In an attempt to cultivate and identify oligophilic bacteria, 295 bacterial strains were isolated from 8 different fresh water samples collected from different water bodies, located in Burdwan, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia (in West Bengal, India). Among these 58 strains were oligophilic and could only grow on nutritionally poor media (TSBA/100 and R2A Agar), while, the rest belonged to facultatively oligophilic category and could grow on both nutritionally poor and rich (TSBA) media. Among 58 oligophilic strains, 6 were lost during sub-culturing process. These oligophilic strains do not grow on most of the conventional culture media like Nutrient Agar (NA), Luria Bertani agar (LB agar), Mueller Hinton agar (MHA), MacConkey Agar (MAC) and on media recommended for phenotypic characterization. Preliminary identification of 32 oligophilic strains (out of 58) was carried out by using 16S rRNA gene based molecular phylogenetic approach. Their closest phylogenetic relatives were recorded to belong to 25 different genera and 32 different species. On the basis of recent cut off limit, 10 strains were concluded as possible putative novel taxa and were recorded to possess identity value less than 98.65-99% (current threshold limit for delineation of prokaryotic species) to their nearest 16S rRNA gene sequence of representative type strains. Oligophilic bacteria represent component of aboriginal microflora and their study is important from ecological aspects. Although, the present study was executed with a small sample size and less number of isolates, nevertheless, presence of high beta diversity indicated that study of oligophilic bacteria from aquatic habitats provides an opportunity to isolate possible putative novel taxa which may be further taken up for detailed taxonomic, genomics and function based biotechnological studies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04780-5.
Bacillus subtilis NBAIR BSWG1 is a well-characterized and potent strain exhibiting antagonistic activity against diverse phytopathogens; however, comprehensive genomic characterization of this strain has been lacking. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to elucidate its genetic composition and functional potential. The WGS using Illumina NextSeq500 (2 × 150 bp) generated a 4,170,645 bp draft genome, comprising 4,313 genes, 4,153 protein-coding sequences, 57 tRNAs, and 96 non-coding RNAs. Functional annotation using Blast2GO, KEGG, and COG revealed enrichment in metabolic processes (14.63%), organic cyclic compound binding (19.16%), and membrane-associated functions (28.5%). Comparative genomics using OrthoANI and GGDC showed > 98.5% nucleotide identity with B. subtilis strains 168 and n3NA, confirming species assignment. The genome harboured 15 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) with 30 ARG-MGE (Mobile Genetic Elements) associations, indicating mobilisation potential. Additionally, two intact prophages, 19 genomic islands, two CRISPR arrays, and 164 mobile genetic elements were identified. Variant analysis showed 32,456 SNPs, predominantly genic (28,696). Pangenome analysis across 15 B. subtilis strains revealed 3,238 core genes and 4,975 accessory genes (1411 shell, 3564 cloud), highlighting genomic diversity and strain-specific adaptations. Hierarchical clustering positioned NBAIR BSWG1 with strains containing numerous accessory genes, reflecting evolutionary and functional differentiation. These comprehensive genomic insights advance understanding of the genetic determinants of antimicrobial activity, adaptability, and horizontal gene transfer in B. subtilis NBAIR BSWG1, providing a valuable resource for its potential application in biocontrol and agricultural biotechnology. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04770-7.
Food waste is a growing global concern due to the loss of essential nutrients and associated environmental impacts. Upcycling food waste into functional ingredients and nutraceuticals supports sustainability, wellness, and the circular bioeconomy. This review presents and compares conventional and green extraction technologies, including solvent extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, and pulsed electric field techniques, for recovering bioactive compounds from food by-products. Green extraction approaches are emphasized for their ability to enhance yield and purity while reducing chemical use, energy consumption, and environmental burden. The review also explores the role of biotechnological innovations and artificial intelligence in optimizing extraction processes, improving scalability, and ensuring economic feasibility. Furthermore, it addresses current challenges, including regulatory barriers, consumer acceptance, and technological limitations, that hinder large-scale implementation. This work underscores the valorization of food by-products into wellness-oriented formulations and highlights the potential of sustainable extraction technologies to transform food waste into high-value resources, contributing to global goals on sustainable production, health promotion, and environmental conservation.
