Effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles on bioethanol production by Pichia kudriavzveii IFM 53048 using banana peel waste substrate

The use of nanomaterials in bioethanol production is promising and on the increase. In this report, the effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) on bioethanol production in the presence of a novel yeast strain, Pichia kudriavzveii IFM 53048 isolated from banana wastes was investigated. The hot percolation method was employed for the green synthesis of NiO NPs. The logistic and modified Gompertz kinetic models employed in this study showed a 0.99 coefficient of determination (R2) on cell growth, and substrate utilization on the initial rate data plot which indicate that these model were best suited for bioethanol production studies. As a result, 99.95% of the substrate was utilized to give 0.23 g/L/h-1 bioethanol productivity, and 51.28% fermentation efficiency, respectively. At 0.01 wt% of NiO NPs, maximum production was achieved with 0.27 g/g bioethanol yield. Meanwhile, 0.78 h-1 maximum specific growth rate (µmax) of the microorganism, 3.77 g/L bioethanol concentration (Pm), 0.49 g/L/h production rate (rp.m), and 2.43 h production lag time (tL) were obtained when 0.01 wt% of NiO NPs were used during the bioethanol production process. However, a decrease in bioethanol concentrations occurred at ≥0.02 wt% of NiO NPs. The incorporation of NiO NPs in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process improved the production of bioethanol by 1.90 fold using banana peel wastes as substrate. These revealed NiO NPs could serve as a suitable biocatalyst in the green production of bioethanol from banana peel waste materials.

Silicon-based nanoparticles for mitigating the effect of potentially toxic elements and plant stress in agroecosystems: A sustainable pathway towards food security

Due to their size, flexibility, biocompatibility, large surface area, and variable functionality nanoparticles have enormous industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. This has led to their widespread use in various fields. The advancement of knowledge in this field of research has altered our way of life from medicine to agriculture. One of the rungs of this revolution, which has somewhat reduced the harmful consequences, is nanotechnology. A helpful ingredient for plants, silicon (Si), is well-known for its preventive properties under adverse environmental conditions. Several studies have shown how biogenic silica helps plants recover from biotic and abiotic stressors. The majority of research have demonstrated the benefits of silicon-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) for plant growth and development, particularly under stressful environments. In order to minimize the release of brine, heavy metals, and radioactive chemicals into water, remove metals, non-metals, and radioactive components, and purify water, silica has also been used in environmental remediation. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have become a huge threat to food security through their negative impact on agroecosystem. Si-NPs have the potentials to remove PTEs from agroecosystem and promote food security via the promotion of plant growth and development. In this review, we have outlined the various sources and ecotoxicological consequences of PTEs in agroecosystems. The potentials of Si-NPs in mitigating PTEs were extensively discussed and other applications of Si-NPs in agriculture to foster food security were also highlighted.

Plant-derived nanomaterials (PDNM): a review on pharmacological potentials against pathogenic microbes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and some metabolic diseases

Plant-derived nanomaterials (PDNM) have gained significant attention recently due to their potential pharmacological applications against pathogenic microbes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and certain metabolic diseases. This review introduces the concept of PDNMs and their unique properties, including their small size, high surface area, and ability to penetrate biological barriers. Besides various methods for synthesizing PDNMs, such as green synthesis techniques that utilize plant extracts and natural compounds, the advantages of using plant-derived materials, such as their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity, were elucidated. In addition, it examines the recent and emerging trends in nanomaterials derived from plant approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance and metabolic diseases. The sizes of nanomaterials and their surface areas are vital as they play essential roles in the interactions and relationships between these materials and the biological components or organization. We critically analyze the biomedical applications of nanoparticles which include antibacterial composites for implantable devices and nanosystems to combat antimicrobial resistance, enhance antibiotic delivery, and improve microbial diagnostic/detection systemsIn addition, plant extracts can potentially interfere with metabolic syndrome pathways; hence most nano-formulations can reduce chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and antimicrobial resistance. As a result, these innovative plant-based nanosystems may be a promising contender for various pharmacological applications.

