Wojciech Smułek - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Wojciech Smułek

Molecules

The aim of this research was to elucidate the surface active properties of Saponaria officinalis ... more The aim of this research was to elucidate the surface active properties of Saponaria officinalis (soapwort) extract containing the plant surfactants saponins. To this end, the advancing contact angle (θ) of water, formamide and diiodomethane on the glass, as well as θ of the aqueous solution of S. officinalis extract fractions on PTFE, PMMA and glass, were studied. Based on the obtained results, the wetting behaviour of saponins was considered with regard to the surface tension components and parameters of the solutions and solids. The investigations also involved the description of the θ isotherms, the dependences between the cosine of contact angle and/or the adhesion of the solution to the solid surfaces and solution surface tension, as well as the critical surface tension of PTFE, PMMA and glass wetting. These dependences were studied based on the saponin adsorption at the different interfaces, which was deduced from the dependence between the adhesion and surface tension of the...

Foods

The objective of this study was to extract the rapeseed protein from by-products and further exam... more The objective of this study was to extract the rapeseed protein from by-products and further examine the effect of lab-made rapeseed protein on the droplet size, microstructure, colour, encapsulation and apparent viscosity of emulsions. Rapeseed protein-stabilised emulsions with an increasing gradient of milk fat or rapeseed oil (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, v/v) were fabricated using a high shear rate homogenisation. All emulsions showed 100% oil encapsulation for 30 days of storage, irrespective of lipid type and the concentration used. Rapeseed oil emulsions were stable against coalescence, whereas the milk fat emulsion showed a partial micro-coalescence. The apparent viscosity of emulsions raised with increased lipid concentrations. Each of the emulsions showed a shear thinning behaviour, a typical behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids. The average droplet size was raised in milk fat and rapeseed oil emulsions when the concentration of lipids increased. A simple approach to manufacturing...

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Large-scale use of nitrofurans is associated with a number of risks related to a growing resistan... more Large-scale use of nitrofurans is associated with a number of risks related to a growing resistance to these compounds and the toxic effects following from their increasing presence in wastewater and the environment. The aim of the study was to investigate an impact of natural surfactant, saponins from Sapindus mukorossi, on antimicrobial properties of nitrofuran antibiotics. Measurements of bacterial metabolic activity indicated a synergistic bactericidal effect in samples with nitrofurantoin or furazolidone, to which saponins were added. Their addition led to more than 50% greater reduction in viable cells than in the samples without saponins. On the other hand, no toxic effect against human colon epithelial cell was observed. It was found that exposure to antibiotics and surfactants caused the cell membranes to be dominated by branched fatty acids. Moreover, the presence of saponins reduced the hydrophobicity of the cell surface making them almost completely hydrophilic. The resu...

Molecules

The bioavailability of organic compounds to bacterial cells is crucial for their vital activities... more The bioavailability of organic compounds to bacterial cells is crucial for their vital activities. This includes both compounds that are desirable to the cells (e.g., sources of energy, carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients) and undesirable compounds that are toxic to the cells. For this reason, bioavailability is an issue of great importance in many areas of human activity that are related to bacteria, e.g., biotechnological production, bioremediation of organic pollutants, and the use of antibiotics. This article proposes a classification of factors determining bioavailability, dividing them into factors at the physicochemical level (i.e., those related to the solubility of a chemical compound and its transport in aqueous solution) and factors at the microbiological level (i.e., those related to adsorption on the cell surface and those related to transport into the cell). Awareness of the importance of and the mechanisms governing each of the factors described allows their use to ...

