Optimisation ofLevilactobacillus brevis-fermented finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and evaluation of its effects on cancer cells (HCT116 and MDA-MB-231).

The objective of this study was to optimise the millet formulation using Levilactobacillus brevis and to evaluate its anticarcinogenic potential in vitro. The formula was developed in the course of the fermentation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) using L. brevis MTTC 4460 and optimised by response surface methodology and validation by artificial neural networking (ANN). The optimised millet formulation could be obtained using 2 % of bacterial inoculum, 2 % of glucose, and a fermentation duration of 3.3 days with a yield of 5.98 mg/mL lactic acid and 3.38 log10 (CFU/mL) viable L. brevis with overall desirability value of 1. The fermented millet formulation exhibited antiproliferative and antimigratory effects on MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cancer cell lines. In addition, the outcomes observed in western blot analysis revealed that the formulation elicited apoptotic responses mediated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins in MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cell lines while demonstrating no discernible impact on HEK293 normal cells.

Nanotechnological interventions in bacteriocin formulations - advances, and scope for challenging food spoilage bacteria and drug-resistant foodborne pathogens.

Food spoilage bacteria (FSB) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens have emerged as one of the principal public health concerns in the twenty first century. The harmful effects of FSB lead to economic losses for the food industries. Similarly, MDR foodborne pathogens are accountable for multiple illnesses and pose a threat to consumers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish effective formulations for successful application against such microorganisms. In this context, the fusion of knowledge from biotechnology and nanotechnology can explore endless possibilities in the development of innovative formulations against FSB and foodborne pathogens. The current review critically examines the application of bacteriocins in the food industry and the use of nanomaterials to enhance the antimicrobial activity, stability, and precision in the target delivery of bacteriocins. This review also explores the technologies involved in the development of bacteriocin-based nanoformulations and their action against FSB and MDR foodborne pathogens, offering new possibilities in preservation technologies and addressing food safety issues in the food industry. The review highlights the challenges in the commercialization and technoeconomical feasibility of nanobacteriocin. Overall, it provides essential information and interpretation about nanotechnological advancements in bacteriocin formulation action against FSB and foodborne pathogens and future scopes.

Medical supply chain integrated with blockchain and IoT to track the logistics of medical products.

Nowadays blockchain technology plays a vital role in creative developments and important discoveries in the world. Blockchain develops secure and trustworthy platforms for data sharing in various application areas such as secure sharing of medical data, Anti-money laundering, tracking systems, Supply chain, and logistics monitoring, Crypto-currency exchange, etc. Today's Supply chain in the healthcare sector faces many problems like security, transparency, tampering with medical products, counterfeit drugs, more paperwork, high cost, and more time-consuming process while transporting medical equipment from manufacture to end-users. To overcome these problems, we introduce Novel Approach for Integrated IoT (Internet of Things) With Blockchain in Health Supply Chain (NAIBHSC) approach. By using this approach, we can eliminate all supply chain-related issues between suppliers and end-users. The goal of this research is by combining Blockchain technology with IoT to develop a smart health supply chain management system. This approach provides security, privacy, trust, visibility, decentralized tracking and tracing of the medical product, avoids counterfeit drugs, avoids the damage to medical components, authentication, reduces the cost, and provides the status of the products during the shipment process between manufacturers to end-user. In this approach, we conduct a series of experiments on a different group of users. The experimental results show that compare to existing approaches our proposed NAIBHSC approach gives better response time that is the average Transaction Per Second (TPS) for a group of 500 users is 100 milliseconds, reduces the latency time that is average latency time for 500 users group has 403 milliseconds, and improves the overall performance of the smart health supply chain management system.

Sour beer production in India using a coculture of Saccharomyces pastorianus and Lactobacillus plantarum: optimization, microbiological, and biochemical profiling.

The study's objective was to develop a co-fermentation process with appropriate fermentation parameters to produce a sour beer (similar to a Belgium sour beer) with an ethanol content of 6-8% (v/v) using a coculture of Saccharomyces pastorianus and Lactobacillus plantarum. Statistical optimization was conducted to determine fermentation conditions to produce a sour beer with ~ 3 mg/mL of lactic acid, similar to the traditional sour beer levels. Studies were conducted on the microbial dynamics and volatile compounds produced during this fermentation and aging process. GC-MS studies revealed the generation of novel bioactive compounds as well as the depletion of some volatile compounds during co-fermentation. The study detailed a 5-day co-fermentation process of S. pastorianus and L. plantarum and a 21-day aging process to prepare a sour beer with biochemical properties along the lines of traditional lambic beers. The interrelationship between the two microorganisms and the biochemical changes in the sour beer fermentation process was elucidated and the sensorial attributes have been described.

Magnetic separation of ferrous fractions linked to improved bioleaching of metals from waste-to-energy incinerator bottom ash (IBA): a green approach.

