Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity during ripening of Malpighia glabra fruits.

Malpighia glabra (Malpighiaceae) is a cherry fruit popularly known as acerola or West Indian cherry, with nutraceuticals in each ripening stage. The changes in the phytoconstituents, pigments, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants were investigated during the fruit ripening and expressed in fresh weight (FW). Gentisic acid was present in the highest concentration in IMGL fruits (11.43 mg/100 g), which was reduced to 0.362 mg/100 g over-ripening. The major flavonoid present was epicatechin, and the concentration increased from 2.11 mg/100 g in immature green large (IMGL) fruits to 19.52 mg/100 g in ripe fruits. Ascorbic acid was the most abundant organic acid present, and the highest concentration was found in the IMGL fruits (2030 mg/100 g). Fructose and galactose were found in the highest concentrations in overripe fruits (2290 mg/100 g and 1460 mg/100 g, respectively). The IMGL fruits showed the highest total antioxidant activity of 5.48% and 5.34% ascorbic acid equivalent in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Mineral quantification showed that the fruits were rich in potassium and calcium (150.43 and 12.90 mg/100 g, respectively). This study could identify the appropriate stage of acerola fruit for developing functional foods with maximum utilization of phytoconstituents in all stages.

Genome-wide identification of MATE, functional analysis and molecular dynamics of DcMATE21 involved in anthocyanin accumulation in Daucus carota.

Anthocyanins are a subclass of flavonoids that are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and then transported to the vacuole in plants. Multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporters (MATE) is a family of membrane transporters that transport ions and secondary metabolites, such as anthocyanins, in plants. Although various studies on MATE transporters have been carried out on different plant species, this is the first comprehensive report to mine the Daucus carota genome to identify the MATE gene family. Our study identified 45 DcMATEs through genome-wide analysis and detected five segmental and six tandem duplications from the genome. The chromosome distribution, phylogenetic analysis, and cis-regulatory elements revealed the structural diversity and numerous functions associated with the DcMATEs. In addition, we analyzed RNA-seq data obtained from the European Nucleotide Archive to screen for the expression of DcMATEs involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Among the identified DcMATEs, DcMATE21 correlated with anthocyanin content in the different D. carota varieties. In addition, the expression of DcMATE21 and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes was correlated under abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, sodium nitroprusside, salicylic acid, and phenylalanine treatments, which were substantiated by anthocyanin accumulation in the in vitro cultures. Further molecular membrane dynamics of DcMATE21 with anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) identified the binding pocket, showing extensive H-bond interactions with 10 crucial amino acids present in the transmembrane helix of 7, 8, and 10 of DcMATE21. The current investigation, using RNA-seq, in vitro cultures, and molecular dynamics studies revealed the involvement of DcMATE21 in anthocyanin accumulation in vitro cultures of D. carota.

A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Application of Hanifin and Rajka Criteria in Indian Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Patients to that of Other Countries.

Background: Hanifin and Rajka criteria are considered to be the gold standard for atopic dermatitis diagnosis. However, the exhaustive nature limits its use in clinical settings. Objective: To determine the frequency of Hanifin and Rajka criteria commonly found in Indian pediatric atopic dermatitis patients and variation from the findings of other studies. Material and Methods: An observational, descriptive study with a sample size of 52 pediatric atopic dermatitis patients. Patients were divided into infantile, childhood, and adolescent. Results: Overall, xerosis, early age of onset, Dennie-Morgan fold, aggravation because of environmental factors, palmar hyper-linearity, ichthyosis vulgaris, keratosis pilaris, pityriasis alba, and orbital darkening were found in more than 50% of patients. Dennie-Morgan fold was more commonly found in Indian pediatric atopic dermatitis patients. Peri-follicular accentuation was less prevalent in Indian patients as compared to other Asian studies. None of the parents reported food intolerance, which was seen in studies from other countries. Limitations: A small sample size and ophthalmological evaluation was not performed in all patients. Conclusion: The frequency of different Hanifin and Rajka minor criteria varies widely among different study populations. Hence, the criteria specifically applicable to the Indian population need to be derived for ease of diagnosis.

Therapeutic application of machine learning in psoriasis: A Prisma systematic review.

