Search Results (222)

Biosurfactants are sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived surfactants, yet their industrial application is often constrained by production costs and process efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate biosurfactant production by the psychrotolerant Antarctic bacterium Streptomyces luridus So3.2 using low-cost recycled frying oils under mild cultivation conditions and to validate the process in stirred-tank bioreactors. Cultivation conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), and the same optimized pH and carbon source concentration were subsequently applied in stirred-tank reactors at laboratory scales of 2 L and 20 L, while aeration (0, 0.5 and 0.9 vvm) and agitation speed (100, 150, and 200 rpm) were evaluated as reactor-operational variables. Filtered and centrifuged recycled frying oil yielded the highest biosurfactant performance (emulsification indices exceeding 80%, enhanced oil displacement, and surface tension values below 40 mN m⁻¹) compared to commercial oils. Biosurfactant production was growth-associated, with detectable surface activity within the first 24 h. RSM identified optimal cultivation parameters at pH 8.0, 3% (w/v) inoculum, and 2% (w/v) oil concentration. The biosurfactant exhibited a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 29 mg L⁻¹ and a critical micelle dilution (CMD) of 43.2, yielding an estimated broth concentration of 1.25 g L⁻¹. At the 2 L reactor scale, moderate aeration (0.5 vvm) combined with intermediate agitation (150 rpm) preserved high surface activity, yielding emulsification indices above 83%, oil displacement halos of 12.5 cm, and surface tension values as low as 35.5 mN m⁻¹. This performance was also maintained during validation at 20 L. FTIR and TLC analyses indicated lipid- and peptide-associated functional groups. These findings were further complemented by HPLC, MALDI-TOF MS and genome-mining analyses (antiSMASH), revealing a complex molecular profile and multiple NRPS/NRPS-like biosynthetic gene clusters, supporting the interpretation of the recovered product as a putative lipopeptide-associated surface-active extract. Overall, this work demonstrates the feasibility of producing a biosurfactant-associated surface-active extract from recycled frying oils using S. luridus So3.2 under mild conditions. Full article

Background: The urgent need for sustainable agricultural drives the search for effective microbial biostimulants. Cyanobacteria of the order Nostocales are promising candidates due to their nitrogen-fixing capabilities and bioactive secondary metabolites. However, the genomic potential of many soil strains from microorganism collection remains largely unexplored. Methods: We performed a targeted genomic screening of five cyanobacterial strains from the All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM): Nostoc commune VKM Al-35, Nostoc punctiforme VKM Al-37, Nostoc minutum VKM Al-168, Anabaena pirinica VKM Al-153, and Hassallia pseudoramosissima VKM Al-158. The workflow involved WGS, de novo assembly, and comparative metabolic profiling using KEGG, SEED, PLaBAse, antiSMASH, and RhizoSMASH to identify predicted plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), and rhizosphere competence mechanisms. Biosafety was evaluated via Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and in silico toxomics screening. Results: High-quality genome assemblies were obtained for all strains (completeness > 99%). Functional annotation uncovered complete genetic machinery for nitrogen fixation, predicted phosphate mobilization, and phytohormone biosynthesis pathways. Comparative analysis revealed two distinct genomic strategies: a versatile support profile in Nostoc strains (expanded genomes and diverse accessory pathways) and a specialized stimulation profile in Anabaena and Hassallia strains (focused phytohormone pathways). Comprehensive CARD and antiSMASH screenings demonstrated an excellent biosafety profile, confirming the complete absence of regulated cyanotoxin clusters or acquired antibiotic resistance genes of clinical concern. Conclusions: This genome-based bioprospecting serves as a cost-effective pre-selection filter, providing a strong scientific rationale for downstream experimental validation of these strains. The presence of predicted gibberellin biosynthesis pathways and T6SS/T4SS secretion systems in H. pseudoramosissima VKM Al-158 represents a notable genomic feature among soil cyanobacteria. The identified genomic prerequisites suggest that these strains possess strong predictive potential for future development as safe biological resources for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Foodborne diseases present a serious public health challenge, causing roughly 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths annually. A significant portion of this impact is felt in Asia, where traditional fermented and dry-salted seafood, such as katsuobushi, budu, and peda, are dietary staples. These products rely on diverse microbial communities that determine their final safety, flavor, texture, and shelf life. Historically, research has centered on lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yet the functional contributions of non-LAB halotolerant species, including genera like Tetragenococcus, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus, are functionally important in these high-salinity niches. This review evaluates the transition from basic taxonomic surveys to mechanistic multi-omics approaches, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to decode microbial functionality under selective environmental pressures. We discuss how genomic mining using platforms such as BAGEL4 and antiSMASH can uncover biosynthetic gene clusters and antimicrobial peptides, while CARD supports antimicrobial resistance monitoring. Transcriptomic analysis reveals microbial responses to osmotic stress, low water activity, and pH fluctuations, whereas proteomic profiling links gene expression to active enzymes, stress proteins, and functional biomarkers. Metabolomics captures the chemical outcomes of fermentation, including amino acids, volatile organic compounds, spoilage markers, and biogenic amines. By merging these high-dimensional datasets with artificial intelligence, researchers can move toward predictive modeling that distinguishes biological causation from simple correlation. This shift offers a strategy to improve the safety, consistency, and resilience of traditional high-salinity fermented seafood systems. Full article

