Bioactive Streptomycetes: A Powerful Tool to Synthesize Diverse Nanoparticles With Multifarious Properties.

Nanobiotechnology has gained significant attention due to its capacity to generate substantial benefits through the integration of microbial biotechnology and nanotechnology. Among microbial organisms, Actinomycetes, particularly the prominent genus Streptomycetes, have garnered attention for their prolific production of antibiotics. Streptomycetes have emerged as pivotal contributors to the discovery of a substantial number of antibiotics and play a dominant role in combating infectious diseases on a global scale. Despite the noteworthy progress achieved through the development and utilization of antibiotics to combat infectious pathogens, the prevalence of infectious diseases remains a prominent cause of mortality worldwide, particularly among the elderly and children. The emergence of antibiotic resistance among pathogens has diminished the efficacy of antibiotics in recent decades. Nevertheless, Streptomycetes continue to demonstrate their potential by producing bioactive metabolites for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Streptomycetes are instrumental in producing nanoparticles with diverse bioactive characteristics, including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles have exhibited a meaningful reduction in the impact of antibiotic resistance, providing resources for the development of new and effective drugs. This review succinctly outlines the significant applications of Streptomycetes as a crucial element in nanoparticle synthesis, showcasing their potential for diverse and enhanced beneficial applications.

Genomic analysis and biodesulfurization potential of a new carbon-sulfur bond cleaving Tsukamurella sp. 3OW.

Direct combustion of sulfur-enriched liquid fuel oil causes sulfur oxide emission, which is one of the main contributors to air pollution. Biodesulfurization is a promising and eco-friendly method to desulfurize a wide range of thiophenic compounds present in fuel oil. Previously, numerous bacterial strains from genera such as Rhodococcus, Corynebacterium, Gordonia, Nocardia, Mycobacterium, Mycolicibacterium, Paenibacillus, Shewanella, Sphingomonas, Halothiobacillus, and Bacillus have been reported to be capable of desulfurizing model thiophenic compounds or fossil fuels. In the present study, we report a new desulfurizing bacterium, Tsukamurella sp. 3OW, capable of desulfurization of dibenzothiophene through the carbon-sulfur bond cleavage 4S pathway. The bacterium showed a high affinity for the hydrocarbon phase and broad substrate specificity towards various thiophenic compounds. The overall genome-related index analysis revealed that the bacterium is closely related to Tsukamurella paurometabola species. The genomic pool of strain 3OW contains 57 genes related to sulfur metabolism, including the key dszABC genes responsible for dibenzothiophene desulfurization. The DBT-adapted cells of the strain 3OW displayed significant resilience and viability in elevated concentrations of crude oil. The bacterium showed a 19 and 37% reduction in the total sulfur present in crude and diesel oil, respectively. Furthermore, FTIR analysis indicates that the oil's overall chemistry remained unaltered following biodesulfurization. This study implies that Tsukamurella paurometabola species, previously undocumented in the context of biodesulfurization, has good potential for application in the biodesulfurization of petroleum oils.

Gut microbiome therapeutic modulation to alleviate drug-induced hepatic damage in COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, its symptoms, treatment, and post-COVID-19 effects have been a major focus of research since 2020. In addition to respiratory symptoms, different clinical variants of the virus have been associated with dynamic symptoms and multiorgan diseases, including liver abnormalities. The release of cytokines by the activation of innate immune cells during viral infection and the high doses of drugs used for COVID-19 treatment are considered major drivers of liver injury in COVID-19 patients. The degree of hepatic inflammation in patients suffering from chronic liver disease and having COVID-19 could be severe and can be estimated through different liver chemistry abnormality markers. Gut microbiota influences liver chemistry through its metabolites. Gut dysbiosis during COVID-19 treatment can promote liver inflammation. Here, we highlighted the bidirectional association of liver physiology and gut microbiota (gut-liver axis) and its potential to manipulate drug-induced chemical abnormalities in the livers of COVID-19 patients.

