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In the present study, biological method was opted to synthesize ZnO NPs from Rumex dentatus plant. 0.1 M solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate is mixed with the aqueous solution of R. dentatus plant leaves extract. The proportion of each solution was 1:1. Extract of plant leaves act as reducing agent. Firstly, the color changed from dark green to brown was observed and precipitates of light brown color appeared. Characterization of produced ZnO NPs was done using UV–Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The prepared ZnO NPS shows maximum absorption at 373 nm, in UV–Visible range. The shape of synthesized ZnO NPs is displayed by SEM. XRD analysis explains the average size of NPs is 6.19 nm. EDX tells about the percentage composition of synthesized ZnO NPs. Antibacterial analysis declared the NPs as good antibacterial agents. Photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs was done using methyl orange dye. It was concluded that ZnO NPs can degrade toxic pollutants especially dyes.

Methanol extract obtained from the fruits of Hyphaene thebaica (doum fruit) was chemically analyzed using GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Up to thirty compounds were identified in the extract. Acetic acid decyl ester (36.80%), n-Hexadecenoic acid (5.14%),1H-Purine-2,6-dione, 3,7-dihydro-1-methyl (4.24%), 2-Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetyl)-dimethylhydrazone (4.67%), Propanoic acid 3,3′-dithiobis (3.52%) and [1,2,4] Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ol were major components. The antibacterial potential of the extract against six clinical bacterial isolates resistant to antibiotics was also investigated, using various in vitro assays including well diffusion, minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentration. It was found that, the methanol extract of doum fruit was characterized by antibacterial action toward one Gram-positive ß-lactamase bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and one Gram-negative Multidrug-resistant bacteria (Proteus mirabilis). The other four bacterial strains showed no susceptibility towards the extract. The study suggests future additional biochemical and microbiological investigations in order to understand the mechanism of action of the bioactive molecules as antimicrobial agents.

The present study demonstrated that chitin-based nanofibers (CNFs) trigger the chitinase genes (PGIP1 and CaChi2), while elevating salicylic acid that can protect plants against pathogens. Cross-talk between this genetic induction and salicylic-acid-mediated immune response was also observed, which may arm a plant against multiple pathovars. Crab and mushroom based CNFs were synthesized by electrospinning and ball milling techniques. Plants (mung bean, Vigna radiata) (pepper, Capsicum annuum) were pre-inoculated with CNFs and treated with the pathogens Scrolotium rolfsii for pepper and Macrophomina phaseolina for mung bean and shrimp-based CNFs were used as a control. Treated plants had elevated levels of chitinase genes in response to CNFs at inoculation concentrations10 mg/mL both in soil and media, to protect them against the pathogenic fungal disease. After 24 h of exposure to the pathogens, qRT-PCR showed genes class II chitinase gene (CaChi2) and polygalacturonase inhibitor protein 1 (PGIP1) to be up-regulated in both root and shoot at 0.1 and 1 mg/mL of inoculation, respectively. The ball milled mushroom CNFs were sufficient to trigger the membrane based enzymes with less diameter (≥15 nm) to be most efficient versus others. In vitro analysis showed IC

Present research work evaluates variation in volatile chemicals profile and biological activities of essential oil (EO) obtained from the leaves of eucalyptus (

Abstract: Myrtenol (C10H16O) is a volatile compound belonging to the terpenoid family of monocyclic monoterpenes. It is one of the essential oils constituents of several aromatic plants, including the genera Myrtus, Tanacetum, Artemisia, Hyssopus, and Rhodiola. The oxidation of α-pinene can produce it. Several reports demonstrated the pharmacological properties of myrtenol, including its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anxiolytic, and gastroprotective activities. In this review, we discussed and highlighted in depth the pharmacological activities, cellular and molecular, providing insight into the mechanisms of myrtenol. In light of this finding, the interesting biological activities and abundance of myrtenol in nature suggests its potential applications in medicinal settings in the fight against various diseases.

