Tarek H. Taha

In vitro antifungal activity of Argemone ochroleuca Sweet latex against some pathogenic fungi

The in vitro antifungal activities of crude latex of Argemone ochroleuca Sweet against four clinical isolates of Candida (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis) and six isolates of plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternate, Drechslera halodes, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctoina solani) were assessed using well diffusion method. The chemical compounds of the hexan extract of A. ochroleuca latex were investigated using Perkin-Elmer Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The latex of A. ochroleuca showed antifungal activity against D. halodes (10.60 mm) and Candida spp. (15.06 to 20.16 mm). GC-MS analysis of the hexan extract of A. ochroleuca latex revealed that the latex contains diethyl phthalate (81.57%), 6-Nitro-imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine compound (8.833%), cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl(5.607%), 4-(2,2-Dimethyl-6-methylenecyclohexylidene)-3-methylbutan-2-one compound (2.410%) and cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethyl- (1.574%). These findings indicate that the latex of A. ochroleuca could be a good source of antifungal agent against D. halodes and Candida spp. and the phytocomponents present in the latex could be used against fungal pathogens.

Poly (acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) nanofibers grafted with bio-nanosilver particles as antimicrobial against multidrug resistant bacteria

1 City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI),Molecular Plant Pathology Department, New Borg El Arab City, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt. 2 Department of Chemistry, Petrochemical Research Chair, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455 Riyadh 11451, Riyadh, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia. 3 Department of Polymer Materials Research Advanced Technologies And New Material Research Institute, City for Scientic Research And Technology Applications (MuCSAT), New Borg El-Arab City 21934 Alexandria, Egypt Alexandria, Egypt. 4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia. 5 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Thermo-and pH-sensitive hydrogel membranes composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-hyaluronan for biomedical applications: Influence of hyaluronan incorporation on the membrane properties

Interpenetrating hydrogel membranes consisting of pH-sensitive hyaluronan (HA) and thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) were synthesized using redox polymerization, followed by N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and epichlorohydrin (EPI) were added as chemical crosslinkers. The interaction between membrane compositions has been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and discussed intensively. The result indicates that HA incorporation in membranes increase the gel fraction, swelling uptake, and the flexibility/elasticity of crosslinked membranes, however it reduced oppositely the mechanical elongation of membranes. PNIPAAm-HA hydrogels responded to both temperature and pH changes and the stimuli-responsiveness was reversible. However, in vitro bioevaluation results revealed that the released ampicillin during the burst release time was sharply influenced and increased with increasing HA contents in membranes; afterwards it became sustainable. Whereas, high HA contents in hydrogels unexpectedly impacted negatively on the cells viability, owing to the viscosity of cell culture media changed. A big resistance was observed against microbial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans in case of pure PNIPAAm hydrogel membranes without HA or ampicillin. However, HA incorporation or the loaded ampicillin in membranes showed unexpected easily microbial growth. The fast release performance with dual pH-thermo-sensitive hydrogels were suggested as promising materials for quick drug carrier in the biomedical field.

Polyvinyl alcohol/Sodium alginate integrated silver nanoparticles as probable solution for decontamination of microbes contaminated water

It is well known that the pathogenic multidrug resistant microbes are highly distributed and transferred to human through contaminated food and water. Advanced technologies have been developed for controlling these microbes using synthesized nanoparticles. In this study, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and integrated with two synthetic and natural polymers. The polymers-silver nanoparticles were characterized using SEM, FTIR and mechanical properties of the membrane synthesized from either polymers with/without nanosilver. Both of pathogenic bacteria and yeast were tested for their resistance against 10 different antibiotics. The pathogens showed high resistance against 9 antibiotics and only one was recorded as potent. The cytotoxicity of nanosilver integrated polymers were tested against Hamster kidney cells and Human skin fibroblast cells, and the non-cytotoxic dose was checked for its antimicrobial activity against the selected pathogens. The obtained results in this study confirm that the using of the nanomaterials in safe doses could be a good substitution for biogenic antibiotics and chemicals used in water treatment. Moreover, the beads which were used in this study could be lasts for long period in water treatment station with high antibacterial capacity, in addition, it can be gathered easily at the end of the run.

Bionanosilver-poly (methyl 2-methylpropenoate) electrospun nanofibre as a potent antibacterial against multidrug resistant bacteria

Poly (methyl 2-methylpropenoate) PMMA [(C5O2H8)n] and bionanosilver are known to have inhibitory and bactericidal effects. In this study, Bacillus subtilis was used to produce bionanosilver particles that were characterised using SEM and FE-SEM. The bionanosilver were mixed with PMMA and dissolving in dimethylformamide (DMF) to produce bionanosilver-nanofibre (bionanofibre) using electrospun. The surface morphology was investigated by SEM. The activity of bionanofibre was examined as antibacterial against nine human pathogenic bacteria and the results were compared with different generic antibiotics. The bionanofibre showed high antibacterial activity and it was found that bionanofibre more specific for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) especially in liquid culture with low concentrations.

