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In recent years, many research on the quantity of lignocellulosic waste have been developed. The production, partial purification, and characterisation of ligninolytic enzymes from various fungi are described in this work. On the 21st day of incubation in Potato Dextrose (PD) broth, Hypsizygus ulmarius developed the most laccase (14.83 × 10−6 IU/ml) and manganese peroxidase (24.11 × 10−6 IU/ml), while Pleurotus florida produced the most lignin peroxidase (19.56 × −6 IU/ml). Laccase (Lac), lignin peroxidase (LiP), and manganese peroxidase (MnP), all generated by selected basidiomycetes mushroom fungi, were largely isolated using ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by dialysis. Laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase purification findings indicated 1.83, 2.13, and 1.77 fold purity enhancements, respectively. Specific activity of purified laccase enzyme preparations ranged from 305.80 to 376.85 IU/mg, purified lignin peroxidase from 258.51 to 336.95 IU/mg, and purified manganese peroxidase from 253.45 to 529.34 IU/mg. H. ulmarius laccase (376.85 IU/mg) with 1.83 fold purification had the highest specific activity of all the ligninolytic enzymes studied, followed by 2.13 fold purification in lignin peroxidase (350.57 IU/mg) and manganese peroxidase (529.34 IU/mg) with 1.77-fold purification. Three notable bands with molecular weights ranging from 43 to 68 kDa and a single prominent band with a molecular weight of 97.4 kDa were identified on a Native PAGE gel from mycelial proteins of selected mushroom fungus. The SDS PAGE profiles of the mycelial proteins from the selected mushroom fungus were similar to the native PAGE. All three partially purified ligninolytic isozymes display three bands in native gel electrophoresis, with only one prominent band in enzyme activity staining. The 43 kDa, 55 kDa, and 68 kDa protein bands correspond to laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase, respectively.

ABSTRACT: Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is predominantly exists in the pus of the human wounds and it creates massive infections in the skin and causes serious health associated infections. Modern antibiotics are highly active in the treatment of wound infections. In this study was aimed to determine resistance of K. pneumoniae screened from wound specimens of patients. Sample was collected from the pus of the patients associated with secondary infection. Methods: Samples were serially diluted and the isolated bacterial strains were characterized by biochemical tests, colony morphology and Gram’s staining methods. Resistance of K. pneumoniae was tested using antibiotics such as, Gentamycin, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Cefurooxime, Oxacillin, Ofloxacin, Erythromycin, Nalidic acid, Cefepine, Piperacillin, Norfloxacin, Imipenem, Nitrofurantoin, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Vancomycin, Meropeneum and Cefotaxime with Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Among the 73 K. pneumoniae strains, four strains produced AmpC and ESBLs, 42 strains produced ESBLs and 7 bacterial strains synthesized only AmpC enzyme. Four stains produced ESBLs and showed multidrug resistance against various antibiotics. Most of the strains synthesized extracellular polysaccharides and mediated biofilm formation. Among the K. pneumoniae strains, K. pneumoniae PS02 showed multidrug resistant against most of the tested antibiotics. It produced ESBLs and AmpC enzyme. To produce secondary metabolites, actinomycetes were isolated and characterized as Streptomyces sp. AC14. The secondary metabolite was effective against Klebsiella strains. Conclusions: To conclude, secondary metabolites extracted from Streptomyces sp. AC14 was found to be effective against multidrug resistant bacterium. Further studies are warranted to analyze the drug hydrolyzing pathways of bacteria and to identify the mechanism of action of secondary metabolites from Streptomyces sp. AC14.

