FTIR Analysis Research Articles

Profiling of phytochemical constituents of terminalia chebula fruit extract by different solvent effects and synchronized analysis of FTIR and GCMS

BackgroundDetecting the Teminalia chebula best extract-enriching bioactive compounds using four different solvents; Ethanol, water, chloroform and petroleum ether for medicinal applications. MethodsQualitative analysis of phytochemicals of T. chebula (such as Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids); Quantitative Determinations (Condensed tannins; total flavonoids, and phenolics), also, determination of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. GC–MS and FT-IR analysis of ethanolic extract were investigated. ResultsThe assays for phenolics, tannins and total flavonoids indicated an extensive difference in the total phenolic content ranging from 26 to 104, 13 to106 and 106 µg/g of extract. It was found that, the highest phenolics, tannins and total flavonoids content were found in the ethanolic extract and the lowest by petroleum ether extract. In examining the amount of total protein content also, high amount of total proteins observed in the ethanolic extract as 67 µg/g whereas, in contrast, the high amount of total carbohydrates observed in the aqueous extract with 103 µg/g. Further, the level of the different enzymatic antioxidant markers (SOD, Catalase and Gpx) and non-enzymatic antioxidant markers (vitamin C and vitamin E) produced by the ethanolic T. chebula fruit extract were 0.46 µg, 97 µg and 127 µg and 39.08 µg and18 mg/liter. The DPPH and reducing power assay radical scavenging activities of different solvent extracts of T. Chebula exhibited free radical scavenging properties up to 96 % of inhibition. The functional groups of the components were separated based on its peaks through FTIR analysis showed the existence of alcohol, alkanes, carboxylic acid, alkenes, alkanes, ethers, halogen respectively. The active compounds identified based on GCMS analysis showed the presence of furaldehyde, 2,5-furandicarboxaldehyde Dodecanoic acid, ethylester n-pentadecanol, 1,2,3-Benzenetriol pyrogallol, 3,4,5trihydroxy benzoic acid, Octadecanoicacid,ethyl ester and Hentriacontane. ConclusionAmong four solvent screened, the ethanol extract of T. chebula revealed variety of bioactive phytochemicals. In addition to higher antioxidant activities and highest level of radical scavenging activity. Accordingly, it can be inferred that T. chebula may serve as an antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic agent in addition to being a plant-based antioxidant.

Exploring the antiviral activities of the FDA-approved drug sulfadoxine and its derivatives against Chikungunya virus.

Currently, there is no antiviral licensed to treat chikungunya fever, a disease caused by the infection with Alphavirus chikungunya (CHIKV). Treatment is based on analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve symptoms. Our study aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of sulfadoxine (SFX), an FDA-approved drug, and its derivatives complexed with silver(I) (AgSFX), salicylaldehyde Schiff base (SFX-SL), and with both Ag and SL (AgSFX-SL) against CHIKV. The anti-CHIKV activity of SFX and its derivatives was investigated using BHK-21 cells infected with CHIKV-nanoluc, a marker virus-carrying nanoluciferase reporter. Dose-response and time of drug-addition assays were performed in order to assess the antiviral effects of the compounds, as well as in silico data and ATR-FTIR analysis for insights on their mechanisms of action. The SFX inhibited 34% of CHIKV replication, while AgSFX, SFX-SL, and AgSFX-SL enhanced anti-CHIKV activity to 84%, 89%, and 95%, respectively. AgSFX, SFX-SL, and AgSFX-SL significantly decreased viral entry and post-entry to host cells, and the latter also protected cells against infection. Additionally, molecular docking calculations and ATR-FTIR analysis demonstrated interactions of SFX-SL, AgSFX, and AgSFX-SL with CHIKV. Collectively, our findings suggest that the addition of metal ions and/or Schiff base to SFX improved its antiviral activity against CHIKV.

