Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases cancer-related mortality globally. The disease is diagnosed through imaging and serum biomarkers that lack sensitivity in the early stages of the disease. In this narrative review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published during the last five years. The search focused on studies evaluating the relationship between gut microbiota and HCC, including microbial dysbiosis, microbial signatures, metabolites, diagnostic/prognostic potential, and microbiome-based therapeutic approaches. Relevant articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the findings were qualitatively synthesized to provide an updated overview of the role of the gut microbiome in HCC. The microbial signatures link the gut with HCC by focusing on key taxa like Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In addition, further examination focuses on the functional impact of the microbiome, including microbial metabolites that are bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and lipopolysaccharides that further control inflammation and immune responses, leading to carcinogenesis. Moreover, the review explored microbiome-modulating therapies like prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as possible adjuncts to conventional treatments like immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Ultimately, the study highlighted issues in the standardization of microbiome-based interventions and the requirement of a personalized approach for microbiome therapy in the treatment of HCC. The review also highlighted the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies and diagnostics to improve HCC outcomes and offered a unique direction for future research and clinical practice.
Complex procedures are required for DNA extraction from filamentous fungi owing to the structural complexity of their cell walls. Disruption of fungal cells results in the release of large amounts of polysaccharides and proteins. The objective of the present study was to improve the yield and purity of DNA through the development of a refined protocol for extracting dermatophyte genomic DNA from the culture medium and to standardize each step of the extraction procedure. Different culture media compositions (dextrose/maltose) were compared to assess fungal growth. The initial biomass was standardized, and the mycelial biomass was subjected to liquid nitrogen grinding. A modified phenol-chloroform extraction method was used with a five-step washing procedure. Genomic DNA was subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses by spectrophotometry and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. The average amount of DNA obtained in the study from Sabouraud’s dextrose broth with Tween 80 was 1218.5 ng/µL. Amplification was performed using internal transcribed spacer primers. The A260/A280 ratios ranged from 1.7 and 2.0. The genomic DNA obtained had a sufficient molecular weight (>1,000 kb). Successful amplification with ITS primers designed for fungal DNA confirmed sufficient removal of PCR inhibitors during both fungal cell preparation and DNA extraction. The standardized, improved protocol for dermatophyte DNA provides a useful guideline for mycology researchers to work with fungal genomic DNA of sufficient molecular weight, which is best suited for downstream processes such as PCR, sequencing, and marker-based phylogenetic studies.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens associated with multidrug resistance. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characterize the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae in Thailand. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and a Thai Journals Online (ThaiJO) from inception to November 19, 2024. Subgroup, meta-regression, and heterogeneity analyses were conducted. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test. The pooled prevalence estimates reflect proportions reported in published hospital-based studies. A total of 32 studies were included in the systematic review, with 27 studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates was 87% (95% CI: 81%, 91%), with increasing trends observed for imipenem and meropenem resistance between 2014 and 2024. Ertapenem resistance remained high across regions, peaking in 2020 (100%) and 2024 (86%), particularly in the North and Northeast. The most prevalent carbapenemase gene was blaNDM (50%). Among the ESBL-associated genes, the pooled prevalence estimate was highest for blaCTX-M (86%). Co-harboring of blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like was observed in 36% of the isolates. Co-harboring of ESBL genes was detected in 25% of isolates. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses confirmed significant heterogeneity across regions and years. This meta-analysis highlights a high and growing burden of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae in Thailand, marked by notable geographic variation and a predominance of blaNDM and ESBL genes. While the findings are indicative of important trends, the observed heterogeneity suggests that the results should be interpreted with caution.
