Equisetum Research Articles

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Aegle Marmelos / Epoxy matrix Reinforced with Snake Grass Fibre Composite

Nowadays, Manufacturing and automotive industries have begun to employ renewable resources as a result of public awareness and rigorous legal requirements relating to the usage of polymers. This study has focused on employing Snake Grass (SG) fiber as reinforcement in Aegle Marmelos with Epoxy blended hybrid matrix (AME), since natural fiber reinforced composites provide a significant role in the development of lightweight structural components. The primary study investigated the effects of fibre length and fibre volume percentage on the mechanical properties of snake grass fibre. Based on the test results, the composite with a 15 mm fibre length and a volume percentage of 20% SG fiber has better mechanical qualities. Finally, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties are used to assess the impact of Aegle marmelos with Epoxy blended hybrid matrix addition into the snake grass fibre composite. The inclusion of natural fiber with epoxy matrix and natural (Aegle marmelos) filler increased composite characteristics due to their synergistic effect. This enhances the adhesion and stress transmission uniformity between the reinforcements. The morphology of the fiber surface is assessed using micrographs acquired with a scanning electron microscope.

Bioaccessibility and Functional Food Potential of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. Against Diabetes-Induced Kidney Disorders.

Various species from the genus Equisetum are recorded as food and folk medicine against both kidney complications and diabetes. Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. is documented as a folk remedy in Türkiye against several kidney disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the possible protective mechanisms of E. telmateia EtOH extract (ETE) against kidney disorders and diabetes through different routes, such as the prevention of ROS formation, inhibitory potential against various DM-related enzymes, and a reduction in the amount of the mediators leading to disorders in both systems at the cellular level. The objective was to achieve advanced precision for in vitro results while considering the effect of GIS on oral consumption. Both phytochemical and bioactivity studies were conducted before and after simulated digestion. The results showed that ETE is a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic acids. In addition, it has significant antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential. Treatment also yielded promising results at the cellular level for both antioxidative and inhibitor proteins, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of kidney disorders and diabetes. Following the in vitro digestion procedure, both the number of phytochemical ingredients and bioactivity parameters showed a considerable decreasing trend; however, the results are still significant enough to justify the traditional utilization of the genus Equisetum. This investigation demonstrated that ETE has noteworthy potential as a functional food for protection against diabetic kidney disease.

Experimental investigation of snake grass filler reinforced polymer composite

Experimental investigation of snake grass filler reinforced polymer composite

Investigation of Snake Grass/Casuarina/Cork Filler Reinforced Bio Polymer Hybrid Composite

The environment is continuously affected for various reasons, prompting researchers to seek solutions from different angles. This study explores the potential of mixing polymers with and without agricultural/bio fillers such as Snake Grass / Casuarina / Cork in various volume proportions, analyzing their mechanical properties. The hybrid materials are made with the polymers and bio fillers without any change in the quality of existing polymer products, the quality of hybrid materials is assured by the results of impact, flexural, and tensile tests. Finally, the biodegradability tests revealed weight loss in a soil burial test when bio-filler was added to the polymer composite.

Chloroplast genome structure analysis of Equisetum unveils phylogenetic relationships to ferns and mutational hotspot region.

Equisetum is one of the oldest extant group vascular plants and is considered to be the key to understanding vascular plant evolution. Equisetum is distributed almost all over the world and has a high degree of adaptability to different environments. Despite the fossil record of horsetails (Equisetum, Equisetaceae) dating back to the Carboniferous, the phylogenetic relationship of this genus is not well, and the chloroplast evolution in Equisetum remains poorly understood. In order to fill this gap, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast genomes of 12 species of Equisetum, and compared them to 13 previously published vascular plants chloroplast genomes to deeply examine the plastome evolutionary dynamics of Equisetum. The chloroplast genomes have a highly conserved quadripartite structure across the genus, but these chloroplast genomes have a lower GC content than other ferns. The size of Equisetum plastomes ranges from 130,773 bp to 133,684 bp and they encode 130 genes. Contraction/expansion of IR regions and the number of simple sequences repeat regions underlie large genomic variations in size among them. Comparative analysis revealed we also identified 13 divergence hotspot regions. Additionally, the genes accD and ycf1 can be used as potential DNA barcodes for the identification and phylogeny of the genus Equisetum. Twelve photosynthesis-related genes were specifically selected in Equisetum. Comparative genomic analyses implied divergent evolutionary patterns between Equisetum and other ferns. Phylogenomic analyses and molecular dating revealed a relatively distant phylogenetic relationship between Equisetum and other ferns, supporting the division of pteridophyte into Lycophytes, Equisetaceae and ferns. The results show that the chloroplast genome can be used to solve phylogenetic problems within or between Equisetum species, and also provide genomic resources for the study of Equisetum systematics and evolution.