Dermatology, being a predominantly visual-based diagnostic field, has found itself to be at the epitome of artificial intelligence (AI)-based advances. Machine learning (ML), a subset of AI, goes a step further by recognizing patterns from data and teaches machines to automatically learn tasks. Although artificial intelligence in dermatology is mostly developed in melanoma and skin cancer diagnosis, advances in AI and ML have gone far ahead and found its application in ulcer assessment, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, onychomycosis, etc. This article is focused on the application of ML in the therapeutic aspect of psoriasis.

Gene expression profile analysis unravelled the systems level association of renal cell carcinoma with diabetic nephropathy and Matrix-metalloproteinase-9 as a potential therapeutic target.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancer share many common risk factors. However, the potential biological link that connects the two at the molecular level is still unclear. The experimental evidence suggests that several genes and their pathways may be involved in developing cancerous conditions associated with diabetes. In this study, we identified the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and the hub protein(s) that interlink T2D and cancer using genome-scale differential gene expression profiles. Further, the PPI network of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in cancer was analyzed to explore novel insights into the molecular association between the two conditions. The densely connected regions were analyzed by constructing the backbone and subnetworks with key nodes and shortest pathways, respectively. The PPI network studies identified Matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a hub protein playing a vital role in glomerulonephritis tubular diseases and some genetic kidney diseases. MMP-9 was also associated with different growth factors, like tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-1), and pathways like chemokine signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, etc. Further, the molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies supported the druggability of MMP-9, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target in treating renal cell carcinoma linked with diabetic kidney disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Itch in Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa: A Systematic Review.

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit leading to formation of painful, inflammatory nodules, abscesses and tunnels in apocrine gland-bearing areas of the skin. Pain and drainage are the most important symptoms associated with reduction of quality of life in HS. On the other hand, an overlooked symptom in quality of life studies is itch, despite the fact that several studies have reported its importance. Various theories have tried to explain the pathogenesis of itch in HS, such as the presence of mast cells in the cell infiltrates and elevated Ig E levels in the lesional skin. Smoking and advanced stage of disease have been found to be associated with increased intensity of itch. A PUBMED search was conducted to perform a systematic literature review using the term "hidradenitis suppurativa" [all fields], the keywords "pruritus", "itching", "itch" [all fields] and with "AND" as operator. Mast cells and mTor signaling were found to be raised in both lesional and perilesional skin. Itch as a presenting symptom has been found in 35-82.6% of patients across multiple studies. It often co-presents with pain and may be misinterpreted as burning, stinging, tickling, tweaking, prickling, etc. The presence of itch is associated with reduced quality of life, depression and impairment of social life. Brodalumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-17A receptor, produced significant improvements in itch, pain, QoL and depression in patients with moderate to severe HS. Statins have shown some reduction in itch intensity score. Further studies are required to gain a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis and optimal therapeutic modalities for itch in HS that will allow clinicians to better address issue and reduce its impact on quality of life.

Structure-based screening of natural product libraries in search of potential antiviral drug-leads as first-line treatment to COVID-19 infection.

The study focuses on identifying and screening natural products (NPs) based on their structural similarities with chemical drugs followed by their possible use in first-line treatment to COVID-19 infection. In the present study, the in-house natural product libraries, consisting of 26,311 structures, were screened against potential targets of SARS-CoV-2 based on their structural similarities with the prescribed chemical drugs. The comparison was based on molecular properties, 2 and 3-dimensional structural similarities, activity cliffs, and core fragments of NPs with chemical drugs. The screened NPs were evaluated for their therapeutic effects based on their predicted in-silico pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties, binding interactions with the appropriate targets, and structural stability of the bound complex using molecular dynamics simulations. The study yielded NPs with significant structural similarities to synthetic drugs currently used to treat COVID-19 infections. The study proposes the probable biological action of the selected NPs as Anti-retroviral protease inhibitors, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors, and viral entry inhibitors.

Biosynthesis and regulation of anthocyanin pathway genes.

