Comparison Study of Synthesized Red (or Blood) Orange Peels and Juice Extract-Nanoflowers and Their Antimicrobial Properties on Fish Pathogen (Yersinia ruckeri)

AbstractIn this work, we synthesized blood orange peel extract-copper (II) (Cu²⁺) ions nanoflower (NFs) and blood orange juice extract-copper (II) (Cu²⁺) ions nanoflower examine their antimicrobial properties on the fish pathogen (Yersinia ruckeri). The main compounds of the blood orange peel extract and the blood orange juice extract were organic components, and the copper (II) (Cu^{2 +}) ions were inorganic components. BOPE-Cu^{2 +} nanoflowers are quite compact, porous, and uniform as compared to BOJE-Cu²⁺ nanoflowers. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry, and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to observe the structures of the NFs. The findings of FT-IR show Cu–O and Cu–N bonds in NF, which may be an indicator of the development of NFs. Although the antimicrobial actions of BOPE-hNFs and BOJE-hNFs against Yersinia ruckeri (NCTC 12,268) have been confirmed.Graphic Abstract      

Peroxidase-like activity and antimicrobial properties of curcumin-inorganic hybrid nanostructure

For the first time in this study, curcumin was utilized as an organic component reacting with Cu (II) ion (Cu²⁺) as an inorganic component for fabrication of curcumin based Cu hybrid nanostructure (Cu-hNs). We also systematically examined the catalytic effect towards guaiacol and antimicrobial activities of Cu-hNs towards fish pathogen bacteria. For the characterization of Cu-hNs, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) analysis were used. We claimed that hydroxyl group might react with Cu²⁺ in phosphate solution (PO₄^-3) to form Cu-hNs. However, more uniform and spherical Cu-hNs were not seen owing to absence of more reactive functional groups like amine and carboxyl groups on structure of curcumin. In addition to our findings, synthesis of Cu-hNs were carried out in the various pH values to evaluate the effect of pHs on formation of Cu-hNs. The Cu-hNs exhibited remarkable catalytic activity throught the Fenton reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and effective antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive/negative fish pathogen bacteria. In this study, cheap and efficient synthesis of nanoflowers (NFs) using plant extracts is proposed for biomedical applications rather than expensive molecules such as amino acids and DNA.     

Parazoanthus axinellae Extract Incorporated Hybrid Nanostructure and Its Potential Antimicrobial Activity**

This study, it was aimed to examine the change in the antimicrobial effect of sea anemone Parazoanthus axinellae extract by forming its nanoflowers. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were expended to observe the morphologies of the Cu NFs that had been produced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were expended to analyze the managing assemblies in P. axinellae extract, which perform an effective part in the synthesis routine, as well as the crystal assembly of NFs. P. axinellae extract mediated the HNFs (Hybrid nanoflowers) are at high, pure crystalline nature, flower shape with a crystallographic system at the nanoscale with mean crystallite size 21.9 nm using XRD, and average particle size ~10 nm by SEM. The broad absorption band at 2981–2915 cm⁻¹ in the FT-IR spectra of anemone extract and Cu-anemone NFs represents the unique peak of hydroxy groups. In addition, Cu NFs were tested for their antibacterial properties. Cu NFs have been discovered to exhibit antibacterial properties. It is suggested that P. axinellae extract and various inorganic components be used to synthesize a variety of NFs and assess their suitability for usage in biomedical fields.     

Analysis of Volatile Constituent by Hydrodistillation and Solid-Phase Microextraction Techniques and Antimicrobial and Scolicidal Activities of Essential Oil and Soxhlet Extracts of Ulva rigida grown in Turkey

In the present study, the volatile composition of Ulva rigida (U. rigida) was elucidated by two different methods. As a result of the identification process of volatile components using the GC/MS-FID instrument, 31 compounds were identified by hydrodistillation (HD) method, and 15 compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method, elucidating the structure of 99.86 % and 92.65 %, respectively. The most abundant compounds in the essential oil of U. rigida were n-hexadecanoic acid and pentadecanal, while the most abundant compound according to the SPME analysis was heptadecyne, a hydrocarbon compound. In the next step, hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform and methanol solvent extracts of U. rigida were prepared and the antimicrobial activities of the extracts and the essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation as well as the scolicidal activities of the solvent extracts were determined. The results of the antimicrobial activity test of the essential oil showed a high level of activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 and MRSA. The highest activity was found on the microorganism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in chloroform and methanol extracts of U. rigida. Furthermore, viability detection was performed and the scolicidal effects of the extracts on protoscoleces were assessed. The values of lethal concentration doses (LD₅₀, LD₇₅ and LD₉₀) were calculated using probit analysis.     

