Exploring potential applications of a novel extracellular polymeric substance synthesizing bacterium (Bacillus licheniformis) isolated from gut contents of earthworm (Metaphire posthuma) in environmental remediation.

The aim was to isolate, characterize, and explore potentials of gut bacteria from the earthworm (Metaphire posthuma) and imply these bacteria for remediation of Cu(II) and Zn(II). An extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) producing gut bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis strain KX657843) was isolated and identified based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The strain showed maximum tolerance of 8 and 6 mM for Cu(II) and Zn(II) respectively. It removed 34.5% of Cu(II) and 54.4% of Zn(II) at 25 mg L-1 after 72 and 96 h incubation respectively. The bacteria possessed a great potential to produce indole acetic acid (38.49 µg mL-1) at 5 mg mL-1 L-tryptophan following 12 days incubation. The sterilized seeds of mung beans (Vigna radiata) displayed greater germination and growth under bacterium enriched condition. We observed that the bacterial strain phosphate solubilization ability with a maximum of 204.2 mg L-1 in absence of Cu(II) and Zn(II). Endowed with biosurfactant property the bacterium exhibited 24% emulsification index. The bacterium offered significant potential of plant growth promotion, Cu(II) and Zn(II) removal, and as such this study is the first report on EPS producing B. licheniformis KX657843 from earthworm which can be applied as powerful tool in remediation programs of Cu(II) and Zn(II) contaminated sites.

Advances in taxonomy of genus phoma: polyphyletic nature and role of phenotypic traits and molecular systematics.

Phoma is a highly polyphyletic genus with its unclear species boundaries. The conventional system of identification is functional but it has its limitations. Besides morphological studies, chemotaxonomy, secondary metabolite and protein profiling have been assessed for the classification and identification of these fungi. Molecular datasets have provided a better outlook towards the phylogenetic and evolutionary trends of Phoma. Molecular markers such as ITS-rDNA, tubulin, actin, translation elongation factor have been widely used by the taxonomists to demarcate species. However, outcomes gained up till now represent preliminary step towards the study of Phoma systematics and a combined approach would be beneficial in the understanding of this polyphyletic group members. Lately, on the base of molecular phylogeny of the type species of the seven Phoma sections a new teleomorph family, Didymellaceae has been established, besides the Phaeosphaeriaceae related to sect. Paraphoma anamorphs, and the Leptosphaeriaceae to sect. Heterospora anamorphs. The estimated ratio is about 70 % of the recognized Phoma-like species can be associated with the Didymellaceae ascomycetous family.

Development of shampoo, soap and ointment formulated by green synthesised silver nanoparticles functionalised with antimicrobial plants oils in veterinary dermatology: treatment and prevention strategies.

Many scientists have focused their research on the role of nanotechnology for the control of human pathogens, but there are also many topical pathogens present in animals, which infect animals and transfer to humans. Topical therapy is extremely important for the management of dermatological condition in animals. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in combination with herbal oils against animal skin infections which may be responsible for causing infections in human beings. Here, the authors synthesised and characterised the AgNPs from Azadirachta indica. The oils were extracted from medicinal plants including Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martini, Eucalyptus globules, A. indica and Ocimum sanctum and the antifungal and antibacterial activity of plant oils along with AgNPs were evaluated. An excision wound model was used for the study of wound healing activity in rabbits. AgNPs functionalised oil has demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity against pathogens present on the skin of animals. The nano-functionalised antimicrobial oils were used in the formulation of shampoo, soap and ointment for veterinary dermatology. Antimicrobial products of plant origin with AgNPs are valuable, safe and have a specific role in controlling diseases. The authors believe that this approach will be a good alternative therapy to solve the continuous antibiotic resistance developed by many bacterial pathogens and will be utilised in various animal contacting areas in medicine.

Plant essential oils and their constituents in coping with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance is documented to be a serious problem that affects the choice of appropriate antibiotic therapy and increases the probability of unfavorable infection outcome. One of the proposed methods to cope with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is the use of alternative antibacterial treatments, which include natural antimicrobial substances such as plant essential oils (EOs). The aim of the present article is to review published studies on the activity of EOs and their constituents against MDR bacteria and to formulate perspectives for the future. In general, published studies indicate that EOs can be used as effective antiseptics against many species, including MDR bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and others; certain EOs may potentiate the effectiveness of antibiotics against MDR bacteria; EOs can be synergistic with bacteriophages; and polymeric nanoparticles can be used for delivery of EOs and enhancement of their activity at the site of infection.