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Bacterial wilt is a significant soil-borne disease that poses a threat to mulberry production yield and quality of agricultural production worldwide. However, the disease resistance mechanisms dependent on root exudates are not well understood. In this present study, we investigated the antibacterial mechanisms of the main active substances (erucamide, oleamide, and camphor bromide) present in mulberry root exudates (MRE) against Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (Rp), the causal agent of bacterial wilt. Our findings revealed that these three active substances inhibited the growth activity of Rp by affecting the cell morphology and extracellular polysaccharide content, as well as triggering a burst of reactive oxygen species. The active substances induced oxidative stress, leading to a decrease in Rp growth. Additionally, the expression levels of key genes in the hrp gene cluster (hrpB, hrpX, and hrpF) and other virulence-related genes (such as ripAW, ripAE, Rs5-4819, Rs5-4374, ace, egl3, and pehB) were significantly reduced upon treatment with the active substances. Further pathogenicity experiments demonstrated that root exudates (at a concentration of 1.5 mg·mL−1) delayed or slowed down the occurrence of bacterial wilt in mulberry. These findings provide valuable insight into the antimicrobial mechanisms of MRE against Rp and lay a theoretical foundation for the development and application of biocontrol agents to control mulberry bacterial wilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriocins may be used as natural preservatives and antibiotic substitutes in various foods. However, the multistep purification process of bacteriocins results in high production costs, which is an obstacle to their commercial use and consumer accessibility. In this study, a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Bacillus spp. isolated from Korean fermented foods was partially purified using the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The maximum activity of the BLIS was achieved for ATPS composed of PEG 1000 (15% [w/w])/ammonium sulfate (20% [w/w])/sodium chloride (2% [w/w]), which caused BLIS activity to increase by 3 times with a 99% recovery rate. In particular, B. amyloliquefaciens Y138-6 BLIS exhibited broad antibacterial activity, high resistance to acid-base stress, and excellent thermal stability. This antibacterial substance inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria and fungi on the walls of cheese and ripening rooms. These antibacterial properties have been shown to increase food safety and have the potential for use as biopreservatives. Moreover, considering that the execution of the ATPS requires only salts and PEG, it is a simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process and may have industrial applications in the recovery of BLIS from fermentation broth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to enhance the shoot production of date palm, Hayani cv. by investigating the effect of adding jatropha leaves extract in appropriate doses to the germination and multiplication media of date palm. a small cluster of 7-10 matured somatic embryos of date palm Hayani cv. were grown for 12 weeks on MS medium with 0.5 mg l-1 BA, 0.1 mg l-1 NAA and 10.0 ml l-1 JLE which produced the highest number of somatic embryos (28.3 embryos/jar), with the maximum number of leaves (34.5 leaf/jar) with the longest leaf length (6.0 cm). furthermore; during shoot multiplication stage, clusters of shoots cultivated on MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 BA, 0.5 mg l-1 TDZ and 0.25 mg l-1 NAA with 10 ml l-1 JLE resulted in the best shoot regeneration, with maximum number of shoots (25.2 shoots/jar), the maximum number of leaves (56.0 leaf/jar), and the longest leaf length (5.0 cm). The regenerated shoots with lengths of 5-7 cm were grown on 1/2 MS medium with 1.0 mg l-1 NAA during the rooting stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria have a tendency to form multicellular biofilms, which adhere to surfaces and contain extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This tendency is accompanied by hydrophobic interactions, which are vital in the biofilm attachment process. Oral biofilms contribute to a range of oral health issues, including gingivitis, dental caries, and halitosis. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the correlation between oral biofilm growth inhibition and hydrophobicity reduction in Streptococcus mutants, Streptococcus sanguinis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Actinomyces viscosus. Essential oil-derived compounds, namely eugenol, C-10 massoia lactone, thymol, cinnamaldehyde, and zerumbone, were applied in the experiment. A microdilution assay using crystal violet staining evaluated the oral microbes' biofilm growth. The adhesion of microbes to hexadecane was measured to assess hydrophobicity reduction, which was analyzed correlatively using PAST (Paleontological Statistics) software and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. The results showed a positive correlation of the hydrophobicity reduction towards the biofilm formation inhibition for all tested microbes (graphical angle <45°). The Principal Component (PC) analysis, based on the eigene values, showed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 54.149% and 25.652% of the total variation, respectively. These two components explained 79.801% of the total variation, indicating a significant level of variability. This finding supported the notion that a greater reduction in microbial hydrophobicity was associated with stronger inhibitory activity against planktonic growth. The hydrophobicity reduction assay may indicate a potential of bioactive compounds against biofilm growth inhibition of oral microbes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Solanum rostratum, an annual malignant weed, has seriously damaged the ecological environment and biodiversity of invasion area. This alien plant gains a competitive advantage by producing some new phytotoxic substances to inhibit the growth of native plants, thus achieving successful invasion. However, the chemical structures, inhibitory functions and action mechanisms of phytotoxic substances of S. rostratum remain unclear. Methods: In this study, to clarify the chemical structures of phytotoxic substances from S. rostratum, we isolated phenylpropanoid amides from the plant. Their structures were identified by comprehensive HR-ESIMS, NMR and ECD data. And the inhibitory functions of isolated phenylpropanoid amides on one model plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) were