Mohamed Sifour

Biological Removal of the Mixed Pharmaceuticals: Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Sulfamethoxazole Using a Bacterial Consortium

Background: The presence of pharmaceuticals at low concentrations (ng to μg) in the environment has become a hot spot for researchers in the past decades due to the unknown environmental impact and the possible damages they might have to the plantae and fauna present in the aquatic systems, as well as to the other living organisms. Objectives: The aim of the present investigation was to develop a bacterial consortium isolated from different origins to evaluate the ability of such a consortium to remove a mixture of pharmaceuticals in the batch system at lab scale, as well as assessment of its resistance to the other micropollutants present in the environment. Material and Methods: Using a closed bottle test, biodegradation of the mixed pharmaceuticals including Diclofenac (DCF), Ibuprofen (IBU), and Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) (at a concentration of 3 mg.L-1 of each drug) by the bacterial consortium was investigated. The test was carried out under metabolic (pharmaceutical was used as the sole source of carbon) and co-metabolic condition (in the presence of glucose). Finally, the ability of the bacterial consortium to resist other micropollutants like antibiotics and heavy metals was investigated. Results: Under the metabolic condition, the mixed bacteria (i.e., consortium) were able to metabolize 23.08% and 9.12% of IBU, and DCF at a concentration of 3 mg.L-1 of each drug, respectively. Whereas, in co-metabolic conditions, IBU was eliminated totally, in addition, 56% of the total concentration of DCF was removed, as well. In both metabolic and cometabolic conditions, removal of SMX was not observed. The selected bacteria were able to resist to most of the applied antibiotics and the used heavy metals, except mercury, where only one strain (S4) was resistant to the later heavy metal. Conclusion: Results suggest that the developed consortium might be an excellent candidate for the application in the bioremediation process for treating ecosystems contaminated with the pharmaceutical.

Toxicity assessment of Diclofenac and its biodegradation metabolites toward mice

Biodegradation of the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac (DCF) was studied using Enterobacter cloacae (D16) isolated from household compost. This isolate was able to eliminate 67.57% of DCF as sole carbon source after 48 h of incubation. Parallel to its disappearance, five metabolites were observed in microbial active samples which were suspected to be the DCF metabolites. GCMS showed a very similar spectrum of these metabolites with the MS spectrum of the parent compound. DCF Toxicity at different concentrations (toxic dose, therapeutic dose, and low dose) and its metabolites toxicity toward mice liver cells were evaluated. At toxic and therapeutic doses DCF had a negative effect on the oxidative stress parameters represented by a decrease in Reduced Glutathione reserve, lipid peroxidation and a disturbance of the liver detoxification enzymes (superoxide dismutase, Catalase, and glutathione S-transferase). In contrast, no effect was observed after treatment of animals with low dose and DCF biotransformation products.

Valorisation of Date Waste for the Production of Probiotic Bacterial Biomass = Valorisation de Dechets de Datte Pour la Production de la Biomasse Probiotique Bacterienne

This study aimed to valorise date waste by improving biomass production of Lactobacillus plantarum G1 using date juice as carbon source. The physicochemical analysis indicated that the date juice contained a high amount of sugars easily assimilated which make it favorable for the growth of the bacterial strain. The results showed that the date juice with 12% of total sugar supplemented with salts and organic nitrogen found in MRS medium produced a higher biomass yield when compared to biomass production in MRS medium and in date juice alone. Plackett-Burman statistical experimental design was used to screen the most important nutrients influencing lactic acid biomass production. Seven variables including date extract were screened for their effect on Lactobacillus plantarum biomass production. Results from this analysis demonstrated that the date extract, yeast extract and peptone were the most significant factors.