Phytochemical Characterization, Functional Nutrition, and Anti-Diabetic Potentials of Leptadenia hastata (pers) Decne Leaves: In Silico and In Vitro Studies

The geometrical increase in diabetes mellitus (DM) and the undesirable side effects of synthetic drugs have intensified efforts to search for an effective and safe anti-diabetic therapy. This study aimed to identify the antioxidant and anti-diabetic agents in the ethanol extract of Leptadenia hastata (EELH). The phytochemicals, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals present in EELH were determined using standard procedures to achieve this aim. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy and flame ionization detector (GC-MS/GC-FID) was employed to identify bioactive compounds. An e-pharmacophore model was generated from the extra precision, and energy-minimized docked position of standard inhibitor, acarbose onto human pancreatic amylase (HPA, PDB-6OCN). It was used to screen the GC-MS/GC-FID library of compounds. The top-scoring compounds were subjected to glide XP-docking and prime MM-GBSA calculation with the Schrodinger suite-v12.4. The Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) prediction of the best-fit compounds was made using SwissADME and PROTOX-II webservers. Further validation of the docking results was performed with the in vitro analysis of the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. EELH contains appreciable amounts of antioxidant and anti-diabetic phytoconstituents. The top-4 scoring compounds (rutin, epicatechin, kaempferol, and naringenin) from the EELH phytochemical library interacted with amino acid residues within and around the HPA active site. The ADMET prediction shows that epicatechin, kaempferol, and naringenin had favorable drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, and a good safety profile. EELH demonstrated good inhibitory actions against α-amylase and α-glucosidase with 1C₅₀ values of 14.14 and 4.22 µg/mL, respectively. Thus, L hastata phytoconstituents are promising novel candidates for developing an anti-diabetic drug.

Phytomelatonin: a potential phytotherapeutic intervention on COVID-19-exposed individuals

Phytomelatonin is a pleiotropic molecule that originated in higher plants with many diverse actions and is primarily an antioxidant. The recent identification and advancement of phytomelatonin unraveled the potential of this modulatory molecule being considered a new plant hormone, suggesting its relevance in treating respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Besides, this molecule is also involved in multiple hormonal, physiological, and biological processes at different levels of cell organization and has been marked for its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and prominent antioxidant effects, reducing mitochondrial electron leakage, up-regulating antioxidant enzymes, acting as a free radical scavenger, and interfering with pro-inflammatory signaling pathways as seen in mood swings, body temperature, sleep, cancer, cardiac rhythms, and immunological regulation modulators. However, due to its diversity, availability, affordability, convenience, and high safety profile, phytomelatonin has also been suggested as a natural adjuvant. This review discussed the origin, content in various plant species, processes of extraction, and detection and therapeutic potentials of phytomelatonin in treating COVID-19-exposed individuals.

Aquatic Phlorotannins and Human Health: Bioavailability, Toxicity, and Future Prospects

Medicinal chemists and pharmacognosists have relied on terrestrial sources for bioactive phytochemicals to manage and treat disease conditions. However, minimal interest is given to sea life, especially macroalgae and their inherent phytochemical reserves. Phlorotannins are a special class of phytochemicals mainly predominant in brown algae of marine and estuarine habitats. Phlorotannins are formed through the polymerization of phloroglucinol residues and derivatives via the polyketide (acetate–malonate) pathway. Studies over the past decades have implicated phlorotannins with several bioactivities, including anti-herbivory, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, radio-protective, adipogenic, anti-allergic, and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) properties. All these activities are reflected in their applications as nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical agents. This article reviews the chemical composition of phlorotannins, their biological roles, and their applications. Moreover, very few studies on phlorotannin bioavailability, safety, and toxicity have been thoroughly reviewed. The paper concludes by suggesting exciting research questions for further studies.