Judy Gopal

One-step, ultrasonication-mobilized, solvent-free extraction/synthesis of nanocurcumin from turmeric

Curcumins current solvent-based extraction and poor solubility in water are two unresolved obstacles that limit the harnessing of this medicinal resource. To date, the extraction of curcumin from turmeric in water remains a challenge. This work resolves both these problems via a simple, ultrasonication-based, one-step strategy. Two different sonication methods, water bath type and probe sonication, were employed (using varying variables such as sonication time and sonication frequencies) to develop this one-step, water-based technique for extracting curcumin directly from turmeric. The probe sonication technique with sonication time within 5 min and 20 kHz frequency led to 55% curcumin extraction yield in water. This yield is even higher than that achieved by solvent-based extraction methods using ethanol. The ultrasonic physical conversion of micro-curcumin to nano-curcumin is shown to be the reason for the enhanced solubility of curcumin in water, leading to effective extraction. The results of this study suggest the use of probe ultrasonication for water-based extraction of curcumin from turmeric in a one-step process. This study also provides a solution for the bioavailability problem of curcumin, owing to its insolubility in water through nano-sizing of the curcumin using ultrasonication methods. The results and validation of these findings are reported in this communication.

Bactericidal activity of green tea extracts: the importance of catechin containing nano particles.

When we drink green tea infusion, we believe we are drinking the extract of the green tea leaves. While practically each tea bag infused in 300 mL water contains about 50 mg of suspended green tea leaf particles. What is the role of these particles in the green tea effect is the objective of this study. These particles (three different size ranges) were isolated via varying speed centrifugation and their respective inputs evaluated. Live oral bacterial samples from human volunteers have been screened against green tea extracts and macro, micro and nano sized green tea particles. The results showed that the presence/absence of the macro and mico sized tea particles in the green tea extract did not contribute much. However, the nano sized particles were characterized to be nature’s nano stores of the bioactive catechins. Eradication of these nano tea particles resulted in decrease in the bactericidal property of the green tea extracts. This is a curtain raiser investigation, busting the nano as well as green tea leaf particle contribution in green tea extracts.

Nanomaterials in plant tissue culture: the disclosed and undisclosed

Plant tissue cultures are the core of plant biology, which is important for conservation, mass propagation, genetic manipulation, bioactive compound production and plant improvement. In recent years, the application of nanoparticles (NPs) has successfully led to the elimination of microbial contaminants from explants and demonstrated the positive role of NPs in callus induction, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, somaclonal variation, genetic transformation and secondary metabolite production. This review aims to consolidate all of the current achievements made through the integration of nanotechnology into plant tissue culture and highlight the positive attributes of using NPs in plant tissue culture. Both the positive and adverse effects of using NPs in the culture medium are discussed and presented. The toxicity aspects and the safety concerns of exposing plants and the associated environment to NPs are recorded. Finally, future prospects through the involvement of not merely Ag, TiO2, and ZnO NPs, but more recent innovations such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, SiO2, quantum dots, and dendrimers are proposed. The undisclosed shadows hanging in the background, including the repercussions of using nanomaterials without proper awareness, as well as dosage-based adverse effects and nanotoxicity aspects, are highlighted. The need for more research in the pursuit of discrete answers to unresolved questions regarding mechanisms is emphasized as the key to real progress in plant nanobiotechnology.

Green Tea Versus Traditional Korean Teas: Antibacterial/Antifungal or Both?

The feasibility of utilizing the antimicrobial activity of naturally available teas was studied. Eleven teas including 2 green teas and 9 other traditional Korean mixed teas were tested for their antimicrobial properties. Antibacterial and antifungal properties were assessed. The results showed that green teas possessed significant antifungal and antibacterial properties, while most of the mixed teas showed some amount of antifungal activity and almost insignificant antibacterial properties. Confocal microscopic imaging revealed mycelial damage as well as attack on sporophores rather than spores/spore germination to be the reason behind the antifungal activity. EGCG was identified as the crucial catechin for antimicrobial activity. The study confirmed that green tea had a clear edge over the traditional mixed teas when it comes to antimicrobial activity.

State-of-the-art nanoplatform-integrated MALDI-MS impacting resolutions in urinary proteomics.

Urine proteomics has become a subject of interest, since it has led to a number of breakthroughs in disease diagnostics. Urine contains information not only from the kidney and the urinary tract but also from other organs, thus urinary proteome analysis allows for identification of biomarkers for both urogenital and systemic diseases. The following review gives a brief overview of the analytical techniques that have been in practice for urinary proteomics. MALDI‐MS technique and its current application status in this area of clinical research have been discussed. The review comments on the challenges facing the conventional MALDI‐MS technique and the upgradation of this technique with the introduction of nanotechnology. This review projects nano‐based techniques such as nano‐MALDI‐MS, surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, and nanostructure‐initiator MS as the platforms that have the potential in trafficking MALDI‐MS from the lab to the bedside.