Candida krusei is a non-albicans Candida species that has been reported to exhibit intrinsic resistance to several antifungal agents, making infections caused by this organism challenging to control and highlighting the need for effective antiseptic alternatives. The exploration of plants with antifungal activity became an important area of research because of the increasing demand for effective and safe natural antiseptic alternatives. In this study, we evaluated the potential of extracts of Moringa oleifera and Centella asiatica extracts as antiseptic agents, either individually or in combination, against C. krusei. The antifungal activity of the extracts was evaluated using a time-kill assay at different concentrations. Fungal viability was assessed at 1, 2, and 5 minutes after exposure and expressed as the percentage of fungal killing. The antifungal activities of the individual and combined extracts were compared at each contact time. Both M. oleifera and C. asiatica extracts exhibited concentration- and time-dependent fungicidal activity against C. krusei. The C. asiatica extract showed greater antifungal activity than the M. oleifera extract at the tested concentrations. The combination of M. oleifera (300 mg/mL) and C. asiatica (250 mg/mL) extracts showed rapid fungicidal activity against C. krusei, with killing rates of 80.0% at 1 minute, 90.0% at 2 minutes, and 97.0% at 5 minutes. Phytochemical analysis showed that C. asiatica had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than M. oleifera. The total phenolic content was approximately 16.6 mg GAE/g for M. oleifera and 22.1 mg GAE/g for C. asiatica, while the total flavonoid content was approximately 1.6 mg QE/g and 6.6 mg QE/g, respectively. The individual and combined extracts demonstrated rapid fungicidal activity against C. krusei in vitro, with the combined extracts showing greater killing activity than the individual extracts at the tested concentrations. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action, determine the optimal formulation, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these extracts for antiseptic applications.
The development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its ability to confer cross-resistance to MLSB group of antibiotics, i.e. macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B, have made difficult to treat MRSA infections. Routine use of clindamycin susceptibility testing is unable to identify inducible MLSB (iMLSB) phenotype which frequently leads to treatment failure and requires the use of a simple D-test for detection of this type of resistance. This cross-sectional observational study was performed in the Department of Microbiology, TMMC & RC Moradabad, India. Two hundred S. aureus strains have been identified in various clinical samples, including blood, pus, body fluids, and respiratory samples. S. aureus strains were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion (D-test) technique. Cefoxitin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were subjected to mecA gene detection using polymerase chain reaction. A total of 200 S. aureus isolates were obtained from various specimens, of which 134 (67%) were MRSA and 66 (33%) were MSSA. All MRSA strains possessed mecA. The constitutive MLSB (cMLSB), iMLSB, and MS phenotype prevalence was found to be 37.3%, 22.4%, and 40.3% in MRSA and 27.7%, 12.1%, and 65.2% in MSSA, respectively. In this study, S. aureus isolates exhibited a significant frequency of iMLSB in this region. Therefore, the D-test can be regularly used for clinical isolates to prevent clindamycin treatment failure.
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a leading cause of infections in children. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), presents significant therapeutic challenges. Data on molecular resistance and virulence determinants in pediatric isolates from Egypt remain limited. This retrospective study analysed 120 non-duplicate S. aureus isolates recovered from pediatric patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the CLSI disk diffusion method. Conventional PCR detected resistance genes (mecA, blaZ, ermA/B/C, msrA, mphC, tetK, tetM, aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) genes, and qacA/B) and the Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene. Logistic regression assessed associations with MDR. Of the 120 isolates examined, 55% were from hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The blaZ gene was present in 83.3% of isolates, and mecA in 36.7%. Genes tetK, tetM, ermC, and mphC were significantly associated with MDR. The PVL gene was detected in 18.3% of isolates. Approximately one-third of isolates met the definition of MDR, showing resistance to three or more antimicrobial categories. MDR in pediatric S. aureus in Egypt is primarily driven by genetic determinants, underscoring the significance of molecular surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).
Vibrio alginolyticus is an opportunistic marine pathogen that causes severe vibriosis in aquatic animals and occasionally in humans, leading to substantial economic losses in aquaculture. Despite progress in antimicrobial therapy, the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and the lack of effective vaccines have emphasized the need for novel approaches. The objective of this study was to identify and assess vaccine candidates in V. alginolyticus ATCC 17749 using an integrative strategy that integrates reverse vaccinology and immune-informatics. The complete proteome of V. alginolyticus ATCC 17749 was retrieved from NCBI databases, and computational pipelines were used to predict subcellular localization, transmembrane topology, and antigenicity. Surface-exposed, non-allergenic and non-toxic outer membrane and secretory proteins with high antigenicity scores were selected for epitope prediction. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and B-cell epitopes were identified through NetMHCpan 4.1, IEDB, and ABCpred, respectively. Robust humoral and cellular immune responses were predicted by immune simulation. The target proteins were docked with TLR2 and TLR4 using HDOCK, and the simulation was performed using the iMODS server for the highest-scoring docking complex for each receptor. In silico cloning to express the target protein was performed using the SnapGene tool. This integrated computational vaccinology approach reliably identifies promising antigenic targets for V. alginolyticus, providing a foundation for the rational development of next-generation polyvalent vaccines against Vibrio infections in aquaculture and related fields.
Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (LAHNC) has varied immensely in the last 20 years with the evolution of conformal Radiotherapy techniques. Whether differences exist in these treatment techniques related to survival and toxicity, remains unanswered. Also, these vulnerable groups of subjects have an enhanced risk of oral Candidiasis, mainly because of immune suppression and mucosal damage. A two-year cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Barpeta Cancer Centre, Barpeta District, Assam. Two hundred cases with histological confirmation of LAHNC under definitive chemoradiotherapy treatment of 66-70 Gy were included. Sequential boost (SB) was used to treat 130 patients and Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB) was used upon 70 patients as separate treatment arms. In both treatment arms Inj. Cisplatin 40 mg/m2 per week was included as a simultaneous chemotherapeutic. Grading of toxicity was done every week after treatment initiation and during follow-up visits at the end of three (3) months post treatment. Overall survival (OS), Recurrence free survival (RFS) and Disease free survival (DFS) were estimated. Saliva samples were collected from each patient during the first follow up and inoculated on SDA with chloramphenicol. Germ tube test, Dalmau plate culture and Chrom Agar inoculation was used for speciation. The most common subtype was oropharyngeal carcinoma with no treatment-related death in either arm. The OS was estimated to be 70% in SB arm and 62% in the SIB treatment Arm, at the end of 2 years. SIB Arm showed high rates of advanced grade toxicities then SB Arm. Oral candidiasis prevalence was 65%, but was higher in SIB (71.4%) then SB arm (61.5%), and Candida albicans (46%) largely outnumbered candida Non-albicans. Significant association was found between high grade mucositis (χ2 = 17.45, P < 0.001), dysphagia (χ2 = 28.79, P < 0.001), dermatitis (χ2 = 42.23, P < 0.001) with Candidal growth. Disease related outcomes showed no changes in both the treating arms. However toxicities and Candidal growth especially Candida albicans showed high association, warranting early interventions with oral care and antifungal therapies.
Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species, affecting humans and a broad range of domestic and wild animals. Despite its public health relevance, molecular evidence from the Himalayan region of India remains limited, particularly across multiple host groups within shared ecological settings. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic identity of pathogenic Leptospira in humans and animals from the Darjeeling landscape of the Eastern Himalayas. A total of 294 samples, comprising human and domestic/peri-domestic animal specimens, were screened by LipL32-specific PCR for the detection of Leptospira. Overall, 15 samples (5.10%) tested positive, including 9 humans, 5 dogs, and 1 rodent, indicating circulation of the pathogen across multiple host species in the study area. Sequence similarity analysis of the representative amplicons showed 100% identity with Leptospira interrogans, and phylogenetic analysis further demonstrated that all study-derived sequences clustered within the pathogenic L. interrogans clade, with no clear host-specific segregation. The close clustering of sequences from humans, dogs, and rodent-associated samples suggests a shared transmission ecology or overlapping exposure network within this ecologically complex landscape. To our knowledge, this is among the first molecular evidence from Darjeeling demonstrating the occurrence of pathogenic L. interrogans across multiple host groups. These findings provide baseline molecular evidence of pathogenic L. interrogans in Darjeeling and support the need for broader One Health surveillance incorporating human, animal, rodent, and environmental sampling in the Eastern Himalayan region.
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) manifest bactericidal activity in a concentration-dependent manner as they inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase activity that are crucial in the replication process. They are the key component of a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimen. FQs are effective against bacterial infections that cause skin, urinary tract, and prostate-related infections. Ofloxacin is also being tried as part of modified Multidrug Treatment (MDT) regimens against leprosy. This study examined the accumulation of ofloxacin in M. smegmatis, M. kansasii, and M. tuberculosis. These mycobacteria were grown in Sauton’s liquid medium up to the exponential phase. Finally, cells were harvested, cleaned by washing, and resuspended. Suspensions were incubated with ofloxacin at 37 °C, and ofloxacin concentration in supernatants was observed using spectrofluorimetry. Ofloxacin concentrations were also observed in the absence or presence of Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), which is a proton motive force inhibitor. Steady state concentration (SSC) of ofloxacin was achieved in M. smegmatis (03 minutes), M. kansasii (03 minutes), and M. tuberculosis (05 minutes), and the ofloxacin accumulation level was 102 ng/mg, 100 ng/mg, and 107 ng/mg (dry weight of the bacilli), respectively. Ofloxacin accumulation was found at 10 µg/ml concentrations; however, CCCP addition was unable to influence the ofloxacin accumulation. This study concludes that ofloxacin accumulation is a simple diffusion in M. smegmatis, M. kansasii, and M. tuberculosis. Through simple diffusion, ofloxacin is transported across the mycobacterial cell envelope, inhibiting type II DNA isomerase (gyrase), which is required for DNA replication. Thus, it is effective in the treatment of disease.