Molecules

Nowadays, due to a higher resistance to drugs, antibiotics, and antiviral medicaments, new ways o... more Nowadays, due to a higher resistance to drugs, antibiotics, and antiviral medicaments, new ways of fighting pathogens are intensively studied. The alternatives for synthesized compositions are natural products, most of which have been known in natural medicine for a long time. One of the best-known and intensively investigated groups are essential oils (EOs) and their compositions. However, it is worth noting that the method of application can play a second crucial part in the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activity. EOs possess various natural compounds which exhibit antimicrobial activity. One of the compositions which is based on the five main ingredients of eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and lemon is named “five thieves’ oil” (Polish name: olejek pięciu złodziei) (5TO) and is used in natural medicine. In this study, we focused on the droplet size distribution of 5TO during the nebulization process, evaluated by the microscopic droplet size analysis (MDSA) method. Fur...

REVIEWS ON ADVANCED MATERIALS SCIENCE

Functional foods, drug delivery systems, and cosmetics are the main areas of application for mult... more Functional foods, drug delivery systems, and cosmetics are the main areas of application for multiphase systems, where the use of naturally derived compounds is preferred. Hence, this study aimed to assess the possibility of using natural surfactants and saponin-rich extracts to produce emulsions containing antibacterial and antioxidant cinnamon and clove essential oils (EOs). The analyses of nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering showed that the addition of plant extracts to solutions allows one to obtain stable emulsions and decreased zeta potential (< −40 mV) and droplet size (<200 nm). In all investigated emulsions, the increase of antioxidative properties was observed when both EOs and plant extracts were used. The emulsion with clove oil stabilized with Quillaja saponaria bark saponins has the highest combined antioxidative properties (3.55 ± 0.01 μg gallic acid equivalent per g). Additionally, a stronger antibacterial action against Pseudomonas bacteria was observ...

Molecules

The occurrence of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the environment and its removal have drawn specia... more The occurrence of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the environment and its removal have drawn special attention from the scientific community in recent years, due to its hazardous effects on human and wildlife around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce an efficient enzymatic system for the removal of EE2 from aqueous solutions. For the first time, commercial silica nanopowder and 3D fibrous chitinous scaffolds from Aplysina fistularis marine sponge were used as supports for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization. The effect of several process parameters onto the removal mechanism of EE2 by enzymatic conversion and adsorption of EE2 were investigated here, including system type, pH, temperature and concentrations of H2O2 and EE2. It was possible to fully remove EE2 from aqueous solutions using system SiO2(HRP)–chitin(HRP) over a wide investigated pH range (5–9) and temperature ranges (4–45 °C). Moreover, the most suitable process conditions have been determin...

Plants

The bark of Frangula alnus Mill (FAM), the so-called alder buckthorn, has been widely investigate... more The bark of Frangula alnus Mill (FAM), the so-called alder buckthorn, has been widely investigated for its medicinal properties, especially its laxative effects and the bioactive properties of the plant material extract. Still, there is no wider study devoted to its antibacterial properties. This is important in the context of its impact on probiotic gut bacteria. The aim of the research was to recognize the effect of FAM extract on bacterial cells, and to determine how the bioactive properties and composition of the extract are influenced by the type of solvent used for the extraction. To find the most suitable conditions for the FAM extraction, we used four solvent solutions with different polarities, including water, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. We assessed the quality and composition of the extracts with spectral analysis, using spectrophotometric (FTIR, UV-Vis) and chromatographic methods (GC-MS). Finally, we analyzed the extractant impact of the extracts on the selected...

Pharmaceutics

In this study, lipase from Aspergillus niger immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorp... more In this study, lipase from Aspergillus niger immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorption interactions and partially interfacial activation and mixed physical immobilization via interfacial activation and ion exchange was used in the kinetic resolution of the ketoprofen racemic mixture. The FTIR spectra of samples after immobilization of enzyme-characteristic signals can be seen, and an increase in particle size diameters upon immobilization is observed, indicating efficient immobilization. The immobilization yield was on the level of 93% and 86% for immobilization unmodified and modified support, respectively, whereas activity recovery reached around 90% for both systems. The highest activity of immobilized biocatalysts was observed at pH 7 and temperature 40 °C and pH 8 and 20 °C for lipase immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorption interactions and partially interfacial activation and mixed physical immobilization via interfacial activation and ion excha...

