Search

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile novel bacterial strain, designated MAHUQ-52T, was isolated from the rhizospheric soil of a banana plant. Colonies grew at 10–35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5), and in the presence of 0–1.0 % NaCl (optimum 0 %). The strain was positive for catalase and oxidase tests, as well as hydrolysis of gelatin, casein, starch and Tween 20. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences, strain MAHUQ-52T clustered together within the genus Massilia . Strain MAHUQ-52T was closely related to Massilia soli R798T (98.6 %) and Massilia polaris RP-1-19T (98.3 %). The novel strain MAHUQ-52T has a draft genome size of 4 677 454 bp (25 contigs), annotated with 4193 protein-coding genes, 64 tRNA and 19 rRNA genes. The genomic DNA G+C content was 63.0 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MAHUQ-52T and closely related type strains were ≤88.4 and 35.8 %, respectively. The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids were identified as C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C15 : 0 iso 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c). Strain MAHUQ-52T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. On the basis of dDDH and ANI values, as well as genotypic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAHUQ-52T represents a novel species within the genus Massilia , for which the name Massilia agrisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with MAHUQ-52T (=KACC 21999T=CGMCC 1.18577T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and creamy pink-coloured bacterium, designated MAHUQ-68T, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of a jujube tree. Colonies grew at 10–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH, 7.0) and in the presence of 0–1.5 % NaCl (optimum 0–0.5 %). Positive for both catalase and oxidase activity. Strain MAHUQ-68T hydrolysed casein, starch, aesculin and l-tyrosine. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences, strain MAHUQ-68T clustered together within the genus Solitalea . The closest members were Solitalea longa HR-AVT (98.8 % sequence similarity), Solitalea canadensis DSM 3403T (96.9 %) and Solitalea koreensis R2A36-4T (94.0 %). The genome of strain MAHUQ-68 T was 4 250 173 bp long with 68 scaffolds and 3 570 protein-coding genes. The genomic DNA G+C content of the type strain was 38.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MAHUQ-68T and its closest relatives were 72.0–81.4% and 19.8–24.3 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified lipids. Based on these data, strain MAHUQ-68T represents a novel species in the genus Solitalea , for which the name Solitalea agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MAHUQ-68T (=KACC 22249T=CGMCC 1.19062T).

Biosynthesized metal nanoparticles, especially silver and gold nanoparticles, and their conjugates with biopolymers have immense potential in various fields of science due to their enormous applications, including biomedical applications. Polymeric nanoparticles are particles of small sizes from 1 nm to 1000 nm. Among different polymeric nanoparticles, chitosan-coated silver and gold nanoparticles have gained significant interest from researchers due to their various biomedical applications, such as anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory technologies, as well as targeted drug delivery, etc. Multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria have become a serious threat to public health day by day. Novel, effective, and safe antibacterial agents are required to control these multidrug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms. Chitosan-coated silver and gold nanoparticles could be effective and safe agents for controlling these pathogens. It is proven that both chitosan and silver or gold nanoparticles have strong antibacterial activity. By the conjugation of biopolymer chitosan with silver or gold nanoparticles, the stability and antibacterial efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria will be increased significantly, as well as their toxicity in humans being decreased. In recent years, chitosan-coated silver and gold nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated due to their potential applications in nanomedicine. This review discusses the biologically facile, rapid, and ecofriendly synthesis of chitosan-coated silver and gold nanoparticles; their characterization; and potential antibacterial applications against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile novel bacterial strain, designated MAHUQ-58T, was isolated from soil sample of a rice field. The colonies were observed to be light pink-coloured, smooth, spherical and 0.6–1.0 mm in diameter when grown on nutrient agar (NA) medium for 2 days. Strain MAHUQ-58T was found to be able to grow at 15–40 °C, at pH 5.5–10.0 and with 0–1.0 % NaCl (w/v). Cell growth occurred on tryptone soya agar, Luria–Bertani agar, NA, MacConkey agar and Reasoner's 2A agar. The strain was found to be positive for both oxidase and catalase tests. The strain was positive for hydrolysis of Tween 20 and l-tyrosine. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Pseudomonas and to be closely related to Pseudomonas oryzae WM-3T (98.9 % similarity), Pseudomonas linyingensis LYBRD3-7T (97.7 %), Pseudomonas sagittaria JCM 18195 T (97.6 %) and Pseudomonas guangdongensis SgZ-6T (97.2 %). The novel strain MAHUQ-58T has a draft genome size of 4 536 129 bp (46 contigs), annotated with 4064 protein-coding genes, 60 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MAHUQ-58T and four closely related type strains were in the range of 85.5–89.5 % and 29.5–38.0 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.0 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 9. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c). On the basis of dDDH and ANI values, genotypic results, and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAHUQ-58T represents a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas , for which the name Pseudomonas oryzagri sp. nov. is proposed, with MAHUQ-58T (=KACC 22005T=CGMCC 1.18518T) as the type strain.

