Natural Sources Research Articles

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcuma Longa Extracts and Fractions on Skin Inflammation

Addresses the impact of modern society’s rapid industrialization and environmental pollution, leading to increased oxidative stress and immune system disorders. Skin barrier issues have resulted in a rise in inflammatory skin conditions, sparking heightened interest in functional cosmetics to address these concerns and combat aging. The research focused on exploring natural ingredients, particularly specific fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts, known for their antioxidant properties. The results of this study are summarized as follows. In the first stage experiment, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity were investigated, and fractions exhibiting higher scavenging activity than extracts were sought. In the 2nd-step experiment, the cell survival rate was examined to determine the concentration that would not affect cytotoxicity. To demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells, inflammation reactions were induced by LPS and the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) was controlled. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions all proved excellent control effects on NO production. In HaCaT cells, skin inflammation was induced with TNF-α/IFN-γ and the control of interleukin (IL)-6 production was measured. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions proved to facilitate the immune reaction and control the reaction that would lead to inflammation. In the following 3rd-step experiment, the control of Chemokine’s major factors IL-8, RANTES, and TARC was measured. As a result, it was verified that certain fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> of extract showed excellent Chemokine production control effects and thus that these specific fractions are effective on various inflammatory skin diseases. ICAM-1 expressions were observed to control the initial stage of inflammation in a way of cellular adhesion regulation, and the MAPK path which is important to regulate inflammatory reactions in the signaling system was measured. As a result, the inhibition of phosphorylation, which is important for initial inflammation inhibition and inflammatory reaction control, was verified. Based on the above-stated findings, active ingredients containing certain fractions were analyzed, and color reactions in specific fractions were induced from active ingredient spots of extract. In consideration of future material development and production, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of active ingredients of certain fractions were examined with the HPLC, and it was verified that certain fractions contained more active ingredients than extracts. In conclusion, certain fractions of natural elements proved the great potentials as a cosmetics ingredient. Therefore, these fractions proved excellent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in certain fractions, and the efficiency is quite high with only a small quantity of them. It is expected that these fractions are widely utilized as a cosmetic element, and the future study will examine natural cosmetic elements from these fractions with the aim to contribute to the functional cosmetics industry and anti-aging product market.

Uncovering the Potent Antiviral Activity of the Sesterterpenoids from the Sponge Ircinia Felix Against Human Adenoviruses: from the Natural Source to the Total Synthesis.

Human Adenovirus (HAdV) infections in immunocompromised patients can result in disseminated diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates due to the absence of available treatments for these infections. The sponge Ircinia felix was selected for the significant anti-HAdV activity displayed by its organic extracts. Its chemical analysis yielded three novel sesterterpene lactams, ircinialactams J-L, along with three known sesterterpene furans which structures were established by a deep spectrometric analysis. Ircinialactam J displayed significant antiviral activity against HAdV without significant cytotoxicity, showing an effectiveness 11 times greater than that of the standard treatment, cidofovir®. Comparison of the antiviral evaluation results of the isolated compounds allowed us to deduce some structure-activity relationships. Mechanistic assays suggest that ircinialactam J targets an early step of the HAdV replicative cycle before HAdV genome reaches the nucleus of the host cell. The first total synthesis of ircinialactam J was also accomplished to prove the structure and to provide access to analogues. Key steps are a regio- and stereoselective construction of the trisubstituted Z-olefin at Δ7 by iron-catalyzed carbometallation of a homopropargylic alcohol, a stereoselective methylation to generate the stereogenic center at C18, and the formation of the (Z)-Δ20 by stereoselective aldol condensation to introduce the tetronic acid unit. Ircinialactam J is a promising chemical lead to new potent antiviral drugs against HAdV infections.

