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Amyloid fibril formation of proteins is associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Several small molecules can accelerate the amyloid fibril formation in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism of amyloid fibrillation is still unclear. In this study, we investigated how the food dye quinoline yellow (QY) induces amyloid fibrillation in α-lactalbumin (α-LA), a major whey protein, at pH 2.0. We used several spectroscopy techniques and a microscopy technique to explore how QY provokes amyloid fibrillation in α-LA. From turbidity and Rayleigh light scattering experiments, we found that QY promotes α-LA aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner; the optimal concentration for α-LA aggregation was 0.15 to 10.00 mM. Below 0.1 mM, no aggregation occurred. Quinoline yellow–induced aggregation was a rapid process that escaped the lag phase, but it depended on the concentrations of both α-LA and QY. We also demonstrated that aggregation switched the secondary structure of α-LA from α-helices to cross-β-sheets. We then confirmed the amyloid-like structure of aggregated α-LA by transmission electron microscopy measurements. Molecular docking and simulation confirmed the stability of the α-LA-QY complex due to the formation of 1 hydrogen bond with Lys99 and 2 electrostatic interactions with Arg70 and Lys99, along with hydrophobic interactions with Leu59 and Tyr103. This study will aid in our understanding of how small molecules induce aggregation of proteins inside the stomach (low pH) and affect the digestive process.

Shigellosis is a serious foodborne diarrheal disease caused by the Shigella species. It is a critical global health issue. In developing countries, shigellosis causes most of the mortality in children below 5 years of age. Globally, around 165 million cases of diarrhea caused by Shigella are reported, which accounts for almost 1 million deaths, in which the majority are recorded in Third World nations. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Mangifera indica kernel (MK-AgNPs) seed extracts. The biosynthesized M. indica silver nanoparticles (MK-AgNPs) were characterized using an array of spectroscopic and microscopic tools, such as UV–Vis, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometer. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape and the average size was found to be 42.7 nm. The MK-AgNPs exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant clinical Shigella sp. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the MK-AgNPs was found to be 20 μg/mL against the multi-drug-resistant strain Shigella flexneri. The results clearly demonstrate that MK-AgNPs prepared using M. indica kernel seed extract exhibited significant bactericidal action against pathogenic Shigella species. The biosynthesized nanoparticles from mango kernel could possibly prove therapeutically useful and effective in combating the threat of shigellosis after careful investigation of its toxicity and in vivo efficacy.

Quorum sensing (QS) plays a crucial role in different stages of biofilm development, virulence production, and subsequently to the growth of bacteria in food environments. Biofilm mediated spoilage of food is one of the ongoing challenge faced by the food industry worldwide as it incurs substantial economic losses and leads to various health issues. In the present investigation, we studied the interference of quorum sensing, its regulated virulence functions, and biofilm in food-associated bacteria by colorant azorubine. In vitro bioassays demonstrated significant inhibition of QS and its coordinated virulence functions in Chromobacterium violaceum 12472 (violacein) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (elastase, protease, pyocyanin, and alginate). Further, the decrease in the production EPS (49–63%) and swarming motility (61–83%) of the pathogens was also recorded at sub-MICs. Azorubine demonstrated broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitory potency (50–65%) against Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli O157:H7, Serratia marcescens, and Listeria monocytogenes. ROS generation due to the interaction between bacteria and azorubine could be responsible for the biofilm inhibitory action of the food colorant. Findings of the in vitro studies were well supported by molecular docking and simulation analysis of azorubine and QS virulence proteins. Azorubine showed strong binding to PqsA as compared to other virulent proteins (LasR, Vfr, and QscR). Thus, it is concluded that azorubine is a promising candidate to ensure food safety by curbing the menace of bacterial QS and biofilm-based spoilage of food and reduce economic losses. Keywords: Azorubine, Quorum sensing, Biofilm, Virulence, Food, Molecular docking

Tartrazine (Tz) is a yellow food color dye that is used in a range of foods to make them more appealing and attractive. However, very limited information is there about its interaction with macromolecules, like different proteins that are components of the food products. In this work the bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) aggregation stimulating properties of Tz have been studied at pH 2.0. Spectroscopic, microscopic and molecular docking have been used to characterize the aggregation inducing property of Tz in BLG protein at pH 2.0. The spectroscopic techniques i.e., turbidity and RLS measurements showed that the 0.1–10.0 mM of Tz induces aggregation in BLG at pH 2.0. The aggregates were found to have well defined amyloid-like morphology as observed by CD and TEM. The amyloid fibrils were found long, straight and unbranched. Molecular docking results ascertained that Tz binds at the hydrophobic cavity and interact with the key amino acid residues involved in the interaction with different ligands. The spectroscopic, microscopic and computational results support that the electrostatic, as well as hydrophobic interactions, played a very important role in Tz-induced BLG fibrillation. Keywords: Tartrazine, Beta-lactoglobulin, Food additive dye, Amyloid fibril, pH

Novel, safe, and effective antilisterial agents are required in order to prevent Listeria monocytogenes infections and maintain food safety. This study synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the shoot extract of in vitro-grown Tamarix nilotica (TN) and characterized them using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also assessed the antilisterial potential of the synthesized TN-AgNPs by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against two strains of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. TN-AgNPs (2×MICs) showed a significant decrease in growth in all Listeria test strains. Release of cellular content and cell morphology analysis of TN-AgNP-treated bacterial cells demonstrated the mechanism of bactericidal activity of AgNPs. In addition, TN-AgNPs induced a significant decrease in swimming motility (62–71%), biofilm formation (57–64%), and preformed biofilms (48–58%) in all Listeria test strains at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Microtitre plate assay results for biofilm inhibition were confirmed by SEM and CLSM visualization of TN-AgNP-treated and TN-AgNP-untreated Listeria test strains. TN-AgNPs also showed wound-healing activity in MCF-7 cells by inhibiting cell migration in a scratch plate assay. TN-AgNP-induced enhanced reactive oxygen species generation in treated cells could be a plausible reason for the biofilm inhibitory activity of AgNPs. TN-AgNPs having antilisterial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing properties can be effectively used to prevent L. monocytogenes infections in the food industry and healthcare.

