Recent advances in instrumental techniques for heavy metal quantification.

Heavy metals (HMs) are ubiquitous; they are found in soil, water, air, and all biological matrices. The toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and deleterious effects of most of these metals on humans and the environment have been widely documented. Consequently, the detection and quantification of HMs in various environmental samples have become a pressing issue. The analysis of the concentrations of HMs is a vital component of environmental monitoring; hence, the selection of the most suitable analytical technique for their determination has become a topic of great interest in food, environment, and human health safety. Analytical techniques for the quantification of these metals have evolved. Presently, a broad range of HM analytical techniques are available with each having its outstanding merits as well as limitations. Most analytical scientists, therefore, adopt complementation of more than one method, with the choice influenced by the specific metal of interest, desired limits of detection and quantification, nature of the interference, level of sensitivity, and precision among others. Sequel to the above, this work comprehensively reviews the most recent advances in instrumental techniques for the determination of HMs. It gives a general overview of the concept of HMs, their sources, and why their accurate quantification is pertinent. It highlights various conventional and more advanced techniques for HM determination, and as one of its kind, it also gives special attention to the specific merits and demerits of the analytical techniques. Finally, it presents the most recent studies in this regard.

Hesperetin's health potential: moving from preclinical to clinical evidence and bioavailability issues, to upcoming strategies to overcome current limitations.

Flavonoids are common in the plant kingdom and many of them have shown a wide spectrum of bioactive properties. Hesperetin (Hst), the aglycone form of hesperidin, is a great example, and is the most abundant flavonoid found in Citrus plants. This review aims to provide an overview on the in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies reporting the Hst pharmacological effects and to discuss the bioavailability-related issues. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, carbohydrate dysregulation, bone health, and other pathologies. Clinical studies have supported the Hst promissory effects as cardioprotective and neuroprotective agent. However, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to address the other Hst effects observed in preclinical trials, as well as to a more in-depth understanding of its safety profile.

A Novel Distachionate from Breynia distachia Treats Inflammations by Modulating COX-2 and Inflammatory Cytokines in Rat Liver Tissue.

Breynia distachia is a plant of genus Breynia belonging to family Phyllanthaceae. This study was conducted to isolate and examine the anti-inflammatory attributes of the roots of Breynia distachia. Methanol extract from roots were prepared by simple maceration. For phytochemical studies, isolation, purification, structure elucidation, metal analysis, total phenolic content, and solubility test were done by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by cotton pallet edema model and carrageenan paw edema model, and antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS antioxidants assays. Metal analysis of BD.Me revealed the presence of Na > Mg > K > Mn > Fe = Zn in respective order. Four phytochemicals such as gallic acid, quercetin, sinapic acid, and p-coumaric acid are found in Breynia distachia. Quercetin is present in relatively larger quantity, and shows antioxidant activity by reducing the ferric iron to ferrous iron. Novel distachionate shows high antioxidant activity in ABTS assay by reducing reactive oxygen species. Quantitative or qualitative analysis performed by HPLC indicates the ascending peaks or presence of secondary products (metabolites) respectively. Histopathology analysis of liver, spleen, heart, and kidney was done, revealing mild inflammations in spleen and liver, and no cytotoxicity in heart and kidney. Oral administration of BD.Me and ditachionate significantly inhibits the carrageenan and cotton pellet-induced paw edema in 1st and 2nd h with (ns = p > 0.05) than control. After 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th h, BD.Me and ditachionate showed inhibition of paw edema in a highly significant (*** = p < 0.001) manner as compared to control. In cotton-pellet edema model, distachionate shows a %inhibition of 57.3% at a dose level of 5 mg/kg. Docking values obtained from distachionate-COX-2 complex suggest a potent inhibitor evaluated for this protein. The distachionate shows effective anti-inflammatory activity. Methanol extracts of roots showed significant lipoxygenase inhibitory activity by IC50 values of 155.7 ± 0.55 and 132.9 ± 0.33 µg/mL. Data from various in vitro and in vivo models suggest that novel distachionate isolated from Breynia distachia shows strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; it should be further studied for the exploration of its medicinal potential.

Recent advances in nanotechnology for remediation of heavy metals.

