Genomics, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Approaches to Improve Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Tomato Plant.

To explore changes in proteins and metabolites under stress circumstances, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics methods are used. In-depth research over the previous ten years has gradually revealed the fundamental processes of plants' responses to environmental stress. Abiotic stresses, which include temperature extremes, water scarcity, and metal toxicity brought on by human activity and urbanization, are a major cause for concern, since they can result in unsustainable warming trends and drastically lower crop yields. Furthermore, there is an emerging reliance on agrochemicals. Stress is responsible for physiological transformations such as the formation of reactive oxygen, stomatal opening and closure, cytosolic calcium ion concentrations, metabolite profiles and their dynamic changes, expression of stress-responsive genes, activation of potassium channels, etc. Research regarding abiotic stresses is lacking because defense feedbacks to abiotic factors necessitate regulating the changes that activate multiple genes and pathways that are not properly explored. It is clear from the involvement of these genes that plant stress response and adaptation are complicated processes. Targeting the multigenicity of plant abiotic stress responses caused by genomic sequences, transcripts, protein organization and interactions, stress-specific and cellular transcriptome collections, and mutant screens can be the first step in an integrative approach. Therefore, in this review, we focused on the genomes, proteomics, and metabolomics of tomatoes under abiotic stress.

Encapsulation of debittered pomelo juice using novel Moringa oleifera exudate for enrichment of yoghurt: A techno-functional approach.

Debittering of pomelo juice was conducted using 3.7 g of activated resin, resulting in a 36.8% reduction in bitterness without affecting the bioactive properties of juice. The debittered juice was then encapsulated with Moringa oleifera exudate at various ratios (1-5%), yielding a powder with a slightly rough surface. Total phenol content (TPC) increased by 46-56% compared to the debittered juice. Functional yoghurt containing encapsulates at concentrations of 1% and 2% demonstrated that the 2% concentration led to longer storage duration, resulting in increased acidity and syneresis compared to the control. TPC of the yoghurt (161.89-198.22 µg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) remained significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control (47.15 µg GAE/g) and acacia gum-based yoghurt (141.89-171.37 µg GAE/g), decreasing with storage duration. Addition of encapsulates significantly altered the yoghurt's texture, resulting in lower firmness (0.57 to 0.64 N) compared to the control, while adhesiveness values remained comparable (6.33 to 6.25 g.s). The highest values of G' and G" were observed in samples containing 2% encapsulates with moringa compared to those with acacia gum. This study suggests potential avenues for further exploration in functional foods with enhanced health benefits.

Biofortification as a solution for addressing nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition.

Malnutrition, defined as both undernutrition and overnutrition, is a major global health concern affecting millions of people. One possible way to address nutrient deficiency and combat malnutrition is through biofortification. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to explore the current state of biofortification research, including techniques, applications, effectiveness and challenges. Biofortification is a promising strategy for enhancing the nutritional condition of at-risk populations. Biofortified varieties of basic crops, including rice, wheat, maize and beans, with elevated amounts of vital micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C, have been successfully developed using conventional and advanced technologies. Additionally, the ability to specifically modify crop genomes to improve their nutritional profiles has been made possible by recent developments in genetic engineering, such as CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The health conditions of people have been shown to improve and nutrient deficiencies were reduced when biofortified crops were grown. Particularly in environments with limited resources, biofortification showed considerable promise as a long-term and economical solution to nutrient shortages and malnutrition. To fully exploit the potential of biofortified crops to enhance public health and global nutrition, issues such as consumer acceptance, regulatory permitting and production and distribution scaling up need to be resolved. Collaboration among governments, researchers, non-governmental organizations and the private sector is essential to overcome these challenges and promote the widespread adoption of biofortification as a key part of global food security and nutrition strategies.

Effect of high γ-irradiation dosage on physico-chemical, functional and emulsion properties of almond gum powder.

