Edible Coatings and Films in Grapevine By-Product Infusions and Freshly Processed Products | Chapter 7 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

This book chapter focuses on the environmental issues linked with the wine industry, mainly the amount of waste it generates. However, studies have shown that the by-products of this waste, including grapes, skins, seeds, and leaves, contain essential biocompounds and nutrients like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, procyanidins, and vitamin C that are beneficial to human health. These by-products have been found to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. However, due to their perishable nature, they need preservation methods. This chapter recommends using edible films and coatings, a novel and eco-friendly post-harvest preservation technique. This method helps maintain the quality of lightly processed foods, preserve essential nutrients, protect against microorganisms, and maintain their original appearance. Therefore, this review aims to explore different techniques and types of edible coatings like chitosan, agar-agar, gelatin, alginate, guar gum, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, inulin, and propolis for the preparation of grape by-products in foods and drinks. More research is required to optimize coating formulations for the best quality.

Author(s) Details:

Teresa Pinto,
CITAB, Department of Biology and Environment, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agrifood Production, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Ana Pinto,
University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Alice Vilela,
CQ-VR, Department of Agronomy, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13852

Effect of Two Heavy Metals (Zn and Ni) on Growth of In vitro Hairy Root Cultures of Indian Mustard Brassica juncea L. | Chapter 6 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

Metals are natural components in soil with a number of heavy metals being required by plants as micronutrients. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, there has been a dramatic increase in toxic metal pollution of the biosphere. Roots are the plant parts, which facilitate the primary contact between a plant and a pollutant. Culture of genetically transformed hairy roots of hyperaccumulator plant sp. Brassica juncea L. grown in vitro was established to study the potential of in vitro hairy root cultures for the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals (Ni and Zn) for their growth and biomass from an aquatic environment. All the chemicals and reagents in this experiment were of Analytical grade and were obtained from Hi Media Laboratories Pvt ltd., Mumbai, India. At elevated concentrations of Ni and Zn metals, hairy roots showed exponential growth and accumulation. In lower concentrations, Zn might have no effect on the growth of root biomass and also found to be it cause no dramatic decrease in root growth even if they are accumulated. At higher concentrations of Zn, B. Juncea hairy roots were not only found to be tolerant to Zn and also had the capacity to increase their root biomass and no growth retardation was seen. All concentrations of Ni showed a drastic change in root biomass growth irrespective of the duration of incubation periods. Ni in higher concentrations caused an exponential increase in root biomass growth and Ni showed no toxicity symptoms in hairy roots even at higher concentrations for a longer time up to 8 weeks of our study period. Ni was found to be an essential micronutrient for the growth of hairy root biomass. From this study, it was cleared and concluded that hairy roots of in vitro grown hyperaccumulator plant culture system could be a useful and effective model (as it needs metals for their root biomass growth) to study the metal uptake and accumulation from an aquatic environment.

Author(s) Details:

A. Mohamed Ismail,
Department of Biotechnology, E. G. S. Pillay Arts & Science College (Autonomous), Nagappatinam, Tamil Nadu- 641046, India.

P. Agastian Theodor,
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College (Autonomous), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13764

Importance of Colibacillosis in Poultry | Chapter 5 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

Colibacillosis is any diseased condition caused by avian pathogenic E. coli, a Gram negative, non-acid-fast, uniform staining, and non-spore-forming bacillus. It is the most common, prevalent, and important bacterial disease of poultry in the world. E. coli produces toxins like endotoxin, enterotoxin, cytotoxin, hemolysins, hemagglutinins and virulence factors like adhesins. The common predisposing factors include mismanagement in humidity, temperature, ventilation and litter and immunosuppression. The sources of infection are contaminated feed, water and air while route of infection can be aerosol, oral, defected navel and infected egg with incubation period 5-7 days. It commonly causes Colisepticemia, Coligranuloma, Omphalitis, Salpingitis and Peritonitis, etc. Specific diagnosis can be done by identification, isolation and genotyping of E. coli. Suitable susceptible antibiotic can be used for treatment. Control of colibacillosis can be successfully done by proper management, vaccination and biosecurity protocol.

Author(s) Details:

Shaikh S. R.,
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, MAFSU, Parbhani (MH), 431 402, India.

