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The Malaysian Journal of Pathology Apr 2024Invasive aspergillosis is the second most common invasive human mycosis but susceptibility data of Aspergillus species is limited. Antifungal treatment of aspergillosis...
Invasive aspergillosis is the second most common invasive human mycosis but susceptibility data of Aspergillus species is limited. Antifungal treatment of aspergillosis is often done empirically without knowing the true susceptibility. Therefore, we aimed to determine antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus species isolated from various clinical specimens over a 1-year period. We identified 28 Aspergillus isolates by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin genes and performed antifungal susceptibility testing on these isolates using Sensititre YeastOne. The isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger (60.7%), A. fumigatus (21.4%), A. flavus (10.7%), A. chevalieri (3.6%) and A. tubingensis (3.6%). Based on the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) Antifungal Clinical Breakpoint for Aspergillus spp., 16/17 (94.1%) A. niger isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, all six isolates (100%) of A. fumigatus were susceptible to amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole, but only 5/6 (83.3%) A. fumigatus were susceptible to posaconazole. Meanwhile, all three (100%) A. flavus isolates were susceptible to itraconazole. There are no other breakpoints established by the EUCAST for other antifungal-species combinations. In conclusions, Aspergillus niger remains the most commonly isolated species from clinical specimens and Aspergillus isolates at our centre are still largely susceptible to amphotericin B, echinocandins and most azoles. This information is valuable in guiding antifungal therapy in the treatment of aspergillosis.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Aspergillosis; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged
PubMed: 38682846
DOI: No ID Found -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Wall. Ex Besser is a folklore medicinal plant that belongs to Asteraceae family and a treasure trove of drugs. The aim of this research study was to investigate the...
Wall. Ex Besser is a folklore medicinal plant that belongs to Asteraceae family and a treasure trove of drugs. The aim of this research study was to investigate the phytoconstituents, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and wound healing potential of leaf extract (ALE). Phytochemical analysis of the ALE was carried out by Soxhlet extraction and GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. Antimicrobial activity was performed by the agar well diffusion method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Free radical scavenging potential was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by enzyme inhibition assay-COXII. The cytotoxicity of ALE on HaCaT cells was studied via MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. An in vitro scratch assay was performed for the evaluation of the wound healing property of ALE. It showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity against (14.2 ± 0.28 mm), (17.6 ± 0.52 mm), (13.1 ± 0.37 mm), (17.3 ± 0.64 mm), (9.4 ± 0.56 mm), (12.7 ± 0.53 mm), (15.3 ± 0.25 mm) and (17.6 ± 0.11 mm). In ALE, 36 phytochemicals were detected by GCMS analysis, but 22 were dominant. Moreover, the ALE was effective in scavenging free radicals with different assays and exhibited reasonable anti-inflammatory activity. The MTT assay revealed that ALE had a cytotoxic effect on the HaCaT cells. The scratch assay showed 94.6% wound closure (after 24 h incubation) compared to the positive control Cipladine, which is remarkable wound healing activity. This is the first report on the wound healing property of , which can serve as a potential agent for wound healing and extends knowledge on its therapeutic potential.
Topics: Artemisia; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Humans; Antioxidants; Phytochemicals; Anti-Infective Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Wound Healing; Candida albicans; HaCaT Cells; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Survival; Biphenyl Compounds; Picrates
PubMed: 38675649
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081829 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, bioactivity, and release mechanism of bound polyphenols (BPs) released from fruit pomace insoluble dietary...
