Biotechnology
A Review on Adaption of Microbiomes to Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons: An Alternate Approach to Environment Sustainability
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified as catastrophic pollutants that can damage both the environment and human health. To restore a healthy surrounding an environmental expert targeted the PAH contamination reduction strategy. Bioremediation techniques are overruling the conventional techniques due to their high disbursement and inefficient outcomes. Several PAHs including Pyrene (PYR) Chrysene (CHY) Benz[a]anthracene (BaA) Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) Fluoranthene (FLU) Indenol [123-cd] pyrene (INP) Benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP) and Dibenz [a h] anthracene (DBA) have been identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic mutagenic and teratogenic. Since PAHs are less hydrophilic and have more lipophilic properties they are readily absorbed from the GIT of mammals. Grilled beef and chicken meat that had been charcoal-grilled contained Anthracene (ANT) BaP Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) Phenanthrene (PHE) and PYR. The highest dietary daily intake of BkF was reported to be 1.09 µg/ day in the intestine of grilled beef and 23.22 µg/day in the stomach of grilled chicken. A number of bacterial species have been identified in the biodegradation of PAHs including Mycobacterium gilvum (M. gilvum) Sphingobium chlorophenolicum (S. chlorophenolicum) Bacillus halotolerans Mycobacterium flavescens (M. flavescens) Micrococcus luteus Crassostrea gigas Crassostrea gasar and Crassostrea rhizophorae Pseudomonas putida Rhodococcus wratislaviensis and Kocuria rosea. Fungi including Arbuscular mycorrhiza Aspergillus ficuum Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus used PAHs as the source of carbon and energy for survival. To a certain extent algae such as Selenastrum capricornutum and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) also depend on PAHs to survive. There are plenty of patents that have been sanctioned including the process for producing PAHs through recycling of low molecular weight alkanes the removal process of PAHs from the terrestrial habitats the identification of PAHs fingerprints the utilization of microbes obtained from different resources to degrade the PAHs into minimum catastrophic products and so on. This review aims to highlight the calamitous effect of high molecular weight PAHs on the surrounding and humankind as well as the advancement in bioremediation approaches in recent years. The authors also addressed the newly isolated microbiomes including bacteria fungi algae and others as promising candidates for using PAHs as a source of carbon and energy.
Pharmacological Applications of Fava d'anta: A Patent Review
A significant portion of the population in low-income countries relies on medicinal plants for healthcare. Fava d'anta is an important species in Brazil due to its bioactive compounds like quercetin and rutin. These compounds have various pharmaceutical applications but the sustainability of their exploitation is challenged by overharvesting necessitating sustainable management practices and further biotechnological advancements. The study conducted a comprehensive review of fava d'anta patents and their applications in various pharmacological activities which are crucial for the development of new medicines and formulations. Patents were searched in four specialized patent databases: The United States Patent and Trademark Office the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Espacenet and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). A total of 109 patents were identified through document collection with 26 patents meeting the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed a global concentration of innovation in regions like Europe and the United States. Fava d'anta has demonstrated a wide range of therapeutic properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects largely attributed to polyphenols. These bioactive components have shown potential in diverse applications from nutraceuticals to cosmetics. Patent registrations highlight the significant potential of Dimorphandra species for phytoproducts particularly due to compounds like quercetin and rutin but further studies are needed to explore their mechanisms of action and enhance technological applications especially in cosmetics.
Biosurfactants Used in the Bioremediation of Soils Contaminated with Hydrocarbons – Overview of the State of the Art and Future Perspectives
The increasing industrialization and hydrocarbon use have led to concerning soil contamination. Oil spills and improper disposal of oily waste pose threats to ecosystems and human health. The recovery of these environments is essential but separating oily components from soil remains challenging. Current bioremediation strategies using synthetic surfactants can cause secondary contamination. Microbial biosurfactants which are biodegradable and low in toxicity emerge as promising solutions and this study reviews methods for utilizing these biosurfactants in the environmental bioremediation of hydrocarbons.