We find out the antimicrobial potential of partially purified 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) against Ralstonia solanacearum and fungal plant pathogens isolated from tomato rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens VSMKU3054. The present study is mainly focused on the control of wilt disease of tomato by our isolate VSMKU3054 and DAPG. The cell free culture filtrate of P. fluorescens VSMKU3054 was significantly arrested the growth of R. solanacearum and fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum compared to control. The existence of DAPG from the crude metabolites of P. fluorescens VSMKU3054 was confirmed on TLC with Rf value 0.34, which is coincide with that of authentic phloroglucinol. The partially purified DAPG exhibited much higher activity against R. solanacearum at 30 µg/ml than the fungal plant pathogens compared to control. The antimicrobial partially purified compound was identified as DAPG by UV, FT-IR and GC–MS analysis. The percentage of live cells of R. solanacearum when supplemented with DAPG at 30 µg/ml, significantly controlled the living nature of R. solanacearum up to 68% compared to tetracycline and universal control observed under high content screening analysis. The selected isolate P. fluorescens VSMKU3054 and DAPG significantly controlled wilt disease of tomato up to 59.5% and 42.12% on 3rd and 7th days compared to positive and negative control by detached leaf assay. Further, in silico analysis revealed that high interaction of DAPG encoding protease with lectin which is associated with R. solanacearum. Based on our findings, we confirmed that P. fluorescens VSMKU3054 and DAPG could be used a potential bio inoculants for the management of bacterial wilt disease of tomato.

Background: The use of animals and animal-derived products in ethnopharmacological applications is an ancient human practice that continues in many regions today. The local people of the Himalayan region harbor rich traditional knowledge used to treat a variety of human ailments. The present study was intended with the aim of examining animal-based traditional medicine utilized by the population of the Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Methods: Data were collected from 2017 to 2019 through individual and group interviews. Data on traditional uses of animal products were analyzed, utilizing following indices such as the frequency of citation, use value, relative importance, similarity index, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to find the highly preferred species in the area.Results: Ethnomedicinal uses of 62 species of vertebrates and invertebrates were documented. Flesh, fat, bone, whole body, milk, skin, egg, head, feathers, bile, blood, and honey were all used in these applications. The uses of 25 animals are reported here for the first time from the study area (mainly insects and birds, including iconic species like the kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos; Himalayan monal, L. impejanus; and western tragopon, Tragopan melanocephalus). The diversity and range of animal-based medicines utilized in these communities are indications of their strong connections with local ecosystems.Conclusion: Our results provide baseline data valuable for the conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the region of Himalayan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is possible that screening this fauna for medicinally active chemicals could contribute to the development of new animal-based drugs.

Hydroxyapatite was isolated from the chicken bones of Black Sumatra and Fighter cock by thermal calcinations at 700 °C. The reducing power of Plumbago indica was responsible for the green synthesis of silver NPs. The isolated hydroxyapatite was used for the preparation of hydroxyapatite doped silver nanoparticles (HAp/AgNPs) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The Black Sumatra bone derived HAp/AgNPs were excellent activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (28 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (26 mm), Bacillus cereus (24 mm), respectively. Fighting cock bones derived HAp/AgNPs demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus (22 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (25 mm) and Bacillus cereus (23 mm), respectively. The MIC value ranged between 45 ± 1.2 µg/mL and 104 ± 0.25 µg/mL. The HAp/AgNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns of the Hap/Ag revealed functional peaks representing the reflection planes. The HAp/AgNPs showed an ellipsoidal morphology in SEM analysis. The morphological studies at various magnifications indicated that HAp/AgNPs with good crystal structure could prepared by using co-precipitation method.

