Influence of Nitrogen Sources on D-Lactic Acid Biosynthesis by Sporolactobacillus laevolacticus DSM 442 Strain

The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of replacing an expensive yeast extract contained in the fermentation medium for D-lactic acid (D-LA, R-lactic acid) biosynthesis with an alternative nitrogen source. The screening studies were conducted under stationary conditions and showed that pea seed hydrolysate was the most beneficial substrate in the process of D-LA biosynthesis by the strain Sporolactobacillus laevolacticus DSM 442 among the used inorganic and organic nitrogen sources, waste materials, food and agricultural products. After 96 h, 75.5 g/L D-LA was obtained in batch cultures in a medium containing pea seed hydrolysate, with an average productivity of 0.79 g/L/h, yield of 75.5%, and optical purity of 99.4%. In batch cultures fed once, in a medium with an analogous composition, 122.6 g/L D-LA was obtained after 120 h, and the average yield, productivity and optical purity were 87.6%, 1.021 g/L/h, and 99.6%, respectively. Moreover, the amount of D-LA obtained in the fermentation medium enriched with the above-mentioned cheap agricultural product was similar to the amounts obtained in the medium containing yeast extract in both stationary and bioreactor cultures. Our research shows that hydrolyzed pea seeds, which belong to the legume family, may be a promising nitrogen source for the production of D-LA on an industrial scale

Plant endophytic fungi as a source of paclitaxel

Summary Endophytic fungi were isolated from different parts of the plants Corylus avellana (Corylaceae) and Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) and then identified to the genus level based on the morphology of the fungal culture and the characteristics of the spores. The fungicidal and antitumor activity of isolates and extracts obtained from them was determined. We found that a few isolates from Corylus avellana and Ocimum basilicum produced metabolites that inhibited the growth of Oomycetes fungi to a highly significant extent. In the potato disc bioassay only an extract from the isolate C-9 showed an inhibitory action in tumor development. Paclitaxel presence in extract from the isolate C-9 was confirmed using the thin layer chromatography method (TLC) and UV-VIS spectroscopic analysis. The above results indicated that the tested samples revealed an antitumor activity. The detection of paclitaxel in the isolate C-9 suggests that the antitumor activity resulted probably from the presence of this taxane in the tested material.</jats:p

Zależności pomiędzy ustawieniem kości krzyżowej, kręgosłupa lędźwiowego i piersiowego a ruchomością tułowia w płaszczyźnie strzałkowej u młodych dorosłych

