Article
Microbiology
Preeti Sharma, Sumanpreet Kaur, Bhupinder Singh Chadha, Raminderjit Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Sukhraj Kaur
Summary: Enterocin 12a is a novel bacteriocin with anticancer properties against human cancer cell lines. It selectively inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and induces apoptosis-like morphological changes, while having negligible activity towards non-malignant cells. Further evaluation in animal models is recommended to explore its potential as an anticancer agent.
Article
Microbiology
Joanna Ivy Irorita Fugaban, Jorge Enrique Vazquez Bucheli, Wilhelm Heinrich Holzapfel, Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
Summary: Three unique bacteriocinogenic strains were identified from Korean traditional fermented soybean paste, showing strong activity against various bacteria and potential for use as biocontrol agents in the food industry.
Article
Microbiology
Da Hye Kim, Seul-Ah Kim, Na Gyeong Jo, Jae-Han Bae, Minh Tri Nguyen, Yu Mi Jo, Nam Soo Han
Summary: This study provides evidence that the Enterococcus faecium strain EFEL8600, isolated from Korean soy-meju, exhibits probiotic characteristics including inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes, resilience in gastrointestinal conditions, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and protection of the intestinal barrier.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Renata Kwit, Magdalena Zajac, Aleksandra Smialowska-Weglinska, Magdalena Skarzynska, Arkadiusz Bomba, Anna Lalak, Ewelina Skrzypiec, Dominika Wojdat, Weronika Koza, Emilia Mikos-Wojewoda, Paulina Pasim, Milena Skora, Marcin Polak, Jaroslaw Wiacek, Dariusz Wasyl
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Enterococcus spp. in wild birds in Poland, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility, and conduct Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis. The results showed that out of 138 samples from various species of free-living birds, 66.7% tested positive for Enterococcus. Fourteen species were detected, with Enterococcus faecalis being the most common. Resistance to antimicrobial agents was observed in some E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, along with the presence of multidrug resistance phenotype in one E. faecium strain. WGS analysis also revealed variations in virulence gene diversity between E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, as well as the presence of plasmid replicons in both strains.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jung-Mo Yang, Gi-Seong Moon
Summary: Enterococcus faecium CJNU 2524 was found to produce a bacteriocin with anti-listerial activity, which showed bactericidal mode of action against Listeria monocytogenes. Optimal culture conditions for the production of the bacteriocin were determined to be MRS broth and temperatures of 25℃ or 30℃. The bacteriocin exhibited stability in a wide range of pH conditions, temperatures, and organic solvents, indicating its potential as a biopreservative candidate.
FOOD SCIENCE OF ANIMAL RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sung Wook Hong, Jong-Hui Kim, Hyun A. Cha, Kun Sub Chung, Hyo Ju Bae, Won Seo Park, Jun-Sang Ham, Beom-Young Park, Mi-Hwa Oh
Summary: In this study, a bacteriocin-producing bacterium, Bacillus subtilis HD15, was isolated from traditional Korean fermented soybean paste. The complete genome of B. subtilis HD15 was sequenced, revealing the presence of a novel bacteriocin related to subtilosin A. The purified bacteriocin showed strong antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus, and exhibited stability at different temperatures and pH ranges. These findings suggest that the bacteriocin purified from B. subtilis HD15 has potential industrial applications.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ahmed O. El-Gendy, Dag A. Brede, Tamer M. Essam, Magdy A. Amin, Shaban H. Ahmed, Helge Holo, Ingolf F. Nes, Yara I. Shamikh
Summary: Nosocomial infections caused by enterococci are a global threat, and finding therapeutic agents is crucial. Enterococcus faecalis strains can produce bacteriocins, which were absent in some isolates showing antimicrobial activity. Enterocin OS13 alpha and OS13 beta, produced by E. faecalis OS13, inhibited growth of antibiotic-resistant enterococcal isolates.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vanessa Wiltsie, Skye Travis, Madeline R. Shay, Zachary Simmons, Patrick Frantom, Matthew K. Thompson
Summary: Enterococcus faecium is a leading cause of hospital-acquired vancomycin resistant enterococci infections, with the FosB enzyme exhibiting unexpected substrate selectivity as a Mn2+-dependent L-cysteine transferase. The structural and functional characterization of FosB(Ef) may aid in the development of inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of fosfomycin.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Renpeng Du, Fangyi Pei, Jie Kang, Wen Zhang, Wenxiang Ping, Hongzhi Ling, Jingping Ge
Summary: A lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecium HDX-2 isolated from pickled Chinese cucumber was found to produce bacteriocin, with significant enhancement in activity after optimization of glucose, Ca2+, and initial pH parameters. The bacteriocin exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes in meat and cheese model system.
PREPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tawsif Ahmed Kazi, Suranjita Mitra, Bidhan Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Sukhendu Mandal, Swadesh Ranjan Biswas
Summary: Enterococcal plasmids, like the novel pSM409 identified in this study, play a critical role in pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance dissemination. The unique sequence structure and distinct DNA-binding domain of pSM409's RepB suggest its potential as a vector for enterococci genetic manipulation. The comparative analysis of pSM409-iteron provides insights into a new classification concept for theta plasmids based on clade-specific relationships.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Blaise Manga Enuh, Serap Gedikli, Pinar Aytar Celik, Ahmet Cabuk
Summary: This study sequenced and analyzed the whole genome of a newly isolated Enterococcus durans MN187066, revealing its beneficial probiotic traits as well as antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. The strain was found to be non-toxigenic and produced beneficial metabolites important for its success as a probiotic, while not possessing vancomycin resistance genes.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mi Hyun Kim, Dong Chan Moon, Su-Jeong Kim, Abraham Fikru Mechesso, Hyun-Ju Song, Hee Young Kang, Ji-Hyun Choi, Soon-Seek Yoon, Suk-Kyung Lim
Summary: Research on antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolated from food animals in Korea between 2010 and 2019 found high resistance rates in chickens and pigs to various antibiotics. There was also a small proportion of isolates showing resistance to ampicillin, daptomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid. Trends indicated fluctuating resistance levels in some antibiotics, with E. faecalis showing higher Multi-drug resistance rates in cattle and pigs compared to E. faecium. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterococcus in food animals poses a potential risk to public health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zafina Budhwani, Jenna T. Buragina, Jen Lang, Jeella Z. Acedo
Summary: The rise of drug-resistant bacteria poses a major threat to public health, and there is an urgent need for new antimicrobial compounds and treatments. In this study, a novel bacteriocin called bawcin was identified and characterized, showing broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria. It has potential applications as an antibiotic and natural preservative in the food and livestock industries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Samantha Joy D. Valledor, Clarizza May Dioso, Jorge Enrique Vazquez Bucheli, Yu Jin Park, Dong Ho Suh, Eun Sung Jung, Bobae Kim, Wilhelm Heinrich Holzapfel, Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
Summary: Enterococcus faecium ST20Kc and ST41Kc isolated from kimchi produce bacteriocins with strong activity against Listeria monocytogenes and various Enterococcus spp. The antimicrobials are proteinaceous and stable, with a bactericidal effect on targeted bacterial strains. Both strains are susceptible to antibiotics and potentially produce additional antimicrobial compounds with metabolomics analysis.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Hossam H. Azzaz, Ahmed E. Kholif, Hussein A. Murad, Einar Vargas-Bello-Perez
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an isolated strain and commercial strain of Enterococcus faecium on ruminant fermentation and lactating cow performance. The results showed that the isolated strain had a significant positive impact on ruminal fermentation kinetics and gas production, while reducing methane production. In lactating cows, both the isolated and commercial strains improved feed efficiency and production performance, with the isolated strain having a more pronounced effect.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdul Rehman, Haris Ali, Iffat Naz, Devendra P. Saroj, Safia Ahmed
Summary: This study evaluated a pilot-scale trickling biofilter system for the treatment of domestic wastewater, showing significant efficiency in pathogen and pollutant removal. The use of pebbles and gravels media with high void spaces promoted microbial growth and increased bacterial diversity. The experimental data may inform future modifications to optimize the system's performance in treating domestic wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qurrat ul ain Rana, Muhammad Adil Nawaz Khan, Muhammad Irfan, Aamer Ali Shah, Fariha Hasan, Samiullah Khan, Safia Ahmed, Fazal Adnan, Weizun Li, Meiting Ju, Malik Badshah
