Majority Of Microorganisms Research Articles

Microorganisms and microbial metabolites: The next frontier in skincare products

Abstract. Microorganisms and microbial metabolites are important resources for skincare product ingredients. The development of synthetic biology has brought more opportunities for the application of microorganisms and their metabolites in skincare products. With increasing consumer interest in natural and probiotic skincare, market acceptance of microbial metabolites is also gradually improving. However, this trend faces challenges such as regulatory issues, technical difficulties, and cost constraints. This paper explores the application prospects of microorganisms and their metabolites in skincare products, focusing on a review of several major microorganisms and their metabolites, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and their mechanisms of action in skincare. Additionally, it analyzes the potential application value of other microorganisms in skincare, such as Cutibacterium acnes and Streptococcus thermophilus, which have also been found to have positive effects on skin health. Finally, the review identifies the current opportunities and challenges faced by microorganisms and their metabolites in the skincare field, providing direction for future research.

Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Escherichia coli Causing Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review.

Community-acquired urinary tract infections account for 15% of all outpatient use of antibiotics, and women are primarily affected; the major causative microorganism is uropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). Treatment is indicated for cystitis and pyelonephritis and includes B-lactams (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or third-generation cephalosporins), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin), nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Resistance to antibiotic treatment is of concern; several mechanisms have been associated with the acquisition of genes that confer antimicrobial resistance to fluoroquinolones, which are often associated with other patterns of resistance, especially in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Several studies have addressed the prevalence of uropathogens producing ESBLs, but only a few have focused on fluoroquinolone resistance, and, to our knowledge, none have addressed the prevalence of phylotypes or genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance to fluoroquinolones. The focus of the present review was to analyze recently published papers that described the E. coli phylotype causing community-acquired UTIs in association with fluoroquinolone resistance.

Study on the Structure and Function of Intestinal Microorganisms in Silkworm Maggot Exorista sorbillans

ABSTRACTInsects have important symbiotic relationships with their intestinal microbiota. The intestinal microbiota is involved in or influences various processes in insects such as development, metabolism, immunity, and reproduction. Currently, research on the intestinal microbiota of parasitic insects is still in its early stages. The tachinid parasitoid Exorista sorbillans is a dipteran parasitic insect, with the silkworm (Bombyx mori) being its main host. Silkworms parasitized by E. sorbillans can suffer from severe silkworm maggot disease, which also poses a serious threat to sericulture. In this study, the intestinal microbiota of larval E. sorbillans at three instar stages was analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to explore the community composition of the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, using conventional culture methods, six cultivable strains were isolated and identified from the larval E. sorbillans on an antibiotic‐free LB medium, and four cultivable strains were isolated and identified from the hemolymph of parasitized silkworms. This study investigated the E. sorbillans from the perspective of intestinal microbiota, elucidating the composition and structural characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of the tachinid parasitoid, and preliminarily discussing the functional roles of several major microorganisms, which helps to further clarify the potential mechanisms of interaction between the parasitoid and the silkworm.

Microbiological and Haemato-biochemical Studies in Canine Pyometra

Background: Canine pyometra, is a pathological condition that results in the accumulation of purulent exudate in the uterus due to hormonal imbalance in female dogs. This is the most prevalent hormonally mediated reproductive disorder and life threatening disease of intact female dogs. The objective of the present study was to assess the physiological, haematological and biochemical changes and isolate the pathogenic microorganism present in the uterus of pyometra bitches. Methods: This study was carried out in ten bitches with a history of lethargy, depression, in appetence, polydipsia, occasional vomiting and vaginal discharge presented for treatment at the Veterinary Poly Clinic, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The disease was diagnosed by history, clinical signs, physical examination, imaging techniques haematology and biochemical study. The involvement of the pathogenic organism was confirmed by microbial examination of the pus-filled uterus after the ovariohysterectomy. Result: The result showed that physiological parameters rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate were increased in pyometra affected dog than healthy one. The haematological parameters of red blood cell count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were decreased in pyometra affected dogs than healthy dogs. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and eosinophilia condition also observed in pyometra affected dogs. Biochemically, increased Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) creatinine and hyperprotenimia were observed in pyometra dogs. Increased activity of hepatic enzyme Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also observed in pyometra dogs. The major pathogenic microorganisms involved in pyometra are Escherichia coli (40.25%), Staphylococcus (20.46%), Streptococcus (20.32%), Pseudomonas (6.41%), Proteus (6.32%) and Pasteurella (6.24%). Thus the dogs with pyometra show significant changes in physiological, haematological, biochemical parameters and growth of pathogenic microorganism in uterine fluid were the important indications of pyometra affected dogs.

