Non-hazardous Nature Research Articles

Unravelling the influence of water: Investigating the physicochemical properties of deep eutectic solvents based on choline chloride and pyruvic acid/α-keto glutaric acid

In the vast and intricate world of solution chemistry, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have established a unique standing due to the easy accessibility of their components, along with their non-hazardous nature, biodegradability, recyclability, and cost-effectiveness. The main objective of this study is to investigate the key physicochemical properties of DESs, particularly those composed of choline chloride (ChCl) and pyruvic acid (referred to as pyruline), as well as those formulated with α-keto glutaric acid (referred to as glutaline). The initial investigation encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the thermal stability of the proposed DESs at 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 M ratio, which were systematically assessed using TGA and DSC. The findings indicated that all eutectic mixtures exhibit a glass transition phenomenon instead of conventional melting and undergo a two-stage decomposition process. Following the thermal analysis of the neat DESs, the other physicochemical properties, including density, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability, were exclusively evaluated for the aqueous pyruline (1:1) and aqueous glutaline (2:1) pseudo-binary mixtures. The density studies of both proposed DES/H2O pseudo-binary mixtures across the temperature range of 293.15–343.15 K show a decrease with increasing temperature, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the thermal expansion coefficients (αP). Furthermore, the nonideal behaviour of the aqueous DESs was investigated by calculating the excess molar volume (VE) derived from density values across various temperature range and differing H2O mole fractions. The obtained VE demonstrated an excellent correlation with the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. Additionally, the temperature dependent ionic conductivity of DES/H2O pseudo-binary mixtures was studied over the temperature range of 298.15–333.15 K. The cyclic voltammetry analysis offers a comprehensive insight into the electrochemical stability of DESs. Ultimately, the examination of binding energy (BE) and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) through density functional theory (DFT) offers valuable insights into the intermolecular interactions, molecular structures, and stability of DES clusters at the molecular level.

Study on pyrolysis process and mechanism of organic coating of waste polyesterimide enameled wire based on density functional theory

The pyrolysis treatment of waste polyesterimide enameled wire offers significant advantages such as continuous processing, non-hazardous nature, and high resource recovery rate. However, research on its pyrolysis process and mechanism remains insufficiently explored. In this study, techniques including thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), pyrolysis–gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(Py-GC/MS) were employed to investigate pyrolysis temperature, weight loss rate, pyrolysis and kinetic parameters, composition and distribution of pyrolysis products, and changes in functional groups under different temperatures and heating rates. The pyrolysis of polyesterimide enameled wire can be divided into three stages: volatilization of specific components (314.8 °C,1.6 %), rapid decomposition of polyesterimide (435.2 °C, 44.7 %), and generation of small organic molecules with the fixation of pyrolytic carbon (750 °C, 9.0 %). The main components of the pyrolysis gas products include aromatic compounds, ethers, aromatics, ketones, and carbon dioxide. At 400 °C, a substantial amount of pyrolysis gas products and free radicals are produced, with an increase in aromatic hydrocarbons. The carbon distribution in the pyrolysis products mainly focuses on C6-C10 and C11-C15, and many organic compounds such as benzoic acid, phenol, and aniline are generated. Based on density functional theory, the bond dissociation energies in the polyesterimide were calculated. This clarified the possible thermal decomposition pathways of the polyesterimide and provided the energy barrier values, elucidating the generation mechanism of pyrolysis products during thermal decomposition. The copper atom in specific location reduces the negative ESP of O and increases the positive ESP of H in EPI, which makes H more likely to attach to O. The presence of Cu increases the ESP range and promote the pyrolysis process. This study provides a theoretical basis for the high-value recycling of waste polyesterimide enamelled wire.

Enhanced phosphorus adsorption using modified drinking water treatment residues: A comparative analysis of powder and alginate bead forms

