No abstract

No abstract

Banana production is severely hindered by plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) worldwide. Chemical nematicide, oxamyl is a systematic compound widely applied for the control of PPNs. Because of increase pests' problems, harmful effects on human and environment caused by chemical pesticides and also increased consumer requirements for safe crops have encouraged research on bio-pesticides production. So, the effect of different stress of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and blue green algae (cyanobacteria), Spirulina platensis were examined on banana plants infected with root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita. All tested treatments were effective methods to manage M. incognita in soil samples and banana roots. Notably, the usage of S. cerevisiae and S. platensis in combination treatment revealed the greater antagonistic action on M. incognita in potted banana. In addition it has an avail advantage over artificial nematicides by having several means to attack the RKN and mainly enhanced plant growth compared to any other treatments. Yet, the previous treatment had increased catalase (CAT) enzyme activity and reduced pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity in banana plant that leads to inhibit the count of the RKN. Generally, our results supply a novel knowledge to understand of PPNs management as a new approach for applying bio-fertilizer and bio-control of the parasitic nematodes.

Cyanobacteria are one of the richest sources of biomedical relevant compounds with extensive therapeutic pharmaceutical applications and are also known as producer of intracellular and extracellular metabolites with diverse biological activities. The genus Anabaena sp. is known to produce antimicrobial compounds, like phycocyanin and others. The goal of this study was to optimize the production of these bioactive compounds. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen and evaluate the important medium components that influence the production of bioactive compounds. In this present study, eight independent factors including NaNO 3 , K 2 HPO 4 , MgSO 4 Á7H 2 O, CaCl 2 , citric acid, ammonium ferric citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium magnesium salt (EDTA-Na 2 Mg) and Na 2 CO 3 were surveyed and the effective variables for algal components production of Anabaena oryzae were determined using two-levels Plackett-Burman design. Results analysis showed that the best medium components were NaNO 3 (2.25 g l À1 ); K 2 HPO 4 (0.02 g l À1 ); MgSO 4 (0.0375 g l À1 ); CaCl 2 (0.018 g l À1 ); citric acid (0.009 g l À1 ); ammonium ferric citrate (0.009 g l À1 ) and EDTA-Na 2 (0.0015 g l À1 ) respectively. The total chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, phenol, tannic acid and flavonoid contents in crude extract of Anabaena oryzae were determined. They were 47.7, 4.11, 0.256, 1.046 and 1.83 lg/ml, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was 62.81%.

No abstract

BACKGROUND: Barley, which is rich in ␤-glucans, is known to exhibit hypocholesterolemic effect. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect of yogurt containing barley ␤-glucan (BBG) and probiotic bacteria in rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet. METHODS: The methodology was based on adding of 0.75% BBG to skim milk (SM) powder. Four treatments of yogurt were formulated, wherein the first treatment was produced from SM without the addition of BBG and fermented by yogurts starter (YS). The second treatment was produced from SM with the addition of 0.75% BBG, and fermented by YS. The third treatment was produced from SM without the addition of 0.75% BBG, and fermented by Bifidobacterium lactis plus Lactobacillus acidophilus. The fourth treatment was produced from SM with addition of 0.75% BBG, and fermented by Bifidobacterium lactis plus Lactobacillus acidophilus. All formulations were evaluated for their effect on plasma lipids, liver lipids, lipid peroxidation, and the fecal excretion of bile acids in rats. RESULTS: The results indicated that yogurt containing probiotic bacteria and BBG was more effective in lowering of plasma and liver cholesterol levels than other treatments. The fecal excretions of bile acids and lipid peroxidation were markedly promoted in yogurt formulated with BBG and probiotic bacteria compared with the positive control group. The results showed an inverse relationship between the fecal excretions of bile acids and the levels of total cholesterol in the plasma from rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet.

The isolation and assessment of the active constituents in polar and non-polar crude extracts of Saussurea costus roots as antifungal agents, against Candida albicans and non-C. albicans (NAC) species, was the aim of this current investigation. The SEM “Scanning electron microscopy” imaging provided potential action modes of n-hexane extract (nhhE) toward Candida spp., whereas the TLC-DB “Thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography” was employed for detecting the anticandidal compounds. nhhE had the greatest biocidal activity against all strains and clinical isolates of Candida spp. with maximum zones of inhibition. SEM revealed the occurrence of irregular, dense inclusions of C. albicans cell walls after treatment with nhhE for 12 h. Complete morphological distortions with lysed membranes and deterioration signs appeared in most treated cells of C. parapsilosis. The most effectual compound with anticandidal activity was isolated using TLC-BD and identified as sesquiterpene by GC/MS analysis. The infra-red analysis revealed the presence of lactone ring stretching vibrations at 1766.72 cm−1. The anticandidal activity of nhhE of S. costus roots was confirmed from the results, and the treated cotton fabrics with nhhE of S. costus possessed observable activity against C. albicans. Data could recommend the practical usage of S. costus extracts, particularly nhhE, as influential natural bioactive sources for combating pathogenic Candida spp.

Almond (Prunus dulcis), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and clove (Syzgium aromaticum) crude oils, silicate, Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces griseus and a fungus Gliocladium virens culture filtrates in addition to Topas-100 EC (10% penconazole) were used to study of their effects on powdery mildew caused by the fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum. Camphor oil (5 ml/L), clove + camphor + almond (2 and 5 ml/L), G. virens filtrate and Topas-100 (240 ppm) completely inhibited the conidial germination after 24, 48 and 72 h. Topas-100 treatment was the most effective treatment in reducing powdery mildew disease severity of squash with an average of 10.34%, followed by clove oil (5 and 10 ml/L), camphor oil (5 and 10 ml/L) and the mixture of clove +