Fungal Strains Research Articles

Enhancing aerobic composting of food waste by adding hydrolytically active microorganisms

The biomass of native microorganisms in food waste (FW) suitable for accelerated composting is initially low and requires time for adaptation. Adding of efficient hydrolytic microorganisms should be able to enhance compost-specific microbial activity, adjust microbial community structure, and potentially hasten FW biodegradation. This study aimed to identify bacterial and fungal strains with growth characteristics suitable for accelerating FW composting. Over 7 weeks, FW was composted in a pilot-scale test, either inoculated at the start or on day 28 with three different mixtures of 10 autochthonous Bacillus and Penicillium spp. strains known for their high hydrolytic activity. The effects of inoculation were assessed by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) production and also the increase in temperature due to spontaneous exothermic activity of the enhanced microbial population degrading FW. Inoculation with Bacillus spp., particularly B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis, at the beginning of composting increased CO2 production nearly 3-fold while maintaining stable ammonia production and temperature. The high concentration of Bacillus relative to native FW microorganisms led to dominant fermentation processes even in the presence of oxygen, resulting in moderate heat release and elevated production of volatile organic compounds. Introducing Penicillium spp. at a later stage (day 28) increased CO2 production nearly 2-fold, along with higher NH3 levels and temperature. These findings highlight the significance of inoculation timing and microbial composition in regulating metabolic pathways during FW composting degradation, offering insights for designing effective microbial formulations for composting.

The impact of Ricinus straw on tomato growth and soil microbial community

Returning straw can alter the soil microbial community, reduce the occurrence of soilborne diseases, and promote plant growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Ricinus straw on tomato growth and rhizosphere microbial community. We carried out microcosm experiments to investigate the effects of Ricinus straw with different dosages (0, 1, and 3%) on tomato dry biomass and rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities. The results indicated that the dry biomass of tomato seedlings with 1% addition of Ricinus straw increased by 53.98%. In addition, Ricinus straw also changed the abundance, diversities, and composition of tomato rhizosphere microbial communities. In detail, the addition of 1% Ricinus straw increased the relative abundance of putative beneficial bacteria and fungi in straw decomposition, such as Ramlibacter sp., Azohydromonas sp., Schizothecium sp., and Acaulium sp., and decreased the relative abundance of Fusarium sp. Meanwhile, Ricinus straw inhibited the growth of putative pathogenic microorganisms. The correlation analysis showed that the changes in fungal community operational taxonomic units stimulated by the addition of Ricinus straw may play a crucial positive regulatory role in tomato growth. Finally, the representative fungal strain Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici (FOL), named TF25, was isolated and cultured. We found that Ricinus straw extract inhibited the growth of TF25 in an in vitro experiment with an inhibition rate of 34.95–51.91%. Collectively, Ricinus straw promoted plant growth by changing the rhizosphere microbial community composition and inhibiting FOL growth, which provides new evidence for understanding the improvement of key microorganism composition in improving crop growth and the sustainability of agriculture.

Synthesis, characterization, quantum chemical modelling, molecular docking, in silico and in vitro assessment of 3-(2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl))-1-(thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one

α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds have extensive applications in various fields, such as organic, inorganic, analytical, and biological. In the modern era, they offer excellent pharmacological application prospects and find widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry. The current study revealed the synthesis and characterization of a novel 3-(2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl)-1-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one (CY3). In vitro their antimicrobial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii), antifungal ( Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, and Candida albicans), cytotoxicity (VERO and Hep-G2 cells), in silico, and molecular docking analysis were also performed. The in-silico analysis evaluated the drug-likeness properties of the compound CY3 using various filtering rules, including Lipinski’s, Ghose filter, Veber, Egan, Muegge, and Medicinal Chemistry alerts such as Pan Assay Interference Structures (PAINS), Brenk, and Lead-likeness. Then, molecular docking studies performed using the AutoDock (AD4), Vina, and iGEMDOCK tools to determine the mechanism by which the CY3 compound interact with the bacterial strains. Here, five different receptors were selected, such as DNA gyrase, glucose 6-phosphate synthase (GlmS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), dehydrosqualene synthase (DHSS), and undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (UDPPS), for molecular docking analysis. The CY3 compound showed a good binding affinity with the two target proteins, DHFR and DHSS, respectively, with maximum binding energies of about − 7.07 and − 7.05 kcal/mol. The synthesized CY3 compound exhibited moderate antibacterial activity with a MIC value > 100 µg/mL against all five bacterial strains and moderate antifungal activity with a MIC value > 50 µg/mL against all three fungal strains. Drug-likeness analyses also support their favourable bioavailability.