This study provides an analysis of the phosphorus adsorption efficacy of three modified drinking water treatment residues (MDWTRs): MDWTR-P (powdered form), MDWTR-D2, and MDWTR-D5 (alginate bead-entrapped forms with bead diameters of 2 mm and 5 mm, respectively). The preparation process involved washing and drying the drinking water treatment residue, followed by grinding and sieving to achieve particle sizes below 90 μm. The residue was then incinerated at 600 °C in oxygen-limited conditions. Subsequently, the MDWTR was formulated into alginate beads by mixing with sodium alginate and FeCl3 solutions, resulting in spherical particles of specified diameters. The evaluation of surface area, pore volume, pore size, and CHN concentration revealed that MDWTR-D5 possesses the largest surface area (284.7 m2 g−1) and highest micropore volume (0.04 cm3 g−1), indicating a greater capacity for adsorption. SEM-EDS analysis demonstrated significant compositional changes post-treatment, particularly elevated phosphorus levels, confirming effective adsorption. Metal content analysis indicated high aluminum levels in MDWTR-P and increased iron content in MDWTR-D5. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and in vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) tests confirmed the non-hazardous nature of all MDWTRs, ensuring their safety for environmental applications. Kinetic analyses using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models highlighted the superior performance of MDWTR-D5, with the highest equilibrium adsorption capacity and initial adsorption rate across all tested concentrations, suggesting both high efficiency and rapid adsorption potential. Further validation using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms revealed MDWTR-D5's highest monolayer adsorption capacity (22.88 mg g−1) and Freundlich adsorption capacity parameter (6.97 mg g−1). Statistical analysis via one-way ANOVA confirmed significant differences in phosphorus concentrations among the MDWTRs samples (p-value <0.001), consistently underscoring MDWTR-D5's superior adsorption performance. These findings highlight MDWTR-D5's potential as an effective adsorbent for phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment, emphasizing its applicability in environmental remediation strategies.

MIL-88-NH2(Fe) conjugated pectin through a post-modification Ugi four-component reaction: A robust bio-based catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonate via CO2 fixation reaction

The functionalization of materials via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) led to a recent surge in the interest of researchers, owing to the creation of exceptional properties in materials. Herein, a novel robust porous catalyst was prepared via the conjugation of MIL-88-NH2(Fe) and pectin (DAP/MIL-88-NH2(Fe)) through the post-modification Ugi four-component reaction (Ugi-4CR) for the first time. To achieve this aim, pectin was oxidized using sodium periodate as an oxidant agent to produce dialdehyde pectin (DAP). Next, the generated carbonyl functional groups participated in the Ugi-4CR of MIL-88-NH2(Fe), 4-methyl carboxylic acid, and cyclohexyl (c-hex) isocyanide to produce DAP/MIL-88-NH2(Fe) catalyst. The catalytic activity of the prepared bio-based catalyst was examined in producing cyclic carbonates through the chemical fixation of CO2 with epoxides in the presence of TBAB as a co-catalyst. Interestingly, catalytic experiments revealed that the prepared bio-based catalyst could be remarkably active regarding the CO2 fixation reaction and performed it in the shortest reaction time (1 h) via high CO2 adsorbent capacity. The outstanding benefits of the prepared bio-based catalyst include its non-hazardous nature, inexpensive, green and gentle reaction conditions, and ability to be reusable in several runs with slight loss of catalytic activity due to a more durable framework with high chemical and thermal stability.

Mechanical properties of basalt fiber/ epoxy resin composites

This paper presents a study regarding the obtaining, characterizing and mechanically testing a new laminar composite material, consisting of epoxy resin reinforced with basalt plain fabric. The composites were obtained by manual lay-up, cross-link stage being developed by pressure molding in a hydraulic press. Rectangular plates were obtained and cut into samples with specific shapes, for the mechanical tests (tensile, three-point bending and compression). After testing, the fracture zone was analyzed using optical microscopy to observe the behavior of the composite following the mechanical stresses applied (fracture mechanism, voids presence and fiber delamination identification). Due to the low costs and non-hazardous nature, basalt fibers can be a serious competitor in the production of laminar composites that could successfully replace ordinary glass fiber composites. The mechanical properties in tensile, three-point bending, and compression of epoxy-resin-impregnated basalt fiber composites are comparable and even exceed those of widely used epoxy-resin-impregnated fiberglass composites.

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of Cassia fistula mediated Cobalt doped Copper oxide nanoparticle against Salmonella typhi a step toward antibacterial nanomedicine

The green synthesis route is becoming an emerging field of study in nanotechnology due to its biodegradability, eco-friendly nature, and non-hazardous nature. Among a variety of industrial metal nanoparticles (NPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) are the most attractive topic for researchers because of their effective surface area to volume ratio, chemical properties, and antimicrobial activity. The current study consists of the synthesis of Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Cassia fistula extract as a reducing and capping agent and studies its antibacterial activity. The formation of Cassia Fistula mediated CuONPs was identified by color change and was confirmed by FTIR and UV-visible spectrophotometry, revealing an absorbance peak at 235 nm. A shift of 45 nm was observed when the NPs were coated with PEG. Astonishingly, CuONPs showed a virtuous result on 485 ug/ml, showing only 3% of hemolysis; meanwhile, many different concentrations of NPs were used to check whether it would exceed the standard value. However, none of the diluted concentrations were above the standard value, making them biocompatible. The MIC test was performed, showing 250 ml and 350 ml of diluted CuONPs were prominent concentrations for the elimination of bacteria. ROS quantification and identification showed that the ROS produced followed the Type II mechanism in which the singlet oxygen transfers energy to triplet oxygen. We settled that CuONPs possess the ability to delimit the bacteria, specifically Salmonella typhi.