To identify potential allosteric modulators targeting the allosteric site of the CDC34-UBC protein-protein interaction (PPI) complex, the current study employs advanced in-silico methods, including similarity searches, molecular docking, pharmacokinetics, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A similarity search of 26,318 allosteric kinase inhibitors from ChemDiv was performed with the seven known standard molecules. Highly similar molecules were docked into the allosteric site of CDC34-UBC, and the resulting higher-affinity molecules were assessed for pharmacokinetics and absolute binding affinity. By following the above workflow, a total of four drug-like chemical entities, namely E612-1064, G681-0837, C076-0187, and K284-1783, were identified as potential hits for CDC34-UBC. The comparative analysis with one of the standard molecules (ASD06112004) revealed either better or comparable binding affinity towards CDC34-UBC. The binding energies from PLANTS, AutoDock Vina, and KDeep were found to be -112.15, -10.10, and - 8.70 kcal/mol; -110.35, -10.20, and - 9.61 kcal/mol; -95.69, -10.20, and - 10.31 kcal/mol; and - 96.11, -10.00, and - 10.10 kcal/mol for E612-1064, G681-0837, C076-0187, and K284-1483, respectively. Several parameters indicated that the protein backbone did not deviate by more than 2.18 Å from its initial position in any frame of the 100 ns MD simulations, indicating stability with the proposed molecules. The MM-GBSA energies for E612-1064, G681-0837, C076-0187, and K284-1483 were - 17.80, -34.27, -18.80, and - 9.04 kcal/mol, respectively, indicating that the molecules were potential in nature. Hence, selected molecules may act as allosteric kinase inhibitors targeting the CDC34-UBC complex, paving the way for new therapies for diseases linked to disruptions of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04777-0.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people affected in worldwide. Natural resources such as medicinal plants have been utilized for the treatment of various memory disorders like amnesia, dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's for a long time. This study aimed to investigate plants with therapeutic bioactivities for a range of scientific investigations focused on the neuroprotective effects of garcinol from Garcinia indica against the Aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD in the Drosophila melanogaster model. Polar and non-polar solvents were active on the G. indica fruit rind and subjected to phytochemical investigation. Garcinol was extracted from the EtOH extract of G. indica fruit rind using TLC, column chromatography, GC-MS, UV-visible, and FT-IR. In vitro free radical scavenging effect of the EtOH extract of G. indica fruit rind was studied to determine its antioxidant properties. The effect of garcinol on the interaction and predicted binding interaction of the AD-associated enzymes Amyloid-β, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and β-secretase was studied by the in-silico analysis. AD condition was initiated in D. melanogaster by challenging them with AlCl3, and they were pre-treated with garcinol, which is isolated from the EtOH extract of G. indica fruit rind. The effect of garcinol on the AChE activity, oxidative stress markers, and pro-inflammatory cytokines was studied using the respective assay kits. The apoptotic proteins were studied using the RT-PCR analysis. The findings of the phytochemical analysis. In silico garcinol effectively interacts with and inhibits the intermolecular Amyloid-β, AChE, and β-secretase enzymes. AD, garcinol treatment successfully moderated the amendments in behavioural and cognitive impairments, regulated the oxidative stress markers, decreased AChE activity, and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. The RT-PCR method proved that garcinol regulated the pro- and anti-apoptotic protein expressions in the AD-induced D. melanogaster. The findings suggested that garcinol from EEGIFR acts against AlCl3-induced AD in D. melanogaster because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptosis-modulating capabilities, and it may develop as a capable therapeutic agent in treating AD. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04763-6.