Anthocyanins are the phenolic compounds responsible for coloring pigments in fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins offer a wide range of health benefits to human health. Their scope has expanded dramatically in the past decade, making anthocyanin control, influx, and outflow regulation fascinating for many researchers. The main culprit is anthocyanin stability and concentration form, which demands novel ways because these are critical in the food industry. This review aims to examine anthocyanin synthesis via triggering transcription genes that code for anthocyanin-producing enzymes. The balance between production and breakdown determines anthocyanin accumulation. Thus, increasing the anthocyanin content in food requires the stability of molecules in the vacuolar lumen, the pigment fading process, and a better understanding of the mechanism. The promising option is biosynthesis by metabolically engineered microorganisms with a lot of success. This study aims to look into and evaluate the existing literature on anthocyanin production, namely the biosynthesis of anthocyanin pathway genes, production by microbial cell factories, and the regulatory factors that can modulate the production of anthocyanins. Understanding these mechanisms will provide new biotechnological approaches.Key points• Factors affecting the regulation of anthocyanins• Focus on degradation, biosynthesis pathway genes, and alternative systems for the production of anthocyanins• Microbial cell factories can be used to produce large amounts of anthocyanins.

Chemometric evaluation of functional components and anti-quorum sensing activity of mulberry leaves from Indian cultivars: a potential contribution to the food industry.

BACKGROUND: Potential use of many native, easily available vegetal materials for human consumption and value addition is not well recognized. Mulberry, being a traditional industrial crop rich in nutrients and nutraceuticals can be of great importance for the food industry. However, mulberry leaves are mainly being utilized in sericulture and are not exploited for their functional components. Thus, the selection of promising mulberry cultivars, rich in bioactive compounds, like resveratrol and 1-deoxynojirimycin, increase their potential use in functional foods. RESULTS: Chlorogenic acid, myricetin and kaempferol were the major polyphenols present in the nine selected cultivars, in the range 0.001-0.086, 0.003-0.079 and 0.003-0.163 g kg-1 fresh weight (FW), respectively. Protocatechuic acid, epicatechin and rutin were predominantly present in cultivars V-1, G-2 and ML (0.103, 0.080 and 0.121 g kg-1 FW, respectively). Similarly, resveratrol and 1-deoxynojirimycin were highest in cultivars ML and K-2 (0.078 and 0.079 g kg-1 FW, respectively). Leaf extracts of cultivars G-2 and ML were able to effectively inhibit the violacein production with 64.08% and 70.04%, respectively at the concentration of 6 mg mL-1 presumably due to a higher content of polyphenols. Chemometric evaluation of chromatographic data showed the intraspecific variability and secondary metabolite co-existence in different cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: Considering phytoconstituents, cultivars G-2, ML, K-2 and V-1 could contribute efficiently to the rational utilization of mulberry in agro-food industries. Furthermore, cultivars G-2 and ML leaves can be a new source of quorum sensing inhibitory agents. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of diosgenin content from eleven different Indian varieties of fenugreek and fenugreek leaf powder fortified bread.

The present study designed to establish the diosgenin profile from eleven different Indian varieties of fenugreek, and subsequently develop powder from the best stage and variety to prepare diosgenin fortified bread. The seeds, sprouts and leaves of different fenugreek varieties were analyzed for the diosgenin using HPLC. The content of phenolics and flavonoids also estimated and assessed for its antioxidant capacity using phosphomolybdate, DPPH and FRAP. Among eleven varieties screened for diosgenin and the other compounds, tender leaf of Kasuri methi (KS) variety showed the highest content of diosgenin (466.89 ± 0.32 mg/100 g FW), phenolics (58.54 ± 2.70 mg/100 g FW) and flavonoids (1104.16 ± 43.70 mg/100 g FW) followed by Pusa Early Bunching (PEB) (444.18 ± 0.36 mg/100 g FW) and Early Bunching (EB) (409.45 ± 0.42 mg/100 g FW). Among three stages, seeds found to be a better total antioxidant, DPPH scavenging, and reducing ability. Further, based on the results, bread fortified with 1.5% KS leaf powder is found to be optimal which also has significant diosgenin content (268.91 mg/100 g DW). And the effect of KS leaf powder on amylograph and farinograph characteristics of wheat flour and quality characteristics of bread showed promising results of acceptance.

Salt Stress-Induced Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Genes and MATE Transporter Involved in Anthocyanin Accumulation in Daucus carota Cell Culture.