This study explores the efficient and eco-friendly use of biosurfactants for hydrocarbon-contaminated soil management providing a market-oriented analysis of recent patents and trends and highlighting the transition from academic research to industrial applications.
The methodology involves an extensive literature review careful selection of recent studies and patents on biosurfactants in hydrocarbon bioremediation critical analysis of in-situ and ex-situ application methods assessment of commercial viability and synthesis of findings to contribute to sustainable solutions in contaminated environments.
The present study demonstrates the extensive applicability of biosurfactants across various industrial sectors. The increasing interest in incorporating biosurfactants into industrial processes is driven by the pressing need for sustainable solutions to address tangible market challenges. Notably the cosmetics industry exhibited the highest number of patents related to the use of biosurfactants underscoring its significant role in advancing the adoption of these environmentally friendly agents. This trend highlights the critical demand for sustainable alternatives in product formulations and underscores the pivotal role of biosurfactants in fostering eco-innovation within the industry.
Pharmacological Approaches and Innovative Strategies for Individualized Patient Care
Personalized medicine is an evolving paradigm that aims to tailor therapeutic interventions to individual patient characteristics. With a growing understanding of the genetic epigenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying diseases tailored therapies are becoming more feasible and effective. This review highlights the significant advancements in personalized medicine focusing specifically on pharmacological strategies. The article explores the integration of genomics transcriptomics proteomics and metabolomics in drug development and therapy optimization. Pharmacogenomics the customization of drug therapy based on an individual's genetic makeup receives particular emphasis. This leads to the identification of specific biomarkers that can predict therapeutic response drug toxicity and susceptibility to various diseases. Additionally the development of patented drugs and personalized therapeutic approaches based on these discoveries underscores the innovation in this field. Together with computational tools and artificial intelligence these advancements contribute to tailored treatment plans for patients with conditions such as cancer cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. We also highlight the challenges and ethical considerations in implementing personalized medicine such as data privacy cost-effectiveness and accessibility. We outline future prospects and ongoing research in this field emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between researchers clinicians pharmacists and regulatory authorities.
Renewable and Sustainable Biorefinery: A Patent Review
Biorefineries can refer to forms of fuel production through renewable biomass derivatives using different structures of lignocellulosic material such as lignin hemicellulose and cellulose. From lignin we can produce natural binders and adhesives among other products. With hemicellulose we can produce emulsifiers resins or lubricants for example. Using cellulose we can produce fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel or even solvents. Fuels from biorefineries can replace totally or partially non-renewable fuels that pollute the environment such as oil. Considering the climate emergency we are experiencing the tendency to reduce the availability of oil and the negative environmental impacts caused by it fuels obtained through the processing of renewable plant materials present themselves as a good alternative to replacing fossil fuels. First-generation ethanol (1G) can be obtained by fermenting for example sugar cane juice. Second-generation (2G) ethanol can be obtained by processing lignocellulosic waste. In this process there must be pre-treatment and hydrolysis of the biomass before the fermentation and distillation processes. Third-generation ethanol (3G) can be obtained through the fermentation of substrate present in microalgae. Fourth-generation ethanol (4G) in turn involves the integration of production processes from other generations increasing the efficiency of 2G and 3G processes for ethanol production.
The objective of this study was to investigate the scenario of patent registrations filed both on the google patents platform and espacenet which proposes the production of fuels from biorefineries that are renewable and sustainable.
Although there are other lignocellulosic products originating from biorefineries we will limit ourselves to patents aimed at the production of cellulosic ethanol. The search covered patents filed in the last 5 years (2019-2023). The 10 patents from each of the 3 biotechnological areas were selected classified as agriculture environment and bioprocesses/bioengineering totaling 30 patents to be analyzed. After selecting patents through the insertion of keywords and Boolean operators the patents were selected by reading the title its summary and finally the full document to verify which were aligned with the study.
Analysis of the documents revealed that in most cases China leads the way in patent applications involving the use of fuels such as cellulosic ethanol which are environmentally renewable and sustainable. The main strategies for the production of renewable and sustainable fuels in the context of biorefineries explore mechanisms for reusing agricultural waste pre-treatment of residual biomass and reuse of biorefinery waste among other technologies.