A ginsenoside Rg2-producing, Gram stain-negative, aerobic, catalase and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile and orange pigmented novel bacterium designated strain MAH-28 T was isolated from soil sample of a grape garden. Strain MAH-28 T hydrolyzed aesculin, casein and DNA. Flexirubin-type pigments are present. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain MAH-28 T formed a cluster within the genus Chitinophaga and the most close relatives were Chitinophaga alhagiae T22T (98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Chitinophaga humicola Ktm-2 T (98.8%), Chitinophaga barathri YLT18T (98.3%) and Chitinophaga lutea ZY74T (97.4%). The novel strain MAH-28 T has a draft genome size of 6,043,180 bp (14 contigs), annotated with 4,863 protein-coding genes, 53 tRNA and 6 rRNA genes. The ANI and dDDH values between strain MAH-28 T and the closely related type strains were in the range of 76.0–83.4% and 20.3–26.7%, respectively. The novel strain MAH-28 T was able to synthesize ginsenoside Rg2 from major ginsenoside Re. The genome annotation revealed 152 carbohydrate genes which may involve with the synthesis of ginsenoside Rg2. The respiratory quinone of strain MAH-28 T was MK-7 and the dominant cellular fatty acids were C15:0 iso, C16:1 ω5c and C17:0 iso 3-OH. The DNA G + C content of strain MAH-28 T was 53.3 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies, strain MAH-28 T represents a new member of genus Chitinophaga for which the name Chitinophaga chungangae sp. nov. is proposed with type strain MAH-28 T (= KACC 19968 T = CGMCC 1.16605 T).

A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is deteriorated or traumatized, leading to motor and sensory functions lost even totally or partially. An imbalance within the generation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense levels results in oxidative stress (OS) and neuroinflammation. After SCI, OS and occurring pathways of inflammations are significant strenuous drivers of cross-linked dysregulated pathways. It emphasizes the significance of multitarget therapy in combating SCI consequences. Polyphenols, which are secondary metabolites originating from plants, have the promise to be used as alternative therapeutic agents to treat SCI. Secondary metabolites have activity on neuroinflammatory, neuronal OS, and extrinsic axonal dysregulated pathways during the early stages of SCI. Experimental and clinical investigations have noted the possible importance of phenolic compounds as important phytochemicals in moderating upstream dysregulated OS/inflammatory signaling mediators and axonal regeneration’s extrinsic pathways after the SCI probable significance of phenolic compounds as important phytochemicals in mediating upstream dysregulated OS/inflammatory signaling mediators. Furthermore, combining polyphenols could be a way to lessen the effects of SCI.

A novel bacterial strain, designated MAH-20T, was isolated from a soil sample of a tomato garden. Cells of strain MAH-20T were Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped. The colonies were light brown colored, smooth, spherical, and 0.2–0.7 mm in diameter when grown on Luria–Bertani agar for 2 days. Strain MAH-20T grows at 15–40 °C (optimum growth temperature 30–32 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum growth pH 7.0) and at 0–2.0% NaCl. The strain showed positive activity for both oxidase and catalase tests. Cells were able to hydrolyze starch, DNA, urea, gelatin, L-arginine, and Tween 20. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain MAH-20T was identified as a new member of the genus Sphingomonas and had the close sequence similarity with Sphingomonas changbaiensis V2M44T (98.9%) and Sphingomonas tabacisoli X1-8T (98.1%). The genomic ANI value between strain MAH-20T and S. changbaiensis NBRC 104936T was 84.4%. The novel strain MAH-20T has a draft genome size of 3,350,026 bp (25 contigs), annotated with 3210 protein-coding genes, 46 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. The genomic DNA G + C content of isolate was 67.3 mol%, the predominant quinone was ubiquinone 10 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, C17:1 ω6c and summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). On the basis of DNA-DNA hybridization results, phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, the isolated strain MAH-20T represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas horti sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-20T as the type strain (= KACC 19746T = CGMCC1.13658T).

