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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]

Bixin and norbixin are natural food colourants synthesised from Bixa orellana L seeds. This study explores the mechanism of apocarotenoids (bixin and norbixin) on the aggressive B16 murine melanoma as an anti-cancer agent. The apocarotenoids inhibited the cell viability of B16 melanoma in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Apocarotenoids markedly induced cell morphology change, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial dysfunction through the depletion of glutathione activity, and also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, apocarotenoids effectively enhanced sub-G1 population and also activated caspase 9 and caspase 3 activities. It decreased and increased the gene expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bax, respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed that apocarotenoids inhibited anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL) through hydrophobic interaction. These findings suggest that bixin and norbixin act as a promising chemotherapeutic agent against melanoma by inducing apoptosis through mitochondrial-associated death pathway.

The Eastern Ghats of India is well known for its wealth of natural vegetation and Shervaroy is a major hill range of the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Ethnomedicinal studies in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu or the Shervaroy Hills have been carried out by various researchers. However, there is not much information available on ethnoveterinary medicine in the Eastern Ghats of India. The aim of this study was to examine the potential use of folk plants as alternative medicine for cattle to cure various diseases in the Shervaroy Hills of the Eastern Ghats. Based on interactions with traditional medicine practitioners, it has been observed that a total of 21 medicinal plants belonging to 16 families are used to cure various diseases such as mastitis, enteritis, arthritis, stomatitis, salivation from the mouth, wounding, and conjunctivitis in animals. It has been observed that the traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine is now confined only among the surviving older people and a few practitioners in the tribal communities of the Shervaroy Hills. Unfortunately, no serious attempts have been made to document and preserve this immense treasure of traditional knowledge.

The effect of modified Zarrouk’s medium on the growth response of 6 different Spirulina strains was evaluated. Specific growth rate, doubling time, mean daily division rate, biomass, and chlorophyll-A contents were analyzed. Growth patterns of these strains were monitored continuously for 40 days. The results revealed significant differences in the growth parameters for different strains. S. platensis (SP-6) and S. platensis (CCMB) showed the maximum specific growth rates (µ = 6.1, µ = 5.8), doubling times (Td = 6.93, Td = 6.87), mean division rates (k = 0.27, k = 0.23) biomasses (5.1, 5.0 g/l) and chlorophyll A contents (78, 65 µg/ml) respectively, when compared with the other strains used in this study. Therefore, S. platensis (SP-6) and S. platensis (CCMB) strains can be suggested for large scale commercial cultivation with modified Zarrouk’s medium. This provides the basis of a low cost medium for cultivating Spirulina, which is known to be a promising microalgae with several benefits.

Food colorants are imperative ingredients for attracting consumers and in deciding their preferences. Here we discuss the current status of natural colorants and synthetic food colorants on the Indian market by appraising the growth of the food colorant market both globally and nationally, based on published case studies on synthetic food colorants (SFCs), rules, and regulations implemented by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on natural food colorants and SFCs. The substantial lacunae in the research on the impacts of SFCs in the Indian population identified through our literature survey signify the scope and need for appraisal of the issues prevailing in the Indian food colorant market as well as the necessity of renewing the food colorant policies. The illegal use of banned food colorants, the adulteration of natural food colorants, mislabelling of SFCs as natural colorants, and the permitted use of internationally banned food colorants, as well as the unawareness among consumers are serious issues recognized. Appropriate labelling to denote natural food colorants' presence, renewed standards of policy to determine the permitted use of food colorants, comprehensive regulations for the production and use of natural food colorants, stringent rules to constrain the production of toxic SFCs are obligatory to breakdown the dilemma on the Indian food market. Most importantly, awareness and responsiveness should be generated among consumers regarding the illegal use and adulteration of colorants and the need to use natural colorants. We also recommend a logo to designate the presence of natural colorants which will aid the consumers to make the right choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural phenolic compound present in culinary herbs of the Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae/Labiatae, and Nepetoideae families. While the medicinal applications of these plants have been known for ages, RA has only been relatively recently established as an effective ameliorative agent against various disorders including cardiac diseases, cancer, and neuropathologies. In particular, several studies have confirmed the neuroprotective potential of RA in multiple cellular and animal models, as well as in clinical studies. The neuroprotective effects mediated by RA stem from its multimodal actions on a plethora of cellular and molecular pathways; including