Chemical Biology Methods Research Articles

Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Korea

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery in Korea. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated that the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy and precision of therapeutic interventions. Nanoparticles offer several advantages, such as improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, and controlled release of drugs. Various methods are employed in their synthesis, including chemical reduction, sol-gel processes, and biological methods using natural organisms. These nanoparticles can be engineered to carry a wide range of drugs, including chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and vaccines. Their small size allows them to navigate biological barriers and deliver drugs directly to specific tissues or cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. However, challenges such as scalability, toxicity, and regulatory hurdles remain, necessitating further research to optimize their clinical applications. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Brownian motion theory, nanoscale phenomena theory, thermodynamic theory of nanoparticle stability may be used to anchor future studies on the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery in Korea. Practitioners in the field should prioritize the enhancement of synthesis techniques and the focus on biocompatibility and safety to improve the practical applications of nanoparticle drug delivery systems. To ensure the safe and effective use of nanoparticles in drug delivery, policymakers must establish clear guidelines and regulations governing their application.

Thiacloprid-silica nano-delivery system enhances toxicity against Aphis gossypii and improves non-target biosafety

Nanotechnology aligns with the requirements of sustainable development of agriculture, and nano-pesticides offer a promising approach to controlling agricultural pests and increasing productivity. Non-target predators also play a crucial role in pest controls and enhancing the efficacy of pesticide on target organisms. Reducing the toxicity of pesticides to non-target organisms is key to of coordinating chemical control and biological control methods. Therefore, it is essential to assess the toxicity of nano-pesticides on non-target predators. In this study, a carbon dots-doped mesoporous silica nano-delivery system (Thi@CD-MSN) was successfully developed using CD-MSN as carrier material and thiacloprid (Thi) as a model pesticide. The results demonstrated that the synthesized Thi@CD-MSN exhibited a relatively high loading efficiency (33.58%). Laboratory bioassay experiments revealed that Thi@CD-MSN demonstrated effective insecticidal activity (LC50 = 21.67 mg/L) in controlling Aphis gossypii Glover. Besides, the acute toxicity of Thi@CD-MSN on Chrysoperla pallens larvae was significantly lower than that of Thi, as was its toxicity to 4T1 cells. These findings suggest that CD-MSN can serve as an ecological safety carrier for pesticide delivery, improving the effective utilization of Thi while reducing the risks to non-target predators. These results are essential for comprehending the effects of nano-pesticides on non-target predators, providing informative data for implementing biological and chemical control strategies. It strengthens the safety evaluation of nano-pesticides.

Synergism of carbonaceous additives in engineering of the supercapacitive performance of α-and λ-phases of manganese oxide

Owing to the presence of valence shells for charge transfer, a high theoretical specific capacitance, and variable redox properties, MnO2 appears as a promising agent in the realm of energy storage. Crystallographic structures of manganese oxide (MnO2), a transition metal oxide, play a crucial role in determining its capacitive behavior by controlling the ion intercalation and double-layer formation. In this work, two different phases of MnO2 were synthesized using the facile chemical reduction method and biological method, say α-MnO2 and λ-MnO2. The phases were incorporated with different carbonaceous additives including GO and CNT while maintaining a constant weight ratio of 8:1:1 between active materials (MnO2), additive, and PVDF binder. Among different composites formed, the best electrode performance is demonstrated by λ-MnO2/CNT/PVDF composite with an excellent specific capacitance of 356 F/g at a scan rate of 1 A/g. Moreover, the best-performing electrodes are investigated with a symmetrical two-electrode system yielding a wide potential window of 1.8V with an outstanding power density of 13.5 KW/Kg at 5 A/g and an energy density of 53.78 Wh/Kg at 1A/g having a specific capacitance of 190 F/g.

Study on Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

In this research paper, I have thoroughly described about the topic “Study on Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications.” Metal nanoparticles have emerged as promising candidates for a myriad of biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties, offering a wide array of opportunities for innovation in healthcare. This abstract discusses metal nanoparticle creation, characterization, and biomedical applications. Chemical reduction, green synthesis, physical deposition, and biological methods allow fine nanoparticle size, shape, and composition control for biomedical applications. TEM, DLS, XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, and TGA reveal metal nanoparticles' structural, chemical, and optical properties. Metal nanoparticles are used in medication delivery, imaging contrast, targeted therapy, and diagnostics. Their small size, large surface area-to-volume ratio, and tunable optical properties make them suitable for drug delivery, where they can encapsulate and release therapeutic substances at precise body regions. Metal nanoparticles also improve illness identification and monitoring in MRI, CT, and fluorescence imaging by acting as contrast agents. They provide innovative cancer and microbial infection treatments due to their photothermal and antibacterial characteristics. Metal nanoparticles also find utility in biosensing applications, facilitating the detection of biomolecules and disease biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. Overall, the synthesis and characterization of metal nanoparticles represent a vibrant area of research with significant implications for advancing healthcare technologies, offering versatile platforms for addressing key challenges in diagnostics, therapeutics, and imaging in biomedicine.