β-lactoglobulin (BLG) is a well characterized milk protein and a model for folding and aggregation studies. Rutin is a quercetin based-flavanoid and a famous dietary supplement. It is a potential protector from coronary heart disease, cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, amyloid fibrillation is reported in BLG at pH 2.0 and temperature 358 K. It is inhibited to some extent by rutin with a rate of 99.3 h−1 M−1. Amyloid fibrillation started taking place after 10 h of incubation and completed near 40 h at a rate of 16.6 × 10−3 h−1, with a plateau during 40–108 h. Disruption of tertiary structure of BLG and increased solvent accessibility of hydrophobic core seem to trigger intermolecular assembly. Increase in 7% β-sheet structure at the cost of 10% α-helical structures and the electron micrograph of BLG fibrils at 108 h further support the formation of amyloid. Although it could not block amyloidosis completely, and even the time required to reach plateau remains the same, a decrease of growth rate from 16.6 × 10−3 to 13.5 × 10−3 h−1 was observed in the presence of 30.0 μM rutin. Rutin seems to block solvent accessibility of the hydrophobic core of BLG. A decrease in the fibril population was observed in electron micrographs, with the increase in rutin concentration. All evidences indicate reversal of fibrillation in BLG in the presence of rutin.

Allura red (AR) is an artificial azo dye mostly used in food industries and has potential health risks. We examined the role of AR in amyloidogenesis using hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) at pH 7.0. The amyloidogenic induction properties of AR in HEWL were identified by circular dichroism (CD), turbidity, intrinsic fluorescence, light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Turbidity and light scattering measurements showed that HEWL becomes aggregated in the presence of 0.03–15.0 mM of AR at pH 7.0 but not at very low AR concentrations (0.01–0.28 mM). However, AR-induced aggregation is a kinetically rapid process, with no observable lag phase and saturation within 6 s. The kinetics results suggested that the HEWL aggregation induced by AR is very rapid. The CD results demonstrated that the total β-sheet content of HEWL was increased in the AR treated samples. The TEM results are established that AR-induced aggregates had amyloid-like structures. Molecular dynamics simulations analysis showed that the bound AR-HEWL structures were highly favored compared to unbound structures. The mechanism of AR-induced amyloid fibril formation may involve electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions.

Foodborne pathogens are one of the major cause of food-related diseases and food poisoning. Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing (QS) mechanism of cell–cell communication have also been found to be associated with several outbreaks of foodborne diseases and are great threat to food safety. Therefore, In the present study, we investigated the activity of three tetrahedrally coordinated copper(I) complexes against quorum sensing and biofilms of foodborne bacteria. All the three complexes demonstrated similar antimicrobial properties against the selected pathogens. Concentration below the MIC i.e. at sub-MICs all the three complexes interfered significantly with the quorum sensing regulated functions in C. violaceum (violacein), P. aeruginosa (elastase, pyocyanin and alginate production) and S. marcescens (prodigiosin). The complexes demonstrated potent broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Chromobacterium violaceum, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes. Biofilm inhibition was visualized using SEM and CLSM images. Action of the copper(I) complexes on two key QS regulated functions contributing to biofilm formation i.e. EPS production and swarming motility was also studied and statistically significant reduction was recorded. These results could form the basis for development of safe anti-QS and anti-biofilm agents that can be utilized in the food industry as well as healthcare sector to prevent food-associated diseases. Keywords: Copper compounds, Biofilm, Quorum sensing, Food safety, Pathogens

Novel, safe, and effective antilisterial agents are required in order to prevent

There is grave necessity to counter the menace of drug-resistant biofilms of pathogens using nanomaterials. Moreover, we need to produce nanoparticles (NPs) using inexpensive clean biological approaches that demonstrate broad-spectrum inhibition of microbial biofilms and cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell lines. In the current research work, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs were fabricated through an environmentally friendly green process using the root extract of Withania somnifera as the stabilizing and reducing agent to examine its antibiofilm and anticancer potential. Further, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques were used for determining the crystallinity, functional groups involved, shape, size, thermal behavior, surface area, and porosity measurement, respectively, of the synthesized TiO2 NPs. Antimicrobial potential of the TiO2 NPs was determined by evaluating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Candida albicans. Furthermore, at levels below the MIC (0.5 × MIC), TiO2 NPs demonstrated significant inhibition of biofilm formation (43–71%) and mature biofilms (24–64%) in all test pathogens. Cell death due to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production could be responsible for the impaired biofilm production in TiO2 NP–treated pathogens. The synthesized NPs induced considerable reduction in the viability of HepG2 in vitro and could prove effective in controlling liver cancer. In summary, the green synthesized TiO2 NPs demonstrate multifarious biological properties and could be used as an anti-infective agent to treat biofilm-based infections and cancer.

