Microalgae have gained considerable attention as sustainable sources of biomass and valuable metabolites, including lipids. The unicellular green alga Parachlorella kessleri has shown potential for lipid production. In this study, an algae species was isolated from the Yamuna River in Delhi. The organism was cultured and characterized using morphological, biochemical, and molecular approaches, with species identification primarily supported by morphological and taxonomic characterization. This study was performed to examine the influence of media pH, incubation temperature, photoperiod, and CO2 sparging duration on the growth characteristics of P. kessleri. One-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach was used to assess the effect of parameters on cell growth. The lipid content of the organism was also determined. The findings indicated that the maximum biomass production occurred in a 16 day-old culture under the following conditions: pH 8, a temperature of 25 °C, a photoperiod of 16:8 (light:dark), and CO2 sparging for 2 min twice daily. This species exhibited significant potential for lipid production under normal culture conditions.
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important biological control agents for sustainable pest management. Among them, Beauveria bassiana has shown promising potential against major insect pests. This study focuses on evaluating its pathogenicity against fall armyworm and yellow stem borer, two significant pests of paddy crops, and aims to identify an effective fungal strain for development as a mycoinsecticide. The pathogenic potential of B. bassiana was assessed using different concentrations of conidiospore suspensions against populations of fall armyworm and yellow stem borer. Mortality rates were recorded across increasing doses. Aspergillus niger was also evaluated for comparison as a naturally associated microflora. The results confirmed the strong entomopathogenic activity of B. bassiana. Mortality increased with increasing spore concentrations. At a concentration of 108 spores/ml, mortality reached 96% in fall armyworm and 92% in yellow stem borer. Probit analysis indicated LD50 values of 1.86 × 105 spores/ml for yellow stem borer and 7.21 × 105 spores/ml for fall armyworm. The LT50 values were 5.3 days and 6.4 days for yellow stem borer and fall armyworm, respectively. In contrast, A. niger showed minimal pathogenicity and produced very low mortality, confirming its role as a normal microflora rather than an effective entomopathogen. B. bassiana demonstrates significant pathogenic potential against major paddy insect pests and can be considered a promising candidate for development as a biopesticide. Its high efficacy, dose-dependent mortality, and favorable LD50 and LT50 values highlight its suitability for sustainable pest management, whereas A. niger lacks significant entomopathogenic effects.
Saudi Arabia’s extensive coastlines along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf offer vital marine resources where Lethrinus nebulosus faces threats from parasitic and bacterial coinfections. This study investigates the prevalence and interrelation of the digenean parasite Pseudoplagioporus sp. Yamaguti, 1938 and various pathogenic bacteria, examining their correlations with host morphometric traits (weight, length, width, age, and sex). This research provides novel insights into the synergistic impact of these pathogens on fish health, a neglected area of study in Red Sea fisheries. Over 5 months (September 2022-March 2023), 35 fish were collected from Al-Qunfudhah. A total of 35 samples were initially collected; however, 7 samples were excluded from the study due to severe clinical sickness/poor condition, which made them unsuitable for accurate dissection and parasitological examination. Therefore, a final sub-sample of 28 specimens was successfully dissected and analyzed. successfully examined. Six bacterial genera, including Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella, were identified alongside internal parasites (n = 16 Digenea). Statistical analysis (ANOVA and t-test) revealed significant inverse correlations (P < 0.05) between bacterial frequency index and host morphometric parameters. Notably, male fish exhibited higher susceptibility to both bacterial and parasitic infections compared to female fish. Furthermore, the interaction between Pseudoplagioporus sp. and pathogenic bacteria appeared competitive rather than symbiotic, suggesting that coinfections significantly alter host immunity and condition factors. These results prompt the development of integrated strategies for monitoring fish health and controlling infectious agents in marine ecosystems.