Molecular Pathways of Genistein Activity in Breast Cancer Cells.

The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. During the development of cancer, oncogenic transcription factors facilitate the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Antiapoptotic proteins are markedly upregulated in cancer cells, which promotes tumor development, metastasis, and cell survival. Promising findings have been found in studies on the cell cycle-mediated apoptosis pathway for medication development and treatment. Dietary phytoconstituents have been studied in great detail for their potential to prevent cancer by triggering the body's defense mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of action may be clarified by considering the role of polyphenols in important cancer signaling pathways. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, lignans, lignins, naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, xanthones, and stilbenes are examples of natural chemicals that are being studied for potential anticancer drugs. These substances are also vital for signaling pathways. This review focuses on innovations in the study of polyphenol genistein's effects on breast cancer cells and presents integrated chemical biology methods to harness mechanisms of action for important therapeutic advances.

Effects of calcium peroxide on growth of Pontederia cordata and water quality

Combined chemical-biological methods play an important role in ecological restoration. However, it is still unknown whether the addition of calcium peroxide (CaO2) can promote the growth of Pontederia cordata (P. cordata) and the improvement of water quality. Effects of different levels of added CaO2 (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, and 2 kg/m2) on P. Cordata growth and water quality were investigated. CaO2 promoted germination and tillering and increased the leaf number (p < 0.05) of P. cordata, but reduced leaf length. The plant height and leaf width increased only when the added CaO2 levels were 0.6 kg/m2 and 1 kg/m2, respectively. Adding 0.4–0.6 kg/m2 CaO2 had a cumulative effect on the biomass. High levels of added CaO2 (2 kg/m2) affected the physiology of P. cordata resulting in the most serious damage to cell membrane lipids, the lowest catalase activity, and the highest chlorophyll content. Adding CaO2 did not cause DO and pH of the water to be too high for a long time, but excessive CaO2 made TN and CODMn too high. Thus, 1 kg/m2 CaO2 was most conducive to the growth of P. cordata and the improvement of water quality.

Quantitative assessment, molecular docking and novel metabolic pathways reveal the interaction mechanisms between norfloxacin biodegradation and environmental implications

Norfloxacin (NOR) is widely used in medicine and animal husbandry, but its accumulation in the environment poses a substantial threat to ecological and human health. Traditional physical, chemical, and rudimentary biological methods often fall short in mitigating NOR contamination, necessitating innovative biological approaches. This study proposes an engineered bacterial consortium found in marine sediment as a strategy to enhance NOR degradation through inter-strain co-metabolism of diverse substrates. Strategically supplementing the engineered bacterial consortium with exogenous carbon sources and metal ions boosted the activity of key degradation enzymes like laccase, manganese peroxidase, and dehydrogenase. Iron and amino acids demonstrated synergistic effects, resulting in a remarkable 70.8% reduction in NOR levels. The innovative application of molecular docking elucidated enzyme interactions with NOR, uncovering potential biodegradation mechanisms. Quantitative assessment reinforced the efficiency of NOR degradation within the engineered bacterial consortium. Four metabolic routes are herein proposed: acetylation, defluorination, ring scission, and hydroxylation. Notably, this study discloses distinctive, co-operative metabolic pathways for NOR degradation within the specific microbial community. These findings provide new ways of understanding and investigating the bioremediation potential of NOR contaminants, which may lead to the development of more sustainable and effective environmental management strategies.

