Assessment of in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of biologically synthesized metal nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria

The microbial infections due to biofilm forming bacterial pathogens are very common in human subjects. The intensive application of antibiotics in integrated disease management strategy has led to increased multidrug resistance incommon pathogens. Thus, indicating need of developing an alternative method for the control of these multidrug resistant pathogens. Present study involves the Moringa oleifera aqueous extract mediated biological synthesis of silver (Ag nanoparticles (NPs)- Avg. size 82.5 nm; zeta potential = -27.9 mV), copper oxide (CuONPs- Avg. size 61 nm; zeta potential = -19.3 mV), iron oxide (FeONPs- Avg. size 83.3 nm; zeta potential = -9.37 mV) and alumina (AlONPs- Avg. size 87.3 nm; zeta potential = -10.9 mV) nanoparticles. Biological nanoparticles were detected by visual observation, spectrophotometric detection followed by zeta potential analysis, nanoparticle tracking analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. Nanoparticles were further evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial potential, membrane damage effectiveness, biofilm inhibition activity by MTT assay. Nanoparticles were assessed against human pathogens viz. two Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441 and Staphylococcus haemolyticus MTCC 3383) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenes MTCC 111 and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhi MTCC 8767). The nanoparticles exhibited akin activity pattern against all pathogens studied i.e. AgNPs > CuONPs > AlONPs > FeONPs. Tested nanoparticles registered lower MIC values and more intensified growth inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria compared to their Gram-positive counterparts. These results pointed out that the M. oleifera mediated nanoparticles can be prospectivelyutilized in the development of alternative antimicrobials against diverse bacterial infections.

Correction to: Biosolids application affects the competitive sorption and lability of cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in fluvial and calcareous soils

Unfortunately, in the original publication of the article, Prof. Yong Sik Ok's affiliation was incorrectly published.

Biosolids application affects the competitive sorption and lability of cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in fluvial and calcareous soils

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of biosolids on the competitive sorption and lability of the sorbed Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fluvial and calcareous soils. Competitive sorption isotherms were developed, and the lability of these metals was estimated by DTPA extraction following their sorption. Sorption of all metals was higher in the fluvial than in the calcareous soil. Sorption of Cu and Pb was stronger than that of Cd, Ni, and Zn in all soils. Biosolids application (2.5%) reduced the sorption of all metals especially Cu and Pb (28-43%) in both soils (especially the calcareous soil) at the lower added metal concentrations (50 and 100 mg L^-1). However, it increased the sorption of all metals especially Pb and Cu in both soils (especially the calcareous soil; 15.5-fold for Cu) at the higher added concentrations (250 and 300 mg L^-1). Nickel showed the highest lability followed by Cd, Zn, and Pb in both soils. Biosolids increased the lability of the sorbed Ni in the fluvial soils at all added concentrations and the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 50 mg L^-1, but decreased the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 250 and 300 mg L^-1 in both soils. We conclude that at low loading rate (e.g., 50 mg L^-1) biosolids treatment might increase the lability and environmental risk of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. However, at high loading rate (e.g., 300 mg L^-1) biosolids may be used as an immobilizing agent for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and mobilizing agent for Ni.

Impact of raking and bioturbation-mediated ecological manipulation on sediment-water phosphorus diagenesis: a mesocosm study supported with radioactive signature

The study examined the impact of raking and fish bioturbation on modulating phosphorus (P) concentrations in the water and sediment under different trophic conditions. An outdoor experiment was set to monitor physicochemical and microbiological parameters of water and sediment influencing P diagenesis. A pilot study with radioactive ³²P was also performed under the agency of raking and bacteria (Bacillus sp.). Raking was more effective in release of P under unfertilized conditions by significantly enhancing orthophosphate (35%) and soluble reactive phosphate (31.8%) over respective controls. Bioturbation increased total and available P in sediments significantly as compared to control. The rates of increase were higher in the unfertilized conditions (17.6-28.4% for total P and 12.2 to 23.2% for available P) than the fertilized ones (6.5-12.4% for total P and 9.1 to 15% for available P). The combined effects of raking and bioturbation on orthophosphate and soluble reactive phosphate were also stronger under unfertilized state (54.5 and 81.8%) than fertilized ones (50 and 70%). The tracer signature showed that coupled action of introduced bacteria and repeated raking resulted in 59.2, 23 and 16% higher counts of radioactive P than the treatments receiving raking once, repeated raking and bacteria inoculation, respectively. Raking alone or in sync with bioturbation exerted pronounced impact on P diagenesis through induction of coupled mineralization and nutrient release. It has significant implication for performing regular raking of fish-farm sediments and manipulation of bottom-grazing fish to regulate mineralization of organic matter and release of obnoxious gases from the system. Further, they synergistically can enhance the buffering capacity against organic overload and help to maintain aquatic ecosystem health.