also investigated. In addition, the action mechanisms of active phenylpropanoid amides were revealed by antioxidant-related enzymes [Catalase (CAT), Peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD)] activities and corresponding molecular docking analyses. Results and Discussion: Phytochemical research on the whole plant of S. rostratum led to the isolation and identification of four new phenylpropanoid amides (1-4), together with two known analogues (5-6). All the compounds showed phytotoxic effects with varying levels on the seed germination and root elongation of one model plant (Arabidopsis thaliana), especially compound 2 and 4. Likewise, compounds 2 and 4 displayed potent inhibitory effects on antioxidant-related enzyme (POD). In addition, compounds 2 and 4 formed common conventional hydrogen bonds with residues Ala34 and Ser35 in POD revealed by molecular docking analyses. These findings not only helped to reveal the invasion mechanism of S. rostratum from the perspective of "novel weapons hypothesis", but also opened up new ways for the exploitation and utilization of S. rostratum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-based residues (SBRs) of Cordyceps militaris are often considered as waste after the cultivation of the fruiting body. To demonstrate the value of this by-product, different ratios of two favorable green solvents (EtOH and water) were employed to optimize the yields of cordycepin (Cor) and adenosine (Ado) and investigate relevant activities of plant growth inhibition (allelopathy), antioxidants, and xanthine oxidase. The SBR extracts of 60% EtOH-40% water (W4) and 40% EtOH-60% water (W6) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity as well as yielded the optimum content of Cor and Ado. The W4 and Wt (hot water) exhibited maximum inhibitory effects on the growth of Raphanus sativus (radish), Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and two noxious weeds, Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass) and Bidens pilosa (beggarticks). Furthermore, GC-MS scan analysis revealed the presence of 14 major compounds in the SBRs. W4 is the best solvent to optimize yields of Cor and Ado, as well as having the strongest levels of antioxidant activity, xanthine oxidase, and growth-inhibitory activity. This study reveals that SBRs are a potential source of medicinal and agricultural utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive tree species are a significant threat to native flora. They modify the environment with their allelopathic substances and inhibit the growth of native species by shading, thus reducing diversity. The most effective way to control invasive plants is to prevent their spread which requires identifying the environmental parameters promoting it. Since there are several types of invasive plant databases available, determining which database type is the most relevant for investigating the occurrence of alien plants is of great importance. In this study, we compared the efficiency and reliability of point-based (EUROSTAT Land Use and Coverage Area Frame Survey (LUCAS)) and polygon-based (National Forestry Database (NFD)) databases using geostatistical methods in ArcGIS software. We also investigated the occurrence of three invasive tree species (Ailanthus altissima, Elaeagnus angustifolia, and Robinia pseudoacacia) and their relationships with soil, hydrological, and climatic parameters such as soil organic matter content, pH, calcium carbonate content, rooting depth, water-holding capacity, distance from the nearest surface water, groundwater depth, mean annual temperature, and mean annual precipitation with generalized linear models in R-studio software. Our results show that the invasion levels of the tree species under study are generally over-represented in the LUCAS point-based vegetation maps, and the point-based database requires a dataset with a larger number of samples to be reliable. Regarding the polygon-based database, we found that the occurrence of the invasive species is generally related to the investigated soil and hydrological and climatic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate anticancer activity of Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra (BOA) against the proliferation of BGC-823 human gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: B. oleracea var. alboglabra was extracted by ethanol 98% at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:8, (w/v) for 24h at room temperature. The cytotoxic effect of vegetables was examined by MTT assay. The migration of the cancer cells was conducted by wound healing assay and visualized under an inverted microscope. The mRNA expression level was quantified by real time PCR. Major Findings: It was found that ethanol extract of BOA exhibited the inhibitory activity against the proliferation of BGC-823 cells at IC50 value of 217.6 ± 2.8 µg/ml. Moreover, the treatment of BOA extract at concentration of 100 µg/ml for 24 h significantly suppressed the migration of gastric cancer cells into the gap as compared to the untreated cell group. Notably, the cytotoxic effect of BOA extract on human gastric cancer cells was found due to induction of apoptosis, mediating the up-regulation of caspase-8, -9, -3, and Bax in cancer cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that B. oleracea var. alboglabra have the potential inhibitory activity against the development of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root rot is a common disease, that severely affects the yield and quality of alfalfa. Biocontrol is widely used to control plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi, however, biocontrol strains for alfalfa root rot are very limited. In this study, a Bacillus subtilis CG-6 strain with a significant biocontrol effect on alfalfa root rot was isolated. CG-6 secretes antibacterial enzymes and siderophore, phosphate solubilization and indoleacetic acid (IAA). The inhibition rate of strain CG-6 against Fusarium oxysporum was 87.33%, and it showed broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Inoculation with CG-6 significantly reduced the incidence of alfalfa root rot, the control effect of greenhouse cultivation reached 58.12%, and CG-6 treatment significantly increased alfalfa plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight. The treatment with CG-6 significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and lipoxygenase) in alfalfa leaves by 15.52%–34.03%. Defensive enzymes (chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase) increased by 24.37% and 28.08%, respectively. The expression levels of regulatory enzyme genes (MsCAT , MsPOD , MsCu, Zn-SOD1 , MsCu, Zn-SOD2 , MsCu, Zn-SOD3 , and MsLOX2) and systemic resistance genes (MsPR1 , MsPDF1.2 , and MsVSP2) increased by 0.50–2.85 fold, which were higher than those in the pathogen treatment group. Therefore, CG-6 could be used as a potential strain to develop biopesticides against alfalfa root rot. • Bacillus subtilis CG-6 was isolated from alfalfa rhizosphere soil. • CG-6 has strong inhibition effect on the growth of the pathogenic bacterium Fusarium oxysporum and can remarkably reduce the incidence rate of alfalfa root rot. • CG-6 could promote that growth of alfalfa. • CG-6 could secrete antibacterial substances such as cellulase to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. • CG-6 might activate JA-mediated signaling pathway to trigger plant defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to evaluation of the antifungal activity of dichloromethane essential oil of barks of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against black rot onions pathogenic fungi such as Penicillium sp and Aspergillus niger. The antifungal activity of essential oils of barks of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was tested in vitro by agar well diffusion method against plant pathogenic fungi strains vis Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger. The results showed that the essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum exhibited the highest percentage of growth inhibition (100%) against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp at (1% v/v) and (2.5% v/v) minimum inhibitory concentration respectively. The ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of the fungi is an indication of the antifungal potential of cinnamon, which make the candidate for production of antifungal agents. It can be applied in agricultural product for development of transgenic resistant to plant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peanut stem rot is a serious plant disease that causes great economic losses. At present, there are no effective measures to prevent or control the occurrence of this plant disease. Biological control is one of the most promising plant disease control measures. In this study, Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca strain zm-1, a bacterial strain with potential biocontrol properties isolated by our team from the rhizosphere soil of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, was studied to control this plant disease. Methods: We prepared extracts of Pseudomonas chloroaphis zm-1 extracellular antibacterial compounds (PECEs), determined their antifungal activities by confrontation assay, and identified their components by UPLC-MS/MS. The gene knockout strains were constructed by homologous recombination, and the biocontrol efficacy of P. chlororaphis zm-1 and its mutant strains were evaluated by pot experiments under greenhouse conditions and plot experiments, respectively. Results: P. chlororaphis zm-1 could produce extracellular antifungal substances and inhibit the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii, the main pathogenic fungus causing peanut stem rot. The components of PECEs identified by UPLC-MS/MS showed that three kinds of phenazine compounds, i.e., 1-hydroxyphenazine, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), and the core phenazine, were the principal components. In particular, 1-hydroxyphenazine produced by P. chlororaphis zm-1 showed antifungal activities against S. rolfsii, but 2-hydroxyphenazine did not. This is quite different with the previously reported. The extracellular compounds of two mutant strains, ΔphzH and ΔphzE, was analysed and showed that ΔphzE did not produce any phenazine compounds, and ΔphzH no longer produced 1-hydroxyphenazine but could still produce PCA and phenazine. Furthermore, the antagonistic ability of ΔphzH declined, and that of ΔphzE was almost completely abolished. According to the results of pot experiments under greenhouse conditions, the biocontrol efficacy of ΔphzH dramatically declined to 47.21% compared with that of wild-type P. chlororaphis zm-1 (75.63%). Moreover, ΔphzE almost completely lost its ability to inhibit S. rolfsii (its biocontrol efficacy was reduced to 6.19%). The results of the larger plot experiments were also consistent with these results. Conclusions: P. chlororaphis zm-1 has the potential to prevent and control peanut stem rot disease. Phenazines produced and secreted by P. chlororaphis zm-1 play a key role in the control of peanut stem rot caused by S. rolfsii. These findings provide a new idea for the effective prevention and treatment of peanut stem rot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to improve the elements of garlic bulb storage technology by using hydrophobic protective coatings, growth inhibitors. The study allows you to choose protective coatings of garlic bulbs for long-term storage and extend the duration of storage. It has been found, that the loss of weight of garlic bulbs during storage depends on the method of storage and type of treatment of garlic plants. Weight loss during storage in boxes with polyethylene inserts is reduced by 2 times, bulbs, treated with paraffin, - by 3.4 times. Treatment of plants with maleic acid hydrazide (MAH) reduces weight loss by 1.7 times. After 6 months of storage, the loss due to dry matter ranged from 51.7 to 69.7 % of weight loss. It has been found, that the treatment of plants by MAH helps to reduce losses due to germination of bulbs, damage by microorganisms, drying compared to the control version and storage in boxes with polyethylene inserts. The highest yield of 91.8 % of commercial bulbs is provided by their treatment with paraffin. Analysis of variance showed that the method of storage affects the preservation of garlic by 98 %, the development of diseases - by 54 %. Treatment by MAH affected the germination of bulbs by 98 %. Based on the obtained results, a correlation analysis was performed and the linear dependence of the weight loss of winter garlic bulbs depending on the peculiarities of the storage method was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomía Colombiana is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sulphurous acid derived from sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) emission leads to the pollution of irrigation water and the inhibition of plant growth. The safe concentration threshold of NaHSO3 in plants should be clarified to promote agricultural production. In this study, Orychophragmus violaceus seedlings were used as experimental materials and five NaHSO3 concentrations (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 5, 10 mmol·L −1 ) were