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the position of the sacrum, lumbar and thoracic spine and the mobility of the trunk in the sagittal plane in young women and men. Material and methods: 64 students (33 women and 31 men) were studied. The mean age in the study group was 22.94 ± 1.51 years. The following tests were performed on each subject once: measurement of height and weight, assessment of spinal alignment and mobility in the sagittal plane using Zebris Pointer. Results: The results obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Statistically significant correlations were obtained: in the alignment of the sacrum in relation to the lumbar spine (strong correlation), in the alignment of the lumbar spine in relation to the thoracic spine and, in the male group only, between the alignment of the thoracic spine and mobility in the direction of flexion in the thoracic segment (moderate correlation). Conclusions: In women, horizontal sacral alignment coexisting with deepened lordosis was most frequently observed. In addition, women were more likely to have a deepened thoracic kyphosis, less range of motion in the direction of thoracic flexion and extension, and greater mobility in the direction of lumbar flexion and extension than men. In men, the vertical alignment of the sacrum was accompanied by a shallowing of the physiological lordosis. In addition, in this group, a decrease in lordosis influenced an increase in movement to flexion in the thoracic spine. When planning a physiotherapy exercise program for a person in whom abnormalities in the alignment of the lumbopelvic complex have been noted, an individual exercise program should be selected. The study should take into account not only the evaluation of the alignment of the lumbosacral spine, but also the mobility of the segments above and below the examined area taking into account intergender differences.Cel pracy: Celem badania była ocena zależności pomiędzy ustawieniem kości krzyżowej, kręgosłupa lędźwiowego i piersiowego a ruchomością tułowia w płaszczyźnie strzałkowej u młodych kobiet i mężczyzn. Materiał i metody: Zbadano 64 studentów (33 kobiety i 31 mężczyzn). Średni wiek w badanej grupie wynosił 22,94 ± 1,51 lat. U każdego z badanych jednorazowo zostały wykonane następujące badania: pomiar wysokości i masy ciała, ocena ustawienia i ruchomości kręgosłupa w płaszczyźnie strzałkowej z wykorzystaniem Zebris Pointer. Wyniki: Uzyskane wyniki poddano analizie z użyciem odpowiednich narzędzi statystycznych. Uzyskano istotne statystycznie zależności: w ustawieniu kości krzyżowej w stosunku do kręgosłupa lędźwiowego (silna zależność), w ustawieniu kręgosłupa lędźwiowego w stosunku do kręgosłupa piersiowego oraz, tylko w grupie mężczyzn, pomiędzy ustawieniem kręgosłupa piersiowego a ruchomością w kierunku zgięcia w odcinku piersiowym (umiarkowana zależność). Wnioski: U kobiet najczęściej obserwowano poziome ustawienie kości krzyżowej współistniejące z pogłębioną lordozą. Dodatkowo w grupie kobiet częściej obserwowano pogłębioną kifozę piersiową, mniejszy zakres ruchu w kierunku zgięcia i wyprostu w odcinku piersiowym oraz większą ruchomość w kierunku zgięcia i wyprostu w odcinku lędźwiowym niż u mężczyzn. U mężczyzn pionowe ustawienie kości krzyżowej towarzyszyło wypłyceniu fizjologicznej lordozy. Dodatkowo w tej grupie zmniejszenie lordozy wpływało na zwiększenie ruchu do zgięcia w odcinku piersiowym kręgosłupa. Planując program ćwiczeń fizjoterapeutycznych u osoby, u której zanotowano nieprawidłowości w ustawieniu kompleksu lędźwiowo-miedniczego należy indywidualnie dobrać program ćwiczeń. W badaniu należy uwzględnić nie tylko ocenę ustawienia kręgosłupa lędźwiowo-krzyżowego, ale również ruchomość segmentów powyżej i poniżej badanego miejsca uwzględniając różnice międzypłciowe

NMR Studies on [2 + 3] Cycloaddition of Nitrile Oxides to Polyunsaturated Medium Size Rings

Site selectivity, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of [2 + 3] cycloaddition of 4-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile oxide to polyunsaturated medium size rings including 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, 11-membered sesquiterpenes, 1,3-cyclooctadiene and 5-vinyl-2-norbornene were examined. Site selectivity was correlated with electron charges of alkenyl carbon atoms. Structure of the products has been established by an extensive application of 1D and 2D 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Some of the obtained products showed moderate fungicidal activities

Nanoformulations as a modern form of biofungicide

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to elaborate new forms of biofungicide formulations which could increase biological activity of essential oil against various strains of pathogenic fungi of plants, dermatophytes, and molds. Methods The nanoemulsions containing four various essential oils (cinnamon, thyme, manuka, and tea tree oil) were obtained by using the low-energy (PIC) and the high-energy emulsification methods (ultrasonification). The physicochemical properties and activity of prepared systems against strains of pathogenic fungi of plants (F. culmorum, Ph. cactorum), dermatophytes (T. mentagrophytes M. gypseum) and molds (S. brevicaulis, A. niger) were examined. Fungicidal activity was tested by the method of linear growth of mycelium on an agar medium. Macroemulsions containing the oils and the pure essential oils were used as comparative samples. Results It was found that nanoemulsions prepared by ultrasonification showed excellent fungicidal activity compared to pure oils and macroemulsions. Among others, the manuka oil nanoformulations showed the highest activity against the tested fungi. Conclusions Nanoemulsions can be applied as the effective carriers of essential oils. They allow the reduction of the concentration of the bioactive oils while maintaining biological activity. The obtained nanosystems can be applied as safe, biodegradable, eco-friendly antifungal products in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agrochemical industries as they increase the biological activity of the tested oils against various type of fungi. </jats:sec