Biological evaluation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by wild type and mutant Lactobacillus delbureckii (EPSWLD and EPSMLD) was investigated. Varying degrees of functional groups associated with polysaccharides were present thus confirming the EPS. The EPSs had strong antioxidant potential in a dose dependent (0.5-10 mg/mL) manner. EPSWLD and EPSMLD exhibited the highest 1,1-diphemy 1-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) activity (73.4 % and 65.6 %), total antioxidant activity (1.80 % and 1.42 %), H2O2 scavenging activity (88.5 % and 78.6 %) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) (1.89 % and1.81 %) at 10 mg/mL respectively. WLD and MLD were highly susceptible to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, erythromycin and ceftazidine and resistant to cefuroxime, gentamicin and cloxacillin. The EPSs had antibacterial activity against the test pathogens. B. subtilis and S. aureus had the highest susceptibility (26.0 mm and 23.0 mm). EPSMLD modulate the highest IgG, IgA and IgM production (68-126 mg/dL and 67-98 mg/dL and 64-97 mg/dL) in the treated tumor induced mice (TTIM). EPSWLD and EPSMLD exhibited reduction capability on the CEA level (3.99-4.35 ng/L and 4.12-4.23 ng/L) of the TTIM. EPSWLD TTIM had the highest amount of RBC, WBC and PCV (5.6 × 1012%, 68000% and 42%). The EPS increased the lifespan of TTIM. In conclusion EPSWLD and EPSMLD had strong biological potential with pharmacological and neutraceutical activity.

(1) Background: Probiotication is an important method in the food industry, and the use of probiotic dairy products has prevented lactose intolerant patients and vegetarians from their consumption. Hence, there is a need to incorporate probiotics in fruit juice without lactose; (2) Method: Probiotic viability, and physicochemical and sensory evaluation of stored probioticated pineapple juice using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Pediococcus pentosaceus LaG1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Pediococcus pentosaceus LBF2) as a single and mixed starter was investigated; (3) Results: There was an increase in the lactic acid production, and reduction in pH, vitamin C content, and colour during storage. At weeks 3 and 4, Propp2 and Pcontrol samples had the highest lactic acid content (317.9 mg/L and 160.34 mg/L). The vitamin C content ranged from 2.91–7.10 mg/100 g. There was a general reduction in total soluble solids during storage. The probiotic LAB were viable throughout the storage time (1.05–1.10 × 10⁹ cfu/mL) in the juice samples. There was no significant difference in terms of taste, aroma, colour, or appearance during the time of storage; (4) Conclusion: The pineapple juice supported the viability, lactic acid production, vitamin C development, and the antagonistic potential of the probiotic candidate. This result is useful for the development of probiotic fruit juice as functional foods and nutraceuticals with health beneficial effect.

Green route biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Trichoderma viride (T. viride) filtrate (TVFSNPs) can serve as an alternative to antibiotics and as an effective drug delivery to combat cancer and act as an immune-stimulator. To biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (SNPs) with T. viride filtrate using green route and to characterize and determine the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory potential of nanoparticles. Trichoderma viride filtrate was used for biosynthesizing SNPs. The biosynthesized SNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The cytotoxic properties against Hep‑2C and rotavirus and the immunomodulatory potential were evaluated. Trichoderma viride filtrate was able to bio-reduce AgNO3 to SNPs. The surface plasmon resonance peak was at 450 nm. The presence of aldehydes, amino acids, ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, hydroxyl groups, and phenol among others indicates the capping and stabilization of proteins in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were spherical with a size of 0.1-10.0 nm. The EDX analysis revealed a strong signal of silver (Ag). The TVFSNPs had a cytotoxic effect on Hep2C and rotavirus in a dose-dependent manner and increased the production of immunoglobulin (Ig) A (IgA) and IgM. Trichoderma viride filtrate contained some biochemicals that can bio-reduce silver nitrate (AgNO3) for SNPs biosynthesis. The anticancer and immunostimulatory potential justifies the biomedical application and biotechnological relevance of T. viride.

