Isolation, Characterization and Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Non-dairy Foods: An Attempt to Unveil their Probiotic Potential

The growing need for probiotics has emerged due to the imbalances in the gut microbiota. Changes in the microflora of the gut lead to various disorders. Hence, the consumption of probiotics is imperative and rewarding. They provide various benefits when consumed, including antagonistic activities against pathogens by lowering pH to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, disease treatment, and prevention, as well as health restoration and maintenance. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize various Lactic acid bacteria from non-dairy items to determine their probiotic potential. Five isolates were chosen and identified further using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The chosen isolates were then tested in vitro for probiotic properties by employing various tests including tolerance to Bile salt, Sodium Chloride, Phenol, and pH. The culture’s supernatant of these isolates were also tested for their antibacterial efficacy against various pathogens. Five LAB isolates showed resistance to varying concentrations of Bile acid, NaCl, Phenol, and simulated gastric juice. Gelatinase and Hemolytic activities were absent in the isolates. They were resistant to several of the antibiotics examined. They also showed effective antibacterial activity against test pathogens. The isolated strains meet the criteria for being probiotic and safe for human consumption thus conferring various health benefits.

Evaluation of Physiochemical Properties, Thermal Behavior and Phytopharmaceutical Potential of Citrus aurantium’s Essential Oil

The study investigates the therapeutic potential of the Citrus aurantium var. amara essential oil extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange plant by examining its chemical composition, thermal stability, and potency against infectious disease-causing pathogens. Initially, the volatile components of the essential oil were evaluated by obtaining a chromatographic fingerprint using HPTLC and FTIR spectrum identification. Furthermore, a thermal profile of the essential oil was obtained using the thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. A predetermined set of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms were used to examine the antibacterial activity of the essential oil. Lastly, its anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the albumin denaturation assay. The research concluded that the Citrus aurantium var. Amara essential oil exhibits potential therapeutic characteristics which can be further explored through in vivo studies.

Effects of slow breathing exercise on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions & galvanic skin resistance in healthy human volunteers - a pilot study.

Background & objectives: Regular practice of slow breathing has been shown to improve cardiovascular and respiratory functions and to decrease the effects of stress. This pilot study was planned to evaluate the short term effects of pranayama on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) which mirrors sympathetic tone, and to evaluate the changes that appear within a short span of one week following slow breathing techniques. Methods: Eleven normal healthy volunteers were randomized into Pranayama group (n=6) and a non-Pranayama control group (n=5); the pranayama volunteers were trained in pranayama, the technique being Anuloma-Viloma pranayama with Kumbhak. All the 11 volunteers were made to sit in similar environment for two sessions of 20 min each for seven days, while the pranayama volunteers performed slow breathing under supervision, the control group relaxed without conscious control on breathing. Pulse, GSR, blood pressure (BP) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were measured before and after the 7-day programme in all the volunteers. Results: While no significant changes were observed in BP and PFT, an overall reduction in pulse rate was observed in all the eleven volunteers; this reduction might have resulted from the relaxation and the environment. Statistically significant changes were observed in the Pranayama group volunteers in the GSR values during standing phases indicating that regular practice of Pranayama causes a reduction in the sympathetic tone within a period as short as 7 days. Interpretation & conclusions: Beneficial effects of pranayama started appearing within a week of regular practice, and the first change appeared to be a reduction in sympathetic tone.

Randomised study to compare the efficacy and safety of isapgol plus atorvastatin versus atorvastatin alone in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia.

Soluble fibre has been shown to augment the cholesterol-lowering effects of low-fat diets in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia. Combination therapy with a statin poses advantages in certain settings and may allow use of lower doses of multiple drugs rather than maximum doses of a single drug. The primary objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of combination of isapgol and atorvastatin versus atorvastatin alone, in the same dose, in reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total-cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolaemic patients after 12 weeks of therapy. In a 12-week study, 100 subjects from both sexes and of > 20 years having hyperlipidaemia, with LDL-C level > 130 mg/dl and total cholesterol > 220 mg/dl were included, and were randomised to receive either a combination of isapgol powder (Naturolax) 5.6 g twice daily and atorvastatin 10 mg once daily or atorvastatin 10 mg once daily alone orally. Serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride were assessed at 8 and 12 weeks. Ninety-seven patients completed the study. At the end of the 8th week, both the groups had a significant reduction in mean LDL-C (20.5% in isapgol + atorvastatin group and 16.0% among atorvastatin alone group) as compared to baseline. But between the groups, however, the difference was not significant. At the end of the 12th week fall in LDL-C at 31.4% for isapgol + atorvastatin was significantly greater than 22.8% among the atorvastatin group (p < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol, HDL-C and triglyceride were significantly lowered within the groups at 8th and 12th weeks but between groups, the difference was not significant. Comparison of adverse events profile in both the groups shows that more number of patients from atorvastatin alone group (n = 14, 28%) had adverse reactions than the number of patients from the combination group (n = 4, 8%; p < 005).

Round worm migration along ventriculoperitoneal shunt tract: a rare complication.

Though a ventriculoperitoneal shunt has been associated with myriads of unusual complications, so has been that with roundworms. A case of a three-year-old boy is presented who had an unusual complication of roundworm migration along the shunt tract that presented as shunt tract infection.