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Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Dec 2023There is a growing interest in the use of microbial cell factories to produce butanol, an industrial solvent and platform chemical. Biobutanol can also be used as a...
There is a growing interest in the use of microbial cell factories to produce butanol, an industrial solvent and platform chemical. Biobutanol can also be used as a biofuel and represents a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to the use of conventional fossil fuels. Solventogenic Clostridia are the most popular microorganisms used due to the native expression of butanol synthesis pathways. A major drawback to the wide scale implementation and development of these technologies is the toxicity of butanol. Various membrane properties and related functions are perturbed by the interaction of butanol with the cell membrane, causing lower yields and higher purification costs. This is ultimately why the technology remains underemployed. This study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of butanol toxicity at the membrane to determine future targets for membrane engineering. Changes to the lipidome in Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (HMT) throughout butanol fermentation were investigated with thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry. By the end of fermentation, levels of phosphatidylglycerol lipids had increased significantly, suggesting an important role of these lipid species in tolerance to butanol. Using membrane models and in vitro assays to investigate characteristics such as permeability, fluidity, and swelling, it was found that altering the composition of membrane models can convey tolerance to butanol, and that modulating membrane fluidity appears to be a key factor. Data presented here will ultimately help to inform rational strain engineering efforts to produce more robust strains capable of producing higher butanol titres.
Topics: Butanols; 1-Butanol; Clostridium; Membranes
PubMed: 37648011
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184217 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023The escalating waste generation rates, driven by population growth, urbanization, and consumption patterns, have made waste management a critical global concern with... (Review)
Review
The escalating waste generation rates, driven by population growth, urbanization, and consumption patterns, have made waste management a critical global concern with significant environmental, social, and economic repercussions. Among the various waste sources, lignocellulosic biomass represents a significant proportion of agricultural, agro-industrial, and municipal wastes. Biofuels are gaining attention as a promising substitute to fossil fuels, and butanol is one such biofuel that has been identified as a potential candidate due to its compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure, lower volatility, and higher energy density. Sustainable management of lignocellulosic biomass waste and its utilization in fermentation are viable alternatives to produce butanol via the promising microbial catalyst clostridia. This review provides an overview of lignocellulosic biomass waste management, focusing on recent advances in strain development for butanol production from renewable biomass with an emphasis on future perspectives.
PubMed: 37954017
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1272429 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Dec 2023Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious illness with a high mortality rate of 40-60%. It is characterised by systemic inflammatory processes and oxidative stress....
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious illness with a high mortality rate of 40-60%. It is characterised by systemic inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Gram-negative bacterial infections are the major cause of ALI, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major stimulus for the release of inflammatory mediators. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies which ameliorate ALI and prevent its serious consequences. The Middle Eastern native plant Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb) Bunge belongs to the family Tamaricaceae, which exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, the current work aimed to ensure the plausible beneficial effects of T. nilotica different fractions on LPS-induced acute lung injury after elucidating their phytochemical constituents using LC/MS analysis. Mice were randomly allocated into six groups: Control saline, LPS group, and four groups treated with total extract, DCM, EtOAc and n-butanol fractions, respectively, intraperitoneal at 100 mg/kg doses 30 min before LPS injection. The lung expression of iNOS, TGF-β1, NOX-1, NOX-4 and GPX-1 levels were evaluated. Also, oxidative stress was assessed via measurements of MDA, SOD and Catalase activity, and histopathological and immunohistochemical investigation of TNF-α in lung tissues were performed. T. nilotica n-butanol fraction caused a significant downregulation in iNOS, TGF-β1, TNF-α, NOX-1, NOX-4, and MDA levels (p ˂ 0.05), and significantly elevated GPX-1 expression levels, SOD, and catalase activity (p ˂ 0.05), and alleviated all histopathological abnormalities confirming its advantageous role in ALI. The antibacterial activities of T. nilotica and its different fractions were investigated by agar well diffusion method and broth microdilution method. Interestingly, the n-butanol fraction exhibited the best antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. It also significantly reduced exopolysaccharide quantity, cell surface hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Lipopolysaccharides; Tamaricaceae; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Catalase; 1-Butanol; Acute Lung Injury; Lung; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Superoxide Dismutase
PubMed: 37820564
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115678 -
AMB Express Dec 2023Butanol-producing strains Clostridium sp. UCM B-7570 and C. acetobutylicum UCM B-7407 were used for research from "Collection of strains of microorganisms and plant...