The 5HT2b Receptor in Alzheimer's Disease: Increased Levels in Patient Brains and Antagonist Attenuation of Amyloid and Tau Induced Dysfunction.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases manifest behavioral dysfunction with disease progression. Intervention with neuropsychiatric drugs is part of most multi-drug treatment paradigms. However, only a fraction of patients responds to the treatments and those responding must deal with drug-drug interactions and tolerance issues generally attributed to off-target activities. Recent efforts have focused on the identification of underexplored targets and exploration of improved outcomes by treatment with selective molecular probes. As part of ongoing efforts to identify and validate additional targets amenable to therapeutic intervention, we examined levels of the serotonin 5-HT2b receptor (5-HT2bR) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains and the potential of a selective 5-HT2bR antagonist to counteract synaptic plasticity and memory damage induced by AD-related proteins, amyloid-β, and tau. This work used a combination of biochemical, chemical biology, electrophysiological, and behavioral techniques. Biochemical methods included analysis of protein levels. Chemical biology methods included the use of an in vivo molecular probe MW071, a selective antagonist for the 5HT2bR. Electrophysiological methods included assessment of long-term potentiation (LTP), a type of synaptic plasticity thought to underlie memory formation. Behavioral studies investigated spatial memory and associative memory. 5HT2bR levels are increased in brain specimens of AD patients compared to controls. 5HT2bR antagonist treatment rescued amyloid-β and tau oligomer-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity and memory. The increased levels of 5HT-2bR in AD patient brains and the attenuation of disease-related synaptic and behavioral dysfunctions by MW071 treatment suggest that the 5HT-2bR is a molecular target worth pursuing as a potential therapeutic target.

Chemical recycling of plastic waste for sustainable polymer manufacturing – A critical review

Chemical recycling has emerged as a promising approach to valorise non-recyclable, rejected, multi-layer, and contaminated plastic waste streams, such as packaging waste, aligning with the 3R's principles (reduce, reuse, and recycle). This paper critically evaluates various chemical recycling technologies, including pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal, and biological methods, which hold the potential to amend the global plastic pollution crisis while recovering valuable materials. Despite the potential of these methods, substantial challenges persist, including technological limitations, elevated capital costs, feedstock variability, energy consumption, and poor regulatory frameworks. The challenges and opportunities for future development are thoroughly discussed. Continuous research and development are vital for advancing chemical recycling technologies and transitioning towards a circular economy. A holistic approach, integrating not only chemical recycling, but also waste reduction, reuse, and other waste management strategies, is required to resolve the plastic waste crisis, and attain a more sustainable future.

A review of the utilization of modified flour: Local food potential

Indonesia's wheat imports reached 11.22 million tons of wheat, ranked second in the world based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2021/2022. Wheat flour, which comes from wheat endosperm and has a high gluten content, is a taboo for those with celiac disease. The purpose of this review is to examine the development and potential of local food through flour modification to reduce the use of gluten, especially in food products such as bread, biscuits and noodles. Flour modification with chemical modification, physical modification, and biological modification technology methods can improve the characteristics and increase the physicochemical properties of the flour produced, while providing an integral role in cost savings, encouraging the utilization of local food, encouraging local farmers, and improving the agricultural system.

Revealing the “Yin-Jing” mystery veil of Platycodon grandiflorum by potentiating therapeutic effects and lung-oriented guidance property

