Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Plant growth promotion activities of Bacillus spp. isolated from Jakrem hot water spring of Meghalaya, North East India
Get PDFThe study aims to investigate plant growth promotion (PGP) activities of thermophilic bacteria isolated from the Jakrem hot spring in Meghalaya, North-East India, and determine their effect on Brassica juncea's growth. The bacteria were isolated by a culture-dependent approach following a serial dilution method in a nutrient agar medium. All the isolates were determined for PGP attributes such as indole acetic acid, phosphate solubilization, hydrolytic enzymes, and siderophore production. The potent bacterial isolates were characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Altogether, 53 bacterial isolates were obtained, most belonging to the genus Bacillus. Of the total isolates, 37.7% exhibited both PGP and hydrolytic enzyme activities. Three isolates, namely JAB1, JAB8, and JAB100, showed promising PGP and were identified as Bacillus velezensis, B. proteolyticus, and Bacillus sp., respectively. The PGP attributes of these isolates were determined in vivo on B. juncea, and their effects were measured in terms of shoot and root length biomass and biochemical contents. It was observed that combined inoculation of all three isolates significantly enhanced the growth and development of B. juncea, evident by increased shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and higher levels of protein, phenol, flavonoid, and chlorophyll content compared to the control. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential application of thermophilic Bacillus spp. from hot springs as bioinoculants to enhance crop productivity in sustainable agricultural practices
Exploring the Potential Role of Lactobacillus plantarum in the Reversal of Induced Cognitive Long-term Memory Impairment
Get PDFLong-term Memory (LTM) is formed by sequential changes in the different brain regions due to synaptic plasticity changes. This synaptic plasticity changes formed in the brain due to the acquittance of unexposed information and its retrieval due to learning and memory formation (LMF). In a normal condition, LMF uses RNA and protein synthesis machinery to form LTM, which lasts till the end of an organism's lifetime. Formed LTM shows sequential changes happening in the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Stated sequential changes are initiated when the released neurotransmitter binds with the postsynaptic neuronal receptors and activates the brain's ERK - CREB neuronal signaling pathway. Based on the previous findings, the present study was designed to study the interrelationship between cognitive impairment and oral/gut dysbiosis with the help of a probiotic strain (Lactobacillus plantarum). Two phases of behavioural analysis (first and second phase) were used to identify the effect of oral microbial infusions on impaired LTM formation and its reversal using restoration of dysbiosed gut/oral microbiota. The first phase of behavioural analysis (FPBA) reported that oral microbial infusion plays a major role in developing oral/gut dysbiosis, which results in impaired cognitive functions. Further, formed oral/gut microbiota dysbiosis was reversed with the help of probiotic strain in the second phase of behavioural analysis (SPBA). Thus, a comparative two-phase behavioural analysis revealed that probiotics may play a significant role in reversing induced cognitive decline. The outcome of the present study also proved that probiotic treatment might play a major role in the reversal of dysbiosed microbiota in the oral cavity and the gut
Sustainable Seafood Processing: Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact in Aquatic Ecosystems