Firstly, we define and study the notions of a smash product for actions of multiplier left Hopf algebras on algebras and of an integral on such smash products. Then we construct an analogue of Radford’s biproduct in the framework of multiplier left Hopf algebras under assumption of a multiplier left Hopf algebra having an anti-bialgebra homomorphic left antipode. Finally, we study a duality theorem for smash products of a left Hopf algebra of dimension n which is a special multiplier left Hopf algebra. Full article

The badminton smash is a decisive scoring technique whose effectiveness depends on adequate preparation and a proper proximal-to-distal sequencing of the kinetic chain. This study integrates a You Only Look Once (YOLO)-based real-time vision detector with five wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached to the right shoulder, right elbow, right wrist, right hip, and right knee of right-handed players. A high-speed camera provides video for shuttlecock and joint localization via YOLO, and the IMUs provide instantaneous joint accelerations at impact. The following four coaching-oriented indicators are defined: (1) rapid lowering of the center of mass after the opponent’s shot; (2) immediate forward acceleration after the shuttle is released; (3) alignment at the hitting position with the right shoulder/hip rotated backward and the left shoulder facing the approaching shuttle; and (4) a proximal-to-distal sequence in which the shoulder leads the elbow and then the wrist. Using two athletes with 15 trials each, the system achieved an overall recognition accuracy above 93% against manually annotated video. The method can provide objective feedback for coaches and players and is suitable for instructional use in physical education classes. Full article

Natural products (NPs) have historically provided the foundational scaffolds for drug development, yet traditional bioprospecting faces critical limitations: high rediscovery rates, laborious isolation workflows, and substantial attrition during clinical translation. The emergence of big data technologies is fundamentally transforming this landscape, enabling a shift from serendipity-based discovery toward systematic, data-driven approaches. This review examines how the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and multi-omics datasets is accelerating natural product research across three key domains: (1) genome mining for biosynthetic gene cluster identification using platforms such as antiSMASH, (2) cheminformatics-driven prediction of structure–activity relationships and ADMET properties, and (3) metabolomics-guided dereplication to prioritize novel bioactive scaffolds. We evaluate the convergence of genomics, metabolomics, and computational chemistry in enabling in silico lead optimization and the discovery of cryptic metabolites from previously inaccessible microbial taxa. While challenges in data standardization and scalability persist, the synergy between big data and NP research is accelerating clinical translation. Despite persistent challenges in data standardization, scalability, and equitable benefit-sharing, the convergence of big data and NP research is poised to redefine drug development. These advances position computational NP research as a cornerstone of next-generation drug development. Full article

Canker and dieback diseases caused by fungal pathogens represent an increasing threat to woody plants in both urban and forest environments, where sustainable management options are urgently needed. In this study, the biocontrol potential of Bacillus strain N1 was investigated against Neofusicoccum parvum and Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi, causal agents of canker diseases on Eucalyptus globulus and Castanea sativa, respectively. The whole-genome sequence confirmed the taxonomic identification of strain N1 as B. velezensis, showing high average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values with reference strains. AntiSMASH analysis revealed the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters associated with the production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, and lipopeptides, reflecting strain N1’s genomic potential to produce compounds that may contribute to its antifungal activity. Moreover, B. velezensis strain N1 significantly inhibited the growth of N. parvum and G. smithogilvyi and showed a biocontrol efficacy on detached eucalyptus and chestnut shoots. In both preventive and curative treatments and pathosystems, the application of B. velezensis N1 resulted in a significant reduction in the length of necrotic lesions, compared to pathogen-only controls, while no phytotoxic effects were observed on treated shoots. Overall, this study supported B. velezensis N1 as a promising candidate for the sustainable control of canker-associated pathogens in woody plants. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global health challenge, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) posing a significant threat in both hospital-acquired and community-associated infections. Research has demonstrated that biofilm formation is a key factor contributing to drug resistance in MRSA. In this study, we investigated an fungus, Fusarium oxysporum BPF55, isolated from Blaps rynchopetera, which inhibits MRSA biofilm formation. The aim of this research was to identify the fungal strain and comprehensively characterize its genomic features, as well as to evaluate its anti-MRSA biofilm potential. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 50,097,681 base pairs, a GC content of 47.36%, and 16,507 predicted coding genes. AntiSMASH analysis identified 56 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, including those involved in the synthesis of various natural products such as terpenes, non-ribosomal peptides, and polyketides. Using UPLC-MS/MS, 15 compounds were annotated from the ethyl acetate extract. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that four compounds exhibit varying affinities for SarA and AgrA, two key proteins involved in MRSA biofilm formation. Overall, these findings suggest that the fungus F. oxysporum BPA55 produces a variety of secondary metabolites and contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-MRSA biofilm activity. Full article

