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Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as bitter leaf, is a widely grown plant in Africa that has several health benefits. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial activities of ciprofloxacin with those of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on selected bacteria. Swabs were collected from patients presenting with bacterial conjunctivitis at the Eye Clinic, Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. The samples were transported to the Microbiology Laboratory at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, for culturing and identification of microorganisms using standard microbiological methods. The zones of inhibition of ciprofloxacin on selected bacteria isolated from the swab samples were compared with those of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina. Four bacteria were isolated from the samples: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. At concentrations of 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/ml respectively, there were significant differences (p=0.05) in the zones of inhibition between ciprofloxacin and the ethanolic and aqueous extracts against S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes. With 12.5 mg/ml concentration, the extracts showed no significant differences (p>0.05) in the zone of inhibition. Ciprofloxacin showed significantly higher (p=0.05) zones of inhibition, followed by Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic extract (p=0.05) and Vernonia amygdalina aqueous extract (p=0.05). The zones of inhibition produced by Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic extract on both grampositive and gram-negative bacteria highlight its antibacterial effect and its potential as an alternative treatment option for bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Matricaria chamomilla (Asteraceae), commonly known as chamomile can tolerate freezing temperatures and grows in many soil types. This plant is found on all continents and has significant medicinal value. There are more than 120 chemicals detected in chamomile flowers, with the majority found in the essential oil. In this study, M. chamomilla was given the NaCl stress of 0 mM, 1 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM concentrations This study was the first to assess the efficacy of German chamomile upon exposure to salt stress hence plant particles that had been dried and powdered were analyzed using, phytochemical tests, Fourier Transform Infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay, antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The characterization and results of these activities show amazing results which enhance their antibacterial property with an increased zone of inhibition when the samples of salt stress of the above-given concentrations were compared to the control samples. More graph analysis indicates an effective impact of salt stress on the phytoconstituents of M. chamomilla. Other than that, there was a clear flower induction upon salt stress, as a variety of compounds are regarded as essential to the biological functions of chamomile flowers according to the phytoconstituent screening which can be further used in the cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical industry, and all other fields as well for various application as a nano-drug or bio-drug. Due to this, this plant became essential for plant biotechnology research.

Matricaria chamomilla (Asteraceae), commonly known as chamomile can tolerate freezing temperatures and grows in many soil types. This plant is found on all continents and has significant medicinal value. There are more than 120 chemicals detected in chamomile flowers, with the majority found in the essential oil. In this study, M. chamomilla was given the NaCl stress of 0 mM, 1 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM concentrations This study was the first to assess the efficacy of German chamomile upon exposure to salt stress hence plant particles that had been dried and powdered were analyzed using, phytochemical tests, Fourier Transform Infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay, antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The characterization and results of these activities show amazing results which enhance their antibacterial property with an increased zone of inhibition when the samples of salt stress of the above-given concentrations were compared to the control samples. More graph analysis indicates an effective impact of salt stress on the phytoconstituents of M. chamomilla. Other than that, there was a clear flower induction upon salt stress, as a variety of compounds are regarded as essential to the biological functions of chamomile flowers according to the phytoconstituent screening which can be further used in the cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical industry, and all other fields as well for various application as a nano-drug or bio-drug. Due to this, this plant became essential for plant biotechnology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This current research reports the synthesis and characterization of a cocrystal of Fluconazole (FLU), a widely used antifungal drug, with a nutraceutical coformer (NCF) that has potential health benefits as well as improving its solubility and antifungal activity. Method: The co-crystal was obtained by solvent evaporation in a stoichiometric ratio using three natural coformers: Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and glycerine, and characterized by various analytical techniques, including Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: The cocrystals showed lower heats of fusion (ΔH) compared to pure Fluconazole, indicating the possibility of increased entropy and solubility for all cocrystals. Using the solvent evaporation method with ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and glycine showed significant enhancement of solubility, ranging from 1.06-fold to 4.80-fold, depending on the co-former and different media used. Discussion and Conclusion: The zone of inhibition assay showed that cocrystals of Fluconazole with nutraceuticals (FLU+CAF, FLU+GLY, and FLU+FER) exhibited higher zones of inhibition compared to pure Fluconazole and DMSO control. Solubility and dissolution studies revealed that cocrystals of Fluconazole with nutraceutical coformers could be an effective approach to enhancing the solubility and antifungal activity of Fluconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bromo substituted 4-methylsalicylic acid and an ethyl salicylate derivatives were synthesized by bromination of 4-methylsalicylic acid with N-bromosuccinimde (NBS) and esterification of 4-methylsalicylic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. Also, three salicylanilides were synthesized by reacting salicylic acid with various substituted anilines in the presence of acid catalyst. These compounds were characterized by using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, and mass spectral analysis. In vitro antibacterial studies of resultant compounds were carried out by using well diffusion assay against two bacterial strains Streptomyces sp. and Dickeya sp. Among the synthesized derivatives, 4-(bromoethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid displayed higher antibacterial activity against Gram positive Streptomyces sp. while the derivative ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoate showed best antibacterial activity against Gram negative Dickeya sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The work presents a report on Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized through a green approach using Nauclea latifolia fruit extracts, with a view to investigating the prepared nanoparticles for their antimicrobial activities. The ZnO NPs synthesized were characterized using various analytical instruments, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The instruments provided valuable information on the characteristics of the Zn ONPs. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized ZnO NPs were evaluated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The maximum absorption was observed at 379 nm. The average hydrodynamic size and the polydispersity index (PDI) were measured as 81.77 nm and 0.401, respectively. The nanomaterial has a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the Zn–O bond was detected at 537 cm–1. The nanoparticles were in the nano range with sizes ranging from 10.02 nm to 28.50 nm. The N. latifolia fruit extract-mediated ZnO NPs showed excellent performance against the two bacteria at all concentrations of ZnO NPs. The highest inhibition zones for E. coli and S. aureus at 8 mg/L of ZnO NPs are 21 and 16 mm, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into an efficient, simple, and environmentally friendly route for synthesizing ZnO NPs with a potential application in the biomedical field.

