Inhibition Zone Diameter Research Articles

Penentuan Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) minyak atsiri Acorus calamus terhadap Aspergillus flavus

Balinese lontar manuscripts are documentation of past Balinese culture. The main component of palm leaves is cellulose. Efforts to prevent damage to lontar manuscripts from cellulose-degrading fungi such as Aspergillus flavus are needed to maintain Balinese local wisdom. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Minimum Inhibitory Concentratiton (MIC) value of jangu leaf essential oil (Acorus calamus) in inhibiting the growth of A. flavus in vitro. The results obtained were the optimum concentration of A. calamus essential oil at 5% (v/v), with an average inhibition zone diameter of 11.72 mm (strong category). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of jangu leaf essential oil in inhibiting A. flavus is 2% v/v with an average inhibition zone diameter of 7.08 mm. This research opens new insights in the conservation of Balinese ancient manuscripts from damage caused by cellulose-degrading fungi, by utilizing the essential oil of local Balinese plants, namely jangu leaf (A. calamus).

Antibacterial activity of palm leaf extract against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder in adults and young adults. The growth of acne is caused by many factors, including excess sebum secretion and changes in microbial flora, mainly the colonization of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. This study aimed to determine the anti-bacterial activity of palm leaf extract against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. The research procedure includes palm leaf extraction and anti-bacterial tests. Palm leaf extraction was carried out using ultrasonication, while the anti-bacterial test was carried out using disc diffusion. The palm leaf extract obtained was diluted to 10, 20, 30, 50, and 50%, and each variation of this concentration was tested for anti-bacterial activity. The results of the anti-bacterial test showed that all palm leaf extract samples from 10% to 50% concentration could inhibit the growth of P. acnes and S. aureus bacteria. The 50% extract of ultrasonicated palm leaves had the largest inhibition zone diameter of 13.8 mm for P. acnes bacteria and 10.1 for S. aureus bacteria. From the results of this study, palm leaf extract has the potential to be used as a product for the prevention or treatment of acne vulgaris.

THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF LIPOPEPTIDES AND BACTERIOCINS PRODUCED BY Lactobacillus sp. OF HUMAN SAMPLES AGAINST CLINICAL PATHOGENS OF WOUND INFECTION

This study was performed for production, purification, characterization and evaluation the antibacterial activity of biosurfactant BS which were produced from local isolate Lactobacillus plantarum Z9 with bacteriocin and studying the synergistic effect .A total 100 different samples 85(%) isolates of Lactobacillus sp. were isolated from different sources and identified by biochemical tests then subjected to the primary and secondary screening processes to select the active isolate for bacteriocin and biosurfactant production. Among the vagina isolates screened, the results found that Lactobacillus sp. Z9 isolated from the clinical samples of Iraqi healthy women had the highest productivity of the bacteriocin and biosurfactant. Partial purification of biosurfactant that produced from L. plantarum Z9 was conducted using solvent system (chloroform: methanol, 2:1). A 1:1 ratio of n-butanol was used to extract of partially purified bacteriocin, where the bacteriocin activity up to 320 AU/ml against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively compared to 20 AU/ml before purification.. Antibacterial activity of Bacteriocin displayed a significant activity with inhibition zones diameter ranged from (11 to 26 mm) and (10 to 25 mm) against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus at concentration ranged from 50 to 200 mg/ml. Maximum antibacterial activity of bacteriocin against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus showed at concentration 200 mg/ml of bacteriocin. Partial purified lipopeptide of L. plantarum Z9 was examined against pathogenic bacteria using well diffusion method. The lipopeptide had inhibition zones diameter ranged from (14 to 28 mm) and (13 to 29 mm) against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively at concentration ranged from 25 to 200 mg/ml. The combination of lipopeptide with bacteriocin increased the range of inhibition zones and made the pathogens sensitive.

Antimicrobial Potential of Chitosan Films Incorporated with Alcoholic Extract from Mimosa tenuiflora Leaves.

