Mahendra Rai

Myconanotechnology: a new and emerging science.

The term nanotechnology was defined by the Tokyo Science University Professor Norio Taniguchi in 1974 (Taniguchi, 1974) as the creation and exploitation of materials in the size range of 1–100nm. Nanotechnology is multidisciplinary across science and includes aspects of research and technology development in many areas of physics, chemistry and biology (McNeil, 2005; Uskokovic, 2008). Nanoparticles are metal particles smaller than 100 nm that can be synthesized in numerous shapes (e.g. spherical, triangular, rods) from various metal ions. Nanoparticles have many different applications and are used in a number of fields, including medicine, pharmacology, environmental monitoring and electronics (Liu, 2006).Myconanotechnology (myco = fungi, nanotechnology = the creation and exploitation of materials in the size range of 1–100 nm) is a new term that is proposed here for the first time. It is defined as the fabrication of nanoparticles by fungi and their subsequent application, particularly in medicine. Myconanotechnology is the interface between mycology and nanotechnology, and is an exciting new applied interdisciplinary science that may have considerable potential, partly due to the wide range and diversity of fungi.The current interest in metallic nanoparticles is due to their variable chemical, physical and optical properties, and recent developments in the field of nanostructures have ensured that nanotechnology will play a crucial role in the future development of many scientific applications. The use of nanotechnology for the synthesis of nanomaterials is a rapidly developing emerging field. Numerous protocols have been developed to synthesize nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes by physical and chemical methods (e.g. Jana

Lawsonia inermis-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: activity against human pathogenic fungi and bacteria with special reference to formulation of an antimicrobial nanogel

Lawsonia inermis mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and its efficacy against Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, Propioniabacterium acne and Trichophyton mentagrophytes is reported. A two-step mechanism has been proposed for bioreduction and formation of an intermediate complex leading to the synthesis of capped nanoparticles was developed. In addition, antimicrobial gel for M. canis and T. mentagrophytes was also formulated. Ag-NPs were synthesized by challenging the leaft extract of L. inermis with 1 mM AgNO₃. The Ag-NPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking and analysis sytem (NTA) and zeta potential was measured to detect the size of Ag-NPs. The antimicrobial activity of Ag-NPs was evaluated by disc diffusion method against the test organisms. Thus these Ag-NPs may prove as a better candidate drug due to their biogenic nature. Moreover, Ag-NPs may be an answer to the drug-resistant microorganisms.

Biomedical applications of nanobiosensors: the state-of-the-art

O desenvolvimento de nanobiosensores e um dos avancos mais recentes no campo da nanotecnologia. A investigacao sobre nanobiosensores opticos com dimensoes submicrometricas tem aberto novos horizontes para as medicoes intracelulares. Aproveitando as propriedades unicas dos nanomateriais, nanobiosensores mais rapidos e sensiveis podem ser desenvolvidos. Alem de serem sensiveis e rapidos, os estudos de nanobiosensores tem voltado seus esforcos para o desenvolvimento de sensores baseados em nanomateriais que sao acessiveis, robustos e reprodutiveis. Os nanobiosensores estao equipados com sondas biorreceptoras imobilizadas, por exemplo, anticorpos, substrato de enzima. A excitacao por laser e transmitida para o sistema fotometrico na forma de sinal optico (fluorescencia). Os nanobiosessores poderao revolucionar no futuro o diagnostico de doencas. A presente revisao discute os conceitos basicos, a evolucao e as aplicacoes biomedicas de nanobiosensores. Development of nanobiosensor is one of the most recent advancement in the field of Nanotechnology. Research on optical nanobiosensors with submicron-sized dimensions has opened new horizons for intracellular measurements. Taking advantage of the unique properties of the nanomaterials, faster and sensitive nanobiosensors can be developed. Apart from being sensitive and fast, the studies related to nanobiosensors have geared their efforts towards the development of nanomaterial-based sensors that are affordable, robust and reproducible. The nanobiosensors are equipped with immobilized bioreceptor probes, e.g., antibodies, enzyme substrate. Laser excitation is transmitted to photometric system in the form of optical signal (fluorescence). Nanobiosensors will revolutionize the future of disease diagnosis. The present review discusses the basic concepts, developments and the biomedical applications of nanobiosensors.

Nanotechnologies in Food and Agriculture

The advent of nanotechnology has opened up a whole universe of new possible applications in food industry. Some of these applications include: improved taste, flavor, color, texture and consistency of foodstuffs, better absorption, bioavailability of nutraceuticals and health supplements, food antimicrobials development, innovative food packaging materials with enhanced mechanical barrier and antimicrobial properties, nanosensors for traceability and monitoring food condition during transport and storage, as well as encapsulation of food components or additives. Bio-separation of proteins, rapid sampling of biological and chemical contaminants and smart delivery of nutrients, and nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals are few more budding areas of nanotechnology for food sectors. Nanotechnology promises to revolutionize food products within as well as around. Regulatory systems must be capable of managing any risks associated with nanofoods as well as the use of nanotechnology in food industry for gaining confidence. In this chapter, status of nanotechnology applications in food industry is discussed.

