The present study deals with the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of four different extracts of two varieties (Azendjar and Taamriout) of dried figs (Ficus carica L.) by using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and agar diffusion methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-determination. Moreover, the extracts were investigated for their polyphenolic, flavonoidal and tannin content by using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, the aluminium trichloride method and precipitation with casein, respectively. The results showed that the highest antioxidant capacity was exhibited by the methanol extract of Azendjar variety with IC50 of 0.080 mg/mL. All extracts possessed more or less antimicrobial activity against the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Candida albicans was the most susceptible microorganism to all extracts. Pronounced antimicrobial activity was observed by the methanolic extract of Taamriout variety (MIC values 32-128 mg/mL). Moreover, the results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids were abundant in acetone and aqueous extracts.
Ficus carica L. have always been known by their power to cure various diseases. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity of twelve different extracts of three samples of dried figs. First, the extracts were tested for their polyphenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents by the Folin–Ciocalteu, the aluminium trichloride and vanillin methods and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for more characterisation. The antioxidant activity was performed by using thre different methods; the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The results showed that the methanolic extract of Sidi Bendjebbar sample presented a higher TPC value (458 mg GAE /g) while the acetonic and aqueous extracts of El-Keurt presented a higher values of TFC and CTC. In other hand, the methanol extract of El-Keurt sample exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 0.078 mg/ml. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria was screened by the inhibition zone using the disc and diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) by micro-well method allonwing to calculate the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The ethanolic extracts of the two samples El-Keurt and Sidi Bendjebbar were the most effective extracts being able to inhibit the growth of the majority of the strains tested. Our study supported the use of these fruit as supplements for nutrient deficiencies and for combating diseases associated with oxydative damage or some microbial infection for better drug alternatives.
Sonication is one of the new and innovative approaches that is being increasingly used in food industry to control fermentation processes and to eradicate spoiling. Recently, this approach has seen new industrial applications such as enhancing microbial productivity. The present study aimed to assess the effects of ultrasound conditioning on the metabolism and extracellular matrix production of Streptococcus thermophilus. Bacterial suspensions were treated in ultrasonic bath (35 kHz, 240/60 W peak/nominal power, 1.8 l capacity) for different time periods (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 65 min), and the growth improvement, adhesion ability, biofilm formation, and exopolysaccharide production of the bacterial strain were measured. The bacterial strain exhibited resistance to the treatment, and the conditioning improved the growth, adhesion, membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and exopolysaccharide production ability. An optimal treatment was obtained for 30 minutes of conditioning. An excellent yield of desirable exopolysaccharides (1788 mg glucose equivalent/l) was achieved. Ultrasound conditioning may be used as a potential approach to enhance certain biotechnological properties of industrial microorganisms.
A soil treatment process using froth flotation technique involving anionic biosurfactant (rhamnolipids) using Sodium sulfide was studied. The supernatant produced by the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa S7PS5 was tested for biosurfactants production, HPLC analysis showed the presence of L-rhamnosyl-β-hydroxydecanoyl-β-hydroxydecanoate (RL1) and L-rhamnosyl L-rhamnosyl-β-hydroxydecanoyl-β-hydroxydecanoate (RL2). The influence of the collector (rhamnolipid), pulp pH, a chemical activation step (sulfidization) and process time on metal removal efficiency has been investigated to recover Zn and Cd ions from a contaminated soil. An effective CMC of 35 mg/L was obtained. A perfect Zn and Cd removal efficiency was made at pH = 12 and 4 mg/g of Na 2 S during the first 5 min of soil washing process, then a longer flotation time ( > 5 min) caused mechanical entrainment of Zn and Cd.
Keywords
REMOVAL OF ZINC AND CADMIUM IONS FROM CONTAMINATED SOILS WITH RHAMNOLIPID BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCED BY PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA S7PS5M. E-A. Bendaha
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