Current Biotechnology - Volume 9, Issue 4, 2020

Background: Plastic materials are ubiquitous and, despite the great benefits and advantages that the materials provide to human beings and society, their harmful effects are remarkable. Plastics’ ingestion is harmful and can occur through microplastics and their by-products (BPA and DEHP). It can trigger health problems. Also, the material decomposition time is significant and consequently, plastic waste accumulates in the environment, posing a major problem to fauna and flora. Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop a review of conventional plastics’ negative aspect in human and environmental life, as well as to study the existing biological and molecular strategies for the production of biodegradable plastics, making a comparison of their advantages over conventional plastics, in favor of socio-environmental welfare. Methods: In this review, articles published in the last 20 years related to different aspects of conventional plastics and biodegradable plastics were accurately analyzed and reviewed. The subjects addressed ranged from conventional plastics and the problems related to their large-scale production, as well as biodegradable plastics, their advantages and the most recent advances in the development of production methods and improvement of these biopolymers were extensively reviewed and discussed concisely. Results: The present study demonstrated that, among the biopolymers discussed, thermoplastic starch (TPS) is the most promising one due to its low cost, being one of the best materials to provide a viable alternative in the search for biodegradable plastics. Polylactic acid (PLA) presents the greatest potential for future medical applications due to its unique physicochemical properties and the possibility of being used in 3D printing techniques.Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have the greatest commercial potential in replacing fossil fuel-based plastics because of their similar properties to conventional plastics and because they are synthesized by microorganisms from renewable carbon sources. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the various harmful effects that the large-scale use and improper disposal of conventional plastic materials generated to the environment and human health, and proposed an alternative to this problem, the biodegradable plastics. Although this study presented three promising biodegradable plastics (TPS, PLA and PHAs), as well as described their production methods, there are currently no viable biodegradable plastic polymers that can be used for the total replacement of conventional plastics, especially from an economic perspective. However, in the future, modifications in the production methods and chemical structures of these polymers will allow the replacement of conventional plastics by biodegradable plastics, as well as a more extensive application of these biopolymers.

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an essential enzyme in catalyzing the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and uric acid in the kidney. Excessive formation of uric acid can lead to hyperuricemia (HUA), a condition caused by excess uric acid contamination in the blood. HUA is responsible for various diseases in the body, such as gout, cardiovascular, and renal failure. It is also associated with numerous inflammatory diseases and their metabolic pathways, including tumors, chronic hypoxia, renal injury, and hypertension. XO is a superoxide producing enzyme usually confined to lungs, liver, and blood serum. Blood assay and diagnostics for XO help in a better understanding of its associated diseases in the human body. The mechanism of how XO is released in the bloodstream is a matter of debate in medical science. In the current review article, we comprehensively discussed the role of XO in human health, inhibitors, and their regulation, isolation, and extractions of inhibitors from plants, types, and their activities towards the human health perspective are described.

The review is an attempt to introduce the readers in brief about biofilms and their implications as well as some new perceptions in biotechnology. Biofilms are adherent microbial communities, which are developed on submerged surfaces in aquatic environments. Biofilms play a significant role in exopolymer production, material deterioration and also cause harmful infections. Further, the role of corrosion causing biofilm bacteria in deterioration of different materials, microbial biofilms and their enzymatic processes in reducing the toxicity of pollutants in industrial effluents are elaborated, along with clean technologies for wastewater treatment. Biotechnology is defined as any technological application that uses biological systems to synthesize or modify products or processes. The applications include biochemical processes, medical care, cell and tissue culture, as well as synthetic biology and others. Synthetic biology details about the design, construction of new biological components and systems for useful purposes. Finally, to overcome the limitations that are inherent to the use of cellular host’s, cell-free systems as critical platforms for synthetic biology applications. This mini-review also mentions new diagnostic products based on enzymes, monoclonal antibodies and engineered proteins, as well as novel prophylactic vaccines.