Probiotics are live microorganisms or bacterial cultures that can have beneficial effects for the host when ingested. Probiotics must survive stressful conditions of the gastrointestinal tract by tolerating acid, bile, and gastric enzymes and must adhere to intestinal epithelial cells to colonize the gut. Moreover, probiotics should have antimicrobial effects against pathogenic microorganisms and desirable antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Many gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease are caused by intestinal microflora imbalance, which is an important factor in bacterial translocation and infection. The current treatment of intestinal microbiota imbalance is using antibiotics; however, misuse or overuse of antibiotics contributes to resistance, which is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Another concern is the decreasing efficacy of antibiotics in treating human and animal infections because of the biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial cells in biofilms are highly protected, less subjected to mutation, represent low metabolic activity, and become resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, the probiotic strains having both antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties may be expected to be therapeutically more effective. The antimicrobial probiotics having biofilm-dispersive properties can yield better clinical benefits as a therapeutic agent. Keeping in focus the promise shown by probiotics, current review is aimed to highlight the antibiofilm potential of probiotic microorganisms against drug-resistant pathogens.

Global emergence and persistence of the multidrug-resistant microbes have created a new problem for management of diseases associated with infections. The development of antimicrobial resistance is mainly due to the sub-judicious and unprescribed used of antimicrobials both in healthcare and the environment. Biofilms are important due to their role in microbial infections and hence are considered a novel target in discovery of new antibacterial or antibiofilm agents. In this article, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were prepared using extract of Plumbago zeylanica. ZnO-NPs were characterized and then their antibiofilm activity was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ZnO-NPs were polydispersed, and the average size was obtained as 24.62 nm. The presence of many functional groups indicated that phytocompounds of P. zeylanica were responsible for the synthesis, capping, and stabilization of ZnO-NPs. Synthesized NPs inhibited the biofilm formation of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa by 62.80%, 71.57%, and 77.69%, respectively. Likewise, concentration-dependent inhibition of the EPS production was recorded in all test bacteria. Microscopic examination of the biofilms revealed that ZnO-NPs reduced the bacterial colonization on solid support and altered the architecture of the biofilms. ZnO-NPs also remarkably eradicated the preformed biofilms of the test bacteria up to 52.69%, 59.79%, and 67.22% recorded for E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, respectively. The findings reveal the ability of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles to inhibit, as well as eradicate, the biofilms of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

The interaction of natural polyphenolic compounds (rutin) with β-lactoglobulin (BLG) was carried out by using several optical spectroscopic (UV–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching measurements, synchronous fluorescence, 3D fluorescence spectroscopy and far-UV CD measurements), molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The fluorescence quenching results confirmed that fluorescence intensity of BLG is quenched by rutin and the quenching constant is increased with increase in temperature. The quenching mechanism between rutin-BLG was found to be dynamic in nature. The thermodynamic parameter particularly ΔH0 and ΔS0 obtained through fluorescence measurements clearly indicated that hydrophobic forces are majorly involved in the rutin-BLG interaction. The UV-absorption, synchronous and three-dimensional fluorescence results displayed that the micro-environment of BLG is changed due to rutin interaction. The secondary structure of BLG was found higher in the presence of rutin. Molecular docking results suggested that rutin binds strongly in the internal cavity of BLG at site 1 and superficially at site 2 through both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The binding affinity was found to be higher 5.47 × 106 M−1 for site 1 compared to site 2 (2.86 × 105 M−1). The MD simulation suggested that rutin formed a stable complex with BLG at site 1.This study will explain interacting properties of rutin with carrier BLG proteins and open a new vista for the food industry.

Amyloid fibrils are playing key role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. Generally anionic molecules are known to induce amyloid fibril in several proteins. In this work, we have studied the effect of anionic food additive dye i.e., tartrazine (TZ) on the amyloid fibril formation of human serum albumins (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) at pHs7.4 and 3.5. We have employed various biophysical methods like, turbidity measurements, Rayleigh Light Scattering (RLS), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), intrinsic fluorescence, Congo red assay, far-UV CD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to decipher the mechanism of TZ-induce amyloid fibril formation in both the serum albumins at pHs7.4 and 3.5. The obtained results suggest that both the albumins forms amyloid-like aggregates in the presence of 1.0 to 15.0mM of TZ at pH3.5, but no amyloid fibril were seen at pH7.4. The possible cause of TZ-induced amyloid fibril formation is electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction because sulfate group of TZ may have interacted electrostatically with positively charged amino acids of the albumins at pH3.5 and increased protein-protein and protein-TZ interactions leading to amyloid fibril formation. The TEM, RLS and DLS results are suggesting that BSA forms bigger size amyloids compared to HSA, may be due to high surface hydrophobicity of BSA.

Recent studies have led to an increased interest to categorize small molecular inhibitors of protein fibrillation. In this study, we used spectroscopy, microscopy and gel electrophoresis techniques that provides an elaborated description of the Allura Red-induced amyloid fibrillation in the β-LG protein at two pHs (7.4 and 3.5). The spectroscopy results show that β-LG protein form aggregates in the presence of Allura Red (0.04–15.0 mM) at pH 3.5 due to electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. However, at pH 7.4, the β-LG does not interact electrostatically with Allura Red and therefore no aggregation occurred. The Allura Red-induced aggregates have an amyloid-like structure that was confirmed by far-UV CD, Congo Red and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The CD spectrum of β-LG contains single minima at ∼218 nm, which shifts towards higher wavelength minima at ∼225 nm in the presence of Allura Red, characteristics of the cross β-sheet structure. The TEM results suggest that β-LG form long straight fibril when exposed to Allura Red at pH 3.5. The Allura Red-induced amyloid fibril is SDS-soluble confirmed by SDS-PAGE techniques. A far UV CD result shows the conversion of Allura Red induced cross β-sheet structure into alpha-helical structure in the presence of increasing concentration of SDS. The results of this study suggest that the electrostatic, as well as hydrophobic interactions play an important role during Allura Red-induced β-LG fibrillation.