oxidative, bioenergetic, neuroinflammatory, and synaptic signaling. In recent years, RA has garnered tremendous interest as an ideal therapeutic candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review first briefly discusses the pharmacokinetics of RA and then proceeds to detail the neuroprotective mechanisms of RA at the molecular levels. Finally, the authors focus on the ameliorative potential of RA against several central nervous system (CNS) disorders, ranging from neuropsychological stress and epilepsy to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is an important tropical edible fruit having economic importance, which is cultivated mainly in India (36.6%). It contains various macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds. It is consumed in fresh form or processed into different products namely pulp, juice, puree, pickle, jam, and nectar. It has been predicted mango processing will increase considerably reaching USD 1.8 billion in 2029.] The by-products generated during the processing of mangoes are peel, pomace, seed, and kernel which constitute 25–40% of fresh fruit. This review article describes the nutritional composition of mango peels and also provides detailed insights into different extraction methodologies for value-added compounds. This review also explores the available literature reports that prove mango peels are an excellent source of carotenoids, pectin, phenolic compounds, and volatile aroma compounds. Mango peels contain significantly higher amounts of minerals compared to pulp. It possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer properties. This article emphasizes the advantages of green extraction methodologies like ultrasound or microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvents compared to conventional extraction methods. The sustainable valorization of mango peels generated during processing can be economical as well as environmentally feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Brain metastases are amongst the most invasive and lethal cancers. Yet, effective methods for their diagnosis and therapy have remained elusive. While several factors are responsible for this, the primary hurdle has been the absence of an appropriate delivery strategy for the diagnostic/therapeutic agents to the brain. Fortunately, the advent of nanobiotechnology and the advances in bioengineering techniques have provided some hope to circumvent this hurdle. The aim of this review is to evaluate the suitability of novel smart nanobiotechnological approaches in brain cancer therapy. We discuss several state-of-the-art strategies for specific delivery of drugs to brain cancer sites with minimal side effects. We further delineate several classes of nanoplatforms that have generated tremendous interest among contemporary scientists as potential agents for brain cancer therapy. In doing so, the authors hope that the review will serve as a platform for further studies for the discovery of brain cancer strategies. Despite their low prevalence, brain tumors are among the most lethal cancers. They are extremely difficult to diagnose, monitor and treat. Conventional anti-cancer strategies such as radio- and chemotherapy have largely failed, and to date, the development of even a single effective therapeutic strategy against central nervous system (CNS) tumors has remained elusive. There are several factors responsible for this. Brain cancers are a heterogeneous group of diseases with variable origins, biochemical properties and degrees of invasiveness. High-grade gliomas are amongst the most metastatic and invasive cancers, which is another reason for therapeutic failure in their case. Moreover, crossing the blood brain and the blood brain tumor barriers has been a significant hindrance in the development of efficient CNS therapeutics. Cancer nanomedicine, which encompasses the application of nanotechnology for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of cancers, is a rapidly evolving field of translational medicine. Nanoformulations, because of their extreme versatility and manipulative potential, are emerging candidates for tumor targeting, penetration and treatment in the brain. Moreover, suitable nanocarriers can be commissioned for theranostics, a combinatorial personalized approach for simultaneous imaging and therapy. This review first details the recent advances in novel bioengineering techniques that provide promising avenues for circumventing the hurdles of delivering the diagnostic/therapeutic agent to the CNS. The authors then describe in detail the tremendous potential of utilizing nanotechnology, particularly nano-theranostics for brain cancer imaging and therapy, and outline the different categories of recently developed next-generation smart nanoformulations that have exceptional potential for making a breakthrough in clinical neuro-oncology therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthetic pigments are an integral and vital part of all photosynthetic machinery and are present in different types and abundances throughout the photosynthetic apparatus. Chlorophyll, carotenoids and phycobilins are the prime photosynthetic pigments which facilitate efficient light absorption in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. The chlorophyll family plays a vital role in light harvesting by absorbing light at different wavelengths and allowing photosynthetic organisms to adapt to different environments, either in the long-term or during transient changes in light. Carotenoids play diverse roles in photosynthesis, including light capture and as crucial antioxidants to reduce photodamage and photoinhibition. In the marine habitat, phycobilins capture a wide spectrum of light and have allowed cyanobacteria and red algae to colonise deep waters where other frequencies of light are attenuated by the water column. In this review, we discuss the potential strategies that