Antioxidant Activity of Lotion From Sonneratia caseolaris Leaves and Trigona sp. Propolis Extract

Daily activities can trigger free radicals due to air pollution and increase the decline in skin health. One of the prevention efforts by using a lotion that made from natural ingredients. Natural ingredients such as Sonneratia caseolaris leaves and Trigona sp. bee propolis are still limited used in the form of lotion combination preparations. The purpose of this study was to explore the antioxidant activity of a combination lotion of S. caseolaris leaves and Trigona sp. bee propolis. Antioxidant activity was detemine by used the DPPH technique with lotion formula combination of S. caseolaris leaves and Trigona sp. bee propolis. F1 (1:1), F2 (2:1) and F3 (1:2) accompanied by a physical stability test of the lotion. The results showed that preparations F1, F2, F3 had strong antioxidants in the concentration range of 60-100 ppm. The three formulas met the criteria for a stable lotion preparation. The combination lotion formula has potential in the development of cosmetic products from natural ingredients.

Exploring the Therapeutical Potential of Asparagopsis armata Biomass: A Novel Approach for Acne Vulgaris Treatment

Acne vulgaris, a high-prevalence skin condition afflicting people, persists as a significant challenge in the absence of effective treatments and emerging antibiotic resistance. To address this pressing concern, exploration of innovative approaches is of the utmost importance. Asparagopsis armata, an invasive red seaweed renowned for its diverse array of bioactive compounds, emerges as a promising candidate. This study seeks to elucidate the potential utility of A. armata biomass in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Crude extracts were obtained through solid–liquid extraction, and fractions were obtained using liquid–liquid extraction. The analyzed bioactivities included antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Also, chemical characterization was performed to identify free fatty acids and compounds through LC-MS and elements. The present findings unveil compelling attributes, including anti-Cutibacterium acnes activity, cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic effects, antioxidant properties, and its ability to reduce nitric oxide production with consequent anti-inflammatory potential. Additionally, chemical characterization provides insights into its mineral elements, free fatty acids, and diverse compounds. The observed antimicrobial efficacy may be linked to halogenated compounds and fatty acids. Cytoprotection appears to be associated with the presence of glycerolipids and glycosylated metabolites. Furthermore, its antioxidant activity, coupled with anti-inflammatory properties, can be attributed to phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids. This study underscores the potential of A. armata as a natural ingredient in skincare formulations, offering an important contribution to the ongoing battle against acne vulgaris.

Formulation and evaluation of herbal face scrub

Herbal face scrubs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to improve skin health and are available at a low cost. These scrubs contain natural ingredients such as rice powder and orange peel powder, ficus riligiosa etc. Which work to exfoliate, whiten, and prevent free radical damage. Vitamin E, rose Oil, and almonds are used to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. Neutralizers and herbal preservatives like neem, and rosemary are used in the variuos formulations. The preparation was evaluated for various parameters, such as colour, odour consistency, pH, spreadability, viscosity, and foamability. The results from the evaluation indicated that the scrub was satisfactory after application and was non-irritating to the skin. Ficus religiosa L., commonly known as Peepal tree known to be a native Indian is a medicinally important tree species belonging to the Moraceae family. It is a large evergreen tree found throughout the India. This tree is popular indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy. Ficus religiosa is sacred tree, which is having great traditional uses as well as pharmacological activities. Almost all parts of the tree are useful in traditional system. The various parts like leaf, bark, fruit, and seeds are beneficial in treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, healing and curative, heart diseases, constipation, mumps and boils, gynaecological problems, fever and joint pains, respiratory problems, skin diseases orodental and ear problems. Ficus religiosa tree shows pharmacological activities analgesic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, wound healing, ant amnesic, anti-acetyl cholinesterase, proteolytic activity. The present review is hence an effort to give detailed survey of the literature on its pharmacognosy, photochemistry and medicinal applications.

Protective effect of (E)-(2,4-dihydroxy)-α-aminocinnamic acid, a hydroxy cinnamic acid derivative, in an ulcerative colitis model induced by TNBS.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. UC is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current treatment for mild-to-moderate UC involves the use of 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA), but much of this compound is unabsorbed and metabolized by N-acetylation. Several efforts have since been made to evaluate new molecules from synthetic or natural sources. Recently, it was reported that (E)-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy)-α-aminocinnamic acid (2c) and (E)-(2,4-dihydroxy)-α-aminocinnamic acid (2f) are as good or better myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitors and antioxidants than 5-ASA. Then, the present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of 2c and 2f on a rat model of UC induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The results showed that TNBS caused the induction of colonic ulcers, as well as a significant increase in MPO activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and a decrease in glutathione (GSH) content. The administration of 2f, 2c and 5-ASA, decreased the ulcers presence, inhibited MPO peroxidation activity and MPO presence (as determined by immunofluorescence), and increased GSH and reduced MDA content. However, 2f was better than 2c and 5-ASA, then, the principal mechanism by which 2f presented a protective effect in a UC model induced by TNBS in rats is by inhibiting MPO activity and due to its antioxidant activity.