The volatiles chemical composition and biological attributes of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves essential oil obtained by two extraction techniques namely supercritical fluid extraction and hydro-distillation is appraised. The coriander essential oil yield (.12%) by hydro-distillation was slightly higher than that of supercritical fluid extraction (.09%). The physico-chemical variables of the essential oil obtained from both the techniques varied in significantly (P < .05). GC-MS analysis identified 23 different components in supercritical fluid extracted oil and 18 components in hydro-distilled essential oil having linalool as major component (51.32% and 61.78%, respectively) followed by phytol (12.71%). The oil recovered by supercritical fluid extraction exhibited greater DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as reducing power as compared to the essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation technique along with a stronger biofilm inhibition and least hemolysis. The results of antimicrobial activity revealed that super critical fluid extracted essential oil has potent antifungal and antibacterial activity against P. multocida and A alternata, whereas hydro-distilled essential oil displayed better antimicrobial potential against E coli and A niger. Overall, these results depict that supercritical fluid extraction is superior than hydro-distillation with regard to isolation of better-quality coriander essential oil for nutra-pharmaceutical developments.

Present research work evaluates variation in volatile chemicals profile and biological activities of essential oil (EO) obtained from the leaves of eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) using hydro-distillation (HD) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The yield (1.32%) of volatile oil by HD was higher than the yield (.52%) of the SFE method ( P < .05). The results of physical factors like density, color, refractive index, and solubility of the EOs produced by both the methods showed insignificant variations. Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) compositional analysis showed that eucalyptol (31.10% and 30.43%) and α-pinene (11.02% and 10.35%) were the main constituents detected in SFE and HD extracted Eucalyptus camaldulensis EO, respectively. Antioxidant activity-related parameters, such as reducing ability and DPPH free radical scavenging capability exhibited by EO obtained via SFE were noted to be better than hydro-distilled EO. Supercritical fluid extracted and hydro-distilled essential oils demonstrated a considerable but variable antimicrobial potential against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Interestingly, oil extracted by SFE showed relatively higher hemolytic activity and biofilm inhibition potential. The variation in biological activities of tested EOs can be linked to the difference in the volatile bioactives composition due to different isolation techniques. In conclusion, the EO obtained from Eucalyptus leaves by the SFE method can be explored as a potential antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in the functional food and nutra-pharmaceutical sector.

BackgroundIt has been established that the urinary tract is not sterile, however, research related to the study of urine bacteria are limited. Our work aims to study the frequency and patterns of resistance of normal urinary aerobic bacterial flora.MethodsClean catch midstream urine specimens were collected from 120 young healthy females, and then cultured. Identification of bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility were done by means of Biomérieux VITEK® 2 automated systems. Subjects who have undergone antimicrobial treatment in one month weren’t included.ResultsThe incidence of positive bacterial cultures was 54.2%, of which 21.5% were ploymicrobial. 107 bacterial isolates that encompass 12 genera and 27 species that were predominated by Gram-positive bacteria (72%) were cultivated. Staphylococcaceae (46.1%) and Enterobacteriaceae (17.8%) were the most frequently isolates among Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria respectively, from them 36 species have been identified as b lactamase producers. The top four frequently isolated bacteria are Micrococcus species (16%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (13.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (10%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%). Twenty two bacterial species were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by using broad and narrow spectrum antibiotics and antimicrobials. Ampicillin showed the lowest susceptibility rate against Gram positives, followed by erythromycin and azithromycin. The lesser antimicrobial susceptibility potential among Gram negative bacteria was exhibited against ampicillin, followed by piperacillin and cefotaxime.ConclusionOur findings emphasize the importance of highlighting urine bacterial flora in research especially those related to susceptibility patterns, employing more advanced culture methods as multiple drug resistant bacteria were isolated.