Ethnic pharmacological relevance“Yin-Jing” medicine (YJM) has been widely used by both ancient and modern Chinese medicine practitioners during long-term clinical practice. However, it remains unclear how to best guide other medicines to the targeted organs in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription. Here, in an attempt to explain the scientific connotation of the YJM property (YJMP) attributed to a basic TCM theory, Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) was chosen as a case study to reveal the mystery of YJMP theory. Aim of the studyThe main purpose of this study is to employ modern chemical and molecular biology methods to confirm the “Yin-Jing” effect of PG, and further clarify its material basis and related possible mechanism. Materials and methodsThe ammonia-induced lung injury rat model was utilized to determine the optimal dosage of traditional prescription Hui Yan Zhu Yu decoction (HYZYD) using Wright Giemsa staining, HE staining, Masson staining, and TUNEL analysis. With the same way, PG was confirmed to have potentiating therapeutic effect (PTE) by comparison with HYZYD and [HYZYD-PG]. TMT proteomics was used to reveal the “Yin-Jing” mechanism of action. Western blot assay (WB) was employed for verification of differentially expressed proteins. Additionally, four non-crossing fragmentations (Fr. A-D) were characterized by RPLC/SEC-ELSD and HILIC-ESI–-Q-OT-IT-MS techniques. The PTE and guidance property assays were utilized to evaluate “Yin-Jing” functions by a compatible combination of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYA) using qPCR, FCM, WB, HPLC, high content cell imaging (HCI) and high-resolution live-cell imaging (HRLCI) techniques. ResultsThe HYZYD-M (medium dose group) significantly improved the lung injury level in a pneumonia model of rats. PG enhanced the therapeutic effect of HYZYD ascribed to Yin-Jing PTE functions. TMT proteomics revealed a category of differentially expressed proteins ascribed to Golgi-ER between HYZYD and [HYZYD-PG]. Fr. C (i.e., saponins) and Fr. D (i.e., lipids) were determined as therapeutic fragmentations via the LPS-induced A549 cell injury model; however, Fr. B (fructooligosaccharides and small Mw fructans) had no therapeutic effect. Further compatibility PTE assays confirmed Fr. B significantly improved efficiency by a combination of HYA. The guidance assays showed Fr. B could significantly increase the uptake and distribution of HYA into lung cells and tissues. HCI assays showed that Fr. B increased uptake of HYA accompanied by significant activation of Golgi-ER. Unlike Fr. B, HRLCI showed that Fr. A, C and D were not only unobvious activations of Golgi-ER but also insignificant facilitation of colocalizations between HYA and Golgi-ER. ConclusionsFr. B is believed to be a key YJMP material basis of PG attributed to Yin-Jing PTE with characteristic of lung-oriented guidance property, whereas another abound Fr. C was determined to have synergistic effects rather than Yin-Jing material basis.

Translational neurobiology of zebrafish (&lt;i&gt;Danio rerio&lt;/i&gt;)

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small freshwater teleost fish species that is increasingly utilized in biomedical research, particularly in neuroscience and biological psychiatry. Currently, zebrafish is the second-most utilized model organism in biomedicine globally, after mice, based on the number of animals tested each year. The model’s significance results from its experimental ease of use, affordability, conservation of fish physiology, relatively high genetic homology with humans (70%), rapid development, and potential for high-throughput bioscreening of drugs and genetic mutations. Over the past 15 years, our laboratory has conducted extensive experimental work to establish the principles behind using zebrafish to study various brain pathologies, including acute and chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as probing their molecular mechanisms. In addition, existing behavioral models to study the central nervous system (CNS) development and new data on the zebrafish’s critical role in memory research were reviewed. Furthermore, this study will illustrate the effectiveness of integrating zebrafish models with advanced biological research techniques, such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, omics technologies, and chemical biology methods. For example, adult zebrafish experiencing chronic stress exhibit behavioral affective syndromes along with changes in neurochemistry, specifically in the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the telencephalon. Moreover, alterations in the expression of genes regulating neurotransmitter receptors, glial biomarkers, cytoskeleton, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, occur in the brain. In particular, we will focus on neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms of CNS pathogenesis in zebrafish models, including changes in the expression of apoptotic genes in the brain. Additionally, our own findings on using artificial intelligence (AI) systems to study zebrafish behavior after administering various neurotropic drugs, such as anxiolytics, antidepressants, psychostimulants, and hallucinogens will be presented. In general, zebrafish is a strategic and promising model organism for translational neuroscience research, creating new models of CNS pathogenesis and finding new drugs to treat various human brain diseases. Studies of CNS pathogenesis in zebrafish are critical because of their evolutionary conservatism and ease of laboratory application, revealing novel brain disease biomarkers and potential remediation targets. Meanwhile, certain distinctive aspects of the biology and neurophysiology of zebrafish facilitate the resolution of supplementary experimental issues, thereby enhancing data and discoveries attained in typical animal models using rodents.

Sinapine targeting PLCβ3 EF hands disrupts Gαq-PLCβ3 interaction and ameliorates cardiovascular diseases