Polymers

The current study aims to evaluate the effect of tamarind gum (TG) on the optical, mechanical, an... more The current study aims to evaluate the effect of tamarind gum (TG) on the optical, mechanical, and drug release potential of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based films. This involves preparing PVA-TG composite films with different concentrations of TG through a simple solvent casting method. The addition of TG has enhanced the phase separation and aggregation of PVA within the films, and it becomes greater with the increase in TG concentration. Brightfield and polarized light micrographs have revealed that aggregation is favored by forming crystalline domains at the PVA-TG interface. The interconnected network of PVA-TG aggregates influenced the swelling and drying properties of the films. Using Peleg’s analysis, the mechanical behavior of films was determined by their stress relaxation profiles. The addition of TG has made no significant changes to the firmness and viscoelastic properties of films. However, long-durational relaxation times indicated that the interconnected network might...

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Membranes, 2022

Membrane processes are one of the key factors influencing the function of living cells [...]

Molecules, 2021

To meet the growing interest in natural antibacterial agents, we evaluated the physicochemical an... more To meet the growing interest in natural antibacterial agents, we evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of the folk medicine known as “five thieves’ oil” (Polish name: olejek pięciu złodziei). Five thieves’ oil consists of a mixture of five oils: rosemary, lemon, clove, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. In this study, we performed gas chromatography, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopic analysis, as well as L-a-b color tests, contact angle determination, and surface tension determination. To verify its antibacterial activity, the metabolic activity and changes in cell membrane permeability of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were studied. As a result, it was found that among the constituent oils, the oils of clove and cinnamon were the least volatile and, at the same time, had the strongest antibacterial activity. However, a mix of all the oils also showed comparable activity, which was even more pronounced for the oils after 4 weeks of aging. This effect can be linked to the hi...

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2016

Biotransformation of aromatic compounds is a challenge due to their low aqueous solubility and so... more Biotransformation of aromatic compounds is a challenge due to their low aqueous solubility and sorptive losses. The main obstacle in this process is binding of organic pollutants to the microbial cell surface. To overcome these, we applied saponins from plant extract to the microbial culture, to increase pollutants solubility and enhance diffusive massive transfer. This study investigated the efficiency of Quillaja saponaria and Sapindus mukorossi saponins-rich extracts on biodegradation of halogenated phenols by Raoultella planticola WS2 and Pseudomonas sp. OS2, as an effect of cell surface modification of tested strains. Both strains display changes in inner membrane permeability and cell surface hydrophobicity in the presence of saponins during the process of halogenated phenols biotransformation. This allows them to more efficient pollutants removal from the environment. However, only in case of the Pseudomonas sp. OS2 the addition of surfactants to the culture improved effectiveness of bromo-, chloro- and fluorophenols biodegradation. Also introduction of surfactant allowed higher biodegradability of halogenated phenols and can shorten the process. Therefore this suggests that usage of plant saponins can indicate more successful halogenated phenols biodegradation for selected strains.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2016

Highlights > Sapindus saponins can modify bacterial cell properties. > Different bacteria reacts ... more Highlights > Sapindus saponins can modify bacterial cell properties. > Different bacteria reacts differently to natural biosurfactants supplementation. > Saponins reduced cells hydrophobicity and changed cells elektrokinetic behavior. > The use of saponins may be advantageous in support of recently contaminated soils.

Applied Sciences

The antioxidant potential of bird cherry fruit of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts ... more The antioxidant potential of bird cherry fruit of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts and their antioxidant efficiency against oxidation of PC liposomes using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods were investigated. The chromatographic methods quantified and specified the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the investigated extracts. The characteristic peaks in the UV spectrum at 275 nm and 370 nm confirmed the presence of phenols and flavonoids and their derivatives. Their presence was also confirmed by FTIR spectra, which revealed the presence of its functional groups. The total luminescence spectra with maxima at 314–318 nm, 325–355 nm, and 428–435 nm were ascribed to the presence of phenolic acids and tocopherols. The antioxidant properties of extracts and its inhibition properties against lipid peroxidation in PC liposomes were determined by fluorogenic probes DCF-H and C11-BODIPY581/591. The measured antioxidant properties against generated free radi...

