This book presents the latest knowledge on both the physiological and the microbiological aspects of wound healing. Fresh insights into the process of cutaneous wound healing are described, which involves tissue regeneration and repair processes consisting of a sequence of molecular and cellular events. The management of infected wounds is then discussed in detail, covering the roles of traditional medicine practices, novel anti-infective formulations, non-antibiotic approaches, and probiotic bacteria. A section devoted to the interdisciplinary approach to wound care addresses topics including in vitro and in vivo research models, the development of advanced wound dressings, tissue engineering, and the potential applications of bioscaffolds. The authors are all leading researchers in the field. This book is an attempt to showcase current research status and future directions in the area of wound-healing research, which must be of interest to a large group of readers and researchers interested in this field.

This book presents the latest knowledge on both the physiological and the microbiological aspects of wound healing. Fresh insights into the process of cutaneous wound healing are described, which involves tissue regeneration and repair processes consisting of a sequence of molecular and cellular events. The management of infected wounds is then discussed in detail, covering the roles of traditional medicine practices, novel anti-infective formulations, non-antibiotic approaches, and probiotic bacteria. A section devoted to the interdisciplinary approach to wound care addresses topics including in vitro and in vivo research models, the development of advanced wound dressings, tissue engineering, and the potential applications of bioscaffolds. The authors are all leading researchers in the field. This book is an attempt to showcase current research status and future directions in the area of wound-healing research, which must be of interest to a large group of readers and researchers interested in this field.

Scientific Study from the year 2013 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: A, Nirma University (Institute of Science), course: Microbiology, language: English, comment: This study demonstrates the potential of plant products against microbial biofilms., abstract: Extracts of Emblica officinalis seeds prepared by Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method were evaluated for their antimicrobial property against planktonic form of certain human/plant pathogenic microbes. Additionally, seed extracts of E. officinalis, Tamarindus indica, Manilkara zapota, Phoenix sylvestris, Syzygium cumini, and selected phytocompounds were tested against multi-drug resistant Streptococcus mutans (a major pathogen associated with human dental caries) in its planktonic as well as biofilm form. Ability of these extracts to eradicate and kill S. mutans biofilm was investigated. E. officinalis extracts exerted bactericidal action against S. mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae. Acetone extract of S. cumini, and curcumin were able to inhibit S. mutans at appreciably low concentrations of 50 ug/mL and 20 ug/mL respectively. T. indica and S. cumini seed extracts were able to kill 80% cells of S. mutans in biofilm, in the concentration range of 500-1000 ug/mL. These extracts were able to achieve 95% killing of S. mutans biofilm at concentrations ranging from 600-2000 ug/mL. Ability of the potent extracts to kill S. mutans biofilm did not seem to be much dependent on eradication of the biofilm. Extraction efficiency was found to have a good correlation with antibacterial activity.

Scientific Study from the year 2013 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: A, Nirma University (Institute of Science), language: English, comment: This study focused on detection of catechol metabolizing enzyme(s) in halotolerant bacteria isolated from saline soil., abstract: Hydrocarbon contamination of marine ecosystems has been a major environmental concern. Hydrocarbon metabolizing capacity of four halotolerant bacteria (Bacillus atrophaeus, Halomonas shengliensis, Halomonas koreensis, and Virgibacillus salarius) isolated from saline soil of Khambhat, India was investigated. Presence of catechol metabolizing enzymes (catechol 2,3 dioxygenase, chlorocatechol 1,2 dioxygenase, and protocatechuate 3,4 dioxygenase) was checked in V. salarius, as only this among all the test organisms could grow on the hydrocarbon substrates used, and compared with Pseudomonas oleovorans. Effect of salinity of the growth medium on activity of catechol metabolizing enzymes was also studied. Catechol 2,3 dioxygenase activity in both the organisms was more susceptible to increase in salinity of the growth medium than chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase activity. To the best of our awareness, this is the first report of catechol metabolism in V. salarius. V. salarius was found to be capable of weak biofilm formation. As V. salarius is capable of growing at high salt concentration, alkaline pH, hydrocarbon degradation, and also of growth in presence of various metal ions, it can be an attractive candidate for bioremediation of marine oil spills. Organisms like V. salarius can also serve as a model for multiple stress tolerance in prokaryotes.