Functional Foods in Preventing Human Blood Platelet Hyperactivity-Mediated Diseases—An Updated Review

Backgrounds/Objectives: Abnormal platelet functions are associated with human morbidity and mortality. Platelets have emerged as critical regulators of numerous physiological and pathological processes beyond their established roles in hemostasis and thrombosis. Maintaining physiological platelet function is essential to hemostasis and preventing platelet-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer metastasis, immune disorders, hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, myeloproliferative disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Platelets become hyperactive in obesity, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, pollution, and smokers. Platelets, upon activation, can trawl leukocytes and progenitor cells to the vascular sites. Platelets release various proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic factors and shed microparticles in the circulation, thus promoting pathological reactions. These platelet-released factors also maintain sustained activation, further impacting these disease processes. Although the mechanisms are unknown, multiple stimuli induce platelet hyperreactivity but involve the early pathways of platelet activation. The exact mechanisms of how hyperactive platelets contribute to these diseases are still unclear, and antiplatelet strategies are inevitable for preventing these diseases. Reducing platelet function during the early stages could significantly impact these diseases. However, while this is potentially a worthwhile intervention, using antiplatelet drugs to limit platelet function in apparently healthy individuals without cardiovascular disease is not recommended due to the increased risk of internal bleeding, resistance, and other side effects. The challenge for therapeutic intervention in these diseases is identifying factors that preferentially block specific targets involved in platelets’ complex contribution to these diseases while leaving their hemostatic function at least partially intact. Since antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin are not recommended as primary preventives, it is essential to use alternative safe platelet inhibitors without side effects. Methods: A systematic search of the PUBMED database from 2000 to 2023 was conducted using the selected keywords: “functional foods”, “polyphenols”, “fatty acids”, “herbs”, fruits and vegetables”, “cardioprotective agents”, “plant”, “platelet aggregation”, “platelet activation”, “clinical and non-clinical trial”, “randomized”, and “controlled”. Results: Potent natural antiplatelet factors have been described, including omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and other phytochemicals. Antiplatelet bioactive compounds in food that can prevent platelet hyperactivity and thus may prevent several platelet-mediated diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: This narrative review describes the work during 2000–2023 in developing functional foods from natural sources with antiplatelet effects.

Preparation of safflower fermentation solution and study on its biological activity

IntroductionSafflower, a traditional Chinese medicine, is rich in chemical components including flavonoids, polysaccharides, and alkaloids. It exhibits pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-thrombosis properties, making it a valuable resource in the medical field. Furthermore, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, safflower is increasingly being utilized in the cosmetics industry.MethodsIn this study, yeast was employed to ferment safflower, and the optimal fermentation conditions were established through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Subsequently, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of the safflower fermentation solution was assessed using both cellular and zebrafish models. Finally, the safety of the safflower fermentation solution was evaluated through a cosmetic eye irritation test.ResultsFrom a total of 20 yeast strains, YF-5 was identified as the dominant strain for safflower fermentation. By optimizing the fermentation conditions, it was established that the optimal parameters for YF-5 fermentation of safflower are as follows: a fermentation temperature of 36.55°C, a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:20.46, a fructose concentration of 6.20%, a fermentation duration of 72 h, and an inoculum volume of 4%. The biological activities of safflower, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, were enhanced through yeast fermentation. In HaCaT cell and zebrafish oxidative damage assays, safflower fermentation solution inhibits the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). In the RAW264.7 cell inflammatory damage assays, a 20% safflower fermentation solution was found to inhibit the release of TNF-α and NO in the inflammatory model, with inhibition rates of 30.94 and 28.86%, respectively. In the zebrafish inflammatory damage assays, the quantity of fluorescent neutral proteins in the 5% safflower fermentation solution was 0.7 times that observed in the dexamethasone (0.1 mg/mL) positive control group, indicating that its anti-inflammatory activity is comparable to that of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/mL). In the chicken embryo chorionic membrane experiment, it was observed that the safflower fermentation solution did not cause significant damage to the blood vessels of the chorionic allantoic membrane (CAM). This finding demonstrates that the safflower fermentation solution possesses a certain degree of safety.DiscussionSafflower fermentation solution has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities, and it has passed cosmetic safety evaluations. It can be used as a new natural cosmetic ingredient added to cosmetic products.