The work presents a report on Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized through a green approach using Nauclea latifolia fruit extracts, with a view to investigating the prepared nanoparticles for their antimicrobial activities. The ZnO NPs synthesized were characterized using various analytical instruments, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The instruments provided valuable information on the characteristics of the Zn ONPs. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized ZnO NPs were evaluated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The maximum absorption was observed at 379 nm. The average hydrodynamic size and the polydispersity index (PDI) were measured as 81.77 nm and 0.401, respectively. The nanomaterial has a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the Zn–O bond was detected at 537 cm–1. The nanoparticles were in the nano range with sizes ranging from 10.02 nm to 28.50 nm. The N. latifolia fruit extract-mediated ZnO NPs showed excellent performance against the two bacteria at all concentrations of ZnO NPs. The highest inhibition zones for E. coli and S. aureus at 8 mg/L of ZnO NPs are 21 and 16 mm, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into an efficient, simple, and environmentally friendly route for synthesizing ZnO NPs with a potential application in the biomedical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have gained massive attention in the scientific community in recent years due to their valuable properties. Among various AgNPs synthesis methods, microbial approaches offer distinct advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. In the present research work, investigators have synthesized three different types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), namely AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, by using Klebsiella pneumoniae (MBC34), Micrococcus luteus (MBC23), and Enterobacter aerogenes (MBX6), respectively. The morphological, chemical, and elemental features of the synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by using UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). UV-Vis absorbance peaks were obtained at 475, 428, and 503 nm for AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs, having peaks at 26.2°, 32.1°, and 47.2°. At the same time, the FTIR showed bands at 599, 963, 1,693, 2,299, 2,891, and 3,780 cm−1 for all the types of AgNPs indicating the presence of bacterial biomolecules with the developed AgNPs. The size and morphology of the AgNPs varied from 10 nm to several microns and exhibited spherical to porous sheets-like structures. The percentage of Ag varied from 37.8% (wt.%) to 61.6%, i.e., highest in AgNPs-K and lowest in AgNPs-M. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs exhibited potential for environmental remediation, with AgNPs-M exhibiting the highest removal efficiency (19.24% at 120 min) for methyl orange dye in simulated wastewater. Further, all three types of AgNPs were evaluated for the removal of methyl orange dye from the simulated wastewater, where the highest dye removal percentage was 19.24% at 120 min by AgNPs-M. Antibacterial potential of the synthesized AgNPs assessment against both Gram-positive (GPB) Bacillus subtilis (MBC23), B. cereus (MBC24), and Gram-negative bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (MBP13) revealed promising results, with AgNPs-M, exhibiting the largest zone of inhibition (12 mm) against GPB B. megaterium. Such investigation exhibits the potential of the bacteria for the synthesis of AgNPs with diverse morphology and potential applications in environmental remediation and antibacterial therapy-based synthesis of AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As synthesized surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), Tetrapropylammonium Dodecylsulfate (TPADS), and Tetrabutylammonium Dodecylsulfate (TBADS) have been characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Conductometric and UV-Visible probe investigations have been attempted to study the aggregation behavior of these synthesized SAILs in aqueous solution of polymers Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different temperatures and concentrations. Two breaking points were identified from κ vs [SAILs] plots. First, the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) is recognized with the polymer-SAILs binding and the second being regarded as critical micellar concentration (CMC), suggested to represent saturation point for Polymer-SAIL aggregation. Thermodynamic parameters of micellization (Δ G m o , Δ H m o and Δ S m o) are rationalized in terms of interactions prevailing between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of SAIL-Polymer system. Micellization process for the blend of SAIL-PVP is found to be more favored than SAIL-PEG at all temperatures. Further, the effect of PVP on the antimicrobial activities of TPADS/TBADS has been tested by measuring zone of inhibition which accounts for higher effectiveness of PVP-SAILs system against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) as compared to gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wound healing is a complex physiological process that involves a cascade of events, from inflammation to tissue remodeling. Impaired wound healing can lead to chronic wounds, which are painful and susceptible to various infections, including fungal ones. Candida and Cryptococcus infections are particularly troublesome due to their resistance to conventional treatments. In this context, hydrogels have emerged as promising drug delivery and wound management vehicles. Materials and Methods: The hydrogel, made from 5-flucytosine, chitosan, and pectin, provides a moist environment for wound healing and creates a barrier against infections. In this study, four hydrogel formulations containing 5-FC, chitosan, pectin, and 0.1 M HCl were developed and. they were optimized for various parameters, including drug concentration, polymer ratio, and crosslinking density. Dependent variables maximize drug release, gel stability, and other desired properties. Hydrogel Base includes natural and synthetic material that exhibits desirable properties, such as high water absorption capacity and gel stability. Results: Formulations evaluated for their compatibility, Physical properties, Spreadability, Viscosity, Rheological studies, pH, Ex vivo Skin Permeation Study, Structural and Morphological Analysis, Swelling Index, Anti-fungal Activity Studies, the hydrogel's effectiveness against C. albicans was demonstrated in an experiment, with the F-3 formulation showing the most effective anti-fungal properties. Conclusion: The 5-FC hydrogel presented a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by chronic wounds and fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the leaves of five South Indian medicinal plants Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Curcuma longa, Moringa oleifera and Psidium guajava against nine clinical pathogens (Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes). Plant extracts were prepared using solvents such as acetone, ethanol, chloroform, petroleum ether and Water at the concentration of 100 mg/ml. Bacteria were cultured in the minimal medium and the colonies characteristic features were studied to ascertain their purity. An agar diffusion methodology was adopted to determine the antibacterial activity of plants extract aginst the test organisms. The mimimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of acetone and ethonal plants extracts was evaluated. All the given pathogens were sensitive to acetone and ethanol extracts of the medicinal plants, followed by choloroform, and pertroluem ether extracts displayed the moderate antibacterial activity. The aqueous extracts of the plant leaves were scored the least antimicrobial action. Except aqueous extract, the Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were significantly sensitive to plants extracts. The MIC values of most of test organsism lie in between 700 µl/ml to 1000 µl/ml of plant extracts. Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Psidium guajava exhibited the board antimicrobial action against the given pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present scenario, resistance to antibiotics has become a threatening situation for public health. To find a solution for this, conjugation of a cationic peptide with silver nanoparticles is emerging as a promising route to attain enhanced antibacterial activity. In this direction, this work reports the synthesis of lysine-based cationic peptide (BP100: NH2–KKLFKKILKYL–amide) functionalized silver nanoparticles (BP100@AgNPs). The cationic peptide interacts electrostatically with the silver nanoparticles in an aqueous medium. The developed nanosystem followed green chemistry principles, owing to the use of water and a one-step strategy for the synthesis of peptide functionalized nanoparticles. Moreover, the developed BP100@AgNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, FTIR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition to this, in order to have a deeper insight into the interaction between BP100 and silver nanoparticles, NMR analysis of the peptide (BP100) and the developed nanosystem (BP100@AgNPs) was carried out. This was further authenticated by 1D (1H,13C) NMR and 2D NMR (1H-COSY (correlation spectroscopy)), 13C-HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence)). Moreover, the developed BP100@AgNPs were tested for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacterial strains. The nanosystem displayed good inhibition with MIC values of 3.60 and 13.20 μg/mL for E. coli and S. aureus , respectively. The destruction in the cellular membrane of the bacterial cells upon treatment with the nanosystem was observed via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) which confirmed the efficient antibacterial activity of the developed nanosystem. Hence, the synthesized nanosystem displayed considerable potential to be used as an excellent candidate for antibacterial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of nanoparticles (NPs) using biological methods may lead to the enhancement of clean, non‐hazardous, and environmentally acceptable procedures. With this context, in the present study silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the flower extract of Aerva lanata (A. lanata). The following techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), are used to study the crystalline nature, size, shape, and elemental composition of the biosynthesized AgNPs, and antimicrobial applications of the NPs also studied. In UV–visible spectroscopy results a strong absorbance peak at 425 nm confirmed the AgNPs. The SEM results confirmed the spherical shape of the NPs and their average size of 45.05 nm. X‐ray diffractometry XRD spectra confirmed the crystalline nature of the AgNPs. Against the DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxide and superoxide radicals, Alf‐AgNPs and ascorbic acid had significant scavenging effects at higher concentration of 250 μg/mL, exhibited 65.76 ± 0.41% and 86.42 ± 0.69%, 78.39 ± 0.49% and 72.72 ± 0.14% and 70.79 ± 0.87% and 72.79 ± 0.33% inhibition, respectively. As produced AgNPs had strong antibacterial and moderate antifungal activities against pathogenic test bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) with the maximum zone of inhibition 15 ± 1.07 mm, 12 ± 0.96 mm, 14 ± 1.05 mm, and 15 ± 2.54 mm, respectively at maximum (75 μg/mL) concentration of AgNPs, and the zone of inhibition of fungal strains Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) (9 ± 0.67 mm) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) (7 ± 0.75 mm) at 75 μg/mL. It was eventually concluded that the biosynthesized Alf‐AgNPs showed promising antioxidant and antimicrobial agents with very low concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundNature has given us an enormous number of medicines for every disease that affects people. AimTo compare the antimicrobial efficacy of an herbal and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and MethodsThe antimicrobial effectiveness (zone of inhibition) of a herbal mouthrinse and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse were determined by agar well-diffusion method. ResultsAt 50% concentration, the experimental mouthrinse inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. ConclusionAgainst the three strains, chlorhexidine mouthrinse (0.2%) performs better in terms of antimicrobial effectiveness.

Aim: The aim and objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate, bioactive glass sealer, and epoxy-resin–based sealer. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 22 Mueller Hinton agar (MH agar) plates were employed and equally divided into two groups. Three holes were made by removal of agar at equidistant points and filled with root canal sealers. The strains of the bacteria used in this study were S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231) and were divided into two groups and root canal sealers were divided into three subgroups: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) fillapex Sealer, Nishika Bioactive Glass sealer, and Syntex Epoxy Resin base sealer. For Staphylococcus aureus, peptone water was placed in a 2 mL test tube and bacteria were extracted from blood agar plates using a nichrome wire loop and poured into the peptone water–containing test tube and incubated for 2 hours and for C. albicans, fungi were grown at 37°C for 24 hours in MH Broth and seeded into MH agar to produce turbidity of 0.5 on the McFarland scale, which corresponds to a concentration of 108 CFU/mL. This MH broth was used as a second layer. The seeded agar was then added over the plates immediately after the insertion of sealer cement. After incubation, the diameters of zones of inhibition around the plates were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest inhibition was recorded in Syntex sealer against Staphylococcus aureus followed by MTA fillapex sealer and Nishika sealer, whereas MTA fillapex showed the highest inhibition against C. albicans followed by Syntex sealer and Nishika sealer. Conclusion: Syntex sealer exhibits better antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and MTA fillapex exhibit better antibacterial efficacy against C. albicans.

This study was undertaken to evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity of alcoholic extract of leavesand bark of Prosopis cineraria against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus which were isolated from subclinical mastitic cows. Antibacterial activity was determined in terms of zone of inhibition measured as the diameter of the clear zone around well in which there was no bacterial growth. On the basis of average zone of inhibition result showed that the in vitro antibacterial activity of alcoholic extract of leaves of Prosopis cineraria was highest against Staphylococcus aureus (20.11±0.032 mm) and least against Bacillus cereus (11.09±0.28 mm) at the concentration of 500 mg/ ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim: Milk is a dairy product which is susceptible to contamination by pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. One way to control the growth of pathogenic bacteria is to use preservatives and antimicrobial compounds. Due to the general concerns about the side effects of chemical preservatives, there is a tendency to consume products that use natural preservatives. Natural products provide unlimited opportunities for novel and suitable additives. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of hydro-ethanolic extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) against some gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria innocua) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and the next stage was to investigate the impact of hydro-ethanolic extract of this plant at 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75% (w/w) concentrations on the shelf life of pasteurized milk. Methods: The present experimental study was conducted in 2022 at Nahavand Higher Education Complex. The total phenolic content of the extract was measured by Folin-ciocalteau method. Antioxidant activity of different concentration of extract were assessed by diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity and compared with synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA). Antibacterial effects of resemary on pathogenic bacteria was determined by well diffusion agar, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Experimental data were analyzed using ANOVA by the SPSS version 20 software and mean comparison were done using Duncan's multiple range test. Results: The phenolic content of hydro-ethanolic extract weas 96.47±0.35 mg galic acid/g extract. Hydro-ethanolic extract of rosemary had the greatest effect on Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC of rosemary ethanolic extract ranged from 12.5 to 50 mg/ml, depending on the type of bacteria (gram positive or gram negative). Also, the treatments of pasteurized milk with 0.5%, acceptable sensory properties had a significantly lower total microbial count and longer shelf life compared to the control sample. Conclusion: Therefore, considering that the hydro-ethanolic extract of rosemary had a significant effect on preventing the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, as a result, this extract can be used as a natural antibiotic in milk.