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Microbiological Research, 2015

The changes in cell surface properties of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 and modifications in genetic m... more The changes in cell surface properties of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 and modifications in genetic material after long-term contact with saponins and rhamnolipids, were investigated. Rhamnolipids caused a decrease of hydrophobicity in liquid cultures compared with saponins. On the other hand, in cultures with rhamnolipids, the addition of diesel oil results in a rapid rise of cell surface hydrophobicity. The similar effect was not so significant in the presence of saponins. For the bacteria grown in the presence of saponins or rhamnolipids, but without diesel oil, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased, in comparison to the control culture. The differences observed in hydrophobicity, zeta potential and fatty acids profiles, indicated various mechanisms of an interaction between a surfactant and a bacterial cells. The results have also shown an impact of the long-term contact on changes in genetic material of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 cells. Moreover, the presence of saponins led to significant increase of diesel oil biodegradation.

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2015

Materials, 2021

Biotechnological use of probiotic microorganisms involves providing them with appropriate conditi... more Biotechnological use of probiotic microorganisms involves providing them with appropriate conditions for growth, but also protection against environmental changes caused by an exchange of the medium, isolation of metabolites, etc. Therefore, the research on effective immobilization of probiotic microorganisms should be focused in this direction. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative hybrid immobilization system based on electrospun nanofibers and alginate hydrogel. The analyses carried out included the study of properties of the initial components, the evaluation of the degree and durability of cell immobilization in the final material, and their survival under stress conditions. Effective binding of microorganisms to the hydrogel and nanofibers was confirmed, and the collected results proved that the proposed biocomposite is an efficient method of cell protection. In addition, it was shown that immobilization on electrospun nanofibers leads to the p...

Molecules

The aim of this research was to elucidate the surface active properties of Saponaria officinalis ... more The aim of this research was to elucidate the surface active properties of Saponaria officinalis (soapwort) extract containing the plant surfactants saponins. To this end, the advancing contact angle (θ) of water, formamide and diiodomethane on the glass, as well as θ of the aqueous solution of S. officinalis extract fractions on PTFE, PMMA and glass, were studied. Based on the obtained results, the wetting behaviour of saponins was considered with regard to the surface tension components and parameters of the solutions and solids. The investigations also involved the description of the θ isotherms, the dependences between the cosine of contact angle and/or the adhesion of the solution to the solid surfaces and solution surface tension, as well as the critical surface tension of PTFE, PMMA and glass wetting. These dependences were studied based on the saponin adsorption at the different interfaces, which was deduced from the dependence between the adhesion and surface tension of the...

Foods

The objective of this study was to extract the rapeseed protein from by-products and further exam... more The objective of this study was to extract the rapeseed protein from by-products and further examine the effect of lab-made rapeseed protein on the droplet size, microstructure, colour, encapsulation and apparent viscosity of emulsions. Rapeseed protein-stabilised emulsions with an increasing gradient of milk fat or rapeseed oil (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, v/v) were fabricated using a high shear rate homogenisation. All emulsions showed 100% oil encapsulation for 30 days of storage, irrespective of lipid type and the concentration used. Rapeseed oil emulsions were stable against coalescence, whereas the milk fat emulsion showed a partial micro-coalescence. The apparent viscosity of emulsions raised with increased lipid concentrations. Each of the emulsions showed a shear thinning behaviour, a typical behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids. The average droplet size was raised in milk fat and rapeseed oil emulsions when the concentration of lipids increased. A simple approach to manufacturing...