photosynthetic pigments provide, coupled with development of molecular biological techniques, to improve crop yields through enhanced light harvesting, increased photoprotection and improved photosynthetic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bright yellow pigment-producing endophytic fungus strain GMRS1 was isolated from the meristems of Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. The fungus was identified as Fusarium solani on grounds of morphological and molecular analysis. The chemical composition of the crude pigments was partially analyzed by Quadrupole Time-of-flight Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry/Mass spectrometry and the major compounds were reported. The crude pigments were proved toxic and unsafe by acute oral toxicity study on Wistar rats. The total cholesterol and glucose levels of the rats ingested with crude pigments were significantly elevated than the control rats. The treatment rats were further observed with damaged liver and kidney tissues. The LD50 value of the crude pigments was higher than 1000 mg/kg of body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically synthesized dyes have been used, mainly in textile industries for dyeing textile fabrics. Even though natural dyes have had a long history of being used to dye textiles, their importance and use have gradually reduced due to superior color fastness and their synthetic counterparts' cost-effectiveness. However, it can cause harm to the environment (water) and its associated life (mainly aquatic) if not disposed of properly. Certain synthetic azo dyes, owing to their detrimental effects on the environment, have since been banned. Indigo, obtained primarily from Indigofera tinctoria L. is one of the first dyes to be used by mankind and is still in use. Synthetic Indigo is predominantly used and preferred over natural Indigo because synthetic Indigo gives a better-finished look, and natural Indigo yield is too low to meet the denim industry's demands. In this study, natural Indigo extracted from the leaves of I. tinctoria L., and synthetic Indigo were characterized using FTIR and UV spectroscopic techniques. The develop-mental toxicity of the dye was studied on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Lethal concentrations, abnormalities caused by the dye and morphological changes of the embryos have been studied. Toxicity levels were evaluated by calculating the LD50 values on the embryonic stages at 24h, 48h, and 72h. Morphological changes were noted using microscopic observations. Sublethal effects (spinal curvature, loss of pigmentation of the embryos) were observed in higher concentrations of the synthetic dye as well as the natural dye, but in lower concentrations, there was normal development of the Zebrafish embryos. In light of the study, there is a need for proper disposal of the by-products (during the production process) and the dye itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural pigments and food colorants have shown a positive impact on human health compared to the use of synthetic pigments and colorants. We are reporting the oral toxicity of Delonix regia Raf. It has natural pigments with various pharmaceutical properties. The crude extract was obtained from the D. regia petals and the functional groups in the extract were characterized with UV, FTIR and the compounds were identified using GC-MS. To analyze the toxicity of the crude extract, Zebrafish was used asa model organism. Different concentrations of the extract (5 µg/mL to 2000 µg/mL) were used in the zebrafish embryo. The results revealed that the toxic effect was only seen at higher concentrations (1000 µg/mL and beyond). In lesser concentrations, no toxicity was observed. This preliminary study forms a basis for further animal studies. Also, it adds a new safe food colorant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gentipicroside (GPD) is a major bioactive seco-iridoid glycoside in the methanolic extracts of roots and rhizomes of Gentiana kurroo Royle. GPD has antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, antinociceptive, antibacterial and free radical scavenging activities. Although this compound was analyzed by various methods in different Gentiana species previously, no valid method was documented describing the accuracy and precision for the detection and quantification of GPD from in vitro samples of G. kurroo. Materials and Methods: A simple, accurate and highly sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results: Methanol and 0.1% acetic acid in millipore water [30:70, (v/v)] was used as a mobile phase and eluted at an isocratic flow rate of 1.0 ml/min under room temperature. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 10-100 µg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.9967. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeatability and inter-day precision was less than 2%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of GPD was 0.083 µg/ml and 0.25 µg/ml, respectively. Recoveries from in vitro samples ranged from 91.0 to 114.0% and the precision of the method in terms of retention time (%RSD = 2.01) and peak area (% RSD =5.11) were satisfactory. Conclusion: The validated RP-HPLC-PDA method can be used routinely for the determination of GPD in in vitro cultures and in vivo plants of G. kurroo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Photosynthesis is currently a focus for crop improvement. The majority of this work has taken place and been assessed in leaves, and limited consideration has been given to the contribution that other green tissues make to whole‐plant carbon assimilation. The major focus of this review is to evaluate the impact of non‐foliar photosynthesis on carbon‐use efficiency and total assimilation. Here we appraise and summarize past and current literature on the substantial contribution of different photosynthetically