Personalised nutrition and bioactive absorption research have advanced exponentially over the decades, utilising the trans-omics integration of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiomics to create nextgeneration foodomics. The understanding of dietary bioactives, from food matrix release to biological potency, is contributing to better health and disease prevention. This review has strong potential to discuss the sustainable strategy of profiling plant bioactives, understanding the factors that influence their interactions and assessing how processing affects their health outcomes. Further, newer technological advancements such as single-cell omics mapping nutrient-gene crosstalk, digital twins modelling postprandial reactions, artificial intelligence/machine learning for predictive phenotyping and chronogenomics, all of these refine precision to align with individual health outcomes. Moreover, breakthroughs in digital health technologies and computational analytics, along with multi-omics integration, also allow for highly customized advice with optimal bioactive absorption. However, understanding how dietary inputs translate into molecular and metabolic outcomes, requires examination of the biological and computational mechanisms underlying multi-omics integration. Overall, the advancements offer various chances to comprehend the impact of food on nutritional outcomes at the molecular level through bioactives and the significant heterogeneity in responses bringing about better health systems accessible for all.
Cyanobacteria, among the earliest oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, exhibit remarkable metabolic versatility that enables them to survive in diverse and extreme environments. A key aspect of this adaptability is their ability to produce a wide range of structurally diverse secondary metabolites. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of abiotic stress as a major driver of secondary metabolite diversification in cyanobacteria, with particular emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms, biosynthetic pathways and emerging applications. Environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation, fluctuations in salinity, nutrient limitation and oxidative stress induce complex cellular responses including signalling mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), transcriptional reprogramming and redistribution of metabolic flux. These processes collectively activate biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including cryptic or silent pathways. Advances in omics technologies including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, have significantly improved the identification and functional characterization of stress-responsive biosynthetic pathways. The integration of these approaches with synthetic biology and metabolic engineering provides new opportunities for the targeted manipulation of metabolite production and the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. This review also highlights the biotechnological potential of stress-induced metabolites in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and environmental applications. Despite these advances, challenges such as low yield, difficulties in activating silent BGCs and constraints related to scalability still persist. Overall, this review underscores abiotic stress as a powerful regulatory factor for unlocking cyanobacterial biosynthetic potential and advancing sustainable natural product discovery.
Secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in plant defense and human health, offering valuable therapeutic, nutraceutical and industrial applications. However, their natural biosynthetic pathways are often complex, tightly regulated and yield low quantities. Advances in genome editing particularly through CRISPR-Cas systems have revolutionized plant metabolic engineering, enabling precise modifications to enhance secondary metabolite production. This review explores recent breakthroughs in using CRISPR tools to target key biosynthetic genes, to regulate transcriptional networks and to rewire metabolic flux toward desired secondary metabolites. Specific case studies in crops such as Artemisia annua, Atropa belladonna and tomato highlight the potential of CRISPR-based engineering in improving yields of artemisinin, alkaloids and carotenoids. The findings affirm that CRISPR is reshaping the landscape of plant biotechnology, offering sustainable routes for producing high-value metabolites for food, medicine and industry.
The development of efficient drug delivery systems remains a central focus in pharmaceutical science, driven by the need to enhance drug stability, bioavailability and site-specific therapeutic efficacy. Conventional dosage forms have long been limited by rapid physicochemical degradation, poor aqueous solubility and inadequate control over release kinetics. Although advancements such as microencapsulation and polymer-based delivery systems have improved the protection and controlled release of bioactive compounds, challenges including low encapsulation efficiency, limited structural precision and complex manufacturing processes persist. These constraints stress the necessity for cost-effective, biocompatible and highly efficient delivery platforms. Furthermore, insufficient consideration was given to scalable and economically feasible fabrication strategies. In this context, the present review aims to address these gaps by providing a comprehensive and updated perspective on advanced drug-delivery strategies, particularly focusing on complex coacervation (CC). This review systematically explores the fundamental principles of CC, encapsulation methodologies and the role of biopolymers in coacervate formation. It discusses CC-based controlled drug release applications, postulated theoretical frameworks and the underlying processes and mechanisms governing coacervation. The review examines stabilization strategies for biopolymers, key factors influencing coacervate formation, rheological behavior and advanced characterization techniques for evaluating structural and functional properties and supports the development of efficient, targeted and sustainable drug-delivery systems relevant to current pharmaceutical demands.
