Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Microbiology in 2020"
TL;DR: The limitations and benefits of chemically polluted soil using microorganisms and other biological methods have been discussed, however, future development measures are still needed to ensure full implementation of these methods to save the environment.
Abstract: Pesticides are the chemicals used to prevent plant diseases, weeds, pests and to enhance the quality of the food products. The uniqueness of their chemical structure, and/or their interactions with the environment characterize the nature of pesticides. In most scenarios, the end users such as farmers and consumers, who know the serious effects of pesticides cannot translate this awareness into their practice. The mobility, bioavailability of pesticides in soils (atmosphere, water bodies) is based upon their absorption and desorption mechanisms from soil particles. Pesticides have harmful effects in the soil ecosystem, and mankind (which affects biological molecules, tissues, and organs resulting in acute or chronic disorders). It affects humans of all ages including prenatal. These pollutants, when released into the water bodies affects the aquatic systems. The water molecules in the river are affected by the accumulation of these toxic contaminants with its alkaline pH and heavy metals which could adversely affect the health of flora and fauna. This article discusses the scientific literature on various remediation technologies available for the safer use of pesticides. The limitations and benefits of chemically polluted soil using microorganisms and other biological methods have been discussed. However, future development measures are still needed to ensure full implementation of these methods to save the environment.
140 citations
TL;DR: A plant based rich fiber diet, which happens to be consumed by a majority of the Indian population, appears to be advantageous, as it replenishes the host gut microbiota with beneficial microbes thereby leading to a symbiotic association conferring various health benefits to the host including enhanced immunity.
Abstract: Worldwide, millions of individuals have been affected by the prevailing SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, a robust immune system remains indispensable, as an immunocompromised host status has proven to be fatal. In the absence of any specific antiviral drug/vaccine, COVID-19 related drug repurposing along with various other non-pharmacological measures coupled with lockdown have been employed to combat this infection. In this context, a plant based rich fiber diet, which happens to be consumed by a majority of the Indian population, appears to be advantageous, as it replenishes the host gut microbiota with beneficial microbes thereby leading to a symbiotic association conferring various health benefits to the host including enhanced immunity. Further, implementation of the lockdown which has proven to be a good non-pharmacological measure, seems to have resulted in consumption of home cooked healthy diet, thereby enriching the beneficial microflora in the gut, which might have resulted in better prognosis of COVID-19 patients in India in comparison to that observed in the western countries.
73 citations
TL;DR: The recent advances in the development of microbe-based therapies which can now be implemented to treat a wide spectrum of diseases have been discussed, but there is a lack of stringent law enforcement to protect the end users against the pseudo-probiotic products.
Abstract: A healthy gut is predominantly occupied by bacteria which play a vital role in nutrition and health. Any change in normal gut homeostasis imposes gut dysbiosis. So far, efforts have been made to mitigate the gastrointestinal symptoms using modern day probiotics. The majority of the probiotics strains used currently belong to the genera Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Recent advancements in culturomics by implementing newer techniques coupled with the use of gnotobiotic animal models provide a subtle ground to develop novel host specific probiotics therapies. In this review article, the recent advances in the development of microbe-based therapies which can now be implemented to treat a wide spectrum of diseases have been discussed. However, these probiotics are not classified as drugs and there is a lack of stringent law enforcement to protect the end users against the pseudo-probiotic products. While modern probiotics hold strong promise for the future, more rigorous regulations are needed to develop genuine probiotic products and characterize novel probiotics using the latest research and technology. This article also highlights the possibility of reducing antibiotic usage by utilizing probiotics developed using the latest concepts of syn and ecobiotics.
56 citations
TL;DR: The knowledge on personnel hygiene and strong surveillance system for zoonotic disease including ARBs transmission, prevention and control measures should be established to regulate the spread of AMR in the environment and subsequently to the human being through a food web.
Abstract: Current scenario in communicable diseases has generated new era that identifies the “One health” approach to understand the sharing and management of etiological agents with its impact on ecosystem. Under this context the relevance of zoonotic diseases generates major concern. The indiscriminate and higher use of antibiotics in animal husbandry creates substantial pressure on the gut microbiome for development of resistance due to shorter generation time and high density. Thus, gut works as a bioreactor for the breeding of ARBs in this scenario and are continuously released in different niches. These ARBs transfer resistance genes among native flora through horizontal gene transfer events, vectors and quorum sensing. About 60% of infectious diseases in human are caused by zoonotic pathogens have potential to carry ARGs which could be transmitted to humans. The well documented zoonotic diseases are anthrax cause by Bacillus anthracis, bovine tuberculosis by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, brucellosis by Brucella abortus, and hemorrhagic colitis by Escherichia coli. Similarly, most of the antibiotics are not completely metabolized and released in unmetabolized forms which enters the food chain and affect various ecological niches through bioaccumulation. The persistence period of antibiotics ranges from < 1 to 3466 days in environment. The consequences of misusing the antibiotic in livestock and their fate in various ecological niches have been discussed in this review. Further the light sheds on antibiotics persistence and it biodegradation through different abiotic and biotic approaches in environment. The knowledge on personnel hygiene and strong surveillance system for zoonotic disease including ARBs transmission, prevention and control measures should be established to regulate the spread of AMR in the environment and subsequently to the human being through a food web.
