In the search for new bioactive compounds from extremophilic actinomycetes, a new marine actinomycete strain, Nocardiopsis lucentensis sp. ASMR2 has been isolated and taxonomically identified from marine plants collected in the Red Sea at Hurghada coasts. A large-scale fermentation of the strain on modified rice solid medium was performed, followed by work-up and purification of the obtained extract using a series of chromatographic purifications, delivering the novel butenolide system 3′-hydroxy-N-(2-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-4-yl)propionamide (1a) along with the naturally new 4-methoxy-2H-isoquinolin-1-one (2). Furthermore, eight known bioactive compounds are also reported, namely, indole-3-carboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid methyl ester, furan-2,5-dimethanol, tyrosol, glycerol linoleate, cyclo-(Tyr, Pro), and adenosine. The chemical structures of the new compounds (1a, 2) were confirmed by extensive one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electron ionization high resolution (EI-HR) mass spectrometry, and by comparison with literature data. The antimicrobial activity of the strain extract, as well as of compounds 1a and 2, were studied using a panel of pathogenic microorganisms. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the bacterial extract and compounds 1a and 2 were studied against the human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1) and its multidrug-resistant subclone (KB-V1).

The necessity for efficient water treatment methods has led the research community to turn to hybrid technologies that combine individual advantages optimally for a greater final result. Membranes are vital to water purification technologies due to their natural barrier and filtration capabilities. On the other hand, green catalytic technologies such as photocatalysis and electrocatalysis have attracted increased attention for water purification applications due to a multitude of advantages. Therefore, the combination of catalytic and membrane technologies is the natural next step. This review focuses on several aspects of this hybrid technology: several promising materials are presented, the fabrication methods and challenges for the successful integration of the two technologies are examined, and the mechanisms for micropollutant removal are detailed. Finally, future perspectives are offered concerning these hybrid technologies. This review aims to shed light on this promising trend of membrane-based photocatalytic/electrocatalytic systems and their potential for efficient water treatment.