Heavy metal contamination of the environment has become an alarming environmental issue that has constituted serious threats to humans and the ecosystem. These metals have been identified as a priority class of pollutants due to their persistency in the environment and their potential to bioaccumulate in biological systems. Consequently, the remediation of heavy metals from various environmental matrices becomes a critical topic from the biological and environmental perspectives. To this end, various research interests have shifted to the need to put forward economically feasible and highly efficient approaches for mitigating these contaminants in the environment. Thus, numerous conventional approaches have reportedly been employed for the remediation of heavy metals, with each of the methods having its inherent limitations. More recently, studies have revealed that nanomaterials in their various forms show unique potential for the removal of various contaminants including heavy metals in comparison to their bulk counterparts making them a topic of importance to researchers in various fields. Also, various studies have documented specifically tailored nanomaterials that have been synthesized for the removal of heavy metals from various environmental matrices. This review provides up-to-date information on the application of nanotechnology for the remediation of heavy metals. It highlights various nanomaterials that have been employed for the remediation of heavy metals, current details on their methods of synthesis, factors affecting their adsorption processes, and the environmental and health impact of nanomaterials. Finally, it provides the challenges and future trends of nanomaterials for heavy metal removal.

Environmental implications of petroleum spillages in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A review.

The issue of environmental pollution has been recognized as a typical example of an anthropogenic activity that constitutes a global challenge coupled with the influence of climate change. This has constituted several hazards which include bioaccumulation of toxic substances, pollution of the aquatic environment, and high rate of dilapidation of soil structure and texture, health hazards, high level of imbalance in the ecosystem and a high level of toxicity in humans and the environment. Despite the intervention of governments, industries, researchers and relevant stakeholders, these problems remain paramount in most regions. Therefore, given the aforementioned, it is essential to identify sustainable remediation techniques, innovative knowledge on remediation strategies and clean up techniques that could help in the mitigation of all these highlighted challenges. Moreover, several studies have revealed the deleterious influence of petroleum or oil spillages resulting in irreparable environmental dilapidation and other potential hazards to human health, agriculture, climate system, and the ecosystem in general. From the systematic analysis of the evidence-based, meta-data-based review and other reviewed literature, it is noticeable that there is scant holistic review study that will incorporate all these aforementioned environmental implications resulting from the activities of petroleum resources in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (NDRN) in just a single study. In the interim, it is alleged that there is hardly a permanent and tangible solution to these petroleum spillage issues and their impacts on the region; albeit, awareness will be fundamental for its mitigation. Hence, this review study will attempt to fill this gap by holistically reviewing the selected environmental implications of petroleum spillages in the NDRN drawn from 219 evidence and meta-data-based reviews and other articles. Furthermore, the relevant legal frameworks that could guild in protecting against environmental issues and petroleum spillages, are discussed in this study. In conclusion, the study cautiously provides a way forward by submitting that effective research and development measures ranging from public health assessments of petroleum contamination to an all-embracing application of bioremediation technology should frequently be carried out as a matter of urgency with resilient adaptation, mollification and management of these menaces.

Effect of hexavalent chromium on the environment and removal techniques: A review.

Despite the importance of chromium (Cr) in most anthropogenic activities, the subsequent environmental adulteration is now a source of major concern. Cr occurs in numerous oxidation states, with the furthermost stable and frequently occur states being Cr(0), Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Cr(0) and Cr(III) are vital trace elements while Cr(VI) is dispensable and noxious to living organisms. Predominantly in plants, Cr at low concentrations of about 0.05-1 mg/L assist to boost growth as well as increase productivity. However, accumulation of Cr could represent a potential threat to living organisms. Cr absorption, displacement and accretion depend on its speciation, which also determines its toxicity which is often diverse. Indications of its toxicity include; reduction of seed germination, retardation of growth, reduction of yield, inhibition of enzymatic activities, weakening of photosynthesis, nutrient, oxidative disparities and genetic mutation in plants as well as several injurious diseases in animals and humans. In this study, we have presented a comprehensive review as well as an informative account of the influence of Cr on the environment drawn from researches carried out over the years following an analytical approach. Uniquely, this work presents a review of the effects and remediation of Cr from soil and wastewater drawn from several evidence and meta-data-based articles and other publications. Accordingly, the write-up is intended to appeal to the consciousness of the general public that the significance of Cr notwithstanding, its environmental toxicity should not be taken for granted.