Cupping and myotomy of the tail muscles as cosmetic operations in horses in European printed sources of the XVII- XVIII centuries

Relevance and goals. Tail amputation or surgical correction in domestic animals, especially in horses, is not accepted by society and is prohibited by law in many countries, except when performed for medicinal purposes. They are not encouraged by the rules and regulations of international sports and breeding associations, as mutilating, and have a very limited distribution. The authors of the historical sources we have taken agree that the operation of tail amputation in horses in the middle of the 17th century was already a common procedure performed quite successfully. By studying and comparing these sources, features and differences in anatomical description, surgical techniques, and postoperative care, one can come closer to understanding the development of veterinary medicine in Europe and Russia at that time.Materials and methods. A number of printed European sources of the 17th-18th centuries were analyzed, which contain descriptions of surgical procedures aimed at correcting the length and position of a horse's tail. Among the selected sources are books in English and Spanish, including books translated into Russian, published in printed form and representing guides for specialists and animal owners.Results. The sources we have studied present two main operations on the horse’s tail. These are tail amputation (caudotomy) and tail myotomy. We studied anatomical descriptions of the structure of the horse's tail, indications of the qualifications of surgeons, descriptions of surgical techniques, methods of fixing animals, postoperative care and complications.

Physical, thermal and mechanical properties of horse tail and mane hairs

Purpose This study aims to comparatively reveal the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of horse tail and mane hairs, which have the potential to be used in many areas. Design/methodology/approach Physical properties of horsehairs such as diameter, density, moisture and water absorption were measured. Fourier transform infrared, field emission scanning electron microscopy and amino acid analyzes were applied to the hairs. Thermal stability of horsehair was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. In addition, breaking strength and elongation values of mane and tail hairs were measured. Findings As a result of morphological analysis of horsehair, it was observed that there are usually gaps in the internal structure of horsehair, but the size and continuity of these gaps vary. It has been determined that there is a significant difference between the tenacity values of tail and mane hairs as well as geometric characteristics. In addition, amino acid analysis has shown that the amino acid contents of horse tail and mane hairs are similar and not much different from sheep’s wool. Originality/value Horsehair has been used for various purposes such as clothing, accessories, brushes, upholstery and reinforcement material. To use horsehair in accordance with its application area and performance characteristics, it is necessary to know its physical, thermal and mechanical properties. It is considerable to reveal the similar and different aspects of tail and mane hairs to determine whether they are alternatives to each other. Therefore, revealing the characteristics of tail and mane hairs comparatively constitutes the originality of this study.

Mechanical and thermo-mechanical behaviors of snake grass fiber-reinforced epoxy composite

Snake grass fiber was used as a supporting material in an epoxy matrix. The goal was to develop a lightweight structural material. To enhance the interfacial bonding between the snake grass (Sansevieria ehrenbergii) fiber and polymer matrices, the fiber underwent chemical treatment with NaOH. Samples were prepared with both neat and treated fibers mixed with epoxy at various volume percentages. The mechanical properties of snake grass fiber exhibited improvement with increasing fiber length and fixation, reaching optimal values at 20 mm length and 20% v/v fixation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated superior energy absorption by the composite up to 140 °C, irrespective of repetition. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated rapid degradation of untreated fiber with a residue level of 0.2%, while the snake grass composite (25% v/v) exhibited stable residue content at 11%. Microscopic evaluation using a scanning electron microscope provided insights into the morphology of the fiber surface.

Improving performance of natural rubber composites by the application of functional biofiller: horsetail modified with silane coupling agents