Get PDFThe global seafood industry is crucial in food production, providing essential nutrition and contributing to food security. Beyond its traditional role, the industry holds significant potential for generating high-value products by utilizing seafood resources. This comprehensive review explores the diverse applications of seafood resources, focusing on fish, shellfish, and seaweeds, in producing high-value products. The review examines various technological processes in extracting and purifying bioactive compounds from seafood, highlighting the advancements in seafood processing areas such as nanoencapsulation, fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. Furthermore, it also discusses these innovations' economic and environmental impacts, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and efficiency in utilizing seafood by-products and waste. The seafood industry can minimize environmental pollution and promote circular economy principles by repurposing these materials. The review provides a holistic view of the future directions in this field, advocating for continued research and development efforts to enhance the value and sustainability of seafood resources. Overall, this review underscores the significance of seafood-derived high-value products in addressing global challenges while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship
Innovations in Soil Health Monitoring: Role of Advanced Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing
Get PDFSoil health monitoring is essential for sustainable agricultural practices and effective environmental management. Recent sensor technologies and remote sensing innovations have transformed how we assess soil health, providing real-time and precise data that enhance decision-making processes. This review focuses on integrating advanced sensor technologies, like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, alongside remote sensing techniques, including drones and satellite imagery, in soil science. These technologies enable continuous monitoring of critical soil parameters, such as moisture levels and nutrient content, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of soil health evaluations. Additionally, remote sensing provides a comprehensive overview of soil conditions across large areas, allowing for the identification of spatial patterns and temporal changes that traditional methods may overlook. Various case studies from agricultural and environmental projects demonstrate the practical benefits and the challenges of implementing these innovations. The article also discusses future trends and potential obstacles, highlighting the need for further research and development to exploit these technologies' capabilities fully. Ultimately, advanced sensors and remote sensing promise to improve soil health monitoring, contributing to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems
Introgressing photoperiod/thermo-sensitive genic male sterile gene into Basmati 370 rice
Get PDFThe emasculation of male gametes in pollen-recipient parents among self-pollinated crops (rice) is key to producing quality hybrid rice seeds. One of the emasculation tools in rice breeding is the photoperiod-thermo sensitive genic male sterility (P/TGMS) method, which ultimately requires long daylight length and high-temperature growth conditions to induce male gametes sterility. Using the P/TGMS method to produce hybrid Basmati rice seeds has been slow because no commercial line has been developed. Crossing the Basmati rice line with a non-aromatic rice line produces F1 with non-basmati quality traits. This study aimed to introgress the p/tgms12-1 gene into Basmati 370 by treating P/TGMS lines (IR-7327-2376-157S and IR-75589-31-27833S) with daytime temperatures (>33ºC) under a polythene greenhouse to emasculate pollen and cross-pollinating them with Basmati 370. Marker-assisted backcrossing was used to develop the BC1F2 Basmati breeding lines evaluated for pollen sterility and agro-morphological traits. Pollen sterility was tested by staining with 1% iodine potassium-iodide solution (I2KI), in which fertile and sterile pollen grains were stained with blue-black and yellow-pink dyes, respectively. The acquisition of near-complete pollen sterility among female parents is a manifestation of the greenhouse temperatures effectively emasculating pollen in P/TGMS parents and BC1F2. Analysis of variance on agro-morphological data showed significantly better agro-morphological traits in BC1F2 than the parents and significantly higher pollen sterility in P/TGMS lines than Basmati 370 (P≤0.05). The presence of the fgr gene in BC1F2 lines was confirmed using SSR markers, and the hybrids had both homozygous aromatic and heterozygous non-aromatic traits, the successful development of BC1F2 with p/tgms12-1 and fgr genes. The results obtained from this study are a major milestone towards improving Basmati rice yields in Kenya using hybrid seeds.