Sweet proteins are the natural alternative to the artificial sweeteners as well as flavor enhancers. Among other sweet protein, thaumatin protein was isolated from Thaumatococcus daniellii Benth plant fruit. In this study, pinII Ti plasmid vector was constructed with thaumatin gene, where thaumatin was placed under the control of the duel cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter into rice (Oryza sativa L. var. japonica cv. ‘Dongjinbyeo’) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to generate transgenic plants. Thirteen plant lines were regenerated and the transgenic rice lines were confirmed by different molecular analysis. The genomic PCR result revealed that all of the plant lines were transgenic. The single copy and intergenic plant lines were selected by Taqman PCR analysis and FST analysis, respectively. Expression of thaumatin gene in transgenic rice resulted in the accumulation of thaumatin protein in the leave. Thaumatin protein was also accumulated in leave of T1 generation. Sensory analysis result suggested that the thaumatin protein expressing transgenic lines exerted sweet tasting activity. These results demonstrated that thaumatin was expressed in transgenic rice plants.

An aerobic and Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, designated UKS-15T, was isolated from lake water in the Republic of Korea. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the novel isolate belongs to the genus Lysobacter and was most closely related to Lysobacter xinjiangensis RCML-52T (98.0 %), Lysobacter mobilis 9 NM-14T (97.4 %) and Lysobacter humi FJY8T (97.2 %). The DNA G+C content was 69.1 mol%. Strain UKS-15T possessed ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the sole respiratory quinone and the fatty acid profile comprised iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) as its major components. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminophospholipid. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical results and low level of DNA–DNA relatedness (T from other Lysobacter species. Therefore, on the basis of the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain UKS-15T should represent a novel species of the genus Lysobacter , for which the name Lysobacter lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UKS-15T (=JCM 30983T=KACC 18719T).

The present study aimed to suggest a simple and environmentally friendly biosynthesis method of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the strain

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using biological resources is the most facile, economical, rapid, and environmentally friendly method that mitigates the drawbacks of chemical and physical methods. Various biological resources such as plants and their different parts, bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. could be utilized for the green synthesis of bioactive AgNPs. In recent years, several green approaches for non-toxic, rapid, and facile synthesis of AgNPs using biological resources have been reported. Plant extract contains various biomolecules, including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and vitamins that act as reducing and capping agents during the biosynthesis process. Similarly, microorganisms produce different primary and secondary metabolites that play a crucial role as reducing and capping agents during synthesis. Biosynthesized AgNPs have gained significant attention from the researchers because of their potential applications in different fields of biomedical science. The widest application of AgNPs is their bactericidal activity. Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, researchers are exploring the therapeutic abilities of AgNPs as potential antibacterial agents. Already, various reports have suggested that biosynthesized AgNPs have exhibited significant antibacterial action against numerous human pathogens. Because of their small size and large surface area, AgNPs have the ability to easily penetrate bacterial cell walls, damage cell membranes, produce reactive oxygen species, and interfere with DNA replication as well as protein synthesis, and result in cell death. This paper provides an overview of the green, facile, and rapid synthesis of AgNPs using biological resources and antibacterial use of biosynthesized AgNPs, highlighting their antibacterial mechanisms.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile novel bacterial strain, designated MAH-13T, was isolated from a soil sample. The colonies were observed to be yellow-coloured, smooth, spherical and 1.8–3.0 mm in diameter when grown on nutrient agar medium for 2 days. Strain MAH-13T was found to be able to grow at 20–40 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0 and with 0–1.0% NaCl (w/v). Cell growth occurred on tryptone soya agar, Luria–Bertani agar, nutrient agar and Reasoner's 2A agar. The strain was found to be positive for both oxidase and catalase tests. The strain was positive for hydrolysis of casein, starch, DNA and l-tyrosine. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Frateuria and to be closely related to Frateuria terrea DSM 26515T (98.2% similarity), Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10T (98.2 %), Frateuria defendens HyOGT (97.9 %), Rhodanobacter glycinis MO64T (97.8 %) and Frateuria aurantia DSM 6220T (97.8 %). The novel strain MAH-13T has a draft genome size of 3 682 848 bp (40 contigs), annotated with 3172 protein-coding genes, 49 tRNA genes and three rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MAH-13T and five closely related type strains were in the range of 73.7–85.5 % and 20.7–30.1%, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 68.0 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl). On the basis of dDDH and ANI values, genotypic analysis, and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAH-13T represents a novel species within the genus Frateuria , for which the name Frateuria flava sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-13T (=KACC 19743T=CGMCC 1.13655T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped novel bacterial strain, designated MAH-26T, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of a pine tree. The colonies were orange coloured, smooth, spherical and 0.7–1.8 mm in diameter when grown on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar for 2 days. Strain MAH-26T was able to grow at 10–40 °C, at pH 6.0–9.0 and with 0–1.0 % NaCl. Cell growth occurred on nutrient agar, R2A agar, tryptone soya agar and Luria–Bertani agar. The strain gave positive results in oxidase and catalase tests. Strain MAH-26T was closely related to Flavihumibacter sediminis CJ663T and Parasegetibacter terrae SGM2-10T with a low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (92.8 and 92.9 %, respectively) and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage from the members of the closely related genera of the family Chitinophagaceae . Strain MAH-26T has a draft genome size of 6 857 405 bp, annotated with 5173 protein-coding genes, 50 tRNA and two rRNA genes. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.5 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3OH. On the basis of phylogenetic inference and phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain MAH-26T represents a novel species of a novel genus of the family Chitinophagaceae , for which the name Pinibacter aurantiacus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pinibacter aurantiacus is MAH-26T (=KACC 19749T=CGMCC 1.13701T).

