Clot Lysis Activity of Bacillus subtilis G8 Isolated from Japanese Fermented Natto Soybeans

 Background and objective: Bacillus spp. with potent fibrin digesting enzymes, especially Bacillus subtilis (natto), has gained favorable insights into the world of cardiovascular health and functional foods. In this study, Bacillus subtilis G8 was isolated from Japanese fermented Natto soybean commercialized in Indonesia. The overall activity of Bacillus subtilis G8 in resolving blood clot was evaluated under variable conditions quantitatively using clot lysis assay.Material and methods: Cell-free crude extracts of Bacillus subtilis G8 culture were partially purified with acetone precipitation method. Fibrinolytic activity of the enzymes was verified using fibrin plate assay and zymography. The measurement of clot liquefying activity under physiological temperature and pH was performed using chicken blood. The measurement of clot liquefying activity under physiological temperature and pH was performed using chicken blood. The measurement of clot liquefying activity under physiological temperature and pH was performed using chicken blood.Results and conclusion: Through zymography, Bacillus subtilis G8 expressed four bands of fibrinolytic proteins sized 19 to 30 kDa. Under controlled conditions, a significantly higher clot lysis was seen at 37 and 40°C, compared to lower temperatures (P≤0.05). In contrast, no significant decrease was seen in blood clot at all tested pH (P>0.05). These findings support the use of functional foods for the prevention of blood clot or as a part of blood health restoration.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Molecular Surveillance for Multidrug-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum, Cambodia

We conducted surveillance for multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Cambodia during 2004–2006 by assessing molecular changes in pfmdr1. The high prevalence of isolates with multiple pfmdr1 copies found in western Cambodia near the Thai border, where artesunate–mefloquine therapy failures occur, contrasts with isolates from eastern Cambodia, where this combination therapy remains highly effective