Search

Protease is used in various industries and the uprising demand urges for its enhanced production. Herein, strain improvement by mutagenic treatment with ethyl methanesulfonate and ultra-violet light was carried out in proteolytic Bacillus subtilis AKAL7. Mutants were screened through proteolytic clear zone ratio on the skim milk agar. The highest protease producer mutant E29 was selected for enhanced protease production in shake flask fermentation using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and statistical methodology. The OFAT approach resulted in maximum level of protease (161.7 U/mL) after 24 h of fermentation at 30 °C, pH 10 in a basal medium. The statistical Plackett–Burman design predicted peptone, yeast extract, MgSO4, pH, and temperature as the significant factors among eight independent variables for the protease production. The response surface methodology (RSM) determined the optimal concentration of the significant factors for maximum protease production (741.284 U/mL). The experimental protease level (722.7 U/mL), which was ~5-fold of that produced with the basal media, validated the predicted values of RSM. The partial purification resulted in a final ~14-fold purified protease with specific activity of ~9508 U/mg protein and molecular weight ~40 kDa. The protease showed maximum activity at 50 °C and stability up to 45 °C for 1 h. However, 10 mM CaCl2 increased its thermostability. Severe inhibition of protease activity by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and HgCl2 revealed the partially purified protease as serine and cysteine type, which was active at pH 7.0–12.0 with the optima at pH 10.0. The protease could substantially dehair the cow skin within 14 h of treatment and retain 98% activity after 30 days of lyophilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out to optimize the extraction process of proteins from pomegranate seeds and characterize their in vitro digestibility as well as their thermal and functional properties. For this purpose, the study screened five parameters (liquid/solid ratio, pH, temperature, NaCl concentration, and time) that could potentially influence the extraction process. This screening was conducted using a two‐level Placket–Burman design (PBD). The significant parameters (pH and NaCl concentration) were subsequently optimized using a three‐level face‐centered central composite design (FCCD) to determine the optimum extraction conditions. A maximum protein recovery of 83.8% was obtained at pH 11.0 and NaCl concentration of 0.0 M. Pomegranate seed protein isolate (PSPI) with a protein content of 92.4% (w/w) was obtained through the isoelectric precipitation of pomegranate seed protein extracted under the optimized conditions. An emulsifying activity index of 14.1 m2 g−1 was observed at the isoelectric pH, where the emulsion stability index was at 8.2%. PSPI also showed high water‐ and oil‐holding capacities (3.7 and 4.3 g g−1, respectively). The essential amino acid levels in PSPI (except for valine and isoleucine) exceeded the recommended amounts set by WHO/FAO/UNU for adults, highlighting its high nutritional value. Based on thermal analysis data, denaturation of PSPI could occur at 89.5°C. The in vitro digestibility of PSPI was found to be 74.3%. PSPI shows a potential as a novel ingredient for substituting animal‐based proteins in various food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been identified as a potential green solvent in biomass processing. In the present investigation, a deep eutectic solvent i.e. choline chloride: urea (ChCl/U) was synthesized and employed to pretreat rice husks. Plackett- Burman response surface methodology was used to optimize the factors which are DES molar ratio, residence time, temperature, and biomass concentration. A total of 11 experimental conditions were evaluated and the highest amount of reducing sugar was obtained when 2 g rice husk was pretreated with 1:2 ChCl/U at 80°C for 6 h i.e. 0.67 ± 0.05 mg/mL. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were used to characterize the structural and compositional changes in which DES demonstrates a great performance in the pretreatment of rice husk by eliminating amorphous lignin and hemicellulose content. Therefore, the facile process used in this study has the potential to be used on a massive scale to produce fermentable sugars and other compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current work was to compare the (poly)phenol profile (free, soluble-conjugate, and insoluble-bound) and antioxidant activity of date palm seed flour using different extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasoundassisted extraction [UAE]) and to determine the most critical variables in the extraction of (poly)phenols through UAE using the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Using the Plackett-Burman design, seven factors, namely, ethanol concentration, liquid:solid ratio (mL/g), sonotrode, amplitude (%), extraction time, extractant pH, and extraction cycle, were studied. After the factors were studied using conventional extraction methods, 23 compounds were quantified, with protocatechuic acid and catechin being the predominant (poly)phenols. Furthermore, the distribution of (poly)phenols within the cell varied, with glycosylated quercetins and caffeoyl shikimic acids predominantly found in free forms. Ultrasound-assisted extraction demonstrated efficiency in extracting free and soluble-conjugate (poly)phenols. However, it showed limitations in extracting insoluble-bound (poly)phenols. Nevertheless, similar amounts of total (poly)phenols were shown after conventional extraction and UAE, that is, 259.69 ± 43.54 and 189.00 ± 3.08 mg/100 g date seed flour, respectively. The Plackett-Burman design revealed the liquid- solid ratio as a crucial factor affecting (poly)phenol extraction, with higher ratios yielding better results. The sonotrode choice also influenced the extraction efficiency, highlighting that the sonotrode with a smaller diameter but higher displacement amplitude showed the best polyphenol recovery and antioxidant activity values. The nature of (poly)phenols influenced the studied extraction variables differently, emphasizing the complexity of the extraction process. In this line, pure water was sufficient to extract flavan-3-ols after UAE, whereas ethanol was a crucial factor in extracting quercetin. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing extraction methods for maximizing (poly)phenol recovery from date palm seed flour for various applications in food and pharmacology industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This research was carried out to optimize the extraction process of proteins from pomegranate seeds and characterize their in vitro digestibility as well as their thermal and functional properties. For this purpose, the study screened five parameters (liquid/solid ratio, pH, temperature, NaCl concentration, and time) that could potentially influence the extraction process. This screening was conducted using a two‐level Placket–Burman design (PBD). The significant parameters (pH and NaCl concentration) were subsequently optimized using a three‐level face‐centered central composite design (FCCD) to determine the optimum extraction conditions. A maximum protein recovery of 83.8% was obtained at pH 11.0 and NaCl concentration of 0.0 M. Pomegranate seed protein isolate (PSPI) with a protein content of 92.4% (w/w) was obtained through the isoelectric precipitation of pomegranate seed protein extracted under the optimized conditions. An emulsifying activity index of 14.1 m2 g−1 was observed at the isoelectric pH, where the emulsion stability index was at 8.2%. PSPI also showed high water‐ and oil‐holding capacities (3.7 and 4.3 g g−1, respectively). The essential amino acid levels in PSPI (except for valine and isoleucine) exceeded the recommended amounts set by WHO/FAO/UNU for adults, highlighting its high nutritional value. Based on thermal analysis data, denaturation of PSPI could occur at 89.5°C. The in vitro digestibility of PSPI was found to be 74.3%. PSPI shows a potential as a novel ingredient for substituting animal‐based proteins in various food applications.

