Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Mixed Leaves Aqueous Extract of Wild Olive and Pistachio: Characterization, Enhancing Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Potential and Effect on Virulence Factors of Candida

Olea europaea subsp. europaea and Pistacia lentiscus are well known as natural sources of secondary metabolites promising in various fields. Phenolic compounds from Plant are suitable markers to differentiate varieties related to geographical area. This work aimed to enhance the antimicrobial potential of new green silver nanoparticles AgNPs using for the first time the mixed leaves extract of Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris and Pistacia lentiscus from natural geographical association and describe their antimicrobial, antibiofilm and their effect on virulence factor of Candida. A rapid, simple environmentally approach for biosynthesis of AgNPs by using mixed plant aqueous extract acts both as reducing and capting agents without any solvent or hazardous reagents. The AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR spectrum and the X-ray crystallography. The AgNPs showed superior antioxidant activity by measuring DPPH, Ferric Antioxidant Reducing Power (FRAP) and the total antioxidant activity. It was most richness with flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and total polyphenols contents compared to plant extract. The new AgNPs possess high bactericidal and fungicidal effects against clinical strains, limit spore’s germination of filamentous fungi, announcing high anti-biofilm activity, synergistic effect with the conventional antibiotic’s drugs and affecting virulence factors of Candida (Proteinase, Phospholipase and morphogenesis).

A Novel N-Doped Nanoporous Bio-Graphene Synthesized from Pistacia lentiscus Gum and Its Nanocomposite with WO3 Nanoparticles: Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

This paper reports the synthesis of a new nitrogen-doped porous bio-graphene (NPBG) with a specific biomorphic structure, using Pistacia lentiscus as a natural carbon source containing nitrogen that also acts as a bio-template. The obtained NPBG demonstrated the unique feature of doped nitrogen with a 3D nanoporous structure. Next, a WO3/N-doped porous bio-graphene nanocomposite (WO3/NPBG-NC) was synthesized, and the products were characterized using XPS, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, EDX, XRD, and Raman analyses. The presence of nitrogen doped in the structure of the bio-graphene (BG) was confirmed to be pyridinic-N and pyrrolic-N with N1 peaks at 398.3 eV and 400.5 eV, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of the anionic azo dyes and drugs was investigated, and the results indicated that the obtained NPBG with a high surface area (151.98 m2/g), unique electronic properties, and modified surface improved the adsorption and photocatalytic properties in combination with WO3 nanoparticles (WO3-NPs) as an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst. The synthesized WO3/NPBG-NC with a surface area of 226.92 m2/g displayed lower bandgap and higher electron transfer compared with blank WO3-NPs, leading to an increase in the photocatalytic performance through the enhancement of the separation of charge and a reduction in the recombination rate. At the optimum conditions of 0.015 g of the nanocomposite, a contact time of 15 min, and 100 mg/L of dyes, the removal percentages were 100%, 99.8%, and 98% for methyl red (MR), Congo red (CR), and methyl orange (MO), respectively. In the case of the drugs, 99% and 87% of tetracycline and acetaminophen, respectively, at a concentration of 10 mg/L, were removed after 20 min.

Effect of virgin olive and Pistacia Lentiscus oils fortified with tomato lycopene on biochemical parameters in Wistar rats

Background: Pistacia lentiscus oil (PLO) and virgin olive oil (VOO) contain a large variety of phytochemicals providing beneficial effects. Lycopene is the main carotenoid with antioxidant properties. The consumption of lycopene containing foods may fight against cardiovascular diseases. Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the effects of fortified oils (VOO and PLO) with lycopene on some biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. Material and Methods: The experimentation included 50 male Wistar rats from the Algerian Pasteur Institute for the duration of 9 weeks of treatment. Rats were divided into five experimental groups (n=10) and fed a different experimental diet each for 9 weeks: control group (C), Pistacia lentiscus oil group (PLO), lycopene-enriched Pistacia lentiscus oil group (PLO-Lyc), virgin olive oil group (VOO) and lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil (VOO-Lyc). Total Cholesterol (TC) concentration was determined by the enzymatic method CHOD-PAP, High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) with Biotrol diagnostic, the levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were calculated using the Friedewald formula (LDL-C=TC−HDL-C−TGs/5). Triglycerides (TG) were determined by the enzymatic method PAP-1000 and Serum phospholipids (PL) were determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method. The plasma atherogenic index (PAI) was calculated as (TC/HDL-C). Results: Results showed that ingestion of PLO and VOO diminished TC, LDL-C, TG, and PL levels, whereas the HDL-C levels raised in all the groups assayed. Moreover, the lowest level of plasma atherogenic index (PAI) was shown in the VOO-Lyc group after 3, 6, and 9 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: The enrichment of PLO and VOO with lycopene improved the beneficial effects derived from the consumption of both oils on serum biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that lycopene enriched PLO and VOO may be used as a natural product to defend against some cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic acquired disorders. Keywords: lycopene, Pistacia lentiscus oil, virgin olive oil, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides.