Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Prunus Amygdalus Extract and their Anti-Microbial Activity

Highly stable silver nanoparticles synthesized in single-step green method by mixing silver nitrate and aqueous extract of Almond (Prunus amygdalus). Experiments were conducted to influence the change in the silver nitrate concentration and time on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature under dispersed sun light. The almond extract acted both as the reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The change in the color of the reaction mixture was monitored using UV-Visible spectrometry whereas particles synthesized were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape with an average size about 20 nm and they exhibited bacteriostatic property against E. coli.

Antimicrobial Activity of Perspiration Pads and Cotton Cloth Fabricated with the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Waterhyacinth is one of the most dangerous aquatic weeds causing various ecological and environmental issues. The plant has several pharmaceutical properties in spite of its harmful nature. In the present study, perspiration pads and cotton cloth fabricated with the ethyl acetate extract of waterhyacinth were evaluated for its activity against Corynebacterium. Perspiration pads and samples of cotton cloth were fabricated with ethyl acetate extract of Eichhornia crassipes by three methods, namely, dipping, sonication, and homogenization. The antimicrobial activity of the fabricated textile materials was tested against Corynebacterium, a microorganism commonly seen in human sweat. Disc diffusion method (AATCC 147) was used for evaluating the antimicrobial nature of the fabricated samples. Sonication was found to be efficient for coating of the extract on the cotton cloth, whereas dipping method was found to be efficient in case of perspiration pads. No bacterial growth was observed under and on the fabricated cloth and perspiration pads indicating that the fabrics possess bacteriostatic property and not bactericidal property and the absence of leaching of the extract. The results showed significant antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Eichhornia crassipes coated onto fabrics against Corynebacterium with no growth under and on the test sample.

Manufacturing Technique and Bacteriostatic Property Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Angelicae Dahuricae Radix Fibrous Membrane

This study aims to produce bacteriostatic fibrous membranes, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium alginate (SA), and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (AC) are used to form PVA/SA/AC fibrous membranes. This study uses different solvents for the extraction of AC extracts. Fiber types, ultraviolet absorption spectrum analysis, and bacteriostatic property test are performed on the resulting fibrous membranes to evaluate bacteriostatic effects of different solvent and extraction times; thereby determining the optimal AC extract. The experiment results show that AC that extracted with ethanol for 48 hours provides resulting membranes with significant bacteriostatic effect.

Inhibition of the activity of pro-inflammatory secretory phospholipase A2by acute phase proteins

Pro-Inflammatory non-pancreatic phospholipase A2(sPLA2) is markedly over-expressed in acute systemic and chronic local inflammatory processes. Since in acute phase reaction sPLA2is often over-expressed simultaneously with acute phase proteins (APP), it is important to determine whether APP interacts with sPLA2. We tested ten APPs for interaction with sPLA2using as a substrate multilamellar Hposomes composed either of PC:Lyso PC or PE:Lyso PE. Using PC:Lyso PC substrate, CRP, lactoferrin and SAP were found to inhibit sPLA2activity with an IC50of 25 μg/ml, 7.5 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml, respectively, corresponding to 0.21 μM, 0.1 μM and 0.21 μM respectively. Using PE:Lyso PE substrate only SAP was inhibitory, with an IC50of 10 μg/ml (0.04 μM). Phosphorylcholine abolished the inhibitory activity of CRP but not of SAP or lactoferrin. Addition of phosphorylethanolamine or of excess calcium had no effect on the inhibitory activity of APP. Limulin, lysozyme, transferrin, β2-microglobulin, α2-macroglobulin, human and bovine albumins had no effect on sPLA2 activity. Therefore neither the structure of pentraxins, or ironbinding, bacteriostatic property or amyloidogenic property preclude whether APP modulates sPLA2activity. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory sPLA2by APP may be one of the protective mechanisms of the acute phase reaction.

Propionic Acid Is An Alternative To Antibiotics In Poultry Diet

Propionic acid (PA) is a fungicide and bactericide, registered to control fungi and bacteria in stored grains, hay, grain storage areas, poultry litter, and drinking water for livestock and poultry. European Union (EU) certifies PA as the great of grain preserver and most efficient in controlling Salmonella and other pathogens. Recently it is used as feed additive in poultry and non-ruminant production. Suitable inclusion level of PA is 0.2 to 0.4% which can improve the overall performances of poultry. The preservative effect of PA is due to its antibacterial and mould inhibitory effect. High bacteriostatic property of PA is due to its pH reduction activity both in feed and gastrointestinal tract through pharmacogenic action on microflora. Propionic acidA with its growth promoting, health enhancing and antimicrobial effect has proven to be an effective alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in food animal production. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v38i1-2.9920 BJAS 2009; 38(1-2): 115-122