Abstract An experimental design and response surface methodologies using Plackett–Burman and Box-Behnken designs were applied for selecting and optimizing the most appropriate parameters which significantly affect the separation and quantitative estimation of five skeletal muscle relaxants and four analgesic drugs (baclofen, methocarbamol, dantrolene sodium, orphenadrine citrate, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, ketoprofen, etoricoxib, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid) with a relatively short duration of analysis in a single run. For the separation of the nine drugs, an INERTSIL ODS-V3-5 µm C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D.) was used with the optimum mobile phase conditions (45.15 mM ammonium acetate buffer pH 5.56 adjusted with acetic acid, acetonitrile, and methanol in a ratio of 30.5:29.5:40, v/v/v with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min) and UV-detection at 220 nm. The optimized method was successfully subjected to the validation steps as described in ICH guidelines for linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and sensitivity. The optimized and validated method was effectively applied to determine the content of the studied drugs in their pharmaceutical preparations and to expand its applicability to the counterfeit estimation of etoricoxib in different brands of tablet dosage forms.

Abstract Several antiviral agents lost their efficacy due to their severe side effects and virus mutations. This study aimed to identify and optimize the conditions for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production from a newly isolated cyanobacterium, Acaryochloris Al-Azhar MNE ON864448.1, besides exploring its antiviral activity. The cyanobacterial EPS was purified through DEAE-52 cellulose column with a final yield of 83.75%. Different analysis instruments were applied for EPS identification, including Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Plackett–Burman’s design demonstrated that working volume (X1), EDTA (X2), inoculum size (X3), CaCl2 (X4), and NaCl (X5) are the most important variables influencing EPS production. Central composite design (CCD) exhibited maximum EPS yield (9.27 mg/mL) at a working volume of 300 mL in a 1 L volumetric flask, EDTA 0.002 g/L, inoculum size 7%, CaCl2 0.046 g/L, and NaCl 20 g/L were applied. EPS showed potent antiviral activities at different stages of herpes simplex virus type-1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), adenovirus (ADV) and coxsackievirus (A16) infections. The highest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (6.477 µg/mL) was recorded during HSV-1 internalization mechanism, while the lowest IC50 (0.005669 µg/mL) was recorded during coxsackievirus neutralization mechanism.

Abstract With the growing resistance of pathogenic microbes to traditional drugs, biogenic silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have recently drawn attention as potent antimicrobial agents. In the present study, SNPs synthesized with the aid of orange (Citrus sinensis) peel were engineered by screening variables affecting their properties via Plackett–Burman design. Among the variables screened (temperature, pH, shaking speed, incubation time, peel extract concentration, AgNO3 concentration and extract/AgNO3 volume ratio), pH was the only variable with significant effect on SNPs synthesis. Therefore, SNPs properties could be enhanced to possess highly regular shape with zeta size of 11.44 nm and zeta potential of − 23.7 mV. SNPs purified, capped and stabilized by cloud point extraction technique were then checked for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Listeria innocua, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Candida albicans. The maximum antimicrobial activity of SNPs was recorded against E. coli, L. monocytogenes and C. albicans with clear zone diameter of 33.2, 31.8 and 31.7 mm, respectively. Based on minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of SNPs (300 mg/l) as well as their effect on respiratory chain dehydrogenases, cellular sugar leakage, protein leakage and lipid peroxidation of microbial cells, E. coli was the most affected. Scanning electron microscopy, protein banding and DNA fragmentation proved obvious ultrastructural and molecular alterations of E. coli treated with SNPs. Thus, biogenic SNPs with enhanced properties can be synthesized with the aid of Citrus peel; and such engineered nanoparticles can be used as potent antimicrobial drug against E. coli.

The widespread industrial use of dyes like malachite green and golden yellow poses environmental and health risks. This study evaluated the efficacy of several oxidants, namely sodium periodate, sodium chlorate, and sodium persulfate, combined with immobilized titanium dioxide nanoparticles on lightweight expanded clay aggregate concrete under ultraviolet radiation in removing these dyes from water. The immobilization of this type of concrete addresses challenges like nanoparticle separation during photodegradation and electron–hole recombination. Characterizations revealed a thin layer of titanium dioxide on the concrete, enhancing photocatalytic properties. Critical factors like dye concentration, pH, and oxidant dosage were considered. Notably, golden yellow removal was mainly through photocatalysis, whereas malachite green removal involved an additional adsorption mechanism. Best color removal efficiencies were achieved with sodium persulfate and sodium periodate for golden yellow (99.36% and 99.91%) and with sodium persulfate and sodium chlorate for malachite green (99.61%). The optimal oxidant concentration was 0.008 mol/L across all tests. Kinetic studies showed different orders for both dyes. Reusability tests affirmed the method's efficiency, with up to 97% and 99% color removal for the respective dyes. The study underscores the potential of using immobilized titanium dioxide on lightweight expanded clay aggregate concrete with oxidants for treating dye-laden water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Sciencepaper is the property of China Sciencepaper and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the optimal combination of media components and concentrations for improving single cell protein production using statistical methodologies, while also taking into consideration the economic feasibility of employing food waste as a media formulation. Further study includes the use of an artificial intelligence tool called Support Vector Machine (SVM) in the R programming language to analyze the data generated during the experimentation process, assisting in understanding the relationship between different variables and their effect on SCP production. Method: SCP-producing microorganisms were isolated from food scrap waste. The highest amount of SCP production with a greater microbial conversion efficiency was determined using ITS gene sequencing. This study focuses on optimizing the components of the food waste medium for SCP production using statistical techniques to identify the primary factors affecting media ingredients and their optimum concentrations. The One-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach followed by statistical optimization was used for maximizing the components of food waste medium. The model was then evaluated using an AI-driven SVM and compared to a conventional RSM for improved SCP production. Result: The results showed that Pichia occidentalis (NCBI Accession No: OP605590) was the most efficient at generating SCP, with a microbiological conversion efficiency of 97.27%. The production