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Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasite which resides in the infected sand flies. Control of Leishmaniasis remains a source of grave concern worldwide. Studies on Leishmaniasis triggered because of its outbreak in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, East Africa and South America. There is an urgent need for new therapeutic interventions such as vaccine and new drug targets as it develops resistance towards the available drugs. Quercetin, a derivative of polyphenolic flavonoid exhibits various biological activities by interacting with proteins and nucleic acids. In this study, computational analysis was performed to identify the potential drug target of Quercetin in Leishmania species by molecular docking. The newly predicted targets were subjected for subcellular localization prediction and determined the protein-protein interaction networks that would aid in the development of anti-Leishmanial drugs. This study helps in the identification of targets and development of anti-Leishmanial drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the utilization of biodegradable materials extracted from bio resources is gaining immense interest among the investigators mainly because of their natural availability and biodegradable behavior. In the present work, protein and protein rich compounds were used for the preparation of biodegradable films. The presence of protein in many substances was examined and protein content was screened in the samples of sheep milk protein, casein and gelatin. The protein content in sheep milk was relatively high. Each protein sample was tested for the preparation biocomposite film with the addition of certain plasticizer agents and cross linkers. The reagents used here include glycerol and polyethylene glycol as plasticizer, while glutaraldehyde served as cross‐linking agent. In alkali condition, glutaraldehyde reacted with the amino groups in the protein and formed excellent intermolecular linkages, which led to the development of biocomposite film. The volume fraction of different plasticizers and cross linkers and pH to be added was optimized. Different characterization techniques such as tensile, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and degradation studies were carried to reveal the various sources of protein. The prepared biocomposite films can be used for food packaging application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A blended composite of microbial‐derived extracellular polymeric substances (EPS‐biopolymer) and chitosan is explored for food packaging application. The FT‐IR measurement revealed the presence of the –COOH and –OH groups and the N–H stretching vibration in the blended composite film. The initial thermal degradation of engineered composite film was observed at 200°C, due to the existing moisture content and volatile materials. The massive weight loss up to 99.0 ± 0.8% was appeared at 700°C due to the total degradation of biopolymer blended chitosan composite. Comparative antimicrobial activity of biopolymer and chitosan‐biopolymer composite film was analyzed against pathogen, E. coli and the appeared zone of clearance was 1.5 ± 0.2 mm of biopolymer and 1.6 ± 0.2 mm of chitosan‐biopolymer composite film, respectively. Moreover, a preliminary investigation of fruit preservation was also carried out with this biopolymer blended chitosan composite film up to 72 hr, which proved its efficiency in packaging applications. Practical applications: The mechanical and antimicrobial properties suggests that this unique blend of chitosan‐EPS composite is biodegradable in nature and provides an alternate packaging option for food products. It could be noted that the pores in the synthesized biocomposite could enable it to continue gaseous exchange but minimizes the moisture exchange, and hence, enhances the food packaging applications. Further, this unique blend is cost effective and easier to fabricate at industrial level––has potential to replace the existing polyethylene and other food packaging polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bionanocomposites are promising green sustainable materials useful for diagnostic and biomedical applications. In the present study, cellulose/copper nanoparticles (CuNP) bionanocomposites were prepared using a bioflocculant as a reductant of the precursor copper ions for the in situ generation of CuNP in the cellulose matrix.. The novel bionanocomposite material was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), antibacterial and corrosion tests. TEM, SEM, EDS, and XRD studies indicated the in situ generation of CuNP in the cellulose matrix. FTIR analysis proved no new bond formation between CuNP and cellulose films. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated single step degradation for neat cellulose whereas the bionanocomposites exhibit multi-step thermal degradation. The new bionanocomposite prepared with a copper precursor concentration of 250 mM was found to exhibit remarkable biocidal activity against E. coli with a zone of clearance of 12 mm and also good corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]