Keshab Chandra Mondal

The impact of siderophorogenic probiotics on iron (Fe) metabolism and their potential for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia remains unexplored. Food grade bacteria were previously isolated from Chhurpi (a Ladhaki cottage cheese) and their siderophorogenic (2, 3‐dihydroxybenzoyl glycine) and probiotic characteristics were reported. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of an 8‐week regimen of simultaneous and exclusive oral probiotic and iron supplementation on specific parameters of Fe metabolism in anemic rats. Thirty‐five rats were equally divided into seven groups‐ Control (CG), Experimental control anemia (ECAG), Iron‐treated (FEG), Probiotic‐treated with B. subtilis L9 (BSG) and P. pentosaceus BAC L7 (PPG), and co‐supplementation of iron and probiotic‐treated groups (FBSG and FPPG). Fe content in blood and tissues; serum levels of erythroferrone, ferritin (Ft), homocysteine, hepcidin (HEPC), lactoferrin; expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), transferrin receptor proteins 1 (TfR1) and 2 (TfR2) in liver, and fecal microbial profile were monitored during the course of experiment. Results indicated that a higher duodenal Fe content in FBSG (402.35 ± 4.3 μg/g) group, unlike the FEG (231.32 ± 3.38 μg/g), BSG (172.48 ± 2.4 μg/g) and ECAG (49.34 ± 1.78 μg/g) groups. Similarly, serum Ft levels were elevated in the FBSG (89.25 ± 3.89 pg/mL) group and improved antioxidant parameter along with gut microbial composition, as compared to the FEG and ECAG groups. This study for the first time explored a positive impact of siderophorogenic probiotic strains ( Bacillus subtilis L9 and Pediococcus pentosaceus BAC L7) supported iron metabolism under anemic condition. Furthermore, it demonstrates a synergistic effect of probiotic and iron supplementation in enhancing duodenal iron absorption and upregulating systemic iron regulatory biomarkers.

A thermostable α-amylase gene (Amyk4) from Bacillus licheniformis k4cm (or similar thermophilic Bacillus), isolated from a Himalayan hot spring in Sikkim, India, was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The purified recombinant α-amylase (Amyk4) exhibited maximal activity (153.2 ± 1.05 U/mL) at 80 °C and pH 6.0, with a half-life of 30.39 h and enhanced stability in the presence of Ca²⁺, indicating its suitability for high-temperature industrial applications. The cotton fabric desizing was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (Box–Behnken design). Optimal conditions (pH 6.9, 80 °C, enzyme dosage of 190 U/g, and treatment time of 95 min) achieved a TEGEWA rating of 8 and a weight loss of 6.6%. The quadratic model showed strong statistical validity (R² = 0.9205 for TEGEWA and 0.9168 for weight loss). Among the evaluated variables, pH, enzyme concentration, and reaction time significantly influenced desizing efficiency. Non-ionic surfactants slightly improved desizing efficiency compared to ionic surfactants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed effective starch removal without fibre damage. These findings demonstrate the potential of recombinant Amyk4 as a thermostable, eco-friendly candidate for sustainable textile desizing applications.

A visible-light photoredox blueprint enabling substrate-controlled SO₂ incorporation and divergence in acrylamide derivatives is delineated. α-Substituted N-anisyl acrylamides undergo a rare 1,4-HAT-driven 1,2-hydrosulfonylation, whereas other tested N-benzyl analogues selectively furnish sulfonylative spiro-γ-lactams. The method tolerates diverse radical precursors, offers a broad scope, and is supported by mechanistic studies including radical trapping, isotope labeling, and DFT analysis. Selected products show notable antibacterial and antifungal activity, highlighting the therapeutic potential of the resulting S(VI) scaffolds.

Tannases are industrial enzymes that catalyze the degradation of hydrolysable and complex tannins into gallic acid and glucose. While many filamentous fungi are known high-yield producers, members of Mucoromycota remain less studied regarding tannase production. This study screened Mucoromycota isolates for tannase production using plate tests with tannic acid as an enzyme production inducer. Isolates of Rhizomucor miehei, Mucor corticolus, Mucor lusitanicus, Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus, and Rhizopus oryzae exhibited tolerance to the inducer, with tannase production detected in most strains post-incubation. Tannic acid effectively induced tannase production under both submerged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. In SSF, wheat bran as a substrate and Czapek-Dox solution as a moisturizing additive supported enzyme production. The highest tannase activity in SSF was observed in R. microsporus var. oligosporus and M. corticolus, while R. miehei excelled under SmF conditions. Tris buffer extraction followed by anion exchange chromatography yielded tannase-active protein fractions from M. corticolus. The isolated tannase exhibited optimal activity at 30 °C. These findings highlight Mucoromycota fungi as promising tannase producers for future research.