Summary: The study focuses on utilizing Spirodela polyrhiza as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production, successfully optimizing the process to achieve high ethanol yield. This includes increasing starch content in the plant, converting it to glucose, and fermenting sugars using a specially isolated yeast strain to achieve complete conversion to bioethanol.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. Haq, A. Khan, K. Haji, S. Khan, A. A. Shah, F. Hasan, Safia Ahmed, F. L. de los Reyes, M. Badshah
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios on methane yield during anaerobic co-digestion of Jatropha curcas de-oiled seed kernel and mango peels. It also found key substrate selection and pretreatment methods for increasing methane production from common seed oil production and agricultural wastes.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Muhammad Talha Yasin, Yasir Ali, Khurshid Ahmad, Abdul Ghani, Kinza Amanat, Muhammad Mudassir Basheir, Muhammad Faheem, Saddam Hussain, Bashir Ahmad, Adil Hussain, Syed Ali Imran Bokhari
Summary: This study successfully biosynthesized and characterized an alkaliphilic lipase from Exiguobacterium sp. isolated from glacial water samples in Pakistan. The lipase activity was maximized by optimizing production parameters and the enzyme showed stability over a range of temperature and pH.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Noureen Fatima, Asif Jamal, Zaixing Huang, Rabia Liaquat, Bashir Ahmad, Rizwan Haider, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ali, Tayyba Shoukat, Zeid A. ALOthman, Mohamed Ouladsmane, Tariq Ali, Shafqat Ali, Naseem Akhtar, Mika Sillanpaa
Summary: The demand for converting coal into alternative fuel and value-added products is increasing. This study extracted humic acid from lignite and bituminous coal through chemical pretreatment with nitric acid, resulting in improved yields. The chemical characteristics of nitric acid-treated coal showed enhanced molecular weight and improved aromaticity, leading to potential applications in agriculture and green energy solutions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sanam Islam Khan, Numan Saleh Zada, Miray Sahinkaya, Dilsat Nigar Colak, Safia Ahmed, Fariha Hasan, Ali Osman Belduz, Sabriye Canakci, Samiullah Khan, Malik Badshah, Aamer Ali Shah
Summary: In this study, a DyP-type peroxidase gene was cloned from Bacillus sp. strain BL5, which exhibited broad temperature and pH activity range and showed lignin-degrading capabilities, making it an ideal bio-catalyst for remediation of lignin-contaminated sites. The recombinant enzyme DyPBL5 demonstrated high catalytic efficiency and lignin degradation rate, reducing lignin contents significantly and leading to the detection of various low molecular weight lignin degradation products through gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The SEM and FT-IR analysis of test samples indicated the degradation of lignin by DyPBL5.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Nikhat Ilahi, Abdul Haleem, Sajid Iqbal, Nighat Fatima, Wasim Sajjad, Abubakar Sideeq, Safia Ahmed
Summary: Nanotechnology has provided a platform for producing functionalized and biocompatible silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with promising applications. The AgNPs synthesized in this study showed strong antibacterial potential against multiple drug-resistant bacteria, and demonstrated synergistic effects with various antibiotics. Additionally, impregnated cotton and bandage with AgNPs displayed in vitro antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Muhammad Musaddiq Shah, Wen Ren, Joseph Irudayaraj, Abdulrahim A. Sajini, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ali, Bashir Ahmad
Summary: A robust and sensitive detection system for OPs using cysteamine capped gold nanoparticles as enzyme mimics was developed in this study. The detection method showed quick results and high accuracy, making it suitable for on-site monitoring. This method demonstrated strong sensitivity for detecting organic phosphates such as PE.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Aiman Umar, Aneeqa Zafar, Hasina Wali, Meh Para Siddique, Muneer Ahmed Qazi, Afshan Hina Naeem, Zulfiqar Ali Malik, Safia Ahmed
Summary: The study evaluated the production of potent natural surfactants by Bacillus subtilis for increasing agricultural production and bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil, showcasing the potential role of lipopeptides in promoting plant growth and remediation of oil fields.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Muhammad Imran, Bashir Ahmad, Farhan Maqbool, Ashfaq Ahmad, Arshad Malik, Shahid Aziz, Faisal Rasheed, Tayyab Saeed Akhter
Summary: The article highlights the excellent management of the Pakistani government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and compares it with neighboring countries China and India.
SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rabia Hassan, Muhammad Asad Asghar, Mudassir Iqbal, Arshemah Qaisar, Uzma Habib, Bashir Ahmad
Summary: The study revealed that ionic liquids have good antibacterial properties, with imidazolium-based ionic liquids showing even better performance. The combination of cation and anion is crucial for achieving desired antibacterial effects.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Warda Sarwar, Qurban Ali, Safia Ahmed
Summary: This study investigates the antibiofilm potential of different essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and assesses different stages of biofilm formation using light microscopic assays. The results show that cinnamon and peppermint essential oils have high antibiofilm activity against both bacterial strains.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kashaf Khalid, Tajamul Hussain, Zubia Jamil, Khalid Salman Alrokayan, Bashir Ahmad, Yasir Waheed
Summary: In this study, a chimeric vaccine against Mycoplasma genitalium was developed using reverse vaccinology. Vaccine targets were identified using bioinformatic tools, and the quality and immunogenicity of the vaccine were confirmed through computational modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of a vaccine against M. genitalium.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adil Hussain, Muhammad Sajid, Daniel Potter, Hassam Rasheed, Mujtaba Hassan, Naeem Akhtar, Bashir Ahmad, Syed Ali Imran Bokhari
Summary: Diversity in eleven Artemisia species from northern Pakistan was assessed based on elemental contents. Cluster analysis divided the species into two groups, while PCA analysis revealed maximum species diversity in the second axis. The study highlights the importance of precautionary measures to avoid metal toxicity when using Artemisia as medication.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zubia Jamil, Shahida Perveen, Samreen Khalid, Mohammed Aljuaid, Memoona Shahzad, Bashir Ahmad, Yasir Waheed
Summary: This study evaluates the validity of the CTP, MELD, and GB scoring systems in predicting the in-hospital outcome of bleeding portal hypertensive patients. The results indicate that CTP was the most efficient score as the predictor of outcome, followed by MELD and then the GB score. Platelets, albumin, CTP, and MELD scores were the independent contributors to mortality.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gemechu G. Abdi, Yetenayet B. Tola, Chala G. Kuyu
Summary: This study evaluated the quality of honey in the supply chain in southwest Ethiopia and found significant differences in physicochemical and microbial quality among different actors. The study also developed a predictive model to detect adulteration, which showed good linearity and predictive capacity.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kathleen A. Glass, Jie Yin Lim, Quinn L. Singer
Summary: Commercial cheese brines can be a reservoir for salt-tolerant pathogens. This study found that the addition of hydrogen peroxide can effectively reduce the population of L. monocytogenes in cheese brines, especially at higher temperatures and salt concentrations. The presence of indigenous microorganisms may neutralize the effect of hydrogen peroxide.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION
(2024)