Insights on the anticancer potential of plant-food bioactives: A key focus to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is an international health problem and represents one of the most encountered malignancies among men. In this complex and heterogeneous disease, androgens and their receptors play a crucial role in both progression and development. Although the search for its effective treatment is still ongoing, among other priorities it requires developing better anticancer agents with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. In this regard, herbal medicines, which have been used in cancer treatment, represent a large source of new and bioactive chemical entities for the development of chemotherapeutic agents, many of them exhibiting favorable side effect and toxicity profiles compared to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In fact, more than 50% of the current anticancer drugs originate from natural sources. Thus, the present review aims to provide an overview of the past and recent trends in the research, the role of secondary metabolites in urogenital disorders, and phytochemical assays in prostate cancer management.

Genetic engineering and genome editing technologies as catalyst for Africa's food security: the case of plant biotechnology in Nigeria.

Many African countries are unable to meet the food demands of their growing population and the situation is worsened by climate change and disease outbreaks. This issue of food insecurity may lead to a crisis of epic proportion if effective measures are not in place to make more food available. Thus, deploying biotechnology towards the improvement of existing crop varieties for tolerance or resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses is crucial to increasing crop production. In order to optimize crop production, several African countries have implemented strategies to make the most of this innovative technology. For example, Nigerian government has implemented the National Biotechnology Policy to facilitate capacity building, research, bioresource development and commercialization of biotechnology products for over two decades. Several government ministries, research centers, universities, and agencies have worked together to implement the policy, resulting in the release of some genetically modified crops to farmers for cultivation and Commercialization, which is a significant accomplishment. However, the transgenic crops were only brought to Nigeria for confined field trials; the manufacturing of the transgenic crops took place outside the country. This may have contributed to the suspicion of pressure groups and embolden proponents of biotechnology as an alien technology. Likewise, this may also be the underlying issue preventing the adoption of biotechnology products in other African countries. It is therefore necessary that African universities develop capacity in various aspects of biotechnology, to continuously train indigenous scientists who can generate innovative ideas tailored towards solving problems that are peculiar to respective country. Therefore, this study intends to establish the role of genetic engineering and genome editing towards the achievement of food security in Africa while using Nigeria as a case study. In our opinion, biotechnology approaches will not only complement conventional breeding methods in the pursuit of crop improvements, but it remains a viable and sustainable means of tackling specific issues hindering optimal crop production. Furthermore, we suggest that financial institutions should offer low-interest loans to new businesses. In order to promote the growth of biotechnology products, especially through the creation of jobs and revenues through molecular farming.

Medicinal and mechanistic overview of artemisinin in the treatment of human diseases.

Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua and has been traditionally used to treat conditions such as malaria, cancer, viral infections, bacterial infections, and some cardiovascular diseases, especially in Asia, North America, Europe and other parts of the world. This comprehensive review aims to update the biomedical potential of ART and its derivatives for treating human diseases highlighting its pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties based on the results of experimental pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action, tested doses and toxic effects of artemisinin were also described. The analysis of data based on an up-to-date literature search showed that ART and its derivatives display anticancer effects along with a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. These compounds have great potential for discovering new drugs used as adjunctive therapies in cancer and various other diseases. Detailed translational and experimental studies are however needed to fully understand the pharmacological effects of these compounds.

An Updated Review on Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors as Antiplatelet Agents: Basic and Clinical Perspectives.

The glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor is found integrin present in platelet aggregations. GP IIb/IIIa antagonists interfere with platelet cross-linking and platelet-derived thrombus formation through the competition with fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. Currently, three parenteral GP IIb/IIIa competitors (tirofiban, eptifibatide, and abciximab) are approved for clinical use in patients affected by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the location of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). GP IIb/IIIa antagonists have their mechanism of action in platelet aggregation prevention, distal thromboembolism, and thrombus formation, whereas the initial platelet binding to damage vascular areas is preserved. This work is aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the significance of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors as a sort of antiplatelet agent. Their mechanism of action is based on factors that affect their efficacy. On the other hand, drugs that inhibit GP IIb/IIIa already approved by the FDA were reviewed in detail. Results from major clinical trials and regulatory practices and guidelines to deal with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were deeply investigated. The cardiovascular pathology and neuro-interventional surgical application of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors as a class of antiplatelet agents were developed in detail. The therapeutic risk/benefit balance of currently available GP IIb/IIa receptor antagonists is not yet well elucidated in patients with ACS who are not clinically evaluated regularly for early cardiovascular revascularization. On the other hand, in patients who have benefited from PCI, the antiplatelet therapy intensification by the addition of a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist (intravenously) may be an appropriate therapeutic strategy in reducing the occurrence of risks of thrombotic complications related to the intervention. Development of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors with oral administration has the potential to include short-term antiplatelet benefits compared with intravenous GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors for long-term secondary preventive therapy in cardiovascular disease. But studies showed that long-term oral administration of GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors has been ineffective in preventing ischemic events. Paradoxically, they have been linked to a high risk of side effects by producing prothrombotic and pro-inflammatory events.

Quantitative Estimation of Aflatoxin Level in Poultry Feed in Selected Poultry Farms.

Statement of Novelty. Poultry feed contamination due to mycotoxins is one of the major threats to the growing poultry industry. Surveillance of different mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, is very important to control economic and health hazards associated with these toxins. Studies reporting aflatoxin levels in poultry feed are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the occurrence of total aflatoxin in poultry feed. This study is the first-ever documentation about the frequency and quantitative estimations of total aflatoxin levels in poultry feed consumed to provide solid feedback to the poultry industrialists and researchers involved in studying the mycotoxins. Objective. Contamination of poultry feed with mycotoxins such as aflatoxin is a major concern for the poultry industry that results in a significant economic loss and directly affects consumers. Monitoring the aflatoxin levels in poultry feed is crucial for controlling economic loss and decreasing the health hazards to the population. This study was conducted to examine the occurrence of total aflatoxin in poultry feed in a high consumption area. Three different poultry feeds, i.e., starter, grower, and finisher, were assessed through continuous sampling from farms. The incidence of positive samples for aflatoxin contamination was 92.5%. Grower feed had the highest frequency (100%) of aflatoxin positive samples and aflatoxin levels with a mean value of 56.34 ppb. Further, the range of moisture content was around 6.8%-10.98%. No significant correlation between humidity and aflatoxin contamination was revealed when analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient with r 2 of 0.05 and p value of 0.13. The results warrant the need for constant monitoring programs for the prevention of aflatoxin contamination in local poultry farms.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Cytochrome P450s of Alternaria Species: Evolutionary Origin, Family Expansion and Putative Functions.

Cytochrome P450s are a group of monooxygenase enzymes involved in primary, secondary and xenobiotic metabolisms. They have a wide application in the agriculture sector where they could serve as a target for herbicides or fungicides, while they could function in the pharmaceutical industry as drugs or drugs structures or for bioconversions. Alternaria species are among the most commonly encountered fungal genera, with most of them living as saprophytes in different habitats, while others are parasites of plants and animals. This study was conducted to elucidate the diversity and abundance, evolutionary relationships and cellular localization of 372 cytochrome P450 in 13 Alternaria species. The 372 CYP proteins were phylogenetically clustered into ten clades. Forty (40) clans and seventy-one (71) cyp families were identified, of which eleven (11) families were found to appear in one species each. The majority of the CYP proteins were located in the endomembrane system. Polyketide synthase (PKS) gene cluster was the predominant secondary metabolic-related gene cluster in all the Alternaria species studied, except in A. porriof, where non-ribosomal peptide synthetase genes were dominant. This study reveals the expansion of cyps in these fungal genera, evident in the family and clan expansions, which is usually associated with the evolution of fungal characteristics, especially their lifestyle either as parasites or saprophytes, with the ability to metabolize a wide spectrum of substrates. This study can be used to understand the biology, physiology and toxigenic potentials of P450 in these fungal genera.

Robust Profiling of Cytochrome P450s (P450ome) in Notable Aspergillus spp.

