Concentrations Of Organic Extracts Research Articles

Cytotoxicity, chemical, and nutritional profile evaluation of biomass extracts of the Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) aquatic plant

ABSTRACT Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) is the smallest and fast-growing aquatic plant species producing protein-rich biomass with high protein nutritional value, phytoremediation capacity, and nutrient removal from wastewater. Duckweed may also be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products, such as vaccines, antibodies, and pharmaceutical proteins. Based upon the potential importanc of L. aequinoctialis in phytoremediation and as a bioreactor the aim of this study was to (1) characterize the chemical and nutritional profiles of L. aequinoctialis biomass utilizing an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (IMTA) and a pond, and (2) investigate the cytotoxic potential of different concentrations of organic extracts and fractions using the MTT bioassay. EDXRF and ICP-MS analyses indicated the presence of trace elements in lower amounts in relation to the biomass of L. aequinoctialis in the lagoon, emphasizing the importance of plant inclusion management to reduce bioaccumulation of these elements. Analysis of mineral profiles, fatty acids, and amino acids indicated a satisfactory nutritional composition for the use of biomass as a bioproduct. Pigment analysis showed a high concentration of carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. After standardizing the controls, the MTT cell viability test was carried out utilizing rat hepatoma cell line (HTC), which are metabolizing cells that were treated with aqueous or ethanolic extracts and the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions at different concentrations. No apparent cytotoxic potential was observed following treatments, since there was no significant reduction in cell viability. Therefore, this study provides information regarding the biomass of L. aequinoctialis derived from the IMTA system, which might support further research into the application of this species as a bioproduct.

Egeria densa organic extracts: an eco-friendly approach to suppress Microcystis aeruginosa growth through allelopathy

Abstract Macrophytes play a significant role in shaping plankton communities by shading, controlling water turbulence, and nutrient availability, while also producing allelochemicals causing varying effects on different organisms. Many researchers have shown that when live macrophytes are present, they inhibit cyanobacteria. However, their widespread use is often limited due to numerous concerns, including invasive characteristics. This study focused on the applicability of Egeria densa extracts to suppress Microcystis aeruginosa. We employed pure water and dimethyl sulfoxide, to obtain compounds from E. densa. The results revealed that E. densa aqueous extracts stimulated M. aeruginosa growth, whereas organic extracts exhibited suppression. Specifically, at low concentrations of organics extracts (0.5 and 1 g/L), after day 4, the growth inhibition was confirmed by significantly higher (p < 0.05) stress levels shown in cells treated with low concentrations. The highest inhibition rate of 32% was observed at 0.5 g/L. However, high concentrations of organic extracts (3 and 6 g/L), showed increased growth compared with control. These results suggest that high concentrations of organic extracts from E. densa potentially suppress allelochemical-induced M. aeruginosa inhibition due to high nutrient availability. In comparison with an aqueous solvent, the use of organic solvent seems to be more effective in efficiently extracting allelochemicals from E. densa.

Chemical Defense against Herbivory in the Brown Marine Macroalga Padina gymnospora Could Be Attributed to a New Hydrocarbon Compound.

Brown marine macroalga Padina gymnospora (Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta) produces both secondary metabolites (phlorotannins) and precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3-aragonite) on its surface as potential defensive strategies against herbivory. Here, we have evaluated the effect of natural concentrations of organic extracts (dichloromethane-DI; ethyl acetate-EA and methanol-ME, and three isolated fractions) and mineralized tissues of P. gymnospora as chemical and physical resistance, respectively, against the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus through experimental laboratory feeding bioassays. Fatty acids (FA), glycolipids (GLY), phlorotannins (PH) and hydrocarbons (HC) were also characterized and/or quantified in extracts and fractions from P. gymnospora using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (CG/MS) or GC coupled to flame ionization detector (FID) and chemical analysis. Our results showed that chemicals from the EA extract of P. gymnospora were significantly important in reducing consumption by L. variegatus, but the CaCO3 did not act as a physical protection against consumption by this sea urchin. An enriched fraction containing 76% of the new hydrocarbon 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-heneicosatetraene exhibited a significant defensive property, while other chemicals found in minor amounts, such as GLY, PH, saturated and monounsaturated FAs and CaCO3 did not interfere with the susceptibility of P. gymnospora to L. variegatus consumption. We suggest that the unsaturation of the 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-heneicosatetraene from P. gymnospora is probably an important structural characteristic responsible for the defensive property verified against the sea urchin.

Effects of Rhazya Stricta plant organic extracts on human induced pluripotent stem cells derived neural stem cells.