Purpose The secondary metabolites in plants are the basis of defense and stress balance, which is an important aspect in plant growth. The UV-B treatment (a biotic stress) and salt stress on bitter melon ( Momordica charantia L.) were studied, and the impact of pre-sowing seed treatment was evaluated on the basis of biochemical and enzymatic biomarkers, antioxidants, and wound-healing potential during early growth stages. Methods The UV-B treatment for 5 and 10 min and salt stress 250 mM and 500 mM treatments were applied, and 21-day seedling tissue were collected for total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant, chlorophyll contents, hydrogen peroxide, total soluble sugar, enzymes activities, and wound-healing potential studies. Results The TPC, TFC, diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), chlorophyll contents, and total soluble sugar were recorded higher at 5 min treatment with UV-B and salt stress at 250 mM concentration. Antioxidant enzymes activities were recorded higher for 10 min UV-B treatment and 500 mM salt treatment. Wound-healing potential was found significant at 5 min treatment with UV-B radiation, which was studied in vivo in rabbits. The LC-MS analysis revealed a variety of phenolic compounds in the seedlings. Conclusion The study concluded that treatments significantly affect the biological activities of bitter melon seeds at the seedling stage, and the seeds contain important phenolic compounds responsible for its antioxidant potential and enzymatic activities. Future studies could be focused on the later stages of growth, development, and yield characteristics subjected to salt stress along with UV-B radiation treatment.

Biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) derived from chitosan and acrylic acid, cross-linked with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) were fabricated and characterized. The VTMS was used selectively to foster the water absorption and retaining capacity of the prepared hydrogels. Varying amounts of alumina nanoparticles (Al NPs) were incorporated in order to produce a series of SAHs. The fabricated SAHs were studied for swelling, surface morphology, antibacterial and degradation behavior. The concentration of nanoparticles has a significant effect on swelling ratio of the developed SAHs. CAC 0.08 (contains Al NPs concentration 0.08 g) having higher concentration of nanoparticles showed the highest swelling ratio. The synthesized SAHs showed superlative antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Being pH responsive and biodegradable in nature, these SAHs proved to be an excellent candidate for the soil conditioning in semi-arid, arid and desert areas for the absorption and retaining of water.

Background Human skin is an appropriate environment for the growth of different types of microbes that may inhabit the skin as commensal flora. This study aims at identifying the diversity of skin microbiota in healthy Saudi population. In this study, 80 Saudi subjects of both males and females, from different habitat, and different ages (elderly and young), were recruited to determine the aerobic bacterial flora from their three skin sites; hand, scalp and foot. A single colony obtained from aerobic culture was identified using Biomérieux VITEK® 2 system. For those not being identified by VITEK® 2 system, the identification was conducted using 16 s rRNA sequence. Results Thirty-three bacterial species were isolated from males, whilst 24 species were isolated from females. Micrococci are the predominant organisms, followed by Staphylococci, Pantoea species, and lastly Enterococcus faecium. Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were only found in elder subjects, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the young only. The number of bacterial isolates in the elders was higher that of the young. The average number of flora was larger in foot, then hand and lastly scalp. Conclusion Here we show the difference in the number of cultivable bacteria across age and gender that may result in the variety of local skin infection. This study paves the way to further investigation in the aspect of in-depth metagenomics analysis and host-pathogen interaction. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-019-1569-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Uptake of heavy metals through plants from the soil and subsequent accumulation in human's tissues and biomagnifications through the food chains causes both human health and environment concerns. To decontaminate the soil, various strategies have been employed for proper crop management. A pot trial was conducted to study the ameliorative effect of commercial composts for the alleviation of metals stress in sunflower. The experiment was comprised of various factors compost (Lahore compost and GO-Organic compost), metals (Pb, Cr and Cd) with different concentrations (0, 25 and 50 ppm). Experimental treatments were arranged in three-factor completely randomized design with three replications. Results revealed that the increase in the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil gradually decreased quality attributes of the growing plants. The decreasing order for the metals stress in all the attributes was Cr > Cd > Pb. However, application of compost significantly improved all the attributes by alleviation of heavy metal stress in sunflower. The decreasing order for the compost is GO-Organic Compost > Lahore Compost. It is concluded that compost could possibly be employed for the safe cultivation of sunflower in metals spiked soil.