Application of Green Algal Planktochlorella nurekis Biomasses to Modulate Growth of Selected Microbial Species.

As microalgae are producers of proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, pigments, vitamins and unique secondary metabolites, microalgal biotechnology has gained attention in recent decades. Microalgae can be used for biomass production and to obtain biotechnologically important products. Here, we present the application of a method of producing a natural, biologically active composite obtained from unicellular microalgae of the genus Planktochlorella sp. as a modulator of the growth of microorganisms that can be used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries by exploiting the phenomenon of photo-reprogramming of metabolism. The combination of red and blue light allows the collection of biomass with unique biochemical profiles, especially fatty acid composition (Patent Application P.429620). The ethanolic and water extracts of algae biomass inhibited the growth of a number of pathogenic bacteria, namely Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus PCM 458, Streptococcus pyogenes PCM 2318, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli PCM 2209 and Candida albicans ATCC 14053. The algal biocomposite obtained according to our procedure can be used also as a prebiotic supplement. The presented technology may allow the limitation of the use of antibiotics and environmentally harmful chemicals commonly used in preparations against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli or Candida spp.

Bimetallic nanocatalysts supported on graphitic carbon nitride for sustainable energy development: the shape-structure-activity relation.

The catalytic performance of metal nanoparticles (NPs), including activity, selectivity, and durability, depends on their shape and structure at the molecular level. Consequently, metal NPs of different size and shape, e.g., nanobelts, nanocubes, nanoflakes, and nanowires, demonstrate different reactivity and provide different reaction rates depending on the facet exposed. In this context, the present review aims to summarize the shape-structure-activity relation of metallic nanocatalysts. Moreover, keeping in mind that the application of noble metal catalysts is expensive, we would like to draw the reader's attention to bimetallic nanocatalysts supported on graphitic carbon nitride. One of the advantages of these systems is the possibility to minimize the use of noble metals by introducing another metal either to the parent NPs and/or modifying the support materials. The development and optimization of bimetallic nanocatalysts might provide the new class of materials with superior, tunable performance, thermal stability and reduced costs compared to presently available commercial catalysts. Therefore, further application of these bimetallic composites for sustainable development in energy, green chemicals/fuels and environmental protection will be discussed.

Correction: Bimetallic nanocatalysts supported on graphitic carbon nitride for sustainable energy development: the shape-structure-activity relation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D0NA01063D.].

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Naja pallida and Naja mossambica Venoms against Three Candida Species.

In contrast to comprehensively investigated antibacterial activity of snake venoms, namely crude venoms and their selected components, little is known about antifungal properties of elapid snake venoms. In the present study, the proteome of two venoms of red spitting cobra Naja pallida (NPV) and Mozambique spitting cobra Naja mossambica (NMV) was characterized using LC-MS/MS approach, and the antifungal activity of crude venoms against three Candida species was established. A complex response to venom treatment was revealed. NPV and NMV, when used at relatively high concentrations, decreased cell viability of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, affected cell cycle of C. albicans, inhibited C. tropicalis-based biofilm formation and promoted oxidative stress in C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis cells. NPV and NMV also modulated ammonia pulses during colony development and aging in three Candida species. All these observations provide evidence that NPV and NMV may diminish selected pathogenic features of Candida species. However, NPV and NMV also promoted the secretion of extracellular phospholipases that may facilitate Candida pathogenicity and limit their usefulness as anti-candidal agents. In conclusion, antifungal activity of snake venoms should be studied with great caution and a plethora of pathogenic biomarkers should be considered in the future experiments.

Activation of transposable elements and genetic instability during long-term culture of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

It has been repeatedly reported that transposable elements (TE) become active and/or mobile in the genomes of replicatively and stress-induced senescent mammalian cells. However, the biological role of senescence-associated transposon activation and its occurrence and relevance in other eukaryotic cells remain to be elucidated. In the present study, Candida albicans, a prevalent opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans, was used to analyze changes in gene copy number of selected TE, namely Cirt2, Moa and Cmut1 during long-term culture (up to 90 days). The effects of stress stimuli (fluconazole, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite) and ploidy state (haploid, diploid, tetraploid cells) were also considered. An increase in copy number of Cirt2 and Moa was the most accented in tetraploid cells after 90 days of culture that was accompanied by changes in karyotype patterns and slightly more limited growth rate compared to haploid and diploid cells. Stress stimuli did not potentiate TE activity. Elevation in chromosomal DNA breaks was also observed during long-term culture of cells of different ploidy, however this was not correlated with increased TE activity. Our results suggest that increased TE activity may promote genomic diversity and plasticity, and cellular heterogeneity during long-term culture of C. albicans cells.

FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy-Based Biochemical Profiling Reflects Genomic Diversity of Clinical Candida Isolates That May Be Useful for Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of Candidiasis.

Despite the fact that Candida albicans is documented to be the main cause of human candidiasis, non-C. albicans Candida (NCAC) species, such as Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis, are also suggested to be implicated in the etiopathogenesis of opportunistic fungal infections. As biology, epidemiology, pathogenicity, and antifungal resistance of NCAC species may be affected as a result of genomic diversity and plasticity, rapid and unambiguous identification of Candida species in clinical samples is essential for proper diagnosis and therapy. In the present study, 25 clinical isolates of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis species were characterized in terms of their karyotype patterns, DNA content, and biochemical features. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra- and Raman spectra-based molecular fingerprints corresponded to the diversity of chromosomal traits and DNA levels that provided correct species identification. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy was documented to be useful for the evaluation of ergosterol content that may be associated with azole resistance. Taken together, we found that vibrational spectroscopy-based biochemical profiling reflects the variability of chromosome patterns and DNA content of clinical Candida species isolates and may facilitate the diagnosis and targeted therapy of candidiasis.

Development of photocatalyst coated fluoropolymer based microreactor using ultrasound for water remediation.

Formation of thin layers of photocatalyst in photo-microreactor is a challenging work considering the properties of both catalyst and the microchannel material. The deposition of semiconductor materials on fluoropolymer based microcapillary requires the use of economical methods which are also less energy dependent. The current work introduces a new method for depositing nanoparticles of TiO2 on the inner walls of a hexafluoropropylene tetrafluoroethylene microtube under mild conditions using ultrasound technique. During the ultrasonication process, changes in the polymer surface were observed and characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy. The rough patches form sites for catalyst deposition resulting in the formation of thin layer of TiO2 nanoparticles in the inner walls of the microtube. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 coated fluoropolymer based microcapillary was evaluated for removal of phenol present in water.

Photoactive Hybrid Catalysts Based on Natural and Synthetic Polymers: A Comparative Overview.

In the present review, we would like to draw the reader's attention to the polymer-based hybrid materials used in photocatalytic processes for efficient degradation of organic pollutants in water. These inorganic-organic materials exhibit unique physicochemical properties due to the synergistic effect originating from the combination of individual elements, i.e., photosensitive metal oxides and polymeric supports. The possibility of merging the structural elements of hybrid materials allows for improving photocatalytic performance through (1) an increase in the light-harvesting ability; (2) a reduction in charge carrier recombination; and (3) prolongation of the photoelectron lifetime. Additionally, the great majority of polymer materials exhibit a high level of resistance against ultraviolet irradiation and improved corrosion resistance. Taking into account that the chemical and environmental stability of the hybrid catalyst depends, to a great extent, on the functional support, we highlight benefits and drawbacks of natural and synthetic polymer-based photocatalytic materials and pay special attention to the fact that the accessibility of synthetic polymeric materials derived from petroleum may be impeded due to decreasing amounts of crude oil. Thus, it is necessary to look for cheap and easily available raw materials like natural polymers that come from, for instance, lignocellulosic wastes or crustacean residues to meet the demand of the "plastic" market.

Sonocatalysis: A Potential Sustainable Pathway for the Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass and Derivatives.

Lignocellulosic biomass represents a natural renewable chemical feedstock that can be used to produce high value-added chemicals and platform molecules. Nowadays, there are extensive studies on a variety of aspects concerning the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into desirable products. Among the current technologies for biomass conversion some require extreme conditions along with high temperatures and pressures. Therefore, major technological innovations based on more economical and environmental methodologies are currently developed both in academic laboratories and in industry. In this context, ultrasound-assisted catalysis constitutes an alternative method offering new strategies to upgrade biomass. The possibility of combining catalysis with sonication indeed provides avenues that are worth exploring for the valorization of lignocellulosic compounds into value-added chemical feedstocks. In this mini-review, the available sonochemical systems are first presented, with a focus on the most important ultrasonic parameters, which is intended to provide a mechanistic background. Next, this contribution aims to provide insight into the most recent developments along with prominent examples in the field of sonocatalysis applied to the chemical transformation of lignocellulosic biomass and its derivatives.

Wheat bran valorisation: Towards photocatalytic nanomaterials for benzyl alcohol photo-oxidation.