Amyloid are fibrous clumps or aggregates of protein which usually deposited in various organs and tissues which direct their degenration. In neurodenrative disease, these proteincious aggregates leads degeneration of neuronal tissues/organs. In order to develop drug condidate which can dissolve the amyloid fibrils and turned protein functional, it is urgent need to elucidate the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation under different conditions. In this study, we have taken a step to find the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation in concanavalin A (Con A) protein via cationic gemini surfactant (16-4-16) at two different pHs (7.4 and 3.5). We used several biophysical techniques such as Rayleigh light scattering, turbidity, ThT dye binding, intrinsic fluorescence, extrinsic fluorescence, far-UV CD and transmission electron microscopy to characterize the amyloid fibril formation of Con A by cationic gemini surfactant. The results suggest that the Con A form amyloid-like aggregates in the presence of very low gemini concentrations (2.5–125 μM) at pH 7.4 while in the presence of higher concentrations (125–1000 μM), Con A remained soluble. The Con A was not forming any aggregates or amyloid in the presence of same gemini concentrations at pH 3.5. The possible cause of gemini surfactant-induced amyloid fibril formation of Con A is electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interaction at pH 7.4 and strong electrostatic repulsion at pH 3.5. The far-UV CD spectra of Con A transformed into a cross β-sheet structure when incubated with low gemini surfactants while at higher concentrations the β-sheet structures of Con A transformed into α-helix.

Food handlers are important component in assessment and maintenance of food quality as they are carriers of food pathogens causing spoilage. Food spoilage is attributed to quorum sensing (QS) controlled development of biofilms. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel QS and biofilm inhibitors to prevent spoilage of food products. In the present study, toxin producing biofilm forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated from food handlers. Further, eugenol was screened for its QS and anti-biofilm properties. Analysis of nasal and hand swabs revealed the presence of seven toxigenic and biofilm forming MRSA strains. Eugenol demonstrated significant anti-QS activity in CVO26 and also reduced the QS-regulated production of elastase, protease, chitinase, pyocyanin and exopolysaccharide (EPS) in PAO1 considerably. Eugenol demonstrated 17%–86%, 24%–69%, 30%–91%, 9%–94% and 4%–89% reduction in biofilm biomass of S. aureus ATCC 25923 and MRSA strains FSA3, FSA11, FSA13 and FSA32, respectively. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of eugenol also decreased the metabolic activity in biofilm cells. Molecular docking analysis showed high binding affinity of eugenol that represents its biofilm inhibitory activity. This is the first report on the carriage of toxigenic drug-resistant biofilm forming S. aureus by food handlers and inhibition of their biofilms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The findings give a clear insight into the food safety hazards associated with the carriage of S. aureus and present eugenol as a broad-spectrum anti-QS and anti-biofilm agent.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a food additive and used as an antioxidant in food products. BHT also concerning several health risks such as cancer, asthma and behavioral disorder in children. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the main constituents of blood plasma and known as a carrier protein because it has a very strong ability to bind a variety of ligands. The binding of a drug or small molecules to serum albumin is a crucial determinant of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. This study investigates the interaction between BHT and HSA at pH 7.4 using various spectroscopic techniques such as UV–visible absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking. The interactions of BHT with human serum albumin in the UV–visible range of spectrum exhibits increased absorption peak at 280 nm that elevates with increasing concentrations of BHT. BHT was also found to quench the fluorescence of human serum albumin (HSA). However, the fluorescence quenching constant was decreased with increasing the temperature, indicating that the interaction between BHT and HSA takes place via the static quenching mechanism. The thermodynamic measurements indicated that both hydrogen and hydrophobic forces involved in the binding of BHT with HSA. Moreover, the negative ∆ G value showed that the binding process was spontaneous. Far-UV CD data suggested the marginal conformational changes in HSA due to BHT interactions. Furthermore, molecular docking study suggested that BHT interacted with HSA at domain III via hydrophobic interaction. Conclusively, spectroscopies, as well as computational analysis extend our understanding of BHT interaction with serum albumin, which has far reaching applications in the food industry.

Food Safety is important not only for the health of consumers but also the entire food industry and regulatory authorities. University students are an important target group as they are most likely to engage in risky eating behaviors and food handling practices making them susceptible to foodborne illness. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of food safety concerns, knowledge and practices among male and female university students of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Information concerning sociodemographic and academic characteristics and food safety knowledge were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Food safety questions were divided into four sections that covered key food safety concepts. A total of 808 students took questionnaires of which 66.08% responded (mean age 21.1 ± 2.9). Major food concerns for students were food taste, food temperature, food presentation, wellness of cooked food, cleanliness of serving area and appearance of food handlers. Students displayed good knowledge concerning food safety. Respondents were most knowledgeable about the cleanliness of kitchen surfaces and utensils, prevention of cross contamination and hand hygiene but demonstrated poor knowledge about heat treatment of food and temperature. Good knowledge of food safety was reflected in food safety practiced by the students except temperature control. Chi-square test results revealed that both male and female students demonstrated comparable food safety knowledge and practices. This is probably the first gender-based report on the food safety concerns, knowledge and practice among students of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The study highlights the need for educational programs that aim not only to provide knowledge but also encourage the students to practice the food safety measures strictly.