Sweet tasting and taste modifying proteins are the natural alternative to flavor enhancers and artificial sweeteners. Curculin is a unique protein, which has both sweet tasting and taste modifying properties. In this study, pinII Ti plasmid vector was constructed with curculin gene, where the gene encoding curculin protein was placed under the control of the duel cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (2× CaMV 35S) promoter into rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Japonica cv. Dongjinbyeo) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to generate transgenic plants. Here, twenty-six plant lines were regenerated and the transgenic rice plant lines were confirmed by different molecular analysis. The genomic PCR result revealed that all of the plant lines were transgenic. The single copied and intergenic plant lines were selected by Taqman PCR analysis and FST analysis, respectively. Expression of curculin gene in transgenic rice resulted in the accumulation of curculin protein in the leave. The transgenic lines obtained in next generation, where curculin protein was also accumulated in the plant leave. Sensory analysis result suggested that the curculin protein expressing transgenic lines exerted both sweet and taste modifying activities. These results demonstrated that curculin was expressed in transgenic rice plants.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped novel bacterial strain, designated MAH-3T, was isolated from soil sample of a rice field. The colonies were orange pigmented, smooth, circular and 0.4–0.9 mm in diameter when grown on R2A agar for 3 days. Strain MAH-3T was found to grow at 10–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and in the presence of 0–1.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Cell growth occurs on R2A agar and Luria–Bertani agar, but not on nutrient agar, tryptone soya agar and MacConkey agar. Cells were positive for catalase test but negative for oxidase test. Cells were able to hydrolyze casein, gelatin, DNA and Tween 80. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain MAH-3T was most closely related to the genus Fluviicola and exhibited the highest sequence similarity to Fluviicola hefeinensis MYL-8T (97.4%), Fluviicola taffensis RW262T (96.2%) and Fluviicola kyonggii CA-1T (95.6%). Strain MAH-3T had a genome size of 4,271,694 bp and the genomic DNA G + C content was determined to be 41.7 mol%. The genome contained 19 contigs encoded by 3,664 protein-coding genes with 34 tRNA and 4 rRNA genes. The genomic ANI value between strain MAH-3T and one of the closely related type strains, F. taffensis DSM 16823T was 76.2%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of isolated strain MAH-3T was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The major fatty acids were identified as C15:0 iso, C15:0 2OH and C17:0 iso 3OH. On the basis of these phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic studies and DNA–DNA hybridization results, the isolated strain MAH-3T represents a novel species, for which the name Fluviicola chungangensis sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-3T as the type strain (= KACC 19742T = CGMCC 1.13750T).

