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Cinnamon is a plant with significant medicinal value and used extensively as a spice, flavoring, and fragrance ingredient. Phytochemical characterization via HPLC, antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, anti-diabetic activity via α-amylase and α-glucosidase assessment, antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, total antioxidant capacity and Ferric reducing Antioxidant Power methods, besides anticancer activity against MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells) and WI-38 cells (human fetal lung fibroblast cells) of cinnamon bark extract were detected. A promising antimicrobial action towards Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, and Mucor circinelloides with inhibition zones of 25, 23, 18, 19, 29, and 16 mm, respectively was recorded. Cinnamon bark has IC50 of 5.01 and 2.58 µg/mL compared to standard acrobose with their IC50 values 4.32 and 1.99 µg/mL, for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, respectively. Cinnamon bark extract have IC50 of 77.39 ± 0.84 and 162.67 ± 0.28 μg/mL against MCF-7, and WI-38 cell lines, respectively. The protective effect of cinnamon in accelerating the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells has been verified by flow cytometric evaluation employing Annexin-V and cell cycle kits, besides increasing the amounts of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide with decreasing glutathione and catalase levels.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops have experienced a 22% reduction due to attacks from microbial pathogens and pests. Dry rot disease occurred from risks in El-Minya governorate, Egypt, where potato is the major cultivated crop. Potato cultivar ‘Cara’ samples were collected from the markets of six regions in El-Minya for isolation. They were also tested for the application of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for disease management. The ability of Exserohilum rostratum to synthesize ZnONPs was documented via UV-visible, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spherical shape and crystallite small size (51.0 ± 3.0 nm) were attributed to the created ZnONPs. The ZnONPs were applied in the bio-control of the causative agent (Fusarium nygamai) of dry rot disease and large economic loss of potato cv. ‘Cara’ productivity. The mycosynthesized ZnONPs by E. rostratum at 100 μg/ mL (3 mM) showed antifungal activity against F. nygamai with higher reducing value of mycelium growth diameter 2.0 ± 0.14 cm compared to Revanol 50%, traditional product with a diameter of 3.85 ± 0.10 cm. Overall, ZnONPs are an excellent agent that can be applied to repress the most common fungal disease of potato.

White-rot fungi are vital microorganisms that can decay lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigated the ability of white-rot fungus found on rotten wood to produce ligninolytic enzymes and their enhancement using nanoparticles (NPs). Phanerochaete chrysosporium was isolated from decayed wood. Its ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes, namely CMCase, FPase, Laccase, and MnPase, was recorded. The enzymes’ productivity was enhanced via utilization of the surfactant polysorbate 80 with optimum concentration 0.20 mL/L for maximum CMCase (201.33 ± 2.31 U/mL) and FPase (66.33 ± 0.58 U/mL), whereas the corresponding value was 0.15 mL/L for laccase and MnPase production. Mn2O3NPs and CuONPs enhanced the enzymes’ productivity but with different levels according to their concentrations, where the maximum productivity of CMCase (220.67 ± 2.31 U/mL) and (FPase 74.63 ± 3.51 U/mL) were at 50 ppm, but MnPase (0.52 ± 0.01 U/mL) and laccase (2.88 ± 0.01U/mL) were at 25 ppm and 75 ppm of CuONPs, respectively. Mn2O3NPs at 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of CMCase (219.33 ± 1.15 U/mL) and FPase (74.63 ± 3.51U/mL); but at 25 ppm and 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of laccase (2.40 ± 0.04U/mL) and MnPase (0.73 ± 0.03 U/mL), respectively. Thus, NPs were found to play a vital role in improving the productivity of ligninolytic enzymes.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops have experienced a 22% reduction due to attacks from microbial pathogens and pests. Dry rot disease occurred from risks in El-Minya governorate, Egypt, where potato is the major cultivated crop. Potato cultivar ‘Cara’ samples were collected from the markets of six regions in El-Minya for isolation. They were also tested for the application of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for disease management. The ability of Exserohilum rostratum to synthesize ZnONPs was documented via UV-visible, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spherical shape and crystallite small size (51.0 ± 3.0 nm) were attributed to the created ZnONPs. The ZnONPs were applied in the bio-control of the causative agent (Fusarium nygamai) of dry rot disease and large economic loss of potato cv. ‘Cara’ productivity. The mycosynthesized ZnONPs by E. rostratum at 100 μg/ mL (3 mM) showed antifungal activity against F. nygamai with higher reducing value of mycelium growth diameter 2.0 ± 0.14 cm compared to Revanol 50%, traditional product with a diameter of 3.85 ± 0.10 cm. Overall, ZnONPs are an excellent agent that can be applied to repress the most common fungal disease of potato.

