Bacterial cellulose, a polymer synthesised by bacteria, is emerging as a potent player in the food industry as an additive, gelling agent, and for food packaging. The yield of bacterial cellulose produced using low-cost and readily available sources is essential for commercial and large-scale applications. This study investigates the production of cellulose using theNovacetimonas hanseniiP3 strain, freshly isolated from rotten pomegranate fruit waste. The Hestrin Schramm medium was used for the synthesis of BC. The cellulose produced by this strain in six different carbon sources was evaluated to understand the effect of carbon sources on qualitative and quantitative properties. The best sugar source in terms of yield was selected using the OVAT approach, and the sucrose and glucose medium showed the highest yield. Moreover, properties like crystallinity, thermal stability, and water-holding capacity were found to differ in all samples synthesised using different carbon sources. Importantly, this strain can produce cellulose with high crystallinity using various carbon sources, with the highest crystallinity value of 96 % in the glucose medium. The cellulose samples also showed good thermal stability, and the fibrillar width varied between 50 and 70 nm. Further, the process factors are optimised using response surface methodology. ANOVA analysis evaluates a statistically rigorous regression model to predict the yield at various non-operating conditions. The optimal values that produced maximum yield are sugar, 3 g; inoculum size, 5 mL; and fermentation time, 15 days. This result led to the future scope of using sucrose and glucose-rich fruit wastes, specially modified pomegranate waste medium, as the low-cost medium for bacterial cellulose production.

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized via green (mZnONPs) method using Mangifera indica leaf extract and evaluated its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiinflammatory properties in comparison with the chemically (cZnONPs) formed. Physico-chemical characterization by using the UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, HR-TEM, SEM, DLS, TGA, and DTA further confirmed the properties of the nanoparticles. By this, the mZnONPs were found to have flower-like morphology (50-80 nm), while the cZnONPs appeared as irregular spheres (100-193 nm). FTIR results could verify the phytochemical capping on mZnONPs, and their reduced bandgap (3.30 eV vs. 3.55 eV for cZnONPs) suggests improved photocatalytic potential. The mZnONPs were also found to have enhanced activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. Their antioxidant activity (IC50: 714.35 mu g/mL for DPPH and 276.96 mu g/mL for ABTS) was also superior and the mZnONPs were demonstrated to have better antidiabetic potential as evidenced by the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase activity with IC50 values of 107.62 mu g/mL and 93.45 mu g/mL, respectively. Antiinflammatory assays and cytotoxicity studies also confirmed the superior efficacy of mZnONPs. From these, the mZnONPs could be demonstrated as a safer, more effective nanotherapeutic, particularly for managing the diabetic foot ulcers.

Mastitis represents a significant global challenge in dairy farming, affecting animal health, milk production, and economic viability. It is estimated that mastitis leads to substantial financial losses due to decreased milk yield, increased veterinary costs, and the disposal of contaminated milk, necessitating innovative prevention strategies to address this multifactorial disease effectively. The current study demonstrates the development of a nanoformulation for its use as an external teat sealant to prevent the microbial entry in to the teat orifice during dry cow period to prevent the mastitis. The developed nanoformulation exhibited excellent antibacterial activity and strong adherence to teat surfaces, making it an ideal sealant. The assessment of cytotoxic effects of the nanoformulation on the L929 fibroblast cell line revealed negligible toxicity at the diverse concentrations evaluated, with an LC50 value calculated at 349.8398 µg/mL. However, the cellular perturbations induced by the nanoformulation targeting the bacterial cell indicate its potential to be explored as a promising agent for mitigating the udder infections caused by diverse microorganisms. Detailed characterization of the nanoformulation using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) confirmed the presence of components like zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) in the nanoformulations. Here, the combinational antimicrobial effectiveness of both ZnONPs and LGEO has demonstrated to augment the bioactivity of the nanoformulation. The results of the study thus underscore the necessity for developing appropriate prophylactic strategies among the dairy cattle herds and also the responsible use of antimicrobial agents in cows to prevent the concerns with mastitis caused by multidrug resistant pathogens.