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Large-scale use of nitrofurans is associated with a number of risks related to a growing resistan... more Large-scale use of nitrofurans is associated with a number of risks related to a growing resistance to these compounds and the toxic effects following from their increasing presence in wastewater and the environment. The aim of the study was to investigate an impact of natural surfactant, saponins from Sapindus mukorossi, on antimicrobial properties of nitrofuran antibiotics. Measurements of bacterial metabolic activity indicated a synergistic bactericidal effect in samples with nitrofurantoin or furazolidone, to which saponins were added. Their addition led to more than 50% greater reduction in viable cells than in the samples without saponins. On the other hand, no toxic effect against human colon epithelial cell was observed. It was found that exposure to antibiotics and surfactants caused the cell membranes to be dominated by branched fatty acids. Moreover, the presence of saponins reduced the hydrophobicity of the cell surface making them almost completely hydrophilic. The resu...

Molecules

The bioavailability of organic compounds to bacterial cells is crucial for their vital activities... more The bioavailability of organic compounds to bacterial cells is crucial for their vital activities. This includes both compounds that are desirable to the cells (e.g., sources of energy, carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients) and undesirable compounds that are toxic to the cells. For this reason, bioavailability is an issue of great importance in many areas of human activity that are related to bacteria, e.g., biotechnological production, bioremediation of organic pollutants, and the use of antibiotics. This article proposes a classification of factors determining bioavailability, dividing them into factors at the physicochemical level (i.e., those related to the solubility of a chemical compound and its transport in aqueous solution) and factors at the microbiological level (i.e., those related to adsorption on the cell surface and those related to transport into the cell). Awareness of the importance of and the mechanisms governing each of the factors described allows their use to ...

Molecules

Nowadays, due to a higher resistance to drugs, antibiotics, and antiviral medicaments, new ways o... more Nowadays, due to a higher resistance to drugs, antibiotics, and antiviral medicaments, new ways of fighting pathogens are intensively studied. The alternatives for synthesized compositions are natural products, most of which have been known in natural medicine for a long time. One of the best-known and intensively investigated groups are essential oils (EOs) and their compositions. However, it is worth noting that the method of application can play a second crucial part in the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activity. EOs possess various natural compounds which exhibit antimicrobial activity. One of the compositions which is based on the five main ingredients of eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and lemon is named “five thieves’ oil” (Polish name: olejek pięciu złodziei) (5TO) and is used in natural medicine. In this study, we focused on the droplet size distribution of 5TO during the nebulization process, evaluated by the microscopic droplet size analysis (MDSA) method. Fur...

REVIEWS ON ADVANCED MATERIALS SCIENCE

Functional foods, drug delivery systems, and cosmetics are the main areas of application for mult... more Functional foods, drug delivery systems, and cosmetics are the main areas of application for multiphase systems, where the use of naturally derived compounds is preferred. Hence, this study aimed to assess the possibility of using natural surfactants and saponin-rich extracts to produce emulsions containing antibacterial and antioxidant cinnamon and clove essential oils (EOs). The analyses of nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering showed that the addition of plant extracts to solutions allows one to obtain stable emulsions and decreased zeta potential (< −40 mV) and droplet size (<200 nm). In all investigated emulsions, the increase of antioxidative properties was observed when both EOs and plant extracts were used. The emulsion with clove oil stabilized with Quillaja saponaria bark saponins has the highest combined antioxidative properties (3.55 ± 0.01 μg gallic acid equivalent per g). Additionally, a stronger antibacterial action against Pseudomonas bacteria was observ...

Molecules

The occurrence of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the environment and its removal have drawn specia... more The occurrence of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the environment and its removal have drawn special attention from the scientific community in recent years, due to its hazardous effects on human and wildlife around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce an efficient enzymatic system for the removal of EE2 from aqueous solutions. For the first time, commercial silica nanopowder and 3D fibrous chitinous scaffolds from Aplysina fistularis marine sponge were used as supports for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization. The effect of several process parameters onto the removal mechanism of EE2 by enzymatic conversion and adsorption of EE2 were investigated here, including system type, pH, temperature and concentrations of H2O2 and EE2. It was possible to fully remove EE2 from aqueous solutions using system SiO2(HRP)–chitin(HRP) over a wide investigated pH range (5–9) and temperature ranges (4–45 °C). Moreover, the most suitable process conditions have been determin...