Anthocyanins biosynthesis is a well-studied biosynthesis pathway in Daucus carota. However, the scale-up production at the bioreactor level and transporter involved in accumulation is poorly understood. To increase anthocyanin content and elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in accumulation, we examined D. carota cell culture in flask and bioreactor for 18 days under salt stress (20.0 mM NH4NO3/37.6 mM KNO3) at 3 day intervals. The expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis and putative MATE (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) transporter expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. It was observed that there was a significant enhancement of anthocyanin in the bioreactor compared to the control culture. A correlation was observed between the expression of MATE and the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (CHS, C4H, LDOX, and UFGT) on the 9th day in a bioreactor, where maximum anthocyanin accumulation and expression was detected. We hypothesize the involvement of MATE in transporting anthocyanin to tonoplast in D. carota culture under salt stress.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surveillance, prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance: a global survey.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on health systems. The WHO Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance and Quality Assessment Collaborating Centres Network conducted a survey to assess the effects of COVID-19 on AMR surveillance, prevention and control. METHODS: From October to December 2020, WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) national focal points completed a questionnaire, including Likert scales and open-ended questions. Data were descriptively analysed, income/regional differences were assessed and free-text questions were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-three countries across income levels participated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 67% reported limited ability to work with AMR partnerships; decreases in funding were frequently reported by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs; P < 0.01). Reduced availability of nursing, medical and public health staff for AMR was reported by 71%, 69% and 64%, respectively, whereas 67% reported stable cleaning staff availability. The majority (58%) reported reduced reagents/consumables, particularly LMICs (P < 0.01). Decreased numbers of cultures, elective procedures, chronically ill admissions and outpatients and increased ICU admissions reported could bias AMR data. Reported overall infection prevention and control (IPC) improvement could decrease AMR rates, whereas increases in selected inappropriate IPC practices and antimicrobial prescribing could increase rates. Most did not yet have complete data on changing AMR rates due to COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first survey to explore the global impact of COVID-19 on AMR among GLASS countries. Responses highlight important actions to help ensure that AMR remains a global health priority, including engaging with GLASS to facilitate reliable AMR surveillance data, seizing the opportunity to develop more sustainable IPC programmes, promoting integrated antibiotic stewardship guidance, leveraging increased laboratory capabilities and other system-strengthening efforts.

Physicochemical Composition and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds of Mulberry (Morus indica L.) Fruit During Ontogeny.

Mulberry fruit is well recognized as one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds. We investigated the physicochemical composition and characterized the bioactive compounds during different ripening stages of mulberry (Morus indica) fruit and evaluated their anti-quorum sensing activity on Chromobacterium violaceum. The proximate components such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids were found to be high in the ripe fruit compared to unripe and mid-ripe fruit. The ripe fruit contained higher content of total phenolics and flavonoids (336.05 and 282.55 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), respectively). Epicatechin and resveratrol were the major polyphenols detected in the fruit with the range 5.13-19.46 and 4.07-14.45 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and myricetin were predominant in the unripe and mid-ripe fruit (7.14 and 1.84 mg/100 g FW, respectively). The fruit was found to be an excellent source of anti-diabetic compound 1-deoxynojirimycin. The highest content of 1-deoxynojirimycin was present in the mid-ripe fruit, with a content of 2.91 mg/100 g FW. Furthermore, fruit extracts exhibited anti-quorum sensing activity against Chromobacterium violaceum by effectively inhibiting violacein production. Ripe fruit extracts showed the highest activity of 76.30% at 1 mg/mL and thus, could be used as a potent anti-quorum sensing agent. The results could be promising in the selection of appropriate developmental stages for M. indica fruit commercial exploitation in the food formulations rich in potential health components.

Evolutionary selectivity of amino acid is inspired from the enhanced structural stability and flexibility of the folded protein.

