5-Fluorouracil-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Formulation, Physicochemical Characterisation, and In VitroAnti-Cancer Activity.

The major goal of this investigation was to prepare a drug delivery of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) from 5-fluorouracil (FU) that could be delivered intravenously and improve the therapeutic index of the FU. In order to achieve this, interfacial deposition method was used to prepare FU entrapped poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (FU-PLGA-NPs). The influence of various experimental settings on the effectiveness of FU integration into the NPs was assessed. Our findings show that the technique used to prepare the organic phase and the ratio of the organic phase to the aqueous phase had the greatest impact on the effectiveness of FU integration into NPs. The results show that the preparation process produced spherical, homogenous, negatively charged particles with a nanometric size of 200 nm that are acceptable for intravenous delivery. A quick initial release over 24 h and then slow and steady release of FU from the formed NPs, exhibiting a biphasic pattern. Through the human small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H69), the in vitro anti-cancer potential of the FU-PLGA-NPs was evaluated. It was then associated to the in vitro anti-cancer potential of the marketed formulation Fluracil®. Investigations were also conducted into Cremophor-EL (Cre-EL) potential activity on live cells. The viability of NCI-H69 cells was drastically reduced when they were exposed to 50 µg·mL-1 Fluracil®. Our findings show that the integration of FU in NPs significantly increases the drug cytotoxic effect in comparison to Fluracil®, with this potential effect being particularly important for extended incubation durations.

Multi-faceted CRISPR-Cas9 strategy to reduce plant based food loss and waste for sustainable bio-economy - A review.

Currently, international development requires innovative solutions to address imminent challenges like climate change, unsustainable food system, food waste, energy crisis, and environmental degradation. All the same, addressing these concerns with conventional technologies is time-consuming, causes harmful environmental impacts, and is not cost-effective. Thus, biotechnological tools become imperative for enhancing food and energy resilience through eco-friendly bio-based products by valorisation of plant and food waste to meet the goals of circular bioeconomy in conjunction with Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs). Genome editing can be accomplished using a revolutionary DNA modification tool, CRISPR-Cas9, through its uncomplicated guided mechanism, with great efficiency in various organisms targeting different traits. This review's main objective is to examine how the CRISPR-Cas system, which has positive features, could improve the bioeconomy by reducing food loss and waste with all-inclusive food supply chain both at on-farm and off-farm level; utilising food loss and waste by genome edited microorganisms through food valorisation; efficient microbial conversion of low-cost substrates as biofuel; valorisation of agro-industrial wastes; mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through forestry plantation crops; and protecting the ecosystem and environment. Finally, the ethical implications and regulatory issues that are related to CRISPR-Cas edited products in the international markets have also been taken into consideration.

Production and characterization of enriched vermicompost from banana leaf biomass waste activated by biochar integration.

Vermicomposting uses less energy and requires fewer infrastructures, and it is capable of restoring soil nutrition and carbon. Banana cultivation produces lots of trash in a single crop season, with 30 tonnes of waste generated per acre. The biodegradable fraction of banana leaf waste is thrown out in large quantities from temples, markets place wedding halls, hotels, and residential areas. Vermicomposting can be used for recovering lignin, cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose from banana leaves. Earthworm digests organic materials with the enzymes produced in gut microflora. Biochar adds bulk to vermicomposting, increases its value as fertilizer. The goal of this study was to amend biochar (0, 2, 4 and 6%) with banana leaf waste (BLW) + cow dung (CD) in three different combinations (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) using Eisenia fetida to produce enriched vermicompost. In the vermicompost with biochar groups, there were higher levels of physicochemical parameters, as well as macro- and micronutrient contents. The growth and reproduction of earthworms were higher in groups with biochar. A maximum of 1.82, 1.18 and 1.67% of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium was found in the final vermicompost recovered from BLW + CD (1:1) amended with 4% biochar; while the other treatments showed lower levels of nutrients. A lower C/N ratio of 18.14 was observed in BLW + CD (1:1) + 4% biochar followed by BLW + CD (1:1) + 2% biochar amendment (19.92). The FTIR and humification index studies show that degradation of organic matter has occurred in the final vermicompost and the substrates with 4% biochar in 1:1 combination showed better degradation and this combination can be used for nutrient rich vermicompost production.

Current and prognostic overview on the strategic exploitation of anaerobic digestion and digestate: A review.

The depletion of fossil fuels and increasing demand for energy are encountered by generating renewable biogas. Anaerobic digestion (AD) produces not only biogas, also other value-added products from the digestate using various organic, municipal and industrial wastes which have several benefits like remediating waste, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy generation and securing socio-economic status of bio-based industries. This review work critically analyzes the biorefinery approaches on AD process for the production of biogas and digestate, and their direct and indirect utilization. The left-out residue obtained from AD is called 'digestate' which enriched with organic matter, nitrogen, heavy metals and other valuable micronutrients. However, the direct disposal of digestate to the land as fertilizer/landfills creates various environmental issues. Keeping this view, the digestate should be upgraded or transformed into high valued products such as biofertilizer, pyrochar, biodiesel, syngas and soil conditioner that can aid to enrich the soil nutrients and ensures the safe environment as well. In this context, the present review focused to illustrate the current techniques and different strategic exploitations on AD proper management of digestate products for storage and further applications. Such a technology transfer provides a proven strategic mechanism towards the enhancement of the sustainability of bio-based industries, attaining the energy demand, safest waste management, protection of environment and reduces the socio-economic issues of the industrial sector.

Production of Alkaline Proteases using Aspergillus sp. Isolated from Injera: RSM-GA Based Process Optimization and Enzyme Kinetics Aspect.

Alkaline proteases are well known to be significant industrial enzymes. This study focused on isolating the fungus producing proteases from, a typical Ethiopian food, Injera. Further, the process optimization for protease production using response surface methodology (RSM) and the characterization of the acquired protease were investigated. The 18S rDNA gene sequence homology of the fungus isolate revealed that it was Aspergillus sp. Further, it was deposited in NCBI GenBank with accession number MK4262821. Using the isolate, owing to maximize the protease production, the independent process parameters, temperature, pH, and sucrose concentration were optimized using RSM followed by a genetic algorithm (GA). Based on the statistical approach by RSM-GA optimization, maximum enzyme activity (166.4221 U/ml) was found at 30.5 °C, pH 8.24, and 0.316% sucrose concentration. Also, the crude cocktail of enzymes acquired from optimal condition was partially purified using ammonium which showed that the increased activity by 1.96-fold. Considerably, the partially purified enzyme exhibited stable performance during the temperature range 30-60 °C, pH range 7-10, and NaCl concentration of 0.5-2 mM. Also, the antioxidant activity, degree hydrolysis for the protein, Michaelis-Menten (M-M) kinetic parameters, and activation energy were determined for the obtained enzyme cocktail. It showed that the M-M kinetic parameters, Km (5.54 mg/ml), and Vmax (24.44 mg/ml min) values were observed. Using Arrhenius law, the value of activation energy for the enzyme cocktail was determined as 32.42 kJ/mol.