Antimicrobial films were prepared with chitosan containing the methanolic extract of M. tenuiflora leaves (FECT20%, FECT30%, and FECT40%), and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated by agar diffusion. The films were characterized by IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TG/DTG curves. TG/DTG curves showed thermal stability of chitosan-extract films up to 166 ºC. Micrographs of chitosan-extract films revealed an increase in porosity with the addition of extract. The FECT40% film showed inhibition zone diameters (IZ) againstMicrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus subtilis, andB. cereus, ranging from1.0 ± 0.02 to 0.72 ± 0.09 cm. Only FECT30% and FECT40% inhibitedtheP. aeruginosawith IZs of 0.68 ± 0.02 and 0.77 ± 0.06 cm, respectively. In turn, the extract showed inhibition againstB. subtilisandB. cereus, with IZs values of 0.92 ± 0.2 cm and 0.72 ± 0.05 cm, respectively. Additionally, the crude extract presented antioxidant potential with inhibition percentages of 32.74% ± 0.90 for ABTS and 27.04% ± 1.36 for DPPH.The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the crude extract, as well as the antimicrobial property of chitosan-extract films, suggests the potential of these biopolymers for the development of wound healing bandages and new food packaging alternatives.

Synergistic and potential antifungal properties of tailored, one pot multicomponent monoterpenes co-delivered with fluconazole encapsulated nanostructure lipid carrier

Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms that give rise to vast fungal diseases that alternate between moderate to fatal in severity. The use of fluconazole as an antifungal drug was limited due to the acquired resistance in some types of Candida and other fungal species. This study aims to consolidate fluconazole’s biological effectiveness against several pathogenic fungi. Six active monoterpenes (MTs) of carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, citronellal, and nerolidol were selected and encapsulated in nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC) with (NLC-Flu-MTs) and/without (NLC-MTs) fluconazole in one nanoformulation to determine if they will act synergistically or not? The synthesized nanoformulation NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs exhibited very good particle size of 144.5 nm and 138.6 nm for size and zeta potential values of (− 23.5 mV) and (− 20.3 mV), respectively. Transmission electron microscope investigation confirmed that the synthesized NLCs have regular and spherical shape. The abundance and concentration of the six released monoterpenes were determined, as a novel approach, using GC–MS with very good results and validity. In-vitro antifungal screening was done before and after nano co-delivery against seven pathogenic, and aggressive fungi of Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Geotrichum Candidum, Candidaalbicans, Aspergillus Niger, and mucor circinelloides. Inhibition Zone diameter (IZD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured. Nanoformulations NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs manifested potential and unique biological susceptibility against all the tested microorganisms with reduced (MIC) values, especially against Candida Tropicalis (MIC = 0.97 µg/ml) which represents 16-fold of the value shown by NLC-MTs (MIC = 15.6 µg/ml) and 64-fold of fluconazole free before nanoformulation (MIC = 62.5 µg/ml). The efficiency of nanomaterials, particularly NLC-Flu-MTs, has become evident in the diminishing value of MIC which affirmed the synergism between fluconazole and the other six monoterpenes.

Potensi Antibakteri Minuman Fungsional Tradisional Jawa (Wedang Uwuh) Berdasarkan Variasi Waktu Rebusan

Wedang uwuh is a functional beverage prepared by boiling a combination of spices, namely sappan wood, ginger, nutmeg leaves, cinnamon leaves, cloves, and clove leaves. It is reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and immune-enhancing properties due to its active compounds. This traditional beverage shows potential in reducing infections caused by Escherichia coli, highlighting the importance of proper preparation methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of wedang uwuh prepared by different boiling duration (5, 10, 15, and 20 min) to determine the optimal time for maximum effectiveness. Phytochemical changes, as indicated by color alterations, were assessed by a descriptive approach while a disc diffusion method was used as an antibacterial assay to measure the inhibition zone diameter against E. coli. Compounds in each treatment were analyzed using GC-MS. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, and tannins in all variations. Antibacterial testing revealed that boiling for 15 min exhibited the highest activity, with an inhibition zone diameter of 10.43±1.33 mm, reflecting strong antibacterial efficacy. This result significantly differed from the 5 and 10 min treatments. The 5 min boiling treatment demonstrated a smaller inhibition zone with an average diameter of 5.71±1.67 mm, indicating moderate antibacterial activity, but it did not differ significantly from the 10 min treatment. A chemical analysis by GC-MS for the 15 min boiling sample successfully identified 23 compounds, and among these chemicals, hexadecanoic acid was found as the predominant component.