Contamination patterns of the neonatal equipment, major microorganisms, and effectiveness of disinfection procedures including refurbished UV C lights at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB)

A contaminated environment plays a significant role in transmitting hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) but regular chemical disinfection is the backbone for tackling this chain of transmission and the combination of both UV lights may increase the effectiveness of cleaning. This study assessed the effectiveness of chemical disinfection, with and without additional UV light exposure, in reducing bacterial contamination in a Neonatal unit. Therefore, interventions consisted of usual chemical disinfection with and without a 2-hour exposure to Ultraviolet light from refurbished UV lamps. Researchers swabbed high-touch surfaces and equipment before and after disinfection to identify bacterial presence. They found that 36.4% of the sampled sites showed bacterial growth, with the nursing trolley being the most contaminated. The most common bacteria isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae (50%), which, along with other bacteria, displayed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics like Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid and Cefuroxime. Only Meropenem and Amikacin remained effective. The study concludes that despite chemical disinfection, bacterial contamination remains significant, and conventional UV light alone did not completely eradicate bacteria, highlighting the need for more effective disinfection strategies. Keywords: Neonatology Service, University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB), hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), disinfection

Microbial consortia in commercial salmon products: A comparative study using cultivation-dependent and high-throughput sequencing approaches

Despite the widespread consumption of salmon products, an all-round microbiological survey on fresh salmon and smoked salmon products sold on the market directly to consumers remains to be undertaken. The present study conducted a comprehensive microbial investigation employing both conventional cultivation-based techniques and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. A total of 120 fresh salmon and 95 smoked salmon products were systematically collected across all four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter), accompanied by temperature assessments of each product’s interior. The average aerobic plate counts for fresh salmon and smoked salmon were 3.63 log and 1.36 log CFU/g, respectively, and the highest seasonal concentrations occurred in summer. The average coliform count was higher in fresh salmon (1.50 log CFU/g) than in smoked salmon products (1.12 log CFU/g). Although smoked salmon exhibited CFU counts similar to those of fresh salmon according to culture-based methods, 16S sequencing unveiled a distinct microbial composition. Photobacterium and Pseudomonas, recognized as major spoilage-related microorganisms, were the predominant genera in all products, but especially in fresh salmon. Smoked salmon exhibited diverse variations in bacterial composition compared to fresh salmon. Three types of lactic acid bacteria—Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus—were found to be significantly more abundant in smoked salmon than in fresh salmon. The outcomes of this study contribute to an enhanced understanding of retail salmon products, shedding light on crucial areas for investigation and suggesting potential interventions regarding both sales and production of salmon products.

Insights on optimizing landfill site selection inspired by co-fermentation of weathered coal and landfill leachate

To develop new methods for transforming waste resources such as landfill leachate and weathered coal into clean energy, this research analyzed the co-fermentation effect and internal mechanism of methane production through gas chromatography, three-dimensional fluorescence, inducive coupling and metagenomics techniques. Our findings revealed that landfill leachate addition drives more than 70% increase in weathered coal biomethane production. Anaerobic fermentation collectively increased the tryptophan content in liquid-phase biodegradation, with the highest proportion reaching up to 72%. Paracoccus, Ralstonia, Aquamicrobium and other major microorganisms were in the range of 9–32%. Contamination of heavy metal diversity resistance genes has impacted microflora composition, with specialized heavy metal resistance genes such as NreB, CopD, NreB, and MerP altering the influence of heavy metals on anaerobic fermentation. The combined anaerobic fermentation of landfill leachate and weathered coal has expanded clean waste utilization and has broad application prospects.