active organs and tissues to productivity in a variety of different plant types, with an emphasis on fruit and cereal crops. Previous studies provide evidence that non‐leaf photosynthesis could be an unexploited potential target for crop improvement. We also briefly examine the role of stomata in non‐foliar tissues, gas exchange, maintenance of optimal temperatures and thus photosynthesis. In the final section, we discuss possible opportunities to manipulate these processes and provide evidence that Triticum aestivum (wheat) plants genetically manipulated to increase leaf photosynthesis also displayed higher rates of ear assimilation, which translated to increased grain yield. By understanding these processes, we can start to provide insights into manipulating non‐foliar photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour to identify novel targets for exploitation in continuing breeding programmes. Significance Statement: Measurements of photosynthesis focus on leaves, however non‐foliar green tissue can make significant contributions to total plant carbon assimilation. This review evaluate photosynthesis and stomatal behavior in non‐foliar organs with a view to manipulate these processes for improved yield or quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of malignancy in the world. Several therapeutical and chemopreventive approaches have been practised to mitigate the disease. The use of phytopigments including carotenoids is a well-known approach. However, some of the prominent clinical trials interrogated the efficacy of carotenoids in lung cancer prevention. A elaborate literature survey have been performed investigating in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reported on the administration of carotenoids for chemoprevention and chemotherapy. Tobacco consumption, genetic factors, dietary patterns, occupational carcinogens, lung diseases, infection, and sex disparities are some of the prominent factors leading to lung cancer. Significant evidence has been found underlining the efficiency of carotenoids in alleviating cancer. In vitro studies have proven that carotenoids act through PI3K/ AKT/mTOR, ERK-MAPK pathways and induce apoptosis through PPAR, IFNs, RAR, which are p53 intermediators in lung cancer signaling. Animal models and cell lines studies showed promising results, while the outcomes of clinical trials are contradictory and require further verification. The carotenoids exert chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effects on lung tumors which has been evidenced in numerous investigations. However, further analyses are necessary to the answer the uncertainties raised by several clinical trials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hairy root culture is a potential alternative to conventional mammalian cell culture to produce recombinant proteins due to its ease in protein recovery, low costs and absence of potentially human pathogenic contaminants. The current study focussed to develop a new platform of a hairy root culture system from Nicotiana tabacum for the production of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO), which is regularly produced in mammalian cells. The human EPO construct was amplified with C-terminal hexahistidine tag from a cDNA of Caco-2 cells. Two versions of rhEPO clones, with or without the N-terminal calreticulin (cal) fusion sequence, were produced by cloning the amplified construct into gateway binary vector pK7WG2D. Following Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation of tobacco explants; integration and expression of constructs in hairy roots were confirmed by several tests at DNA, RNA and protein levels. The amount of intracellular rhEPO from hairy root cultures with cal signal peptide was measured up to 66.75 ng g-1 of total soluble protein. The presence of the ER signal peptide (cal) was essential for the secretion of rhEPO into the spent medium; no protein was detected from hairy root cultures without ER signal peptide. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone enhanced the stabilization of secreted rhEPO leading to a 5.6 fold increase to a maximum concentration of 185.48 pg rhEPOHR g-1 FW hairy root cultures. The rhizo-secreted rhEPO was separated by HPLC and its biological activity was confirmed by testing distinct parameters for proliferation and survival in retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE). In addition, the rhEPO was detected to an amount 14.8 ng g-1 of total soluble leaf protein in transgenic T0 generation plantlets regenerated from hairy root cultures with cal signal peptide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrome tanning activity has contributed intensively towards environmental pollution in the form of effluents. To study the specific contribution of microalgae towards phycoremediation, four heavy-metal tolerant microalgal species were isolated from the estuaries receiving tannery effluents, and their biomass was examined by their interaction. The sequences of the four microalgal species, namely Anabaena (VITMA1), Oscillatoria acuminate (VITMA2), Phormidium irriguum (VITMA3) and Spirogyra maxima (VITMA4), were clustered after isolating their ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that VITMA1 showed a distant relationship with Anabaena , having only 63% sequence similarities, and other species such as VITMA2, VITMA3 and VITMA4 showed 82%, 95% and 92% sequence similarities, respectively. Microalgal species were grown in BG11 media along with chromium-contaminated tannery effluents for analysing their growth, biomass and protein contents. The binding site characterisation was assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction spectral studies. The results obtained from these studies advocate that the interactions are due to the presence of alkynes and aromatic functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the