In this study, abundant ginseng leaf saponins were converted into minor ginsenosides that havemore pharmacological efficacy via fermentation process using recombinant β-glucosidase (bgp1). This fermented product was used to investigate the stimulatory effect on differentiation and mineralization of murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. All major ginsenosides which areavailable in ginseng leaf were biotransformed into more pharmacologically active minor ginsenosides within a short time of incubation. The results showed that 100% of ginsenoside Rd, Rg1and Re were decomposed and transformed to Rg3, Rh1and Rg2, respectively within 03 (three) hours of incubation. Ginseng leaf saponin contains 17.1% Rg1, 44.9% Re, 10.8% Rd, 4.8% Rb1, 5.7% Rb2, 6.9% Rc,2.7% Rg2, and 6.8% F1 ginsenoside. But after fermentation, the products contain mostly pharmacological active minor ginsenosides including 42.2% Rg2, 13.7% Rg3, 8.8% Rh1, 4.9% F1 and 3.6% PPT ginsenosides. Moreover, we investigated and compared the effect of leaf saponins (LS) and fermented leaf saponins (FLS), on the differentiation and mineralization of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Treatment with FLS remarkably enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. FLS notably stimulated the ALP activity, Coll-I synthesis and mineralization ability of MC3T3-E1 cells. Based on the comparison between LS and FLS, it is clear that FLS has good effect on differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and bone formation. Therefore, bgp1-fermented ginseng leaf saponins could be a novel treatment for osteoporosis prevention. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.54(2), 147-154, 2019

Nitrification increases soil fertility and a higher rate of grain production in cereal and leguminous crops. However, differential response of the nitrifying microbes and net nitrification rates (NNRs) of chemical fertilizers in cereals and leguminous crop soils of Bangladesh are unknown. Hence, the current research was undertaken to find out the differential response of the nitrifying microbes and NNRs of chemical fertilizers in some cereals (Triticum aestivum and Zea mays) and leguminous crops (Lins esculenta, Pisum sativum, and Cicer arietinum) soils. The NNRs and occurrence of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA)/ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were enumerated by mass spectrophotometer and q-PCR, respectively. The ranges of NNRs were 2.84±0.41 to 12.86±1.09 mg kg−1 h−1 and significantly higher (p

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped novel bacterial strain, designated MAH-29T, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of a persimmon tree. The colonies were light pink coloured, smooth, spherical and 0.1–0.8 mm in diameter when grown on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar for 2 days. Strain MAH-29T was able to grow at 20–37 °C, at pH 5.0–8.5 and at 0–2.0 % NaCl. Cell growth occurred on nutrient agar and R2A agar. The strain was positive in both oxidase and catalase tests. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Niastella and was closely related to Niastella vici DJ57T (97.7 % similarity), Niastella koreensis GR20-10T (97.1 %) and Niastella yeongjuensis GR20-13T (97.0 %). Strain MAH-29T has a draft genome size of 8 876 333 bp (31 contigs), annotated with 6920 protein-coding genes, 61 tRNA and four rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MAH-29T and three closely related type strains were in the range of 78.2–83.2 % and 22.1–27.0 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 43.8 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3OH. On the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization results, genotypic analysis and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAH-29T represents a novel species within the genus Niastella , for which the name Niastella soli sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-29T (=KACC 19969T=CGMCC 1.16606T) as the type strain.

It is essential to develop and discover alternative eco-friendly antibacterial agents due to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel bacterium named Terrabacter humi MAHUQ-38T, utilized for the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the synthesized AgNPs were used to control multi-drug-resistant microorganisms. The novel strain was Gram stain positive, strictly aerobic, milky white colored, rod shaped and non-motile. The optimal growth temperature, pH and NaCl concentration were 30 &deg, C, 6.5 and 0%, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain MAHUQ-38T belongs to the genus Terrabacter and is most closely related to several Terrabacter type strains (98.2%&ndash, 98.8%). Terrabacter humi MAHUQ-38T had a genome of 5,156,829 bp long (19 contigs) with 4555 protein-coding genes, 48 tRNA and 5 rRNA genes. The culture supernatant of strain MAHUQ-38T was used for the eco-friendly and facile synthesis of AgNPs. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed the spherical shape of AgNPs with a size of 6 to 24 nm, and the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the functional groups responsible for the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against multi-drug-resistant pathogens, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimal inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations against E. coli and P. aeruginosa were 6.25/50 and 12.5/50 &mu, g/mL, respectively. The AgNPs altered the cell morphology and damaged the cell membrane of pathogens. This study encourages the use of Terrabacter humi for the ecofriendly synthesis of AgNPs to control multi-drug-resistant microorganisms.

