Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a globally vital food crop and a significant industrial source of starch. Potato starch is primarily composed of amylopectin (about 70–80%) and a smaller proportion of amylose (20–30%). The starch composition critically influences both nutritional profile (glycemic index, resistant starch content) and industrial properties (freeze–thaw stability, film-forming, adhesive properties etc.). Enhancing the quality and improving the composition of starch has been a prime focus of biotechnological research in potato. The Starch Synthases (SSs), Granule Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSSI), and Starch Branching Enzymes (SBEs) are among the key enzymes of starch biosynthesis and represent major targets for modifying its functional characteristics. Conventional breeding efforts in tetraploid potato plants were not very successful in improving starch quality and composition, due to the complex patterns of inheritance of this highly heterozygous crop. This has led the potato biologists to embark on the use of transgenic and recently introduced genome editing approaches for starch modification in potato. This review discusses advances in transgenic and modern genetic engineering strategies, including gene silencing, overexpression, and genome editing, for modifying starch in potatoes. Particular attention has been given to key enzymes in starch biosynthesis pathways, and their genetic manipulation to improve their functionality in food and industrial applications.

Addressing the critical need for novel antimicrobial and therapeutic agents, and recognizing the established biological significance of hydroxamic acids, this study focuses on the strategic synthesis of a bioactive molecule and its corresponding metal-complex to precisely modulate their properties for targeted biological activity. In the light of this, mononuclear homoleptic Zn(II) complex [Zn(1-NaphAcH)2] (where 1-NaphAcHK = potassium 1-naphthaleneacetohydroxamate; potassium N-hydroxy-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)acetamide; C11H9CONHOK) (KHL) was synthesized. Physicochemical characterization (elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurements) and spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV-visible, 1H and 13C NMR), Powder X-ray diffraction and Mass spectrometry were studied to characterize the complex exhibiting a distorted tetrahedral geometry with O,O-coordination via carbonyl and hydroxamic oxygen atoms. Computational analysis confirmed its superior stability compared to the free ligand, with further analysis performed via quantum chemical calculations. The complex demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria and fungi compared to standard drugs. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on L20B and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. To further corroborate the in vitro studies, molecular docking studies on bacterial protein Salmonella typhi LuxS (PDB ID: 5V2W) revealed favorable binding energy and a high docking score for the ligand, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. A novel Zn(II) hydroxamate complex with distorted tetrahedral geometry was synthesized and characterized. DFT confirmed superior stability and reduced polarity, rationalizing the enhanced antimicrobial and cytotoxic profiles via improved lipophilicity (Overtone’s concept). Molecular docking revealed strong binding to S. typhi LuxS, indicating therapeutic potential.

Cancer continues to be one of the top killers worldwide. Traditional treatment strategies like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have non-specific treatment options with considerable side effects. Gene-based therapies using nucleic acids like siRNA, miRNA, and DNAzymes provide an alternative approach; however, issues with stability, delivery, and off-target effects continue to plague their clinical use. Niosomes, or non-ionic surfactant vesicles, provide a flexible and inexpensive alternative to circumvent many of these issues. This review will present the niosomal systems for nucleic acid delivery in cancer therapy. Niosomes have key advantages compared to traditional delivery vehicles due to their chemical stability and biocompatibility, and ease of surface modifications. Their ability to carry a range of nucleic acids and allow for endosomal escape makes niosomes ideal candidates for targeted, multimodal therapies. Critical therapeutic applications include co-delivery of nucleic acids with chemotherapeutic drugs to improve synergistic activity, reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to increase immune response, and bypassing mechanisms of tumor resistance. In addition, the incorporation of external triggers, such as magnetic and ultrasound responsive elements, provides precise spatiotemporal control over nucleic acid release. The review outlines exciting research improvements of niosomal formulations based on surface charge, ligand targeting, and new genetic payloads, underscoring the state-of-the-art potential of niosomes for personalized cancer treatments. niosomes showed low immunogenicity and good pharmacokinetics in preclinical research, suggesting they are highly translational and leading-edge for next-generation cancer treatments.