This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activities of plant extracts from Artemisia afra and Eucalyptus globulus when used as coatings for textiles. A pulsed ultrasound-assisted extraction method (PUAE) was employed to obtain methanolic and hexanoic extracts from both plants. Eucalyptus globulus methanol extraction exhibited the highest yield at 22.76% (±0.61%), while Artemisia afra demonstrated lower yields. Phytochemical screening identified various secondary metabolites in the extracts, including phenols, quinones, and steroids. Antimicrobial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli revealed varying degrees of susceptibility, with Eucalyptus globulus hexanoic extracts showing the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus at an average percentage growth of 18.74% (±0.26%). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for the extracts, but complete inhibition did not occur at concentrations below 500 μg/mL. The extracts exhibited varying effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth, with some extracts promoting bacterial growth. Coating textiles with Eucalyptus globulus methanolic extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with the highest zone of inhibition observed in cotton-coated samples (258.4 mm2). Polyester-coated samples exhibited smaller inhibition zones, with the lowest observed in Eucalyptus globulus methanolic extract coating (65.97 mm2). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed visible surface morphology changes in coated fabrics, depicting fine, cluster, lumpy, flaky, and fragment-like morphologies. Laundering effects on coated fabrics were investigated, showing a significant decrease in antimicrobial activity after washing. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified functional groups in the extracts associated with antimicrobial properties. The complexity of the bioactive compounds suggests potential antimicrobial efficacy, resting on factors such as geographical location, climate, and extraction methods. Notwithstanding the limitations, this study contributes valuable insights into the use of plant extracts as antimicrobial coatings for textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim and objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate, bioactive glass sealer, and epoxy-resin–based sealer. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 22 Mueller Hinton agar (MH agar) plates were employed and equally divided into two groups. Three holes were made by removal of agar at equidistant points and filled with root canal sealers. The strains of the bacteria used in this study were S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231) and were divided into two groups and root canal sealers were divided into three subgroups: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) fillapex Sealer, Nishika Bioactive Glass sealer, and Syntex Epoxy Resin base sealer. For Staphylococcus aureus, peptone water was placed in a 2 mL test tube and bacteria were extracted from blood agar plates using a nichrome wire loop and poured into the peptone water–containing test tube and incubated for 2 hours and for C. albicans, fungi were grown at 37°C for 24 hours in MH Broth and seeded into MH agar to produce turbidity of 0.5 on the McFarland scale, which corresponds to a concentration of 108 CFU/mL. This MH broth was used as a second layer. The seeded agar was then added over the plates immediately after the insertion of sealer cement. After incubation, the diameters of zones of inhibition around the plates were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest inhibition was recorded in Syntex sealer against Staphylococcus aureus followed by MTA fillapex sealer and Nishika sealer, whereas MTA fillapex showed the highest inhibition against C. albicans followed by Syntex sealer and Nishika sealer. Conclusion: Syntex sealer exhibits better antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and MTA fillapex exhibit better antibacterial efficacy against C. albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tacrolimus (FK506) is a widely used and clinically important immunosuppressant drug that can be produced by fermentation of Streptomyces tsukubaensis. The industrial strains are typically obtained through multiple rounds of mutagenesis and screening, a labor-intensive process. We have established an efficient yeast cell based screening method for the evolutionary process of high-FK506-yielding strain. The S. tsukubaensis strains of different FK506 yields were tested for zone of growth inhibition of the wild type and calcineurin mutant (cnb1∆) yeast strains. We found that different FK506 yields correspond well to altered yeast growth inhibitions. Based on the combinational inhibition effects of FK506 with different antifungals that have been frequently reported, we also tested the zone of inhibition by addition of fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin to the medium. In the end, for the best screening performance, we systemically evaluated the strategy when different yeast strains and different antifungals were used according to the clarity, size, and divergence of the inhibition circles. Using different yeast strains and antifungals, we successfully broadened the screening spectrum. An efficient high-FK506-yield S. tsukubaensis screening method has been established and optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the properties of the nonionic surfactant Genapol and the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to develop a composite detergent with bactericidal activity. Research includes studying the properties of CPC and Genapol solutions, creating composite mixtures with different concentration ratios and assessing the bactericidal effectiveness of the resulting detergents. The main foaming agents CPC and Genapol were used without purification, which emphasizes their high biodegradability. Various tests, including surface tension measurements, contact angle evaluation and pH measurements, were carried out at room temperature to evaluate the properties of surfactants and surfactant mixtures. The results show that CPC exhibits foaming, emulsifying and bactericidal properties due to its high surface activity and adsorption capacity. Genapol has the advantages of high surface activity at different pH levels, excellent foaming and emulsifying properties. The combination of these surfactants in a complex detergent creates a universal cleaner with antibacterial properties independent of pH and environmental harshness. The bactericidal effect of solutions of CPCGenapol mixtures was also determined. The results show that the composite solution exhibits a noticeable bactericidal effect with zones of growth inhibition ranging from 13.5±0.5 mm to 17±0.1 mm. The greatest antibacterial activity was observed against Micobacterium citreum and Bacillus subtilis. Sarcina flava and Staphylococcus aureus showed similar growth inhibition results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamnus prinoides has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. It is considered a natural product and environmentally friendly material. The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanolic and aqueous stem bark and fruit extracts against human bacterial and fungal pathogens. The result showed that the qualitative phytochemical analysis of the stem bark of R. Prinoides revealed the presence of a maximum number of secondary metabolites. UV and FTIR analysis showed the presence of different organic constituents with functional groups of hydroxyl group, C=O, and C-O. The presence of these groups is responsible for the broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Antibacterial activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of R. prinoides (stem bark) against B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. flexneri, and S. typhi, revealed inhibition zone diameter ranging from 22.17-24.67 mm and 14-28 mm, respectively at 200 µg/ml concentration, compared to a positive control Cipro (25µg) ranged from 22.67-27.80 mm. Similarly, it was reported that the methanol and aqueous extracts of R. prinoides (fruit)showed at the range of 20-22 mm and 10-16, respectively at 200 µg/ml concentration, compared to a positive control Cipro (25µg) ranged from 22.17-24.17 mm. The antifungal activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of R. prinoides (stem bark) against A. flavus and C. Albicans revealed inhibition zone ranging from 14-19 mm and 13-15 mm, respectively at 200 µg/ml concentration, compared to a positive control Nystatin ranged from 18.3-21 mm. antifungal activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of R. prinoides (stem bark) against A. flavus and C. Albicans, revealed inhibition zone ranging from 14-19 mm and 13-15 mm, respectively at 200 µg/ml concentration, compared to a positive control Nystatin ranged from 18.3-21 mm. Therefore, ethanol extract of R. prinoides have the most active antibacterial components than antifungal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to determine the lignocellulosic biomass in different parts of Parthenium hysterophorus and evaluate its antimicrobial activity against selected microbial plant pathogens. Compositional analyses were conducted on live whole plants and their leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. The lignocellulosic biomass components were estimated gravimetrically as a percentage of dry weight, using the standard equation, while reducing sugar was quantified using a glucose standard curve. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in cellulose content were observed among different plant parts, with the highest dry weight percentage in the whole mature plant (48±0.33), followed by the stem (45±0.21), whole young plant (41±0.10), root (21±0.00), leaf (28±0.01), and inflorescence (21±0.14). Additionally, reducing sugar content in mg/mL was significantly higher in the stem (1.94±0.01) and root (1.17±0.00), followed by the mature whole plant (0.95±0.20), leaf-stem mixture (0.93±0.11), inflorescence (0.67±0.02), young whole plant (0.23±0.19), and leaf (0.17±0.01). The stem and root extracts from mature plants inhibited soil-borne plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas sp. and Ralstonia sp. respectively. The leaf and inflorescence extracts of P. hysterophorus showed inhibitory effects only against Pseudomonas sp., not Ralstonia sp. Furthermore, the mature Parthenium plant extract inhibited all tested soil-borne fungi, with significantly higher inhibition percentages observed for Scelerotium sp. (81.93%) and Colletotrichum sp. (45.45%) compared to Fusarium sp. and Pythium sp. Significantly higher cellulose and lignin contents in the whole mature P. hysterophorus plant, along with its antimicrobial activity against major soil-borne plant pathogenic microbes was prominent than the individual plant parts and the young immature plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple antibiotic resistances in the bacteria that cause infections in humans have been directly caused by the ongoing use of antibiotics in clinical practise. In undeveloped and impoverished nations, the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics may increase the risk of resistant bacteria emerging and proliferating throughout the population. Consequently, the antibiotics' effectiveness is declining. Therefore, there is now more interest in the therapeutic use of natural materials due to the need for innovative alternative antibacterial techniques. Aim and Objective: To study the antimicrobial activity of honey against clinical isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with special reference to Mec A gene, from various clinical samples at a tertiary care centre, Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and the Microbiology Department for a period of 1 year i.e, August 2022 to August 2023 at a Tertiary care centre, Uttar pradesh. The antibacterial activity of Dabur pasteurised honey was evaluated against the bacterial strains of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Their antibacterial sensitivity pattern was tested using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility testing technique according to the CLSI guidelines 2022 along with other commonly used antimicrobials. Results: A total of 200 clinical isolates were isolated, out of which 72 isolates were of S.aureus in which a total of 24 MRSA isolates were were identified by CX, OX, and E-test. The DNA was extracted using the DNA extraction Qiagen Kit and the Mec A gene was detected by the PCR. In the present study there were 24 isolates of MRSA out of which 15(62.5%) isolates were sensitive to honey and 48 isolates of (MSSA) Methicillin sensitive S. aureus out of which 42(87.5%) isolates were sensitive to honey. It was observed that all the Methicillin resistance isolates were resistant to Cefoxitin and Oxacillin whereas sensitive to linezolid, Teicoplanin and Vancomycin. In the present study the results of antibacterial activity of honey towards the two microorganisms tested were performed. MRSA as well as MSSA were sensitive to undiluted honey samples tested with an average zone of inhibition of 30.03± 0.1 and 41.06±0.2 respectively. Both MRSA and MSSA isolates were sensitive to honey. But MRSA were resistant to all antimicrobials tested except linezolid where as MSSA were sensitive to all except penicillin. Conclusion: Honey is undoubtedly a viable candidate for further research and testing as an antibacterial in the future. With more research on its mode of action at the molecular level, honey could find extensive application as an antibacterial agent in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural Kosa silk is one of the textile fibers to be used in apparel application. Since it is proteinous and hygroscopic fiber and gets affected easily by microbes during usage and storage. Hence, this special type of silk produced in Chhattisgarh state of India, needs to be treated for the antimicrobial treatment for its better applications in various fields. Therefore, in the present work, the Kosa silk was modified by grafting of quaternary ammonium compound-containing monomer through thermo-chemical route. Experimental conditions for achieving optimum grafting of ionic monomer [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAETC) was investigated. Redox combination of ceric ammonium nitrate as a redox initiator and nitric acid (HNO3) as catalyst, by successively varying reaction conditions like concentration of initiator, catalyst and desired monomers under optimized reaction conditions were performed. The grafted silk material was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) techniques. The antibacterial study of grafted silk material having quaternary ammonium groups is an emerging group of antibacterial agents, which can be used as disinfectants. Using agar well method demonstrated that the grafted silk (KS-g-MAETC) inhibited the growth of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. As this grafted silk material has potent antibacterial activity, it may be used in the garment industry as well as for various biomedical applications, thus, serving the humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Murraya koenigii (M. Koenigii) is a common indigenous plant in Tamil Nadu, India, known for its various medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antifungal activity of an ethanolic extract of bark of M. koenigii (EEBMK) against five fungal species. Methods: EEBMK extract was evaluated in vitro for its antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans using the agar well diffusion method. Results: EEBMK significantly inhibited the growth of C. neoformans, C. albicans and suppressed the growth of F. oxysporum and A. niger. However, EEBMK showed no activity against T. viride strains. The antifungal activity of EEBMK was sequenced as C. neoformans (15.6 ± 1.15 mm) > C. albicans (14.3 ±1.5 mm) > F. oxysporum (8.3 ± 0.57 mm) > A. niger (8 ±1 mm). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that EEBMK could be used as a natural antifungal agent to treat infections caused by certain types of fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, neem (Azadirachta indica) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) have been used as antimicrobial agents in a fixed proportion for application on linen fabric followed by plasma treatment. The treated fabric is then assessed for antimicrobial activity. It is found that, without plasma treatment, neem and pomegranate rind extract treatments provide a semi-permanent antimicrobial finish, but after plasma treatment, the durability of the finish remains closer to the permanent finish. Some significant changes in the linen fabric properties are also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant extracts, which are high in bioactive compounds, have recently been employed in the eco-friendly approach of nanoparticles. The potential of plant extract bio-molecules to transform metal ions to nanoparticles in a single-step green approach method is very essential. In this research, we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the cell-free aqueous extract of Catharanthus roseus leaves, which reduce the silver ions in the silver nitrate solution. The silver nanoparticles' optical properties were described using DRS (Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy). "The optical band gap energy of the silver nanoparticles was estimated from the diffuse reflectance using the Kubelka–Munk formula. The optical band gap energy was determined to be 3.14 eV ". Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the nature of the synthesized Ag NPs (silver nanoparticles), which were successfully prepared Ag NPs from Catharanthus roseus leaf extract. "The final samples were examined using the diffusion method against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as two fungi, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans". According to the disk diffusion data, the produced silver nanoparticles consistently outperformed ionic silver in terms of antibacterial and antifungal activities. To assess the inhibitory concentration against both bacterial and fungal strains, the appropriate experiments were also carried out. The findings indicate that silver nanoparticles have excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have gained massive attention in the scientific community in recent years due to their valuable properties. Among various AgNPs synthesis methods, microbial approaches offer distinct advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. In the present research work, investigators have synthesized three different types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), namely AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, by using Klebsiella pneumoniae (MBC34), Micrococcus luteus (MBC23), and Enterobacter aerogenes (MBX6), respectively. The morphological, chemical, and elemental features of the synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by using UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). UV-Vis absorbance peaks were obtained at 475, 428, and 503 nm for AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs, having peaks at 26.2°, 32.1°, and 47.2°. At the same time, the FTIR showed bands at 599, 963, 1,693, 2,299, 2,891, and 3,780 cm−1 for all the types of AgNPs indicating the presence of bacterial biomolecules with the developed AgNPs. The size and morphology of the AgNPs varied from 10 nm to several microns and exhibited spherical to porous sheets-like structures. The percentage of Ag varied from 37.8% (wt.%) to 61.6%, i.e., highest in AgNPs-K and lowest in AgNPs-M. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs exhibited potential for environmental remediation, with AgNPs-M exhibiting the highest removal efficiency (19.24% at 120 min) for methyl orange dye in simulated wastewater. Further, all three types of AgNPs were evaluated for the removal of methyl orange dye from the simulated wastewater, where the highest dye removal percentage was 19.24% at 120 min by AgNPs-M. Antibacterial potential of the synthesized AgNPs assessment against both Gram-positive (GPB) Bacillus subtilis (MBC23), B. cereus (MBC24), and Gram-negative bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (MBP13) revealed promising results, with AgNPs-M, exhibiting the largest zone of inhibition (12 mm) against GPB B. megaterium. Such investigation exhibits the potential of the bacteria for the synthesis of AgNPs with diverse morphology and potential applications in environmental remediation and antibacterial therapy-based synthesis of AgNPs.