Almond gum is a natural biopolymer produced by Almond tree that is non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. These features make it suitable for applications in the food, cosmetic, biomedical, and packaging industries. To ensure its wide application in these fields, green modification process is necessary. Gamma irradiation is often used as a sterilisation and modification technique, due to its high penetration power. Thus, evaluating its effects on the physicochemical and functional properties of gum after exposure is important. To date, limited studies have reported the use of high dose of γ-irradiation on the biopolymer. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the effect of a high dose of γ-irradiation (0, 24, 48, and 72 kGy) on the functional and phytochemical properties of almond gum powder. The irradiated powder was studied for its color, packing, functional, and bioactive properties. The results revealed a significant increase in water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and solubility index. However, a decreasing trend was observed in the foaming index, L value, pH, and emulsion stability with the radiation dose. Besides, sizable effects were observed in the IR spectra of irradiated gum. Phytochemical properties were significantly improved with an increase in dose. The emulsion was prepared from irradiated gum powder, where the highest creaming index was observed at 72 kGy and a decreasing trend in zeta potential. These results suggested that γ-irradiation treatment is a successful method to generate desirable cavity, pore sizes, functional properties, and bioactive compounds. This emerging approach could modify the natural additive with distinct internal structure for specific uses in wide range of food, pharmaceutical and other industrial applications.

Draft Genome Sequence of Novel Streptomyces sp. Strain AJ-1, Isolated from a Leafcutter Ant in Uttarakhand, India.

We present the draft genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. strain AJ-1, which was isolated from a leafcutter ant found in Uttarakhand, India. The genome assembly resulted in 43 contigs, with a combined length of 6,948,422 bp and a GC content of 73.5%. Through genome annotation, we identified 5,951 protein-coding genes and 67 tRNA genes.

New insights into molecular signaling pathways and current advancements in prostate cancer diagnostics & therapeutics.

Prostate adenocarcinoma accounts for more than 20% of deaths among males due to cancer. It is the fifth-leading cancer diagnosed in males across the globe. The mortality rate is quite high due to prostate cancer. Despite the fact that advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics have been made, there is a lack of effective drugs. Metabolic pathways are altered due to the triggering of androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways, and elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone are produced due to defects in AR signaling that accelerate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Further, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways interact with AR signaling pathway and act as precursors to promote prostate cancer. Prostate cancer therapy has been classified into luminal A, luminal B, and basal subtypes. Therapeutic drugs inhibiting dihydrotestosterone and PI3K have shown to give promising results to combat prostate cancer. Many second-generation Androgen receptor signaling antagonists are given either as single agent or with the combination of other drugs. In order to develop a cure for metastasized prostate cancer cells, Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is applied by using surgical or chemical methods. In many cases, Prostatectomy or local radiotherapy are used to control metastasized prostate cancer. However, it has been observed that after 1.5 years to 2 years of Prostatectomy or castration, there is reoccurrence of prostate cancer and high incidence of castration resistant prostate cancer is seen in population undergone ADT. It has been observed that Androgen derivation therapy combined with drugs like abiraterone acetate or docetaxel improve overall survival rate in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients. Scientific investigations have revealed that drugs inhibiting poly ADP Ribose polymerase (PARP) are showing promising results in clinical trials in the prostate cancer population with mCRPC and DNA repair abnormalities. Recently, RISUG adv (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) has shown significant results against prostate cancer cell lines and MTT assay has validated substantial effects of this drug against PC3 cell lines. Current review paper highlights the advancements in prostate cancer therapeutics and new drug molecules against prostate cancer. It will provide detailed insights on the signaling pathways which need to be targeted to combat metastasized prostate cancer and castration resistant prostate cancer.

Screening and molecular dynamics simulation of compounds inhibiting MurB enzyme of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis: An in-silico approach.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is becoming more and more resistant to drugs and it is a common problem, making current antimicrobials ineffective and highlighting the need for new TB drugs. One of the promising targets for treating MTB is MurB enzymes. This study aimed to identify potential inhibitors of MurB enzymes in M. tuberculosis, as drug resistance among MTB is a significant problem. Attempts are being made to conduct a virtual screening of 30,417 compounds, and thirty-two compounds were chosen for further analysis based on their binding conformations. The selected compounds were assessed for their drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, and physiochemical characteristics, and seven compounds with binding energy lower than flavin (FAD) were identified. Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis of these seven compounds found that four of them, namely DB12983, DB15688, ZINC084726167, and ZINC254071113 formed stable complexes with the MurB binding site, exhibiting promising inhibitory activity. These compounds have not been mentioned in any other study, indicating their novelty. The study suggests that these four compounds could be promising candidates for treating MTB, but their effectiveness needs to be validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Overall, the findings of this study provide new insight into potential drug targets and candidates for combating drug-resistant MTB.