Cytochrome P450s (P450ome) constitute an extended superfamily group of heme-thiolate enzymes identified in all biological domains. P450omes play a critical role in the oxidation of steroids and fatty acids, xenobiotic degradation of hydrophobic compounds, biosynthesis of hormones, and primary and secondary metabolism in organisms. Aspergillus species are among the most economically important fungal organisms in human medicine, industry, and agriculture worldwide. Exploring insight on the genome-wide annotations of cytochrome P450s in Aspergillus species is necessary for their biosynthetic applications. In this present study, we report the identification of 306 cytochrome P450s and their robust profiling in eight notable Aspergillus species (A. carbonarius, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, and A. terreus). Based on the evolutionary relationship, the Aspergillus P450s families clustered into 15 clades, with clades V, I, and XIII recording higher percentages (17.3%, 15.00%, and 14.71%, respectively) of Cyp families. Cyps were classified into 120 families 64 clans, and their putative functions were also elucidated. P450s were predicted to be located in 13 subcellular components, but the endoplasm reticulum was the dominant location across the eight Aspergillus species. Cyps genes of Aspergillus species were associated with seven secondary metabolism-related gene clusters. Elucidating the genome-wide annotations of P450s enzymes in Aspergillus species will form vital potential biotechnological tools that could be harnessed for industrial, pharmaceutical, and agricultural use.

Tracing probiotic producing bacterial species from gut of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), South-East-Asia.

Due to extensive application of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, antimicrobial resistance has been increased. To overcome this challenge, rumen microbiologists search for new probiotics to improve the rate of livestock production. The present study was aimed to isolate and evaluate breed-specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as potential animal probiotics. The current study was conducted during 10 months from July 2020 to April 2021, in which a total of n=12 strains were isolated from different samples including milk, rumen, and feces of Nilli Ravi Buffaloes. These isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against common animal pathogens (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). All the isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the phylogenetic analyses inferred that these strains showed close relations to the species of various genera; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis, and Lactococcus lactis. NMCC-Ru2 has exhibited the enormous potential of antimicrobial activity, 28 mm, for Salmonella typhimurium;23 mm for Listeria monocytogenes 21 mm for E.coil. Highest resistance was seen in NMCC-Ru2 agasint test antbiotic, like 25.5 mm for Tetracycline. Overall results revesl that the probiotic profile of isolates was achieved using standard criteria, particularly with animal probiotic properties.

A Review on Tradescantia: Phytochemical Constituents, Biological Activities and Health-Promoting Effects.

Tradescantia is a genus of herbaceous and perennial plants belonging to the Commelinaceae family and organized into three infrageneric classifications and 12 sections. More than 80 species within the genus have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Phytochemical compounds (from various species of the genus) such as coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and terpenoids have recently been characterized and described with antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer or antimicrobial properties. The objective of this review is to describe the different aspects of the genus Tradescantia, including its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and safety aspects.

Antispasmodic Potential of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review.

Numerous medicinal plants have been utilized for the treatment of different types of diseases and disorders including gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. GI diseases are the most common complaints that normally affects the largest proportion of children and adolescents with overlapping clinical manifestation in diagnosis and medical needs. Drugs with antispasmodic effects are normally applied for the symptomatic treatment of contraction and cramping of smooth muscles in gastrointestinal diseases as well as in other critical clinical situations. In alternative system of medicines, the antispasmodic herbs played a significant role in the cure of GI diseases. These medicinal plants and their herbal products are used from generation to generation because of multiple nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The multiple uses might be attributed to the presence on biologically active chemical constitutes. The main aim of this review is to focus on the medicinal potential of plants possessing antispasmodic activities with their proposed mechanism of action. Several databases such as Google Scholar, Cochrane database, Scopus, and PubMed were used to search the relevant literature regarding "plants with antispasmodic activities." This present study highlights the updated and quantified information on several medicinal plants with antispasmodic activity like Zanthoxylum armatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Foeniculum vulgare, Pycnocycla spinosa, Atropa belladonna, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha pulegium, Glycyrrhiza ularensis, Anethum graveolens, and Origanum majorana. Moreover, recent studies on other medicinal plant species also have been included in this review article. Additionally, the study also revealed that the active compounds of all these plants possess significant spasmolytic effect which is safest, efficacious, and cost effective as compared to the available synthetic drugs.