Butanol-producing strains Clostridium sp. UCM B-7570 and C. acetobutylicum UCM B-7407 were used for research from "Collection of strains of microorganisms and plant lines for food and agricultural biotechnology" of the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, glycerol (BASF, Germany) and apple pomace (total moisture 4%) after apple juice production. The aim of this work was to study the possibility of using apple pomace by domestic butanol-producing strains of Clostridium sp. UCM B-7570 and C. acetobutylicum UCM B-7407 as a substrate. Producers were cultured on medium with different concentrations of apple pomace, glycerol was used for the inoculation. The presence of ethanol, acetone, and butanol in the culture liquid was determined using a gas chromatograph. It was determined that a significant part of the macrocomponent composition of the extracts can be used in bioconversion by producing strains of the genus Clostridium. It was determined that the highest concentration of butanol (10 g/dm) was at a concentration of 120 g/dm in the extracts. The obtained data showed the possibility of using apple pomace as a substrate in biobutanol technology.
PubMed: 38055129
DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01649-1 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Oxidative stress has been associated with different diseases, and different medicinal plants have been used to treat or prevent this condition. The leaf ethanolic...
Oxidative stress has been associated with different diseases, and different medicinal plants have been used to treat or prevent this condition. The leaf ethanolic extract (EE) and aqueous extract (AE) from have previously been characterized to have antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we worked with EE and AE and two partition phases, AF (ethyl acetate) and BF (butanol), from AE extract. These extracts and partition phases did not display cytotoxicity. The EE and AE reduced NO production and ROS in all three concentrations tested. Furthermore, it was observed that EE and AE at 500 μg/mL concentration were able to reduce phagocytic activity by 30 and 50%, respectively. A scratch assay using a fibroblast cell line (NHI/3T3) showed that extracts and fractions induced cell migration with 60% wound recovery within 24 h, especially for BF. It was also observed that AF and BF had antioxidant potential in all the assays evaluated. In addition, copper chelation was observed. This activity was previously not detected in AE. The HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of phenolic compounds such as -cumaric acid and vitexin for extracts, while the GNPS annotated the presence of isoorientin, vitexin, kanakugiol, and tryptamine in the BF partition phase. The data presented here demonstrated that the EE, AE, AF, and BF of have potential immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant effects, as well as in vitro wound healing characteristics, which are important for dynamic inflammation process control.
Topics: Antioxidants; Wound Healing; Oxidative Stress; Phenols; Cell Line; Plant Extracts; Ethanol; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 37958868
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115885 -
International Journal of Biological... 2024Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a receptor of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), is exclusively present in melanocytes where α-MSH/MC1R stimulate melanin...
Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a receptor of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), is exclusively present in melanocytes where α-MSH/MC1R stimulate melanin pigmentation through microphthalmia-associated transcription factor M (MITF-M). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a receptor of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is distributed in immune and other cell types including melanocytes where LPS/TLR4 activate transcriptional activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB to express cytokines in innate immunity. LPS/TLR4 also up-regulate MITF-M-target melanogenic genes in melanocytes. Here, we propose a molecular target of antimelanogenic activity through elucidating inhibitory mechanism on α-MSH-induced melanogenic programs by benzimidazole-2-butanol (BI2B), an inhibitor of LPS/TLR4-activated transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Ultraviolet B (UV-B)-irradiated skins of HRM-2 hairless mice and α-MSH-activated melanocyte cultures were employed to examine melanogenic programs. Topical treatment with BI2B ameliorated UV-B-irradiated skin hyperpigmentation in mice. BI2B suppressed the protein or mRNA levels of melanogenic markers, such as tyrosinase (TYR), MITF-M and proopiomelanocortin (POMC), in UV-B-exposed and pigmented skin tissues. Moreover, BI2B inhibited melanin pigmentation in UV-B-irradiated co-cultures of keratinocyte and melanocyte cells and that in α-MSH-activated melanocyte cultures. Mechanistically, BI2B inhibited the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in α-MSH-induced melanogenic programs and suppressed the expression of MITF-M at the promoter level. As a molecular target, BI2B primarily inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 3 (MKK3)-catalyzed kinase activity on p38. Subsequently, BI2B interrupted downstream pathway of p38-mitogen and stress-activated protein kinase-1 (MSK1)-CREB-MITF-M, and suppressed MITF-M-target melanogenic genes, encoding enzymes TYR, TYR-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) in melanin biosynthesis, and encoding proteins PMEL17 and Rab27A in the transfer of pigmented melanosomes to the overlaying keratinocytes in the skin. Targeting the MKK3-p38-MSK1-CREB-MITF-M pathway was suggested as a rationale to inhibit UV-B- or α-MSH-induced facultative melanogenesis and as a strategy to prevent acquired pigmentary disorders in the skin.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Melanins; Toll-Like Receptor 4; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; alpha-MSH; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; Lipopolysaccharides; Melanocytes; Hyperpigmentation; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38481807
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.93120 -
ACS Omega Jan 2024Lighter fluids are consumer products used only at a low-volume scale, representing a realizable goal of fossil fuel replacement by renewables. Physicochemical properties...
Lighter fluids are consumer products used only at a low-volume scale, representing a realizable goal of fossil fuel replacement by renewables. Physicochemical properties of four fossil-based conventional lighter fluids (Ronsonol, Zippo, Landmann, and Terracotta) and six selected biomass-based chemicals (γ-valerolactone, ethyl-levulinate, ethanol, n-butanol, γ-valerolactone 90% v/v and ethanol 10% v/v, and ethyl-levulinate 90% v/v and ethanol 10% v/v mixtures) as potential biomass-based lighter fluids were assessed. Assessments were carried out in terms of safety, toxicological, and environmental viewpoints, represented by a flash point, boiling point, vapor pressure values, and evaporation rates; oral toxicity measured on rats; and real ethanol equivalent values, respectively. Parameters were collected where available; in the absence of literature data, they were calculated or measured and then analyzed. Finally, multicriteria analysis based on the flash point, boiling point, vapor pressure, toxicity, and ethanol equivalent values revealed γ-valerolactone as a renewable substance, which can be a promising alternative to replace fossil-based lighter fluids because it was awarded as the first in the multicriteria evaluation by obtaining the highest value of the overall scores. In practical usage, however, ignition, combustion experiments, flue gas, and emission analysis are also required to underline its commercial use in the future.
PubMed: 38313491
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05242 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Breast cancer patients are characterized by the oncobiotic transformation of multiple microbiome communities, including the gut microbiome. Oncobiotic transformation of...
