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The beneficial application of silver nanoparticles and biostimulants to increase crop yield and quality is a long-term strategy to achieve desired agricultural productions that are resilient to various biotic and abiotic challenges. This project aimed to evaluate the individual effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Ascophyllum nodosum (SEW), and Spirulina platensis (SP) on the growth and physiological responses of Santolina chamaecyparissus. S. chamaecyparissus plants were exposed to AgNPs (20, 40, and 60 mg L−1), SWE (0.5% and 1%), and SP (1%, 2%, and 3%). The finding indicates that the light-harvesting efficiency and plant photochemical capacity are not affected by most treatments except for 60 mg L−1 AgNPs. Furthermore, the pattern of H2O2 levels in leaves was significantly higher after AgNP, SP, and SEW treatments. In parallel, total phenolic production was at least accompanied by a burst in H2O2 levels. However, higher antioxidant activity compared to the control, is shown by the higher free-DPPH-radical inhibition that goes completely smoothly with lower H2O2 levels. Thus, the results of the present study showed that biostimulants overall improved the antioxidant activity of S. chamaecyparissus and induced variable detectable amounts of phenolic compounds in response to the concentrations of each biostimulant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedera helix L., a member of the Araliaceae family, is a commonly known decorative plant with recognized medicinal activities. In this study, the ethanolic extract from H. helix leaves was investigated for its total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The aim was to evaluate its potential for controlling certain infections by screening its antibacterial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined using colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity was assessed through two assay methods: the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and the reducing power ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). The antibacterial activity against different pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was evaluated using the well diffusion method. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the H. helix extract were found to be 134.3 ± 4.9 mg gallic acid/g and 42.4 ± 3.6 mg catechin/g, respectively. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity, with a reducing power represented by an FRAP value of 9.5 ± 0.9 mmol Fe+2/g DW and a percentage inhibition of DPPH of 64.7 ± 3.8 at 80 µg/mL. The extract demonstrated antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of K. pneumoniae and S. aureus with zone of inhibition values of 18.5 and 23.2 mm, respectively, using 25 mg/well. However, E. coli and P. aeruginosa exhibited resistance to the extract. The findings of this study highlight the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extract from H. helix leaves. The extract exhibited significant phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity. It also demonstrated antibacterial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria, suggesting its potential for controlling certain infections. Further research is warranted to identify the active compounds responsible for these activities and to explore their mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to improve the functionality of two pectin (PEC) edible films by incorporating olive leaf extract (OLE) or guava leaf extract (GLE). Different concentrations of OLE or GLE (0.1 and 0.2% w/v) were used, and 30% glycerol was added as a plasticizer. The obtained films were evaluated for their mechanical properties, antioxidant activity, thickness, color, opacity, permeability to gases and water vapor, moisture content, and moisture uptake. Soluble sachets were then prepared and filled with chicken stock powder. The results indicated that incorporating OLE or GLE into the PEC films significantly increased their opacity, greenness, and antioxidant activity, which increased from 8.5% in the control to 83.9% when 0.2% GLE was added. Additionally, the films had lower water vapor permeability than the control film. The moisture uptake of the films was also significantly increased when GLE was added. Furthermore, the developed sachets were tested in real-life scenarios, mirroring their intended usage in households. After being introduced to boiling water, the sachets rapidly dissolved within seconds. These results suggest that OLE or GLE, as natural additives, can be used to improve the functionality and activity of edible films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two active coronaviral proteins (3CLpro and Nsp15) have been studied using both the GCMS and docking methods. These coronaviral proteins have been examined with the methanol extract generated from leaves of the Arum palaestinum. According to the GC-MS findings, 19 major natural compounds are present in the plant's methanolic extract. The lowest Binding Energy (LBE) and the inhibition constant (Ki) have been used to identify and classify the potential of these lead drugs with their pharmacological properties. The affinity of these compounds with coronaviral proteins has been evaluated to reveal the usage of these compounds at the active sites of the receptors, 3CLpro (PDB ID: 6LU7) and Nsp15 (PDB ID: 6VWW). The results of β-Sitosterol, Androstan-3-one, Phenobarbital, Maltose, and α-Tocopherol show more affinity to Nsp15 and 3CLpro than to the supporting control drugs. Furthermore, an evaluation of the interactions of these components with the amino acids of 3CLpro and Nsp15 revealed that β-Sitosterol has the best LBE score and Ki value as compared with those of the approved medication and all other compounds under investigation. Consequently, these potential compounds may be modern inhibitors of coronavirus. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed for such computational findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop method is a highly efficient method optimized for the first time in the determination of trace levels of ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and ketoprofen in water samples. Several important parameters affecting the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop (extraction solvent, ionic strength, pH, dispersion solvent, vortex, and centrifugation times) were studied and optimized using a univariate optimization strategy. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photo‐diode array detector was used after the sample preparation. Limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.15–0.32 and 0.48–0.98 μg/L, respectively. Moreover, the linear dynamic range was up to 1000 μg/L and determination coefficient was higher than 0.9949. Recoveries in all water samples at two spiking levels (20 and 50 μg/L) were between 80.5 and 102.8% for all the pharmaceuticals. The intra‐ and interday (n = 5) precision were below 9.4%. Using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop as a method for the extraction of pharmaceuticals from the aquatic environment is simple, rapid, environmentally friendly, and opens a new door for applications in this field where preconcentration is almost always required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]