Synthesis of silver nanoparticles by cell-free extract (CFE) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa M6 isolated from a mangrove ecosystem was demonstrated using two physical methods, namely, boiling (conventional thermal treatment (CTT)) and microwave treatment (MWT) at pH 9. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of smaller (10.4 nm), pure silver nanoparticles synthesized via CTT (C-NPs) and larger silver oxide nanoparticles in majority with negligible concentration of pure silver particles by MWT. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that C-NPs are spherical in shape. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis also confirmed the presence of large-sized, aggregated nanoparticles synthesized via MWT (M-NPs). Electrophoresis indicated the size and charge-based mobility in agarose gel (0.4%), wherein the C-NPs moved faster than M-NPs, because of their relatively smaller size. The zeta potential value of C-NPs and M-NPs was found to be −30.1 mV and −23.1 mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) results revealed that both C-NPs and M-NPs were capped with proteins, but with different conformations. Furthermore, TEM analysis of bacterial cells exposed to aqueous silver nitrate showed the presence of spherical silver nanoparticles accumulated in periplasmic space, indicating the possible involvement of periplasmic nitrate reductase in this process. In addition, both C-NPs and M-NPs have also shown good antibacterial and anticandidal activities. Thus, marine Pseudomonas aeruginosa M6 can be a potential source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
The opportunistic yeast pathogen Candida albicans and the emerging non-albicans Candida spp. cause life-threatening infections in immuno-compromised patients, leading to an increase in mortality rate. At present, the emergence of non-albicans Candida spp. causes serious infections that are difficult to treat the human populations worldwide. The available, synthetic antifungal drugs show high toxicity to host tissues causing adverse effects. Many metabolites of terrestrial and marine plants, microbes, algae, etc., contain a rich source of unexplored novel leads of different types, which are under use to treat various diseases. Such natural drugs are less expensive and have lower toxicity to host tissues. The patent search on identified and potential anticandidal-lead molecules, from various patent databases, has been described in this review. Furthermore, this article consolidates the trends in the development of anticandidal drug discovery worldwide. Most of the investigations on natural, bioactive molecules against candidiasis are in various phases of clinical trials, of which, two drugs Caspofungin acetate and Micafungin sodium were approved by the U.S. FDA. In conclusion, the exploration of drugs from natural resources serves as a better alternative source in anticandidal therapeutics, having great scope for drug discovery in the future.
Biosorption using resistant microorganisms is an effective process for treatment of industrial effluents and removal of heavy metals from contaminated sites. In this study copper resistant bacteria from fireworks industrial contaminated soil were isolated, enumerated and characterized. The tolerances of the organisms decreased with increase in the copper concentration. The isolated bacterial strain was identified as Bacillus sp. and was resistant to 300 mg/L of copper concentration. Biosorption studies were carried out in the Bacillus sp. The optimum temperature was determined to be 35°C and pH was 8.0. The maximum removal of 88% was obtained at optimum conditions when the initial copper ion concentration was 100 mg/ L. Hence the Bacillus sp. isolated proved to be an efficient biosorbent.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.