Improvement of Bacillus subtilis PI agarase production, hydrolysate scavenging capability assessment, and saccharification of algal biomass for green ethanol generation.

The goal of the current work was to optimize the growth parameters needed to manufacture agarase enzyme from a non-marine PI strain of Bacillus subtilis on an agar-based medium. Using Plackett-Burman design (PBD), nine process parameters were evaluated, and agar, peptone, and yeast-extract were identified as the most significant independent factors influencing agarase production with confidence levels more than 90%. To evaluate the optimal concentrations of the indicated process parameters on agarase production, the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied. After optimization, B. subtilis strain PI produced 119.8 U/ml of agarase, representing a 1.36-fold increase. In addition the agar hydrolysate fermented products contain the liberated oligosaccharide acts as strong antioxidant which has 62.4% scavenging activity. Also, the agarase yields increased (1141.12, 1350.253, 1684.854 and 1921.863 U/ml) after substitution the agar with algal biomass of Carolina officinalis at different concentrations (2, 5, 10 and 15%), respectively. After completing the saccharification process, the resulted hydrolysate was used to produce ethanol through fermentation with Pichia pastoris yeast strain as an economical method giving yields (6.68317, 7.09748, 7.75648 and 8.22332 mg/ml), that are higher than using yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) medium (4.461 mg/ml).

Ultraviolet Protection From a Patented Amino Acid Complex Technology.

OBJECTIVE:   This study aimed to investigate the ultraviolet (UV) protection/repair benefits of a patented Amino Acid Complex (AAComplex). METHODS: I) AAComplex was incubated with dermal fibroblasts, with/without UVA, and collagen I was measured with a GlasBoxPlus device. II) A lotion, with/without AAComplex (1%) was applied topically to skin explants, following UVA irradiation, and quantified for health-related biomarkers (TNFalpha, histamine, and MMP-1). III) A broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 46 and a skincare serum containing AAComplex (2%) were assessed using epidermal equivalents, in the presence of UV irradiation, for effects on IL-1alpha, thymine dimers, Ki-67, filaggrin and Nrf2. RESULTS: I) Collagen I synthesis in dermal fibroblasts was significantly decreased after UVA compared to without UV. The presence of AAComplex prevented this decrease. II) UVA irradiation of skin explants increased histamine, TNFα, and MMP-1. Hydrocortisone aceponate cream significantly decreases all 3 biomarkers. AAComplex contained lotion also significantly decreased all 3 biomarkers, the no AAComplex control lotion only reduced histamine. III) With the regimen of sunscreen + AAComplex contained skincare serum, the significant reduction in IL-1alpha was observed along with a complete recovery of Ki-67 and stimulation of filaggrin and Nrf2T. No thymine dimer positive cell was observed indicating the most positive skin impact from the regiment.  Conclusion: This research using different human skin models demonstrated that AAComplex can provide protection and damage repair caused by UV, at the ingredient level also when formulated in a serum or lotion formula. Skin may be best protected from UV damage when the regimen is used.   J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):366-375. doi:10.36849/JDD.7916.

A comparative study of the biosynthesis of CuNPs by Niallia circulans G9 and Paenibacillus sp. S4c strains: characterization and application as antimicrobial agents.

BACKGROUND: Biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles using microorganisms are a fabulous and emerging eco-friendly science with well-defined sizes, shapes and controlled monodispersity. Copper nanoparticles, among other metal particles, have sparked increased attention due to their applications in electronics, optics, catalysis, and antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: This investigation explains the biosynthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles from soil strains, Niallia circulans G9 and Paenibacillus sp. S4c by an eco-friendly method. The maximum reduction of copper ions and maximum synthesis CuNPs was provided by these strains. Biogenic formation of CuNPs have been characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Using UV-visible spectrum scanning, the synthesised CuNPs' SPR spectra showed maximum absorption peaks at λ304&308 nm. TEM investigation of the produced CuNPs revealed the development of spherical/hexagonal nanoparticles with a size range of 13-100 nm by the G9 strain and spherical nanoparticles with a size range of 5-40 nm by the S4c strain. Functional groups and chemical composition of CuONPs were also confirmed. The antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized CuNPs were investigated against some human pathogens. CuNPs produced from the G9 strain had the highest activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10,231 and the lowest against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. CuNPs from the S4c strain demonstrated the highest activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 10,231 and the lowest activity against Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 13,883. CONCLUSION: The present work focused on increasing the CuNPs production by two isolates, Niallia circulans G9 and Paenibacillus sp. S4c, which were then characterized alongside. The used analytics and chemical composition techniques validated the existence of CuONPs in the G9 and S4c biosynthesized nano cupper. CuNPs of S4c are smaller and have a more varied shape than those of G9 strain, according to TEM images. In terms of antibacterial activity, the biosynthesized CuNPs from G9 and S4c were found to be more effective against Candida albicans ATCC 10,231 and E. coli ATCC 10,231, respectively.

Isolation and characterization of Candida tropicalis B: a promising yeast strain for biodegradation of petroleum oil in marine environments.