Microplastics in soil transform through interacting abiotic, microbial, and faunal processes that collectively determine their persistence and ecological impact. To establish a mechanistic understanding of these complex interactions, we systematically reviewed 150 studies following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizing qualitative evidence on contamination patterns (n = 128) and quantitative data on microplastic occurrence, degradation mechanisms, and bioremediation potential (n = 22) across diverse terrestrial ecosystems. Principal component analysis of polymer distribution patterns identified polymer composition, residence time, soil physicochemical properties, and ecological risk factors as key determinants of microplastic fate in terrestrial systems. The study reveals that microplastic degradation in soils occurs through a sequential, multi-agent pathway. The process initiates with abiotic weathering that creates surface irregularities and functional groups, facilitating subsequent plastisphere development. Within these biofilm microenvironments, microbial communities accumulate oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes that drive enzymatic depolymerization, resulting in polymer fragmentation and partial to complete mineralization. Across studies, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene emerged as the most persistent polymers, while biodegradable alternatives exhibited accelerated transformation under favourable soil conditions. Earthworms critically amplify degradation through mechanical fragmentation, gut redox modification, and enrichment of degradative microbial communities, achieving upto 60% low-density polyethylene mass reduction. Their burrowing activity further extends degradation by improving soil aeration, moisture distribution, and microbial dispersal. These findings demonstrate that effective bioremediation requires coordinated interactions among polymer properties, soil conditions, microbial diversity, and earthworm activity, providing a mechanistic framework for developing soil-specific strategies to mitigate terrestrial microplastic pollution.
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide mainly from brown algal cell walls with antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. The influence of molecular weight and physicochemical properties on its bioactivity requires systematic evaluation. This study optimized extraction of kelp-derived fucoidan using enzymatic hydrolysis and graded ethanol precipitation, followed by molecular-weight cut-off fractionation to obtain four fractions: F-1 (< 3.5 kDa), F-2 (3.5-10 kDa), F-3 (10-300 kDa), and F-4 (> 300 kDa). High-performance liquid chromatography revealed all fractions are heteropolysaccharides composed of mannose, fucose, xylose, rhamnose, and galactose. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed characteristic polysaccharide and sulfate absorption bands. The low-molecular-weight fraction (F-1) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant efficiency in radical scavenging assays. anticancer potential was evaluated using cell viability and colony formation assays on human liver cancer cells (HepG2) and BALB/c 3T3 cells. Results indicated a clear inverse relationship between molecular weight and potency, with F-1 exhibiting the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration values. F-1 significantly inhibited HepG2 colony formation and cells transformation. The study confirms that the low-molecular-weight fraction (< 3.5 kDa) possesses the strongest in vitro anticancer effects, suggesting that controlled depolymerization is an effective strategy to enhance fucoidan bioactivity. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04755-6.
The chemical dye industry releases dyes which reach effluent streams that increases environmental pollution with serious health hazards. Though various strategies are being used for lowering dye related pollution in water bodies, microbes especially basidiomycetes, offer strong laccase resources for degradation of chemical dyes which are otherwise recalcitrant to degradation. In the current study, white rot fungal strains were isolated and further screened for their laccase producing ability under solid state fermentation conditions. Out of 26 fungal isolates collected from 114 processed soil & wood samples when subjected to plate assay using pure guaiacol and sample chemical dyes as substrates for possible ligninolytic activity, 4 isolates were secondary screened for ligninolytic enzymes (laccase activity) under solid state fermentation. The study resulted in providing us with a novel strain of Schizophyllum commune H4-8: GCA_000143185, found to be the most promising with synthetic dye decolorization in plate assay. The laccase production was optimized using response surface methodology which predicted maximum enzyme activity as 4.7 IU/ml at pH 5.2, temperature 32° C, CuSO4 concentration 1.34%, Yeast extract concentration 1.57%, wheat bran amount 6.6 g. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04794-z.