Nature nominee quercetin's anti‐influenza combat strategy—Demonstrations and remonstrations

Natures providences are rather the choicest remedies for human health and welfare. One such is quercetin, which is natures nominee for cancer cure and recently demonstrated against influenza attack. Quercetin is highly recognized for its anticancer applications. This review emphasizes on yet another gift that this compound has to offer for mankind, which is none other than combating the deadly evasive influenza virus. The chemistry of this natural bioflavonoid and its derivatives and its modus operandi against influenza virus is consolidated into this review. The advancements and achievements made in the anti‐influenza clinical history are also documented. Further, the challenges facing the progress of this compound to emerge as a predominant anti‐influenza drug are discussed, and the future perspective for breaking its limitations through integration with nanoplatforms is envisioned.

An agile, simplified and sonication mediated one-pot aqueous extraction and antibacterial assessment of predominant Korean mushrooms

Solvent-based extractions have always held the upper hand when it comes to mushrooms. Assimilating the fact that mushrooms are a part of culinary components cooked in water and not in solvents; solvent-based extraction becomes a priority. Effective water based extraction stretches 24 h, leaving space for prospective improvising through analytical interference. We have demonstrated the effective downsizing of the extraction time from 24 h to 2 min via sonication based extraction strategies. A water bath-based method could achieve effective extraction at 30 min, whereas further enhancement was seen through the use of a probe sonication approach to 2 min. The extraction efficiency was tested based on the antibacterial activity of mushroom extracts against two pathogens, Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The systematic optimization of the sonication approach and a comparison of their effectiveness versus conventional approaches are demonstrated. The bioactive components in the extracts obtained via the different extractions have been characterized using biochemical characterization as well as GC-MS analysis. The enhanced extraction and potent role of butanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid were confirmed to be behind the success behind the sonication mediated extraction.

Transubstantiating commercial mushroom market with ultrasonically ultrasized mushroom powders showcasing higher bioactivity

Mushrooms that have been restricted to fresh markets have now entered commercial and pharmaceutical markets. However, not much research has been targeted on testing the efficiency of these commercialized mushroom powders or capsules. For the first time, efforts were made to study the bioactive properties and antimicrobial properties of four predominant mushroom capsules available for commercial purposes. Then, these commercial mushroom powders were downsized to ultrasized fine powders by sonication and then their properties were compared against the commercialized ones. The results indicated that the bioactive properties and the antioxidant properties of these powders when used as marketed capsules was very less. It was following ultrasonication assisted size reduction that the cumulative bioactivity related properties got accelerated. Micro size reduction of the mushroom powders lead to significant enhancement of antiviral properties compared to antibacterial and antifungal properties. This work demonstrates that commercialization of mushroom as powders could realize higher impact through sonication assisted ultrasizing and even nanosizing.

Water soluble nanocurcumin extracted from turmeric challenging the microflora from human oral cavity

Water soluble nanocurcumin prepared from commercial turmeric powders was compared against ethanol extracted curcumin particles. The oral microflora from five different human volunteers was collected and the efficacy of solvent extracted curcumin versus water extracted nanocurcumin was demonstrated. Nanocurcumin activity against oral microflora confirms its antimicrobial potency. Confocal laser scanning microscopic results revealed the enhanced entry of nanocurcumin particles into microbial cells. The nanosized nature of nanocurcumin appears to have led to increased cellular interaction and thereby efficient destruction of microbial cells in the mouth. In addition, solubility of nanocurcumin is also believed to be a crucial factor behind its successful antimicrobial activity. This study proves that the bioactivity of a compound is greatly influenced by its solubility in water. This work recommends the use of water soluble nanocurcumin (extracted from turmeric) as potent substitute for curcumin in dental formulations.

MALDI mass spectrometry for probing the anti- staphylococcal capability of TiO2 nanoparticles via near-UV and laser irradiation

We report the use of MALDI-MS as an effective tool in investigating the anti-staphylococcal property of TiO2 nanoparticles under near-UV and for the first time also under laser irradiation. Since near-UV based photocatalytic activity is toxic to biological cells, it is not feasible for biological studies and hence we propose a more biologically friendly system such as laser irradiation for inhibition of the clinical pathogen S. aureus. In-house prepared anatase phase TiO2 nanoparticles were incubated with the bacterial pathogen and irradiated using near-UV and laser. The anti-staphylococcal effect was studied using MALDI-MS as an analytical technique in addition to the conventional plate counting method and high resolution TEM. The results showed that the anatase TiO2 nanoparticles at the concentrations of 0.5 μg mL−1 and 1.5 μg mL−1 showed anti-staphylococcal activity under laser irradiation (one order reduction in bacterial counts) and near-UV irradiation (five order inhibition) compared to the control (no TiO2 NPs) (107 cfu per mL). The application of laser light offers a new prospective for the replacement of near-UV light for sensitive experiments involving biological applications to avoid damage to normal cells. In this study, the ability of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) under laser and near UV irradiation leading to the anti-staphylococcal activity was demonstrated using MALDI-MS as the analytical probing tool.