WO3/Zeolite/V2O5 (TZV) composite synthesized through co-precipitation was used for the degradation of Bisphenol-A (BpA). XRD and Raman spectra were employed to ascertain the crystallinity of the composite. The pristine nature of the compound without any free particles over the zeolite surface was established through FESEM, thus, substantiating the composite character of the material. The enhancement in activity after doping with WO3 was ascertained by DRS-UV. Photocatalytic degradation studies clearly established the superiority of TZV 10 over bare V2O5. Complete BpA degradation (100%) was attained at 50 min of incubation with 0.75 g/L TZV-10 in acidic medium (pH 3) for an initial BpA concentration of 100 mg/L. HPLC-MS/MS analysis was used to decipher the degradation pathway. The catalyst was stable even after 9 cycles. Phytotoxicity studies and lake water treatment results proved the environmental efficiency of the synthesized material.

Berries are rich in bioactive phytochemicals and phenolic compounds. In the present study, strawberry leaves obtained from Nangsan-myeon, Jeollabuk-do, Korea in 2019 were fermented using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B1-4 and studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Comparative testing of active ingredients in the raw and fermented extract showed an increase in total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content from 92.0 mg GAE/g and 40.4 mg QE/g, respectively, to 116.1 mg GAE/g and 49.5 mg QE/g, respectively, in fermented extracts. Similarly, catechin content in fermented extract was increased by 26.5% and epicatechin content was decreased by 9.3%. Total and reducing sugar contents in the fermented extract were decreased by 58.4% and 50.4%. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts before and after fermentation increased by about 10.7% from 35.6 to 46.3% at 250 µg/mL and ABTS by about 6.0% from 48.6 to 54.6% at 500 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity assay confirmed that fermented extract caused no harm to chromatid structure of RAW 264.7 cells up to 500 µg/mL concentration. Fermented extracts (400 µg/mL) reduced nitric oxide production (9.7%) and the levels of TNF-α (18.1%) and IL-6 (11.8%), making them ideal for integration into skin care products. The significant functional groups present in raw and fermented extracts were identified using FTIR. Thus, this study adds to the notion of using fermented extracts in functional foods due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

BACKGROUNDAntibiotics have been identified as significant pollutants owing to their adverse impact on the environment through the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In a previous study, an e-waste-based reduced graphene oxide-V2O5-platinum (RGOV-Pt(1%)) nanocomposite was prepared and subsequently used for the photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC), a tetracycline group of antibiotics. RESULTSThis study aimed to assess the impact of additives such as H2O2, NaCl, Na2CO3, ethanol and persulfate on the photocatalytic degradation of OTC using RGOV-Pt(1%) nanocomposite. The results showed that the degradation efficiency decreased in the presence of NaCl and Na2CO3 owing to the electron-hole scavenging property of their anions. Low concentrations of H2O2 (up to 10mmolL(-1)) increased the OTC degradation efficiency, whereas high concentrations decreased the OTC degradation owing to the quenching of hydroxyl radicals. However, the presence of persulfate increased the OTC degradation efficiency owing to the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, the OTC degradation pathway was elucidated using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). The study was extended to real pharmaceutical effluent and the degradation efficiency was found to be less for real effluent (87%) in comparison with OTC (99%) in aqueous solution. CONCLUSIONRGOV-Pt(1%) photocatalyst effectively degraded OTC. An OTC degradation pathway was proposed based on the intermediates formed. The impact of additives was established. Effective real pharmaceutical effluent detoxification was observed. Thus the synthesized RGOV-Pt(1%) nanocomposite is a hopeful alternative for the removal of antibiotics in contaminated waters and sites. (c) 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

BACKGROUND BTEX removal is attracting increased attention owing to the detrimental impacts caused to human health, the foremost being neurological impairments. Thus, this study intended to assess the efficiency of zinc-ferrite/V2O5 (ZFV) nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of BTEX isomers in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the developed catalyst was magnetically separable, which may reduce the ecological impacts of the catalyst. RESULTS The ZFV nanocomposite was prepared by a solvothermal process using V2O5 (extracted from treated E-waste) and zinc-ferrite (synthesized through a chemical co-precipitation method). The integration of elements in the ZFV nanocomposite was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, diffuse reflectance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies and scanning electron microscopy. Maximum BTEX degradation of 95% was achieved at 50 mg L-1 initial BTEX concentration, 0.50 g L-1 catalyst and pH 3. A minor decrease in the degradation efficiency (10%) of the catalyst was observed at the fifth cycle. The presence of H2O2 increased the degradation efficiency to 98% owing to the prevention of electron-hole recombination, while NaCl (60%), Na2CO3 (63%), NaNO3 (80%) and Na2SO4 (72%) decreased the degradation efficiency due to their hydroxyl scavenging properties. The degradation pathway was elucidated using gas chromatography with mass spectral studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study relating to BTEX degradation using the magnetic ZFV nanocomposite and the degradation mechanism throw light on the environmental applications of the ZFV composite. The composite could be an alternative for the remediation of BTEX-contaminated wastewaters.