White-rot fungi are vital microorganisms that can decay lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigated the ability of white-rot fungus found on rotten wood to produce ligninolytic enzymes and their enhancement using nanoparticles (NPs). Phanerochaete chrysosporium was isolated from decayed wood. Its ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes, namely CMCase, FPase, Laccase, and MnPase, was recorded. The enzymes’ productivity was enhanced via utilization of the surfactant polysorbate 80 with optimum concentration 0.20 mL/L for maximum CMCase (201.33 ± 2.31 U/mL) and FPase (66.33 ± 0.58 U/mL), whereas the corresponding value was 0.15 mL/L for laccase and MnPase production. Mn2O3NPs and CuONPs enhanced the enzymes’ productivity but with different levels according to their concentrations, where the maximum productivity of CMCase (220.67 ± 2.31 U/mL) and (FPase 74.63 ± 3.51 U/mL) were at 50 ppm, but MnPase (0.52 ± 0.01 U/mL) and laccase (2.88 ± 0.01U/mL) were at 25 ppm and 75 ppm of CuONPs, respectively. Mn2O3NPs at 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of CMCase (219.33 ± 1.15 U/mL) and FPase (74.63 ± 3.51U/mL); but at 25 ppm and 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of laccase (2.40 ± 0.04U/mL) and MnPase (0.73 ± 0.03 U/mL), respectively. Thus, NPs were found to play a vital role in improving the productivity of ligninolytic enzymes.

Nanotechnology is a valuable strategy for managing a number of medicinal, agricultural, and environmental concerns. Cocculus pendulus was used for selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) synthesis to evaluate their usage for microbial inhibition and to enhance plant resistance to heavy metals. Mono-dispersed, spherical shape, and mean diameter (36.19 nm) of SeNPs were documented. More inhibitory potential was associated with SeNPs with inhibition zones of 38±0.3, 18±0.2, 18±0.1, 31±0.2, and 27±0.1 mm than extract of C. pendulus against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans, respectively. SeNPs had successfully scavenged the free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with lower IC50 (inhibitory concentration that inhibit 50% of DPPH) value (10.31 µg/mL) than that of C. pendulus extract (55.54 µg/mL). The effect of C. pendulus extract (200 mg/kg soil) alone or in combination with SeNPs (15 mg/kg soil of SeNPs) as a soil drench on shoot, root lengths, plant pigments, lead and cadmium contents of Corchorus olitorius under lead and cadmium stress (5 mg/L) was investigated. The pigments quantity and plant growth were decreased by cadmium and lead poisoning. Application of C. pendulus extracts or SeNPs decreased the Pb and Cd concentrations and improved the growth and metabolites of Corchorus olitorius plants.

Nanotechnology is a valuable strategy for managing a number of medicinal, agricultural, and environmental concerns. Cocculus pendulus was used for selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) synthesis to evaluate their usage for microbial inhibition and to enhance plant resistance to heavy metals. Mono-dispersed, spherical shape, and mean diameter (36.19 nm) of SeNPs were documented. More inhibitory potential was associated with SeNPs with inhibition zones of 38±0.3, 18±0.2, 18±0.1, 31±0.2, and 27±0.1 mm than extract of C. pendulus against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans, respectively. SeNPs had successfully scavenged the free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with lower IC50 (inhibitory concentration that inhibit 50% of DPPH) value (10.31 µg/mL) than that of C. pendulus extract (55.54 µg/mL). The effect of C. pendulus extract (200 mg/kg soil) alone or in combination with SeNPs (15 mg/kg soil of SeNPs) as a soil drench on shoot, root lengths, plant pigments, lead and cadmium contents of Corchorus olitorius under lead and cadmium stress (5 mg/L) was investigated. The pigments quantity and plant growth were decreased by cadmium and lead poisoning. Application of C. pendulus extracts or SeNPs decreased the Pb and Cd concentrations and improved the growth and metabolites of Corchorus olitorius plants.