Polyphenols has attained pronounced attention due to their beneficial values of health and found to prevent several chronic diseases. Here, we elucidated binding mechanism between frequently consumed polyphenol “tea catechin” and milk protein bovine beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg). We investigated the conformational changes of β-Lg due to interaction with catechin using spectroscopic and in silico studies. Fluorescence quenching data (Stern-Volmer quenching constant) revealed that β-Lg interacted with catechin via dynamic quenching. Thermodynamic data revealed that the interaction between β-Lg and catechin is endothermic and spontaneously interacted mainly through hydrophobic interactions. The UV-Vis absorption and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy exhibited that the tertiary as well as secondary structure of β-Lg distorted after interaction with catechin. Molecular docking and simulation studies also confirm that catechin binds at the central cavity of β-Lg with high affinity (~105 M−1) and hydrophobic interactions play significant role in the formation of a stable β-Lg-catechin complex. Keywords: Polyphenol, Catechin, Beta-Lactoglobulin, Protein and proteinligand, interaction

Excessive and unabated use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The ineffectiveness of current antibiotic therapy and the slow development of new drugs with novel modes of action have made the task of combating MDR infections even more difficult. The problem of multi-drug resistance among pathogens has prompted the scientific community to look for alternative strategies. One such approach, termed antipathogenic/antivirulence therapy, is considered to be a viable alternative. This strategy is focused on rendering the pathogen ineffective by inhibiting its virulence traits rather than killing it. Since antipathogenic/antivirulence compounds target bacterial virulence, the likelihood of developing resistance is also reduced considerably. The areas of major interest in the antivirulence approach include the inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation. The pioneering discovery of halogenated furanones as quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) has prompted the scientific community to search for novel QSIs of both natural and synthetic origin. However, QSIs like furanones are not recommended for human use due to issues related to their toxicity and stability. Recently, researchers across the globe have turned their attention toward nanomaterials as potential anti-infective drugs, targeting QS and biofilm formation. Although there are numerous studies regarding the antibacterial effect of nanoparticles, current reports on the antiquorum sensing and biofilm inhibition properties are still scarce. Therefore, in this article we have made an honest attempt to summarize the reports on the anti-QS properties of nanoparticles and their future as novel anti-infective drugs.

The use and abuse of antimicrobials have led to the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria and the spread of resistant organisms and is one of the major global threats for healthcare professionals. Alternatives to conventional antibiotics for combating resistant infections are the need of the hour. Nanotechnology-based drugs offer a ray of hope in the fight against MDR bacteria for patients as well as clinicians. Diverse types of nanomaterials have been synthesized from metallic particles with promising antibacterial activity. Efficacy of these nanomaterials depends on their interactions with bacterial cells and their mechanisms of action differ based on their physico-chemical properties. Development of novel and potent nanoantimicrobials requires in-depth knowledge of the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles and the biological characteristics of bacteria. However, there is still a long way to go as there are major issues related to the toxicity and stability of nanoparticles. Moreover, the economic feasibility of transferring the technology from bench to bedside needs to be addressed. The present review highlights the antibacterial effects of nanoparticles, their mechanisms of action, factors affecting the activity of NPs and challenges of ongoing and future research.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and the slow development of new potent drugs has become a public health concern across the globe. Plants as novel drug candidates are very appropriate, as they produce wide array of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities. The traditional methods to tackle drug resistance are slowly becoming ineffective, therefore, targeting microbial quorum sensing (QS) rather than survival seems to be a good alternative strategy, as interference with QS and its regulated virulence factor is less susceptible to development of resistance. This review presents a database of the phytocompounds with QS inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

Amyloid fibril formation has been seen as the underlying reason for various pathological disorders studied in humans. Understanding the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation is important to prevent the onset or to develop a possible cure. In this study, we have experienced to understand the role of positively charged head and hydrophobic tail of cationic surfactant and its propensity to stimulate amyloid fibril formation in concanavalin A. Several spectroscopic techniques (far-UV CD, FTIR, Rayleigh scattering, turbidity, intrinsic fluorescence, and dye binding assays) in addition to transmission electron microscopy were employed to analyze the mode of interaction between ConA and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during amyloid fibril formation. We have found that negatively charged ConA at pH 7.4, transforms into amyloid fibril in response to significantly low concentrations of CTAB while higher concentrations abolishes the amyloid fibril formation. Interestingly, ConA at pH 3.5 did not form amyloid fibril at varying concentrations of CTAB. A characteristically unique type of secondary structural transition was seen under the varying concentrations of CTAB. At low CTAB concentrations far-UV CD spectrum minimum shifts towards higher wavelength (222–225 nm) whereas at higher concentrations the β-sheet transformed into α-helical structures which is also evident from FTIR measurements. These results suggest that electrostatics as well as hydrophobic interaction are involved in the CTAB induced amyloid fibril formation. This study opens up the possibilities to understand the molecular mechanism of the interaction between CTAB and ConA and also helps to make a molecule which can inhibit or suppress the amyloid fibrillogenesis.