Envenomation by Trimeresurus stejnegeri induces severe skeletal muscle injury, and while Snakebite Capsules show therapeutic efficacy, their underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study explores the role of ferroptosis in this pathology and the protective effect of Snakebite Capsules. T. stejnegeri envenomation causes significant hemotoxicity and local tissue damage. Despite the clinical efficacy of Snakebite Capsules, their protective mechanism remains incompletely understood, particularly in relation to ferroptosis. Using a rabbit model of T. stejnegeri envenomation, we explored the role of ferroptosis and evaluated the therapeutic potential of Snakebite Capsules. Rescue experiments included the use of ferroptosis modulators Ferrostatin-1 and Erastin. Our results demonstrated that the venom activates ferroptosis, as evidenced by skeletal muscle myofibril dissolution, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid peroxides (LPO), and dysregulation of key ferroptosis-related proteins. Treatment with Snakebite Capsules significantly attenuated skeletal muscle injury, restored redox homeostasis, and normalized the expression of ferroptosis-associated proteins. These findings indicate that ferroptosis activation is a key mechanism in T. stejnegeri venom-induced muscle damage. We conclude that Snakebite Capsules confer protection at least partially through modulation of the ferroptosis pathway, identifying ferroptosis as a critical target in treating such envenomations.
The kidney-yang deficiency syndrome diarrhea (KDSD) is related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. The mechanism of the gut-kidney axis participating in regulating water metabolism in diarrhea remains to be studied. 30 male KM mice with SPF grade were randomly allocated into three groups: normal (NC), kidney-yang deficiency diarrhea (MD), and kidney-yang deficiency diarrhea aggravated by microbiota dysbiosis (MDA). Post-modeling assessments included kidney function, ADH, IL-6 and TNF-α levels. HE staining examined kidney and colon pathology. Immunohistochemistry assessed colonic mucosal barrier damage and AQP4 expression in colon and kidney tissues. 16S rRNA sequencing characterized gut microbial composition and diversity, supplemented by correlation analysis and metabolic function prediction. The model Mice exhibited an increase in fecal water content, and both colon and kidney tissues presented inflammatory infiltration and tissue damage. Additionally, serum Cr and BUN levels were elevated, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were increased, and ADH levels were reduced. The expression of AQP4, as well as the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin, decreased significantly. The microbiota in the colonic contents mainly manifested as a decline in richness, diversity, and evenness. Finally, Phocaeicola_A was significantly positively correlated with the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, and significantly negatively correlated with the expression of ADH; Bacteroides_H was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of ADH and AQP4, and significantly positively correlated with inflammation factors. Gut microbiota dysbiosis compromises colonic mucosal integrity, elevates inflammatory markers in the kidney and colonic tissues, and induces pathological changes. This suppresses ADH and AQP4 expression, disrupting water metabolism via the gut-kidney axis. This constitutes the primary pathogenesis of KDSD.
Microbiological induced calcite precipitation (MICP) was evaluated through the isolation, characterization, and selection of ureolytic bacteria with potential application in cement-based materials. A total of 50 bacterial strains, including newly isolated and previously reported isolates, were screened in a two-phase selection process based on urease activity and calcium carbonate precipitation efficiency. Ureolytic bacteria were isolated from cement-based materials collected from five locations in Colombia, and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing representatives of the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Glutamicibacter, Rhodococcus, Psychrobacillus, and Chungangia. Notably, Glutamicibacter and Chungangia are reported for the first time as calcite-precipitating bacteria in the context of cement-based materials. Eleven strains precipitated more than 99.7% of the supplied calcium (≈ 25 mM) within 24 h in urea-Ca(NO₃)₂ medium. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed calcite as the predominant calcium carbonate polymorph in all preselected isolates. Comparative evaluation of ammonium production, pH increase, and biomass formation demonstrated strong strain-dependent metabolic responses. A quantitative ranking approach based on normalized urease activity and precipitation efficiency enabled the selection of four candidate strains representing distinct genera. Glutamicibacter arilaitensis M3C3 and Psychrobacillus psychrodurans S17 exhibited the highest urease activity and ammonium production, whereas Arthrobacter crystallopoietes M4C20 and Rhodococcus qingshengii S1 achieved complete calcium precipitation with markedly lower urease activity. These results highlight the metabolic diversity of ureolytic bacteria associated with cement-based materials and identify novel native strains with contrasting biomineralization strategies. The selected isolates represent promising candidates for further evaluation in biocementation and self-healing applications, particularly where rapid precipitation and reduced ammonium release are desirable. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04771-6.
