Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a widely used growth supplement in the in vitro culturing of animal and human cells, tissues and organs, notably due to the occurrence of abundant micro-and macronutrients, along with growth factors. Over the years, increasing demand, high price, batch-to-batch variability in quality and composition, increasing ethical concerns lead to the search for an alternative to FBS. Several approaches have been suggested and employed in the past, but none is implemented as widely as FBS, and each supplement has its own disadvantages. In this review, we described the importance of FBS in cell culture, discussed the issues associated with FBS use and presented the efforts made in the recent past to reduce or replace FBS. The potential of four different alternative sources to FBS, namely, bovine ocular fluid, sericin protein, human platelet lysate and earthworm heat inactivated coelomic fluid was evaluated. In the end, we present the conceptual perspective using the Human Platelet Lysate (HPL) and earthworm Heat Inactivated Coelomic Fluid (HI-CF) combination to alternate FBS and its context in scientific and economic impacts.

BackgroundThe marine environment having vast resources of natural products with potential bioactivities. Among the marine natural products, fatty acids obtained from marine mollusks have broad range of biological activities including antimicrobial and antitumor activities. The present study aims to characterize the fatty acid derivatives from the Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata and its pharmacological activities.MethodsS. glomerata fleshes were serially extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol and studied the antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and virus. Based on the better result, the ethyl acetate extract was selected and purified through silica column chromatography and screened the fractions for antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Also the best active fraction (FV) was functionally and structurally characterized.ResultsThe ethyl acetate extract of S. glomerata effectively controlled the bacterial pathogens and formed of more than 15 mm of zone of inhibition and also effectively suppressed the fungal growth and inhibit the shrimp white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The secondary screening results revealed that, the fraction (FV) had potential antimicrobial and antitumor activities. The FV concentration (100 μg/ml) effectively suppressed the tumor mammary epithelial carcinoma cell of 14.45%. The GC–MS analysis revealed that, eleven compounds including N-hexadecanoic acid, L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate and 6-Octadecenoic acid were characterized.ConclusionsThe fatty acid derivatives isolated and characterized from S. glomerata extracts had the potent antimicrobial and antitumor activities. This basic research can help to develop the antimicrobial and anticancer drugs from the nutraceuticals in future.

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Microscope is a device used for the visualization of tiny objects which are not visible to the naked eye. Traditional microscopes have been crucial for the advancement of contemporary science and medicine. Recent advancements in the field of microscopy have fueled its exponential growth rate. However, due to their expensive cost and complicated structure, modern microscopes remain inaccessible to the majority of the public. Nonetheless, the foldscope paper microscope has made it possible for anyone to explore and understand the world of microbes and organisms. In this review, we have listed foldscope-based research projects in various domains, as well as their key properties when compared to traditional research microscopes. In addition, we have briefly explored the impact of a foldscope microscope on public health, clinical diagnostics, forensic science, agriculture, basic science, developmental biology, and education. Moreover, the major drawbacks of paper microscopes and the current steps being taken to upgrade foldscope and its features are discussed in this review. Finally, we have concluded with our perspective that the microscope may be updated to imitate the advancement of a conventional microscope. Research Highlights• The foldscope, a low-cost instrument for studying the microscopic world.• Foldscope applications were compared to conventional microscopes in many sectors.• The foldscope microscope's existing limitations and potential prospects are highlighted.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio), is a well‐established vertebrate animal model widely used in developmental biology and toxicological research. In the present study, foldscope is used as an innovative tool to study the developmental stages and toxicological analysis of the zebrafish embryos. Briefly, the developmental stages, such as zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, and pharyngula formation are observed and documented using simple foldscope. Toxicological parameters upon exposure to different concentration of ethanol extract of Curcuma longa and its lead compound, ar‐turmerone along with rhodamine B (bio‐coupler) on zebrafish embryos are analyzed upto 72 hr using foldscopes in live condition. The lethal endpoints, such as coagulation, lack of somite formation, non‐detachment of tail, and lack of heartbeat are clearly monitored and documented using foldscope. Bio‐evaluation of test compounds with the aid of foldscope confirms that the toxicity is directly proportional to the concentration. Our results conclude that, ethanol extract of C. longa, ar‐turmerone and rhodamine B exposed embryos remains healthy up to 96, 48, and 24 µg concentrations, respectively. Embryos exposed to higher concentrations become coagulated, however normal physiological active movement of tail lashing and heartbeat are evident in lower concentration exposed embryos. Except coagulation, no other abnormalities are observed and interestingly, the hatching ability is not delayed, when compared with the control embryos. It is confirmed that the test compounds are not highly toxic to zebrafish embryos. Hence it can be used for further analysis, especially for studying the neural‐regeneration and its neuronal development in zebrafish embryos.