BackgroundThe renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) over-activation is highly involved in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with the Gαq-PLCβ3 axis acting as a core node of RAAS. PLCβ3 is a potential target of CVDs, and the lack of inhibitors has limited its drug development. PurposeSinapine (SP) is a potential leading compound for treating CVDs. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the regulation of SP towards the Gαq-PLCβ3 axis and its molecular mechanism. Study designAldosteronism and hypertension animal models were employed to investigate SP's inhibitory effect on the abnormal activation of the RAAS through the Gαq-PLCβ3 axis. We used chemical biology methods to identify potential targets and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. MethodsThe effects of SP on aldosteronism and hypertension were evaluated using an established animal model in our laboratory. Target identification and underlying molecular mechanism research were performed using activity-based protein profiling with a bio-orthogonal click chemistry reaction and other biochemical methods. ResultsSP alleviated aldosteronism and hypertension in animal models by targeting PLCβ3. The underlying mechanism for blocking the Gαq-PLCβ3 interaction involves targeting the EF hands through the Asn-260 amino acid residue. SP regulated the Gαq-PLCβ3 axis more precisely than the Gαq-GEFT or Gαq-PKCζ axis in the cardiovascular system. ConclusionSP alleviated RAAS over-activation via Gαq-PLCβ3 interaction blockade by targeting the PLCβ3 EF hands domain, which provided a novel PLC inhibitor for treating CVDs. Unlike selective Gαq inhibitors, SP reduced the risk of side effects compared to Gαq inhibitors in treating CVDs.

Research on Ecological Effects of Microplastics and Removal Methods

In recent years, with the continuous accumulation of microplastics (MPs), the environmental pollution caused by MPs has become increasingly serious. In this paper, whether the accumulation of MPs will cause serious damage to the ecological environment and organisms and if harm is caused, how to eliminate it are analyzed. The results show that MPs are mainly produced by human activities, which have caused pollution to the water environment, soil environment and atmospheric environment. MPs destroying the water cycle, enriching heavy metals in the soil and aggravating the greenhouse effect indirectly threaten the organisms living in the environment. Due to the large amount of MPs enrichment, the survival rate of soil animals and aquatic animals is decreasing year by year, their growth and development are seriously inhibited, and the living conditions are becoming difficult. Because of the blockage of MPs, the ability of plant roots to absorb water is greatly reducing, the activity of various enzymes in the plant body is decreasing, and the efficiency of photosynthesis is affected. As the highest trophic level, humans are naturally not immune to the harm of MPs. The higher the trophic level, the more enriched the content of MPs, which poses a great threat to health. In the future, the elimination of MPs will become a focus of attention. The existing physical treatment method, chemical treatment method and biological treatment method should be improved and reasonably combined to achieve the optimal treatment effect, hoping to reduce the harm of MPs as much as possible.

Ligustilide covalently binds to Cys129 of HMGCS1 to ameliorate dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is characterized by elevated levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in serum, and has become the primary human health killer because of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although there exist plenty of drugs for dyslipidemia, the number of patients who could benefit from lipid-lowering drugs still remains a concern. Ligustilide (Lig), a natural phthalide derivative, was reported to regulate lipid metabolic disorders. However, its specific targets and underlying molecular mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we found that Lig alleviated high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. Furthermore, a series of chemical biological analysis methods were used to identify its target protein for regulating lipid metabolism. Collectively, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthetase 1 (HMGCS1) of hepatic cells was identified as a target for Lig to regulate lipid metabolism. The mechanistic study confirmed that Lig irreversibly binds to Cys129 of HMGCS1 via its metabolic intermediate 6,7-epoxyligustilide, thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis and improving lipid metabolism disorders. These findings not only systematically elucidated the lipid-lowering mechanism of Lig, but also provided a new structural compound for the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Mathematical and Statistical Evaluation of Reverse Osmosis in the Removal of Manganese as a Way to Achieve Sustainable Operating Parameters.

Manganese is the Earth's crust's third most abundant transition metal. Decades of increased mining activities worldwide have inevitably led to the release of large amounts of this metal into the environment, specifically in water resources. Up to a certain level, manganese acts as an essential micronutrient to maintain health and support the growth and development of microorganisms, plants, and animals, while above a specific limit, manganese can cause toxicity in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. There are conventional ways to remove manganese from water, such as chemical precipitation, sorption, and biological methods. However, other treatments have yet to be studied much, such as reverse osmosis (RO), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in the removal of heavy metals and could be a suitable alternative for manganese removal if its energy consumption is reduced. This research presents mathematical and statistical modeling of the behavior of a system in laboratory-scale RO. The principal finding was that it is possible to remove Mn using the RO operated with low pressures without decreasing the sustainable removal efficiency. Reducing the operating costs of RO opens the possibility of implementing RO in different contexts where there are problems with water contamination and economic limitations.

Perfect Complementarity Mechanism for Aphid Control: Oligonucleotide Insecticide Macsan-11 Selectively Causes High Mortality Rate for Macrosiphoniella sanborni Gillette.

