Fungi Trichophyton Rubrum Research Articles

Herbidomicins, two pairs of polyketide tautomers produced by an actinomycete of the genus Herbidospora.

Herbidospora is one of the underexplored actinomycete genera from which only a limited number of secondary metabolites are reported. In our continuing investigation on less explored actinomycetes, a liquid culture of Herbidospora sp. RD 11066 was found to contain unknown metabolites that had no match in our in-house UV database. Chromatographic separation and following structural analysis using NMR and MS identified these metabolites to be chromanone and chromene derivatives, which were respectively composed of an inseparable mixture of two isomeric forms. The former polyketides, designated to be herbidomicins A1 (1) and A2 (2), are positional isomers in terms of a methyl substituent on an aromatic ring that mutually interconvert by acetal exchange by two phenolic hydroxy groups. The latter pair, herbidomicins B1 (3) and B2 (4), is Z/E-isomers regarding an enol ether double bond. Herbidomicins 1-4 were weakly antifungal against a dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton rubrum and were moderately cytotoxic against murine leukemia P388 cells.

Analisa Keberadaan Jamur Trichophyton rubrum pada Kuku Kaki Petugas Kebersihan Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Surabaya

Sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining environmental cleanliness. However, many of them neglect their personal hygiene. Sanitation workers are professions that regularly wear closed shoes for long periods,the humid, hot, and dirty work environment promotes fungal infections in toenails, known as onychomycosis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the presence of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum on the toenails of the sanitation workers of the Surabaya Environmental Service Department. This study is a descriptive laboratory observation. The research was conducted from February 23 to March 13, 2024. Sample collection took place at Surabaya Environmental Service Department, and the study carried out at Mycology Laboratory of the Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya. The samples in this study consisted of toenails from 30 sanitation workers members. The examination was conducted using the culture method on SDA media, incubated for 7-14 days, followed by macroscopic and microscopic observations. The results showed that 2 samples were positive for Trichophyton rubrum (6.7%), 23 samples were positive for Aspergillus sp., (76.7%), 4 samples were positive for Rhizopus sp., (13.3%), and 1 sample was positive for Penicillium sp., (3.3%). The conclusion is, out of 30 samples, 2 individuals (6.7%) tested positive for Trichophyton rubrum, while the remaining 28 samples (93.3%) tested negative for Trichophyton rubrum.

Ozone Therapy on Fungi that Cause Onychomycosis

ABSTRACT Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nails, predominantly caused by dermatophytes and is a notoriously difficult condition to treat. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare, in vitro, the efficacy of different applied ozone dosages against the main fungi that cause onychomycosis. Dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum (ATCC 28,188) and Microsporum gypseum (ATCC 24,102) were incubated at 28 °C for 14 days. Treatments were divided into nine experimental groups according to applied ozone dosages: Control Group 0 mg/m2: fungi were cultured but received no treatment; cultured fungi that received ozone therapy for 157, 314, 471, 628, 785 943, 1100 and 1257 mg/m2. The main results indicate that topical ozone therapy effectively reduced the germination percentage of T. rubrum and M. gypseum in all experimental periods, achieving a complete eradication with a treatment time of 628 and 1257 mg/m2, respectively. In conclusion, ozone therapy used topically with an applied ozone dosage of 628 mg/m2 for T. rubrum and 1257 mg/m2 for M. gypseum promoted antifungal action on the main dermatophytes responsible for critical complications of onychomycosis. Therefore, ozone therapy can be proposed as an adjuvant for dermatological treatments

A Comparative Study of the Antifungal Activity of Fresh and Dried Solanum anguivi Fruits on Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum

In Côte d'Ivoire, as elsewhere in Africa, Solanum anguivi Lam is widely used in traditional medicine to treat bacterial and fungal infections. Given the importance of this plant, the extracts 70%, 80% and 100% from fresh and dried fruits was evaluated for the in vitro growth of two isolates of pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum), as well as its anti-free radical activity. 
 Antifungal tests were carried out by plating 1000 cells of each isolate on Sabouraud agar medium using the double dilution method in inclined tubes. Both extracts were active on the different strains tested, according to a dose-response relationship based on the principle of the method used.
 However, extracts from fresh fruit showed good activity on C. albicans, while the dried fresh fruit extracts were highly active on T. rubrum.

Is milbemycin a game changer against antifungal drug-resistant mycoses?