Inverse vaccines also known as tolerogenic vaccine are an innovative strategy in immunology, designed to promote immune tolerance instead of triggering an immune response. In contrast to conventional vaccines that activate the immune system to combat pathogens, the goal of tolerogenic vaccines is to suppress harmful immune reactions, making them particularly valuable for managing autoimmune disorders, allergies and issues related to organ transplantation. These vaccines function by specifically targeting self-reactive immune cells and enhancing regulatory mechanisms that maintain immune balance, all without broadly weakening the body’s natural defences. Progress in areas such as targeted antigen delivery, the use of tolerogenic dendritic cells and nanoparticle technologies has significantly improved the precision and potential of these vaccines. As a result, inverse vaccines are emerging as a promising therapeutic option for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, offering a way to address the root causes of immune system dysfunction rather than just treating the symptoms.
This study aimed to isolate, screen and enhance lovastatin production from fungal strains collected from soil and air at Ba Dinh square, Vietnam. A total of 350 fungal isolates were screened using thin layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme inhibition assays. Nine potential Penicillium strains were identified based on morphological and microscopic features (SEM). Among them, strains QG14-038 and QG12-016 exhibited the highest lovastatin yields of 15 mg/L and 11.3 mg/L respectively as determined by HPLC. The most promising strain, QG14-038, was identified via 28S rRNA sequencing as Penicillium citrinum Thom. This strain achieved the highest production (24.66 mg/L) in PDB medium among six tested media. Its ethyl acetate extracts inhibited hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity by 50.9%, compared to 71% by the positive control pravastatin. These findings demonstrate the potential of native Penicillium strains as efficient lovastatin producers with dual biological relevance in cholesterol-lowering applications.
Numerous research studies are available in cognitive performance in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus but the assessment of cognitive performance in women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is very less worldwide, almost nil in Indian population. Aim of our study is to assess cognitive performance in women with GDM and normal pregnancy. This cross-sectional study included 100 pregnant women: 50 women with GDM and 50 normal pregnant women. Demographic and obstetric data were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin levels and insulin resistance were recorded. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Demographic and obstetric characteristics were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). Women with GDM had significantly higher fasting glucose, OGTT values, HbA1c, serum insulin and HOMA-IR than controls (all p < 0.001). Total MoCA scores were significantly lower in the GDM group compared to the non-GDM group (26.14 ± 1.76 vs. 27.22 ± 0.84; p < 0.001). Among MoCA subdomains, delayed recall scores were significantly reduced in women with GDM (p < 0.001), while other domains showed no significant differences. GDM is associated with subtle but significant impairments in global cognitive function, particularly memory, in relation to hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. These findings highlight the potential impact of metabolic dysregulation during pregnancy on maternal cognitive health.
Fungi are integral components of soil ecosystems, as they aid in the breakdown of organic matter, the cycling of nutrients and the promotion of plant growth. They play a key role in all processes crucial to sustainable agriculture. Fungi are important parts of soil ecosystems. In this study, rhizospheric fungi linked to tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) were isolated, characterized and their plant growth promoting characteristics were assessed. Twenty morphologically different fungus isolates were obtained from ten tomato crops. These isolates were tested for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, gibberellic acid (GA₃) production and phosphate solubilization activity. Three promising isolates (F1, F2 and F3) were chosen for molecular identification based on their functional performance. Genomic DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene was performed. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses identified the isolates as Aspergillus terreus (99.5%), Aspergillus nidulans or A. versicolor (99.7%) and Rhizopus arrhizus (100%). Quantitative estimation of IAA and GA₃ production showed statistically significant variation among isolates (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Two isolates showed the sign of phosphate solubilization. The results demonstrate that tomato rhizosphere soils harbor diverse and functionally active fungi with potential application as biofertilizers, offering eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture.