The future perspective is that the production of renewable and sustainable energy such as that coming from biorefinery fuels has solved its challenges and contributes to the growing global energy transition process. Analyzing and incorporating advances found through patent analysis into technological development provides mechanisms for better performance in the biorefinery sector. In addition to innovations it is possible to analyze economic and environmental challenges promoting integrated strategies that combine sustainability and commercial viability. Thus the energy transition can be accelerated with solutions that increase the efficiency and technological innovation of biorefineries.
Exploration of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Production Potential of Photosynthetic Microbes: A Sustainable Source of Bioplastic
The present study examined Polyhydroxy butyrate production (PHB) potential of different photosynthetic microbes such as Chlorella vulgaris Scenedesmus obliquus and Rhodobacter capsulatus-PK under different nutrient conditions. Biodegradable bioplastics such as Poly-β-hydroxybutyrates (PHB) derived from these microbes provide a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based non-degradable plastics.
As the demand for clean and sustainable alternatives rises bio-plastic is gaining attention as a viable substitute to conventional plastics. However conventional sources of bio-plastic production have inherent limitations which can be effectively addressed through the utilization of photosynthetic microbes e.g. microalgae purple non sulphur bacteria.
The production of bioplastic was evaluated by cultivating the microalgae in BG-11 BBM and PNSB in synthetic growth media (MI MII) with different nitrogen concentrations of 0% 50% and 100%. The biopolymer (PHB) was obtained from all experiments in a wide range of concentration (7-42.8%) of dry cell weight (DCW).
In this study algal isolate SK1 demonstrated the highest PHB content (42.8%) in BBM under 100% nitrogen starvations rendering the bioplastic exceptionally compatible and suitable for eco-friendly applications. Additionally various patents cited by different authors on different aspects of microbial bioplastic production.
Nutrition depletion such as nitrogen scarcity induced stressful growth conditions that resulted in highest accumulation of the biopolymer PHB. Optimizing nitrogen availability is key to maximizing PHB production making it a viable sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
The Effect of Green-Synthesized Nanoparticles on Dental Caries-Causing Bacteria: A Systematic Review
The primary objective of this review was to investigate the therapeutic implications of green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles such as silver and zinc nanoparticles in addressing dental caries with a focus on their antibacterial properties and potential to improve current treatment modalities.
In this study a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed Google Scholar SID Scopus Medline and Web of Science as well as selected herbal medicine journals. The inclusion of herbal medicine journals was justified by the growing interest in green-synthesized nanoparticles derived from plant extracts which are relevant to the focus of this review. Articles published between 2015 and 2023 were evaluated. To ensure a robust selection process studies were assessed for quality using specific criteria beyond the AXIS checklist including study design sample size and methodological rigor. Any discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. This approach aimed to minimize bias and ensure the inclusion of high-quality studies that contribute meaningfully to the review’s objectives.
In this study 22 clinical trials were reviewed and the effectiveness of synthesized nanoparticles was demonstrated in nearly all of them. The nanoparticles found to be most effective against tooth decay-causing bacteria include silver zinc selenium nickel and copper nanoparticles. To provide greater clarity key findings such as nanoparticle size minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and specific antibacterial effects are presented in a table. Additionally a more in-depth comparison was made between these nanoparticles focusing on their relative effectiveness under different conditions. For example silver nanoparticles were consistently effective across various trials due to their strong antimicrobial properties while zinc and copper nanoparticles showed efficacy in specific concentrations and against particular bacterial strains. Furthermore green-synthesized nanoparticles were compared with those produced using traditional methods evaluating factors such as effectiveness scalability and safety to provide a comprehensive understanding of their potential in dental caries treatment.
According to the literature review nanoparticles with antibacterial properties have the potential to serve as an alternative or complement to conventional chemical treatments for combating tooth decay. Future research should focus on exploring specific types of nanoparticles such as green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles (e.g. silver and zinc) which have shown promising antibacterial effects Many of these ideas are patentable. Additionally more emphasis should be placed on optimizing synthesis methods that enhance biocompatibility and scalability for clinical use. The development of affordable treatment options using medicinal plants for green synthesis is particularly promising and should be further explored to make nanoparticle-based therapies more accessible in clinical settings.