Milbemycin oximes are macrocyclic lactones that have a broad spectrum of activity against nematode infection in animals. They are known to block drug efflux, which increases the susceptibility of fungi to azoles. We investigated the effects of milbemycin on the azole susceptibility of fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, C. auris, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichophyton rubrum). To screen for changes in azole susceptibility, fungal growth was tested on a culture medium containing 1 μg/ml milbemycin. The results showed that milbemycin increased the azole susceptibility of azole-resistant strains of C. albicans, C. auris, C. neoformans, and T. rubrum. Thus, milbemycin might be useful against antifungal drug-resistant strains.

Activity of Bangle Rhizome Extract (zingiber cassumunar roxb.) Inhibits the Growth of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Bangle rhizome extract (zingiber purpureum roxb.) is a herbal plant that is widely consumed in Indonesia. Bangle rhizome extract (zingiber purpureum roxb.) has broad medical properties such as diuretic, anti-hypertension, brochodilator, immunomodulator, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. The aim of this research was to determine the yield results of extracts using the solvents Aquadest, Aceton, Ethanol 70%, Ethanol 96% and Methanol. And to find out the results of phytochemical screening tests and active ingredient content using GCMS. The stages of this research include the extraction process, phytochemical screening test and GCMS. The results of research on the yield of Bangle rhizome extract with the five solvents obtained the largest yield, namely with distilled water, 7.2 percent. Based on the phytochemical screening test, Bangle rhizome extract was positive for containing secondary metabolites such as tannins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids and saponins. The lowest MIC results for Bangle extract were in Aquadest solvent at 6.25 mg/mL with a value of 0.049 mg/mL and continued in 70% Ethanol solvent with a value of 3.125 mg/mL in the fungus Trichophyton rubrum and in the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes with an MIC value of 3.125 mg/mL. while the highest MIC value was obtained in the solvent acetone, Ethanol 96%, Methanol with a value of 0.049 ml/ML for both fungi.

Optimization of the Antifungal Property in a Composite of Polyurethane and Silver Nanoparticles against the Trichophyton rubrum Fungus

This research aims to analyze and optimize the antifungal property of a composite material made of polyurethane (PUR) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against the fungus Trichophyton rubrum to find the optimal parameters that allow the highest inhibition of the fungal growth to be used in healthcare aimed at the population vulnerable to fungal infections, such as people suffering from diabetes mellitus, thus creating an opportunity for the generation of antifungal products for healthcare applications. This study analyzes the effect of three variables on the antifungal properties of the composite material: nanoparticle size, concentration, and the application of an ultrasonic treatment as a method to aid the dispersion of the AgNPs into PUR matrix. The proposed methodology includes tests in accordance with a standar to evaluate the growth inhibition of the fungi on a culture medium. A categorical logistic regression model was adjusted from 23 factorial design with five replicates, which was optimized by the use of multi-objective genetic algorithms. The experimental factors showed a significant effect on the growth inhibition of the fungus, and the optimal levels were determined.

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of almonds extracts from kernel of two mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties grown in Korhogo (North of Ivory Coast)

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a fruit marketed worldwide. It is a third fruit exported by Côte d’Ivoire with 10000-15000 tons for annual production among 150000 tons. The by-products of mango such as kernel almonds are not pratically valued. Therefore, this work aims to determine phytochemical compound and evaluate antimicrobial activity of extracts from kernel almonds of mango varieties Kent and Keitt. Aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were prepared with almonds flours of Kent (EtaqKE and EethKE) and Keitt (EtaqKI and EethKI) varieties. Phytochemical screening of the four extracts was performed by tube tests and thin layer chromatography. Antimicrobial activity of these extracts was evaluated in vitro with agar broth dilution method against three bacteria (Escheichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomans aeruginosa) and three fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) involved in skin infections. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of polyphenols, sterols, terpenes, flavonoids, anthraquinones and saponins in all the four almonds extracts. Antimicrobial tests showed that, extracts EethKE and EethKI are the most active with MIC and MBC ranging respectively from 0.39 to 12.5 mg/mL and 12.5 to 50 mg/mL for bacteria. The extract EtaqKI is more active on bacteria and has a bactericidal action on P. aeruginosa and E. coli strains with ratio CMB/CMI of 4. The four almonds extracts have any activity on fungi strains tested. The presence of secondary metabolites and antibacterial activities of extracts of almond from kernels of mango Kent and Keitt varieties demonstrate that these extracts could have therapeutic and cosmetic applications.