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection, is increasingly challenged by the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to identify natural phytochemicals from Hawan Samagri, a traditional Ayurvedic polyherbal mixture, with the potential to inhibit multiple enzymes of the fatty acid synthase II (FAS-II) pathway, a critical target for mycolic acid biosynthesis in M.tb. Plants constituting Hawan Samagri were first identified through Ayurvedic literature and subsequently screened using Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database to retrieve reported phytochemicals. Compounds not previously reported for antimycobacterial activity were selected and further filtered using Lipinski’s Rule of Five and ADMET analysis. These shortlisted phytochemicals were then subjected to molecular docking against three key FAS-II enzymes-HadAB, FabG1, and KasA followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to evaluate binding stability and interactions with catalytic and cofactor-binding residues. The analysis identified five promising compounds Cinnamonol, Episesamin, Norhyoscine, Apohyoscine, and Chrysophanol exhibiting strong binding affinities and stable interactions across the targeted enzymes. Among these, Cinnamonol demonstrated the most significant multitarget binding potential along with high stability during extended molecular dynamics simulations, indicating its promise as a broad-spectrum FAS-II inhibitor. Overall, this integrative in silico approach provides scientific validation for the traditional use of Hawan Samagri by identifying and characterizing its phytochemicals as potential multitarget inhibitors of the FAS-II pathway in M.tb, with Cinnamonol emerging as a particularly promising lead candidate for future anti-TB drug development due to its favorable pharmacokinetic properties and mechanistic relevance to fatty acid metabolism.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health issue, particularly in India. Last-resort antibiotics have been weakened by the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). This is complicated further by the plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene, which confers colistin resistance and allows it to spread rapidly through sewage, agriculture, and healthcare systems. The high prevalence of CRE and CRAB in Indian intensive care units, which are frequently caused by NDM and OXA-23-like genes, leads to higher mortality rates and longer hospitalisation. The coexistence of mcr-1 and carbapenemase genes results in pan-drug-resistant “superbugs”. Inappropriate antibiotic use, non-therapeutic use of agricultural colistin, and inadequate infection control are major contributors to antibiotic resistance reservoirs in the environment. India faces challenges in coordinating and enforcing initiatives such as the National Action Plan on AMR, NARS-Net (National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network), and stewardship programmes. To combat this growing threat, a long-term, comprehensive “One Health” strategy involving strict regulatory enforcement, cross-sectoral collaboration, and effective surveillance is required.
Beejamrit (BJ), Jeevamrit (JV) and Ghanajeevamrit (GV) the core inputs for practicing natural farming in India have been characterized for the plant nutrient content and microbial composition using cultural and metabarcoding techniques. Also, Phosphorus (P) solubilization efficiency of rhizosphere microbes receiving these natural farming inputs has been compared with organic, integrated and inorganically managed soils microbes. Chemical analysis revealed higher total NP and K (2.04, 0.3 and 1.3% respectively) in GV. Metabarcoding revealed dominance of Bacillota (87.5%) in JV, whereas Beejamrit and Ghanajeevamrit had abundance of Pseudomonadota with 49.67% and 46.77% OTU respectively. Higher abundance of Lactococcus, Clostridium, Lacticaseibacillus, Lactiplantibacillus and Acetobacter was found in JV. GV had higher diversity of bacteria and Flavobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, Pseudomonas and Arenimonas was dominant genera. Highest solubilization of phosphorus was observed by mixed microbial community in Control soil (CONT) 92.75 µg/mL and natural farming (NF) soil 90.56 µg/mL on 21 days of incubation (DAI) while P solubilization by bacterial flora was recorded highest in NF 40.77 µg/mL on 21 DAI followed by integrated crop management (ICM) 38.76 µg/mL and organic farming (OF) soil 34.12 µg/mL on 14 DAI. P solubilization by bacterial flora ranged from 34.36% in CONT to 67.63% in ICM. It can be concluded that organic and low input management system supported more efficient microbes in P solubilization while bacterial contribution was more where nutrient source was added exogenously.
