What are the potential environmental benefits of using natural pest repellents compared to synthetic alternatives?4 answersUsing natural pest repellents instead of synthetic alternatives offers significant environmental benefits. Natural pesticides derived from plant extracts are biodegradable, cost-effective, and have low toxicity levels, making them environmentally friendly and sustainable options. These natural compounds have shown effectiveness in controlling pests while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and living organisms. Additionally, the use of essential oils and natural compounds in pest control can reduce the reliance on harmful synthetic chemicals, thus decreasing environmental pollution and promoting ecosystem health. Overall, the shift towards natural pest repellents presents a promising avenue for environmentally conscious pest management practices, offering a safer and more sustainable approach to agricultural and public health pest control.
How synthetic terpenoids from the fungi?4 answersSynthetic terpenoids from fungi are obtained through the heterologous expression of terpene cyclase genes and P450 genes in Aspergillus oryzae transformants. These genes guide the biosynthesis of terpenoids by adding functional groups to cyclized structures. The biosynthetic pathways of fungal terpenoids involve the regulation of the mevalonate pathway, gene expression, and availability of cofactors. By understanding these mechanisms, the production of fungal terpenoids can be directed. Additionally, the biosynthetic gene clusters of fungal-derived fernane-type triterpenoids have been identified, leading to the generation of new compounds with potent antifungal activity. Furthermore, the combinatorial biosynthesis of tropolone sesquiterpenoids has been achieved by recombining genes from different biosynthetic gene clusters, resulting in the production of unprecedented analogs. Sesterterpenoids, another class of terpenoids, are formed by the cyclization of dimethyl allyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate, and their biosynthetic pathways have been characterized in fungi.
What are the characteristics and uses of essential oils?4 answersEssential oils are volatile mixtures of complex compounds found in medicinal herbs. They are extracted from various parts of plants and have a wide variety of chemical constituents such as terpenes, phenols, alcohols, esters, and more. Essential oils possess pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity. They are used to treat various ailments including cancer, respiratory tract diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Essential oils have fewer side effects and a wider range of applications than standard medications. They are widely utilized in various industries such as food, beverage, packaging, cosmetics, perfumery, medical, agriculture, textile, and cleaning industries. Advanced extraction methods are preferred due to their environmental friendliness, high yield, efficiency, shorter extraction time, and low energy consumption. Essential oils also possess antimicrobial properties and could play a role in maintaining food security. Delivery systems are being explored to overcome their low water solubility and instability.
Where is natural product is used?4 answersNatural products are used in various industries such as the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. They are also used in the development of new lead compounds and scaffolds for drug production. Natural products have been used for therapeutic purposes in traditional medicinal systems and are still being used as alternatives to modern medicines. They are extracted from different parts of plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms. The active compounds found in natural products have medicinal properties and can be used to treat a wide range of human diseases. The chemical structures of natural products offer an opportunity for the discovery of new compounds that can be converted into drugs. Advances in analytical processes and computational methods have made drug discovery from natural products more efficient.
How can natural products be used as sources of new drugs?5 answersNatural products have historically been a valuable source of new drugs. They have contributed significantly to pharmacotherapy, especially for cancer and infectious diseases. Natural products offer an immense chemical diversity found in animals, plants, and microorganisms, making them attractive for drug discovery. Recent technological developments, such as improved analytical tools, genome mining, and engineering strategies, have addressed the challenges associated with natural product-based drug discovery, revitalizing interest in their potential as drug leads. Bisindole alkaloids, extracted from various natural products, have shown promising therapeutic effects for cancer treatment. Reptiles, another source of natural products, have been found to possess anticancer properties, and extracts, crude peptides, sera, and venom from reptiles have demonstrated inhibitory effects on cancer cells. Natural products also show potential in the treatment of chronic kidney disease, particularly in targeting renal fibrosis. These findings highlight the diverse applications and opportunities for using natural products as sources of new drugs.
What are the applications of natural plant extracts?2 answersNatural plant extracts have a wide range of applications. They have been studied for their potential use in agriculture, particularly in seed applications, where they have shown effectiveness in controlling phytopathogenic microorganisms, insects, and inducing resistance in plants. Plant extracts, including those from Cannabis, have also been investigated for their antimicrobial properties and their potential use as alternative therapies for human and animal pathogens. In the field of coatings, plant extracts have been explored as natural additives to enhance the properties of polymer resins, offering advantages such as anti-corrosion, antimicrobial, and UV-shielding abilities. Additionally, plant-derived natural ingredients have gained interest in the cosmetics industry, with various plant preparations, such as essential oils and extracts, being used in skincare, haircare, and other cosmetic products. Furthermore, plant-derived natural products have shown potential as antileishmanial leads for the treatment of parasitic diseases.