In this work, we have successfully synthesized a set of titania photocatalytic nanocomposites by the incorporation of different TiO2 content on wheat bran residues. The obtained catalysts were characterized by different techniques including UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) while their photocatalytic activity was investigated in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol under UV light irradiation. Benzaldehyde yields were ca. 20%, with conversion in the systems of ca. 33% of benzyl alcohol by using 10%Ti-Bran catalyst, as compared to 33% yield to the target product (quantitative conversion of benzyl alcohol) using commercial pure TiO2 (P-25). The photocatalytic activity results indicate that designed waste-derived nanomaterials with low TiO2 content can efficiently photocatalyze the conversion of benzyl alcohol with relative high selectivity towards benzaldehyde.

Synthesis of Photoactive Materials by Sonication: Application in Photocatalysis and Solar Cells.

In recent years, a good number of methods have become available for the preparation of an important group of photoactive materials for applications in photocatalysis and solar cells. Nevertheless, the benefits derived from preparing those materials through unconventional approaches are very attractive from the green chemistry point of view. This critical review work is focused on sonication as one of these promising new synthetic procedures that allow control over size, morphology, nanostructure and tuning of catalytic properties. Ultrasound-based procedures offer a facile, versatile synthetic tool for the preparation of light-activated materials often inaccessible through conventional methods.

Relationships between rDNA, Nop1 and Sir complex in biotechnologically relevant distillery yeasts.

Distillery yeasts are poorly characterized physiological group among the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex. As industrial yeasts are under constant environmental stress during fermentation processes and the nucleolus is a stress sensor, in the present study, nucleolus-related parameters were evaluated in 22 commercially available distillery yeast strains. Distillery yeasts were found to be a heterogeneous group with a variable content and length of rDNA and degree of nucleolus fragmentation. The levels of rDNA were negatively correlated with Nop1 (r = -0.59, p = 0.0038). Moreover, the protein levels of Sir transcriptional silencing complex and longevity regulators, namely Sir1, Sir2, Sir3 and Fob1, were studied and negative correlations between Sir2 and Nop1 (r = -0.45, p = 0.0332), and between Sir2 and Fob1 (r = -0.49, p = 0.0211) were revealed. In general, S. paradoxus group of distillery yeasts with higher rDNA pools and Sir2 level than S. bayanus group was found to be more tolerant to fermentation-associated stress stimuli, namely mild cold/heat stresses and KCl treatment. We postulate that rDNA state may be considered as a novel factor that may modulate a biotechnological process.

Copy number variations of genes involved in stress responses reflect the redox state and DNA damage in brewing yeasts.

The yeast strains of the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex involved in beer production are a heterogeneous group whose genetic and genomic features are not adequately determined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide a genetic characterization of selected group of commercially available brewing yeasts both ale top-fermenting and lager bottom-fermenting strains. Molecular karyotyping revealed that the diversity of chromosome patterns and four strains with the most accented genetic variabilities were selected and subjected to genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) analysis. The differences in the gene copy number were found in five functional gene categories: (1) maltose metabolism and transport, (2) response to toxin, (3) siderophore transport, (4) cellular aldehyde metabolic process, and (5) L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05). In the Saflager W-34/70 strain (Fermentis) with the most affected array-CGH profile, loss of aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase (AAD) gene dosage correlated with an imbalanced redox state, oxidative DNA damage and breaks, lower levels of nucleolar proteins Nop1 and Fob1, and diminished tolerance to fermentation-associated stress stimuli compared to other strains. We suggest that compromised stress response may not only promote oxidant-based changes in the nucleolus state that may affect fermentation performance but also provide novel directions for future strain improvement.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of TiO2 Nanocomposites as Photocatalysts for Benzyl Alcohol Photo-Oxidation.

TiO2 (anatase phase) has excellent photocatalytic performance and different methods have been reported to overcome its main limitation of high band gap energy. In this work, TiO2-magnetically-separable nanocomposites (MAGSNC) photocatalysts with different TiO2 loading were synthesized using a simple one-pot mechanochemical method. Photocatalysts were characterized by a number of techniques and their photocatalytic activity was tested in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Extension of light absorption into the visible region was achieved upon titania incorporation. Results indicated that the photocatalytic activity increased with TiO2 loading on the catalysts, with moderate conversion (20%) at high benzaldehyde selectivity (84%) achieved for 5% TiO2-MAGSNC. These findings pointed out a potential strategy for the valorization of lignocellulosic-based biomass under visible light irradiation using designer photocatalytic nanomaterials.