Flavonoids are known to possess biological effects like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. Similarly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in the biomedical industry for therapy and diagnostics for a long time. This study investigates the potential of naringenin functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgN NPs) as a potential wound healing agent. The synthesis of AgN NPs was carried out using the one-pot synthesis method in the alkaline pH. Naringenin is used as the capping and the reducing agent. The naringenin-capped AgNPs were synthesized in six different concentrations. The structural, morphological, and spectroscopic characterization for each sample was conducted. The size of the nanoparticles was studied using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiment and further confirmed using TEM. The crystalline structure was investigated using X-ray diffraction, and AgN NPs exhibited a fcc crystal structure. The FTIR confirmed the capping of naringenin on AgNPs. All samples were tested for antibacterial activity, and the results demonstrated zones of inhibition against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, AgN NPs exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. The wound healing potential of AgN NPs was evaluated using a scratch wound assay in L929 cell lines. After 24 h, the scratch area was significantly reduced in the AgN NPs-treated sample, indicating enhanced cell migration compared to naringenin. Hence, these findings suggest that AgN NPs may serve as a more promising wound-healing agent than naringenin.

Morphological, metabolomic, and genomic aspects of an endophytic bacterial strain Stenotrophomonas sp. C3 isolated from the xerophytic plant Cereus hexagonous L. were characterized. This strain was previously reported to enhance drought tolerance in Capsicum annuum L. seedlings. To understand the effects of drought stress on Stenotrophomonas sp. C3, a detailed analysis on its morphological changes, biofilm production, and metabolite synthesis was conducted. In response to its drought conditions, the organism displayed adaptive features such as aggregation, clumping, robust biofilm production, and the generation of the osmolyte glucosylglycerol. The genomic characteristics of the organism were analyzed by whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. This has demonstrated Stenotrophomonas sp. C3 to have a genome size of 3 701 554 bp, an N50 value of 3 684 702 and a mean G+C content of 66.68

The study presents a cutting-edge, sustainable approach for the high-yield production (59-62 %) of carboxylfunctionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with impressive aspect ratio (20.65 f 0.74 nm), high crystallinity (77-81 %), outstanding thermal stability (290 degrees C-343 degrees C) and varying degrees of functionalization. This innovative method harnesses the synergistic power of mild organic acid hydrolysis (10 %) and steam explosion, employing eco-friendly acids such as acetic, citric, malic, tartaric, and oxalic. These acids drive efficient esterification, as evidenced by zeta potential values (-16 mV to-34 mV) and the presence of ester carbonyl peaks in IR spectroscopy (1730 cm- 1). This functionalization enhances the CNCs' colloidal stability by anchoring carboxyl functionalities, which serve as reactive sites for subsequent modifications to tune their hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties -making them versatile candidates for next-generation applications in packaging, biomedical technologies, and edible coatings. Additionally, the successful recovery of the organic acids further enhances the sustainability of this process. Rooted in the principles of green chemistry, this process ensures atom economy, reduced hazardous chemicals, and valorization of Elettaria cardamomum agromass, offering a transformative step towards a circular economy.

BACKGROUND:Pythium myriotylum is a major pathogen responsible for the post-harvest losses of ginger rhizomes. Developing effective antifungal materials to protect the ginger rhizome from infestation is crucial. This study aims to synthesise and evaluate chitosan-PVA-based bionanocomposite films incorporated with turmeric oil (TO) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for their antifungal efficacy against P. myriotylum. CONCLUSION:The CPZT bionanocomposite film synthesised in the study showed promising antifungal properties with ginger rhizomes from P. myriotylum. Hence, its application can help preserve the quality of ginger rhizomes and to reduce the post-harvest losses. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study presents the design and functional evaluation of a biodegradable nanocomposite film (CPZG) composed of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), and garlic extract (GE) for active fish packaging. The film was fabricated via solvent casting and characterized using FTIR, SEM, XPS, and EDX, confirming successful molecular-level integration and uniform dispersion of ZnONPs and phytochemicals. GC-MS profiling revealed key organosulfur compounds such as diallyl disulfide and allyl trisulfide, with evidence of both sustained release and long-term retention within the polymer matrix. Functionally, CPZG exhibited excellent mechanical integrity (tensile strength: 30.1 MPa; elongation: 203 %) and thermal stability. Its enhanced hydrophobicity (contact angle: 83.1°), low solubility (17.65 %), reduced moisture content (9.37 %), and superior barrier properties including low water vapor (4.73 × 10-11 g/m2/s) and oxygen permeability (4.76 × 10-13 g/m2/s) support its suitability for moisture-sensitive applications. The film also showed strong UV-blocking efficiency with a transmittance of only 10.27 % at 280 nm and demonstrated notable antioxidant potential (49.78 % DPPH inhibition at 500 mg/mL). The CPZG film significantly reduced microbial load on fish fillets, lowering CFU counts from uncountable in polyethylene-packaged samples to just 50 CFU/mL after 5 days of refrigerated storage. Time-kill assays confirmed bactericidal action against fish borne pathogens like P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi. Release kinetics in both 10 % ethanol and deionized water simulants followed a non-Fickian (anomalous transport) mechanism, as modeled by Korsmeyer-Peppas and Peppas-Sahlin equations, ensuring sustained delivery of bioactives. Migration studies demonstrated controlled Zn2+ ion release, with values remaining within regulatory safety limits, ensuring food contact compliance. Biodegradation under soil burial conditions resulted in a 26.92 % weight loss over 21 days, with minimal ZnONP leaching, indicating the film's environmental safety. Overall, the CPZG film integrates mechanical durability, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, controlled release, food safety, and eco-compatibility, offering a promising, cost-effective alternative to synthetic packaging materials for seafood preservation.

