A Guide to Collagen Sources, Applications and Current Advancements

The increase in use of collagen products in almost every sector of utility has stipulated the rising demand for collagen. It is an essential fibrous glycoprotein, which is abundantly present in the extracellular matrix and connective tissues in many living organisms. Owing to its unique characteristics such as biocompatibility, bioavailability and weak antigenicity it has gained major interest in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biomedical and leather industries. The collagen-based composites possess an enhanced capacity to dissipate mechanical energy, strength and stiffness making it the most promising biomolecule for its multifaceted applications. Recently, synthetic biology platforms are getting wide attention for the production of non-native collagen alternatives to meet the rising demand for collagen worldwide. In the initial part, this review aims to explain different sources, structures, biosynthesis of collagen and its types followed by the emerging applications of collagen as a next-generation biomaterial in the later part. The article emphasises the synthesis of non-native collagen using novel expression systems like plant and algae in addition to bacteria and yeast with industrial consideration. In the conclusion section, challenges and opportunities of using synthetic biology tools are described.

Seaweed-Based Interventions for Diabetic Complications: An Analytical Discourse

Modern sedentary lifestyle has given rise to a number of health issues; diabetes mellitus is one of them, another worldwide emergency, which is usually attributed either by deficiency or by insensitivity of insulin hormone; the master-regulator of blood glucose level. Seaweeds are rich reservoirs of a plethora of bioactive compounds with a great assortment of therapeutic potential. The goal of this communication is to represent the state-of-the-art about what is known for the anti-hyperglycemic properties recognized in seaweeds, emphasizing about their assets of several bioactive principles, their modes of action over targets of pharmacological interest, in addition to their precise extraction procedures. Various bioactive molecules from seaweed origin, mainly polyphenols, can inhibit several drug targets like α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, angiotensin-converting enzymes and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 to achieve good glycemic control.

Current Progresses in the Development of Biosensors for the Diagnosis of Neglected Tropical Diseases

The World Health Organization classifies neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in order to highlight the impact of these diseases on public health and as a tool to eradicate them. Due to its risk to human health, especially in the last decade, several publications have been dedicated to the proposal of alternative diagnosis for NTDs. The rapid detection of these diseases is essential for the early initiation of treatment and, thus, allows the reduction of mortality and improves the quality of life of patients. However, the conventional techniques used to detect NTDs are expensive, time-consuming and require more sophisticated equipment in the laboratory, which hinders analyzes to be performed in situ. In light of this context, researchers have been working on the application of biosensors to overcome the current problems. The results found have been promising, as the biosensors exhibited low detection limits with high selectivity and the possibility of performance in miniaturized/portable systems. This technology combines the specificity of biological probes with the sensitivity and stability of several groups of transducers (mainly electrochemical and optical ones). In the present manuscript, we reviewed the recent advances in the field of biosensors to detect some of the main pathogens causing NTDs worldwide (Zika, dengue, schistosomiasis, malaria, snakebite envenoming, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease).

Bathymetric, Physicochemical and Microbiological Analyses of Sarikum Lake (Sinop-Turkey)

Sarikum Lake located in the protected area of Sarikum Village boundaries of Sinop Province Central District was investigated in terms of bathymetric, physicochemical and microbiological aspects. This study was carried out between October 2017 and March 2018. For bathymetric analysis, a Garmin echo 551 c brand dual frequency depth gauge (echo sounder) and 2 GPS receivers were used. For pollution parameters, water samples were taken from stations determined at 3 different points of the lake. Parameters such as temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, electrical conductivity, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) and pH were measured with the multifunctional meter during sampling. In addition, ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), iron (Fe), phosphate phosphorus (PO43--P), manganese (Mn), nitrite nitrogen (NO2 --N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3- -N) and total hardness (Ethylene Diamine Tetra (EDTA) titrimetric) according to standard methods (Apha, Awwa, Wef, 2005). Total coliform, E. coli, fecal streptococcus, fecal coliform, sulfide reducing anearob and Clostridium perfringes analyzes were performed for microbiological analyses. Sulfide reducing anaerobes were not detected in the assay results. Based on the obtained results, it is determined that Sarikum Lake within the sanctuary area of Sarikum Village of Sinop province (Turkey) is close to the dirty / pollution limit according to the inland field regulations.

A Comparative Review on Different Trophic Modes and Usable Carbon Sources for Microalgae Cultivation, Approaching to Optimize Lipid Production in Trade Scale

Microalgae are considered as an outstanding feedstock to produce high value lipid products like biodiesel and biomedicine. Reaching commercial maturity in this field is possible in the case of maximizing lipid yield and minimizing prime costs. In order to clarify the best features of carbon source (for microalgae cultivation) to reach optimum efficiency of biomass and lipid production, this paper reviews the merits and demerits of different trophic modes as well as type and concentration of carbon source. Furthermore carbon supplementation for large scale microalgae cultivation and lipid production is discussed as an economical point of view.

The Effects of Inoculation with Three Glomus Species on Growth and Pb Uptake by Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) in a Pb-Contaminated Soil

Increasing levels of hazardous heavy metals, which enter soil and water ecosystems have had a detrimental effect on global living organisms and needs special attention. The effect of inoculation with three Glomus mycorrhizal fungi (G. mosseae, G. etunicatum and G. constrictum) on hemp growth and some biological properties was evaluated in a soil contaminated with different levels of lead (0, 600, 1200 and 1800mg·kg-1 Pb soil) in the form of Pb(NO3)2. The results show that shoot and root dry weights decreased with increasing Pb levels in soil. But Pb concentration in roots and shoots of hemp increased significantly with increasing Pb levels in soil. However the growth of mycorrhizal inoculated hemps was significantly higher than that of non-inoculated hemp. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the concentration of Pb in the shoot and root of hemp. In this study, both translocation factor (TF) and enrichment factor (EF) were < 1 and decreased with increasing Pb concentration in soil. The TF was higher in non-inoculated hemp than inoculated hemps. It shows the inhibition effect of mycorrhiza in translocation of Pb from root to shoot. The EF of all inoculated hemps (0.18) was significantly greater than non-inoculated hemp (0.17), showing increased uptake of Pb due to inoculation with mycorrhiza. Simple linear regressions show that the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Pb is more suitable index for evaluating the toxicity effect of soil Pb than the total Pb content.