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Bacterial cellulose is a natural polymer produced by fermentation of coconut water using Acetobacter xylinum bacteria. This study aimed to synthesize a novel composite of bacterial cellulose impregnated with plant extracts that had an antibacterial activity that have the potential to be used as a food packaging material to maintain food quality. Pure bacterial cellulose (pure BC) was impregnated using Ageratum conyzoides L. leaf extract (AC-BC) and Chromolaena odorata L. leaf extract (CO-BC), which contain secondary metabolites with potential as antibacterial. The study began with the synthesis of pure BC, AC-BC, and CO-BC composites then characterized by SEM–EDX and FTIR, continued with antibacterial activity tests against S. aureus , S. typhimurium , E. coli , and their biodegradability tests. The results of SEM and FTIR characterization showed the success of the impregnation process for antibacterial compounds. The results of the antibacterial activity of AC-BC disc diffusion against S. typhimurium and E. coli showed good antibacterial activity of 9.82 mm and 8.41 mm, respectively. The similar result showed with the antibacterial activity of CO-BC disc diffusion against S. typhimurium and E. coli that showed good activity of 9.73 mm and 6.82 mm, respectively. On the other hand, the biodegradability test showed that the impregnation of bacterial cellulose slowed down the degradation process in the soil. This study confirmed the potential application of bacterial cellulose-plant extracts as an active and biodegradable food packaging.

ABSTRACT Ageratum conyzoides is a malignant invasive plant in China. In this study, we sought to clarify the phenotypic variation of this plant and its competitive interaction with the indigenous species Perilla frutescens . Therefore, we established single‐species planting groups for each species, with plant densities of one, two, four, or eight individuals. In addition, we set up mixed‐species planting groups comprising one, two, or four individuals of both species. The results revealed significant differences in phenotypic characteristics of A. conyzoides , such as the mean aboveground biomass (AB) in all planting, specific stem length (SSL), and specific leaf area (SLA) in single‐species planting. Under the mixed‐species planting, the height of P. frutescens was significantly lower than A. conyzoides . The initial leaf length, plant height, and planting pattern of A. conyzoides were found to have a significant influence on AB, whereas the initial plant height had a significant influence on growth, and the planting pattern had a significant influence on SLA. For A. conyzoides , the coefficient of variation (CV) values of SSL in the low‐density mixed‐species planting (HZ2), flower bud intensity (FBI) in high‐density mixed‐species planting (HZ8), and AB in all mixed‐species planting patterns were greater than 20.0%, thereby indicating that A. conyzoides has strong plasticity. This comparison of competitiveness indicated that the interspecific competition between A. conyzoides and P. frutescens was greater than the intraspecific competition between the respective species and that the competitive capacity of A. conyzoides was greater than that of P. frutescens , particularly under conditions of the medium‐density mixed‐species planting. Based on these findings, we conclude that A. conyzoides can adapt to intraspecific and interspecific competition via phenotypic characteristics variation and maintain a competitive advantage. In addition, we established that in the presence of sufficient resources, the competitiveness of A. conyzoides is strongest at medium plant densities. A. conyzoides can adapt to intraspecific and interspecific competition via phenotypic characteristics variation under different planting patterns and maintain a competitive advantage when its niche overlaps with that of P. frutescens . In addition, we established that in the presence of sufficient resources, the competitiveness of A. conyzoides is strongest at medium plant densities.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a logical candidate crop to suppress invasive plants, but additional information is needed to support its potential application as a suppressive ground cover. The current study utilized a de Wit replacement series incorporating five ratios of sweet potato grown in the field in combination with one of three invasive plants (Ageratum conyzoides L., Bidens pilosa L., and Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) in replicated 9 m2 plots. Stem length, total biomass, and leaf area were higher for monoculture-grown sweet potato than these parameters for any of the invasive plants grown in monoculture. In mixed culture, the plant height, branch, leaf, inflorescence, seed, and biomass of all invasive plants were suppressed by sweet potato. The relative yield parameter indicated that intraspecific competition was greater than interspecific competition for sweet potato, while the reverse was true for invasive species. The net photosynthetic rate was higher for sweet potato than for B. pilosa and G. parviflora but not A. conyzoides. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities of each of the three invasive plants were reduced in mixture with sweet potato. Our results demonstrated that these three invasive plants were significantly suppressed by sweet potato competition due to the rapid growth and phenotypic plasticity of sweet potato.