GC-MS characterization of Polygonatum geminiflorum depicted by antibacterial efficacy of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using its leaf extract

&lt;p&gt;The biological synthesis of nanomaterials is drawing immense interest because of their non-hazardous nature and enormous antimicrobial application. In the present study, we explored Polygonatum geminiflorum Decne for phytochemical profiling and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles to control soft rot/blackleg and bacterial wilt pathogens of potato through in vitro experiment. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of important secondary chemicals including tannins, glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids, while, gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) study of leaf extract showed the presence of 30 phytochemicals, the most prominent among which included ç-Sitosterol and n-Hexadecanoic acid. The GC–MS qualitative analysis also supported the presence of bioactive compounds responsible for metal reduction processes and synthesized nanoparticles stabilization. In vitro study showed that concentration of 100µg/mL of AgNPs and AgNPs-PE efficiently control both Erwinia carotovora and Ralstonia solanacearum. The outcomes have provided an improved protocol to use prepared AgNPs against the tested pathogens without health hazards.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;

C3N5-based nanomaterials and their applications in heterogeneous catalysts, energy harvesting, and environmental remediation.

Over the past few decades, the global reliance on fossil fuels and the exponential growth of human population have escalated global energy consumption and environmental issues. To tackle these dual challenges, metal catalysts, in particular precious metal ones, have emerged as pivotal players in the fields of environment and energy. Among the numerous metal-free and organic catalyst materials, C3N5-based materials have a major advantage over their carbon nitride (CxNy) counterparts owing to the abundant availability of raw materials, non-toxicity, non-hazardous nature, and exceptional performance. Although significant efforts have been dedicated to synthesising and optimising the applicable properties of C3N5-based materials in recent years, a comprehensive summary of the immediate parameters of this promising material is still lacking. Given the rapid development of C3N5-based materials, a timely review is essential for staying updated on their strengths and weaknesses across various applications, as well as providing guidance for designing efficient catalysts. In this study, we present an extensive overview of recent advancements in C3N5-based materials, encompassing their physicochemical properties, major synthetic methods, and applications in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and adsorption, among others. This systematic review effectively summarises both the advantages and shortcomings associated with C3N5-based materials for energy and environmental applications, thus offering researchers focussed on CxNy-materials an in-depth understanding of those based on C3N5. Finally, considering the limitations and deficiencies of C3N5-based materials, we have proposed enhancement schemes and strategies, while presenting personal perspectives on the challenges and future directions for C3N5. Our ultimate aim is to provide valuable insights for the research community in this field.

Sequential extraction procedure of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash targeting grain size and the amorphous fraction

Introduction: Bottom ash (BA) constitutes a significant by-product obtained during the incineration of municipal solid waste in waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. BA is a heterogeneous material made of different fractions, glass, minerals, metals, and unburned residual organic matter. Due to the non-hazardous nature of the unburned material, BA can be effectively recycled, becoming a valuable resource. However, BA displays a high content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) within its finer grain size. The presence of these elements raises concerns regarding the potential toxicity associated with BA.Materials and methods: The release of PTEs in the smaller fraction (0.063–0.2 mm; 0.3–0.5 mm; 2–4 mm; bulk &amp;lt;4 mm) of BA collected from the Parma WtE plant was investigated using a new five-step sequential extraction procedure (SEP). Through this method, both leached solutions and solid residues were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. This integrated approach provided valuable insights into the mineralogy, chemical composition, and PTEs leachability of BA.Results and discussion: The novelty of this work is the development of a new SEP protocol specifically designed and planned for an anthropogenic material such as BA. The weight reduction recorded after each step is linked to the progressive disappearance of both crystalline and amorphous phases. Water-soluble phases, such as salts, are the first to react, followed by the carbonate fraction in the second step. At the end of the procedure, only quartz, corundum, and Ti-oxide are identified. Among the PTEs, Pb exhibits the highest release, particularly during the acid attack, followed by Zn. The significant release of Ni during the oxidizing and reducing steps can potentially be linked to hydroxides and metallic alloys, respectively. The integration of XRF and Rietveld refinement results on solid residues enabled the identification of several types of amorphous materials and their chemical evolution during the sequential extraction.

