Effectiveness of Indigenous Rhizobacteria Formulations in Increasing the Growth and Yield of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.)

The use of beneficial microbes in increasing plant growth and yield is a very appropriate choice to reduce synthetic chemicals that can cause negative impacts on the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of post-save formulations of Wakatobi indigenous rhizobacteria in increasing the growth and yield of shallots. The study was conducted in Jati Bali Village, Konawe Selatan District, using a Randomized Block Design, consisting of 10 rhizobacterial formulation treatments, a combination of three types of biological agents, namely Pseudomonas sp. LP03, Pseudomonas sp. TWB02 and Pseudomonas sp. TWB11, and three types of formulation materials: ground brick powder, ground burned rice husk powder, and bentonite; one control using NaCl 0.85%. The experiment was repeated three times so that there were 360 treatment units. The results showed that of the three types of rhizobacteria tested, only Pseudomonas sp. TWB02 and Pseudomonas sp. LP03 can display better performance in increasing the growth and yield of shallots. These rhizobacteria are more compatible using the ground burned rice-husk powder formulation. Increased shallot yield (tuber fresh weight) in seed treatment using Pseudomonas sp. TWB02 and Pseudomonas sp. LP03 in the formulation of ground burned rice-husk powder reached 121% and 117% compared to controls. Further research needs to be done on a broader scale and different environmental conditions to see the stability of these biological agents' effects on the growth and yield of shallots.

Production of Disinfectant by Utilizing Eco-enzyme from Fruit Peels Waste

Organic waste is waste that contains carbon compounds that come from living things, such as fruit and vegetable waste. However, the community is still not able to manage it optimally, even though organic and non-organic waste can still be processed into useful products. This effective way can be realized through the manufacture of eco-enzymes that can be applied at the household level. Eco-enzyme is a liquid extract produced from the fermentation of vegetable and fruit residues with brown sugar as a substrate. The eco-enzyme has a strong sweet and sour fermented aroma due to the peels of oranges, pineapples, and papayas. This environmentally friendly enzyme can be produced using fruit peel, brown sugar, and water. Eco-enzyme solution when mixed with water, will react and can be used as a liquid disinfectant. Disinfectants commonly used are generally derived from synthetic chemicals in the form of artificial chemicals. One of the natural ingredients that can be used as a disinfectant is eco-enzyme liquid. This study aims to make a disinfectant using an environmentally friendly enzyme liquid, namely eco-enzyme. The method used in this research is a mixed method of fermentation of orange peel waste, pineapple and papaya, brown sugar, and water with a ratio of 3:1:10. Analysis for eco-enzyme pH, and Phytochemicals, while for disinfectants include pH, total phenol content with UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, hard water emulsion stability, and antibacterial test. All samples of the disinfectant product met the requirements of SNI 06 – 1842 of 1995, besides that, the best disinfectant product was found in a ratio of 1:10 which could reduce bacterial growth.

Molecular aspects of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) vascular wilt by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and antagonism by Trichoderma spp.

<p>Tomato plants (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>) are susceptible to the infection by diverse pathogens that cause devastating diseases such as vascular wilt, which causes great losses at the production level. The fungus <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>lycopersici</em> (<em>Fol</em>) is one of the etiologic agents of this disease and its control lies in the use of synthetic chemicals which generate a negative impact in both health and the environment; thus, it is necessary to implement biological control as a healthier and more efficient alternative. The fungus <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. is a favorable option to be employed as a biocontroller against this pathogen thanks to its antagonist mechanisms, determined by metabolic and genetic characteristics. On the one hand, for <em>Fol</em> it is indispensable the activation of signaling routes such as MAPK Fmk1, MAPK Mpk1 y HOG, while <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. uses effectors involved in the interaction with the plant such as proteins, enzymes and secondary metabolites that also strengthen its immune response against infection, determined by both Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMP) and effectors. Therefore, this article makes a review about the mentioned characteristics and suggests a greater application of tools and molecular markers for the management of this disease.</p>