This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, bioactivity, and release mechanism of bound polyphenols (BPs) released from fruit pomace insoluble dietary fiber (RPDF) through solid-state fermentation (SSF) with . The results indicated that the amount of BPs released from RPDF through SSF was 17.22 mg GAE/g DW, which was significantly higher than that achieved through alkaline hydrolysis extraction (5.33 mg GAE/g DW). The BPs released through SSF exhibited superior antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities compared to that released through alkaline hydrolysis. Chemical composition analysis revealed that SSF released several main compounds, including ellagic acid, epigallocatechin, -hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid. Mechanism analysis indicated that the disruption of tight structure, chemical bonds, and hemicellulose was crucial for the release of BPs from RPDF. This study provides valuable information on the potential application of SSF for the efficient release of BPs from RPDF, contributing to the utilization of RPDF as a functional food ingredient.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Polyphenols; Dietary Fiber; Rosa; Fruit; Fermentation; Phytochemicals; Antioxidants; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38675509
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081689 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Grape pomace seeds contain abundant phenolic compounds, which are also present in both soluble and insoluble forms, similar to many other plant matrices. To further...
Grape pomace seeds contain abundant phenolic compounds, which are also present in both soluble and insoluble forms, similar to many other plant matrices. To further increase the extractable soluble phenolics and their antioxidant activities, grape pomace seeds were fermented with different fungi. Results showed that solid-state fermentation (SSF) with , , and at 28 °C and 65% humidity had a significantly positive impact on the release of soluble phenolics in grape pomace seeds. Specifically, SSF with increased the soluble phenolic contents by 6.42 times (calculated as total phenolic content) and 6.68 times (calculated as total flavonoid content), leading to an overall improvement of antioxidant activities, including DPPH (increased by 2.14 times) and ABTS (increased by 3.64 times) radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, substantial changes were observed in the composition and content of individual phenolic compounds in the soluble fraction, with significantly heightened levels of specific phenolics such as chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, epicatechin gallate, and resveratrol. Notably, during SSF, positive correlations were identified between the soluble phenolic content and hydrolase activities. In particular, there is a strong positive correlation between glycosidase and soluble phenols (r = 0.900). The findings present an effective strategy for improving the soluble phenolic profiles and bioactivities of grape pomace seeds through fungal SSF, thereby facilitating the valorization of winemaking by-products.
PubMed: 38672831
DOI: 10.3390/foods13081158 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2024This study investigates the biological activities of essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various...
This study investigates the biological activities of essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various ailments. LPEO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion, MIC, MBC, and MFC determination against bacterial () and fungal () strains. Antidiabetic and anti-gout potential were investigated through α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays. Antityrosinase activity was determined using a modified dopachrome method. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay against breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468), liver (HepG2), colon (HCT-15) cancer cells, and normal cells (PBMCs). LPEO exhibits potent antiradical activity (IC50 = 148.33 ± 2.48 μg/mL) and significant antioxidant capacity (TAC = 171.56 ± 2.34 μg AA/mg of EO). It demonstrates notable antibacterial activity against four strains ( and ) with inhibition zones ranging from 18.70 ± 0.30 mm to 29.20 ± 0.30 mm, along with relatively low MIC and MBC values. LPEO displays significant antifungal activity against four strains ( and ) with a fungicidal effect at 1 mg/mL, surpassing the positive control (cycloheximide), and MIC and MFC values indicating a fungicidal effect. It exhibits substantial inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme (IC50 = 26.48 ± 0.90 μg/mL), comparable to allopurinol, and marked inhibitory effects on α-amylase (IC50 = 31.56 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 58.47 ± 2.35 μg/mL) enzymes.The enzyme tyrosinase is inhibited by LPEO (IC50 = 29.11 ± 0.08 mg/mL). LPEO displays moderate cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cells, with low toxicity towards normal cells (PBMC). LPEO exhibits greater selectivity than cisplatin for breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT-15) cancer cells but lower selectivity for liver (HepG2) and metastatic breast (MDA-MB-468) cancer cells. These findings suggest the potential of LPEO as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-gout, antidiabetic, and anticancer agent.
PubMed: 38660570
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1383731 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates prospecting uncharted microbial biodiversity for novel therapeutic leads. This study mines the...
Tapping the biosynthetic potential of marine LHG166, a prolific sulphated exopolysaccharide producer: structural insights, bio-prospecting its antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-biofilm potency as a novel anti-infective lead.