The antagonistic effect of Anabaena circinalis on some dermatophytes

Introduction and Aim: Anabaena circinalis, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium belonging to the Gram-negative group, is widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems across the world. The scientific focus on A. circinalis primarily stems from its ability to produce numerous cyanotoxins, which have the potential to be hazardous. The objective of this study was to assess the antifungal efficacy of A. circinalis against the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with the aim of discovering a new antifungal agent. Methodology: The identification of Anabaena circinalis in this study was conducted through the observation of its morphological characteristics. Molecular identification and confirmation of the algae was done using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, employing a specific set of primers targeting the PCbetaand PCalpha genes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed in identifying A. circinalis antifungal compounds. The ability of 70% ethanolic and methanolic extracts produced from A. circinalis to inhibit the dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes was tested by in vitro tests. Results: The findings indicate that the hot ethanolic extract of Anabaena circinalis exhibited a significant inhibitory effect (100% inhibition) on the growth of dermatophyte fungi tested. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies identified several antifungal compounds in A. circinalis extracts, which included Hexadecen-1-ol, Phthalic acid, Octadecenoic acid, Octadecynoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Pentadecadien, Tetradecenal, and Octadecadien-1-ol. Conclusion: Overall finding suggests hot ethanolic or methanolic extracts of Anabaena circinalis contain phyto components, which could be used as an antifungal agent in treating dermatophyte fungi-related infections.

Antimicrobial activity and GCMS Analysis of leaves Extracts of Butea Monosperma Lam Taub

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. More than hundreds of plants have been reported in the Ethno-botanical literature of India for theiranti-microbial activity as well as for treatment of many diseases and Butea monosperma (Lam.)Taub is one of them. The present investigation is focused on the anti-microbial activity of Butea monosperma leaves against both gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as fungi (Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum). Both excerpts (ethanol and methanol) show positive responses against all the selected microorganisms. GC-MS analysis is done to find out important compound which is anti-microbial. A total of 38 compounds are identified in GC-MS analysis. Out of 38 compounds, 8 compounds are identified as antimicrobial in nature such as Dodecane, 2-HEXADECEN-1-OL, 3,7,11,15-TETRAMETHYL-, [R-[, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, Phytol, Palmidrol, Squalene, Tetracosane, Vitamin E and Lup-20(29)-en-3-one which justify, this plant possess significant anti-microbial property. GC-MS analysis reveals that majorly, this plant leaves also possess 10 antioxidant compounds (Neophytadiene, 2-HEXADECEN-1-OL, 3,7,11,15-TETRAMETHYL-, [R-[, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Phytol, squalene, .alpha.-Tocospiro B, Tetracosane, .gamma.-Tocopherol, Ergost-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.)- and STIGMASTA-5,22-DIEN-3-OL, (3.BETA.,22E)-,), 9 anti-cancerous compounds (Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 9,12,15-OCTADECATRIENOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER, squalene, .gamma.-Tocopherol, Vitamin E, Ergost-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.)-, STIGMASTA- 5,22-DIEN-3-OL, (3.BETA.,22E)-, .gamma.-Sitosterol and Lupeol),8 anti-inflammatory compounds (Neophytadiene,2-HEXADECEN-1-OL, 3,7,11,15-TETRAMETHYL-, [R-[, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-OCTADECATRIENOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER, Phytol, Palmidrol, .alpha.-Tocospiro B and Lupeol), 3 cardioprotective compounds ( Neophytadiene, .alpha.-Tocospiro B and .gamma.-Tocopherol A) and 5 antidiabetic compounds (.alpha.-Tocospiro B, Vitamin E, STIGMASTA-5,22-DIEN-3-OL, (3.BETA.,22E)-, .gamma.-Sitosterol and Lup-20(29)-en-3-one).This investigation suggests that this plant leaf has not only anti-microbial potential but also possesses other important compounds to fight against many deadly diseases. Thus, this plant has immense potential to make an individual place in pharmacological industries, especially as antibiotics.

A Natural Virucidal and Microbicidal Spray Based on Polyphenol-Iron Sols.

Numerous disinfection methods have been developed to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases that threaten human health. However, it still remains elusively challenging to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective methods that deactivate a wide range of pathogens, from viruses to bacteria and fungi, without doing any harm to humans or the environment. Herein we report a natural spraying protocol, based on a water-dispersible supramolecular sol of nature-derived tannic acid (TA) and Fe3+, which is easy-to-use and low-cost. Our formulation effectively deactivates viruses (influenza A viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and human rhinovirus) as well as suppressing the growth and spread of pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii) and fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Trichophyton rubrum). Its versatile applicability in a real-life setting is also demonstrated against microorganisms present on the surfaces of common household items (e.g., air filter membranes, disposable face masks, kitchen sinks, mobile phones, refrigerators, and toilet seats).