Fermented extracts have evolved to be a potential alternative to synthetic chemicals, owing to their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. This study intends to assess the potential of fermented Zanthoxylum schinifolium extract for use in biomedical applications. Probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus A6-5, were deployed as a seed culture for fermentation. The fermented extract showed greater tyrosinase inhibitory activity and reduced melanin production (58.3%) compared with the raw extract. Cytotoxicity assay inferred that 500 mg/mL is the ideal non-toxic concentration with maximum cell viability. In addition, DAPI staining did not show any damage to the chromatin structure of the cells. The anti-aging property of the fermented extract was confirmed by a decrease in IL-6 content. The fermented extract showed lower MIC (40 mg/mL) and MBC (60 mg/mL), indicating greater anti-bacterial activity than the raw extract. The results confirmed that the fermented Z. schinifolium extract has high biomedical properties compared with the raw extract and can be used as an ideal skin whitening agent. (C) 2019, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.

Microbial water pollution has gained increased attention due to its detrimental effects on humans and to the planet. Photocatalytic disinfection is reported as an efficient method for the treatment of microbial polluted waters. The current study evaluates the photocatalytic disinfection properties of graphene oxide/V2O5/Pt (GOVPt(1 %)) nanocomposite (alongside its anti-cancer activity) using Salmonella typhimurium as a model system. GOV-Pt(1 %) nanocomposite prepared in the study was confirmed by various characterization studies. Scanning electron micrograph confirmed the successful drafting of V2O5 onto graphene oxide sheet and Pt metal without any agglomeration. The optimum conditions for maximum disinfection were catalyst dosage of 100 mg/L, pH 3 and initial inoculum dosage of 6 Log(10) CFU/mL. Total organic carbon analysis confirmed the deterioration of bacterial cell wall leading to disinfection. In real effluents, a major decrease (98 %) in the total coliform colony forming units (CFU) was observed after disinfection. Sodium-oxalate was found to hinder the disinfection process to the maximum extent followed by Cr(VI), ethylene-diamine tetra acetic acid, isopropanol and H2O2. The results of MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, cell staining assay, and apoptosis assay confirmed that the composite has anti-cancer activity but no cytotoxic activity.

Bacillus bacteria have major utility in large-scale production of industrial enzymes, among which proteases have particular importance. B. subtilis B22, an aerobic and chemotrophic strain, was isolated from kimchi and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Extracellular protease production was determined in basic medium, with 1% (w/v) casein as substrate, by submerged fermentation at 37 °C under blue, green, red and white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), white fluorescent light and darkness. Fermentation under blue LEDs maximized protease production (110.79 ± 1.8 U/mL at 24 h). Various agricultural waste products enhanced production and groundnut oil cake yielded the most protease (334 ± 1.8 U/mL at 72 h). Activity and stability of the purified protease were optimum at pH 7–10 and 20–60 °C. Activity increased in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+, while Fe2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ moderated activity, and Ni2+ and Hg2+ inhibited activity. Activity was high (98%) in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) but inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). The protease was unaffected by nonionic surfactants, tolerated an anionic surfactant and oxidizing agents, and was compatible with multiple organic solvents. These properties suggest utility of protease produced by B. subtilis B22 under blue LEDs for industrial applications.