Background: V. planifolia is of tremendous commercial importance as a source of an important flavor, vanilla, which is the backbone of the culinary and perfumery industry. Hence, efforts to ease cultivation and promote growth in this plant are the need of the hour. Nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) gene family, a class of vital transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in a large number of developmental processes. Objective: The present study aims to identify and characterize NF-Y gene family in Vanilla planifolia which would bring insights to their role as key factors promoting growth and development in this orchid. Methods: Physico-chemical characterization, protein structure prediction and interaction, the establishment of evolutionary relationship and expression profiling were attempted using various in silico tools. Results: Twenty five putative NF-Y members were identified in Vanilla planifolia, which were further classified into three sub-classes, NF-YA (13), NF-YB (7) and NF-YC (5), on the basis of specific domains and conserved regions. Prediction of three-dimensional structure was done on the basis of structural similarity with NF-Y structure templates. Evolutionary analysis of the NF-Ys of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa classified these into three major clusters, which indicated the similarity of functions. Variable expression of VpNF-Y genes confirmed their role in diverse functions. VpNF-YA genes generally showed higher expression in vegetative tissues, while a few VpNF-YBs showed seed-specific expression. Protein-protein interaction indicated complex formation for optimum function. Conclusion: This work paves way for further functional characterization of NF-Y genes in Vanilla planfolia.

Introduction: Soybean is an essential legume crop that has grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh. It supplies over 25% of the vegetable oil requirement of the country and a substantial quantum of protein-rich by-product for animal feed requirements. Viral diseases caused by Begomoviruses, it is transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), responsible for yield reduction and economic losses in soybean production in Madhya Pradesh. Objective: The research aimed to detect Begomovirus such as Mungbean Yellow Mosaic India Virus (MYMIV) in soybean around District Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India, and construct a phylogenetic tree to study the evolutionary relationship. Methods: The disease percentage caused by Begomovirus present in soybean plants was analyzed using yellowing symptomatic samples in soybean in production areas. DNA isolation was performed from the collected symptomatic samples showing yellowing by using the CTAB method. The detection of Begomovirus MYMIV was carried out, encoded by coat protein (CP) genes by using specific primer-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Evolutionary relationship studies have been carried out further by constructing a phylogenetic tree with the help of bioinformatics tools. Results: Results indicated that the incidence of disease ranged from 68.4-94.8%. An amplified PCR product with ~510 bp region of coat protein was amplified from infected samples of soybean. The nucleotide sequences of viral cp shared maximum nucleotide identity (94-99%) with previously identified Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus strains. The analyzed samples were formed with separate clusters with Begomoviruses, MYMIV. Infecting legumes indicated that virus related to the yellow mosaic disease has a close association with MYMIV. Conclusion: All such studies will help support disease observation and control the whitefly Begomovirus in soybean which is an economically important crop by the implementation of management programs.

Background: As an effective alternative to conventional suture techniques, topical hemostatic agents are widely used to control bleeding and close wounds in surgeries. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel hydrogel hemostat that is easy to use in an applicator under normal conditions according to ISO 10993. Methods: The safety of DexGel, a natural surgical hemostat containing mainly dextran that is an effective hydrogel in bleeding stop, was evaluated and compared to that of Arista^TM. APTT test and cytotoxicity tests (i.e., MTT assay, Crystal violet assay, and qualitative estimation) were carried out for considering safety in skin sensitization in a guinea pig model. Results: This study has shown that DexGel does not cause any noticeable sensitization such as edema and erythema or observable toxicity for skin and does not disturb the coagulation process. In addition, cytotoxicity results approve its safety for cell survival. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the safety and efficacy of DexGel (5 g) are comparable or even better to that of Arista^TM, which is a commercial and frequently used hemostat, and the lack of skin irritation and toxicity for DexGel alleviates initial safety concerns for products based on these polymers and oligomers.