The growing ecological awareness of society and increasingly stringent legal requirements regarding environmental protection and the strategy of implementing the principles of sustainable development force the search for and continuous development of environmentally friendly solutions in the field of polymer materials technology. One of the directions is the use of raw materials from renewable sources. For this reason, the research object of the presented work was natural rubber composites containing a filler of plant origin in the form of ground horsetail (HT) biomass. Despite its health-promoting properties, it is commonly considered a weed. What’s more, the ubiquitous occurrence and surplus make it a valuable source of waste biomass for management. Taking into account the limitations resulting from the hydrophilic nature of the lignocellulosic filler, and the related poor adhesion to the non-polar elastomer matrix, the horsetail filler was modified with organoalkoxysilanes. The study used silane compounds containing groups that can affect the properties of vulcanizates in various ways, such as vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES), 3,3′-Tetrathiobis(propyl-triethoxysilane) (TESPTS), 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), 3-(chloropropyl)triethoxysilane (CPTES) and octyltriethoxysilane (OTES). The biomass in the form of field horsetail was previously modified with selected silanes. Then, the bioadditive prepared in this way was applied to rubber mixtures. The process of modifying the natural filler contributed to structural changes in the lignocellulosic material, which may indicate the effective attachment of silane compounds to the horsetail surface. The results of the contact angle analysis show that the treatment strongly influenced the surface characteristics of the fillers, making them more hydrophobic. The results show that the type of silane coupling agent affects not only the processing associated with the vulcanization process but also the mechanical properties of the NR vulcanizates. This phenomenon is probably the result of increased rubber-bioadditive interaction and improved filler dispersion. Moreover, all composites with modified HT, show a greater flame permanence time than the one using unmodified filler.Graphical abstract

Effects of various plant growth regulators upon callus induction potential using leaf explants of Clinacanthus nutans (Sabah Snake grass)

Effects of various plant growth regulators upon callus induction potential using leaf explants of Clinacanthus nutans (Sabah Snake grass)

Mechanical and tribological properties of snake grass fibers reinforced epoxy composites: effect of Java plum seed filler weight fraction

Abstract Natural fiber composite materials are able to compete with common synthetic materials in situations where the strength-to-weight ratio is important. In this study, we aim to analyze the mechanical, tribological, and surface morphology of composites fabricated from randomly oriented snake grass natural fiber with java plum seed filler. Different weight ratios of fiber to seed filler are chosen: 30:0, 28:2, 26:4, 24:6, 22:8, and 20:10. A 70 % epoxy resin was kept constant in all compositions. The fabricated hybrid composite samples were subjected to tensile, flexural, shear, Shore D hardness, water absorption, and wear tests as per ASTM standards, and the results were compared with those of snake grass mono fiber composites. The 20:10 composite has the maximum tensile strength, impact resistance, flexural strength, hardness, water absorption, and wear resistance compared to other composites. The fiber/matrix adhesion was explored using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The 20:10 composite shows predominant mechanical and tribological characteristics, making it easier to utilize in structural and automotive applications.

A comparative study on the mechanical properties of African teff and snake grass fiber-reinforced hybrid composites: effect of bio castor seed shell/glass/SiC fillers

Abstract The environmental awareness and sustainable nature of plant-based fibers have forced material researchers and automakers to use natural fibers instead of petroleum-based fibers for various industrial applications. The need for environmentally and biodegradable fibers has created a demand in the transportation industry. In this study, bio castor seed shell (C), glass fiber (G), and SiC (SC) fillers in a constant weight fraction (10 %) were reinforced separately with varying weight fractions (5–25 %) of African teff and snake grass fibers to improve the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. Both African teff and snake grass fibers were subjected to alkaline treatment to remove amorphous elements such as hemicellulose, lignin, and wax, resulting in high surface roughness. The hybrid composites were fabricated by the compression molding technique and their mechanical properties were characterized as per ASTM standards. The fractured surface of the treated fiber was examined by scanning electron microscopy. From the results, it was found that SC10SG20AT showed maximum mechanical properties compared to C10SG20AT and G10SG20AT due to higher load-bearing capacity of SiC filler. Therefore, SC10SG20AT can be recommended for lightweight applications.

Effect of adding of sabah snake grass (clinacanthus nutans) on the antioxidant and sensory properties of chocolate

This research was carried out to identify the effect of drying methods on the antioxidant activity of Sabah snake grass leaves as well as the addition of Sabah snake grass powder on the antioxidant and sensory properties of chocolate. Antioxidant properties of chocolate samples were determined through total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity tests. The best formulation of chocolate filled with Sabah snake grass was determined based on sensory and antioxidant test. Nutrient content of chocolate was determined through AOAC methods whereas water activity and hardness of chocolate shell were determined using water activity meter and Texture Analyzer. Changes of chocolate during storage was reviewed through the aspect of moisture content, water activity, hardness, melting point, microorganism count and sensory score. Results showed that chocolate F2, chocolate filled with 100g of Sabah snake grass powder was the best formulation with satisfaction by panels and higher antioxidant activity. This sample contain 7.25% moisture, 2.19% ash, 30.61% fat, 5.41% protein, 1.94% crude fibre and 52.61% carbohydrate. The storage sample showed significantly difference (p<0.05) in moisture content, water activity, hardness and melting property after kept for eight weeks but still safe to be consumed.