effectively rose after statistical optimization (25.75 g/L from 1.58 g/L). The selected strain's microbial conversion efficiency with the selected salad peel waste was found to be 94.04%. Following that, model validation using SVM against RSM revealed that SVM (R2 = 0.9972) performed better in data modeling than RSM (R2 = 0.8881). Conclusion: The finding assists in the advancement of a waste-to-protein valorization technique driven by yeast for forthcoming feed and food sources. The produced SCP can be utilized as a high-quality feed supplement for livestock and aquaculture, enhancing nutrient intake and promoting healthy growth while also contributing to food security and decreasing reliance on traditional protein sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacillus velezensis occurs extensively in the soil environment. It produces a range of antimicrobial compounds that play an important role in the field of biological control. However, during the actual application process it is often affected by factors such as the medium formulation and fermentation conditions, and therefore biocontrol measures often do not achieve their expected outcomes. Methods: In this study, the B. velezensis BHZ-29 strain was used as the research object. The carbon and nitrogen sources, and inorganic salts that affect the number of viable bacteria and antibacterial potency of B. velezensis BHZ-29, were screened by a single factor test. A Plackett--Burman design experiment was conducted to determine the significant factors affecting the number of viable bacteria and antibacterial potency, and a Box--Behnken design experiment was used to obtain the optimal growth of B. velezensis BHZ-29. The medium formula that produced the highest number of viable bacteria and most antibacterial substances was determined. The initial pH, temperature, amount of inoculant, liquid volume, shaking speed, and culture time were determined by a single factor test. The factors that had a significant influence on the number of viable bacteria of B. velezensis BHZ-29 were selected by an orthogonal test. A Box-- Behnken design experiment was conducted to obtain the optimal fermentation conditions, and highest number of viable bacteria and antibacterial titer. Results: Molasses, peptone, and magnesium sulfate had significant effects on the viable count and antibacterial titer of B. velezensis BHZ-29. The viable count of B. velezensis BHZ-29 increased from 7.83 x 109 to 2.17 x 1010 CFU/mL, and the antibacterial titer increased from 111.67 to 153.13 mm/mL when the optimal media were used. The optimal fermentation conditions for B. velezensis BHZ-29 were as follows: temperature 25.57°C, pH 7.23, culture time 95.90 h, rotation speed 160 rpm, amount of inoculant 2%, and liquid volume 100 ml. After the optimization of fermentation conditions, the number of viable bacteria increased to 3.39 x 1010 CFU/mL, and the bacteriostatic titer increased to 158.85 mm/ml. The plant height and leaf number of cotton plants treated with BHZ-29 fermentation broth were higher than those of cotton inoculated with Verticillium dahliae. The number of bacteria was 1.15 x 107 CFU/g, and the number of fungi was 1.60 x 105 spores/g. The disease index of the cotton seedlings treated with the optimized fermentation broth was 2.2, and a control effect of 93.8% was achieved. B. velezensis BHZ-29 could reduce the disease index of cotton Verticillium wilt and had a controlling effect on the disease. The best effect was achieved in the treatment group with an inoculation concentration of 2 x 108 CFU/ml, the disease index was 14.50, and a control effect of 84.18% was achieved. Discussion: The fermentation process parameters of the number of viable bacteria and antibacterial titer by strain B. velezensis BHZ-29 were optimized to lay a foundation for the practical production and application of strain B. velezensis BHZ-29 in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical quality by design-based HPLC procedure has been developed for the estimation of Abrocitinib in bulk and tablets. Design-Expert®-13 was employed for Response Surface Methodology. ANOVA was applied for responses statistical analysis. Buffer pH, flow rate, % organic composition of mobile phase, column and organic modifier were considered as CMPs. Retention time, number of theoretical plates and tailing factor were considered as CQAs. The CMPs that have a significant impact on CQAs were screened utilizing a 12-run 25 Plackett-Burman design. Following screening investigation, CMPs that have a substantial effect on the CQAs were selected and CMPs of HPLC procedure were optimized employing a 22-run 53 central-composite design. The optimized procedure suggested by the desirability functions approach utilizing a 55.8:44.2 ratio pH 3.25 ammonium formate buffer and acetonitrile with 1.0 mL/min flow rate as a mobile phase, an Inertsil ODS (150×4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) column as a stationary phase with 5 mins run time resulting in maximum desirability, 1.000. At 3.575 min, Abrocitinib retention time was observed. The optimized procedure was validated and stress studies were executed in accordance to the ICHQ2(R1) and ICHQ1A guidelines respectively. In accordance with the literature, it is evident that this is the initial reported RP HPLC procedure for Abrocitinib estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current manuscript focuses on the isolation of a potent lipase-producing mesophilic bacteria and explores the optimization of culture parameters to enhance lipase production. From a total of 83 bacterial isolates, after screening on tributyrin agar plate, rhodamine olive oil agar plate, and submerged fermentation studies, the isolate VT 1 with a lipase activity of 23.85 U/mL was selected. The potent isolate VT 1 was identified as Serratia marcescens (accession number OM757842) based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and standard morphological and biochemical procedures. The lipase production was optimized by a statistical approach using response surface methodology after identifying the significant factors with Plackett-Burman design using Design-Expert, version 11 software. Nutrient factors- peptone, yeast extract, sodium chloride, and olive oil- were identified as the significant factors. Its optimization via central composite design of response surface methodology with Design-Expert, version 11 (olive oil: 50 mL/L, sodium chloride: 8.87 g/L, peptone: 8.15 g/L, yeast extract: 10 g/L) resulted in an enhanced experimental lipase activity of 55.95 U/mL in comparison to the predicted lipase activity of 56.858 U/mL. The study brought forth the isolation of a lipase-producing Serratia marcescens strain VT 1 and highlighted the importance of optimizing culture parameters for augmented production of lipase. The optimization via response surface methodology resulted in a 2.34-fold increase in lipase production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the cellulase activity by bacterial strain Cohnella xylanilytica RU-14 was enhanced by optimizing the medium components using statistical methods of Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology–central composite design (RSM-CCD). The cellulase assay was performed using NS enzyme assay method for reducing sugars. By PBD, the most significant factors (CMC, pH, and yeast extract) in an enzyme production medium that influence cellulase production by RU-14 were identified. These identified significant variables were further optimized using RSM by CCD. It was found that under optimized conditions of the medium components, the cellulase