Nanofiber-based Delivery of Luliconazole: Fabrication, Characterization, and Therapeutic Performance Assessment.

This study introduces and assesses the potential of a Luliconazole-loaded nanofiber (LUL-NF) patch, fabricated through electrospinning, for enhancing topical drug delivery. The primary objectives involve evaluating the nanofiber structure, characterizing physical properties, determining drug loading and release kinetics, assessing antifungal efficacy, and establishing the long-term stability of the NF patch. LUL-NF patches were fabricated via electrospinning and observed by SEM at approximately 200 nm dimensions. The comprehensive analysis included physical properties (thickness, folding endurance, swelling ratio, weight, moisture content, and drug loading) and UV analysis for drug quantification. In vitro studies explored sustained drug release kinetics, while microbiological assays evaluated antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans and Aspergillus Niger. Stability studies confirmed long-term viability. Comparative analysis with the pure drug, placebo NF patch, LUL-NF patch, and Lulifod gel was conducted using agar diffusion, revealing enhanced performance of the LUL-NF patch. SEM analysis revealed well-defined LUL-NF patches (0.80 mm thickness) with exceptional folding endurance (> 200 folds) and a favorable swelling ratio (12.66 ± 0.73%). The patches exhibited low moisture uptake (3.4 ± 0.09%) and a moisture content of 11.78 ± 0.54%. Drug loading in 1 cm2 section was 1.904 ± 0.086 mg, showing uniform distribution and sustained release kinetics in vitro. The LUL-NF patch demonstrated potent antifungal activity. Stability studies affirmed long-term stability, and comparative analysis highlighted increased inhibition compared to a pure drug, LUL-NF patch, and a commercial gel. The electrospun LUL-NF patch enhances topical drug delivery, promising extended therapy through single-release, one-time application, and innovative drug delivery strategies, supported by thorough analysis.

Assessment of antibacterial and antifungal potential of Curcuma longa and synthesized nanoparticles: A comparative study.

Curcumin nanoparticles were most recently considered in medical research because of their antibacterial properties. The main objective of the study was to develop the green synthesis and antibacterial activity of curcumin nanoparticles using Curcuma longa. The processing of curcumin nanoparticles was carried out after the collection, identification, and extraction of curcumin. The effect of a sample on the synthesis of nanoparticles, such as curcumin aqueous concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg/ml) and curcumin nanoparticles (5, 10, and 20 mg/ml), and the antibacterial effect of these nanoparticles on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the fungal strain Aspergillus niger. For examining antibacterial and anti-fungal activity disc diffusion method was performed, followed by the zone of inhibition. According to X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analysis, nanoparticles have spherical shapes and size of 42.64 nm. Results showed that a high dose of 20 mg/ml curcumin nanoparticles have more antibacterial activity than curcumin extracts in E. coli as it showed the largest diameter of zone of inhibition as compared to other doses. Other bacterial and fungal strains also showed significant results but E. coli was most prominent. The biosynthesis of curcumin nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of C. longa is a clean, inexpensive, and safe method that has not been used any toxic substance and consequently does not have side effects. Since several pathogenic species have acquired antibiotic resistance, the combination of curcumin with various nanoparticles would be beneficial in the cure of pathogenic diseases.

Synthesis of chitosan biocomposites loaded with pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and assessment of their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger.

A wide variety of chitosan (CS) biomaterials have been loaded with different antimicrobial agents to improve the activity of CS against phytopathogenic fungi. Recently, the antimicrobial activity of 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (PCA) has been reported as a secondary metabolite of Streptomyces griseus, which was identified as the main bioactive compound in the biological control. However, it is sensitive to light and its activity against filamentous fungi has not yet been reported. The aim of the present research work was to evaluate the biological activity of CS-PCA biocomposites for the control of Aspergillus niger. CS-PCA biocomposites were obtained through nanoprecipitation. In vitro antifungal activity was determined by viability assay, spore germination, morphometric analysis of spores and hyphae, and the analysis of cellular components by fluorescence microscopy. CS-PCA showed an average size and Z potential of 502 ± 72 nm and + 54.7 ± 15 mV, respectively. Micrographs demonstrated well-distributed biocomposites with an apparently spherical shape. A new signal at 1473 cm-1 in the FT-IR spectrum of the CS-PCA biocomposite was observed, confirming the presence of PCA in the composition of the CS-PCA nanosystem. CS-PCA biocomposites reduced the spores' viability by up to 58%. Effects on fungi morphometry, observed as an increase in the spores' average diameter, swelling, distortion, and an increase in the branching of hyphae, were observed. Fluorescence analysis showed oxidative stress and membrane and cell wall damage, mainly at early growth stages. The inhibitory effect against CS-resistant fungi, such as A. niger, opens a door for the control of CS-sensitive fungi.

Assessment of lead tolerance in gamma exposed Aspergillus niger van Tieghem & Penicillium cyclopium Westling.

Purpose: Present study deals with the role of gamma irradiation in modulating lead (Pb) tolerance of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. and Penicillium cyclopium Westling. Materials and methods: After being exposed to gamma absorbed doses those fungal strains were subjected to heavy metal uptake efficacies and anti-oxidative study. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) studies were also evaluated. Result: Gamma exposed A. niger & P. cyclopium showed enhanced growth in terms of colony forming unit (CFU) and more Pb uptake efficacies compared to their un-irradiated counterparts. FTIR spectra illustrated the involvement of functional groups in Pb biosorption. SEM photographs revealed the structural deformities in both the fungal strains after being exposed to Pb and gamma. Upregulated anti-oxidative defense system (super oxide dismutase, catalase, total glutathione) in gamma exposed fungal groups are accountable for enhanced Pb tolerance and removal than that of their un-irradiated counterparts. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study exhibit a light towards a new step of heavy metal bioremediation.