Improving Quality Profiles of Summer-Autumn Tea Through the Synergistic Fermentation with Three Fungal Strains

The co-fermentation of summer-autumn tea with Aspergillus niger and Eurotium cristatum effectively reduces bitterness and astringency, enhances flavor and quality, and increases market appeal and economic value. This study investigated the dynamic changes in metabolites, flavor characteristics and quality indicators of summer-autumn tea during fermentation. Using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography (HS-SPME-GC-MS), 96 key metabolites were identified, significantly enhancing the tea's aroma and flavor. On the fourth day of fermentation, the content of ester catechins (EGCG, ECG) decreased by 79.44% and 79.57%, respectively, while non-ester catechins (EGC, C, EC) increased by 175.47%, 228.18%, and 138.73%, respectively. Additionally, the gallic acid content increased by 755.58%, along with rises in free amino acids and soluble sugars. Sensory evaluation focused on taste, soup color, and aroma, resulting in a total score of 80.67. The intensity of astringency, bitterness, and sourness in the tea infusion gradually decreased, while sweetness, umami, and aroma intensified. These findings underscore the significant role of the synergistic action of the three strains in developing the unique flavor profile of summer-autumn tea during fermentation. This research lays the foundation for quality control and resource development in the processing of summer-autumn tea.

Polymeric Schiff base containing phenylhydrazine and 2-thiobarbituric acid: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and antifungal studies

Polymeric Schiff base ligand (MFT) derived from 2-hydroxyacetophenone, phenylhydrazine, formaldehyde, and 2-thiobarbituric acid was synthesized via condensation reaction. The synthesized MFT ligand was complexed with the metal acetates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) to form a polymeric Schiff base-metal complexes. The ligand and its metal polychelates were characterized by Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis.), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The EPR spectrum of MFT-Cu(II) supported a distorted octahedral or square-planar geometry. The synthesized materials were also screened against bacterial (S. aureaus, S. mutans, B. cereus, S. pyrogenes, S. viridans, S. epidermids, C. xerosis, E. coli, K. pneumonia, P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa) and fungal strains (A. niger, F. oxysporum, and A. oryzea). Moreover, the MFT-Zn(II) complex have demonstrated good thermal stability, as well as strong antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to the ligand and other metal polychelates.

Green-Synthesis of CuO and Ce-Doped CuO Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extract of Yam Peel and their Antimicrobial Properties

The rise of drug-resistant microbes presents a critical global health challenge in the 21st century, necessitating the development of potent antimicrobial agents with broad-spectrum activity. Therefore, in this study, we explored the antimicrobial activity of copper oxide (CuO) and cerium-doped CuO (Ce-doped CuO) obtained through a facile green synthesis approach. The nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extract of Dioscorea spp (yam peel) and characterized for their physicochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Their antimicrobial efficacy was tested against three bacterial strains—Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes—and three fungal strains—Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, and Penicillium chrysogenum. The results demonstrated that cerium doping significantly altered the physicochemical properties of CuO, leading to enhanced antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial zone of inhibition ranged from 7.50 to 16.55 mm for CuO and 11.80 to 19.50 mm for Ce-doped CuO. For antifungal activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 0.25 to 0.30 mg/mL for CuO and 0.025 to 0.03 mg/mL for Ce-doped CuO. Notably, the Ce-doped CuO nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial effects comparable to standard antibiotics. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized Ce-doped CuO nanoparticles as effective antimicrobial agents. By leveraging green synthesis and elemental doping, this study offers a promising solution to combat a wide spectrum of infectious pathogens.