Macrosiphoniella sanborni is a widespread pest of Chrysanthemum morifolium that causes significant damage to world floriculture. Chemical insecticides and biological methods of control have a number of disadvantages that can be improved by using oligonucleotide insecticides. In this article, we present, for the first time, the results of using oligonucleotide insecticides, for which the target sequence is an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in a polycistronic rRNA transcript. The mortality of wingless aphid individuals after a Macsan-11 treatment was recorded at a level of 67.15 ± 3.32% 7 days after a single treatment with a solution at a concentration of 100 ng/μL and 97.38 ± 2.49% 7 days after a double treatment with a solution of the same concentration and a daily interval. The contact use of the control oligonucleotide (ACTG)2ACT-11. as well as the oligonucleotide insecticides Macsan-11(3') and Macsan-11(5') was not accompanied by insect mortality. Given the high variability in the internal transcribed spacer, which has proven to be a promising target for the action of oligonucleotide insecticides, it is possible to create selective preparations. This study showed the prospects of ribosomal insect pest genes as targets for the action of olinscides, and also demonstrated the high specificity of such insecticidal agents.

Breaking the limits in glycan recognition by NMR

Breaking the limits in glycan recognition by NMR Breaking the limits in glycan recognition by NMR (RECGLYCANMR) is a multidisciplinary project that combines state-of-the-art chemistry and chemical biology methods, including in vitro and in-cell NMR, and biophysics protocols under crowding conditions to ask and answer pivotal questions related to sugar molecular recognition in Nature that are intimately related to infection and inflammation diseases.

Preparation and characterization of nanocellulose fiber (CNF) by biological enzymatic method

In this paper, using Styphnolobium japonicum, Cryptomeria fortunei and Pinus yunnanensis as raw materials, cellulose (CE) was first extracted by chemical method (CM1) and biological enzymatic method 2 (BM2), and then further prepared into nanocellulose fiber (CNF) by biological enzymatic method 1(CPM (CPM stands for cellulase and pectinase)). The CE and CNF were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, DSC and TG. The results showed that the CNF prepared by CM1-CPM was cellulose type II, CNF prepared by BM2-CPM was cellulose type I. The best crystallinity of the CNF prepared by CM1-CPM reached 74.1% ( C. fortunei CNF), the best yield was 24.0% ( S. japonicum CNF) and the minimum average diameter was 62.6 nm ( C. fortunei CNF). However, the best crystallinity of CNF prepared by BM2-CPM reached 80.1% ( C. fortunei CNF), the best yield was 27.4% ( C. fortunei CNF), and the minimum average diameter was 31.6 nm ( C. fortunei CNF). And also, the thermal degradation analysis of the CNF prepared from the three raw materials revealed that the CNF prepared by BM2-CPM had better thermal degradability. Finally, the thermal stability analysis of the C. fortunei CNF was carried out, and it was found that the residual mass of CNF prepared by BM2-CPM was 48%, while the residual mass of C. fortunei CNF prepared by BM1-CPM was 22%, which showed the C. fortunei CNF prepared by BM2-CPM had better thermal stability. Therefore, the properties of nanocellulose prepared by BM2-CPM are optimal.

Application of Luminescent Bacteria Bioassay in the Detection of Pollutants in Soil

The luminescent bacteria bioassay has been commonly used in the detection of environmental pollutants. Compared with traditional chemical and other biological detection methods, the luminescent bacteria bioassay has many demonstrated advantages such as a sensitive response, low cost, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness. The traditional luminescent bacteria bioassay has poor reproducibility and cannot achieve undisturbed soil testing, and the use of leach liquor also affects the results. This paper reviews the research progress and existing issues for the traditional luminescent bacteria bioassay used in the detection of soil pollutants. The luminescence mechanisms and detection principles of three commonly used luminescent bacteria, i.e., Vibrio fischeri, Photobacterium phosphoreum, and Vibrio qinghaiensis, are discussed and compared. In addition, two new luminescent bacteria bioassays are introduced to detect soil pollutants. One method is based on recombinant luminescent bacteria obtained with a gene-modification technique. This method can realize specific detection and enhance sensitivity, but it still cannot achieve undisturbed soil detection. The other method involves using magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based biosensors made from luminescent bacteria and MNPs. It can realize the accurate detection of the biological toxicity of the combined pollutants in soil without disturbing the soil’s integrity. This study shows that MNP-based biosensors have good application prospects in soil pollution detection, but the mechanism behind their utility still needs to be investigated to realize their popularization and application.