The increasing interest in environmental protection laws has compelled companies to regulate the disposal of waste organic materials. Despite efforts to explore alternative energy sources, the world remains heavily dependent on crude petroleum oil and its derivatives. The expansion of the petroleum industry has significant implications for human and environmental well-being. Bioremediation, employing living microorganisms, presents a promising approach to mitigate the harmful effects of organic hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. This study aimed to isolate and purify local yeast strains from oil-contaminated marine water samples capable of aerobically degrading crude petroleum oils and utilizing them as sole carbon and energy sources. One yeast strain (isolate B) identified as Candida tropicalis demonstrated high potential for biodegrading petroleum oil in seawater. Physiological characterization revealed the strain's ability to thrive across a wide pH range (4-11) with optimal growth at pH 4, as well as tolerate salt concentrations ranging from 1 to 12%. The presence of glucose and yeast extract in the growth medium significantly enhanced the strain's biomass formation and biodegradation capacity. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the yeast cell diameter varied based on the medium composition, further emphasizing the importance of organic nitrogenous sources for initial growth. Furthermore, the yeast strain exhibited remarkable capabilities in degrading various aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, with a notable preference for naphthalene and phenol at 500 and 1000 mg/l, naphthalene removal reached 97.4% and 98.6%, and phenol removal reached 79.48% and 52.79%, respectively. Optimization experiments using multi-factorial sequential designs highlighted the influential role of oil concentration on the bioremediation efficiency of Candida tropicalis strain B. Moreover, immobilized yeast cells on thin wood chips demonstrated enhanced crude oil degradation compared to thick wood chips, likely due to increased surface area for cell attachment. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential of Candida tropicalis for petroleum oil bioremediation in marine environments, paving the way for sustainable approaches to address oil pollution.

Practical approaches to improving translatability and reproducibility in preclinical pain research.

Pain research continues to face the challenge of poor translatability of pre-clinical studies. In this short primer, we are summarizing the possible causes, with an emphasis on practical and constructive solutions. In particular, we stress the importance of increased heterogeneity in animal studies; formal or informal pre-registration to combat publication bias; and increased statistical training in order to help pre-clinical scientists appreciate the usefulness of available experimental design and reporting guidelines.

A systematic review of the prevalence of postamputation and chronic neuropathic pain associated with combat injury in military personnel.

ABSTRACT: Combat trauma can lead to widespread tissue damage and limb loss. This may result in chronic neuropathic and post amputation pain, including phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP). The military population is distinct with respect to demographic, injury, and social characteristics compared with other amputation and trauma cohorts. We undertook a systematic review of studies of military personnel, with a history of combat injury, that reported a prevalence of any type of postamputation pain or chronic neuropathic pain, identified from Embase and MEDLINE databases.Using the inverse variance method with a random-effects model, we undertook a meta-analysis to determine an overall prevalence and performed exploratory analyses to identify the effect of the type of pain, conflict, and time since injury on prevalence. Pain definitions and types of pain measurement tools used in studies were recorded. Thirty-one studies (14,738 participants) were included. The pooled prevalence of PLP, RLP, and chronic neuropathic pain were 57% (95% CI: 46-68), 61% (95% CI: 50-71), and 26% (95% CI: 10-54), respectively. Between-study heterogeneity was high (I 2 : 94%-98%). Characterisation of duration, frequency, and impact of pain was limited. Factors reported by included studies as being associated with PLP included the presence of RLP and psychological comorbidity. The prevalence of postamputation pain and chronic neuropathic pain after combat trauma is high. We highlight inconsistency of case definitions and terminology for pain and the need for consensus in future research of traumatic injury.

Sustainable production of bacterioruberin carotenoid and its derivatives from Arthrobacter agilis NP20 on whey-based medium: optimization and product characterization.

Bacterioruberin and its rare glycosylated derivatives are produced by Arthrobacter agilis as an adaptation strategy to low temperature conditions. The high antioxidant properties of bacterioruberin held great promise for different future applications like the pharmaceutical and food industries. Microbial production of bacterioruberin via a cost-effective medium will help increase its commercial availability and industrial use. The presented study aims to optimize the production of the rare C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin and its derivatives from the psychotrophic bacteria Arthrobacter agilis NP20 strain on a whey-based medium as a cost effective and readily available nutritious substrate. The aim of the study is extended to assess the efficiency of whey treatment in terms of estimating total nitrogen content in treated and untreated whey samples. The significance of medium ingredients on process outcome was first tested individually; then the most promising factors were further optimized using Box Behnken design (BBD). The produced carotenoids were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, HPLC-DAD chromatography and HPLC-APCI-MS spectrometry. The maximum pigment yield (5.13 mg/L) was achieved after a 72-h incubation period on a core medium composed of 96% sweet whey supplemented with 0.46% MgSO4 & 0.5% yeast extract and inoculated with 6% (v/v) of a 24 h pre-culture (109 CFU/mL). The cost of the formulated medium was 1.58 $/L compared with 30.1 $/L of Bacto marine broth medium. The extracted carotenoids were identified as bacterioruberin, bis-anhydrobacteriouberin, mono anhydrobacterioruberin, and glycosylated bacterioruberin. The presented work illustrates the possibility of producing bacterioruberin carotenoid from Arthrobacter agilis through a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach using cheese whey-based medium.

Biodegradation of crude petroleum oil and environmental pollutants by Candida tropicalis strain

A local yeast isolate named A was isolated from polluted area of Abou-Qir gulf (Alexandria, Egypt), identified according to a partial sequence of 18sRNA as Candida tropicalis. The isolate showed a high potency in petroleum oil biodegradation as well some hydrocarbons. Morphological changes in cell diameter of this yeast were recognized upon growing the target cell in sea water medium supplemented with petroleum oil as sole carbon source in comparison to the growth in enriched medium. Statistically-based experimental design was applied to evaluate the significance of factors on petroleum oil biodegradation by this yeast isolate. Eleven culture conditions were examined by implementing Plackett-Burman factorial design where aeration, NH4Cl and K2HPO4 had the most positive significance on oil degradation.