In silico and experimental characterization of a new polyextremophilic subtilisin-like protease from and its application as a laundry detergent additive.

Considering the current growing interest in new and improved enzymes for use in a variety of applications, the present study aimed to characterize a novel detergent-stable serine alkaline protease from the extremophilic actinobacterium TL13 (MmSP) using a combined in silico and experimental approach. The MmSP showed a close phylogenetic relationship with high molecular weight S8 peptidases of species. Moreover, its physical and chemical parameters computed using Expasy's ProtParam tool revealed that MmSP is hydrophilic, halophilic and thermo-alkali stable.

Exogenous application of spermidine mitigates the adverse effects of drought stress in faba bean ( L.).

In Tunisia, drought stress is a major environmental factor limiting crop production and causing relatively low and unstable faba bean yields. In the present study, we explored the putative role of spermidine (0.5, 1, 1.

Roots of the xerophyte host a cohort of ionizing-radiation-resistant biotechnologically-valuable bacteria.

Bacterial communities associated with roots of , exposed to arid conditions, were investigated with a combination of cultural and metataxonomic approaches. Traditional culture-based techniques were used and 32 isolates from the irradiated roots were identified as belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla. Four actinobacterial strains were shown to be ionizing-radiation (IR)-resistant: sp.

Morphological influence of BiVO nanostructures on peroxymonosulfate activation for highly efficient catalytic degradation of rhodamine B.

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO) nanostructured films were prepared and successfully applied for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution. The BiVO thin films were obtained by thermal reaction between electrodeposited bismuth (Bi) films and vanadium precursor. The as-prepared BiVO porous, nanoflowers, and cluster nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and BET analysis.

Physiological responses and expression of sugar associated genes in faba bean ( L.) exposed to osmotic stress.

Unlabelled: Faba bean ( L.) is the major food legume crop in Tunisia. However, its growth and yield is strongly affected by water-limited environments.

New Plant Growth-Promoting, Chromium-Detoxifying Species Isolated From a Tannery Wastewater: Performance and Genomic Insights.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], widely generated by tannery activities, is considered among the most toxic substances and causes a serious damage for the environment and for human health. Interestingly, some microorganisms have a potential of bioremediation of chromium-contaminated wastewaters and soils through the reduction of Cr(VI) (soluble and harmful form) into Cr(III) (stable and non-toxic form). Here, we present the full genome sequence of a novel heavy-metal-resistant, plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), TL13, which was isolated from a Tunisian leather industry.

Alleviation of drought stress in faba bean ( L.) by exogenous application of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA).

Drought stress is one of the most prevalent environmental factors limiting faba bean ( L.) crop productivity. β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a non-protein amino acid that may be involved in the regulation of plant adaptation to drought stress.

Formation of silicon nanowire packed films from metallurgical-grade silicon powder using a two-step metal-assisted chemical etching method.

In this work, we use a two-step metal-assisted chemical etching method to produce films of silicon nanowires shaped in micrograins from metallurgical-grade polycrystalline silicon powder. The first step is an electroless plating process where the powder was dipped for few minutes in an aqueous solution of silver nitrite and hydrofluoric acid to permit Ag plating of the Si micrograins. During the second step, corresponding to silicon dissolution, we add a small quantity of hydrogen peroxide to the plating solution and we leave the samples to be etched for three various duration (30, 60, and 90 min).

First characterisation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance-qnrS1 co-expressed bla CTX-M-15 and bla DHA-1 genes in clinical strain of Morganella morganii recovered from a Tunisian Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to show the emergence of the qnr genes among fluoroquinolone-resistant, AMPC and ESBL (extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase) co-producing Morganella morganii isolate.

Materials And Methods: A multi resistant Morganella morganii SM12012 isolate was recovered from pus from a patient hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the Military hospital, Tunisia. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested with the agar disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Properties of a previously undescribed grapevine nepovirus from Tunisia.

A virus with isometric particles c. 30 nm in diameter and angular contour was isolated by inoculation of sap from a Tunisian grapevine with mild mottling and leaf deformation. The virus sedimented in sucrose density gradients as three components: T (empty shells), M (particles containing a molecule of ssRNA with an apparent size of 5,800 nucleotides, constituting 35% of the particle weight) and B (particles containing a molecule of ssRNA with apparent size of 6,800 nucleotides, constituting 41% of the particle weight).