Current research in microbial sciences 

About: Current research in microbial sciences is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 2666-5174. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 83 publications have been published receiving 209 citations.

Recent advances in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid and efficient detection of pathogens

Abstract: Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method has been demonstrated to bea reliable and robust method for detection and identification of viral and microbial pathogens. LAMP method of amplification, coupled with techniques for easy detection of amplicons, makes a simple-to-operate and easy-to-read molecular diagnostic tool for both laboratory and on-field settings. Several LAMP-based diagnostic kits and assays have been developed that are specifically targeted against a variety of pathogens. With the growing needs of the demanding molecular diagnostic industry, many technical advances have been made over the years by combining the basic LAMP principle with several other molecular approaches like real-time detection, multiplex methods, chip-based assays.This has resulted in enhancing thethe sensitivity and accuracy of LAMP for more rigorous and wide-ranging pathogen detection applications. This review summarizes the current developments in LAMP technique and their applicability in present and future disease diagnosis.

Factors mediating Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation: Opportunities for developing therapeutics

Abstract: Acinetobacter baumannii has notably become a superbug due to its mounting risk of infection and escalating rates of antimicrobial resistance, including colistin, the last-resort antibiotic. Its propensity to form biofilm on biotic and abiotic surfaces has contributed to the majority of nosocomial infections. Bacterial cells in biofilms are resistant to antibiotics and host immune response, and pose challenges in treatment. Therefore current scenario urgently requires the development of novel therapeutic strategies for successful treatment outcomes. This article provides a holistic understanding of sequential events and regulatory mechanisms directing A. baumannii biofilm formation. Understanding the key factors functioning and regulating the biofilm machinery of A. baumannii will provide us insight to develop novel approaches to combat A. baumannii infections. Further, the review article deliberates promising strategies for the prevention of biofilm formation on medically relevant substances and potential therapeutic strategies for the eradication of preformed biofilms which can help tackle biofilm-associated A. baumannii infections. Advances in emerging therapeutic opportunities such as phage therapy, nanoparticle therapy and photodynamic therapy are also discussed to comprehend the current scenario and future outlook for the development of successful treatment against biofilm-associated A. baumannii infections.

Aspects, problems and utilization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) application as bio-fertilizer in sustainable agriculture

Abstract: The rapid growth of human population on globe and reduction in agricultural land exerts huge pressure on crop productivity, food security and soil health; specially, in developing countries. Improper land management with excessive dependency on chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals to secure productivity tolls on human health, environment, biodiversity and sustainability. The utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as bio-fertilizer and in consortia with other beneficial microbes has become an increasing area of research in agriculture and life sciences. Former investigations revealed the positive influence of AM in nutrition, growth, yield of crops, soil quality increasing biological soil fertility and pathogen resistance. AMF symbionts are highly beneficial in plant abiotic stress tolerance. Along with other beneficial rhiozobacteria AM is almost substitute of chemical fertilizers in modern sustainable organic agricultural systems. But conventional agriculture in most countries is beyond to reach these benefits of AM. The issues which hinder the utilization also contradict to sustainability to some degrees. The present review highlights on the issues of hindrances in applicability of AM to the agricultural fields focusing on the mode of functions, maintaining soil and environmental sustainability; interactions with other biofertilizers and impact of various agrochemicals and agro-practices including tillage and crop rotation. The procedures to avail the full benefit of AM in agricultural field for sustainable system are discussed here.

Riboflavin as a promising antimicrobial agent? A multi-perspective review

Abstract: Riboflavin, or more commonly known as vitamin B2, forms part of the component of vitamin B complex. Riboflavin consisting of two important cofactors, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are involved in multiple oxidative-reduction processes and energy metabolism. Besides maintaining human health, different sources reported that riboflavin can inhibit or inactivate the growth of different pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, highlighting the possible role of riboflavin as an antimicrobial agent. Moreover, riboflavin and flavins could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to light, inducing oxidative damage in cells and tissues, and thus are excellent natural photosensitizers. Several studies have illustrated the therapeutic efficacy of photoactivated riboflavin against nosocomial infections and multidrug resistant bacterial infections as well as microbial associated biofilm infections, revealing the potential role of riboflavin as a promising antimicrobial candidate, which could serve as one of the alternatives in fighting the global crisis of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance seen in different pathogenic microbes. Riboflavin could also be involved in modulating host immune responses, which might increase the pathogen clearance from host cells and increase host defense against microbial infections. Thus, the dual effects of riboflavin on both pathogens and host immunity, reflected by its potent bactericidal effect and alleviation of inflammation in host cells further imply that riboflavin could be a potential candidate for therapeutic intervention in resolving microbial infections. Hence, this review aimed to provide some insights on the promising role of riboflavin as an antimicrobial candidate and also a host immune-modulator from a multi-perspective view as well as to discuss the application and challenges on using riboflavin in photodynamic therapy against various pathogens and microbial biofilm-associated infections.

Preparation, urease inhibition mechanisms, and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of hesperetin-7-rhamnoglucoside

Abstract: This work investigated the effects of the bioflavonoid hesperetin-7-rhamnoglucoside isolated from Citrus uranium fruit peel on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Separation and purity, crystalline state, and urease inhibition assays were carried out. Then, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted with urease as the target protein. Hesp was isolated from citrus peel with a purity of 95.14 µg mg-1 of dry raw material. X-ray diffraction analysis, hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry revealed that pure Hesp had the same crystallinity rating as the Hesp standard. The kinetic inhibition study demonstrated that Hesp inhibited H. pylori urease in a competitive and concentration-dependent manner with jack bean urease. In addition, bioimaging studies with laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy illustrated that Hesp interacted with bacterial cells and induced membrane disruption by creating holes in the outer membranes of the bacterial cells, resulting in the leakage of amino acids. Importantly, molecular docking and 20 ns MD simulations revealed that Hesp inhibited the target protein through slow-binding inhibition and hydrogen bond interactions with active site residues, namely, Gly11 (O⋯H distance = 2.2 Å), Gly13 (O⋯H distance = 2.4 Å), Ser12 (O⋯H distance = 3.3 Å), Lys14 (O⋯H distance = 3.3 Å), and Arg179 (O⋯H distance = 2.7 Å). This work presents novel anti- H. pylori agents from natural sources.