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Introduction: The marine microalga Isochrysis galbana is prolific producer of fucoxanthin, which is a xanthophyll carotenoid with substantial global market value boasting extensive applications in the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study presented a novel integrated experimental approach coupled with machine learning (ML) models to predict the fucoxanthin content in I. galbana by altering the type and concentration of phytohormone supplementation, thus overcoming the multiple methodological limitations of conventional fucoxanthin quantification. Methods: A novel integrated experimental approach was developed, analyzing the effect of varying phytohormone types and concentrations on fucoxanthin production in I. galbana. Morphological analysis was conducted to assess changes in microalgal structure, while growth rate and fucoxanthin yield correlations were explored using statistical analysis and machine learning models. Several ML models were employed to predict fucoxanthin content, with and without hormone descriptors as variables. Results: The findings revealed that the Random Forest (RF) model was highly significant with a high R² of 0.809 and RMSE of 0.776 when hormone descriptors were excluded, and the inclusion of hormone descriptors further improved prediction accuracy to R² of 0.839, making it a useful tool for predicting the fucoxanthin yield. The model that fitted the experimental data indicated methyl jasmonate (0.2 mg/L) as an effective phytohormone. The combined experimental and ML approach demonstrated rapid, reliable, and cost-efficient prediction of fucoxanthin yield. Discussion: This study highlights the potential of machine learning models, particularly Random Forest, to optimize parameters influencing microalgal growth and fucoxanthin production. This approach offers a more efficient alternative to conventional methods, providing valuable insights into improving fucoxanthin production in microalgal cultivation. The findings suggest that leveraging diverse ML models can enhance the predictability and efficiency of fucoxanthin production, making it a promising tool for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gentiopicroside (GPD) is a major secoiridoid glucoside in plants of the family Gentianaceae, predominantly in the genus Gentiana. The roots and shoots of Gentiana kurroo Royle, indigenous to the Indian Himalayas are rich in GPD. It is used extensively for treating various diseases in Ayurvedic medicine. In this study, in vitro shoot cultures of G. kurroo were stimulated with Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and an endophytic fungal cell wall extract to enhance the production of GPD. The results showed that treatment with the endophytic fungal extract produced the highest concentration of GPD (30.4 mg/g DW) than other treatments after 48 hours. The endophytic fungus was identified as Parengyodontium album. This study provides a simple and efficient method for in vitro elicitation of GPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Fruits are vital food resources as they are loaded with bioactive compounds varying with different stages of ripening. As the fruit ripens, a dynamic color change is observed from green to yellow to red due to the biosynthesis of pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Apart from making the fruit attractive and being a visual indicator of the ripening status, pigments add value to a ripened fruit by making them a source of nutraceuticals and industrial products. As the fruit matures, it undergoes biochemical changes which alter the pigment composition of fruits. Results The synthesis, degradation and retention pathways of fruit pigments are mediated by hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors. Manipulation of the underlying regulatory mechanisms during fruit ripening suggests ways to enhance the desired pigments in fruits by biotechnological interventions. Here we report, in-depth insight into the dynamics of a pigment change in ripening and the regulatory mechanisms in action. Conclusions This review emphasizes the role of pigments as an asset to a ripened fruit as they augment the nutritive value, antioxidant levels and the net carbon gain of fruits; pigments are a source for fruit biofortification have tremendous industrial value along with being a tool to predict the harvest. This report will be of great utility to the harvesters, traders, consumers, and natural product divisions to extract the leading nutraceutical and industrial potential of preferred pigments biosynthesized at different fruit ripening stages.

Background: Betalain pigments are water soluble natural pigments that contain nitrogen. Betacyanin have been reported to possess several biological properties Method: In the present work, the pigment from the rind of Hylocereus undatus was analyzed for its stability upon elevated temperature, pH, time, light period, and metal ions. Further, the effect of betacyanin pigment on xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibition was studied. Further to retain the betacyanin stability, encapsulation with different encapsulating agents was assessed Results: It was observed that betacyanin pigment was evenly distributed throughout the cells of Hylocereus undatus rind, which was intact in the vacuole. The betacyanin content present in the rind was estimated to be 95±0.873 mg/g fresh weight of peel. The pigment extract was stable upon treatment with ascorbic acid and citric. Betacyanin inhibited xanthine oxidase activity with an IC50 of 9 mM. Kinetics study depicts competitive inhibition mode. Betacyanin quenched the fluorescence intensities of XO, proving its interaction with the amino acid residues of XO. Docking analysis proved a higher binding affinity of betacyanin in the active site residues of XO supported by simulation studies. Starch encapsulation showed greater efficiency in stabilizing betacyanin content. Conclusion: Betacyanin pigment was extracted from Hylocereus undatus rind. Betacyanin thus serves as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor preventing Uric acid elevated diseases.