Synthesis, characterization, DNA, BSA, antimicrobial, antioxidant and molecular docking studies of gadolinium(III) based complexes

The present study reports the synthesis of two new gadolinium-metal-based complexes with mixed ligands, [Gd(L1)2(py)(H2O)3] (C1) and [Gd (L2)2(phen)(H2O)2] (C2), where L1 represents 3-(4 cyanophenyl) acrylate and L2 as 3-(4 fluorophenyl) acrylate. The complexes were characterized by various analytical techniques including FT-IR, PXRD, TGA, DSC, SEM and EDX to determine structural elucidation, binding mode, crystallinity, thermal stability, morphology and elemental composition, respectively. The synthesized complexes were tested for DNA (salmon sperm) and BSA interaction studies to infer their antitumor potential. The binding constants obtained for C1 and C2 with SS DNA were 3.03 × 104 and 3.2 × 104 while with BSA observed as 1.59 × 105 and 1.22 × 105, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial potential of both complexes was determined against various bacterial and fungal strains. Experimental results showed complex C2 is more active than C1 against all selected bacterial strains and showed higher antibacterial potential against E. coli with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 35 mm. The antibacterial potential of C2 was further investigated by calculating the MIC (IC50) value. MIC of complex C2 was assessed using visual inspection (turbidity) and spectrophotometric assay at 600 nm. The findings of the spectrophotometric approach have greater sensitivity than the standard disc diffusion assays. The molecular docking studies were conducted to validate further and compare the findings of experimental results which exhibited that complex C2 has an excellent binding capacity with the target protein (5CDQ) with free binding energy −12.23 kcal/mol. Antioxidant potentials of the complexes were assessed using phosphomolybdenum assay, which demonstrated that complex C2 exhibits higher antioxidant activity than complex C1.

Optimization of anthracene biodegradation by indigenous Trichoderma lixii and Talaromyces pinophilus using response surface methodology

Two indigenous fungal strains, Trichoderma lixii FLU1 (TlFLU1) and Talaromyces pinophilus FLU12 (TpFLU12) showed potential to biodegrade anthracene. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) employing Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD) methods optimized crucial physicochemical parameters like pH, temperature, biomass, substrate concentration and media composition. BBD maximized anthracene biodegradation efficiency by predicting 98.7–103.2 %. Analysis of Variance confirmed the model's accuracy with a significant F-value of 51.0 at p<0.0001 while the quadratic regression model showed a high R² value 0.9808. CCD predicted 100 % degradation efficiency which were validated for TlFLU1 and TpFLU12 respectively on day 8 and 12 at pH 4 and 5, temperatures 30°C and 25°C, with 20 mm biomass size and 200 mg/L anthracene. 9,10-anthraquinone and phthalic acid were detected as metabolites formed during the anthracene degradation by TlFLU1 and TpFLU12 after validation of the optimization process. Acute toxicity tests showed that the degradation media toxicity reduced as evidenced by increased in survival rate (log CFU/mL) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus after 6 h exposure. Despite reduced toxicity, both strains were classified as harmful based on effective concentration (EC50) and toxicity unit (TU) (20.92±1.32 mg/L and 4.78 % for TlFLU1 and 35.29±1.55 mg/L and 2.83 % for TpFLU12). This systematic optimization approach supported by robust statistical analyses and a deep exploration of biodegradation mechanisms holds the promise of more efficient and sustainable methods for remediating PAH-contaminated environments.

In Vitro evaluation of some fungicidal bioactive chemicals against fusarium spore germination and survival

The genus Fusarium are the most important pathogens associated with different plants including crop plants, fruits, vegetables, etc. causing of constrained production and productivity crops. Bioactive compounds are environmentally friendly and amenable. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of some bio-active compounds derived from Bacillus strain for the in vitro control of Fusarium mold. Seven (7) isolates of the Fusarium complex were isolated from various stored fruits, vegetables and food grains using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media supplemented with antibacterial agent. The growth and survival of the respective spores were challenged with supernatants of overnight-grown culture of Bacillus subtilis TC17 for 20 minutes. The supernatant prevented the germination of spores of some fungi strains in the order; F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. equiseti, F. acuminatum, F. proliferatum, F. moniliforme and F. tricinctum against control. Therefore, this research showed that the bio-active agent can be used to control the pervasive plant pathogenic fungal species with outstanding result and therefore should be developed further for registration for commercial applications.