A study was undertaken on the effect of probiotic bacteria, belonging to genera Bacillus and Streptococcus, on survival, growth and production of wild-collected red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus in marine cages for a period of 90 days. Wild-collected juvenile fish with an initial biomass of 0.79 kg/m3 were stocked in marine cages at Karwar, India. All the fish (control and probiotic treated) were fed with pellet feed at 10% fish biomass. The feed was supplemented with multi-strain probiotic combination (T1) and with single-strain probiotics (T2 and T3). Growth, survival of fish, and microbiological parameters were monitored at fortnightly intervals. After 90 days of culture, the final mean weight (g), Absolute Growth Rate (AGR g/day), and Specific Growth Rate (SGR%/day) of fish were recorded as 250 ± 0.5 g; 2.23 ± 0.012 g/day; 0.79 ± 0.052%/day, respectively, in T1. A significant difference (P < 0.05) among the different treatments was recorded, and T1 showed a higher growth rate. The highest survival rate was recorded in T1 and T2 and varied significantly among the treatments (P < 0.05). Microbiological analysis of fish gut revealed the presence of Bacillus species as the dominant group in T1, followed by T2. A significant variation (P < 0.05) was recorded in total bacterial and Bacillus loads among all the treatments. The results of the study indicated that the application of 0.1% of multi-strain probiotics as a supplementary diet is economically viable and also enhances the survival, growth, and production of cage-cultured L. argentimaculatus.
Brucellosis, a prevalent zoonotic disease in India, causes nonspecific symptoms. Humans contract it via infected animals or by consuming unpasteurized dairy products. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ELISA, Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and SAT in diagnosing brucellosis from clinical samples. A prospective study was conducted involving 218 patients with unknown fever, arthritis, and neurological symptoms. A detailed history was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. This study aims to evaluate the clinical diagnostic efficacy of widely used serological assays for human brucellosis, focusing on their sensitivity, specificity, and applicability in clinical settings. Out of 218 clinical samples from suspected brucellosis patients, 129 tested positive for Brucella by either of the serological tests. Male:Female ratio was 1.04:1, and 60% of the patients had a clear history of exposure to cows, buffalo, and goats. ELISA IgG showed the highest positivity rates, identifying 64 (49.6%) cases; ELISA IgM detected 43 (33.3%) cases; the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) identified 30 (23.2%) cases; RBPT detected 33 (25.5%) cases, and only 14 (10.8%) cases tested positive for ELISA IgG + ELISA IgM. The sensitivities of the ELISA IgG, ELISA IgM, RBPT, SAT, and ELISA IgG + ELISA IgM detection were 69.57%, 46.74%, 35.87%, 32.61%, and 15.22%, respectively, while the specificities were 100%, 100%, 75.40%, 84.92%, and 100%, respectively. ELISA can be used to diagnose human brucellosis reliably and is more sensitive than the SAT and RBPT.
Pigment-producing bacteria are valuable bioresources for industrial applications. This study investigated the isolation of pigment-producing bacteria from three locations of the Netravathi River estuary (NRE-1, NRE-2, and NRE-3) in Mangaluru. Estuarine soil and water samples were collected concurrently with the measurements of physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, and salinity. The total viable count and total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) were analyzed. THB populations were differentiated into non-pigmented heterotrophic bacteria (NPHB) and pigmented heterotrophic bacteria (PHB). The PHB/NPHB % recorded was 8.08%, 38.42%, and 20.26% of the isolates at NRE-1, NRE-2, and NRE-3, respectively. With colony-forming units showing minimal variation across different growth media, the PHB recorded was 37.03% of total bacterial isolates. Phylogenetic classification of the pigmented bacteria from the NRE revealed four classes: Alphaproteobacteria (35%), Actinobacteria (30%), Gammaproteobacteria (30%), and Chitinophagia (5%). Based on the Gompertz growth curve model, three strains, Erythrobacter sp. RANMB8, Qipengyuania sp. RANM35, and Zooshikella sp. RANM57, were selected from NRE-1, NRE-2, and NRE-3. The UV absorption spectrum of Zooshikella sp. RANM57, Erythrobacter sp. RANMB8, and Qipengyuania sp. RANM35 exhibited peaks between 430 and 490 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum analysis of Qipengyuania sp. RANM 35 and Erythrobacter sp. B8 exhibited an observed value of 3423.97 with a structure closely related to the standard β-carotene, while Zooshikella sp. RANM57 exhibited a peak at 3339.41, which closely resembled that of the standard for prodigiosin. The isolated pigmented bacteria exhibited seven distinct colors: brown (28%), yellow (21%), red (16%), pink (16%), orange (15%), black (2%), and blue (2%). Gram staining revealed that 45% of the colonies were Gram-negative, 31% Gram-positive, and 16% Gram-positive rods in chains. The remaining 8% displayed varied characteristics, with 16% Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the Actinobacterial family, owing to their slow growth rate. Isolation of pigmented bacteria from NRE poses several challenges. This study revealed that the selected isolates have the potential to produce pigments that can be exploited for bioprospecting in the pigment industry.