Pullulanase: unleashing the power of enzyme with a promising future in the food industry.

Pullulanases are the most important industrial group of enzymes in family 13 glycosyl hydrolases. They hydrolyze either α-1,6 and α-1,4 or both glycosidic bonds in pullulan as well as other carbohydrates to produce glucose, maltose, and maltotriose syrups, which have important uses in food and other related sectors. However, very less reports are available on pullulanase production from native strains because of low yield issues. In line with the increasing demands for pullulanase, it has become important to search for novel pullulanase-producing microorganisms with high yields. Moreover, high production costs and low yield are major limitations in the industrial production of pullulanase enzymes. The production cost of pullulanase by using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) process can be minimized by selecting agro-industrial waste. This review summarizes the types, sources, production strategies, and potential applications of pullulanase in different food and other related industries. Researchers should focus on fungal strains producing pullulanase for better yield and low production costs by using agro-waste. It will prove a better enzyme in different food processing industries and will surely reduce the cost of products.

Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Plant-Endophyte Dynamics: Plant Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Zinc Biofortification.

Endophytic fungi and bacteria were isolated from finger millet and their effects on finger millet growth parameters and zinc and NPK contents in grains were studied. Out of 70 fungal and 112 bacterial endophytes, the two best fungal and bacterial isolates were selected on the basis of zinc solubilization and plant-growth-promoting attributes. The fungal isolates identified were Aspergillus terreus and Lecanicillium sp., and the bacterial isolates were Pseudomonas bijieensis and Priestia megaterium. The endophytic zinc, NPK mobilization, and plant-growth-promoting efficacy were determined in a pot experiment with zinc carbonate as the zinc source. Endophytic-primed plants showed enhanced shoot and root lengths compared to the unprimed control. Endophytes increased the zinc content in grains by between 12.12% and 18.80% compared to control plants. Endophytes also augmented the NPK concentrations in seeds compared to control plants and exhibited stability in a diverse range of pHs, temperatures, and NaCl concentrations, and exhibited growth on various carbohydrate and nitrogen sources. This is the first study reporting the interaction of Aspergillus terreus, Lecanicillium sp., Pseudomonas bijieensis, and Priestia megaterium with finger millet for grain Zn biofortification and NPK concentration enhancement. This study indicated that zinc-dissolving endophytes possess the potential for enhancing the zinc and NPK content in grains in addition to the plant-growth-promoting attributes.

Insight into phytase-producing microorganisms for phytate solubilization and soil sustainability.

The increasing demand for food has increased dependence on chemical fertilizers that promote rapid growth and yield as well as produce toxicity and negatively affect nutritional value. Therefore, researchers are focusing on alternatives that are safe for consumption, non-toxic, cost-effective production process, and high yielding, and that require readily available substrates for mass production. The potential industrial applications of microbial enzymes have grown significantly and are still rising in the 21st century to fulfill the needs of a population that is expanding quickly and to deal with the depletion of natural resources. Due to the high demand for such enzymes, phytases have undergone extensive research to lower the amount of phytate in human food and animal feed. They constitute efficient enzymatic groups that can solubilize phytate and thus provide plants with an enriched environment. Phytases can be extracted from a variety of sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Compared to plant and animal-based phytases, microbial phytases have been identified as competent, stable, and promising bioinoculants. Many reports suggest that microbial phytase can undergo mass production procedures with the use of readily available substrates. Phytases neither involve the use of any toxic chemicals during the extraction nor release any such chemicals; thus, they qualify as bioinoculants and support soil sustainability. In addition, phytase genes are now inserted into new plants/crops to enhance transgenic plants reducing the need for supplemental inorganic phosphates and phosphate accumulation in the environment. The current review covers the significance of phytase in the agriculture system, emphasizing its source, action mechanism, and vast applications.

Untapped potential of non-conventional rubus species: bioactivity, nutrition, and livelihood opportunities.