Alginate-based bio-nanocomposite reinforced with poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) and magnetite graphene oxide for delivery of etoposide and photothermal therapy

Recently, bio-nanocomposite nanogels/hydrogels composed of natural polymers and carbon-based nanomaterials are attracting increasing attention in the fields of nanomedicine and bioengineering due to their unique properties. In this study, we propose the creation of an innovative multifunctional bio-nanocomposite based on alginate graft copolymer with poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) (SA-g-PHPM) and magnetite graphene oxide (mGO) loaded with etoposide (EPS) for drug delivery and photothermal therapy (PTT). The SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite was synthesized using an emulsion method and exhibited favorable physicochemical properties. The structural functionalities and surface morphology of the SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite were comprehensively characterized using spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, UV, DLS, TEM/FE-SEM, and AFM analyses. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation (808 nm, 1 Wcm-2, 10 min), the SA-g-PHPM/mGO bio-nanocomposite demonstrated the ability to effectively induce a temperature increase exceeding 29 °C. Additionally, exposure to NIR light and magnetic field led to an increased release of EPS whereas an increment in percentage of mGO caused a decreased EPS release. Notably, the synergistic effects of chemotherapy, light-triggered drug release, and PTT collectively contributed to a significant enhancement in lung cancer (H1299) cell death. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the developed SA-g-PHPM/mGO/EPS bio-nanocomposite serves as an efficient vehicle for multimodal therapy in lung cancer.

Synthesis of 3-(substitutedthiocarbamide)-aniline derivatives from di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (BoC) protected 3-chloroaniline

Synthesis of substituted thiocarbamide derivatives is important in the fields of medicinal, agricultural, chemical, and pharmaceutical. Thiocarbamides are commonly utilized as starting materials for several organic synthetic processes and have been studied in search for easy and effective methods of chemical synthesis. In the existing research work, 3-chloroaniline was protected by a di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (BoC) protecting agent. Substituted thiocarbamide derivatives were synthesized using condensation of various substituted thioureas with amino group-protected 3-chloroaniline. The structures of all compounds of 3(substitutedthiocarbamido)-aniline were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, LCMS and CHNS elemental analysis.

Potential Bioactivities, Chemical Composition, and Conformation Studies of Exopolysaccharide-Derived Aspergillus sp. Strain GAD7

This research identified a marine fungal isolate, Aspergillus sp. strain GAD7, which produces an acidic and sulfated extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) with notable anticoagulant and antioxidant properties. Six fungal strains from the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea were screened for EPS production, with Aspergillus sp. strain GAD7 (EPS-AG7) being the most potent, yielding ~5.19 ± 0.017 g/L. EPS-AG7 was characterized using UV-Vis and FTIR analyses, revealing high carbohydrate (87.5%) and sulfate (24%) contents. HPLC and GC-MS analyses determined that EPS-AG7 is a heterogeneous acidic polysaccharide with an average molecular weight (Mw¯) of ~7.34 × 103 Da, composed of mannose, glucose, arabinose, galacturonic acid, galactose, and lyxose in a molar ratio of 6.6:3.9:1.8:1.3:1.1:1.0, linked through α- and β-glycosidic linkages as confirmed by NMR analysis. EPS-AG7 adopted a triple helix-like conformation, as evidenced by UV-Vis (Congo Red experiment) and circular dichroism (CD) studies. This helical arrangement demonstrated stability under various experimental conditions, including concentration, ionic strength, temperature, and lipid interactions. EPS-AG7 exhibited significant anticoagulant activity, doubling blood coagulation time at a concentration of 3.0 mg/mL, and showed significant antioxidant activity, with scavenging activities reaching up to 85.90% and 58.64% in DPPH and ABTS+ assays at 5.0 mg/mL, and EC50 values of 1.40 mg/mL and 3.80 mg/mL, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of EPS-AG7 for therapeutic applications due to its potent biological activities.