The present cross sectional study was conducted on 87 food handlers employed in the King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA to evaluate their food safety knowledge, attitude and practices. Present data highlights that most of the workers belonging to different nationalities have good knowledge regarding personal hygiene, food borne diseases and cross contamination related to food safety. The results show that the food handlers had excellent practices towards food and personal hygiene. Attitude is also a crucial factor that influences food safety, food handlers attitudes were favorable with total of mean scores being 80.76 ± 18.02 and total mean score of 2.69. A significant positive correlation was observed between knowledge with attitudes (r s = 0.371, p s = 0.107, p s = 0.303, p s = 0.174, p s = 0.173, p

Quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria is a density dependent communication system that regulates the expression of genes, including production of virulence factors in many pathogens. The emergence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria represents a major threat in both hospitals as well as environmental settings. Interference of quorum sensing (QS)-regulated virulence factors and biofilms is a recognized anti-pathogenic therapy. Safe, stable and effective anti-QS agents are needed to combat diseases caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The present study was performed to assess the inhibitory effect of third generation antibiotic ceftazidime against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Sub-MICs of ceftazidime demonstrated dose dependent inhibition of QS regulated virulence traits and biofilm formation in various strains of Chromobacterium violaceum (CV12472 and CVO26), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1 and PAF79) and Aeromonas hydrophila (WAF38). β-galactosidase assay revealed ceftazidime inhibited the las and pqs QS systems in P. aeruginosa. Alongside, in vivo studies demonstrated enhanced survival of Caenorhabditis elegans after the treatment with the drug. Molecular docking analysis showed the high binding affinity of ceftazidime which represents its QS inhibitory activity. By highlighting the broad spectrum anti-quorum sensing and biofilm inhibiting activities against 3 different bacterial pathogens, ceftazidime seems a more potent candidate in counteracting the infections caused by drug resistant bacteria.

Food dye quinoline yellow (Qy) induced conformational change in bovine alpha-lactalbumin (αLA), and its interaction mechanism was investigated at physiological pH. We used several biophysical techniques (circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic fluorescence, UV–Vis absorption), and computational techniques (molecular docking and simulation). Our intrinsic fluorescence results suggested that Qy dye quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of αLA via a dynamic quenching mechanism because the quenching constant increased with elevation in temperature. We also found that αLA had one equivalent binding site for Qy dye, and that the affinity of Qy dye towards αLA was of the order of 105 mol/L. Thermodynamic analysis of αLA-Qy dye interactions revealed the spontaneous nature of such interactions. The positive values of enthalpy and entropy change explained that the interactions between Qy dye and αLA were driven mainly by hydrophobic interactions. The far-UV CD and UV-absorption results revealed that the αLA conformation changes because of Qy dye interactions. Molecular docking results indicated that Qy dye binds strongly at a major binding site of αLA and that αLA-Qy dye complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonding, salt bridge, Pi-cation, and van der Waals interaction. The molecular dynamics simulation study of αLA-Qy complexes revealed the formation of a stable interaction between them. This study can provide new insights into a comprehensive understanding of food dye-induced conformational changes in biological processes.

In the present study, a facile environmentally friendly approach was described to prepare monodisperse iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) by low temperature solution route. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) measurements, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analyses. XRD patterns revealed high crystalline quality of the nanoparticles. SEM micrographs showed the monodispersed IONPs with size ranging from 6 to 9 nm. Synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated MICs of 32, 64, and 128 μg/ml against Gram negative bacteria i.e., Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and 32 μg/ml against Gram positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. IOPNs at its respective sub-MICs demonstrated significant reduction of alginate and exopolysaccharide production and subsequently demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition of biofilm ranging from 16 to 88% in the test bacteria. Biofilm reduction was also examined using SEM and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Interaction of IONPs with bacterial cells generated ROS contributing to reduced biofilm formation. The present study for the first time report that these IONPs were effective in obliterating pre-formed biofilms. Thus, it is envisaged that these nanoparticles with broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitory property could be exploited in the food industry as well as in medical settings to curtail biofilm based infections and losses.

The emergence of multi-drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria in clinical settings as well as food-borne infections has become a serious health concern. The problem of drug resistance necessitates the need for alternative novel therapeutic strategies to combat this menace. One such approach is targeting the quorum-sensing (QS) controlled virulence and biofilm formation. In this study, we first screened different fractions of Psoralea corylifolia (seed) for their anti-QS property in the Chromobacterium violaceum 12472 strain. The methanol fraction was found to be the most active fraction and was selected for further bioassays. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, the P. corylifolia methanol fraction (PCMF) reduced QS-regulated virulence functions in C. violaceum CVO26 (violacein); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (elastase, protease, pyocyanin, chitinase, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and swarming motility), A. hydrophila (protease, EPS), and Serratia marcescens (prodigiosin). Biofilm formation in all the test pathogens was reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.005) in a concentration-dependent manner. The β-galactosidase assay showed that the PCMF at 1,000 μg/ml downregulated las-controlled transcription in PAO1. In vivo studies with C. elegans demonstrated increased survival of the nematodes after treatment with the PCMF. Bakuchiol, a phytoconstituent of the extract, demonstrated significant inhibition of QS-regulated violacein production in C. violaceum and impaired biofilm formation in the test pathogens. The molecular docking results suggested that bakuchiol efficiently binds to the active pockets of LasR and RhlR, and the complexes were stabilized by several hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulation of LasR, LasR–bakuchiol, RhlR, and RhlR–bakuchiol complexes for 50 ns revealed that the binding of bakuchiol to LasR and RhlR was fairly stable. The study highlights the anti-infective potential of the PCMF and bakuchiol instead of bactericidal or bacteriostatic action, as the extract targets QS-controlled virulence and the biofilm.

