Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer renowned for its unique physicochemical and mechanical attributes, including notable water-holding capacity, crystallinity, and a pristine fiber network structure. While BC has broad applications spanning agriculture, industry, and medicine, its industrial utilization is hindered by production costs and yield limitations. In this study, Rhizobium sp. was isolated from bean roots and systematically assessed for BC synthesis under optimal conditions, with a comparative analysis against BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. The study revealed that Rhizobium sp. exhibited optimal BC synthesis when supplied with a 1.5% glucose carbon source and a 0.15% yeast extract nitrogen source. Under static conditions at 30 °C and pH 6.5, the most favorable conditions for growth and BC production (2.5 g/L) were identified. Modifications were introduced using nisin to enhance BC properties, and the resulting BC-nisin composites were comprehensively characterized through various techniques, including FE-SEM, FTIR, porosity, swelling, filtration, and antibacterial activity assessments. The results demonstrated that BC produced by Rhizobium sp. displayed properties comparable to K. hansenii-produced BC. Furthermore, the BC-nisin composites exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study contributes valuable insights into BC’s production, modification, and characterization utilizing Rhizobium sp., highlighting the exceptional properties that render it efficacious across diverse applications.

Emulsions play an important role in food systems by encapsulating and delivering active compounds, but maintaining their stability under various conditions can be challenging. This study explored how the concentrations of Tremella polysaccharides (TPs) (0-0.75 %) affects the structural of whey protein isolate (WPI) and the stability of their emulsions at pH 4.5. At this pH, electrostatic interactions between WPI and TPs exposed hydrophobic groups within the protein, increased β-sheet contents, and improved the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance, which enhanced emulsifying performance. WPI-TPs complexes (WTS) showed a high emulsifying activity index (57.85 m²/g) and emulsion stability index (82.03 %). Compared to WPI-only emulsions, WTS emulsions had smaller particle sizes, lower Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) values, and higher viscoelasticity, thermal stability, freeze-thaw stability, and re-emulsification capacity. Importantly, when the TPs concentration in WTS emulsions exceeded 0.375 %, the TSI value dropped below 1, showing no particle migration or peak thickness, indicating full emulsion stability. These findings suggest that TPs help stabilize WPI emulsions near their isoelectric point (pH 4.5) and offer a promising approach to improving WPI functionality in acidic environments. The WTS system provides a reliable way to stabilize emulsions under acidic conditions, supporting the development of natural, stable emulsifiers for food applications.

Plant-based products play an increasingly vital role in the pharmaceutical industry, including Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (patchouli), which is notable for its rich history and extensive use in traditional medicine. Patchouli has a longstanding historical use as a remedy for a wide range of health conditions, including colds, fevers, headaches, inflammation, digestive disorders, and insect and snake bites. Comprehensive phytochemical studies have revealed that patchouli leaves contain diverse valuable bioactive compounds, notably patchouli alcohol, β-patchoulene, pogostone, α-bulnesene, and β-caryophyllene. Recent studies have demonstrated that patchouli leaves exhibit various pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidepressant, and anticancer effects. Despite robust traditional knowledge, specific therapeutic applications of patchouli leaves require scientific validation and standardization of their bioactive compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on the phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and underlying mechanisms of action of patchouli essential oil (PEO) and plant extracts obtained from patchouli leaves. It offers detailed insights into potential therapeutic applications, aiming to inform and guide future research across multiple medical disciplines. Ultimately, this review underscores the need for further research to validate and develop the medicinal applications of patchouli leaves, providing a foundation for future healthcare advancements.