The efficiency of two new formulated biofungicides in the control of damping-off and root rot of cucumber and improving the plant defence system

The ability of Rhizoleen-T and Rhizoleen-B to suppress the roots’ diseases of cucumber caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani and induction of the plant defence system was evaluated. The results showed a significant suppression in damping-off and root rot of cucumber when the two biofungicides were applied. They increased the surviving percentage of the treated plants to 98.0% and reduced the mean disease rating to 1.0. The biofungicides significantly enhanced the plant’s morphology and physiology when compared with either infected or non-infected control. The mechanism of action of the biofungicides is could be through the enhancement of the plant defences, in addition to their antifungal effect. They stimulated the defence of the plants by increasing the content of proline and phenols and induction the defensin genes. Biofungicides induced defence genes in the 50-day-old treated plants. The biofungicides are effective, cost effective and applicable in the control of root diseases of cucumber.

An exploration of the effects of Commiphora glileadenis on a Streptococcus mutans biofilm

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is an important bacterium involved in the first steps of dental biofilm formation with subsequent initiation of several oral diseases. Aim: To evaluate the influence of Myrrh plant extract on S. mutans and its biofilm formation. Material and Methods: The antibacterial activity of the Myrrh prepared plant extract was tested against S. mutans using disc diffusion method. The ability of the Myrrh plant extract to inhibit biofilm formation of S. mutans was also determined. Results: showed the ability of the tested Myrrh oil plant extract to cease the bacterial growth. The recorded clear zone is 11 mm with extract concentration 42.5%. Myrrh extract was able to inhibit the S. mutans biofilm formation in 78.5% inhibition percentage on fibroblast cellular viability. Conclusion: Myrrh plant extract has promising antibacterial effect as well as on biofilm inhibition of S. mutans. The significant antimicrobial effect of the Myrrh plant extract indicates about its promise in controlling S. mutans biofilm, which has suspected role in the etiology of dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Utilization of plant extracts combinations as anti-Helicobacter pylori food supplement and therapeutic nutrition for baby milk

P are living organisms that when administered in adequate amounts are beneficial to the hosts. Aiming at evaluating their effect on the intestinal microbiota, a 28-days study was conducted with 64 male Wistar rats in two dietary conditions the standard rodent diet AIN-93M and a cholesterol and fat enriched diet. The animals were divided in four groups of eight individuals for each dietary condition. From the 14th to the 28th day, each group received 1ml of a solution with different concentrations of L. casei Shirota strain daily: no bacteria (only saline), 104, 106 and 108 CFU. The results showed that the effect of dose was not significant (P>0.05) with regard to weight gain, consumption and food efficiency ratio (FER) of the rats fed with the different diets. However, there was a significant (P<0.01) dose-response effect in Lactobacillus recovery in the stool, showing that, regardless of the kind of diet, the intake of increasing doses of L. casei spp. is related to an increase of this probiotic in the animals’ gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, the bacterial recovery was higher in the animals receiving the standard diet (P<0.01) than the recovery in the animals receiving the hypercholesterolemic diet. There was an interaction between diet composition and microbiota.T oral intake of probiotics can provide beneficial effects to the host by modulating the immune response. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common allergic and inflammatory skin disease caused by a combination of eczema, scratching, pruritus, and cutaneous sensitization with allergens. The author examined the effect of a Pedioccoccus pentosaceus 159 on AD prevention by using an existing AD model based on the repeated local exposure of house dust mite and 2,4-dinitochlorobenzene to the ears of BALB/c mice. The oral administration of P. pentosaceus 159 (108CFU/day) over eight-week period attenuated AD symptoms in term of ear thickness, histopathological analysis, the serum IgE levels. Histopathological results showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced BALB/C mice were much improved by P. pentosaceus 159 oral administration. In addition to the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10 reduced by P. pentosaceus 159 oral administration in draining lymph node (superficial, axillary, bronchial lymph node) cells. Taken together, the results demonstrate that P. pentosaceus 159 inhibited the development of AD, suggesting that P. pentosaceus 159 may be effective in preventing allergic skin disorders.T effect of different overrun levels on the sensory acceptance and survival of probiotic bacteria in ice cream was investigated. Ice creams supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifido bacteria were produced with adding of sun flower, corn, barley, rice, apple, apricot, grapediet fiber sources that obtained from industrial production residues. Viable probiotic bacterial counts and sensory acceptance were assessed. All the ice creams presented a minimum count of 6 log CFU/g at the end of 60 d of frozen storage. In addition, it was reported a positively influence about acceptability with respect to appearance, aroma, and taste of the ice creams. Overall, the results suggest that diet fiber resources should be adopted during the manufacture of ice cream in order to maintain its probiotic status through the shelf life.M bean and soybean have been individually reported previously to have antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects while fermentation is a well-known process to enhance the bioactive compounds that contribute to higher antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulation effects. In this study, the amino acid profile, soluble phenolic acid content, antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of fermented and non-fermented mung bean and soybean were compared. Fermented mung bean was recorded to have the highest level of free amino acid, soluble phenolic acid (especially protocatechuic acid) and antioxidant activities among all the tested products. Both fermented mung bean and soybean possessed cytotoxicity activities against breast cancer MCF-7 cell by arresting the G0/G1 phase and by apoptosis. Moreover, fermented mung bean and soybean also induced splenocyte proliferation and enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 (IL2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Augmented amounts of amino acid and phenolic acid content after fermentation enhanced the antioxidant, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation effects of mung bean and soybean. More specifically, fermented mung bean showed the best effects among all the tested products. This study revealed the potential of fermented mung bean and soybean as functional foods for maintenance of good health.