Rubus species holds promise as a valuable source of polyphenols and bioactive compounds, offering significant potential as functional food ingredients with both nutraceutical and pharmaceutical benefits. However, many edible species within this genus remain under-explored and their importance is largely unrecognized. This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional and bioactive components of both explored and under-explored Rubus species, highlighting their potential health advantages, value addition, and recent advancements. The economic exploitation of Rubus is currently limited to a few cultivated species, while numerous non-conventional and wild edible species are overlooked. Recognizing the economic and nutritional significance of exploited Rubus species, it is imperative to explore the untapped potential of these underutilized plants. By doing so, these species can be preserved from endangerment and contribute to nutritional and livelihood security for communities having access to them. This review emphasizes the importance of understanding the exceptional characteristics of Rubus species as "superfoods" and encourages the promotion and cultivation of these unexplored species. By expanding the cultivation and utilization of under-explored Rubus species, we can unlock their full potential and support sustainable nutritional and economic benefits.

Production, characterization, and application of novel fungal pullulanase for fruit juice processing.

The present study aimed to produce, characterize, and apply pullulanase from Aspergillus flavus (BHU-46) for fruit juice processing, assessing its enzymatic properties and impact on juice quality. Pullulanase was produced via solid-state fermentation using wheat bran as the substrate. Purification and characterization included specific activity, molecular weight, pH and temperature optima, and substrate specificity. The enzyme was immobilized in sodium alginate beads and used for clarifying mosambi, apple, and mango juices. Parameters such as yield, clarity, reducing sugar, total soluble solids (TSS), total phenol, and enzymatic browning were evaluated pre-and post-treatment. The purified pullulanase had a specific activity of 652.2 U/mg and a molecular weight of 135 kDa. Optimal pH values were 6.5 and 10, with maximum activity at 50 °C. Pullulanase showed a high affinity for pullulan and starch, indicating Pullulanase type II classification. Immobilized pullulanase improved yield, clarity, reducing sugar, TSS, and total phenol in fruit juices. The highest yield and clarity were observed in mosambi juice. Additionally, the enzyme reduced enzymatic browning, increasing the lightness of the juice. This study provides a significant contribution to the juice processing industry and represents the first report on the application of pullulanase for fruit juice processing.

Revolutionizing Tuberculosis Treatment: Uncovering New Drugs and Breakthrough Inhibitors to Combat Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health threat that causes significant mortality. This review explores chemotherapeutics that target essential processes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, such as DNA replication, protein synthesis, cell wall formation, energy metabolism, and proteolysis. We emphasize the need for new drugs to treat drug-resistant strains and shorten the treatment duration. Emerging targets and promising inhibitors were identified by examining the intricate biology of TB. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the search for anti-TB drugs with a focus on newly validated targets and inhibitors. We aimed to contribute to efforts to combat TB and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Agro-waste as a substrate for the production of pullulanase by Penicillium viridicatum under solid-state fermentation.

One of the key enzymes utilized in the food industry is pullulanase. But its major drawbacks are its low yield and high production costs. In this regard, the current research aims to screen agro-waste substrates for optimal pullulanase production in solid-state fermentation. Of various agro-wastes used as a substrate, the maximum enzymic activity (9.74 U/gds) was observed in a medium based on 5 g of green gram husk and incubated for 3 days at 30 °C. The effects of 16 different nutrients on the yield of pullulanase production were studied using the Plackett-Burman experimental design. The incorporation of FeSO4, MnSO4, and MgSO4 into the pullulanase production medium significantly increased the yield and showed a 5.7-fold increase (56.25 U/gds) in comparison with the unoptimized media. The Box-Behnken experimental design was used to study the effect of interactions between Fe2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ on the production of pullulanase. Box-Behnken showed a 1.1-fold increase (62.1 U/gds) in pullulanase production. The total increase in yield after all optimization was 6.37-fold. The present study reports for the first time the applicability of green gram husk as a potent substrate for pullulanase production by Penicillium viridicatum.

Molecular Diversity of Microbes Associated with Fermented Bamboo Shoots.

Fermented bamboo shoots are rich in high protein, carbohydrates, fibre and minerals while low in fat content. In the North-East region of India and other Asian countries, they are mostly used in various food preparations. The present study was undertaken to explore the diversity of bacteria associated with Bamboo shoots and to evaluate their antibacterial profile. Based on the results the fermented bamboo shoots showed viable counts ranging from 6.55 ± 0.91 log CFU/g to 7.86 ± 1.21 log CFU/g. The 16s rRNA sequence analysis showed that these isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus (Bacillus safensis, B. tequilensis, B. siamensis, B. nakamurai, B. subtilis) and Enterobacter. These isolates have not been reported previously from fermented bamboo shoots except B. subtilis. Surprisingly, no Lactobacillus species or molds were found in any of the samples tested. Potent antibacterial activity was recorded against Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and B. cereus.