Chelate-assisted phytoextraction is proposed to be an effective approach for the removal of metals from contaminated soil. Organic chelators can improve this biological technique by increasing metal solubility. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of improving the phytoextraction of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) by the application of panchakavya, a traditional Indian organic formulation. Panchakavya was prepared by fermentation process in open environment using cow dunk, cow ghee, cow urine, cow milk, cow curd, tender coconut water, crude jaggery, and mashed bananas. Soil metal fraction studies indicate that the panchakavya treatment decreased (73%) water-soluble fraction of Pb. Plant growth analysis indicated the application of panchakavya to increase Zea mays fresh root weight, shoot biomass and superoxide dismutase level in Zn contaminated soil. Similarly, a significant increase in the Zn accumulation (12% in shoots and 9% in roots) was observed in panchakavya treated plants. However, when compared to control plants, panchakavya treatment significantly decreased (32% in shoots and 37% in roots) Pb accumulation in Z. mays. Obtained results point out that panchakavya could potentially increase the phytoremediation of Zn in Z. mays.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors interferes with the synthesis, release, transport and metabolic activities of hormones, thus impairing human health significantly. Bisphenol A (BpA), an endocrine disruptor, commonly released into the environment by industrial activities and needs immediate attention. This study aims at investigating the process and prospects of deploying bio-electrochemical systems (BES) for the removal of BpA from artificially contaminated soil using Bacillus subtilis HV-3. The BES was setup with desired operating conditions: initial concentration of BpA (80-150 mg/L), pH (3-11) and applied potential voltage (0.6-1.4 V). Under optimized conditions (initial BpA concentration, 100 mg/L; pH 7; and applied voltage 1.0 V), close to 98% degradation of BpA was achieved. The intermediates produced during degradation were analysed using High performance liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry and the possible degradation pathway was elucidated. Phytotoxicity studies in the remediated soil with Phaseolus mungo confirmed the environmental applicability of the BES system. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The core purpose of this study was to extract natural dye from Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) powder (BCP) via soxhlet extraction or ultrasound water bath using acidified ethanol (A. EtOH) as the extraction solvent. After optimization of the dye extraction conditions, high color intensity was achieved at pH 4, temperature of 80 °C, 40 and 90 ml of A. EtOH, 2 g of BCP, time of 80 and 90 min, ultrasonic output power of 75 W or 6 extraction cycles for ultrasonic water bath and soxhlet extraction, respectively. The extracted red natural dye (BCP) was used alone or together with commercial silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs) to dye cotton, silk, and leather in an eco-friendly approach without using any external chemicals with augmented antibacterial activity. Rotary vacuum dyeing yielded excellent dyeing and the optimal conditions for high color strength (K/S) values were pH 4, 120 min at 80 °C for cotton and silk and 90 min at 60 °C for leather. Morphologies of dyed cotton, silk, and leather and the anchoring of C-AgNPs with elemental compositions were investigated by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The dry and wet rubbing fastness values for dye alone and dye with nanoparticles were grade 4–5 and 4, respectively.

The cover image is based on the Research Article V 2 O 5 /RGO/Pt nanocomposite on oxytetracycline degradation and pharmaceutical effluent detoxification by Mohan, H et al., DOI: 10.1002/jctb.6238 . image

A chemotrophic, aerobic bacterial strain, Bacillus subtilis B2, was used to produce amylase by submerged fermentation under different light sources. SDS-PAGE indicated that the 55 kDa enzyme belonged to the α-amylase group. B2 was incubated in basal media with 1% soluble starch (pH 7.0) under blue, green, red, and white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and white fluorescent light. Fermentation under blue LEDs maximized amylase production (180.59 ± 1.6 U/mL at 24 h). Production at 48 h increased to 310.56 ± 1.6 U/mL with 5% glucose as a simple carbon source and to 300.51 ± 1.7 U/mL with 5% groundnut oil cake as an agricultural waste substrate. Activity and stability of the amylase were greatest at pH 7.0 and 45-55 °C. Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Co2+, Ba2+, and K+ increased activity, while Ni2+, Hg2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, and Zn2+ inhibited activity. EDTA, PMSF and DTNB reduced activity by 50% or more, while tetrafluoroethylene and 1,10-phenanthroline reduced activity by 30%. The amylase was highly tolerant of the surfactants, compatible with organic solvents, oxidizing agents and the reducing agents reduced activity. These properties suggest utility of amylase produced by B. subtilis B2 under blue LED-mediated fermentation for industrial applications.

Soil contamination with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) has raised increasing concern because of its high solubility in water and toxicity to biotic communities. This study aims at investigating the process and prospects of deploying bioelectrochemical system (BES) for the removal of BTEX from artificially contaminated soil using Pseudomonas putida YNS1, alongside the reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The BES was setup with desired operating conditions: initial concentration of BTEX (50–400 mg/L in 100 mL of sterilized water), pH (4–10) and applied potential voltage (0.6–1.2 V) with 10 μL log-phase culture along with the addition of Cr(VI) (10 mg/L). Samples were collected at regular intervals and analysed for BTEX degradation using gas chromatography and Cr(VI) reduction using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. Under optimized conditions (initial BTEX concentration, 200 mg/L; pH 7; and applied voltage 0.8 V with Cr(VI) of 10 mg/L), 92% of BTEX was degraded and 90% Cr(VI) was reduced from the contaminated soil. The intermediates produced during degradation were analysed through gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and the possible degradation pathway was elucidated. The results indicated that BES could be effective for simultaneous degradation of BTEX along with Cr(VI) reduction.