Background: Nature has given us an enormous number of medicines for every disease that affects people. Aim: To compare the antimicrobial efficacy of an herbal and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial effectiveness (zone of inhibition) of a herbal mouthrinse and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse were determined by agar well-diffusion method. Results: At 50% concentration, the experimental mouthrinse inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusion: Against the three strains, chlorhexidine mouthrinse (0.2%) performs better in terms of antimicrobial effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although antibiotics are used to treat typhoid fever, there is a need to look for alternative treatment methods because Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) has become aggressively resistant to standard antibiotic treatments. Methods: This experimental study used the carbonated beverage "7UP" as the extraction solvent to examine the anti-Salmonella activity of Gossypium hirsutum leaf extract on Salmonella typhi.Extraction of bioactive components of the plant leaf, in-vitro and in-vivo anti-Salmonella activity of the extract was carried out using essential microbiological tools. Results: In vitro, anti-Salmonella typhi study showed that ciprofloxacin had the highest zone of inhibition 36.71+0.31 and 36.14+0.10mm against typed (ATCC 14028) and clinical isolates, respectively, while the zones of inhibition of the extract at different concentrations against Salmonella typhi were zero, however, the diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI) of section at 800 mg/ml was 1.42+0.33 and 1.21+0.01mm against clinical and typed isolates respectively. At larger (3500 mg/ml/kg) and lower (10 mg/ml/kg) doses, there was no death in experimental rats during the acute toxicity assessment. After three days of therapy, the extract reduced salmonella fecal shedding from 71.14±0.31 to 6.02±0.17 × 103 Cfu/g and guaranteed 100% survival against experimental salmonellosis. Different functional groups in the extract, including alkene, anhydride, alcohol, sulfate, nitro compounds, alkanes, and a carboxylic acid, were observed. Conclusions: The use of ‘7UP’ as an extraction solvent for medicinal plants in our community for treating diverse medical ailments, especially infectious diseases, is justified. However, it could pose a toxicological effect.

The potentials held by stimuli-responsive polymers in wound dressing have led to the present research in formulating a hydrogel base formulation with polymers having pH and thermo-sensitivity. Thus, hyaluronic acid (pH-sensitive polymer), and Pluronic F-127 (thermo-sensitive polymer) with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (mucoadhesive polymer) were incorporated to obtain an in situ hydrogel containing gentamicin and naringenin (NAR). The optimization of the stimuli-responsive formulation was performed by the Box–Behnken statistical design to acquire variable parameters that influence the gelling temperature and viscosity. Thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to confirm the suitability of incorporating the selected polymers with drugs. The optimized formulations (blank and drug-loaded) were found to possess satisfactory characteristics of gelling temperatures (30–33°C), viscosities (174 ± 3 to 184 ± 4 cP), and mucoadhesive properties (0.29 ± 0.01 to 0.31 ± 0.01 N) with a spray diameter of 16.8 ± 1.4 to 18.9 ± 1.2 cm2 to facilitate the application at the wound environment. The in vitro drug release study depicted a sustained release profile over a time frame of 8 h with a cumulative release of 56.18 ± 4.59% NAR. The drug-containing in situ hydrogels showed superior potency by producing a larger zone of inhibition (2.03 ± 0.12 cm). Furthermore, a cytotoxicity study of the developed formulations in HaCaT cells revealed no toxicity of the drug-loaded formulations when compared to the blank hydrogel. These findings indicate the potential of the in situ hydrogel as an effective wound dressing for chronic wounds; however, additional investigation is needed for further implementation.

Over the last decade there has been a huge increase in the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Moreover, there is a continuous increase in harnessing the potential of microorganisms for the development of efficient and biocompatible nanoparticles around the globe. In the present research work, investigators have synthesized TiO2 NPs by harnessing the potential of Bacillus subtilis MTCC 8322 (Gram-positive) bacteria. The formation and confirmation of the TiO2 NPs synthesized by bacteria were carried out by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX/EDS). The size of the synthesized TiO2 NPs was 80–120 nm which was spherical to irregular in shape as revealed by SEM. FTIR showed the characteristic bands of Ti-O in the range of 400–550 cm−1 and 924 cm−1 while the band at 2930 cm−1 confirmed the association of bacterial biomolecules with the synthesized TiO2 NPs. XRD showed two major peaks; 27.5° (rutile phase) and 45.6° (anatase phase) for the synthesized TiO2 NPs. Finally, the potential of the synthesized TiO2 NPs was assessed as an antibacterial agent and photocatalyst. The remediation of Methylene blue (MB) and Orange G (OG) dyes was carried out under UV- light and visible light for a contact time of 150–240 min respectively. The removal efficiency for 100 ppm MB dye was 25.75% and for OG dye was 72.24% under UV light, while in visible light, the maximum removal percentage for MB and OG dye was 98.85% and 80.43% respectively at 90 min. Moreover, a kinetic study and adsorption isotherm study were carried out for the removal of both dyes, where the pseudo-first-order for MB dye is 263.269 and 475554.176 mg/g for OG dye. The pseudo-second-order kinetics for MB and OG dye were 188.679 and 1666.667 mg/g respectively. In addition to this, the antibacterial activity of TiO2 NPs was assessed against Bacillus subtilis MTCC 8322 (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli MTCC 8933 (Gram-negative) where the maximum zone of inhibition in Bacillus subtilis MTCC 8322 was about 12 mm, and for E. coli 16 mm.