Surface-coated PVDF@TAPEG selective ultrafiltration membranes: an investigation on membranes’ hydrophilicity, and antifouling characteristics for effective humic acid removal from wastewater

This research aimed to synthesize polyvinyl fluoride membranes and coat them with tannic acid (TA) nanoparticles and polyethylene glycol (PEG) additives so that the membrane’s removal efficacy for humic acid (HA) pollutant from agricultural wastewater was investigated. Thus, six membranes with PEG:TA ratios of 0:0, 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 4:1, and 1:4 were synthesized. Then, the membranes’ characteristics were identified by FTIR-ATR, FESEM, and AFM analysis, and HA’s particle size and zeta potential were also investigated. Based on optimizing effective parameters, the operating pressure of 1.5 bar and HA concentration of 80 ppm were selected as optimal values. The membrane with PEG:TA = 4:1, as the optimally modified membrane, had a pure water flux of 446.03 L/m2.h, effluent flux of 72.43 L/m2.h, and pollutant removal rate of 86.62% at pH = 7 after 60 min had passed. These values for the pristine membrane (PEG:TA = 0:0) were 265.64 L/m2.h, 89.39 L/m2.h, and 75.59%, respectively. The results showed that although the effluent flux was lower in the optimized modified membrane than in the pristine membrane, HA removal percentage was increased.

Synthesis, DFT investigation, antioxidant, molecular docking and ADME-T properties of N′-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-ylidene) furan-2-carbohydrazide derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

ABSTRACT A novel synthetic reaction was used to produce a piperidine derivative, specifically N′-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-ylidene)furan-2-carbohydrazide (BPFC). The structure of the synthesised compound was confirmed through FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral analysis. DFT calculations were performed to optimise structural parameters and investigate Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis, Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs), Molecular Electrostatic Potentials, Mulliken Charge Analysis, and Non-linear Optical properties. The predicted chemical shift values align well with the expected results. The antioxidant properties of the newly synthesised compound were assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 radical scavenging assays. Molecular docking studies were also carried out to explore the binding mechanism of the compound with COVID-19-related proteins, particularly 6WCF and 6LU7. Additionally, the synthesised compound was assessed for drug-likeness and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) properties, revealing favourable pharmacokinetic profiles without any signs of toxicity.

Investigation of the Interaction between Poly(trimethylene carbonate) and Various Hydroxyl Groups

The interaction of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with hydroxyl group compounds was investigated as a model for polymer blending with polysaccharides. While 1-butanol, 2-butanol, ethylene glycol, and 1,2-cyclohexanediol showed almost no detectable interaction with PTMC in both solution states with the 1H NMR and solid states with the FT-IR, glucose and cellobiose suggested a slight change in the spectral pattern in FT-IR analysis. The thermal properties of the blended samples of PTMC and these hydroxyl groups were also investigated. Although the blends of PTMC with 1-butanol and 2-butanol did not influence thermal degradation behaviors due to their low boiling points, the PTMC blend with a higher number of hydroxyl groups, especially glucose and cellobiose, tended to increase thermal resistance and glass transition temperature, hence showing the existence of an interaction through hydrogen bonding.

Design and Characterization of Liposomal-Based Carriers for the Encapsulation of Rosa canina Fruit Extract: In Vitro Gastrointestinal Release Behavior

The increasing demand for natural compounds as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and conservans has led to the utilization of secondary plant metabolites in the food industry, as these bioactive compounds possess great antioxidative and antimicrobial properties without side effects on human health. Despite this, the sensitivity of plant-derived compounds is a restrictive factor in terms of their full potential. The current research aimed to characterize rosehip-fruit-extract-loaded liposomes (non-treated and UV-irradiated) in terms of their density, surface tension, viscosity, chemical composition (FTIR and HPLC analyses), and thermal behavior. In the storage stability study, the vesicle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, conductivity, and mobility of the liposomes were monitored. FTIR analysis confirmed that the plant compounds were successfully loaded within the carrier, while no chemical reaction between the rosehip fruit extract and phospholipids was detected. The results of the HPLC analysis evidence the high potential for liposomal encapsulation to protect sensitive bioactives in the rosehip fruit extract from the degrading effect of UV irradiation. The size of the rosehip-fruit-extract-encapsulated liposomes increased on the seventh day of storage from 250 nm to 300 nm, while the zeta potential values were between −21 mV and −30 mV in the same period and further stabilized over 60 days of monitoring. In Vitro release studies in water and simulated gastrointestinal fluids showed that the presence of enzymes and bile salts (in intestinal fluid) enhanced the rosehip–polyphenol permeability from liposomes (70.3% after 6 h) compared with their release in water after 24 h and in gastric fluid after 4 h (38.9% and 41.4%, respectively). The obtained results indicate that the proliposome method was an effective method for rosehip fruit extract liposomal encapsulation and for the delivery of these plant-derived bioactives in foods.