48 citations
TL;DR: This work has reviewed dietary lifestyle and infectious diseases linked with the gut bacterial consortia to delineate the ecobiotic approaches towards their treatment and described the current therapeutic advancements of the pre- and probiotics derived from human microbiome studies to restore gut microbial homeostasis.
Abstract: The gut microbiome analysis, with specific interest on their direct impact towards the human health, is currently revolutionizing the unexplored frontiers of the pathogenesis and wellness. Although in-depth investigations of gut microbiome, 'the Black Boxes', complexities and functionalities are yet at its infancy, profound evidences are being reported for their concurrent involvement in disease etiology and its treatment. Interestingly, studies from the 'minimal murine' (Oligo-MM12), 'humanized' microbiota gnotobiotic mice models and patient samples, combined with multi-omics and cell biology approaches, have been revealing the implications of these findings in the treatment of gut dysbiosis associated diseases. Nonetheless, due to the inherent heterogeneity of the gut commensals and their unified co-existence with opportunistic pathobionts, it is utmost essential to highlight their functionalities in 'good or bad' gut in human wellness. We have specifically reviewed dietary lifestyle and infectious diseases linked with the gut bacterial consortia to delineate the ecobiotic approaches towards their treatment. This notably includes gut mucosal immunity mediated diseases such as Tuberculosis, IBD, CDI, Type 2 Diabetes, etc. Alongside of each dysbiosis, we have described the current therapeutic advancements of the pre- and probiotics derived from human microbiome studies to restore gut microbial homeostasis. With a continuous running debate on the role of microbiota in above mentioned diseases, we have collected numerous scientific evidences highlighting a previously unanticipated complex involvement of gut microbiome in the potential of human health.
40 citations
TL;DR: At present social distancing along with previously known traditional medicines can act as quick and short-term alternatives for treating this viral flu, but these proposals are time-consuming processes.
Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) known as COVID-19 has emerged as a major threat to human existence. COVID-19 seems to have undergone adaptive evolution through an intermediate host, most likely bats. The flu leads to severe pneumonia that causes respiratory and multi-organ failure. The absence of any known treatment procedures, drugs, or vaccines has created panic around the World. The need is to develop rapid testing kits, drugs and vaccines. However, these proposals are time-consuming processes. At present social distancing along with previously known traditional medicines can act as quick and short-term alternatives for treating this viral flu.
38 citations
TL;DR: The genomics data suggest that a specific variant of SARS-CoV-2 gets enriched with the specific demographic region, and demographic data suggests that host influences mutation and expression of the virus.
Abstract: As the SARS-CoV-2 virus race around the world across the different population, there needs to be a consolidated effort to understand the divergence of demographically distributed strains. The emerging trends in SARS-CoV-2 genome data show specific mutation and genetic diversity, which could provide the basis to develop a cocktail of vaccine and may also be used to develop the region-specific diagnostic tool, thus decreasing the chances of testing failures in fields. Since the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is subject to the extent of human interaction, the insights from the correlation of genetic diversity with epidemiological parameter would give paramount information to tackle this transmission. Previously, studies have also correlated the epidemiological data with gut microbiome and its role in immunomodulation for maintaining health status, and such information could be generated from recovered individuals from different demographic regions. It will help in designing a probiotic-based diet for modulation of the gut microbiome, and that could be another plausible prophylactic treatment option. The genomics data suggest that a specific variant of SARS-CoV-2 gets enriched with the specific demographic region. Overall, demographic data suggests that host influences mutation and expression of the virus. Hence, the experiences from the clinical intervention for that region should be considered in control and treatment strategies.
36 citations
TL;DR: Recent developments in understanding the chicken gut microbiome are analysed including the establishment of integrated gene catalogue for chicken microbiome and novel strategies for the development of a chicken microbial library that can be used to develop novel microbial consortia as novel probiotics to improve the poultry meat production without compromising human health.