Utilization of Green Beans Vima 1 and Local as an Alternative Media Substitute Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) in the Growth of Trichophyton Rubrum

Green beans are cultivated plants and crops with nutrients from vegetable protein. Varieties of mung beans vary, including Vima 1 and local. The fungus Trichophyton rubrum generates dermatophytosis. This research explored green beans and local Vima 1 as an alternative medium in the growth of Trichophyton rubrum fungus. The type of research used by laboratory experiments was carried out at the STIKes Hutama Abdi Husada Tulungagung Microbiology Laboratory in March - April 2022. SDA media and alternative media green beans Vima 1 and local variations of the mass of 6 grams and 7 grams inoculated Trichophyton rubrum fungus using a single dot method with repetition as much as five times. The results showed that Trichophyton rubrum fungus grows optimally on alternative media green beans Vima 1 variation of 7 grams of mass that grows colonies on the fifth day with an average final diameter of 14 mm. While alternative media green beans Vima 1 variation mass 6 grams 11 mm, SDA media 11.65 mm, alternative media local green beans variation mass 6 grams 7.5 mm, and variation mass 7 grams 11.5 mm. The result of independent statistical tests was a p-value < 0.00, which shows significant differences in each type of media. This study result concluded that green beans Vima 1 and local could be used as an alternative medium to replace the SDA media in the growth of Trichophyton rubrum fungus.

Potential Activity of Arthrospira platensis as Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Antifungal against Some Skin Diseases: Topical Cream Application.

This research evaluated the antifungal effectiveness of Arthrospira platensis ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts against the tested pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Malassezia furfur). Antioxidant and cytotoxicity effectiveness of A. platensis extracts against four distinct cell lines were also assessed. Methanol extract of A. platensis exhibited the highest inhibition zones against Candida albicans as measured by the well diffusion method. A transmission electron micrograph of the treated group of Candida cells with A. platensis methanolic extract showed mild lysis and vacuolation of the cytoplasmic organelles. In vivo, after induced infection of mice by C. albicans and treatment with A. platensis methanolic extract cream, the skin layer emerged with the removal of Candida spherical plastopores. The extract of A. platensis recorded the highest antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging method (IC50 28 mg/mL). A cytotoxicity test using a MTT assay showed that the A. platensis extract had strong cytotoxic activity against the HepG2 cell line (IC50 20.56 ± 1.7 μg/mL) and moderate cytotoxic activity against MCF7 and the Hela cell (IC50 27.99 ± 2.1 μg/mL). Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) results revealed that the effective activity of A. platensis extract could be linked to a synergistic impact between their prominent composition as alkaloids, phytol, fatty acids hydrocarbons, phenolics and phthalates. A. platensis extract contains active metabolites that constitute a promising source of antifungal, antioxidant and anti-proliferative compounds for the pharmaceutical drug industry.

Screening and Evaluation of Potential Antifungal Plant Extracts against Skin Infecting Fungus Trichophyton rubrum

Pharmacognosy Research,2023,15,2,328-337.DOI:10.5530/pres.15.2.035Published:February 2023Type:Original Article Authors:Margret Kanimozhi A, and Caroline Rose J Author(s) affiliations:Margret Kanimozhi A1, Caroline Rose J2, * 1Department of Biotechnology, St. Jospeh’s College of Arts and Science for Women, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. 2Department of Biotechnology, Arignar Anna Arts and Science College, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Abstract:Dermatophytosis is mainly caused by Trichophyton rubrum. The use of presently available conventional antifungal agents is limited due to various side-effects, requirement of long-term application, emergence of resistant organisms and cost-effectiveness. In the present study, methanolic extract of 12 medicinal plants was screened for antifungal activity against T. rubrum. To identify the phytochemicals in the extract qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). By analysing the samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the chemicals that were present were identified. Among the various plants studied, the methanolic extracts of Aegle marmelos leaves (AML-ME) and Pimpinella anisum seed (PMS-ME) showed high zone of inhibition of 16 and 22 mm, respectively. MIC of both the extracts was found to be 100 μg/ml. Some major compounds identified in AML-ME with alkaloids are N, N,-dimethyl-o-(1-methyl-butyl)-hydroxylamine, 13-tetradece-11-yn-1-ol (15.21%), n-hexadecanoic acid, Propanal, 2,3-dihydroxy-, (s)-(5.22%) and 1,3-butanediol, and in PAS-ME, hexamethylene chloroiodide, cyclopentene,3-hexyl, E-2-octadecadecen-1-ol, n-hexadecanoic acid and 2-cyclopentene-1-undecanoic acid, ethyl ester. Both AML-ME and PAS-ME showed dose-dependent in vitro antioxidant activity against the radicals such as DPPH and ABTS. Also, FRAP activity was found in both the extracts. Altogether, the presence of antifungal and antioxidant activity in the AML-ME and PAS-ME might be advantageous in exploring these extracts as either alternative or complementary therapy to the available antifungal agents further. The phytochemicals present in these extracts has acted synergistically against the T. rubrum and affected its viability. Keywords:Aegle marmelos, Antifungal activity, Bioactive compounds, Dermatophytosis., Pimpinella anisumView:PDF (419.79 KB)