Pseudomonas and Bacillus species are attractive due to their potential bio-control application against plant bacterial pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain D4 and Bacillus stratosphericus strain FW3 were isolated from mine tailings in South Korea. In these potent bacterial strains, we observed improved antagonistic activity against Pseudomonas syringae DC3000. These strains produced biocatalysts for plant growth promotion, and in vivo examination of Solanum lycopersicum included analysis of disease severity, ion leakage, chlorophyll content, and H2O2 detection. In addition, regulation of the defense genes pathogen-related protein 1a (PR1a) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was compared with treated plants and untreated control plants. The results suggest that these two bacterial strains provide protection against plant pathogens via direct and indirect modes of action and could be used as a bio-control agent.

Light and bacteria can be used in combination to enhance secondary metabolite production during fermentation. Red yeast rice powder (RYRP) was inoculated with Bacillus subtilis (B2) isolated from freshwater seafood and incubated under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colors (blue, green, red, white), fluorescent white light, and in darkness. Blue LED-mediated fermentation with B2 significantly enhanced production of phenolic compounds (68.4 ± 1 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoids (51.7 ± 1 mg QE/g DW) compared to white light and darkness. Total antioxidant activity of RYRP extract after fermentation with B2 was > 77%; hydroxyl radical and superoxide scavenging were > 66%. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) radical scavenging activities were 51% and > 67%, respectively. Reducing power was approximately twice that of extract from RYRP without B2. FTIR analysis showed a high content of hydroxyl, nitrile and carboxylic groups in the extract. Derivatives of cinnamic, benzoic and phophinodithioic acid, and quinazolinone were identified by GC–MS. Findings show that fermenting RYRP with B. subtilis B2 under blue LEDs enhances production of secondary metabolites, which should have applications in industrial fermentation processes.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most common medicinal herbs in Korea and the production of ginseng is affected by root rot diseases caused by fungal phytopathogens, which remain a threat for profitable agricultural productivity. In this study, seven fungal genera (Ilyonectria sp., Neurospora sp., Cladosporium sp., Eutypella sp., Aschersonia sp., and Fusarium sp.) were isolated from infected ginseng root rot samples and examined for pathogenicity. Fungal pathogens were isolated by placing a small piece of infected ginseng root on potato dextrose agar, screened based on colony morphology, and identified based on 18s rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Pathogenicity of the isolated fungal strains was evaluated based on pathogen penetration on the host surface that was documented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To isolate antagonistic strains, a total of 300 bacterial strains that were isolated from South Korean mine soil were screened using a dual culture assay. On screening, we found two potent antagonistic strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (D4) and Bacillus stratosphericus (FW3), that were identified based on molecular characterizations and shown to control isolated root rot fungal pathogens. Both strains were optimized for mycelial growth inhibition tests with different growth media and it was determined that nutrient broth is highly suitable for the antagonistic activity assay. In addition, both antagonistic strains were found to produce various bioactive metabolites. From our findings, the isolated P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus strains are excellent candidates to control ginseng root rot caused by pathogenic fungi.

The purpose of this study was to examine if fermentation of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) powder (PSP) by Lactobacillus brevis under green, red, blue, white light-emitting diode (LED) illumination or sunlight might yield functionalized products with good antibacterial, antioxidant activity, and/or cytotoxic activity. The Purple sweet potato (PSP) powder fermented with probiotic bacteria L. brevis under white LED light (1.9 ± 1.80/1.6 ± 0.52), blue LED light (1.4 ± 1.32/1.8 ± 0.83), or sunlight (1.2 ± 1.26/1.5 ± 1.83) for Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis displayed good to moderate antibacterial activity based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) red, blue, white LED lights and sunlight (80 µg/mL) for P. acne and S. epidermidis, minimum bactericidal concentration red, blue LED lights and sunlight shows (46/48, 61/70, 50/48 µg/mL) for P. acne and S. epidermidis. Antioxidant activity for dark, white, blue and green LED lights for ABTS and white, blue and green Led for DPPH assay resulted in lower activity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to determine the functional groups in the non-fermented (control) and fermented products of PSP powders obtained using different light sources. Sunlight, white, and blue LED light-fermented extracts contained alcohol, acid, and phenol groups, as well as aliphatic amines. The results of this study clearly indicate that fermentation of purple sweet potato with probiotic bacteria under various LED light sources can yield compounds that can be used in cosmetic and value-added food products.

The eco-friendly production of activated carbon from Prunusx yedoensis tree leaf (PYTL) for the removal of Remazol brilliant violet-5R reactive (RBV) dye has been studied for the first time. This carbon has been obtained by the chemical carbonization using concentrated H2SO4 in a ratio of 2:1 (H2SO4 : PYTL, v/w) followed by drying at 150 degrees C for 24 hr. The RBV treated and untreated carbon is characterized using HR-FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, and BET analysis. The PYTL carbon is found to be 100 mg/L, maximum removal of 10 ppm, in the time frame 60 min and the desorption 20 mg/L.