Varying concentrations of ethephon induce antioxidant defences and cell wall degradation to regulate storage quality of fresh-cut lotus root

This study examined the impact of varying concentrations of ethephon (ET) immersion on the storage quality of fresh-cut lotus root. Compared to the 0.1%, the 0.8% and 1.6% ET groups inhibited phenolic oxidation and showed stronger antioxidant and reactive oxygen species balancing capacity during early storage, which led to better browning inhibition. During the early storage period, varying concentrations of ET treatments were inversely associated with microbial growth, and Pseudomonas as the major microorganism was significantly inhibited. During the post-storage period, the ET group exacerbated cell wall metabolism, contributed to the softening of lotus root slices. Additionally, ET stimulated enhanced respiration and reduced total soluble solids content as ET concentration increased. The heightened expression of NnERF in the late storage stage suggested a potential link to the regulation of root quality deterioration. Both browning inhibition and quality deterioration promotion exhibited gradient shifts in accordance with ET concentration. Combined with DNA affinity purification sequencing technology to identify the presence of motifs that bind specifically to ERF1B in lotus root, and screening for the possible target genes NnPL18 and NnACO that may be regulated by NnERF1B-like (104610030), it further suggests that NnERF1B-like (104610030) may mediate the process of lotus root flake softening and ethylene biosynthesis.

Dinoflagellate-Bacteria Interactions: Physiology, Ecology, and Evolution.

Dinoflagellates and heterotrophic bacteria are two major micro-organism groups within marine ecosystems. Their coexistence has led to a co-evolutionary relationship characterized by intricate interactions that not only alter their individual behaviors but also exert a significant influence on the broader biogeochemical cycles. Our review commenced with an analysis of bacterial populations, both free-living and adherent to dinoflagellate surfaces. Members of Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group are repeatedly found to be associated with dinoflagellates, with representation by relatively few genera, such as Methylophaga, Marinobacter, and Alteromonas. These bacterial taxa engage with dinoflagellates in a limited capacity, involving nutrient exchange, the secretion of pathogenic substances, or participation in chemical production. Furthermore, the genomic evolution of dinoflagellates has been profoundly impacted by the horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. The integration of bacterial genes into dinoflagellates has been instrumental in defining their biological characteristics and nutritional strategies. This review aims to elucidate the nuanced interactions between dinoflagellates and their associated bacteria, offering a detailed perspective on their complex relationship.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital

Intestinal parasitosis constitutes a serious problem of public health, especially in developing countries. Even though the population of immunocompromised individuals is growing, this is a primary cause of illness and mortality. Numerous studies have demonstrated that immunosuppressive medications, such as those used after transplantation, as well as immune suppression as a primary immunodeficiency in HIV infection, increase the possibility of infection and persistent states of carriage. People whose immune systems were weakened, like in the case of chronic internal disorders or abnormal metabolism, were thought to be more susceptible to infection. A group of metabolic non-communicable diseases known as diabetes mellitus (DM) are characterized by hyperglycemia or elevated blood sugar, which can be brought on by either inadequate secretion of insulin, insulin-resistant cells, or both. Parasitic infections in immunocompromised people are becoming more well-known as major opportunistic microorganisms that cause clinical illnesses. The goal of this research is to see how common intestinal parasite infections are in people with diabetes. The research was carried out at the Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College, Bhilai, Durg district of Chhattisgarh, India. From March to August 2020, diabetic patients who visited hospitals were studied in this cross-sectional study. This study comprised 188 diabetic individuals with type I or type II diabetes who were taking anti-diabetic medication. With a little spoon and a sterile, dry, leak-proof plastic container with a tight-fitting cover that had the patient’s name and identification number on it, the feces samples were taken. The container was then quickly sent to the parasitology lab of the microbiology department for processing. Stool samples were examined under three headings: macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, and formal ether concentration procedure. A total of 188 DM patients was included with data on socio-demographic characteristics, and from each patient stool sample were collected and processed. Out of which, 27 stool samples were positive for intestinal parasites; showed a prevalence of 14.36%. Female 16 (16.49%) revealed a greater frequency than that of men 11 (12.09%). The age range of 51 to 60 years old exhibited the highest incidence 8 (29.63 %). Stool samples were positive for intestinal parasites with one suffering from a dual infection. Various parasites were detected in which Entamoeba histolytica 10 (5.32%) was most common parasite to isolate followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 9 (4.79%) and Giardia lamblia 6 (3.19%) was least isolated parasite. The most prevalent isolated parasite was Entamoeba histolytica, which was followed by Cryptosporidium parvum. Diabetic patients have an increased risk of parasitic infections, particularly when they have the opportunistic infection Entamoeba histolytica. Patients with diabetes who have been diagnosed with Cryptosporidium parvum have a weaker immune system. Therefore, for the sake of societal welfare, people with diabetes mellitus should have routine stool examination screening for parasite infection.