Synthesis, spectroscopic profiling, biological evaluation, DFT, molecular docking and mathematical studies of 3,5-diethyl-2r,6c-diphenylpiperidin-4-one picrate

The title compound 3,5-diethyl-2r,6c-diphenylpiperidin-4-one picrate (3,5-DEDPPP) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR, Mass, 1D NMR (1H and 13C), UV-Vis., and Fluorescence spectral techniques. The title compound had been optimised utilising DFT method with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. First order hyperpolarisability calculation was used to determine the non-linear optical behaviour of the title molecule. The calculation of the Lewis (bonding) and Non-Lewis (anti-bonding) structural types was done to explore the intra-molecular charge transfer within the molecule. The ICT and bioactivity of the molecule are significantly influenced by the decrease of the HOMO–LUMO energy gap value. The nucleophilic and electrophilic active sites of the molecule are predicted by the MEP surface analysis. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Vibreo cholerae, as well as fungi such Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Trichophyton rubrum, were tested for the 3,5-DEDPPP bacterial activity. To establish information about the molecular interactions between protein and this novel compound theoretically, docking studies were carried out in detail. This study is further extended and confirms our synthesised molecular structure using NMR-spectroscopy by mathematical computation through the concept of graph colouring.

Inhibition of the growth of the pathogenic fungus Trichophyton rubrum by M. azedarach leaves

The effect of the alcoholic and aqueous extract of the leaves of M.azedarach plant against the growth of the pathogenic fungus T. rubrum was studied, and the results showed that the alcoholic extract of the leaves of the M.azedarach plant was more efficient than the aqueous extract in inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic fungus T. rubrum, as it completely inhibited the growth of 0.00 cm at concentrations (15-20-25) mg/ml. As for the concentrations (5-10) mg/ml, the average diameter of the colony after an incubation period of 14 days was (4.25-1.25) cm, respectively, while the aqueous extract of the leaves of M.azedarach plant had an effect on the growth of the pathogenic fungus T. rubrum, as the average colony diameter was (6.25-2.25) cm for concentrations (5-10) mg/ml, respectively, after a 14-day incubation period.

Inhibitory Test of Onion Extract (Allium Cepa L.) Against The Growth of Trichophyton rubrum Fungus Causing Tinea Pedis

Tinea pedis is a disease that attacks the area between the fingers, soles of the feet, heels, nails and is a source of infection in other areas. Trichophyton rubrum is the cause of 70 % of cases of tinea pedis. Fungal infections are usually treated using antifungal drugs which mostly have limitations, such as poor penetration into certain tissues, narrow spectrum of fungi, high side effects, and resistance of fungi to certain antifungals. Utilization of natural materials is done as an alternative treatment for fungal infections. One of the natural ingredients that has the potential to be used as antifungal is onion (Allium cepa L.). The aim of the study was to determine the ability of onion extract to inhibit the growth of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. The type of research is Experimental Laboratory. This study used onion extract concentrations of 70 %, 60 %, 50 %, 40 %, control (+) and control (-). Data analysis using Kruskal Wallis Test and Post Hoc Mann Whitney Test. The average diameter of the inhibition zone at the extract concentration of 70 %, 60 %, 50 %, and 40 %, respectively, was 2,01 mm, 1,75 mm, 0,87 mm, and 0.58 mm. The results of the in vitro test using the disc diffusion method showed that onion extract had the ability to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton rubrum with a weak category.

