Micrococcus luteus, also known as M. luteus, is a bacterium that inhabits mucous membranes, human skin, and various environmental sources. It is commonly linked to infections, especially among individuals who have compromised immune systems. M. luteus is capable of synthesizing the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a component of its protective response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). This enzyme serves as a promising target for drug development in various diseases. The current study utilized a subtractive genomics approach to identify potential therapeutic targets from M. luteus. Additionally, genome mining was employed to identify and characterize the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for the production of secondary metabolites in Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis), a bacterium known for its production of therapeutically relevant secondary metabolites. Subtractive genomics resulted in identification of important extracellular protein SOD as a drug target that plays a crucial role in shielding cells from damage caused by ROS. Genome mining resulted in identification of five potential ligands (secondary metabolites) from B. licheniformis such as, Bacillibactin (BAC), Paenibactin (PAE), Fengycin (FEN), Surfactin (SUR) and Lichenysin (LIC). Molecular docking was used to predict and analyze the binding interactions between these five ligands and target protein SOD. The resulting protein–ligand complexes were further analyzed for their motions and interactions of atoms and molecules over 250 ns using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis. The analysis of MD simulations suggests, Bacillibactin as the probable candidate to arrest the activities of SOD. All the five compounds reported in this study were found to act by directly/indirectly interacting with ROS molecules, such as superoxide radicals (O₂–) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and transforming them into less reactive species. This antioxidant activity contributes to its protective effects against oxidative stress-induced damage in cells making them likely candidate for various applications, including in the development of antioxidant-based therapies, nutraceuticals, and functional foods.

In this study we report the purification of laccase produced by Trichoderma harzianum strain HZN10 (using wheat bran under solid state fermentation) and its application in decolorization of synthetic dyes. Extracellular laccase was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography with specific activity of 162.5 U/mg and 25-fold purification. Purified laccase was immobilized in various entrapments like calcium alginate, copper alginate, calcium alginate-chitosan beads and sol-gel matrix. Optimization results revealed that the laccase immobilized in sol-gel was optimally active in wide pH range (4.0-7.0) and thermo-stable (50-70 °C) than free enzyme which was optimum at 50 °C and pH 6.0. Kinetic analysis showed K m of 0.5 mM and 2.0 mM and V max of 285 U/mg and 500 U/mg by free laccase and sol-gel immobilized laccase respectively with 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] substrate. Free and immobilized laccase was employed for decolorization of three different synthetic dyes (malachite green, methylene blue and congo red). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis results revealed that approximately 100% of malachite green, 90% of methylene blue and 60% of congo red dyes at initial concentration of 200 mg/L were decolorized within 16, 18 and 20 h, respectively by laccase immobilized in sol-gel matrix in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) mediator. During the decolorization all three synthetic dyes showed various peaks on HPLC chromatogram indicating different by-products formation. Finally, phytotoxicity analysis results revealed that the by-products of synthetic dyes (formed during decolorization) showed less toxicity against Phaseolus mungo compared to untreated synthetic dyes.

This comprehensive review examines iturin, a cyclic lipopeptide originating from Bacillus subtilis and related bacteria. These compounds are structurally diverse and possess potent inhibitory effects against plant disease-causing bacteria and fungi. Notably, Iturin A exhibits strong antifungal properties and low toxicity, making it valuable for bio-pesticides and mycosis treatment. Emerging research reveals additional capabilities, including anticancer and hemolytic features. Iturin finds applications across industries. In food, iturin as a biosurfactant serves beyond surface tension reduction, enhancing emulsions and texture. Biosurfactants are significant in soil remediation, agriculture, wound healing, and sustainability. They also show promise in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) in the petroleum industry. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries recognize iturin’s diverse properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-obesity effects. Cosmetic applications span emulsification, anti-wrinkle, and antibacterial use. Understanding iturin’s structure, synthesis, and applications gains importance as biosurfactant and lipopeptide research advances. This review focuses on emphasizing iturin’s structural characteristics, production methods, biological effects, and applications across industries. It probes iturin’s antibacterial, antifungal potential, antiviral efficacy, and cancer treatment capabilities. It explores diverse applications in food, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, considering recent developments, challenges, and prospects.

Current research focuses on the biological delignification of biomass by microbial laccase which is an environmentally friendly process.

Datura inoxia Mill. (Solanaceae), commonly named as Thorn-Apple have been used in the treatment of several ailments. The present study involves the profiling of phytochemicals from methanolic leaf extract of D. inoxia and evaluation of their biological activities. The compounds quantified were alkaloids, phenols, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids. The antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration was assessed against several pathogenic strains. The extract exhibited maximum inhibition against Escherichia coli (26.0 ± 1.4 mm) and Micrococcus luteus (23.8 ± 1.6 mm) with MIC of 3.125 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml respectively. Strong antioxidant attributes with potential scavenging activity, reducing powers and total antioxidant activity were revealed. The extract showed potential cytotoxic effect on human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines with an IC₅₀ of 93.73 µg/ml. The extract exhibited inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase and urease indicating antihyperglycemia effects. Inhibition kinetics suggests uncompetitive, non-competitive and competitive modes. Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy revealed compounds like scopolamine, heneicosanoic acid, 11, 14, 17-eicosatrienoic acid, methyl (Z)-5, 11, 14, 17-eicosatetraenoate and other biologically active compounds. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy suggests several functional groups such as amines, esters, lactones, terpenes etc. The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated the presence of tropane alkaloids and withanolides. The present research proposes potential applications of D. inoxia.

A potential biosurfactant producing isolate was identified as Bacillus aryabhattai strain ZDY2. Biosurfactant production was enhanced by 2.51-fold through the development of an optimized process using response surface methodology. The optimized culture medium contained crude oil 4.0%, yeast extract 0.7% and NaNO₃ 3.0% that yielded 8.86 g/l of biosurfactant. Biosurfactant was characterized for stability up to 100 °C, at pH 5–10 and in the presence of NaCl concentration up to 8%. Biosurfactant demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida tropicalis. The morphological characterization was carried out by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals the lipopeptide nature of the biosurfactant produced by B. aryabhattai strain ZDY2. The biosurfactant finds application in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.