Antibacterial potential of a small peptide from Bacillus sp. RPT-0001 and its capping for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Infirmity and death from diseases caused by unsafe food are a continual hazard to communal health safety and socio-economic growth throughout the world. Chemical preservatives are associated with health hazards and toxicity issues. In the study reported here, 200 soil isolates from Western Himalayan region in India were screened for potential antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogens.

Identification of novel regulatory small RNAs in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Small RNA (sRNA) molecules are non-coding RNAs that have been implicated in regulation of various cellular processes in living systems, allowing them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Till date, sRNAs have not been reported in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), which has emerged as a significant multiple drug resistant nosocomial pathogen.

Synthesis, characterization and bactericidal activity of silica/silver core-shell nanoparticles.

Silica/silver core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by coating silver NPs on silica core particles (size ~300 ± 10 nm) via electro less reduction method. The core-shell NPs were characterized for their structural, morphological, compositional and optical behavior using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and UV-Visible spectroscopy, respectively. The size (16-35 nm) and loaded amount of silver NPs on the silica core were found to be dependent upon reaction time and activation method of silica.

Synergistic action of cinnamaldehyde with silver nanoparticles against spore-forming bacteria: a case for judicious use of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial applications.

Silver has long been advocated as an effective antimicrobial. However, toxicity issues with silver have led to limited use of silver in nanoform, especially for food preservation. With the aim of exploring combinatorial options that could increase the antibacterial potency of silver nanoparticles and reduce the effective dosage of silver, we evaluated the extent of synergy that a combination of silver nanoparticles and an essential oil representative (cinnamaldehyde) could offer.

Downregulation of yidC in Escherichia coli by antisense RNA expression results in sensitization to antibacterial essential oils eugenol and carvacrol.

Background: The rising drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria and inefficiency of current antibiotics to meet clinical requirements has augmented the need to establish new and innovative approaches for antibacterial drug discovery involving identification of novel antibacterial targets and inhibitors. Being obligatory for bacterial growth, essential gene products are considered vital as drug targets. The bacterial protein YidC is highly conserved among pathogens and is essential for membrane protein insertion due to which it holds immense potential as a promising target for antibacterial therapy.