New steroid produced by Periconia pseudobyssoides K5 isolated from Toona sureni (Meliaceae) and its heme polymerization inhibition activity.

A new ergostane-type steroid named (22E)-3α,6α,9α-ergosta-7,22-diene-3,6,9-triol (1), along with six known steroids 5α,8α-epidioxy-24-ethyl-cholest-6-en-3ß-ol (2), ergosterol-5,8-peroxide (3), cerevisterol (4), isocyathisterol (5), 6ß-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one (6), 6ß-hydroxy-4-campesten-3-one (7), were isolated from the fermented unpolished rice media by Periconia pseudobyssoides K5 (Periconiaceae), an endophytic fungus from medicinal plant Toona sureni (Meliaceae). The fermentation takes at 28 ± 2 °C for 30 days. The structure of new steroid (1) was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements (IR, HR-ESI-TOFMS, and 1D and 2D NMR) analyses. The isolated compounds (1-7) were evaluated for heme polymerization inhibition assay (HPIA). The IC50 HPIA value of 1 is 8.24 ± 0.03 mg/ml.

Endophytic microbiome of Boehmeria nivea and their antagonism against latent fungal pathogens in plants.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic microbes still become obstacles that can reduce the quality of plant growth, including ramie (Boehmeria nivea) plants. The study identified the microbiome and antagonistic interaction of the endophytic community from the B. nivea is necessary to improve the production of the ramie plant, especially ramie stem organs for fiber materials.  RESULTS: Twenty isolates of endophytic microorganisms were obtained from the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. They were identified using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal (rDNA), and its morphotypes obtained 20 isolates, with a composition of 9 species of bacteria and 11 species of fungi. Besides that, the disease observations on ramie stems showed that four species of pathogenic fungi were identified as Fusarium solani isolate 3,248,941, Fusarium solani isolates colpat-359, Fusarium oxysporum isolate N-61-2, Clonostachys rosea strain B3042. The endophytic microorganism of ramie ability was tested to determine their potential to inhibit the growth of the pathogenic fungi based on the in-vivo antagonist test. The isolated bacteria were only able to inhibit the growth of F. solani, with the highest percentage of 54-55%. Three species of endophytic fungi, including Cladosporium tennissimum, Fusarium falciforme, and Penicillium citrinum, showed the best inhibition against the fungal pathogen Fusarium solani with the highest inhibitory presentation of 91-95%. Inhibitory interaction between the endophytic microbes and the ramie pathogens indicated the type of antibiosis, competition, and parasitism.  CONCLUSION: The results of this study succeeded in showing the potential antifungal by endophytic fungi from ramie against the pathogens of the plant itself. P. citrinum isolate MEBP0017 showed the highest inhibition against all the pathogens of the ramie.

Characteristics and Quality of Flame-Retarded Ramie Fabrics for the Development of Functional Textiles.

Cellulose fabric testing for flame-retardant studies is frequently necessary in various textile applications. Natural cellulose material from ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is being promoted as an alternative raw material for the development of fire-resistant fabrics. This research aims to optimize the coating process of ramie fabric using a phosphorus-based flame retardant (FR) to enhance its flame-retardant characteristics. The FR treatment involves bleaching the fabric with H2O2; followed by fabric finishing using a formula comprising 3% (v/v) hydroxymethyl resin; phosphoric acid (2%); and two formulations of the flammable agent Flamatic DM-3072N: 40% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), applied using the pad-dry-cure method. The flame-retardant properties of the treated fabric are evaluated through flammability testing based on the ASTM D6413-08 standard, limiting oxygen index (LOI) analysis, and micrograph surface structure analysis with SEM. The results indicate that ramie fabric treated with the FR-50% material exhibits superior fire resistance, preventing fire spread on the fabric with a char length of 15-30 mm and a LOI value of 29. These findings highlight the potential of FR-treated ramie fabrics for various industries, including the automotive and protective clothing industries.

Secondary Metabolites of Biscogniauxia: Distribution, Chemical Diversity, Bioactivity, and Implications of the Occurrence.

The genus Biscogniauxia, a member of the family Xylariaceae, is distributed worldwide with more than 50 recognized taxa. Biscogniauxia species is known as a plant pathogen, typically acting as a parasite on tree bark, although certain members of this genus also function as endophytic microorganisms. Biscogniauxia endophytic strain has received attention in many cases, which includes constituent research leading to the discovery of various bioactive secondary metabolites. Currently, there are a total of 115 chemical compounds belonging to the class of secondary metabolites, and among these compounds, fatty acids have been identified. In addition, the strong pharmacological agents of this genus are (3aS,4aR,8aS,9aR)-3a-hydroxy-8a-methyl-3,5-dimethylenedecahydronaphto [2,3-b]furan-2(3H)-one (HDFO) (antifungal), biscopyran (phytotoxic activity), reticulol (antioxidant), biscogniazaphilone A and B (antimycobacterial), and biscogniauxone (Enzyme GSK3 inhibitor). This comprehensive research contributes significantly to the potential discovery of novel drugs produced by Biscogniauxia and holds promise for future development. Importantly, it represents the first-ever review of natural products originating from the Biscogniauxia genus.