Background: Cocos nucifera (L) is a widespread tall plant and found to havelot of important pharmacological applications and it is very less toxic in nature. The water of the endocarp has high antioxidant activity, and its fiber was reported to have antibacterial, ant parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil derived from its edible parts have been used in cooking, in the preparation of the soaps and cosmetics etc. The water within can be processed to produce alcohol. Once the endocarp was crushed and the extract were removed it can used as a feed material and as a natural organic fertilizer. Herein, we report the novel method of utilizing the residue of the deoiled seed cake of Cocos nucifera (L) for preparing the metal oxides as a reducing agent and to test its antimicrobial level against human pathogens. Methods: The method adopted in this investigation is the fermentation process of preparing the Cocos nucifera (L) extract by utilizing the water as the medium for the extraction process under room temperature. Results: Structural nature and morphology of the synthesized samples were carried out using XRD and SEM analysis and the results revealed that ZnO belongs to hexagonal shape with primitive lattice cell arrangement and NiO had cubic structure with FCC lattice arrangements. The results of the average crystalline size of prepared nanoparticles using XRD and SEM were alike. Molecular bonding and stability were analyzed using FTIR instrumentation based on UV absorption and Tauc plot the bandgap of ZnO and NiO was calculated as 3.15 eV and 3.64 eV. Elemental composition was identified using EDAX analysis. Antibacterial assay was carried out against human pathogens including S.aureus, B.subtilis, E.coli and K.pneumoniae in comparison to the standard drug Gentamycin and the synthesized specimens ZnO and NiO showed the moderate activity with the zone of inhibition of about of 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 8 mm against the human pathogens. Conclusion: Our results showed that the antimicrobial properties of the Cocus nucifera (L) mediated ZnO and NiO have moderate activity against the standard drug Gentamycin, three different doses were tested against the disease causing pathogens including S.aureus, B.subtilis, E.coli and K.pneumoniae. The zone of inhibition was found to be minimum. This may be attributed to the reason that even after the removal of the edible compounds from the seed of Cocos nucifera (L), the residue or the waste product found to have a moderate antimicrobial function against pathogens.

A total of 87 FPs have been isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) rhizosphere and evaluated by dual plate assay method for the antimicrobial activity of Ralstonia solanacearum. Of which, 30 FPs showed antagonistic activity against R. solanacearum with the zone of inhibitions (ZOI) ranging from 19 mm to 28 mm. Similarly, antagonistic FPs significantly controlled various fungal phytopathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani (6.3 mm−20 mm), Macrophomina phaseolina (8.7 mm−19.3 mm), Fusarium oxysporum (7.3 mm−30.7 mm), and Sclerotium rolfsii (5.3 mm−21 mm). The cell-free culture filtrate of Pseudomonas sp VSMKU3054 significantly suppressed the fungal pathogens and increased the root and shoot length of the tomato seedlings compared to the control. Furthermore, the antagonistic FPs effectively produced lytic enzymes and antimicrobial traits such as amylase (6), protease (30), cellulase (28), pectinase (12), chitinase (22), gelatinase (27), siderophore (28), hydrogen cyanide (25), phosphate solubilization (30), and Indole acetic acid (IAA) (23). Genetic diversity of FPs was assessed by BOX-PCR with specific primers revealed that two distinct clusters were observed, whereas, RFLP analyses were showed that 5 to 16 bands ranged from 75 bp to 1.2 bp with two major clusters using restriction enzyme HaeIII. The antibiotic encoding genes were detected from FPs, of which 10 FPs were positive for 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), 9 FPs were positive for pyoleuterin (PLT), 10 FPs were positive for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and none of them obtained pyrrolnitrin (PRN) with respective primers. Based on the superior antagonistic isolates against R. solanacearum and phytofungal pathogens and other antimicrobial traits, the isolate VSMKU3054 was selected for further studies. Based on the morphological, physiological and 98% of 16 s rDNA sequence similarity, the selected isolate VSMKU3054 was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens. Further, the potential isolate P. fluorescens VSMKU3054 and cell free culture filtrate remarkably enhance tomato seedling growth such as root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight and vigor index compared to control. This study indicated that rhizospheric isolates of FPs have more potential for plant growth promotion and plant protection from plant pathogenic microbes.