In vitro antibacterial activity of Bersama abyssinica Fresen crude extract against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates.

Bersama abyssinica Fresen is a plant that is used in folk medicine for the treatment of mastitis and other infectious diseases. The antibacterial activity of methanol crude extract of plant was evaluated against three common bacterial pathogens, including Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The antibacterial activities and minimum inhibitory concentration of B. abyssinica crude extracts were evaluated using agar-well diffusion and broth dilution methods according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). A significant difference in the antibacterial activity of crude extracts was observed among different levels of concentration against tested isolates. A higher mean inhibition zone diameter was recorded in E. coli (29.2 ± 1.5mm), followed by S. aureus (27.8 ± 1.1mm) and P. aeruginosa (18.0 ± 0.7mm) at a concentration of 100mg/mL. The antibacterial activity of crude plant extract at 100mg/mL was comparable with that of a standard antibiotic (27.6 ± 2.6) against S. aureus and E. coli isolates. The findings indicated that bacterial growth inhibition increased as the concentration of the crude extracts increased. E. coli and S. aureus isolates showed significantly higher susceptibilities to crude extracts than P. aeruginosa at all concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of extracts against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa isolates were 0.78mg/mL, 1.56mg/mL and 1.56mg/mL, respectively. All tested pathogenic bacterial species were susceptible to plant leaf extract and broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The study recommends further fractionation of the B. abyssinica plant that contributes to its antibacterial activity and understands the mode of action of this plant against bacteria and other microbes.

Isolation and screening rhizobacteria to control <i>Gilbertella persicaria</i> causing dragon fruit rot

<i>Gilbertella persicaria</i> is a fungus causing dragon fruit rot discovered recently and there is still no effective measure to control this fungus. Several studies demonstrated that microorganisms were applied for controlling <i>G. persicaria</i> on other crops. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential application of rhizobacteria in the <i>in vitro</i> control of <i>G. persicaria</i>. Eighty-nine bacterial isolates were collected from eleven rhizosphere soil samples. Four isolates, including LA2.9, LA3.2, LA4.5, and LA6.1, were screened based on inhibitory zone diameters and the ratio between the diameter of the inhibitory zone and the diameter of the bacterial growth zone. All of these four isolates were identified as belonging to the <i>Bacillus</i> genus and were compatible with each other. Random combinations of the selected strains could increase the<i> in vitro</i> growth inhibition of <i>Gilbertella persicaria</i> GTC2.3.1 in some cases. These results once again showed that the individual or multiple applications of the antagonistic bacterial strains was a promising approach to control <i>G. persicaria</i>. Therefore, it is necessary to isolate and collect more bacterial antagonists to develop targeted fungicidal formulations.

CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM KUSAMBI LEAF EXTRACT (Schleichera oleosa (L) Oken)

Background: The kusambi plant is traditionally used by people to treat various diseases. This plant is thought to contain various secondary metabolites with various pharmacological activities, including antibacterial. Objectives: This study aims to determine the antibacterial activity of various extracts using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and 96% methanol as solvents against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 bacteria and identify what groups of compounds are contained in the kusambi leaf extract. Method: Kusambi leaves were extracted with Soxhlet using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and 96% methanol (1:4 w/v). Activity testing uses the agar diffusion method, and compound class testing uses the TLC (thin layer chromatography) method and spray reagents. Results: The research showed the highest yield was 22% for methanol extract, 12% for N-hexane extract, and 20% for ethyl acetate extract. Methanol extract activity test Kusambi leaves show moderate intensity inhibitory activity against bacteria S.aureus bacteria, while bacteria E.coli did not show inhibitory activity. The most significant inhibition zone diameter in the ethyl acetate extract was 9.22 mm with a concentration of 10?g/mL, the methanol extract had an inhibition zone diameter of 8.82 mm with a concentration of 10 ?g/mL, and the leaf N-hexane extract had no inhibition zone. The identification results of the compound groups were flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, steroids, and triterpenoids, as proven by the TLC method and spray reagents. Conclusion: Kusambi leaf extract using ethyl acetate solvent has inhibitory activity against bacteria S.aureus and contains flavonoids, phenols, steroids, alkaloids, and triterpenoids. Keywords: Kusambi plant; antibacterial; secondary metabolite compounds.