Phosphorus is a vital nutrient that plants need to grow and develop, and its availability is limited because it is continuously fixed with metallic compounds, which form insoluble complexes. To address this problem, chemical phosphorus fertilizers have been used extensively. However, prolonged use of these fertilizers has several disadvantages, including causing nutrient imbalances, degrading soil fertility by disrupting beneficial microbes, and leading to soil acidification. To find a sustainable solution research has explored naturally occurring phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSBs). The purpose of the current research was to isolate and screen PSB’s from rhizospheric soil of Litchi. Total 30 bacterial isolates were tested for phosphate solubilization using a halo-zone method. Six of these bacterial isolates exhibited significant phosphate solubilizing activity, with a Phosphate Solubilization Index (PSI) of ≥2. All six isolates were further analyzed to quantify the released phosphate. These bacterial isolates demonstrated remarkable efficiency in solubilizing insoluble tricalcium phosphate, with soluble phosphorus levels ranging from 288.44-723.42 µg ml-1. Biochemical tests and molecular characterization were conducted to identify six bacterial isolates, which were identified as Priestia megaterium, Bacillus sp., Shouchella clausii, and Pseudomonas sp. The results suggest that these PSB strains could be useful for sustainable agricultural practices, as they can improve soil phosphorus availability and soil fertility.
The emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in aquatic food systems has become a major global public health concern. The present study examined the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices of bacterial isolates recovered from retail-marketed Labeo rohita sourced from fish markets in Punjab, India. Samples were collected from 15 fish acquired from five retail markets between March and September 2025. Bacteria were isolated using standard microbiological procedures. The isolates were identified based on their colony morphology, gram staining, and biochemical characterization. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted against 12 commonly used antibiotics using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. A total of 80 bacterial isolates were recovered, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) being the predominant species (50%), followed by Enterococcus spp. (15%), Pseudomonas spp. (11.25%), Acinetobacter spp. (10%), Serratia spp. (7.5%), and Aeromonas spp. (6.25%). All isolates exhibited complete resistance to amoxicillin, whereas they were completely susceptible to gentamicin. High resistance rates were recorded for ampicillin (72.5%), erythromycin (61.25%), and tetracycline (56.25%). Most isolates displayed multidrug-resistant phenotypes, showing resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics. The MAR index values ranged from 0.278-0.528, with Pseudomonas spp. exhibiting the highest MAR index. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between bacterial genera and antimicrobial resistance profiles (χ² test, P = 0.011). The high prevalence of E. coli, universal resistance to amoxicillin, elevated MAR indices, and occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates indicate that retail-marketed Labeo rohita may serve as a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, posing potential food safety and public health risks. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved hygienic handling practices, prudent antibiotic use in aquaculture, and continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic food production systems.
This study investigates the physiological and biochemical resilience of four cyanobacteria strains, Calothrix parietina, Aulosira fritschii, Tolypothrix bouteillei and Nostoc punctiforme following exposure to 0.5 kGy/hr gamma radiation. Results indicate a significant capacity for recovery, suggesting potential resistance against radiation. C. parietina exhibited a 63.2% growth increase after 60 min of exposure with absorbed dose 0.5 kGy while T. bouteillei showed a 61.9% biomass increase at the 90 min dose with absorbed dose 0.75 kGy by day 25. N. punctiforme initially suffered on day 5 due to filament shattering but eventually achieved an 8.9% increase over control levels. While initial exposure caused immediate morphological trauma, including filament breakage and pigment leaching, these stressors triggered a stress-adaptation mechanism. Chlorophyll a in C. parietina rose by 107.7% and carotenoids in T. bouteillei increased by 31.5%. Primary metabolites surged, with carbohydrate content reaching 550 µg/mL in T. bouteillei and total antioxidant activity in C. parietina peaking at 800 µg/mL. Moreover, protein content rose and carbohydrate levels surged, reaching high concentrations in T. bouteillei to fuel energy-intensive repair processes and potentially produce protective extracellular polysaccharides. Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed that rather than degrading, concentrations of chlorophyll a and carotenoids significantly increased to quench reactive oxygen species and protect the photosynthetic apparatus. Collectively, these observations project a radiotolerance architecture in these filamentous organisms that effectively utilizes the physical stress of ionizing radiation as a catalyst for metabolic surge, transforming initial cellular damage into a stimulus for enhanced biochemical production and long-term survival.
