Gram-negative Bacterial Growth Research Articles

Silver sulphide nanoparticles (Ag2SNPs) synthesized using Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract for enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

In this study, silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2SNP's) were successfully produced by using fruit extracts of Phyllanthus emblica. UV-vis, FTIR, XRD with SEM and EDX techniques were used for the synthesis process and for characterization of the resulting nanostructures. According to the findings, the fabricated nanostructure had a monoclinic crystal structure, measuring 44 nm in grain size, and its strain was 1.82 × 10-3. As revealed by SEM analysis, the synthesized nanostructure consists of irregular spherical and triangular shapes. The presence of silver (Ag) and sulfur (S) was also confirmed through EDX spectra. Furthermore, Ag2S nanoparticles were tested for their ability to effectively inhibit gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growth. As a result of this study, it was clearly demonstrated that Ag2S nanoparticles possess powerful antibacterial properties, particularly when it came to inhibiting Escherichia coli growth. Ag2S nanoparticles had high total H2O2 and flavonoid concentrations and the greatest overall antioxidant activity, according to the evaluation of antioxidant activity of the samples. The results obtained from the P. emblica fruit extract were followed by those obtained from Ag2S nanoparticles were reported in detail. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Innovative Ag2SNP synthesis using Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract. SEM with EDX revealed a monoclinic crystal structure with a grain size of 44 nm and a strain of 1.82 × 10-3. Many of these applications are demonstrated by the potential of Ag2SNPs to treat and combat bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. A peak at 653 cm-1 indicates the presence of primary sulfide aliphatic C-S extension vibrations. The abundant H2O2 and NO2 found in P. emblica nanocomposites make them potent antioxidants.

Mesoporous Mg–Al–Ti composite oxide incorporated mixed matrix ultrafiltration membrane with superior multi-heavy metal removal capacity, anti-fouling & anti-microbial property

Mesoporous Mg–Al–Ti ternary composite oxide nano-adsorbents have demonstrated an exceptional performance to remove multiple heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr). Incorporation of these nanoparticles (NPs) in polysulfone membrane created a multifunctional mixed matrix membrane (MMM) with heavy metal adsorption capacity (both cationic and anionic species), enhanced hydrophilicity, anti-fouling property, and anti-microbial activity. The best heavy metal removal performance was shown by the membrane incorporated with 0.8 wt% NPs. Hydrophilicity improvement was studied through the decrease in water contact angle from 71° to 57° and surface probing using atomic force microscopy (AFM). With a maximum As(III) adsorption capacity of 256.6 mg/g, the membrane had a breakthrough volume of 25L and could provide safe drinking water for 19 h from a real Arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater sample with a flux of 48 l/m2-h. Beyond that, >90 % removal of Cd, Pb & Cr was also observed with maximum adsorption capacity of 652.9 mg/g, 332.5 mg/g, and 89.4 mg/g respectively. 92.5 % flux recovery after filtering a 1000 ppm bovine serum albumin showed the anti-fouling property. Successful inhibition of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growth, and >99.99 % removal of colony forming units (CFU/ml) in the filtration process confirmed the anti-microbial resistance. With its multifunctionality, these membranes hold great potential for practical water treatment applications.

Cellulosic crystallinity and antimicrobial artistry of cactus cilia

The present research utilizes the mass of fine cilia yielded by cactus protoderm. Obtained cilia is characterized morphologically, chemically, thermally, and for antimicrobial activity. Plant based cellulosic wound dressing material expedite tissue generation, hydration, and bactericidal activity. Chemical characterization of cactus cilia reveals a highly absorbent cellulose I structure with crystallinity percentage of 65.02%. Infrared spectroscopy shows aromatic rings in cellulose polysaccharides with carbon (88.37%), oxygen (6.67%), nitrogen (3.67%), and sodium (1.27%). Morphology displayed a very fine (21 to 65 μm), coiled, and uncinate fiber. Significant number of amino acids, amides, and their derivatives exhibit cactus cilia is a plant biomass. Cactus cilia + ampicillin derivative inhibited gram-negative bacterial growth, thus making it a potential material for general use in meditech applications.