A huge rise in energy consumption has been observed in the past few decades because of population and economic growth. One of the renewable energy fuels that can be made from biomass is bioethanol. In Saudi Arabia, date palm provides tons of biomass waste each year, leading to serious problems. The current study aimed to use the date palm fibers (DPF) for bioethanol production via a saccharization step (by hydrochloric acid or by Trichoderma harzianum) for cellulose. This was followed by fermentation (by Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The maximum amount of total carbohydrates (95.55 ± 2.6 mg/dL) and reducing sugar (11.35 ± 0.35 mg/dL) were obtained on the 7th day using T. harzianum. The optimum period of bioethanol production was at day 6 (12.52 ± 1.3 g/L), while at day 5 it became (12.76 ± 0.75 g/L) when the DPF were fortified with yeast extract. The bioethanol maximum yield (12.03 ± 1.10 g/L) was obtained at 30 °C. Moreover, 2 mL of S. cerevisiae inoculum gave maximum yield of bioethanol. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that bioethanol in the fermented broth represented the major constituent with a peak area of 75.01%. The findings indicate that the fortified DPF with yeast extract gave a promising bioethanol yield.

A huge rise in energy consumption has been observed in the past few decades because of population and economic growth. One of the renewable energy fuels that can be made from biomass is bioethanol. In Saudi Arabia, date palm provides tons of biomass waste each year, leading to serious problems. The current study aimed to use the date palm fibers (DPF) for bioethanol production via a saccharization step (by hydrochloric acid or by Trichoderma harzianum) for cellulose. This was followed by fermentation (by Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The maximum amount of total carbohydrates (95.55 ± 2.6 mg/dL) and reducing sugar (11.35 ± 0.35 mg/dL) were obtained on the 7th day using T. harzianum. The optimum period of bioethanol production was at day 6 (12.52 ± 1.3 g/L), while at day 5 it became (12.76 ± 0.75 g/L) when the DPF were fortified with yeast extract. The bioethanol maximum yield (12.03 ± 1.10 g/L) was obtained at 30 °C. Moreover, 2 mL of S. cerevisiae inoculum gave maximum yield of bioethanol. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that bioethanol in the fermented broth represented the major constituent with a peak area of 75.01%. The findings indicate that the fortified DPF with yeast extract gave a promising bioethanol yield.

The functional and structural features of microbial load in soil are influenced by the presence of insecticides. This study examined the impact of two organophosphorus insecticides, dimethoate and parathion on the microbial load of soil. The colony count of fungi, actinomycetes, bacteria, and nitrogen fixing bacteria was reduced after insecticides application at 7 and 14 days, but at 28 days the colony count began to increase. The growth of two white rot fungi including Pleurotus sajor-caju and Phanerochaete chrysosporium was affected by parathion, which was reflected by a decrease in colony radius to 1.85±0.05 and 0.75±0.06 cm, respectively, and by dimethoate, reflected by a decrease in colony radius to 3.33±0.12 and 1.85±0.05 cm, respectively at 40 mg/L compared to colony radius at control 7.90±0.12 and 7.50±0.06 cm, respectively. The applied low concentration (10 mg/L) encouraged P. sajor-caju and P. chrysosporium to remove up to 87.7% and 81.8% of dimethoate, respectively, and 69.20 and 68.30% of parathion, respectively compared with the decomposition at high dose (40 mg/L) at 28 days. The presence of insecticides induced the production of ligninolytic enzymes lignin peroxidase, laccase, and manganase peroxidase.

Water pollution has become a worldwide issue, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to cleanse water contaminated with reactive red (RR-198) and reactive blue (RB-19) dyes via adsorption onto nonliving white rot fungal biomass Phanerochaete chrysosporium under different operational conditions. It was found that P. chrysosporium removed more of RB-19 than RB-198. The conditions of pH 3, temperature 50 °C, adsorbent dosage 0.6 g, particle sizes of adsorbent (0.25 mm), and contact time (30 min) were optimum for removal of the dyes. RR-198 and RB-19 were removed with levels of 78.4% and 86.4%, respectively at pH 3; 79.6% and 90.0%, respectively using 0.6 g of adsorbent dosage; 82.0% and 87.0%, respectively at 30 min; and 82.0% and 87.2%, respectively at 50 °C. Thus, dead P. chrysosporium biomass was shown to be a biosorbent for the uptake of RB-19 and RR-198 dyes.