Anti-aging and antioxidant of four traditional malaysian plants using simplex centroid mixture design approach

Aging is a naturally biological process with adverse effects. The continuous accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger cellular and tissue damage by activating several aging enzymes. The antioxidant properties of traditional medicinal plants used by Jakun aborigine’s community are a promising approach to alleviate aging process and prevent Alzheimer. The aim of the current investigation was to optimize a novel anti-aging formulation from traditional plants (Cnestis palala stem, Urceola micrantha stem, Marantodes pumilum stem and Microporus xanthopus fruiting bodies) using simplex centroid mixture design (SCMD). After selecting the optimal formulations based on desirability function of antioxidant activity (DPPḢ, ABTS^̇+ and FRAP), they were further examined against the activity of aging-related-enzymes (collagenase, tyrosinase, acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase). The single extracts of C. palala, U. micrantha and the binary mixture of C. palala and U. micrantha were the optimal formulations with high antioxidant activities. Single extract of U. micrantha showed the highest inhibition towards matrix metalloproteinase-1 (49.44 ± 4.11 %), while C. palala water extract showed highest inhibitions towards tyrosinase (14.06 ± 0.31%), acetylcholinesterase (32.92 ± 2.13%) and butyrylcholinesterase (34.89 ± 2.84%) enzymes. The single extracts of C. palala and U. micrantha displayed better activity as compared to the binary mixture formulation. In conclusion, these findings could be a baseline for further exploration of novel anti-aging agents from natural resources.     

Efficacy of bi-valent whole cell inactivated bacterial vaccine against Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) in cultured catfishes (Heteropneustes fossilis,Clarias batrachus and pangasius pangasius) in Bangladesh

The Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) is an important disease of cultured catfishes (Heteropneustes fossilis, Clarias batrachus and Pangasius pangasius), caused by different species of Aeromonas bacteria which have been documented to be higher death rates (≤70%) in Bangladesh since 2016. Present study was conducted to develop bi-valent vaccine using A. hydrophila and A. veronii, and to validate their efficacy via intra-muscular (IM) and oral-routes of immunization in selected species of fishes. Brood fishes of the three species were immunized with three doses of inactivated vaccine (10⁷ CFU /2.3 mg/ml). Hematological parameters of brood fishes and antibody levels (IgM) of broods, their larvae and eggs were determined by ELISA. Additionally, Relative Percent Survivability (RPS) and the IgM levels of the larvae after challenge with virulent A. hydrophila and A. veronii were also evaluated. Findings of this study showed that the lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes counts and antibody (IgM) titre of brood fishes, larvae and eggs from the vaccinated fishes were found significantly higher (p< 0.05) compared to the un-vaccinated control groups. Alternatively, antibody levels (IgM) in the larvae of vaccinated group of brood fishes fed with antigen coated feed was exhibited to be remarkably higher (p< 0.05) than the antigen non-fed group. The RPS of larvae of Shing (91.24 ± 2.00%), Magur (88.09 ± 2.88%) and Pangas (93.17 ± 1.52%) was found to be higher in the larvae at 20-day age of vaccinated group compared to non-vaccinated brood fishes group. Findings of this study indicated that the active immunization of brood fishes followed by oral immunization of their larvae feeding with antigen coated feed showed synergistic effect in protecting cultured Shing, Magur and Pangas fishes from frequent attack with Aeromonas spp at any age of their lifetime.     

Rhodopirellula aestuarii sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Rhodopirellula isolated from brackish sediments collected in the Tagus River estuary,Portugal

Bacteria within the phylum Planctomycetota are biologically relevant due to unique characteristics among prokaryotes. Members of the genus Rhodopirellula can be abundant in marine habitats, however, only six species are currently validly described. In this study, we expand the explored genus diversity by formally describing a novel species. The pink-coloured strain ICT_H3.1^T was isolated from brackish sediments collected in the Tagus estuary (Portugal) and a 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analysis placed this strain into the genus Rhodopirellula (family Pirellulaceae). The closest type strain is Rhodopirellula rubra LF2^T, suggested by a similarity of 98.4% of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Strain ICT_H3.1^T is heterotrophic, aerobic and able to grow under microaerobic conditions. The strain grows between 15 and 37 °C, over a range of pH 6.5 to 11.0 and from 1 to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Several nitrogen and carbon sources were utilized by the novel isolate. Cells have an elongated pear-shape with 2.0 ± 0.3 × 0.9 ± 0.2 µm in size. Cells of strain ICT_H3.1^T cluster in rosettes through a holdfast structure and divide by budding. Younger cells are motile. Ultrathin cell sections show cytoplasmic membrane invaginations and polar fimbriae. The genome size is 9,072,081 base pairs with a DNA G + C content of 56.1 mol%. Genomic, physiological and morphological comparison of strain ICT_H3.1^T with its relatives suggest that it belongs to a novel species within the genus Rhodopirellula. Hence, we propose the name Rhodopirellula aestuarii sp. nov., represented by ICT_H3.1^T (=CECT30431^T = LMG32464^T) as the type strain of this novel species.16S rRNA gene accession number: GenBank = OK001858.Genome accession number: The Whole Genome Shotgun project has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession JAMQBK000000000. The version described in this paper is version JAMQBK010000000.     

