The current study suggests that the fungal isolates P. decumbens PDX7, P. janthinellum SDX7, and A. terreus PKX4 degraded kerosene by 95%, 96%, and 75% and diesel by 79%, 75%, and 70% after 16 days based on the ability of utilizing these compounds as sole carbon sources. GC-MS chromatograms revealed that n-alkane fractions are easily degraded; however, the rate is lower for branched alkanes, n-alkyl aromatics, cyclic alkanes, and polynuclear aromatics displaying delayed and lower degradation. The ratio of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbons >0.8 indicates the efficiency of these fungi in removing the aromatic hydrocarbons of the petroleum products. All of the treated fungal strains exhibited higher MnP, laccase, and dehydrogenase activities on the twelfth and sixteenth days as compared to the initial fourth and eighth days. In addition, P. decumbens PDX7 and P. janthinellum SDX7 displayed higher enzymatic activities as compared to A. terreus PKX4. Fungal isolates were also tested for their growth on various xenobiotic compounds as sole carbon sources.

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The species of Aspergillus niger Tiegh isolated from estuarine sediments has been studied for tolerance to heavy metals such as Hg and Pb and for its capacities to uptake metals. A. niger was allowed to grow in monometal-as well as bimetal-containing media (25 mg L −1 ) to determine the biosorption capacity of the organism. The effects of temperature and pH on biosorption were studied to elucidate the biosorption property and optimum growth conditions for the organism. Results revealed that 91.1% of Pb and 97.1% of Hg were removed from the monometal solutions, and there was a reduction of 96.9% of Hg and 89.3% of Pb from the bimetal solution after 92 h of fungal growth. The binding mechanism involved between metal ion and functional groups present on the cell surface of the biomass was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), which confirms the presence of amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phosphate groups. The adsorption of metal ions on the biomass surface was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDAX) studies. The experimental study proved that A. Niger can be used as a suitable biosorption agent for removing metal ions when present in low concentration.

Cancer is a dreadful disease and, in most cases, leads to death even when it is being treated. Even though synthetic drugs are still in use for the treatment of cancer, the seriousness of the side effects of these drugs has boggled researcher’s mind to find more effective drugs which will help to overcome the side effects and have greater potency in trying to make the patient completely free of the disease. Recently, researchers turned their attention towards bio-components present in natural products. Curcumin, a polyphenol and the main constituent of a rhizome Curcuma longa, has geared significant interest due to its wide spectrum of therapeutics values, especially anticancer activity. Paper summarizes the chemistry and bio-metabolism of curcumin in the human body. Aim of this review article is to gather the dispersed efforts of researchers predominantly in improving the bioavailability of curcumin. In the present review, comprehensive literature on anticancer activity of Curcumin via combination therapy, structure modification, synthesis of analogues, novel delivery systems have been highlighted. Besides, the review paper explicated several challenges associated with Curcumin as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent and emphasizes more on clinical studies.

Amplified expression of mutations in proteins is an important hallmark of malignant cancer. In all RAS-mutant human cancers, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered the most RAS-fanatic cancer, with a frequency of 100% KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma virus) mutation. In the present work, curcumin, a dietary phytochemical, was used to design a series of novel curcumin analogues aiming to regulate KRAS protein. The molecular docking study revealed the ligand efficacy and binding affinity of designed curcumin analogues against target proteins. Drug-like behaviour and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) prediction of identified molecules were done, and most of the pharmacokinetic parameters were found to be quite satisfactory and within an acceptable range. Three of the most potent drug candidates have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, and LC-MS spectral analysis. Results of the in vitro anti-proliferative activities of curcumin analogues showed persuasive anticancer activity against the PANC-1 cell lines. The present study will be helpful in exploring the new series of cogent curcumin analogues as anticancer agents.