Biological activity of roots and aerial parts of Zinnia peruviana on pathogenic micro-organisms in planktonic state and biofilm forming

Microbial resistance to antibiotics affects the control of clinical infections and is a growing concern in global public health. One important mechanism whereby micro-organisms acquire resistance is biofilm formation. This context has led to the investigation of new antimicrobial substances from plants popularly used in folk medicine. In this work, we studied the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of Zinnia peruviana roots, ziniolide (major root metabolite) and aerial parts against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentration and inhibition of biofilm production was determined. All Z. peruviana extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but that corresponding to the roots was the most active one. The best inhibitory and microbicidal activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria (0·039–0·078 mg ml⁻¹). The acetonic extract from Z. peruviana leaves showed moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria (0·625 mg ml⁻¹). Acetonic extract of Z. peruviana flowers showed weak activity (1·25–5 mg ml⁻¹). All the extracts tested showed inhibition of biofilm formation, as well as the ziniolide, however, roots and flowers extracts showed higher antibiofilm activity particularly against Staphylococcus, Listeria and Candida. The extracts tested may be a promising natural alternative for the control of microbial infections.     

Red cabbage anthocyanin extract alleviates copper-induced cytological disturbances in plant meristematic tissue and human lymphocytes

Red cabbage is a source of health beneficial substances with antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties. HPLC analysis specifying the content of the investigated extract indicated that mainly anthocyanins (ATH) were responsible for its abilities. Cytological research was conducted with two experimental models: plant tissues—meristematic cells of Vicia faba, and animal tissue elements—human lymphocytes. Positive influence of ATH extract on mitotic activity of Vicia cells exposed to Cu²⁺ stress, and inhibitory effect of ATH on cytotoxic actions of Cu²⁺ on lymphocytes were demonstrated. In all experimental series with ATH application in combinations with Cu²⁺, mitotic index (MI) were higher than those obtained for only Cu²⁺ stressed tissues. Preincubation in ATH before Cu²⁺ stress had the best effect. Similarly, after ATH applications in all tested series decrease in frequency of micronuclei (MN) appearance was noticed in comparison with only Cu²⁺ stressed material. In the case of Vicia cells ATH acted effectively even applied after Cu²⁺ stress. It suggests that this ATH mixture not only prevents and limits but also heals the cytological injury caused by Cu²⁺ stress.     

Functionalization of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer‐based nano‐architectures using a naphthalimide derivative and their fluorescent,dyeing and antimicrobial properties on wool fibers

Novel naphthalimide–poly(amidoamine) dendrimer fluorescent dyes were synthesized, and their structures were identified and confirmed using different characterization methods such as Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis and UV–vis spectroscopy. The spectrophotometric studies demonstrated absorption maxima (λ_max) and extinction coefficient (ε_max) values in the ranges of 429–438 nm and 25,635–88,618 L/mol/cm, respectively. The dyeing, fastness and antimicrobial properties of dyed wool fibers were examined. Colorimetric measurements demonstrated a greenish‐yellow hue with remarkable fluorescence intensity on dyed wool. Although the fastness properties of naphthalimide dye on wool fibers were poor/moderate, color fastness was appreciably improved through modification of the dye using dendrimers. The results revealed that the newly synthesized dyes are potent antimicrobial agents on wool fibers. Overall, it was deduced that poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers could be exploited as a promising tool in tailoring the different properties of naphthalimide dyes, being suitable for dyeing and antimicrobial finishing agents for wool fibers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phytochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antigenotoxic potentials of Cyperus rotundus extracts

The aqueous, ethyl acetate, methanolic and Total Oligomer Flavonoids (TOF) enriched extracts, obtained from the aerial parts of Cyperus rotundus, were investigated for their contents in phenolic compounds. Antioxidative activity using the NBT/riboflavin assay system, antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial reference strains as well as antigenotoxic activity tested with the SOS chromotest assay were also studied. Significant antibacterial activity against reference strains; Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium, was detected in the presence of ethyl acetate and TOF enriched extracts. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, the same extracts showed a significant ability to inhibit nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by the superoxide radical in a non enzymatic O₂^.− generating system, and were also able to reduce significantly the genotoxicity induced by nifuroxazide and Aflatoxin B1. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and antigenotoxic activities exhibited by C. rotundus depend on the chemical composition of the tested extracts.     