In this study, we have introduced a method for the synthesis of various metal-doped nano-crystalline hydroxyapatites (HAp) using a standard wet chemical precipitation technique. Both divalent (Ni and Zn) and trivalent (Al and Fe) metals were selected for the doping process. Additional research work was also conducted to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of these doped-HAps against a range of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. All the synthesized metal-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) exhibited notable antibacterial characteristics against gram-negative bacterial strains, namely Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), outperforming the pure HAp. The inhibition zone observed for the metal-doped HAp ranged from 14 to 16 mm. The Fe ion displayed a notable inhibitory zone measuring 16 mm, proving to be the most expansive among all tested ions against both E. coli and S. typhi bacterial strains. The Zn-HAp exhibited a comparable inhibitory zone size of 14 mm against both S. typhi and E. coli. Additional characterization methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to validate the structural properties of the synthesized metal-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples. The biocompatibility assessment of metal-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples was carried out by haemolysis tests, which revealed that all synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples have the potential to serve as reliable biomaterials.

Non-biodegradable effluents form dying industries cause harm to environment. Usage of nanomaterials is an effective method for purification of such effluents. Agglomeration of photoactive nanomaterials can be reduced by doping with suitable coupling agents. The present study explores usage of Polyethylene glycol 4000 and Methyltrimethoxysilane as surface modifiers to Zinc oxide by sol–gel method. Structural analysis revealed hexagonal wurtzite phase of synthesized ZnO nanomaterial. Diffraction peaks had no major shift in position denoting crystallinity and purity. Presence of nano-sized particles was confirmed by FESEM analysis. Investigation of optical band bap energy of ZnO, ZnO/PEG-4000 and ZnO/PEG-4000/MTMS was made. Antibacterial efficacy analysis showed, all combinations of ZnO were sensitive against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Photocatalytic degradation analysis revealed ZnO functionalized by both polymer and silane exhibited highest degradation efficiency under visible light source for MB dye, the efficiency was maintained even after five cyclic degradations.

Tank Cascade Systems (TCS) in the dry zone of Sri Lanka is threatened by soil erosion and high levels of sedimentation. Despite these challenges, the nation lacks studies exploring spatial soil loss variations within TCS contexts. Consequently, this research aimed to assess the sedimentation levels of five tanks and to analyze the spatial distribution of potential soil erosion rates across six selected sub-catchments within the Palugaswewa TCS. By utilizing sediment depth contour maps, the current sedimentation volume for each tank was computed. The study employed the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and geographic information system techniques to evaluate the potential average annual soil erosion rate, considering both existing land use scenarios and conservation interventions. The potential annual sediment yield was calculated using the sediment delivery ratio and potential average annual soil erosion rate. At present, 40 to 50 % of the tank storage capacity has been filled with sediments under existing land use. The potential average annual erosion rates of the sub-catchments of Palugaswewa TCS ranged from 19 t/ha/yr to 44 t/ha/yr. Notably, Sri Lanka's acceptable erosion rate stands below 12 t/ha/yr, rendering the erosion rates within Palugaswewa TCS unsuitable and destructive to sustained land productivity. The sediment delivery ratio varied from 0.18 to 0.9. This study suggests that adapting appropriate conservation measures such as cover cropping and soil contour bunding reduces the potential average annual erosion rate by 8.9 t/ha/yr to 14.5 t/ha/yr in the Palugaswewa subcatchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro activity of the herbal formula Di Er You (DEY) and the single-herb Coptis against bacteria cultured from dogs with otitis externa. ANIMALS: 32 client-owned dogs diagnosed with otitis externa. METHODS: A sample of otic debris from each patient was collected and plated onto a fresh Sheep's Blood Agar plate in the hospital. After bacterial growth was confirmed, 4 wells were created, numbered randomly, and treated with saline (placebo), DEY, Coptis, and Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with 1% Hydrocortisone (Zymox). After 24 hours of incubation, the diameter of the zone of inhibition (dZOI) of each treatment was measured and recorded, and compared among treatments. A sample of the bacterial colonies grown was submitted to an outside lab for bacterial identification. RESULTS: The mean ± SD dZOI values for saline, DEY, Coptis, and Zymox treated wells were 0.25 ± 1.41, 12.47 ± 3.92, 14.25 ± 7.12, and 3.22 ± 5.12, respectively. Post hoc multiple comparisons test revealed that (1) saline-treated wells had significantly smaller dZOI values than the other 3 groups (all P < .001), (2) Zymox treated wells had significantly smaller dZOI values than either herbal treated groups (both P < .001), and (3) DEY treated wells had significantly smaller dZOI values than those treated with Coptis (P = .0042). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results from this in vitro study suggested that both DEY and Coptis could be effective treatments in inhibiting the growth of bacteria in dogs with otitis externa. Prospective randomized controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing work reveals the novel character of organic compounds like 4-Methoxyphenoxyacetic acid and p-dihydroxybenzene. The compounds were investigated for their antibacterial and antifungal prospective against gram-positive bacteria. At increasing doses of 2- Methoxyphenoxyacetic acid, the zone of inhibition for Salmonella paratyphi was (30 mm/ml) at 100 µl and p-dihydroxybenzene is more resistant to bacterial such as Bacillus subtilis (38 mm/ml), Enterococcus faecalis (40 mm/ml), Mucor (42 mm/ml), Aspergillus niger (40 mm/ml). The docking investigation was carried out using Auto Dock 4.2.6; interactions between hydrogen atoms and the smallest ligands with macromolecules had the lowest binding energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the medications marketed as traditional herbal medicines have unquestionably been used for a very long time. Hands have always been the dominant source of transmission of infection to patients. Thus, encouraging "personal hygiene" is the main objective of developing a herbal hand wash. The current study's goal was to develop a formulation of polyherbal handwash employing methanolic extracts of dried leaves of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum gratissimum, and Coriandrum sativum. Other ingredients entailed lemon juice, aloe vera, lavender oil, HPMC, triethanolamine, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), glycerine, and methylparaben. Four batches of hand wash formulations were prepared, and each batch was tested for stability, appearance, colour, grittiness, pH, viscosity, foam height, and other physical characteristics. Using the agar well diffusion method, the anti-microbial effectiveness of the prepared polyherbal hand wash was tested on a variety of bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. The results demonstrated that manufactured herbal handwash formulations, particularly F3, displayed a prominent zone of inhibition in comparison to standard commercial handwash, indicating that the extract of these phytoconstituents may be employed to manufacture handwash with antimicrobial properties. As a result, the research shows that the herbal handwash formulation is analogous to commercial handwash in reducing the amount of bacteria on hands and may be used as a replacement handwash made from natural