Biosorption of Corafix Yellow GD3R using Halimeda gracilis and its Toxicological Assessments

The elimination of CYGDR3 with H. gracilis was performed under in vitro conditions. Optimization of process variables affecting the adsorption capacity of CYGD3R including dye concentrations, biosorbent concentrations, pH, incubation time and temperature were performed to assess the well suited optimal conditions for the extreme removal of dye. By calculating the kinetics and thermodynamics, the mechanism and feasibility of adsorption process was evaluated. The elution of the dye from the biosorbent was recorded in terms of desorption percentage using different eluents. The treated dye solution was assessed to test its toxicity against green gram seedlings and selected microbes. The results revealed that maximum dye removal (88%) was recorded at pH 6 in the medium amended with 300mg/L of dye with 200mg/L of biosorbent at 25oC within 72hrs of incubation. Moreover application of H.gracilis for CYGDR3 removal confirmed the process of biosorption strongly comply the pseudo-second order kinetic model assisted through chemisorption. The adsorption remained endothermal, feasible and spontaneous as evident from thermodynamic study. Desorption using the eluent 0.1N HNO3 revealed 60% recovery of the dye from the biosorbent in the first cycle and a decrease was noted in further cycle. The process of dye decolorization by H.gracilis was confirmed by UV-Visible spectral analysis. The phytotoxicity study revealed significant growth on green gram seedlings grown with CYGDR3 treated solution, thereby proving its non-hazardous nature. Absence of inhibition of zone in the CYGDR3 treated solution proves its non-toxicity towards microbes. Thus, biosorption using H. gracilis proves to be a sustainable strategy for dye removal from waste water through ecofriendly approach.

Diversity of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks: from agro-morphological characterisation to novel genomic technologies - a review.

Linseed or flaxseed is a well-recognized nutritional food with nutraceutical properties owing to high omega-3 fatty acid (α-Linolenic acid), dietary fiber, quality protein, and lignan content. Currently, linseed enjoys the status of a 'superfood' and its integration in the food chain as a functional food is evolving continuously as seed constituents are associated with lowering the risk of chronic ailments, such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. This crop also receives much attention in the handloom and textile sectors as the world's coolest fabric linen is made up of its stem fibers which are endowed with unique qualities such as luster, tensile strength, density, bio-degradability, and non-hazardous nature. Worldwide, major linseed growing areas are facing erratic rainfall and temperature patterns affecting flax yield, quality, and response to biotic stresses. Amid such changing climatic regimes and associated future threats, diverse linseed genetic resources would be crucial for developing cultivars with a broad genetic base for sustainable production. Furthermore, linseed is grown across the world in varied agro-climatic conditions; therefore it is vital to develop niche-specific cultivars to cater to diverse needs and keep pace with rising demands globally. Linseed genetic diversity conserved in global genebanks in the form of germplasm collection from natural diversity rich areas is expected to harbor genetic variants and thus form crucial resources for breeding tailored crops to specific culinary and industrial uses. Global genebank collections thus potentially play an important role in supporting sustainable agriculture and food security. Currently, approximately 61,000 germplasm accessions of linseed including 1,127 wild accessions are conserved in genebanks/institutes worldwide. This review analyzes the current status of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks, evaluation for agro-morphological traits, stress tolerance, and nutritional profiling to promote their effective use for sustainable production and nutrition enhancement in our modern diets.

A brief study on the role of cerium oxide nanoparticles in growth and alleviation of mercury-induced stress in Vigna radiata and soil bacteriaBacillus coagulans.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have so far been investigated for their role as an antioxidant in pathologies involving inflammation and high oxidative stress. However, its role as a plant and bacterial growth modulator and heavy metal stress reliever has been overlooked to date. Heavy metal contamination poses a major threat to mankind and the life-sustaining ecosystem. This study emphasizes the role of cerium oxide produced by the combustion method in promoting growth in Vigna radiata and Bacillus coagulans in the presence of mercury. The results show that cerium oxide nanoparticles significantly reduce the production of reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, and product of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde in plants grown in the presence of 50 ppm mercury, thereby reducing oxidative stress. Nanoceria also increases plant growth with respect to those growing solely in mercury. Nanoceria alone does not significantly affect the growth of Vigna radiata as well as Bacillus coagulans and Escherichia coli, thereby proving its non-hazardous nature. It also significantly increases the growth of Bacillus coagulans at 25 ppm and 50 ppm of mercury. This study throws light upon the biologically non-hazardous nature of this particle by revealing how it promotes the growth of two soil bacteria Bacillus coagulans and E.coli at various dosages. The results of this study pave the way for the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles in plants and various other organisms to combat abiotic stress.