Molecular and microbial insights towards anaerobic biodegradation of anionic polyacrylamide in oil sands tailings

Anionic polyacrylamide (A-PAM) is widely used as a flocculant in the management of oil sands tailings. Nevertheless, apprehensions arise regarding its potential biodegradation and environmental consequences within the context of oil sands tailings. Consequently, it is imperative to delve into the anaerobic biodegradation of A-PAM in oil sands tailings to gain a comprehensive understanding of its influence on tailings water quality. This work explored the dynamics of A-PAM biodegradation across concentrations: 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg TS. The results showed a significant decrease in A-PAM concentration and molecular weight at lower concentrations (50 and 100 mg/kg TS) compared to higher ones, suggesting enhanced degradation efficiency. Likewise, the organic transformation and methane production exhibited dependency on A-PAM concentrations. The peak concentrations observed were 20.0 mg/L for volatile fatty acids (VFAs), 0.07 mg/L for acrylamide (AMD), and 8.9 mL for methane yield, with these maxima being recorded at 50 mg/kg TS. The biodegradation efficiency diminishes at higher concentrations of A-PAM, potentially due to the inhibitory effects of polyacrylic acid accumulation. A-PAM biodegradation under anaerobic condition did not contribute to acute toxicity or genotoxicity. SEM-EDS, FT-IR and XRD analyses further revealed that higher concentrations of A-PAM inhibited the biodegradation by altering floc structure and composition, thereby restricting the microbial activity. Major microorganisms, including Smithella, Candidatus_Cloacimonas, W5, XBB1006, and DMER64 were identified, highlighting A-PAM's dual role as a source of carbon and nitrogen under anaerobic conditions. The above findings from this research not only significantly advance understanding of A-PAM's environmental behavior but also contribute to the effective management practices in oil sands tailings.

Darcy Forchhiemer imposed exponential heat source-sink and activation energy with the effects of bioconvection over radially stretching disc

The Darcy–Forchheimer model is a commonly used and accurate method for simulating flow in porous media, proving beneficial for fluid separation, heat exchange, subsurface fluid transfer, filtration, and purification. The current study aims to describe heat and mass transfer in ternary nanofluid flow on a radially stretched sheet with activation energy. The velocity equation includes Darcy–Fochheimer porous media effects. The novelty of this study is enhanced by incorporating gyrotactic microorganisms which are versatile and in nanofluid can greatly improve the thermal conductivity and heat transfer properties of the base fluid, resulting in more efficient heat transfer systems. Furthermore, the governing PDEs are reduced to ODEs via appropriate similarity transformations. The influence of numerous parameters is expanded and physically depicted through the graphical illustration. As the Forchheimer number escalates, so do the medium's porosity and drag coefficient, resulting in more resistive forces and, as a result, lowering fluid velocity. It has been discovered that increasing the exponential heat source/sink causes convective flows that are deficient to transport heat away efficiently, resulting in a slower heat transfer rate. The concentration profile accumulates when the activation energy is large, resulting in a drop in the mass transfer rate. It is observed that the density of motile microorganisms increases with a rise in the Peclet number. Further, the results of the major engineering coefficients Skin-friction, Nusselt number, Sherwood number, and Microorganism density number are numerically examined and tabulated. Also, the numerical outcomes were found to be identical to the previous study.