Abstract: Sustainable poultry practices are needed to maintain an adequate supply of poultry products to the increasing human population without compromising human wellbeing. In order to achieve the understanding of the core microbiome that assumes an imperative role in digestion, absorption, and assimilation of feed as well as restrict the growth of pathogenic strains, a proper meta-data survey is required. The dysbiosis of the core microbiome or any external infection in chickens leads to huge losses in the poultry production worldwide. Along with this, the consumption of infected meat also impacts on human health as chicken meat is a regular staple in many diets as a vital source of protein. To tackle these losses, sub-therapeutic doses of antibiotics are being used as a feed additive along with other conventional approaches including selective breeding and modulation in feed composition. Altogether, these conventional approaches have improved the yield and quality of poultry products, however, the use of antibiotics encompasses the risk of developing multi-drug resistant pathogenic strains that can be harmful to human beings. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the chicken microbiome in order to modulate chicken gut microbiome and provide alternatives to the conventional methods. Although there is now emerging literature available on some of these important microbiome aspects, in this article, we have analysed the relevant recent developments in understanding the chicken gut microbiome including the establishment of integrated gene catalogue for chicken microbiome. We have also focussed on novel strategies for the development of a chicken microbial library that can be used to develop novel microbial consortia as novel probiotics to improve the poultry meat production without compromising human health. Thus, it can be an alternative and advanced step compared to other conventional approaches to improve the gut milieu and pathogen-mediated loss in the poultry industry.
26 citations
TL;DR: The present investigation successfully revealed the useful influence of co-culture on the methanol production over pure culture and encapsulation within the polymeric matrix proved to be a better approach for the enhanced stability of the bioprocess.
Abstract: Methanol production by co-culture of methanotrophs Methylocystis bryophila and Methyloferula stellata was examined from methane, a greenhouse gas. Co-culture exhibited higher methanol yield of 4.72 mM at optimum ratio of M. bryophila and M. stellata (3:2) compared to individual cultures. The immobilized co-culture within polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) showed relative efficiency of 90.1% for methanol production at polymer concentration of 10% (v/v). The immobilized co-culture cells within PVA resulted in higher bioprocess stability over free cells at different pH, and temperatures. Free and encapsulated co-cultures showed maximum methanol production of 4.81 and 5.37 mM under optimum conditions, respectively. After five cycles of reusage under batch conditions, free and encapsulated co-cultures retained methanol production efficiency of 23.8 and 61.9%, respectively. The present investigation successfully revealed the useful influence of co-culture on the methanol production over pure culture. Further, encapsulation within the polymeric matrix proved to be a better approach for the enhanced stability of the bioprocess.
24 citations
TL;DR: The potential use of P. tersa for discovering drugs against infectious pathogens is revealed, as it was found to reduce the production of redox-active pigments and inhibit the expression of virulence factors involved in biofilm formation.
Abstract: Endophytic fungi provide rich reservoir for novel antimicrobial compounds. An endophytic fungus, from Carica papaya plant identified as Phomopsis tersa, was investigated for attenuating the quorum sensing mediated pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Crude extract of P. tersa was found to reduce the production of redox-active pigments—pyocyanin and pyoverdine in P. aeruginosa PAO1 by 92.46% and 71.55%, respectively at sub-MIC concentration of 900 μg/mL. In addition, the crude extract was also able to inhibit the expression of virulence factors involved in biofilm formation: exopolysaccharide (72.21%) and alginate (72.50%). Secretion of cell-lytic enzymes was also found to be reduced: chitinase by 79.73% and elastase by 74.30%. 3-Isobutylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione identified from GC-MS analysis, displayed favorable molecular interactions with P. aeruginosa transcriptional regulators, LasR and RhlR with good docking scores of − 6.873 kJ/mol and − 6.257 kJ/mol, respectively. The study thus reveals the potential use of P. tersa for discovering drugs against infectious pathogens.
21 citations
TL;DR: It was evidenced that prodigiosin showed cytotoxic activity in tumor cell lines suggesting promising antitumor properties, and future studies on the cytot toxic and genotoxic effects of prodigioin produced by S. marcecsens UFPEDA 398 are suggested.