Ageratum conyzoides L. is an important Chinese medicinal plant. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of A. conyzoides. The chloroplast genome sequence is 151,309 bp in length and consisted of a large single copy (LSC) region (83,884 bp), a small single copy (SSC) region (17,771 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) (24,827 bp). It was composed of 126 genes and they were 81 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 7 pseudogene. Phylogenetic analysis with reported chloroplast genomes can not only show that A. conyzoides has a close genetic relationship with Centaurea diffusa and Carthamus tinctorius, but also provide new evidence for the identification of Praxelis clematidea and A. conyzoides.

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is an infectious disease caused by the rickettsia organism Ehrlichia canis which is transmitted mainly the ixodid brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The prevalence of E. canis infection has been increasing in recent years. The World Health Organization has been warned about antibiotics resistance and one of the way to prevent this situation is found new compound with this property. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for this tick-borne disease. Adverse effects are noted in dogs that are sensitive to this drug. Antibiotic resistance may also occur. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-Ehrlichia properties of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Ageratum conyzoides L. in infected DH82 cells, as well as its anti-Ehrlichia activity associated with doxycycline using the checkerboard assay. A. conyzoides is a native plant from northeast Brazil with many reports of ethnopharmacological applications. The essential oil of A. conyzoides was extracted from the aerial parts of the plant using the hydrodistillation method. E. canis-infected DH82 cells were cultured in DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium), maintained at 37 °C and 5% CO2, and standardized at a 70% infection rate for the initiation of treatment protocols. The tests were first carried out with the aim of defining the IC50. The combined effect of doxycycline and A. conyzoides essential oil was then determined using the checkerboard dilution technique (checkerboard method) in which the IC50 was 200 µg/mL. The doxycycline reduction index from the combined effect was 4.90 times resulting in a synergistic effect. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first alternative treatment (alternative therapy) based on bioactive molecules that have antibacterial activity against E. canis.

