Statistical optimized production of Phytase from Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 and studies on purification, homology modelling and growth promotion effect.

This investigation was performed to obtain a promising phytase enzyme producing yeast. In this regard, the PSM was used to isolate the phytase-producing Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 (MG663578) from sugarcane juice. The SSF optimum conditions for phytase generation were optimized using (OVAT) one-variable-at-a-time strategy using both Box-Behnken design and shake flask method (g/100 ml: 0.05 yeast extract, 0.15 Peptone, 0.05 malt extract 0.50 dextrose, pH 5.8 and 28ᵒC). The protein model developed was shown to be adequate for phytase production (91% accuracy), with the greatest phytase productivity in shake flask with substrate jack fruit seed powder being 395 ± 0.43 U/ml compared to 365U/ml for the BBD projected value. Crude Phytase was partially purified with a protein recovery of 43%, revealing a molecular weight of 120 kDa. It had an enzyme kinetic value of Km 3.3 mM and a Vmax of 19.1 mol/min. The 3D structure of PhyS1 amino acid sequences (PhyS1. B99990002) was simulated using Modeler 9.23, and the validated result revealed that 86.7% were in the favored region by Ramachandran plot. The SAVES server verified the 3D PDB file as satisfactory, and the model (in.pdb format) was uploaded in the PMDB database with the accession number ID: PM0082974. At the lab level, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 (MG663578) producing phytase exhibited successful plant growth promotion activity in Ragi - CO 19 (Eleusine coracana L.) and Rice -Navarai - IR 64 (Oryza sativa L.). As a result, a phytase-based formulation for sustainable agriculture must be developed and tested on a large scale in diverse geographical areas of agricultural lands to determine its effect and potential on plant development.

Phytometabolites from coral jasmine flower extracts: Toxic effects on Spodoptera litura and enzyme inhibition in nontarget earthworm Eisenia fetida as an alternative approach.

Green pesticides, derived from natural sources, have gained wider attention as an alternative to synthetic pesticides for managing polyphagous pests, such as Spodoptera litura. In this study, the methanolic flower extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Mx-Na-t) was subjected to chemical screening, and 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone (3H-dp) and tyrosol (Ty-ol) were identified as the major derivatives. The toxic effects of Mx-Na-t (500 ppm) were highest in third-instar S. litura larvae (96.4%), while those of 3H-dp and Ty-ol (5 ppm) were highest in second-instar larvae (76.5% and 81.4%, respectively). The growth and development of S. litura larvae and pupae were significantly reduced by all three treatments. Fecundity rates were also reduced by all treatments [from 1020 eggs (control) to 540 eggs by Mx-Na-t treatment, 741 eggs by 3H-dp treatment, and 721 eggs by Ty-ol treatment]. The extract and its active constituents decreased adult emergence and slowed total larval development in a dose-dependent manner. A decrease was noted in the major gut enzymes of young S. litura larvae exposed to Mx-Na-t, 3H-dp, and Ty-ol. Moreover, midgut tissues of fourth-instar larvae were severely damaged by Mx-Na-t (250 ppm), 3H-dp (2.5 ppm), and Ty-ol (2.5 ppm); the treatments induced structural damage to the epithelial cells and gut lumen. The earthworm Eisenia fetida was used to assess nontarget toxicity. Compared with cypermethrin, the phytochemicals exhibited minimal effects on the earthworm's detoxifying enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase after 14 days of treatment. Moreover, in silico predictions using BeeTox and ProTox-II indicated little or no toxicity of 3H-dp and Ty-ol toward honey bees and other nontarget species.

Quinoline-quinoline schiff-base as an effective chromogenic, fluorogenic, and smartphone assisted RGB detection of Pb2+ ion in near aqueous medium.

A novel multimode colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor was developed using an 8-hydroxy quinoline carbaldehyde Schiff base with a quinoline hydrazide probe (E)-2-((2-(quinolin-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (L). NMR (1H & 13C), FTIR, and HR-mass spectral characterization techniques confirmed the probe L structural conformation. As Probe L contacts Pb2+ ions, a color change and turn-off emission can be visually detected in EtOH:H2O (1:1, v/v, pH = 7.21) medium. The probe displays a good emission at 440 nm due to the combined ESIPT and ICT process. The Pb2+ ion interacts with the probe and selectively quenches fluorescence by inhibiting ESIPT and >CN- isomerization. As per Job's plot, L-Pb2+ complex formation occurred in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, with association constant (Ka) and quenching constant (Ksv) estimated at 1.52 × 105 M-1 and 4.12 × 105 M, respectively. The detection limits of Pb2+ by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric were 1.99 µM (41 ppb) and 23.4 nM (485 ppt), respectively. Additionally, the test paper kit and RGB tool were used to monitor the color changes of L with Pb2+ and the LOD was found to be 5.99 µM (125 ppb). Its recognition mechanism has been verified by 1H NMR, ESI-mass, and theoretical studies.

Efficacy of biological agents and fillers seed coating in improving drought stress in anise.

Many plants, including anise, have tiny, non-uniform seeds with low and light nutrient reserves. The seeds also show a weak establishment, especially under stressful conditions where their accurate planting in the soil and optimal yield are tough. This study sought to improve anise seeds' physical and physiological characteristics under drought stress. To this end, two factorial experiments under laboratory and greenhouse conditions were performed in a completely randomized design with 4 and 3 replications, respectively. Five levels of seed inoculation (inoculation with T36 and T43 of Trichoderma harzianum, and CHA0 and B52 of Pseudomonas fluorescent, and non-inoculation which means that control seeds were not treated with microbial inoculant), three levels of coating (K10P20, K10P10V5, and non-coating), and three levels of drought stress (0, -3, and -6 bars) were considered as the factorial experiment [vermiculite (V), kaolin (K), and perlite (P) numbers refer to the amount of material used in grams]. The laboratory experiment revealed that the combined treatments of bio-agents with coating increased the physical and germination characteristics of anise seeds compared to the control treatment. The greenhouse experiment showed that drought stress reduced the initial growth indices. Still, the combination treatments of biological agents and coating (fillers) could alleviate the destructive effects of drought stress to some extent and improve these indices. The best treatment was provided by T36 and K10P20 in both experiments, which significantly increased morphological indices.

Alginate-modified biochar derived from rice husk waste for improvement uptake performance of lead in wastewater.

In this work, alginate-modified biochar derived from rice husk waste was synthesized using a simple process. The modified biochar (MBC) and rice husk biochar (RhBC) were investigated for removing Pb (II) ions in wastewater. The BET result displayed significantly improved specific surface area of MBC up to 120 m2/g along with a total pore volume of 0.653 cm3/g. FTIR spectrums presented the higher oxygen-contained functional groups of MBC as compared to RhBC, resulting in increasing adsorption capacity of Pb (II). MBC had higher adsorption capacity (112.3 mg/g) and faster removal rate (0.0081 g mg-1 min-1) than those of RhBC (41.2 mg/g and 0.00025 g mg-1 min-1). Modified RhBC can remove more than 99% of Pb (II) from wastewater and it could be utilized for three cycles with a removal performance of over 90%. In addition, the Pb adsorption mechanism by using MBC was proposed and the practical application of MBC for the treatment of wastewater in Vietnam was discussed.