AIM: The present study attempts to decipher the site-specific amino acid alterations at certain positions experiencing preferential selectivity and their effect on proteins' stability and flexibility. The study examines the selection preferences by considering pair-wise non-bonded interaction energies of adjacent and interacting amino acids present at the interacting site, along with their evolutionary history. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the study, variations in the interacting residues of spike protein (S-Protein) receptor-binding domain (RBD) of different coronaviruses were examined. The MD simulation trajectory analysis revealed that, though all the variants studied were structurally stable at their native and bound confirmations, the RBD of 2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2 was found to be more flexible and more dynamic. Furthermore, a noticeable change observed in the non-bonded interaction energies of the amino acids interacting with the receptor corroborated their selection at respective positions. KEY FINDINGS: The conformational changes exerted by the altered amino acids could be the reason for a broader range of interacting receptors among the selected proteins. SIGNIFICANCE: The results envisage a strong indication that the residue selection at certain positions is governed by a well-orchestrated feedback mechanism, which follows increased stability and flexibility in the folded structure compared to its evolutionary predecessor.

Pleiotropic nature of curcumin in targeting multiple apoptotic-mediated factors and related strategies to treat gastric cancer: A review.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the major reasons for cancer-associated death and exhibits the second-highest mortality rate worldwide. Several advanced approaches have been designed to treat GC; however, these strategies possess many innate complications. In view of this, the upcoming research relying on natural products could result in designing potential anticancer agents with fewer side effects. Curcumin, isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. has several medicinal properties like antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antitumor, and antimetastatic. Such pleiotropic nature of curcumin impedes the invasion and proliferation of GC by targeting several oncogenic factors like p23, human epidermal factor receptor2 including Helicobacter pylori. The side effect of chemotherapy, that is, chemotherapeutic resistance and radiotherapy could be reduced combination therapy of curcumin. Moreover, the photodynamic therapy of curcumin destroys the cancer cells without affecting normal cells. However, further more potential studies are required to establish the potent efficacy of curcumin in the treatment of GC. The current review details the anticancer activities of curcumin and related strategies which could be employed to treat GC with additional focus on its inhibitory properties against viability, proliferation, and migration of GC cells through cell cycle arrest and stimulation by apoptosis-mediated factors.

Micro and nanoemulsions of Carissa spinarum fruit polyphenols, enhances anthocyanin stability and anti-quorum sensing activity: Comparison of degradation kinetics.

The low stability of anthocyanins is a constraint in the food industry. The present work has been carried out to overcome this low stability by encapsulating fruit concentrate of underutilized plant Carissa spinarum (CS) with polyphenols in microemulsions (CSME) and nanoemulsions (CSNE). Increasing the amount of CS reduced the particle size from 1154 to 70-300 nm whereas addition of Tween 80 reduced it optimally to 5-25 nm. Degradation of anthocyanins in control and ME/NE proceeded with zero- and first-order reaction rates, respectively, at 28 °C (half-life 6, 25 and 40 days, respectively). The degradation kinetics of phenolics-flavonoids were also studied. CSNE exhibited higher anti-quorum sensing (QS) activity than CSME against Chromobacterium violaceum (73.7%); it inhibited biofilm formation by 70.1 and 64.4% in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Yersinia enterocolitica, respectively. This is the first report of using the more stable ME/NE to study anti-QS activity, an alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in London care homes reporting no cases or outbreaks of COVID-19: Prospective observational cohort study, England 2020.

BACKGROUND: Care homes have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the potential role of asymptomatic infection and silent transmission in London care homes that reported no cases of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. METHODS: Five care homes with no cases and two care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 (non-outbreak homes) were investigated with nasal swabbing for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies five weeks later. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on RT-PCR positive samples. Serology results were compared with those of six care homes with recognised outbreaks. FINDINGS: Across seven non-outbreak homes, 718 (387 staff, 331 residents) individuals had a nasal swab and 651 (386 staff, 265 residents) had follow-up serology. Sixteen individuals (13 residents, 3 staff) in five care homes with no reported cases were RT-PCR positive (care home positivity rates, 0 to 7.6%) compared to 13 individuals (3.0 and 10.8% positivity) in two homes reporting a single case.Seropositivity across these seven homes varied between 10.7-56.5%, with four exceeding community seroprevalence in London (14.8%). Seropositivity rates for staff and residents correlated significantly (rs 0.84, [95% CI 0.51-0.95] p <0.001) across the 13 homes. WGS identified multiple introductions into some homes and silent transmission of a single lineage between staff and residents in one home. INTERPRETATION: We found high rates of asymptomatic infection and transmission even in care homes with no COVID-19 cases. The higher seropositivity rates compared to RT-PCR positivity highlights the true extent of the silent outbreak. FUNDING: PHE.