Sorbent selection for the recovery of gallium and indium from aqueous solutions: a sustainable approach to the recovery of strategic metals from LED lamps.

Gallium and indium, metals present in light-emitting diode (LED) lighting technology, can be effectively recovered from aqueous solutions by sorption. For this purpose, carbonaceous materials, such as activated carbon, or low-cost biosorbents as beer bagasse, spent coffee grounds or peanut shells, and a low-cost zeolite as chabazite, were characterized by BET, FTIR, XRD, and SEM analysis prior use. Protonated chabazite, with high surface area (505m2/g) and a Si/Al molar ratio of 3.4, showed high sorption capacities for gallium (56mg/g) and indium (92mg/g), which is 10 to 30 times higher than those of our carbonaceous materials (T = 298K, pH < 3, dosage = 1g/L). Sorption experiments with both metals in solution showed a competitive effect between gallium and indium for the sorption sites of the chabazite, showing more affinity toward gallium than indium. Ga3+sorbed/In3+sorbed molar ratio above 2 was achieved for the same initial concentration of both metals, increasing to almost 3 when the initial gallium concentration increased, which was appropriate since gallium concentration tends to be higher in LED chips. However, the sorption capacity for both metals was always around 0.35mmol Ga + In/g. The selectivity of the chabazite was conditioned by different behavior of both metals in aqueous solution at the sorption pH (below 3.5) being the predominant species in solution Ga(OH)2+ for gallium and In3+ for indium. Sorption with protonated chabazite can be used in the treatment of spent LEDs leachate for the dual purpose of water purification and selective metal separation.

Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Chitosan–Silver Nanoparticles: An In-Vitro Approach for Biomedical Applications

Antibiotics are successful in promoting health quality by preventing various infectious diseases and minimizing mortality and morbidity all over the world. However, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, which pose a serious threat to health care sector. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel antimicrobial agents with versatile characteristics, such as antibacterial activity, low toxicity, wound healing potency, and antioxidant property. In this context, silver chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized in the present study, and their physical characterization revealed that the size of synthesized chitosan–silver nanoparticles was 14–25 nm, with positive surface charge. The functional groups and crystalline nature of the nanoparticles were confirmed by FT-IR and XRD analysis. Further, the silver chitosan nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against two important clinical pathogens, S. aureus and E. coli. The MTT assay carried out in the present study showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are non-toxic to host cells. A scratch assay on fibroblast cells (L292) demonstrated that the silver chitosan nanoparticles showed promising wound healing activity. A fluorescent DCFH-DA staining assay revealed anantioxidant property of the synthesized nanoparticles. Overall, the study emphasizes the versatile nature of synthesized chitosan–silver nanoparticles, suggesting their great compatibility for biomedical applications.

Biosorption of methylene blue by bone meal: experimental and modeling with machine learning and full factorial design

Sorption technologies have been proposed for the treatment of water containing methylene blue (MB), a toxic and persistent pollutant. Despite its environmental risks, the role of process variables in MB removal has not been fully explored through experimental design. The objective of this study is to assess the potential of bone meal powder (BMP), an underexplored agricultural byproduct, as an affordable adsorbent for the removal of MB from water. BMP was subjected to a series of analytical characterization techniques, and its adsorption capacity was evaluated through a comprehensive factorial design, which investigated the effects of biosorbent dosage, solution pH, and initial MB concentration. The study revealed that the highest adsorption level was 14.49 mg g−1, attained under the following conditions: 1 g L−1 BMP, pH 11, and 100 mg L−1 MB. The adsorption equilibrium was reached within 60 min, with a measured capacity (qexp) of 18 mg g−1. Theoretical adsorption isotherms indicated a capacity of 63 mg g−1, which aligned well with the Langmuir model. To predict adsorption outcomes, machine learning models were applied, with multiple linear regression performing best. Optimization of decision trees and neural networks improved accuracy but risked overfitting. FT-IR, XRD, and ICP analyses indicated ion exchange as a significant mechanism of adsorption. In desorption studies, H2SO4 was the most effective agent, achieving 68.72% desorption efficiency. BMP exhibited optimal recyclability for up to four cycles before efficiency declined.