Development of Dietetic Misti Dahi (Indian Yoghurt) Using Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

Dairy based sweetmeats usually contain high sugar with a high calorific value which in turn is linked to various non-communicable diseases. To reduce this high calorie content, sugar can be replaced in part or wholly by non-nutritive artificial sweeteners, as well as natural sweetener like honey. In the present study natural and artificial sweetener sources (honey and sucralose, respectively) were used to replace sucrose in part or completely to develop low calorie fat reduced misti dahi, an Indian yoghurt. Effect of sweeteners on setting time, proximate composition, microbiological quality and calorific value of mistidahi, and sensory quality were analysed as per the standard methods. Protein and total solids (TS) content decreased from 4.22 to 3.96% or 4.39 to 4.23% in honey or sucralose and from 24.20 to 21.99% in honey or 21.57 to 16.70% in sucralose, respectively with increase in honey or sucralose used to replace sucrose in mistidahi, while fat content was variable. Microbiological analysis revealed that with an increase in the content of honey, the total aerobic plate count (TAPC) of mistidahi tended to show an increase, while for sucralose containing samples a decreasing trend in TAPC in mistidahi was noted.

Formulation and evaluation of herbal shampoo

The main objective of these study is to evaluate and formulate herbal shampoo. Shampoo are one of the cosmetic products used in daily life. Synthetic preservatives and detergents have sometimes been the cause of adverse effects among consumers. A more radical approach in reducing the synthetic ingredients is by incorporating natural ingredients whose functionality is comparable with their synthetic ingredients. The ingredients used in formulation of Herbal Shampoo are Ficus Religiosa leaves (Powder), Hibiscus Leaves (Powder), Reetha (Powder), Shikakai (Powder), Aloevera, then prepared by mixing with each other and evaluated for its organoleptic and physio-chemical characteristics and performance tests in terms of wetting time test, pH, solid contents, surface tension, dirt dispersion, foam Stability, and Viscosity was performed. The combination of several such ingredient of herbal origin has made it possible to secure highly effective dry powder shampoo. The formulation at laboratory scale was done and evaluated for number of parameters to ensure its safety and efficacy The Formulated Herbal Shampoo was clear and good appealing. It demonstrated good froth stability, detergency, good cleansing, small bubble size, low surface strain, and execution of good conditioning property. The physicochemical evaluation of the formulated shampoo showed ideal results. However, to improve its quality, product performance, and safety, further development was required.

De Novo Biosynthesis of a Bioactive Meroterpene Bakuchiol in Yeast.

Bakuchiol (BAK), a specialized meroterpene, is known for its valuable biological properties and has recently gained prominence in cosmetology for its retinol-like functionality. However, low abundance in natural sources leads to environmentally unfriendly and unsustainable practices associated with crop-based manufacturing and chemical synthesis. Here, we identified a prenyltransferase (PT) from Psoralea corylifolia that catalyzes the reverse geranylation of a nonaromatic carbon in para-coumaric acid (p-CA), coupled with a decarboxylation step to form BAK. Given that the biosynthesis pathway of BAK is well elucidated, we engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce BAK, starting from glucose. To enhance the titer of BAK, we employed a multifaceted approach that included increasing the supply of precursors, balancing the fluxes in the two parallel biosynthetic pathways, engineering of prenyltransferase, and fusing enzymes. Consequently, the engineered yeast strains showed a marked improvement of 117.3-fold in BAK production, reaching a titer of 9.28 mg/L from glucose. Our work provides a viable approach for the sustainable microbial production of complex natural meroterpenes.