Experimental investigation on mechanical and tribological characteristics of snake grass/sisal fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Abstract An experiential research on mechanical and tribological characteristics of snake grass and sisal fiber reinforced hybrid polymer (epoxy) composites was carried out and reported in this article. The snake grass and sisal fibers were initially treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Hybrid composite samples were fabricated using a compression moulding technique with a total fiber weight ratio of 30% and an epoxy resin weight ratio of 70%. The proportions of snake grass and sisal fibers in the hybrid composites were 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70. The fabricated hybrid composite samples were subjected to flexural, tensile, interlaminar shear strength, Shore D hardness, water absorption, and wear tests as per ASTM international standards, and the outcomes were compared with the results of snake grass and sisal mono fiber composites. The results disclosed that the 30:70 (SG:S) hybrid composite has higher mechanical characteristics than those of other hybrid and mono fiber composites. Also, the 30:70 hybrid sample performed at par with the sisal mono composite in wear and water absorption characteristics. Optical microscopy examination of alkali-treated natural hybrid and mono fiber composites displayed excellent results in terms of interfacial bonding between polymer and fiber.

Early Scythian Spearheads with a Socket

Spears were the second most widespread (after the bow and arrows) weapon of the Scythian warriors. Now more than 1,000 iron spearheads and shafts are known. Some spears were 3 m or more long, i.e. were combat weapons. Spears in Scythia, in contrast to the eastern nomads, the Sauro-Sarmatians and the Saka, were a popular weapon, among both ordinary warriors and the elite. Scythian spears, first of all, their tips, have been studied well. However, some of them have features that need to be explained. That is the presence of horizontal ridges around the ends of the sockets of the spearheads, which were not primarily intended for decoration. Few such tips have been found so far in the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. They belong to the Scythian archaic period, and more precisely to the period from the second half of the 7th to the beginning of the 6th centuries BC. In author’s opinion, the ridges on spear sockets had a utilitarian purpose: they served to securely fasten tassels, possibly in the shape of horse tails, or special badges that were prototypes of future flags. A similar tradition arose among the nomads of Central Asia as early as the middle-second half of the 2nd millennium BC and then it had spread throughout the Eurasian region and during later periods. The spears with bunchuks in the shape of horse or wolf tails have undoubtedly experienced evolution: at first they were symbols of tribal and military unity, over time they began to play the role of a prestigious social marker – an attribute of military leaders of different levels. As a rule, notable Scythian warriors were buried in the graves where such spearheads were found. Apparently, spears with tassels indicate that their owners were the heads of certain military contingents. Given the synchronism of the mentioned burials with the period of the Scythian campaigns to the East, the appearance of similar spears with tassels among the Scythians due to the Assyrian influence cannot be ruled out. In any case, spears with tassels are attested on the reliefs of Assyria, although of an earlier time.

EFFECT OF ALKALI TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF LUFFA CYLINDRICA AND SNAKE GRASS FIBER-REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES

This study investigates the mechanical properties of Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fiber composites prepared with different combinations of fiber and resin. Fibers are produced from natural sources having good mechanical properties and eco-friendly that can be used in various engineering applications such as automobile, aerospace and automotive industries. The Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fibers will be treated for 3[Formula: see text]h with alkali (NaOH) chemical treatment. The treated fibers are then developed as Laminate composites using compression molding technique. The composites have been made in five different compositions by varying the weight percentage (wt.%) of the chemically treated Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fibers (combination of maximum 30[Formula: see text]wt.%) mixed with epoxy resin and hardener (maximum of constant 70[Formula: see text]wt.%). Bonding between the fiber and matrix plays a vital role in influencing the mechanical characteristics of composites. The five samples have been prepared from the five different compositions and undergone various studies to find its mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile test (UTS), impact test, flexural test and water absorption test. It is found that the UTS and flexural strength have been considerably enhanced by sample 2 and impact strength has been notably increased by sample 3. The microstructure of tensile-tested specimen is observed by using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It is reported that the better bonding between the fibers and matrix has been observed by SEM microstructural analysis.