Monophasic tin dioxide nanoflowers (TONFs) assembled by rod-like nanostructures were prepared by coprecipitation method using tin chloride and ammonia precipitators, as the starting materials, without using any surfactants or templates. The structural, compositional, optical, and morphological properties of TONFs were investigated by XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis, SEM-EDX, and TEM techniques. Synthesized TONFs demonstrated inhibition of quorum sensing- (QS-) regulated virulence in pathogens, viz., Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. Significant reduction in biofilm formation in all test pathogens was also observed which was further validated by CLSM images illustrating disturbed biofilm architecture. Vital functions like EPS, swarming motility, and cell surface hydrophobicity that contribute to successful biofilm formation were reduced after addition of sub-MICs of TONFs. Significant eradication of preformed biofilms was recorded upon addition of subinhibitory concentrations of TONFs in all test pathogens. The study highlights the broad-spectrum QS and biofilm inhibition by TONFs that can be exploited in future to protect food from contamination and combatting persistent drug-resistant infections.

Biofilms are complex aggregation of cells that are embedded in EPS matrix. These microcolonies are highly resistant to drugs and are associated with various diseases. Biofilms have greatly affected the food safety by causing severe losses due to food contamination and spoilage. Therefore, novel antibiofilm agents are needed. This study investigates the antibiofilm and protein binding activity of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) synthesized from leaf extract ofOchradenus baccatus. Standard physical techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, were used to characterize the synthesized OB-ZnNPs. Synthesized OB-ZnNPs demonstrated significant biofilm inhibition in human and food-borne pathogens (Chromobacterium violaceum,Escherichia coli,P. aeruginosa,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Serratia marcescens, andListeria monocytogenes) at subinhibitory concentrations. OB-ZnNPs significantly reduced the virulence factors like violacein, prodigiosin, and alginate and impaired swarming migration and EPS production. OB-ZnNPs demonstrated efficient binding with HSA protein and no change in their structure or stability was observed. In addition,in vivotoxicity evaluation confirmed that OB-ZnNPs possessed no serious toxic effect even at higher doses. Moreover, they were found to have excellent antioxidant properties that can be employed in the fields of food safety and medicine. Hence, it is envisaged that the OB-ZnNPs can be used as potential nanomaterials to combat drug resistant bacterial infections and prevent contamination/spoilage of food.

The resistance and pathogenesis of bacteria could be related to their ability to sense and respond to population density, termed quorum sensing (QS). Inhibition of the QS system is considered as a novel strategy for the development of antipathogenic agents, especially for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. In the present study, the anti-QS activity of Onion peel ethylacetate fraction (ONE) was tested against Chromobacterium violaceum CV12472 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. ONE inhibit the QS-mediated virulence factors production such as violacein in C. violaceum and elastase, pyocyanin in P. aeruginosa. Further, the treatment with sub-MICs of ONE significantly inhibited the QS-mediated biofilm formation, EPS (Extracellular polymeric substances) production and swarming motility. Further, quercetin 4′-O-β-D glucopyranoside (QGP) was isolated from ONE and its anti-QS potential was confirmed after observing significant inhibition of QS-controlled virulence factors such as violacein, elastase, pyocyanin and biofilm formation in test pathogens. Molecular docking analysis predicted that QGP should be able to bind at the active sites of Vfr and LasR, and if so blocks the entry of active sites in Vfr and LasR.

Amyloid fibril formation is responsible for several neurodegenerative diseases and are formed when native proteins misfold and stick together with different interactive forces. In the present study, we have determined the mode of interaction of the anionic surfactant sarkosyl with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) [EC No. 3.2.1.17] at two pHs (9.0 and 13.0) and investigated its impact on fibrillogenesis. Our data suggested that sarkosyl is promoting amyloid fibril formation in HEWL at the concentration range between 0.9 and 3.0 mM and no amyloid fibril formation was observed in the concentration range of 3.0-20.0 mM at pH 9.0. The results were confirmed by several biophysical and computational techniques, such as turbidity measurement, dynamic light scattering, Raleigh scattering, ThT fluorescence, intrinsic fluorescence, far-UV CD and atomic force microscopy. Sarkosyl was unable to induce aggregation in HEWL at pH 13.0 as confirmed by turbidity and RLS measurements. HEWL forms larger amyloid fibrils in the presence of 1.6 mM of sarkosyl. The spectroscopic, microscopic and molecular docking data suggest that the negatively charged carboxylate group and 12-carbon hydrophobic tail of sarkosyl stimulate amyloid fibril formation in HEWL via electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction. This study leads to new insight into the process of suppression of fibrillogenesis in HEWL which can be prevented by designing ligands that can retard the electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction between sarkosyl and HEWL.

Bacterial spoilage of food products is regulated by density dependent communication system called quorum sensing (QS). QS control biofilm formation in numerous food pathogens and Biofilms formed on food surfaces act as carriers of bacterial contamination leading to spoilage of food and health hazards. Agents inhibiting or interfering with bacterial QS and biofilm are gaining importance as a novel class of next-generation food preservatives/packaging material. In the present study, Zinc nanostructures were synthesised using Nigella sativa seed extract (NS-ZnNPs). Synthesized nanostructures were characterized hexagonal wurtzite structure of size ~24 nm by UV-visible, XRD, FTIR and TEM. NS-ZnNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum QS inhibition in C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa biosensor strains. Synthesized nanostructures inhibited QS regulated functions of C. violaceum CVO26 (violacein) and elastase, protease, pyocyanin and alginate production in PAO1 significantly. NS-ZnNPs at sub-inhibitory concentrations inhibited the biofilm formation of four-food pathogens viz. C. violaceum 12472, PAO1, L. monocytogenes, E. coli. Moreover, NS-ZnNPs was found effective in inhibiting pre-formed mature biofilms of the four pathogens. Therefore, the broad-spectrum inhibition of QS and biofilm by biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles and it is envisaged that these nontoxic bioactive nanostructures can be used as food packaging material and/or as food preservative.