Rhazya Stricta (R. stricta) has been employed as a natural remedy for several diseases for centuries. Numerous studies revealed that R. stricta extracts contain alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids that possess antimicrobial, anticancer, antihypertensive, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we examined the effects of organic extracts from different parts of R. stricta plant on human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) for medical purposes. NSCs were incubated with different concentrations of organic extracts from the leaves, stem, and fruits, and we assessed the growth and viability of the cells by using MTS assay and the chemical composition of the potential plant extract by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Our results revealed that the methanolic extract from the stem increased NSCs growth significantly, particularly at a concentration of 25 μg/ml. GC/MS analysis was utilized to identify the potential compounds of the methanolic extract. In conclusion, our results demonstrated for the first time that methanolic stem extract of R. stricta contains compounds that can positively impact NSCs growth. These compounds can be further investigated to determine the potential bioactive compounds that can be used for research and medical purposes.

Antioxidant, Antiprotoscolices Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Some Medicinal Plants Against Echinococcus granulosus as Eco-friendly System

The principal objective of the study is to investigate the use of Mentha spicata, Thymus vulgaris and Ocimum basilicum as a good alternative option to Antiprotoscolices in-vitro. Hydatid disease, a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, an important economic and human public health problem with a wide geographical distribution. Fertile hydatid cysts were collected from livestock and the viability of the protoscolices was confirmed. Protoscolices were subjected to four different concentrations of organic extracts (12.5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/ml) for 10, 20 and 30 min. Each extract was investigated and viability of the protoscolices was tested using 0.1% eosin staining. The highest efficacy was by T. vulgaris, M. spicata (100%), and O. basilicum (98.8%) respectively, after exposure of 20 minutes at 75 mg/ml, that lead to the significant reduction in the viability of protoscolices. The extract had time-dependent effect. Phytochemical were identified qualitatively and weighted quantitatively, that help in the identification of bioactive compounds involved in selective action on the protoscolices tegument layer. In conclusion, all the selected medicinal plants could be a promising source of potent antiprotoscolices effect. The mechanism by which plant extracts killed protoscolices and also their safety for living cells are unclear and need to be investigated further.

Improving pea quality with vermicompost tea and aqueous biochar: Prospects for sustainable farming in Southern Africa

One of the main factors responsible for successful sustainable food production is vigorous seedling establishment. The role of organic extracts (vermicompost tea and aqueous biochar) on improving seed performance has not been fully explored in South Africa. Pea seed germination and emergence experiments using different concentrations of organic extracts were conducted according to International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules, and arranged in completely randomised block designs with four replications. Vermicompost tea (VC) significantly improved seed germination and emergence percentages, speed of germination and emergence, and physiological processes compared with biochar (BC) and vermicompost tea with microbial supplements (augmented). In contrast, biochar improved seedling growth by 39% compared to vermicompost tea. Application of the BC and VC extracts led to a 12% and 18% increase in pea germination percentages respectively. Similarly, BC and VC extracts at 10% concentration were effective in yielding optimal photosynthetic responses. The 5% and 10% VC, or 2.5% BC extracts are recommended for improving speed of germination, optimal germination and emergence percentages of pea seeds. Application of these extracts will be beneficial for resource-poor farmers in marginal lands, since these organic extracts are cheaper, easier to produce and more environmental friendly than the available commercial fertilisers. This study has shown that vermicompost tea provides essential nutrients for pea seed establishment, thus negating the need to use chemical fertilisers for effective seedling establishment.

Microalga Euglena as a bioindicator for testing genotoxic potentials of organic pollutants in Taihu Lake, China

The microalga Euglena was selected as a bioindicator for determining genotoxicity potencies of organic pollutants in Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake, Jiangsu, China among seasons in 2008. Several methods, including the comet assay to determine breaks in DNA and quantification of antioxidant enzymes were applied to characterize genotoxic effects of organic extracts of water from Taihu Lake on the flagellated, microalga Euglena gracilis. Contents of photosynthetic pigments, including Chl a, Chl b and carotenoid pigments were inversely proportion to concentrations of organic extracts to which E. gracilis was exposed. Organic extracts of Taihu Lake water also affected activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) of E. gracilis. There were no statistically significant differences in SOD activities among seasons except in June but significant differences in POD activities were observed among all seasons. The metrics of DNA fragmentation in the alkaline unwinding assay (Comet assay), olive tail moment (OTM) and tail moment (TM), used as measurement endpoints during the genotoxicity assay were both greater when E. gracilis was exposed to organic of water collected from Taihu Lake among four seasons. It is indicated that the comet assay was useful for determining effects of constituents of organic extracts of water on E. gracilis and this assay was effective as an early warning to organic pollutants.