simultaneously sprayed on the leaf surface of different seedlings separately. Leaf physiology responses under different concentrations were analyzed. The NaHSO3 did not promote photosynthesis in O. violaceus under the 1 and 2 mmol·L −1 treatments. It was conducive to the net photosynthetic rate (PN), photorespiration rate (Rp), chlorophyll content, actual photochemical quantum yield (YII) and photochemical quenching (qP) under the 5 mmol·L −1 treatment. However, quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (YNPQ) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were inhibited. Under the 10 mmol·L −1 treatment, PN, chlorophyll content, YII, qP, dark respiration rate (Rd ) and electron transport rate (ETR) showed significant decreases, while the photorespiration portion (Sp) significantly increased. Our results demonstrated that NaHSO3 provided a sulfur source for plant growth and interfered with the redox reaction of the plant itself, and its role as a photorespiratory inhibitor might be masked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Maillard reaction products (MRPs) retarded carp lipid oxidation and microbial growth. • MRPs inhibited Mb oxidation by maintaining Mb reduction and stabilizing heme iron. • MRPs delayed the carp deterioration of texture and flavor through antioxidant effect.. Lipid oxidation is the major cause of quality deterioration in freshwater fish, especially mediated by myoglobin (Mb). This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant mechanism of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) in Mb-mediated lipid oxidation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). MRPs exhibited promising antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities based on the reduced content of peroxide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and inhibited microbial growth. MRPs inhibited the oxidation of Mb by lowering the transfer from oxymyoglobin to metmyoglobin and improving the stability of heme iron. The correlation analysis showed that MRPs regulated the formation of free radicals by maintaining the reduced structure of Mb and the integrity of heme iron, and also directly inhibited the formation of oxidation products in a chain radical reaction. The texture and electronic nose analysis indicated that MRPs could delay the structural disruption and flavor deterioration of surimi. Therefore, MRPs could effectively inhibit Mb-induced lipid oxidation and further control the resulting changes in the flavor and texture of surimi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery and useful application of natural products can help improve human life. Chemicals that inhibit plant growth are broadly utilized as herbicides to control weeds. As various types of herbicides are required, the identification of compounds with novel modes of action is desirable. In the present study, we discovered a novel N-alkoxypyrrole compound, kumamonamide from Streptomyces werraensis MK493-CF1 and established a total synthesis procedure. Resulted in the bioactivity assays, we found that kumamonamic acid, a synthetic intermediate of kumamonamide, is a potential plant growth inhibitor. Further, we developed various derivatives of kumamonamic acid, including a kumamonamic acid nonyloxy derivative (KAND), which displayed high herbicidal activity without adverse effects on HeLa cell growth. We also detected that kumamonamic acid derivatives disturb plant microtubules; and additionally, that KAND affected actin filaments and induced cell death. These multifaceted effects differ from those of known microtubule inhibitors, suggesting a novel mode of action of kumamonamic acid, which represents an important lead for the development of new herbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plants produce specific structures constituting barriers, hindering the penetration of pathogens, while they also produce substances inhibiting pathogen growth. These compounds are secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, resins, tannins and alkaloids. Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites from trees and shrubs and are used in medicine, herbal medicine and cosmetology. To date, fruits and flowers of exotic trees and shrubs have been primarily used as sources of bioactive compounds. In turn, the search for new sources of bioactive compounds is currently focused on native plant species due to their availability. The application of such raw materials needs to be based on knowledge of their chemical composition, particularly health-promoting or therapeutic compounds. Research conducted to date on European trees and shrubs has been scarce. This paper presents the results of literature studies conducted to systematise the knowledge on phenolic compounds found in trees and shrubs native to central Europe. The aim of this review is to provide available information on the subject and to indicate gaps in the present knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gingivitis is a nondestructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums and is one of the most common periodontal diseases. The cause of inflammation is bacterial bovillomatosis, known as the plaque, on the surface of the teeth. The plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease; if left untreated, gingivitis can develop into inflammation of the tooth, where inflammation of the gums destroys the bones, causes tissue erosion around the teeth and can lead to loss of tooth. Q. infectoria were applied topically to ten people aged 25-55 who were suffering from gingivitis and plaque. Diagnoses and follow-up treatment were performed in a dental clinic under the supervision of a dentist for a period of two weeks. We noted the great efficacy of the herb against gingivitis and plaque. The progress of plaque measured in terms of mean, population standard deviation and variance were 0.66, 0.17, 0.02 before treatment and 0.29, 0.12, 0.01 after treatment. Gingival progress before and after treatment were 0.72, 0.15, 0.02 and 0.32, 0.11, 0.01, respectively. According to results were due to the fact that Q. infectoria contain large amounts of tannin and other compounds that constrict vessels and tissues and are effective against various types of infections. Therefore, we recommend them as an alternative to antibiotics. Effectiveness of Q. infectoria as an effective substance to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria and thus act as an anti-inflammatory and retention of gum tissue where the substance was tested directly on patients have Plaque and gingivitis and we can recommend them as an alternative to antibiotics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium is one of the non-essential metals which have toxic effects on aquatic organism, including diatom. Diatom has significant important roles on aquatic environment, subsequently the presence of cadmium will have a significance growth inhibition to its abundance. Here we tried to understand the effects of cadmium on growth, chlorophyll-a and carotenoid contents of the diatom Thalassiosira sp. Growth inhibition of the phytoplankton was determined following exposure for 96h to several concentration of cadmium solutions adapted from ASEAN-Canada CPMS II. Growth IC50 of growth and chlorophyll-a was calculated to be around 0.32 mg/L and 0.914 mg/L, respectively. In addition, Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) and No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) were also calculated to be 0.18 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively. In conclusion, cadmium inhibiting the growth, as well as the photosynthetic pigment contents of Thalassiosira sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at characterization, production optimization, and assessing the biopreservative potential of a broad antimicrobial spectrum bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus casei KLDS 1.0338, isolated from fermented sourdough in Northeast region of China. Ammonium sulfate precipitation and SP SepharoseTM fast flow were adopted to purify the bacteriocin, which resulted in a 7.43-fold purification and its molecular mass was estimated as 6.8 kDa. The bacteriocin was active over a wide pH range (2.0-12.0) and 2-12% NaCl and was heat and cold resistant (121°C for 30 min, and -20°C for 30 days). Optimization of culture conditions by response surfacemethodology indicated that the bacteriocin production was significantly enhanced than that of control (P < 0.05). Moreover, the lyophilized antimicrobial substance inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium sp. in fermented soybean milk during storage at 4°C for 21 days. These results demonstrated that the bacteriocin from L. casei KLDS 1.0338 is a potential candidate for controlling microbial contamination and extending the shelf life of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature provides more and more examples of research projects that develop novel production processes based on microorganisms organized in the form of biofilms. Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms that are attached to interfaces. These viscoelastic aggregates of cells are held together and are embedded in a matrix consisting of multiple carbohydrate polymers as well as proteins. Biofilms are characterized by a very high cell density and by a natural retentostat behavior. Both factors can contribute to high productivities and a facilitated separation of the desired end-product from the catalytic biomass. Within the biofilm matrix, stable gradients of substrates and products form, which can lead to a differentiation and adaptation of the microorganisms' physiology to the specific process conditions. Moreover, growth in a biofilm state is often accompanied by a higher resistance and resilience towards toxic or growth inhibiting substances and factors. In this short review, we summarize how biofilms can be studied and what most promising niches for their application can be. Moreover, we highlight future research directions that will accelerate the advent of productive biofilms in biology-based production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Shewanella spp. are major causes of fish spoilage. Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) extracts were investigated for their ability to inhibit Shewanella spp. growth. Leaf and fruit extracts displayed potent growth inhibitory properties against all Shewanella spp. The methanolic leaf extract was a particularly potent inhibitor of S. putrefaciens (DD MIC 93; LD MIC 73 μg/mL), S. baltica (DD MIC 104 μg/mL; LD MIC 85 μg/mL), S. frigidimarina (DD MIC 466 μg/mL; LD MIC 391 μg/mL) and S. loihica (DD MIC 95 μg/mL; LD MIC 55 μg/mL) growth. The aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extracts were also potent growth inhibitors, with MIC values generally substantially <1000 μg/mL. Treatment of Acanthopagrus butcheri Munro fillets with methanolic Kakadu plum extracts significantly inhibited bacterial growth for 15 days at 4 °C. All Kakadu plum extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana bioassay. LC-MS analysis identified several compounds which may contribute to the inhibition of Shewanella spp. growth. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts displayed potent growth inhibitory properties against all Shewanella spp. tested. • The methanolic leaf extract was a particularly potent inhibitor of S. putrefaciens. • Treatment of sea bream fillets with T. ferdinandiana extract significantly inhibited bacterial growth. • LC-MS analysis identified 10 tannins and 3 flavonoids which may contribute to Shewanella spp. growth inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-agar biocomposite film was developed by a solvent casting method and the effects of summer savory essential oil (SSEO) at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% v/v on antimicrobial, microstructural, mechanical and optical properties as well as water sensitivity of the films were studied. Results showed that incorporation of SSEO into the biocomposite film developed active films with good growth inhibition activity against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus , B. cereus and L. monocytogenes) and less powerfully against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). Addition of the SSEO at 1.0 and 1.5% increased microstructural heterogeneity of the films and hence significantly (p < 0.05) increased water vapor permeability of the films while reducing their tensile strength. In contrast, mechanical flexibility and surface hydrophobicity of the films were significantly (p < 0.05) improved as a function of SSEO addition. The active films showed substantially lower swelling ratio compared to the CMC-agar film when 1.5% SSEO was added, but the transparency of the films was reduced. Finally, the results showed that SSEO can act as an antimicrobial agent in combination with CMC-agar film. However, it modifies properties of the film depending on the applied concentration. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • An active film was developed by addition of summer savory EO to CMC-agar biocomposite. • Minimum EO content inducing antimicrobial activity in the biocomposite film was 1%. • The active films showed good antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. • Mechanical flexibility and hydrophobicity of the films were improved with the EO. • Summer savory EO increased microstructural heterogeneity and WVP of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) is a perennial invasive weed belonging to Acanthaceae. Leaves of this weed have been suggested to possess phytotoxic activity. However, phytotoxic substances in this weed have not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study investigated phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet extracts and phytotoxic substances. The extracts of Chinese violet leaves inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress, lettuce, alfalfa, barnyard grass, ryegrass, and timothy, where the level of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentrations. Bioassay‐guided separations of the extracts led to isolation of two phytotoxic substances, indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol. Indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde significantly inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress at concentrations ≥100 and 30 μmol L−1, respectively, and concentrations of the substance required for 50% growth inhibition were 210 and 127 μmol L−1 for cress roots and shoots, respectively. The other substance, (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, was reported to have strongly inhibited cress roots and shoots. The present results suggest that Chinese violet contains two phytotoxic substances indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, and those substances may play an important role in the phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Nobiletin, a major polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) from citri reticulatae pericarpium (CRP), can inhibit several forms of cancer proliferation. However, the effects of nobiletin on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) C666‐1 cells remain largely unknown. Materials and Methods: Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay was used to measure cell vitality. Flow cytometry was performed to measure the apoptosis rate. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis were applied to determine the expression of mRNA and protein, respectively. Results: We showed that the proliferation rate of C666‐1 cells was inhibited and the apoptosis rate was raised after treating with nobiletin. Moreover, nobiletin inhibited the expression of poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase‐2 (PARP‐2), and the tumor suppression effect of nobiletin on C666‐1 is associated with PARP‐2‐dependent pathway. Conclusion: We demonstrated for the first time that nobiletin inhibited the growth of C666‐1 cells, which may be relative to its regulation on PARP‐2/SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway. Our result implied that nobiletin may serve as a strategy to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This study used CCK8 assay, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and flow cytometry to determine the effect of nobiletin in C666‐1 cells. And the result showed that nobiletin induces apoptosis in C666‐1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract N -substituted azaindoles were discovered as promising pan-PIM inhibitors. Lead optimization is described en route toward the identification of a clinical candidate. Modulation of physico-chemical properties allowed to solve inherent hERG and permeability liabilities. Compound 17 showed tumor growth inhibition in a KG1 tumor-bearing mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using a rigid Y-shaped biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3bpt) organic ligand, a new cluster-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with the chemical formula of {[Cu3(bpt)2(H2O)4](DMA)(MeOH)2}n (1, DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide) was synthesized under solvothermal condition. The structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (SCXRD) and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric (TG) analyses and gas sorption measurements. The SCXRD result reveals that complex 1 exhibits a 3D framework with 1D channels which contains opposite-handedness helical chains based on the trinuclear Cu(II) clusters. Considering its high pore volume and accessible open metal sites, complex 1 as well as its activated form (1a) was studied for cyanosilylation of aldehydes under solvent-free conditions, which reveals that 1a shows much better catalytic performance than that of 1, indicating the open metal sites play important roles in the catalytic process. Furthermore, the anticancer activates of complex 1 and 1a has been evaluated on three human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and Hst578) via the MTT assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms such as bacteria are considered to be control agents against toxic cyanobacterial blooms such as Microcystis aeruginosa. We investigated cyanobactericidal bacteria and growth-inhibiting bacteria against M. aeruginosa in the biofilm on the surface of the water plants Trapa japonica, Myriophyllum verticallatum and Utricularia vulgaris at three sites in Ohnuma Quasi-National Park during the period from July to October 2012. Bacteria were isolated using nutrient agar plates, and killing abilities and growth-inhibiting abilities of isolated bacteria were examined for M. aeruginosa with co-culture experiments. Effective bacteria (sums of cyanobactericidal bacteria and growth-inhibiting bacteria) were confirmed from the leaves and water roots of T. japonica with densities of 3.6 × 105 CFU g−1 wet weight—1.2 × 107 CFU g−1 wet weight and 1.5 × 106 CFU g−1 wet weight—1.4 × 108 CFU g−1 wet weight, respectively. M. verticillatum and U. vulgaris harbored effective bacteria with densities of 2.5 × 106 CFU g−1 wet weight—1.1 × 107 CFU g−1 wet weight and 2.3 × 106 CFU g−1 wet weight—9.2 × 106 CFU g−1 wet weight, respectively. Effective bacteria were also detected from water samples collected from all three sites and the most numerous values were detected at Sansui with abundant water plants such as T. japonica and M. verticillatum. Densities of M. aeruginosa tended to be fewer at Sansui and were more abundant at Ohnuma Park with almost no water plants. The results of PCA suggested that the absence and/or lower densities of M. aeruginosa was closely related to the abundant presence of effective bacteria detected from the water and biofilms of water plants such as T. japonica at Sansui. The present findings provide new insights on the ecology of cyanobactericidal bacteria and growth-inhibiting bacteria, and suggest that water plants provide an environment that influences the abundance of cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for novel drugs for sarcoma treatment. In the present study, to identify inhibitors with potential therapeutic utility in sarcomas, we screened the growth inhibitory effects of 361 inhibitors, including experimental reagents and anti-cancer drugs approved for use in non-sarcoma malignancies and those under clinical trials. The inhibitors were initially tested using 10 osteosarcoma cell lines. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of leptomycin B, actinomycin D, chetomin, and staurosporine was <100 nM in all the cell lines. As the promiscuous effects of staurosporine on kinases make it unsuitable for clinical applications, the other three inhibitors were tested in an additional 15 sarcoma cell lines derived from synovial sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, leiomyosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. The IC50 of leptomycin B and actinomycin D was <100 nM in all cell lines and that of chetomin was <100 nM in all but three synovial sarcoma cell lines. Although the clinical development of leptomycin B, a chromosomal region maintenance (CRM)1/exportin (XPO)1 inhibitor, was discontinued because of toxicity, a previous clinical trial revealed that other CRM1/XPO1 inhibitors, such as selinexor, have anti-tumor effects in sarcomas. Actinomycin D has proven clinical utility in the treatment of sarcomas. Chetomin disrupts the interaction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 with the transcriptional coactivator p300 and its clinical utility has not been established in sarcomas. Chetomin exhibited growth inhibitory effects on sarcoma cells with different histological subtypes. Library screening is a powerful approach to detect the potential utility of anti-cancer drugs in sarcoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive disease of small grain cereals with Fusarium graminearum as one of the most important causal agents. FHB not only can reduce yield and quality of grains, but also lead to accumulation of mycotoxins in grain, thereby threatening human and animal health. In this study, we observed that epoxiconazole exhibits strong inhibitory effects on both carbendazim-resistant and phenamacril-resistant isolates using mycelial growth inhibition assays. The artificially inoculated field trials further showed that epoxiconazole increased the control efficacy of FHB by being able to control carbendazim-resistant and phenamacril-resistant isolates. Epoxiconazole triggered DON production and Tri5 expression in vitro. However, in addition to increased FHB control efficacy and grain yield, decreased DON levels were measured in field trials after epoxiconazole applications. FHB control, grain yields and DON levels were significantly correlated with each other, suggesting that the visual disease rating can be used as an indicator of grain yields and mycotoxin contamination. Meanwhile, the frequency of carbendazim-resistant alleles in F. graminearum populations was dramatically reduced after epoxiconazole applications. In addition, epoxiconazole seed treatments had no effect on seed germination but phytotoxicity was apparent through growth inhibition of wheat seedlings. Overall, these findings of this study provide useful information for wheat protection programs against toxigenic fungi responsible for FHB and the consequent mycotoxin accumulation in grains. Graphical Abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Epoxiconazole exhibits strong activity and can be used to manage fungicide resistance in F. graminearum. • Epoxiconazole has a phytotoxic effect to wheat as seed treatment. • Epoxiconazole exhibits increased FHB control and grain yield and decreased mycotoxin levels. • FHB control, grain yield and mycotoxin levels affected by epoxiconazole were significantly correlated. • Epoxiconazole exhibits a greening effect during the late period of wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of small-scale oscillation (SSO) on toxic Microcystis cells. The oscillating device was made of silicon with two axes that had a diameter of ∼40 mm, and a frequency of 2.5 Hz was observed at 150 rpm. The SSO was effective in inhibiting Microcystis growth. Microcystin release was not observed, whereas cell density barely increased in the oscillating group. Cell size and morphology of the oscillating group were no different from the control group. However, cell quotas of chl.a and microcystin in the oscillating group were half the level of the control group. Crucially, a number of large-sized holes were observed and layered long linear thylakoids were rarely observed in the oscillating group. Therefore, SSO was found to be very effective in Microcystis growth inhibition, and it caused ultrastructural changes without damage to the cell membrane and subsequent microcystin release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was conducted at the Nursery of Diarb Negm City Council, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during the two consecutive seasons of 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of different soil salinity levels (0.0, 1500, 3000 and 4500 ppm), lithovit rates (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/l) as foliar applications and their combination treatments on growth, yield components and some chemical constituents of cluster bean (guar) plants. The investigations were performed in a split-plot in complete randomized block design with 3 replications. The obtained results cleared that using salinity levels decreased growth parameters (plant height, number of branches /plant and dry weight of leaves/ plant), yield components (pod number and seed yield/plant), some chemical constituents (total chlorophyll content a+b) and active ingredient (galactomanan) compared to control. Moreover, the highest values in these parameters were registered by lithovit at 8 g/l treatment in both seasons, in most cases. Generally, it could conclude that lithovit at 8 g/l, showed a uniform impact in alleviating of cluster bean growth inhibition and its productivity under moderate salinity stress condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in human. Therefore, there is a need for better understanding and improvement in the treatment for thyroid tumorigenesis. Many studies show that natural dietary components like Mangiferin (present in mangoes) have anti-carcinogenic ability and reduce the incidence and development of cancers. The present study was focused on analysing the effect of Mangiferin on human thyroid cancer cell line (TPC1) and to assess its therapeutic significance against aggressive thyroid cancers. The cell