Bacterial spoilage of food products is regulated by density dependent communication system called quorum sensing (QS). QS control biofilm formation in numerous food pathogens and Biofilms formed on food surfaces act as carriers of bacterial contamination leading to spoilage of food and health hazards. Agents inhibiting or interfering with bacterial QS and biofilm are gaining importance as a novel class of next-generation food preservatives/packaging material. In the present study, Zinc nanostructures were synthesised using Nigella sativa seed extract (NS-ZnNPs). Synthesized nanostructures were characterized hexagonal wurtzite structure of size ~24 nm by UV-visible, XRD, FTIR and TEM. NS-ZnNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum QS inhibition in C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa biosensor strains. Synthesized nanostructures inhibited QS regulated functions of C. violaceum CVO26 (violacein) and elastase, protease, pyocyanin and alginate production in PAO1 significantly. NS-ZnNPs at sub-inhibitory concentrations inhibited the biofilm formation of four-food pathogens viz. C. violaceum 12472, PAO1, L. monocytogenes, E. coli. Moreover, NS-ZnNPs was found effective in inhibiting pre-formed mature biofilms of the four pathogens. Therefore, the broad-spectrum inhibition of QS and biofilm by biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles and it is envisaged that these nontoxic bioactive nanostructures can be used as food packaging material and/or as food preservative.

Protein aggregation, a characteristic of several neurodegenerative diseases, displays vast conformational diversity from amorphous to amyloid-like aggregates. In this study, we have explored the interaction of tartrazine with myoglobin protein at two different pHs (7.4 and 2.0). We have utilized various spectroscopic techniques (turbidity, Rayleigh light scattering (RLS), intrinsic fluorescence, Congo Red and far-UV CD) along with microscopy techniques i.e. atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to characterize the tartrazine-induced aggregation in myoglobin. The results showed that higher concentrations of tartrazine (2.0-10.0mM) induced amorphous aggregation in myoglobin at pH 2.0 via electrostatic interactions. However, tartrazine was not able to induce aggregation in myoglobin at pH 7.4; because of strong electrostatic repulsion between myoglobin and tartrazine at this pH. The tartrazine-induced amorphous aggregation process is kinetically very fast, and aggregation occurred without the formation of a nucleus. These results proposed that the electrostatic interaction is responsible for tartrazine-induced amorphous aggregation. This study may help in the understanding of mechanistic insight of aggregation by tartrazine.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-22T06:29:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-05-13. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-22T09:46:03Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000355832500001.pdf: 8351305 bytes, checksum: e895a7b4d27ef3b9a80dbdda4bc6d728 (MD5) Deanship of Scientific Research at KSU Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) is a density dependent communication system that regulates the expression of certain genes including production of virulence factors in many pathogens. Bioactive plant extract/compounds inhibiting QS regulated gene expression may be a potential candidate as antipathogenic drug. In this study anti-QS activity of peppermint (Menthe piperita) oil was first tested using the Chromobacterium violaceum CVO26 biosensor. Further, the findings of the present investigation revealed that peppermint oil (PMO) at sub-Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (sub-MICs) strongly interfered with acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila. The result of molecular docking analysis attributed the QS inhibitory activity exhibited by PMO to menthol. Assessment of ability of menthol to interfere with QS systems of various Gram-negative pathogens comprising diverse AHL molecules revealed that it reduced the AHL dependent production of violacein, virulence factors, and biofilm formation indicating broad-spectrum anti-QS activity. Using two Escherichia colt biosensors, MG4/pKDT17 and pEAL08-2, we also confirmed that menthol inhibited both the las and pqs QS systems. Further, findings of the in vivo studies with menthol on nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans showed significantly enhanced survival of the nematode. Our data identified menthol as a novel broad spectrum QS inhibitor. Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Department of Biochemistry, Protein Research Chair, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil Deanship of Scientific Research at KSU: RGP-215

Trigonella foenum-graecumL. (Fenugreek) is an important plant of the Leguminosae family known to have medicinal properties. However, fraction based antiquorum sensing and antibiofilm activities have not been reported from this plant. In the present studyT. foenum-graecumseed extract was sequentially fractionated and sub-MICs were tested for above activities. The methanol fraction of the extract demonstrated significant inhibition of AHL regulated virulence factors: protease, LasB elastase, pyocyanin production, chitinase, EPS, and swarming motility inPseudomonas aeruginosaPAO1 and PAF79. Further, QS dependent virulence factor in the aquatic pathogenAeromonas hydrophilaWAF38 was also reduced. Application ofT. foenum-graecumseed extract to PAO1, PAF79, and WAF38 decreased the biofilm forming abilities of the pathogens by significant levels. The extract also exhibited reduced AHL levels and subsequent downregulation oflasBgene.In vivostudy showed an enhanced survival of PAO1-preinfectedC. elegansafter treatment with extract at 1 mg/mL. Further, the major compound detected by GC-MS, caffeine, reduced the production of QS regulated virulence factors and biofilm at 200 µg/mL concentration indicating its role in the activity of the methanol extract. The results of the present study reveal the potential anti-QS and antibiofilm property ofT. foenum-graceumextract and caffeine.