2024 Issue №4

Xenon, an inert gas, exhibits a wide range of effects on the human and animal body. In recent years, it has been utilized in various fields of medicine and has become the focus of numerous scientific studies. This work aims to summarize the available information on xenon. The primary mechanism of the gas’s action on the body is currently known to involve the reduction of NMDA receptor activity, which underpins most of its effects. Ongoing research into xenon’s mechanisms has revealed several kinase cascades that contribute to the gas’s protective properties. Additionally, xenon inhalation has been demonstrated to be effective as an anesthetic during surgeries, in organ transplantation, and in reducing pain syndromes. A novel application of this inert gas may be in addressing symptoms of psycho-neurodegenerative disorders, particularly autism. Patients with autism spectrum disorder are characterized by hyperexcitability, heightened anxiety, and impaired social interaction. Xenon inhalation has been shown to normalize autism-like behaviors in animal models of autism induced by valproate.

To ensure the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, modern research in this field must focus on creating and applying effective and environmentally safe means of protecting plants from fungal diseases. Advanced agricultural technologies enable the development of biopreparations based on microorganisms that are effective in combating phytopathogens. These biopreparations represent an innovative and promising solution for agricultural producers seeking sustainable and environmentally friendly production practices. Currently, particular attention is given to the development and use of biopreparations based on micromycetes of the Trichoderma genus, known for their broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against phytopathogens. However, the necessity of individually selecting Trichoderma strains with high antagonistic activity for the creation of biofungicides remains a pressing issue. The aim of this study is to investigate the antagonistic activity of various Trichoderma strains against phytopathogens and evaluate their potential for further use as biopreparations in agriculture. An optimal nutrient medium was selected to maximize spore production in Trichoderma. The antagonistic activity of Trichoderma strains against fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Alternaria, and Mucor was assessed using the dual-culture method. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using variance analysis. Special attention was paid to studying the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma strain consortia and evaluating their potential for developing an effective biopreparation.

Microbial xylanases are widely used across various industries, making the search for new microorganisms capable of producing these enzymes a highly relevant task. A source for isolating strains with xylanolytic activity is plant-­based materials rich in hemicelluloses, such as lignocellulosic biomass. In the Kaliningrad region, such materials include the meal of industrial hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa), seed hulls and seeds of white lupine (Lupinus albus), unroasted soybean hulls, roasted soybean hulls, granulated soybean hulls, and seeds of common horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Among the 23 bacterial isolates obtained from the mentioned lignocellulosic materials, the highest xylanolytic activity was observed in nine strains. Based on morphological and staining characteristics, these strains were identified as Gram-positive spore-­forming rods. Molecular genetic identification using the 16S rRNA method revealed that the strains belong to the species Peribacillus acanthi, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus zanthoxyli, and Bacillus badius. The identified microbial strains have the potential to be used as industrial producers of highly active xylanases, enabling the biodestruction of lignocellulosic biomass to produce valuable products.

Green microalgae belong to a phyletic category of organisms that have adapted to a wide range of ecological conditions. This study explores a novel freshwater microalgae isolate, Chlorella sp. B1, as a potential platform for biomass production. The research evaluated the isolate’s ability to grow in mixotrophic media. The results reveal a relationship between growth rate and dynamic changes in biomass composition. The use of granulated forms of the fertilizer “Fertika Universal” as a nutrient medium significantly increased the optical density of the initial solution to 0.087, more than doubling the results compared to other conventional media and proving advantageous for industrial-scale cultivation. The study recommends using a reduced initial cell concentration of Chlorella sp. B1 in the inoculum, followed by cultivation at 32 °С with enhanced illumination (52 W) and the addition of 0.9 g/L of carbon dioxide for three days in a 500 mL flat-panel photobioreactor.