Phyto-reduction using Senna alata methanol leaf extract for nanoparticle (NP) biosynthesis is of great importance for the production of value-added nanomaterial with antimicrobial potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using crude methanol leaf extract of S. alata (SaZnONPs), antimicrobial efficacy of this extract, optimization of its production parameters, and its application in cold cream formulation. Phytosynthesized SaZnONPs were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of SaZnONPs and the formulated cold cream was evaluated. The SaZnONPs surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was 400 nm. Functional groups such as alkenes, alkynes and alkyl aryl ether were present. The SEM image showed NPs 7.10 nm in size and with a needle-like shape. The TGA values show the formations of stable ZnONPs, while the DLS showed the particle diameter average of 89.7 nm and 855.4 nm with 0.595 polydispersity index. The EDX analysis confirmed the formation of pure ZnONPs, and the crystallinity was confirmed with XRD analysis. Twenty-four hours of incubation and production at pH13 was optimal for NPs synthesis. The SaZnONPs and the formulated cold cream have antimicrobial properties against some pathogenic bacteria and Pichia sp. (16.00 mm) and Trichophyton interdigitale (11.00 mm). Senna alata was able to serve as a stabilizing and capping agent for SaZnONPs biosynthesis. The SaZnONPs had good antimicrobial potential and can be used in cold cream formulation.

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs), produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), play a crucial role in enhancing the texture and stability of yoghurt by forming a protective matrix that helps to maintain its rheological and sensory characteristics. The search for a dairy alternative for the lactose‐intolerant populace is a necessity, and the use of probiotic LAB and their EPS to formulate fermented coconut beverage (FFCB) will be of added advantage. The production and characterization of EPS from a LAB strain isolated from yoghurt, its probiotic and antioxidant potential, and its application in the production of probiotic FFCB were investigated. The EPS produced by the isolate was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), high‐performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray. The antioxidant potential of the EPS was determined. The isolate probiotic potential, such as tolerance to low pH, bile salts, gastric pH, autoaggregation, coaggregation, antimicrobial potential, and antibacterial activity, was evaluated, and the isolate was identified using 16S rRNA. The LAB strain and the EPS were used for the formulation of probiotic FFCB, and the proximate mineral composition of the enriched yoghurt was determined. Isolate W3 produced 6204.50 mg/L EPS. The EPS produced by the LAB was spherical with a coarse surface. Hydroxyl, carboxyl, and α‐pyranose were the major functional groups present in the EPS. Eight monosaccharides were present in glucose, which has the highest molar ratio. The EDX spectra ascertain the presence of carbon, oxygen (carbohydrate), and other elements. The purified EPS exhibited antioxidant activity in a dose‐dependent manner. DPPH, FRAP, TAC, and TPC of the EPS ranged from 42.36% to 75.88%, 2.48 to 5.31 μg/mL, 1.66 to 3.57 μg/mL, and 1.42 to 2.03 μg/mL, respectively. The LAB strain exhibited moderate tolerance to low pH, bile salts, gastric juice, good autoaggregation (13.33%), coaggregation (0%–59.09%) with E. coli, and varied sensitivity to different antibiotics used. The isolate is hemolysis, deoxyribonuclease (DNase), and lecithinase negative, possesses characteristics of probiotics, and could have the ability to confer health benefits. The LAB strain has a 100.0% pairwise identity to Pediococcus acidilactici. The FFCB has pH, lactic acid, specific gravity, total soluble solids (TSSs), and vitamin C content ranging from 5.81 to 6.8, 10.8 to 55.8 mg/L, 0.910 to 1.394 kg/m³, 0.136 to 0.196 °Bx, and 0.26% to 0.66%. The formulated beverage fermented with a commercial starter had the highest lactic acid at Day 7 of storage. The FFCB sample with the commercial starter and the probiotic strain had the highest ash and crude fiber content (1.3%, 0.68%). The FFCB fortified with EPS showed the highest protein content (4.6%). The formulated yogurt samples fortified with the highest concentration of EPS had the highest calcium content after 7 days of storage (162.31 ± 0.01^a). In conclusion, EPS produced by Pediococcus acidilactici was a heteropolymeric EPS with good antioxidant activity, and the LAB strain exhibited a good starter for producing FFCB enriched with EPS. The FFCB has good nutritional characteristics and could serve as a functional and natural nutraceutical food for the lactose intolerance population.