Antibacterial activity of copper-decorated CeO2 nanoparticles and preparation of antifouling polyethersulfone surface

Cerium oxide NPs (nano-CeO2), with notable performance in various biological tests like redox activity, free radical scavenging, and biofilm inhibition, emerge as significant candidates to address issues in related areas. In this research, copper-decorated nano-CeO2 (Cu@nano-CeO2) were first synthesized and then characterized using advanced techniques such as SEM-EDX, XRD, XPS, BET, and ICP-OES. The biochemical properties of the obtained Cu@nano-CeO2 nanostructure and its performance in polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were thoroughly investigated in this research study. The free radical scavenging effect of Cu@nano-CeO2 at 100 mg/L concentration was determined as 100 % with the same activity as the reference compounds Trolox and ascorbic acid. It enhanced 2.9-fold α-amylase enzyme activity at 50 mg/L. Plasmid DNA was completely degraded at 100 mg/L concentration. Cu@nano-CeO2 provided significant inhibition against tested bacterial and fungal strains, especially Gram-positives than Gram-negatives and fungus. Anti-biofilm activity was determined against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa as 98.3 and 82.1 %, respectively. Furthermore, E. coli inhibition activity of PES/Cu@nano-CeO2 1.0 wt% membrane was determined as 100 %. Owing to the promising results obtained, we can suggest that Cu@nano-CeO2 can be used in wastewater treatment.

Novel N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity potential studies

In this study, a new series of 1-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-(alkyl)-5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver(I) complexes has been synthesized and investigated their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer properties. All molecules were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy techniques. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds investigated in this work was tested against the reference strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Candida albicans (ATCC MYA-2876) and Candida glabrata (ATCC 2001). Anticancer properties of samples were evaluated against A549, HCT116 and BEAS-2B cells lines. All silver-NHC complexes showed antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial and fungal strains.

Growth Kinetics Modeling and Evaluation of Antiphytopathogenic Activity of Newly Isolated Fungicolous Epicoccum nigrum Associated with Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporaceae)

In the present study, an unknown fungal strain was isolated from the fruiting body of a local Dryad’s Saddle mushroom (Polyporaceae). The molecular identification of the isolate was performed by amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the strain was identified with 100.00% confidence as Epicoccum nigrum. The morphological characteristics, including the distinctive colony pigmentation, conidiophore structure, and conidial shape, were determined to ensure comprehensive characterization of the fungus. The modeling of the kinetics of the growth process was conducted with the applying the logistic curve model and the reverse autocatalytic growth model, and the concentrations of the compounds in the nutrient medium required for the E. nigrum development were established. Controlled submerged cultivation was carried out for cultural liquid obtaining, which was further used for the evaluation of the biological activities. The untreated cultural liquid demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum where the minimal inhibitory concentration was 1.25 mg/mL. Antimicrobial activity was also detected toward Botrytis cinerea (2.5 mg/mL) and Aspergillus flavus (2.5 mg/mL). The direct utilization of crude cultural liquid for phytopathogenic control is a sustainable approach that will provide the opportunity for the development of an environmentally friendly manufacturing process.

Nature-Inspired Antimicrobial Agents: Cinnamon-Derived Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Effective Aspergillus Niger Control.