Assessment of Microbial Interactions between Potential Lactic Acid Bacteria Starters and Major Microorganisms During in vitro Fermentation in a Medium Similar to Cocoa Pulp in Côte d'Ivoire

However, uncontrolled or random fermentations carried out in the country by farmers producing marketable cocoa beans of variable quality. The problem of variability in the quality of beans has led to significant economic losses in the country estimated at several billion CFA Francs. The objective of this work was to analyze the interactions between potential starter lactic acid bacteria and the major microorganisms selected during cocoa fermentations in Côte d’Ivoire. The work methodology began with the cultivation of yeast, lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and Bacillus strains in their respective YPG, MRS, YEPG and BN media for 48 hours at 30°C. Then, the microbial load of each culture was determined and set at 105 cells/mL. The strains were subsequently placed in the similar interaction medium of cocoa pulp (PSM) alone (monoculture) or together (coculture) for the study of microbial interactions. This study took place over 5 days and samples were taken for analyzes after 0, 48 and 120 hours of incubation at 30°C. The interaction was monitored by assessing microbial growth using optical density and Thoma cell counts for monocultures and agar media for cocultures. Additionally, acid production and reduction in sugar intake were also measured over the 5 days. All crops showed good growth. Growth was greater in cocultures with values ​​ranging from 4.12 log (CFU/mL) to 9.21 log (CFU/mL). In addition, the cocktails acidified the environment much more than the monocultures with values ​​oscillating between 0.10 ± 0.00 and 0.21 ± 0.00. Also, the quantity of sugars in the different broths decreased significantly in the cocktails during the first 48 hours, going from 1.08 ± 0.08 to 0.20 ± 0.01. Microbial starters in monocultures and cocultures have shown their ability to adapt to the environment like cocoa pulp. The high microbial growth, sugar consumption, and acidification of the medium in the cocktails reflected a synergistic interaction between the strains during fermentation when they were together. In short, these strains could be used for a starter composition to control fermentation and obtain good quality beans.

Exploring the role of production and release of proteins for microbial interactions in kombucha

Driving kombucha fermentation through microbial consortia remains based on scarce scientific elements, especially regarding the consumption of nitrogenous nutrients. This study aimed at analyzing quantitatively proteins and free amino nitrogen (FAN) concentrations, and qualitatively the soluble proteins profiles during a 12-day production process. The effect of microbial interactions was evaluated by comparing the growth of previously isolated major microorganisms in monoculture and cocultures to original kombucha. Protein and FAN relative concentrations kinetics depended on microbial compositions. These parameters were associated to less variations and a positive effect on total microbial population in original kombucha, underlining a complex yet better management of the nutrients. Analysis of extracellular proteins by electrophoresis showed the presence of a microbial 15 kDa fraction common to all cultures. In contrast, a 21 kDa protein fraction was associated with the presence of Acetobacter indonesiensis. Exploratory proteomics analysis revealed the presence of characteristic extracellular moonlighting proteins, originating from this acetic bacteria. Production of extracellular vesicles was successfully confirmed with the isolation and observation of vesicles in A. indonesiensis culture, as well as in kombucha. The results characterize the central role of microbial interactions on FAN consumption and open new perspectives on the function of the bacterial vesicles observed.