Effect of salinity stress on antioxidant activity and secondary metabolites of Piper betle
Get PDFSalt stress is the most devastating abiotic stress that drastically limits the productivity and quality of crops. This study assessed the impact of NaCl concentrations (100, 200, and 400 mM) on betel vine's antioxidant activities and secondary metabolites (Piper betle L.). Results of the study suggest that the activity of antioxidative enzymes was enhanced at 100 and 200 mM NaCl levels but reduced at 400 mM NaCl. Further, the GC-MS analysis revealed the increased production of secondary metabolites such as alkane, ester, fatty acid, phenolic, and terpene compounds during salt stress. These findings would be helpful for further investigations that could lead to enhanced production of secondary metabolites in betel vine for industrial and medicinal benefits
Exploring Mechanism of Actions for Eugenol and Beta-Caryophyllene to Combat Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy Using Network Pharmacology
Get PDFThis study explores the potential of essential oils, Eugenol (EUG), and Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) in enhancing the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Pharmacokinetic assessment through ADMET analysis indicates that EUG and BCP adhere to the rule of five with good bioavailability, ensuring their drug-likeness properties. The study employs a multitarget strategy to reduce drug dosage and enhance effectiveness, testing the compounds on the HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell line. MTT assay revealed in-vitro cytotoxic effects of EUG, BCP, and 5-FU, with a noteworthy reduction in IC50 values observed when combining the compounds, indicating synergistic effects (CI < 1) as depicted in the Fa-CI plot. Network pharmacology-based analysis of the compound-disease-target (C-D-T) network identifies 58, 24, and 49 target proteins for EUG, BCP, and 5-FU, respectively, in metastatic CRC. Venn diagram intersection reveals 11 common target proteins, and the merged C-D-T network highlights 84 target proteins, with 16 selected based on edge count, including HSP90AA1, IGF-1R, ESR1, and CASP3. Molecular docking studies indicate that EUG, BCP, and 5-FU effectively inhibit the core target protein HSP90AA1 within the C-D-T network, suggesting their potential as modulators for CRC metastasis. These findings propose a promising approach for developing drugs targeting specific proteins to mitigate metastasis in colorectal cancer
Production, characterization, and applications of a novel thermo-acidophilic L-asparaginase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSPS4
Get PDFIn present investigation, a potential L-asparaginase-producing bacterial isolate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSPS4, has been explored to enhance the production and purification of the asparaginase enzyme. Production of L-asparaginase is enhanced using the 'one variable at a time approach (OVAT)'. In Placket Burman (PB) analysis, pH, sucrose, and temperature significantly influence L-asparaginase production. Thereafter, L-asparaginase enzyme was recovered from culture broth using fractional precipitation with chilled acetone. The partially purified L-asparaginase showed a molecular weight of ~35 KDa on SDS-PAGE. L-asparaginase was characterized as a thermo-acidophilic enzyme exhibiting optimum pH and temperature of 6.0 and 60 °C, respectively. These characteristics render this enzyme novel from other available asparaginases of Pseudomonas spp. L-asparaginase activity remained unaffected by different modulators. L-asparaginase of this investigation was successfully employed for acrylamide degradation in commercial fried potato chips, establishing its applicability in food industries
Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in the Western Middle Atlas region (Morocco)
Get PDFAn investigation was conducted among 360 people from the local population of the Western Middle Atlas of Morocco to identify medicinal plants used for treating skin diseases. Various parameters, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Family Use Value (FUV), Plant Part Value (PPV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Fidelity Level (FL), were used for data collection and assessment. During the investigation, 45 medicinal plant species belonging to 33 families were documented, with the most important family being Euphorbiaceae (FUV = 0.292). The highest ICF value (ICF=0.991) was mentioned for skin cancer. The poultice was found to be the primary method for preparing the majority of remedies (51%). Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (PPV = 0.476), and Allium sativum L. was the most widely used species (RFC = 0.302). These findings are a preliminary step towards conserving and popularising these plant species, promoting sustainable practices in traditional medicine, safeguarding biodiversity, and integrating these valuable botanical resources into modern healthcare systems
Effect of Preparation and Drying Techniques on the Physicochemical, Functional and Nutritional Properties of products from Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris L.) varieties
Get PDFBeetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is rich in biologically active compounds. This study aimed to assess how different methods of preparation and drying affect the physical, chemical, functional, and nutritional properties of iron-rich beetroot powder. Two beetroot varieties, Detroit Dark Red (DetR) and Crimson Globe (CrimG), were processed using three drying techniques: sun drying (SD), oven drying (OD), and freeze drying (FD), with both boiled and fresh beetroots. The properties evaluated in the study included water activity, color, total phenolics and flavonoids, oxalate content, and mineral content. The results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in these properties between the dried and fresh samples. Notably, drying increased calcium, zinc, and phosphorus levels while decreasing the iron content. Boiling followed by sun drying was the best method for retaining iron, particularly for the CrimG variety. The study suggests that drying can help preserve or even enhance the physicochemical properties and micronutrient content, especially iron while reducing phytochemical levels affecting iron absorption. These findings are important for developing iron-rich beetroot products to improve dietary iron intake, especially for adolescent children