Natural Pigment | Antiviral Activity | In-Silico

Prodigiosin Demonstrates Promising Antiviral Activity Against Dengue Virus and Zika Virus in In-silico Study

Tanjilur Rahman, Mohammed Sajjad Hossain Bappi, Tanim Jabid Hossain*

Analytical Science Advances, 2024

| Author-note | We provided a detailed computational analysis of prodigiosin, a natural tripyrrole compound, as a promising antiviral agent against Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses. With the rising global burden of DENV and ZIKV infections and the absence of effective antiviral therapies, the identification of novel treatment candidates is increasingly critical. Using state-of-the-art computational approaches, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the interactions between prodigiosin and key viral proteins, NS3 helicase and NS5 methyltransferase. Our results demonstrate that prodigiosin exhibits strong binding affinities to these target proteins, suggesting its potential to inhibit viral replication. Particularly, prodigiosin formed multiple stable interactions, including hydrogen bonds, with active site residues of NS5 methyltransferase, further enhancing its inhibitory effect. Moreover, the compound’s favorable drug-likeness and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties underscore its potential as a safe and effective antiviral candidate. These findings position prodigiosin as a promising lead compound for further development in the fight against DENV and ZIKV. 

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Plant-microbe interaction | Sustainable Agriculture

Multifaceted plant growth promoting traits and abiotic stress resistance abilities exhibited by chrysanthemum rhizobacteria

Mohammad Nazmul Ahmed Chowdhury, Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Subrina Akter Zedny, Mohammed Sajjad Hossain Bappi, Minhajur Rahman, Md Hossen, Iqbal Hossain Nafiz, Raihanul Islam

Current Applied Science and Technology, 2024

| Author-note | Our study focuses on the isolation and characterization of 34 bacterial strains from the root-associated soil of Chrysanthemum. Among these, seven strains exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including auxin production, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and ammonia production. These strains were identified as belonging to the genera Pantoea, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, and Serratia. The selected strains also demonstrated resilience to abiotic stresses, such as osmotic and salt stress, as well as temperature variations, underscoring their potential applicability in diverse environmental conditions. Our findings suggest that these rhizobacteria could significantly promote plant growth and sustainability in agroecosystems. Additionally, their ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes enhances their utility as biofertilizers. This study provides valuable insights into the development of eco-friendly strategies to improve crop productivity and sustainability in global agriculture. 

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Probiotics | Lactic Acid Bacteria | Fermented Food

Assessment of the In-Vitro Probiotic Efficacy and Safety of Pediococcus pentosaceus L1 and Streptococcus thermophilus L3 Isolated from Laban, a Popular Fermented Milk Product

Shanta Paul, Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Ferdausi Ali, Md Elias Hossain, Tasneem Chowdhury, Ibrahim Khalil Faisal, Jannatul Ferdouse*

Archives of Microbiology, 2024

| Author-note | In this study, we have evaluated the probiotic potential and safety aspects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Laban, a traditionally consumed dairy beverage. The LAB strains exhibited antagonistic effects against bacterial and fungal pathogens, antioxidant capacity, and tolerance to low pH, bile salts, and phenols. Additionally, these strains have demonstrated adhesion ability to ethyl acetate, chloroform, and xylene, along with autoaggregation and coaggregation properties. Moreover, the isolates displayed promising technological attributes, such as milk coagulation and exopolysaccharide production, suggesting their potential to enhance the quality of dairy products.  Our research underscores the potential of LAB from Laban in imparting health benefits to consumers. The natural presence of these beneficial microbes in fermented dairy products, such as Laban, offers an added advantage for individuals aiming to enhance their health through diet. 

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Antimicrobial Assay | Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test

Methods for screening and evaluation of antimicrobial activity: a review of protocols, advantages and limitations

Tanim Jabid Hossain*

European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology, 2024

| Author-note | The global concern surrounding antimicrobial resistance remains pressing, necessitating the discovery of novel and effective antimicrobial agents. This review delves into a range of established and emerging techniques, including disk diffusion assay, well diffusion, spot assay, cross-streaking method, poisoned food method, agar dilution, broth macrodilution and microdilution, resazurin assay, co-culture technique, time-kill kinetics, flow cytometry, TLC bioautography, bioluminescence assay and impedance measurement. Each method's principle, advantages, limitations, and significance in antimicrobial screening and evaluation have been discussed.   The review aims to provide researchers, professionals, and practitioners in medicine, infectious disease, clinical microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical fields with an understanding of these antimicrobial evaluation techniques. By elucidating the strengths and limitations of each method, this paper seeks to empower researchers in making informed decisions on selecting appropriate assays for the efficient identification of potential antimicrobial agents.

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Fermented Beverages | Probiotics | Lactic Acid Bacteria

Fermented and dairy beverages of Bangladesh: a rich source of probiotic lactic acid bacteria

Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Md. Sajib Khan, Jannatul Ferdouse

Food Science and Applied Biotechnology, 2024

| Author-note | We explored the rich landscape of traditional fermented and dairy beverages in Bangladesh, emphasizing their role as valuable reservoirs of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Highlighting their cultural significance, the paper uncovers the microbial diversity within these beverages, showcasing their antimicrobial properties, antioxidant effects, cholesterol-lowering abilities, and exopolysaccharide production. By connecting the traditional practices with modern genomic insights, this work underlines the global relevance of probiotic-rich beverages in promoting health and nutrition. 

