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Due to the increasing demand for antibiotic-free livestock products from the consumer side and the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters, the poultry feed industry is increasingly interested in developing more alternatives to cope with this problem. Organic acids (butyric acid) have many beneficial effects on poultry health, performance, and egg quality when used in their diet, thus they can be considered for the replacement of antibiotics in livestock production systems. Butyric acid is most efficacious against pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, and stimulates the population of beneficial gut bacteria. It is a primary energy source for colonocytes and augments the differentiation and maturation of the intestinal cells. Collectively, butyric acid should be considered as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, because it reduces pathogenic bacteria and their toxins, enhancing gut health thereby increasing nutrient digestibility, thus leading to improved growth performance and immunity among birds. The possible pathways and mechanisms through which butyric acid enhances gut health and production performance are discussed in this review. Detailed information about the use of butyric acid in poultry and its possible benefits under different conditions are also provided, and the impacts of butyric acid on egg quality and osteoporosis are noted.

Three concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 × 107 spores ml−1) (of the biocontrol fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum (strain AUMC 10620) were tested on citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans under in vitro and field conditions. Larvae and eggs were exposed to the fungal spores in vitro for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the findings were recorded at each time point. These results were compared with the application of the nematicide abamectin. Strain AUMC 10620 effectively reduced larval activity and egg hatching of T. semipenetrans under laboratory conditions. The highest concentration (5× 107 spores ml−1) of P. lilacinum, resulted in 89.01% immobility in the larvae, compared to abamectin, which resulted in 65.93% immobility after 48 h of exposure. These percentages of immobility were increased after 72 h of exposure (100 and 85.09%) when P. lilacinum at a concentration of 5 × 107 spores ml−1 and abamectin were used, respectively. On the other hand, the two other P. lilacinum concentrations (1.25, and 2.5 × 107 spores ml−1) affected the T. semipenetrans larvae to a lesser extent. The highest fungal concentration 5× 107 spores ml−1 inhibited the hatching of T. semipenetrans eggs in vitro with 71.34, 80, and 86.67% after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment compared to the abamectin treatment which showed 76.67, 78, and 87% after the abovementioned periods, respectively. In addition, the application of P. lilacinum (5 × 107 spores ml−1) or abamectin under field conditions significantly (P T. semipenetrans, Tylenchorhynchus spp., Helicotylenchus spp., and Pratylenchus spp.) infesting citrus after one, two, and three weeks of treatment compared to the control treatment but with no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the two treatments. Three weeks after the field application, the percentage of nematode reduction was significantly (P 7 spores ml−1, respectively, by 78.42, 64.03, and 58.35%. It is evident from these results that the application of P. lilacinum strain (AUMC 10620) can be used in integrated pest management programs to control nematodes infesting citrus trees. Graphical abstract

Probiotics are increasingly used in aquaculture to protect cultivated organisms from pathogens and improve water quality and feed efficiency. Shrimp are the most commonly cultivated aquaculture species worldwide. In this current review, we will explore the current challenges that impact shrimp aquaculture and summarize how probiotics are utilized to improve production. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are described as friendly bacteria or healthy bacteria supplemented to the shrimp gut through feeds. Probiotics have been demonstrated to increase gastrointestinal stability, secrete antibacterial compounds, compete with pathogens to prevent intestinal adhesion, compete for the nutrients required for pathogen survival and produce antitoxin effects. Probiotics can also modulate the immune system and control the allergic response of the body. Therefore, this review sheds light on the challenges faced in shrimp production as well as the different types of probiotics, their methods of application, their modes of action, their role in improving shrimp production, and their influence on water quality.

The current study was performed to develop a simple, safe, and cost-effective technique for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human breast milk with antifungal activity against animal pathogenic fungi. The LAB was selected based on their speed of transforming sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) to SeNPs. Out of the four identified LAB isolates, only one strain produced dark red color within 32 h of incubation, indicating that this isolate was the fastest in transforming Na2SeO3 to SeNPs; and was chosen for the biosynthesis of LAB-SeNPs. The superior isolate was further identified as Lactobacillus paracasei HM1 (MW390875) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic tree analysis of 16S rRNA sequence alignments. The optimum experimental conditions for the biosynthesis of SeNPs by L. paracasei HM1 were found to be pH (6.0), temperature (35˚C), Na2SeO3 (4.0 mM), reaction time (32 h), and agitation speed (160 rpm). The ultraviolet absorbance of L. paracasei-SeNPs was detected at 300 nm, and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) captured a diameter range between 3.0 and 50.0 nm. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided a clear image of the active groups associated with the stability of L. paracasei-SeNPs. The size of L. paracasei-SeNPs using dynamic light scattering technique was 56.91 ± 1.8 nm, and zeta potential value was −20.1 ± 0.6 mV in one peak. The data also revealed that L. paracasei-SeNPs effectively inhibited the growth of Candida and Fusarium species, and this was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current study concluded that the SeNPs obtained from L. paracasei HM1 could be used to prepare biological antifungal formulations effective against major animal pathogenic fungi. The antifungal activity of the biologically synthesized SeNPs using L. paracasei HM1 outperforms the chemically produced SeNPs. In vivo studies showing the antagonistic effect of SeNPs on pathogenic fungi are underway to demonstrate the potential of a therapeutic agent to treat animals against major infectious fungal diseases.

