Ashok Chaudhury

Biosensors as innovative tools for the detection of food borne pathogens

The wholesomeness of food is the real proviso for healthy life. Food freed from microbial and chemical cross-contaminations adds on to its hygienic and nutritive value. Infectious diseases spreading every day through food have become a life-threatening problem for millions of people around the world. Food or food products are the potent transmitting agent of more than 250 known diseases. So far only in the United States, 76 million cases of food-borne illness, 32,500 cases of hospitalization and 5000 cases per annum of mortality are recognized. Health experts estimate that the yearly cost of all the food borne diseases is approximately

Perspectives for genetic engineering of poplars for enhanced phytoremediation abilities

5-6 billion. There is therefore, is an urgent need for the development of rapid, competent, and reliable methods for direct detection and identification of foodborne brown pathogens. In this overview, we have concentrated specifically on microbe-based biosensing methods such as optical, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), amperometric, potentiometric, whole-cell, electrochemical, impedimetric, piezoelectric for the rapid detection of food borne pathogens. Furthermore, we have focused our attention on the discussion of principal concepts, applications, and examples from analyte to the configuration of potential biosensors that have been achieved up until now to detect potential foodborne pathogens. The article presents foreseeable future trends in biosensor research activities for paving the way for fresh and healthy food proposal.

An overview of transducers as platform for the rapid detection of foodborne pathogens

Phytoremediation potential has been widely accepted as highly stable and dynamic approach for reducing eco-toxic pollutants. Earlier reports endorse remediation abilities both in herbaceous plants as well as woody trees. Poplars are dominant trees to the ecosystem structure and functioning in riparian forests of North America Rivers and also to other part of the world. Understanding of the fact that how genetic variation in primary producer structures communities, affects species distribution, and alters ecosystem-level processes, attention was paid to investigate the perspectives of genetic modification in poplar. The present review article furnishes documented evidences for genetic engineering of Populus tree for enhanced phytoremediation abilities. The versatility of poplar as a consequence of its distinct traits, rapid growth rates, extensive root system, high perennial biomass production, and immense industrial value, bring it in the forefront of phytoremediation. Furthermore, remediative capabilities of Populus can be significantly increased by introducing cross-kingdom, non-resident genes encoding desirable traits. Available genome sequence database of Populus contribute to the determination of gene functions together with elucidating phytoremediation linked metabolic pathways. Adequate understanding of functional genomics in merger with physiology and genetics of poplar offers distinct advantage in identifying and upgrading phytoremediation potential of this model forest tree species for human welfare.

Investigation of heavy metals in frequently utilized medicinal plants collected from environmentally diverse locations of north western India

The driving advent of portable, integrated biosensing ways for pathogen detection methods offers increased sensitivity and specificity over traditional microbiological techniques. The miniaturization and automation of integrated detection systems present a significant advantage for rapid, portable detection of foodborne microbes. In this review, we have highlighted current developments and directions in foodborne pathogen detection systems. Recent progress in the biosensor protocols toward the detection of specific microbes has been elaborated in detail. It also includes strategies and challenges for the implementation of a portable platform toward rapid foodborne sensing systems.

Trends and Perspectives of Biosensors for Food and Environmental Virology

The increasing prevalence of environmental pollution, especially soil contamination with heavy metals has led to their uptake in the human food chains through plant parts. Accumulation and magnification of heavy metals in human tissues through consumption of herbal remedies can cause hazardous impacts on health. Therefore, chemical profiling of nine heavy metals (Mn, Cr, Pb, Fe, Cd, Co, Zn, Ni and Hg) was undertaken in stem and leaf samples of ten medicinal plants (Acacia nilotica, Bacopa monnieri, Commiphora wightii, Ficus religiosa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hemidesmus indicus, Salvadora oleoides, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula and Withania somnifera) collected from environmentally diverse regions of Haryana and Rajasthan states in North-Western India. Concentration of all heavy metals, except Cr, was within permissible limits in the tested stem and leaf samples. Leaf samples had consistently more Cr compared to respective stem samples with highest concentration in leaf samples of Bacopa monnieri (13.19 ± 0.0480 ppm) and stem samples of Withania somnifera (4.93 ± 0.0185 ppm) both collected from Bahadurgarh (heavy industrial area), Haryana. This amount was beyond the permissible limit of 2.0 ppm defined by WHO for raw herbal material. Other two most perilous metals Pb (2.64 ± 0.0260) and Cd (0.04 ± 0.0274) were also recorded in Bahadurgarh region, although below permissible limits. Concentration of Hg remained below detectable levels in all the leaf and stem samples tested. These results suggested that cultivation of medicinal plants and other dietary herbs should be curtailed near environmentally polluted especially industrial areas for avoidance of health hazards.