Monitoring drinking water quality is essential for protecting public health, particularly in regions dependent on surface water reservoirs. Morbe Dam is the primary source of potable water for Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas. Conventional culture-based methods may not reliably distinguish closely related environmental bacteria, highlighting the need for molecular confirmation during microbial surveillance. Water samples were collected from multiple locations within Morbe Dam and analysed using conventional microbiological methods, including selective culture, Gram staining, and biochemical characterization. Presumptive Salmonella isolates were further identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification, sequencing, and BLAST analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, followed by MIC determination for selected antibiotics. Conventional culture and biochemical tests yielded isolates presumptively identified as Salmonella spp. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing did not confirm Salmonella. Instead, BLAST analysis of the partial 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed approximately 96% sequence similarity to Ralstonia mannitolilytica, indicating that the isolate belonged to the genus Ralstonia and was most closely related to R. mannitolilytica. The sequence was deposited in GenBank under Accession No. MW647908. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated resistance to multiple β-lactam antibiotics. No inhibition was observed for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefazolin at concentrations up to 256 µg/mL, while MICs for ceftazidime and cefuroxime were 16 µg/mL and 8 µg/mL, respectively. This study demonstrates that reliance on phenotypic methods alone may lead to misidentification of environmental bacterial isolates. Molecular analysis demonstrated that the isolate belonged to the genus Ralstonia and was most closely related to Ralstonia mannitolilytica, rather than Salmonella. These findings support the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine environmental water surveillance and emphasize the importance of monitoring antimicrobial-resistant opportunistic pathogens in potable water sources.
Over 50% of aquatic food production depends on aquaculture, which faces sustainability challenges, including wastewater pollution, eutrophication from excess nitrogen and phosphorus, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from effluent discharge. Conventional wastewater treatment can’t fully address these problems, increasing environmental and health risks. The concept of precision microbiome engineering (PME), which includes next-generation probiotics, synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), and omics-guided bioremediation consortia, is seen as revolutionary because it can enhance bioremediation and prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, PME’s application to host-associated and environmental microbiomes is less studied. This review proposes a strategy linking host microbiome manipulation to wastewater bioremediation to address AMR. It combines environmental biotechnology and aquaculture science to evaluate the role of PME across these interconnected domains critically. It provides a comprehensive overview of the microbial ecology of host systems in aquaculture and their corresponding effluents. The text analyzes how probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics boost fish immunity and combat resistant pathogens. It also assesses advanced bioremediation methods like biofloc, MBBRs, and microbial consortia. This review redefines PME as an integrated system rather than isolated interventions, considering current knowledge on aquaculture wastewater, AMR mechanisms, and treatment limitations. It critically assesses ecological, regulatory, biosafety, and scalability issues, highlighting knowledge gaps and dangers. The article proposes a model combining SynCom construction using multi-omics, CRISPR, and real-time microbiome monitoring via AI.
