Abstract: Principally, plants grown in soilless culture may be
attacked by the same pests and diseases as cultivated traditionally in
soil. The most destructive phytopathogens are fungi, such as
Phythium, Phytophthora and Fusarium, followed by viruses, bacteria
and nematodes. We investigated effect of carbon nanotube filters on
disease management of soilless culture. Tomato seedlings transplant
in plastic pots filled with a soilless media of vermiculite. The crop
irrigated and fertilized using a hydroponic nutrient solution. We used
carbon nanotube filters for nutrient solution disinfection. Our results
show that carbon nanotube filtration significantly reduces pathogens
on tomato plants. Fungal elimination (Fusarium oxysporum and
Pythium spp.) was usually successful at about 96 to 99.9% all over
the cultural season. It is seem that in tomato soilless culture,
nanofiltration constitutes a reliable method that allows control of the
development of diseases caused by pathogenic fungi
Abstract: Sediment and mangrove root samples from Iko River
Estuary, Nigeria were analyzed for microbial and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. The total heterotrophic
bacterial (THB) count ranged from 1.1x107 to 5.1 x107 cfu/g, total
fungal (TF) count ranged from 1.0x106 to 2.7x106 cfu/g, total
coliform (TC) count ranged from 2.0x104 to 8.0x104cfu/g while
hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) count ranged from 1.0x 105 to
5.0 x 105cfu/g. There was a range of positive correlation (r = 0.72 to
0.93) between THB count and total HUB count, respectively. The
organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus,
Flavobacterium breve, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Erwinia
amylovora, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp, Desulfovibrio sp,
Acinetobacter iwoffii, Chromobacterium violaceum, Micrococcus
sedentarius, Corynebacterium sp, and Pseudomonas putrefaciens.
The PAH were Naphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Acenapthylene,
Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene,
Pyrene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene,
Benzo(k)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,
Benzo(g,h,l)perylene ,Indeno(1,2,3-d)pyrene with individual PAH
concentrations that ranged from 0.20mg/kg to 1.02mg/kg, 0.20mg/kg
to 1.07mg/kg and 0.2mg/kg to 4.43mg/kg in the benthic sediment,
epipellic sediment and mangrove roots, respectively. Total PAH
ranged from 6.30 to 9.93mg/kg, 6.30 to 9.13mg/kg and 9.66 to
16.68mg/kg in the benthic sediment, epipellic sediment and
mangrove roots, respectively. The high concentrations in the
mangrove roots are indicative of bioaccumulation of the pollutant in
the plant tissue. The microorganisms are of ecological significance
and the detectable quantities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
could be partitioned and accumulated in tissues of infaunal and
epifaunal organisms in the study area.
Abstract: The acid rain causes change in pH level of soil it is
directly influence on root and leaf growth. Yield of the crop was
reduced if acidity of soil is more. Acid rain seeps into the earth and
poisons plants and trees by dissolving toxic substances in the soil,
such as aluminum, which get absorbed by the roots. In present
investigation, effect of acid rain on crop Vigna radiata was studied.
The effect of acid rain on change in soil fertility was detected in
which pH of control sample was 6.5 and pH of 1% H2SO4 and 1%
HNO3 were 3.5. Nitrogen nitrate in soil was high in 1% HNO3 treated
soil & Control sample. Ammonium nitrogen in soil was low in 1%
HNO3 & H2SO4 treated soil. Ammonium nitrogen was medium in
control and other samples. The effect of acid rain on seed
germination on 3rd day of germination control sample growth was
6.1cm with plumule 0.001% HNO3 & 0.001% H2SO4 was 5.5cm
with plumule and 8cm with plumule. On 10th day fungal growth was
observed in 1% and 0.1% H2SO4 concentrations when all plants were
dead. The effect of acid rain on crop productivity was investigated on
3rd day roots were developed in plants. On 12th day Vigna radiata
showed more growth in 0.1% HNO3 and 0.1% H2SO4 treated plants
as compare to control plants. On 20th day development of
discoloration of plant pigments were observed on acid treated plants
leaves. On 34th day Vigna radiata showed flower in 0.1% HNO3,
0.01% HNO3 and 0.01% H2SO4treated plants and no flowers were
observed on control plants. On 42th day 0.1% HNO3, 0.01% HNO
and 0.01% H2SO4 treated Vigna radiata variety and control plants
were showed seeds on plants. In Vigna radiate variety 0.1%, 0.01%
HNO3, 0.01% H2SO4treated plants were dead on 46th day and fungal
growth was observed. The toxicological study was carried out on
Vigna radiata plants exposed to 1% HNO3 cells were damaged more
than 1% H2SO4. Leaf sections exposed to 0.001% HNO3 & H2SO4
showed less damaged of cells and pigmentation observed in entire
slide when compare with control plant.