Combined immobilized lipases for effective biodiesel production from spent coffee grounds

This work describes the enzymatic transesterification of the oil extracted from SCGs for synthesis of biodiesel as a promising alternative to diesel fuels based on petroleum. Biocatalysts from various sources were tested for biodiesel synthesis using coffee oil among which CaCO₃- immobilized Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus stearothermophilus showed the highest conversion yields (61 ± 2.64% and 64.3 ± 1.53%, respectively) in 4 h. In further optimizing reaction parameters, methanol to oil molar ratio, biocatalyst quantity, water content, as well as incubation time and temperature markedly improved oil-to-biodiesel conversion up to 99.33 ± 0.57 % in a solvent free reaction after 12 h at 55 °C. A mixture of inexpensive CaCO₃-immobilized bacterial lipases at a 1:1 ratio was the best environment-friendly catalyst for biofuel synthesis as well as the ideal trade-off between conversion and cost. Obtained coffee biodiesel remained stable beyond 40 days at ambient storage conditions and its chemical characteristics were comparable to those of other known biodiesels according to the European requirements (EN14214). Collectively, SCGs, after oil extraction, could be an ideal substrate for the production of an environment-friendly biodiesel by using appropriate mixture of CaCO₃-immobilized lipases.     

Optimization of growing conditions for pigments production from microalga Navicula incerta using response surface methodology and its antioxidant capacity

Navicula incerta is a marine microalga distributed in Baja California, México, commonly used in aquaculture nutrition, and has been extended to human food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries due to its high biological activity. Therefore, the study aimed to optimize culture conditions to produce antioxidant pigments. A central composite experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze the best culture conditions. The medium (nitrogen-deficient concentrations), salinity (PSU = Practical Salinity Unity [g/kg]), age of culture (days), and solvent extraction (ethanol, methanol, and acetone) were the factors used for the experiment. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) and total carotenoids (T-Car), determined spectroscopically, were used as the response variables. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH^? and ABTS^?+ radical inhibition, FRAP, and anti-hemolytic activity. According to the overlay plots, the optimum growth conditions for Chl a and T-Car production were the following conditions: medium = 0.44 mol·L^-1 of NaNO₃, salinity = 40 PSU, age of culture: 3.5 days, and solvent = methanol. The pigment extracts obtained in these optimized conditions had high antioxidant activity in ABTS^?+ (86.2–92.1% of inhibition) and anti-hemolytic activity (81.8–96.7% of hemolysis inhibition). Low inhibition (33–35%) was observed in DPPH^?. The highest value of FRAP (766.03 ± 16.62 μmol TE/g) was observed in the acetonic extract. The results demonstrated that RSM could obtain an extract with high antioxidant capacity with potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industry, which encourages the use of natural resources for chemoprevention of chronic-degenerative pathologies.     

Punica granatum waste to ethanol valorisation employing optimized levels of saccharification and fermentation

Pomegranate peels (PPW) as municipal waste is inexpensive biomass that could be a renewable source of sugars particularly rich in hemicellulosic contents. The subsequent conversion of available sugars in PPW can provide prospective strategy for cost-effective bioenergy production. In this study, an experimental setup based on CCD was implemented with the aim of bioconversion of biomass into bioethanol. The factors considered were Hydrochloric acid concentration (X₁), the hydrolysis temperature (X₂) and time (X₃) for optimization with dilute Hydrochloric acid (HCl) saccharification. The present study investigates the optimised level of bioethanol synthesis from acid pre-treated PPW explained by RSM. Subsequently, three yeasts viz. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7, Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 were utilized for fermentation of acid hydrolysed and detoxified feed stocks. Optimum values of reducing sugars 48.02 ± 0.02 (gL^?1) and total carbohydrates 205.88 ± 0.13 (gL^?1) were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 1% HCl concentration at 100?C of temperature for 30 min. Later on, fermentation of PPWH after detoxification with 2.5% activated charcoal. The significant ethanol (g ethanol/g of reducing sugars) yields after fermentation with Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 found to be 0.40 ± 0.03 on day 5 and 0.41 ± 0.02 on last day of experiment correspondingly. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7 also produce maximum ethanol 0.40 ± 0.00 on last day of incubation utilizing the PPWH. The bioconversion of commonly available PPW into bioethanol as emphasize in this study could be a hopeful expectation and also cost-effective to meet today energy crisis.     

