Biodegradation ability of two selected microbial autochthonous consortia from a chronically polluted marine coastal area (Priolo Gargallo, Italy).

The aims of this study were: (i) the characterization of the structure of the indigenous microbial community associated with the sediments under study; (ii) the isolation and characterization of microbial consortia able to degrade the aged hydrocarbons contaminating the sediments, and (iii) the assessment of related biodegradation capability of selected consortia. Samples of surface sediments were collected in Priolo Gargallo harbour (Sicily, Italy). The samples were analysed for physical, chemical (GC-FID analysis) and microbiological characteristics (qualitative (16S rDNA clone library) and quantitative (DAPI, CFU and MPN count) analysis). The sediment samples were used for the selection of two microbial consortia (indicated as PSO and PSM) with high biodegradation capacity for crude oil (∼95%) and PAHs (∼63%) respectively. Genetic analysis showed that Alcanivorax and Cycloclasticus were the dominant genera in both the PSO and PSM consortia. Oil-polluted environments naturally develop an elevated biorecovery potential. The presence of a highly specialized microbial flora (adapted to support the contamination) and their stimulation through favourable induced conditions provides a promising recovery strategy. The chance to identify and select indigenous bacteria and/or consortia with a high biodegradation capacity is fundamental for the development and optimization of bioaugmentation strategies especially for those concerning in situ applications.

Antifungal effects of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Echinophora platyloba and Rosmarinus officinalis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In traditional medicine, herbal products still remain the principal source of pharmaceutical agents. The present study aimed to investigate the antifungal effects of Echinophora platyloba and Rosmarinus officinalis extracts on C. albicans species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: :The aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of E. platyloba and R. officinalis, collected from the mountainous regions of Iran, were screened in terms of antimicrobial activity against C. albicans strains, using the agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the microtitration technique. RESULTS: Overall, the results showed that the leaf extracts of E. platyloba and R. officinalis had strong antimicrobial activities. Also, based on the findings, R. officinalis leaf extracts exhibited higher antimicrobial activity. The ethanolic leaf extracts of E. platyloba and R. officinalis showed good antimicrobial activity against C. albicans strains. However, the aqueous extracts did not show any major activities against the tested C. albicans strains. On the other hand, the ethanolic extracts exhibited major antimicrobial properties against C. albicans strains. The highest minimum inhibitory concentration was reported in E. platyloba leaf extracts. CONCLUSION: The present results indicated some advantages of E. platyloba and R. officinalis leaf extracts, which could be applied for the treatment of microbial infections.