Abstract: We investigate the ZnO role in the inherent protection
of old manuscripts to protect them against environmental damaging
effect of ultraviolet radiation, pollutant gasses, mold and bacteria. In
this study a cellulosic nanocomposite of ZnO were used as protective
coating on the surface of paper fibers. This layered nanocomposite
can act as a consolidate materials too. Furthermore, to determine how
well paper works screen objects from the damaging effects, two
accelerated aging mechanisms due to light and heat are discussed.
Results show good stability of papers with nanocomposite coating.
Also, a good light stability was shown in the colored paper that
treated with this nanocomposite. Furthermore, to demonstrate the
degree of antifungal and antibacterial properties of coated papers,
papers was treated with four common molds and bacteria and the
good preventive effects of coated paper against molds and bacteria
are described.
Abstract: Mycotoxin (aflatoxins) contamination of peanuts is a
great concern for human health. A total of 72 samples of unripe,
roasted, and salty peanuts were collected randomly from Pothohar
plateau of Pakistan for the assessment of aflatoxin. Samples were
dried, ground and extracted by acetonitrile (84%). The filtered
extracts were cleaned up by MycoSep-226 and analyzed by high
performance liquid chromatography with flourescence detector.
Quantification limit of Aflatoxin was 1 μg/kg and 70% Recovery was
observed in spiked samples in the range 1–10 μg/kg. The screening
of mycotoxins indicated that aflatoxins were present in most of the
samples being detected in 82%, in concentrations from 14.25 μg/kg
to 98.80 μg/kg. Optimal conditions for mycotoxin production and
fungal growth are frequently found in the crop fields as well as in
store houses. Human exposure of such toxin can be controlled by
pointed out such awareness and implemented the regulations.
Abstract: The overall objective of this research is a strain
improvement technology for efficient pectinase production. A novel
cells cultivation technology by immobilization of fungal cells has
been studied in long time continuous fermentations. Immobilization
was achieved by using of new material for absorption of stores of
immobilized cultures which was for the first time used for
immobilization of microorganisms. Effects of various conditions of
nitrogen and carbon nutrition on the biosynthesis of pectolytic
enzymes in Aspergillus awamori 1-8 strain were studied. Proposed
cultivation technology along with optimization of media components
for pectinase overproduction led to increased pectinase productivity
in Aspergillus awamori 1-8 from 7 to 8 times. Proposed technology
can be applied successfully for production of major industrial
enzymes such as α-amylase, protease, collagenase etc.
Abstract: The antimicrobial, antiplasmid and cytotoxic activities of marine algae Halimeda opuntia and Sarconema filiforme were investigated. Antimicrobial bioassay against some human pathogenic bacteria and yeast were conducted using disc diffusion method. Halimeda extract exhibited antibacterial activity against six species of microrganisms, with significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. While Sarconema extract was better potent as antifungal against Candida albicans. Comparative antibacterial studies showed that Halimeda extract showed equivalent or better activity as compared with commercial antibiotic when tested against Staphylococcus aureus. Further tests conducted using dilution method showed both extracts as having bacteriostatic mode of action against the tested microorganisms. Methanol extract of two species showed significant cytotoxicity (LC50
Abstract: Thirty six samples from each (aerobic and anoxic)
activated sludge were collected from two wastewater treatment plants
with MBRs in Berlin, Germany. The samples were prepared for count
and definition of fungal isolates; these isolates were purified by
conventional techniques and identified by microscopic examination.
