• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1547-1552
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• 2022

β-Amyrin is a pentacyclic triterpene widely distributed in leaves and stems worldwide. The ability of β-amyrin to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microorganisms suggests its potential as an antimicrobial agent. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the antibacterial mode of action of β-amyrin. We treated Escherichia coli cells with β-amyrin and found that it triggered ROS accumulation. Excessive stress caused by ROS, particularly hydroxyl radicals, induces glutathione (GSH) dysfunction. GSH protects cells from oxidative and osmotic stresses; thus, its dysfunction leads to membrane depolarization. The resultant change in membrane potential leads to the release of apoptotic proteins, such as caspases. The activated caspases-like protein promotes the cleavage of DNA into single strands, which is a hallmark of apoptosis-like death in bacteria. Apoptotic cells usually undergo events such as DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure, differentiating them from necrotic cells, and the cells treated with β-amyrin in this study were positive for annexin V and negative for propidium iodide, indicating apoptosis-like death. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the antibacterial mode of action of β-amyrin involves the induction of ROS, which resulted in apoptosis-like death in E. coli.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.13
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• 2023

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative aerobic diplococcus bacterium that primarily causes sexually transmitted infections through direct human sexual contact. It is a major public health threat due to its impact on reproductive health, the widespread presence of antimicrobial resistance, and the lack of a vaccine. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach and performed subtractive genomic methods to identify potential drug targets against the core proteome of N. gonorrhoeae (12 strains). In total, 12,300 protein sequences were retrieved, and paralogous proteins were removed using CD-HIT. The remaining sequences were analyzed for non-homology against the human proteome and gut microbiota, and screened for broad-spectrum analysis, druggability, and anti-target analysis. The proteins were also characterized for unique interactions between the host and pathogen through metabolic pathway analysis. Based on the subtractive genomic approach and subcellular localization, we identified one cytoplasmic protein, 2Fe-2S iron-sulfur cluster binding domain-containing protein (NGFG RS03485), as a potential drug target. This protein could be further exploited for drug development to create new medications and therapeutic agents for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infections.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.547-550
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• 2005

Fourteen out of 87 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated tram Kimchi were found to be resistant against the action of artificial gastric and bile juices. In particular, lactobacilli KM 3, 7, 28, and 37 showed strong resistance and their viable cell counts at the initial stage remained the same even after 3 hours of cultivation in an artificial gastric juice. However, the survival rates of KM 14, 28, and 64 were found to be significantly enhanced in artificial bile juice. Based on the paper disc method, it was evident that isolated lactic acid bacteria showed antibacterial effect against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Salmonella typhimurium. The isolated lactic acid bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2016

The use of natural organic dyes obtained from renewable resources such as plants and trees has the potential for not only preserving petrochemicals but also all-endangered environment for coming next generations. In spite of inferior fastness, natural dyes can be employed in the colouration of natural as well as synthetic fibers. Recently, the potentiality of using natural dyes in colouration with additional UV-protection and antimicrobial properties has been reported. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of Zinc compounds compared to another metallic compounds as mordants on the dyeing properties of natural dye extracted from mulberry leaves and coffee. In this study, the results showed Zinc compounds was expose that is more similar than other mordants in washing fastness through a repeated experiment. Also, Zinc is the environmental impact is less material compared with other mordants, essential edibility minerals ingredient that is necessary in human body.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.781-786
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• 2011

An easy and efficient route for the synthesis of some imidazo[1,2-c]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyrimidines 3-6, imidazo[1,2-c]pyrazolo[4,3-e]triazine 8, pyrazolo[4,3-e]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines 12-15 and pyrazolo-[3',4':4,5]pyrimido[1,6-b]triazines 16, 17 was described through the reaction of readily available 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitrile 1 with different reagents. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of some synthesized compounds was examined. Most of the tested compounds proved to be active as antibacterial and antifungal agents.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.182-187
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• 2020

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been manufactured in recent years and widely used in various fields. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which occur in AgNPs, destroy cell membranes. It is widely accepted that ROS generated in this manner inhibit microorganisms growth and causes toxic effects, However, it does not affect cell membranes directly but positively affects growth in plants with cell walls. The nanoball used in this experiment is a new material that generates ROS stably and is used in aqueous solution. Results of this study indicate a 30% increase in yield of Ginseng mixed with culture soil. The analysis of soil condition after cultivation showed that the possibility of repetitive cultivation in soil mixed with Nanoball was high. This suggests that Nanoball is an antimicrobial active material due to the microbial / extermination effect of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, there may be potential applications in agricultural cultivation sites as a repetitive cultivation technology that reuses soil.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.128-150
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• 2005

Invertebrate animals, which lack adaptive immune systems, have developed other systems of biological host defense, so called innate immunity, that respond to common antigens on the cell surfaces of potential pathogens. During the past two decades, the molecular structures and functions of various defense components that participated in innate immune systems have been established in Arthropoda, such as, insects, the horseshoe crab, freshwater crayfish, and the protochordata ascidian. These defense molecules include phenoloxidases, clotting factors, complement factors, lectins, protease inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, Toll receptors, and other humoral factors found mainly in hemolymph plasma and hemocytes. These components, which together compose the innate immune system, defend invertebrate from invading bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. This review describes the present status of our knowledge concerning such defensive molecules in invertebrates.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.28-34
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• 2008

PET fabrics were photografted under continuous UV irradiation with vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) and acryloylmorpholine(ACMO) as monomers and benzophenone as a hydrogen-abstractable photoinitiator. ACMO can be grafted onto the PET fabrics more efficiently than VP. The grafted PET surfaces were characterized by ATR, ESCA, SEM and zeta potential measurement. ATR and ESCA analysis indicated significant alterations on chemical structure and atomic composition on the surface of the grafted fabrics, where nitrogen content increased with increasing grafting yield. SEM images showed that the fabric surface was covered with the grafted polymers. The zeta potentials and the water wettability of the grafted PET increased with grafting. Also the photografted fabrics showed an increased dyeablity to reactive dyes and increased affinity to various iodine species which imparted anti-bacterial properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1232-1237
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• 2014

Lycopene, which is a well-known red carotenoid pigment, has been drawing scientific interest because of its potential biological functions. The current study reports that lycopene acts as a bactericidal agent by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated DNA damage in Escherichia coli. Lycopene treatment elevated the level of ROS-in particular, hydroxyl radicals ($^*OH$)-which can damage DNA in E. coli. Lycopene-induced DNA damage in bacteria was confirmed and we also observed cell filamentation caused by cell division arrest, an indirect marker of the DNA damage repair system, in lycopene-treated E. coli. Increased RecA expression was observed, indicating activation of the DNA repair system (SOS response). To summarize, lycopene exerts its antibacterial effects by inducing $^*OH$-mediated DNA damage that cannot be ameliorated by the SOS response. Lycopene may be a clinically useful adjuvant for current antimicrobial therapies.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.24.1-24.7
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• 2015

Bahunia racemosa family, Caesalpiniaceae, is one of the precious resources of the earth. It has played a significant role in human civilization since ancient times. It is tall sized tree growing throughout India, Ceylon, China, and Timor. The different part of this plant contains β-sitosterol and β-amyrin, flavonols (kaempferol and quercetin) and two coumarins (scopoletin and scopolin), tannins etc. Various part of this plant has great pharmacological potential with a great utility and usage as folklore medicine as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antimicrobial activity. This review mainly focus on the exclusive review work on the traditional, phytochemical and pharmacological activities of this plant.