Halo-tolerant Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhancing Mustard Seed Growth Under Salinity Stress for Sustainable Agriculture
Salinity is one of the primary environmental factors that significantly impact global crop production. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation to crops improves the productivity of the crops.
To develop a biofertilizer specifically for saline soil bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of mustard plants along with the plant growth-promoting traits grown in saline soil (EC 6 dS m). Halotolerant 22 bacterial strains were isolated and identified from the rhizospheric soil mustard crop Purvanchal (Indian state). According to the study 54.54% of the isolates had phosphate solubilization efficiencies ranging from 7% to 27% on plate assays. According to quantitative measurements 63.63% of the strains exhibited the ability to solubilize phosphate with degrees of solubilization varying between 0.49 and 3.34 µg/ml. Furthermore 50% of the isolates showed the ability to solubilize zinc with solubilization rates varying from 12% to 53%. Further 59.09% of the bacterial strains showed ammonium production test; these strains were classified as having low (+) medium (++) and high (+++) levels of ammonium production.
According to the research these halo-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have particular functional properties that may help mustard crops grow more rapidly in salinity-stressed environments. Because these PGPR strains increase nutrient availability and stimulate plant development they may find use in agriculture especially in saline settings.
The study emphasizes how crucial it is to use PGPR with particular nutrient mobilization features to promote crop growth under difficult circumstances. The identification of these efficient strains may lead to the development of patent biofertilizers designed for saline soils further supporting their application in modern agricultural practices.
Optimized Protocol for Sorghum Regeneration: Enhancing Embryogenic Callus Formation from Immature Inflorescences
This study aims to develop an efficient and reproducible in vitro protocol for high-frequency embryogenic callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration in multiple sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars thereby establishing a foundation for genetic transformation mutation breeding and other biotechnological applications aimed at enhancing sorghum crop improvement and productivity.
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important cereal crop known for its adaptability to harsh environments and nutritional value. Despite its significance sorghum remains challenging for in vitro propagation due to difficulties in regenerating callus tissue especially from monocotyledonous explants. Callus induction and regeneration protocols are crucial for genetic transformation mutation breeding and biotechnological applications in sorghum improvement.
To establish an effective in vitro protocol for callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration using different sorghum cultivars optimizing conditions for high-frequency embryogenic callus formation and plant regeneration.
Six sorghum cultivars (IS 3477 IS 33095 IS 7155 IS 2898 IS 7005 and IS 1202) were selected. Immature inflorescence explants were cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium with 3% sucrose 0.8% agar and 2.0 mg/l 24-D for callus induction. After 14 days embryogenic and non-embryogenic calli were distinguished. Regeneration media were optimized using embryogenic calli with 1.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for shoot development and 1 mg/l NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) in a half-strength MS medium for root development.
Two distinct forms of calli were observed: a non-embryogenic light yellow callus and a white granular embryogenic callus. Embryogenic callus induction frequency varied from 40% to 96% among the cultivars with IS 3477 and IS 33095 exhibiting the highest frequencies (96% and 88% respectively) while IS 1202 showed the lowest (40%). Regenerated shoots were successfully developed within 6-18 days and later transferred to a rooting medium resulting in healthy plantlets. Transplanted plantlets showed normal growth and no morphological abnormalities in the field.
This study provides a reliable protocol for efficient callus induction and plant regeneration in multiple sorghum cultivars. The optimized conditions can be utilized for genetic studies crop improvement and biotechnological applications thus contributing to the advancement of sorghum breeding and biotechnology research.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of TROP2 Gene Silencing in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Trophoblast Cell Surface Antigen 2 (Trop2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that has been implicated in the progression and metastasis of various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting Trop2 expression may represent a promising approach for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and patents.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Trop2 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the HepG2 liver cancer cell line.
