Novel eco-friendly [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinoline chalcone derivatives efficiency against fungal deterioration of ancient Egyptian mummy cartonnage, Egypt.

Fungal deterioration is one of the major factors that significantly contribute to mummy cartonnage damage. Isolation and molecular identification of thirteen fungal species contributing to the deterioration of ancient Egyptian mummy cartonnage located in El-Lahun regions, Fayoum government, Egypt was performed. The most dominant deteriorated fungal species are Aspergillus flavus (25.70%), Aspergillus terreus (16.76%), followed by A. niger (13.97%). A newly synthesized series of tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinoline chalcone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antifungal activities in vitro against the isolated deteriorated fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. terreus, Athelia bombacina, Aureobasidium iranianum, Byssochlamys spectabilis, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. ramotenellum, Penicillium crustosum, P. polonicum, Talaromyces atroroseus, T. minioluteus and T. purpureogenus). The most efficient chalcone derivatives are new chalcone derivative numbers 9 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 1 to 3 mg/mL followed by chalcone derivatives number 5 with MIC ranging from 1 to 4 mg/mL.

New frontiers review of some recent conservation techniques of organic and inorganic archaeological artefacts against microbial deterioration.

The information on the advances and technology of some recent conservation methods (2020-2023) of organic and inorganic archaeological objects against microbial deterioration is recorded. An outline of comparative new protective methods for conserving plant-origin organic artefacts {Fibers (manuscripts, textile) and wood}, animal-origin organic artefacts (painting, parchment and mummies) and inorganic stone artefacts were investigated. The work not only contributes to the development of safe revolutionary ways for more efficient safe conservation of items of historical and cultural worth but also serves as a significant diagnostic signature for detecting the sorts of microbial identification and incidents in antiques. Biological technologies (environmentally friendly green biocides) are the most used recent, efficient and safe strategy acceptable as alternatives to stop microbial deterioration and prevent any potential interactions between the biological agent and the artefacts. Also, a synergistic effect of combining natural biocides with mechanical cleaning or chemical treatments was suggested. The recommended exploration techniques should be considered for future applications.

Evaluation of ozone for preventing fungal influenced corrosion of reinforced concrete bridges over the River Nile, Egypt.

Fungal influenced corrosion (FIC) of some corroded sites in three selected bridges [Embaba bridge (E-bridge), Kasr al-Nile-bridge (K-bridge) and University bridge (U-bridge)] located over the River Nile in Egypt were investigated. Six fungal species, belong to 12 fungal genera, were isolated from the corroded reinforced concrete of the three tested bridges. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was screened for the most dominant fungal species (Fusarium oxysporium) which showed in all tested bridges that indicated the presence of amine group accompanied with polysaccharides contents. FIC of the most deteriorated bridge (K-bridge) was documented with FTIR. The association of fungal spores with corrosion products was recorded with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Evaluation of ozone for preventing FIC of the K-bridge was carried out by recording the corrosion rate and the corresponding inhibition efficiency (IE%). No mycelial growth with 100% IE was observed at 3 ppm ozone concentration after 120 min exposure time. With longer duration of ozone exposure, the membrane permeability of F. oxysporium was compromised as indicated by protein and nucleic acid leakages accompanied with lipid and tryptophan oxidation. The total intracellular and extracellular proteins of F. oxysporium were run on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated the increasing of the supernatant protein on the expense of the cellular protein bands with extending ozone exposure time (0-80 min).

Anticandidal cytotoxicity, antitumor activities, and purified cell wall modulation by novel Schiff base ligand and its metal (II) complexes against some pathogenic yeasts.

The preparation of metal (II) complexes [CoCl(2).6H(2)O, Ni(CH(3)COO)(2).4H(2)O, Cu(CH(3)COO)(2).2H(2)O, and Zn (CH3COO)(2) .2H(2)O] with 2[N-(cinnamlidene) amino]-5-nitro phenol as a novel ligands and their biological evaluation against candida species was studied. The inhibitory effects of the tested metal complexes were tested against six pathogenic yeasts (Candida albicans, C. fructus, C. glabrata, C. oleophila, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis). The effect of the most efficient metal complex (Zn(II) complex) was more pronounced at 1.25 microg/ml, while Ni(II) complex was exhibited the least suppressive effect. Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes act as potential antitumor agents, while Zn(II) complex has shown promising cytotoxic activity with slow candidal respiration rate. Addition of Zn(II) complex leading to suppression of cell wall components in all candidal cells accompanied with leaking out of amino acids. Purification of the cell wall mannoprotein of C. glabrata treated with Zn(II) complex was established, resulting one pure fissured protein peak. Cell wall protein modulation was showed by appearance of two new protein bands with molecular weights of 72 and 39 KDa in C. glabrata cells treated with Zn(II) complex compared with one pure protein band 55.6 KDa in the non treated yeast cell.

Stimulation of alkalothermophilic Aspergillus terreus xylanase by low-intensity laser radiation.

In this study, Aspergillus terreus was irradiated by a 7.3 mW He-Ne laser in the presence of crystal violet, toluidine blue O and hematoporphyrin as photosensitizers. Xylanases recovered from non-irradiated and irradiated fungi were purified and characterized. The maximum production of xylanase (42.2 U/ml) was obtained after 5 min of laser irradiation in the absence of the photosensitizer. The irradiation of the sensitized fungus diminished the production of xylanase. On purification using G-100, the specific activity of xylanase recovered from the irradiated fungus was 292 U/mg protein representing a 37-fold purification over the crude extract compared with 95.6 U/mg protein representing the 12.8-fold for the enzyme recovered from the non-irradiated fungus. The enzyme recovered from the irradiated fungus had lower molecular weight as compared with that recovered from the non-irradiated one. Characterization of the purified enzymes revealed that the enzyme recovered from the irradiated fungus was more thermostable and had a wider range of optimum reaction temperature (60-70 degrees C) and pH (4.0-12.0), compared to the non-irradiated one.