Design, Synthesis and Antibacterial Assessment of Active (4-Arylazo-3-Methyl-2-Thienyl) 4-Antipyrine Ketones.

The chemicals formed from antipyrines are flexible organic building blocks that are employed in the development of pharmaceuticals. By diazotizing (4-arylazo-3-hydroxy-2-thienyl) 4-antipyrine ketones 1a, 1b and 1c and (4-arylazo-3-methyl-2-thienyl) 4-antipyrine ketones (2a, 2b and 2c) further replaced with six other coupling components, a broad spectrum of hybrid molecules have been created. Mass spectra, NMR, FTIR, and elemental analyses have all been used to confirm the structures of the synthesised compounds. The antimicrobial screening was investigated by agar well diffusion and diluting the broth technique against both Gram-negative and positive-tested bacterial strains. (3-methyl-5-(phenylamino)-4-(4-tolylazo)-2-thienyl) 4-antipyrine ketone (2a) was found to be superior to Ciprofloxacin against test strains: Acinetobacter sp (34.33±1.15 mm), Listeria monocytogenes (29.33±1.15 mm) and Streptococcus sp. (19.33±1.15 mm). Also, good to moderate activities were expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) which were recorded at 9±1 to 59.67±4.51 µg/mL and 16±4 to >512 µg/mL, respectively, using compounds 2a, 2b, and 2c. MBC/MIC ratio showed, that only, 2a and 2b have a bactericidal effect but other antipyrines with bacteriostatic strength. To conclude, it was suggested that the use of these novel synthesized (4-arylazo-3-methyl-2-thienyl) 4-antipyrine ketone derivatives molecules as a new chemical class of antimicrobial agents to perform new drug discovery in pharmaceutical preparations and medicinal research.

Improvement of growth and biochemical constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis by fermented Spirulina maxima biofertilizer.

Delayed growth period and nature of woody stems are challenges for the urgent economic needs of rosemary plant culturing in the winter season. Different concentrations of biofertilizer initiated from Spirulina maxima, marine Lactobacillus plantarum, molasses and industrial organic waste (IOW) were subjected to freshly cut cuttings of the Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) plant to study the impact of this biofertilizer on the growth performance of the plant. The present work explored the potential of this biofertilizer in concentrations of 0.5%-1% and achieved a significant impact on the growth parameters and biochemical constituents of R. officinalis, a 27-day-old plant. The development of adventitious roots was earlier within one week, particularly at 0.5% and 1%. It can be concluded that the application of this biofertilizer at the lower concentrations enhanced the production of bioactive substances such as phytohormones (auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellins), carbohydrates, and vitamins; moreover, through controlling a range of physiological and biochemical processes, it can promote the intake of nutrients. Thus, this biofertilizer (Spirulina maxima, marine Lactobacillus plantarum, molasses and IOW) at a concentration of 1% is the recommended dose for application to agriculture sustainability.

A pilot system integrating a settling technique and a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland for the treatment of polluted lake water.

An integrated system was tested at pilot-scale for treating polluted water from the Marriot Lake in Egypt, comprising a settling technique followed by three parallel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HFCWs) units operating under a continuous flow mode; one HFCW unit was planted with Typha angustifolia and contained a perforated pipes network for enhanced passive aeration (CWA), one unit was planted without the perforated pipe network (CWR) and one served as a Control unit (unplanted and without perforated pipes). Changes in physicochemical parameters, BOD5, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), microbial community, and trace metals at different hydraulic retention times (HRT; 0.5-6 h) and hydraulic loading rates (HLR; 750, 1000, 1250, and 2000 L/m2/d) were monitored. The CWA unit had an overall better performance than the CWR unit, while both planted units outperformed the Control unit. CWA showed the highest performance at HLR of 1000 L/m2/d and 4-6 h-HRT with 95.3% removal for turbidity, 83% for BOD5, 99.3% for ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), 70.8% for Total Nitrogen (TN), and 66.7% for Total Phosphorus (TP), while higher NO3-N and NO2-N effluent concentrations were observed. Trace metals levels were significantly reduced and accumulated in plant tissues. Microbial communities' densities fluctuated in the CWA unit. The integrated system with the settling stage and the planted CWA unit was proved to achieve a high removal efficiency and reached the national discharge limits, thus representing a novel nature-based solution for the sustainable remediation of polluted lake water.

Effects of ocean acidification on the growth and biochemical composition of a green alga (Ulva fasciata) and its associated microbiota.