Breast cancer patients are characterized by the oncobiotic transformation of multiple microbiome communities, including the gut microbiome. Oncobiotic transformation of the gut microbiome impairs the production of antineoplastic bacterial metabolites. The goal of this study was to identify bacterial metabolites with antineoplastic properties. We constructed a 30-member bacterial metabolite library and screened the library compounds for effects on cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The metabolites were applied to 4T1 murine breast cancer cells in concentrations corresponding to the reference serum concentrations. However, yric acid, glycolic acid, d-mannitol, 2,3-butanediol, and trans-ferulic acid exerted cytostatic effects, and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillic acid exerted hyperproliferative effects. Furthermore, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-butanediol, and hydrocinnamic acid inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition. We identified redox sets among the metabolites (d-mannitol-d-mannose, 1-butanol-butyric acid, ethylene glycol-glycolic acid-oxalic acid), wherein only one partner within the set (d-mannitol, butyric acid, glycolic acid) possessed bioactivity in our system, suggesting that changes to the local redox potential may affect the bacterial secretome. Of the nine bioactive metabolites, 2,3-butanediol was the only compound with both cytostatic and anti-EMT properties.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Cytostatic Agents; Butyric Acid; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 37570868
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155898 -
ACS Omega Oct 2023Molecular rotor dye thioflavin T (ThT) is almost nonfluorescent in low-viscosity solvents but highly fluorescent when bound to amyloid fibrils. This unique property...
Molecular rotor dye thioflavin T (ThT) is almost nonfluorescent in low-viscosity solvents but highly fluorescent when bound to amyloid fibrils. This unique property arises from the rotation of the dimethylaniline moiety relative to the benzothiazole moiety in the excited state, which drives the dye from an emissive locally excited state to a twisted intramolecular charge-transfer state. This process is viscosity-controlled, and therefore, we can use the quantum yield of ThT to assess the viscosity of the environment. In this study, we have investigated the quantum yield of ThT (φ) in various compositions of six alcoholic solvent mixtures of glycerol with methanol, ethanol, -propanol, -propanol, -butanol, and -butanol. We have proposed an empirical model using φ as a function of the mole fraction of glycerol to estimate the interaction parameters between the components of the solvent mixtures. This analysis allowed us to predict the extent of nonideality of the solvent mixtures. The Förster-Hoffmann- and Loutfy-Arnold-type power law relationship was established between the quantum yield of ThT and bulk viscosity for solvent mixtures of methanol, ethanol, -butanol, and -butanol with glycerol, and it was found to be similar in nature in all the four mixtures. Applying this knowledge, we proposed a methodology to quantify and predict the bulk viscosity coefficient values of several compositions of -propanol-glycerol and -propanol-glycerol mixtures which have not been previously documented.
PubMed: 37810704
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06428 -
Microorganisms Feb 2024Ethanol can be produced by many microorganisms that colonize a dead body. Ethanol's concentration depends on the congener higher alcohols, 1-propanol, isobutanol,...
Ethanol can be produced by many microorganisms that colonize a dead body. Ethanol's concentration depends on the congener higher alcohols, 1-propanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 1-butanol, as previous research has shown. This correlation is expressed by mathematical models which estimate the concentration of microbial ethanol. The aim of this contribution was to study the ethanol and higher alcohols' production in various laboratory bacterial and fungal cultures and the applicability of the bacterial and fungal models (which concern the bacteria , , , and , and the fungus ) in these samples, as well as in blood samples from autopsy cases, with the overall objective of investigating the models' applicability in routine casework. The bacteria and fungus were cultured in conventional culture media and in denatured human blood cultures under various conditions. The alcohols' concentrations were determined using a head space-gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (HS-GC-FID). The previously reported bacterial and yeast models were applied in the cultured samples and in blood from 122 autopsy cases. Our results showed that 1-propanol was not produced by and under certain conditions. Also, 1-butanol was not produced by , , and under certain conditions. Furthermore, the bacterial models were applicable in postmortem samples irrespective of the microbes that were possibly activated in the sample, while the EC models showed the best applicability among all the bacterial and yeast models. The best applicability of the bacterial models was observed in autopsy blood with 0.10 g/L < BAC < 1.0 g/L in cases of violent and undetermined causes of death and in cases with putrefaction. Finally, the yeast models were applicable in limited, possibly special, autopsy cases. In conclusion, it could be inferred that the source of ethanol in any given postmortem blood sample is likely microbial if either most bacterial models or at least one model from each distinct bacterial species is successfully applicable.
PubMed: 38543513
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12030462