Viewpoint planning and 3D image stitching algorithms for inspection of panels

Non-Destructive Testing using optical methods such as Thermography and Laser Shearography are gaining importance in the inspection of aerospace composite structures due to their non-contact, area based and non-hazardous nature. Here we address the problem of fully covering a curved panel using a robotic system which holds the NDT system up against the panel, and stitching the acquired images together so that the images with defects can be visualized in a single model. A formal way of defining view-points in 3D based on the structure’s 3D model and stitching the gathered image data back onto the 3D model has been lacking in the literature. We present algorithms for defining a set of viewpoints for robotic systems using Area based NDT and for doing full 3D image stitching on the pointcloud generated from the 3D model of the structure. A virtual model or digital twin of the inspection process taking into account the details of the structural panel, robot and camera model is developed and used for getting inputs from the user for the viewpoint planning process as well as displaying the output after image stitching. We show excellent results for synthetic image capturing process as well as good results while using a prototype 5-axis cartesian robot with an IP camera to represent the NDT system.

Properties of construction material based-Diss fibers: Physico-mechanical characterisation

In the building sector, issues related to sustainable development have become a major concern. The choice of materials has fundamental importance since it has a considerable influence on the energy consumption of the building and also on the overall environmental impact of the construction. Materials reinforced with vegetable fibres and/or particles are currently considered amongst the most promising materials in sustainable engineering technologies due to their several potential applications. In addition to its sustainable credentials, the application of these elements is interesting as they exhibit a set of important advantages, such as wide availability at relatively low cost, bio-renewability, ability to be recycled, biodegradability, non-hazardous nature, zero carbon footprint, and interesting hygro-thermal and mechanical properties. The viability of using vegetable Diss fibers for developing a sustainable lightweight construction material was investigated in this paper. The produced specimen contained 4/1 volume ratio of Diss fibers to Binder. In order to mitigate the inhibitory effect exerted by vegetable materials on binder hydration, Diss fibers were treated with hot water, while air lime-based Tradical PF70 binder has been selected to replace traditionally used cementitious binder. The study conducted on hardened material properties has indicated that despite a significant reduction in mechanical strength, the material exhibits higher residual stress that highlighted a ductile behaviour, compared to the reference specimen containing neat binder without Diss fibers.

Evaluation of Congo red dye decolorization and degradation potential of an endophyte Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum.

Decolorization and degradation of textile dye by endophytic fungi stand to be a profitable and viable alternative over conventional methods with respect to eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and non-hazardous nature. One of the active fungal endophytes Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from plant Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. was screened for laccase production and Congo red dye decolorization. Various physicochemical parameters like dye concentration, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, temperature, and pH were optimized, and the maximum decolorization (%) was achieved at 100 mg/L of dye concentration (82%), yeast extract (80%), 30 °C temp (80%), glucose (79%), and 7 pH (78%), respectively. SEM image and fungal biomass changes represent that fungus actively participated in the dye decolorization and had less significant effect on biomass. The regenerative ability of fungus C. gloeosporioides after dye decolorization indicated tolerance against the dye and was found to be more advantageous over previous reports of dye decolorization by other endophytic fungi. UV-Vis spectra, TLC, FTIR, and HPLC results confirmed the decolorization and degradation process due to absorption and biodegradation. Phytotoxicity assay depicted that degraded products are less toxic to Phaseolus mungo compared to Congo red. The overall findings showed that C. gloeosporioides possesses a good decolorization and degradation potential against Congo red and this endophyte can be profitably used for dye-containing wastewater treatment.

Correlation of Phosphorus Adsorption with Chemical Properties of Aluminum-Based Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Collected from Various Parts of the United States.