Fentanyl is a potent, fast-acting synthetic opioid that has played a major role in the opioid overdose crisis in the United States for over five decades, with opioid-related deaths increasing sharply in recent years. This study investigates the behavioral, histological, and molecular changes in the hippocampus of rats subjected to sub-acute fentanyl exposure. Two groups of rats were studied: one group received multiple fentanyl injections over approximately one week, while the control group received no fentanyl. A battery of behavioral tests related to memory and depression-including the Y-maze, shuttle box, tail suspension test, elevated plus maze, Barnes maze, Morris water maze, and forced swimming test-was administered. Electrophysiological assessments, including field potential recording and electromyography (EMG), were conducted to evaluate neural activity. Western blot analysis was performed to quantify the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), while immunohistochemical analyses assessed hippocampal cellular alterations. Results showed that sub-acute fentanyl administration impaired behavioral performance in memory assessment tests (Y maze (P < 0.05), shuttle box (P < 0.01)). However, fentanyl did not alter spatial memory assessed by Morris water maze and Barnes maze relative to controls. Moreover, LTP was decreased in fentanyl group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Locomotor activity (P < 0.05) and EMG latency (P < 0.01) were also diminished following fentanyl exposure. Notably, increased astrogliosis (P < 0.01) and astrocyte reactivity (P < 0.001) were observed, indicating significant disruptions in astrocyte neurobiology. Furthermore, BDNF expression was reduced (P < 0.001), whereas REST expression was elevated (P < 0.001) in the fentanyl-treated group. These findings offer initial insights into the neurobiological effects of fentanyl, underscoring the potential role of astrocytes in fentanyl-induced cognitive dysfunction and the broader implications for memory-related neuroregeneration.
A mitigation strategy involving the application of cadmium-tolerant bacteria (CdtB) was assessed in cacao soils in farms in Arauca, Colombia. The bacterial strain used, Pseudomonas chlororaphis CdtBSO has exhibited an ability to immobilise cadmium, reducing its bioavailability to cacao. The aim of this study was to increase the immobilization activity of CdtB in cacao soils in Arauca. Five treatments combining different concentrations of CdtB with a synthetic fertiliser (Agrocacao) and zeolite were established. The cadA gene as marker for Cd immobilization was detected using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Moreover, the metabolic activity of CdtB was assessed using isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC). Maximum thermal performance was observed in the treatments where the most CdtB was applied. However, the results were highly dependent on the site. An increase in soil Cd content six months after application of the treatments was observed suggesting increased immobilization rates of the metal in the soil. The explanation of possible immobilisation mechanisms varied between treatments. However, the treatment showing the most positive trends included 50% CdtB and 50% Agrocacao. The detection of the cadA gene, revealed variations in the relative abundance of the copies of the gene in the assessed soils. This work contributes to the knowledge on soil Cd bioremediation using CdtB, through the application of innovative approaches to monitoring, such as ddPCR and IMC. It enriches the information available on the application of physicochemical and biological amendments for the remediation of Cd in real cacao crop conditions.
The present report communicates the genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus hominis strain P1-NS, recovered from a nasal swab of a healthy pig in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Initially misidentified as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by phenotypic and PCR-based assays, whole genome sequencing clarified species identity as Staphylococcus hominis, emphasising the importance of genome-based diagnostics in antimicrobial resistance surveillance. The draft genome assembly consisted of 264 contigs of ≥ 200 bp with total genome assembly length of 2,199,316 bp, N50 of 137,700 bp, and GC content of 31.5%. A total of 2195 protein coding genes, 15 rRNA genes, and 70 tRNA genes, and multiple antimicrobial resistance determinants were present in draft genome assembly. This genomic information enhances understanding of antimicrobial resistance in livestock-associated coagulase-negative staphylococci in India. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04766-3.