sources without experiencing any undesirable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand sanitizers can be manufactured in the form of alcohol based hand sanitizer (ABHS) that contains alcohol, or alcohol free hand sanitizer (AFHS) containing benzalkonium chloride. This study determines the efficacy of ABHS and AFHS products against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium. Agar well diffusion assay was performed against the bacterial colonies grown on Mueller Hinton agar in triplicates. Wells were made by punching holes onto the agar and filled with three different brands of hand sanitizers namely 70% ABHS, 95% ABHS, and AFHS. The diameters for zone of inhibition was measured after 24 hours incubation at 37 °C. Only AFHS product inhibited the growth of S. aureus and S. Typhimurium, whereas 70% and 95% ABHS did not exhibit any zone of inhibition. Although AFHS was proven to be useful, this finding suggests that ABHS available in the market might not necessarily be effective against S. aureus and S. Typhimurium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although antibiotics are used to treat typhoid fever, there is a need to look for alternative treatment methods because Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) has become aggressively resistant to standard antibiotic treatments. Methods: This experimental study used the carbonated beverage "7UP" as the extraction solvent to examine the anti-Salmonella activity of Gossypium hirsutum leaf extract on Salmonella typhi. Extraction of bioactive components of the plant leaf, in-vitro and in-vivo anti-Salmonella activity of the extract was carried out using essential microbiological tools. Results: In vitro, anti-Salmonella typhi study showed that ciprofloxacin had the highest zone of inhibition 36.71+0.31 and 36.14+0.10mm against typed (ATCC 14028) and clinical isolates, respectively, while the zones of inhibition of the extract at different concentrations against Salmonella typhi were zero, however, the diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI) of section at 800 mg/ml was 1.42+0.33 and 1.21+0.01mm against clinical and typed isolates respectively. At larger (3500 mg/ml/kg) and lower (10 mg/ml/kg) doses, there was no death in experimental rats during the acute toxicity assessment. After three days of therapy, the extract reduced salmonella fecal shedding from 71.14±0.31 to 6.02±0.17 × 103 Cfu/g and guaranteed 100% survival against experimental salmonellosis. Different functional groups in the extract, including alkene, anhydride, alcohol, sulfate, nitro compounds, alkanes, and a carboxylic acid, were observed. Conclusions: The use of '7UP' as an extraction solvent for medicinal plants in our community for treating diverse medical ailments, especially infectious diseases, is justified. However, it could pose a toxicological effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Ayurveda, individual herbs are insufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. When it is optimized as multiple herbs composition in a particular ratio it will give a therapeutic effect in a better way with reduced toxicity. In order to develop such an intervention, the present study was intended to develop a PHF of Cream for the purpose of Anti-Ageing from the extracts of Ananas comosus, Aloe vera, Calendula officinalis, Carica papaya, and Mentha piperita. The prepared formulation evaluated for a physical appearance, Homogeneity, thermal stability, Determination of PH, Phase separation, Irritancy study, Acid value, Emollient, Washability. The formulations were also screened for their Anti-microbial activity by Disc Diffusion method against Escherichia coli. The result of studies revealed that Anti-Microbial Activity of PHF of Cream was assessed in terms of Zone of Inhibition. The diameter of Zone of Inhibition of a standard cream was found to be 3mm and sample was 2.1mm both compared with control. The PHF of Cream was observed to possess Anti-microbial action, has Anti-Ageing property and also act as Astringent, Anti-inflammatory, Soothing effect and cooling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a long time, plants have been a valuable source of medicines and to study this objective, we found the antibacterial activity of plants. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of eight plants Dhatura (Datura stramonium), Graveyard plant (Catharanthus roseus), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Lantana (Lantana camara), Albezia lebbeck and Senna alberta was evaluated against four animal pathogens Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella sp. and Staphylococcus using agar well diffusion method. The organic solvent methanol was used for extraction. The growth of all test pathogens was inhibited by methanol extracts from the plants. The maximum zone of inhibition (17mm) was obtained with methanol extract of Albezia lebbeck against Klebsiella. Amongst the eight plants used, the highest antibacterial activity was shown by Albezia lebbeck. Klebsiella was found to be the most sensitive while E. coli was found to be the least sensitive to different plant extracts. The occurrence of these biologically active chemicals in the selected plants may justify their wide usage in traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel antitubercular compounds are urgently needed to combat drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Filamentous actinobacteria have historically been an excellent source of antitubercular drugs. Despite this, drug discovery from these microorganisms has fallen out of favour due to the continual rediscovery of known compounds. To increase the chance of discovering novel antibiotics, biodiverse and rare strains should be prioritised. Subsequently, active samples need to be dereplicated as early as possible to focus efforts on truly novel compounds. In this study, 42 South African filamentous actinobacteria were screened for antimycobacterial activity using the agar overlay method against the Mtb indicator Mycolicibacterium aurum under six different nutrient growth conditions. Known compounds were subsequently identified through extraction and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis of the zones of growth inhibition produced by active strains. This allowed the dereplication of 15 hits from six strains that were found to be producing puromycin, actinomycin D and valinomycin. The remaining active strains were grown in liquid cultures, extracted and submitted for screening against Mtb in vitro. Actinomadura napierensis B60T was the most active sample and was selected for bioassay-guided purification. This resulted in the identification of tetromadurin, a known compound, but which we show for the first time to have potent antitubercular activity, with the MIC90s within the range of 73.7–151.6 nM against M. tuberculosis H37RvT in vitro under different test conditions. This shows that South African actinobacteria are a good source of novel antitubercular compounds and warrant further screening. It is also revealed that active hits can be dereplicated by HPLC-MS/MS analysis of the zones of growth inhibition produced by the agar overlay technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, portable, economical low‐temperature atmospheric plasma (LTAP) for bactericidal efficacy of Gram‐negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with different carrier gases (argon, helium, and nitrogen) using the quality by design (QbD) approach, design of experiments (DoE), and response surface graphs (RSG) is presented. Box–Behnken design was used as the DoE to narrow down and further optimize the experimental factors of LTAP. Plasma exposure time, input DC voltage, and carrier gas flow rate were varied to examine the bactericidal efficacy using the zone of inhibition (ZOI). A higher bactericidal efficacy was achieved under the optimal bactericidal factors having ZOI of 50.837 ± 2.418 mm2 with the plasma power density of 132 mW/cm3 for LTAP‐Ar at 61.19 s, 14.8747 V, and 219.379 sccm than LTAP‐He and LTAP‐N2. The LTAP‐Ar was further evaluated at different frequencies and probe lengths to achieve a ZOI of 58.237 ± 4.01 mm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]