Thirty-one endophytic streptomycete and non-streptomycete actinobacteria were isolated from healthy date palm root tissues. In vitro screening revealed that the antifungal action of isolate #16 was associated with the production of cell-wall degrading enzymes, whereas with diffusible antifungal metabolites in isolate #28, albeit their production of volatile antifungal compounds. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, isolates #16 and #28 were identified as Streptomyces polychromogenes UAE2 (Sp; GenBank Accession #: OK560620) and Streptomyces coeruleoprunus UAE1 (Sc; OK560621), respectively. The two antagonists were recovered from root tissues until 12 weeks after inoculation, efficiently colonized root cortex and xylem vessels, indicating that the date palm roots are a suitable habitat for these endophytic isolates. At the end of the greenhouse experiments, the development of sudden decline syndrome (SDS) was markedly suppressed by 53% with the application of Sp and 86% with Sc, confirming their potential in disease management. Results showed that the estimated disease severity indices in diseased seedlings were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 4.75 (scale of 5) to 2.25 or 0.67 by either Sp or Sc, respectively. In addition, conidial numbers of the pathogen significantly (p < 0.05) dropped by 38% and 76% with Sp and Sc, respectively, compared to infected seedlings with F. solani (control). Thus, the suppression of disease symptoms was superior in seedlings pre-inoculated with S. coeruleoprunus, indicating that the diffusible antifungal metabolites were responsible for F. solani retardation in these plants. This is the first report of actinobacteria naturally existing in date palm tissues acting as microbial antagonists against SDS on date palm.

Globally, there is increasing demand for safe poultry food products free from antibiotic residues. There is thus a need to develop alternatives to antibiotics with safe nutritional feed derivatives that maximize performance, promote the intestinal immune status, enrich beneficial microbiota, promote health, and reduce the adverse effects of pathogenic infectious microorganisms. With the move away from including antibiotics in poultry diets, botanicals are among the most important alternatives to antibiotics. Some botanicals such as fennel, garlic, oregano, mint, and rosemary have been reported to increase the poultry's growth rate and/or feed to gain ratio. Botanicals' role is assumed to be mediated by improved immune responses and/or shifts in the microbial population in the intestine, with the elimination of pathogenic species. In addition, modulation of the gut microbiota resulted in various physiological and immunological responses and promoted beneficial bacterial strains that led to a healthy gut. There is thus a need to understand the relationship between poultry diets supplemented with botanicals and good health of the entire gastrointestinal tract if we intend to use these natural products to promote general health status and production. This current review provides an overview of current knowledge about certain botanicals that improve poultry productivity by modulating intestinal health and reducing the negative impacts of numerous pathogenic bacteria. This review also describes the efficacy, negative effects, and modes of action of some common herbal plants applied in poultry as alternatives to reduce the use of antibiotics.

This study investigated two kinds of probiotic bacteria (Bacillus toyonensis, B1 and Bifidobacterium bifidum, B2) on laying Japanese quail’s performance, egg quality, fertility and hatchability, blood biochemical characteristics and microbiological parameters. A total of 270 mature quails (180 females and 90 males) were distributed into ten groups in a completely randomized design at eight weeks of age. The experimental groups were as follows: T1: basal diet only (control); T2-T5, basal diet plus 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 and 0.125% B1, respectively; T6: basal diet plus 0.10% B2; T7-T10: basal diet plus 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 and 0.125% B1 plus 0.05% B2, respectively. Results revealed that egg number (EN) and egg weight (EW) were gradually increased (P

The increase of resistant bacteria puts a huge pressure on the antimicrobials in current use. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results from antibiotic misuse and abuse over many years and is a global financial burden. New polices must be developed for the use of antimicrobials and to continue research efforts to mitigate AMR. It is essential to target the most harmful bacteria and concentrate on their mechanisms of resistance to develop successful antimicrobials. Essential oils (EOs) are occur naturally in plants and have long been used as antimicrobials, but most have not been researched. This review explores EOs as alternative antimicrobials, investigating their ability to decrease or inhibit biofilm formation, and assess their ability to contribute to AMR control. Low concentrations of EOs can inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Some EOs have demonstrated strong anti-biofilm activities. If EOs are successful against biofilm formation, particularly in bacteria developing AMR, they could be incorporated into new antimicrobials. Therefore, there is a need to investigate these EOs’ potential, particularly for surface disinfection, and against bacteria from food, clinical and non-clinical environments.