In marine ecosystems, fluctuations in surface-seawater carbon dioxide (CO2), significantly influence the whole metabolism of marine algae, especially during the early stages of macroalgal development. In this study, the response of the green alga Ulva fasciata for elevating ocean acidification was investigated using four levels of pCO2 ~ 280, 550, 750 and 1050 µatm. Maximum growth rate (6.6% day-1), protein (32.43 %DW) and pigment (2.9 mg/g) accumulation were observed at pCO2-550 with an increase of ~2-fold compared to control. On the other hand, lipid and carbohydrate contents recorded their maximum production (4.23 and 46.96 %DW, respectively) at pCO2-750 while control showed 3.70 and 42.37 %DW, respectively. SDS-PAGE showed the presence of unique bands in response to pCO2, especially at 550 µatm. Dominant associated bacteria was shifted from Halomonas hydrothermalis of control to Vibrio toranzoniae at pCO2-1050. These findings suggest that ocean acidification at 550 µatm might impose noticeable effects on growth, protein, pigments, and protein profile of U. fasciata, which could be a good source for fish farming. While, pCO2-750 was recommended for energetic purpose, due to its high lipid and carbohydrate contents.

A new antidiabetic foot bacteria formula from marine chitosan nanosilver-metal complex.

In more than two-thirds of the diabetic foot ulcer (DFUs) cases, lower limb amputation of foot ulceration is caused by the infection. The role of transition a metal complex as a therapeutic compound is becoming increasingly important. In vitro, four groups of antibiotics and one sulfa drug were tested against diabetic foot resistant bacteria. Using three concentrations of two different prepared metal complexes: copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) - isoniazid (Iso) and nicotinamide (Nicot) were tested against diabetic foot isolates. Results revealed that ß-lactam drugs (cephradine and piperacillin) showed the minimum averages of MIC 265 µg/ml against Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. Silver isoniazid (Iso-Ag-1) metal complex was selected depending on the maximum averages of MIC against both types of clinical isolates. The combination between ß-lactams and Iso-Ag-1 showed maximum FICI averages of 0.24 for Gram-positive and 0.28 for Gram-negative. In addition, a combination between Iso-Ag-1 with squilla chitosan nanoparticles (CSSq-nAg) showed averages of synergistic index by 0.23 against Staphylococcus aureus and 0.13, 0.30, and 0.27 against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Ps. aeruginosa, respectively. Final formula of Iso-Ag-1+CSSq-nAg + ß-lactams (cephradine and piperacillin) showed a synergistic effect at FICI = 0.044 and 0.047, against G+ve and -ve, respectively. These two combinations showed a slight toxicity against the water flea Daphnia magna by 3.49 and 3.6 ppm, respectively. Results suggest the use of Iso-Ag-1-CSSq-nAg as enhancing agent in combination with ß-lactams as a blind therapy in pharmaceutical preparations.

A novel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland planted with Typha angustifolia for treatment of polluted water.

Rapid population growth and urbanization has put a lot of stress on existing water bodies in most developing countries such as the Marriott Lake of Egypt. Three constructed wetland configurations including Typha angustifolia planted with enhanced atmospheric aeration by using perforated pipes networks (CWA), planted without perforated pipe network (CWR), and a control non-planted and without perforated pipes wetland (Control) were used in the study. Changes in physicochemical properties and microbial community over four seasons and hydraulic loading rate (HLR) (50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 L day-1 m-1) were monitored using influent from Marriott Lake in Egypt. Overall, the removal performance followed the sequence CWA>CWR>control. Turbidity removal of 98.4%; biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) removal of 83.3%; chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 95.8%; NH3-N removal of 99.9%; total nitrogen (TN) removal of 94.7%; NO3--N and NO2--N increased; total P (TP) removal of 99.7%, Vibrio sp. of 100%, Escherichia coli 100%; total bacterial count of 92.3%; and anaerobic bacteria reduction of 97.5% were achieved by using CWA. Seasonal variation and variation in HLRs had significant effect on performance. The modified planted CWA system enhances the removal of pollutants and could present a novel route for reducing the cost associated with integrating artificial aeration into wetlands.

Antimicrobial Agents Produced by Marine Aspergillus terreus var. africanus Against Some Virulent Fish Pathogens.

Screening of fungal isolates collected from different locations of Alexandria coast, Egypt, was carried out to obtain new biologically active metabolites against some virulent fish pathogens (Edwardsiella tarda, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio ordalli and Vibrio angularuim). Among 26 fungal isolates, Aspergillus terreus var. africanus was identified as the most potent isolate. Production of the bioactive material was optimized using response surface methodology including fermentation media, incubation period, temperature, pH, and thermo-stability. Spectral properties of the gas chromatography/mass spectrum of the ethyl acetate crude extract were determined. Partially purified components of the crude extract were chromatographically separated and bioassayed. Out of ten separated compounds, five were with considerable antibacterial agent. The bio-toxicity of crude showed a slight toxicity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina (LC50 = 1,500 µg/l). Antibacterial activity of the crude was compared with some known standard antibiotics and found to be superior over many where its MIC against some pathogen reached 1 µg/ml.