Poly acrylonitrile Schiff-bases nanofibers: Antibacterial and dye removal potency

Polymer nanofibers exhibit a diverse range of applications in both biological and environmental contexts owing to their unique surface structure and porosity. This study investigates the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Schiff base nanofibers utilizing an electrospinning protocol and their antibacterial potency as well as their dye-removing capability. Schiff bases were created from the reaction of modified PAN with vanillin PANVan and cinnamaldehyde PANCinn. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to elucidate the structure of the resultant Schiff bases. Each compound's capability to inhibit bacterial growth and eliminate methylene blue dye (MB) from aqueous solutions was assessed. The fabricated PAN Schiff bases were able to inhibit the bacterial growth of both Gram-negative bacteria with inhibitory zone diameters ranging from 8.5 to 12.3 mm and Gram-positive bacteria with inhibitory zone diameters ranging from 9 to 15.6 mm. Furthermore, 77.8 % of the MB dye was found to be removed by PANVan nanofibers. This dye removal process was discovered to be endothermic, following the Langmuir isotherm model and having pseudo-second-order kinetics as a description. It has been discovered that PANVan nanofibers can be reused for dye removal. Simulated adsorption and docking studies were found to agree with dye removal and antibacterial studies. These synthesized Schiff bases could demonstrate their promise as bactericidal agents and useful materials for environmental applications involving the removal of dyes.

Isolation, characterization, and screening of secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi isolated from Nigerian Piliostigma thonningii for antimicrobial activities

Piliostigma thonningii leaves are used in Nigeria folk medicine for the treatment and management of diverse ailments. This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the secondary metabolites produced from endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of Piliostigma thonningii. The isolation of endophytic fungi was carried out according to the standard procedures. The fungi were subjected to solid-state fermentation on rice medium and the secondary metabolites extracted using ethyl acetate. The fungal crude extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against selected clinically important microbes using the agar well diffusion method. The fungus with the best antimicrobial activity was molecularly characterized and its secondary metabolites profiled using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy to establish the correlation between the observed activity and its phytochemical composition. The fungal extracts showed antimicrobial activity with inhibitory zone diameter ranging from 2.00 to 9.00 mm. The secondary metabolites of Aspergillus fumigatus (the most bioactive endophyte) contain 50 compounds with several of them having established antimicrobial activity. The results of this study suggest that Aspergillus fumigatus an endophytic fungus associated with P. thonningii could be a promising source of novel bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial importance. Keywords: Antimicrobial, Endophytic fungi, GC-MS, Piliostigma thonningii

Synthesis, characterization, computer-aided docking studies, and anti-fungal activity of two-armed quinazolin-2,4‑dione derivatives

A new series of two-armed quinazolin-2,4-diones incorporating N- heterocyclic moieties such as β-lactam, piperidine and/or morpholine, 2-thioxo imidazolidin-4-one and 2-iminothiazolidin-4-one 2–7 were designed and synthesized as attractive anti-fungal scaffolds. The structural elucidation of newly compounds was performed by means of FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS techniques. Subsequently, the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans via measuring the inhibition zone diameter around the fungal growth. The results obtained revealed varied response activity toward the tested fungal pathogen. Three most potent compounds 1, 3, and 4 exhibited noted inhibitory effects. Since, there was found superiority of the compound 1 in terms of inhibition zone diameter (mm) about the standard drug (i.e. Amphotericin B). Additionally, the MIC value was assessed for the potent compounds using different concentrations (5–400 μg/mL). A significant MIC value (20 μg/mL) was recorded for compound 1. Moreover, the molecular docking simulation was performed against sterol 14-alpha demethylase. In particular, compound 1 exhibited the best binding profile among the synthesized compounds (- 13.6 kcal/mol), followed by compounds 3 (-12.7 kcal/mol) and 4 (-11.9 kcal/mol). The structure activity relationship revealed the importance of electron withdrawing groups (chlorine atoms) on biological activity of compounds. Further, the eight compounds exhibited good ADMET profile and satisfied the Lipinski rule of drug likeness.