Background: Phytochemicals such as tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and peptides have been found to have antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacterial strains. Objective: However, optimal extraction procedures for these phytochemicals and their efficacy evaluation against certain pathogenic bacterial strains remain unclear. Methods: Therefore, in this study, phytochemicals from Leucas aspera (L. aspera) and Dahlia pinnata (D. pinnata) were extracted by hot and cold extraction methods using water and methanol as solvents. In addition, antimicrobial activity of L. aspera and D. pinnata extracts against bacterial strains such as the gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was performed by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and CFU quantification assays. Results: The majority of the phytochemicals such as protein, carbohydrate, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and saponins were present in our extracts, but steroids were absent in the extract. Protein, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and saponins were present in both L. aspera and D. pinnata. The yield of proteins was high (1.990 ± 0.091 mg/ml) in methanol extracts of L. aspera and low (0.199 mg/ml) in aqueous extracts. However, the yield of tannins was high (1.713 ± 0.079 mg/ml) in methanol extracts of D. pinnata and low (0.528 ± 0.136 mg/ml) in aqueous extracts. The MIC of D. pinnata extracts were found to be 200 mg/ml for both E. coli and E. faecalis. However, the L. aspera extracts had an MIC of 100 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml on E. coli and E. faecalis, respectively. Conclusion: This article demonstrated the potential use of phytochemicals as novel antimicrobial compounds against bacterial infections.

Background: The Nanomaterials/Nanoparticles are of great interest today because of their small size and large surface area, modular and easily tunable morphology and size. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles are widely used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Research on the synthesis and properties of metallic nanomaterials is a growing field of nanotechnology due to the use of nanoparticles in the scientific, technical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields. Green synthesis is an emerging technology for the production of nanoparticles due to its many advantages over traditional physical processes and the method of chemical synthesis. Methods: In this study, we report the cost-effective, long-lasting, stable, and regenerative aqueous extract of Elettaria cardamom seeds to target the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). This method is completely green, free from toxic and harmful solvents. CuO NPs were synthesized from a cupric nitrate mixture and the aqueous extracts of Elettaria cardamom seeds were kept at room temperature for 24 h. CuO NPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier Transfer infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) analyzes. UV - Vis spectroscopy revealed the presence of CuO NPs. Results: SEM images stated that the particles were spherical and ranged in size from 1–100nm. FTIR spectra of control (seed extract) and synthesized CuO NPs identify functional groups of active components. In addition, the synthesized CuO NPs were tested for antimicrobial activity by standard disc diffusion method. Conclusion: Nanoparticles found that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus resistant areas were observed around each well with antimicrobial activity against disease-causing pathogenic strains.

Introduction: Novel Therapeutic Phytochemical studies are based on the use of plants in the production of drugs. The present study was carried out to perform the screening of phytochemicals and their quantitative analysis to assess in-vitro antioxidant activities of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima. FT-IR and GC-MS analyses of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were also conducted. Methods: The investigation of qualitative and determination of quantitative phytochemical analysis were performed using standard procedures. The total alkaloid, flavonoid, phenols, and tannin content were determined spectrophotometrically. DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) free radical scavenging activity of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were estimated by standard protocol. The identification of functional groups was made using plant leaf extracts by FTIR and GCMS. Results: The hydroethanolic leaf extract of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima gives positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, carbohydrates, tannins, amino acids, and proteins. The content of total alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins varies from 8.4 AE/g, 3.3 CE/g, 2.9, and 3.2 GAE/g, respectively. The antioxidant assay and IC50 values were found to be DPPH (43.3μg/ml), ABTS (46.1 μg/ml), and ascorbic acid (41μg/ml), respectively and concentration ranging from 20 to 100 μg/ml. Functional groups were also identified using the extract by FTIR and GCMS. Conclusion: From this work, it can be concluded that the presence of phyto-component makes the plant useful in the treatment of various diseases. As such, it has been found that the hydroethanolic leaf extract of the plant contains more components and is beneficial for further research.