activity increased three times up to 14.5 U/mL as compared to un-optimized conditions (5.2 U/mL) of the enzyme production medium. The optimized levels of the significant factors determined by the CCD were found to be CMC, 2.3% w/v, and yeast extract, 0.75% w/v, at pH 7.5. The most adequate temperature for cellulase production by the bacterial strain was found to be 37 °C using the one-factor-at-a-time method. Thus, statistical methods to optimize medium conditions to enhance cellulase production by Cohnella xylanilytica RU-14 were found successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipases are triacylglycerol hydrolases with various potential applications because of their different physical properties. Most lipase producers are extracellular in nature and are created using solid-state fermentation and submerged fermentation methods. The fungal, mycelial, and yeast lipases are produced using various solid substrates through the solid-state fermentation method. This method is cost-effective and widely used in industries to produce lipase using fungi. However, lipases from bacteria are produced using submerged fermentation. The optimization of media is a main requirement for increasing the quantitative yield by the overproduction of enzymes. The optimization of media is a main requirement for increasing the quantitative yield by overproduction of enzymes. Different parameters, such as pH, temperature, agitation speed, inoculum size, incubation time, and carbon and nitrogen sources, have been of great importance for researchers in designing economical media. The optimization by one factor at a time (OFAT) is a one-dimensional approach that is laborious and time-consuming and does not consider interactions between the factors. The limitations of OFAT method can be alleviated by employing some techniques, such as Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The PBD is a method to screen the variables that influence production and remove the non-significant factors to attain a smaller and manageable set of factors. Subsequently, the chosen significant factors are optimized by RSM that assists to study the interactions of different factors. The RSM comprises of central composite design (CCD) to fit a second-order polynomial equation. In this study, the effect of temperature, tryptone, inoculum size, and incubation time on the lipase production were analysed by PBD screening experiments. The experiments were designed using a CCD with four variables as part of RSM, utilizing the Design Expert software. This model predicted optimal activity of lipase at 58.53 U/mL when using 1.5% tryptone, a 10 mL inoculum size, and an incubation period of 48 h at 34°C. This experiment was further validated and optimal activity of lipase of 57.85 U/mL was observed. Thus, RSM model enhanced the production of lipase and can be applied for the maximum yield of lipase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several antiviral agents lost their efficacy due to their severe side effects and virus mutations. This study aimed to identify and optimize the conditions for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production from a newly isolated cyanobacterium, Acaryochloris Al-Azhar MNE ON864448.1, besides exploring its antiviral activity. The cyanobacterial EPS was purified through DEAE-52 cellulose column with a final yield of 83.75%. Different analysis instruments were applied for EPS identification, including Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Plackett–Burman's design demonstrated that working volume (X1), EDTA (X2), inoculum size (X3), CaCl2 (X4), and NaCl (X5) are the most important variables influencing EPS production. Central composite design (CCD) exhibited maximum EPS yield (9.27 mg/mL) at a working volume of 300 mL in a 1 L volumetric flask, EDTA 0.002 g/L, inoculum size 7%, CaCl2 0.046 g/L, and NaCl 20 g/L were applied. EPS showed potent antiviral activities at different stages of herpes simplex virus type-1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), adenovirus (ADV) and coxsackievirus (A16) infections. The highest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (6.477 µg/mL) was recorded during HSV-1 internalization mechanism, while the lowest IC50 (0.005669 µg/mL) was recorded during coxsackievirus neutralization mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing resistance of pathogenic microbes to traditional drugs, biogenic silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have recently drawn attention as potent antimicrobial agents. In the present study, SNPs synthesized with the aid of orange (Citrus sinensis) peel were engineered by screening variables affecting their properties via Plackett–Burman design. Among the variables screened (temperature, pH, shaking speed, incubation time, peel extract concentration, AgNO3 concentration and extract/AgNO3 volume ratio), pH was the only variable with significant effect on SNPs synthesis. Therefore, SNPs properties could be enhanced to possess highly regular shape with zeta size of 11.44 nm and zeta potential of − 23.7 mV. SNPs purified, capped and stabilized by cloud point extraction technique were then checked for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Listeria innocua, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Candida albicans. The maximum antimicrobial activity of SNPs was recorded against E. coli, L. monocytogenes and C. albicans with clear zone diameter of 33.2, 31.8 and 31.7 mm, respectively. Based on minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of SNPs (300 mg/l) as well as their effect on respiratory chain dehydrogenases, cellular sugar leakage, protein leakage and lipid peroxidation of microbial cells, E. coli was the most affected. Scanning electron microscopy, protein banding and DNA fragmentation proved obvious ultrastructural and molecular alterations of E. coli treated with SNPs. Thus, biogenic SNPs with enhanced properties can be synthesized with the aid of Citrus peel; and such engineered nanoparticles can be used as potent antimicrobial drug against E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to utilize the microbial resources found within Laphet-so, a traditional fermented tea in Myanmar. A total of 18 isolates of thermotolerant yeasts were obtained from eight samples of Laphet-so collected from southern Shan state, Myanmar. All isolates demonstrated the tannin tolerance, and six isolates were resistant to 5% (w/v) tannin concentration. All 18 isolates were capable of carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC) degrading, but only the isolate DK showed ethanol production at 45 °C noticed by gas formation. This ethanol producing yeast was identified to be Cyberlindnera rhodanensis based on the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain on rRNA gene. C. rhodanensis DK produced 1.70 ± 0.01 U of thermostable extracellular β-glucosidase when cultured at 37 °C for 24 h using 0.5% (w/v) CMC as a carbon source. The best two carbon sources for extracellular β-glucosidase production were found to be either xylose or xylan, with β-glucosidase activity of 3.07–3.08 U/mL when the yeast was cultivated in the yeast malt extract (YM) broth containing either 1% (w/v) xylose or xylan as a sole carbon source at 37 °C for 48 h. The optimal medium compositions for enzyme production predicted by Plackett–Burman design and central composite design (CCD) was composed of yeast extract 5.83 g/L, peptone 10.81 g/L and xylose 20.20 g/L, resulting in a production of 7.96 U/mL, while the medium composed (g/L) of yeast extract 5.79, peptone 13.68 and xylan 20.16 