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Glucose isomerase (GI), an enzyme with deserved high potential in the world market. GI plays a major role in high Fructose Corn Syrup Production (HFCS). HFCS is used as a sweetener in food and pharmaceutical industries. Streptomyces are well-known producers of various industrially valuable enzymes, including Glucose isomerase. Currently, recombinant strains have been available for the production of various enzymes, but it has limitation in the large scale production. Therefore, identifying effective streptomyces strains have emerged. The current study, the novel S. lividans RSU26 was isolated from a marine source and optimized its potential to produce glucose isomerase at different physical and chemical conditions. The optimum pH and temperature for GI and biomass production were 7.5 and 35 °C, respectively at 96 h. Characterization study revealed that the approximate molar mass of GI was 43 kDa for monomeric and 170 kDa for tetrameric forms. Kinetic behavior exhibits Km, and Vmax values for the conversion of fructose to glucose conversion were 48.8 mM and 2.54 U mg−1 at 50 °C and glucose to fructose were 29.4 mM and 2.38 U mg−1 at 65 °C protein, respectively. Therefore, the present study suggested that the wild–type S. lividans RSU26 has strong potential to produce glucose isomerase for various industrial applications. Keywords: Streptomyces, Glucose isomerase, Optimization, Purification, Kinetics

The present study aimed to explore the anticancer potentials of the gold nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by green synthesis method using an endophytic strain Fusarium solani ATLOY – 8 has been isolated from the plant Chonemorpha fragrans. The formation of the NPs was analyzed by UV, FTIR, SEM and XRD. The synthesized NPs showed pink-ruby red colors and high peak plasmon band was observed between 510 and 560 nm. It is observed that intensity of absorption steadily increases the wavelength and band stabilizes at 551 nm. The XRD pattern revealed the angles at 19, 38.32, 46.16, 57.50, and 76.81° respectively. Interestingly, the FTIR band absorption noted at 1413 cm−1, 1041 cm−1 and 690 cm−1 ascribed the presence of amine II bands of protein, C-N and C-H stretching vibrations of the nanoparticles. SEM analysis indicated that the average diameter of the synthesized nanoparticles was between 40 and 45 nm. These NPs showed cytotoxicity on cervical cancer cells (He La) and against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and the NPs exhibited dose dependent cytotoxic effect. IC50 value was 0.8 ± 0.5 μg/mL on MCF-7 cell line and was found to be 1.3 ± 0.5 μg/mL on MCF-7 cell lines. The synthesized NPs induced apoptosis on these cancer cell lines. The accumulation of apoptotic cells decreased in sub G0 and G1 phase of cell cycle in the MCF-7 cancer cells were found to be 55.13%, 52.11% and 51.10% after 12 h exposure to different concentrations. The results altogether provide an apparent and versatile biomedical application for safer chemotherapeutic agent with little systemic toxicity. Keywords: Chonemorpha fragrans, Camptothecin, Fusarium solani, Cytotoxicity, Cell cycle, DAPI staining

A strain of Lysinibacillus, isolated from spoiled fruits and vegetable wastes, was found having an inhibitory effect against foodborne pathogens. Subjected to study of different physico-chemical parameters followed by characterization based on the 16S rRNA gene, it was found exhibiting resemblance to L. boronitolerans (99%), L. xylanilyticus (98%) and L. macroides (97%) respectively. The isolate was annotated as Lysinibacillus JX402121 and found that the production capacity of the specific product recognized as bacteriocin during growth in medium the bacteriocin was further purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by gel filtration chromatography. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis of the substance revealed it to be a 51 kDa bacteriocin, showing greater resemblance with a catalytic bacterial protein, uracil-5-methyl transferase. Based on the physico-chemical characteristics and N-terminal (IKKAPVQKNENYEV) sequence, this novel bacteriocin was found representing a class III bacteriocin. This was found highly active against foodborne bacterial pathogens, Bacillus pumilus (MIC-22 μg/mL), which is responsible for pumilacidins like food toxin. Having great potential against foodborne pathogens, Lysinibacillus JX402121 isolate will be utilized in the production of bacteriocin that acts as a bio-preservative agent against different food-borne pathogens.

The present study was aimed to test cholesterol reduction and vitamin B12 production abilities of the isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Three LAB isolates, namely, Enterococcus faecium (EF), Enterococcus faecium (Chole1), and Lactobacillus pentosus (7MP), having probiotic potential, were isolated from yoghurt. These isolates were screened for bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, cholesterol reduction property in MRS broth, and the production of vitamin B12. The present study revealed that the isolate 7MP possesses the highest potential of (48%) cholesterol reduction compared to the other isolates. The isolates EF and Chole1 produced a good amount of (1 ng/mL) vitamin B12. These isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and confirmed by MALD_TOF analysis. Thus, the use of these LAB isolates for yoghurt-making can offer the value addition of lowering cholesterol and vitamin B12 fortification in fermented food.

