Magda Mohamed Aly

Honey is a natural product of honeybees that has been consumed for centuries due to its nutritional value and potential health benefits. Recent scientific research has focused on its antioxidant capacity, which is linked to a variety of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, enzymes (e.g., glucose oxidase, catalase), flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, amino acids, and proteins. Together, these components work synergistically to neutralize free radicals, regulate antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduce oxidative stress. This review decisively outlines the antioxidant effects of honey and presents compelling clinical and experimental evidence supporting its critical role in preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress. Honey stands out for its extensive health benefits, which include robust protection against cardiovascular issues, notable anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, enhanced glycemic control in diabetes, immune modulation, neuroprotection, and effective wound healing. As a recognized functional food and dietary supplement, honey is essential for the prevention and adjunct treatment of chronic diseases. However, it faces challenges due to variations in composition linked to climatic conditions, geographical and floral sources, as well as hive management practices. The limited number of large-scale clinical trials further underscores the need for more research. Future studies must focus on elucidating honey’s antioxidant mechanisms, standardizing its bioactive compounds, and examining its synergistic effects with other natural antioxidants to fully harness its potential.

Endophytes are ubiquitous organisms that reside within plant organs and contribute to the growth and well-being of plants. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the plant growth-promoting endophytes found in medicinal plants. Therefore, the aims of the present work were to isolate some endophytic bacteria associated with roots, stems, leaves and inflorescences of Aerva javanica, collected from the Shada Alasfal Mountain at Albaha region, Saudi Arabia. After that, they were screened for some of their direct and indirect plant growth-promoting mechanisms. Finally, based upon their internal transcribed spacer 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates were identified. The results showed that the selected endophytes differentially produced IAA and ammonia, and solubilized phosphate as direct mechanisms. In addition, they had exhibited variable capacities to produce some lytic enzymes and HCN beside their antifungal activities. Furthermore, they showed abilities to tolerate some stress conditions. The bacterial endophytes were identified by molecular methods and belonged to the genera of Micrococcus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Delftia and Bacillus. The findings of this study indicated that the bacterial endophytes isolated from Aerva javanica are possessing crucial functions to improve plant growth and could be utilized as biofertilizers or bioagents to establish a sustainable crop production system.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate the presence and antibiotic resistance of toxigenic E. coli strains in the raw milk of dairycattle and to determine the prevalence of blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes in the selected isolates. Methods: Two hundred raw milk samples were collected from 20 dairy farms located in Kafr El Sheikh City. Results: Among the samples, 60 were positive for E. coli. The sensitivity of these isolates was detected against different antibiotics. Usingthe disk diffusion test, all the isolates were resistant to at least two beta-lactam antibiotics. The resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics bythe selected E. coli was varied to be highly significant. Five percent of the tested E. coli was highly resistant with a multi-antibiotic resistant (MAR) index, of 1.0, while 8% had the lowest MAR (0.14). Both blaTEM and blaCTX-M resistant genes were detected in isolate No. 52, while, blaCTX-M was detected in isolate No. 34 and blaTEM was detected in isolates No. 9, 21, 28, and 40. The PCR products of blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes were sequenced and deposited in the GenBank of the NCBI database with the accession numbers OR450046 and OR879117, respectively. Conclusion: The macrolides group of antibiotics especially erythromycin should not be a suitable treatment of dairy herds for mastitisby E. coli in Egypt. The majority of E. coli was multiple-antibiotic resistant and co-carried many virulence genes, and it may pose a greatpotential risk to public health.