Sixty tow species belonging to 28 genera were isolated from
activated sludge samples under aerobic conditions (28 genera and 58
species) and anoxic conditions (26 genera and 52 species). The
obtained data show that, Aspergillus was found at 94.4% followed by
Penicillium 61.1 %, Fusarium (61.1 %), Trichoderma (44.4 %) and
Geotrichum candidum (41.6 %) species were the most prevalent in all
activated sludge samples. The study confirmed that fungi can thrive
in activated sludge and sporulation, but isolated in different numbers
depending on the effect of aeration system. Some fungal species in
our study are saprophytic, and other a pathogenic to plants and
animals.
Abstract: The soil ecology of the organic and mineral soil layers
of laurel-leaved and Cryptomeria japonica forest in the Kasuga-yama
Hill Primeval Forest (Nara, Japan) was assessed. The number of
bacteria obtained by the dilution plate count method was less than
0.05% of those counted by the direct microscopic count. We therefore
found that forest soil contains large numbers of non-culturable
bacteria compared with agricultural soils. The numbers of bacteria and
fungi obtained by both the dilution plate count and the direct
microscopic count were larger in the deeper horizons (F and H) of the
organic layer than in the mineral soil layer. This suggests that active
microbial metabolism takes place in the organic layer. The numbers of
bacteria and the length of fungal hyphae obtained by the direct count
method were greater in the H horizon than in the F horizon. The direct
microscopic count revealed numerous non-culturable bacteria and
fungi in the soil. The ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass was lower in
the laurel-leaved forest soil. The fungal biomass was therefore
relatively low in the laurel-leaved forest soil due to differences in
forest vegetation.
Abstract: Grey mold on grape is caused by the fungus Botrytis
cinerea Pers. Trichodex WP, a new biofungicide, that contains fungal
spores of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, was used for biological
control of Grey mold on grape. The efficacy of Trichodex WP has
been reported from many experiments. Experiments were carried out
in the locality – Banatski Karlovac, on grapevine species – talijanski
rizling. The trials were set according to instructions of methods
PP1/152(2) and PP1/17(3) , according to a fully randomized block
design. Phytotoxicity was estimated by PP methods 1/135(2), the
intensity of infection according to Towsend Heuberger , the
efficiency by Abbott, the analysis of variance with Duncan test and
PP/181(2). Application of Trichodex WP is limited to the first two
treatments. Other treatments are performed with the fungicides based
on a.i. procymidone, vinclozoline and iprodione.
Abstract: Reverse engineering of full-genomic interaction networks based on compendia of expression data has been successfully applied for a number of model organisms. This study adapts these approaches for an important non-model organism: The major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. During the infection process, the pathogen can adapt to a wide range of environmental niches and reversibly changes its growth form. Given the importance of these processes, it is important to know how they are regulated. This study presents a reverse engineering strategy able to infer fullgenomic interaction networks for C. albicans based on a linear regression, utilizing the sparseness criterion (LASSO). To overcome the limited amount of expression data and small number of known interactions, we utilize different prior-knowledge sources guiding the network inference to a knowledge driven solution. Since, no database of known interactions for C. albicans exists, we use a textmining system which utilizes full-text research papers to identify known regulatory interactions. By comparing with these known regulatory interactions, we find an optimal value for global modelling parameters weighting the influence of the sparseness criterion and the prior-knowledge. Furthermore, we show that soft integration of prior-knowledge additionally improves the performance. Finally, we compare the performance of our approach to state of the art network inference approaches.
Abstract: Fip-gts, an immunomodulatory protein purified from Ganoderma tsugae, has been reported to possess therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. For medicinal application, a recombinant Fip-gts was successfully expressed and purified in Sf21 insect cells by our previously work. It is important to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the rFip-gts. To assess the immunomodulatory potential of rFip-gts, the T lymphocytes of murine splenocytes were used in the present study. Results revealed that rFip-gts induced cellular aggregation formation. Additionally, the expression of IL-2 and IFN-r were up-regulated after the treatment of rFip-gts, and a corresponding increased production of IL-2 and IFN-r in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that rFip-gts has an immunomodulatory activity in inducing Th1 lymphocytes from murine splenocytes released IL-2 and IFN-γ, thus suggest that rFip-gts may have therapeutic potential in vivo as an immune modulator.
Abstract: White rust, caused by Albugo candida, is the most
destructive foliar diseases of persian cress, Lepidium sativum in Iran.