In the current century, the development of medicine and molecular biotechnology led to successful containment and even eradication of some human pathogens, especially in developed countries. However, some pathogens have evolved, resulting in the emergence of other infectious diseases in developed countries. Human socioeconomic activities and the advancement of technology and transportation have led to the quick movement of humans to different parts of the world. There is a significant concern that this movement enhances the distribution of pathogens, making it difficult to contain, as witnessed with the global spread of the 2009 influenza pandemic within only 3 months and the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which spread in various West African countries within 8 months. Natural products obtained from plant sources can be identified as the next-generation antibacterial and antiviral alternatives. In developed countries, 80% of the population depends on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare issues, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Relatedly, India is one of the highest producing countries for medicinal herbs. It is considered an international botanical garden. Therefore, the focus of this current review was on the importance of using plants to treat bacterial and viral diseases due to the many advantages of these plants.

Camel’s milk is an important part of staple diet in several parts of the world, particularly in the arid and semi-arid zones. Camel’s milk is rich in health-beneficial substances, such as bioactive peptides, lactoferrin, zinc, and mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These substances could help in the treatment of some important human diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, and jaundice. Camel’s milk composition is more variable compared to cow’s milk. The effects of feed, breed, age, and lactation stage on milk composition are more significant in camel. Region and season significantly change the ratio of compounds in camel’s milk. Camel’s whey protein is not only composed of numerous soluble proteins, but also has indigenous proteases such as chymotrypsin A and cathepsin D. In addition to their high nutritional value, these whey proteins have unique characteristics, including physical, chemical, physiological, functional, and technological features that are useful in the food application. The hydrolysis of camel’s milk proteins leads to the formation of bioactive peptides, which affect major organ systems of the body and impart physiological functions to these systems. The camel’s milk has antioxidant, antimicrobial, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, antidiabetic as well as anticholesterol activities.

In December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) that began in China had infected so far more than 109,217,366 million individuals worldwide and accounted for more than 2,413,912 fatalities. With the dawn of this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), there was a requirement to select potential therapies that might effectively kill the virus, accelerate the recovery, or decrease the case fatality rate. Besides the currently available antiviral medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), the chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (CQ/HCQ) regimen with or without azithromycin has been repurposed in China and was recommended by the National Health Commission, China in mid-February 2020. By this time, the selection of this regimen was based on its efficacy against the previous SARS-CoV-1 virus and its potential to inhibit viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. There was a shortage of robust clinical proof about the effectiveness of this regimen against the novel SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, extensive research effort has been made by several researchers worldwide to investigate whether this regimen is safe and effective for the management of COVID-19. In this review, we provided a comprehensive overview of the CQ/HCQ regimen, summarizing data from in vitro studies and clinical trials for the protection against or the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Despite the initial promising results from the in vitro studies and the widespread use of CQ/HCQ in clinical settings during the 1st wave of COVID-19, current data from well-designed randomized controlled trials showed no evidence of benefit from CQ/HCQ supplementation for the treatment or prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Particularly, the two largest randomized controlled trials to date (RECOVERY and WHO SOLIDARITY trials), both confirmed that CQ/HCQ regimen does not provide any clinical benefit for COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of this regimen in COVID-19 patients outside the context of clinical trials.

Diseases negatively impact the environment, causing many health risks and the spread of pollution and hazards. A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a recent respiratory syndrome epidemic in humans. In December 2019, the sudden emergence of this new coronavirus and the subsequent severe disease it causes created a serious global health threat and hazards. This is in contrast to the two aforementioned coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 (in 2002) and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV (in 2012), which were much more easily contained. The World Health Organization (WHO) dubbed this contagious respiratory disease an "epidemic outbreak" in March 2020. More than 80 companies and research institutions worldwide are working together, in cooperation with many governmental agencies, to develop an effective vaccine. To date, six authorized vaccines have been registered. Up till now, no approved drugs and drug scientists are racing from development to clinical trials to find new drugs for COVID-19. Wild animals, such as snakes, bats, and pangolins are the main sources of coronaviruses, as determined by the sequence homology between MERS-CoV and viruses in these animals. Human infection is caused by inhalation of respiratory droplets. To date, the only available treatment protocol for COVID-19 is based on the prevalent clinical signs. This review aims to summarize the current information regarding the origin, evolution, genomic organization, epidemiology, and molecular and cellular characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 as well as the diagnostic and treatment approaches for COVID-19 and its impact on global health, environment, and economy.