Three new cyclic tetrapeptides (nectriatidels A-C, 1–3), two new curvularin analogs (6 and 7), and four known compounds (4 and 5, 8 and 9) were isolated from the marine-derived fungal-bacterial symbiont Aspergillus spelaeus GXIMD 04541/Sphingomonas echinoides GXIMD 04532, which was obtained from Mauritia arabica in shallow coastal waters. Their structures were elucidated through NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS, and their absolute configurations were determined by Marfey’s method and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1–5 showed moderate amphotericin B (AmB)-potentiating activity against Candida albicans. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited significant activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with MIC values of 32 and 16 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, compounds 7 and 8 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer cell lines DLD-1 and SW480, with IC₅₀ values of 25~36 μM. Whole-genome sequencing of A. spelaeus revealed a 35.91 Mb assembly encoding 106 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). antiSMASH analysis revealed that 79 of these BGCs (74.5%) displayed no significant similarity to known pathways in the MIBiG database, which is dominated by hybrid clusters, terpene, T1PKS, NRPS, and NRPS-like types. Genomic analysis identified the putative biosynthetic gene clusters for these metabolites and confirmed the fungal host as the predominant producer. Full article

In this study, we comparatively assessed short-read (Illumina), long-read (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, ONT), and hybrid (Illumina + ONT) sequencing strategies for bacterial genome analysis using the aquaculture-derived isolate 160P. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced on Illumina paired-end and ONT long-read platforms, and de novo assemblies were generated using SPAdes, Canu, Flye, and Unicycler under short-read-only, long-read-only, and hybrid workflows, followed by evaluation with QUAST assembly metrics. Among the tested approaches, the hybrid Unicycler assembly provided the highest contiguity, yielding seven contigs and a dominant 4.55 Mb contig consistent with near-complete chromosomal representation. Downstream analyses included functional genome annotation and in silico screening of antimicrobial resistance determinants (CARD), virulence-associated genes (VFDB), and secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (antiSMASH). Comparative genomic relatedness based on Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA Hybridization (dDDH) indicated that 160P is most closely related to Aeromonas sobria CECT 4245^T yet falls below commonly applied species-level thresholds, supporting its placement as a genomically distinct lineage warranting further taxonomic investigation. Collectively, these findings underscore the value of hybrid sequencing for improving assembly continuity, enhancing annotation completeness, and strengthening taxonomic resolution in bacterial pathogen genomics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a bioactive, non-proteinaceous amino acid with potential health benefits. Weissella cibaria UF-274 is an important lactic acid bacterium isolated from Balinese fermented sausage (urutan) with GABA-producing abilities. The aim of this study was to enhance GABA synthesis in skim milk as a basal substrate, as well as whole genome sequencing and analysis to evaluate the functionality and safety of the strain. Methods: A Box–Behnken response surface design was used to enhance GABA accumulation in skim milk. Results: The optimum conditions for GABA production were at concentrations of glucose of 23.91 g/L, monosodium glutamate concentrations of 2.32 g/L and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate at 46 μM. The genome assembly produced a high-quality draft with a 2.53 Mb circular chromosome and 2378 coding sequences. A whole genome analysis revealed that the strain possesses a glutamine amidotransferase (puuD-like) as an alternative route linked to the GABA pathway. AntiSMASH prediction results showed that the strain has two biosynthetic gene clusters including terpene and type III polyketide synthases. Several bioinformatic approaches predicted no antibiotic resistance genes, while van genes encoding vancomycin resistance were detected with low pathogen risk with one approach. Conclusions: Weissella cibaria UF-274 is a promising GABA producer with genomic evidence and a good candidate for functional food development. Full article