The green synthesis of nanoparticles has diverse applications across health care, agriculture, biomedical engineering and cosmetics. This study reports on the synthesis and evaluation of silver nanoparticles utilizing leaf extract from Synadenium grantii. The phytochemicals present in the S. grantii extract act as both reducing and capping agents for the formation of silver nanoparticles. The extract facilitates the reduction of silver ions to metallic silver. The conversion from cationic to metallic silver, along with particle size, was monitored using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The morphology was confirmed through Transmission Electron Microscopy, revealing a distinct oval to quasi-spherical shape with an average size of 60.6 ± 19.3 nm. The antilithiatic potential of silver nanoparticles was evaluated using an in vitro agar gel assay, which showed a significant reduction in the zone of precipitation in the presence of silver nanoparticles (p < 0.001) compared to the crude plant leaf extract. Additionally, the silver nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 mg/ml, demonstrating enhanced antimicrobial efficacy over the crude plant extract (p < 0.001).
Atherosclerosis is a leading global cause of cardiovascular death and mortality. The development of atherogenesis involves abnormal lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation and excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate post transcriptional gene expression. This study aims to identify the overexpressed miRNAs in atherosclerosis to characterize their regulatory interactions with genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism, thereby evaluating their potential as novel biomarker and therapeutic agent. Three proatherogenicmiRNAs: hsa-miR-128-3p, hsa-miR-130a3p and hsa-miR-17-5p were identified based on their association with key cholesterol-regulating genes, including LDLR, ABCA1, ABCG5 and LRP6. miRNAtarget interactions were experimentally validated using miRTarBase. Functional enrichment and network analyses were performed using MIENTURNET while RNA fold and RNA composer were employed for secondary and three-dimensional structure prediction respectively. Molecular docking studies using HNADOCK assessed binding affinities between selected miRNAs and their target genes. Docking analysis revealed strong binding interactions with miR-128-3p and miR-17-5p primarily targeting LDLR and LRP6, while miR-130a-3p specifically interacted with ABCA1 and ABCG5. These findings highlight distinct high-affinity regulatory roles of miRNAs in cholesterol metabolism and underscore their promise as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Keratinase is hydrolytic serine protease capable of hydrolysis of filamentous keratin protein and its various forms (α and β keratins). Keratins is one of most abundant and cleave resistant animal proteins posing a higher risk of global pollution. Keratins are also linked with the various human health issues (respiratory, COPD and cancer). Proteases mainly hydrolytic with K: C (keratinase: Caseinolytic) value greater than 0.5 are potential keratinase enzymes. Keratinase are known to offer a diverse catalytic activity by cleaving various forms of keratins. The molecular insights of diverse keratinolytic potential of keratinase enzyme are being investigated. Here in the present study, the secondary structure analysis was carried out to understand the catalytic triad and recognition sequence of enzyme. The keratinase enzyme isolated from microbes (B. licheniformis) possesses a diverse range of secondary structures. Based on secondary structure prediction using CD data (table 4.1) and BESTSEL web server, keratinase purified from B licheniformis represents mostly helices (18.4%) where helix 1 contributes 7.9% while helix 2 accounts for 10.5%. It is interesting to note that isolated and purified keratinase from the region represent anti parallel sheet (16.9%). On the contrary, a larger proportion of secondary structure remain unclassified i.e. 52.1%. The findings demonstrate that higher percentage of unordered secondary structures in keratinase may result in diverse catalytic enzyme.
Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern for women. It is the second most common cancer in Indian women. Organized screening programme, detection of cervical lesion and treatment are the keys to reduce the disease burden. Information of the disease prevalence, cervical lesions and histopathological variability is limited in this region. This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the prevalence of cervical lesions in a tertiary care centre of Eastern region of India conducted between June 2023 to December 2023. A total of 334 women presenting to Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were screened and examined to comprehend the histopathological variability across different age groups. Of the 334 women screened during the study period, majority belonged to low socioeconomic class. The women in the study group were aged between 20 to 84 years, with a median age 48 years. Chronic cervicitis/inflammation is the most frequent specific diagnosis seen in 171(51.19%) cases. Pre-invasive cervical intraepithelial lesions were identified in 60 cases (17.96 %). Malignant lesions were found in 103 cases (30.83%). Among these, squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological type, accounting for 101 (30.24%) of the total cases while adenocarcinoma wasseen in 2 (0.59%) cases. The most common clinical presentation across all cases was irregular vaginal bleeding 171 (51.20%) cases. This study highlights a varied spectrum of cervical lesions, with non-neoplastic inflammatory lesions being the most prevalent, followed by squamous cell carcinoma as the most common malignancy in this cohort. Further research warranted a larger sample size to validate these observations.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss and a major microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects is reduced in T2D and related metabolic disorders. The ADIPOQ gene has been implicated in T2D susceptibility, but its role in DR remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the association of three ADIPOQ polymorphisms (rs266729, rs17300539 and rs17846866) with DR in a North-West Indian population. We analyzed 207 DR patients and 274 age- and gender-matched controls (>50 years). Genotyping was performed using PCR– restriction digestion (rs266729, rs17300539) and ARMS-PCR (rs17846866). Allele/genotype distributions were compared by chi-square test. Haplotypes were inferred using Haploview and gene– gene interactions were evaluated by multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR). All three SNPs conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in controls (p>0.05). The minor allele frequencies of rs17300539 and rs17846866 were significantly higher in DR cases than controls (both p<0.001). Under a dominant model, rs266729 (p=0.012, OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.12–2.48), rs17300539 (p<0.001, OR=4.59, 95% CI 2.17–9.71) and rs17846866 (p=0.001, OR=2.30, 95% CI 1.38–3.80) were associated with increased DR risk. Haplotype analysis revealed a protective effect of the G-C-T haplotype (p<0.001, OR=0.52, 95% CI 0.39–0.66). MDR analysis further supported significant SNP–SNP interactions (p=0.001). Our findings demonstrate a strong association of three ADIPOQ variants with DR in the North West Indian population. These variants may contribute to genetic susceptibility and could serve as potential biomarkers for early identification of highrisk individuals.
A reproducible protocol for somatic embryogenesis was developed from mature stem and leaf explants of Gmelina arborea Roxb., an economically important forestry species. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varying concentrations (0.1–5.0 mg L⁻¹) of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4- D), each combined with 1.0 mg L⁻¹ benzylaminopurine (BAP). No embryogenic response was observed on hormone-free medium. Auxin-supplemented media successfully induced globular somatic embryos within 35–40 days. The highest embryogenic response was obtained with 4.0 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-D + 1.0 mg L⁻¹ BAP (50.77% in stem; 46.76% in leaf explants), followed by 4.0 mg L⁻¹ NAA + 1.0 mg L⁻¹ BAP. Stem explants showed higher embryogenic competence than leaf explants. Higher auxin concentrations (>4.0 mg L⁻¹) resulted in tissue browning and reduced embryo formation. Maturation of globular embryos was achieved on MS medium containing 0.5 mg L⁻¹ NAA and kinetin (0.5– 3.0 mg L⁻¹), facilitating the sequential development of heart, torpedo and cotyledonary evolutionary stages within 25 days. The results were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05), demonstrating the reproducibility and reliability of the protocol. This study provides an efficient somatic embryogenesis system from mature explants of G. arborea, addressing a key limitation in woody plant tissue culture and enabling large-scale clonal propagation and forestry biotechnology applications.