The Synthesis of Y-zeolite-modified CaCO3-ZnO Nanocomposites as an Antibacterial Agent

The ability of inorganic antibacterial agents like metal oxides and nanoscale inorganic materials to inhibit bacterial growth rates has yet to receive much research attention. In this study, CaCO3-ZnO/Y-zeolite nanocomposites were created utilizing coprecipitation and impregnation techniques with Ca(CH3COO)2, Zn(CH3COO)2 2H2O, Y-zeolite precursors. Physical and chemical characteristics of nanocomposites have been investigated using XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDX characterizations. The agar-well diffusion method tested the substance for antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Nanocomposites have a crystal size range of 35.46-36.53 nm and a crystallinity of 35-37 %, according to the results of XRD analysis. The carbonate groups are visible in FTIR data at wave numbers 1433, 875, and 712 cm-1. The Zn-O absorption band was verified at wave numbers 600-400 cm-1. The Y-zeolite absorption bands at wave numbers 1012-997 cm-1 and 745-746 cm-1 were confirmed. The particle morphology is cube-shaped with irregular sizes. The EDX result showed that the composition consists of 35.92 % calcium, 1.68 % zinc, 44.81 % oxygen, and 13.79 % carbon as elements. With the addition of 2.5 % Y-zeolite, the antibacterial activity of nanocomposites showed the best results, with an inhibition zone diameter of 7.62 mm against Escherichia coli and 6.56 mm against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Antibacterial Activity Of Toothpaste Formulation Containing Spirulina platensis Extract Against Streptococcus mutans

Background: The main bacteria involved in the formation of dental caries is Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). One approach to reduce the growth of S. mutans bacterial colonies is by brushing teeth with toothpaste containing antibacterial agent. The commonly used antibacterial agent is chlorhexidine, which is the gold standard chemical in reducing the colonization of S. mutans bacteria and other oral biofilms. However, over time, it causes various side effects, thus necessitating the search for alternative natural ingredients. One of potential ingredient with antibacterial agent is the Spirulina platensis, which contains secondary metabolites known to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Thus, Spirulina platensis can be added to toothpaste as an antibacterial agent. Method: This study employed an experimental laboratory design with a post-test-only control group design. The study consisted of 7 treatments with 5 replications. Antibacterial activity was tested using the agar diffusion method by observing the average diameter of the inhibition zone formed. Data were analyzed using parametric one-way ANOVA. Discussion and Results: In this study, toothpaste with Spirulina platensis extract at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% can inhibited the growth of S. mutans with average inhibition zone diameters of 20.4 mm, 20.8 mm, 21.8 mm, 22.3 mm, and 22.7 mm. The one-way ANOVA parametric test results showed a value of p0.05, indicating a significant difference in the antibacterial activity of S. mutans in all treatment groups. Conclusion: Toothpaste formulations with Spirulina platensis extract have antibacterial activity against S. mutans bacteria.

Effect of Essential oil and Extracts of Artemisia Herba – Alba Plant Against Some E Pathogenic Bacteria

Artemisia Herba – Alba is the one of the most important genus of Asteraceae family. It has numerous values because of medicine properties. Artemisia Herba – Alba has numerous application in traditional medicine from ancient times. In this research, antimicrobial effects of leaf aqueous, alcoholic extracts and essential oil of Artemisia Herba – Alba against Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1431 and Escherichia coli PTCC 1399 were studied, using agar disc diffusion method. Methanol and ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of A. Herba – Alba exhibited antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms. In addition Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was inhibitory effects against all studied pathogenic bacteria. The results showed that essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba had the most inhibition diameter zone in Staphylococcus aureusthan E.coli (25-17mm successively). Therefore in this research we showed that the positive gram bacteria are more sensitive than negative gram bacteria. our results indicate the possibility of using essential oil in the treatment of bacterial infections, and the results of this study was encouraging, despite the need for clinical studies to determine of the real effectiveness and potential toxic effects in vivo

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of mint leaves (Mentha piperita L) extracts against Streptococcus mutans UA159: a laboratory experiment

