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The growing global population has a persistently negative impact on the economy and ecology due to food waste. This topic has recently received much attention from around the world. For both homes and the food processing industry, recycling food waste is crucial to waste management. This study aims to show how dehydrated food scraps and leftovers can be used as raw materials for trench compost to enhance soil quality and reduce leachate and greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed that the pre-treatment and air temperature significantly affected the finished trench compost products' EC, pH, and nutrient content. Pretreated dried leftover at 80°C after trench compost was found to have the highest value of CNH, S (36.53%), and micronutrients (0.103404%) when compared to micronutrients in the final product of pre-treatment dried leftover at 80°C after trench compost that was (0.057273%). Dehydrated leftovers from trench compost were thought to have nutrient content that would improve soil quality, slow decomposition, and reduce odor, thus enabling more frequent trash collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is widely distributed enzyme which plays a crucial role in hydration of carbon dioxide. CA of Anopheles gambiae, a common vector that transmits the malaria disease in tropical countries is not well studies. CA is essential for the normal physiological function and inhibition of it can lead to lethal effect. Recently, CA was identified as a potential drug target for developing mosquito larvicidal drugs. CA of A. gambiae was characterized and compared with 12 other members of the class insecta. CA of A. gambiae comprised of 309 amino acid residues with 34.56 kDa and theoretical pI of 6.34. The Leu rich protein had more of negatively charged residues and was classified as a stable protein. Mitochondrial targeting peptide containing enzyme had about 46.28% random coils, 28.16% α-helix and 3.24% β-turns. The homology model for the CA of A. gambiae was predicted using template 4lu3.1.A and the model quality was validated by least RMSD score, Z-score and Ramachandran plot analysis. The present study is a preliminary report exploring proteomics aspects of CA of A. gambiae using in silico tools.

Fungi play an important role in the solution to important global problems. Making use of processes and goods that are based on fungi can help promote sustainability by making the most efficient use of natural resources. Fungi stand apart from other organisms due to their extraordinary capacity to generate organic compounds. They are necessary for the psychological and physiological well-being of people worldwide. They are excellent producers of vitamins, pigments, hydrolytic enzymes, biofuels, organic acids, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, anticancer treatments, hypocholesterolemic pharmaceuticals, and immunosuppressants. Other secondary metabolites include biofuels. In addition, polysaccharides are produced by them. We provide a condensed explanation of the significance of secondary metabolites in a variety of industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, the textile industry, and the transportation industry. In addition to providing a better understanding of biosynthetic regulation and the possibilities of genetic engineering, improved laboratory processes for the selection of nontoxigenic fungal strains have permitted the manufacture of larger quantities of safe commercial items. The significance of fungi in industrial settings is the topic that will be investigated in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the major enzymes expressed in the oxidative stress pathway in plants. Its expression is also evident in other taxonomic group in oxidative reactions. Pisum sativum a common plant is being studied in the present work where SOD is characterized using computational tools. SOD sequence of P. sativum [CAA42737.1] Ala and Leu rich protein with alkaline pI value was used as query sequence and used to obtain nine similar sequences through BLASTp. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 5.0 based on neighbour joining method. Physiochemical parameters and amino acid composition was studied and compared with query sequences and other similar sequences. Secondary structures were predicted to understand the dominant components. Homology modeling of P. sativum SOD was done using SWISS MODEL and quality was evaluated using standard methods. 27 active sites were detected in SOD predicted model which were Lys rich.