Biophysical Characterization of the C-Terminal Tail of T. rubrum PacC Reveals an Inherent Intrinsically Disordered Structure with pH-Induced Structural Plasticity.

PacC is a key transcriptional regulator of human pathogenic fungus Trichophyton rubrum with pivotal roles in pH homeostasis and virulence. We report the first biophysical characterization of the C-terminal inhibitory tail of PacC, pertinent to its physiological role in maintaining the inactive state of PacC at acidic pH which undergoes conformational changes for its proteolytic removal and activation, at alkaline pH. To gain insights into the structural features of PacC that enable the required conformational flexibility, we performed gel filtration chromatography, dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism, and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate binding and showed that the tail exhibits properties similar to intrinsically disordered proteins, as also predicted by bioinformatics tools. We demonstrate that the C-terminal tail is conformationally flexible and attains a molten globule-like state at extremely acidic pH and undergoes biphasic GdmCl-induced unfolding in a noncooperative manner with an intermediate X state. We hypothesize that the conformational plasticity of the C-terminal tail of PacC may play a significant role in modulating its pH-dependent transcriptional activation.

Preliminary Microbiological Tests of S-Carvone and Geraniol and Selected Derivatives of These Compounds That May Be Formed in the Processes of Isomerization and Oxidation.

This work presents a literature review on the biological activity of S-carvone, geraniol and derivatives of these compounds, which are formed in the process of isomerization (during the process of geraniol isomerization, oxidation products of this compound are also obtained). Moreover, this work presents preliminary microbiological tests of creams with the addition of these biologically active compounds: S-carvone, geraniol, carvacrol (an S-carvone isomerization product), nerol (a geraniol isomerization product), linalool (a geraniol isomerization product) and citral (a geraniol oxidation product). Because the post-reaction mixture obtained after the S-carvone isomerization has a relatively simple composition, it was also added to creams and tested without isolating pure compounds. This may be a cheaper alternative to creams prepared with the addition of pure compounds. The mixture obtained after the geraniol isomerization process has a very complex composition; therefore, only compounds with the lowest molecular weight and are easily commercially available were selected for studies. The content of the tested compounds in the creams ranged from 0.5 to 3 wet%. The following microorganisms were selected for microbiological tests: the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli K12, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis, and the fungi Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium chrysogenum. A content of 3% carvacrol, nerol, geraniol and citral inhibited the growth of E. coli, and attenuated the growth of C. albicans and T. rubrum. On the other hand, 3% carvacrol and citral only poorly attenuated the growth of the mould fungi P. chrysogenum and A. niger.

Rediscovery of cold pressed cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L.) oil: a good source of fat-soluble bioactives with functional and health-enhancing traits

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) fruits or capsules are rich in bioactive phytochemicals with beneficial health impacts. Very few studies reported the chemistry and functionality of Elettaria cardamomum lipids, fixed oil, and cold pressed cardamom oil (CPCO). This work characterized CPCO for its lipid classes, fatty acids, phytosterols, tocols, total phenolics, antiradical potential (toward galvinoxyl and DPPH· radicals), antioxidative effects, and antimicrobial behavior (against foodborne bacteria and dermatophytic fungi). Neutral lipids were detected at the highest amount (ca. 96.6%), followed by glycolipids (ca. 2%) and phospholipids (ca. 1.3%). Oleic (C18:1, 43.7%), palmitic (C16:0, 21.6%), and linoleic (C18:2, 17.6%) were the major fatty acids in CPCO. The levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were 47%, 32%, and 21%, respectively. CPCO contained large amounts of unsaponifiables (16.4 g/kg). The total content of phytosterols was 222 mg/100 g oil, wherein β-sitosterol was the main compound, followed by sitostanol, campesterol, stigmasterol, Δ5-avenasterol, and citrostadienol. The total content of tocols was 2.38 mg/100 g of oil, and the contents (mg/100 g oil) of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols in CPCO were 1.25, 0.08, 0.58, and 0.28, respectively. Besides, CPCO contained high amounts of total phenolics (3.9 mg GAE/g oil). CPCO exhibited better antiradical traits than extra virgin olive oil. The induction time (IT) recorded for sunflower oil (SFO) and CPCO blend (9:1, v/v) was 405 min, while the IT for blend) 8:2, v/v) was 532 min. Besides, CPCO showed broad antimicrobial effects against foodborne pathogens (Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli) and dermatophytic fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum). It could be concluded that CPCO is a good source of lipid-soluble bioactives, making it a unique raw material for novel food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.