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Plant-Microbe Interactions

Phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria of rice: Analysis of plant growth promoting activity and environmental stress tolerance

Tasnimul Basharat, Ferdausi Ali*, Tuhin Das, Takia Binte Bakar, Nowshin Tarannum Mishi, Jannatul Ferdouse, Mohammad Seraj Uddin, Tanim Jabid Hossain*

Annals of Agri-Bio Research, 2023

| Author-note | We reported isolation and characterization of three prominent phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria (PSB) from a local rice variety, BRRI-28. The isolates exhibited efficient plant growth promoting traits including auxin secretion, zinc solubilization, or ammonia production, and adaptation to environmental stress tolerance. Our study suggests that these rhizospheric plant growth enhancing PSB strains can be of particular benefits to the growth and productivity of plants.

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Probiotics | Honey microbes

Probiotic characteristics of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Apilactobacillus kunkeei strains: the lactic acid bacteria isolated from Bangladeshi natural honey

Jannatul Ferdouse*, Shanta Paul, Tasnim Chowdhury, Ferdausi Ali, Saiful Islam, Tanim Jabid Hossain*

Applied Food Biotechnology, 2023

| Author-note | In this work, we report a comprehensive characterization of probiotic and safety aspects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in Bangladeshi natural honey. The LAB isolates showed remarkable antagonistic effects against both bacterial and fungal pathogens; high free radical scavenging capacity; tolerance to low-pH, bile salt, and phenol; adhesion ability to ethyl acetate, chloroform and xylene; and high autoaggregation and coaggregation properties. Our study suggests that natural presence of such beneficial microbes in honey is an added advantage to consumers considering the health benefits they can obtain from the microbes.

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Probiotics | Antimicrobial activity

Antipathogenic Action and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of the Borhani-Associated Lactic Acid Bacterium Weissella confusa LAB-11

Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Iqbal Hossain Nafiz, Halima Akter Mozumder, Ferdausi Ali, Nabila Rahman, Md Sajib Khan 

Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 2023

| Author-note | Our study focused on a lactic acid bacterium isolated from borhani, a traditional beverage. The bacterium, identified as Weissella confusa (strain LAB-11), displayed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. It exhibited a prolonged antibacterial effect and showed sensitivity to most antibiotics tested. These findings suggest that borhani, containing such beneficial lactic acid bacteria, may provide preventive effects against diseases while minimizing the risk of antibiotic resistance transfer. 

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Probiotics | Biocontrol 

Inhibition of pathogenic microbes by the lactic acid bacteria Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain LAB-1 and Levilactobacillus brevis strain LAB-5 isolated from the dairy beverage borhani

Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Halima Akter Mozumder, Ferdausi Ali, Khadiza Akther

Current Research in Food Science and Nutrition, 2022

| Author-note | Two lactic acid bacteria, Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain LAB-1 and Levilactobacillus brevis strain LAB-5 isolated from the popular dairy beverage borhani, were characterized in regards to their antimicrobial activity. Both strains could efficiently inhibit ten clinical pathogens which suggests that their natural presence in borhani, or their exogenous application in starter culture, functional foods and therapeutics could be of particular benefit to help acquire protection from the pathogens.

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Biocatalysis | Gut Microbiome  

Substrate preferences, phylogenetic and biochemical properties of proteolytic bacteria present in the digestive tract of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Mukta Das, Ferdausi Ali, Sumaiya Islam Chowdhury, Subrina Akter Zidny

AIMS Microbiology, 2021

| Author-note | We selected seven from twenty six of gastrointestinal bacteria of Nile tilapia based on their protease release. The proteolytic isolates were phylogenetically, morphologically and biochemically characterized. Their hydrolytic capacities on various protein substrates were also determined. Our study presents insights into the phylogenetic and biochemical properties of gut-associated proteolytic strains of Nile tilapia and highlights their importance as sources of protease enzymes. 

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Biotransformation | Bioremediation

Production Optimization, Stability, and Oil Emulsifying Potential of Biosurfactants from Selected Bacteria Isolated from Oil Contaminated Sites

Ferdausi Ali*, Sharup Das, Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Sumaiya Islam Chowdhury, Subrina Akter Zedny, Tuhin Das, Mohamad Nazmul Ahmed Chowdhury, Md Seraj Uddin

Royal Society Open Science, 2021

| Author-note | We’ve isolated and selected, based on the biosurfactant production, four bacterial strains identified as Bacillus, Burkholderia, Providencia and Klebsiella. Their secreted surfactants showed promising activity and formed stable emulsions with a variety of hydrocarbons. The biosurfactants also exhibited inhibitory effects against several pathogenic microbes. The microbial surfactants were stable at high pH, salinity and temperatures and efficient in degrading diesel oil which suggests their prospect for application in bioremediation and oil recovery under extreme conditions.

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Zoonoses | One Helath | Antimicrobial Resistance  

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotypes of Salmonella Species Recovered at Various Stages of Broiler Operations in Hathazari, Bangladesh

Ferdausi Ali, Tazriyan Nur Silvy, Tanim Jabid Hossain*, Md Kamal Uddin, Md Seraj Uddin

International Journal of One Health, 2021

| Author-note | We analyzed the contamination frequency and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes of Salmonella spp. recovered from various broiler samples in the retail outlets of Hathazari, Bangladesh. We found moderately high prevalence of Salmonella in the samples and high AMR among the strains. Our findings indicate that local broiler activities and food products can be a source of exposure for consumers to multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella and, therefore, highlight the importance for maintenance of appropriate hygiene to avoid cross-contaminations.

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