presence of intact cells with chromium accumulation. The biosorption activity was found to be 90% for O. acuminate (VITMA2), followed by 80% for P. irriguum (VITMA3), 65% for Anabaena (VITMA1) and 55% for S. maxima (VITMA4), respectively, and proves their impressive potential for phycoremediation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sensitive and specific detection of malarial parasites is crucial in controlling the significant malaria burden in the developing world. Also important is being able to identify life threatening Plasmodium falciparum malaria quickly and accurately to reduce malaria related mortality. Existing methods such as microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have major shortcomings. Here, we describe a new real-time PCR-based diagnostic test device at point-of-care service for resource-limited settings. Methods: Truenat® Malaria, a chip-based microPCR test, was developed by bigtec Labs, Bangalore, India, for differential identification of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites. The Truenat Malaria tests runs on bigtec’s Truelab Uno® microPCR device, a handheld, battery operated, and easy-to-use real-time microPCR device. The performance of Truenat® Malaria was evaluated versus the WHO nested PCR protocol. The Truenat® Malaria was further evaluated in a triple-blinded study design using a sample panel of 281 specimens created from the clinical samples characterized by expert microscopy and a rapid diagnostic test kit by the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR). A comparative evaluation was done on the Truelab Uno® and a commercial real-time PCR system. Results: The limit of detection of the Truenat Malaria assay was found to be <5 parasites/μl for both P. falciparum and P. vivax. The Truenat® Malaria test was found to have sensitivity and specificity of 100% each, compared to the WHO nested PCR protocol based on the evaluation of 100 samples. The sensitivity using expert microscopy as the reference standard was determined to be around 99.3% (95% CI: 95.5–99.9) at the species level. Mixed infections were identified more accurately by Truenat Malaria (32 samples identified as mixed) versus expert microscopy and RDTs which detected 4 and 5 mixed samples, respectively. Conclusion: The Truenat® Malaria microPCR test is a valuable diagnostic tool and implementation should be considered not only for malaria diagnosis but also for active surveillance and epidemiological intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies revealed a substantial role of carotenoids to treat respiratory diseases. This review aimed to give an updated overview of the investigational evidence on the preventive properties of carotenoids against respiratory diseases both in vitro and in vivo along with their pathophysiology and mechanisms of action.Hypothesis: Carotenoids as a potential therapeutic class of bioactive compounds to treat respiratory diseases.Results: Carotenoids such as β-carotene, lycopene, crocin, bixin, lutein, and astaxanthin show beneficial effects against chronic lung diseases (e.g., asthma, emphysema, fibrosis, COPD, acute lung injury, and lung cancer). Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies also supported the preventive role of carotenoids. These carotenoids showed a beneficial role by activation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway and inhibition of the NF-кB, MAPK, JAK/STAT-3, and PI3K/AKT pathways. Additionally, epidemiological studies also showed that dietary intake of carotenoids lowers the risk of lung diseases.Conclusion: Carotenoids may be used as drugs or can be given in combination with other drugs to prevent and treat respiratory diseases. Although in vitro and in vivo results are encouraging, further well-conducted randomized clinical trials are required to approve carotenoids as drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidative breakdown of carotenoid evidences the formation of apocarotenoids through carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs). Numerous CCDs and apocarotenoids have been identified and characterized in plants. Using available sequence data, a study was performed to investigate the phylogenetic relationship among CCD genes and to statistically estimate the sequence conservation and functional divergence. In total, 77 genes were identified from 39 species belonging to 21 families. Our result of phylogenetic analysis indicated the existence of well-conserved subfamilies. Moreover, comparative genomic analysis showed that the gene structures of the CCDs were highly conserved across some different lineage species. Through functional divergence analysis, a substantial divergence was found between CCD subfamilies. In addition, examination of the site-specific profile revealed the critical amino acid residues accounting for functional divergence. This study mainly focused on the evolution of CCD genes and their functional divergence which may deliver an initial step for further experimental verifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oldenlandia umbellata L., commonly known as 'chay root', belongs to the family Rubiaceae and is one of the unexplored dye-yielding plants. The roots from this plant are the sources of red dye. Extraction protocol and dye characterisation have not been completely studied so far in this plant. Hence, in this article we have used UV spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography, GC-MS, high-performance liquid chromatography and NMR to identify the five major colouring compounds, including 1,2,3-trimethoxyanthraquinone, 1,3-dimethoxy-2-hydroxyanthraquinone, 1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone, 1-methoxy-2-hydroxyanthraquinone and 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone. It showed application feasibility as a new pH indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]