Unveiling the potential of Daldinia eschscholtzii MFLUCC 19-0629 through bioactivity and bioinformatics studies for enhanced sustainable agriculture production

Endophytic fungi constitute a rich source of secondary metabolites that can be manipulated to produce desirable novel analogs for combating current agricultural challenges for crop production, especially controlling plant disease. The endophytic fungus Daldinia eschscholtzii MFLUCC 19-0629, was newly isolated from tropical ancient plants, Oncosperma sp., and displays a broad-spectrum of antifungal and antibacterial activities against several plant pathogens including Ralstonia solanacearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum acutatum, Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum, Corynespora cassiicola and Stemphylium spp. A high-quality genome sequence was obtained using Oxford nanopore technology, the accuracy and length of reads resulting in no need for Illumina or other sequencing techniques, for D. eschscholtzii MFLUCC 19-0629, resulting in a genome size of 37.56 Mb assembled over 11 contigs of significant size, likely to be at the chromosomal level. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that this strain is biosynthetically talented encoding 67 predicted biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Only eight of the 67 BGCs matched or demonstrated high similarity to previously characterized BGCs linked to the production of known secondary metabolites. The high number of predicted unknown BGCs makes this strain a promising source of novel natural products. The discovery that D. eschscholtzii MFLUCC 19-0629 has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against seven major plant pathogenic microorganisms relevant to crop production and its complete genome sequence carries immense importance in the advancement of novel microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs). This also unveils the prospect of uncovering new compounds that could be utilized for sustainable agriculture and pharmaceutical purposes.

An Integrated Investigation of the Relationship between Two Soil Microbial Communities (Bacteria and Fungi) and Chrysanthemum Zawadskii (Herb.) Tzvel. Wilt Disease.

Chrysanthemum wilt is a plant disease that exerts a substantial influence on the cultivation of Chrysanthemum zawadskii (Herb.) for tea and beverage production. The rhizosphere microbial population exhibits a direct correlation with the overall health of plants. Therefore, studying the rhizosphere microbial community of Chrysanthemum zawadskii (Herb.) Tzvel. is of great significance for finding methods to control this disease. This study obtained rhizosphere soil samples from both diseased and healthy plant individuals and utilized high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze their microbial composition. The results showed that the rhizosphere microbial diversity decreased significantly, and the microbial community structure changed significantly. In the affected soil, the relative abundance of pathogenic microorganisms such as rhizospora and Phytophthora was greatly increased, while the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as antagonistic fungi and actinomyces was greatly decreased. In addition, this study also found that soil environmental variables have an important impact on plant resistance; the environmental factors mainly include soil properties, content of major microorganisms, and resistance characteristics of samples. Redundancy analysis showed that the drug-resistant population had a greater impact on the 10 species with the highest abundance, and the environmental factors were more closely related to the sensitive population. In the fungal community, the resistant sample group was more sensitive to the influence of environmental factors and high-abundance fungi. These findings provide a theoretical basis for improving microbial community structure by optimizing fertilization structure, thus affecting the distribution of bacteria and fungi, and thus improving the disease resistance of chrysanthemum. In addition, by regulating and optimizing microbial community structure, new ideas and methods can be provided for the prevention and control of chrysanthemum wilt disease.

Probiotics and their Beneficial Health Effects.

Probiotics are living microorganisms that are present in cultured milk and fermented food. Fermented foods are a rich source for the isolation of probiotics. They are known as good bacteria. They have various beneficial effects on human health including antihypertensive effects, antihypercholesterolemic effects, prevention of bowel disease, and improving the immune system. Microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold are used as probiotics but the major microorganisms that are used as probiotics are bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Probiotics are beneficial in the prevention of harmful effects. Recently, the use of probiotics for the treatment of various oral and skin diseases has also gained significant attention. Clinical studies indicate that the usage of probiotics can alter gut microbiota composition and provoke immune modulation in a host. Due to their various health benefits, probiotics are attaining more interest as a substitute for antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs leading to the growth of the probiotic market.

