No abstract

Hydrolytic enzymes from a newly isolated strain of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus were used to extract rubber from Taraxacum kok-saghyz commonly known as rubber (or Russian or Kazak(h)) dandelion. The fungus was isolated from garden soil and identified as Thermomyces lanuginosus STm based on 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolate produced considerable amounts of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes on lignocellulosic substrates at 55°C incubated for 8 days in 150 mL shake flask experiments. The maximum enzyme activities on wheat straw and guayule bagasse were: xylanase (167.41; 130.1 U/mg), inulinase (69.8; 34.1 U/mg), cellulase (carboxymethyl cellulase) (16.7; 4.8 U/mg), filter paper assay (FPase) (14.2; 5.5 FPU g-1) and pectinase (7.2; 3.2 U/mg), respectively. In addition, alkalipretreated roots of Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TK), incubated with crude enzyme extracts from T. lanuginosus STm grown on guayule bagasse, subsequently yielded more natural rubber (90 mg/g dry TK root) than previously established protocols, Eskew process (24 mg/g) and commercialenzyme-combination process (45 mg/g). Rubber purity in the T. lanuginosus STm treatment was 71.7%, greater than the Eskew process at 37.5%. However, the crude T. lanuginosus STm enzyme treatment at 91.6% rubber purity approached the purity of the commercial-enzymecombination process 94.1% purity.

Background: Chronic wounds continue to be a global concern that demands substantial resources from the healthcare system. The process of cutaneous wound healing is complex, involving inflammation, blood clotting, angiogenesis, migration and remodeling. In the present study, commercially available alginate wound dressings were loaded with heparin. The purpose of the study was to enhance the angiogenic potential of alginate wound dressings and analyze the antibacterial activity, biocompatibility and other relevant properties. We also aimed to conduct some molecular and gene expression studies to elaborate on the mechanisms through which heparin induces angiogenesis. Methods: The physical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Swelling ability was measured by soaking hydrogels in the Phosphate buffer at 37 °C, and cell studies were conducted to evaluate the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of hydrogels in NIH3T3 (fibroblasts). Real-time PCR was conducted to check the molecular mechanisms of heparin/alginate-induced angiogenesis. The physical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: FTIR confirmed the formation of heparin-loaded alginate wound dressing and the compatibility of both heparin and alginate. Among all, 10 µg/mL concentration of heparin showed the best antibacterial activity against E. coli. The swelling was considerably increased up to 1500% within 1 h. Alamar Blue assay revealed no cytotoxic effect on NIH3T3. Heparin showed good anti-microbial properties and inhibited the growth of E. coli in zones with a diameter of 18 mm. The expression analysis suggested that heparin probably exerts its pro-angiogenetic effect through VEGF and cPGE. Conclusions: We report that heparin-loaded alginate dressings are not cytotoxic and offer increased angiogenic and anti-bacterial potential. The angiogenesis is apparently taken through the VEGF pathway.

Microbial adhesion and pathogenesis result in serious problems in world. In case of infectious diseases in human being, there is an epidemiological issue, on another hand, if microbes infect poultry and crops, there is a huge economical and nutritional loss. Antibiotics used to control this microbial pathogenesis but the excess use of antibiotics and other chemical compounds in intensive animal production have several side effects and results in increased antibiotic resistance day by day. Antimicrobial resistance becomes a great problem in the world. Scientists are seeking for the product which can be used as alternative to the antibiotic with less side effects. Bacteriocin is such a type of peptide which works when bacteria become resistant to some antibiotic. It is ribosomaly synthesize antimicrobial peptide by gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. Various types of bacteria produce different type of bacteriocins. They have different antimicrobial spectrum. Spectrum of antimicrobial activity varies from bacteria to bacteria. Due to their proteinaceous nature they are harmless to human gastrointestinal tract. Bacteriocins are used to treat many infectious diseases in animals and human beings. It has wide application in food industry to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Nisin was the first bacteriocin used in the food as the research advances novel bacteriocins introduced which are being used in food industry for the preservation of food. Moreover, it has wide application in pharmaceutical industry. Bacteriocins are gaining attention in the recent era due to their unique mode of antimicrobial action and wide application in various industries.