Background: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a dominant fruit crop in most of the Arabian countries. Date pits, as a major byproduct which remained after consumption of date flesh proved to be valuable source of energy. Methods: Solid State Degradation (SSD) system was used for the preparation of degraded date pits. Date pits degraded with Trichoderma reesei were evaluated for their proximate, chemical composition and antioxidant activity. Results: The crude fiber content of degraded date pits was found to be 20.8 %, ash (2.09%), crude fat (7.2%), protein (5.56%), and total carbohydrate (87.2%). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was found to be 74.6% and 45.7%, respectively. Monosaccharide composition of fiber showed that the degradation with T. reesei significantly (P Conclusion: Biological degradation with T. reesei significantly (P

Thirty-five actinobacterial isolates obtained from Salicornia bigelovii rhizosphere in the United Arab Emirates were evaluated for their potential to produce polyamines and for their abilities to be rhizosphere-competent. The highly polyamine-producing Actinoplanes deccanensis UAE1 and Streptomyces euryhalinus UAE1 were selected, and their inoculation impacts on S. bigelovii were assessed under greenhouse conditions. Application of any of the two isolates significantly increased the length and dry weight of shoot and root tissues, photosynthetic pigments, and seed yields compared to control plants, suggesting that A. deccanensis and S. euryhalinus can promote S. bigelovii growth. The application of these isolates resulted in significant increases in the levels of endogenous free polyamines and plant growth regulators (auxins, gibberellic acid, and cytokinins), but a concomitant reduction in abscisic acid in S. bigelovii-tested tissues. Specifically, we found that putrescine, spermidine, and spermine produced by S. euryhalinus were the major contributors to plant growth parameters, but to a lesser extent by A. deccanensis. Both A. deccanensis and S. euryhalinus were, however, not capable of producing significant levels of other plant growth regulators in vitro. Plant yield was higher in the presence of S. euryhalinus than with A. deccanensis, suggesting relative superiority of S. euryhalinus as a rhizosphere-competent isolate compared to the nonrhizosphere-competent isolate A. deccanensis. This is the first study reporting the production of polyamines by marine actinobacteria and demonstrating the potential of polyamine-producing actinobacteria to enhance growth of halophytic plants through the increase in the endogenous levels of free polyamines and other plant growth regulators.

Two successive field trials were carried out at the experimental farm of the Agriculture Department of Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt, to investigate the sole or dual interaction effect of applying a foliar spray of

Global climate change is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and the consequences of global warming are expected to worsen. Many heat waves have recently hit various parts of the world, causing major losses in livestock, particularly in the poultry sector, resulting in massive mortalities and catastrophic economic losses. Therefore, the current review sheds light on the effects of heat stress on the poultry industry, and discusses the factors relevant to these harmful effects on behavior, bone development, blood chemistry and physiological changes, pathogenesis, and immune responses. Potential methods to ameliorate the heat stress response in birds, with particular reference to the role of probiotics in controlling such problems, is further discussed.

Globally, several studies have investigated the utilization and efficacy of promising medicinal herbal plants to enhance livestock and poultry production. The most commonly investigated phytobiotics in broiler ration were oregano, garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, hot red pepper (HRP), and sage. Phytobiotics are classified on the basis of the medicinal properties of plants, their essential oil extracts, and their bioactive compounds. The majority of bioactive compounds in plants are secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, phenolic, glycosides, and alkaloids. The composition and concentrations of these bioactive constitutes vary according to their biological factors and manufacturing and storage conditions. Furthermore, HRP is one of the most important and widely used spices in the human diet. Capsicum annum, that is, HRP, is a species of the plant genus Capsicum (pepper), which is a species native to southern North America and northern South America and is widely grown and utilized for its fresh or cooked fruits. Moreover, these fruits may be used as dried powders or processed forms of oleoresins. Researches have proven that C. annuum is the only plant that produces the alkaloid capsaicinoids. Approximately 48% of its active substances are capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonemide), the main active compound responsible for the intense effects of HRP varieties and the main component inducing the hot flavor. This review aimed to highlight the effects of HRP as a phytobiotic in broiler nutrition and its mode of action as a possible alternative to antibiotics and clarify its impact on broiler and layer productivity.

In line with the substantial increase in the broiler industry worldwide, Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis (NE) resembles a continuous challenge leading to high economic losses, especially after antimicrobial growth promoters in feeds were banned by many countries. The disease is distributed worldwide in either clinical or subclinical form, causing a reduction in body weight or body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio, impairing the European Broiler Index or European Production Efficiency Factor. There are several predisposing factors in the development of NE. Clinical signs varied from inapparent signs in case of subclinical infection (clostridiosis) to obvious enteric signs (morbidity), followed by an increase in mortality level (clostridiosis or clinical infection). Clinical and laboratory diagnoses are based on case history, clinical signs, gross and histopathological lesions, pathogenic agent identification, serological testing, and molecular identification. Drinking water treatment is the most common route for the administration of several antibiotics, such as penicillin, bacitracin, and lincomycin. Strict hygienic management practices in the farm, careful selection of feed ingredients for ration formulation, and use of alternative antibiotic feed additives are all important in maintaining broiler efficiency and help increase the profitability of broiler production. The current review highlights NE caused by C. perfringens and explains the advances in the understanding of C. perfringens virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of NE with special emphasis on the use of available antibiotic alternatives such as herbal extracts and essential oils as well as vaccines for the control and prevention of NE in broiler chickens.

Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) is the dominant vegetation distributed along the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite its performance as natural coastal guardians, very little is known about the reforestation projects to increase mangrove cover over the years in the UAE and in the Arabian Gulf. Plant growth-promoting actinobacteria (PGPA) were isolated from the mangrove rhizosphere sediments found in the UAE and were evaluated for their potential to produce plant growth regulators (PGRs) and to enhance mangrove growth under seawater irrigation conditions. In vitro screening identified nine rhizosphere-competent actinobacterial isolates, in a naturally competitive environment, of which Streptomyces coelicoflavus (Sc) showed a high phosphorus solubilizing activity. Moreover, Streptomyces polychromogenes (Sp), Streptomyces bacillaris (Sb), and Streptomyces ferrugineus (Sf) produced auxins, polyamines (PAs), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, respectively. Although sediment inoculation with single isolates significantly improved the dry biomass of mangrove shoots (43.2–74.0%) and roots (40.8–75.9%), the consortium of isolates (Sc/Sp/Sb/Sf) caused a greater increase in the dry weight of shoots (82.1%) and roots (81.6%) compared with seawater-irrigated plants (control). In our greenhouse experiments, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, in planta auxins, and PAs significantly increased in plant tissues inoculated with Sc/Sp/Sb/Sf; whereas ACC contents were reduced. This was also evident as the maximum velocity of rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) increased four-fold in plants treated with the mixture of isolates over control. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting culturable halotolerant, rhizosphere-competent PGPA inhabiting salty and arid ecosystems applied individually or in combination to promote mangrove growth under harsh conditions such as those found in the Arabian coastal areas.

Aquaculture, also known as aqua farming, is defined as farming fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and other marine organisms. It includes cultivating fresh- and saltwater populations under controlled conditions compared to commercial fishing or wild fish harvesting. Worldwide, carp, salmon, tilapia, and catfish are the most common fish species used in fish farming in descending order. Disinfectants prevent and/or treat different infections in aquatic animals. The current review indicates the uses of different disinfectants against some important pathogens in aquaculture, with particular reference to tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming. A single review cannot cover all aspects of disinfection throughout aquaculture, so the procedures and principles of disinfection in tilapia farming/aquaculture have been chosen for illustration purposes.

Bacteriophage UAE_MI-01 is an Escherichia coli O157:H7 phage that was isolated from the feces of wild pigeons ( Columba livia domestica ) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. All previously reported E. coli O157:H7 phages were isolated from ruminants. Here, we report the genetic features of this phage based on its complete genome sequence. UAE_MI-01 has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent and as an industrial food preservative.

Recent progress in transcriptomics and co-expression networks have enabled us to predict the inference of the biological functions of genes with the associated environmental stress. Microarrays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) are the most commonly used high-throughput gene expression platforms for detecting differentially expressed genes between two (or more) phenotypes. Gene co-expression networks (GCNs) are a systems biology method for capturing transcriptional patterns and predicting gene interactions into functional and regulatory relationships. Here, we describe the procedures and tools used to construct and analyze GCN and investigate the integration of transcriptional data with GCN to provide reliable information about the underlying biological mechanism.

The feeding experiment's main purpose was to estimate the influence of fortification of tilapia diets with miswak leaf powder (MLP) on performance, digestive enzyme activity, chemical body composition, antioxidant status, immune response, and resistance against bacterial and fungal infections. O. niloticus fingerlings (15.22 ± 0.06 g) were fed four formulated diets fortified with MLP at 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 g kg−1 diet for 56 days. The fish were injected with Aeromonas hydrophila for 14 days at the end of the feeding trial, and then the mortality percentage was recorded daily in all treated groups. The obtained results showed that dietary administration of MLP at 2.5 g kg−1 recorded significantly higher values in all growth, feed utilization, and feed efficiency parameters. The digestive enzyme activity was significantly (P