Dietary Supplementation of Microbial Dextran and Inulin Exerts Hypocholesterolemic Effects and Modulates Gut Microbiota in BALB/c Mice Models.

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs), having great structural diversity, have gained tremendous interest for their prebiotic effects. In the present study, mice models were used to investigate if microbial dextran and inulin-type EPSs could also play role in the modulation of microbiomics and metabolomics by improving certain biochemical parameters, such as blood cholesterol and glucose levels and weight gain. Feeding the mice for 21 days on EPS-supplemented feed resulted in only 7.6 ± 0.8% weight gain in the inulin-fed mice group, while the dextran-fed group also showed a low weight gain trend as compared to the control group. Blood glucose levels of the dextran- and inulin-fed groups did not change significantly in comparison with the control where it increased by 22 ± 5%. Moreover, the dextran and inulin exerted pronounced hypocholesterolemic effects by reducing the serum cholesterol levels by 23% and 13%, respectively. The control group was found to be mainly populated with Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Mammaliicoccus lentus and Klebsiella aerogenes. The colonization of E. faecalis was inhibited by 59-65% while the intestinal release of Escherichia fergusonii was increased by 85-95% in the EPS-supplemented groups, respectively, along with the complete inhibition of growth of other enteropathogens. Additionally, higher populations of lactic acid bacteria were detected in the intestine of EPS-fed mice as compared to controls.

High-Molecular-Weight Dextran-Type Exopolysaccharide Produced by the Novel Apilactobacillus waqarii Improves Metabolic Syndrome: In Vitro and In Vivo Analyses.

Metabolic syndrome is a leading medical concern that affects one billion people worldwide. Metabolic syndrome is defined by a clustering of risk factors that predispose an individual to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. In recent years, the apparent role of the gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome has drawn attention to microbiome-engineered therapeutics. Specifically, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) harbors beneficial metabolic characteristics, including the production of exopolysaccharides and other microbial byproducts. We recently isolated a novel fructophilic lactic acid bacterium (FLAB), Apilactobacillus waqarii strain HBW1, from honeybee gut and found it produces a dextran-type exopolysaccharide (EPS). The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic potential of the new dextran in relation to metabolic syndrome. Findings revealed the dextran's ability to improve the viability of damaged HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells and exhibit antioxidant properties. In vivo analyses demonstrated reductions in body weight gain and serum cholesterol levels in mice supplemented with the dextran, compared to control (5% and 17.2%, respectively). Additionally, blood glucose levels decreased by 16.26% following dextran supplementation, while increasing by 15.2% in non-treated mice. Overall, this study displays biotherapeutic potential of a novel EPS to improve metabolic syndrome and its individual components, warranting further investigation.

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain R1, Isolated from Water Canal Sediments, Possessing Antimicrobial and Plant Growth Promoting Capabilities.

We present the genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. strain R1, isolated from water canal sediments and possessing genes responsible for antimicrobial metabolites and plant growth promotion. The genome assembly contains 7,936,694 bp with 72.24% of guanine-cytosine content. This genome will provide basic knowledge of the genes and pathways involved in the above mechanisms.

Revealing Genome-Based Biosynthetic Potential of Streptomyces sp. BR123 Isolated from Sunflower Rhizosphere with Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity.

Actinomycetes, most notably the genus Streptomyces, have great importance due to their role in the discovery of new natural products, especially for finding antimicrobial secondary metabolites that are useful in the medicinal science and biotechnology industries. In the current study, a genome-based evaluation of Streptomyces sp. isolate BR123 was analyzed to determine its biosynthetic potential, based on its in vitro antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microbial pathogens, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi. A draft genome sequence of 8.15 Mb of Streptomyces sp. isolate BR123 was attained, containing a GC content of 72.63% and 8103 protein coding genes. Many antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and anticancerous compounds were detected by the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters, which was predicted by in silico analysis. A novel metabolite with a molecular mass of 1271.7773 in positive ion mode was detected through a high-performance liquid chromatography linked with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. In addition, another compound, meridamycin, was also identified through a HPLC-MS analysis. The current study reveals the biosynthetic potential of Streptomyces sp. isolate BR123, with respect to the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites through genomic and spectrometric analysis. Moreover, the comparative genome study compared the isolate BR123 with other Streptomyces strains, which may expand the knowledge concerning the mechanism involved in novel antimicrobial metabolite synthesis.