The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates prospecting uncharted microbial biodiversity for novel therapeutic leads. This study mines the promising chemical richness of LHG166, a prolific exopolysaccharide (EPSR2-7.22 g/L). It comprised 5 different monosaccharides with 48.11% uronic acid, 17.40% sulfate groups, and 6.09% N-acetyl glucosamine residues. EPSR2 displayed potent antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS, TAC and FRAP assays. Of all the fungi tested, the yeast displayed the highest susceptibility and antibiofilm inhibition. The fungi and showed moderate EPSR2 susceptibility. In contrast, the fungi and were resistant. Among G+ve tested bacteria, was the most susceptible, while was the most sensitive to G-ve pathogens. Encouragingly, EPSR2 predominantly demonstrated bactericidal effects against both bacterial classes based on MBC/MIC of either 1 or 2 superior Gentamicin. At 75% of MBC, EPSR2 displayed the highest anti-biofilm activity of 88.30% against , while for G-ve antibiofilm inhibition, At 75% of MBC, EPSR2 displayed the highest anti-biofilm activity of 96.63% against , Even at the lowest dose of 25% MBC, EPSR2 reduced biofilm formation by 84.13% in , 61.46% in . The microbial metabolite EPSR2 from LHG166 shows promise as an eco-friendly natural antibiotic alternative for treating infections and oxidative stress.
PubMed: 38659983
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1385493 -
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B Jun 2024Inactivation of flbA in Aspergillus niger results in thinner cell walls, increased cell lysis, abolished sporulation, and an increased secretome complexity. A total of...
Inactivation of flbA in Aspergillus niger results in thinner cell walls, increased cell lysis, abolished sporulation, and an increased secretome complexity. A total of 36 transcription factor (TF) genes are differentially expressed in ΔflbA. Here, seven of these genes (abaA, aslA, aslB, azf1, htfA, nosA, and srbA) were inactivated. Inactivation of each of these genes affected sporulation and, with the exception of abaA, cell wall integrity and protein secretion. The impact on secretion was strongest in the case of ΔaslA and ΔaslB that showed increased pepsin, cellulase, and amylase activity. Biomass was reduced of agar cultures of ΔabaA, ΔaslA, ΔnosA, and ΔsrbA, while biomass was higher in liquid shaken cultures of ΔaslA and ΔaslB. The ΔaslA and ΔhtfA strains showed increased resistance to HO, while ΔaslB was more sensitive to this reactive oxygen species. Together, inactivation of the seven TF genes impacted biomass formation, sporulation, protein secretion, and stress resistance, and thereby these genes explain at least part of the pleiotropic phenotype of ΔflbA of A. niger.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Transcription Factors; Fungal Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Spores, Fungal; Phenotype; Cell Wall; Hydrogen Peroxide; Genetic Pleiotropy
PubMed: 38657897
DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103894 -
Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology Sep 2024Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) are plant proteins involved in the inhibition of polygalacturonases (PGs), cell-wall degrading enzymes often secreted by...
Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) are plant proteins involved in the inhibition of polygalacturonases (PGs), cell-wall degrading enzymes often secreted by phytopathogenic fungi. Previously, we confirmed that PGIP2 from (PvPGIP2) can inhibit the growth of and on agar plate. In this study, we further validated the feasibility of using PGIP as an environmental and ecological friendly agent to prevent fungal infection post-harvest. We found that application of either purified PGIP (full length PvPGIP2 or truncated tPvPGIP2_5-8), or PGIP-secreting strains can effectively inhibit fungal growth and necrotic lesions on tobacco leaf. We also examined the effective amount and thermostability of PGIP when applied on plants. A concentration of 0.75 mg/mL or higher can significantly reduce the area of lesions. The activity of full-length PvPGIPs is not affected after incubation at various temperatures ranging from -20 to 42 °C for 24 h, while truncated tPvPGIP2_5-8 lost some efficacy after incubation at 42 °C. Furthermore, we have also examined the efficacy of PGIP on tomato fruit. When the purified PvPGIP2 proteins were applied to tomato fruit inoculated with at a concentration of roughly 1.0 mg/mL disease incidence and area of disease had reduced by more than half compared to the controls without PGIP treatment. This study explores the potential of PGIPs as exogenously applied, eco-friendly fungal control agents on fruit and vegetables post-harvest.