Development of novel carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin-based edible films with pomegranate peel extract as antibacterial/antioxidant agents for beef preservation

Novel antioxidant and antibacterial composite films were fabricated by incorporating pomegranate peel extract (PPE) into gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose matrices. Increasing PPE concentration significantly (p < 0.05) altered physical properties and improved UV (decrease in light transmission 87.30 % to 9.89 % at 400 nm) and water resistance, while FTIR and molecular docking results revealed hydrogen bonding between PPE and film matrix. PPE incorporation enhanced antioxidant activity up to 84.15 ± 0.12 % and also restricted gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growth by 72.4 % and 65.9 % respectively after 24 h, measured by antimicrobial absorption assays. For beef packaging applications at refrigeration temperatures, PPE films were most effective at extending shelf-life up to 3 days, as evidenced by reduced total viable counts, total volatile basic nitrogen, weight loss, and pH changes compared to control films. Therefore, these antioxidant and antibacterial films have potential applications in food packaging to protect against mechanical stress, light exposure, microbial spoilage, and oxidative free radicals.

Mechanistic insight into the synergistic antimicrobial potential of Fagonia indica Burm.f. extracts with cefixime

Fagonia indica Burm.f. is known for its anti-infective character and has been studied in the present work as a synergistic remedy against resistant bacterial strains. Initially, phytochemicals were quantified in n-Hexane (n-Hex), ethyl acetate (E.A), methanol (MeOH), and aqueous (Aq.) extracts by Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis. Later, after establishing an antibacterial resistance profile for extracts and antibiotics against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, synergism was evaluated in combination with cefixime through time-kill kinetics and bacterial protein estimation studies. Topographic images depicting synergism were obtained by scanning electron microscopy for Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Resistant Escherichia coli (R.E. coli). Results showed the presence of maximum phenolic (28.4 ± 0.67 μg GAE/mg extract) and flavonoid (11 ± 0.42 μg QE/mg extract) contents in MeOH extract. RP-HPLC results also displayed maximum polyphenols in MeOH extract followed by E.A extract. Clinical strains were resistant to cefixime whereas these were moderately inhibited by all extracts (MIC 150–300 µg/ml) except Aq. extract. E.A and n-Hex extracts demonstrated maximum synergism (Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) 0.31) against R.E. coli. The n-Hex extract displayed total synergism against R.P. a with a 4-fold reduction in cefixime dose. Time-kill kinetics showed maximum inhibition of gram-negative bacterial growth from 3 to 12 h when treated at FICI and 2FICI values with > 10-fold reduction of the extracts’ dose. All combinations demonstrate > 70 % protein content inhibition with bacterial cell wall disruption in SEM images. Fortunately, FICI concentrations have low hemolytic potential (<5%). Conclusively, F. indica extracts can mitigate antimicrobial resistance against cefixime and can be investigated in detail by in vivo and mechanistic studies.

Aqueous Extract of Brassica rapa L.'s Impact on Modulating Exercise-Induced Fatigue via Gut-Muscle Axis.

Exercise-induced fatigue is a common physiological response to prolonged physical activity, often associated with changes in gut microbiota and metabolic responses. This study investigates the potential role of Brassica rapa L. in modulating these responses. Using an animal model subjected to chronic exercise-induced stress, we explored the effects of Brassica rapa L. on fatigue-related biomarkers, energy metabolism genes, inflammatory responses, intestinal integrity, and gut microbiota composition. Our findings revealed that Brassica rapa L. exhibits significant antioxidant activity and effectively modulates physiological responses to fatigue. It influences gene expression related to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in muscle tissue through the AMPK/PGC-1α/TFAM signaling pathway. Furthermore, Brassica rapa L. has been found to alleviate inflammation by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infection and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway. It also maintains intestinal integrity and controls Gram-negative bacterial growth. A correlation analysis identified several pathogenic bacteria linked with inflammation and energy metabolism, as well as beneficial probiotic bacteria associated with improved energy metabolism and reduced inflammation. These findings underscore Brassica rapa L.'s potential for managing prolonged exercise-induced fatigue, paving the way for future therapeutic applications. The results highlight its impact on gut microbiota modulation and its role in nutrition science and sports medicine.