Microbial analysis has become one of the most critical areas in aquatic ecology and a crucial component for assessing the contribution of microbes in food web dynamics and biogeochemical processes. Initial research was focused on estimating the abundance and distribution of the microbes using microscopy and culture-based analysis, which are undoubtedly complex tasks. Over the past few decades, microbiologists have endeavored to apply and extend molecular techniques to address pertinent questions related to the function and metabolism of microbes in aquatic ecology. Metagenomics analysis has revolutionized aquatic ecology studies involving the investigation of the genome of a mixed community of organisms in an ecosystem to identify microorganisms, their functionality, and the discovery of novel proteins. This review discusses the metagenomics analysis of bacterial diversity in and around different aquatic systems in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are photosynthetic cell factories that produce a spectrum of bioactive compounds extensively used for various applications. Owing to the increase in antibiotic resistance among microbial pathogens, there is a significant thrust for identifying new treatment strategies, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) generation is one such method. These AMPs have multiple roles and are active against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Such peptides synthesized in microalgae have a significant role in medical application, managing aquaculture‐associated diseases, and the food industry. To increase their effectiveness and novel peptides, genetically modified microalgae are used as cell factories. With the advancement of new technologies like the CRISPR‐Cas system, new avenues are opened for developing novel AMPs using microalgae. This review gives us insight into the various AMPs produced by microalgae and multiple technologies involved in creating such therapeutically essential molecules. Significance statement: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely studied. However, this present manuscript mainly focuses on AMPs from microalgae. This also tries to shed light on the research gaps and the major challenges in microalgae‐derived AMPs. The technological advancements in AMPs production and its progress also have been addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, the globe is facing tremendous effects due to the unnecessary piling of municipal solid waste among which food waste holds a greater portion. This practice not only affects the environment in terms of generating greenhouse gas emissions but when left dumped in landfills will also trigger poverty and malnutrition. This review focuses on the global trend in food waste management strategies involved in the effective utilization of food waste to produce various value-added products in a microbiology aspect, thereby diminishing the negative impacts caused by the unnecessary side effects of non-renewable energy sources. The review also detailed the efficiency of microorganisms in the production of various bio-energies as well. Further, recent attempts to the exploitation of genetically modified microorganisms in producing value-added products were enlisted. This also attempted to address food waste valorization techniques, the combined applications of various processes for an enhanced yield of different compounds, and addressed various challenges. Further, the current challenges involved in various processes and the effective measures to tackle them in the future have been addressed. Thus, the present review has successfully addressed the circular bio-economy in food waste valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel technology of biological carbon sequestration using microbial enzymes have numerous advantages over conventional sequestration strategies. In the present study, extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) producing bacteria were isolated from water samples in the Arabian Sea, India. A potential isolate, Bacillus safensis isolate AS-75 was identified based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The culture conditions suitable for CA production were 32 °C incubation temperature with 4% NaCl and 10 mM Zn supplementation. Experimental optimization of culture conditions enhanced enzyme activity to 265 U mL−1. CA specific gene was characterized and based on the analysis, the CA of B. safensis isolate AS-75 was a leucine (11.3%) with α-helices as the dominant component in its secondary structure. Based on soil microcosm studies, CA could sequester CO2 by 95.4% ± 0.11% in sterilized soil with enzyme microcosm. Hence, the application of enzyme was found to be more effective in removing CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles through plant extracts is gaining attention due to the toxic free synthesis process. The environmental engineering applications of many metal oxide nanoparticles have been reported. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2 O3 ‐Nps) were synthesised using a simple biosynthetic method using a leaf extract of a mangrove plant Rhizophora mucronata through reduction of 0.01 M ferric chloride. Fe2 O3 ‐Np synthesis was revealed by a greenish colour formation with a surface plasmon band observed close to 368 nm. The stable Fe2 O3 ‐Np possessed excitation and emission wavelength of 368.0 and 370.5 nm, respectively. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectral analysis revealed the changes in functional groups during formation of Fe2 O3 ‐Np. Agglomerations of nanoparticles were observed during scanning electron microscopic analysis and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic analysis confirmed the ferric oxide nature. The average particle size of Fe2 O3 ‐Np based on dynamic light scattering was 65 nm. Based on transmission electron microscopic analysis, particles were spherical in shape and the crystalline size was confirmed by selected area electron diffraction pattern analysis. The synthesised Fe2 O3 ‐Np exhibited a good photodegradation efficiency with a reduction of 83 and 95% of phenol red and crystal violet under irradiation of sunlight and florescent light, respectively. This report is a facile synthesis method for Fe2 O3 ‐Np with high photodegradation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The biological deinking method using microbial enzymes is quite promising and rather eco-friendly. In this paper, we discuss about the impact of enzymatic deinking of newspaper pulp using ligno-cellulosic (cellulase, xylanase and laccase) and lipolytic enzymes. The individual treatment of paper pulp with enzymes (cellulase/xylanase) could enhance the paper brightness to about 32.86% whereas combinational effect could enhance only about 28.67%. There was a release of chromophores from phenolic and hydrophobic compounds released during the deinking process. Physico-chemical parameters of effluents were also found to be within the standard limits and the metals like iron, lead and zinc were not detected in the enzyme assisted deinking effluent sample. The heavy metals in the paper pulp was found to be reduced after enzyme treatment. The obtained effluent was found have low phytotoxicity and was safe for agricultural applications. Hence, the present report was found to be a suitable enzymatic deinking process which was eco-friendly that results in non-toxic effluents. The method also provides an avenue in water resource recycling within industries. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Individual enzyme treatment was effective for increasing brightness upto 10%. • Combinational enzyme treatment improved 8.2% brightness of recycled paper. • Ligno-cellulosic enzyme along with lipase was effective in deinking. • Effluent was non-toxic and had very low heavy metals detected. • The effluent fit for irrigational purposes due to low phytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Laccase is a major enzyme used in the paper and pulp industries for bio-bleaching applications. This paper focused on the bio-bleaching property of a potential lignolytic fungus, Fusarium equiseti VKF-2. Optimum conditions for laccase production were tested by statistical models under solid state fermentation using saw dust as substrate. Fusarium equiseti VKF-2 achieved a maximum laccase activity of 305 Ug−1 of substrate. During purification, 67% yield was obtained with 80% ammonium sulphate. The enzyme activity was confirmed through zymogram analysis with 2 active fractions observed at 94 and 75 kDa. Laccase treatment resulted in defibrillations, crack formation and changes in the functional groups of paper pulp. The laccase facilitated the maximum hexenuronic acid release with Kappa number reduction. There was a Δ brightness of 15% following 4 h of enzymatic treatment. Hence, the present laccase was found to be suitable for the bio-bleaching of newspaper waste via an eco-friendly process. Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylanase is a major enzyme used in the paper and pulp industries for biobleaching applications. There are possibilities for xylanase with better properties suitable for industrial applications. This paper focused on a potential xylanolytic fungus, Trichoderma viride VKF-3, obtained from a mangrove soil sample. Optimum conditions for xylanase production were tested by culturing T. viride VKF3 under varying carbon and nitrogen sources, medium pH, and incubation temperature. The isolate T. viride VKF3 achieved a maximum of 3.045 IU/mL of xylanase activity by utilizing coconut oil cake as a substrate. During purification, 84% yield was obtained with 40% ammonium sulphate. The enzyme activity was confirmed through zymogram analysis, and a band was observed at 14 kDa. The xylanase facilitated maximum hexenuronic acid release with a 30% enzyme dosage following 4 h of incubation. Moreover, the Kappa number tended to decrease with increased enzyme dosage and incubation time. There was a Δ brightness of 11% following 4 h of enzymatic treatment. Strength properties, such as the tensile, burst indices, and folding endurance, was improved during the xylanase assisted deinking of pulp. Hence, the present xylanase was found to be suitable for the biobleaching of newspaper waste via an eco-friendly process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitinases – the primary chitin lytic enzyme has gained great attention due to its industrial, environmental, agriculture, medicinal and biotechnological applications. However, the industrial production of this enzyme is still at its infancy due to low yielding strains and high cost of production. The current paper targets the cumulative optimisation of chitinase production from low cost substrate chitin using high yielding novel chitinase producing strain. Bacterial chitinase producers were isolated from the potential mangrove ecosystem of Valanthakad, Cochin, Kerala. Among the various isolates, the best chitinase producer MCB-7 identified as Bacillus pumilus exhibited an inherent high chitinase activity of 3.36 U/mL. Using Plackett–Burman design the factors such as chitin concentration, peptone and pH were found to be significant. Further optimisation with a multivariate statistical approach using Box–Behnken design resulted in a 6.9 fold increase of chitinase activity to a final yield of 23.19 U/mL. The use of cheap and consistent nature of the chitin as carbon source along with a high chitinase yielding isolate would be beneficial in providing consistent yields of the enzyme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on high chitinase yielding B. pumilus strains from mangroves. The current isolate of B. pumilus MCB-7 is also unique in its halotolerance, pH tolerance and thermostability – which could widen its spectrum of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPTLC profiling and the antibacterial activity of P. pterocarpum methanolic flower extracts against the bacteria isolated from human infections. Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening was performed according to the Harborne method. HPTLC studies were carried out using Harborne and Wagner et al method. The methanolic flower extracts of P. pterocarpum were tested against Salmonella typhi (MTCC 733), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 742), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441) and Escherichia coli (MTCC 443). The antimicrobial activity was tested through well diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical studies on methanolic flower extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker ex Heyne. revealed the presence of glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, catechin and alkaloids. The HPTLC separation was achieved using ethyl acetate-methanol-ethanol-water (8.1: 1.1: 0.4: 0.8) as the mobile phase. The methanolic extract of P. pterocarpum showed four different Rf values 0.16, 0.31, 0.77 and 0.82 which indicated various glycosides present in the flower extract. The methanolic extract of P. pterocarpum showed the maximum zone of inhibition against Proteus mirabilis followed by Salmonella typhi. Conclusion: Bio-assay revealed the presence of specific and selective antimicrobial compounds in the fractions. Broad range activity of plant extracts as per observations in this study was due to presence of multiple antimicrobial compounds or synergic effects of these compounds. Therefore, standardization of active fractions and study for in vivo efficacy may result in development of better antimicrobial drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]