This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity of both crude extracts of Scenedesmus obliquus and their fractions. In vitro cytotoxicity assay against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon cancer (HCT116) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell line was monitored. The highest inhibition was observed using diethyl ether crude extract (DEE) recording between 12.5 and 19.5 mm inhibition zone against all tested bacteria and between 8.7 and 18.3 mm against tested fungi. The highest anticancer effect of DEE was observed at IC50 against HCT116 and HepG2 cell lines using just 24.6 and 42.8 μg ml-1, respectively. While, high concentration, 93.8 μg ml-1, was required to exhibit its effect against MCF7. Column chromatography technique was used to separate DEE crude extract to its main components using 7 different mobile phases. Fractions F1 and F7 were the highest fractions that had antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria and fungi. High IC50 > 80 μg ml-1 were required to exhibit anticancer activity at IC50 against the tested cancer cell lines. The main compounds responsible for the bioactivity were identified using GC-MS, nonadecane and butylated hydroxytoluene in F1 and 9-octadecadienoic acid and quercetin 7,3',4'-trimethoxy in F7 were identified. The current study highlights the potential use of S. Obliquus extract and their fractions as a source of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds.

Heavy metals are considered a main public health hazards, they are known to accumulate in fruits, which are heavily consumed by humans because of their unique sweet taste and potential health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the possible contamination levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in some selected fruits obtained from four Egyptian governorates and to compare the contamination levels with those of the recommended permissible limits. Results revealed that Pb and Cd were absent in all fruit samples, while Cr was only detected in grapes obtained from Cairo and Fayoum governorates and exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.10 mg kg-1). Nickel and Cu were detected in all fruit samples. Nickel was reduced more than copper after washing process of grapes especially in samples obtained from Alexandria and Giza governorates. After peeling process, Cu was extremely reduced in orange samples obtained from the following governorates in descending order Cairo, Alexandria, El-Fayoum and Giza. Estimated daily intake of heavy metals in fruit samples were found to be higher than that of the tolerable daily intake, indicating potential risk to human health. Therefore, to decrease the risk to human health, fruits must be washed well before eating to decrease heavy metal concentrations.

Azadirachta indica has several medicinal uses, especially its leaves. Over 4000 years ago, Ayurvedic medicine used it for its therapeutic benefits. This study examined the biological activity of Neem crude extracts and green-chemically produced Ag-NPs. TPCs and TFCs were measured for polyphenolic burden in consecutive extracts. DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP experiments measured antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against seven strains of food-borne pathogenic bacteria and eight mycotoxigenic fungi. At 1000 μg/mL, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Neem leaves had 80.10% and 69.41% in DPPH and 71.42% and 74.61% in ABTS assays for the antioxidant activity, compared to 93.58% for BHT. At 800 μg/mL, both extracts showed antioxidant activity with 57.52 and 57.87 μM in the FRAP assay, compared to 139.97 μM for Ascorbic acid. Both extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity with 0.02 to 0.35 mg/mL as antibacterials, 0.03 to 2.17 mg/mL as antifungals, and 0.04 to 0.42 mg/mL as antibacterials. Compared to Neem crude extract, Neem Ag-NPs had the lowest MIC values as antibacterials and antifungals at 0.05 to 0.07 mg/mL and 0.07 to 0.20 mg/mL, respectively. Neem Ag-NPs and crude extract boost antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Research on the use of different parts of the Moringa oleifera plant as a nutritional and pharmaceutical resource for human and animals has increased in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and the TPCs and TFCs of Moringa leaves, the antimicrobial activities of Moringa successive ethanolic, aqueous, crude aqueous extracts, and green-chemically synthesized characterized Ag-NPs. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract recorded the highest activity against E. coli. On the other side, the aqueous extract showed higher activity, and its effects ranged from 0.03 to 0.33 mg/mL against different strains. The MIC values of Moringa Ag-NPs against different pathogenic bacteria ranged from 0.05 mg/mL to 0.13 mg/mL, and the activity of the crude aqueous extract ranged from 0.15 to 0.83 mg/mL. For the antifungal activity, the ethanolic extract recorded the highest activity at 0.04 mg/mL, and the lowest activity was recorded at 0.42 mg/mL. However, the aqueous extract showed effects ranging from 0.42 to 1.17 mg/mL. Moringa Ag-NPs showed higher activity against the different fungal strains than the crude aqueous extract, and they ranged from 0.25 to 0.83 mg/mL. The MIC values of the Moringa crude aqueous extract ranged from 0.74 to 3.33 mg/mL. Moringa Ag-NPs and their crude aqueous extract may be utilized to boost antimicrobial attributes.

Uranium and its compounds are radioactive and toxic, as well as highly polluting and damaging the environment. Novel uranium adsorbents with high biosorption capacity that are both eco-friendly and cost-effective are continuously being researched. The non-living biomass of the fresh water green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana was used to study the biosorption of uranium from aqueous solution. The biosorption of uranium from aqueous solutions onto the biomass of microalga C. sorokiniana was investigated in batch studies. The results showed that the optimal pH for uranium biosorption onto C. sorokiniana was 2.5. Uranium biosorption occurred quickly, with an equilibrium time of 90 min. The kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order rate equation, and the biosorption process fit the Langmuir isotherm model well, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 188.7 mg/g. The linear plot of the DKR model revealed that the mean free energy E = 14.8 kJ/mol, confirming chemisorption adsorption with ion exchange mode. The morphology of the algal biomass was investigated using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that functional groups (carboxyl, amino, and hydroxyl) on the algal surface could contribute to the uranium biosorption process, which involves ion exchange and uranium absorption, and coordination mechanisms. Thermodynamic simulations indicated that the uranium biosorption process was exothermic (ΔH = −19.5562 kJ/mol) and spontaneous at lower temperatures. The current study revealed that C. sorokiniana non-living biomass could be an efficient, rapid, low-cost, and convenient method of removing uranium from aqueous solution.