Antifungal metabolites, their novel sources, and targets to combat drug resistance.

Excessive antibiotic prescriptions as well as their misuse in agriculture are the main causes of antimicrobial resistance which poses a growing threat to public health. It necessitates the search for novel chemicals to combat drug resistance. Since ancient times, naturally occurring medicines have been employed and the enormous variety of bioactive chemicals found in nature has long served as an inspiration for researchers looking for possible therapeutics. Secondary metabolites from microorganisms, particularly those from actinomycetes, have made it incredibly easy to find new molecules. Different actinomycetes species account for more than 70% of naturally generated antibiotics currently used in medicine, and they also produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including pigments, enzymes, and anti-inflammatory compounds. They continue to be a crucial source of fresh chemical diversity and a crucial component of drug discovery. This review summarizes some uncommon sources of antifungal metabolites and highlights the importance of further research on these unusual habitats as a source of novel antimicrobial molecules.

Exploring the diversity of endophytic fungi and screening for their pullulanase-producing capabilities.

BACKGROUND: Pullulanases are the significant industrial group in the 13 glycosyl hydrolases category, known as the α-amylases family. There are very few reports on pullulanase from fungal sources. Based on the above research gap, the present study was undertaken to explore the endophytic fungi for their pullulanase-producing capabilities. RESULTS: A total of 126 endophytes were isolated from Tradescantia pallida, Zea mays, and Trifolium alexandrinum. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Ganoderma species recovered highest from the stem of Tradescantia palida. Fusarium was dominant in the stem and leaf of Zea mays. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Ganoderma, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Alternaria were recovered from the Trifolium alexandrium. The Shannon index in Tradescantia pallida was highest in leaves while in Zea mays and Trifolium alexandrinum, it is highest in the stem. The Simpson's index is highest in the case of Zea mays stem and root. Species richness was indicated by Menhinick's index, and it was found that this value was highest in the roots of Trifolium alexandrinum. As per our knowledge, no comparative data is available on the endophytic diversity of the above plants taken for the study. Out of 126 endophytes, only 2.38% produced pullulanase while 7.94% produced amylase. The recovery of pullulanase-producing endophytic fungi was very less. But the importance of pullulanase is high as compared to amylase because it has both α-1,6 and α-1,4 hydrolyzing ability. Therefore, the most promising isolates were identified by ITS sequence analysis. Based on spore chain morphology, isolates BHU-25 and BHU-30 were identified as Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus species, respectively. This is the first report of pullulanase from endophytic Aspergillus and Penicillium. CONCLUSION: Endophytes Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. produce pullulanase enzyme. This is the first report of pullulanase from endophytic Aspergillus and Penicillium.

An actinomycete isolate from solitary wasp mud nest having strong antibacterial activity and kills the Candida cells due to the shrinkage and the cytosolic loss.

An actinomycetes strain designated as MN 2(6) was isolated from the solitary wasp mud nest. The isolate was identified using polyphasic taxonomy. It produced the extensive branched brown substrate and white aerial hyphae that changed into grayish black. The aerial mycelia produced the spiral spore chains with rugose spore surface. The growth was observed between temperature range of 27-37°C, pH 8-10 and below salt concentration of 6% (w/v). The comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic relationship showed that strain MN 2(6) lies in clade with Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus NRRL 2387(T), Streptomyces sporocinereus NBRC 100766(T) and Streptomyces demainii NRRL B-1478(T) with which it shares a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.3%. The strain MN 2(6) can be differentiated from type strains based on phenotypic characteristics. The strain MN 2(6) showed most promising activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, acid-fast bacilli and Candida species suggesting broad-spectrum characteristics of the active metabolite. Evaluation of anti-candidal activity of the metabolite of strain MN 2(6) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed changed external morphology of yeast. It kills the Candida cells due to the shrinkage and the cytosolic loss. However, further studies are required to elucidate the structure of the active metabolite produced by the isolate MN 2(6).