Abstract: Prodigiosin is a secondary metabolite, with red pigmentation, produced by Serratia marcescens. Red pigment is a natural alkaloid whose chemical structure has three pyrrole rings. Prodigiosin has been described for several biological activities, including antitumor, inducing apotosis in T and B lymphocytes. This work aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of prodigiosin in NCHI-292, HEp-2, MCF-7 and HL-60 tumor cell lines. The red pigment was isolated from Serratia marcescens UFPEDA 398 biomass whose fractions were previously separated by column chromatography, purified, identified and further characterized by GC–MS and compared with the computerized library of m/z values. The pigment corresponded to prodigiosin with maximum absorption at 534 nm, molecular weight 323 and structural formula C20H25N3O. During the prodigiosin purification process a purple absorbance fraction at 272.65 nm was also observed. Significant cytotoxic effects of prodigiosin were evidenced for NCHI-292, Hep-2, MCF-7 and HL-60 tumor cell lines. The isolated purple fraction had no cytotoxic effect (IC50 11.3 µg/mL) when compared to prodigiosin (IC50 3.4 µg/mL) for the tumor cell lines studied. The MCF-7 strain was slightly more pigment resistant (IC50 5.1 µg/mL). Therefore, further studies will be needed to elucidate the antitumor mechanisms of prodigiosin action against tumor strains from flow cytometry tests. However, although these data are preliminary, it was evidenced that prodigiosin showed cytotoxic activity in tumor cell lines suggesting promising antitumor properties. In this sense, future studies on the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of prodigiosin produced by S. marcecsens UFPEDA 398 are suggested.
TL;DR: All enzymes were thermo-alkali-stable, hence were suitable for their application in pulp biobleaching and no laccase mediator system was required in the current process.
Abstract: Microbial enzymes are the safe alternatives to chemical based bleaching of pulp in paper mills. For effective biobleaching, both hemicellulolytic and lignolytic enzymes are required. This study reports laccase (L) + xylanase (X) and laccase (L) + mannanase (M) enzyme concoctions for pulp biobleaching derived from Bacillus sp. LX and Bacillus sp. LM isolated from the decaying organic matter. All enzymes were thermo-alkali-stable, hence were suitable for their application in pulp biobleaching. When a mixture of L + X/L + M was used for mixedwood pulp biobleaching, 46.32/40.25% reduction in kappa number; 13.21/10.01% and 3.36/2.76% improvement in brightness and whiteness was achieved respectively. Moreover, no laccase mediator system was required in the current process. Significant changes in the structure of enzymatically treated pulp were also observed. All these properties make these concoctions of enzymes suitable for their application in pulp and paper mill.
TL;DR: The single factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize the medium components and culture conditions and the optimal conditions for EPS production were successfully obtained, and the in vitro antioxidant activity study indicated that L. plantarum SP8 EPS possessed certain antioxidant activity.
Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum SP8, isolated from traditional Chinese pickle juice, was utilized for the production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs), but the EPS yield was low under normal MRS medium. The single factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize the medium components and culture conditions and the optimal conditions for EPS production were successfully obtained. Results showed that the optimum condition was glucose 22 g/L, yeast extract 30 g/L, fermentation temperature 35.6 °C, fermentation time 22 h and the theoretical EPS yield was 282.494 mg/L. The results were similar to the actual yield, 280.105 mg/L. By optimizing the culture conditions, the yield of L. plantarum SP8 EPS was improved by nearly 19 times. In the gas chromatography analysis, it was found that L. plantarum SP8 EPS consisted of d-rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, and d-acetylglucosamine, but glucose was not included, which was quite different from the reported heteropolysaccharide component of Lactobacillus. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of L. plantarum SP8 EPS was evaluated with the in vitro scavenging abilities on DPPH·,
$${\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$$
and ·OH. The in vitro antioxidant activity study indicated that L. plantarum SP8 EPS possessed certain antioxidant activity. All results demonstrated the potential of L. plantarum SP8 in the food and dairy industry.
TL;DR: The disease condition and intra-group variability should be considered in future with larger cohorts to understand individual patient variability highlighting the social habits and gender of the individual.
Abstract: Respiratory bacterial microbiota plays a key role in human health. Lung cancer microbiome is a significant yet an understudied area while bronchiectasis microbiome is often studied. We assessed the bacterial microbiota in the upper and lower respiratory tract of the patients with lung cancer and bronchiectasis against a healthy group and their variations in individuality. 16S rRNA gene based metagenomic sequencing was used to detect entire bacterial community along with conventional aerobic bacterial culturing. In comparison to healthy, increased bacterial diversity was observed in diseased population. Abundance of more than 1% was considered and bacteria were identified in 97% similarity. Only lung cancer patients exhibited bacteria specific to the disease: Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum and Keratinibaculum paraultunense. However, Enterococcus faecalis and Delftia tsuruhatensis were also observed limited to lung cancer and bronchiectasis respectively, in less than 1% but supported with bacterial culturing. In conclusion the disease condition and intra-group variability should be considered in future with larger cohorts to understand individual patient variability highlighting the social habits and gender of the individual.
TL;DR: Results suggest that inherent microbial flora adjust their community and metabolic machinery upon exposure to the pollutant, and the site under pollutant stress showed efficient microbial communities to bio-remediate the newly polluted terrestrial ecologies in relatively less time and by economic means.