The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly processes in the paper industry has driven the exploration of efficient enzymatic systems. In this study, cellulase production from thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis (NCBI Accession No.: KR340466) was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), resulting in an 8.4-fold enhancement in enzyme activity (0.15 to 1.26 U/ml) under optimal conditions (50 °C, 36 h, pH 6.0, and 2

Chitinase produced by Cellulosimicrobium cellulans RS7 was purified up to 17.28-fold with a yield of 7.02 % and specific activity of 426.9 U/mg. In both Native and SDS-PAGE, the purified chitinase had a single band (47 kDa). It showed maximum activity at 35 degrees C with sodium phosphate buffer (0.5 M, pH 7.5) in the presence of substrate colloidal chitin (2.0 %) and Mg2+ ions. The kinetic studies showed that chitinase had Km and Vmax value of 1.14 mg/mL and 476.19 mu mol mg-1 min-1, respectively. Furthermore, 3-D structure of the purified chitinase determined by MALDI-TOF MS technique revealed three active site residues: glutamic acid 292, 296 and aspartic acid 297. The purified chitinase showed cytotoxicity towards RD and L20B cell lines by effectively inhibiting cell growth. Moreover, chitinase produced by C. cellulans RS7 showed low hemolytic activity towards red blood cells. Chitinase also showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. flexneri and Candida albicans with zone of inhibition 30, 30 and 29 mm respectively.

The rapid growth of the human population, coupled with accelerated industrialization, has led to a substantial increase in the release of toxic pollutants into the environment. Catechol is a toxic and carcinogenic phenolic compound extensively utilized in industrial processes and is recognized as a hazardous pollutant due to its persistence and adverse environmental effects. Laccase plays a crucial role in the biodegradation of catechol by catalyzing its oxidation into less toxic products, thereby contributing to the detoxification of phenolic pollutants. In the present study, the laccase gene from Beauveria pseudobassiana PHF4 was successfully amplified using PCR, inserted into the pCR 2.1 cloning vector and initially transformed into E. coli DH5α for plasmid propagation. Subsequently, the recombinant construct was introduced into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells for heterologous expression of the gene. Induction of E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells with 0.5 mM IPTG and 0.4 mM CuSO₄ at 25 °C for 7 h led to the successful expression of recombinant laccase, achieving an enzymatic activity of 27.15 ± 0.32 U/ml. The purified recombinant laccase exhibited an approximate molecular weight of 65 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. The purified enzyme was further utilized for catechol degradation. To evaluate the catalytic efficiency of laccase, the enzymatic degradation of catechol was systematically monitored using HPLC. The purified laccase exhibited high catalytic activity, degrading 81.7

Obesity and insulin resistance represent major global health challenges driven by complex interactions between diet, host metabolism, and environmental factors. Beyond traditional calorie- and macronutrient-centered models, growing evidence highlights the gut microbiota as a critical metabolic interface linking dietary substrates to host metabolic regulation. In particular, metabolites produced by gut microorganisms including short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, indole derivatives, branched-chain amino acid related metabolites, and trimethylamine N-oxide function as active nutritional signals that influence glucose homeostasis, energy balance, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity through defined receptor-mediated and intracellular signaling pathways. Dietary composition strongly determines microbial metabolite production by shaping substrate availability and fermentation flux, thereby modulating host metabolic responses. This review summarizes the evidence across mechanistic, translational, and human dietary intervention studies to outline how microbial metabolites mediate the effects of dietary fibers, fat quality, protein sources, and bioactive food components on obesity and insulin resistance. Key signaling pathways, including SCFA-GPCR signaling, bile acid-FXR/TGR5 signaling, and indole-aryl hydrocarbon receptor interactions, are discussed in relation to metabolic tissues such as the gut, liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. The review further highlights inter-individual variability in metabolite responses, emerging metabolite signatures associated with insulin resistance, and the therapeutic potential of nutrition-based strategies that target microbial metabolic outputs rather than microbial composition alone. Collectively, focusing on microbiota-derived metabolites enables a direct understanding of how diet influences host metabolic pathways, supporting the development of targeted nutrition-based strategies for insulin resistance and obesity.