Phytochemical characterization and valorization of Quercus ilex (west of Algeria)

<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US">This project is part of the promotion of natural resources such as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP). In order to assess the economic value of NTFP, this research focuses on the phytochemical analysis of holm oak (</span><em><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US">Quercus ilex </span></em><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US">L.) from the Terni region (Western Algeria). It focused on bioactive substances, particularly polyphenols. The method used consists of extracting the phenolic compounds by two methods which are maceration and ultrasound from the leaves and bark of this species. The quantity of these compounds is assessed spectrometrically and the antioxidant activity of the extracts in vitro using free radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. The results obtained indicate that maceration offers the best yield for extracting phenolic compounds from the leaves, with a yield of 10.74%. These results also showed that the extracts of holm oak leaves and bark are rich in phenolic compounds and have a content of total phenols (103,014±1,393 and 813.462±1.675 mg EAG/g DM), flavonoids (87.078±6.220 and 949.936±36.394 mg EC/g DM) and condensed tannins (57.194±12.447 and 940.195±20.417 mg EC/g DM). Regarding the antioxidant power, it is evident that all extracts have significant antioxidant capacity, and all have high free radical scavenging activity. The highest inhibition percents are 84.98±7.45% for the leaf extract and 83.15±9.27% for the bark extract. According to these results, holm oak contains a large quantity of polyphenols and antioxidant molecules. This information represents a natural source of antioxidants which remains to be exploited for future use in the agri-food and health sectors, within the broader framework of promoting the biodiversity of Algerian plants (NTFP).</span></p>

Surplus or deficit? Quantification of carbon sources and sinks and analysis of driving mechanisms of typical oasis urban agglomeration ecosystems

The relationship between carbon sources and sinks, along with their balance, is a crucial indicator for assessing ecosystem health. Ecosystem protection mitigates climate change and promotes the carbon cycle balance. Consequently, to effectively assess the status of carbon sources and sinks in an oasis ecosystem, this study utilized remote sensing and statistical data to estimate the natural carbon sources and sinks, energy carbon emissions(ECE), and carbon surpluses or deficits in the urban agglomeration of the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains(UANSTM) for a period 2000–2022 from a perspective of the natural-social-economic system. The driving mechanisms were analyzed using the optimal geodetector model (OPGD) and generalized divisia index method (GDIM). The results show(1) throughout the study period, natural carbon sources and sinks in the UANSTM exhibited a distribution pattern that diminished from the Tianshan Mountains axis northward and southward, accompanied by a fluctuating increase over time. ECE predominantly occurred in urban built-up areas and adjacent cultivated lands, totaling an increase of 88.48 × 104 TgC. (2) The change trend showed an overall predominance of carbon sources, with the rate of increase of carbon sources being greater than that of carbon sinks. Grassland-cultivated land and construction land interaction area exhibited significant changes in carbon sources and sinks. (3) During the study period, the UANSTM experienced a consistent carbon deficit, averaging −68.11 TgC annually. Spatially, this deficit evolved from discrete points to linear and then to areal patterns. (4) Precipitation and elevation were the primary determinants of natural carbon sources and sinks. Whereas GDP with a contribution of 50.4%,was the predominant driver of ECE across each prefecture-level city. Development of policies that synergize regional natural and socioeconomic systems is an important means of achieving a carbon balance. The results of this study provide a reference for adding a research paradigm on carbon sources and sinks in oasis urban agglomerations and for low-carbon development.

Spatial pattern, source apportionment, and source-oriented health risk quantifying of heavy metals in farmland soils of southern China.

