Production of anti-cancer compound, Physalin B from callus cultures of Physalis minima (Linn.)

This study was conducted to establish callus cultures from leaf, stem and root explants of Physalis minima using different combinations of 2,4-D and kinetin. Callus growth and anti-cancer compound, physalin B production were further enhanced by optimising the cell explants and media compositions such as basal media, salts concentration, carbon sources and plant growth regulators. The results indicated that callus cultures derived from leaf, stem and root explants were best initiated using a combination of 9.0 µM 2,4-D and 4.5 µM kinetin. Callus growth and synthesis of physalin B were peaked at the late exponential growth phase over 25 d of culture. Callus growth did not vary between explants, but physalin B was observed higher in leaf (0.78 mg g-1 dry wt.), followed by root (0.71 mg g-1 dry wt.) and stem (0.64 mg g-1 dry wt.). MS basal medium was found superior to B5, SH and WH basal media in supporting growth and physalin B production. Further tests on the media compositions obtained a half strength of MS salts (½MS), 2.5% (w/v) sucrose and 9.0:4.5 µM of 2,4- D:kinetin combination, which were the preferred salts strength, carbon sources and plant growth regulators for optimum growth (0.23 g dry wt.) and physalin B production (1.75 mg g-1 dry wt.) of callus cultures derived from leaf

Effect of NAA and BAP on protocorm proliferation of Borneo scented orchid, Vanda helvola

A simple and efficient multiplication protocol was develop for Vanda helvola using protocorms produced by seeds germination as explant sources. Protocorms were cultured on Knudson C as a basal medium with addition of alpha-Naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) singly or combinations under continuous illumination at 25±2ºC for 180 days after culture (DAC). In single hormone study, protocorms were cultured on media supplemented with NAA or BAP (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg l-1). At 120 DAC, treatments with NAA or BAP (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg l-1) gave an obvious multiplication rate and were proceed to the next study of hormones combinations. All protocorms were proliferated on all treatments at 180 DAC but varied in number of new protocorms they produced and the time required for the initiation of new protocorms. Protocorms cultured on a medium containing 2.0 mg l-1 BAP + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA produced the highest percentage of new protocorms (65 ± 20.88%) with an average of 3 ± 0.77 per protocorm at 60 DAC. Production and development of new protocorms increase until 180 DAC with an average 9 ± 2.2 new protocorms produced per explant. First shoot (0.5-1.0 mm) were observed on new protocorms at 60 DAC. After 180 days of culture new protocorms produced two leaves (2-3 mm in length)

In vitro culture of Borneo's endemic orchid, Vanda dearei

The effect of basal media, complex additives and sugars to the growth and development of V. dearei protocorms were reported in this study. Protocorms were initiated from in vitro seeds germination from immature capsule. Among the three basal media, growth of protocorms was superior in ½ MS medium followed by KC and VW with maximum percentage of protocorms with leaf and root, and mean number of leaf and root produced. Meanwhile, 0.2% (w/v) yeast extract markedly enhanced the growth of protocorms. In sugar study, results show that protocorms preferred sucrose as compared to fructose and glucose. The leaf and root formation was significantly enhanced as the sugar concentration was decreased. Medium supplemented with 2%(w/v) sucrose was the best compared to the other treatments and sugar at a concentration of 4% (w/v) induced the formation of large size seedlings

Effects of Organic Additives and Plant Growth Regulators on Protocorm Development of Dendrobium lowii

A simple and efficient growth protocol was develop forDendrobium lowii,an endangered and Borneo’s endemic epiphyte orchid, using four month old protocorms as explant sources produced by asymbiotic seeds germination. Protocorms of Dendrobium lowii were cultured on Knudson C (KC) media supplemented with organic additives (coconut water, tomato juice and banana pulp) or plant growth regulators (NAA, Zeatin and BAP) at different concentrations and observed for protocorm development. Among all organic additives tested, medium containing banana pulp at 25g/L induced the highest growth index value of 593.3 after 240 days of culture. This treatment also promoted 100% production of shoot and 93.3% of root formation compared to other treatments. Addition of 2g/L peptone or 15% (v/v) coconut water had significantly induced 16.7% protocorms proliferation. The supplementation of 6 μM NAA promotes similar responses for growth index of 563.3. The treatment induced up to 86.7% and 83.3% of protocorms forming shoots and roots, respectively. The study also revealed that the addition of 2 or 4 μM of NAA and 4 or 6 μM BAP is suitable for shoot induction, however with poor rooting formation. This finding is important for conservation and horticultural manipulation of the species

Review of Nephelium lappaceum and Nephelium ramboutan-ake: A high potential supplement