Study on valuable metal incorporation in the Fe–Al precipitate during neutralization of LIB leach solution

The role of aluminum concentration and pH in the purification of waste Li-ion battery leach solution was investigated using NaOH and LiOH as neutralization agents ([H2SO4] = 0.313 M, t = 6 h). Solution was prepared from synthetic chemicals to mimic real battery leach solution. Results demonstrate that pH (3.5–5.5) has a significant effect on the precipitation of metals (Fe, Al, Ni, Cu, Co, Mn, and Li), whereas higher temperature (T = 30 and 60 °C) decreases the precipitation pH of metals. Iron and aluminum were both found to precipitate at ca. pH 4 and the presence of aluminum in PLS clearly decreased the separation efficiency of Fe vs. active material metals (Ni, Co, Li). In the absence of dissolved aluminum, Fe precipitated already at pH 3.5 and did not result in the co-precipitation of other metals. Additionally, the Al-free slurry had a superior filtration performance. However, aluminum concentrations of 2 and 4 g/L were found to cause loss of Ni (2–10%), Co (1–2%) and Li (2–10%) to the Fe-Al hydroxide cake at pH 4. The use of LiOH (vs. NaOH) resulted in 50% lower co-precipitation of Ni, Co and Li. Overall, these results demonstrate that hydroxide precipitation can be an effective method to remove iron from battery waste leach solutions at aluminum concentrations of < 2 g/L only. Although the highest level of lithium loss in the cake was found at pH 4, the loss was shown to decrease with increasing pH.

Efficacy of Beneficial Microbes in Sustainable Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes: A Review

The soil inhabits many microbes, including plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are reported to cause substantial damage to crops which results in yield and economic losses. Chemical control is the most widely used method to control plant parasitic nematodes. However, the consequences of synthetic chemicals are detrimental to human health, animals, and the environment and face so many strict regulatory measures. Synthetic chemicals are also not reliable with their inability to provide long-term protection. Many studies have shown that the use of beneficial fungi and bacteria has the potential to prevent and suppress plant parasitic nematodes while keeping the environment safe. Several experiments have demonstrated that bioproducts of microbial origin are cheap, safe, and provide long-lasting biocontrol effects against pathogens both in vitro and field conditions. Therefore, this review aims to discuss mechanisms that beneficial microbes and their products use to successfully suppress plant parasitic nematodes. The review also explains the importance of using commercial bionematicides in the sustainable management of plant parasitic nematodes. The existing challenges that are limiting the full application of beneficial microbes, and what needs to be done to fully utilize biocontrol agents in the management of plant parasitic nematodes have also been discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this review has come at the right time to give researchers and plant growers more options when several synthetic chemical nematicides are being banned by regulatory authorities due to their hazardous effects.

An Overview on Herbal Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals

Herbal cosmetics are formulated by using different cosmetic ingredients to form the base in which one or more herbal ingredients are wont to cure various skin ailment. The name suggests that herbal cosmetics are natural and free from all the harmful synthetic chemicals which otherwise may convince be toxic to the skin. Compared to other beauty products, natural cosmetics are safe to use. They are hypo-allergenic and tested and proven by dermatologists to be safe to use anytime, anywhere. Cosmeceuticals are cosmeticpharmaceutical hybrid products intended to enhance the health and wonder of the skin by providing a selected result, starting from acne-control and anti-wrinkle effects to sun protection. Cosmeceuticals have medicinal benefits which affect the biological functioning of skin depending upon the sort of functional ingredients they contain. These are cosmetic products that aren't just used for beautification but for different skin ailments. These products improve the functioning/texture of the skin by boosting collagen growth by eradicating harmful effects of free radicals, maintain keratin structure in good condition, and making the skin healthier. There are numerous herbs available naturally having different uses in cosmetic preparations for skin care, hair care, and as antioxidants. The current review highlights the importance of herbal cosmetics, the herbs used in them, and their advantages over their synthetic counterparts.