Adsorption of an organic pollutant in to exchanged NaX zeolite: Thermodynamic study

NaX zeolite was modified with copper ions and used for the adsorption of mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) from aqueous solution. Characterization studies by XRD, DTA/TGA and SEM/EDX confirmed the successful ion exchange and the retention of the zeolite's crystalline structure. XRD results show that the most intense peaks characteristic of 13X persist after the exchange reaction for all samples, with crystallinity ranging from 81 % for the Cu(27)X zeolite to 38 % for the Cu(88)X sample. All exchanged zeolites exhibited optimal MBT adsorption at pH= 6, with adsorption increasing with temperature. It is 195.3 mg/g for the best adsorbent. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that the adsorption mechanism involves a strong chemical interaction between the nitrogen atom of MBT and the copper ions within the zeolite framework.

Comparative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of rhizome and leaves of Curcuma caesia Roxb. and Curcuma longa L.

Turmeric is a well-known medicinal herb used for traditional and medicinal purposes since ancient times. It is also an important ingredient in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. Two common species, Curcuma longa L. (yellow turmeric) and Curcuma caesia Roxb. (black turmeric), are noted for their medicinal potential. However, commercially, yellow turmeric is more extensively explored than black turmeric. In the present study, a comparative phytochemical analysis was conducted, along with in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity assessment of the rhizome and leaves of both yellow and black turmeric. GC-MS and FTIR analysis revealed a wide range of phytocompounds with known medicinal properties in both yellow and black turmeric rhizome. The presence of biologically significant phytocompounds such as methyl stearate, glycidyl oleate, curcumenol and eucalyptol in higher proportion in the rhizome of C. caseia compared to yellow turmeric supports further exploration of the commercial and medicinal potential of C. caseia. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory analyses indicated that the rhizome of C. caseia possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities comparable to those of C. longa. This study also reports the presence of bioactive metabolites in the leaves of both black and yellow turmeric, along with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in the leaves comparable to their respective rhizomes. These findings suggest that turmeric leaves could be as significant as turmeric rhizomes for medicinal and industrial applications.

Production of Bio-Oil from Sugarcane Bagasse through Hydrothermal Liquefaction Processes with Modified Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 Catalyst

In response to the increasing global demand for sustainable energy alternatives, this research explores the efficient conversion of sugarcane bagasse to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) processes with modified Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 catalysts (ZSM-5). The study systematically investigates the impact of feedstock quantity, reaction temperature, duration, and catalyst loading on bio-oil yield and quality. Optimisation experiments revealed that a feedstock amount of 10 grammes, an HTL temperature of 340 °C for 60 min and a ZSM-5 catalyst loading of 3 grammes resulted in the highest bio-oil yield. Furthermore, the introduction of Ni and Fe metals to ZSM-5 exhibited enhanced catalytic activity without compromising the structure of the zeolites. Comprehensive characterisation of modified catalysts using SEM-EDS, XRD, TGA, TEM, and FTIR provided insight into their structural and chemical properties. The successful incorporation of Ni and Fe into ZSM-5 was confirmed, highlighting promising applications in hydrothermal liquefaction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of bio-oils demonstrated the effectiveness of the 2% Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst, highlighting a significant increase in hydrocarbon content. FTIR analysis of the produced bio-oils indicated a reduction in functional groups and intensified aromatic peaks, suggesting a shift in chemical composition favouring aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provides valuable information on HTL optimisation, catalyst modification, and bio-oil characterisation, advancing the understanding of sustainable biofuel production. The findings underscore the catalytic prowess of modified ZSM-5, particularly with iron incorporation, in promoting the formation of valuable hydrocarbons during hydrothermal liquefaction.