It is essential to develop and discover alternative eco-friendly antibacterial agents due to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel bacterium named Terrabacter humi MAHUQ-38T, utilized for the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the synthesized AgNPs were used to control multi-drug-resistant microorganisms. The novel strain was Gram stain positive, strictly aerobic, milky white colored, rod shaped and non-motile. The optimal growth temperature, pH and NaCl concentration were 30 °C, 6.5 and 0%, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain MAHUQ-38T belongs to the genus Terrabacter and is most closely related to several Terrabacter type strains (98.2%–98.8%). Terrabacter humi MAHUQ-38T had a genome of 5,156,829 bp long (19 contigs) with 4555 protein-coding genes, 48 tRNA and 5 rRNA genes. The culture supernatant of strain MAHUQ-38T was used for the eco-friendly and facile synthesis of AgNPs. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed the spherical shape of AgNPs with a size of 6 to 24 nm, and the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the functional groups responsible for the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against multi-drug-resistant pathogens, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimal inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations against E. coli and P. aeruginosa were 6.25/50 and 12.5/50 μg/mL, respectively. The AgNPs altered the cell morphology and damaged the cell membrane of pathogens. This study encourages the use of Terrabacter humi for the ecofriendly synthesis of AgNPs to control multi-drug-resistant microorganisms.

In this study, a total of 195 samples including fresh produce and farming environments was used to perform the microbial risk assessment. Levels of total aerobic bacteria ranged from 2.77 to 5.99, 6.28 to 7.81, and 1.31 to 2.74 log(10) CFU/g, whereas levels of coliforms were ≤ 2.48, ≤ 3.35, and ≤ 0.85 log(10) CFU/g, levels of Escherichia coli were ≤ 1.04, ≤ 0.12, and ≤ 1.69 log(10) CFU/g in fresh produce, soil, and irrigation water, respectively. When the presence of pathogenic bacteria was detected, only Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 14 (7.2%) and 7 (3.6%) samples out of 195 samples, respectively. From the results, it was difficult to find a strong correlation between microbial contamination of fresh produce and their farming environments. However, continuous monitoring of agricultural products and related environments should be undertaken in order to ensure the microbial safety of fresh produce.

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped, and ginsenoside Rd producing novel bacterial strain, designated as MAH-16T, was isolated from soil sample of a vegetable garden and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The colonies were beige color, smooth, circular, and 0.3–0.7 mm in diameter when grown on tryptone soya agar for 3 days. Strain MAH-16T can grow at 20–40 °C temperature, at pH 5.0–7.0 and at 0–1% NaCl. Cell growth occurs on nutrient agar, R2A agar, tryptone soya agar, and Luria–Bertani agar but not on MacConkey agar. The strain was positive for both catalase and oxidase test. The novel strain rapidly synthesized ginsenoside Rd from major ginsenoside Rb1. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus barengoltzii SAFN-016T (97.1%), Paenibacillus faecis 656.84T (96.7%), and Paenibacillus konsidensis LBYT (96.2%). In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-16T and its closest phylogenetic neighbor was below 45.0%. The genomic DNA G + C content of isolated strain was determined to be 52.0 mol% and the predominant isoprenoid quinine was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0. The genetic characteristics in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-16T represented a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus horti sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-16T as the type strain (=KACC 19299T = CGMCC1.16487T).