Effect of organic extractant LIX 84IC, pH and temperature changes on bioleaching microorganisms during SX treatment

During the solvent extraction process, the bioleaching solution undergoes changes. Basically these changes consist of an organic phase incorporation as well as changes in temperature and pH profiles. The resulting conditions have an effect on the following stages and more importantly on the behavior of the microbial community.The influence of the increase in temperature and acidity during solvent extraction on a mixed culture of bioleaching microorganisms was investigated. The effect of both factors was tested separately and together, where temperature was increased from 20 to 30°C and pH was decreased from 2.0 to 1.5 and then to 1.0 (according to SX plant data). At the same time, the effect of an organic phase composed of 24% LIX 84IC as the extractant and Oxform SX12 as the solvent on the same microbial community was studied. Quantitative and qualitative changes of the microbial population were investigated using optical microscopy, MPN (Most Probable Number) and qPCR.Decreasing pH had a stronger negative effect on biomass numbers and activity (oxidation of ferrous iron) than temperature that showed almost no effect. Total cell number and activity decreased around one and one and a half orders of magnitude respectively when pH decreased to 1.0.The number of active ferrous iron-oxidizing cells was reduced more by contact with the organic phase than by the decrease in pH, and the detrimental impact of both stress factors together was even greater (decrease of over two orders of magnitude at pH 1.0). The increase of the SX agent concentration further decreased the number of active iron-oxidizing cells. On the other hand, the decrease in the organic extractant concentration did not show a significant improvement in the measured iron-oxidizing activity. Relatively constant cell numbers were recovered from the organic phase after contact, with the predominance of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans.Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans and Alicyclobacillus spp. showed the smallest decrease in cell numbers of all the species quantified when acidity was increased and during contact with the organic extractant.The results gathered in this study show the clear impact of SX on bioleaching communities, and therefore possible influences on subsequent downstream stages. Preventing the leakage of organic extractant from the SX step to the following stages is essential to minimize the deteriorating effect of this agent on the overall microbial activity.

Biochemical composition, energy content and chemical antifeedant and antifoulant defenses of the colonial Antarctic ascidian Distaplia cylindrica

The colonial ascidian Distaplia cylindrica occurs both as scattered individual colonies or in “gardens” of colonies in fine-grained soft substrata below 20 m depths off Anvers Island along the Antarctic Peninsula. Individual colonies, shaped as tall rod-like cylinders and anchored in the sediments by a bulbous base, may measure up to 7 m in height. D. cylindrica represent a considerable source of materials and energy for prospective predators, as well as potential surface area for fouling organisms. Nonetheless, qualitative in situ observations provided no evidence of predation by sympatric predators such as abundant sea stars, nor obvious biofouling of colony surfaces. Mean energy content of whole-colony tissue of D. cylindrica was relatively high for an ascidian (14.7 kJ g−1 dry wt), with most of this energy attributable to protein (12.7 kJ g−1 dry wt). The sympatric omnivorous sea star Odontaster validus consistently rejected pieces of D. cylindrica colonies in laboratory feeding assays, while readily ingesting similarly sized alginate food pellets. Feeding deterrence was determined to be attributable to defensive chemistry, as colonies of D. cylindrica are nutritionally attractive and lack physical protection (conspicuous skeletal elements or a tough outer tunic), and O. validus display significant feeding-deterrent responses to alginate food pellets containing tissue-level concentrations of organic extracts. In addition, high acidity measured on outer colony surfaces (pH 1.5) as well as homogenized whole-colony tissues (pH 2.5) are indicative of surface sequestration of inorganic acids. Agar food pellets prepared at tissue levels of acidity resulted in significant feeding deterrence in sea stars. Thus, both inorganic acids and secondary metabolites contribute to chemical feeding defenses. D. cylindrica also possesses potent antifoulant secondary metabolites. Tissue-level concentrations of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts caused significant mortality in a sympatric pennate diatom. Chemical feeding deterrents and antifoulants are likely to contribute to the abundance of D. cylindrica and, in turn, play a role in regulating energy transfer and community structure in benthic marine environments surrounding Antarctica.

Mutagenicity of Sediments from the Detroit River

Sediment samples from 30 sites in the lower Detroit River and one site in Lake Michigan were extracted with organic solvent and were tested for mutagenicity in the Ames test. Without metabolic activation, sediment samples were either non-mutagenic or weakly mutagenic. With metabolic activation, mutagenic responses (defined as doubling of the spontaneous mutation rate at one or more concentrations of organic extract) were observed in 16 of 31 samples. Mutation rates ranged from 20 to 370 histidine positive revertants per mg of organic extract. These results demonstrate the existence of compounds in sediments of the Detroit River that can be activated to mutagens. The sediments thus are a potential source of mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic compounds for fish and other organisms.

Separation of Transplutonium and Rare Earth Elements by Liquid—Liquid Extraction

BS>A solvent extraction process for separating americium and curium from major pcrtions of rare earths was developed. Rare earth elements are extracted from 10 M LiCl solutions (with HCl varying from 0.5 to 1.0 M) into 0.5 M mono-2- ethylhexyl orthophosphoric acid in xylene carrier. The americium and curium remain in the lithium chloride solution. Americium is separated from all rare earths and curium from all rare earths except lanthanum by countercurrent extraction. The extractability of the rare earths, americium, and curium in 10 M LiCl is affected by the HCl feed, and rare earth concentrations in the feed, the organic extractant concentration, and the nature of the diluent. (auth)