HepG2 cells were transfected with different concentrations of Trop2-targeting siRNA (3 nM 5 nM and 7 nM) at various time intervals (6 24 and 48 hrs). The expression of Trop2 was assessed by real-time PCR before and after transfection. The impact of Trop2 knockdown on cell apoptosis migration morphology histopathological features wound-healing assays and microscopic analysis was examined. Additionally the expression of the TPM1 gene was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis.
Trop2 mRNA level was significantly decreased in HepG2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner following siRNA transfection. The downregulation of Trop2 resulted in a marked increase in apoptosis a reduction in cell migration and alterations in cell morphology and histopathological characteristics. Furthermore the expression of the TPM1 gene was found to be upregulated in Trop2-knockdown HepG2 cells.
These results highlight the potential of Trop2 as a therapeutic target for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Extraction and Characterization of Iturin A as a Key Factor in the Antagonism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M13RW01 Toward Pathogenic Fungi
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens contains several fungal inhibitory compounds such as peptides and lipopeptides representing the remarkable potential for biotechnological agricultural and biopharmaceutical applications.
This research aimed to extract and characterize iturin A as the key antagonism factor of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M13RW01 toward pathogenic fungi using HPLC and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.
For this study Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain M13-RW01 isolated from Isfahan soil was used. The lipopeptide compounds of B. amyloliquefaciens were examined for antagonistic performance against Aspergillus niger PTCC 5010 Mucor hiemalis PTCC 5292 Fusarium oxysporum CBS 62087 and Penicillium chrysogenum PTCC 5037 by well diffusion and percentage of growth inhibition. The crude extract was run on Waters μBondpak C18 column in the HPLC system to separate the antibiotics. Major antibiotics were analyzed based on MS.
HPLC analysis demonstrated that the lipopeptide compound is similar to iturin A. Moreover MS analysis of these compounds and purified iturin A revealed a high similarity between them with the same molecular ion peaks identified. Results showed that the produced lipopeptides by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were of iturin A genum. The molecular ion peaks of the B. amyloliquefaciens M13RW01 methanolic fraction were at 1027.10 1043.05 1058 1066 1072 1088.95. These compounds restrained fungal germination and growth. Inhibition growth percentages were 79.28 76.13 84.47and 59.15% for Aspergillus niger Mucor hiemalis Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum respectively.
According to the present study B. amyloliquefaciens M13RW01 lipopeptides are able to inhibit the growth of some fungi. B. amyloliquefaciens M13-RW01 isolated from Isfahan soil plays an essential part in antagonizing pathogenic fungi. Thus this antifungal lipopeptide is supposed to be a biological protection agent for agricultural products and patents.
Antifungal Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Allium Jesdianum on Fungi-Contaminated Dairy Products
One of the main sources of contaminated dairy products is moldy fungi specifically species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the alcoholic extract of Allium jesdianum plant on the growth of molds contaminating dairy products in Isfahan.
In this patent research 200 samples of dairy products were gathered from different areas of Isfahan city including 70 samples of cheese 60 samples of buttermilk 40 samples of yogurt 20 samples of curd and 10 samples of cream. The antifungal activity of Allium jesdianum plant was investigated by the diffusion method in disc well and agar dilution in various concentrations. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fatal concentration (MFC) were also determined. Aspergillus Penicillium Cladosporium and Acremonium fungi were the most commonly found fungal contaminants of this investigation. Antifungal activity was not observed by disc diffusion and well diffusion methods.
In the agar dilution method ethanolic and methanolic extracts of stem and leaves in concentrations of 80 60 40 and 30 mg/ml and ethanolic and methanolic extracts of plant bulbs in concentrations of 60 and 30 mg/ml revealed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger Penicillium notatum and Penicillium chrysogenum. The MIC of stem and leaf ethanol extracts and onion ethanol for Aspergillus niger was 18.7 and for Penicillium notatum and Penicillium chrysogenum it was 37.5 37.5 37.5 and 37.5 mg/ml. Fungal contamination of dairy products is a serious threat to the public health of society. Therefore identifying medicinal plants with antifungal activity can be an effective step in preventing fungal contamination and increasing the shelf life of these products.
The results of this research have shown that the Allium jesdianum plant can inhibit the growth of Aspergillus niger Penicillium notatum and Penicillium chrysogenum.