PubMed: 38651095
DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.04.002 -
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Jun 2024The growing need in the current market for innovative solutions to obtain lactose-free (L-F) milk is caused by the annual increase in the prevalence of lactose...
The growing need in the current market for innovative solutions to obtain lactose-free (L-F) milk is caused by the annual increase in the prevalence of lactose intolerance inside as well as the newborn, children, and adults. Various configurations of enzymes can yield two distinct L-F products: sweet (β-galactosidase) and unsweet (β-galactosidase and glucose oxidase) L-F milk. In addition, the reduction of sweetness through glucose decomposition should be performed in a one-pot mode with catalase to eliminate product inhibition caused by HO. Both L-F products enjoy popularity among a rapidly expanding group of consumers. Although enzyme immobilization techniques are well known in industrial processes, new carriers and economic strategies are still being searched. Polymeric carriers, due to the variety of functional groups and non-toxicity, are attractive propositions for individual and co-immobilization of food enzymes. In the presented work, two strategies (with free and immobilized enzymes; β-galactosidase NOLA, glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger, and catalase from Serratia sp.) for obtaining sweet and unsweet L-F milk under low-temperature conditions were proposed. For free enzymes, achieving the critical assumption, lactose hydrolysis and glucose decomposition occurred after 1 and 4.3 h, respectively. The tested catalytic membranes were created on regenerated cellulose and polyamide. In both cases, the time required for lactose and glucose bioconversion was extended compared to free enzymes. However, these preparations could be reused for up to five (β-galactosidase) and ten cycles (glucose oxidase with catalase).
Topics: beta-Galactosidase; Milk; Lactose; Glucose Oxidase; Enzymes, Immobilized; Animals; Aspergillus niger; Glucose; Catalase; Membranes, Artificial
PubMed: 38644439
DOI: 10.1007/s00449-024-03018-z -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Coumarins are heterocycles of great interest in the development of valuable active structures in chemistry and biological domains. The ability of coumarins to inhibit...
Coumarins are heterocycles of great interest in the development of valuable active structures in chemistry and biological domains. The ability of coumarins to inhibit biofilm formation of Gram positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) as well as the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been previously described. In the present work, new hybrid coumarin-heterocycles have been synthesized via the reaction of coumarin-6-sulfonyl chloride and 6-aminocoumarin with different small heterocycle moieties. The biological efficacy of the new compounds was evaluated towards their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and their anti-inflammatory properties. The antimicrobial activities of the newly synthesized compounds were tested against Gram positive bacterium (S. aureus ATCC 6538), Gram negative bacterium (E. coli ATCC 25922), yeast (Candida albicans ATCC 10231) and the fungus (Aspergillus niger NRRL-A326). Compounds 4d, 4e, 4f, 6a and 9 showed significant MIC and MBC values against S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with especial incidence on compound 9 which surpasses all the other compounds giving MIC and MBC values of (4.88 and 9.76 µg/mL for S. aureus), (78.13 and 312.5 µg/mL for E. coli), (9.77 and 78.13 µg/mL for C. albicans), and (39.06 and 76.7 µg/mL for MRSA), respectively. With reference to the antibiofilm activity, compound 9 exhibited potent antibiofilm activity with IC of 60, 133.32, and 19.67 µg/mL against S. aureus, E. coli, and MRSA, (respectively) considering the reference drug (neomycin). Out of all studied compounds, the anti-inflammatory results indicated that compound 4d effectively inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, giving NO% inhibition of 70% compared to Sulindac (55.2%).
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Staphylococcus aureus; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Coumarins; Inflammation; Biofilms; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38643226
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59072-w