Mass testing after a single suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in London care homes, April-May 2020: implications for policy and practice.

INTRODUCTION: Previous investigations have identified high rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among residents and staff in care homes reporting an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated care homes reporting a single suspected or confirmed case to assess whether early mass testing might reduce risk of transmission during the peak of the pandemic in London. METHODS: Between 18 and 27 April 2020, residents and staff in care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 to Public Health England had a nasal swab to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and subsequent whole-genome sequencing. Residents and staff in two care homes were re-tested 8 days later. RESULTS: Four care homes were investigated. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 20% (65/333) overall, ranging between 3 and 59%. Among residents, positivity ranged between 3 and 76% compared with 3 and 40% in staff. Half of the SARS-CoV-2-positive residents (23/46, 50%) and 63% of staff (12/19) reported symptoms within 14 days before or after testing. Repeat testing 8 days later in two care homes with the highest infection rates identified only two new cases. Genomic analysis demonstrated a small number of introduction of the virus into care homes, and distinct clusters within three of the care homes. CONCLUSIONS: We found extensive but variable rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and staff in care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19. Although routine whole-home testing has now been adopted into practice, care homes must remain vigilant and should be encouraged to report a single suspected case, which should trigger appropriate outbreak control measures.

Exogenous Serotonin and Melatonin Regulate Dietary Isoflavones Profoundly through Ethylene Biosynthesis in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].

Serotonin and melatonin are important signaling and stress mitigating molecules. However, their role and molecular mechanism in the accumulation of isoflavones are not clearly defined. To elucidate their functions, serotonin and melatonin were applied to in vitro cultures of soybean at different concentrations and analyzed to assess the accumulation of isoflavone content followed by transcript levels of biosynthesis genes at different time intervals. Increased total phenolics, total flavonoids, and different forms of isoflavone content were observed in the treatments. Expression levels of critical genes in isoflavone, ethylene, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and melatonin biosynthesis and related transcription factor were quantified. A correlation was observed between the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes (S-adenosylmethionine synthase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase) and isoflavone biosynthesis genes (chalcone synthase, chalcone reductase, and isoflavone synthase). We hypothesize that, under serotonin and melatonin treatments, ethylene biosynthesis may play a role in the increase/decrease in isoflavone content in soybean culture.

Identification and Characterization of Polyphenols from Carissa spinarum Fruit and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Anti-quorum Sensing Activity.

Quorum sensing controls bacterial virulence through signaling molecules, which plays a vital role in managing foodborne pathogens that cause food spoilage and human infections. Though many synthetic compounds have been used to control infection, antibiotic resistance has become a global issue. Targeting the bacterial quorum sensing using the bioactive compounds could be an alternative strategy to combat their resistance. In this context, polyphenols from an unexplored unripe and ripe fruits of Carissa spinarum were evaluated for anti-quorum sensing activity. The study aimed at determining nutritional, phytochemical composition, and polyphenol profiling to evaluate their antioxidant potential of the fruit. Furthermore, the violacein inhibition, anti-biofilm, and effect on the motility of foodborne pathogens were also studied. The phytochemical content of C. spinarum fruit showed the phenolic and flavonoid content 273.20 mg GAE/100 g and 453.78 mg QE/100 g fresh weight , respectively, in ripe fruit. HPLC characterization of fruit extracts showed high content of syringic acid, resveratrol, and quercetin in ripe, whereas it showed epicatechin and gentisic acid in unripe fruit. The antioxidant activity of the ripe fruit extract exhibited a higher potential to scavenge DPPH radicals with IC50 4.69 mg/mL. Further, the anti-quorum sensing activity was higher in ripe fruit extract at 1.8 mg/mL inhibited with 78.65% violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum, swimming motility, and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yersinia enterocolitica (66.25% and 59.36% respectively at 1.2 mg/mL). Hence C. spinarum fruit bioactive could be a natural plant source for anti-quorum sensing activity to manage foodborne pathogens over synthetic compounds.