Scientific Study from the year 2013 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: A, Nirma University (Institute of Science), language: English, abstract: Increasing applications of MW radiation has led to concerns globally due to the suspected bio effects associated with its exposure. Effect of MW, thermal and/or athermal, is inconclusive, complex, and controversial in literature. Thermal effect causes thermogenic effect while athermal effects are other than heat and such effects reported as somatic effect and/or genetic effect. This study basically deals with the athermal effects and is aimed at investigating the hypothesis that the exposure of microbial cells to MW (low power) may cause athermal effect, which affect on growth of microbes, enzyme activity, and production of exopolysaccharides. Furthermore, we have also checked the effect of different intracellular enzymes on MW treated bacteria. Our study also gives information that MW athermal effects causes changes at genetic level and can be passed on to next generation. There are numerous and increasing applications of MW energy and technology in the industries, in homes, in medical, research institutions etc., and there is greater awareness and concern of the public over the suspected potential health hazards associated with such exposures ICNIRP Guidelines, 1998]. There is therefore, a need for deeper understanding of the bio-effects of exposure to this radiation. Due to the ease of handing them in laboratory, microorganisms can be conveniently used to study the effect of MW on living systems. Besides, employing mutagenic frequencies of MW radiation for microbial strain improvement can be of considerable industrial significance. Objectives: 1. To investigate the effect of low power MW on, a. Growth b. Extracellular enzyme (amylase and pectinase) activity in Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans and Pectobacterium carotovora. c. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) in S. mutans and Xanthomonas camp

Scientific Study from the year 2012 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, Nirma University (Institute of Science), language: English, abstract: Extracts of five different plant seeds- Syzygium cumini, Pheonix sylvestris, Manilkara zapota, Tamarindus indica, and Annona squamosa- prepared by Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method were screened for their antimicrobial activity against certain phytopathogenic microorganisms. Ethanolic extract of S. cumini was found to possess highest average total activity against susceptible microbes. Total activity was found to have a positive correlation with the extraction efficiency. Methanolic extract of T. indica exerted bactericidal action against Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas syringae. Ethanolic extract of P. sylvestris was able to protect cabbage leaf against Xanthomonas campestris. Acetone extract of M. zapota was able to reduce aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus by >50 %. Curcumin proved bactericidal against X. campestris.

Scientific Study from the year 2012 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: A, Nirma University, course: M.Sc., language: English, abstract: This study aimed at investigating the effect of low power (90 W) microwave radiation (2450 MHz) on microbial growth, enzyme activity (protease and urease), and aflatoxin production. Thermal effect was avoided by keeping inoculum in ice while treating with microwave (for varying duration i.e. 2, 4, and 6 min). After 6 min MW treatment to S. aureus, its growth was stimulated over control by 10%. Total protease activity in Aeromonas hydrophila witnessed a 33% decrease as compared to control after a microwave exposure of 2 min. Similar decrease of 24% in total protease activity of Candida albicans was observed after microwave exposure of 6 min. Staphylococcus aureus lost its urease activity completely after microwave treatment. Aflatoxin production was completely inhibited in Aspergillus parasiticus after microwave exposure of 2, 4, and 6 min. However, it required a 6 min microwave exposure for complete inhibition of aflatoxin production in Aspergillus flavus. Our results positively suggest existence of microwave specific non-thermal effect on microbial growth and metabolism.

Scientific Study from the year 2012 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: -, Nirma University (Institute of Science), language: English, abstract: Five halotolerant bacteria were isolated from saline soil of Gujarat. Their identification and characterization with respect to optimum pH and salt concentration, and metal tolerance was carried out. Among all isolates Virgibacillus marismortui exhibited better metal tolerance/resistance. In certain cases stimulatory effect of metal ions on growth was also observed. Such organisms can serve as a good model for study of stress response among prokaryotes, and can also be explored for their potential of bioremediation of metal polluted saline sites with alkaline pH.

Several fungi has been known to cause infection in humans as well as plants. Screening of natural sources for novel antifungal compounds can help to control fungal pathogens of both humans and plants. Fungi being eukaryotic organisms present special problems in chemotherapy. There has been a renewed interest in natural antimicrobial compounds which can be used in the control of mycotoxigenic fungi.This work describes plant seed extracts (prepared by microwave assisted extraction method) with antifungal and/or antibacterial activity. Further investigation on such bioactive extracts may lead to identification of potential lead compounds with both clinical and aesthetic applications. This work will be of interest to microbiologists, phytochemists, and all those who are into investigating bioactive natural products.

Bioactive natural products are those chemical compounds produced by living organisms that exert a biological effect on other organisms. All over the world at present scientists investigate plants, microorganisms, marine creatures and many other forms of life for biological activity. The area where activity has been greatest is the effect of extracts from the flowering plants on human physiology and human pathogens, since this is very relevant to the discovery of new drugs for treating diseases of human beings and other mammals. Testing large number of extracts or compounds to determine if they produce a biochemical or cellular effect is usually one of the first steps in the discovery of bioactive compounds.Plants contain a wide variety of antioxidant molecules, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, etc. Plant antimicrobials may be of great help in dealing with drug-resistant bacteria due to their unique structures which are quite different than those of conventional antibiotics of microbial origin. This work will be of interest to microbiologists, phytochemists, and those who are into natural product chemistry.