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Edible oils are vulnerable to oxidation-induced degradation, leading to off-flavors, carcinogenic products, and reduced nutritional content. This work aimed to prepare a blended oil (BO) from indigenous mustard and sesame seeds to extend the oil’s shelf life and boost its nutritional value. Four blends were formulated with sesame oil (SO) and mustard oil (MO) in the ratios of SO50:MO50, SO60:MO40, SO70:MO30 and SO80:MO20. GCMS analyses showed that the SO80:MO20 blend had an erucic acid content of 4.22 %, which is below the internationally accepted limit of 5 %, and an ideal fatty acid ratio of 1:1.3:1; saturated fatty acid (SFA): monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA): polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), close to the WHO/FAO permissible limit. The blend SO80:MO20 was then assessed and related to single oil. The physicochemical properties of the blended oil were superior to those of the individual oils. BO exhibited higher levels of lignan (48.96 %) and tocopherol (13.58 %) than SO (48.89 % and 12.74 %) and MO (0.24 % and 6.22 %). Additionally, BO’s sterol content was 18.7 %, surpassing SO’s 14.7 % but falling short of MO’s 21.13 %. Moreover, BO’s flash point (318 °C) closely resembled that of SO (320 °C) and MO (316 °C). Aflatoxin and trace metal levels were detected and found to be well below than permitted ranges. The blend had a total antioxidant capacity of 95 % with an IC50 value of 0.575 mg/mL, which was higher than that of the individual oils and comparable to standards. Over 180 days of storage at room temperature, the moisture content, refractive index, free fatty acids, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, saponification value, iodine value, and totox value of the BO showed a slower increase compared to the individual oils. The estimated fatty acid ratio and enriched antioxidant in the blended oil enhanced its stability and nutritional potency over the individual oils. The results of this work may represent Bangladesh’s first unique oil blend composition.

This study dealt with naturally occurring biotite from the river sediment to synthesize biotite based composite to evaluate antimicrobial activities against gram positive bacteria, negative bacteria and fungi. Biotite mineral, and synthesized carbon aerogel –biotite (CBt) composite and carbon aerogel-biotite –ZnO (CBtZ) composites were considered for the antimicrobial study. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction technique and different crystallographic parameters were computed applying X-ray diffraction data. Also, FESEM was performed to understand the surface morphology of the samples. Crystal size of the biotite, CBt and CBtZ were computed 103.215, 57.567, and 36.496 nm respectively. Tabulated microstrain are 0.175, 0.499 and 0.935 for the biotite, CBt and CBtZ respectively. Various models and equations were used to justify crystallite size, including the Williamson-Hall plot, linear straight line model, Scherrer equation, Monshi-Scherrer model, Size-strain plot (SSP) model, Halder-Wagner method and Sahadat-Scherrer model. For the both composite samples, following models confirmrd the presence of nanocrystal with a range of 50.789–97.777 nm (CBt) and 36.496–105.843 nm(CBtZ). However, for the biotite, all mentioned models were proved invalid except scherrer equation, SSP model and Monshi-Scherrer model. Linear straight line model was found invalid to calculate crystallite size of the three samples. Moreover, different crystal parameters like dislocation density, volume of the unit cell, lattice parameters were computed. Zone of inhabitation estimation method was employed to estimate antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella abony, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Required minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) together with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) also estimated in this study. Crystal size effect on the antimicrobial activities of the samples were evaluated in this study.

The imprudent use of antibiotics increases the environmental microflora's resistance to various drugs, particularly antibiotics. Prescription data is crucial for understanding antibiotic usage frequency and dosage. This health-focused study aims to analyze antibiotic prescription patterns in human and veterinary practices to identify emerging trends in environmental antibiotic resistance.For this survey, A total of 6550 prescriptions were randomly collected from hospitals and pharmacies in Mymensingh sadar upazila, Bangladesh, between August and October 2022. Of these, 5123 (78 %) were for human cases and 1427 (22 %) for veterinary purposes. Photos of the prescriptions were taken and analyzed to understand prescribing habits. Additionally, 30 water samples from rivers, ponds, sewage, and households in Mymensingh City Corporation were collected to assess environmental antibiotic levels and resistance patterns of microorganisms.The analysis showed that Cephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotics, found in 570 (56.27 %) of human prescriptions and 230 (42.99 %) of veterinary prescriptions. Aminoglycosides had the lowest frequency, with 13 (1.2 %) for humans and 46 (8.6 %) for animals. Macrolides (12.24 %), carboxylic acids (1.87 %), and rifamycins (1.28 %) were only found in human prescriptions, while sulfa drugs (10.84 %), tetracyclines (5.42 %), and combinations of antibiotics (14.77 %) were only in animal prescriptions. Quinolones were prescribed 4.06 times more for humans, while aminoglycosides were used 3.54 times more for animals. Environmental samples showed E. coli had the highest resistance (MAR Value: 0.625) against eight antibiotics.This study illuminates the human-animal prescription patterns that are influenced by environmental factors which drive antibiotic stewardship in Bangladesh. It is imperative for practitioners to exercise caution and adhere to guidelines when prescribing antibiotics, both in human and veterinary practices, given the alarming trend of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, measures must be taken to restrict the influx of antibiotics residue into the environment.

