Identification of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) MicroRNAs through Deep Sequencing and Their Impact on Plant Secondary Metabolism.

The pharmacological properties of plants lie in the content of secondary metabolites that are classified into different categories based on their biosynthesis, structures, and functions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial post-transcriptional regulatory roles in plants, including development and stress-response signaling; however, information about their involvement in secondary metabolism is still limited. Cumin is one of the most popular seeds from the plant Cuminum cyminum, with extensive applications in herbal medicine and cooking; nevertheless, no previous studies focus on the miRNA profile of cumin. In this study, the miRNA profile of C. cyminum and its association with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were determined using NGS technology. The sequencing data yielded 10,956,054 distinct reads with lengths ranging from 16 to 40 nt, of which 349 miRNAs were found to be conserved and 39 to be novel miRNAs. Moreover, this work identified 1959 potential target genes for C. cyminum miRNAs. It is interesting to note that several conserved and novel miRNAs have been found to specifically target important terpenoid backbone, flavonoid biosynthesis, and lipid/fatty acid pathways enzymes. We believe this investigation will aid in elucidating the implications of miRNAs in plant secondary metabolism.

Analytical and regulatory considerations to mitigate highly hazardous toxins from environmental matrices.

The ubiquitous occurrence, toxicological influence, and bioaccumulation of toxic entities, e.g., pesticides and toxic elements in the environment, biota, and humans, directly or indirectly, are posing severe social, ecological, and human health concerns. Much attention has been given to the rising bioaccumulation of toxins and their adverse impact on various environmental matrices. For example, the inappropriate and exacerbated use of xenobiotics and related hazardous substances have caused the deterioration of the agricultural environment, e.g., fertile soils where plants are grown. Moreover, the harmful toxins have negatively impacted human health through the trophic chains. However, the analytical and regulatory considerations to effectively monitor and mitigate any or many pesticides and toxic elements from environmental matrices are still lacking in the existing literature. For decades, the scientific community has overseen the consequences caused by pollutants, however, the improvement of analytical detection methods and regulatory considerations are not yet fully covered. This review covers the notable literature gap by stressing the development and deployment of robust analytical and regulatory considerations for an efficient abatement of hazardous substances. Following detailed information on occurrence, toxicological influence, and bioaccumulation of pesticides and toxic elements, the most relevant analytical detection tools and regulatory measures are given herein, with suitable examples, to mitigate or reduce the damage caused by these pollutants.

Biological Synthesis of PbS, As3S4, HgS, CdS Nanoparticles using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their Structural, Morphological, Photoluminescence as well as Whole Cell Protein Profiling Studies.

Metal sulfide nanoparticles are semi-conductors that possess many applications in optics, optoelectronics and magnetic devices. There are physical and chemical methods for their synthesis but such methods involve toxic precursors as well as many obnoxious by-products. Hence, biological synthesis of metal sulfide nanoparticles are efficient enough to transform toxic metals to non-toxic ones. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from textile effluent and tolerant of high levels of heavy metals, was used for the green synthesis of metal sulfide (HgS, As3S4, CdS and PbS) nanoparticles. The optical, structural and morphological nature of metal sulfide nanoparticles was also determined. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-red) analysis showed spectral changes when P. aeruginosa was grown in medium containing heavy metals viz. Hg, As, Pb and Cd indicating that there are functional groups viz. carboxyl, hydroxyl, phosphate, amino and amide, that exists on the surface of the bacteria, thus facilitating binding of metals on its surface. The bacterial samples which were treated with different metals at different concentrations, were subjected to whole cell protein analysis using SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecyl Sulphate- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and protein profiling. The total protein estimation revealed that there was an increase in the protein concentration in the presence of heavy metals and a significant change in the banding pattern was observed which showed induction of a set of proteins under heavy metal stress especially mercury.