Anopheles stephensi, a highly adaptable malaria vector species, continues to expand its range from South Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa, posing a serious global public health concern. In India, it serves as the principal urban vector of both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Conventional control measures reliant on chemical insecticides have raised issues of resistance, highlighting the need for alternative strategies such as microbiota-mediated vector control. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that a subset of bacterial taxa persist across developmental stages of An. stephensi, representing potential candidates for transstadial transmission and future paratransgenic manipulation. Using both culture-based data and next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches targeting the 16 S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region), we characterized bacterial communities from breeding water, larvae, pupae, and adult mosquitoes (male and female) collected in Goa, India. Across all developmental stages, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla, while 15 bacterial genera formed the putative core microbiome shared by ≥ 80% of stages at ≥ 0.1% abundance. Among these, Pseudomonas (adult males: 11.5%, pupae: 3.2%), Exiguobacterium, Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter, and Asticcacaulis were consistently detected, together contributing approximately 30% of total microbial composition. Alpha diversity indices indicated higher richness and evenness in pupae and adults than in larvae, suggesting microbial enrichment during metamorphosis. Beta diversity and PCoA analyses clustered pupal and adult stages distinctly from larvae and breeding water, confirming selective microbial retention through development. These findings reveal that An. stephensi harbors a stable, stage-spanning core microbiome dominated by metabolically versatile genera with potential for transstadial persistence. The dominance of Pseudomonas across life stages supports its candidacy for paratransgenic applications aimed at disrupting malaria transmission. This work provides the first integrated culture-NGS baseline of An. stephensi microbiota from India, offering essential insight for microbiome-based vector control strategies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04739-6.
Biochar is a safe soil amendment. To explore the effects of biochar prepared from specific raw materials at different pyrolysis temperatures on the soil properties and bacterial community structure, and to achieve the recycling of livestock and poultry manure and crop straw, different carbonization temperatures of swine manure biochar (350, 500, 650 ℃) and straw biochar (500 ℃) were set up through pot experiments. Compared with normal fertilization, the addition of swine-manure biochar obtained at 500 ℃ could increase the soil pH, total carbon, total phosphorus, total potassium, organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, water-soluble organic carbon, and readily oxidized organic carbon contents but did not have a significant effect on the soil total nitrogen content. The biochar application could also increase the activities of polyphenol oxidase and beta-glucosidase but decrease protease, and amylase activities. The application of biochar increased the alpha diversity index of the bacterial community. Redundancy analysis showed that the soil organic carbon and protease were key environmental parameters that affect the main gradient of soil bacterial community composition. Biochar can significantly improve soil properties and affect soil bacterial community composition. Soil organic carbon and protease were the key drivers of the soil bacterial community composition changes. The application of biochar to soil may modestly improve its physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, and microbial community composition. The application of biochar is feasible for the improvement of low-nutrient tea orchard soil. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04731-0.
Mangrove ecosystems contain abundant lignocellulosic biomass and mangrove microorganisms that are capable of degrading plant polymers. In this study, a shotgun metagenomic approach was employed to explore the bacterial communities from Tanjung Piai National Park, Malaysia and their genes involved in lignocellulosic biomass degradation. A total of 148 of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZy) genes spanning GH, CE, and AA families were identified with lignocellulolytic abilities. These enzymes included 20 cellulases, 46 hemicellulases, and 82 lignin-modifying enzymes. Approximately 89.19% of these genes were found from underexplored bacterial lineages. A set of lignocellulolytic genes derived from diverse bacterial taxa highlighted the synergistic action of mangrove bacteria in lignocellulose degradation. To validate the functionality of these genetic resources, one of the genes (BGL3_GH1) encoding a β-glucosidase was selected for expression and characterisation. The recombinant enzyme showed optimal activity at 60 ℃ and pH 7, retained up to 75% activity at 10% (w/v) NaCl. The enzyme exhibited a 1.6 to 2.1-fold in enzyme activity with glucose concentration up to 2 M. In a two-step saccharification assay using sugarcane bagasse, supplementation with recombinant BGL3_GH1 enhanced the saccharification yield (0.0674 g g- 1 biomass) compared with treatments using commercial cellulase or recombinant BGL3_GH1 alone. These findings reveal the functional diversity of lignocellulose-degrading genes in mangrove bacteria and identify recombinant BGL3_GH1 as a potential enzyme candidate for biomass conversion application. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04788-x.