Green synthesized nanomaterials play a vital role in nanotechnology was due to its diverse applications. In the current study, flower shaped nanoclusters of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) was fabricated using the leaf extract of Centella asiatica (Linn.) by microwave-assisted method. The physico-chemical characterization of the green synthesized ZnONPs were further conducted by the UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The UV-Vis spectrum of the synthesized ZnONPs has showed characteristic absorption maximum at 363 nm. The XRD pattern of the same could confirm to have the crystalline nature of ZnONPs. Additionally, the FT-IR spectra have revealed the presence of characteristic stretching and bending vibrations of the Zn-O bond, along with those of phytochemicals that might have involved in ZnONPs stabilization. By the HR-TEM imaging, agglomeration of the nanoparticles and thereby the formation of flower-like clusters could be observed. Furthermore, the synthesized ZnONPs have remarkable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with inhibition zones of 15 +/- 0.4 and 16.5 +/- 1.0 mm respectively. The green synthesized ZnONPs showed no significant toxicity toward Artemia nauplii. Hence, the results of the study indicate the promising potential of the synthesized ZnO nanoclusters.

Flavonoids are well-known plant secondary metabolites that have been widely used as sources for designing drugs due to their unique structural and bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer characteristics. This study has been designed to identify novel flavonoids from traditional and bran of colored rice varieties to explore their antiviral properties, especially against COVID-19. In our study, flavonoids from colored glutinous rice bran have been screened to find compounds that could bind to the Receptor Binding Domain of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Out of the several flavonoids and their metabolites that have been identified to bind to the target: Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside was found to have highly potent antiviral activity. Further to this, its binding affinity to the approved anticancer drug Nilotinib has been carried out where the selected flavonoid was found to have comparable affinity to the target. Additionally, Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside has also been demonstrated to have a higher number of interactions to the target when compared with the standard drug through molecular dynamic simulations. Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside has also been observed to have a lower RMSD value, higher number of hydrogen bonds and similar stability when compared to the standard. From the study, a naturally occurring flavonoid present in traditional and colored rice varieties can be considered to have the potential to be developed as a drug for the treatment of COVID-19, with better performance compared to the synthetic drug.

Endophytic microorganisms (EMs) residing in medicinal plants form a promising resource of anticancer compounds such as camptothecin (CPT). Given the increasing therapeutic demand for CPT, its sustainable production is of high significance. This study has investigated the EMs isolated from different parts of Ophiorrhiza mungos for the CPT biosynthetic potential. Preliminary screening of EMs for the CPT synthesis was carried out by HPLC analysis of culture extracts, and the HPLC-positive extracts were further confirmed via LC-MS/MS. From a total of 175 EMs screened in the study, 17 strains (14 bacterial and 3 fungal) were found to be CPT producing, with most of them being sourced from the root tissues. Among the bacterial strains, Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. phenolicus S18 exhibited the highest CPT yield (1294.52 μg/L) followed by Bacillus tequilensis (309.02 μg/L). From the fungal strains, Aspergillus sp., S109, S42, and S111 yielded CPT of 22.07, 18.98, and 13.26 μg/L, respectively. Overall, CPT yield among the bacterial producers ranged from 1294.52 to 5.16 μg/L, predominantly from the Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, and Pseudomonas genera. This study provides the first report on the CPT production by A. faecalis and Aspergillus sp. isolated from O. mungos, and also the first documentation of CPT synthesis in Stenotrophomonas, Fictibacillus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas genera. These findings highlight the potential of novel microbial sources as high-yielding, reliable, and cost-effective alternatives to support commercial CPT production.