gave 9.45 ± 0.03 U/mL for 48 h cultivation at 37 °C. Crude β-glucosidase exhibited a remarkable stability of 100%, 88% and 75% stable for 3 h at 35, 45 and 55 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to identify the optimum conditions for ochratoxin A (OTA) biodegradation by the supernatant of Agaricus campestris strain. The Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken methods were used to determine optimum OTA degradation conditions of Agaricus campestris under various incubation conditions. The Plackett–Burman method was planned through 16 varied experiments with 15 variants. The three most potent variants, sucrose, yeast extract and wheat bran, were selected using the Box–Behnken methodology. Ochratoxin A biodegradation ratio of 46.67% has been specified in only 1 h under ideal growing conditions. This is the first report on the optimization of OTA biodegradation by Agaricus campestris. When compared to previously published articles, it can be asserted that Agaricus campestris has promise based on its OTA biodegradation ratio in only 1 h of reaction time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the removal of Hg (II) from cypress leaves and cypress pines was examined. Factors like time of contact (1-60 min), amount of biosorbent used (0.02-0.06 min), pH levels (1.2-6.52 min), initial metal concentration (100-250 ppm) temperature (20-40 min), strength of ions (0.5-1.5 M), and speed of stirring (0-250 min) were studied. Kinetic data were described using both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models, with the Langmuir model fitting the data best. The kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic studies showed that the removal of Hg(II) by cypress leaves was exothermic. The Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and Box-Wilson designs were used for optimization, recommending values of 250 mg/L, 5.98, 7.98 min, and 0.5 g for the variables Co (initial concentration of Hg(II) ions), pH (acidity level), contact time, and mass of KNO3 (potassium nitrate) for the removal of mercury (II) by cypress pines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms have emerged as promising resources for producing economical and sustainable bioproducts like Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polymer that can replace synthetic plastics. In this study, we screened a novel isolate, Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3 strain, to produce PHA from sewage water, identifying it using Whole Genome Sequence. This study represents the first report on optimizing PHA production using B. paranthracis RSKS-3, employing Design Expert 12.0 software. Our findings reveal that four factors (temperature, inoculum size, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and magnesium sulfate) significantly affect PHA production in the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Through Response Surface Methodology, we optimized PHA production to 0.647 g/L with specific values for potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.55 %), inoculum size (3 %), magnesium sulfate (0.055 %), and a temperature of 35 °C, in agreement with the predicted value of 0.630 g/L. This optimization resulted in a substantial 13.29-fold increase in PHA production from 0.34 g/L to 4.52 g/L, underscoring the promising role of B. paranthracis RSKS-3 in eco-friendly PHA production and advancing sustainable bioproduct development.

In this study, the dried biomass of four marine algae, namely Porphyra sp., Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Undaria pinnatifida and Laminaria sp., were screened for their ability to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. Statistical approaches of the Plackett-Burman Design (PBD) and Box-Behnken Design (BBD) were applied to optimize different environmental conditions in order to achieve the maximum MB removal percentage by Gracilaria bursa-pastoris. The biosorbent was characterized before and after adsorption process using FTIR, XRD and SEM analysis. Additionally, isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics studies were conducted to investigate the adsorption behavior of the adsorbent. The results showed that Gracilaria bursa-pastoris achieved the highest dye removal efficiency (98.5 %) compared to 96.5 %, 93.5 % and 93.9 % for Undaria pinnatifida, Porphyra sp. and Laminaria sp., respectively. PBD analysis revealed that the agitation speed, pH, and biomass dose were found to be the significant parameters affecting MB removal onto Gracilaria dried biomass. According to the BBD results, the maximum dye removal percentage (99.68 %) was obtained at agitation speed of 132 rpm, pH 7 and biomass dose of 7.5 g/L. FTIR, XRD and SEM analysis demonstrated the participation of several functional groups in the adsorption process and changes in the cell surface morphology of the adsorbent following the dye adsorption. The adsorption isotherms showed better fit to Freundlich model (R2 = 0.9891) than the Langmuir, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.9999), suggesting the chemical interactions between dye ions and the algal biomass. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of MB onto Gracilaria dried biomass was spontaneous, feasible, endothermic and random. These results indicate that dried biomass of Gracilaria bursa-pastoris is an attractive, environmentally friendly, cheap and effective agent for MB dye removal from environmental discharges.

The aim of the current work was to compare the (poly)phenol profile (free, soluble-conjugate, and insoluble-bound) and antioxidant activity of date palm seed flour using different extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasound-assisted extraction [UAE]) and to determine the most critical variables in the extraction of (poly)phenols through UAE using the Plackett–Burman design experiment. Using the Plackett–Burman design, seven factors, namely, ethanol concentration, liquid:solid ratio (mL/g), sonotrode, amplitude (%), extraction time, extractant pH, and extraction cycle, were studied. After the factors were studied using conventional extraction methods, 23 compounds were quantified, with protocatechuic acid and catechin being the predominant (poly)phenols. Furthermore, the distribution of (poly)phenols within the cell varied, with glycosylated quercetins and caffeoyl shikimic acids predominantly found in free forms. Ultrasound-assisted extraction demonstrated efficiency in extracting free and soluble-conjugate (poly)phenols. However, it showed limitations in extracting insoluble-bound (poly)phenols. Nevertheless, similar amounts of total (poly)phenols were shown after conventional extraction and UAE, that is, 259.69 ± 43.54 and 189.00 ± 3.08 mg/100 g date seed flour, respectively. The Plackett–Burman design revealed the liquid–solid ratio as a crucial factor affecting (poly)phenol extraction, with higher ratios yielding better results. The sonotrode choice also influenced the extraction efficiency, highlighting that the sonotrode with a smaller diameter but higher displacement amplitude showed the best polyphenol recovery and antioxidant activity values. The nature of (poly)phenols influenced the studied extraction variables differently, emphasizing the complexity of the extraction process. In this line, pure water was sufficient to extract flavan-3-ols after UAE, whereas ethanol was a crucial factor in extracting quercetin. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing extraction methods for maximizing (poly)phenol recovery from date palm seed flour for various applications in food and pharmacology industries.