A novel bacterial strain, named MAH-7T, was isolated from a soil sample of a Korean sweet gourd garden and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-staining negative, orange colored, non-motile and rod shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase, oxidase positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 28–30 °C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-7T belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium and is most closely related to Chryseobacterium formosense CC-H3-2T (97.96%) and Chryseobacterium zeae JM-1085T (97.19%). In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-7T and its closest phylogenetic neighbors were below 45.0%. The DNA G+C content was 37.6 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Flexirubin-type pigments were found to be present. The major cellular fatty acids were C15:0 iso, C17:0 iso 3OH, C17:1 isoω9c and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c). The DNA–DNA hybridization results and results of the genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-7T represented a novel species within the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium chungangensis is proposed. The type strain is MAH-7T (= KACC 19293T = CGMCC 1.16232T). The NCBI GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MAH-7T is KY964274.

A novel bacterial strain MAH-8T was isolated from a soil sample of a Korean pine garden and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-staining negative, pinkish yellow colored, motile and vibrio-shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase, oxidase positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 28–30 °C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-8T belongs to the genus Caenispirillum and is most closely related to Caenispirillum bisanense KCTC 12839T (98.14%), Caenispirillum deserti KCTC 42064T (96.35%), and Caenispirillum salinarum JCM 17360T (95.76%). In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-8T and its closest phylogenetic neighbor was below 45.0%. The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Flexirubin-type pigments were present and the major cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c and C16:0. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-8T represented a novel species within the genus Caenispirillum, for which the name Caenispirillum humi, is proposed. The type strain is MAH-8T (= KACC 19294T = CGMCC 1.16224T). The NCBI GenBank Accession Number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MAH-8T is KY964275.

The isomers of citral (cis-citral and trans-citral) were isolated from the Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf oil demonstrates many therapeutic properties including anticancer properties. However, the effects of citral on suppressing human prostate cancer and its underlying molecular mechanism have yet to be elucidated. The citral was isolated from lemongrass oil using various spectroscopic analyses, such as electron ionized mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy respectively. We carried out 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to evaluate the cell viability of citral in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and PC3M). Furthermore, to confirm that PC3 undergoes apoptosis by inhibiting lipogenesis, we used several detection methods including flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, Hoechst staining, PI staining, oil staining, qPCR, and Western blotting. Citral impaired the clonogenic property of the cancer cells and altered the morphology of cancer cells. Molecular interaction studies and the PASS biological program predicted that citral isomers tend to interact with proteins involved in lipogenesis and the apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, citral suppressed lipogenesis of prostate cancer cells through the activation of AMPK phosphorylation and downregulation of fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl coA carboxylase (ACC), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1) and apoptosis of PC3 cells by upregulating BAX and downregulating Bcl-2 expression. In addition, in silico studies such as ADMET predicted that citral can be used as a safe potent drug for the treatment of prostate cancer. Our results indicate that citral may serve as a potential candidate against human prostate cancer and warrants in vivo studies.

In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), biosynthesized using culture supernatant of bacterial strain Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans MAHUQ-43, were characterized and their antimicrobial activity was investigated against both Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial-mediated synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, field emission-transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The UV-Vis spectral analysis showed the absorption maxima at 466 nm which assured the synthesis of AgNPs. The FE-TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of nanoparticles with the size range from 13 to 27 nm. The EDX and XRD analysis ensured the crystalline nature of biosynthesized AgNPs. The FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of different biomolecules for the synthesis of AgNPs as reducing and capping agents. The bacterial-mediated synthesized AgNPs inhibited the growth of pathogenic strains B. cereus and P. aeruginosa and developed a clear zone of inhibition (ZOI). The MIC and MBC for both pathogens were 12.5 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the synthesized AgNPs can destroy the outer membrane and alter the cell morphology of treated pathogens, leading to the death of cells. This study concludes the eco-friendly, facile and rapid synthesis of AgNPs using P. nicotinovorans MAHUQ-43 and synthesized AgNPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.