Carbapenem resistance Gram-Negative bacteria (CR-GNB) impose life-threatening infections with limited treatment options. Rapid detection of CR-GNB-associated infections is usually associated with proper treatment and better disease prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Phoenix automated system, Modified Hodge Test (MHT) and X΄pert Carba-R assay for the detection of CR-GNB. A panel of 167 non-repetitive CR-GNB with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems which was identified by the Kirby-Bauer method was analyzed by means of 1) Phoenix automated system, 2) MHT, and 3) X΄pert Carba-R assay. The most accurate identification of resistance determinants was obtained with the Phoenix automated system that diagnosed and confirmed all carbapenem-resistant isolates (n=167/167, 100%). Just 57% of CR-GNB were identified by X΄pert Carba-R Assay whereas seventy-nine (n=79/99, 79.8%) of CR Klebsiella spp., (n=5/23, 21.7%) of CR Pseudomonas spp., (n=10/32, 31.25%) of CR Acinetobacter baumannii, and (n=4/13, 30.8%) of CR other bacteria were identified. MHT correctly identified 56/99 (56.6%) strains of CR Klebsiella spp., 12/23 (52.2%) strains of CR Pseudomonas spp., 18/32 (56.25%) strains of CR A. baumannii, and 2/13 (15.4%) strains of other CR bacteria. While according to carbapenemase producers' genes, MHT most successfully identified blaNDM+blaOXA pattern of carbapenem resistance strains (n=25/26, 96.2%), then sensitivity lowered when testing blaOXA positive strain with (n=17/30, 56.7%), and less than half blaNDM positive samples were recognized by MHT with (n=19/42, 45.2%), sensitivity and specificity of MHT to detect carbapenemase producers' bacteria were 69.3% and 60.9%, respectively. Phoenix automated system diagnosed all the carbapenemase producers' bacteria in all genetic patterns as carbapenem resistance isolates with one hundred percent sensitivity but without any specificity to carbapenmase mechanism among other CR mechanisms. In conclusion, to detect and control the spread of CR-GNB with complicated resistance mechanisms, phenotypic automated assays are recommended in the routine diagnostic of clinical laboratories, but genotypic assays are recommended in nosocomial infection control to detect carbapenemase producers.

Poly β- hydroxyl butrate (PHB) is a polymer produced by bacteria and can be used safely in different modern application to replace biobased plastic which has adverse effects on the environments. This study is aimed to isolate some fungi for PHB degradation and optimise the growth conditions for maximum degradation. Contaminated soil samples were collected from the industrial area of Jeddah and used for fungal isolations. All fungal isolates were screened for PHB biodegradation on solid agar medium. Out of 20 isolates, 2 isolates were the most active in PHB degradation. They were identified as Trichoderma asperellum NM 6, and Aspergillus fumigates NM10 using morphological and molecular methods. The effects of some growth factors on growth and PHB degradation by the two isolated fungi were determined. Growth was measured by either CPV (ml) or dry weight (g/l) while PHB degradation was detected by depolymerase assay (U/ml). Presence of yeast extract (2.5 g/l) and glucose (1 g/l) enhanced both growth and PHB degradation by the two isolates. Similarly, adjusting medium pH at 7-7.5 and incubation at 25°C after for five days led to maximum growth and PHB degradation. The presence of PHB in growth medium enhanced both growth and PHB degradation and the maximum growth (CPV ml or dry weight (g/l) were in medium containing 0.5 g/l of PHB for both tested fungi. The maximum growth, measured by either CPV (ml) or dry weight (g/l), was in the medium that was inoculated with 10x106 spore/ml for the two tested fungi. In conclusion, PHB degradation by the two tested fungi was similar. It was affected by the same physical and biochemical factors and optimisation of these conditions enhanced both growth and degradation process by the two tested fungi.

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Two Chitinase Producing Bacteria from Marine Shrimp Shell Wastes

Mould growth in agricultural products may cause an important hazard to human health by producing toxic metabolites called mycotoxins which are fungi secondary metabolites, occurred naturally in food.

Despite the helpful developments in medical and pharmaceutical technology, harmful bacteria, infecting millions of people annually, remain a great concern.

Although heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that are found throughout the earths crust, most environmental contamination and human exposure result from anthropogenic activities such as mining and smelting operations, industrial production and use, and domestic and agricultural use of metals and metal-containing compounds.

Molecular Identification, Characterization and Antioxidant Activities of Some Bacteria Associated with Algae in the Red Sea of Jeddah