Ferrous fractions in incinerated bottom ash (IBA) are linked to lower metal dissolution. In the present study, a novel eco-friendly biotechnological approach has been tested for multi-metal leaching using meso-acidophilic Fe2+/S° oxidizing bacterial consortium from magnetically separated IBA, owing to the inherent property of IBA to release Fe2+. Comprehensive lab-scale studies, first-of-its-kind, considered all the potential elements to understand targeted metal dissolutions from the sample under differential conditions. Concentrations of metals, Al > Ti > Ni > Zn > Cu, as analyzed by ICP-OES, were targeted to be bioleached. XRD analysis indicated the sample to be amorphous with magnetite (Fe3O4) and iron (Fe) forming major phases in the magnetic part (IBAM) and titano-magnetite (Fe3-x. TixO4) and iron (Fe) for the nonmagnetic part (IBAN). The study indicated that 73.98% Cu, 98.68% Ni, 59.09% Zn, 58.84% Al, and 92.85% Ti could be leached from IBAM when the bioleaching system operates at pH 1.5, 5% pulp density for 8 days. Under similar conditions, within 6 days, 37.55% Cu, 87.99% Ni, 45.03% Zn, 40.72% Al, and 63.97% Ti could be leached from IBAN. Two routes were identified and the mechanism of action has been proposed for the leaching of metals.

Biotechnological strategies for the recovery of valuable and critical raw materials from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) - A review.

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are essential in the development of novel high-tech applications. They are essential in sustainable materials and green technologies, including renewable energy, emissionfree electric vehicles and energy-efficient lighting. However, the sustainable supply of CRMs is a major concern. Recycling end-of-life devices is an integral element of the CRMs supply policy of many countries. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an important secondary source of CRMs. Currently, pyrometallurgical processes are used to recycle metals from WEEE. These processes are deemed imperfect, energy-intensive and non-selective towards CRMs. Biotechnologies are a promising alternative to the current industrial best available technologies (BAT). In this review, we present the current frontiers in CRMs recovery from WEEE using biotechnology, the biochemical fundamentals of these bio-based technologies and discuss recent research and development (R&D) activities. These technologies encompass biologically induced leaching (bioleaching) from various matrices,biomass-induced sorption (biosorption), and bioelectrochemical systems (BES).

Microbial processing of fruit and vegetable wastes into potential biocommodities: a review.

The review focuses on some of the high value-end biocommodities, such as fermented beverages, single-cell proteins, single-cell oils, biocolors, flavors, fragrances, polysaccharides, biopesticides, plant growth regulators, bioethanol, biogas and biohydrogen, developed from the microbial processing of fruit and vegetable wastes. Microbial detoxification of fruit and vegetable processing effluents is briefly described. The advances in genetic engineering of microorganisms for enhanced yield of the above-mentioned biocommodities are elucidated with selected examples. The bottleneck in commercialization, integrated approach for improved production, techno-economical feasibility and real-life uses of some of these biocommodities, as well as research gaps and future directions are discussed.

A novel bioreactor system for simultaneous mutli-metal leaching from industrial pyrite ash: Effect of agitation and sulphur dosage.

Simultaneous multi-metal leaching from industrial pyrite ash is reported for the first time using a novel bioreactor system that allows natural diffusion of atmospheric O2 and CO2 along with the required temperature maintenance. The waste containing economically important metals (Cu, Co, Zn & As) was leached using an adapted consortium of meso-acidophilic Fe2+ and S oxidising bacteria. The unique property of the sample supported adequate growth and activity of the acidophiles, thereby, driving the (bio) chemical reactions. Oxido-reductive potentials were seen to improve with time and the system's pH lowered as a result of active S oxidation. Increase in sulphur dosage (>1g/L) and agitation speed (>150rpm) did not bear any significant effect on metal dissolution. The consortium was able to leach 94.01% Cu (11.75% dissolution/d), 98.54% Co (12.3% dissolution/d), 75.95% Zn (9.49% dissolution/d) and 60.80% As (7.6% dissolution/d) at 150rpm, 1g/L sulphur, 30°C in 8days.

In-silico screening, identification and validation of a novel vaccine candidate in the fight against Plasmodium falciparum.

With the enormous genetic plasticity of malaria parasite, the challenges of developing a potential malaria vaccine candidate with highest efficacy still remain. This study has incorporated a bioinformatics-based screening approach to explore potential vaccine candidates in Plasmodium falciparum proteome. A systematic strategy was defined to screen proteins from the Malaria Parasite Metabolic Pathways (MPMP) database, on the basis of surface exposure, non-homology with host proteome, orthology with related Plasmodium species, and MHC class I and II binding promiscuity. The approach reported PF3D7_1428200, a putative metabolite transporter protein, as a novel vaccine candidate. RaptorX server was used to generate the 3D model of the protein and was validated by PROCHECK. Furthermore, the predicted B cell and T cell epitopes with the highest score were subjected to energy minimization by molecular dynamics simulation to examine their stability within a solvent system. Results from this study could facilitate selection of proteins for entry into vaccine production pipeline in future.

Synergistic effect of biogenic Fe3+ coupled to S° oxidation on simultaneous bioleaching of Cu, Co, Zn and As from hazardous Pyrite Ash Waste.