Synthesis and characterization of bioplastics based on silyated starch and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil

In the study, the bioplastics were prepared by coupling silylated starch with acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) at various curing temperatures. 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) was grafted onto starch by the condensation between Si-OH and C-OH. As demonstrated by FTIR and silica content analysis, starch was successfully modified by APTES. The compatibility between silylated starch and AESO was weak as observed by FESEM. The appearance of C-N bonds confirmed the reaction between AESO and silylated starch. An apparent increase of tensile strength from 8.03 MPa to 14.12 MPa was discovered when the bioplastics were cured from 80 °C to 120 °C. Opacity of the bioplastics was enhanced remarkably by AESO due to the incompatibility of silylated starch and AESO. Water resistance test showed that the bioplastics were less sensitive to water after the addition of AESO. The bioplastics maintained good biodegradability after the introduction of AESO. However, increasing the curing temperatures of the bioplastics yielded weak effects on the water resistance and enzymatic degradation of the bioplastics. The bioplastics with excellent mechanical and water-resistant properties were synthesized via the incorporation of AESO under high-temperature curing. The property changes are highly desirable for packaging applications.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Triple Enzyme-Embedded Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanoflowers (hNFs) in Comparison with Powerful Antimicrobial Agent Chitosan.

Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs) have high stability, reusability, low production cost, and overcome substrate/product inhibition. Antimicrobial activity of various hNFs has been reported to overcome environmental microbial contaminations and infections, which are considered major public health problems. α-amylase, protease, and lipase are the most common industrial enzymes exerting antimicrobial activity; therefore, we synthesized triple enzyme (α-amylase, protease, and lipase)-embedded hNFs by using pancreatin to evaluate their antimicrobial activity in comparison with one of the most potent antimicrobial polymer chitosan. The broad spectrum of the antimicrobial properties of chitosan is used in industrial products, including cosmetics, food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. SEM analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the degree of deacetylation (%DD) were performed for chitosan characterization, where SEM, FTIR, EDX, and XRD analyses were performed for the characterization of hNFs. The catalytic activity of pancreatin and hNFs was evaluated by measuring lipase, α-amylase, and protease enzyme activities at 37°C. Antibacterial activities of hNFs, pancreatin, and chitosan were tested on gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, compared to the pancreatin and chitosan via agar and broth dilution methods. hNFs showed enhanced catalytic activity for protease, lipase, and α-amylase compared to pancreatin at different pH values (pH 8, 9). hNFs showed catalytic activity after being washed and reused up to six times, indicating their reusability and recoverability. hNFs showed significant antimicrobial activity, such as chitosan, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, compared to pancreatin. Our novel hNFs can be used to develop antimicrobial technologies to fight against environmental microbial contaminations and antibiotic resistance-driven environmental pathogens.

Bio-inspired synthesis of nanocrystalline calcite demonstrating significant improvement in mechanical properties of concrete: a construction-nanobiotechnology approach.

The bioinspired synthesis of construction material, known as biocement, represents a significant advancement in addressing the environmental sustainability issues associated with traditional cement use in the built environment. Biocement is produced through the process of microbially induced bio-mineralization (MIBM), which offers a promising alternative or supplement to conventional cement, potentially reducing its consumption. Despite extensive literature on the application of biocement in construction biotechnology, the fundamental mechanisms underlying its ability to enhance concrete quality remain poorly understood. This study focuses on the kinetics of biomineral synthesis by two Bacillus species; Bacillus megaterium RB05 and Bacillus foraminis DRG5, to identify the most effective strain for biomineralization. Bioconcrete specimens were created by adding inoculum containing Bacillus megaterium RB05 cells with a nutrient solution to the concrete mixture in a layer-by-layer approach. After 28days of water curing, nanoparticles of CaCO3, ranging in size from 27 to 82nm, were produced in the bioconcrete specimens. The resulting concrete, containing nanocrystalline biogenic calcite, demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical properties. Specifically, compressive and tensile strengths of the bioconcrete, tested using a universal testing machine (UTM), increased by 7.69 ± 0.08% and 22 ± 0.1%, respectively, after 72h of curing. Additionally, the biocement was found to exhibit an organic-inorganic hybrid nature, as identified by TEM, EDAX, FESEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses. The enhanced mechanical properties were attributed to the high surface-to-volume ratio and hybrid nature of the calcite nanoparticles. The findings of this investigation are encouraging, suggesting the potential development of future green and self-sustainable construction materials or bioconcrete.

