Publications by authors named "Velizar Gochev"

The genus is renowned not only for its natural antibiotic production but also for its abundant chitinolytic enzymes, which break down stubborn chitin into chitooligosaccharides. Despite this, there have been limited studies utilizing whole-genome sequencing to explore the repertoire of chitin degradation and utilization genes in . A particularly compelling source of novel antimicrobials and enzymes lies in the microbiota of insects, where bacterial symbionts produce antimicrobials to protect against opportunistic pathogens and enzymes to adapt to the environment.

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Laurel ( L.) is a plant species from Lauraceae family, and is native to the Mediterranean region. The goal of this study was to compare chemical composition of laurel leaves and antibacterial activity of its essential oil (EO) from wild-grown trees in Greece and Georgia.

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L. is a relatively less studied species (Solanaceae), although there are data about its importance as a model plant in viral control studies, as a gene donor in tobacco hybridization and as a source of agents with insecticidal or fungicidal effects. The biological activities of the species were associated mostly with the presence of leaf surface metabolites, in particular diterpenes and sucrose esters.

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Essential oils and hydrosols of two cultivars of muscadine grapes ( (Michx.) Small.) were obtained by hydro-distillation of flowers and berry skins.

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Intensive industrial and urban growth has led to the release of increasing amounts of environmental pollutants. Contamination by metals, in particular, deserves special attention due to their toxicity and potential to bioaccumulate via the food chain. Conventional techniques for the removal of toxic metals, radionuclides and precious metals from wastewater all have a number of drawbacks, such as incomplete metal extraction, high cost and risk of generating hazardous by-products.

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Antimicrobial activity of nineteen neo-clerodane diterpenoids, isolated from the acetone extracts of the aerial parts of Scutellaria and Salvia species (Lamiaceae) were tested against thirteen strains belonging to nine different species of pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella abony and Staphylococcus aureus as well as against two yeast strains belonging to species Candida albicans. Seven of the evaluated compounds scutalpin A, scutalpin E, scutalpin F, salviarin, splenolide A, splenolide B and splendidin demonstrated antimicrobial activity against used test microbial strains, the rest of the compounds were inactive within the studied concentration range. Among all of the tested compounds the highest antimicrobial activity was detected for scutalpin A against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 25 µg/mL).

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The Himalayan region is very rich in a great variety of medicinal plants. In this investigation the essential oils of two selected species are described for their antimicrobial and larvicidal as well as biting deterrent activities. Additionally, the odors are characterized.

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The aim of the present study was to carry out a preliminary assessment for the occurrence of bacterial strains resistant to frequently used antibiotics in the sediments beneath the sturgeon cage farm in Kardzhali Dam (Bulgaria). Samples were taken from the top 2 cm of sediments under a fish farm and from a control station in the aquatory of the reservoir in the period July-October 2011. Surveillance of bacterial susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents was performed for 160 Gram-negative strains ( - 100 strains; - 30 strains; and - 30 strains).

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Nerolidol and its derivatives, namely cis-nerolidol, O-methyl-nerolidol, O-ethyl-nerolidol, (-)-α-bisabolol, trans,trans-farnesol and its main natural source cabreuva essential oil, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against airborne microbes and antifungal properties against plant pathogens. Among the tested compounds, α-bisabolol was the most effective antimicrobial agent and trans,trans-farnesol showed the best antifungal activity.

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The essential oils of two representatives of the Lamiaceae, Dracocephalum heterophyllum Benth. and Hyssopus officinalis L., are described for their antifungal, antibacterial, larvicidal and inect biting deterrent activities.

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Artemisia species possess pharmacological properties that are used for medical purposes worldwide. In this paper, the essential oils from the aerial parts of Artemisia nilagirica and Artemisia maritima from the western Indian Himalaya region are described. The main compounds analyzed by simultaneous GC/MS and GC/FID were camphor and 1,8-cineole from A.

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Four hydrophilic polymers in the form of beads - chitosan, alginate, alginate/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan-coated alginate - were used as supports for lipase immobilisation. Hydrogel beads were characterised by bead-size-distribution estimation, surface morphology studies, and polymer interactions assessment. Matrix performances - loading efficiency, immobilisation yield, enzyme activity, and stability retention - were evaluated and compared.

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The essential oils of four chemotypes of Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) were analyzed for their composition and antibacterial activity to assess their different properties. GC-MS and GC-FID analyses revealed that the essentials oils can be classified into the chemotypes thymol (41.

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Electrochemical biosensing, due to its sensitivity and specificity, combined with the low-cost and operation convenience of the equipment, is considered as a promising point-of-care approach in clinical analysis. This review presents the basic principles of operation, the current status, and the trends in the development and the clinical implementation of some selected electrochemical biosensors. These include: electrochemical glucose biosensors successfully applied in diabetes management, and electrochemical biosensors for cholinesterases and trypsin activities determination.

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The composition of a synthetic culture medium for levorin biosynthesis by Streptomyces levoris 99/23 was optimised using mathematical modelling methods. The optimal concentrations of the medium components were established by means of an optimum composition design at three factor variation levels. An adequate regression model was obtained.

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The chemical composition of essential oils of cabreuva (Myrocarpus fastigiatus Allemao, Fabaceae) from Brazil, cedarwood (Juniperus ashei, Cupressaceae) from Texas, Juniper berries (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae) and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl., Burseraceae) were analyzed using GC/FID and GC/MS.

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Cumin oil samples (Cuminum cyminum L.) from four different geographical origins were analyzed using GC-MS and GC-FID for their qualitative and quantitative composition. The major compounds in all cumin oils were the monoterpenes beta-pinene, p-cymene and gamma-terpinene and the terpenoid aldehydes cuminic aldehyde and the isomeric menthadien carboxaldehydes.

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The chemical compositions of selected essential oils from North Africa, especially Morocco, of geranium, wild Moroccan chamomile and rosemary as well as absolutes of rose and geranium were determined using GC/FID and GC/MS. These oils and absolutes were tested concerning their antimicrobial activity against some food spoilage strains obtained from fresh milk and minced meat products, like sausages and pork fillet, in accordance with ISO testing procedures. Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella abony and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) strains were used, as well as the yeast Candida albicans.

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