Modulation of Gut Microbial Diversity through Non-Pharmaceutical Approaches to Treat Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a psychotic syndrome with well-defined signs and symptoms but indecisive causes and effective treatment. Unknown underpinning reasons and no cure of the disease profoundly elevate the risk of illness. Gut microbial dysbiosis related metabolic dysfunction is providing a new angle to look at the potential causes and treatment options for schizophrenia. Because of the number of side effects, including gut dysbiosis, of traditional antipsychotic drugs, new alternative therapeutic options are under consideration. We propose that non-pharmacotherapy using biotherapeutic products could be a potent treatment to improve cognitive impairment and other symptoms of schizophrenia. Use of live microorganisms (probiotics), fibers (prebiotics), and polyphenols alone or in a mixture can maintain gut microbial diversity and improve the two-way relationship of the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. Fiber and polyphenol induced management of gut microbiota may positively influence the gut-brain axis by increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors involved in schizophrenia. Furthermore, we endorse the need for comprehensive clinical assessment and follow-up of psychobiotic (pro and prebiotics) treatment in mental illness to estimate the level of target recovery and disability reduction in schizophrenia.

Production of bimodal molecular weight levan by a Lactobacillus reuteri isolate from fish gut.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesizing potentially probiotic Gram-positive bacterial strain was isolated from fish (Tor putitora) gut, and its EPS was structurally characterized. The isolate, designated as FW2, was identified as Lactobacillus reuteri through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This isolate produces fructan-type EPS using sucrose as a substrate. Based on 13C-NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis and monosaccharide composition, the EPS was identified as a linear levan polymer with fructose as main constituent linked via ß(2 → 6) linkages. Based on molecular weight (MW) distribution, two groups of levan were found to be produced by the isolate FW2: one with high MW (4.6 × 106 Da) and the other having much lower MW (1.2 × 104 Da). The isolate yielded about 14 g/L levan under optimized culturing parameters including aeration conditions, pH, temperature and substrate concentration. The obtained bimodal molecular weight linear levan is the first of its type to be synthesized by a L. reuteri isolate from fish gut. Bimodal molecular weight prebiotic levan together with the probiotic potential of the producing strain would provide a new promising synbiotic combination for use in aqua culture.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for identification of food processing bacteria.

Food processing bacteria play important role in providing flavors, ingredients and other beneficial characteristics to the food but at the same time some bacteria are responsible for food spoilage. Therefore, quick and reliable identification of these food processing bacteria is very necessary for the differentiation between different species which may help in the development of more useful food processing methodologies. In this study, analysis of different bacterial species (Lactobacillus fermentum, Fructobacillus fructosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Halalkalicoccus jeotgali) was performed with our in-house developed Ag NPs-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method. The SERS spectral data was analyzed by multivariate data analysis techniques including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Bacterial species were differentiated on the basis of SERS spectral features and potential of SERS was compared with the Raman spectroscopy (RS). SERS along with PCA and PLS-DA was found to be an efficient technique for identification and differentiation of food processing bacterial species. Differentiation with accuracy of 99.5% and sensitivity of 99.7% was depicted by PLS-DA model using leave one out cross validation.

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain BR123, Endowed with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Potential.

The genome of Streptomyces sp. strain BR123, isolated from rhizospheric soil that exhibited promising antimicrobial properties, was sequenced and assembled. Here, we report an 8,157,040-bp genome sequence with a G+C content of 72.63%. This genome sequence enlightens the genes responsible for the production of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial compounds by this strain.