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The raising concern of drug resistance, having substantial impacts on public health, has instigated the search of new natural compounds with substantial medicinal activity. In order to find out a natural solution, the current study has utilized prodigiosin, a linear tripyrrole red pigment, as an active ingredient to control bacterial proliferation and prevent cellular oxidation caused by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). A prodigiosin-producing bacterium BRL41 was isolated from the ancient Barhind soil of BCSIR Rajshahi Laboratories, Bangladesh, and its morphological and biochemical characteristics were investigated. Whole genome sequencing data of the isolate revealed its identity as Serratia sp. and conferred the presence of prodigiosin gene cluster in the bacterial genome. “Prodigiosin NRPS”, among the 10 analyzed gene clusters, showed 100% similarity with query sequences where pigC, pigH, pigI, and pigJ were identified as fundamental genes for prodigiosin biosynthesis. Some other prominent clusters for synthesis of ririwpeptides, yersinopine, trichrysobactin were also found in the chromosome of BRL41, whilst the rest displayed less similarity with query sequences. Except some first-generation beta-lactam resistance genes, no virulence and resistance genes were found in the genome of BRL41. Structural illumination of the extracted red pigment by spectrophotometric scanning, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and change of color at different pH solutions verified the identity of the isolated compound as prodigiosin. Serratia sp. BRL41 attained its maximum productivity 564.74 units/cell at temperature 30˚C and pH 7.5 in two-fold diluted nutrient broth medium. The compound exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) values ranged from 3.9 to15.62 μg/mL and 7.81 to 31.25 μg/mL respectively. At concentration 500 μg/mL, except in Salmonella enterica ATCC-10708, prodigiosin significantly diminished biofilm formed by Listeria monocytogens ATCC-3193, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC-9027, Escherichia coli ( environmental isolate ) , Staphylococcus aureus ( environmental isolate). Cellular glutathione level (GSH) was elevated upon application of 250 and 500 μg/mL pigment where 125 μg/mL failed to show any free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, release of cellular components in growth media of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were facilitated by the extract that might be associated with cell membrane destabilization. Therefore, the overall findings of antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant activities suggest that in time to come prodigiosin might be a potential natural source to treat various diseases and infections.

Traditionally different parts of Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Family: Sapindaceae) have been used medicinally to treat a variety of diseases, including stomach ulcers, flatulence, obesity, cough, diabetes, and hernia‐like situations. This study investigates the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling to detect different types of phytochemicals and antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts derived from the seeds of Litchi chinensis Sonn. Eventually, comprehending the potential biological functions of the detected compounds is explored. GC–MS analysis revealed a diverse array of chemical compounds, with 34, 35, and 25 compounds identified in the n‐hexane, n‐hexane–chloroform (2:1), and methanol extracts, respectively. The major compounds identified were 2,4‐bis (1,1‐dimethylethyl) phenol (14.38%) in the n‐hexane extract, hexadecenoic acid (13.35%) in the n‐hexane–chloroform extract, and 2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐nitro‐1,3‐propanediol (39.16%) in the methanol extract. While most compounds exhibited biological activity, some were neutral or fatty acid derivatives. Notable bioactive compounds included bis (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate and pentadecane in the n‐hexane extract, naphthalene in the n‐hexane–chloroform extract, and 13‐docosanamide (Z) and beta‐longipinene in the methanol extract. Antibacterial activity was tested against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella choleraesuis, where methanolic extract showed the highest activity (ZOI‐10 mm for both bacteria), followed by n‐hexane extract and n‐hexane–chloroform (2:1) extract, respectively. The study’s findings highlight the potential of L. chinensis seed extracts as sources of bioactive compounds, supporting their traditional medicinal uses and suggesting possible applications in antimicrobial therapy. Future studies should focus on isolating and characterizing the key bioactive compounds and broadening the scope to test against additional pathogens and assess other biological activities, such as anticancer and anti‐inflammatory effects, could further validate the medicinal uses of L. chinensis Sonn.

