Microbial siderophores as molecular shuttles for metal cations: sources, sinks and application perspectives

Sustainable carbon dots from Borreria hispida: enhanced colorimetric sensing of Fe3+ ions and biological applications in live cell imaging

This study presents the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials derived from the hedge-grown herbal plant, Borreria hispida, and explores their environmental and biological applications. Using a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method, carbon dots derived from Borreria hispida (BHCD) were fabricated and thoroughly characterized through XRD, TEM, FTIR, CHNS, UV-visible, and PL spectroscopy analyses. Under UV illumination, these plant-based carbon dots demonstrated exceptional water solubility, notable photo stability, and a high quantum yield of 40.8%. The average particle size of BHCD was absorbed around 0.5 to 3.5 nm, contributing to superior selectivity and sensitivity in detecting Fe3+ ions, with a limit of detection of 1.2 × 10-6 M. Investigation into the sensing mechanism revealed a binding model wherein two carbon atom molecules bind to one Fe3+ atom in a 2 : 1 ratio for BHCDs and Fe3+ interactions. Additionally, the effectiveness of the developed fluorescent probe for Fe3+ detection was validated using real water samples from ponds and lakes, highlighting its potential for environmental monitoring applications. Furthermore, the biological effects of BHCD were evaluated through cytotoxic assays, demonstrating significant inhibitory effects on MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, with a maximum cell viability of 60%. This research underscores the multifaceted potential of BHCD in environmental monitoring and biomedical applications.

Nutrition in chronic inflammatory conditions: Bypassing the mucosal block for micronutrients

Nutritional Immunity is one of the most ancient innate immune responses, during which the body can restrict nutrients availability to pathogens and restricts their uptake by the gut mucosa (mucosal block). Though this can be a beneficial strategy during infection, it also is associated with non-communicable diseases-where the pathogen is missing; leading to increased morbidity and mortality as micronutritional uptake and distribution in the body is hindered. Here, we discuss the acute immune response in respect to nutrients, the opposing nutritional demands of regulatory and inflammatory cells and particularly focus on some nutrients linked with inflammation such as iron, vitamins A, Bs, C, and other antioxidants. We propose that while the absorption of certain micronutrients is hindered during inflammation, the dietary lymph path remains available. As such, several clinical trials investigated the role of the lymphatic system during protein absorption, following a ketogenic diet and an increased intake of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, in reducing inflammation and ameliorating disease.