To characterize the phytoconstituents and explore the antibacterial efficacy, cytotoxicity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, assessing its potential as natural therapeutic alternative for antimicrobial and anticancer applications. Moringa oleifera leaves were collected, air-dried, and extracted using 50% aqueous methanol. Fractionation was carried out using solvents of increasing polarity and concentrated for analysis. The method of disc diffusion was utilized to evaluate the antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Shigella boydii, and Staphylococcus aureus, with standard antibiotics as controls. Cytotoxicity was assessed via the MTT assay on A-549 (human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines) and BEAS-2B (non-tumorigenic human bronchial epithelium cell lines). Spectroscopic characterization (UV-Vis and IR) was conducted to determine the bioactive compounds responsible for the observed biological activities. The Moringa oleifera methanolic extract exhibited a strong antibacterial effect against bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus, increasing the diameter of the zone based on their dose. However, Shigella boydii showed resistance. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed selective toxicity, with up to 70% cell death in A-549 cancer cells at 50 µg/ml, while normal BEAS-2B cells exhibited 38% cytotoxicity at the same concentration. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and chlorophyll derivatives, known for their antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. The calculated band gap (3.34 eV) indicated strong UV absorption, which may contribute to reactive oxygen species mediated antimicrobial and anticancer mechanisms. Moringa oleifera leaf extract demonstrated potent antibacterial activity and selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells while exhibited minimal toxicity to normal cells. Its rich phytochemical profile suggests promising role as natural antimicrobial and anticancer agent.
Vitamin D deficiency, driven by modern lifestyles and limited dietary sources, has become a global concern, necessitating innovative approaches to increase vitamin D levels. Fortifying foods, particularly mushrooms, offers a promising approach due to their ergosterol content, a precursor of vitamin D2 that converts to vitamin D2 upon UV exposure. This study investigates the enhancement of vitamin D2 content in pink oyster mushrooms by using UV radiation (254 nm). Mushrooms were irradiated for various durations (0-70 min) at an interval of 10 minutes, where the maximum vitamin D2 content (21.95 µg/g) was achieved at 50 minutes without significant nutritional changes. This exposure time was used in storage studies, where UV-treated mushrooms were treated with 1% acetic acid and stored at 4 °C. Vitamin D2 content remained stable (18.38 µg/g) over 6 days, with minimal nutrient loss. These findings demonstrate that 50 minutes of UV exposure effectively increases vitamin D2 levels and acetic acid preservation ensured its stability during storage.
Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic fungal infection of the oral mucosa predominantly caused by Candida albicans. This condition frequently develops when local or systemic host defense mechanisms are compromised. Several predisposing factors, including poor oral hygiene, xerostomia, immunosuppression, prolonged antibiotic therapy, and the use of inhaled corticosteroid medications, can disrupt the oral microbial balance and promote fungal colonization. Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (oral thrush) is the most common clinical presentation, and is characterized by scrapable white plaques in the oral mucosa. A 37 year-old female patient presented with a two-month history of a persistent burning sensation in the oral cavity that was aggravated by spicy foods. The patient had a history of bronchial asthma and reported the use of inhaled bronchodilators containing budesonide and formoterol without routine mouth rinsing post-inhalation. Intraoral examination revealed diffuse curd-like white plaques involving the dorsal tongue, palatal mucosa, and buccal mucosa bilaterally. Gentle scraping of the lesions resulted in partial removal of the plaque, exposing the erythematous mucosal surface. Histopathological examination revealed fungal hyphae with neutrophilic microabscesses. Periodic acid-Schiff staining confirmed the presence of Candida species. The patient was treated with systemic fluconazole and topical antifungal therapy, along with reinforcement of oral hygiene practices and counseling on proper inhalation techniques with post-inhalation mouth rinsing. Complete resolution of the lesions was observed within 10 days, with no recurrence at two-month follow-up. This case emphasizes the need for early detection of inhaler-associated oral candidiasis and highlights the critical role of preventive strategies, including proper inhalation techniques and oral hygiene measures, in reducing the risk of fungal colonization and recurrence.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) poses a substantial burden on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to explore the prevalence, associated factors, clinical course, and outcomes of CDI in patients with IBD at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. This retrospective case control study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh. All adult patients with IBD admitted over a 4 year period (2022-2025) were identified using the hospital’s electronic database. Participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were categorized into two groups: those with CDI and those without CDI. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify the predisposing factors for CDI. The study included 104 patients with IBD. Most patients (74%; 77/104) were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (CD), whereas 26% (27/104) were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). The prevalence of CDI was 27.9% (29/104). Most of the CDI cases (65.5%, 19/29) were hospital-aquired. Further, CDI was more prevalent in older patients and female patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.041, respectively). Patients with UC frequently had a higher risk of CDI than that of patients with CD. CDI-positive patients showed significantly higher previous exposure to antibiotics, steroid therapy, and immunosuppressants (P < 0.001). Binary analysis identified several significant predisposing factors for CDI, including UC, previous antibiotic use, corticosteroid use, and prolonged hospitalization (odds ratios = 15.338, 17.728, 35.255, and 16.614, respectively). Most patients (79.3%) recovered from CDI. Infection recurrence and death occurred in 10.3% cases each. CDI is a prevalent complication in hospitalized patients with IBD in Saudi Arabia. UC, prolonged hospitalization, antibiotic use, and corticosteroid therapy are important risk factors. Early recognition, targeted therapy, and preventive strategies must be considered to limit CDI and mortality.