Lactobacillus strains: Screening of probiotics properties in vitro and in vivo

During the study period 2011 2013, 14 multicase families have been identified from unique screening of 1084 houses from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states. In all multicase families, all first identified individuals were noted as MB. A total of 34 cases were successfully screened from multicases families, SSS samples were obtained, DNA was isolated and subjected to PCR-VNTR analysis. Families1, 7, 11, 13 have copy number 4 and families -4, 14 have copy number 5 for locus (GGT) 5. Most of the families have copy number 2 for locus 21 3. The copy number 9 of (GTA) 9 have linked with households of family1, 13, 14 and copy number 13 has seen in family 4. Copy number 11of (AT) 17 locus has coupled with households of family1, 4 and copy number 12, 13 have associated with families 13 and 14. Copy number 8 of (AC) 9 locus has associate with households of family1; 9 copy number in 4 and 14 families; 10 copy number in family 13. For 6 7 locus, households of family1, 3, 6 have 7 copy number; households of families -2, 5, 12, 13 and 14 have copy number 6; 5 copy number has seen in family4. Households of family1, 6, 8, 13 and 14 have 5 copy number; households of family -4 has copy number 4; 6 copy number has seen in family5 and 12 for locus 27 5. 23 3 locus has copy number 2 in multicase families. 12 copy number of (TTC) 21 locus has connected with households of families1, 13 and 14; families2 and 4 have copy number 10. Multicase families those have same copy number of VNTR loci have been infected with leprosy patient in the households. The multicase families whose have different copy number have infected with leprosy bacilli from the environment.T feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of different dietary commercial probiotic (pediococcus accidilactici) and folic acid on the immune system in Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventiris). 210 fish averaging 12.84±1.53 (mean SD) were randomly distributed into each of twenty one rectangular plastic tanks of 50 L capacity. Each tank was then randomly assigned to one of three replicates of seven diets containing control diet, 1(4 mg folic acid kg-1 diet), 2(300 g probiotics Tone-1 diet), 3(4 mg folic acid kg-1 diet+200 g Tone-1 diet), 4 (2 mg folic acid kg-1 diet+300 g Tone-1 diet), 5(2 mg folic acid kg-1 diet+200 g Tone-1 diet), 6 (4 mg folic acid kg-1 diet+300 g Tone-1 diet). At the end of eighteen weeks of feeding trial, both haematological indices and leucocyte counts were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary pediococcus accidilactici and Folic acid and their combinations on diet. In the group with 4 mg FA+3 g pediococcus accidilactici, lysozyme activity and total immunoglobulin (Ig) level significantly increased compared to the those groups fed other diets (P < 0.05). Moreover, the fish fed with diets supplemented with 2 mg FA+ 3 g pediococcus accidilactici per kg-1 diet had considerably higher immunoglobulin (IgM) level (P < 0.05). Under the experimental conditions, dietary pediococcus accidilactici and FA had a synergistic effect on enhancing growth performance and immunity of Acipenser nudiventris.J Fonolla1, J A Maldonado-Lobon1, M Gil-Campos2, J Maldonado3, K Flores2, M R Benavides4, R Jaldo5, I Jimenez del Barco6, V Bolivar5, E Prados5, I Penalver5, M Molina5, J M Fernandez5, J L Garcia-Salmeron5, F J Garrido5, A D Valero3, F Lara-Villoslada7 and M Olivares3 1Biosearch Life, Spain 2Hospital Reina Sofía, Spain 3Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Spain 4Clínica Pediátrica Roquetas, Spain 5Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain 6Policlínica Cristo de la Salud, Spain 7Lactalis Puleva, SpainD the study period 2011-2013, 14 multi-case families have been identified from unique screening of 1084 houses from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states. In all multi-case families, all first identified individuals were noted as MB. A total of 34 cases were successfully screened from multi-cases families, SSS samples were obtained and DNA was isolated and subjected to PCR-VNTR analysis. Families-1, 7, 11, 13 have copy number 4 and families-4, 14 have copy number 5 for locus (GGT) 5. Most of the families have copy number 2 for locus 21-3. The copy number 9 of (GTA) 9 has linked with households of family-1, 13, 14 and copy number 13 has seen in family 4. Copy number 11of (AT) 17 loci has coupled with households of family-1, 4 and copy number 12, 13 have associated with families 13 and 14. Copy number 8 of (AC) 9 locus has associate with households of family-1; 9 copy number in 4 and 14 families; 10 copy number in family13. For 6-7 locus, households of family-1, 3, 6 have 7 copy number; households of families -2, 5, 12, 13 and 14 have copy number 6; 5 copy number has seen in family-4. Households of family-1, 6, 8, 13 and 14 have 5 copy number; households of family-4 has copy number 4; 6 copy number has seen in family-5 and 12 for locus 27-5. 23-3 locus has copy number 2 in multi-case families. 12 copy number of (TTC) 21 loci have connected with households of families-1, 13 and 14; families-2 and 4 have copy number 10. Multi-case families those have same copy number of VNTR loci have been infected with leprosy patient in the households. The multi-case families whose have different copy number have infected with leprosy bacilli from the environment.

Technological and Probiotic Traits of the Lactobacilli Isolated From Vaginal Tract of the Healthy Women for Probiotic Use

Background For biotechnological application, selected lactic acid bacteria strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus (Lb) are proposed as an alternative to the antibiotics for the prevention and treatment of urogenital tract infections. Objectives Isolating and selecting vaginal lactobacilli strains for probiotic use based on their technological and probiotic aptitudes. Materials and Methods The vaginal isolates were examined for their essential characteristics as the potential probiotic such as low pH tolerance, bile-salt and simulated human intestinal fluid (SIF) resistance, adhesion to the vaginal epithelial cells (VECs), aggregation and coaggregation, surface hydrophobicity, antimicrobial activity, acid production, antibiotic resistance, and resistance to spermicides. The best strain was identified by PCR. Results From 70 lactobacilli isolates and according to the 16 rDNA sequences, isolates B6 and B10 showed the closest homology (99%) to the Lb. gasseri and Lb. plantarum respectively. They produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tolerant to acid, bile, simulated human intestinal fluid, present a strong adhesion, highest percentages of aggregation, and antibacterial activity. These strains are resistant to the spermicide and actively acidify the growth medium. Conclusions Strains Lb. plantarum B10 and Lb. gasseri B6 have a strong potential probiotic confirming their value as a tool for prevention against urinary and vaginal infections.

Novel Isolates of Lactobacilli from Crop of Algerian Poultry as Potential Probiotic for Food Industry

This study was aimed at selecting novel strains of Lactobacillus from crop of Algerian poultry. One hundred forty (140) lactobacilli strains were isolated and examined for their potentiality probiotic properties. From these isolated strains, nine appear to possess a probiotic value and highlighted a noticeable heterogeneity. The isolate L. plantarum G 1 showed the best inhibitory activity against several indicator strains. Furthermore, the results showed that culture and neutralized supernatants exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activity against strains of enterobacteria from poultry origin. The tested strains were acid resistant and were also bile tolerant. Antibiotic resistance, co-aggregation activity and hydrophobicity percentage were strain-dependent. Moreover, six strains were able to adhere to epithelial cells. Finally, six Lactobacillus strains, such as strain L. plantarum G 1, L. plantarum PC 2 , L. viridesencs G 3 , L. helveticus PC 6 , L. delbrueckii ssp delbrueckii G 7 and L. fermentum PC 8 , showed essential probiotic properties. The identity of the best strain L. plantarum G1 was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequence using PCR.