Multifunctional Spirogyra-hyalina-Mediated Barium Oxide Nanoparticles (BaONPs): Synthesis and Applications.

This research aims to biosynthesize Barium oxide nanoparticles (BaONPs) for biomedical applications, using Spirogyra hyalina as a stabilizing and reducing agent. UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to physiochemically characterize the barium oxide nanoparticles, while antibacterial, minimum inhibitory concentration, antifungal, free radicle scavenging, and anti-inflammatory assay were performed to assess the therapeutic potential of the synthesized BaONPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed bands at 615 and 692 cm-1 that corresponded to the formation of BaONPs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the spherical and flower-shaped morphology of BaONPs having an average diameter of 64.01 ± 2.0 nm. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth was halted by the barium nanoparticles, demonstrating their efficacy up to 19.12 ± 0.31 mm against E. coli, 18.83 ± 0.44 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 17.31 ± 0.59 mm against P. aeruginosa, 16.56 ± 0.37 mm against S. aureus, and 15.75 ± 0.38 mm against S. epidermidis, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 9.0, 6.3, 5.5, 4.5, and 2.0 µg/mL for S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, respectively. BaONPs were not that effective against fungal strains such as Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium proliferatum. The BaONPs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity through inhibiting cyclooxygenases type 1 (43.12 ± 1.21%) and 2 (41.23 ± 1.56%), and DPPH free radicles up to 43.52 ± 0.29% at 400 µg/mL. In conclusion, the biomolecules derived from Spirogyra hyalina have demonstrated remarkable ability to generate stable nanoparticles, offering promising prospects for their utilization as therapeutic agents and coating materials in various biomedical applications.

Dilution Reduces Sample Matrix Effects for Rapid, Direct, and Miniaturised Phenotypic Antibiotic Susceptibility Tests for Bovine Mastitis.

The time-consuming nature of current methods for detecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to guide mastitis treatment and for surveillance, drives innovation towards faster, easier, and more portable technology. Rapid on-farm testing could guide antibiotic selection, reducing misuse that contributes to resistance. We identify challenges that arise when developing miniaturized antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) for rapid on-farm use directly in milk. We experimentally studied three factors: sample matrix (specifically milk or spoiled milk); the commensal bacteria found in fresh bovine milk; and result time on the performance of miniaturised AST. Microfluidic "dip-and-test" devices made from microcapillary film (MCF) were able to monitor Gram-negative bacterial growth colourimetrically even in the presence of milk and yoghurt (used to simulate spoiled milk samples), as long as this sample matrix was diluted 1:5 or more in growth medium. Growth detection kinetics using resazurin was not changed by milk at final concentrations of 20% or lower, but a significant delay was seen with yoghurt above 10%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ciprofloxacin and gentamicin was increased in the presence of higher concentrations of milk and yoghurt. When diluted to 1% all observed MIC were within range, indicating dilution may be sufficient to avoid milk matrix interfering with microfluidic AST. We found a median commensal cell count of 6 × 105 CFU/mL across 40 healthy milk samples and tested if these bacteria could alter microfluidic AST. We found that false susceptibility may be observed at early endpoint times if testing some pathogen and commensal mixtures. However, such errors are only expected to occur when a susceptible commensal organism is present at higher cell density relative to the resistant pathogen, and this can be avoided by reading at later endpoints, leading to a trade-off between accuracy and time-to-result. We conclude that with further optimisation, and additional studies of Gram-positive organisms, it should be possible to obtain rapid results for microfluidic AST, but a trade-off is needed between time-to-result, sample dilution, and accuracy.

