Supplementation with Exogenous Catalase from Penicillium notatum in the Diet Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Damage through Affecting Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity and Microbiota in Weaned Pigs

Exogenous CAT derived from microorganisms has been widely used in food, medicine, and other industries. Recent study also found that exogenous CAT supplementation could improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs.

Development of an Effective and Economic Biosensor for Diabetic Blood Monitoring Based on MWCNTs, Artificial Redox Mediator Ferrocene, Nafion Polymer and a Local Extracted and Purified Glucose Oxidase Enzyme from Penicillium Notatum F-158 Fungus

Enhancement of the properties of glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme is still receiving attention due to its extensive applications. Eight different fungal strains were isolated from soil and orange fruit samples for inexpensive GOx production. Penicillium notatum F-158 (P. notatum) strain produced a remarkable amount of GOx. Its culture condition was optimized for optimum GOx production. GOx was purified and its activity, stability and kinetic parameters were studied. An effective biosensor {GCE/[MWCNTs–Fc–GOx(FAD)–NF]} based on layer by layer immbolization of MWCNTs, aritificial ferrocene (Fc) redox mediator, extracted P. notatum GOx enzyme and nafion polymer (NF) on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface was developed for glucose determination. Fc acts as an electron relay between enzyme and MWCNTs/GCE. The synergy of MWCNTs and Fc enhances the electrocatalytic action of Fc to the enzymatic oxidation of glucose. Low potential (+0.3V) of Fc applied in amperometric measurements avoids interference of the main electroactive substances present in the real plasma samples. This biosensor showed broad linear ranges {2.80×10-4 to 14.99×10-3 M} and low detection limit (8.68×10-6 M) for glucose determination. The achieved glucose concentrations in six plasma samples are consistent with normal values in human blood indicating that such biosensor could be used clinically.

Effect of Eggplant Root Extracts on the Growth of Storage Fungi of Wheat Grains and Their Ability for Aflatoxin Production in Babylon Silos in Iraq

Kadhim, I.J., F.H. Kareem and S.H. Segar. 2021. Effect of Eggplant Root Extracts on the Growth of Storage Fungi of Wheat Grains and Their Ability for Aflatoxin Production in Babylon Silos in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(1): 29-38. Seed-borne fungi adversely affect seed germination and seedling vigor and results in economic loss to farmers. In the present study, the antifungal activity of aqueous and alcohol extracts from eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) roots against fungi isolated from local wheat grains stored in the old Hilla silo and the new Hilla silo in Babylon, Iraq were investigated during the growing season 2017-2018 by using the poisoned food technique. The ability of the isolated fungal species for aflatoxins production was assayed. The results obtained showed that the aqueous extract contained flavonoids, whereas the alcohol extract contained flavonoids and alkaloids. Three fungal species associated with stored wheat grains were isolated, namely: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Fusarium oxysporum. It was found that the extracts had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of these fungi grown on potato dextrose agar medium compared with the control at P=0.05. At a concentration 36 مجلة وقاية النبات العربية، مجلد 39 ،عدد 1( 2021 ) of 10 mg/ml, the alcohol extract had a significantly higher inhibition rate which reached 91.11, 88.88 and 91.11%, on the three fungi, respectively, as compared to 86.66, 86.66 and 83.33% for the aqueous extract, respectively. The results also showed that Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum were able to produce aflatoxins. Keywords: Aflatoxins, alcohol extract, aqueous extract, flavonoids.

Detection about fungal contamination in products milk in local and manufacturing yogurt and cheese in Al-Diwaniya city

This study included random examination of milk products such as yogurt and cheese in both types the local and manufacturing milk product, to detect the fungal contamination in these products. Yogurt was a well source of essential nutrients such as protein, essential minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Zn, K) and vitamins such as B1, B9, B2 B12, B3. Yogurt increase the body product of cytokine, activity of phagocytic cell, antibodies, T- cell and natural killer cell, also it induced immune system against other diseases such as cancer, gastrointestinal and allergic syndrome. Caseins are the main protein in cheese; which exist in the form of aggregates after combination with colloidal calcium phosphate common knowledge as micelles of casein. Caseins in cheese are nutritionally rich due to the high supply of essential amino acids, phosphate and calcium. Samples taken from market of al-Diwaniya city about ten samples for each type, these samples cultured on SDA by use dilution method and after incubated found several types of fungi were appeared, such as Candida albicans the general average for it cell in 1 ml about 2.7×10^2(cell/ml) in samples of local yogurt, 7.6×10 (cell/ml) in samples of manufacturing yogurt, in cheese; about 1.8×10(cell/ml) in samples of local cheese and 1.3×10 in manufacturing cheese. The fungi also appeared in samples such as Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporium, Trichoderma harzianum, the higher frequency rate was recorded in samples of local yogurt about 13.7%, 25.4%, 19.6%, 11.3% respectively.