Natural colouring agents or biopigments, particularly those derived from microorganisms, present an exciting opportunity for extensive research and industrial application. The use of these naturally derived pigments has gained remarkable momentum in the food industry, driven by the increasing consumer preference for safe, functional, and eco-friendly additives. Historical and traditional food practices also reveal a strong foundation for the use of natural colourants in various food products across different cultures. Examples of food items enriched with microbial pigments include wheat rotis, fortified biscuits, white chocolate, meatballs, cookies, and eggs, all of which demonstrate the successful incorporation of these compounds into everyday foods. Yeast-derived bioactive compounds and pigments such as β-carotene, astaxanthin, lycopene and mannoproteins derived from diverse yeast species including Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Rhodotorula glutinis, Phaffia rhodozyma, Metschnikowia pulcherrimsa, Cryptococcus, Sporobolomyces and Exophiala salmonis offer significant potential for food fortification and functional enhancement. The supplementation of yeast-derived pigments and bioactive compounds into conventional foods not only improves their visual and sensory attributes but also offers substantial health benefits, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. Consequently, the inclusion of these natural pigments can significantly enhance the health-promoting properties and nutritional value of food products, aligning with the global trend toward sustainable and functional foods.
The Hedychium species encompasses approximately 80 distinct varieties, showcasing their adaptability as plants primarily valued for their striking, diverse, and fragrant flowers used in decorative applications. The unique characteristics of Hedychium essential oils suggest their potential use in developing plant-based preservatives aimed at extending stored food products shelf life. This study examined phytoconstituents, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the essential oil derived from Hedychium ellipticum found in Uttarakhand. The oils were acquired through the hydrodistillation method before their characterization via GC-MS. The chemical examination of the oil identified 20 chemical compounds. The primary components detected include Terpinolene, Iso-isopulegol, Caryophyllene, Piperitol, Humulene, Farnesene, Rosifoliol, terpinene-4-ol, and trans-ocimene present in essential oil. The essential oil shows moderate to strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. To elucidate the possible molecular basis of the observed antimicrobial activity, molecular docking studies were performed using the major compounds, iso-isopulegol and terpinolene, against key bacterial target proteins involved in DNA replication, cell wall biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and folate pathways. Docking analysis revealed stable ligand-protein interactions, having binding affinities between -5.3 to -6.7 kcal/mol. Notably, iso-isopulegol showed strong binding with Klebsiella pneumoniae LpxH (-6.5 kcal/mol) and penicillin-binding protein 2X, while terpinolene exhibited the highest affinity toward the LpxH/JH-LPH-33 complex (-6.7 kcal/mol). These findings indicate a multi-target interaction profile of the major monoterpenoid constituents, supporting a polypharmacological mode of antibacterial action. Overall, the combined experimental and in silico results highlight H. ellipticum essential oil serves as a viable natural source of bioactive chemicals with prospective applications in pharmaceutical products.
This study aimed to identify the causal agent of cassava leaf blight in Thailand and to evaluate the biocontrol potential of Bacillus spp. isolated from the digestive tract of small millipedes. Symptomatic cassava leaves were collected from Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand, and a total of 32 bacterial isolates were obtained and classified into seven morphotypes. Pathogenicity tests revealed that isolates Mnbr-2 and Mnbr-22 induced typical leaf blight symptoms, with Mnbr-2 producing the largest lesion diameter (28.30 ± 3.50 mm) and therefore selected for further study. Based on morphological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene analyses, isolate Mnbr-2 was identified as a member of the genus Pantoea and was closely related to Pantoea stewartii, showing 99.75% sequence similarity. These findings provide evidence that Pantoea-associated bacteria are involved in cassava leaf blight in Thailand. The antagonistic activity of 28 Bacillus isolates against P. stewartii Mnbr-2 was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. Several isolates, including Bacillus velezensis, B. cereus, B. safensis, and B. subtilis, exhibited strong inhibitory activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 25.00 ± 1.50 to 30.00 ± 5.00 mm. Cell-free culture filtrates of selected isolates also suppressed pathogen growth, showing inhibition comparable to that of streptomycin (100 ppm). Detached leaf assays demonstrated that B. cereus N5_TCR and B. velezensis N8_TCR achieved the highest disease suppression under both preventive and curative treatments, with inhibition efficiencies ranging from 91.35%-94.41%. These findings indicate that the selected Bacillus isolates possess strong antagonistic activity and may serve as promising candidates for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly biocontrol strategies against cassava leaf blight caused by Pantoea.