Abstract: Pesticide accumulation in agricultural soils is an environmental concern, often addressed through distinct bioremediation strategies. This study has tried to analyze various soil bioremediation options viz., biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and natural attenuation in terms of efficiency and the response of autochthonous microbial flora by using atrazine as a model contaminant. Soil mesocosms were established with 100 kg of soil simulating the field conditions. The soil previously exposed to the herbicide was used for the bioaugmentation strategy undertaken in this study. We have tried to analyze how the microbial community responds to a foreign compound, both in terms of taxonomic and functional capacities? To answer this, we have analyzed metagenome of the mesocosms at a time point when 90% atrazine was degraded. Bioaugmentation for bioremediation proved to be efficient with a DT90 value of 15.48 ± 0.79 days, in comparison to the natural attenuation where the DT90 value was observed to be 41.20 ± 1.95 days. Metagenomic analysis revealed the abundance of orders Erysipelotrichales, Selemonadales, Clostridiales, and Thermoanaerobacterales exclusively in SBS mesocosm. Besides Pseudomonas, bacterial genera such as Achromobacter, Xanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Cupriavidus have emerged as the dominant members in various bioremediation strategies tested in this study. Inclusive results suggest that inherent microbial flora adjust their community and metabolic machinery upon exposure to the pollutant. The site under pollutant stress showed efficient microbial communities to bio-remediate the newly polluted terrestrial ecologies in relatively less time and by economic means.
TL;DR: This work has shown that genomics tools are now playing important role in bioprocess optimization, which not only derive the bio-stimulation plans but also could suggest possible genetic bio-augmentation options.
Abstract: Bioremediation is a process wherein the decontamination strategies are designed so that a site could achieve the environmental abiotic and biotic parameters close to its baseline. In the process, the driving force is the available microbial genetic degradative capabilities, which are supported by required nutrients so that the desired expression of these capabilities could be exploited in favour of removal of pollutants. With genomics tools not only the available abilities could be estimated but their dynamic performance could also be established. These tools are now playing important role in bioprocess optimization, which not only derive the bio-stimulation plans but also could suggest possible genetic bio-augmentation options.
TL;DR: Recent approaches of microbial preservation with special reference to intact sample, mixed culture and microbiome preservation are discussed, which incorporates recent practices used to achieve the highest viability and metabolic activities in long-term preserved microbiome.
Abstract: Microbes are mediators in almost all ecosystem processes and act as a pivotal game changer in various ecological activities, globally. Therefore, understanding of microbial community structure and related functions in different environmental and micro-environmental niches is not only critical, but also a matter of greatest importance. Due to our inability to cultivate and preserve all sorts of microorganisms, we are losing some ecologically and industrially relevant components of microbial community, due to extinction caused by environmental and climatic variations with time. Intact sample and microbiome preservation are crucial for future cultivation as well as to study the effects of ecological and climatic variations on community functionality and shift with time, using OMICS. Although, methods for pure culture preservation are almost optimized, the techniques of microbiome preservation still remain as an unsolved challenge for microbiologists due to technical and physiological constraints. Present article discusses, recent approaches of microbial preservation with special reference to intact sample, mixed culture and microbiome preservation. It also incorporates recent practices used to achieve the highest viability and metabolic activities in long-term preserved microbiome.
TL;DR: The results of the cytotoxicity assessment of cyclophosphamide, etoposide and paclitaxel highlight the need of improvement in sewage treatment technology for the efficient removal of these compounds from aquatic environment.
Abstract: The presence of antineoplastic compounds in aquatic ecosystem is an emerging challenge for the society. Antineoplastic compounds released into the aquatic environment exhibit a potential threat to normal aquatic life. Particularly, antineoplastic compounds are responsible for direct or indirect interference with the cellular DNA of an organism and cause toxicity to cells. The present study focused on the assessment of in vitro toxic effect of cyclophosphamide, etoposide and paclitaxel on Raw 264.7 cell line (mouse monocyte macrophage cells). The inhibitory concentration of cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and paclitaxel was determined. The IC50 values of these compounds were 145.44, 5.40, and 69.76 µg ml−1 respectively. This is the first report on toxicity analysis of cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel and etoposide on Raw 264.7 cell line by reducing cell viability and indicating the cell cytotoxicity i.e., 69.58% for cyclophosphamide, 92.01% for etoposide and 88.85% for paclitaxel on concentration 250 µg ml−1. The results of their cytotoxicity assessment highlight the need of improvement in sewage treatment technology for the efficient removal of these compounds from aquatic environment.
