Time versus tissue: Timely identification of Scedosporium Rhinosinusitis in a post-COVID-19 case by MALDI-TOF MS leading to successful management.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), illness with associated comorbidities and corticosteroid therapy makes the host immunocompromised and prone to opportunistic microbial infections. As the world continues to struggle with the pandemic of COVID-19, an increase in cases of opportunistic fungal infections have been reported from all over the world during the second wave of COVID-19 like aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and candidiasis. Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging pathogen that is usually associated with mycetoma, pulmonary infection, and central nervous infections. It has been rarely associated with fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS). In this study, a rare case of FRS caused by S.apiospermum in an immunocompromised post-Covid-19 diabetic woman is reported.

Report on aflatoxin-binding activity of galactan exopolysaccharide produced by Weissella confusa KR780676.

Galactan exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Weissella confusa KR780676 isolated from an Indian traditional fermented food has been reported earlier. In this manuscript, we have studied aflatoxin-binding ability of this galactan EPS. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) binding ability of galactan EPS was observed in an increasing trend with increasing EPS concentration (20-100 mg/mL). At lower concentrations (< 20 mg/mL) of EPS, the binding activity was undetectable, while notable binding was seen from 30 mg/mL. Enhanced AFB1 binding (32.40%) was recorded at 50 mg/mL of EPS and it increased gradually up to 34.79% at 100 mg/mL concentrations of EPS. The intensity of bands in high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis confirms the AFB1 binding efficiency of galactan EPS, which shows its potential application for removal of toxins in food and feed industry. Galactan EPS binding activity to AFB1 is further studied with particle size analysis (PSA). This is the first study reporting the aflatoxin-binding activity of any kind of EPS from lactic acid bacteria.

Characterization of a novel galactan produced by Weissella confusa KR780676 from an acidic fermented food.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing strain PUFSTM055 isolated from Idli batter (an Indian traditional cereal-legume based fermented food) was identified as Weissella confusa KR780676. The strain was shown to produce 17.2g/L (dry weight) of EPS in 2% sucrose supplemented MRS broth and the EPS was characterized. HPTLC analysis confirmed the presence of galactose monomers, indicating the homopolysaccharide nature of EPS. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that the EPS was found to be a novel linear galactan containing α-(1→6)-linked galactose units. Scanning electron microscopy of the EPS revealed the presence of porous and spongy starch-like granules. Topographical examination of EPS by atomic force microscopy revealed that the EPS formed densely packed mesh-like structure with irregular spherical lumps. The EPS also showed high thermal stability with a degradation temperature of 287.5 °C and melting point at 274.65 °C. EPS was semi-crystalline with crystallinity index of 0.23 and showed 100% water solubility index. These characteristics of the EPS would make it a promising hydrocolloid for food industries as bio-thickeners, stabilizers and also as an encapsulating material for delivery of food bioactive compounds. This is the first study reporting the galactan compose of the EPS from lactic acid bacteria.