Paclitaxel: Application in Modern Oncology and Nanomedicine-Based Cancer Therapy.

Paclitaxel is a broad-spectrum anticancer compound, which was derived mainly from a medicinal plant, in particular, from the bark of the yew tree Taxus brevifolia Nutt. It is a representative of a class of diterpene taxanes, which are nowadays used as the most common chemotherapeutic agent against many forms of cancer. It possesses scientifically proven anticancer activity against, e.g., ovarian, lung, and breast cancers. The application of this compound is difficult because of limited solubility, recrystalization upon dilution, and cosolvent-induced toxicity. In these cases, nanotechnology and nanoparticles provide certain advantages such as increased drug half-life, lowered toxicity, and specific and selective delivery over free drugs. Nanodrugs possess the capability to buildup in the tissue which might be linked to enhanced permeability and retention as well as enhanced antitumour influence possessing minimal toxicity in normal tissues. This article presents information about paclitaxel, its chemical structure, formulations, mechanism of action, and toxicity. Attention is drawn on nanotechnology, the usefulness of nanoparticles containing paclitaxel, its opportunities, and also future perspective. This review article is aimed at summarizing the current state of continuous pharmaceutical development and employment of nanotechnology in the enhancement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of paclitaxel as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: Nanotoxicology.

Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles' toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.

Influence of eco-friendly phytotoxic metabolites from Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae C1136 on physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes on tested weeds.

In this study, the active metabolites from both the wild strain of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae C1136 and three genetically enhanced strains of C1136 were obtained through random mutagenesis. The effect of the active metabolites from these strains was evaluated in relation to physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes on the leaves of two weeds (Amaranthus hybridus and Echinochloa crus-galli). The phytotoxic metabolites secreted by the genetically enhanced strains showed a decrease in the pigments (chl a, chl b, and carotenoids), carbohydrate content, and the amino acid profile. On the other hand, an increase in total phenols of the tested leaves was observed when compared with the untreated leaves. The scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of damages, necrosis, degradation, and ultrastructural changes on the tested leaf tissues of the weeds. Also, increased lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage were also observed on the tested weeds treated with phytotoxic metabolites secreted by the genetically enhanced strains. We also showed that the phytotoxins from the strains of C1136 are biocompatible and that it improved soil CO2 evolution, organic carbon content, and enzymatic activity (acidic and alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenases, cellulase, catalase). The study validates the severe pathological effects of phytotoxic metabolites from the strains of C1136 on the leaves of the weeds presented in this study. The mode of action of the phytotoxic metabolites produced from this bioherbicidal isolates will go a long way in preventing environmental hazards.

Exopolysaccharides from bacteria and fungi: current status and perspectives in Africa.

Bacterial and fungal exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are extracellular metabolites of living organisms (plants, animals, algae, bacteria and fungi) associated with adaptation, survival and functionalities. The EPSs also afford humans multiple value-adding applications across different spheres of endeavors. The variable chemical and biochemical architecture that characterizes an EPS presets its biological functionality and potential biotechnological benefits. Suffices to say that it is amenable to genetic, biotechnological and biochemical maneuverability for desired bioactivity or application during their production and extraction. EPSs have been shown to have, antioxidant, anti-tumor and antiviral activities; enhance soil aridity and nutritional value of food consumed by humans. Their innocuous domestic and commercial versatility and biotechnological relevance is a reliable confirmation of the recent attention accorded EPSs by the global research community. This is especially with respect to their biosynthesis, composition, production, structure, characterization, sources, functional properties and applications. It is also responsible for the development of newer strategies for their extraction. EPSs' relative prospects, perspectives and orientation in the African context are seldom reported in recognized scientific literature data bases. A random preliminary study showed that EPS applications, biotechnological and research orientations are still developing, and influenced by preponderant vegetation, level of industrialization, political will and culture. Africa is endowed with untapped bioresources (biomaterials), bioproducts and bioequivalents that can mediate several global foods, industrial and technological challenges for which EPS may be a potential remedy.