Arsenic, chromium, molybdenum, and selenium: Geochemical fractions and potential mobilization in riverine soil profiles originating from Germany and Egypt

The fractionation and potential mobilization of As, Cr, Mo, and Se in four floodplain soil profiles collected along the Nile (Egypt) and Wupper (Germany) Rivers were assessed using the BCR sequential extraction procedure. The concentrations of total and the geochemical fractions (acid soluble (F1), reducible (F2), oxidizable (F3), and residual (F4) fraction) of the elements were determined. The Wupper soils had the highest total concentrations (mg kg^-1) of As (378) and Cr (2,797) while the Nile soils contained the highest total Mo (12) and Se (42). The residual fraction of As, Cr, Mo, and Se was dominant in the Nile soils suggesting the geogenic source of the elements in these soils. The residual fraction of As and Mo and the oxidizable fraction of Cr and Se were dominant in the Wupper soils. Among the non-residual fractions (potential mobile fractions; PMF = ∑F1-F3), the oxidizable fraction was dominant for Cr, Mo, and Se in the Nile soils and for Mo in the Wupper soils, while the reducible fraction was dominant for As in both soils. The PMF of As, Cr, and Se was higher in the Wupper than in the Nile soils which might reflect the anthropogenic sources of these elements in the Wupper soils, while the opposite was the case for the PMF of Mo. The high PMF of Se (87%), Cr (87%), and As (21%) in the Wupper soils suggested that a release of these toxic elements may happen which increase the potential environmental risks in the anthropogenically polluted soils.

Rice Vision for Bangladesh: 2050 and Beyond

CORRECTION: Due to a number of formatting and layout issues, the PDF of this paper was replaced on 10th October 2016.Combined efforts of farmers, rice scientists, extension personnel and Government of Bangladesh have yielded clean rice growth rate of 0.34 million ton (MT) year-1 during 2009-10 to 2013-14 in the country. In 2014-15, the country acquired a rice surplus of about 2 MT. However, maintaining the current surplus of rice in the coming decades is a great challenge. Authentic estimation of future rice requirement and future resource availability would guide to way forward. This paper presents rice vision for Bangladesh leading to 2050 and beyond. In this study, secondary data from different government-owned statistics and research institutes were collected, analyzed and synthesized to develop models and/or model parameters to generate outputs such as future population, rice production and rice requirement. Population of Bangladesh will reach 215.4 million in 2050, when 44.6 MT of clean rice will be required. With the pace of rice-production-increase in the last five years, production can reach 47.2 MT, having a surplus of 2.6 MT in 2050. The study sets 2.6 MT as the target for clean rice surplus every year leading to 2050 and beyond. Several hurdles, such as increasing population, decreasing resources and increasing climate vulnerability, can hinder achieving the target. Three major interventions?accelerating genetic gain, minimizing yield gap and curtailing adoption lag?are proposed to break the barriers to achieve the target. Major challenges to implement the interventions include shrinking net cropped area, decreasing availability of irrigation water and increasing pressure on soil fertility. Smart technology such as, location specific variety, profitable cropping sequences, innovative cultural management, and mechanization coupled with smart dissemination using multiple means would ease production barriers. We recommend a number of measures, such as, guaranteeing a minimum cropped area, accelerating the rate of genetic gain in varietal development and intensifying collaboration among the stakeholders to reduce adoption lag of newly released promising rice varieties, to achieve the rice vision of Bangladesh leading to 2050 and beyond.Bangladesh Rice j. 2015, 19(2): 1-18

Biogeochemical cycling bacteria as indices of pond fertilization: importance of CNP ratios of input fertilizers

AIMS

The influence of carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of input fertilizers, and that of pond water, on the growth of heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria of water and sediment, was examined in relation to fertilizer mineralization indices using different modes of fertilization through inorganic and organic sources.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The first experiment used carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratios varying from 12 : 2 : 1 to 151 : 6 : 1, applied at the rate of 0.043 g l(-1) week(-1), whereas in the second ratios varied from 25.6 : 6.2 : 1 to 150 : 12 : 1 applied once at the rate of 3.33 g l(-1). Different fertilizers (cattle dung, poultry droppings, urea, single superphosphate and starch) were mixed in different proportions to achieve the desired carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratio. The heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing populations were more responsive to an early manuring phase than later, implying that pond fertilization was microbiologically more dynamic in the earlier phase. The carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 11.8 (88.6 : 7.5) and 7.5 (7.5 : 1), respectively, of input fertilizers favoured growth of both heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing bacterial populations much better than the other ratios tested. Likewise, water carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 11.9 and 3.34 induced bacterial growth. The carbon-nitrogen ratios of 12.63 (101 : 8) (input fertilizer)-4.54 (water), and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 8 (8 : 1) (input fertilizer)-2.93 (water), gave gross primary productivity values higher than the remaining ratios, exhibiting overall curvilinear relationships. The values of gross primary productivity were the direct function of values of fertilizer mineralization indices for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the mixed fertilizer (carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus-88.6 : 7.5 : 1) comprising cattle dung (95%), poultry droppings (2.5%), urea (2%) and single superphosphate (0.5%), applied at the rate of 23,000 kg ha(-1) year(-1), was a suitable cost-effective fertilization option for aquaculture practices.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

As chemical fertilizers are expensive and cause some adverse effects on the soil structure, composition, microflora and other characteristics of the pond, mixed combinations of inorganic and organics with narrow range of carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratio can be suitable and cost-effective fertilization tools in aquaculture practices, which is to be linked with the microbial activities of the pond.