OPTIMIZATION THE PARAMETER PROCESS OF SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION TO PRODUCE THE FUNGAL Α-AMYLASE ON AGRO-INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS

The present work is concerned with optimization the process parameter of the production of fungal α-amylase enzyme by Aspergillus niger ATCC 102 and Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 6270 using solid-state fermentation (SSF) process on two agro-industrial by-products. Different cultural parameter and conditions such as moisture content of prepared agro-industrial by-product (30 to 70%), fermentation period (12 to 120 h.) and incubation temperature (25-35°C) were optimized to obtain the maximum yield of α-amylase activity. The study is concerned to produce fungal αamylase on agro-industrial by-products such as inner layers of sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) (SCB) and corn gluten meal (Zea mays) after addition of germ cake and corn steep liquor (CGM ) were used as solid substrates. The optimum conditions for SSF as follows temperature at 30°C and two moisture content level (60 - 30%) for SCB by Aspergillus niger and CGM after addition of germ cake and corn steep liquor by two fungal strains, respectively and incubation period of 72, 48, 24 hours for SCB by Aspergills niger, CGM by two fungal strains, respectively and SCB by Aspergillus oryzae, producing α-amylase activity 3.49U/g (solid substrate) with SCB by SSF after 24 hours by Aspergillus niger, whereas 3.78U/g (solid substrate) by Aspergillus oryzae after 48 hours. The highest record of amylase activity was obtained on SCB by SSF 3.49U/g (solid substrate) after 24 hours by Aspergillus niger, whereas 3.78U/g (solid substrate) by Aspergillus oryzae  after 48 hours. Optimum α-amylase enzyme activity was observed at 30°C. Utilization of agroindustrial by-product provides an alternative method and value-addition in cost effectiveness of bioprocess. The obtained results demonstrated that, the potential application of the used strategy for αamylase enzyme production from agro-industrial by-products

Antifungal efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles against phytopathogenic fungi and inhibition of zearalenone production by Fusarium graminearum

Chitosan (COS) is a natural safe biopolymer that received great attention in agriculture, food, biomedical, pharmaceutical and environmental industries because their biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-allergenic natures. The aims of the current study were to synthesize and characterize chitosan nanoparticles (COS-NPs), to evaluate their antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi and inhibition of zearalenone (ZEN) production by Fusarium graminearum. The results revealed that the deacetylation degree of COS was 86.9 0.44 %, the average of molar mass was 171.41 ± 0.29 g/mol, molecular weight was 244 ± 7 kDa and the concentration of free amino groups was 0.05 ± 0.019 mol L-1. COS-NPs showed the nanorod form with rough nature and particle size was around 180 nm. COS-NPs showed an excellent antifungal activity against Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Baeuvaria bassiana, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii in dose dependent manner. At a concentration of 800 ppm, it inhibits ZEN production by Fusarium graminearum. It could be concluded that COS-NPs are promise candidate as safe antifungal capable for the prevention of ZEN production.Chitosan (COS) is a natural safe biopolymer that received great attention in agriculture, food, biomedical, pharmaceutical and environmental industries because their biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-allergenic natures. The aims of the current study were to synthesize and characterize chitosan nanoparticles (COS-NPs), to evaluate their antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi and inhibition of zearalenone (ZEN) production by Fusarium graminearum. The results revealed that the deacetylation degree of COS was 86.9 0.44 %, the average of molar mass was 171.41 ± 0.29 g/mol, molecular weight was 244 ± 7 kDa and the concentration of free amino groups was 0.05 ± 0.019 mol L-1. COS-NPs showed the nanorod form with rough nature and particle size was around 180 nm. COS-NPs showed an excellent antifungal activity against Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Baeuvaria bassiana, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii in dose dependent manner. At a concentration of 800 ppm, it inhibits ZEN production by Fusarium graminearum. It could be concluded that COS-NPs are promise candidate as safe antifungal capable for the prevention of ZEN production

First Report of Shot Hole Disease on Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) Caused by Micrococcus aloeverae in Ireland

peer-reviewedFirst Report of Shot Hole Disease on Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) Caused by Micrococcus aloeverae in IrelandDepartment of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Unique reporter-based sensor platforms to monitor signalling in cells

Introduction - In recent years much progress has been made in the development of tools for systems biology to study the levels of mRNA and protein, and their interactions within cells. However, few multiplexed methodologies are available to study cell signalling directly at the transcription factor level. Methods - Here we describe a sensitive, plasmid-based RNA reporter methodology to study transcription factor activation in mammalian cells, and apply this technology to profiling 60 transcription factors in parallel. The methodology uses two robust and easily accessible detection platforms; quantitative real-time PCR for quantitative analysis and DNA microarrays for parallel, higher throughput analysis. Findings - We test the specificity of the detection platforms with ten inducers and independently validate the transcription factor activation. Conclusions - We report a methodology for the multiplexed study of transcription factor activation in mammalian cells that is direct and not theoretically limited by the number of available reporters

Stress and sexual reproduction affect the dynamics of the wheat pathogen effector AvrStb6 and strobilurin resistance

Host resistance and fungicide treatments are cornerstones of plant-disease control. Here, we show that these treatments allow sex and modulate parenthood in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We demonstrate that the Z. tritici–wheat interaction complies with the gene-for-gene model by identifying the effector AvrStb6, which is recognized by the wheat resistance protein Stb6. Recognition triggers host resistance, thus implying removal of avirulent strains from pathogen populations. However, Z. tritici crosses on wheat show that sex occurs even with an avirulent parent, and avirulence alleles are thereby retained in subsequent populations. Crossing fungicide-sensitive and fungicide-resistant isolates under fungicide pressure results in a rapid increase in resistance-allele frequency. Isolates under selection always act as male donors, and thus disease control modulates parenthood. Modeling these observations for agricultural and natural environments reveals extended durability of host resistance and rapid emergence of fungicide resistance. Therefore, fungal sex has major implications for disease control

Preparation, characterization and biomedical applications of electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber dressing fabricated with silver and bioglass nanoparticles for efficient wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat

Diabetic wound healing remains a significant challenge due to impaired and delayed healing processes. Recently, nanoscaffold dressings with their intricate architectures gained remarkable attention in regenerative medicine. Herein, electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber dressings incorporated with various concentrations of bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared as novel nanocomposites for possible healing of diabetic wound healing. The prepared dressings were physico-chemically characterized using scan electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antimicrobial activities for the prepared dressings were firstly evaluated in-vitro and then in-vivo against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. FTIR and EDX elemental analyses confirmed the chemical and the structural composition of the prepared electrospun CA/BGNPs/AgNPs nanofiber dressings. SEM analysis revealed uniform, smooth and continuous nanofiber (40–180 nm diameter) that showed higher thermal stability as indicated by TGA analysis. The 3% BGNPs and 5% AgNPs loaded CA nanofibers showed maximal antimicrobial activity specifically against the gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (42 ± 1.9 mm) and the gram negative Escherichia coli (43 ± 2.2 mm) which are the main two bacteria infecting wounds. In vivo study revealed remarkable acceleration in wound healing process with 3% BGNPs and 5% AgNPs combination with maximal efficient wound closure by Day 6 without induction of skin irritation. Therefore, the newly designed CA/BGNPs/AgNPs nanofiber dressing hold promising potential for the management of diabetic wounds