The contamination of heavy metal has permeated many parts of China, especially in densely populated and industrialized southern China. This study focused on the degree of pollution in farmland soil heavy metals (HMs), and its spatial distribution characteristics and source apportionment. Meanwhile, we conducted an evaluation of the health risks attributed to soil HMs and analyzed the factors that impact them. We found that the distribution of five heavy metals is mainly concentrated in the east-central and southern parts of the study area. Specifically, Cd and Hg have high levels of pollution and present potential ecological risks. The pollution sources of five HMs were analyzed utilizing positive matrix factorization. The results revealed that the contribution of different sources keeps the following order: natural source (42.42%), agricultural activities (29.93%), industrial pollution source (20.49%), and atmospheric deposition pollution (7.16%). The non-carcinogenic risks to residents were acceptable, whereas the carcinogenic risks were relatively high. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to the negative effects of Cr, As. Using structural equation modeling, we found soil property is a vital factor affecting soil contamination, with the soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity having a relatively greater impact on heavy metals pollution. Our study provides some data reference and guidance for soil ecological protection and restoration.

Recent Advances in Biopesticide Research and Development with a Focus on Microbials.

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and, ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps, are highlighted.

Research progress of plant α-linolenic acid

α-Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid characterized by three double bonds and is recognized as one of the essential fatty acids for human health. It serves multiple critical functions, including nutritional supplementation, enhancement of brain development, and protection of nerve cells. In recent years, researchers globally have investigated natural plant sources abundant in α-linolenic acid and developed more efficient extraction methods, thereby significantly advancing the study of this fatty acid. This paper reviews the physiological effects and sources of plant-derived α-linolenic acid, summarizes the biosynthetic pathways, and outlines the primary extraction processes to provide the theoretical evidence for ongoing research and innovation in this field.

Unveiling the Intricacies of Microbial Pigments as Sustainable Alternatives to Synthetic Colorants: Recent Trends and Advancements

Bio-pigments are the colored primary and secondary metabolites released by microbes under stress conditions and are crucial for adaptation. Bio-pigments are being widely accepted for industrial utilization due to their natural form, organic source, and biodegradability. Also, the ease of cultivation, scalability and cost-effectiveness in terms of pigment extraction is bringing bio-pigments into the limelight. Chemical dyes are carcinogenic and pose a serious threat to human lives, which is another issue that environmentalists must address. However, bacterial pigments are safe to employ; therefore, the food, pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetics sectors may all benefit from their applications. The therapeutic nature of bacterial pigments is revealed because of their antimicrobial, anticancer, cytotoxic, and remarkable antioxidant properties. Bio-pigments also have multifaceted properties and thus can be an attractive source for the next generation to live a sustainable life. The present review discusses the importance of bacterial pigments over synthetic dyes and their therapeutic and industrial potential. Extensive literature has been reviewed on the biomedical application of bacterial pigments, and further opportunities and future challenges have been discussed.

Identification of compounds from natural Peruvian sources as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutations by virtual screening and computational simulations

Background Although the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished in intensity, the virus continues to circulate globally. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a key enzyme in the life cycle of the virus, making it important for the development of treatments against future variants of the virus. In this work, Peruvian natural compounds were evaluated against different mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Methods In silico techniques such as virtual screening, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, and energy estimation analysis were applied. Results Of the tested compounds by virtual screening, rutin was identified as the best binding agent against the different proposed Mpro mutations. In addition, computational simulations and energy estimation analysis demonstrated the high structural and energetic stability between the Mpro-rutin systems. Conclusions Overall, our study identified rutin as the most promising compound with a strong affinity for various Mpro mutations, potentially playing a key role in the development of new treatments for emerging viral variants.

Enhancing Aquaculture Productivity through Integrated Farming Systems: A Comparative Study of Fish-Pig and Fish-Duck Systems