Background: This study investigates the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of extracts from Solanum xanthocarpum and Achyranthes aspera. Achyranthes aspera exhibited 65.864 % inhibition with an IC50 value of 31.056 µg/mL, and Solanum xanthocarpum showed 55.385% inhibition with an IC50 value of 51.920 µg/mL. Methodology: The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH radical-scavenging and reducing power assays. The antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans was determined using the well diffusion method. Result and Discussion: The TPC of Solanum xanthocarpum and Achyranthes aspera extracts were 77.80 mg GAE/g and 98.40 mg GAE/g, respectively, while the TFC were 82.66 mg RE/g and 136.66 mg RE/g. In the DPPH assay, Achyranthes aspera exhibited 65.864 % inhibition with an IC50 value of 31.056 µg/ml, and Solanum xanthocarpum showed 55.385% inhibition with an IC50 value of 51.920 µg/mL. The reducing power assay indicated significant antioxidant potential, especially for Achyranthes aspera. The antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans MTCC 389 revealed that Achyranthes aspera exhibited a maximum inhibition zone of 23±1.732 mm. At the same time, Solanum xanthocarpum showed a maximum inhibition zone of 20±1 mm at a concentration of 2 mg/mL. Conclusion: The extracts of Solanum xanthocarpum and Achyranthes aspera demonstrate significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, highlighting their potential as natural sources of antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Further research is needed to isolate bioactive components, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and assess their potential cytotoxic effects on human cells.

The increase in fatal diseases associated with microbial activity is posing a great threat worldwide. Numerous techniques are being developed to inhibit the activity or kill the microbes using bioactive materials based on naturally available resources. The current study presents a novel green approach for the synthesis of polymeric membranes based on whole maize grain and p-coumaric acid [poly(p-CA)-cl-Mg-membrane], using a solvent casting method and radical-copolymerization. The prepared membrane was characterized using various techniques including mechanical, antimicrobial, and biomedical properties, showcasing remarkable versatility. The membrane exhibited mechanical flexibility (stiffness: 0.117 N/mm, elongation-at-break: 20

Keratinolytic bacterium was isolated from soil samples collected from poultry farms and bird sanctuaries. Out of 17 isolates positive for keratinase activity, the most potent isolate, Gz4, obtained from poultry farm soil of Ghaziabad, exhibited the highest keratinase activity (3.64 ± 0.13 U/ml) and was identified as Bacillus vallismortis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To enhance keratinase production, various parameters were optimized using both OVAT and RSM approach. Optimal conditions included 48 hours of incubation, 3% (v/v) inoculum size, M2 medium with 0.2% (w/v) glucose, 0.4% (w/v) tryptone, 0.3% (w/v) yeast extract, 3 mM Na+ concentration, temperature 40°C, pH 9.0 at 150 rpm. Plackett-Burman Design was initially used to assess the influence of ten independent variables on enzyme production. Subsequently, Central Composite Design of RSM was employed to fine-tune four significant factors including incubation time, yeast extract concentration, pH and inoculum size resulting in a substantial increase in keratinase production. The highest enzyme activity (24.97 U/ml) was recorded at the 29th run of CCD. Overall, the optimization process led to 1.3-fold increase in keratinase production. In addition to high enzyme productivity, B. vallismortis Gz4 demonstrated antifungal activity against Fusarium sp. and Mucor sp. highlighting its potential in agricultural applications. This study establishes B. vallismortis Gz4 as a promising candidate for biocontrol of fungal pathogens.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of a polyherbal extract (PHE) containing Averrhoa carambola, Lepidium sativum, and trigonelline against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Although individual components possess known antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, comprehensive pharmacological evaluation of their combined use remains limited. This study aimed to investigate possible synergistic effects on liver function, oxidative stress, and hepatic tissue morphology. Methodology: Seven groups of Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) were administered PHE orally at doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight for 21 consecutive days. On day 22, hepatotoxicity was induced using CCl4. Hepatoprotective activity was assessed by measuring serum liver biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin. Oxidative stress parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), were also evaluated. Histopathological examination of liver tissues was performed. Result and Discussion: PHE significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels by 55–65% compared to the toxic control group. Lipid peroxidation decreased by approximately 60%, while antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT increased by over 70%, demonstrating marked attenuation of oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis revealed substantial preservation of hepatic architecture, comparable to that observed with the standard drug silymarin. Conclusion: The strong antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of PHE suggest its potential as a holistic alternative to conventional therapies for liver damage. Its ability to restore liver function and structure highlights its effectiveness against chemically induced hepatocyte injury.