Plants

The bark of Frangula alnus Mill (FAM), the so-called alder buckthorn, has been widely investigate... more The bark of Frangula alnus Mill (FAM), the so-called alder buckthorn, has been widely investigated for its medicinal properties, especially its laxative effects and the bioactive properties of the plant material extract. Still, there is no wider study devoted to its antibacterial properties. This is important in the context of its impact on probiotic gut bacteria. The aim of the research was to recognize the effect of FAM extract on bacterial cells, and to determine how the bioactive properties and composition of the extract are influenced by the type of solvent used for the extraction. To find the most suitable conditions for the FAM extraction, we used four solvent solutions with different polarities, including water, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. We assessed the quality and composition of the extracts with spectral analysis, using spectrophotometric (FTIR, UV-Vis) and chromatographic methods (GC-MS). Finally, we analyzed the extractant impact of the extracts on the selected...

Pharmaceutics

In this study, lipase from Aspergillus niger immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorp... more In this study, lipase from Aspergillus niger immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorption interactions and partially interfacial activation and mixed physical immobilization via interfacial activation and ion exchange was used in the kinetic resolution of the ketoprofen racemic mixture. The FTIR spectra of samples after immobilization of enzyme-characteristic signals can be seen, and an increase in particle size diameters upon immobilization is observed, indicating efficient immobilization. The immobilization yield was on the level of 93% and 86% for immobilization unmodified and modified support, respectively, whereas activity recovery reached around 90% for both systems. The highest activity of immobilized biocatalysts was observed at pH 7 and temperature 40 °C and pH 8 and 20 °C for lipase immobilized by physical immobilization by the adsorption interactions and partially interfacial activation and mixed physical immobilization via interfacial activation and ion excha...

Polymers

The current study aims to evaluate the effect of tamarind gum (TG) on the optical, mechanical, an... more The current study aims to evaluate the effect of tamarind gum (TG) on the optical, mechanical, and drug release potential of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based films. This involves preparing PVA-TG composite films with different concentrations of TG through a simple solvent casting method. The addition of TG has enhanced the phase separation and aggregation of PVA within the films, and it becomes greater with the increase in TG concentration. Brightfield and polarized light micrographs have revealed that aggregation is favored by forming crystalline domains at the PVA-TG interface. The interconnected network of PVA-TG aggregates influenced the swelling and drying properties of the films. Using Peleg’s analysis, the mechanical behavior of films was determined by their stress relaxation profiles. The addition of TG has made no significant changes to the firmness and viscoelastic properties of films. However, long-durational relaxation times indicated that the interconnected network might...

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Membranes, 2022

Membrane processes are one of the key factors influencing the function of living cells [...]

Molecules, 2021

To meet the growing interest in natural antibacterial agents, we evaluated the physicochemical an... more To meet the growing interest in natural antibacterial agents, we evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of the folk medicine known as “five thieves’ oil” (Polish name: olejek pięciu złodziei). Five thieves’ oil consists of a mixture of five oils: rosemary, lemon, clove, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. In this study, we performed gas chromatography, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopic analysis, as well as L-a-b color tests, contact angle determination, and surface tension determination. To verify its antibacterial activity, the metabolic activity and changes in cell membrane permeability of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were studied. As a result, it was found that among the constituent oils, the oils of clove and cinnamon were the least volatile and, at the same time, had the strongest antibacterial activity. However, a mix of all the oils also showed comparable activity, which was even more pronounced for the oils after 4 weeks of aging. This effect can be linked to the hi...