The emergence of resistant bacterial and fungal strains poses significant challenges in various industrial processes including food, medicines, and leather industry. It necessitates the development of novel and effective antimicrobial agents. In the present work, we have developed an ecofriendly and sustainable approach to synthesize silver-doped copper oxide nanoparticles by using cinnamon bark extract (C-CuO/Ag). The nanoparticles were characterized via UV-visible spectroscopy at 190-800 nm, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, XRD, and further subjected to determine antimicrobial potential, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and anti-biofilm potential against both bacterial and fungal species. UV-visible spectrum showed maximum absorption at 210 nm in ultraviolet range and 419 nm in visible range. Various strong and weak peaks were obtained in FT-IR spectra, which defined the presence of corresponding functional groups in C-CuO/Ag nanoparticles. SEM analysis revealed the tightly packed confirmation, while EDS confirmed the elemental analysis of C-CuO/Ag nanoparticles. XRD spectrum of C-CuO/Ag nanoparticles showed strong diffraction peaks at 2Ө of 31.92˚, 35.67˚, and 48.51˚, which confined with the plane indices of (-110), (111), and (-202), respectively, while weak diffraction peaks at 2Ө of 56.31˚, 58.9˚, and 77.4˚, which leads to the crystal planes of (202), (-220), and (311), respectively. Antimicrobial assays showed clear zones of inhibition against microbial strains as maximum inhibition diameter was observed against Aspergillus niger (31.5 ± 0.7 mm) followed by Escherichia coli (30.1 ± 0.3 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (29.5 ± 0.7 mm). These findings provide support clear evidence that CuO nanoparticles can serve as potent antibacterial and antifungal compounds against highly resistive and pathogenic microbial strains.

Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking and ADME Studies of Novel Schiff Base Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes Derived from 4-nitro-ortho-phenylenediamine.

A condensation reaction was carried out between 4-nitro-ortho-phenylenediamine and 5-bromosalicyaldehyde to synthesize a novel Schiff base ligand 2,2'-[(1E,1'E)-(4-nitro-1,2-phenylene) bis (azaneylylidene) bis (methaneylylidene)] bis (4-bromophenol) [NB] in the current investigation. This was followed by the synthesis of metallic complexes comprising the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) transition metal ions. A hexadentate environment encircling metal complexes was corroborated by the results of varied spectroscopic methods that were employed to unravel the structure of the ligand and metal complexes. The Tauc's plot and Urbach energy were utilized for quantifying the optical energy band gap to provide insight into optical characteristics. The Coats-Redfern method of thermal analysis was implemented to do the kinetic and thermodynamic calculations. Furthermore, DFT studies were performed to predict geometrical structures and the stability of the compounds. Thorough investigation to evaluate their biological efficacies, docking studies was executed against COVID-19 main protease (PDB-7VAH), Dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protease (PDB-2FOM) and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (PDB-5AF3). Apart from this, in silico ADMET studies were also accomplished for elucidation of drug likeness characteristics and the results attained disclose the significant proficiency of synthesized compounds. Besides this, antimicrobial studies were assessed with different microbial strains and result validates cobalt and zinc complexes as most potent against the selected bacterial and fungal strains.

Exploring the enhanced bioactivity and reactivity of novel Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes incorporating sulfadiazine tetradentate ligand: Structural, DFT, molecular docking, and biological applications

This current work presented the synthesis, characterization and bio-evaluation of new Fe(III) (FePSD), and Co(II) (CoPSD) complexes based on N-[4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio)pyridin-2-yl]-3-oxobutanamide in pyridine afford N-(4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio) pyridin-2-yl)-3-oxo-2-([4-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfamoyl) phenyl]hydrazono) butanamide (PSD). Interestingly, the FePSD and CoPSD complexes exhibit notable stability and solubility in organic solvents, with molar conductivity values of 79.35 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for FePSD and 8.89 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for CoPSD, indicating a 1:1 electrolytic nature for FePSD and non-electrolytic behavior for CoPSD. FTIR analysis confirmed metal–ligand interactions, as shifts in key bands were observed, while UV–Vis spectra and magnetic moment measurements supported octahedral geometries for both complexes. DFT calculations provided insights into the electronic structure, revealing that CoPSD has higher reactivity and electrophilicity, while FePSD showed moderate reactivity. Thermal and mass spectral analyses further characterized their stoichiometry and stability. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains. The FePSD and CoPSD complexes demonstrated significantly enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to the parent ligand, as evidenced by larger inhibition zones, higher activity indices, and lower minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC). CoPSD exhibited superior antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to FePSD, nearing the effectiveness of standard antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds was assessed using the egg albumin denaturation method. Both FePSD and CoPSD showed remarkable inhibition of protein denaturation, surpassing the parent ligand and even outperforming the standard drug Ibuprofen at higher concentrations. The enhancement in biological activity is attributed to the metal chelation effect, which improves cell membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Molecular docking studies further elucidated the binding interactions of PSD, FePSD, and CoPSD with target proteins, revealing stronger hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding in the metal complexes, correlating with their superior biological activity. These findings highlight the potential of FePSD and CoPSD as promising antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Investigations on the Endemic Species Taraxacum mirabile Wagenitz: HPLC–MS and GC–MS Studies, Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Properties, and Isolation of Several Phenolic Compounds