Anti-viral Activity of 62 Medicinal Plants, Herbs and Spices Available in Bangladesh: A Mini Review

Microorganisms can cause devastating diseases leading to a pandemic, such as COVID-19 which has created a devastating situation throughout the world. The SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is the major concern for creating this pandemic situation. Viruses are the major pathogenic microorganisms that have the potential to be detrimental to human beings and animals in many ways. By entering the human body through different routes and commanding different machinery of the body to generate a higher number of their genomic copies and proteins they create pathogenesis. Phytomedicines may act as suitable weapons to halt the reproduction of such viruses and combat diseases caused byBangladesh is the habitat of about 500 medicinal and aromatic plants. Many of these plants have been found to show anti-viral activity. The anti-viral activity of Terminalia chebula, a well-known Bangladeshi medicinal plant has been proven to combat Newcastle Disease virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Adenovirus type 5, Measles virus, Echovirus type 11, Rotavirus, Influenza A virus, Hepatitis B virus and Enterovirus. This review article was aimed to search available medicinal plants as novel anti-viral drugs. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 22(2): 213-232, 2023 (December)

Effects of a Bentonite Clay Product and a Preservative Blend on Ileal and Fecal Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs Fed Wheat Naturally Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol.

The objectives were to determine the effects of dietary deoxynivalenol (DON) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and to evaluate the efficacy of a bentonite (BEN) and a preservative blend (PB) product for alleviating DON effects on the nutrient digestibility of pigs. Twelve crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of 69.4 kg (standard deviation = 3.5) equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted a triplicated 4 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with four dietary treatments and two periods. Dietary treatments were (1) an uncontaminated diet, (2) a contaminated diet (CD) mainly based on contaminated wheat with 1.6 mg/kg DON, (3) CD + 0.25% PB consisting of preservation components as major sources, antioxidants, microorganisms, and amino acids (AA), and (4) CD + 0.25% BEN. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, most minerals, and most AA were not affected by DON contamination. Dietary DON decreased the AID and ATTD of sodium (p < 0.05) but were restored by supplementing the PB product (p < 0.05). The AID of zinc was increased (p < 0.05) by dietary DON, but supplementing BEN decreased zinc digestibility (p < 0.05). The AID of Arg, Ile, Thr, and Asp was decreased (p < 0.05) by BEN addition. In conclusion, dietary DON affected the digestibility of some minerals but not AA in pigs. Supplemental BEN can negatively affect the nutrient digestibility of some minerals and AA in pigs. The addition of a PB product in pig diets can restore digestibility of sodium but not of other nutrients. Based on these observations, feed additives for alleviating DON effects on nutrient digestibility of pigs can be carefully selected by swine diet formulators.

Arsenic methylation and microbial communities in paddy soils under alternating anoxic and oxic conditions

Arsenic (As) methylation in soils affects the environmental behavior of As, excessive accumulation of dimethylarsenate (DMA) in rice plants leads to straighthead disease and a serious drop in crop yield. Understanding the mobility and transformation of methylated arsenic in redox-changing paddy fields is crucial for food security. Here, soils including un-arsenic contaminated (N-As), low-arsenic (L-As), medium-arsenic (M-As), and high-arsenic (H-As) soils were incubated under continuous anoxic, continuous oxic, and consecutive anoxic/oxic treatments respectively, to profile arsenic methylating process and microbial species involved in the As cycle. Under anoxic-oxic (A-O) treatment, methylated arsenic was significantly increased once oxygen was introduced into the incubation system. The methylated arsenic concentrations were up to 2–24 times higher than those in anoxic (A), oxic (O), and oxic-anoxic (O-A) treatments, under which arsenic was methylated slightly and then decreased in all four As concentration soils. In fact, the most plentiful arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase genes (arsM) contributed to the increase in As methylation. Proteobacteria (40.8%–62.4%), Firmicutes (3.5%–15.7%), and Desulfobacterota (5.3%–13.3%) were the major microorganisms related to this process. These microbial increased markedly and played more important roles after oxygen was introduced, indicating that they were potential keystone microbial groups for As methylation in the alternating anoxic (flooding) and oxic (drainage) environment. The novel findings provided new insights into the reoxidation-driven arsenic methylation processes and the model could be used for further risk estimation in periodically flooded paddy fields.