Physiological potential and health of peanut seed treated with ozone

Peanut seed can be infected by pathogen diseases that adversely affect the oil crop’s value chain. Ozone gas (O3) can be an alternative for the control of fungal diseases due to its high oxidizing potential. In this study, we investigated the effects of O3 exposure time on physiological and health characteristics of seed from three peanut cultivars. Seed from peanut cultivars Granoleico, IAC OL3, and IAC 503 were analyzed for their health (blotter test) and physiological potential (germination, first count, and seedling length) after exposure to O3 for 0, 1, 8, and 16 h. Peanut seed physiological quality and health differed among cultivars. Exposure of seed from peanut cultivars IAC OL3, IAC 503, and Granoleico to O3 at a rate of 600 mg h-1 did not affect the development of normal seedlings as measured by the first count and germination, but seedling length increased, decreased, or was not affected in cultivars Granoleico, IAC 503, and IAC OL3, respectively. Also, O3 did not eradicate fungal infections in peanut seed treated with O3 at a rate of 600 mg h-1 for up to 16 h, but the incidence of the fungus Rhizopus sp. in seed from cultivars IAC OL3, Granoleico, and IAC 503 increased, decreased or was not affected, respectively, after 8 h.

Inactivation of isolated fungi on Erythrina velutina Willd. seeds through atmospheric plasma

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atmospheric plasma application on the inactivation of fungi on the surface of Erythrina velutina seeds and on isolated fungal colonies. Two experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design. First, plasma was applied to the surface of the seeds using helium gas and atmospheric plasma for 3, 6, and 9 min in addition to the control (untreated seeds), constituting seven treatments with five repetitions each. In the second experiment, Petri dishes containing the inoculum of different fungi were treated with atmospheric air plasma for 3, 6, and 9 min (Air-3, Air-6, and Air-9) and were compared with untreated fungi in Petri dishes without treatment (control), totaling four treatments and five repetitions each. We found that the application of atmospheric air plasma to E. velutina seeds for 9 min had an antimicrobial effect on the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp., Brachysporium sp., and Rhizopus sp. The formation of fungal colonies isolated from E. velutina seeds was also inhibited by 3 min of exposure to atmospheric air plasma, except for A. niger, whose inhibition occurred after 6 min of exposure to atmospheric plasma.

Synthesis, characterization and biological applications of biosilica based composites

Agricultural wastes like sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, wheat husk, rice hull are the cheapest sources of biosilica (BS). In this study, sugarcane bagasse was used to extract biosilica by chemical treatment and combined with silk fibroin (SF), Polyurethane Foam (PUF) and TiO2 to prepare a novel biocomposites BS/SF/PUF and BS/SF/PUF/TiO2. The prepared biocomposites were analyzed using FT-IR and SEM analysis. The presence of various functional groups and the formation of biocomposites were confirmed by the FT-IR studies. The SEM analysis displayed rough surface morphology of the biocomposites. The antioxidant properties were studied using the DPPH assay. The biocomposites exhibited excellent antioxidant properties. The antimicrobial activities of the biocomposites were studied against three bacterial (Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp. and Proteus sp.) and three fungal strains (Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus niger and Candida sp.). The results revealed that the prepared biocomposites were active against the selected bacterial and fungal species

Fungos anemófilos associados ao ambiente das enfermarias em unidade hospitalar do Cabo de Santo Agostinho-PE, Brasil

Os fungos anemófilos contaminantes de ambientes hospitalares, aparentemente inofensivos, têm se tornado importantes agentes oportunistas a serem considerados como possíveis precursores de manifestações alérgicas e de infecções graves em indivíduos com o sistema imunológico comprometido, por isso, conhecer a microbiota anemófila das unidades de saúde tem sido tão importante para o desenvolvimento de ações que reduzam a proliferação dos biocontaminantes, bem como de programas de controle de infeções. O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar e identificar os fungos anemófilos associados ao ambiente das enfermarias de uma unidade de saúde situada no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho – PE. A coleta foi realizada pelo método de sedimentação passiva de esporos, onde placas de Petri, contendo meio de cultura específico, foram expostas abertas em pontos estratégicos durante 20 min. Após este período as placas foram fechadas, etiquetadas e incubadas por 7 dias a 28 ºC, com leituras diárias para o acompanhamento do crescimento fúngico. Foram encontrados os fungos filamentosos: Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp., Cladosporium sp., Acremonium sp., Tritirachium sp., Curvularia sp., Nigrospora sp., Cunninghamella sp., além de leveduras e fungos não-esporulantes. Os gêneros mais frequentes foram Penicillium e Aspergillus, os quais são possíveis agentes de doenças disseminadas em pacientes imunodeprimidos. Os resultados encontrados neste estudo subsidiaram o desenvolvimento e a implantação de programas e estratégias de controle de patógenos fúngicos e de prevenção das infecções nosocomiais pela Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar (CCCIH) do hospital analisado.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Lactose Acetates with Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Antiviral Properties