In this study, the aim was to investigate the chemical content and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities of petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions obtained from ethanol extracts of the aerial parts and roots of the endemic Taraxacum mirabile Wagenitz. This plant is found in the Aksaray–Eskil region and has not been studied in phytochemical studies before. In this context, the chemical content of the aerial parts and root PE fractions was analyzed by GC–MS analysis in terms of terpenes and steroid substances. The composition of phenolic compounds in the aerial parts and root DCM and EA fractions was determined by HPLC–MS analysis. Apigenin, luteolin, and caffeic acid were isolated from the EA fraction of aerial parts. The total amounts of phenolic substances and the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP antioxidant activities of PE, DCM, EA, and n-BuOH fractions were investigated, and it was found that the fractions had the ability to scavenge DPPH• and ABTS•+ radicals, as well as to reduce Fe (III) to Fe (II); however, all of the fractions were significantly less effective (p &lt; 0.05) than the reference antioxidant quercetin. Considering that antioxidants can also exert an anti-inflammatory effect, these fractions were evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), the key enzymes of arachidonic acid metabolism that lead to the production of important mediators of inflammation. It was observed that fractions had the ability to inhibit both enzymes, suggesting their possible beneficial effects against inflammation. However, no extract had greater inhibitory activity than the positive control, indomethacin. The antimicrobial activity was determined against different bacterial and fungal strains. It was observed that the aerial parts and root n-BuOH and EA fractions showed weak antibacterial effects. No antifungal activity has been detected against Candida sp.

Polysaccharide biocomposites with tunable adsorption and antipathogen activity via surface immobilization of chitosan onto modified flax fibers

Flax fiber modified composite (FFMC) duplex systems with unique sorbent and antipathogen properties were developed by physisorption of chitosan onto modified flax fibers by a facile method. Complementary characterization of the FFMCs (Raman, NMR, and IR, SEM, XRD, TGA and BET analysis) revealed variable composite morphology with incremental chitosan doping and supramolecular interactions between the fiber substrate and immobilized chitosan. Dye adsorption profiles of FFMCs with Rose Bengal corroborated the role of physisorption with an adsorption capacity that rises to 17.9 mg/g, whereas the water sorption capacity reaches an impressive value ca. 11 g/g, which indicated the role of synergism upon chitosan immobilization. Anti-microbial and fungal properties were supported by antimicrobial tests. The FFMCs have high antimicrobial potency toward gram negative (E. coli), gram positive (Streptococcus aureus) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) based on the low FFMC dosages required to achieve 100 % microbial elimination. This versatile class of unique biocomposites displayed unique structure-function relationships related to synergistic water sorption and antipathogenic effects, as compared to available literature reports. FFMCs are a diversiform class of biocomposites with unique physicochemical and biological properties that extend the field of adsorption science and technology from environmental remediation to biomedical devices.

Potential of native entomopathogenic fungi isolates against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) invasion poses a significant threat to maize production in Africa. Some entomopathogenic fungal strains, particularly those from the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium, have been considered as potential biological control agents for this pest. When these entomopathogenic fungi are present in fields, they can not only infect individual pests but also spread among pest populations, leading to long-term suppression. In this study, 17 entomopathogenic fungi isolates, including 12 Beauveria spp. and 5 Metarhizium spp., were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Pathogenicity assessments revealed significant variation in mortality rates among the isolates. Specifically, Beauveria isolates APPRC-44BC and APPRC-27 demonstrated high larval mortality rates of 88.7% and 83.5%, respectively. The dose–response study showed that APPRC-44BC had the lowest LC50 (2.8 × 105 conidia/mL) and LC90 (2.2 × 107 conidia/mL) values. Subsequently, the three most pathogenic isolates, two from Beauveria spp. (APPRC-44BC and APPRC-27) and one from Metarhizium sp. (APPRC-34GM), were evaluated under field conditions in maize. Treatments with these isolates, particularly APPRC-44BC, significantly reduced leaf damage and increased yield compared to the negative control. These findings underscore the potential of native entomopathogenic fungi isolates as sustainable alternatives for managing S. frugiperda. The present study addresses a critical knowledge gap in Africa and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for effective pest management. Further evaluation of these promising isolates in diverse agroecological settings is needed to confirm their effectiveness across different regions.