Pyrite ash, a waste by-product formed during roasting of pyrite ores, is a good source of valuable metals. The waste is associated with several environmental issues due to its dumping in sea and/or land filling. Although several other management practices are available for its utilization, the waste still awaits and calls for an eco-friendly biotechnological application for metal recovery. In the present study, chemolithotrophic meso-acidophilic iron and sulphur oxidisers were evaluated for the first time towards simultaneous mutli-metal recovery from pyrite ash. XRD and XRF analysis indicated higher amount of Hematite (Fe2O3) in the sample. ICP-OES analysis indicated concentrations of Cu>Zn>Co>As that were considered for bioleaching. Optimization studies indicated Cu - 95%, Co - 97%, Zn - 78% and As - 60% recovery within 8days at 10% pulp density, pH - 1.75, 10% (v/v) inoculum and 9g/L Fe2+. The productivity of the bioleaching system was found to be Cu - 1696ppm/d (12% dissolution/d), Co - 338ppm/d (12.2% dissolution/d), Zn k 576ppm/d (9.8% dissolution/d) and As - 75ppm/d (7.5% dissolution/d). Synergistic actions for Fe2+ - S° oxidation by iron and sulphur oxidisers were identified as the key drivers for enhanced metal dissolution from pyrite ash sample.

Microbial-processing of fruit and vegetable wastes for production of vital enzymes and organic acids: Biotechnology and scopes.

Wastes generated from fruits and vegetables are organic in nature and contribute a major share in soil and water pollution. Also, green house gas emission caused by fruit and vegetable wastes (FVWs) is a matter of serious environmental concern. This review addresses the developments over the last one decade on microbial processing technologies for production of enzymes and organic acids from FVWs. The advances in genetic engineering for improvement of microbial strains in order to enhance the production of the value added bio-products as well as the concept of zero-waste economy have been briefly discussed.

Current scenario of chalcopyrite bioleaching: a review on the recent advances to its heap-leach technology.

Chalcopyrite is the primary copper mineral used for production of copper metal. Today, as a result of rapid industrialization, there has been enormous demand to profitably process the low grade chalcopyrite and "dirty" concentrates through bioleaching. In the current scenario, heap bioleaching is the most advanced and preferred eco-friendly technology for processing of low grade, uneconomic/difficult-to-enrich ores for copper extraction. This paper reviews the current status of chalcopyrite bioleaching. Advanced information with the attempts made for understanding the diversity of bioleaching microorganisms; role of OMICs based research for future applications to industrial sectors and chemical/microbial aspects of chalcopyrite bioleaching is discussed. Additionally, the current progress made to overcome the problems of passivation as seen in chalcopyrite bioleaching systems have been conversed. Furthermore, advances in the designing of heap bioleaching plant along with microbial and environmental factors of importance have been reviewed with conclusions into the future prospects of chalcopyrite bioleaching.

Effect of dissimilatory Fe(III) reducers on bio-reduction and nickel-cobalt recovery from Sukinda chromite-overburden.

The effect of an adapted dissimilatory iron reducing bacterial consortium (DIRB) towards bio-reduction of Sukinda chromite overburden (COB) with enhanced recovery of nickel and cobalt is being reported for the first time. The remarkable ability of DIRB to utilize Fe(III) as terminal electron acceptor reducing it to Fe(II) proved beneficial for treatment of COB as compared to previous reports for nickel leaching. XRD studies showed goethite as the major iron-bearing phase in COB. Under facultative anaerobic conditions, goethite was reduced to hematite and magnetite with the exposure of nickel oxide. FESEM studies showed DIRB to be associated with COB through biofilm formation with secondary mineral precipitates of magnetite deposited as tiny globular clusters on the extra polymeric substances. The morphological and mineralogical changes in COB, post DIRB application, yielded a maximum of 68.5% nickel and 80.98% cobalt in 10 days using 8M H2SO4.

Monitoring of multiple drug-resistant pathogens in a selected stretch of Bay of Bengal, India.

The present work aims at identification of multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria in a selected stretch, namely, Puri on the Bay of Bengal, India. Six stations at the coast of Puri were selected and samples of water and sediment were collected during the winter of 2008 and 2009 for this study. Thirty-eight pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified from both the water and the sediment of 6 fixed stations (PU-1a, PU-1b, PU-2, PU-3, PU-4, and PU-5). The identified pathogens were Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis. Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated bacteria was studied by using 12 selected antibiotics, commonly used for the medication of human beings and animals. The isolated pathogens from both the water and the sediment samples showed lowest resistance to chloramphenicol (C-30 µg) where as the pathogens showed highest level of resistance to ampicillin (10-µg) among the antibiotics used for the study. Among the isolated pathogens E. faecalis (PU-1a), P. aeruginosa (PU-2 and PU-3), E. coli (PU-3 and PU-4), and K. pneumonia (PU-4) showed resistance to more than four antibiotics. Out of the isolated species, 57.8% pathogens were multi-drug resistant. Antibiotic resistance indexes of all the stations were calculated and found to be in the range of 0.066 to 0.083.