Molecular evolution and functional characterisation of tunicate xenobiotic receptors

<p>Marine microorganisms generate a wide range of ’bioactive’ compounds that can have far-reaching effects on biological and ecological processes. Metazoans have developed specialised biochemical pathways that metabolise and eliminate potentially toxic chemicals (xenobiotics) from their bodies. The vertebrate xenobiotic receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor transcription factor regulating expression of multiple detoxification genes. Ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of vertebrate PXR orthologues may have adaptively evolved to bind toxins typically encountered by these organisms. Marine invertebrate filter-feeders are exposed to relatively high concentrations of xenobiotics associated with their diet. Tunicates (phylum: Chordata) are of particular interest as they form the sister clade to the Vertebrata. Genomes of the solitary tunicate Ciona intestinalis and the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri both encode at least two xenobiotic receptors that are orthologues to both the vertebrate vitamin D receptor (VDR) and PXR. Pursuing the idea that tunicate xenobiotic receptors (VDR/PXR) may adaptively evolve to bind toxic chemicals commonly present in an organism’s environment, this thesis aims to identify if: (i) adaptive evolution is acting on putative tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues to enhance binding of dietary xenobiotics; (ii) these receptors are activated by dietary xenobiotics (e.g. microalgal biotoxins) and; (iii) tunicate VDR/PXR LBDs can be used as sensor elements in yeast bioassays for the detection of both natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. To identify genetic variation and to search for evidence of positive selection, next-generation sequencing was performed on three tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues genes. Recombinant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell lines were developed for the functional characterisation of tunicate VDR/PXR LBDs. These tunicate VDR/PXR LBD-based yeast bioassays were utilised to detect known microalgal biotoxins, natural bioactive compounds, and environmental contaminants. Next-generation sequencing revealed both an unusually high genetic diversity and strong purifying selection in VDR/PXR orthologues from C. intestinalis and B. schlosseri. Single-base-deletion allelic variants were found in C. intestinalis VDR/PXR orthologues resulting in predicted proteins having a DNA-binding domain but lacking a LBD. The persistence of these variants may reflect constitutive expression of detoxification genes as a selective advantage in the marine environment. To assess the functional characteristics of tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues, recombinant yeast cell lines were developed that express VDR/PXRα LBDs from C. intestinalis and B. schlosseri. These chimeric proteins mediate liganddependent expression of a lacZ reporter gene which encodes an easily assayed enzyme (β-galactosidase). These yeast bioassays were highly sensitive towards both synthetic and natural toxins (coefficients of variance, CV <25%). Microalgal biotoxins (okadaic acid and portimine) were two orders of magnitude more potent than synthetic chemicals, which was consistent with the hypothesis that tunicate xenobiotic receptors can bind marine bioactive compounds frequently present in a filter-feeder’s diet. Following these functional studies, the yeast bioassays were tested in a more applied context by screening the following compounds: (i) natural bioactive compounds that represent promising compounds for drug development and; (ii) synthetic chemicals that are common environmental pollutants. Of the 34 compounds tested, 30 were active in the tunicate yeast bioassays. The yeast bioassays were particularly sensitive towards a small number (n = 11) of marine and terrestrial bioactive compounds (CJ-13-014, CJ-13-104, thysanone and naringin) and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals (ketoconazole), antifungals (radicicol), preservatives (butylated hydroxtoluene) and surfactants (oil dispersants), generating CV values <25%. Activities of the remaining 19 compounds were highly variable and appeared to depend on several factors, such as solvent used, duration of exposure and type of recombinant protein expressed (e.g. C. intestinalis versus B. schlosseri VDR/PXRα). In conclusion, the yeast bioassay developed in this thesis, with further development, may provide a template for novel bioassays that may find application in routine microalgal biotoxin testing and environmental monitoring. These bioassays may also assist in the identification of marine bioactive compounds as drug lead compounds.</p>