Nephelium lappaceum (N. lappaceum) and Nephelium ramboutan-ake (N. ramboutan-ake) are tropical fruits that gain popularity worldwide due to their tastiness. Currently, their potential to be used as pharmaceutical agents is underestimated. Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and aging have high incidence rates in the modern world. Furthermore, pharmaceutical agents targeting pathogenic microorganisms have been hampered by the growing of antimicrobial resistance threats. The idea of food therapy leads to extensive nutraceuticals research on the potential of exotic fruits such as N. lappaceum and N. ramboutan-ake to act as supplements. Phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds that present in the fruit act as potent antioxidants that contribute to the protective effects against diseases induced by oxidative stress. Fruit residuals such as the peel and seeds hold greater nutraceutical potential than the edible part. This review highlights the antioxidant and biological activities (anti-neoplastic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic actions and anti-aging), and chemical contents of different parts of N. lappaceum and N. ramboutan-ake. These fruits contain a diverse and important chemical profile that can alleviate or cure diseases

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of empty fruit bunches of palm for bioethanol production using a microbial consortium of S. cerevisiae and T. harzianum

A simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) optimization process was carried out on pretreated empty fruit bunches (EFBs) by employing the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). EFBs were treated using sequential acid-alkali pretreatment and analyzed physically by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The findings revealed that the pretreatment had changed the morphology and the EFBs’ structure. Then, the optimum combination of enzymes and microbes for bioethanol production was screened. Results showed that the combination of S. cerevisiae and T. harzianum and enzymes (cellulase and β-glucosidase) produced the highest bioethanol concentration with 11.76 g/L and a bioethanol yield of 0.29 g/g EFB using 4% (w/v) treated EFBs at 30 °C for 72 h. Next, the central composite design (CCD) of RSM was employed to optimize the SSF parameters of fermentation time, temperature, pH, and inoculum concentration for higher yield. The analysis of optimization by CCD predicted that 9.72 g/L of bioethanol (0.46 g/g ethanol yield, 90.63% conversion efficiency) could be obtained at 72 h, 30 °C, pH 4.8, and 6.79% (v/v) of inoculum concentration using 2% (w/v) treated EFBs. Results showed that the fermentation process conducted using the optimized conditions produced 9.65 g/L of bioethanol, 0.46 g/g ethanol yield, and 89.56% conversion efficiency, which was in close proximity to the predicted CCD model

Probiotication of Nutritious Fruit and Vegetable Juices: An Alternative to Dairy-Based Probiotic Functional Products

Fruits and vegetables are widely known to be rich in nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and a bioactive molecule, making them an essential component of a balanced diet with multiple documented positive effects on human health. The probiotication of plant-based juices for the production of functional and nutraceutical food serves as a healthy alternative to dairy probiotics. They are cholesterol free, lack several dairy allergens, and also encourage ingestion for people with lactose intolerance. This review highlights valuable claims regarding the efficacy of different probiotic strains on various diseases. A comprehensive nutrition comparison and the preference of plant-based over dairy probiotic drinks is also discussed, supported with updated market trends of probiotic drinks (dairy and non-dairy based). An extensive compilation of current plant-based probiotic drinks that are available in markets around the world is listed as a reference. The fermentability of carbon sources by probiotic microorganisms is crucial in addressing the development of plant-based drinks. Therefore, the pathway involved in metabolism of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and galactose in fruit and vegetable juice was also underlined. Finally, the key factors in monitoring the quality of probiotic products such as total soluble solids, sugar consumption, titratable acidity, pH, and stability at low storage temperatures were outlined

Alteration in morphological features of Puntius javanicus liver exposed to copper sulfate

The environmental toxicants such as copper are known to affect vital organ especially liver. This study examined the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO4) on the liver morphological structure of P. javanicus. The untreated control, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/L CuSO4 treated groups displayed normal polygonal structure of the hepatocyte. However, at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/L CuSO4, the hepatostructure was significantly affected, as shown by the increasing number of dilation and congestion of sinusoids, vacuolation, macrophage activities and peliosis. The damage level and HSI value were increased while the number of hepatic nuclei per mm2 was decreased with the increasing of copper concentration. In conclusion, this study shows that the degree of liver damage in P.javanicus is dependent to the dose exposure

Phytochemical and anti-microbial potential of Mallotus mollissimus and Solanum erianthum extracts

Mallotus mollissimus (M. mollissimus) and Solanum erianthum (S. erianthum) plants have been reported to possess medicinal properties and have been effectively used by indigenous communities. However, the precise compositional and anti-microbial properties of these plants remain unclear. Hence, this study aims to investigate the qualitative phytochemicals and anti-microbial properties of the extract from M. mollissimus and S. erianthum. Anti-microbial activities and phytochemical studies were carried out using crude methanolic extract, chloroform fractions and selected chromatography fractions of M. mollissimus and S. erianthum. Anti-microbial activities targeting Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were performed using the disk diffusion method at 100 mg/mL. M. mollissimus have superior anti-microbial activities as compared to S. erianthum where Streptococcus pneumoniae were inhibited by CE.F3 fraction of M. mollissimus with an average inhibition diameter of 7.0 mm ± 0.48. We qualitatively determined the alkaloids, steroids, and cardiac glycosides in both plant extracts using biochemical assays. Interestingly, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins were found in M. mollissimus, which were correlated to the inhibition of Streptococcus pneumoniae. These findings indicate that M. mollissimus and S. erianthum contains large phytochemicals which give rise to anti-microbial effects