Long-term fungal inoculation of Ficus sycomorus and Tectona grandis woods with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum.

In the current study, two molds, Aspergillus flavus (ACC# LC325160) and Penicillium chrysogenum (ACC# LC325162) were inoculated into two types of wood to be examined using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Ficus sycomorus, a non-durable wood, and Tectona grandis, a durable wood, were the two wood blocks chosen, and they were inoculated with the two molds and incubated for 36 months at an ambient temperature of 27 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). The surface and a 5-mm depth of inoculated wood blocks were histologically evaluated using SEM and CT images. The results showed that A. flavus and P. chrysogenum grew enormously on and inside of F. sycomorus wood blocks, but T. grandis wood displayed resistance to mold growth. The atomic percentages of C declined from 61.69% (control) to 59.33% in F. sycomorus wood samples inoculated with A. flavus while O increased from 37.81 to 39.59%. P. chrysogenum caused the C and O atomic percentages in F. sycomorus wood to drop to 58.43%, and 26.34%, respectively. C with atomic percentages in Teak wood's C content fell from 70.85 to 54.16%, and 40.89%, after being inoculated with A. flavus and P. chrysogenum. The O atomic percentage rose from 28.78 to 45.19% and 52.43%, when inoculated with A. flavus and P. chrysogenum, respectively. Depending on how durable each wood was, The examined fungi were able to attack the two distinct types of wood in various deterioration patterns. T. grandis wood overtaken by the two molds under study appears to be a useful material for a variety of uses.

Plants-derived bioactives: Novel utilization as antimicrobial, antioxidant and phytoreducing agents for the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles.

Medicinal and aromatic higher plants are sustainable resources for natural product compounds, including essential oils, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and saponins. Extractives and essential oils as well as their bioactive compounds have many uses due to their antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties as well as application in food preservation. These natural compounds have been reported in many works, for instance biofungicide with phenolic and flavonoid compounds being effective against mold that causes discoloration of wood. Additionally, the natural extracts from higher plants can be used to mediate the synthesis of nanoparticle materials. Therefore, in this review, we aim to promote and declare the use of natural products as environmentally eco-friendly bio-agents against certain pathogenic microbes and make recommendations to overcome the extensive uses of conventional pesticides and other preservatives.

In vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of Eucalyptus spp. leaf extracts related to phenolic composition.

The crude methanolic extracts from leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L., E. camaldulensis var obtusa and E. gomphocephala grown in Egypt were investigated to explore their chemical composition as well as their antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. Major phenolics found were ellagic acid, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-b-D-glucuronide, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. The antioxidant activities were examined by the 2,2'-diphenypicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ß-Carotene-linoleic acid assays. E. camaldulensis extracts showed the highest phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared to other cultivars. MIC values reported for antibacterial activity of E. camaldulensis ranged from 0.08 µg/mL (Bacillus cereus) to 0.22 µg/mL (Staphylococcus aureus), while MBC values ranged from 0.16 µg/mL (Dickeya solani and B. cereus) to 0.40 µg/mL (S. aureus). The inhibitory activities against growth of bacteria and fungi used is an indication that E. camaldulensis a might be useful resource for the development and formulation of antibacterial and antifungal drugs.