Molecular evolution and functional characterisation of tunicate xenobiotic receptors

<p>Marine microorganisms generate a wide range of ’bioactive’ compounds that can have far-reaching effects on biological and ecological processes. Metazoans have developed specialised biochemical pathways that metabolise and eliminate potentially toxic chemicals (xenobiotics) from their bodies. The vertebrate xenobiotic receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor transcription factor regulating expression of multiple detoxification genes. Ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of vertebrate PXR orthologues may have adaptively evolved to bind toxins typically encountered by these organisms. Marine invertebrate filter-feeders are exposed to relatively high concentrations of xenobiotics associated with their diet. Tunicates (phylum: Chordata) are of particular interest as they form the sister clade to the Vertebrata. Genomes of the solitary tunicate Ciona intestinalis and the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri both encode at least two xenobiotic receptors that are orthologues to both the vertebrate vitamin D receptor (VDR) and PXR. Pursuing the idea that tunicate xenobiotic receptors (VDR/PXR) may adaptively evolve to bind toxic chemicals commonly present in an organism’s environment, this thesis aims to identify if: (i) adaptive evolution is acting on putative tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues to enhance binding of dietary xenobiotics; (ii) these receptors are activated by dietary xenobiotics (e.g. microalgal biotoxins) and; (iii) tunicate VDR/PXR LBDs can be used as sensor elements in yeast bioassays for the detection of both natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. To identify genetic variation and to search for evidence of positive selection, next-generation sequencing was performed on three tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues genes. Recombinant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell lines were developed for the functional characterisation of tunicate VDR/PXR LBDs. These tunicate VDR/PXR LBD-based yeast bioassays were utilised to detect known microalgal biotoxins, natural bioactive compounds, and environmental contaminants. Next-generation sequencing revealed both an unusually high genetic diversity and strong purifying selection in VDR/PXR orthologues from C. intestinalis and B. schlosseri. Single-base-deletion allelic variants were found in C. intestinalis VDR/PXR orthologues resulting in predicted proteins having a DNA-binding domain but lacking a LBD. The persistence of these variants may reflect constitutive expression of detoxification genes as a selective advantage in the marine environment. To assess the functional characteristics of tunicate VDR/PXR orthologues, recombinant yeast cell lines were developed that express VDR/PXRα LBDs from C. intestinalis and B. schlosseri. These chimeric proteins mediate liganddependent expression of a lacZ reporter gene which encodes an easily assayed enzyme (β-galactosidase). These yeast bioassays were highly sensitive towards both synthetic and natural toxins (coefficients of variance, CV <25%). Microalgal biotoxins (okadaic acid and portimine) were two orders of magnitude more potent than synthetic chemicals, which was consistent with the hypothesis that tunicate xenobiotic receptors can bind marine bioactive compounds frequently present in a filter-feeder’s diet. Following these functional studies, the yeast bioassays were tested in a more applied context by screening the following compounds: (i) natural bioactive compounds that represent promising compounds for drug development and; (ii) synthetic chemicals that are common environmental pollutants. Of the 34 compounds tested, 30 were active in the tunicate yeast bioassays. The yeast bioassays were particularly sensitive towards a small number (n = 11) of marine and terrestrial bioactive compounds (CJ-13-014, CJ-13-104, thysanone and naringin) and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals (ketoconazole), antifungals (radicicol), preservatives (butylated hydroxtoluene) and surfactants (oil dispersants), generating CV values <25%. Activities of the remaining 19 compounds were highly variable and appeared to depend on several factors, such as solvent used, duration of exposure and type of recombinant protein expressed (e.g. C. intestinalis versus B. schlosseri VDR/PXRα). In conclusion, the yeast bioassay developed in this thesis, with further development, may provide a template for novel bioassays that may find application in routine microalgal biotoxin testing and environmental monitoring. These bioassays may also assist in the identification of marine bioactive compounds as drug lead compounds.</p>