The present research describes the synthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles from Escherichia coli under the influence of bacterial enzyme sulphate reductase and study on their cytotoxicity for applications in cancer therapy. Escherichia coli cells were used to synthesize CdS nanoparticles under different concentrations of cadmium chloride and sodium sulfide. The morphology of the nanoparticles was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used for elemental analysis of nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) was performed to assess the functional groups of the nanoparticles. Crystalline nature of nanoparticles was assessed using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial studies of CdS nanoparticles were carried out on foodborne pathogens and cytotoxicity studies were carried out on Mus musculus skin melanoma (B16F10) and human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cell lines. CdS nanoparticle showed more cytotoxic effect on cancer cells compared with standard 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). The Escherichia coli-synthesized CdS nanoparticles showed highest zone of inhibition in the ratio 4:1 of cadmium chloride and sodium sulfide on all tested bacterial strains. The nanoparticles were also tested for haemolytic activity on RBC cells, which exhibited lower cytotoxicity than sodium dodecyl sulphate which was used as positive control. The cytotoxicity of CdS nanoparticles assessed on A431 cells showed an inhibition of 81.53% at 100 μM concentration while the cytotoxicity assessed on B16F10 cells showed an inhibition of 75.71% at 200 μM concentration which was much efficient than 5-ALA which showed an inhibition of 31.95% at a concentration against B16F10 cells and 33.45% against A431 cells at a concentration of 1 mM. Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were thus found to be highly toxic on cancer cells compare with standard anticancerous drug 5-ALA.

Tofu – Soycurd, is one of the important non-fermented soybean products, which has been widely used in a variety of dishes by oriental people for many centuries. Normally in the preparation of Tofu, synthetic coagulants such as calcium sulphate, magnesium chloride, Glucono-?-lactone, etc., are used. These coagulants are not readily available sometimes for use in the household and not available easily in the rural areas. Hence, an attempt was made to use natural coagulants of plant origin (Citrus lemon, Garcinia indica, Tamarindus indica, Averrhoa carambola, Averrhoa bilumbi, Phyllanthus distichus, Tamarindus indica flower extract, Hibiscus canabinus and Passiflora edulis) in preparation of Tofu. Yield, texture, proximate composition and sensory quality of Tofu prepared using natural coagulants were analyzed and a comparative evaluation was made between Tofu obtained from synthetic coagulants. Results showed that use of natural coagulants in preparation of Tofu increased the yield (24.5g/100 ml of soymilk). Total crude protein estimation revealed that the protein content in Tofu prepared using natural coagulants was comparatively higher than the synthetic coagulants (61.4% on dry weight basis). Texture analysis results of Tofu prepared using different coagulants showed that Garcinia indica extract produced Tofu with hard texture, more cohesiveness and chewiness compare to other coagulants followed by Calcium sulfate and Tamrindus indica. Sensory analysis of Tofu showed Citrus lemon extract produced best Tofu with higher overall quality in terms of appearance, texture, taste, flavor and color followed by Tamarindus indica.

A mutant Aspergillus carbonarius selected for temperature tolerance after UV treatment, when grown in shake flasks, produced mycelia bearing yellow pigment. Since the mutant was affected in sterol biosynthetic pathway, the pigment was apparently produced to maintain membrane fluidity and rigidity for growth sustenance in low-pH culture broth. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses characterizing the pigment as a partially saturated canthaxanthin, containing beta-ionone end rings, suggested its application as a retinoid. When tested for this property in retinoic acid receptor expressing prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, the fungal partially saturated canthaxanthin induced apoptosis. Low apoptosis percentage in DU145 prostrate cancer cells that does not express functional retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) suggested binding specificity of the partially saturated canthaxanthin for RAR-beta.

Consistent search of plants for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) is an important arena in Nanomedicine. This study focuses on synthesis of SNPs using bioreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO) by aqueous root extract of . The biosynthesis of SNPs was monitored by UV-vis analysis at absorbance maxima 432 nm. The fluorescence emission spectra of SNPs illustrated the broad emission peak 450-483 nm at different excitation wavelengths. The surface characteristics were studied by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy, showed spherical shape of SNPs and dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed the average particle size 32.5 nm and the presence of metallic silver was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray. Face centred cubic structure with crystal size 33.3 nm was revealed by powder X-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the biomolecules involved in the reduction mainly polyols and phenols present in root extracts were found to be responsible for the synthesis of SNPs. The stability and charge on SNPs were revealed by zeta potential analysis. In addition, on therapeutic forum, the synthesised SNPs elicit antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against, ,, and.

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