36种中药材体外抗菌活性筛选研究

该文研究36种常用中药材80%乙醇提取物在体外抗临床常见致病菌的抗菌活性。采用药敏纸片法测耐药菌的耐药谱,中药粗粉用80%乙醇浸泡提取,提取液减压浓缩得浸膏,通过琼脂打孔法测定提取物抑菌圈,再通过微量倍比稀释法测定最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC)。结果表明:36种中药材醇提物中,有15种具有广谱抗菌活性,对实验中各标准菌表现出不同程度的抑制作用,对MRSA抗菌活性也较强。其中,岩陀、卷柏、首乌藤、苏木、乌药、夏枯草6种药材的抗菌活性比较突出,抑菌圈均大于11 mm,细菌对其表现为中高度敏感;它们对7株标准菌的MIC/MBC值除个别为12.5 mg·m L~(-1)以外,均小于1.563 mg·m L~(-1),对16株MRSA的MIC/MBC值均小于1.563 mg·m L~(-1),它们的萃取层活性均小于1 mg·m L~(-1)。所筛选出的15种抗菌活性较强的中药材,可为后续研究其活性单体化合物和作用机制,研发有效的抗多重耐药菌的中药制剂以及解决细菌耐药性问题提供一定的参考。     

Evaluation of Pomelo Seed Extracts as Natural Antioxidant,Antibacterial, Herbicidal Agents,and Their Functional Components

Pomelo seeds (PS) are important by-product of pomelo fruits (Citrus grandis Osbeck). The value-added utilization of PS remains highly challenged. This study aimed to investigate the utilization potential of PS as natural antioxidant, antibacterial, herbicidal agents, and their functional components. The ethanolic extract (EE) of PS and its four fractions as PEE (petroleum ether extract), AcOEtE (ethyl acetate extract), BTE (butanol extract), and WE (water extract), were prepared and biologically evaluated. BTE exhibited the best antioxidant activity among all these extracts, in both ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. AcOEtE was superior to other extracts in herbicidal assay against both Festuca elata Keng (IC₅₀ of 0.48 mg mL⁻¹) and Amaranthus retroflexus L. (IC₅₀ of 0.94 mg mL⁻¹). Meanwhile, both AcOEtE and BTE demonstrated inhibitory effects against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, with MIC ranging 2.5–5.0 mg mL⁻¹. Furthermore, the primary chemical components involving naringin, deacetylnomilin, limonin, nomilin, and obacunone, were quantified in all these extracts. PCA (principal component analysis) suggested that naringin might highly contribute to the antioxidant activity of PS, and the herbicidal activity should be ascribed to limonoids. This study successfully identified AcOEtE and BTE as naturally occurring antioxidant, antibacterial, and herbicidal agents, showing application potential in food and cosmetics industries, and organic farming agriculture.     

23种中草药的体外抗菌活性筛选研究

为考察中草药抗菌物质基础筛选出活性提取物,该研究通过80%乙醇冷浸和95%乙醇回流提取制备23种中草药的提取物,采用琼脂扩散法测量抑菌圈直径,用微量液体培养基倍比稀释法测定最低抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration,MBC/MFC),并测定了提取物对临床4种常见病原菌体外抗菌活性。结果表明:紫珠草、千斤拔、黄龙尾等9种中草药对金黄色葡萄球菌有较强的抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值除个别菌是12.5 mg·mL~(-1)外,其他都在0.09～3.12 mg·mL~(-1)之间;千斤拔、大红袍、过江龙等5种中草药对铜绿假单胞菌有较强抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值在3.12～12.5 mg·mL~(-1)之间;紫珠草、千里光、石楠等13种中草药对大肠埃希菌有较强的抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值在0.09～6.25 mg·mL~(-1)之间;八角对白色念珠菌有较强抑菌活性,其MIC/MFC值在0.78～12.5 mg·mL~(-1)之间。23种中草药的抗细菌活性较好,尤其是千斤拔、大红袍、过江龙、八角、黄药子对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌都具有较好的抑菌活性,具有广谱抗菌活性;但对真菌抑菌效果不明显,仅有八角对白色念珠菌有抑菌活性。此外,提取溶剂浓度、提取温度和提取时间对中草药的提取率和活性均有影响,冷提稍优于热提。     