Background: Oldenlandia umbellata L. (Indian madder) is an antique Ayurvedic Indian herb and a source of various anthraquinone derivatives. The red dye from its roots has been used in diverse applications since ancient times. Objectives: To establish reliable and effective protocols for in vitro flowering of O. umbellata. Materials and methods: For in vitro flowering, organogenic calli were subcultured onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.15–1.0 mg/l) and Benzyladenine(BA) (0.5–1.5 mg/l) with and without 0.4% of coconut milk (CM). Results: The highest number of in vitro flowers (22.8%) and best response (92.73%) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.7 mg/l NAA + 1.5 mg/l BA with 0.4% CM. It was found that MS medium devoid of BA promoted best root development (47.3 per calli) as well as response (100%). It was also observed that when embryogenic calli grown in depletion of required nutrition transferred to fresh media induced more flowering. In vivo and in vitro floral comparative analysis revealed that in vitro flower induction was required for short time duration (20.67 days) than in vivo flower. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on in vitro flowering and this study will help to overcome problems associated with flower development and seed production. As a result, this study may be a potent conservation tool to restore innate population size in its natural habitat. Keywords: Oldenlandia umbellata, Plant dyes, In vitro flowering

Advancements in genome mining, high-throughput sequencing and experimental techniques have generated an enormous amount of data on natural products. This has led to the design and development of advanced machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms which have simplified the search for novel natural products in the 21st century. These algorithms could effectively analyse the chemical structure of natural products and predict their biological function. They could also effectively analyse large sets of data in a sophisticated manner. In this context, this article reviews the various AI/ML algorithms employed in natural products-based drug discovery. Particular attention is paid to case studies employing AI tools in plant and microbial research. Challenges associated with the use of AI tools for natural products research have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented products consist beneficial probiotics, which makes these products render improved nutritional properties and health effects. There is a need for research to explore and establish the use of commonly existing fruits in fermented forms for application in skincare and as anti aging solutions. This study has been conducted to establish collagen building and antioxidant potential of fermented guava fruit juice powder. The human dermal fibroblast cells were used to determine the collagen building potential while chemical enzymatic assays were used to evaluate antioxidant properties of fermented guava juice powder (FGJP) . The antioxidant activity evaluated by the ability to scavenge DPPH radicals showed very high anti-oxidative capacity (IC50 = 0.015 mg/ml) comparable to ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.018 mg/ml). This antioxidant potential can be attributed to the presence of various phytonutrients, primarily flavonoid (quercetin equivalent) at a concentration of 38 mcg/mg of the powder. The Collagen building potential was evaluated on the normal human fibroblast cell line . The levels of Collagen IV involved in skin cell migration, regeneration, and wound healing were estimated. FGJP imparted proliferation ability in NHDF cells at the concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1mg/ml, which is 31% collagen synthesis against untreated cell control. This explains that fermented guava juice powder has a collagen building potential along with antioxidant properties. Such product would be helpful in providing a plant based anti aging solutions especially for vegan consumers. The optimized fermented guava juice powder has a shelf life of 45 days when stored at refrigerated conditions with a potential for combating oxidative stress and supporting in alleviating the aging symptoms like fine-line, wrinkle through collagen building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): DNA is one of the targets of cancer-therapeutic small molecules. Cisplatin, a DNA intercalator, is one of the first-line drugs in the cancer chemo regimen which comes with healthcompromising side effects during chemotherapy. The synergistic effect of natural molecules with cisplatin can help to potentiate its anti-cancer efficacy and decrease its negative effect on health. Here, we report the interaction of cisplatin with calf thymus-DNA (ct-DNA) in combination with natural molecules like apocarotenoids which are reported for their therapeutic properties. Materials and Methods: The combinatorial effect of apocarotenoids on ct-DNA was explored through various biophysical techniques such as UV-Visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism studies, DNA melt curve analysis, viscosity measurements, and an in vitro study in MCF-7 cells by cell cycle analysis. Results: UV-Visible spectroscopy studies suggest apocarotenoids and their combination shows a nonintercalative mode of binding. Circular dichroism analysis showed no major changes in DNA form during the interaction of DNA with apocarotenoids and their respective combinations with cisplatin, which is suggestive of the groove-binding mode of apocarotenoids. DNA melt curve analysis showed a decrease in the intensity of the fluorescence for apocarotenoids with cisplatin which indicates the possibility of DNA interaction through groove binding. Viscosity studies suggested a groove binding mode of interaction of ct-DNA with apocarotenoids and their combination as there was minimal change in the viscosity measurements. The in vitro analysis exhibits that the apocarotenoids and their combination have a considerable effect on DNA synthesis. Conclusion: This study provides a better perspective on the possible mode of interaction between ct-DNA and natural molecules along with cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]