Culturable Streptomyces spp. from high-altitude, oligotrophic North Western Himalaya: a comprehensive study on the diversity, bioactivity and insights into the proteome of potential species

Strategies for the Remediation of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Contaminated Food and Water: Advancements and Challenges

Micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution is a significant concern for ecosystems worldwide. The continuous generation and extensive utilization of synthetic plastics have led to the widespread contamination of water and food resources with MNPs. These pollutants originate from daily-use products and industrial waste. Remediation of such pollutants is essential to protect ecosystems and human health since these ubiquitous contaminants pose serious biological and environmental hazards by contaminating food chains, water sources, and the air. Various remediation techniques, including physical, chemical, sophisticated filtration, microbial bioremediation, and adsorption employing novel materials, provide encouraging avenues for tackling this worldwide issue. The biotechnological approaches stand out as effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable solutions for managing these toxic pollutants. However, the complexity of MNP pollution presents significant challenges in its management and regulation. Addressing these challenges requires cross-disciplinary research efforts to develop and implement more efficient, sustainable, eco-friendly, and scalable techniques for mitigating widespread MNP pollution. This review explores the various sources of micro- and nanoplastic contamination in water and food resources, their toxic impacts, remediation strategies-including advanced biotechnological approaches-and the challenges in treating these pollutants to alleviate their effects on ecosystems and human health.

Optimizing the production and efficacy of antimicrobial bioactive compounds from Streptomyces kanamyceticus in combating multi-drug-resistant pathogens

Background

The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has intensified the search for novel antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to isolate Streptomyces kanamyceticus from local soil samples and evaluate its antimicrobial properties, along with optimizing the production of bioactive compounds.

Methods

Soil samples were collected from local regions, processed, and analysed for Streptomyces strains isolation using morphological characteristics and molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene PCR assay. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida albicans using the double-layer method, while Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were determined. The extracted compounds underwent Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis for functional group identification. Optimization of bioactive compound production was performed using a Central Composite Design (CCD) coupled with Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR).

Results

A total of 25 distinct Streptomyces strains were isolated, with seven confirmed as S. kanamyceticus. These strains exhibited antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones reaching 30 mm and MIC values between 20 and 70 µg/mL. The extraction yielded 150-200 mL of bioactive compounds. Optimization studies revealed that a medium containing 10 g/L glucose and 10 g/L glycine max meal maximized antibiotic production.

Conclusion

This study confirmed that S. kanamyceticus is a promising source of novel antibiotics. The combination of microbial isolation, antimicrobial testing, and statistical optimization successfully enhanced the production of bioactive compounds, contributing to the search for effective antimicrobial agents against resistant pathogens.