Expanding applications of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) in industry and agriculture have influenced agro-ecosystems. However, relatively little is known about the bioaccumulation, distribution, and phytotoxicity of ZnO-NPs, CuO-NPs, ZnO-bulk, CuO-bulk, Zn2+, or Cu2+ in maize. Plants were exposed to 0.05-2 mg ml-1 or g-1 of six tested materials in agar (7 days) in hydroponic medium (20 days), or sandy-clay-loam soil (20 or 40 days). Seed germination, emergence and lengths of plumules, principal and seminal roots were significantly inhibited by ZnO-NPs, CuO-NPs, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Toxicity was more pronounced in hydroponic culture than in soil, and perceptible alterations in biomolecules were evident. ICP-MS analysis exhibited progressive uptake of metals while morphological, elemental, and surface/deeper scanning showed translocation and distribution of NPs in tissues. Tested materials induced enhanced superoxide radical production, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes and proline levels. Exposure significantly reduced P-accumulation, photosynthesis, and protein production. Zn2+ and Cu2+ were found to be more toxic than NPs. Compared to 20 days exposure in soil, toxicity slightly increased after 40 days. ZnO-NPs and CuO-NPs increased apoptotic sub-G1 population by 22.4% and 38%, respectively. These results provide a better understanding of the mechanistic aspects responsible for the nanotoxicities of ZnO- and CuO-NPs in maize.

In the present work, CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid was synthesized by sono-chemical method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and BET surface area analyzer were used to characterize the structure and optical properties of CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid. The HRTEM image represents the formation of CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid with clear facets and narrow size range. The XRD results showed that CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid composed of combined phases of CaWO4 and Ag2MoO4. A red-shift was observed in the optical absorption of nanohybrid after loading Ag2MoO4 on CaWO4. The photodegradation of MB by CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid (91.4%) showed excellent performance when compared with the pure Ag2MoO4 (59.6%) and CaWO4 (14.3%) under visible light. The scavenging test revealed that the key species responsible for the degradation of MB dye was hydroxide radical (•OH). The degradation of MB was well fitted to the pseudo-first-order kinetics with a high regression coefficient value (R2 > 0.95). The photostability and reusability of the nanohybrid was studied and the nanohybrid showed almost same degradation efficiency even at 6th cycle. The nanohybrid showed enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, CaWO4/Ag2MoO4 nanohybrid photocatalyst can be used as an effective candidate for environmental remediation through photocatalysis and bactericidal applications.

The unreported Bi6Cr2O15-Co3O4 nano-photocatalyst was prepared via facile sono-chemical route for the fabrication of a binary heterojunction. HRTEM analysis represents the spherical and rod-like morphology of Bi6Cr2O15-Co3O4. UV–vis DRS showed bandgap shift from 1.95 eV (Bi6Cr2O15) and 2.67 eV (Co3O4) to 2.25 eV for Bi6Cr2O15-Co3O4 with visible-light sensitization. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the chemical states (Co2p, Cr2p, Bi4f and O1s). The dye degradation efficiency of Bi6Cr2O15-Co3O4 was highly boosted up to 3.8–8.8 times and the kinetic rate constant was 0.0062 min−1 compared with pristine counter parts (Bi6Cr2O15 = 0.0016 min−1; Co3O4 = 0.0007 min−1). The remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to its higher specific surface area (27.118 m2/g) and the existence of a synergic effect between pristine counter parts that resulted in suitable bandgap and reduced recombination of e-/h+ pairs. The Bi2CrO6-Co3O4 showed only negligible reduction in degradation performance after six recycles showing its excellent stability and resistance to photo-corrosion. The ·OH and h+ were the key species involved in dye degradation. The Bi6Cr2O15-Co3O4 exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, Bi6Cr2O15 decorated Co3O4 nano-photocatalyst can be used as an effective candidate for environmental remediation through photocatalysis and for bactericidal applications.

Novel CoS/Ag2WO4 photocatalyst have been synthesized successfully by facile chemical precipitation method under normal pressure. The prepared nano photocatalysts were characterized with UV–vis DRS, TEM, XRD, PL, Raman spectroscopy, EDAX, N2 adsorption-desorption, XPS and FT-IR. The present work describes the enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity of CoS/Ag2WO4 nanocomposites (NCs). The K value for MB degradation was 0.089 min−1 by CoS/Ag2WO4 which was 8.9 and 3.1 times greater when compared with 0.01 min−1 by Ag2WO4 and 0.028 min−1 by CoS respectively. The broad-spectrum antibacterial property was exhibited by NCs against gram-ve (E. coli) and gram +ve (B. subtilis) bacteria. The NCs showed enhanced photostability and reusability even after six cycles. The scavenging test confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (OH•) were the major species involved in photocatalytic degradation process under visible light irradiation. The results of the present study can be applied in practical application in the area of photocatalysis and antimicrobial applications.

Glucose encapsulated cadmium oxide nanoparticles (G-CdO NPs) were synthesized by a sol-gel method. An array of different physical methods was used to characterize G-CdO NPs, including ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (λMax - 275 nm), transmission electron microscopy (TEM; 17 ± 1 nm), and zeta potential (−8.24 ± 0.4 mV) analyses. The NPs were active against HeLa cells (IC50 - 31.58 μg/mL) and Saos-2 cells (IC50 - 12.51 μg/mL) by preventing glycation (early, 95%; late, 65%). G-CdO NPs were effective anti-glycating agents and were highly effective against advanced glycation end products in particular. Localization of G-CdO NPs in the mitochondria and nuclei of cells was confirmed by TEM. Reactive oxygen species generated in the treated cells (confirmed by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate based assay) caused disintegration of mitochondrial cristae, disruption of the membrane integrity, and condensation and degradation of the nuclei. The LD50 of G-CdO NPs on Swiss Albino mice was 1.432 mg/kg of body weight. The results indicate the potential therapeutic value of G-CdO NPs.