Pimpinella anisum L. seeds of the two cultivars were assessed for their nutritional quality and safety assessment through proximate, chemical and pharmacological studies. The proximate composition along with rich mineral elements as well as minor level of toxic elements indicated the good quality of seeds. The GC–MS analyses of hydro distilled volatile oils of two cultivars contained 16 constituents. The main constituents in BSRC (Bangladesh Spice Research Centre) seeds were trans -anethole (83.67%), fenchone (5.29%) and 1,2-diisopropenylcyclobutane (6.31%) whereas, trans -anethole (69.94%), fenchone (11.184%) and d -limonene (13.007%) were the main constituents in local market seeds. The IC 50 values of DPPH antioxidant activity showed at 48.71 and 52.48 mg/mL, in BSRC and local market seeds cultivars essential oils respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils showed moderate activity in both cultivars against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Both oils had some similarity in physiochemical properties and antimicrobial activity. The brine shrimp cytotoxic activity of the essential oils exhibited weaker activity than the standard drug at 3.06 and 2.86 μg/mL (IC 50 ) in BSRC and local market seed cultivars respectively. The present investigation demonstrated good nutritional quality with rich bioactive phytoconstituents as well as low level of toxic elements of anise seeds. The research findings can open up a new possibility for exportation of indigenously cultivated spices as well as recommendations for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Hatirjheel Lake, a vital urban water body in Dhaka City with significant ecological and environmental importance, is undergoing a gradual decline in water and sediment quality. The primary goal of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the pollution status and ecological risk associated with heavy metals in sediment of the lake. This was accomplished by analyzing key physico-chemical parameters, including pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) in water, along with the concentrations of major heavy metals (As, Mn, Pb, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Zn, and Cd) in both water and sediment. Most of the evaluated water quality indicators, such as pH (7.12 ± 0.48), salinity (1.6 ± 0.06), EC (804.8 ± 36.54), and TDS (402.9 ± 19.19), complied with the permissible standards established by the WHO and USEPA, while DO (3.59 ± 0.97) levels were notably below the surface water threshold. All the metal concentrations were significantly lower than both the international recommended limit and background reference values, except for slight exceedance of Mn (72.94 ± 57.47) in water and Zn (128.14 ± 93) in sediment. The geo-accumulation index ( I geo ) indicated minimal metal accumulation, and the enrichment factor (EF) suggested a predominantly geogenic or natural origin for the analyzed metals. The pollution indices, including degree of contamination (CD), nemerow pollution index (Np), and pollution load index (PLI) showed only mild pollution due to the synergistic effect of heavy metals. The analysis of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) demonstrated that Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn primarily originated from urban runoff and wastewater inputs, while Cr and As were governed by distinct lithogenic or redox-controlled processes. While Cd and Hg exhibited a slight ecological risk, the overall potential for ecological consequences was well below the critical limit. These findings provide a robust scientific baseline for urban lake management in rapidly growing megacities and highlight the importance of continued monitoring to prevent future deterioration under increasing anthropogenic pressure.

The raising concern of drug resistance, having substantial impacts on public health, has instigated the search of new natural compounds with substantial medicinal activity. In order to find out a natural solution, the current study has utilized prodigiosin, a linear tripyrrole red pigment, as an active ingredient to control bacterial proliferation and prevent cellular oxidation caused by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). A prodigiosin-producing bacterium BRL41 was isolated from the ancient Barhind soil of BCSIR Rajshahi Laboratories, Bangladesh, and its morphological and biochemical characteristics were investigated. Whole genome sequencing data of the isolate revealed its identity as Serratia sp. and conferred the presence of prodigiosin gene cluster in the bacterial genome. \"Prodigiosin NRPS\", among the 10 analyzed gene clusters, showed 100% similarity with query sequences where pigC, pigH, pigI, and pigJ were identified as fundamental genes for prodigiosin biosynthesis. Some other prominent clusters for synthesis of ririwpeptides, yersinopine, trichrysobactin were also found in the chromosome of BRL41, whilst the rest displayed less similarity with query sequences. Except some first-generation beta-lactam resistance genes, no virulence and resistance genes were found in the genome of BRL41. Structural illumination of the extracted red pigment by spectrophotometric scanning, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and change of color at different pH solutions verified the identity of the isolated compound as prodigiosin. Serratia sp. BRL41 attained its maximum productivity 564.74 units/cell at temperature 30°C and pH 7.5 in two-fold diluted nutrient broth medium. The compound exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) values ranged from 3.9 to15.62 [mu]g/mL and 7.81 to 31.25 [mu]g/mL respectively. At concentration 500 [mu]g/mL, except in Salmonella enterica ATCC-10708, prodigiosin significantly diminished biofilm formed by Listeria monocytogens ATCC-3193, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC-9027, Escherichia coli (environmental isolate), Staphylococcus aureus (environmental isolate). Cellular glutathione level (GSH) was elevated upon application of 250 and 500 [mu]g/mL pigment where 125 [mu]g/mL failed to show any free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, release of cellular components in growth media of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were facilitated by the extract that might be associated with cell membrane destabilization. Therefore, the overall findings of antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant activities suggest that in time to come prodigiosin might be a potential natural source to treat various diseases and infections.