Coupling of biochar and silicon for Phyto-management of Cd contaminated soil using Brachiariamutica

Contamination of soil with heavy metals is a threatening global environmental problem. With increasing urbanization, it is very important to design economical and environment-friendly mitigation measures to have pollutant free soil. Phytoremediation is an advancing technique to extract pollutants from soil to achieve eco-sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the combined impact of biochar and silicon on growth attributes of Brachiaria mutica grown in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil. The biochar was prepared by co-pyrolysis of agricultural left-over biomass (rice husk, bamboo leaves and corn cob in a 1:1:1 ratio) and physio-chemical characters were studied by FTIR, SEM-EDX and proximate analysis. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the potency of biochar and silicon in lowering the Cd uptake by para grass grown under Cd spiked soil. Total 8 treatments were planned by taking 1 % and 2 % biochar with 0.01 % and 0.02 % silicon. The results have shown that treatment 8 (2 % biochar and 0.02 % silicon) exhibited maximum improvement in growth parameters such as shoot length by 2.64-fold and root length by 44.9 %, along with improving the antioxidant defense system of Para grass (CAT by 2-fold and POD by 56.4 %). Application of treatment 8 also decreased Cd concentration in the shoot and root by 48.8 % and 47.4 %, respectively. Treatment 8 was most effective in reducing CaCl2 extractable Cd in soil up to 56.1 %. Based on this data, treatment 8 was most effectual in suppressing Cd stress. Biochar produced from other agricultural waste material along with Si as inorganic amendment can be used to immobilize other toxic heavy metals at field level. Heavy metals immobilization potential of Si and biochar can be tested by harvesting other grasses and oil seed crop species.

Synthesis of Trimanganese Tetraoxide (Mn3O4) as a promising electrode and Photocatalyst for the degradation of Rhodamine B dye

The article involves the facile bio-synthesis of Manganese (III) Oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) using Curry leaf (Murraya Koenigii) extract as an efficacious chelating agent. The prepared NPs were subjected to various characterization methods such as Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR), Ultra Violet spectroscopy study (UV–Vis), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) to study the crystalline structure, morphology, optical properties, electrochemical activity and magnetic property of the sample. The XRD result proved the crystallinity of the sample having crystallite size around 15 nm with tetragonal structure. The absorption band observed at 612 cm−1 indicates the Mn-O stretching modes of tetrahedral sites in FTIR analysis of the prepared sample which confirmed the formation of Mn3O4 NPs. Using SEM and TEM techniques, the surface morphology and NPs size were examined. The composition and distribution of the NPs was verified using EDX spectrum and elemental mapping. Using the UV–Visible spectroscopy, the energy band gap (Eg) for the NPs was computed and calculated as 2.34 eV. The Mn3O4 NPs evinced a specific capacitance of 276 Fg-1 at 10 mV/s scan rate. This result proposes that the obtained Mn3O4 NPs can be used as a suitable electrode mainly for supercapacitor applications. VSM study revealed the paramagnetic behavior of the synthesized Mn3O4 NPs. The synthesized Mn3O4 NPs exhibited moderate antibacterial activity with gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and gram negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, with the inhibition zones of 12, 10, and 9 mm respectively. Photo catalytic degradation study was carried out for Rhodamine B (RhB) dye, which showed a strong characteristic absorption peak nearly at 554 nm with 94 % of degradation efficiency.