TL;DR: A novel cellobiohydrolase (CBH)-generating fungi have been isolated and categorized as Schizophyllum commune KMJ820 based on morphology and rDNA gene sequence and is prominent in comparison to other CBHs by its high enzyme activity.
Abstract: A novel cellobiohydrolase (CBH)-generating fungi have been isolated and categorized as Schizophyllum commune KMJ820 based on morphology and rDNA gene sequence. Cellulose powder was used as carbon source, the total enzyme activity was 11.51 U/ml is noted; which is among the highest amounts of CBH-generating microbes studied. CBH have been purified to homogenize, with pursual of serial chromatography using S. commune supernatants and two different CBHs were found; CBH 1 and 2. The filtered CBHs showed greater activity (Vmax = 51.4 and 20.8 U/mg) in contrast to CBHs from earlier studies. The MW (molecular weights) of S. commune CBH 1 and 2 were verified to be approximately 50 kDa and 150 kDa, respectively, by size exclusion chromatography. Even though CBHs have been evaluated from other sources, but S. commune CBH is prominent in comparison to other CBHs by its high enzyme activity.
TL;DR: Despite the fact that making all efforts to deal with COVID-19 outbreak, Korea is in urgent need of moving away from a divided community approach and adopting a total community approach.
Abstract: Despite the fact that making all efforts to deal with COVID-19 outbreak, Korea is in urgent need of moving away from a divided community approach and adopting a total community approach. Further, the nation needs to fully establish and activate the national emergency operation framework.
TL;DR: The results of this study suggested that these bioactive pigments can further be developed and used as antibacterial, antioxidant and sun-protective ingredients in cosmeceuticals.
Abstract: Bacterial pigments are the unique and sustainable source of bioactive colour compounds used in cosmetics, food, textiles, printing and pharmaceutical products. Here, we report the pigment-producing isolates and their biological activities that could be benefited for different industries including cosmeceuticals. In this study, a total of 19 pigment-producing bacteria were isolated and purified from collected soil and water samples. The colour production ability of purified bacteria was observed up to 5 transfers. Of the 19 isolates, two isolates lost colour production ability in subsequent transfers. Crude pigments extracted from the remaining 17 isolates showed sunscreen activity in the range of 0.4-8.34. However, only 6 of them showed significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In the media optimization experiment, these 6 bacteria showed optimum growth in neutral to alkaline pH, while optimum temperatures for growth were different for different bacteria. One isolate produces the promising pigment, out of all six potential pigments. It is stable up to 5 transfers, having antioxidant and antibacterial activity with Sun protective activity; the strain was identified using 16srRNA gene sequencing and obtained accession number as MK770403 (probable strain is Staphylococcus xylosus) from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The results of this study suggested that these bioactive pigments can further be developed and used as antibacterial, antioxidant and sun-protective ingredients in cosmeceuticals.
TL;DR: Gioddu revealed several microbiological similarities with kefir beverage, thus suggesting, by analogy, potential health benefits related to its consumption, and more research is needed to better clarify the microbiota composition of Gioddu by using more powerful metagenomic techniques.
Abstract: Gioddu is the sole variety of fermented milk originating in Italy. Despite the long history of consumption, Gioddu still represents an undisclosed source of microbial diversity. The present study was aimed to get an insight into the bacterial and fungal diversity of Gioddu samples collected from two artisan producers located in Sardinia. To this end 3 batches of Gioddu were collected from each producer and subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction–Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analyses. Gioddu was produced with sheep milk in accordance with the local tradition. Regarding the bacterial population, a low biodiversity emerged. In more detail, the sole species Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was detected in all the samples, irrespective of the producer or the batch. A more ample microbial diversity was highlighted for the fungal population that included closest relatives to Pichia cactophila, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Galactomyces candidum. Based on the results, the detected bacterial and fungal species generally clustered in accordance with the producer, irrespective of the batch considered. It is noteworthy that, Gioddu revealed several microbiological similarities with kefir beverage, thus suggesting, by analogy, potential health benefits related to its consumption. More research is needed to better clarify the microbiota composition of Gioddu by using more powerful metagenomic techniques.
TL;DR: The study presents the recommended modifications of existing media that can lead to the successful establishment and maintenance of E. vexans in vitro cultures and the basis for the statistically optimized conditions for maximal fungal growth.