The study was conducted to develop an edible and low cost growth medium for cultivation of Weissella hellenica DC06, a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to study whether, the medium is suitable for bioconversion of major ginsenoside Rb1 into ginsenoside Rg3 through fermentation by W. hellenica DC06. Fourteen different media compositions were investigated to cultivate W. hellenica DC06. Among these, W. hellenica DC06 exhibited the highest growth in media containing 20 g/l radish, 20 g/l glucose, and 10 g/l yeast extract (Medium 3). The optical density of W. hellenica DC06 cultivated in medium 3 reached 1.8 (1.066 x 1010 CFU/ml) after 24 h of incubation. Importantly, the optimized medium was approximately four times cheaper compared to MRS medium. In addition to being economical, the new medium was also edible. Also W. hellenica DC06 showed strong fermentation ability in newly developed medium regarding on major ginsenoside Rb1 biotransformation. Ginsenoside Rb1 was converted into pharmacologically active ginsenoside Rg3 in new medium. In contrast, W. hellenica DC06 showed weak fermentation ability in MRS medium where ginsenoside Rb1 was converted intoginsenoside Rd. The transformation products were analyzed by TLC, and HPLC. Within seven days of fermentation, almost all ginsenoside Rb1 was decomposed and converted into Rg3 in optimized medium. W. hellenica DC06 hydrolyzed two glucose moieties attached to the C-20 position of the ginsenoside Rb1aglyconeand synthesized Rg3 in newly developed medium. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(4) , 271-278, 2016

Male sterility is an important trait and plays a key role for hybrid crop production in agricultural industry field. Different genes and enzymes are involved with male sterile traits. Dysfunction of these genes in any stage of male reproductive system often results in male sterility i.e., the inability to produce functional pollen. Functional male sterility can be utilized in the production of hybrid seed. During plant breeding for hybrid crop production, a lot of genetic diversities are created. Plant breeding is enhanced by the availability of molecular markers for rapid screening and selection in populations. Molecular markers are useful for a variety of purposes relevant to crop improvement. Functional markers that detect the functional mutations causing phenotypic changes offer a precise method for genetic identification. Various DNA markers are available now in plant breeding sectors. Among all of these markers, the new generation molecular markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are most abundant, robust and feasible because of its availability in whole genome and that they play a key role in the induction of phenotypic variations like male sterility. In this review, we described the classification and mechanism of male sterility in crops, the genes responsible for male sterility, and application of SNP markers for selection of male sterile plants.

A novel bacterial strain THG-PC4T was isolated from soil sample of rice field and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-negative, bright yellow colored, nonmotile and rod shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase positive, optimum growth temperature, and pH were 28 °C and 7, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain THG-PC4T belongs to the genus Lysobacter and is most closely related to Lysobacter fragariae KCTC 42236T, followed by Lysobacter oryzae KCTC 22249T, Lysobacter tyrosinelyticus KCTC 42235T, Lysobacter terrae KACC 17646T, Lysobacter yangpyeongensis KACC 11407T, Lysobacter rhizosphaerae KCTC 42237T and Lysobacter niabensis KACC 11587T. In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain THG-PC4T and its closest phylogenetic neighbors was below 45 %. The DNA G + C content was 66.6 mol %, and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. Flexirubin-type pigments were found to be present. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0, iso-C17:1 ω9c, iso-C17:0 and iso-C11:0 3OH. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA–DNA hybridization, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain THG-PC4T represented a novel species within the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobcater humi is proposed. The type strain is THG-PC4T (=KACC 18284T = CCTCC AB 2015292T).

A novel Gram-staining negative, yellow-pigmented, non-motile, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated MAH-11T, was isolated from rhizosphere of Pinus koraiensis and was characterised by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The colonies were smooth, circular and 0.3–1.0 mm in diameter when grown on R2A agar for 3 days. The strain was positive for both catalase and oxidase tests. Optimum growth temperature and pH were 28–30 °C and 7.0, respectively. Cell growth occurs on R2A agar, nutrient agar, Luria–Bertani agar and tryptone soya agar but not on MacConkey agar. The novel strain was found to be able to hydrolyse esculin but not casein, gelatin, starch, l-tyrosine, DNA, l-arginine, urea, Tween 20 and Tween 80. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-11T belongs to the genus Sphingobium and is closely related to Sphingobium quisquiliarum P25T (98.1%), Sphingobium vermicomposti VC-230T (97.8%), Sphingobium mellinum WI4T (97.5%), Sphingobium barthaii KK22T (97.2%) and Sphingobium fuliginis TKPT (97.2%). In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness values between strain MAH-11T and its close phylogenetic neighbors were below 45.0%. The DNA G+C content was 64.5 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone-10. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0. The DNA–DNA hybridization results in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-11T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium chungangianum is proposed. The type strain is MAH-11T (= KACC 19836T = CGMCC 1.13749T).