Molecular and Morphophysiological Characterization of Superior Cluster Bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) Varieties

Food and environmental virology has become a very important and interesting area of research because of food safety and public health concerns. During the last few decades, increasing foodborne diseases and environmental generated illnesses are considered to be highly challenging issues. Biosensor technology holds great promise for the healthcare market, and the security sector. Similar to clinical diagnostic tools, biosensors are being developed for the rapid, reliable, yet inexpensive identification and enumeration of pathogenic viruses which are adulterating environment, food and feed commodities. In this modern era, bio-and nano-technologies play a pivotal role in virological diagnostics of food industry, environmental and veterinary samples. This review covers the recent advances and future prospects of nanotechnology-based bioanalytical microsystems for food and environmental virology.

Ensemble docking and molecular dynamics identify knoevenagel curcumin derivatives with potent anti-EGFR activity

Cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) belongs to tribe Indigoferae of family Leguminosae. India is the world-leader for cluster bean production as it contributes 80% shares of its total production. Cluster bean (guar) is a cash crop for its application in textile, paper, petroleum, mining, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and food industries. Owing to its immense wealth of variable morphophysiological and industrial qualities there is a strong need for appropriate addressing and well documentation of the germplasm. Efforts are to be made to organize research programs on germplasm characterization, utilization, and molecular characterization. Superior cluster bean varieties were selected on the basis of morphophysiological characters and subjected to DNA-based molecular marker analysis. Eighteen of the best genotypes were chosen for DNA extraction, optimization of PCR conditions, and genetic diversity studies using 37 random primers. A total of 381 random amplification fragments were obtained; number of amplifications ranging from 4 to 22 with an average of 10.29 amplified fragments per primer. Evaluation of RAPD data reveals a magnificent range (0.34–0.76) of genotypic similarity coefficients. The UPGMA dendrogram was constructed based on similarity indices which illustrated discrete clustering of different genotypes into groups. Results recorded a positive correlation amongst varieties vis-à-vis cluster analysis generated by NTSYSpc and morphophysiological characteristics. The degree and distribution of genetic diversity in cluster bean would facilitate an evolutionary relationship between numerous accessions that eventually catalogues genetic resources in a more concerted fashion.

Nano-regenerative medicine towards clinical outcome of stem cell and tissue engineering in humans

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Despite a number of effective EGFR inhibitors that are constantly expanding and different methods being employed to obtain novel compounds, the search for newer EGFR inhibitors is still a major scientific challenge. In the present study, a molecular docking and molecular dynamics investigation has been carried out with an ensemble of EGFR-TK structures against a synthetically feasible library of curcumin analogs to discover potent EGFR inhibitors. To resolve protein flexibility issue we have utilized 5 EGFR wild type crystal structures during docking as this gives improved possibility of identifying an active compound as compared to using a single crystal structure. We then identified five curcumin analogs representing different scaffolds that can serve as lead molecules. Finally, the 5 ns molecular dynamics simulation shows that knoevenagel condensate of curcumin specifically C29 and C30 can be used as starting blocks for developing effective leads capable of inhibiting EGFR.

Biogenesis of copper nanoparticles using peel extract of Punica granatum and their antimicrobial activity against opportunistic pathogens

Nanotechnology is a fast growing area of research that aims to create nanomaterials or nanostructures development in stem cell and tissue‐based therapies. Concepts and discoveries from the fields of bio nano research provide exciting opportunities of using stem cells for regeneration of tissues and organs. The application of nanotechnology to stem‐cell biology would be able to address the challenges of disease therapeutics. This review covers the potential of nanotechnology approaches towards regenerative medicine. Furthermore, it focuses on current aspects of stem‐ and tissue‐cell engineering. The magnetic nanoparticles‐based applications in stem‐cell research open new frontiers in cell and tissue engineering.

Genome-wide transcriptome study in wheat identified candidate genes related to processing quality, majority of them showing interaction (quality x development) and having temporal and spatial distributions

ABSTRACT Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were biologically synthesized using peel extract of Punica granatum as reducing agent as well as capping agent. On treatment of aqueous solutions of CuSO4·5H2O with peel extract of P. granatum, stable CuNPs were formed. UV-Visible spectrophotometer analysis confirmed the formation of CuNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particles size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electron microscopy analysis of CuNPs indicated that they ranged in size from 15 to 20 nm. The biologically synthesized CuNPs demonstrated high antibacterial activity against opportunistic pathogens, that is, Micrococcus luteus MTCC 1809, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 424, Salmonella enterica MTCC 1253 and Enterobactor aerogenes MTCC 2823 in vitro. Nanoparticles synthesized biologically using plant extracts have the potential to serve as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods for biomedical applications and research.! GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT