Instigation of neurosporaxanthin from Rhodococcus ruber O16N isolated from Gulf of Khambhat.

Compounds of natural origin are in burgeoning demand driven by heightened awareness of their health benefits. We present the maiden study on the production of neurosporaxanthin, a carotenoid, from marine Rhodococcus ruber O16N. Analysing various physical parameters including carbon source, agitation speed, temperature, salt and pH, we found that agitation adversely affects biomass and carotenoid production. Isolate O16N grew well, when medium was supplemented with mannitol or sorbitol, CaCl2, at pH 6 and best carotenoid production was observed when sorbitol or fructose and CaCl2 was supplemented in media at pH 7 at 37 °C in static condition with the maximum carotenoid yield of 1097 mg/L, whopping 18-fold more as compared to nutrient medium. Furthermore, thorough characterisation identified the produced carotenoid as neurosporoxanthin. These findings highlight the potential of marine Rhodococcus ruber O16N as a valuable source for neurosporaxanthin production and emphasise the importance of optimising physical parameters for maximising carotenoid yield.

From Sea to Soil: Marine Bacillus subtilis enhancing chickpea production through in vitro and in vivo plant growth promoting traits.

Various strategies are used to augment agricultural output in response to the escalating food requirements stemming from population expansion. Out of various strategies, the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) has shown promise as a viable technique in implementing new agricultural practices. The study of PGPB derived from rhizospheric soil is extensive, but there is a need for more exploration of marine microorganisms. The present research aims to investigate the potential of marine microorganisms as promoters of plant growth. The marine microbe Bacillus subtilis used in current study has been discovered as a possible plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB) as it showed ability to produce ammonia, solubilize potassium and phosphate, and was able to colonize chickpea roots. Bacillus subtilis exhibited a 40% augmentation in germination. A talc-based bio-formulation was prepared using Bacillus subtilis, and pot experiment was done under two conditions: control (T1) and Bacillus treated (T2). In the pot experiment, the plant weight with Bacillus treatment increased by 14.17%, while the plant height increased by 13.71% as compared to control. It also enhanced the chlorophyll content of chickpea and had a beneficial influence on stress indicators. Furthermore, it was noted that it enhanced the levels of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate in the soil improving soil quality. The findings showed that B. subtilis functioned as a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to enhance the overall development of chickpea.

Investigating marine Bacillus as an effective growth promoter for chickpea.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms have characteristics that aid plant growth and raise the level of vital metabolites in plants for better growth including primary and secondary metabolites as well as several developmental enzymes. Marine bacteria must endure harsh environmental circumstances for their survival so it produces several secondary metabolites to protect themselves. Such metabolites might likewise be advantageous for a plant's growth. However, the effectiveness of marine microbes on plant growth remains unexplored. In the present study, we aim to evaluate such marine microbe both in vitro and in vivo as a plant growth promoter. RESULT: Marine Bacillus licheniformis was found positive for vital plant growth-promoting traits like gibberellin and ammonia production, phosphate and potassium solubilization in vitro. Due to the presence of such traits, it was able to increase germination in chickpea. As it can colonize with the roots, it will be able to help plants absorb more nutrients. Additionally, in vivo study shows that B. licheniformis treatment caused rise in vital factors involved in plant growth and development like chlorophyll, POX, phenol, proline, carotenoid, flavonoid, total proteins and SOD which resulted in increase of chickpea height by 26.23% and increase in biomass by 33.85% in pot trials. CONCLUSION: Marine B. licheniformis was able to promote plant growth and increased chickpea production in both number and weight for both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Carotenoid from marine Bacillus infantis: production, extraction, partial characterization, and its biological activity.

Marine bacteria could serve as a potential source of natural carotenoids. Bacillus infantis, (Accession number OP601610), a bacterium with the ability to synthesize carotenoids, was isolated from the marine environment and used in this investigation to produce an orange pigment. Additionally, the production, extraction, partial characterization, and biological activity of orange pigment are reported in the current work. The orange pigment was identified as a carotenoid group of pigment by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and TLC (Thin-layer chromatography) characterization of the methanolic extract of the pigment. The pigment showed antimicrobial activity against four Gram-negative strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella enterica ser. typhi MTCC 733, and Serratia marcescens MTCC 86), three Gram-positive strains (Bacillus megaterium MTCC 3353, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96, and Staphylococcus epidermis MTCC 3382), and antioxidant potential by ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], DPPH (2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl), H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), and phospho-molybdate methods. These findings demonstrate that the carotenoids of the strains under research provide intriguing possibilities for biotechnological applications.

Antacid Therapy in Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure: Proton Pump Inhibitors vs. H2 Receptor Blockers.

PURPOSE: Acid suppressive therapy using histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be utilized for the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) among patients with cardiovascular disease receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, emerging data suggests underlying associations between PPI or H2RA use and cardiovascular disease incidence, progression, and mortality. This review explores the history of acid suppressive therapies and their use in cardiovascular disease patients and the growing evidence in support of H2RA use. RECENT FINDINGS: PPIs were originally championed as better than H2RAs for preventing GIB events in cardiovascular disease patients on DAPT therapy, but there is evidence to suggest that drug-drug interactions between clopidogrel and PPIs may translate to worse cardiovascular outcomes. Studies demonstrating PPI superiority in the setting of DAPT were also limited due to small sample sizes and high levels of bias. Consequently, there is renewed interest in H2RAs for patients on DAPT with some data demonstrating similar or improved clinical outcomes over PPI therapy. Additionally, studies have discovered a possible role for H2RAs in the management of heart failure (HF) incidence, symptoms, and mortality. Studies comparing H2RAs and PPIs in patients on DAPT have demonstrated mixed results for cardiovascular and GIB outcomes, with several studies being underpowered and limited by biases. Recent clinical and pre-clinical studies now support the noninferiority of H2RAs for major outcomes and even utility in HF. These findings suggest that H2RAs may warrant reconsideration as an acid suppressive therapy over PPIs for patients on DAPT or with HF.

The Use of Mechanical Circulatory Assist Devices for ACS Patients with Cardiogenic Shock and High-Risk PCI.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There has been a significant expansion of the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices for patient with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with cardiogenic shock (CS) and in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous interventions (PCI). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the indications and outcomes of these devices in high-risk cardiac patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Early revascularization of the culprit-lesion is the immediate goal in ACS patients with CS and the use of pulmonary artery catheters has been associated with improved outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock. The MCS devices that are used for myocardial support include the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), the left ventricle (LV) to aorta pumps, left atrium (LA) to arterial pumps, and right atrial (RA) to arterial pumps. This review provides an overview on the use of these devices in patients with ACS and CS and those undergoing high-risk PCI. Attention is focused on the IABP, the Impella (LV-aorta pump), the TandemHeart (LA-arterial pump), and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (RA-arterial pump). The indications, evidence, and complications of each device are reviewed. Each device varies in its physiological effect on native heart function, complexity in insertion, and complications. The use of MCS devices for high-risk PCI and CS has increased in recent years and have demonstrated efficacy in supporting a vulnerable myocardium. Although recommendations can be made for use of each device in certain clinical scenarios, further evidence through registries and clinical trials is necessary to guide appropriate device utilization.

Diagnosis of Occlusion Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block and Paced Rhythms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A number of criteria have been developed to aid with the diagnosis of occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and ventricular paced rhythms (VPR). The current guidelines do not provide clear preference for any specific ECG criteria in LBBB and paced rhythm patients. RECENT FINDINGS: This review delineates the difficulties of electrocardiographic diagnosis of OMI in both LBBB and VPR patients. We describe the original Sgarbossa and the newer criteria and their diagnostic performances. We highlight the expected changes of newer pacing modalities and how they may interfere with the electrocardiographic diagnosis of OMI. We recommend utilizing the Cai et al. algorithm, which combines clinical assessment with the Smith Modified Sgarbossa ECG criteria, for both LBBB and right ventricular pacing patients with suspected OMI. There is limited data concerning ECG changes of OMI in patients with the newer pacing modalities, such as biventricular, His-bundle, or left bundle branch pacing.

