The Saraine Alkaloids

Progress on microalgae cultivation in wastewater for bioremediation and circular bioeconomy

Water usage increased alongside its competitiveness due to its finite amount. Yet, many industries still rely on this finite resource thus recalling the need to recirculate their water for production. Circular bioeconomy is presently the new approach emphasizing on the 'end-of-life' concept with reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. Microalgae are the ideal source contributing to circular bioeconomy as it exhibits fast growth and adaptability supported by biological rigidity which in turn consumes nutrients, making it an ideal and capable bioremediating agent, therefore allowing water re-use as well as its biomass potential in biorefineries. Nevertheless, there are challenges that still need to be addressed with consideration of recent advances in cultivating microalgae in wastewater. This review aimed to investigate the potential of microalgae biomass cultivated in wastewater. More importantly, how it'll play a role in the circular bioeconomy. This includes an in-depth look at the production of goods coming from wastes tattered by emerging pollutants. These emerging pollutants include microplastics, antibiotics, ever-increasingly sewage water, and heavy metals which have not been comprehensively compared and explored. Therefore, this review is aiming to bring new insights to researchers and industrial stakeholders with interest in green alternatives to eventually contribute towards environmental sustainability.

Glutathione attenuated lambda-cyhalothrin-induced alteration of serum total cholesterol concentration and oxidative stress parameters in rats

Background

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a type II pyrethroid insecticide that is used for pest control in agricultural, domestic, and industrial settings. Glutathione is an antioxidant that has been reported to confer protection on biological systems against the adverse impacts of insecticides.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of glutathione on the serum lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters of rats exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin toxicity.

Methods

Thirty-five rats were assigned into 5 groups each. Distilled water was given to the first group, whereas the second group received soya oil (1 mL/kg). Lambda-cyhalothrin (25 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The fourth group was given lambda-cyhalothrin (25 mg/kg) and glutathione (100 mg/kg) successively, whereas the fifth group received lambda-cyhalothrin (25 mg/kg) and glutathione (200 mg/kg) consecutively. The treatments were administered once daily by oral gavage for 21 days. The rats were sacrificed after the completion of the study. The serum lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters were assessed.

Results

A significant (P < 0.05) increase was observed in the total cholesterol concentration of the lambda-cyhalothrin group. The serum malondialdehyde level was elevated (P < 0.05) in the lambda-cyhalothrin group. The superoxide dismutase activity of the lambda-cyhalothrin+glutathione200 group was enhanced (P < 0.05). The results revealed that lambda-cyhalothrin perturbed the total cholesterol concentration of the rats, whereas glutathione (particularly at 200 mg/kg, indicating a dose-response effect) ameliorated the disruptive impacts of lambda-cyhalothrin.

Conclusion

The advantageous effects of glutathione may be ascribed to its antioxidant property.

Natural Products from the Marine Sponge Subgenus Reniera

Marine sponges are one of the prolific producers of bioactive natural products with therapeutic potential. As an important subgenus of Haliclona, Reniera sponges are mainly distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic area, and had been chemically investigated for over four decades. By an extensive literature search, this review first makes a comprehensive summary of all natural products from Reniera sponges and their endozoic microbes, as well as biological properties. Perspectives on strengthening the chemical study of Reniera sponges for new drug-lead discovery are provided in this work.