The aim of the present study is the isolation and characterization of the lactic acid bacteria from idly batter, a traditional Indian fermented product. To achieve the aim, 10 idly batter samples were selected from different regions of Kadapa district. In the primary isolation and screening process, 50 lactic-acid-producing bacteria were isolated, and from them, six strains were selected based on their lactic acid yielding capacity for further evaluation. The selected cultures were studied for their phenotypic characters, and all cultures were Gram positive, cocci, and catalase negative. All the six strains were tested for their growth and lactic acid production at above 35 °C, and finally, one strain that showed good growth at 50 °C was selected for further characterization. Molecular characterization by 16S rRNA gene analysis and BLAST analysis revealed 99% similarity with Pediococcus pentosaceus Ni1142. The isolated culture was named as Pediococcus sp. HLV1, and the sequence was submitted to the NCBI databank as accession number MH921241. The isolated strain is able to utilize a wide range of carbohydrate substrates including glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, and xylose. The major fermentation product from glucose is lactic acid. Pediococcus sp. HLV1 showed optimum growth and production of lactic acid with glucose as carbon source (10%) and yeast extract as nitrogen source (0.3%) at pH 7.0 and 40 °C. As well-known probiotic bacteria, the isolated Pediococcus spp. also showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and more specifically inhibited Gram-positive Bacillus. Using the above optimal conditions, lactic acid from a fresh mango peel extract was studied, and at the end of the fermentation, 5.2% (v/v) of lactic acid was produced. In conclusion, the isolated LAB Pediococcus sp. strain HLV1 is able to grow and produce lactic acid at a high temperature (45 °C) and to survive at 50 °C. Mango peel, a by-product of mango pulp industries, can be utilized as one of the economically cheap feedstocks for industrial production of lactic acid by the Pediococcus sp. strain HLV1.

Compared to seeds and mature plants, sprouts are well characterized based on their nutritive values and biological properties. Moreover, laser light application is known to be a promising approach to improving plant growth, photosynthesis, and nutraceutical values. However, no studies have investigated the phytochemicals and biological activity of lemongrass (Cymbopogon proximus (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Chiov.) sprouts or the further improvement of their quality by applying laser light treatment. We carried out a preliminary experiment for the optimization of laser treatment conditions, finding that a helium neon (He–Ne) laser at 632 nm and 5 mW for 5 min provided the most favorable conditions. We then investigated fresh weight, photosynthetic reactions, and primary and secondary metabolites, including sugars, amino acids, organic acids, essential oils, and phenolic compounds. Moreover, we studied the effect of laser light-induced changes in chemical compositions on the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-cholesterol activities of Cymbopogon proximus sprouts grown from laser-treated seeds. Laser light treatment increased the photosynthesis and respiration and hence the fresh weight of Cymbopogon proximus sprouts. Overall, sprouting increased most bioactive primary and secondary metabolites as compared to seeds. Increased photosynthesis by laser light improved carbon allocation and raised non-structural carbohydrates, which in turn led to improved synthesis of amino acids, organic acids, and essential oils, as well as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. As a result, laser light significantly improved the antioxidant capacity in terms of increasing the levels of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (from 9.5 to 21 µmole trolox/g fresh weight (FW)), oxygen radical absorbance (ORAC) (from 400 to 1100 µmole trolox/100 g FW), and DPPH (from 5% to 25% of inhibation) and enhanced the hypocholesterolemic and antidiabetic activity through increasing the percentage of cholesterol micellar solubility (CMS) inhibition (from 42% to 62%) and glycemic index (from 33 to 17 µmole/g) over sprouts and seeds. In conclusion, the synergism of seed laser treatment and sprouting induced the health-promoting bioactive compounds in Cymbopogon proximus as compared to seeds, which can be applied at a large scale to improve the biochemical, physiological, and nutraceutical values of medicinal and crop sprouts.