The study aims to optimize the medium composition for biobutanol production using a Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) hydrolysate by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4. Various nutrient factors affecting biobutanol production were screened using the Plackett-Burman design. These factors included: NH4NO3, KH2PO4, K2HPO4, MgSO4.7H2O, MnSO4.7H2O, FeSO4.7H2O, yeast extract, cysteine, PABA, biotin, and thiamin. The results were analyzed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA), which showed that cysteine (P=0.008), NH4NO3 (P=0.011) dan yeast extract (P=0.036) had significant effects on biobutanol production. The established model from the ANOVA analysis had a significant value of Pmodel>F = 0.0299 with an F-value of 32.82 which explains that the factors can explain in detail the variation in the data about the average and the interpretation is true with an R2 value of 0.993. The estimated maximum biobutanol production was 10.56 g/L, whereas the optimized medium produced 15.49 g/L of biobutanol. Process optimizations with optimum concentration of cysteine, NH4NO3, and yeast extract have produced 21.33 g/L biobutanol which is a 37.7% improvement from the non-optimized medium. The findings show that PKC hydrolysate with the addition of optimal concentrations of the three types of medium namely, cysteine (0.15 g/L), NH4NO3 (0.50 g/L), and yeast extract (1.5 g/L) during ABE fermentation, yielded a maximum biobutanol concentration of 21.33 g/L. Therefore, the results of this study provide good indications for promoting PKC hydrolysate as a new source of novel substrates with great potential in producing high biobutanol through ABE fermentation by C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing metallothionein was used for biosorption of lead (Pb). The Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and Box-Behnken design (BBD) were applied to optimize adsorption conditions of Pb by genetically engineered S. cerevisiae. The PBD and its subsequent statistical analysis indicate that the initial concentration of Pb, pH and concentration of biosorbent were the three critical factors influencing Pb biosorption by genetically engineered S. cerevisiae. The Path of steepest ascent was then used to approximate the optimal levels of the main factors. Then, the response surface method was used to optimize the adsorption conditions further. Considering biosorption quantity of Pb as the response objective, a quadratic model was obtained by BBD for 3 factors. The optimal biosorption conditions were as follows: the initial concentration of Pb (81.12 mg/L), pH 5.05 and the concentration of biosorbent (0.15 g/L). Under optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption quantity of Pb is 129.60 mg/g. Model validation experiments showed good correlation between the predicted values and experimental values. The performance of adsorption of Pb by genetically engineered S. cerevisiae is clearly improved by response surface methodology optimization. Genetically engineered S. cerevisiae show higher adsorption capacity than other reported biosorbents and may therefore be an effective biosorbent for industrial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increasing demand for l-asparaginase in pharmaceutical and food sectors for its cytostatic and acrylamide-reducing qualities, there's a need to discover novel, highly productive enzyme sources with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Keeping this in mind, the present study aimed at maximizing the potential of Ganoderma australe GPC191 to produce l-asparaginase by fermentation medium optimization using statistical validation. Of the 11 physicochemical parameters evaluated under submerged fermentation conditions through one-factor-at-a-time approach and Plackett–Burman design, only four parameters (inoculum load, l-asparagine, soybean meal, and initial pH) influenced l-asparaginase production, significantly (p < 0.001). The optimal levels and interaction effects of these on the overall production were further evaluated by the central composite rotatable design of response surface methodology. Post-optimization, 27.34 U/mL was predicted as the maximum activity at pH 7 with 5n inoculum load and 15 g/L each of l-asparagine and soybean meal. Experimental validation yielded an activity of 28.52 U/mL, indicating an overall 18.17-fold increase from the unoptimized stage. To our knowledge, this is the first report signifying the l-asparaginase production aptitude of G. australe with sequential statistical validation using agricultural waste, which can serve as a model to enhance its yields, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio pigments produced by Monascus spp. have potential applications mainly in the food and medical industries. In the present study, a two-step statistical method was used to optimize the production of yellow, orange, and red pigments from Monascus purpureus. Eleven independent variables, including four carbon sources (wheat, barley, rice, and potato extracts), two nitrogen sources (ammonium nitrate and urea), nutrient elements (P, K, and microelements), and four bioreactor conditions (temperature, aeration, stirring, and pH) were optimized through Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface method (RSM) methods. The model for each pigment was constructed and validated. With regard to carbon sources, the highest level of pigments was achieved at 2 g/l of rice and 9 g/l barley for yellow pigment, 2 g/l of rice and 18 g/l of barley for orange pigment, and 18 g/l of rice and 18 g/l wheat for red pigments. Temperature and barley extracts triggered the production of yellow pigments. The orange pigment was increased by pH and barley. Rice and wheat have a positive significant influence on red pigments. Aeration, pH, and stirring increased the production of the pigment. Citrinin is a biotoxin produced by Monascus during the fermentation process. The concentration of citrinin varied from 0.054 to 0.135 (µg/mL). The lowest amount of citrinin was achieved at 2 L/Min aeration or 6 L/Min stirring. This system is critical for the bioprocess, as it inhibits the citrinin product, and it could be a promising step in increasing pigment yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Plackett–Burman design in investigating the effect of physicochemical attributes of multispecies surimi was performed. The surimi was made from five species, added with four types of cryoprotectant and two different gelling agents, thus constructing 11 processing variables. Surimi was observed for the physico-chemical parameters including moisture, salt-soluble protein, pH, hardness, whiteness degree, and water-holding capacity and sensory evaluation. The best formulation was obtained from consisting of threadfin bream, croaker, lattice monocle bream, tilapia, sorbitol, sucrose, sodium tripolyphosphate, k-carrageenan, sodium lactate, and konjac with 15 min stirring period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fig (Ficus carica) is a sugar-rich lignocellulosic fruit, making it an excellent biomass candidate for biofuels. Metals are important precursors in biochemical transformation pathways and also play major roles in microbial metabolism when present in the appropriate concentrations. In this study, the effects of cations (Co2+, Cu2+, Mn+, Fe2+, Na+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, K+, Mo3+, B3+) on ABE (acetone-butanol-ethanol) fermentation, organic acids, and biohydrogen production with fig as biomass was done using Plackett-Burman statistical design. Mo3+ and Na+ were the most significant elements