Integrated farming systems involving fish-animal are of high relevance in current scenario. Studies like this asses the suitability of such systems in improving the aquaculture productivity and overall benefits to the ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in optimizing the use of small water resources in rural areas to enhance animal production. Given the potential of pig and duck manure as nutrient inputs in fish culture, a grow-out trial was conducted in a 0.1 ha earthen pond located in Elangitampatty, Kezhisenkattupatti, and Asakkattuppatti villages of Kollihills Taluk in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu. The pond was stocked with four carp species: Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, and Grass carp in a ratio of 40:20:30:10 at a density of 7500 fish per hectare. Three treatments were employed: (1) Control (T0), where fish were fed with commercial feed, (2) Integrated fish-duck farming (T1), and (3) Integrated pig-fish farming (T2). In the control group (T0), fish were fed commercial fish feed (24% crude protein, 4 mm pellet size) at 4% of body weight, while in T1 and T2, fish received 50% of the commercial feed and were supplemented with duck and pig excreta, respectively. After an 8-month grow-out period, fish weights and total production in each group were recorded. Water quality parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity, and hardness, were measured using standard methods (APHA, 2019). Results showed that pond fertilization with pig and duck excreta promoted the growth of algae, phytoplankton, and zooplankton, providing a natural food source for the fish. Total fish production was highest in the fish-pig integration system (T2), with a recorded yield of 4960.09 kg. Catla (Catla catla) had the highest individual species yield, with a total harvested weight of 2225.98 kg, followed by Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at 1490.37 kg. The final average weight of Grass carp in T0, T1, and T2 was 1047 ± 13.27 g, 1151.10 ± 12.85 g, and 1490.37 ± 13.52 g, respectively. For Catla, the final average weight in T0, T1, and T2 was 910 ± 9.45 g, 960 ± 10.26 g, and 980 ± 12.20 g, respectively. Similarly, Rohu in T0, T1, and T2 weighed 850 ± 7.98 g, 900 ± 11.23 g, and 910 ± 11.16 g, respectively, while Mrigal in T0, T1, and T2 weighed 600 ± 6.04 g, 720 ± 8.50 g, and 730 ± 10.56 g, respectively. The results highlight that the fish-pig system outperformed the fish-duck system in terms of fish productivity, which may be due to the better nutrient composition in pig manure and the genetic potential of the fish species. An economic analysis revealed that the fish-pig integration system generated the highest net income (Rs. 555,353.90) and benefit-cost ratio (2.12), indicating that integrated fish-pig farming is more profitable than both fish-duck farming and the control group without integration.

First De Novo genome assembly and characterization of Gaultheria prostrata

Gaultheria Kalm ex L. (Ericaceae), a type of evergreen shrub, known as a natural source of methyl salicylate, possesses rich germplasm resources, strong habitat adaptability, significant ornamental value, and noteworthy pharmacological activities. However, due to the paucity of whole genomic information, genetically deep research in these areas remains limited. Consequently, we intend to obtain genome data through high-throughput sequencing, gene annotation, flow cytometry, transcription factors prediction and genetic marker analysis for a representative species of this genus, with Gaultheria prostrata selected for our study. In this study, we preliminarily obtained the genome of G. prostrata through next-generation sequencing methods. Utilizing 47.94 Gb of high-quality sequence data (108.95× coverage), assembled into 114,436 scaffolds, with an N50 length of 33,667 bp. The genome size assembled by SOAPdenovo, approximately 417 Mb, corresponded closely to predictions by flow cytometry (440 Mb) and k-mer analysis (447 Mb). The genome integrity was evaluated using BUSCO with 91%. The heterozygosity ratio was 0.159%, the GC content was 38.85%, and the repetitive regions encompassed over 34.6% of the genome. A total of 26,497 protein-coding genes have been predicted and annotated across Nr, Swissprot, GO, KEGG, and Pfam databases. Among these, 14,377 and 2,387 genes received functional annotation in Nr and Swissprot, respectively; 21,895, 24,424, and 22,330 genes were similarly annotated in GO, KEGG, and Pfam. Moreover, A total of 279,785 SSRs were identified and 345,270 primers for these SSRs were designed. Within the various nucleotide types of SSRs, AG/CT and AAG/CTT constituted the predominant dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeat types in G. prostrata. In addition, 1,395 transcription factors (TFs) from 75 TF families, 462 transcription regulators (TRs) from 33 TR families and 840 protein kinase (PKs) from 118 PK families were identified in this genome. We also performed phylogenetic analyses of G. prostrata and related species, including estimation of divergence times and expansion and contraction analyses, followed by positive selection analyses of orthologous gene pairs of G. prostrata and its close relative Vaccinium corymbosum. These results provide a reference for in-depth study of genus Gaultheria, contributing to future functional and comparative genomics analyses and providing supporting data for the development of molecular markers.