Tocosh, a traditional Peruvian fermented potato product, is known for its health-promoting properties, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, probiotic, and antibiotic effects, which have popularized its consumption, particularly in rural areas. To gain a better understanding of its antimicrobial properties, this study aimed to perform a comprehensive whole-genome analysis and functional assessment of the Bacillus velezensis TCSH0001 strain isolated from tocosh. The isolate was identified through whole-genome sequencing using the MinION nanopore platform. AntiSMASH analysis revealed nine biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) potentially responsible for producing secondary metabolites with antibiotic potential. Notably, seven BGCs showed a 100% similarity to known clusters involved in the biosynthesis of polyketide synthases (PKSs) and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPSs), including difficidin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, macrolactin H, bacillaene, fengycin, and bacillomycin D. In vitro analysis revealed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus strains. In addition, RT-qPCR indicated that the expression of the baeJ (bacillaene), bmyA (bacillomycin D), and pks2A (macrolactin H) occurs predominantly during the exponential growth phase. Our results suggest that this B. velezensis strain has the capacity to produce a diverse array of bioactive compounds, supporting the traditional use of tocosh as a natural antimicrobial agent, and revealing the potential of the strain as a high NRPS producer. Full article

Vagococcus species have been isolated from diverse environments, including aquatic, terrestrial, food-associated, and clinical sources; however, plant- and flower-associated representatives remain poorly characterized at the genomic level. In this study, we report the complete genomic sequence and analysis of Vagococcus sp. JNUCC 83, isolated from flowers of Camellia japonica collected on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The genome comprises a single circular chromosome of 2,472,896 bp with a GC content of 33.5 mol% and was assembled at high depth (555.43×), resulting in a high-quality complete genome. Genome-based phylogenomic analysis using the Type (Strain) Genome Server (TYGS) showed that strain JNUCC 83 forms a distinct lineage within the genus Vagococcus. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were far below the 70% species threshold, and 16S rRNA gene-based phylogeny consistently supported its independent placement, suggesting that JNUCC 83 represents a previously undescribed genomic species. Functional annotation based on EggNOG/COG analysis indicated the enrichment of genes involved in core metabolism and genome maintenance, while antiSMASH analysis identified a terpene-precursor-type biosynthetic locus encoding a polyprenyl synthase. Overall, this study expands the genomic understanding of flower-associated Vagococcus lineages and provides a foundation for future investigations into their ecological roles and potential applications as plant-derived microbial resources. Full article

Background: Endolichenic fungi represent an emerging source of bioactive secondary metabolites; however, the genomic basis of their chemical diversity remains largely poorly characterized. Specifically, the metabolic capabilities of Cladosporium limoniforme have not been explored at the genomic level. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the biosynthetic potential of C. limoniforme by presenting its first whole-genome sequence and conducting a comparative analysis of its biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), with a specific focus on the evolutionary conservation of the DHN-melanin pathway. Methods: Genome mining was performed using antiSMASH and fungiSMASH tools. Comparative genomics involved heatmap-based distribution analysis across the Cladosporium genus, synteny profiling using Clinker to assess gene order conservation, and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis of the polyketide synthase (T1PKS) domain. Results: We identified 26 putative BGCs, revealing a largely untapped metabolic repertoire. Comparative analysis demonstrated a high degree of conservation for the metachelin C (siderophore) and 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (T4HN) clusters across the genus. Notably, synteny and phylogenetic analyses showed that while C. limoniforme retains a conserved, ancestral T1PKS core essential for stress survival, it exhibits a significant reduction in accessory genes compared to plant-pathogenic congeners. Conclusions: These findings support a “metabolic streamlining” hypothesis driven by the endolichenic lifestyle, where the fungus retains essential protective machinery while shedding costly accessory genes unnecessary in the buffered lichen niche. This study establishes C. limoniforme as a valuable genomic resource for future biotechnological research. Full article

Endophytic FoRo54 was isolated from the roots of Oryza rufipogon (Dongxiang wild rice) collected in China. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain FoRo54 was identified as closely related to Micromonospora rosaria. The complete genome of FoRo54 consists of a linear chromosome of 7,057,852 bp with a GC content of 73.8 mol%. Genome mining using antiSMASH revealed 27 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) potentially involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including those associated with kanamycin, rosamicin, and asukamycin, consistent with the antibacterial activities of the strain. Application of a combined genome mining strategy enabled further exploration of the strain’s metabolic potential. One new rosamicin derivative, N-demethyl rosamicin (1), together with three known compounds, rosamicin (2), SCH 23831 (3), and tylactone (4), were isolated from fermentation broth. Antibacterial evaluation revealed that compounds 1-4 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, based on genomic analysis, the biosynthetic pathway and putative gene functions responsible for these metabolites were proposed. Collectively, these findings highlight the metabolic versatility of the endophytic Micromonospora rosaria FoRo54, underscoring its potential as a valuable source of novel bioactive metabolites and providing a genomic framework for future heterologous expression and functional genetic characterization. Full article