viability of TPC1 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The DAPI and AO/Er staining using fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate the effects of the compound on apoptosis. The PCNA expression was also examined. In the present study, Mangiferin has significantly inhibits TPC1 cell proliferation. DAPI nuclear staining revealed apoptotic changes occurred in nuclei of cells treated with mangiferin (4 μM). AO/EtBr staining of TCP-1 cells showed that mangiferin treatment (2 and 4 μM) induced cell death. Mangiferin induces apoptosis through the induction of cas-3 and reduced Bcl-2 expression. It was concluded that mangiferin triggered the apoptotic pathways. It also decreased the viability of TPC-1 cells by suppressing the PCNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) has numerous biological activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Here, we evaluated the plant growth‐inhibitory activities of two cultivars of Curcuma longa (C. longa; Ryudai gold and Okinawa ukon) against radish, cress, lettuce and Bidens pilosa (B. pilosa). The methanol extracts of both turmeric varieties inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of all the tested plants. Ryudai gold had a significantly higher inhibitory effect on the seed germination and root and shoot growth of the plants than Okinawa ukon. Therefore, Ryudai gold was chosen for the isolation of plant growth‐inhibitory compounds using a silica gel column and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification of the compounds was carried out using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The growth inhibitors were identified as four curcuminoids; dihydrobisdemethoxycurcumin (1), bisdemethoxycurcumin (2), demethoxycurcumin (3) and curcumin (4). The IC50 of the curcuminoids against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa ranged from 8.7 ± 1.7 to 12.9 ± 1.8 and from 15.5 ± 1.8 to 38.9 ± 2.8 μmol L−1, respectively. Compound 1 showed the lowest IC50 against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa. These results suggested that Ryudai gold has a potential growth‐inhibitory effect against B. pilosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plants developed more dedicated regulatory pathways than the animals did to response various environment stresses, since they could not run away. The cross-talk among the pathways generally introduce non-trivial regulatory behaviors, from which the plants may benefit. For better understanding the regulatory mechanism due to cross-talk, we study in this work two entangled stress regulatory pathways in root cells. A quantitative model of the regulatory network is constructed in the simplest fashion. An analytic parameter-free approach is then employed to analyse the response tendencies. It leads us to a simple constraint on the non-linear regulatory exponents. Under the constraint, a transition to the non-monotonic growth inhibition happens at finite concentration of ABA, due to which the plants could survive from cold/heat stress. The parameter-free tendency analysis would also be applied to further experiments, especially in the case of insufficient data for multi-parameter fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bacterial volatile compounds (BVCs) are important mediators of beneficial plant–bacteria interactions. BVCs promote above-ground plant growth by stimulating photosynthesis and sugar accumulation and by modulating phytohormone signalling. These compounds also improve below-ground mineral uptake and modify root system architecture. Scope We review advances in our understanding of the mode of action and practical applications of BVCs since the discovery of BVC-mediated plant growth promotion in 2003. We also discuss unanswered questions about the identity of plant receptors, the effectiveness of combination of two or more BVCs on plant growth, and the potential side effects of these compounds for human and animal health. Conclusion BVCs have good potential for use as biostimulants and protectants to improve plant health. Further advances in the development of suitable technologies and preparing standards and guidelines will help in the application of BVCs in crop protection and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first total synthesis of phyllostictine A (PA) is reported, which confirms the structure of this fungal metabolite and its (6S,7R,8S)-stereochemistry. Both synthetic PA and an analogue containing the 5-methylene-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one nucleus exhibit μM inhibitory activity in root growth assays against Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating that this heterocyclic subunit is key to the herbicidal activity of the natural product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites, responsible for the color of many plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana MYB90/PAP2 (production of anthocyanin pigment 2) was introduced into tomato to study its effect on anthocyanin accumulation. The transgenic tomato displayed much greater anthocyanin accumulation than wild type in all plant organs, but the organs were not fully purple in color except for the stamen. The expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes and an anthocyanin-related basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene SlAN1 was significantly increased in the transgenic line, suggesting that ectopic expression of AtPAP2 increases the expression of anthocyanin-related structural and regulatory genes to enhance anthocyanin content. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that the endogenous MYB protein SlAN2 interacted with two putative bHLH partners, SlAN1 and SlJAF13, while AtPAP2 only interacted with SlJAF13, which may be why AtPAP2 transgenic plants showed limited anthocyanin accumulation in fruits. In addition to anthocyanin accumulation, the transgenic tomato plants were significantly smaller in size, and the length of primary roots and number of lateral roots were obviously decreased. The expression of lignin biosynthetic genes was downregulated in transgenic tomato plants, which may be the reason for the inhibited growth. The lateral organ boundaries-domain (LBD) genes, which regulate lateral root organogenesis in the auxin signaling pathway, were downregulated in transgenic tomato roots, which may partly account for the disturbed lateral root formation in the transformants. Taken together, the results demonstrate that heterologous expression of transcription factor AtPAP2 not only resulted in anthocyanin accumulation but also inhibited plant growth in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]