The gut microbiota is a crucial component in maintaining overall human health since it has been found to influence not only metabolism but also neurobehavioral function and immunity. The extreme conditions of space, for example, cosmic radiation, microgravity, and confinement, can severely disrupt the functioning and alter the composition of gut microbiota. In fact, this will predispose the immune system to be dysfunctional, lead to psychological and metabolic disorders that are accompanied by a decrease in the diversity of beneficial microbes and change in the pattern of metabolite production. The spaceflight analog and ground, based studies have produced important findings concerning the mechanisms and reasons for gut microbial dysbiosis in extreme conditions. Different research works have been carried out, such as dietary intervention and high fiber to support the growth of healthy microbes. Further, advanced microbial monitoring using wearable sensors to identify the microbial and proinflammatory biomarkers will mitigate dysbiosis and safeguard the crew's health for longer-duration missions. This wearable sensor will not only help monitor astronauts' microbial status continuously, but it will also provide a significant feature for designing personalized dietary plans and probiotic supplements. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of astronaut health, including disturbances to the gut microbiome during space travel, space-analogue studies conducted by many researchers to unravel mechanisms, countermeasures to stabilize the gut microbiome, and its prospects.
Neurological complications of COVID-19 encompass acute syndromes and persistent post-acute sequelae, yet their mechanistic basis remains incompletely defined. Integrated clinical, neuropathological, neuroimaging, and molecular evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2-associated neurological injury is driven predominantly by receptor-mediated immune and vascular mechanisms rather than widespread productive central nervous system infection. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) remains the principal viral entry receptor, while neuropilin-1 (NRP1) facilitates neurovascular and olfactory access in specific contexts. In contrast, CD147 and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) appear to exert indirect modulatory roles through endothelial dysfunction and immune activation rather than acting as dominant neurotropic entry receptors. Toll-like receptors, particularly TLR2, TLR4, and TLR7, amplify neuroinflammatory signaling and contribute to blood-brain barrier disruption, microvascular injury, and sustained microglial activation. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuroimaging findings consistently support a dual-pathway model combining limited direct viral presence with predominant immune-mediated injury. Current therapeutic strategies targeting receptor-mediated entry and neuroinflammation remain largely investigational, underscoring the need for biomarker-guided and phase-specific interventions. These findings refine the mechanistic framework of NeuroCOVID and identify translational priorities for acute and long-term neurological management.
This study develops and evaluates a bioconversion system designed to enhance the growth of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae and convert organic solid waste into feed protein and organic fertilizer. Two systems, the modified clay jug and the biopond, were developed using solid waste collected from restaurants, residences, and marketplaces as substrates. One gram of BSF eggs was mixed with one kilogram of each type of waste, with an additional kilogram introduced weekly for three weeks. The measured parameters included larval biomass, waste reduction, conversion efficiency, proximate composition, and compost characteristics. The clay jug system utilizing restaurant solid waste generated larvae with the highest fresh and dry weights, optimal solid reduction rate, most effective waste conversion, and maximum survival rate. Proximate analysis revealed that larvae sourced from restaurant waste contained the highest concentrations of fat, caloric content from fat, and total energy, whereas larvae obtained from market waste showed increased levels of ash, protein, and carbohydrates. All compost produced complied with Indonesian National Standards. The integration of clay jug technology with restaurant waste demonstrated a novel, cost-effective, and highly efficient BSF bioconversion method, providing enhanced nutrient recovery and waste valorization compared to conventional systems.