Mangrove forests in the Arabian Gulf are under continuous threat. To increase plantations of gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 27 endophytic actinobacterial isolates obtained from mangrove roots were in vitro pre-screened to detect the polyamines (PAs) [putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm)]. We also determined the abilities of the endophytic PA-producing actinobacterial isolates in enhancing the growth of A. marina under greenhouse conditions. Although three highly PA-producing isolates were recovered from inside mangrove root tissues, Streptomyces mutabilis UAE1 constantly colonized root and stem inner tissues for 12 weeks, suggesting an endophytic association between this actinobacterial isolate and mangrove seedlings. When roots were inoculated with S. mutabilis, mangrove growth was remarkably enhanced under gnotobiotic and greenhouse conditions. This was evident from the significant (P < 0.05) increases in dry weight and length of root (66.7 and 65.5%, respectively) and shoot (64.8 and 58.0%, respectively), number of branches (64.3%), total leaf area (40.2%), and photosynthetic pigments (54.5% chlorophyll a; 40.0% chlorophyll b; and 53.1% carotenoids) of mangrove compared to the PA-non-producing Streptomyces sp. or control treatment. Growth promotion in plants treated with S. mutabilis was also supported by significant (P < 0.05) elevations in the contents of mangrove in planta PAs, auxins, and cytokinins, accompanied by a decrease in abscisic acid levels. No difference was, however, detected in growth and amounts of PAs or any plant growth regulators (PGRs) in plants treated with or without the PA-non-producing isolate. Our findings indicate that plant growth parameters can be enhanced as a consequence of secretion of Put, Spd, and Spm by S. mutabilis resulting in regulation of endogenous PAs and other PGRs in mangrove tissues. This study is the first record that aims to improve sustainable agricultural management practices using plant growth promoting (PGP) actinobacteria, endophytic in mangrove tissues to promote mangrove growth under greenhouse conditions. Such research may allow this region to be a model to study the synergistic S. mutabilis–mangrove interactions and the future impacts on mangrove reforestation in the Arabian Gulf and elsewhere where mangrove forests are in threat.

Consumers demand clean-label food products, necessitating the search for new, natural antimicrobials to meet this demand while ensuring food safety. This review aimed at investigating the antimicrobial properties of black pepper (Piper guineense) against foodborne microorganisms. The existence of foodborne illness, food spoilage, food waste, the resulting negative economic impact of these issues, and consumer interests have all pushed the food industry to find alternative, safe, and natural antimicrobials to be used in foods and beverages. Consumers have also influenced the demand for novel antimicrobials due to the perceived association of current synthetic preservatives with diseases and adverse effects on children. They also have a desire for clean-label products. These combined concerns have prompted researchers at investigating plant extracts as potential sources for antimicrobials. Plants possess many antimicrobial properties; therefore, evaluating these plant extracts as a natural source of antimicrobials can lead to a preventative control method in reducing foodborne illness and food spoilage, inclusively meeting consumer needs. In most regions, P. guineense is commonly utilized due to its potent and effective medicinal properties against foodborne microorganisms.

Globally, there is increasing demand for safe poultry food products free from antibiotic residues. There is thus a need to develop alternatives to antibiotics with safe nutritional feed derivatives that maximize performance, promote the intestinal immune status, enrich beneficial microbiota, promote health, and reduce the adverse effects of pathogenic infectious microorganisms. With the move away from including antibiotics in poultry diets, botanicals are among the most important alternatives to antibiotics. Some botanicals such as fennel, garlic, oregano, mint, and rosemary have been reported to increase the poultry's growth rate and/or feed to gain ratio. Botanicals' role is assumed to be mediated by improved immune responses and/or shifts in the microbial population in the intestine, with the elimination of pathogenic species. In addition, modulation of the gut microbiota resulted in various physiological and immunological responses and promoted beneficial bacterial strains that led to a healthy gut. There is thus a need to understand the relationship between poultry diets supplemented with botanicals and good health of the entire gastrointestinal tract if we intend to use these natural products to promote general health status and production. This current review provides an overview of current knowledge about certain botanicals that improve poultry productivity by modulating intestinal health and reducing the negative impacts of numerous pathogenic bacteria. This review also describes the efficacy, negative effects, and modes of action of some common herbal plants applied in poultry as alternatives to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Avian coccidiosis is a major parasitic disorder in chickens resulting from the intracellular apicomplexan protozoa Eimeria that target the intestinal tract leading to a devastating disease. Eimeria life cycle is complex and consists of intra- and extracellular stages inducing a potent inflammatory response that results in tissue damage associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, diarrheal hemorrhage, poor growth, increased susceptibility to other disease agents, and in severe cases, mortality. Various anticoccidial drugs and vaccines have been used to prevent and control this disorder; however, many drawbacks have been reported. Drug residues concerning the consumers have directed research toward natural, safe, and effective alternative compounds. Phytochemical/herbal medicine is one of these natural alternatives to anticoccidial drugs, which is considered an attractive way to combat coccidiosis in compliance with the “anticoccidial chemical-free” regulations. The anticoccidial properties of several natural herbal products (or their extracts) have been reported. The effect of herbal additives on avian coccidiosis is based on diminishing the oocyst output through inhibition or impairment of the invasion, replication, and development of Eimeria species in the gut tissues of chickens; lowering oocyst counts due to the presence of phenolic compounds in herbal extracts which reacts with cytoplasmic membranes causing coccidial cell death; ameliorating the degree of intestinal lipid peroxidation; facilitating the repair of epithelial injuries; and decreasing the intestinal permeability induced by Eimeria species through the upregulation of epithelial turnover. This current review highlights the anticoccidial activity of several herbal products, and their other beneficial effects.