Background: Alkaline proteases are among the most important classes of industrial hydrolytic enzymes. The industrial demand for alkaline proteases with favorable properties continues to enhance the search for new enzymes. The present study focused on isolation of new alkaline producing alkaliphilic bacteria from hyper saline soda lakes and optimization of the enzyme production. Results: A new potent alkaline protease producing halotolerant alkaliphilic isolate NPST-AK15 was isolated from hyper saline soda lakes, which affiliated to Bacillus sp. based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. Organic nitrogen supported enzyme production showing maximum yield using yeast extract, and as a carbon source, fructose gave maximum protease production. NPST-AK15 can grow over a broad range of NaCl concentrations (0–20%), showing maximal growth and enzyme production at 0–5%, indicated the halotolerant nature of this bacterium. Ba and Ca enhanced enzyme production by 1.6 and 1.3 fold respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for both enzyme production and cell growth were at 40°C and pH 11, respectively. Alkaline protease secretion was coherent with the growth pattern, started at beginning of the exponential phase and reached maximal in mid stationary phase (36 h). Conclusions: A new halotolerant alkaliphilic alkaline protease producing Bacillus sp. NPST-AK15 was isolated from soda lakes. Optimization of various fermentation parameters resulted in an increase of enzyme yield by 22.8 fold, indicating the significance of optimization of the fermentation parameters to obtain commercial yield of the enzyme. NPST-AK15 and its extracellular alkaline protease with salt tolerance signify their potential applicability in the laundry industry and other applications.

Background: Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from Amphibacillus sp. NPST-10 was covalently immobilized onto amino-functionalized magnetic double mesoporous core–shell silica nanospheres (mag@d-SiO2@m-SiO2-NH2), and the properties of the immobilized enzyme were investigated. The synthesis process of the nanospheres included preparing core magnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, coating the Fe3O4 with a dense silica layer, followed by further coating with functionalized or non-functionalized mesoporous silica shell. The structure of the synthesized nanospheres was characterized using TEM, XRD, and FT-IR analyses. CGTase was immobilized onto the functionalized and non-functionalized nanospheres by covalent attachment and physical adsorption. Results: The results indicated that the enzyme immobilization by covalent attachment onto the activated mag@d-SiO2@m-SiO2-NH2, prepared using anionic surfactant, showed highest immobilization yield (98.1%), loading efficiency (96.2%), and loading capacity 58 µg protein [CGTase]/mg [nanoparticles]) which were among the highest yields reported so far for CGTase. Compared with the free enzyme, the immobilized CGTase demonstrated a shift in the optimal temperature from 50°C to 50–55°C, and showed a significant enhancement in the enzyme thermal stability. The optimum pH values for the activity of the free and immobilized CGTase were pH 8 and pH 8.5, respectively, and there was a significant improvement in pH stability of the immobilized enzyme. Moreover, the immobilized CGTase exhibited good operational stability, retaining 56% of the initial activity after reutilizations of ten successive cycles. Conclusion: The enhancement of CGTase properties upon immobilization suggested that the applied nano-structured carriers and immobilization protocol are promising approach for industrial bioprocess for production of cyclodextrins using immobilized CGTase.

Alkaline proteases are hydrolytic enzymes that cleave peptide bonds in proteins and peptides in alkaline conditions, which occupy a pivotal importance with respect to their industrial applications. This study aimed to isolate new alkaline protease producing alkaliphilic bacteria from Egyptian soda lakes and optimize the fermentation process to enhance the enzyme production. The extensive screening process of the samples collected from Egyptian soda lakes resulted in isolation of a potent alkaline protease producing alkaliphilic strain AK-R. The isolate was identified as Bacillus agaradhaerens strain AK-R based on 16S rRNA gene analysis (99%). Wheat bran and gelatin supported maximum alkaline protease production as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Strain AK-R is halo-tolerant thermo-tolerant alkaliphilic bacterium in nature, as it can grow over a wide range of NaCl concentrations (up to 25%) and up to 55 °C, with maximal growth and enzyme production at 2.5-5%, and pH 11 at 35 °C. Among the tested cations, only Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions significantly enhanced the enzyme production by about 1.2, and 1.3 fold compared to control, respectively. Alkaline protease secretion was coherent with the growth pattern, reaching maximal yield after about 32 h (mid stationary phase). In conclusion a new halo-tolerant thermo-tolerant alkaliphilic alkaline protease producing Bacillus agaradhaerens strain AK-R was isolated from Egyptian soda lakes. Optimization of the nutritional and cultivation conditions resulted in increase of enzyme yield by 20 fold. Strain AK-R and its extracellular alkaline protease with salt, pH and temperature, tolerance signify their potential application in laundry and pharmaceuticals industries.