Depolymerization of Hyaluronic Acid by D-Fructose 6-Phosphate

Depolymerization of hyaluronic acid obtained from Streptococcus zooepidemicus by D-fructose 6-phosphate was investigated for characterization of reducing sugar-mediated degradation of biopolymers under physiological conditions. The extent of depolymerization was monitored by the decrease of viscosity of a reaction mixture containing 1.0% hyaluronic acid, D-fructose 6-phosphate, and 1.0 × 10^?2 mM of Cu²⁺ in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. It was found that the depolymerization of hyaluronic acid was dependent on the concentration of the reducing sugar and was specifically accelerated by the presence of Cu²⁺. The reaction was found to be significantly inhibited by catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), 1,2-dihy­ droxybenzene 3,5-disulfonic acid (Tiron), and chelating agents such as EDTA and diethylene triamine penta­ acetic acid (DETAPAC), although the inhibition by SOD was low. Almost the same depolymerization rates were observed in hyaluronic acid preparations of different molecular weight (1.1 × 10⁶, 8.8 × 10⁵, and 6.8 × 10⁵). The rates, however, were different for hyaluronic acids obtained from S. zooepidemicus, rooster comb, and umbilical cord. It was concluded that depolymerization of the polysaccharide was caused by active oxygen species generated by the autoxidation of D-fructose 6-phosphate in the presence of Cu²⁺, in a mechanism similar to that previously reported for the degradation of DNA and inactivation of virus in vitro.     

A Prospective of Multiple Biopharmaceutical Activities of Procyanidins-Rich Uapaca togoensis Pax Extracts: HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS Coupled with Bioinformatics Analysis

The article reports the chemical composition, antioxidant, six key enzymes inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of two solvent extracts (water and methanol) of leaves and stem bark of Uapaca togoensis. For chemical composition, methanol extract of stem bark exhibited significant higher total phenolic (129.86 mg GAE/g) and flavanol (10.44 mg CE/g) contents. Methanol extract of leaves and water extract of stem bark showed high flavonoids (20.94 mg RE/g) and phenolic acid (90.40 mg CAE/g) content, respectively. In addition, HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS analysis revealed that U. togoensis was rich in procyanidins. The methanol and water extracts of stem bark had overall superior antioxidant activity; however, only methanol extract of stem bark showed higher inhibition of cholinesterase (AChE: 2.57 mg GALAE/g; BChE: 4.69 mg GALAE/g), tyrosinase (69.53 mg KAE/g) and elastase (2.73 mmol CE/g). Potent metal chelating ability was showed by water extract of leaves (18.94 mg EDTAE/g), higher inhibition of amylase was detected for water extracts of leaves (0.94 mmol ACAE/g) and stem bark (0.92 mmol ACAE/g). The tested extracts have shown wide-spectrum antibacterial properties and these effects have shown to be more effective against Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium funiculosum, Trichoderma viride, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results revealed that the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and antimicrobial activities depended on the extraction solvents and the parts of plant. Bioinformatics analysis on the 17 major compounds showed modulation of pathway associated with cancer. In brief, U. togoensis might be valuable as potential source of natural agents for therapeutic application.     

