Patrycja Golinska

Endophytic actinobacteria of medicinal plants: diversity and bioactivity

Endophytes are the microorganisms that exist inside the plant tissues without having any negative impact on the host plant. Medicinal plants constitute the huge diversity of endophytic actinobacteria of economical importance. These microbes have huge potential to synthesis of numerous novel compounds that can be exploited in pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries. It is of prime importance to focus the present research on practical utilization of this microbial group in order to find out the solutions to the problems related to health, environment and agriculture. An extensive characterization of diverse population of endophytic actinobacteria associated with medicinal plants can provide a greater insight into the plant-endophyte interactions and evolution of mutualism. In the present review, we have discussed the diversity of endophytic actinobacteria of from medicinal plants their multiple bioactivities.

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles from actinomycetes: biomedical applications and cytotoxicity

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been well proved by using bacteria, fungi, algae, actinomycetes, plants, etc. Among the different microorganisms used for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, actinomycetes are less known. Although, there are reports, which have shown that actinomycetes are efficient candidates for the production of metal nanoparticles both intracellularly and extracellularly. The nanoparticles synthesized by the members of actinomycetes present good polydispersity and stability and possess significant biocidal activities against various pathogens. The present review focuses on biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their application in medicine. In addition, the toxicity of these biogenic metal nanoparticles to human beings and environment has also been discussed.

Study of silver nanoparticles synthesized by acidophilic strain of Actinobacteria isolated from the of Picea sitchensis forest soil

In the present work the acidophilic actinobacteria strain was used as a novel reducing agent for the cheap, green and single‐step synthesis of nanostructure silver particles. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy approach. The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against clinical strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella infantis alone and in combination with antibiotics were studied.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from two acidophilic strains of Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida and their antibacterial activities

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an eco‐friendly approach by using different biological sources; for example, plants and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and actinobacteria. In this report, we present the biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by acidophilic actinomycetes SL19 and SL24 strains isolated from pine forest soil (pH < 4.0). The isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequence were identified as Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by visual observations of colour change from light‐yellow to dark‐brown. The UV‐vis spectra of AgNPs were recorded at 425 and 430 nm. The AgNPs were further characterized by Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR analysis revealed the presence of proteins as a capping agent. TEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical and polydispersed NPs of 12.7 and 15.9 nm sizes. The in vitro antibacterial activity of AgNPs alone and in combination with antibiotics was evaluated against clinical bacteria viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and uropathogens such as Enterobacter, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli. The lowest MIC (40 μg ml−1) was demonstrated by AgNPs synthesized from SL24 against E. coli. However, the AgNPs of SL19 showed lowest MIC (70 μg ml−1) against S. aureus. The activity of antibiotic was enhanced, when tested in combination with silver nanoparticles synthesized from both actinobacterial strains.

Acidophilic actinobacteria synthesised silver nanoparticles showed remarkable activity against fungi-causing superficial mycoses in humans.

Superficial mycoses are limited to the most external part of the skin and hair and caused by Malassezia sp., Trichophyton sp. and Candida sp. We report extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by acidophilic actinobacteria (SF23, C9) and its in vitro antifungal activity against fungi‐causing superficial mycoses. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains SF23 and C9 showed that they are most closely related to Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida GU269552T. The detection of AgNPs was confirmed by visual observation of colour changes from colourless to brown, and UV–vis spectrophotometer analysis, which showed peaks at 432 and 427 nm, respectively. These AgNPs were further characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Zeta potential, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The FTIR analysis exhibited the presence of proteins as capping agents. The TEM analysis revealed the formation of spherical and polydispersed nanoparticles in the size range of 4–36 nm and 8–60 nm, respectively. The biosynthesised AgNPs were screened against fungi‐causing superficial mycoses viz., Malassezia furfur, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. The highest antifungal activity of AgNPs from SF23 and C9 against T. rubrum and the least against M. furfur and C. albicans was observed as compared to other tested fungi. The biosynthesised AgNPs were found to be potential anti‐antifungal agent against fungi‐causing superficial mycoses.