This study compares the antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of methanolic extracts from Lepidium sativum (seeds) and Averrhoa carambola (fruits), chosen due to their traditional medicinal uses and differing plant parts, to explore their potential health benefits. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and various in vitro antioxidant assays—including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power, superoxide dismutase (SOD) scavenger, and ferric thiocyanate tests—were evaluated. The results revealed that Lepidium sativum exhibited significantly higher TPC (270.34 mg/gm) and flavonoid content (85.05 mg/gm) compared to Averrhoa carambola (TPC: 49.04 mg/gm, flavonoids: 21.10 mg/gm). Additionally, Lepidium sativum consistently showed superior antioxidant efficacy across all assays, with higher inhibition percentages and lower inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values for DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide dismutase scavenging. The pronounced antioxidant activity of Lepidium sativum, likely due to its enriched phenolic and flavonoid content, highlights its potential as a natural remedy for managing oxidative stress-related diseases and warrants further investigation into its therapeutic applications for oxidative damage management.

Potato is an important vegetatively propagated, starch-rich tuber crop. High amylose potatoes containing more resistant starch offer healthier food alternatives. However, the resistant starch content is low in most cultivated potato varieties. In this study, targeted mutation of the starch branching enzyme2 (SBE2.1 & SBE2.2 isoforms) had been done in the commercially significant potato cultivar, Kufri Chipsona-I using Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9 system) to develop high-amylose potato lines. SBE2 is one of the key enzymes involved in amylopectin biosynthesis, a starch component. Two isoforms, SBE2.1 & SBE2.2, were mutated using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing. After Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, fifty transformed lines were generated on herbicide Basta selection medium, out of which 70% were found positive for bar and Cas9 genes. Overall, six mutant lines, viz. K301, K302, K303, K304, K305, K306, derived from distinct events, exhibited deletions and substitutions in the target exons. The CRISPR-Cas9 edited K304 potato line exhibited both insertion–deletion (indel) and substitution mutations in three out of the four selected targets across both genes, and was therefore identified as the most efficiently edited line. The harvested tubers from SBE2.1 & SBE2.2 mutant K304 line showed the highest amylose (95.91%) and resistant starch content (8.69 g/100 g). Evaluation of starch using X-ray crystallography (XRD) illustrated an altered crystallinity index (CI%) in all six mutant events in comparison to the wild study. Furthermore, 1H-NMR study demonstrated a substantial decline in branch chain elongation in amylopectin, and thus a low degree of branching in a range of 1.15%–3.66% was reported in mutant lines, relative to the wild type (5.46%). The present study demonstrated the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of starch biosynthetic genes to develop high-amylose potato lines with elevated resistant starch content for improved health benefits.

An efficient reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method, based on the design of the experiment approach, was developed for the simultaneous determination of capsiate isomers. Critical method parameters, i.e., flow rate and mobile phase composition, demarcated during preliminary screening were optimized using central composite design. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Nucleodur C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with the mobile phase consisting of water-acetonitrile (40:60), both acidified with 0.1% v/v formic acid, passed at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. E- and Z-capsiates were eluted from the column at the retention times of 18.56 ± 0.09 and 17.30 ± 0.08 min, respectively, with a resolution factor of 1.693 ± 0.046. The method was found to be linear within the concentration range of 1.054-5.270 and 8.623-43.115 μg/mL for Z- and E-isomers, respectively, with an R2 of >0.99. Recovery of the individual values was in range of 96.15-101.92%, with a relative standard deviation of <2%. The developed method was used to quantify capsiate isomers extracted from sweet pepper fruits. Therefore, the proposed method is presented for optimum isomeric resolution of these closely related E- and Z-isomers with convenient sample preparation, acceptable run-time, cost effectiveness and use of conventional instruments. HIGHLIGHTS:

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a perennial food crop that helps to ensure global food and nutrition security. This study developed an in vitro callus and shoot induction protocol for the potato cultivar Kufri Sangam and assessed the frequency of callus and shoot regeneration. This study found that supplementing the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5 mgL−1 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 5 mgL−1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in 100