favoring acetone, butanol, and ethanol production. Mo3+ and Fe2+ strongly supported organic acids (acetic and butyric acid production) while Fe2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, K+, and Mo3+ favored hydrogen production rates. In our study, Mo3+, an unreported element from previous studies, was found to be highly influential in the ABE fermentation process and H2 production. Optimization studies were conducted within the ranges of the significant cations on responses tested in our study achieving ABE (6.3, 5.03, and 1.6 g L−1, respectively), acetic and butyric acids (6.9 and 3.9 g L−1, respectively) and hydrogen production rate (51.5 ml H2 L−1 h−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of tetraethylenepentamine modified peanut husks (TEPA-PH) composite beads in the removal of an anionic azo dye, Congo Red (CR) was studied. In batch adsorption studies, various parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, pH, dosage and agitation rate were included to study their influence towards the adsorption process. The TEPA-PH composite beads formed were thoroughly characterized by using several techniques which includes Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The experimental data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with R² close to unity. Among the isotherm models, the experimental data is best fitted to Freundlich isotherm model by having R² of 0.9948. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 19.5695 mg/g using the Langmuir model. The significant factors were selected using the Plackett-Burman (PB) design and the optimization of the adsorption model was done using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). With optimum conditions of 180 min of contact time, 62.5 mg/L of initial dye concentration and 0.35 g of dosage, the percentage uptake of CR can reach 77.11%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, extracellular lipase production from thermotolerant Bacillus subtilis TTP-06, which was isolated from Tattapani Hot Spring in Himachal Pradesh, India, was optimized using response surface approach. The interactions of six different parameters, including glucose and peptone concentrations, pH, temperature, incubation duration, and olive oil concentration, were examined using the Plackett-Burman Design (PBD). Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to establish the best values for the positive factors. The importance of the quadratic model with a determination coefficient (R2) value of 0.7846 was revealed by statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) results with a p-value of

A novel MnO2@EDTA-Ag nanocoral reef was constructed via a simplified redox reaction followed by EDTA and Ag nanoparticles impregnation to capture hazardous copper (II) from wastewater. A comprehensive characterization of the synthesized materials was conducted. The morphology of MnO2@EDTA-Ag in the form of a nanocoral reef was constructed of two-dimensional nanoplatelets and nanorod-like nanostructures. The optimal adsorption conditions proposed by the Plackett–Burman design (PBD) that would provide a removal % of 99.95 were pH 5.5, a contact time of 32.0 min, a Cu(II) concentration of 11.2 mg L−1, an adsorbent dose of 0.05 g, and a temperature of 40.3 °C. The loading of Ag nanoparticles onto MnO2@EDTA improved the adsorption capability of MnO2@EDTA-Ag. Additionally, the recyclability of MnO2@EDTA-Ag nanocoral reef was maintained at 80% after three adsorption–desorption cycles, and there was no significant change in the XRD analysis before and after the recycling process, implying its stability. It was found that nanocoral reef-assisted EDTA formed a chelation/complexation reaction between COO− groups and C–N bonds of EDTA with Cu(II) ions. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis proved the synergistic effect of the electrostatic interaction and chelation/complexation was responsible for the removal mechanism of Cu(II). Also, the results demonstrated no significant variation in MnO2@EDTA-Ag removal efficiency for all the tested real water samples, revealing its efficacy in wastewater treatment. Therefore, the current study suggests that MnO2@EDTA-Ag has substantial potential to be used as a feasible adsorbent for probable hazardous metals remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the optimal technological conditions for the production of glutathione (GSH) fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, based on the single factor experiment, the liquid fermentation medium was optimized through Plackett-Burman design experiment combined with the response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimal culture medium for the production of GSH fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was as follows: glucose of 71 g • L_1, yeast, extract, paste of 4 g • L_1, NH4C1 of 6 g • L_1, KH2 P()4 of 2. 0 g • L_1, MgS()4 of 0. 5 g • L_1, pH of 6. 0. After three batches of parallel experiments> the mean value for the actual yield of GSH was 80. 5 mg • L_1, which was similar to the predicted value and increased by about 19. 2% higher than that, before optimization (65. 03 mg • L_1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cholesterol oxidase has numerous biomedical and industrial applications. In the current study, a new bacterial strain was isolated from sewage and was selected for its high potency for cholesterol degradation (%) and production of high cholesterol oxidase activity (U/OD600). Results Based on the sequence of 16S rRNA gene, the bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis. The fermentation conditions affecting cholesterol degradation (%) and the activity of cholesterol oxidase (U/OD600) of B. subtilis were optimized through fractional factorial design (FFD) and response surface methodology (RSM). According to this sequential optimization approach, 80.152% cholesterol degradation was achieved by setting the concentrations of cholesterol, inoculum size, and magnesium sulphate at 0.05 g/l, 6%, and 0.05 g/l, respectively. Moreover, 85.461 U of cholesterol oxidase/OD600 were attained by adjusting the fermentation conditions at initial pH, 6; volume of the fermentation medium, 15 ml/flask; and concentration of cholesterol, 0.05 g/l. The optimization process improved cholesterol degradation (%) and the activity of cholesterol oxidase (U/OD600) by 139% and 154%, respectively. No cholesterol was detected in the spectroscopic analysis of the optimized fermented medium via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Conclusion The current study provides principal information for the development of efficient production of cholesterol oxidase by B. subtilis that could be used in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acyclovir is an acyclic purine nucleoside analog that is highly effective in inhibiting the herpes simplex virus. However, topical acyclovir has poor efficacy because of its low skin permeability. This study aimed to develop an acyclovir gel plaster containing sponge spicules (AGP-SS) to achieve synergistic improvements in skin absorption and deposition of acyclovir. The process of preparing the gel plaster was optimized by orthogonal experiments, while the composition of the formulation was optimized using the Plackett-Burman and Box–Behnken experimental designs. The selected formula was tested for physical properties, in vitro release, stability, ex vivo permeation, skin irritation, and pharmacokinetics. The optimized formulation exhibited good physical characteristics. In vitro release and ex vivo permeation studies showed that acyclovir release from AGP-SS was dominated by diffusion with significantly higher skin permeation (20.00 ± 1.07 μg/cm2) than that of the controls (p < 0.05). Dermatopharmacokinetic analyses revealed that the maximum concentration (78.74 ± 11.12 μg/g), area under the curve (1091.81 ± 29.05 μg/g/h) and relative bioavailability (197.12) of AGP-SS were higher than those of the controls. Therefore, gel plaster containing sponge spicules show potential for development as transdermal delivery systems to achieve higher skin absorption and deposition of acyclovir, especially in deep skin layers. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous catalysts, basic, acidic or bifunctional, can catalyze transesterification reactions where the raw material has a significant content of FFA fatty acids, such as used cooking oils or other lipid-based residues, which do not have the purity required for homogeneous catalysis, in which case the purity of the triglycerides above 99.5% is the first condition for the initiation of the reaction, to avoid saponification. In this work, a green supported catalyst was developed, using bacterial cellulose as catalytic support and biodegradable superbase as a chemical compound, for transesterification reaction to obtain alkyl esters, yielding over 99% of its content at 70 °C temperature and 7.5% catalyst loading (1.5/20 w/w catalyst:oil). A Plackett-–Burman design was used for screening experiments to explore the main effect in terms of catalytic activity and performance of the triglyceride conversion reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomass of Lactobacillus strains depends on the culture media and culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to optimize the culture medium composition and culture conditions of Lactobacillus plantarum Y44 to improve its biomass. The utilization of different carbon sources and nitrogen sources by L. plantarum Y44 was assessed by single factor experiment to screen out the economical carbon and nitrogen sources for L. plantarum Y44 growth. Through optimization experiments, the optimized culture medium for L. plantarum Y44 growth consists of soybean peptone 44.1 g/L, yeast extract 22.1 g/L, sucrose 35.6 g/L, hydrogen diamine citrate 2 g/L, anhydrous sodium acetate 8.5 g/L, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 4 g/L, Tween-80 2 mL/L, manganese sulfate 0.25 g/L, and magnesium sulfate 0.58 g/L, and the initial pH 6.7. The concentration of viable bacteria cells of L. plantarum Y44 culturing in the optimized medium at 37 °C for 16 h was up to 3.363 × 1010 CFU/mL, as 6.11 times higher than that in the MRS medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trametes versicolor can produce aromatic flavor in growth and development, widely used in food fermentation. This study used a One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) test and response surface analysis to study the optimum fermentation parameters of Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed yogurt by Trametes versicolor. The best fermentation process is as follows: skim milk powder 17 %, sucrose content 4 %, Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed liquid 36 %, fermentation temperature 39 °C, inoculum 2 %, strain ratio 2:1:1(LB12: BLH1: Q-1), fermentation time 9.5 h. Under this fermentation process, the sensory score was 82.11, the contents of vitamin C, GABA, and total live bacteria in this yogurt were 13.89, 2.58, and 1.02 times higher than in common yogurt. Correlation analyses showed a significant contribution of the leavening agent to the GABA content of yogurt. This study provides a foundation for producing Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed yogurt with high sensory and nutritional value.

Mycelia products enhance edible mushrooms in alignment with future sustainability trends. To meet forthcoming market demands, the morphology of mycelial pellets was optimized for direct consumption. Among ten commercial edible mushrooms in Taiwan, Pleurotus sp. was selected for its rapid growth and was identified via an internal transcribed spacer sequence. A combination of Plackett-Burman design and Taguchi's L9(34) orthogonal table revealed the optimal formula as potato dextrose broth (2.4%), olive oil (2%), calcium carbonate (0.5%), yeast extract (0.75%), and soy flour (0.5%). This led to a biomass increase to 19.9 ± 1.1 g/L, resulting in a 2.17-fold yield increase. To refine morphology, image processing by ImageJ quantified spherical characteristics. The addition of 0.2 to 1.0% Tween 80 enhanced pellet compaction by over 50%. Dilution of the medium improved uniformity (0.85) and conversion rate (42%), yielding mycelial pellets with 2.10 ± 0.52 mm diameters and a yield of 15.1 ± 0.6 g/L. These findings provide an alternative evaluation and application of edible mycelial pellets as future food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging drug resistance to the approved first-line drug therapy leads to clinical failure in cancer. Drug repurposing studies lead to the identification of many old drugs to be used for cancer treatment. Combining the repurposed drugs (niclosamide) with first-line therapy agents like erlotinib HCl showed improved efficacy by inhibiting erlotinib HCl acquired resistance. But there is a need to develop a sensitive, accurate, and excellent analytical method and drug delivery system for successfully delivering drug combinations. In the current study, an HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of niclosamide and erlotinib HCl. The retention time of niclosamide and erlotinib hydrochloride was 6.48 and 7.65 min at 333 nm. The developed method was rapid and sensitive to separating the two drugs with reasonable accuracy, precision, robustness, and ruggedness. A Plackett–Burman (PBD) screening design was used to identify the critical parameters affecting liposomal formulation development using particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency as the response. Lipid concentration, drug concentration, hydration temperature, and media volume were critical parameters affecting the particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), ZP, and %EE of the liposomes. The optimized NCM-ERL liposomes showed the particle size (126.05 ± 2.1), PDI (0.498 ± 0.1), ZP (−16.2 ± 0.3), and %EE of NCM and ERL (50.04 ± 2.8 and 05.42 ± 1.3). In vitro release studies indicated the controlled release of the drugs loaded liposomes (87.06 ± 9.93% and 42.33 ± 0.89% in 24 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umbelopsis ramanniana was investigated to increase carotenoid production. Nine different carbon sources and six different nitrogen sources were evaluated for the maximum carotenoid production. The most effective nitrogen and carbon sources were KNO3 and lactose, respectively. Then, the optimization of medium components for enhancement of carotenoid production by Umbelopsis ramanniana was achieved using Plackett–Burman design. Box–Behnken response surface methodology was applied to further optimize carotenoid and biomass production. Carbon to nitrogen ratio, lactose concentration, and shaking speed were studied as variables in Box–Behnken design. The optimum conditions for carotenoid and biomass production were determined as 32.42 g/L of lactose concentration, 20:1 of carbon to nitrogen ratio, and shaking speed of 130 rpm. The maximum carotenoid and biomass production under optimized conditions were 1141 μg/L (β‐carotene‐Eq) and 13.14 g/L, respectively. When compared to the control fermentation, carotenoid, and biomass production were increased by about 2 and 1.3 folds, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]