Actinobacterial-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their activity against pathogenic bacteria

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesised by using acidophilic actinobacterial SH11 strain isolated from pine forest soil. Isolate SH11 was identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequence to Streptomyces kasugaensis M338-M1T and S. celluloflavus NRRL B-2493T (99.8% similarity, both). Biosynthesised AgNPs were analysed by UV-visible spectroscopy, which revealed specific peak at λ = 420 nm. Transmission electron microscopy analyses showed polydispersed, spherical nanoparticles with a mean size of 13.2 nm, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of proteins as the capping agents over the surface of AgNPs. The zeta potential was found to be -16.6 mV, which indicated stability of AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs from SH11 strain against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria was estimated using disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and live/dead analyses. The AgNPs showed the maximum antimicrobial activity against E. coli, followed by B. subtilis and S. aureus. Further, the synergistic effect of AgNPs in combination with commercial antibiotics (kanamycin, ampicillin, tetracycline) was also evaluated against bacterial isolates. The antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotics was found to be enhanced in the presence of AgNPs.

Mycoendophytes as efficient synthesizers of bionanoparticles: nanoantimicrobials, mechanism, and cytotoxicity

Abstract Mycoendophytes are the fungi that occur inside the plant tissues without exerting any negative impact on the host plant. They are most frequently isolated endophytes from the leaf, stem, and root tissues of various plants. Among all fungi, the mycoendophytes as biosynthesizer of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are less known. However, some reports showing efficient synthesis of metal nanoparticles, mainly silver nanoparticles and its remarkable antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens of humans and plants. The nanoparticles synthesized from mycoendophytes present stability, polydispersity, and biocompatibility. These are non-toxic to humans and environment, can be gained in an easy and cost-effective manner, have wide applicability and could be explored as promising candidates for a variety of biomedical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Mycogenic silver nanoparticles have also demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines and may prove to be a promising anticancer agent. The present review focuses on the biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles from mycoendophytes and their application in medicine. In addition, different mechanisms of biosynthesis and activity of nanoparticles on microbial cells, as well as toxicity of these mycogenic metal nanoparticles, have also been discussed.

Silver nanoparticles from Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain demonstrated antifungal activity against fungi causing superficial mycoses

In this study, we present the in vitro antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from acidophilic actinobacterium Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain, alone and in combination with antibiotics viz., amphotericin B, fluconazole, and ketoconazole against pathogenic fungi, namely Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur, and Trichophyton erinacei. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) of AgNPs against test fungi were evaluated. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was determined to estimate antifungal activity of AgNPs combined with antibiotics. Antifungal activity of AgNPs varied among the tested fungal strains. M. furfur was found to be most sensitive to biogenic silver nanoparticles, followed by C. albicans and T. erinacei. The lowest MIC of AgNPs was noticed against M. furfur (16 μg ml−1). Synergistic effect was observed on C. albicans when AgNP were combined with amphotericin B and ketoconazole and on M. furfur with fluconazole and ketoconazole (FIC index of 0.5). Cytotoxic effect of AgNPs on HeLa and 3T3 cell lines was evaluated. The IC50 values were found to be 55 and 25 μg ml−1, respectively. The present study indicates that silver nanoparticles from P. columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain have antifungal activity, both alone and in combination with antibiotics, and offer a valuable contribution to nanomedicine.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from two haloalkaliphilic actinobacterial strains alone and in combination with antibiotics

Presently, the effective antimicrobial agents have been limited by the emergence of microbial strains with multidrug resistance and biofilm formation potential. In the present study, we report remarkable antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from Streptomyces calidiresistens IF11 and IF17 strains, including inhibition of biofilm formation and synergistic effect of AgNPs and antibiotics against selected bacteria and yeasts. Cytotoxic effect of AgNPs on mammalian cell lines was also evaluated.

Hunting for cultivable Micromonospora strains in soils of the Atacama Desert

Innovative procedures were used to selectively isolate small numbers of Micromonospora strains from extreme hyper-arid and high altitude Atacama Desert soils. Micromonosporae were recognised on isolation plates by their ability to produce filamentous microcolonies that were strongly attached to the agar. Most of the isolates formed characteristic orange colonies that lacked aerial hyphae and turned black on spore formation, whereas those from the high altitude soil were dry, blue-green and covered by white aerial hyphae. The isolates were assigned to seven multi- and eleven single-membered groups based on BOX-PCR profiles. Representatives of the groups were assigned to either multi-membered clades that also contained marker strains or formed distinct phyletic lines in the Micromonospora 16S rRNA gene tree; many of the isolates were considered to be putatively novel species of Micromonospora. Most of the isolates from the high altitude soils showed activity against wild type strains of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens while those from the rhizosphere of Parastrephia quadrangulares and from the Lomas Bayas hyper-arid soil showed resistance to UV radiation.