Abstract: The blister blight disease caused by the fungus, Exobasidium vexans has serious implications on the quality of tea production. The disease however, has been poorly studied and hence there is very limited information on the pathogen and as such the pathogenesis of blister blight infection. One of the major roadblocks in understanding E. vexans is the obligate and biotrophic nature of the fungus which limits the establishment and maintenance of in vitro cultures. To address this issue, a Central Composite Design based Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was adopted to study the modification of three fungal culture media viz. czapek dox, potato dextrose, and v8 juice, and the effect of altered media composition on growth conditions and media compositions were assessed. The response parameter for the RSM experiments was the mycelial biomass produced under different culture conditions. The uni and bi-parametric interactions among the experimental variables provided the basis for the statistically optimized conditions for maximal fungal growth. The study thus presents the recommended modifications of existing media that can lead to the successful establishment and maintenance of E. vexans in vitro cultures.
TL;DR: For the first time, Hibiscus sabdariffa extract is proposed as a prospective drug candidate and substitute for eradicating pre-formed biofilm and inhibiting the growth of C. albicans.
Abstract: Microbial biofilms act as reservoirs for pathogenic sessile microbes which reside inside the three dimensional matrix of the biofilm, and are thus protected against anti-microbial drugs. Most of the anti-microbial drugs fail to completely abolish the biofilm associated infections. In the present study, we provide evidence of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs) extract having possible anti-microbial activity, with emphasis on Candida albicans biofilm. The Hs extract was shown to be effective against C. albicans pre-formed biofilm at 3.125 mg/ml and was able to inhibit the hyphae initiation and adherence of cells. Furthermore, Hs extract was able to reduce the C. albicans load in C. elegans by effectively killing the Candida cells thereby reducing the viable colony count and effectively increasing the lifespan of worms. The percentage of viable hatched progeny of worms exposed to Hs extract (both at conc. 1.5 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml), was also comparable to that of the control untreated eggs. The Hs extract was also found to be significantly effective against fluconazole resistant C. albicans isolated from patients. Thus, we, for the first time, propose Hs extract as a prospective drug candidate and substitute for eradicating pre-formed biofilm and inhibiting the growth of C. albicans.
TL;DR: The nanosized AgNPs were found to possess prominent antibacterial potential against gram positive and gram negative pathogens in comparison to native plant extract and to be non-toxic and efficient eradicators of environmental toxicants via rapid catalytic reduction of toxic chemicals and dyes.
Abstract: The biogenic tailoring of silver nanoparticles using plant extract is becoming an attractive approach in the current scenario. Manilkara zapota (MZ) is well known for its antibacterial, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, anti-fungal, anti-tumour, and free radical scavenging potential. Its plants extract is a rich source of secondary metabolites. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been advocated for a variety of biomedical applications. In present work, silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using an aqueous extract of MZ, physicochemically characterized and finally evaluated for antimicrobial effects, catalytic reduction/degradation of organic dyes and cytotoxicity. The nanosized AgNPs (~ 84 nm) were found to possess prominent antibacterial potential against gram positive and gram negative pathogens (MIC 50 μg/ml) in comparison to native plant extract. Moreover, these particles were found to be non-toxic and efficient eradicators of environmental toxicants via rapid catalytic reduction of toxic chemicals and dyes. Altogether, these results suggest promising potential of these nanoparticles that can be used as multifunctional agents for future biomedical applications.
TL;DR: The result showed that the removal mechanism of Cr6+ by Bacillus subtilis strain SZMC 6179J was reduction under normal conditions and adsorption under adverse conditions.
Abstract: The removal rate of Cr6+ has been explored by the optimized removal conditions. Five Cr-resistant strains were isolated from chromium-contained soil. The most efficient strain S1 was identified as Bacillus subtilis strain SZMC 6179J through 16S rDNA. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effects of four independent variables, including initial pH, initial Cr6+ concentration (mg/L), time (h) and inoculation percentage (%). RSM revealed that when pH was 5.02, time was 24.0 h, inoculation percentage was 4.64% (v/v) and initial concentration of Cr6+ was 55.0 mg/L, the optimal condition was obtained. Under the optimum conditions, the actual response values for Bacillus subtilis strain SZMC 6179J was 93.50%. The pH was the most significant factor towards removal rate of Cr6+. The result showed that the removal mechanism of Cr6+ by Bacillus subtilis strain SZMC 6179J was reduction under normal conditions. The removal mechanism of Cr6+ by Bacillus subtilis strain SZMC 6179J was adsorption under adverse conditions.
TL;DR: Management of otherwise hard-to-degrade keratinous waste and simultaneous nutritional enhancement of waste chicken feathers to value-added hydrolysate that can be used in livestock feed formulations or biofertilizer in agro-industry are demonstrated.