This research delves into the analysis of essential oil derived from Citrus limon leaves cultivated in the northern region of Bangladesh, focusing on their potential attributes. The essential oil was extracted employing a microwave-assisted gravity station without using solvent. Optimization was carried out in terms of time, temperature and power as a function of oil yield. The study revealed the highest oil yield of 2.5 % after 50 min at 110 °C, maintaining a microwave power of 300 watt. Twenty-four (24) phyto-components were identified by Gas Chromatogram- Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) where d-Limonene (34.10660 %) was dominant compound. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity of essential oil. Notably, essential oil displayed superior DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 8.57 ppm) compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 10.63 ppm), a common antioxidant standard. Furthermore, a variety of harmful microorganisms were used to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy. The extracted essential oil exhibited the strongest antimicrobial effectiveness against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI-27.50 mm, MIC-7.8 μL/mL) and the fungi Candida albicans (ZOI-32.83 mm, MIC-1.95 μL/mL). These findings demonstrate the Citrus limon leaves essential oil contains bioactive components with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The extracted essential oil holds significant potential for applications in the foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries.

Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot), and Daucus carota L. (carrot) grown in Bangladesh were analyzed for nutritional and phytochemical contents to reveal their comparative nutritional compositions and antiradical properties. Ash, protein, and carbohydrate content were significantly preeminent in beetroot as compared to others. Whereas fat content was found to be high in turmeric, carrots contained a great percentage of crude fiber. Beetroot was shown to have much greater potassium, calcium, and iron levels than others. Regarding amino acids, glutamic acid was found to be greater in beetroot and carrot whereas turmeric had significantly high aspartic acid content. Leucine had the highest concentration among essential amino acids in these three samples. Total antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, and phenolic contents in the methanolic extract of turmeric were found to be substantially higher than in beetroot and carrot. Furthermore, the extract of turmeric (IC50 value: 13.46 μg/mL) scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) free radicals considerably to a greater extent than beetroot (IC50 value: 380.61 μg/mL) and carrot (IC50 value: 1252.85 μg/mL). A positive correlation was found between the phytochemical contents and antiradical activity. The information from this study will help to find the potential ingredients from these plants for functional food.

The raising concern of drug resistance, having substantial impacts on public health, has instigated the search of new natural compounds with substantial medicinal activity. In order to find out a natural solution, the current study has utilized prodigiosin, a linear tripyrrole red pigment, as an active ingredient to control bacterial proliferation and prevent cellular oxidation caused by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). A prodigiosin-producing bacterium BRL41 was isolated from the ancient Barhind soil of BCSIR Rajshahi Laboratories, Bangladesh, and its morphological and biochemical characteristics were investigated. Whole genome sequencing data of the isolate revealed its identity as Serratia sp. and conferred the presence of prodigiosin gene cluster in the bacterial genome. "Prodigiosin NRPS", among the 10 analyzed gene clusters, showed 100% similarity with query sequences where pigC, pigH, pigI, and pigJ were identified as fundamental genes for prodigiosin biosynthesis. Some other prominent clusters for synthesis of ririwpeptides, yersinopine, trichrysobactin were also found in the chromosome of BRL41, whilst the rest displayed less similarity with query sequences. Except some first-generation beta-lactam resistance genes, no virulence and resistance genes were found in the genome of BRL41. Structural illumination of the extracted red pigment by spectrophotometric scanning, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and change of color at different pH solutions verified the identity of the isolated compound as prodigiosin. Serratia sp. BRL41 attained its maximum productivity 564.74 units/cell at temperature 30˚C and pH 7.5 in two-fold diluted nutrient broth medium. The compound exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) values ranged from 3.9 to15.62 μg/mL and 7.81 to 31.25 μg/mL respectively. At concentration 500 μg/mL, except in Salmonella enterica ATCC-10708, prodigiosin significantly diminished biofilm formed by Listeria monocytogens ATCC-3193, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC-9027, Escherichia coli (environmental isolate), Staphylococcus aureus (environmental isolate). Cellular glutathione level (GSH) was elevated upon application of 250 and 500 μg/mL pigment where 125 μg/mL failed to show any free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, release of cellular components in growth media of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were facilitated by the extract that might be associated with cell membrane destabilization. Therefore, the overall findings of antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant activities suggest that in time to come prodigiosin might be a potential natural source to treat various diseases and infections.

The potentially deadly and sporadic diarrhea-causing agent, Vibrio cholerae, is present in a great number in the freshwater aquatic environment and can be transmitted to humans by different aquatic organisms. In the perspective of Bangladesh, an anadromous fish species Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) can act as a transmission vehicle of V. cholerae from the aquatic to the household kitchen environment. The present study was carried out to investigate the presence of V. cholerae in the aquatic habitat of Bangladesh with a major emphasis on freshly caught Hilsha fish, along with river water and plankton samples from the fish capture site. The study also detected the biofilm formation capability of V. cholerae within Hilsha fish that might help the transmission and persistence of the pathogen in aquatic habitat. Twenty out of 65 freshly caught fish (30.8%) and 1 out of 15 water samples (6.67%) showed the presence of V. cholerae and none of the plankton samples were positive for V. cholerae. The isolated strains were identified as non-O1 and non-O139 serogroups of V. cholerae and contain some major toxin and virulence genes. A few strains showed cellular cytotoxicity on the HeLa cell line. All strains were able to form biofilm on the microtiter plate and the detection of three genes related to biofilm formation (vpsA, vpsL, and vpsR) were also assayed using qPCR. In this study, the in vitro biofilm formation ability of the isolated strains may indicate the long-term persistence of V. cholerae in different parts of Hilsha fish. The abundance of V. cholerae only in freshly caught Hilsha fish and the absence of the pathogen in the surrounding aquatic environment could stipulate the role of Hilsha fish as one of the major transmission routes of V. cholerae from the freshwater aquatic environment of Bangladesh to the household kitchen environment.