Organic acids are key platform chemicals widely applied in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biodegradable polymers, and other industrial sectors. Sustainable production of these acids has gained increasing attention due to environmental concerns associated with chemical synthesis. Fungi represent efficient biofactories for organic acid production owing to their robust metabolism, substrate flexibility, and ability to secrete high levels of extracellular enzymes. This review focuses on fungal enzyme-mediated pathways involved in the biosynthesis of major organic acids, including citric acid, gluconic acid, oxalic acid, itaconic acid, lactic acid, and fumaric acid. Key enzymes, including glucose oxidase, citrate synthase, isocitrate lyase, oxaloacetate acetyl hydrolase, lactate dehydrogenase, and fumarase, play central roles in regulating metabolic flux toward organic acid accumulation. The review discusses metabolic pathways, regulatory mechanisms, strain improvement strategies, fermentation technologies, and the use of low-cost agro-industrial substrates. Major challenges such as product inhibition, by-product formation, downstream processing costs, and scale-up limitations are critically analysed. Furthermore, techno-economic considerations, including substrate cost, enzyme efficiency, fermentation optimisation, and industrial feasibility, are highlighted. Advances in metabolic engineering, omics tools, and biorefinery integration are also explored to enhance production efficiency and sustainability. This review provides comprehensive insights into fungal enzymatic systems driving organic acid biosynthesis and outlines future perspectives for economically viable and environmentally friendly industrial applications.
This study aimed to determine the distribution of bacterial and fungal pathogens in neonatal sepsis cases in a neonatal unit during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance profiles using phenotypic and molecular methods. A total of 940 samples were analysed in this study. Pathogens were identified using conventional culture methods and the Siemens MicroScan Walkaway 96 Plus system. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined phenotypically using the Siemens MicroScan Walkaway 96 Plus system and by PCR. Selected resistance genes were detected using multiplex PCR. A total of 113 isolates were recovered, predominantly Gram-negative bacilli (72%). The most frequent pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 28), Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus (n = 22), Klebsiella spp. (n = 16), Escherichia coli (n = 10), Enterococcus spp. (n = 10), Candida albicans (n = 8), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 6), Serratia marcescens (n = 5), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 3). High resistance rates to beta-lactam antibiotics were observed, particularly among Gram-negative isolates. ESBL production ranged from 33%-50% in Enterobacterales, while MDR rates varied between 20% and 95.45% across species. All C. albicans isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B and to caspofungin. These findings highlight the urgent need for strengthened infection control measures and tailored empirical therapy.
Luffa acutangula aqueous peel extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the effective green and sustainable synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs). By using ridge gourd peel for the environmentally friendly synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles with possible medicinal uses, the current study highlights the valorization of agricultural waste. The current work explicitly uses Luffa acutangula peel waste as a low-cost bioresource for nanoparticle synthesis and antibacterial assessment, in contrast to previously reported plant-mediated syntheses of NiO nanoparticles. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to analyze the biosynthesized NiO nanoparticles. The development of nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-visible analysis, which revealed a distinctive absorption peak at 320 nm. Phenols, flavonoids, alcohols, and carboxylic groups were among the phytochemicals that were involved in the reduction and stability of NiO nanoparticles, according to FTIR spectra. The synthesised compound was confirmed by XRD investigation. Particle diameters ranging from 13-18 nm were found to be almost spherical and somewhat agglomerated by FESEM examination. Nickel NPS’s antibacterial properties can engage with the bacterial cell membrane’s ROS. Assess the agent’s possible antibacterial capabilities against harmful bacteria. This study sheds insight on the environmentally friendly method of producing nickel oxide nanoparticles with potential medical uses.