Application of fungicide is the most common method for the disease
control. However, regarding the problems created by synthetic
pesticides application, environmentally safe methods are needed to
replace chemical pesticides. In this study, the antifungal activity of
plant natural extracts was investigated for their ability to inhibit
zoospore release from sporangia of A. candida. The crude extract of
46 plants was obtained using methanol. The inhibitory effect of the
extracts was examined by mixing the plant extracts with a
zoosporangial suspension of A. candida (1×106 spore/ml) at three
concentrations, 250, 100 and 50 ppm. The experiments were
conducted in a completely randomized design, with three replicates.
The results of the experiment showed that three out of 46 plants
species, including, Rhus coriaria, Anagallis arvensis and Mespilus
germanica were completely inhibit zoospore release from
zoosporangia of Albugo candida at concentration of 50 ppm.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal
activities of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Origanum vulgare L.
essential oil against Aspergillus flavus in culture media and tomato
paste. 200 ppm of cinnamon and 500 ppm of oregano completely
inhibited A. flavus growth in culture media, while in tomato paste 300
ppm of cinnamon and 200 ppm of oregano had the same effect. Test
panel evaluations revealed that samples with 100 and 200 ppm
cinnamon were acceptable. The results may suggest the potential use
of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil as natural preservative in
tomato paste.
Abstract: Acid rain occurs when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (Nox) gases react in the atmosphere with water,
oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The
result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Soil has a
greater buffering capacity than aquatic systems. However excessive
amount of acids introduced by acid rains may disturb the entire soil
chemistry. Acidity and harmful action of toxic elements damage
vegetation while susceptible microbial species are eliminated. In
present study, the effects of simulated sulphuric acid and nitric acid
rains were investigated on crop Glycine max. The effect of acid rain
on change in soil fertility was detected in which pH of control sample
was 6.5 and pH of 1%H2SO4 and 1%HNO3 were 3.5. Nitrogen nitrate
in soil was high in 1% HNO3 treated soil & Control sample.
Ammonium nitrogen in soil was low in 1% HNO3 & H2SO4 treated
soil. Ammonium nitrogen was medium in control and other samples.
The effect of acid rain on seed germination on 3rd day of germination
control sample growth was 7 cm, 0.1% HNO3 was 8cm, and 0.001%
HNO3 & 0.001% H2SO4 was 6cm each. On 10th day fungal growth
was observed in 1% and 0.1%H2SO4 concentrations, when all plants
were dead. The effect of acid rain on crop productivity was
investigated on 3rd day roots were developed in plants. On12th day
Glycine max showed more growth in 0.1% HNO3, 0.001% HNO3 and
0.001% H2SO4 treated plants growth were same as compare to control
plants. On 20th day development of discoloration of plant pigments
were observed on acid treated plants leaves. On 38th day, 0.1, 0.001%
HNO3 and 0.1, 0.001% H2SO4 treated plants and control plants were
showing flower growth. On 42th day, acid treated Glycine max variety
and control plants were showed seeds on plants. In Glycine max
variety 0.1, 0.001% H2SO4, 0.1, 0.001% HNO3 treated plants were
dead on 46th day and fungal growth was observed. The toxicological
study was carried out on Glycine max plants exposed to 1% HNO3
cells were damaged more than 1% H2SO4. Leaf sections exposed to
0.001% HNO3 & H2SO4 showed less damaged of cells and
pigmentation observed in entire slide when compare with control
plant. The soil analysis was done to find microorganisms in HNO3 &
H2SO4 treated Glycine max and control plants. No microorganism
growth was observed in 1% HNO3 & H2SO4 but control plant showed
microbial growth.
Abstract: Candida spp. are common and aggressive pathogens.
Because of the growing resistance of Candida spp. to current
antifungals, novel targets, found in Candida spp. but not in humans
or other flora, have to be identified. The alternative oxidase (AOX)
is one such possibility. This enzyme is insensitive to cyanide, but is
sensitive to compounds such as salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM),
disulfiram and n-alkyl gallates. The growth Candida albicans was
inhibited by SHAM (Ki = 9-15 mM) and cyanide (Ki = 2-4 mM),
albeit to differing extents. The rate of O2 uptake was inhibited by
less than 10% by 25 mM SHAM and by about 90% by 250 μM
KCN. Although SHAM substantially inhibited the growth of C.
albicans, it is unlikely that the inhibition of AOX was the cause.