Screening for cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase)-producing alkaliphilic bacteria from samples collected from hyper saline soda lakes (Wadi Natrun Valley, Egypt), resulted in isolation of potent CGTase producing alkaliphilic bacterium, termed NPST-10. 16S rDNA sequence analysis identified the isolate as Amphibacillus sp. CGTase was purified to homogeneity up to 22.1 fold by starch adsorption and anion exchange chromatography with a yield of 44.7%. The purified enzyme was a monomeric protein with an estimated molecular weight of 92 kDa using SDS-PAGE. Catalytic activities of the enzyme were found to be 88.8 U mg−1 protein, 20.0 U mg−1 protein and 11.0 U mg−1 protein for cyclization, coupling and hydrolytic activities, respectively. The enzyme was stable over a wide pH range from pH 5.0 to 11.0, with a maximal activity at pH 8.0. CGTase exhibited activity over a wide temperature range from 45 °C to 70 °C, with maximal activity at 50 °C and was stable at 30 °C to 55 °C for at least 1 h. Thermal stability of the purified enzyme could be significantly improved in the presence of CaCl2. Km and Vmax values were estimated using soluble starch as a substrate to be 1.7 ± 0.15 mg/mL and 100 ± 2.0 μmol/min, respectively. CGTase was significantly inhibited in the presence of Co2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ba2+, Cd2+, and 2-mercaptoethanol. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CGTase production by Amphibacillus sp. The achieved high conversion of insoluble raw corn starch into cyclodextrins (67.2%) with production of mainly β-CD (86.4%), makes Amphibacillus sp. NPST-10 desirable for the cyclodextrin production industry.

The stability and reusability of soluble enzymes are of major concerns, which limit their industrial applications. Herein, alkaline protease from Bacillus sp. NPST-AK15 was immobilized onto hollow core-mesoporous shell silica (HCMSS) nanospheres. Subsequently, the properties of immobilized proteases were evaluated. Non-, ethane- and amino-functionalized HCMSS nanospheres were synthesized and characterized. NPST-AK15 was immobilized onto the synthesized nano-supports by physical and covalent immobilization approaches. However, protease immobilization by covalent attachment onto the activated HCMSS–NH2 nanospheres showed highest immobilization yield (75.6%) and loading capacity (88.1 μg protein/mg carrier) and was applied in the further studies. In comparison to free enzyme, the covalently immobilized protease exhibited a slight shift in the optimal pH from 10.5 to 11.0, respectively. The optimum temperature for catalytic activity of both free and immobilized enzyme was seen at 60 °C. However, while the free enzyme was completely inactivated when treated at 60 °C for 1 h the immobilized enzyme still retained 63.6% of its initial activity. The immobilized protease showed higher Vmax, kcat and kcat/Km, than soluble enzyme by 1.6-, 1.6- and 2.4-fold, respectively. In addition, the immobilized protease affinity to the substrate increased by about 1.5-fold. Furthermore, the enzyme stability in various organic solvents was significantly enhanced upon immobilization. Interestingly, the immobilized enzyme exhibited much higher stability in several commercial detergents including OMO, Tide, Ariel, Bonux and Xra by up to 5.2-fold. Finally, the immobilized protease maintained significant catalytic efficiency for twelve consecutive reaction cycles. These results suggest the effectiveness of the developed nanobiocatalyst as a candidate for detergent formulation and peptide synthesis in non-aqueous media.