Neotectonics and Geothermal potential of the East Anatolian Tectonic Block: A case study in Diyadin (Ağrı) geothermal field, NE Turkiye

The study area is Diyadin, which is situated 71 km ESE of Ağrı very close to the Turkish-Iranian State border. It is one of several type localities of promising geothermal fields in the Eastern Anatolia. The neotectonic regime and related structures are dominated by a strike-slip tectonic regime governed by a stress field in the Eastern Anatolia where the greatest principal stress (σ1) is operating in NNW direction (N22°W) while the least principal stress (σ3) is N68°E. This stress field state was proved once more by the tensor solution of the 12 June 2022 Akçift (Muradiye-Van) earthquake of Mw = 5.1. The strike-slip neotectonic regime started at the time of latest Pliocene-early Quaternary and then triggered the first occurrence of the fissure eruption along the NNW trending Kaletepe open fracture. This event was followed by the development of both the two-peaked Tendürek strato-shild volcano and the Diyadin geothermal field (DGF). The geothermal potential of the DGF is high and its most common manifestations are the active tectonic regime and related faults (extensional horse tail strucure), active volcanoes (Tendürek and Ağrı volcanoes), fumeroles, numerous hot water springs to artesian wells, widespread iron-rich alteration zones, actively 
 growing fissure-ridge travertines and the probable presence of the unroofed hypabyssal felsic to intermediate intrusions of Quaternary age at the roots and their near environs of the isolated Quaternary volcanoes in the Eastern Anatolia. In addition, some significant similarities and contrasts are seen between the DGF and the IGF when they are compared.

A comparative study on surface roughness of a novel Snake grass fiber/Aluminium powder reinforced epoxy composite and Snake grass fiber epoxy composite

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the surface roughness of a novel Snake grass fiber/Aluminium powder reinforced epoxy composite and compare it with Snake grass fiber epoxy composite in drilling process. In this work, the Snake grass fiber epoxy composite was taken as a control group with (N = 20) sample specimens. Also, Snake grass fiber with 20 % filler reinforced epoxy composites was considered as an experimental group with (N = 20) sample specimens. Composites plates were prepared with the hand layup method by various volume fractions of 0 % (without filler), 20 % Aluminium powder novel synthetic-filler. Surface roughness of the Snake grass fiber 20 % filler reinforced epoxy composite is 3.72 µm. Snake grass fiber with 20 % filler epoxy composite is 4.20 µm. Snake grass fiber with 20 % filler has statistically significant p = 0.024 (p < 0.05) than Snake grass fiber epoxy composite. Within the limitations of this study, the surface roughness of Snake grass fiber with a 20 % volume fraction of aluminum powder filler reinforced epoxy composite exhibited better significance than the Snake grass fiber epoxy composite.

Enhanced production of lupeol through elicitation in in vitro shoot cultures of snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans)

Clinacanthus nutans (Acanthaceae), generally known as ‘snake grass’, has diverse uses in customary system of herbal medicine. The species is endowed with various bioactive compounds exhibiting extensive pharmacological properties. The present investigation focused on elicitor-intervened in vitro shoot biomass cultivation and scale-up production of the anti-cancerous compound ‘lupeol’, one of the foremost constituents in this species. For the augmented production of lupeol, the shoot cultures were elicited with various concentrations of yeast extract (YE), chitosan and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Maximum shoot biomass yield and production of lupeol was detected in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 BA and 400 mgl-1 YE. The petroleum ether extracts of selected samples upon TLC analysis proved Rf values corresponding to lupeol. HPTLC analysis revealed that the sample treated with YE displayed relatively higher amount (975.50 ng) of lupeol than the in vivo plant (713.69 ng). Hence the in vitro shoot culture system with elicitor (YE) treatment propose an appropriate method for the elevated synthesis of lupeol which can be scaled up via bio-reactor technology in doing so profiting the pharmaceutical appliances.

Effect of stacking sequence on mechanical, water absorption, and biodegradable properties of novel hybrid composites for structural applications

Abstract This study used a hand layup process to create tri-layer hybrid composites composed of snake grass fiber (SGF) and jute fiber (JF). Two types of hybrid composites were investigated: jute/snake grass/jute (J/S/J) and snake grass/jute/snake grass (S/J/S). The fabricated composites were subjected to mechanical characterization and water absorption studies to verify their compatibility for various applications. The outcome revealed that the J/S/J hybrid sample shows the highest tensile and flexural strength at 68.46 and 78.62 MPa, respectively. This is due to stacking the maximum-strength JF as an exterior layer in the hybrid J/S/J sample. Meanwhile, the S/J/S composite shows a very high impact strength value of 4.45 kJ/mm2 due to the placement of SGF at the outermost layer. It leads to absorbing more impact energy at sudden load applications. Water absorption studies revealed that the S/J/S composite absorbed more moisture than the J/S/J composite. Furthermore, the S/J/S composite exhibited greater biodegradability than the J/S/J composite based on soil burial experiments. From this study, it can be concluded that the J/S/J composite is suitable for structural applications because it has higher tensile and flexural qualities. In contrast, the S/J/S composite can be employed under damping conditions because it has better impact strength.