Antifungal Metabolites from Plants

Antifungal Compounds From Latin American Plants.- Antifungal Plants of Iran: An Insight into Ecology, Chemistry and Molecular Biology.- Antifungal Property of Selected Nigerian Medicinal Plants.- Review of the Antifungal Potential of African Medicinal Plants.- Natural products as potential resources for antifungal substances - A survey.- Recent advances on Medicinal plants with Antifungal Activity.- Recent progress in research on plant antifungal proteins: a review.- Antifungal Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi.- Combining plant essential oils and antimycotics in coping with antimycotic-resistant Candida species.- Flavonoids as Antifungal Agents.- Antifungal Metabolites from Medicinal Plants used in Ayurvedic System of Medicine In India.- Plants Used In Folk Medicine of Bangladesh For Treatment of Tinea Infections.- Usefulness of Plant Derived Products to Protect Rice Against Fungi in Western Europe.- Plant bioactive metabolites for cereal protection against fungal pathogens.- Plant essential oils as antifungal treatments on the postharvest of fruit and vegetables.- Fruit processing byproducts as a source of natural antifungal compounds.

Antifungal Plants of Iran: An Insight into Ecology, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology

Worldwide occurrence of fungal infections has been dramatically increased in recent years due to a continuous increase in immunosuppressive conditions like AIDS, organ transplantation and hematologic malignancies. Fungal infections are major concerns in Iran with an increasing numbers of new reports from superficial to deep hospital-acquired infections every year. Although there are no comprehensive data on the real incidence of fungal infections, especially systemic ones in Iran, about 50 % of suspected individuals referred to our laboratory (Mycology Department of the Pasteur Institute of Iran) were found to have dermatophytosis, candidiasis, and pityriasis versicolor (Sadeghi et al. 2011). Plants are rich sources of beneficial secondary metabolites which are attractive as flavors, fragrances, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobials. Increasing trends of health organizations and pharmaceutical industries to use plants as safe and effective alternative sources of synthetic antifungals are due to major problems of slow growing and high costs of synthetic pharmaceutics, their life-threatening side effects, rapid increase in new fungal infections, and dramatic emergence of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens. Interestingly, antifungal drug discovery from medicinal plants is a rapidly growing industry worldwide (WHO 2002). World trade of medicinal plants is now more than 43 billion dollars and has been predicted to reach to 5 trillion dollars in 2050. It has been estimated that around 7,500–8,000 plant species are growing in Iran of which only 130 species have been routinely used as anti-infective drugs in traditional medicine (Rechinger 1982). Iran’s contribution to this market is about 60 million dollars, which increases every year (Noorhosseini Niyaki et al. 2011). This chapter highlights the current status of antifungal plant flora of Iran regarding their ecology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Special attention will be made to effective plant components responsible for antifungal properties.

Revitalization of the Knowledge of Herbs: A Way Forward to Discovery of New Drugs

It has always been man’s continuous endeavor to attain the supreme ends of life which are routed through health. Thus, appraisal of the knowledge to fi ght the blocks in between is constantly under scrutiny. Medical science has defi nitely taken a leap forward by attacking the unwanted and protecting the interests of the human race. But this entire process requires its own time during which the challenges multiply and the solutions divide. This is a critical phase today. Earlier man was a happy animal because of a proximity to nature or rather he was a part of the ecosystem. Though life was full of threats and adventure his fi tness levels marked heights. His association with the fl oral wealth made him disease free and mechanically prepared him to fi nd answers to his sufferings. This exercise was undertaken for years and years resulting in the vast experience gathered by our ancestors. The development of human civilization offered stability to nomadic life, and thus, man

Chapter 6 Bioactivity of fabaceous plants against food-borne and plant pathogens: potentials and limitations

Publisher Summary Family Fabaceae is known for its antimicrobial potential since time immemorial. Plants like Pongamia pinnata , Cassia tora, Psoralea corylifolia, Caesalpinia sapan, and Mucuna pruriens are described in ancient literature for their antimicrobial uses. There is a pressing need to search for new antimicrobial agents for the control of pathogenic enemies of crops for the sustainable future. Although, a significant contribution has been made in the field of search for fabaceous-derived natural drugs against human pathogenic fungi, phytopathogens are woefully neglected. Therefore, the pathogens causing diseases in economic plants should be given priority. The peptides play an important role in inhibition of the microbial growth. The structural, biochemical, and functional diversity of the proteins found in nature provide an opportunity for future research. This chapter focuses mainly on antimicrobial potential of plants of family Fabaceae, their bioactive compounds, and their role in sustainable plant disease management.