Gymnema sylvestre and Tridax Procumbens are traditional herbs widely used in Siddha-Ayurvedic Indian traditional medicine, applied directly to wounds with their leaves or extracts. This study aims to investigate their bioactive properties and assess their suitability for therapeutic applications, using a comparative phytochemical and in vitro approach. The phytochemical composition of the extracted solutions revealed the presence of rich bioactive compounds including alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, phlobatannins, phytosterols etc. In terms of antibacterial activity, extract concentrations ranged from 20 µl to 100 µl and yielded significant zone inhibition against wound-active Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. G. sylvestre exhibits a range of 7.5 mm – 23 mm zone of inhibition against Grampositive wound-activating bacteria, 9.5 mm – 32 mm against negative wound-activating bacteria. On the other hand, T. procumbens showed inhibition zones of 13mm – 26.5 mm against Gram-positive and 4.5 mm – 30 mm against gram-negative woundactivating bacteria. In terms of antioxidant activity, the extracts displayed concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity, with notable IC₅₀ values of 1.61 % for G. sylvestre and 1.49 % for T. procumbens, which are negligible compared to the standard value of 1.83 %. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed 89-98 % of cell viability at extract concentrations varying from 50 µg/mL to 300 µg/mL on both the extracts of G. sylvestre and T. procumbens. In addition, morphological assessment of fibroblast L929 cells under an inverted microscope confirmed intact cell structure and adherence, without apoptotic changes, at therapeutic doses, indicating low/negligible toxicity. For further assessment, GC-MS was performed to identify the bioactive components in the extracts of G. sylvestre and T. procumbens. G. sylvestre and T. procumbens hold significant promise for wound-healing therapeutics due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant and biocompatible properties.
This study aims to provide an integrated computational and experimental approach in the development of recombinant trastuzumab with specificity towards the HER2-positive breast cancer cell surface antigen. Using the molecular docking approach with the HADDOCK protocol, the interaction between the antibody and the antigen is shown to be stable through the computation of the docking scores and the low intermolecular RMSD. In addition, the electrostatic and van der Waals components of the interaction are significant. Using the information obtained in the molecular docking studies, a mammalian expression construct of the antibody is generated and is shown to be successfully propagated in Escherichia coli. Using the transformed cells, the recombinant antibody is shown to be successfully produced in ExpiCHO-S™ cells with sustained cell viability. Using affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography-high performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC) analysis, the antibody is shown to be highly homogeneous with minimal aggregation and is further confirmed through the analysis of the structure of the antibody using SDSPAGE in reducing and non-reducing conditions. The functional evaluation by MTT assay showed a dosedependent decrease in cell viability in MDA-MB-453 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of ~700 nM. Scratch wound healing assays showed significant inhibition in cell migration whereas AO/EtBr staining and DNA fragmentation assays confirmed apoptosis-mediated cell death. Overall, these results validate the synthesis of high-purity biologically active rTrastuzumab and its potent cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activities, making it relevant in targeted breast cancer therapy.
The objective of the study was to assess the phytochemical composition and initial antimicrobial efficacy of the cultivated hybrid orchid Dendrobium thongchai Gold through qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Root and leaf extracts were prepared utilizing methanol and ethanol according to solvent compatibility. Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to ascertain principal secondary metabolites. Standard colorimetric and gravimetric methods were used to measure the amounts of certain phytochemical groups. The agar well diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of two extract concentrations against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger. Qualitative analysis indicated the existence of various bioactive compounds, with methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibiting notably more complex phytochemical profiles. Quantitative analysis revealed elevated concentrations of flavonoids, polyphenols, quinones and cardiac glycosides in methanolic extracts whereas ethanolic extracts produced larger quantities of terpenoid- and coumarin-enriched fractions. During antimicrobial screening, measurable inhibition zones were noted for all tested organisms, with the ethanolic extract exhibiting comparatively larger zones at elevated concentrations. The research establishes foundational data regarding the phytochemical composition and initial antimicrobial efficacy of D. thongchai Gold. The results underscore the impact of solvent choice and facilitate more comprehensive chemical characterization and bioactivity investigations.