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2016

Biotransformation of aromatic compounds is a challenge due to their low aqueous solubility and so... more Biotransformation of aromatic compounds is a challenge due to their low aqueous solubility and sorptive losses. The main obstacle in this process is binding of organic pollutants to the microbial cell surface. To overcome these, we applied saponins from plant extract to the microbial culture, to increase pollutants solubility and enhance diffusive massive transfer. This study investigated the efficiency of Quillaja saponaria and Sapindus mukorossi saponins-rich extracts on biodegradation of halogenated phenols by Raoultella planticola WS2 and Pseudomonas sp. OS2, as an effect of cell surface modification of tested strains. Both strains display changes in inner membrane permeability and cell surface hydrophobicity in the presence of saponins during the process of halogenated phenols biotransformation. This allows them to more efficient pollutants removal from the environment. However, only in case of the Pseudomonas sp. OS2 the addition of surfactants to the culture improved effectiveness of bromo-, chloro- and fluorophenols biodegradation. Also introduction of surfactant allowed higher biodegradability of halogenated phenols and can shorten the process. Therefore this suggests that usage of plant saponins can indicate more successful halogenated phenols biodegradation for selected strains.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2016

Highlights > Sapindus saponins can modify bacterial cell properties. > Different bacteria reacts ... more Highlights > Sapindus saponins can modify bacterial cell properties. > Different bacteria reacts differently to natural biosurfactants supplementation. > Saponins reduced cells hydrophobicity and changed cells elektrokinetic behavior. > The use of saponins may be advantageous in support of recently contaminated soils.

Applied Sciences

The antioxidant potential of bird cherry fruit of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts ... more The antioxidant potential of bird cherry fruit of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts and their antioxidant efficiency against oxidation of PC liposomes using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods were investigated. The chromatographic methods quantified and specified the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the investigated extracts. The characteristic peaks in the UV spectrum at 275 nm and 370 nm confirmed the presence of phenols and flavonoids and their derivatives. Their presence was also confirmed by FTIR spectra, which revealed the presence of its functional groups. The total luminescence spectra with maxima at 314–318 nm, 325–355 nm, and 428–435 nm were ascribed to the presence of phenolic acids and tocopherols. The antioxidant properties of extracts and its inhibition properties against lipid peroxidation in PC liposomes were determined by fluorogenic probes DCF-H and C11-BODIPY581/591. The measured antioxidant properties against generated free radi...

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Microbiological Research, 2015

The changes in cell surface properties of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 and modifications in genetic m... more The changes in cell surface properties of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 and modifications in genetic material after long-term contact with saponins and rhamnolipids, were investigated. Rhamnolipids caused a decrease of hydrophobicity in liquid cultures compared with saponins. On the other hand, in cultures with rhamnolipids, the addition of diesel oil results in a rapid rise of cell surface hydrophobicity. The similar effect was not so significant in the presence of saponins. For the bacteria grown in the presence of saponins or rhamnolipids, but without diesel oil, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased, in comparison to the control culture. The differences observed in hydrophobicity, zeta potential and fatty acids profiles, indicated various mechanisms of an interaction between a surfactant and a bacterial cells. The results have also shown an impact of the long-term contact on changes in genetic material of Rahnella sp. strain EK12 cells. Moreover, the presence of saponins led to significant increase of diesel oil biodegradation.

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2015

Materials, 2021

Biotechnological use of probiotic microorganisms involves providing them with appropriate conditi... more Biotechnological use of probiotic microorganisms involves providing them with appropriate conditions for growth, but also protection against environmental changes caused by an exchange of the medium, isolation of metabolites, etc. Therefore, the research on effective immobilization of probiotic microorganisms should be focused in this direction. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative hybrid immobilization system based on electrospun nanofibers and alginate hydrogel. The analyses carried out included the study of properties of the initial components, the evaluation of the degree and durability of cell immobilization in the final material, and their survival under stress conditions. Effective binding of microorganisms to the hydrogel and nanofibers was confirmed, and the collected results proved that the proposed biocomposite is an efficient method of cell protection. In addition, it was shown that immobilization on electrospun nanofibers leads to the p...