Evaluation of Extracts of Leaves of Crinum jagus for Antimicrobial Properties

Plants have been used in ethno-medicine for ages in the treatment of various diseases. In the current study, the leaves of C. jagus are investigated for antimicrobial activities. The leaves were dried and extracted successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The concentrated extracts were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml using the agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also determined. The percentage yields obtained were 0.92 %, 1.20 % and 25.2 % for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts respectively. The zones of inhibition of the organisms by the extracts generally increased with the concentrations. The methanol extract showed the best activity of the three extracts tested. The methanol extract had values ranging between 20 mm and 26 mm against the bacteria at 200 mg/ml. This extract also showed values between 18 mm and 20 mm against the fungi at 200 mg/ml. The lowest MICs values (of 2.5 mg/ml) were obtained against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. typhi. The polar constituents in the leaves of the plant are likely responsible for the antimicrobial properties observed. None of the extracts showed activity comparable to those of the standard drugs, however the methanol extract showed some potential as a source of antimicrobial compounds. Keywords: Crinum jagus, antimicrobial, Agar diffusion, MIC

Sensitization to fungal allergens in patients with respiratory allergy – accuracy in diagnostic process

Introduction. In Bulgaria, mold allergies are common, and sensitization to different fungal species is found in many patients with atopy.The objective of this study is to explore sensitization to the most widespread mold species in Bulgaria, and to determine the extent of sensitization to Alt a1, a major allergen of Alternaria alternata, by using component-resolved diagnosis.Materials and Methods. 21 patients (14 males and 7 females, age range 5-40 years), with respiratory allergy participated in the study. All patients are sensitized to mix of fungal allergens containing: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium notatum, proved by in vivo and in vitro methods. All patients underwent the ImmunoCAP test and were assessed for sIgE to individual fungal allergens: m1 Penicillium notatum, m2 Cladosporium herbarum, m3 Aspergillus fumigatus and m6 Alternaria alternata. The component-resolved diagnosis to Alt a1 was performed for 10 patients with increased sIgE to m6 Alternaria alternata.Results. All studied patients (100%) had elevated sIgE to Alternaria alternata. Eight (38%) patients were sensitized to Penicillium notatum. 11 (52%) and 10 (48%) patients were sensitized to Cladosporium herbarum and to Aspergillus fumigatus, respectively. Ten patients (48%) were monosensitized to Alternaria alternata. Nine (90%) patients with sensitization to Alternaria alternata demonstrated elevated levels of IgE to Alt a1.Conclusion. Alternaria alternata most often causes sensitization in patients with respiratory allergy. The component-resolved diagnosis using Alt a1 is a precision marker to prove species-specific sensitization to Alternaria alternata.

Assessment of antimicrobial activity of Cola milleni seed and pulp extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Penicillium notatum

All over the world, hundreds of plants have been identified based on researchers and experimental evidence as good sources of medicinal agents. The bioactive components (phytochemicals) of both the seeds and pulp of Cola milleni were extracted using ethanol as solvent. The bioactive components detected were alkaloids, tanins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, sterols, resins and terpenes while Flavonoids, anthraquinones, anthracyanides and phenol were not detected for both the seed and pulps. Antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract (Seed and pulp) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Penicillium notatum was carried out using standard techniques. Staphylococcus aureus had the highest zone of inhibition for pulp having a range of 9.7mm±0.58mm - 19.7mm±2.52mm while Penicllium notatum had the least with 0.00mm. S.aureus also had the highest zone of inhibition range of 14.3mm±2.08mm - 21.3mm±1.53mm for the seed extract while penicillium had the least inhibition range of 5.0mm±1.00mm - 5.7mm±0.58. E.coli showed the highest minimum inhibitory concentration with ethanol extract of the pulp (160mg/ml) while penicillium notatum was not reactive. The minimum inhibitory concentration of seed against penillium notatum was the highest (160mg/ml) while staphylococcus aureus showed the lowest of 40mg/ml. The antimicrobial activity is as a result of the presence of phytochemicals detected, which suggest the use of the plant for the treatment of diseases caused by these organisms. Key words: Cola millenii, Phytochemical, Antimicrobial activity, Bacteria, Fungi

INCIDENCE OF THE MYCOENDOPHYTES FROM CATHERANTHUS ROSEUS – AN ANTICANCER PLANT FROM MAHARASHTRA

The endophytic fungi are one of the most unexplored and diverse group of symbiotic organisms shows great association with higher plants. The production of some essential bioactive compounds from these mycoendophytes plays very important role in development of drugs and results in cure of some types of cancers in human beings as well as in animals. In present investigation Catheranthus roseus has been studied for the occurance of mycoendophytes from Maharashtra and it was found that the plant harbors seven endophytic fungi. Isolation and identification of the mycoendophytes was done by using Foldscope a new invention in microscopy. The foldscope is an optical microscope with small spherical glass lens and resolution upto 140X.The foldscope microscope is invented by Manu Prakash et.al in Stanford university,USA in 2014 . It is clear from the study that all the parts of the Catheranthus roseus show the presence seven mycoendophytes in more or less frequency. In particular mycoendophytes like Aspergillus flavus showed the maximum colonization where as Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger was found less with moderate frequency of Penicillium chrysoginum,Cladosporium cladosporioidis and Alternaria alternata in the roots of Catheranthus roseus. Similaraly, in leaves and stem the colonization of Penicillium notatum was found to be maximum with very less colonization of Cladosporium cladosporioidis,Penicillium chrysoginum and Aspergillus flavus. These organs showed the moderate growth of Alternaria alternate.