Salicylhydroxamic acid is used therapeutically in the treatment of
urinary tract infections and urolithiasis, but it also has some potential
in the treatment of C. albicans infection.
Abstract: In molecular biology, microarray technology is widely and successfully utilized to efficiently measure gene activity. If working with less studied organisms, methods to design custom-made microarray probes are available. One design criterion is to select probes with minimal melting temperature variances thus ensuring similar hybridization properties. If the microarray application focuses on the investigation of metabolic pathways, it is not necessary to cover the whole genome. It is more efficient to cover each metabolic pathway with a limited number of genes. Firstly, an approach is presented which minimizes the overall melting temperature variance of selected probes for all genes of interest. Secondly, the approach is extended to include the additional constraints of covering all pathways with a limited number of genes while minimizing the overall variance. The new optimization problem is solved by a bottom-up programming approach which reduces the complexity to make it computationally feasible. The new method is exemplary applied for the selection of microarray probes in order to cover all fungal secondary metabolite gene clusters for Aspergillus terreus.
Abstract: Food borne illnesses have been reported to be a global
health challenge. Annual incidences of food–related diseases involve
76 million cases, of which only 14 million can be traced to known
pathogens. Poor hygienic practices have contributed greatly to this. It
has been reported that in the year 2000 about 2.1 million people died
from diarrheal diseases, hence, there is a need to ensure food safety at
all level. This study focused on the sterility examination and
inhibitory effect of honey samples on selected gram negative and
gram positive food borne pathogen from South West Nigeria. The
laboratory examinations revealed the presence of some bacterial and
fungal contaminations of honey samples and that inhibitory activity
of the honey sample was more pronounced on the gram negative
bacteria than the gram positive bacterial isolates. Antibiotic
sensitivity test conducted on the different bacterial isolates also
showed that honey was able to inhibit the proliferation of the tested
bacteria than the employed antibiotics.
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant is becoming a major factor in
virtually all hospital acquired infection may soon untreatable is a
serious public health problem. These concerns have led to major
research effort to discover alternative strategies for the treatment of
bacterial infection. Nanobiotehnology is an upcoming and fast
developing field with potential application for human welfare. An
important area of nanotechnology for development of reliable and
environmental friendly process for synthesis of nanoscale particles
through biological systems In the present studies are reported on the
use of fungal strain Aspergillus species for the extracellular synthesis
of bionanoparticles from 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The
report would be focused on the synthesis of metallic bionanoparticles
of silver using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the
culture supernatants of Microorganisms. The bio-reduction of the
Ag+ ions in the solution would be monitored in the aqueous
component and the spectrum of the solution would measure through
UV-visible spectrophotometer The bionanoscale particles were
further characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thin layer
chromatography. The synthesized bionanoscale particle showed a
maximum absorption at 385 nm in the visible region. Atomic Force
Microscopy investigation of silver bionanoparticles identified that
they ranged in the size of 250 nm - 680 nm; the work analyzed the
antimicrobial efficacy of the silver bionanoparticles against various
multi drug resistant clinical isolates. The present Study would be
emphasizing on the applicability to synthesize the metallic
nanostructures and to understand the biochemical and molecular
mechanism of nanoparticles formation by the cell filtrate in order to
achieve better control over size and polydispersity of the
nanoparticles. This would help to develop nanomedicine against
various multi drug resistant human pathogens.
Abstract: Moisture is an important consideration in many
aspects ranging from irrigation, soil chemistry, golf course, corrosion
and erosion, road conditions, weather predictions, livestock feed
moisture levels, water seepage etc. Vegetation and crops always
depend more on the moisture available at the root level than on
precipitation occurrence. In this paper, design of an instrument is
discussed which tells about the variation in the moisture contents of
soil. This is done by measuring the amount of water content in soil by
finding the variation in capacitance of soil with the help of a
capacitive sensor. The greatest advantage of soil moisture sensor is
reduced water consumption. The sensor is also be used to set lower
and upper threshold to maintain optimum soil moisture saturation and
minimize water wilting, contributes to deeper plant root growth
,reduced soil run off /leaching and less favorable condition for insects
and fungal diseases. Capacitance method is preferred because, it
provides absolute amount of water content and also measures water
content at any depth.