This study evaluates the anti-biofilm activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) essential oil against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a biofilm-forming pathogen commonly associated with the oral cavity. The experimental design included light microscopic 988 to visualize biofilm architecture of S. pneumoniae followed with the treatment of plant extracts. Growth curve analysis used spectrophotometry to assess bacterial proliferation over time. Antibacterial activity assessment used the agar well-diffusion method to evaluate the zone of inhibition and the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) using the microtiter plate method to quantify the oil's inhibitory potential. Light microscopy confirmed that Syzygium aromaticum essential oil effectively inhibited biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae at sub-MIC levels, as demonstrated by the biofilm inhibition assay. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 mg/mL was observed against the tested pathogen. However, at concentrations below the MIC, no significant inhibition was detected in either the growth curve analysis or the antibacterial activity assays. This study highlights Syzygium aromaticum essential oil as a promising natural agent with anti-biofilm properties. The presence of physiologically active compounds in the plant underscores its potential for therapeutic applications. Further identification and characterization of these bioactive constituents could provide a strong foundation for the development of novel treatments in modern medicine.
Proteases are among the most important industrial enzymes and are widely incorporated into laundry detergent formulations because of their ability to hydrolyse proteinaceous stains. The present study investigated the laundry detergent application potential of a purified protease produced by Bacillus spp. through structural and kinetic characterization, immobilization, laundry detergent compatibility evaluation and washing performance analysis. Kinetic analysis using casein as the substrate revealed a Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) of 0.38 mg mL⁻¹ and a maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) of 128.29 U mL⁻¹, demonstrating high substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. The protease was successfully immobilized in calcium alginate beads and it retained more than 80% of its initial activity in the presence of a laundry detergent, indicating good stability and compatibility. The washing performance of the proteasesupplemented laundry detergent was evaluated on cotton, polyester and silk fabrics stained with egg yolk and soy sauce. Optimization studies identified 1.0% protease concentration, 50°C and 30 min incubation as the optimal washing conditions. Under these conditions, stain-removal efficiencies ranged from 88% to 100%, significantly exceeding those achieved with laundry detergent alone (50–75%). Complete stain removal was observed for soy saucestained polyester fabric. Statistical analysis confirmed that fabric type, stain type, protease concentration, temperature and incubation time significantly influenced stain-removal efficiency (p < 0.05). SEM and FTIR analyses further verified the effective removal of stain residues and restoration of fabric morphology following enzymatic treatment. These findings highlight the potential of immobilized protease as an efficient, environmentally friendly additive contributing to greener household cleaning practices.
Agricultural residues rich in cellulose remain underutilized, while soil-borne pathogens continue to threaten crop productivity. This study isolated and characterized native Bacillus and Trichoderma strains from Vietnamese soils to evaluate their cellulolytic capacity, antifungal potential and effects on mustard greens (Brassica juncea). Bacillus isolates were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing whereas Trichoderma strains were distinguished based on morphological and microscopic traits. Cellulase activity was assessed on carboxymethyl cellulose agar and antagonism against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. Pythium sp. was tested through dual-culture assays. Among the isolates, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Trichoderma harzianum exhibited the strongest cellulolytic activity and fungal inhibition. Greenhouse trials further demonstrated that inoculation with these strains, individually or in combination, enhanced plant biomass and reduced disease symptoms under pathogen challenge. The results highlight the dual role of indigenous microbial inoculants in valorizing lignocellulosic waste and providing eco-friendly biocontrol. Such dual-function inoculants offer a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides while promoting circular resource use in Vietnamese vegetable production systems.