Antimicrobial resistance transmission from farm animals to humans is a critical health concern and hence a detailed molecular surveillance is essential for tracking the spread and consequent evolution of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, a pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae MS1 strain was isolated from a healthy broiler farm and studied. From the results of the study, MS1 was found to be is resistant to 18 tested antibiotics and has a high-risk to be pathogenic to humans with a probability of 0.80. The whole genome sequencing data of MS1 was used to predict the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and pathogenicity. The genome analysis has revealed MS1 to have 34 AMR genes. Out of these, the AMR gene OmpK37 codes for an important protein involved in cell permeability and hence in antibiotic resistance. Further analysis was carried out by using an ingenome analysis method to understand the evolution of OmpK37 and the underlying reason for the emergence of resistance. From the detailed analysis, the current study could demonstrate for the first time the evolution of OmpK37 from OmpC. Though structurally OmpK37 was very similar to other porins present in MS1, it was found to have higher mutability as a distinguishing feature which makes it an important protein in monitoring the evolving resistances in microorganisms.

In the current study, thirty bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. were evaluated for the properties related to the plant growth promotion and disease resistance. Here, all the selected strains were screened for its antagonistic effect towards the phytopathogen Sclerotium rolfsii and also for the production of bioactive compounds known to promote the plant growth. Among these isolates, CiRb1 and CiRb16 were observed to have a broad range of plant beneficial features and were identified as Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus velezensis respectively. Both the isolates were also demonstrated to produce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for the growth enhancement in Brassica nigra (L.) and growth inhibition of S. rolfsii. Talc based formulations made out of both B. licheniformis and B. velezensis were further demonstrated to augment the plant growth and protection against S. rolfsii in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. By the GC-MS based analysis, undecane could also be detected in the methanolic extracts prepared from both B. licheniformis and B. velezensis. Here, the selected rhizobacterial isolates were found to promote the plant growth and disease resistance through both direct and VOC mediated mechanisms. The results of the study hence reveal both B. licheniformis and B. velezensis have the potential in field application to promote the growth and control of plant diseases.

Ligand protected silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) have recently been reported to have significant applications as antimicrobial agents. In the current study, glutathione (SG) protected silver nanocluster was synthesized leading to Ag31SG19 by cyclic reduction and oxidative condition and was evaluated for its singlet oxygen generation and antibacterial activity. From the results of the study, Ag31SG19 was found to have inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a diameter of 15.30 +/- 0.58 mm and 16.70 +/- 0.58 mm respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was also calculated to have 0.3125 mg/ml and 0.1562 mg/ml respectively. In addition, the Ag31SG19 was found to have high efficiency for the generation of singlet oxygen. Based on the results of the study, the antimicrobial mechanisms of Ag31SG19 could be predicted to be mainly because of the generation of singlet oxygen species in addition to the activity due to the release of Ag+ ions from the nanoclusters. These multimechanistic antimicrobial effects make the synthesized Ag31SG19 to be a promising candidate for a broad range of antimicrobial applications.

A simple and green hydrothermal approach was used to fabricate carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from the rhizomes of Acorus calamus with a quantum yield (QY) of 15 %. Designed CQDs were applied for four different applications, including the fluorescence detection of morin, the catalytic reduction of rhodamine B (Rh B) and sunset yellow (SY), fluorescent ink for writing and drawing, and anticancer and apoptosis studies on SKMEL-28 human skin cancer cell lines. Several characterization methods were performed to explore the optical, structural, and morphological properties. The average particle size of the CQDs was 6 nm, with a blue fluorescence emission when exposed to UV light under 360 nm. Based on the static and inner filter effects (IFE), the developed radiometric nanosensor showed high selectivity towards morin with a linear range of 0-2 mu M and a detection limit of 96 nM. Using a NaBH4-CQD mixture, the catalytic reduction of the ionic dyes Rh B and SY was achieved within seconds. A pseudo-first-order kinetics was followed by the reaction, with a rate constant of 0.0116 Min-1. The cytotoxic studies revealed the anticancer ability of CQDs on SoL 28 cell lines with a low LD50 value of 102 mu g/mL. Besides the apoptosis studies using the double staining method show both viable and non-viable cells present in the medium. This study emphasizes the multiple practical uses of CQDs and demonstrates their versatility.