Siddiqui M. F. M. F.,
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, MAFSU, Parbhani (MH), 431 402, India.

M. P. Sakhare,
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, MAFSU, Parbhani (MH), 431 402, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13763

Analyzing Copper Dependent Growth Behaviors in Anabaena azollae Strasburger, an Autochthonous Cyanobacterial Species of Assam | Chapter 4 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

Copper (Cu) is considered as an essential micronutrient that is required in minute quantity for proper functioning of physiochemical reactions in the body of an organism. This microelement plays a significant role during growth and development in plants through different cellular processes. Although, if present in higher quantities can result in toxic effects. Current study was undertaken to view the effect of different ppm concentrations of Cu (II) ions upon the growth and biochemical parameters of Anabaena azollae. Results have disclosed that exposure to a high concentration of Cu causes an evidential effect in growth and biochemical parameters in the test organism.

Author(s) Details:

Nilamjyoti Kalita,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Bishmita Boruah,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Shaswatee Bhattacharjee,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Himamani Kalita,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Garima Bora,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Partha Pratim Baruah,
Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13762

Microbiologist's Perspective on Innovative Triple-Action Antifungal Topicals: A New Frontier | Chapter 3 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

This study investigated the effectiveness of triple-action antifungals containing azoles, gentamicin, and corticosteroids for superficial mycoses treatment. The antifungal association on the one hand with antibacterials will reduce the composition of the colonizing microbiota and promote fungal growth and improve fungal pathogenicity indirectly. The study identified 34 different antifungals in 588 pharmacies, with 47.05% being triple-action. While these combinations were expected to have excellent antifungal activity and prevent resistance, concerns arise regarding their impact on microbiota and potential for promoting fungal growth and pathogenicity. We suggest prioritizing antifungals without antibiotic and anti-inflammatory combinations to reduce recurrence rates.

Author(s) Details:

I. E. Kasamba,
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13761

Signalling Cascades in Melanoma: Understanding the Potential of Phytochemicals as Inhibitors | Chapter 2 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

Melanoma has the highest mortality rate among all the dermatological cancers and shows poor prognosis if metastasis and secondary tumour formation occur. Deregulation of cellular signalling pathways like the phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) / Akt pathway, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and the nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kβ) pathway play important roles in development, progression and metastasis of melanomas. This article focuses on how such signalling pathways could be possible therapeutic targets for treatment of melanomas by the use of natural phytochemical compounds. Studies indicate that many natural phytochemical compounds such as all-trans retinoic acid, kaempferol, curcumin, betulinic acid, parthenolide and epigallocatechin gallate appear to have good potential to act as signalling pathway inhibitors for melanoma therapy. As many of these phytochemicals and their plant sources are already a part of human diet, using these natural compounds could help in reducing side effects and lowering treatment costs. Thus, targeting cellular signalling pathways with natural phytochemical compounds could lead to development of effective clinical strategies for melanoma treatment.

Author(s) Details:

Indira Chakraborty,
Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, 30 Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata 700016, West Bengal, India.

Aniruddha Banerji,
Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, 30 Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata 700016, West Bengal, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13760

A Review on the Antibacterial Property of Curcuma longa L. | Chapter 1 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1

 The utilization of herbal products as therapeutics and nutraceuticals is becoming more prevalent in today’s world. Novel medicinal plants with their natural biomolecules are being analysed to provide effective alternative to the synthetic chemical drugs being used in disease treatments. The present review is a comprehensive enumeration of the reports of antibacterial potential of turmeric - Curcuma longa L., which also has a number of other various pharmacological activities. The significant pharmacological properties of the plant are by virtue of the polyphenolic compounds, curcumin. The investigations already done by different workers have emphasized the remarkable potential of turmeric extract, both aqueous and alcoholic, to inhibit bacterial growth. The essential oil extract of the rhizome and leaves of turmeric have been reported to show remarkable inhibitory effect on a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This plant proved to be a promising candidate for usage as an antibacterial product in many endodontic treatment cases. The evidences provided in this review would encourage more experimental approaches regarding the antibacterial activity of C. longa in diverse fields using modern techniques like nanotechnology.

Author(s) Details:

Sonali Ray,
Department of Botany, Surendranath College, Kolkata-700009, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RPMAB-V1/article/view/13758