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An oxygen insensitive azoreductase was purified from a novel bacterial strain (Staphylococcus sp. KU898286) that was isolated from an abandoned site of the textile waste discharge unit. The isolated enzyme had efficiently cleaved the azo-bonds through reductive transformation under aerobic conditions. Initial phenotypic characterization and final construction of phylogenetic tree on the basis of 16s rDNA demonstrated 99% resemblance of the isolate to Staphylococcus aureus. The purified azoreductase was found to have a broad spectrum activity that reduced RR241 at a concentration of 50mg/L with pH between 6–8 and 30°C temperature). Besides, the reactive red 241 (RR241) was reduced at extracellular level as well as NADH dependent intracellular level. Complete reduction/ decolourization of RR241 were achieved after 18 hrs of exposure. The final degradation product observed to be 2-nephthol was purified by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and the molecular mass was computed by Gas Chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The study revealed a cost effective and eco-friendly approach to degrade the toxic dyes into less toxic products by Staphylococcus sp. KU898286. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolate (GSL) hydrolysis is mediated by the enzyme myrosinase which together with specifier proteins can give rise to isothiocyanates (ITCs), thiocyanates, and nitriles (NITs) in cruciferous plants. However, little is known about the metabolism of GSLs by the human gut flora. The aim of the work was to investigate the metabolic fates of sinigrin (SNG), glucotropaeolin (GTP), gluconasturtiin (GNT), and their corresponding desulfo-GSLs (DS-GSLs). Three human gut bacterial strains, Enterococcus casseliflavus CP1, Lactobacillus agilis R16, and Escherichia coli VL8, were chosen for this study. GNT was metabolized to completion within 24 h to phenethyl ITC and phenethyl NIT (PNIT) by all bacteria, except for L. agilis R16 which produced only PNIT. At least 80 % of GTP and SNG were metabolized by all bacteria within 24 h to the corresponding ITCs and NITs. The pH of media over time gradually became acidic for both L. agilis R16 and E. coli VL8, while for E. casseliflavus CP1 the media became slightly alkaline with NIT and ITC production occurring between pH 3.0 and 7.5. ITC production peaked between 4 and 10 h in most cases and gradually declined while NIT production increased and remained relatively constant over time. The total percentage products accounted for 3-53 % of the initial GSL. NITs were produced from DS-GSLs suggesting an alternative metabolism via desulfation for the food based GSLs. The metal ion dependency for NIT production for GNT and its DS form was investigated where it was shown that Fe increased NIT production, while Mg stimulated the formation of ITC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caralluma is a plant that possessing a great therapeutic potential in folk medicine in Yemen, namely, Caralluma penicillata (C. penicillata) as antiulcer. The study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties and gastritis protection activity of C. penicillata against indomethacin in adult guinea pigs. The study was divided into four parts: firstly, the optimum dose of extract as anti-inflammatory effect was determined. Secondly, the acute anti-inflammatory effect of extract were estimated. Thirdly, the repeated doses of extract against chronic inflammation was estimated. The anti-inflammatory activity of extract was compared with indomethacin as a prototype of drug against inflammation. Fourthly, the gastritis protection properties of extract with/without indomethacin were performed. The results showed that a 400 mg/kg of 10% ethanol extract produced the maximum of anti- inflammatory effect. Also, the single dose of extract was equipotent for indomethacin (10 mg/kg), but shorter in duration with regard to acute anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the repeated doses of extract against chronic inflammation were less potent than indomethacin with regard to ulcerogenic effect. On the other hand, extract-indomethacin combination reduced the gastritis effect of indomethacin based on ulcer index and histological study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]