In this study, we aimed to identify common genetic components during stress response responsible for crosstalk among stresses, and to determine the role of differentially expressed genes in Arabidopsis-Botrytis cinerea interaction. Of 1,554 B. cinerea up-regulated genes, 24%, 1.4% and 14% were induced by biotic, abiotic and hormonal treatments, respectively. About 18%, 2.5% and 22% of B. cinerea down-regulated genes were also repressed by the same stress groups. Our transcriptomic analysis indicates that plant responses to all tested stresses can be mediated by commonly regulated genes; and protein-protein interaction network confirms the cross-interaction between proteins regulated by these genes. Upon challenges to individual or multiple stress(es), accumulation of signaling molecules (e.g. hormones) plays a major role in the activation of downstream defense responses. In silico gene analyses enabled us to assess the involvement of RAP2.4 (related to AP2.4) in plant immunity. Arabidopsis RAP2.4 was repressed by B. cinerea, and its mutants enhanced resistance to the same pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the role of RAP2.4 in plant defense against B. cinerea. This research can provide a basis for breeding programs to increase tolerance and improve yield performance in crops.

Graphical abstract, The current study was performed to develop a simple, safe, and cost-effective technique for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human breast milk with antifungal activity against animal pathogenic fungi. The LAB was selected based on their speed of transforming sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) to SeNPs. Out of the four identified LAB isolates, only one strain produced dark red color within 32 h of incubation, indicating that this isolate was the fastest in transforming Na2SeO3 to SeNPs; and was chosen for the biosynthesis of LAB-SeNPs. The superior isolate was further identified as Lactobacillus paracasei HM1 (MW390875) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic tree analysis of 16S rRNA sequence alignments. The optimum experimental conditions for the biosynthesis of SeNPs by L. paracasei HM1 were found to be pH (6.0), temperature (35˚C), Na2SeO3 (4.0 mM), reaction time (32 h), and agitation speed (160 rpm). The ultraviolet absorbance of L. paracasei-SeNPs was detected at 300 nm, and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) captured a diameter range between 3.0 and 50.0 nm. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided a clear image of the active groups associated with the stability of L. paracasei-SeNPs. The size of L. paracasei-SeNPs using dynamic light scattering technique was 56.91 ± 1.8 nm, and zeta potential value was −20.1 ± 0.6 mV in one peak. The data also revealed that L. paracasei-SeNPs effectively inhibited the growth of Candida and Fusarium species, and this was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current study concluded that the SeNPs obtained from L. paracasei HM1 could be used to prepare biological antifungal formulations effective against major animal pathogenic fungi. The antifungal activity of the biologically synthesized SeNPs using L. paracasei HM1 outperforms the chemically produced SeNPs. In vivo studies showing the antagonistic effect of SeNPs on pathogenic fungi are underway to demonstrate the potential of a therapeutic agent to treat animals against major infectious fungal diseases.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a spice utilized widely in India, China, and Southeast Asia as an aromatic stimulant, a food preservative, and coloring material. The commonly used names of turmeric are castor saffron, turmeric, and saffron root. Turmeric is a yellow-orange polyphenolic natural substance derived from C. longa rhizomes. It has been used to treat common inflammatory diseases, tumors, biliary diseases, anorexia, cough, topical wounds, diabetic injuries, liver disorders, rheumatism, and sinusitis. Extensive studies on the biological properties and pharmacological consequences of turmeric extracts have been conducted in recent years. Curcumin, the primary yellow biocomponent of turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antifibrotic, immunomodulatory, and antifungal properties. Defense assessment tests showed that curcumin is tolerated well at high doses, without adverse effects. Thus, curcumin is a highly active biological material with the potential to treat different diseases in modern medicine. This review article focuses on curcumin's biological characteristics. The most popular methods for curcumin encapsulation are also discussed. Several effective techniques and approaches have been proposed for curcuminoid capsulation, including nanocomplexing, gelation, complex coacervation, electrospraying, and solvent-free pH-driven encapsulation. This review also highlights curcumin's chemical properties, allowing the readers to expand their perspectives on its use in the development of functional products with health-promoting properties. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The reproductive performance of ruminants is economically significant, and its improvement is a primary goal of the livestock industry to ensure its sustainability. Several approaches have been developed to use phytogenics as feed additives for several proposes, such as reducing methane emissions, and as an alternative to antibiotics. Phytogenics have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and metabolism-regulatory properties, and they are present at high levels in animal feeds. This current review considers the potential use of medicinal herbs on the reproductive performance of animals. The influence of diet on the fertility complications commonly noted in ruminants is of global interest. Although the effects of phytogenics on ruminant digestion and absorption are well-explored, their impact on reproductive performance remains poorly investigated. This review focuses on the influence of phytogenics on semen quality, hormonal profiles, and hematobiochemical indices in male ruminants. Based on available data, phytogenics are perceived to improve oocyte quality, reproductive performance, and pregnancy. However, further more comprehensive research on the benefits and potential hazards of the use of phytogenics is required to improve reproductive performance in ruminants.

Actinomycetes isolated from carrot rhizosphere were screened for their in vitro and in vivo antagonism to Pythium coloration Vaartaja, a causal agent of cavity-spot disease of carrots (Daucus carata L.). Forty-five streptomycete and non-streptomycete actinomycete isolates were screened for in vitro antagonism in a carrot bioassay. Of these, seven which reduced or prevented lesion formation were identified using cultural, morphological, physiological, biochemical and cell wall characteristics as Streptomyces janthimts, S. cinerochromogenes, Streptoverticilium netropsis, Actinomadura rubra, Actinoplanes philippinensis, Muromonospora carbonaceae, and Streptosporangium albidum. All seven isolates tested produced non-volatile antifungal metabolites, but failed to produce inhibitory volatile compounds. Actinoplanef philippincnsis and M. carbonacea grew epiphytically on the hyphae and oospores of P. eoloratum. The external surface of the oospores of the pathogen was heavily colonized by both hyperparasites, their hyphae were found to coil tightly around the oospore wall, and frequently caused cytoplasmic collapse of oospores. Sporangia of A. philippinensis were often seen to emerge from the colonized hyphae and oospores of P. eoloratum. None of the other actinomycete isolates showed hyperparasitism. All seven isolates significantly reduced the incidence of cavity spot in soil artificially infested with the pathogen in the glasshouse. Streptomyces janlhinus and Stfepto. albidum were the most effective in reducing the disease in inoculated plants. In addition, all the actinomycetes species except Ac. rubra and M. carbonacea, in the presence or absence of the pathogen, significantly (P < 0.05) increased mean fresh root weight compared to the treatment which included P. thorium only. This study shows that these actinomycetes have considerable potential for future use as biocontrol agents of cavity spot under natural field conditions. This is the first report of cavity-spot disease of carrots being controlled by microbial antagonists, and is the first report of non-streptomycete actinomycetes to control a Pythium disease.

As a crucial organ, the lung is exposed to various harmful agents that may induce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may cause chronic or acute lung injury. Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, has been widely used to treat various diseases and is one of the most extensively researched medicinal plants. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component of black seed volatile oil and has been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. The potential therapeutic properties of TQ against various pulmonary disorders have been studied in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the application of nanotechnology may increase drug solubility, cellular absorption, drug release (sustained or control), and drug delivery to lung tissue target sites. As a result, fabricating TQ as nanoparticles (NPs) is a potential therapeutic approach against a variety of lung diseases. In this current review, we summarize recent findings on the efficacy of TQ and its nanotypes in lung disorders caused by immunocompromised conditions such as cancer, diabetes, gastric ulcers, and other neurodegenerative diseases. It is concluded that TQ nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiasthma, and antitumor activity may be safely applied to treat lung disorders. However, more research is required before TQ nanoparticles can be used as pharmaceutical preparations in human studies.

Nano-silicon application is an efficient novel approach to mitigate the deleterious impacts of drought stress on field crops, which is expected to increase owing to climate change, especially in arid regions. Two-season field studies investigated the influence of foliar-applied nano-silicon (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) on physiological and biochemical attributes and their impacts on crop water productivity (CWP) and the agronomic traits of faba beans (Vicia faba). The plants were evaluated under two irrigation regimes: well-watered (100% ETc giving 406 mm ha−1) and drought stress (65% ETc giving 264 mm ha−1). It was found that drought stress significantly decreased gas exchange (leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and rate of transpiration), water relations (relative water content and membrane stability index), nutrient uptake (N, P, K+, and Ca+2), flavonoids, and phenolic content. In contrast, drought stress significantly increased oxidative stress (H2O2 and O2·-) and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities compared with the well-watered treatment. These influences of drought stress were negatively reflected in seed yield-related traits and CWP. However, foliar treatment with nano-silicon, particularly with 1.5 mM, limited the devastating impact of drought stress and markedly enhanced all the aforementioned parameters. Therefore, exogenously applied nano-silicon could be used to improve the CWP and seed and biological yields of faba bean plants under conditions with low water availability in arid environments.

Recent progress in transcriptomics and co-expression networks have enabled us to predict the inference of the biological functions of genes with the associated environmental stress. Microarrays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) are the most commonly used high-throughput gene expression platforms for detecting differentially expressed genes between two (or more) phenotypes. Gene co-expression networks (GCNs) are a systems biology method for capturing transcriptional patterns and predicting gene interactions into functional and regulatory relationships. Here, we describe the procedures and tools used to construct and analyze GCN and investigate the integration of transcriptional data with GCN to provide reliable information about the underlying biological mechanism.