The essential oil of Zingiber officinale Rosc. was extracted from China and Bangladeshi varieties and yielded 0.21% and 0.23 % by hydro-distillation method on fresh weight basis respectively. Fifteen compounds were identified and quantified by GC-MS. The major constituents of China and Bangladeshi ginger essential oils were zingiberene 38.10 % and 41.49%, β-phellandrene 12.0% and 9.92%, α-citral 11.48% and 9.76 %, α-curcumene 9.22% and 11.58%, camphene 5.94% and 4.60% , β-bisabolene 4.39% and 5.0% respectively. The IC50 (DPPH method ) values were found 61.18 µg/mL and 56.71 µg/mL with the highest inhibition of 78.49 % and 80.77% and the LC50 values in the brine shrimp lethality cytotoxicity bioassay were found 0.4842 µg/mL and 0.7151 µg/mL in China and Bangladeshi ginger essential oil respectively. Both the essential oils showed significant activities against some gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi. The proximate composition of the China and Bangladeshi variety showed the ash (7.12±0.151, 8.15±0.18%), protein (5.47±0.19, 6.60±0.16%), crude fibre (4.32±0.10, 4.61±0.12%), carbohydrate (16..06±0.35, 18.38±0.41) and food energy (70.50±0.89, 81.74±1.01 kcal/100g.) respectively. The elemental compositions of the both varieties were found rich in Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Se, Na and K. These results indicate the quality composition of the two varieties may find interest in spice and culinary industries as well as in medicinal preparation.

Background Medicinal herbs are used for the treatment of different ailments since antiquity. Different parts of Anethum sowa L. is used in folk medicine as a carminative for the treatment of flatulence, colic and hiccups of infants and children, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antispasmodic agent. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil, proximate and elemental composition, amino acid, fatty acid profile and thermal behaviour of its root part as well as different pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity of the root essential oil. Methods The air-dried roots of Anethum sowa L. were subjected to hydro-distillation to yield the essential oil. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was studied by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The antimicrobial activity was tested against four Gram-positive, six Gram-negative bacteria and four fungi species. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) for each examined microorganism were determined using the micro-dilution method. The LC50 value of the oil was also evaluated by brine shrimp lethality assay. The subsequent proximate analysis was also done by AOAC methods. The elemental analysis of the root powder was analysed by ICP-MS, AAS and FP system. The fatty acid was extracted by hot and cold extraction method and the analyses were carried out by GC. The amino acid profile was done by the amino acid analyzer. The DTA, DTG and TG of the root powder were taken by the thermogravimetric analyzer. Results A total of 24 constituents was identified and quantified in the essential oil and its water extract portion by GC and GC-MS. Apiol (81.99 and 74.779%) was found the highest phenylpropanoid constituent followed by m-diaminobenzene (10.446 and 8.778%) in the essential oil and aqueous extract portion. On the other hand, β-butyrolactone (5.13%) and isobutyl acetone (3.73%) were found in the major constituents in the water extract part. The IC50 value of the essential oil was found to be 3.07 mg/mL by DPPH radical assay methods. The LC50 value of the brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay of the essential oil was observed at 0.81 μg/mL. The essential oil showed better activity on Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The proximate composition showed that root contained 5.29% ash, 2.01% protein, 54.09% crude fibre, 0.15% essential oil and 1.14% fatty oil for hot extract and 0.23% for cold extract on the dried basis. The palmitic (33.81 & 31.58%) and linoleic acid (30.03 & 23.79%) were the major saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the cold and hot extracted root powder respectively. Ca (23,600 mg/kg), Mg (7620.33 mg/kg) and K (1286.15 mg/kg) were the most predominant elements followed by Ni (1187.30 mg/kg), Se (913.79 mg/kg), Li (317.84 mg/kg), Na (288.72 mg/kg) and Fe (206.88 mg/kg). The toxic elements were found to be within the permissible limit. Glutamic acid (19.37%), glycine (14.53%) and lysine (17.08%) were found as the major amino acids. The decomposition rates were obtained by TG, DTG and DTA curve of the powder sample at various temperature ranges. Conclusions The results demonstrated that the root part of Anethum sowa L. is a rich source of mineral elements, essential amino acid and fatty acids. The essential oil is the highly potential as bioactive oil for pharmaceuticals and medical applications, possessing antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The thermal analysis suggested as a simple, effective and rapid method to characterize the Anethum sowa L. species as well as to assess for herbal formulation.