                                                              AbstrakTransportasi ikan berhubungan dengan metode pembiusan. Pembiusan ini dilakukan untuk menurunkan metabolisme atau keaktifan (sedative). Metabolisme yang tinggi selama transportasi dapat diminimalkan dengan menggunakan metode imotilisasi. Dengan suhu atau senyawa metabolik, bahan antimetabolik alami yang dapat digunakan adalah tanaman bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides). Bandotan merupakan tanaman obat yang mengandung minyak atsiri dan saponin (Kardono, 2003). Pada bidang perikanan, untuk mengurangi stres pada ikan dan juga digunakan menenangkan serta penurunan keaktifan (sedative) atau obat analgesik yang digunakan pada hewan vertebrata (Neiffer and Stamper, 2009). Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui potensi sedasi pemberian minyak atsiri daun bandotan terhadap ikan koi (Cyprinus carpio). Hasil analisis varian (ANAVA) menunjukkan bahwa setiap perlakuan minyak atsiri daun bandotan memberikan pengaruh terhadap waktu pingsan, waktu pulih sadar dan tachiventilasi (p<0,05). Rentang waktu pingsan tercepat pada perlakuan I saat menit ke- 27-30 dan rentang waktu pingsan terlama pada perlakuan D saat menit ke- 55. Rentang waktu pulih sadar tercepat pada perlakuan D saat menit ke- 5 dan rentang waktu pulih sadar terlama pada perlakuan I saat menit ke- 15-18. Rata-rata tachiventilasi tertinggi pada perlakuan A pada pengamatan menit ke- 60 (810 bit/5 menit) dan terendah pada I (343 bit/5 menit) pada pengamatan menit ke- 60. Berdasarkan pengukuran kualitas air yaitu suhu air antara 29-31o C, oksigen terlarut 6 ppm, pH berkisar 8-8,3 dan amoniak 0,02-0,27 mg/l.                                                                  AbstractTransportation of fish associated with the method of anesthesia. Anesthesia is done to decrease metabolism or liveliness (sedative). A high metabolism during transport can be minimized by using imotilisasi. Imotilisasi can be done by using a low temperature or chemical or natural metabolic compounds (Soedibya and Pramono, 2006). Antimetabolic natural ingredients that can be used is a plant bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides). Bandotan is a medicinal plant that contains essential oils and saponins (Kardono, 2003). In the field of fisheries, to reduce stress on the fish and also used a calming as well as a decrease in the activity (sedative) or analgesic drugs used in vertebrate animals (Neiffer and Stamper, 2009). The purpose of this study to determine the potential for sedation administration bandotan leaf essential oil to the koi (Cyprinus carpio). Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that each treatment bandotan leaf essential oil to give effect to the time unconscious, conscious and tachiventilasi recovery time (p<0.05). Range fastest time in treatment I fainted while 27-30 minutes and the longest time span in treatment D fainted while 55 minute span of the fastest recovering conscious at the time of treatment D 5 minutes and recovered aware longest time span in treatment I while 15-18 minutes. The highest average tachiventilasi on treatment A on the 60 minute observation (810 bits / 5 min) and the lowest in the I (343 bits / 5 min) on minute 60 observation. Based on the measurement of water quality is the water temperature between 29-31o C, dissolved oxygen is 6 ppm, pH ranged from 8 to 8.3 and ammonia 0.02 to 0.27 mg / l

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Family—Asteraceae) is an annual aromatic invasive herb, mainly distributed over the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It owns a reputed history of indigenous remedial uses, including as a wound dressing, an antimicrobial, and mouthwash as well as in treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, etc. In this review, the core idea is to present the antifungal potential of the selected medicinal plant and its secondary metabolites against different fungal pathogens. Additionally, toxicological studies (safety profile) conducted on the amazing plant A. conyzoides L. are discussed for the possible clinical development of this medicinal herb. Articles available from 2000 to 2020 were reviewed in detail to exhibit recent appraisals of the antifungal properties of A. conyzoides. Efforts were aimed at delivering evidences for the medicinal application of A. conyzoides by using globally recognized scientific search engines and databases so that an efficient approach for filling the lacunae in the research and development of antifungal drugs can be adopted. After analyzing the literature, it can be reported that the selected medicinal plant effectively suppressed the growth of numerous fungal species, such as Aspergillus, Alternaria, Candida, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Pythium, owing to the presence of various secondary metabolites, particularly chromenes, terpenoids, flavonoids and coumarins. The possible mechanism of action of different secondary metabolites of the plant against fungal pathogens is also discussed briefly. However, it was found that only a few studies have been performed to demonstrate the plant’s dosage and safety profile in humans. Considered all together, A. conyzoides extract and its constituents may act as a promising biosource for the development of effective antifungal formulations for clinical use. However, in order to establish safety and efficacy, additional scientific research is required to explore chronic toxicological effects of ageratum, to determine the probability of interactions when used with different herbs, and to identify safe dosage. The particulars presented here not only bridge this gap but also furnish future research strategies for the investigators in microbiology, ethno-pharmacology, and drug discovery.