Bioflocculation, a microalgae harvesting method utilizing organisms like bacteria and microalgae as flocculant agents, necessitates careful selection and ratio determination of bioflocculant agents. This study seeks to ascertain the optimal balance of bioflocculant, Navicula sp., for metabolite production and harvesting efficiency in Arthrospira platensis culture. Spanning three oneweek cultivation stages, the research commences with A. platensis culture under varying salinities (0, 15, 25, and 35 ppt) in the first stage, followed by pH variations (9, 10, 11, and 12) in the second stage. The optimal salinity-pH combination identified in the first two stages is applied in the third stage, involving bioflocculant addition to culture and medium solutions at varying ratios (0.25:1, 0.5:1, 0.75:1, and 1:1 v/v). Precipitation efficiency and pigmentation were measured using spectrophotometry, while lipid content was determined by the Bligh Dyer extraction method. Carbohydrate content was assessed using the Phenol-Sulphuric Acid assay, and protein content was quantified using the Bradford protein assay. The findings indicate salinity, pH, and bioflocculant influence A. platensis growth, metabolite production, and harvesting efficiency. Optimal outcomes are achieved at 15 ppt salinity, pH 9, and a 1:1 ratio of bioflocculant, yielding 1.18x10-3 g of dry biomass, 3.56x105 cells/mL of cell density, 2.9x100 g/L of carbohydrates, 3.63x100 g/L of lipids, 9.97x10-3 mg/L of chlorophyll a+b, 8.71x10-1 mg/L of carotenoids, and 3.04x10-1 g/L of protein. These results suggest that salinity addition, high pH, and the addition of Navicula sp. as bioflocculant increase the harvesting process efficiency of A. platensis culture.

Escherichia coli is a major cause of serious infections, with antibiotic resistance rendering many treatments ineffective. Hence, novel strategies to combat this pathogen are needed. Anti-virulence therapy is a promising new approach for the subsequent era. Recent research has examined the impact of sub-inhibitory doses of ascorbic acid and paracetamol on Escherichia coli virulence factors. This study evaluated biofilm formation, protease production, motility behavior, serum resistance, expression of virulence-regulating genes (using RT-PCR), and survival rates in a mouse model. Ascorbic acid significantly reduced biofilm formation, protease production, motility, and serum resistance from 100% in untreated isolates to 22–89%, 10–89%, 2–57%, and 31–35% in treated isolates, respectively. Paracetamol also reduced these factors from 100% in untreated isolates to 16–76%, 1–43%, 16–38%, and 31–35%, respectively. Both drugs significantly down-regulated virulence-regulating genes papC, fimH, ompT_m, stcE, fliC, and kpsMTII. Mice treated with these drugs had a 100% survival rate compared with 60% in the positive control group control inoculated with untreated bacteria. This study highlights the potential of ascorbic acid and paracetamol as anti-virulence agents, suggesting their use as adjunct therapies alongside conventional antimicrobials or as alternative treatments for resistant Escherichia coli infections.

ABSTRACTWater is necessary for the survival of any living being on this planet and in today’s world, it has become a limiting resource because of anthropogenic pressures like pollution, climate change, overexploitation etc. To maintain the water bodies in a proper condition from time to time, analysis of the water quality is highly recommended. So an attempt was made to have a detailed analysis of the surface water quality of the deepest freshwater lake in India, the Manasbal Lake, and to know the impact of these parameters on the distribution of fish fauna in the lake. The different physicochemical aspects of the lake were analyzed spatially and seasonally for a period of two years. The results from the principal component analysis revealed that the main parameters affecting the water quality in Manasbal Lake include total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total phosphorus, nitrates, pH, free carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity. The study also reported a similarity in physicochemical aspects as well as the type of fish fauna from Sites-I and Site-III. Overall the physicochemical aspects were seen to impact the distribution of different fish species in the lake as reported from the canonical correspondence and cluster analysis. pH and nitrates were found to impact the distribution of fish species like Cyprinus carpio, Carassius carassius, Schizothorax niger and S. curvifrons whereas the main parameters affecting the distribution of Pethia conchonius, Crossocheilus diplochilus and Gambusia holbrooki were dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide and water temperature. The overall water quality of the lake is good for the proper growth and survival of the fish species and also for domestic purposes. This study will be very helpful to form baseline information for future research, as very scanty information is available related to such work.