Antimicrobial Effect of Formononetin Against the Periodontal Pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans
Among the bioactive isoflavones identified from different plants is formononetin. Formononetin's antioxidant anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities have all received a lot of attention lately. The goal of the current investigation was to examine formononetin's antifungal and antibacterial activity against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis in vitro respectively.
The present study determined the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of formononetin chlorhexidine formononetin + chlorhexidine Formononetin + nystatin and nystatin against E. faecalis and C. albicans isolates. Next SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. A significance cutoff of P<0.05 was taken into account.
Chlorhexidine + formononetin and formononetin alone had the greatest and lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against E. faecalis at 6.6 and 18.3 μg/ml respectively. With MIC values of 0.66 and 8.3 μg/ml against a C. albicans isolate sensitive to nystatin the combination of formononetin + nystatin and formononetin alone was shown to have the greatest and lowest anti-candida effects.
The findings demonstrated a considerably greater antibacterial effect (P<0.05) for the combinations of formononetin + nystatin and chlorhexidine as compared to nystatin and chlorhexidine alone.
Current Scenario and Global Perspective of Sustainable Algal Biofuel Production
Industrialization and globalization have increased the demand for petroleum products that has increased a load on natural energy resources. The escalating fossil fuel utilization has resulted in surpassing the Earth's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases necessitating the exploration of sustainable bioenergy alternatives to mitigate emissions. Biofuels derived from algae offer promising solutions to alleviate fossil fuel dependency. Algae often regarded as third-generation biofuels present numerous advantages owing to their high biomass production rates. While algae have been utilized for their bioactive compounds their capability as biomass for the production of biofuel has gained traction among researchers. Various biofuels such as bio-hydrogen bio-methane bio-ethanol bio-oil and bio-butanol can be derived from algae through diverse processes like fermentation photolysis pyrolysis and transesterification. Despite the enormous commercial potential of algae-derived biofuels challenges such as high cultivation costs persist. However leveraging the utilization of algae byproducts could improve economic viability of biofuel production. Moreover algae derived biofuels offer environmental sustainability cost-effectiveness and waste reduction benefits promising novel opportunities for a more sustainable energy future. Moreover advancements in the field could lead to patents that drive innovation and commercialization in algae-based biofuel technologies.
A Patent Landscape on Methane Oxidizing Bacteria (MOB) or Methanotrophs
Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) or methanotrophs are a category of bacteria that rely on methane as their primary carbon and energy source. Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and is comparatively far more potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere. MOBs are important microorganisms in the global carbon cycle where they play a crucial role in the oxidation of methane. The present review provides a comprehensive patent landscape on technology development using MOB. The first patent in this technology domain was recorded in 1971 with a notable surge in activity observed in 2020. A detailed patent analysis revealed that the early inventions were mainly focused on the production of various metabolites and bioremediation using MOB. In the later years patents were filed in the area of identification of various species of MOB and their large-scale production. From 2010 onwards consistent patent filing was observed in the genetic engineering of MOB to enhance their methane oxidizing capacity. The United States and China have emerged as the global leaders in terms of patent filing in this technology space. Precigen Inc. and Exxon Research Engineering Co. US were the top patent assignees followed by the University of Tsinghua and Calysta Inc. The Highest number of patent applications have claimed metabolite production by using MOB followed by their use in bioremediation. Methylosinus has emerged as the predominant microorganism of choice for methane oxidation applications.
