resulted in distorted PQR wavelets and the tracing became worsen with increased testing time leap. This was mainly due to the encapsulation of conductive AgNPs in the air voids of the fabric, increased resistivity. The cardiogram quality has not shown peculiar benefit for a higher heart pumping pressure at the smaller triangle in either of the cases.

Crystallographic Pattern Mediates Fungal Nanoadhesion Bond Formation on Titanium Nanotubes.

The development of nanoadhesion bonds at the cell–material biointerface has been considered as a current prospective mechanism of microbial adhesion and colonization. However, there is a tremendous lack of evidence for the rational design of outstanding antifungal nanoconfigured materials. Therefore, extending our previous insights of evidence, we found that blocking the adhesion and biofilm formation of Candida albicans on NTs requires the inhibition of fungal nanoadhesion bonds. This work reports a concept for understanding the antifungal behavior of the crystallographic phase for anatase (NTs-annealed) and amorphous NTs. Herein, we demonstrated that the crystallographic orientation is a predominant parameter to reduce C. albicans, over the surface roughness and chemistry. We showed that the anatase phase conducted to an invasive phenotype, cellular envelopment insertion, followed by the improved cellular spread. Meanwhile, the amorphous configuration imposed reduced nanoadhesion bonds mainly appreciated over the mouths of the NTs, as revealed by cross sectioning. Moreover, our results showed that under fungal conditions, the experimental materials could reduce the surface energy. This work highlights that the crystallographic pattern predominantly controls the antifungal activity of NTs. The evaluated systems proposed that the NTs-annealed conducted an optimized insertion of fungal cells. Nonetheless, amorphous NTs inhibited the deposition of C. albicans via blocking the insertion and the development of nanoadhesion bonds, without morphology aberrations. The present discoveries can further inspire the rational design of upgraded nanoconfigured surfaces with noteworthy antifungal characteristics for antimicrobial coating technologies.