Sufficient supply of foliar boron is essential for the appropriate productivity of lentil, particularly in poorly fertile soil. Therefore, field experiments were carried out at two locations (Maru and Mushaqar) in Jordan during the winter growing season 2021/2022 to evaluating the impact of foliar boron levels (0, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.6%) on the physiology, growth, yield, and grain protein contents of the local lentil variety (Jordan 2) under different row spacing (17.5 and 35 cm). The results revealed that the Maru location outperformed another location for increasing transpiration rate, plant height, days to flowering, yield, and yield attributes while reducing protein contents. Row spacing of 35 cm had significantly higher physiological performance, yield, and yield attributes than row spacing of 17.5 cm, except for instantaneous water use efficiency, straw yield, and thousand seed weight. Foliar 0.2% boron was the best treatment since it increased total chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthetic rate, and protein content by 9.5, 39.9, 22.2, 25.9, and 11.2%, respectively. Furthermore, foliar 0.2% boron improved grain yield higher at row spacing of 35 cm than those at row spacing of 17.5 cm. However, foliar 0.6% boron decreased grain yield by 8.5% and 3.6% at row spacing 35 cm and 17.5 cm, respectively, indicating this high concentration of boron acts as toxicity. Overall, it is highly recommended to use foliar rates of boron ranging between 0.2% and 0.3% to enhance the seed yield and protein content of lentils at different row spacing. These results suggest that optimum row spacing and foliar boron are useful approaches for lentil’s sustainability in semiarid areas.

In recent years, metal additive manufacturing (MAM) has emerged as a promising technique for faster and easier manufacturing of complex parts. One method developed in MAM is additive friction stir deposition (AFSD), which is based on the friction stir welding (FSW) principle. The friction stir principle offers a different manufacturing process compared to fusion-based methods. In AFSD manufacturing, parts are deposited completely according to the solid state principle, without any melting. For this reason, defects such as hot cracking, residual stresses and porosity encountered in other MAM are much less in AFSD. The fact that the feed material used in the AFSD method can be in powder or rod form provides an advantage compared to other manufacturing processes. AFSD has become a promising manufacturing process in sectors such as automotive, maritime and aviation due to its superior features. In this study, the basics of the AFSD method, the studies and results of this manufacturing method for different materials are discussed. The aim of this study is to summarize the developments in the application of the AFSD method to different materials in recent years. It is anticipated that AFSD additive manufacturing will make its name known more in the near future and this review article will lead to subsequent studies.

For management of fish stocks, assessing the various parameters of population dynamics are regarded as being extremely important. Under this backdrop the population dynamics parameters viz. growth, mortality and recruitment of Pethia conchonius, inhabiting the Dal Lake of Kashmir Himalayas were analysed using FiSAT II software. The analysed specimens were collected from five different sites within the lake and exhibited a total weight range of 0.3 to 6.4 g and a total length range of 3.1 to 7.8 cm. The relative condition factor for the fish was reported to be 1.11. The growth parameter i.e., asymptotic length, age at zero length, growth performance index and growth constant were reported to be 10.0 cm, –0.75 years, 1.48 and 0.30 year–1 respectively. The total mortality of 1.49 year–1, consisting of natural mortality of 0.88 year–1 and fishing mortality of 0.61 year–1 was reported. An exploitation rate of 0.41 is suggestive of a less exploited state of the fish. The length at first maturity was found to be higher than the length at first capture, a condition that can disturb the stock, as such the utility of a net with relatively larger mesh size is advisable. The current research on the population dynamics of P. conchonius can be used as the baseline data for its management practices.