Introduction: Oral health is a major concern in healthcare worldwide, with dental caries being a prevalent issue among children and adults. Streptococcus mutans is a primary bacterium implicated in the development of dental caries due to its acidogenic nature. Mint leaf (Mentha piperita L.) is a unique herbal plant that has antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against S. mutans and minimal side effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the antibacterial effectiveness of mint leaf against the growth of S. mutans UA159 and its antibiofilm effects. Methods: This study was conducted experimentally with the posttest-only control group design, using the broth microdilution method in 6 test groups, namely mint leaf extract with a concentration of 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% and also two control groups, namely the negative control using aquadest and the positive control using 0.2% chlorhexidine. Biofilm growth is determined by comparing Optical Density (OD) values and then calculating the percentage of eradication of S. mutans biofilm formation. Results: The results indicated that the mint leaf extract exhibited antibacterial effects against S. mutans, with the largest inhibition zone diameter observed at a 100% concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)90 values using the broth microdilution method in this study were 12.5% and 100% concentrations, respectively. Mint leaf extract has been shown to significantly inhibit the growth of S. mutans (p<0.05). The results of the inhibition test on biofilm formation at a concentration of 100% averaged 87.39%. Conclusion: Mint leaf extract has an antibacterial and antibiofilm effect on the growth of S. mutans. The level of inhibition of mint leaf extract on the growth of S. mutans is proportional to its concentration; the higher the concentration of the extract, the stronger the inhibitory ability.KeywordAnti-Bacterial agents, biofilms, Mentha piperita, oral health, Streptococcus mutans.

Enhanced effect of ultrasound and gelatin on physical and antibacterial properties of thymol/hollow mesoporous silicon spheres doped zein film

A new antibacterial film, Thy-HMSS/zein film, was prepared from hollow mesoporous silicon spheres loaded with thymol (Thy-HMSS) by ultrasonic optimization casting method (150 W power ultrasonic treatment solution for 3 min). To further enhance the film quality, a composite film, Thy-HMSS/Zein-gelatin film (Thy-HMSS/ZG film), was created by incorporating gelatin into zein. Compared to film containing the same amount of Thy, the effective protection and slow-release effect of HMSS on Thy resulted in a lower release rate of Thy in Thy-HMSS/zein films in the first 2 h, while the total amount of Thy released increased by 10 %. The appearance and structure of the films were optimized by ultrasonic treatment, which reduced the surface bubbles, cross section pores and particle agglomeration. The addition of gelatin enhanced the antibacterial effect of the film, the inhibition zone diameters of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus can be increased by up to 123.53 % and 159.37 %, respectively. Both Thy-HMSS/zein film and Thy-HMSS/ZG film showed no toxicity in cytotoxicity tests and exhibited good anti-corrosion ability when applied to blueberry preservation. Therefore, the combination of HMSS encapsulation with ultrasonic treatment and gelatin addition represents a suitable and straightforward approach for producing excellent antimicrobial films with superior appearance, structure, and antibacterial properties. This method holds significant potential in the food industry for producing sustainable active packaging materials while also offering new avenues for employing various techniques in films preparation.

Antimicrobial Assessment of Hand Sanitizers Formulated from Neem Leaf Extract (Azadirachta indica) and Coconut Shell Liquid Smoke

Abstract The widespread use of alcohol/ethanol-based hand sanitizers has raised concerns due to the concurrent issues of skin irritation, allergies, childhood poisoning risks, and the potential for bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which may disrupt the human digestive system. This study explores the potential of Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and liquid smoke as natural alternatives to alcohol-based antiseptics. The objective is to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of hand sanitizers containing Neem leaf extract and coconut shell liquid smoke against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Hand sanitizers were prepared by mixing 4g of Neem leaf extract with varying quantities of coconut shell liquid smoke (labeled as A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, corresponding to 0g, 1g, 3g, 5g, and 7g, respectively). distilled water was then added until the total volume reached 100 ml. The solution was then stabilized with 0.5g of Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose (CMC) and 10g of glycerin. Results indicate that formulations A1, A2, A3, and A5 exhibit moderate inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, with inhibition zone diameters of 6.02 mm, 8.17 mm, 9.67 mm, and 9.11 mm, respectively. Notably, formulation A4 displays strong inhibitory activity (11.15 mm). For Salmonella typhimurium, formulations A4 and A5 demonstrate very strong antimicrobial properties with inhibition zones measuring 11.68 mm and 12.59 mm, respectively. These findings suggest that hand sanitizers comprising Neem leaf extract and liquid smoke possess the potential as environmentally friendly, natural antiseptics.