Microbial etiology and antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections in children; view from an area where antibiotics are overused.

The aim of our study is to determine the uropathogenic causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their incidences, assess their antibiotic resistance, and determine an appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment strategy. We retrospectively analyzed the culture and antibiogram results of urine cultures of 49,706 patients aged 1 day to 18 years who applied to Diyarbakır Children's Hospital between March 2018 and October 2022. A total of 4,064 cases meeting the study criteria were recorded. Girls comprised 76.7% of the study population. While reproduction in urine culture was more common in boys in the 0-1 age group, there was a decrease in the number of boys with increasing age, and the most common culture growth was seen in girls in the 5-10 age group (p<0.001). Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections were more common in girls, while non-E. coli infections were more common in boys (p<0.001). Gram-negative bacterial growth in urine cultures was the most common growth type. In descending order, E. coli was grown in 68.1% of all cultures, Klebsiella spp in 12.6%, and Proteus spp in 3.9%. Less commonly, Pseudomonas spp (2.8%), Enterobacter spp (1.5%), and fungi (1.1%) were grown. Antibiotic resistance/sensitivity tests revealed resistance patterns most commonly against ampicillin (73.2%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (57.9%), cefuroxime axetil (46.7%), cefixime (51%), and ceftriaxone (40.5%), and less commonly against meropenem (1.7%), amikacin (2.4%), and nitrofurantoin (9.8%). Escherichia coli showed resistance most commonly against ampicillin (69.8%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (59.7%), and cefixime (51.3%), while non-E.coli bacteria showed resistance most commonly against ampicillin (84.6%), amoxicillin (52.0%), and cefixime (50%). Resistance against nitrofurantoin was lower in E. coli infections than non-E. coli infections, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (3.7% and 27%, respectively; p=0.149). In contrast, resistance against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was more common in E. coli infections than non-E. coli infections, although the difference was not statistically significant (42% and 29.7%, respectively; p=0.093). Our study revealed that resistance has developed at very high rates against many oral and parenteral antibiotics that we use in the treatment of UTIs. If our rate of antibiotic use continues to increase this way, it is predicted that UTIs will, unfortunately, become untreatable with oral antibiotics. This upsetting point reached by our country, which is the state that uses antibiotics the most in Europe, exemplifies the importance of rational antibiotic use for the whole world.

Phenotypic detection of multi-drug resistant MBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical samples of patients in hospitals in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) continue to be a bane in the treatment of clinical infections in both community and hospital settings. Prompt detection of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains using antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and MBL detection are vital for therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of MDR and MBL-producing GNB from clinical samples in health facilities in Akwa Ibom State. A total of 480 samples comprising wound, urine and blood were collected aseptically from eligible in- and out-patients for the study and GNB were recovered from the samples using standard bacteriological techniques. The identification of isolated GNB, AST and detection of MBL-producing GNB were done using VITEK®2 COMPACT (Biomerieux) automated system, Modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and IMP+EDTA CDT phenotypic method, respectively. Gram-negative bacterial growth was detected in 135 (77.1%.) cases with Escherichia coli (20.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.8%) and Burkholderia cepacia (14.1%) being the most preponderant isolates. Urine yielded more GNB, 45.2% than other samples. The isolates were sensitive to gentamicin (63%), imipenem (54.8%), and ofloxacin (46.7%) but showed high resistance to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (78.5%), ceftriaxone (74.1%) and aztreonam (66.7%). The overall prevalence of MDR was 60% with the highest recorded in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), 64.8%. The overall prevalence of MBL producers was 39.3% with H. alvei, M. morgannii, P. mirabilis, R. radiobacter and P. aeruginosa being the majority, mostly from urine samples (47.5%) and UUTH health facility (43.7%). All MBL-producing GNB were MDR strains. Seven strains were pan-drug resistant. A combination of robust antibiotic and MBL screening of drug resistant GNB is essential for effective therapeutic decisions. Also, rational use of antibiotics, review of antibiotic usage policies and increased surveillance of MBL-producing GNB is strongly advocated.