Relevance of Microorganisms in Causing Rain and Snow
Various natural phenomena (such as solar fluctuations oceanic patterns volcanic eruptions and tectonic movements) alongside human activities (including deforestation CO and CO2 emissions and desertification) contribute to ongoing climate change and subsequent global warming. However human actions significantly exacerbate global warming amplifying its adverse impacts worldwide. With rising temperatures water evaporation from water bodies and soils intensifies leading to heightened water scarcity particularly in drought-prone regions. This scarcity compounds rainfall deficits posing significant challenges. Precipitation essential for the biosphere's hydrological cycle replenishes much of the world's freshwater. It occurs when condensed water vapor in the atmosphere falls back to Earth as rain drizzle sleet graupel hail or snow due to gravity. Literature highlights the indispensable role of microbial populations in this process termed bio-precipitation. This phenomenon begins with microbial colonization on plant surfaces with colonies subsequently dispersed into the atmosphere by winds triggering ice crystal formation. Through their ice nucleating property these microbes facilitate the growth of larger ice crystals which eventually melt and precipitate as rain or snow. This mechanism aids in nutrient transfer from clouds to soil or vegetation. Pseudomonas syringae stands out as the most notable microorganism exhibiting this ice-nucleation property serving as the primary source of ice nucleators driving bio-precipitation. Despite limited literature on “rain and snow-causing microorganisms” this review comprehensively explores the conceptual background of bio-precipitation the involved bio-processes and the critical role of bacteria like P. syringae offering insights into future research directions and patent innovations.
Curcumin-assisted Preparation of α-Fe2O3@TiO2 Nanocomposites for Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Activity
Harmful microorganisms like pathogens significantly impact human health. Meanwhile industrial growth causes pollution and water contamination by releasing untreated hazardous waste. Effective treatment of these microorganisms and contaminants is essential and nanocomposites may be a promising solution. The present attempt demonstrates the green synthesis of α-Fe2O3@TiO2 nanocomposites (FTNCs) for the effective treatment of pathogens and organic contaminants.
The FTNCs have been synthesized through a green approach utilizing curcumin extract. Curcumin (Turmeric) extract (TEx) was prepared by washing drying and crushing 5 g of turmeric then boiling it in 100 mL distilled water at 70°C for 1 hour. Metal salts (Fe3+/Ti4+ 2:1) were added to 100 mL of TEx under continuous stirring at 70°C for 24 h. The solution was rinsed and dried at 80°C overnight and heated at 300°C for 3 h to remove impurities.
Synthesized FTNCs have been tested for the potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus subtilis Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli Salmonella Abony Pseudomonas sp.). Observations discovered noteworthy inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by FTNCs. Furthermore the FTNCs system shows the energy band gap of ~2.6 eV which may suppress electron recombination thereby enhancing photo-catalysis. The photo-degradation is examined against Evans blue (EB) and Congo red (CR) dyes under UV and visible light (125 W) irradiation. The remarkable photocatalytic degradation efficiency (DE) for CR reached ~67.4% in 60 min.
A simple green approach has been demonstrated for the synthesis of the FTNCs using curcumin-mediated reduction. As prepared FTNCs have been evaluated for potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus subtilis Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli Salmonella Abony Pseudomonas sp.). The results show that the highest zone of inhibition diameter values have been obtained for 5 mg/mL concertation of FTNCs of ~14 22 18 21 and 20 and 29 mm for E. coli S. abony S. aureus B. subtilis E. faecalis and Pseudomonas sp. respectively. Additionally FTNCs demonstrate remarkable photocatalytic degradation efficiency against EB and CR dyes under UV (125 W) irradiation achieving 56 67% degradation within 60 min respectively. The findings indicate that FTNCs show long-term antimicrobial effectiveness and potential for water treatment through photocatalysis. This examination highlights recent advancements in intellectual property rights (IPR) and patent strategies shedding light on how patents influence eco-friendly synthesis and the development of multifunctional high-performance nanocomposites.
Application of Achras sapota Linn in Traditional Medicine
This patent article offers a thorough analysis of the contemporary application of Achras sapota Linn or sapodilla in conventional medicine. Tropical fruit-bearing Achras sapota Linn has long been used in many traditional medical systems. The study examines Achras sapota Linn's phytochemical makeup and pharmacological characteristics with an emphasis on the plant's possible medical uses in the treatment of a range of illnesses. Moreover it highlights the safety and efficacy characteristics of Achras sapota Linn and talks about new research and clinical trials that back up its traditional applications. This study also discusses obstacles and potential avenues for further research and application of Achras sapota Linn in contemporary medicine. All things considered it emphasizes how important Achras sapota Linn is to traditional medicine as a therapeutic resource.