CRISPR gene-editing technology has revolutionized modern genetics, offering precise and efficient modifications across multiple domains, including human medicine, agriculture, and veterinary science. This study explores the diverse applications of CRISPR, highlighting its role in treating genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, advancing cancer immunotherapies, and developing CRISPR-based antiviral therapies for HIV and COVID-19. In agriculture, CRISPR has facilitated the development of disease-resistant livestock, enhanced crop yields, and improved food sustainability. Additionally, CRISPR is being integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics to optimize gene-editing accuracy, predict off-target effects, and accelerate drug discovery. Despite these advancements, CRISPR faces significant challenges, including ethical dilemmas surrounding germline editing, regulatory inconsistencies across countries, high costs of gene therapies, and concerns about genetic inequality. The legal and social implications of CRISPR remain complex, requiring global cooperation to establish standardized regulations and ensure equitable access to genetic therapies. Emerging innovations such as base editing, prime editing, and epigenetic modifications offer promising solutions to improve CRISPR’s precision and safety. Looking ahead, CRISPR’s long-term success will depend on responsible scientific advancements, ethical oversight, and public acceptance. With the continued refinement of gene-editing techniques and AI-driven CRISPR optimizations, this technology holds the potential to revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation. However, careful implementation and transparent discussions are essential to navigate the ethical, legal, and societal challenges that accompany CRISPR’s rapid development.
Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections in clinical practice, and increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens poses a serious challenge to empirical therapy, especially in tertiary care settings. In this study, we analyzed culture positivity rate, bacteriological profile, and distribution of urine isolates by patient location in a tertiary care hospital. This retrospective laboratory-based study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care teaching hospital between January 2024 and December 2024. Urine samples were processed using standard semiquantitative culture techniques on cystine lactose electrolyte-deficient medium. Organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using an automated BD Phoenix™ system. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenem-resistance detection were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Of 3434 urine samples processed, 857 (24.9%) showed significant bacterial growth. Gram-negative bacilli predominated (77.4%), whereas Gram-positive cocci accounted for 22.6%. Culture positivity rate was higher among inpatients than outpatients. Among Gram-negative isolates, ESBL production was most common in Escherichia coli (63.4%; 312/492), and Klebsiella spp. (24.4%; 120/492). Carbapenem-resistant isolates included E. coli (47.4%, 81/171), Klebsiella spp. (28.1%, 48/171), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.0%, 24/171), and Acinetobacter spp. (7.0%, 12/171). ESBL producers demonstrated high resistance to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, with better susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, amikacin, and meropenem. Colistin retained the highest activity against carbapenem-resistant isolates (81.9%, 140/171). Gram-negative bacilli remain the predominant uropathogens in tertiary care settings, with an increasing burden of ESBL and carbapenem-resistance These findings underscore the need for continuous resistance surveillance, culture-guided therapy, and robust antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) represents a major global health threat, compromising therapeutic efficacy and undermining socio-economic stability. This study includes a large-scale quantitative trend analysis of nearly 50,000 research articles published between 1973 and 2025 to address the longitudinal dynamics of AMR in UTI-associated E. coli. Abstract-level text mining was employed to retrieve antibiotic-specific resistance evidence, followed by normalized resistance proportion estimation, log-linear regression modeling, Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) analysis, rank-shift comparison, and Total Active Resistance Years (TARY)-based persistence profiling. The findings indicate a marked global increase in resistance to commonly prescribed first-line antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Notably, carbapenems and fosfomycin also exhibited significant upward EAPC trends, indicating emerging resistance to these antibiotics despite being considered last-resort agents. Especially, the rising EAPC trends for carbapenem and fosfomycin exhibits both emerging resistance patterns and intensified reporting associated with expanded clinical usage of these last resort antibiotics. Rank-shift and persistence analyses further indicated antibiotic-specific heterogeneity, distinguishing entrenched long-term resistance from rapidly emerging threats. Geographic publication patterns paralleled epidemiological transitions, underscoring the worldwide expansion of the AMR burden. Collectively, this multidimensional bibliometric framework advances AMR surveillance from static reporting to dynamic resistance intelligence, providing critical insights to inform empirical therapy, antimicrobial stewardship, and global policy interventions.