Fungal cell factories serve as a robust platform for sustainable biomanufacturing, owing to their unparalleled metabolic diversity, enzymatic properties, and resilience to diverse environmental conditions. Recent advances in fungal biotechnology have vastly enhanced the potential for fungi to be used in the production of renewable bioenergy and functional biomaterials. Concurrent advances in systems biology, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology have enabled the fine-tuning of metabolic fluxes to facilitate the enhanced biosynthesis of biofuels, including bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and biohydrogen, as well as mycelium-derived biopolymers. The lignocellulolytic fungi like Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium have been the main organisms of focus with respect to engineering, which enhances hydrolytic enzyme excretion, growth on substrates, and redox balance in these fungi. This engineering work parallels a new ability in omics technologies and CRISPR–Cas genome editing, permitting the facilitation and identification of regulation of biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for lipid accumulation, secondary metabolite production, and nanomaterial synthesis in fungi. Furthermore, new fungal-derived biomaterials have been reported, such as chitosan, β-glucans, and mycelium composites, which have been advanced as biodegradable alternatives to plastics and building materials derived from petroleum. This review critically reviews some of the more recent developments in respect of the reprogramming of fungal metabolism, process intensification strategies and integrated biorefinery applications. This will illustrate the convergence of fungal systems biology with the principles of circular bioeconomy and point out the technological, economic, and regulatory bottlenecks which need to be overcome to fully realise the potential of fungi as the biofactories of the future for the sustainable production of energy and materials.
The biosurfactant-producing bacteria obtained from oil polluted soils have attracted significant attention due to their ability to enhance the bioavailability of hydrocarbons and to facilitate the remediation of contaminated environments. Several investigations have reported the presence and applications of these microorganisms. However, an overall assessment of their ecological diversity, screening approaches and environmental performance seems limited. The present review critically discusses the diversity of biosurfactant producing bacteria isolated from oil contaminated soils and their functional roles in hydrocarbon degradation and environmental restoration. Special emphasis is placed on the comparative evaluation of commonly employed screening and characterization methods such as drop-collapse, oil-spreading, CTAB agar, emulsification index, microplate and bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons (BATH) assays. The advantages, limitations and methodological inconsistencies with these techniques in relation to the reliable identification of highly effective bacterial isolates are discussed. This paper reviews recent developments in the application of biosurfactant-producing bacteria for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons with a focus on the factors that affect their performance in field conditions. This review encompasses microbial diversity, methodological challenges, and application outcomes, identifying critical knowledge gaps and future priorities for standardization of screening approaches and the development of effective bioremediation strategies. The analysis presented here offers a framework to enhance the utilization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from oil-polluted soils as sustainable agents for the restoration of the ecosystem.
Streptomyces, a genus of Actinomycetes that is renowned for the production of various bioactive compounds especially antifungal compounds against phytopathogens. Rhizoctonia solani is a devastating soil-borne fungal pathogen responsible for significant yield losses in potato and several other crops. The current research aimed at the isolation and characterization of Streptomyces strains from agricultural soils and the assessment of their antifungal activity against R. solani. Nine rhizospheric soil samples collected from different agricultural crop fields yielded a total of eighteen Actinomycetes isolates. Primary screening against Rhizoctonia solani identified seven isolates with antagonistic activity. Secondary screening using crude ethyl acetate extracts revealed that isolates W1 (wheat soil isolate) and R1 (rice soil isolate) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. The antifungal potential of the selected isolates was further evaluated through agar well diffusion, concentration-dependent growth inhibition assay, and fungicidal activity assessment. Isolates W1 and R1 had the highest zones of inhibition. Antifungal potential of the isolates was also measured by finding Concentration-dependent inhibition and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) with the isolate W1 exhibiting the best antifungal activity. The isolate W1 was identified as Streptomyces aquilus by molecular identification via 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. The findings concluded that S. aquilus has great prospects of being a biocontrol agent to control the R. solani induced diseases in potato. This study identifies a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of managing plant diseases by utilizing the resources of soils in the form of microbes.