Abstract: Keratinous waste is the bulk by-product of various livestock industries. Slow natural degradation of keratin and less efficient chemical hydrolysis imposes challenge for the search of alternative recycling methods. Keratin degrading microbes hydrolyse keratin to soluble peptides and amino acids. Bacillus aerius NSMk2 showed great potential for hydrolysis of chicken feather waste. Bacillus aerius NSMk2 cells grown in phosphate buffer supplemented with chicken feathers showed high disulfide reductase activity and release of sulfhydryl groups. The release of proteins and amino acids were statistically optimized at varied pH (4.0–11.0), temperature (30.0–45.0 °C) and agitation (100–250 rpm), and maximum release was recorded at pH 7.5, temperature 37 °C and shaking (175 rpm). FTIR and SEM showed sulfitolysis and extensive keratinolysis of feathers resulting in complete hydrolysis of white chicken feathers after 84 h. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed the release of low molecular weight peptides in the range of 399 to 3289.4 m/z. The present study demonstrates management of otherwise hard-to-degrade keratinous waste and simultaneous nutritional enhancement of waste chicken feathers to value-added hydrolysate that can be used in livestock feed formulations or biofertilizer in agro-industry.
TL;DR: Redundancy analysis showed that bacterial composition in the metamorphosis stage was positive correlated with salinity, alkalinity, and pH, while in the postlarval stage, it was positively correlated with ammonium nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen, indicating microbial community diversity in the nursery phase varies per rearing stage.
Abstract: A 20-day trial was conducted to reveal bacterial community dynamics in a commercial nursery of larval Litopenaeus vannamei larvae. The bacterial communities in the ambient water were profiled by high-throughput sequencing of the V4-V5 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results indicated that the dominant bacterial phyla between the metamorphosis stage and postlarval stage were Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes, representing more than 80.09% of the bacterial operational taxonomic units. The relative abundance among bacterial phyla notably differed between the two stages. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria was higher in the metamorphosis stage, while that of Bacteroidetes was higher and more stable in the postlarval stage. At the class level, the relative abundance of Sphingobacteriia and Alphaproteobacteria increased markedly in the postlarval stage, while that of Flavobacteriia decreased. Redundancy analysis showed that bacterial composition in the metamorphosis stage was positively correlated with salinity, alkalinity, and pH, while in the postlarval stage, it was positively correlated with ammonium nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen. Thus, microbial community diversity in the nursery phase varies per rearing stage.
TL;DR: An extracellular enzyme HML CBH1 was purified from the fermentation solution of Aspergillus oryzae HML366, and characterized by biological and molecular analysis, and showed identical to the protein gi:22138643, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 7.
Abstract: In the study, an extracellular enzyme HML CBH1 was purified from the fermentation solution of Aspergillus oryzae HML366, and characterized by biological and molecular analysis. Following the culturing of A. oryzae HML366 under the optimized conditions for enzyme production, an enzyme named HML CBH1 with a molecular weight of 48 kDa was purified using 3000 Da cellulose ultrafiltration column and anion exchange chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 9.65 U/mg, and the optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme were 50 and 5.0 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at temperatures below 60 °C and pH ranging from 3.0 to 10.0. The partial amino acid sequence of HML CBH1 was analyzed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and Mascot and Blast analysis showed that the HML CBH1 sequence was identical to the protein gi:22138643, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 7, and had exoglucanase and endoglucanase activity.
TL;DR: An integrative and personalized approach, where combinations of microbe-based therapeutic interventions to modulate gut microbes and in-use psychological treatment practices can be integrated and based on patient’s gut microbiome can be potentially adopted for effective treatment of the mental disorders is proposed.
Abstract: Gut microbes play prime role in human health and have shown to exert their influence on various physiological responses including neurological functions. Growing evidences in recent years have indicated a key role of gut microbiota in contributing to mental health. The connection between gut and brain is modulated by microbes via neural, neuroendocrinal and metabolic pathways that are mediated through various neurotransmitters and their precursors, hormones, cytokines and bioactive metabolites. Impaired functioning of this connection can lead to manifestation of mental disorders. Around 1 billion of the world population is reported to suffer from emotional, psychological and neurological imbalances, substance use disorders and cognitive, psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand the role of gut microbes in mental disorders. Since variations occur in the conditions associated with different mental disorders and some of them have overlapping symptoms, it becomes important to have a holistic understanding of gut dysbiosis in these disorders. In this review, we consolidate the recent data on alterations in the gut microbes and its consequences in various neurological, psychological and neurodegenerative disorders. Further, considering these evidences, several studies have been undertaken to specifically target the gut microbiota through different therapeutic interventions including administration of live microbes (psychobiotics) to treat mental health disorders and/or their symptoms. We review these studies and propose that an integrative and personalized approach, where combinations of microbe-based therapeutic interventions to modulate gut microbes and in-use psychological treatment practices can be integrated and based on patient's gut microbiome can be potentially adopted for effective treatment of the mental disorders.