Simultaneous detection and quantification of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced by rhizobacteria from l-tryptophan (Trp) using HPTLC.

A simple, quick and reliable method is proposed for the detection and quantitation of indole-3-acetate (IAA) and indole-3-butyrate (IBA), an auxin phytohormone produced by rhizobacteria from l-tryptophan (Trp) metabolism using high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Microbial auxin biosynthesis routes involve Trp as a precursor where other than IAA and IBA, products such as indole-3-pyruvate (IPA), indole-3-acetamide (IAM), tryptamine, indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN), indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) and indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAld) are also produced. In traditional spectrophotometric method, Salkowski reagent develops color by reacting with indolic compounds. The color development is non-specific contributed by several Trp derivatives produced by rhizobacteria rather than IAA only. To overcome this limitation, HPTLC based protocol is developed to precisely detect and quantify IAA and IBA in the range of 100 to 1000ng per spot. This protocol is applicable to detect and quantify IAA and IBA from microbial samples ignoring other Trp derivatives. For microbial samples, the spectrophotometric method gives larger values as compared to HPTLC derived values which may be attributed by total indolic compounds reacting with Salkowski reagent rather than only IAA and/or IBA.

Screening of PGPR from saline desert of Kutch: growth promotion in Arachis hypogea by Bacillus licheniformis A2.

Rhizosphere of a halotolerant plant Suaeda fruticosa from saline desert of Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat (India) was explored for isolation of PGPR form the rare ecological niche having4.33% salinity. Total 85 isolates from the rhizosphere belonging to different species were isolated. Out of 85 isolates, 23 could solubilize phosphate and 11 isolates produced IAA. Seven isolates showed both the traits of phosphate solubilization and IAA production. All isolates which showed either of IAA production or phosphate solubilization or both were further screened for other PGP traits like production of ammonia, siderophore, chitinase, HCN and assessment of their antifungal activity. Out of all the screened isolates, Bacillus licheniformis strain A2 showed most prominent PGP traits in vitro and it was tested in vivo for growth promotion of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) under saline soil condition. In presence of soil supplemented with 50 mM NaCl, B. licheniformis treated plants showed increase in fresh biomass, total length and root length by 28%, 24% and 17% and in absence of NaCl it was 43%, 31% and 39% respectively.

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense JT1, a Plant Pathogenic Fungus.

The development of reliable processes for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles is an important aspect of current nanotechnology research. Recently, reports are published on the extracellular as well as intracellular biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using microorganisms. However, these methods of synthesis are rather slow. In present study, rapid and extracellular synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a plant pathogenic fungus F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense JT1 (FocJT1) is reported. Incubation of FocJT1 mycelium with auric chloride solution produces gold nanoparticles in 60 min. Gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and particle size analysis. The particles synthesized were of 22 nm sized, capped by proteins, and posed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas sp.

Induction of Defense-Related Enzymes in Banana Plants: Effect of Live and Dead Pathogenic Strain of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense.

The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the response of banana (Grand Naine variety) plants when interacting with dead or live pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, a causative agent of Panama disease. Response of plants was evaluated in terms of induction of defense-related marker enzyme activity, namely, peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), ß-1,3 glucanase, chitinase, and phenolics. Plant's interaction with live pathogen resulted in early induction of defense to restrain penetration as well as antimicrobial productions. However, pathogen overcame the defense of plant and caused disease. Interaction with dead pathogen resulted in escalating defense response in plants. Later on plants inoculated with dead pathogen showed resistance to even forced inoculation of live pathogen. Results obtained in the present study suggest that dead pathogen was able to mount defense response in plants and provide resistance to Panama disease upon subsequent exposure. Therefore, preparation from dead pathogen could be a potential candidate as a biocontrol agent or plant vaccine to combat Panama disease.