Tensile Strength Improvements of Ramie Fiber Threads through Combination of Citric Acid and Sodium Hypophosphite Cross-Linking.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is believed to be one of the strongest natural fibers, but it still remains behind synthetic materials in terms of tensile strength. In this study, ramie materials were prepared to evaluate the modification crosslinking effect of natural fiber. The aim is to optimize various concentrations of citric acid (CA) crosslinking by adding Sodium hypophosphite (NaPO2H2), which is activated at different temperatures, to obtain the highest tensile mechanical strength. This crosslinking effect has been confirmed by FTIR to show the esterification process in the molecular structure of cellulose. The changes in the character of the fiber surface were analyzed by SEM. The tensile strength increased from 62.33 MPa for 0% CA to 124-172.86 MPa for decorticated fiber with a CA concentration of 0.75-1.875% (w/w). A significant increase in tensile strength was observed more than 19 times when CA/SHP 1% was treated at an activation temperature of 110 °C with a superior tensile strength of 1290.63. The fiber crosslinked with CA/SHP should be recommended for application of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite (NFRPC), which has the potential to use in functional textile and industrial sector automotive or construction.

Effect of harvesting age of plant and pectinolytic selected-fungi in biodegumming ramie performance.

Ramie is one of the long natural fiber has strong mechanical properties. To improve the quality of ramie fiber, this study developed a bio degumming method from superior isolates of pectinolytic fungi Rhizopus sp. and optimization of raw fiber based on harvesting time. The results of the pectinolytic fungi selection were used as a bio degumming bio starter under optimum conditions of pH and temperature. Also, fiber material harvested at 50-day and 60- day to obtain an increase in the physical quality. The bio degummed fiber was analysed to determine the tenacity and fineness, the functional groups contained, thermal analysis, moisture regain and content, material polymers, and degree of crystallinity. Based on the results, the finest ramie properties with 50-day harvested fiber are as follows: strength 24.54 ± 0, 02 g/tex, elongation 12.04 ± 2,90%, fineness 1.33 ± 0,17 tex, moisture regain 8.23 ± 0,18 %, and moisture content 8.96 ± 0,21 %. Ramie fibers at initial conditions and after bio degumming at 50 and 60-day harvested had the same pattern of thermal stability. The dyeability test showed that the degummed 60-day harvested fibers has the greatest dye fixing ability. The bio degumming process with this method can improve the quality and dyeability of the rami fiber which can be used for future applications.

A Comprehensive Review on Natural Fibers: Technological and Socio-Economical Aspects.

Asian countries have abundant resources of natural fibers, but unfortunately, they have not been optimally utilized. The facts showed that from 2014 to 2020, there was a shortfall in meeting national demand of over USD 2.75 million per year. Therefore, in order to develop the utilization and improve the economic potential as well as the sustainability of natural fibers, a comprehensive review is required. The study aimed to demonstrate the availability, technological processing, and socio-economical aspects of natural fibers. Although many studies have been conducted on this material, it is necessary to revisit their potential from those perspectives to maximize their use. The renewability and biodegradability of natural fiber are part of the fascinating properties that lead to their prospective use in automotive, aerospace industries, structural and building constructions, bio packaging, textiles, biomedical applications, and military vehicles. To increase the range of applications, relevant technologies in conjunction with social approaches are very important. Hence, in the future, the utilization can be expanded in many fields by considering the basic characteristics and appropriate technologies of the natural fibers. Selecting the most prospective natural fiber for creating national products can be assisted by providing an integrated management system from a digitalized information on potential and related technological approaches. To make it happens, collaborations between stakeholders from the national R&D agency, the government as policy maker, and academic institutions to develop national bioproducts based on domestic innovation in order to move the circular economy forward are essential.

Characterization of bacterial homocitrate synthase involved in lysine biosynthesis.

In Thermus thermophilus homocitrate synthase (HCS) catalyzes the initial reaction of lysine biosynthesis through alpha-aminoadipic acid, synthesis of homocitrate from 2-oxoglutarate and acetyl-CoA. HCS is strongly inhibited by lysine, indicating that the biosynthesis is regulated by the endproduct at the initial reaction in the pathway. HCS also catalyzes the reaction using oxaloacetate in place of 2-oxoglutarate as a substrate, similar to citrate synthase in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Several other properties of Thermus HCS and an evolutionary relationship of the biosynthetic pathway in the bacterium to other metabolic pathways are also described.