Invasion by alien species is a global problem and forms one of the major drivers of global change. The researches on plant invasion have grown rapidly across the globe since the mid-twentieth century. However, in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) such studies are inadequate and have not been systematically conducted. Lack of empirical evidences on various described aspects of plant invasion in IHR are likely to aggravate the issue of invasion management in the region. This scenario would become more worst under changing climate. This study analyzed the results of an extensive review of the available information generated through Web of Science and Google scholar. A total of 297 naturalized alien plant species belongs to 65 families in the IHR are reported. Of the total 297 naturalized alien plant species in IHR, maximum species occur in Himachal Pradesh (232; 78.1%) followed by Jammu & Kashmir (192; 64.6%) and Uttarakhand (181; 60.90%). Among various invasive species, Lantana camara, Ageratina adenophora, Parthenium hysterophorus and Ageratum conyzoides have been reported from most of the IHR states and proliferated over larger area. Evidences available in the published studies are indicative that with tourism promotion and increasing roads networks, that passes through forests, many of the alien species in the IHR have started invading forests and even in alpine ecosystems. This study observed expansion of Ageratina adenophora up to 2900 m, which is higher than its reported elevation range (300–2800 m) in west Himalaya. These evidences suggest possible encroachment by alien species in hitherto invasion resilient higher Himalaya, particularly with emerging trends of increasing temperature and human disturbances. The present study also provides a multistage framework for investment on invasion researches in IHR. This will allow developing appropriate management strategies and policy planning for addressing issues pertaining to plant invasions across the IHR states.

Ageratum conyzoides L. weed often invades cultivated fields and reduces crop productivity in Southeast Asia and South China. However, intercropping this weed in citrus orchards may increase the population of predatory mite Amblyseius newsami, an effective natural enemy of citrus red mite Panonychus citri, and keep the population of P. citri at low and noninjurious levels. This study showed that A. conyzoides produced and released volatile allelochemicals into the air in the intercropped citrus orchard, and these volatiles influenced the olfactory responses of A. newsami and P. citri. At test temperature (25 degrees C), A. conyzoides fresh leaves, its essential oil, and major constituents, demethoxy-ageratochromene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-bisabolene, and E-beta-farnesene, attracted A. newsami and slightly repelled P. citri. Field experiments demonstrated that spraying A. conyzoides essential oil emulsion in an A. conyzoides nonintercropped citrus orchard increased the population density of A. newsami from below 0.1 to over 0.3 individuals per leaf, reaching the same level as in an A. conyzoides intercropped citrus orchard. However, this effect could not be maintained beyond 48 hr because of the volatility of the essential oil. In contrast, in the A. conyzoides intercropped citrus orchard, A. conyzoides plants continuously produced and released volatile allelochemicals and maintained the A. newsami population for a long time. The results suggest that intercropping of A. conyzoides not only made the citrus orchard ecosystem more favorable for the predatory mite A. newsami, but also that the volatile allelochemicals released from A. conyzoides regulated the population of A. newsami and P. citri.

BackgroundInfectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide because of antibiotic resistance. Ageratum conyzoides is one of the antimicrobial medicinal plants that is being used to fight various multi-resistant pathogenic bacteria in Burkina Faso.AimThe aim was to promote safe medicinal use of A. conyzoides by highlighting the anti-biofilm and anti-motility effects of its methanol extract.SettingThe study was conducted at the Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.MethodsThe antibacterial activities of methanol extract were evaluated by evaluating swimming, swarming and twitching motilities performed in an agar medium. The anti-biofilm effect was conducted in microtiter plates using the crystal violet method. The antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl; 2,2’-azino-bis (3-éthylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power and conducting lipoxygenase test.ResultsFrom the study, 100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL of extract presented significant inhibition of P. aeruginosa and E. coli swarming motility but did not exhibit a significant effect on P. aeruginosa swimming and E. coli twitching motilities. The extract was effective in reducing biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting bacterial growth. In addition, the extract showed some capabilities to inhibit lipoxygenase activity and exhibit antioxidant potential, which could contribute to the control of oxidative stress-related diseases.ConclusionFrom this study the anti-biofilm and anti-motility potential of the A. conyzoides extract provided the experimental background for the further development of antibacterial drugs.ContributionThis study provided additional scientific evidence to support the use of A. conyzoides in traditional medicine against bacterial infections.