喷施铜和硼肥对忍冬生理生化及其茎藤指标成分的影响

以4年生忍冬为试验材料，采用盆栽和叶面喷施方式，设置不同质量浓度的铜肥(10，30，50 mg/L Cu²⁺，分别表示为Cu₁₀、Cu₃₀、Cu₅₀)和硼肥(20，40，60 mg/L B₄O^2-₇，分别表示为B₂₀、B₄₀、B₆₀)及其配施组合处理，测定忍冬叶片的光合参数以及茎藤的营养物质、药效成分含量、矿质离子含量，探究施铜和硼肥对忍冬光合生理、营养物质、矿质离子及其茎藤品质的影响，为优化忍冬栽培技术和提高其药材品质提供理论参考。结果表明：(1)喷施一定质量浓度的铜硼肥有助于提高忍冬叶片的净光合速率，尤以B₄₀Cu₅₀配施处理最佳；适宜质量浓度的铜硼肥有利于增加总叶绿素含量，高质量浓度的铜硼肥则起抑制作用。(2)配施铜硼肥对忍冬藤中营养物质及药效成分含量的影响比单施铜、硼肥更显著，其中B₄₀Cu₅₀处理可显著提高忍冬藤中可溶性蛋白、淀粉、还原糖含量，B₂₀Cu₁₀处理可显著提高可溶性糖含量；有利于忍冬藤中绿原酸和马钱苷积累的最佳配施处理分别是B₆₀Cu₅₀和B20Cu₃₀。(3)喷施铜硼肥对忍冬藤矿质离子的含量也具有显著的影响，单施与配施铜硼肥处理忍冬藤矿质离子含量均有增加，且配施铜硼肥比单施铜硼肥增加效果显著，尤以B₂₀Cu₁₀、B₂₀Cu₃₀、B₂₀Cu₅₀处理最佳。综合考虑，B₄₀Cu₅₀配施处理可有效增加忍冬藤的营养与药用指标成分含量，是忍冬叶面喷施铜和硼肥的最佳比例。     

Purification of Oat Debranching Enzyme and Occurrence of Inactive Debranching Enzyme in Cereals

The interaction of some anthracycline antibiotics (adriamycin, daunomycin, aclacinomycin-A) with bacteriophage ?X174 was investigated. Adriamycin and daunomycin inactivated the infectivity of both free ?X174 phage and naked single-stranded ?X174 DNA without DNA strand scission, but aclacinomycin-A did not show this action. The phage inactivation reaction was reversibly inhibited by Superoxide dismutase, catalase or other oxygen radical scavengers. The inactivation of ?X174 by adriamycin and aclacinomycin-A was stimulated by the addition of Cu²⁺, while the ?X174 inactivation by daunomycin was inhibited by the addition of Cu²⁺. The ?X174 inactivation by adriamycin and aclacinomycin-A in the presence of Cu²⁺ was caused by degradation of DNA, and this inactivation reaction was inhibited irreversibly by oxygen radical scavengers. These results indicate that anthracycline antibiotics bind to ?X174 DNA in the form of free radicals and that during the auto-oxidation of these antibiotics in the presence of Cu²⁺, oxygen radicals were generated to cause the degradation of ?X174 DNA.     

Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of Chalcone Derivatives as Multifunctional Agents against Alzheimer's Disease

Fifteen chalcone derivatives 3a – 3o were synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional agents against Alzheimer's disease. In vitro studies revealed that these compounds inhibited self-induced Aβ_1-42 aggregation effectively ranged from 45.9–94.5 % at 20 μM, and acted as potential antioxidants. Their structure-activity relationships were summarized. In particular, (2E)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one ( 3g ) exhibited an excellent inhibitory activity of 94.5 % at 20 μM, and it could disassemble the self-induced Aβ_1-42 aggregation fibrils with ratio of 57.1 % at 20 μM concentration. In addition, compound 3g displayed good chelating ability for Cu²⁺, and could effectively inhibit and disaggregate Cu²⁺-induced Aβ aggregation. Moreover, compound 3g exerted low cytotoxicity, significantly reversed Aβ_1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cell damage. More importantly, compound 3g remarkably ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. In summary, all the results revealed compound 3g was a potential multifunctional agent for AD therapy.     

Effects of copper on expression of methane monooxygenases,trichloroethylene degradation,and community structure in methanotrophic consortia