Nordic Walking Improves Cardiometabolic Parameters,Fitness Performance,and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of Nordic walking (NW) on cardiometabolic health, physical performance, and well-being in sedentary older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsFifteen subjects with T2D (female, 5; male, 10; age, 65 ± 6.2 years [mean ± standard deviation]; body mass index, 27.3 ± 4.9 kg/m² [mean ± standard deviation]) were enrolled in a 6-month NW training program. The fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Participants’ quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey) and physical fitness (6-minute walking test) were also evaluated.ResultsCompared with baseline, NW significantly improved the fasting glucose level (103.5 ± 18.5 vs 168.7 ± 37.7 mg/dL, P = .01), SBP (121.8 ± 12.2 vs 133 ± 14.4 mm Hg, P = .02), physical fitness (759.88 ± 69 vs 615.5 ± 62.6 m, P < .001), and both mental health (54.5 ± 4.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.6, P < .01) and physical health (49.8 ± 4.7 vs 40.3 ± 5.9, P < .01). The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (6.15% ± 0.8% vs 6.4% ± 1%, P = .46), total cholesterol (162.2 ± 31.2 vs 175.5 ± 28.8 mg/dL, P = .13), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (95.2 ± 24.2 vs 106.3 ± 32.3 mg/dL, P = .43), and triglycerides (135.5 ± 60.8 vs 127.6 ± 57.4 mg/dL, P = 0.26) improved without reaching significance.ConclusionNW training improved the glycemic levels, SBP, physical fitness, and perception of quality of life in older adults with T2D. NW represents a suitable complementary strategy to improve the global health status in this population.     

Pomegranate peels waste hydrolyzate optimization by Response Surface Methodology for Bioethanol production

Unwanted agricultural waste is largely comprised of lignocellulosic substrate which could be transformed into sugars. The production of bioethanol from garbage manifested an agreeable proposal towards waste management as well as energy causation. The goal of this work is to optimize parameters for generation of bioethanol through fermentation by different yeast strains while Saccharomyces cerevisiae used as standard strain. The low cost fermentable sugars from pomegranate peels waste (PPW) were obtained by hydrolysis with HNO₃ (1 to 5%). The optimum levels of hydrolysis time and temperature were elucidated via RSM (CCD) ranging from 30 to 60 min and 50 to 100 °C respectively. The result shows that optimum values (g/L) for reducing sugars was 61.45 ± 0.01 while for total carbohydrates was 236 ± 0.01. These values were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 3% HNO₃, at 75 °C for one hour. The hydrolyzates obtained from the dilute HNO₃ pretreated PPW yielded a maximum of 0.43 ± 0.04, 0.41 ± 0.03 g ethanol per g of reducing sugars by both Metchnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 at day 7 of ethanologenic experiment. The current study exhibited that by fermentation of dilute HNO₃ hydrolyzates of PPW could develop copious amount of ethanol by optimized conditions.     

Association between periodontitis and vitamin D status: A case-control study

Vitamin D deficiency and periodontitis are commonly prevalent among Saudi adults. However, the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status has not been well documented. This study aims to examine the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status among adults in the Albaha region of Saudi Arabia. A case-control study of 123 Saudi adults was conducted; 60 had severe or moderate periodontitis, and 63 were periodontally healthy. Data was collected by an online self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire. All participants then underwent a full periodontal examination. Blood samples were also provided to assess participants’ vitamin D statuses through serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A total of 60 cases and 63 controls matched for BMI (30.2 ± 4.86 kg/m²), age (40.01 ± 7.73 years), and sex (46.3% and 53.7% male and female, respectively) participated in the study. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in periodontitis participants than in controls (25.03 ± 8.55 ng/ml, 29.19 ± 12.82 ng/ml, p = 0.037, respectively). Lower odds of periodontitis were detected per unit of 25(OH)D level (OR 0.964, 95% CI; 0.931–0.999, p = 0.043). In conclusion, periodontitis is significantly associated with deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D among Saudi adults in the Albaha region. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size may be suggested to confirm these results.