Anthocyanins from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and bougainvillea flowers (Bougainvillea spectabilis) with multiple biofunctions: Antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer

BackgroundNatural colorants, including natural pigments, e.g., anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls, in novel and attractive food matrixes have become a popular trend. They impart favorite colors to food products and provide significant therapeutic effects. This study is aimed at extracting and identifying some natural pigments from different plant sources and evaluating their ability as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. MethodsThe anthocyanin-rich extract (ARE) is derived from three natural plant sources: pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and Bougainvillea flowers. Bougainvillea spectabilis are analyzed for biochemical composition, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity, HPLC, DPPH, FRAP, disc diffusion assay, MIC, MTT, VEGFR‐2, and caspase-9 assays. ResultsAll three extracts had varying total phenolic contents, ranging from 14 to 466 mg GAE/g extract, where Punica granatum was the highest (466 mg GAE/g extract), followed by Bougainvillea spectabilis (180 mg GAE/g extract), and then Capsicum annuum (14 mg GAE/g extract). The antioxidant activity rose steadily with raising concentration. The ARE of pomegranate peels recorded highest value, followed by Bougainvillea flowers and chili pepper fruit. The MTT assay revealed an inhibitory action of the tested extracts on the proliferation of HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2 in a concentration-based manner. Gene expression of caspase-9 transcripts was considerably multiplied by the application of ARE of pomegranate peels. All the tested extracts inhibited VEGFR-2, and the inhibition (%) expanded gradually with increasing concentrations, achieving the highest value (80 %) at 10 μg/mL. The ARE of pomegranate peels scored highest antibacterial activity, followed by ARE of chili pepper fruit and Bougainvillea flowers. The inhibition zone diameter escalated gradually with rising concentrations of the tested samples. ConclusionThe AREs of the three studied plant sources can be used as multifunctional products with antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities that are natural, safe, and cheap.

Synthesis, structural investigations, in vitro cytotoxicity, apoptotic activity, cell cycle analysis, and molecular modeling studies of nano‐sized Zn(II) Schiff base complex

A new novel tetradentate ligand, [(1E,1′E)‐N,N′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(1‐(5‐(2‐fluorophenyl)furan‐2‐yl)methanimine) (PFPFMI), and its nano‐sized [Zn(PFPFMI)Cl2].3H2O complex were synthesized. The geometry of PFPFMI and its Zn(II) complex was described through CHN analyses, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and mass spectral data tests. The spectral data of the nano‐sized [Zn(PFPFMI)Cl2].3H2O complex indicates that the PFPFMI ligand functions as a tetradentate (N2O2) coordination through two azomethine nitrogen groups (N) and two furan ring oxygen (O) atoms. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed using the molecular studio software to investigate the optimal geometry of PFPFMI and its [Zn(PFPFMI)Cl2].3H2O complex. The SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) analyses of the studied complex unveil distinct and strong diffraction peaks, indicating its crystalline nature and providing evidence of its nano‐sized particle sizes. Additionally, the inhibition zone diameter was used to assess the in vitro antimicrobial action of PFPFMI and the particular complex against Gram‐positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia and Bacillus subtilis, Gram‐negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli, as well as fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Geotricum candidum, Syncephalastrum racemosum, and Candida tropicalis. The [Zn(PFPFMI)Cl2].3H2O complex exhibits higher activity than the ligand PFPFMI. In vitro cytotoxicity of the synthesized [Zn(PFPFMI)Cl2].3H2O complex was explored using MCF7 (breast cancer), HCT116 (colon cancer), A549 (lung cancer), HePG‐2 (liver cancer), A375 (melanoma cancer), and normal lung fibroblast (WI38) cell lines. Based on IC50 and selective index (SI) values, it was shown that the complex exhibited higher potency against MCF7 cell lines. Moreover, the Zn(II) complex exhibited the ability to induce DNA damage in MCF7 cells, resulting in dose‐dependent cell apoptosis. Subsequent investigations revealed that complex 2 also induced cell cycle arrest in the G2 and S phases.