Electrosprayed Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Extracellular Matrix Nanoparticles Accelerate Cellular Wound Healing and Reduce Gram-Negative Bacterial Growth.

Treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome are still unavailable, and the prevalence of the disease has only increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mechanical ventilation regimens are still utilized to support declining lung function but also contribute to lung damage and increase the risk for bacterial infection. The anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative abilities of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown to be a promising therapy for ARDS. We propose to utilize the regenerative effects of MSCs and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a nanoparticle. Our mouse MSC (MMSC) ECM nanoparticles were characterized using size, zeta potential, and mass spectrometry to evaluate their potential as pro-regenerative and antimicrobial treatments. The nanoparticles had an average size of 273.4 nm (±25.6) and possessed a negative zeta potential, allowing them to surpass defenses and reach the distal regions of the lung. It was found that the MMSC ECM nanoparticles are biocompatible with mouse lung epithelial cells and MMSCs, increasing the wound healing rate of human lung fibroblasts while also inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common lung pathogen. Our MMSC ECM nanoparticles display characteristics of healing injured lungs while preventing bacterial infection, which can increase recovery time.

Sortase A Inhibitor Protein Nanoparticle Formulations Demonstrate Antibacterial Synergy When Combined with Antimicrobial Peptides.

Sortase A (SrtA) is an enzyme which attaches proteins, including virulence factors, to bacterial cell walls. It is a potential target for developing anti-virulence agents against pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This study aimed to engineer 𝛽-lactoglobulin protein nanoparticles (PNPs) for encapsulating safe and inexpensive natural SrtA inhibitors (SrtAIs; trans-chalcone (TC), curcumin (CUR), quercetin (QC), and berberine (BR)) to improve their poor aqueous dispersibility, to screen for synergy with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and to reduce the cost, dose, and toxicity of AMPs. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), checkerboard synergy, and cell viability assays were performed for SrtAI PNPs against Gram-positive (methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) bacteria alone and combined with leading AMPs (pexiganan, indolicidin, and a mastoparan derivative). Each SrtAI PNP inhibited Gram-positive (MIC: 62.5-125 µg/mL) and Gram-negative (MIC: 31.3-500 µg/mL) bacterial growth. TC PNPs with pexiganan demonstrated synergy against each bacteria, while BR PNPs with pexiganan or indolicidin provided synergy towards S. aureus. Each SrtAI PNP inhibited SrtA (IC50: 25.0-81.8 µg/mL), and did not affect HEK-293 cell viability at their MIC or optimal synergistic concentrations with AMPs. Overall, this study provides a safe nanoplatform for enhancing antimicrobial synergy to develop treatments for superbug infections.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide GK-19 and Its Application in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Induced by MRSA or Candida albicans.

The increasing resistance of human pathogens promotes the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Due to the physical bactericidal mechanism of membrane disruption, antimicrobial peptides are considered as potential therapeutic candidates without inducing microbial resistance. Scorpion venom-derived peptide, Androctonus amoreuxi Antimicrobial Peptide 1 (AamAP1), has been proved to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. However, AamAP1 can induce hemolysis and shows strong toxicity against mammalian cells. Herein, the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of a novel synthetic antimicrobial peptide, GK-19, derived from AamAP1 and its derivatives, was evaluated. Five bacteria and three fungi were used to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of GK-19 in vitro. Scalded mice models combined with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) were used to evaluate its applicability. The results indicated that GK-19 could not only inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth, but also kill fungi by disrupting the microbial cell membrane. Meanwhile, GK-19 showed negligible toxicity to mammalian cells, low hemolytic activity and high stability in plasma. Furthermore, in scalded mice models combined with SSTIs induced by either Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Candida albicans, GK-19 showed significant antimicrobial and healing effects. Overall, it was demonstrated that GK-19 might be a promising drug candidate in the battle against drug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections.