Copper plays a key role in regulating the expression of enzymes that promote biodegradation of contaminants in methanotrophic consortia (MC). Here, we utilized MC isolated from landfill cover to investigate cometabolic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) at nine different copper (Cu²⁺) concentrations. The results demonstrated that an increase in Cu²⁺ concentration from 0 to 15 μM altered the specific first‐order rate constant k_1,TCE, the expression levels of methane monooxygenase (pmoA and mmoX) genes, and the specific activity of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO). High efficiency TCE degradation (95%) and the expression levels of methane monooxygenase (MMO) were detected at a Cu²⁺ concentration of 0.03 μM. Notably, sMMO‐specific activity ranged from 74.41 nmol/(mg_cell h) in 15 μM Cu²⁺ to 654.99 nmol/(mg_cell h) in 0.03 μM Cu²⁺, which contrasts with cultures of pure methanotrophs in which sMMO activity is depressed at high Cu²⁺ concentrations, indicating a special regulatory role for Cu²⁺ in MC. The results of MiSeq pyrosequencing indicated that higher Cu²⁺ concentrations stimulated the growth of methanotrophic microorganisms in MC. These findings have important implications for the elucidation of copper‐mediated regulatory mechanisms in MC.     

Secretory expression and characterization of a soluble laccase from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ganoderma lucidum</Emphasis> strain 7071-9 in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Laccases are strong oxidizing enzymes that oxidize chlorinated phenols, synthetic dyes, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as a very wide range of other compounds with high redox potential. Based on the bias of genetic codons between fungus and yeast, we synthesized a laccase gene GlLCCI, originated from Ganoderma lucidum using optimized codons and a PCR-based two-step DNA synthesis method. The recombinant laccase, GlLCCI was successfully over-expressed in yeast, Pichia pastoris, with an alcohol oxidase1 promoter. The recombinant GlLCCI has a molecular mass of approximately 58 kDa. The K _m values of GlLCCI for 2-2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and guaiacol were 0.9665, and 1.1122 mM, respectively. The V _max of GlLCCI for both substrates was 3,024 and 82.13 μM mg⁻¹ min⁻¹. When ABTS was used as a substrate, the enzyme had an optimal temperature of approximately 55°C. The enzyme was detected over pH values from 2 to 8. The enzyme was strongly activated by K⁺, Na⁺, Cu²⁺ and mannitol. Six amino acids (alanine, histidine, glycine, arginine, aspartate and phenylalanine) increased the catalytic ability of the enzyme. The activity of laccase was obviously inhibited by Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, sodium hydrosulphite, and sodium azide. Additionally, under optimal conditions, GlLCCI decolorized 37.62 mg l⁻¹ of azo dye methyl orange (MO) in cultural medium. With a high MO degradation ability, GlLCCI may have potential in the treatment of industrial effluent containing azo dye MO.     

Dye decolorization by sub-tropical basidiomycetous fungi and the effect of metals on decolorizing ability

White-rot basidiomycetous fungi from sub-tropical forests plus a Phanerochaete chrysosporium control were able to decolorize several azo, triphenylmethane and heterocyclic/polymeric dyes over 14 days. The effects of metal ions on decolorizing ability towards the dye Poly-R varied. Two sub-tropical strains were capable of decolorization in the presence of up to 0.25 mM Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, whereas decolorization by P. chrysosporium was completely inhibited by all metals at concentrations as low as 0.1 mM. In all cases decolorizing ability was more sensitive than biomass production to metal inhibition.     

Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from mangrove fungal endophytes

The aim of this work was to select endophytic fungi from mangrove plants that produced antimicrobial substances. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) or minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of crude extracts from 150 isolates were determined against potential human pathogens by a colorimetric microdilution method. Ninety-two isolates (61.3%) produced inhibitory compounds. Most of the extracts (28–32%) inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC/MBC 4–200/64–200 μg ml⁻¹). Only two extracts inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC/MBC 200/>200 μg ml⁻¹). 25.5 and 11.7% inhibited Microsporum gypseum and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC/MFC 4–200/8–200 μg ml⁻¹ and 8–200/8–200 μg ml⁻¹, respectively), while 7.5% were active against Candida albicans (MIC/MFC 32–200/32–200 μg ml⁻¹). None of the extracts inhibited Escherichia coli. The most active fungal extracts were from six genera, Acremonium, Diaporthe, Hypoxylon, Pestalotiopsis, Phomopsis, and Xylaria as identified using morphological and molecular methods. Phomopsis sp. MA194 (GU592007, GU592018) isolated from Rhizophora apiculata showed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum with low MIC values of 8–32 μg ml⁻¹against Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts and M. gypseum. It was concluded that endophytic fungi from mangrove plants are diverse, many produce compounds with antimicrobial activity and could be suitable sources of new antimicrobial natural products.