The present study focused on the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of novel lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains isolated from the healthy human volunteers of different age groups and their consortium (LABCON), against the enteropathogenic bacteria. From the study, methanolic extract of LAB isolates and their consortia were found to have promising antibacterial activity and antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The antimicrobial compounds including the DL-3 phenyllactic acid, DL-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, and Succinic acid produced by the LAB could be considered to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation by E. coli (ATCC 35218) and S. aureus (ATCC 25923). Detailed insight into the antibiofilm activity could also be demonstrated by Confocal Raman microscopy attached with AFM and Fluorescent microscope. From the results of the study, the consortium LABCON was superior in antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity and can be considered to have promising application in infection control.

In this study, the occurrence of tetracycline resistance genes among bacteria present on the raw egg surface was analysed. Metagenomic method was used in this study for the rapid detection and better surveillance on antibiotic resistance transfer. From the study, meta DNA extracted from the raw egg surface wash was found to be positive for tetB gene. Whereas the meta DNA from the poultry slaughter house cutting surface, was found to have both tetA and tetB genes. The antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from the raw egg samples further showed 76% of them to be resistant to more than 3 different categories of antibiotics. As the antibiotics used in the poultry feed are known to contribute to the fast emergence of resistance in bacteria associated with poultry derived food, it is important to rigorously monitor the feed in poultry farms in order to minimise the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance.

Biofilm formation by the pathogenic bacteria generates a serious threat to the public health as it can increase the virulence potential, resistance to drugs, and escape from the host immune response mechanisms. Among the environmental factors that influence the biofilm formation, there are only limited reports available on the role of antimicrobial agents. During the antimicrobial drug administration or application for any purpose, the microbial population can expect to get exposed to the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of the drug which will have an unprecedented impact on microbial responses. Hence, the study has been conducted to investigate the effects of sub-MIC levels of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biofilm formation of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Here, the selected bacteria were primarily screened for the biofilm formation by using the Congo red agar method, and their susceptibility to ZnO NPs was also evaluated. Quantitative difference in biofilm formation by the selected organisms in the presence of ZnO NPs at the sub-MIC level was further carried out by using the microtiter plate-crystal violet assay. Further, the samples were subjected to atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis to evaluate the properties and pattern of the biofilm modulated under the experimental conditions used. From these, the organisms treated with sub-MIC levels of ZnO NPs were found to have enhanced biofilm formation when compared with the untreated sample. Also, no microbial growth could be observed for the samples treated with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ZnO NPs. The results observed in the study provide key insights into the impact of nanomaterials on clinically important microorganisms which demands critical thinking on the antimicrobial use of nanomaterials.

Chlorpyrifos, a widely used organophosphate pesticide, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its prolonged persistence and toxicity. Hence the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos has immense significance for its effective removal, and the present study has been designed on the management of chlorpyrifos pollution through an innovative bioremediation approach. Here, Pseudomonas sp. CF7b isolated from the soil has been investigated for chlorpyrifos removal in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). For this, chlorpyrifos-tolerant bacteria were initially isolated from the soil and out of the 29 bacterial isolates obtained, Pseudomonas sp. CF7b was selected for the detailed study. The selected organism was then treated with chlorpyrifos in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of ZnONPs. The quantitative reduction of chlorpyrifos under the experimental conditions was further analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Here, chlorpyrifos treated in the presence of both Pseudomonas sp. CF7b and sub-MIC ZnONPs was found to undergo enhanced reduction when compared with the quantitative changes observed for the treatment containing the organism or ZnONPs alone. After 120 hof incubation, a 90.9 % reduction was observed in chlorpyrifos for the treatment containing both Pseudomonas sp. CF7b and ZnONPs. In comparison, the reduction was 81.6 % for samples treated with Pseudomonas sp. CF7b alone and 53.4 % for samples treated with ZnONPs alone. The observation from the current study provides valuable insights into the role of nanomaterials in enhancing the microbial action against environmental pollutants and hence opens up the scope for the development of novel sustainable methods for the environmental management of pesticides.