Successful treatment of type ii diabetes mellitus with infected diabetic foot ulcer caused by ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumonia with cefepime plus sulbactam (Supime): A case report

Diabetic patients are at significant risk of developing neuropathy, leading to a diabetic foot injury. Complications of diabetic foot injury may lead to gangrene and non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. Diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers are more prone to bacterial infections and are associated with high chances of amputation. The diabetic patient flora provides an ideal environment for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections in diabetic patients have a higher probability of amputation. Here we discuss a case of a 70-year male diabetic patient successfully treated with Supime (cefepime plus sulbactam) who had undergone an amputation of the right great toe and infected left foot ulcer due to ESBL producing K. Pneumonia.

Antibacterial activity of functional bioactive peptides derived from fish protein hydrolysate

By-product removal in fish processing is estimated to be between 25 and 70% due to improper fish production handling and significant problems in the fish industry today. Therefore, one of the ways to manage the raw material of by-product is through protein hydrolysis. However, one of the most effective methods for managing this raw material, which includes skin, bones, heads, and viscera, is to convert their protein into peptides via hydrolysis methods, resulting in fish protein hydrolysate (FPH). FPH has been shown to have bioactive properties such as antibacterial, antihypertensive, antioxidative, anticancer, and anticoagulant properties. Bioactivity could be fully utilised in the future in both the nutraceutical and food industries. Numerous studies have been published on the acceptability of FPH in obtaining bioactive properties from various fish, particularly antibacterial activity. For example, the antibacterial peptide was identified as FPIGMGHGSRPA, consisting of 12 amino acids. Its antibacterial activity was tested against B. subtilis using 800 g/mL ampicillin. The inhibition zone increased with peptide concentration. This review discusses functional bioactive peptides derived from fish protein hydrolysate that can be used as antibacterial agents by inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth. It also covers fish species, parts, and hydrolysis methods to maximise yields.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Punica Granatum Peel Extract and their Biological Activity on different Pathogenic Bacteria

The present study was included the assessment of the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs synthesized by Punica granatum peel extract against pathogenic bacteria by testing warm aqueous P. granatum peel extract and silver nanoparticles. Punica granatum indicated potency for AgNP extracellular nanobiosynthesis after addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) 4mM to the extract supernatant, in both concentrations (100mg and 50mg). The biogenic AgNPs showed potency to inhibit both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth. Zons of inhibition in (mm) was lesser in gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The resulted phytogenic AgNPs gave higher biological activity than warm aqueous Punica granatum peel extract. The inhibition zone of the phytogenic AgNPs on E. coli reached 17.53, 22.35, and 26.06 mm at (0.1, 0.5, and 1) mg/ml respectively. While inhibition zones of Punica warm aqueous extract reached 5.33, 10.63, and 16.08 mm at the same concentrations. phytogenic AgNPs gave smaller inhibition zones in gram-positive than gram- negative. Cytotoxic activity of the phytogenic AgNPs was assayed in vitro agaist human blood erythrocytes (RBCs), spectroscopic results showed absorbance at 540 nm hemolysis was observed. In general, AgNPs showed least RBCs hemolysis percentage, at 1 mg/ml concentration, hemolysis percentage was (4.50%). This study, concluded that the Punica granatum peel extract has the power of synthses of AgNPs characterized by broad spectrum antimicrobial activity with cyto-toxicity proportional to AgNPs concentration.