Green Synthesis of Al-ZnO Nanoparticles Using Cucumis maderaspatanus Plant Extracts: Analysis of Structural, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities.

Nanoparticles derived from biological sources are currently garnering significant interest due to their diverse range of potential applications. The purpose of the study was to synthesize Al-doped nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) from leaf extracts of Cucumis maderaspatanus and assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity using some bacterial and fungal strains. These nanoparticles were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The average crystalline size was determined to be 25 nm, as evidenced by the XRD analysis. In the UV-vis spectrum, the absorption band was observed around 351 nm. It was discovered that the Al-ZnO nanoparticles had a bandgap of 3.25 eV using the Tauc relation. Furthermore, by FTIR measurement, the presence of the OH group, C=C bending of the alkene group, and C=O stretching was confirmed. The SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were distributed uniformly throughout the sample. The EDAX spectrum clearly confirmed the presence of Zn, Al, and O elements in the Al-ZnO nanoparticles. The TEM results also indicated that the green synthesized Al-ZnO nanoparticles displayed hexagonal shapes with an average size of 25 nm. The doping of aluminum may enhance the thermal stability of the ZnO by altering the crystal structure or phase composition. The observed changes in TG, DTA, and DTG curves reflect the impact of aluminum doping on the structural and thermal properties of ZnO nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the Al-ZnO nanoparticles using the agar diffusion method showed that the maximum zone of inhibition has been noticed against organisms of Gram-positive S. aureus compared with Gram-negative E. coli. Moreover, antifungal activity using the agar cup method showed that the maximum zone of inhibition was observed on Aspergilus flavus, followed by Candida albicans. Al-doping nanoparticles increases the number of charge carriers, which can enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV light exposure. These ROS are known to possess strong antimicrobial properties. Al-doping can improve the crystallinity of ZnO, resulting in a larger surface area that facilitates more interaction with microbial cells. The structural and biological characteristics of Al-ZnO nanoparticles might be responsible for the enhanced antibacterial activity exhibited in the antibacterial studies. Al-ZnO nanoparticles with Cucumis maderaspatanus leaf extract produced via the green synthesis methods have remarkable antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals against DPPH radicals, according to these results.

Tryptamine-Derived Schiff Bases: Potent Antimicrobial Agents and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity, ADME and DNA Binding Properties.

Inspired by the fact that the introduction of indole pharmacophore in organic scaffolds could enable interesting pharmacological properties, the series of novel tryptamine-derived Schiff bases was synthetized. Tryptamine was used as a source of indole pattern, as well as an example of biogenic amines which chemical transformations lead to the compounds with prominent biological activities. The obtained results for antimicrobial activity against a range of bacterial and fungal strains and cytotoxic activities have revealed that Schiff base TSB4 combining the tryptamine and p-nitro aryl patterns in the structure showed better antifungal activity at low concentrations than standard drug Fluconazole, while compound TSB6 with molecular scaffold composed from tryptamine and quinoline moieties showed certain cytotoxic effect on HCT-116 cell line with a strongly expressed selectivity about healthy fibroblast cells, MRC-5. For these two selected compounds, additional ADME analysis and DNA interactions were performed. to obtain better insight into their pharmacokinetics and determination of binding mode for DNA molecules. As results suggested, strong binding of examined compounds to CT-DNA was observed, while the ADME screening showed that selected compounds possess suitable physicochemical properties for oral bioavailability and druglikeness.