The task of this study was to perform the "green" synthesis of lactose octaacetate through microwave irradiation and to establish their biological activities. Lactose ester was prepared after microwave-assisted esterification of lactose with acetic anhydride (yield 85-90 %). Lactose octaacetate was characterized by a high degree of acetylation (DS 3.2-3.7). The lactose esters' structure was elucidated by infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Lactose octaacetate showed better antifungal activities than antibacterial activities. It possessed slight to moderate antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Fusarium moniliforme ATCC 38932. Lactose acetates demonstrated low cytotoxicity against three cell lines: Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells, human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2), and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. This is the first report for antiviral activity of lactose acetates against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), influenza virus A/Panama/2007/99/H3N2 - (IAV/H3N2), PV-1 and Coxsackievirus B1. It was found that this compound showed activity with SI = 2.4 only against PV-1, but against HSV-1, IAV/H3N2, and Coxsackievirus B1 was inactive. The current study demonstrated the applications of lactose acetates as antimicrobial and antiviral substances in food, pharmaceutical, agricultural and cosmetic preparations.

Produção de creme hidratante enriquecido com óleo essencial de alecrim obtido via extração enzimática fúngica

A extração de óleos essenciais de plantas aromáticas é um processo que apresenta consideráveis desvantagens como a utilização de equipamentos altamente custosos, elevada quantidade de solventes orgânicos com grande potencial de contaminação, além da necessidade de grande quantidade de matéria-prima para obtenção de uma pequena fração de óleo. Nesta perspectiva, é crescente o desenvolvimento de metodologias sustentáveis de investigação de produtos naturais, como os óleos essenciais, com o intuito de promover o aumento no rendimento de extração do óleo essencial, a redução no custo da produção e a ampliação na qualidade do mesmo. Assim, com o propósito de otimizar a extração do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis L., alcançando simultaneamente um maior rendimento e pureza do mesmo, esse trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a produção de creme hidratante a partir de óleo essencial de alecrim extraído pela aplicação de enzimas produzidas por fungos filamentosos do gênero Rhizopus sp. Os resultados evidenciaram que a partir da aplicação dos extratos multienzimáticos (EMB) alcançou-se uma otimização de 83,24% na extração do óleo de alecrim, que obteve também os parâmetros físicos, químicos e organolépticos desejados e necessários de acordo com a legislação vigente. Além de que, desenvolveu-se uma formulação tópica cosmética com a adição do óleo essencial extraído que também atingiu as especificações e os padrões de qualidade exigidos pela Farmacopeia Brasileira.

POLA INFEKSI JAMUR KUKU (ONIKOMIKOSIS) JARI TANGAN DAN KAKI PADA PEKERJA TEMPAT PENITIPAN HEWAN PADA MEDIA POTATO DEXTROSE AGAR (PDA)