Starvation induces shrinkage of the bacterial cytoplasm

Environmental fluctuations are a common challenge for single-celled organisms; enteric bacteria such as Escherichia coli experience dramatic changes in nutrient availability, pH, and temperature during their journey into and out of the host. While the effects of altered nutrient availability on gene expression and protein synthesis are well known, their impacts on cytoplasmic dynamics and cell morphology have been largely overlooked. Here, we discover that depletion of utilizable nutrients results in shrinkage of E. coli's inner membrane from the cell wall. Shrinkage was accompanied by an ∼17% reduction in cytoplasmic volume and a concurrent increase in periplasmic volume. Inner membrane retraction after sudden starvation occurred almost exclusively at the new cell pole. This phenomenon was distinct from turgor-mediated plasmolysis and independent of new transcription, translation, or canonical starvation-sensing pathways. Cytoplasmic dry-mass density increased during shrinkage, suggesting that it is driven primarily by loss of water. Shrinkage was reversible: upon a shift to nutrient-rich medium, expansion started almost immediately at a rate dependent on carbon source quality. A robust entry into and recovery from shrinkage required the Tol-Pal system, highlighting the importance of envelope coupling during shrinkage and recovery. Klebsiella pneumoniae also exhibited shrinkage when shifted to carbon-free conditions, suggesting a conserved phenomenon. These findings demonstrate that even when Gram-negative bacterial growth is arrested, cell morphology and physiology are still dynamic.

The analysis of the antimicrobial benefits of Populus balsamifera

This study was conducted to explore a new potential treatment for bacterial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the tree species, Populus balsamifera. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of extract from the buds of P. balsamifera in inhibiting bacterial growth. A Kirby-Bauer assay was used to assess the efficacy of P. balsamifera extract against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth. It was observed that the extract of the buds of P. balsamifera was highly effective against gram-positive bacteria. This helps to indicate the potential use of P. balsamifera in the medical field to eliminate gram-positive bacteria.

Combating Antibiotic‐Resistant Gram‐Negative Bacteria Strains with Tetracycline‐Conjugated Carbon Nanoparticles

Nontoxic carbon nanoparticle samples prepared by both bottom-up and top-down approaches do not inhibit Gram-negative bacterial growth, indicating excellent biocompatibilities. However, cell growth inhibitory efficacies increase considerably when the carbon nanoparticles are conjugated with the antibiotic tetracycline. In tetracycline-resistant bacteria, these efficacies can approach tenfold higher activities when compared to tetracycline alone. No structural abnormality such as membrane disruptions is evident in the tested bacterial strains; this is in contrast with other nanocarbon systems such as graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, and amine-functionalized carbon nanoparticles which do exhibit membrane disruptions. In comparison, the tetracycline-conjugated carbon nanoparticles induce membrane perturbations (but not membrane disruptions), inhibiting bacterial efflux mechanisms. It is proposed that when tetracycline is conjugated to the surface of carbon nanoparticles, it functions to direct the nanoparticles to membrane-associated tetracycline efflux pumps, thereby blocking and subsequently inhibiting their function. The conjugation between biocompatible carbon nanoparticles and subtherapeutic but well-established antibiotic molecules may provide hybrid antibiotic assembly strategies resulting in effective multidrug efflux inhibition for combating antibiotic resistance.

An Assay for Periplasm Entry Advances the Development of Chimeric Peptide Antibiotics.

The treatment of infection by Gram-negative bacteria is increasingly challenging as resistance to existing antibiotics spreads. Constrained peptides, selected for high target specificity and affinity via library display technologies, are an emerging therapeutic modality in many disease areas and may be a fertile source of new antibiotics. Currently, the utility of constrained peptides and other large molecules as antibiotics is limited by the outer membrane (OM) barrier of Gram-negative bacteria. However, the addition of certain moieties to large molecules can confer the ability to cross the OM; these moieties function as intramolecular trans-OM "vectors". Here, we present a method to systematically assess the carrying capacity of candidate trans-OM vectors using a real-time luminescence assay ("SLALOM", Split Luciferase Assay for Live monitoring of Outer Membrane transit), reporting on periplasmic entry. We demonstrate the usefulness of our tools by constructing a 3800 Da chimeric compound composed of a constrained bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) with a periplasmic target, linked to an intramolecular peptide vector; the resulting chimera is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of pathogenic Gram-negative bacterial growth.