1,2,4-Triazolo-quinazoline-thiones: Non-conventional synthetic approach, study of solvatochromism and antioxidant assessment.

A non-conventional methodology has been utilized for the synthesis of a series of 1,2,4-triazolo-quinazoline-thiones (2a-l). Here the reaction was carried out between 1,2,4-triazolo-quinazolinones (1a-l), in the presence of 1,4-dioxane. The mixture was irradiated under microwave (100W) for 7min to obtain targeted molecules (2a-l). All the synthesized molecules were confirmed by (1)H, (13)C NMR and HRMS. The solvatochromic property (absorption spectra) of compounds (2a-l) in solvents of different polarities was studied. The compounds (2a-l) were further subjected for their in vitro free radical screening using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and also screened for their in vitro anti-fungal property against Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Aspergillus niger (A. niger). The results from free radical scavenging assay showed promising activity for compounds 2a, e-i, whereas compound 2d showed significant antioxidant activity when compared to ascorbic acid. In vitro anti-fungal study showed that the 1,2,4-triazolo-quinazoline-thiones (2a-l) had significant activity against A. flavus and A. niger compared with widely used antifungal agent Fluconazole.

Assessment of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) stapf essential oil as herbal preservatives based on antifungal, antiaflatoxin, and antiochratoxin activities and in vivo efficacy during storage.

Thirty-five randomly collected samples of stored table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) from different markets of Gorakhpur city, Uttar Pradesh, India, revealed occurrence of 11 types of fungi. Of which, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus ochraceus were dominant causing severe decay of grapes with 58%, 52%, and 67% incidence, respectively. On screening of 15 essential oils at 0.33 µL/mL, Cymbopogon citratus oil caused 100% mycelial inhibition against aforesaid dominant fungi. Oil was fungistatic at 0.29 µL/mL and exhibited broad fungitoxicity against other fruit rotting fungi associated with collected samples. C. citratus oil completely inhibited the growth and mycotoxin (AFB1 and OTA) secretion of the aflatoxigenic and ochratoxigenic strains of A. flavus, A. niger, and A. ochraceus at 0.8 µL/mL. E-Citral (52.9%) and Z-Citral (39.38%) were the major components of C. citratus oil during gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Application of 200 and 300 µL of C. citratus oil on 1 kg of stored grapes showed enhancement of shelf life up to 10 d. The oil did not exhibit any phytotoxic effect on fruits. These results confirm that C. citratus oil could be a natural alternative to commercial fungicide for control of fruit rotting fungi of stored grapes.

An endophytic fungus from Hypericum perforatum that produces hypericin.

For the first time, an endophytic fungus has been isolated from the stems of the medicinal herb Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort). The fungus produced the napthodianthrone derivative hypericin ( 1) in rich mycological medium (potato dextrose broth) under shake flask and bench scale fermentation conditions. Emodin ( 2) was also produced simultaneously by the fungus under the same culture conditions. We propose 2 as the main precursor in the microbial metabolic pathway to 1. The fungus was identified by morphology and authenticated by 28S (LSU) rDNA sequencing. Compounds 1 and 2 were identified by LC-HRMS, LC-MS/MS, and LC-HRMS/MS and confirmed by comparison with authentic standards. In bioassays with a panel of laboratory standard pathogenic control strains, including fungi and bacteria, both fungal 1 and 2 possessed antimicrobial activity comparable to authentic standards. This endophytic fungus has significant scientific and industrial potential to meet the pharmaceutical demands for 1 in a cost-effective, easily accessible, and reproducible way.

Citric acid production by a novel Aspergillus niger isolate: I. Mutagenesis and cost reduction studies.

Ultraviolet-irradiation (UV), ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and acridine orange (AO) were used to induce citric acid overproduction mutations in Aspergillus niger UMIP 2564. Among 15, eight of the mutant derivatives, were improved with respect to citric acid production from sucrose in batch cultures. Maximum product yield (60.25%) was recorded by W5, a stable UV mutant, with approximately 3.2-fold increase when compared to the parental wild type strain. In terms of the kinetic parameters for batch fermentation processes, the mutation doubled the specific substrate uptake rate and achieved 4.5- and 7.5-fold improvements in citric acid productivity and specific productivity, respectively. For reduction of the fermentation medium cost, corn steep liquor and calcium phosphate pre-treated beet molasses were successfully used as substituents of nitrogen and carbon sources in the growth medium, respectively. These medium substitutions resulted in a W5 citric acid fermentation culture with a product yield of 74.56%.

Toxicity assessment of nickel using Aspergillus niger and its removal from an industrial effluent.

Chemical analysis of electroplating effluent revealed the presence of very high concentrations of nickel (393 ppm) in the effluent. Bioassay was carried out to test the toxicity of nickel chloride to Aspergillus niger. In contrast to 50% conidial inhibition at 1.7 mM nickel, hyphal extension was affected even at a lower concentration (0.4 mM), suggesting that hyphae are more sensitive than conidia to nickel. An increase in nickel concentration resulted in a proportionate decrease in the hyphal extension. Nickel (II)-resistant mutants of A. niger M1, M2, and M3, were obtained using direct selection, stepwise adaptation, and ultraviolet mutation techniques. Biosorption of Ni (II) by the mutant M3 was 50% more than that of its parent strain.