Onikomikosis merupakan infeksi pada lempeng kuku yang dapat disebabkan oleh jamur dermatofita (Tinea unguium), non dermatofita atau yeast. Onikomikosis adalah kelainan kuku yang disebabkan oleh jamur dermatofita dan non-dermatofita. Infeksi onikomikosis menyebabkan kerusakan pada kuku yang menyebabkan lempeng kuku menebal, rapuh dan mudah hancur. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui identifikasi jamur kuku tangan dan kaki pada pekerja penitipan hewan. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian deskriptif. Pengambilan sampel penelitian dilakukan di empat tempat penitipan hewan yang berbeda sebanyak 20 sampel di Surabaya dan tempat pemeriksaan dilakukan di Laboratorium Analis Kesehatan STIKES Ngudia Husada madura. Metode pemeriksaan yang dilakukan melalui metode pengamatan langsung dan metode kultur jamur. Hasil identifikasi menunjukkan bahwa dari 20 sampel sebanyak 11 sampel (55%) positif Tinea unguium (jamur kuku). Pada pengamatan metode kultur jamur hasil positif sebanyak 6 sampel (30%) dengan kode P1, P4, P8, P11, P15 dan P20 terinfeksi oleh jamur Aspergillus sp , Penicillium 10% dengan kode P5 dan P14, Rhizopus sp 5% kode P18, Microsporum gypseum sebanyak 5% kode P13, dan Trichophyton mentagrophytes 5% kode P19. Hasil screening pada penelitian ini menunjukkan para pekerja belum memiliki hygiene diri yang baik khususnya dalam memelihara kebersihan kuku kaki dan tangan sehingga menyebabkan faktor resiko terjadinya infeksi jamur kuku.

Comparative Study on Mechanic Workshop Polluted Soil Treated With Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia) Juice, Powder and Inorganic Lime Fertilizer

An assessment of mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with 16.6% lime juice (MSAL), mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with lime powder (MSLP) and mechanic workshop polluted soil treated with inorganic lime fertilizer (MSLF) was conducted for a period of 56 days. The study revealed higher microbial counts in the treated soils compared to mechanic oil free soil (MFS). The total viable bacterial counts observed ranged from 1.6×104 cfu/g to 6.8×104 cfu/g for MSF, 2.2×104 cfu/g – 26.2×104 cfu/g for MSAL, 1.2×104 cfu/g -17.2×104 cfu/g for MSLP and 6.8× 104 cfu/g – 16.0 × 104 cfu/g for MSLF while fungi counts ranged from 2.5×104 cfu/g to 6.4×104 cfu/g for MFS, 4.0×104 cfu/g – 16.4×104 cfu/g for MSAL, 2.6×104 cfu/g -3.8×104 cfu/g for MSLP and 2.1× 104 cfu/g – 4.0 × 104 cfu/g for MSLF. Organisms isolated in the course of the study includes Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor sp, Saccharomyces sp, and Rhizopus sp. The physicochemical results showed that MSAL had higher moisture content, organic matter content, organic carbon, and nitrate than MSF, MSLP and MSLF. There were significant differences in pH, organic matter content, organic carbon, nitrate and phosphorus at 0.05 probability level, but there was no significant different in the moisture content of the soil undergoing treatment. This is an indication that Lime juice has a greater potential in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil compared to lime powder and inorganic lime fertilizer.

Microbial Flora of Smoke-Dried Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Processed and Sold in Some Abattoirs in Bayelsa and Rivers States

The microflora of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold in some abattoirs in Bayelsa and Rivers States were investigated. Smoked catfish samples were purchased within abattoirs and aseptically transported in ice-packed coolers to the laboratory. The total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, total fungi and hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts and identification of isolates from samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Mean values of counts obtained showed that total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 5.4 × 106CFU/g to 4.0 × 105CFU/g, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria ranged from 1.5 × 104 to 1.0 × 103CFU/g, total coliform ranged from 1.7 × 106CFU/g to 0, total fungi ranged from 4.3 × 104 CFU/g to 1.2 × 104CFU/g and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi ranged from 3.5 × 103CFU/g to 1.1 × 103CFU/g. Kruskal Walis H test showed no significant differences (P≤0.05) in the total heterotrophic bacterial load nor in the total fungal load in the locations. Bacteria identified are Bacillus sp, Enterobacter sp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Salmonella sp., and Shigella species. Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp and Micrococcus sp., were isolated in all the samples. Salmonella sp and Shigella sp occurred in Igbogene and Swale samples. Bacillus sp recorded the highest occurrence (34%) while Enterobacter sp. and Micrococcus sp recorded the least (7%). Bacteria with hydrocarbon utilizing potentials with percentage occurrence were Bacillus sp (70%) and Pseudomonas sp (30%). Fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus sp. Aspergillus species recorded the highest frequency (36.0%) while Rhizopus sp recorded the least (9.83%). Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp and Penicillium sp were isolated from all the samples. Penicillium sp recorded hydrocarbon utilizing the potential and the highest percentage of occurrence (35.89%). The presence of a high microbial load of pathogenic bacteria and known mycotoxin producing fungi in the smoke-dried catfish are of great public health significance.