Over the past several decades, the value of drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs), a byproduct of the coagulation process during water purification, has been recognized in various environmental applications, including sustainable remediation of phosphorus (P)-enriched soils. Aluminum-based WTRs (Al-WTRs) are suitable adsorbent materials for P, which can be obtained and processed inexpensively. However, given their heterogeneous nature, it is essential to identify an easily analyzable chemical property that can predict the capability of Al-WTRs to bind P before soil amendment. To address this issue, thirteen Al-WTRs were collected from various geographical locations around the United States. The non-hazardous nature of the Al-WTRs was ascertained first. Then, their P adsorption capacities were determined, and the chemical properties likely to influence their adsorption capacities were examined. Statistical models were built to identify a single property to best predict the P adsorption capacity of the Al-WTRs. Results show that all investigated Al-WTRs are safe for environmental applications, and oxalate-extractable aluminum is a significant indicator of the P adsorption capacity of Al-WTRs (p-value = 0.0002, R2 = 0.7). This study is the first to report a simple chemical test that can be easily applied to predict the efficacy of Al-WTRs in binding P before their broadscale land application.

Green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles using roots extract of Ziziphus Oxyphylla Edgew its characterization and antibacterial activity

In this modern era, antibiotic resistance is a significant issue that poses a threat to public health. Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science because nanoparticles could be the best alternative to antibiotics. Most nanoparticles are prepared by the green synthesis method because of their less toxicity, low cost, and non-hazardous nature. In this study, cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) were synthesized from roots extract of Ziziphus Oxyphylla Edgew by using cobalt chloride hexahydrate. After the successful synthesis of nanoparticles, various methods were used to analyze these nanoparticles, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and energy dispersive analysis of x-ray. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal the spherical and irregular structure of Co3O4-NPs shaving a particle size between 40 to 60 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the crystalline nature of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with face-centered cubic structure and a size of 15–20 nm. The antibacterial activity of Co3O4-NPs was analyzed for different dilutions against two different bacteria: gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. The maximum zone of inhibition against gram-negative E. coli was calculated as 23.1 mm and 14.8 mm against S. aureus at a dilution of 16 mg ml−1 of cobalt oxide nanoparticle. This revealed the wide spectrum of antibacterial activity of the synthesized nanoparticle. It is suggested that root extract of cobalt oxide nanoparticles could be of great importance in pharmaceutical and medical science for their antimicrobial activity.

An Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Leaf Extract of Madhuca longifolia Utilizing Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.

In the current decade, nanoparticles are synthesized using solvents that are environmentally friendly. A number of nanoparticles have been synthesized at room temperature using water as a solvent, such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. As part of nanotechnology, nanoparticles are synthesized through biological processes. Biological methods are the preferred method for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a result of their simple and non-hazardous nature. Nanoparticles of silver are used in a variety of applications, including catalysts, spectrally selective coatings for solar absorption, optical objectives, pharmaceutical constituents, and chemical and biological sensing. Antimicrobial agents are among the top uses of silver nanoparticles. In the current study, silver nanoparticles were biologically manufactured through Madhuca longifolia, and their antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities were assessed. UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction), transmission electron microscopy, Zeta Potential, and FTIR were used to characterize silver nanoparticles. The current work describes a cheap and environmentally friendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate solution by using plant crude extract as a reducing agent.

High-performance humidity sensor for multipurpose applications by recycling of potato peel bio-waste

This study suggests the development of a biocompatible and eco-friendly humidity sensor fabricated by using a naturally available potato peel bio-waste as the substrate and the humidity sensitive material. Entire fabrication process of this potato peel-based humidity sensor (PPHS) took less than two minutes owing to the facile and handmade patterning of silver interdigitated electrodes on the surface of dry potato peel. The fabricated humidity sensor yielded a high sensitivity (70 kΩ/ % RH) due to the presence of abundant polar hydrophilic functional groups. The achieved results were stable for more than seven days and repeatable data was obtained for three different samples. Furthermore, a quick response/recovery time of 0.96/1.65 s was recorded for nose breathing with a small hysteresis of only 0.21 % for adsorption and desorption process. The sensor exhibited a good linearity (R2 = 0.997) in the practical applications-based humidity sensing range of 40–85 % RH. Efficient use of PPHS was successfully demonstrated in multiple applications including medical diagnosis, skin care, real-time environment monitoring and touchless sensing owing to its biocompatibility and nonhazardous nature. In addition to the above listed multifunctional applications of PPHS, economic use of potato peel in commercial devices can help in recycling the worldwide wastage of this bio-waste.

Antibiofilm efficacy of novel biogenic silver nanoparticles from Terminalia catappa against food-borne Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15,313 and mechanisms investigation in-vivo and in-vitro

Listeria monocytogenes(LM) is a potential foodborne pathogen, known to form biofilms, which ultimately leads to serious problems in the food industry. This study demonstrates a comprehensive approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the phytochemicals present in the leaf aqueous extractof Terminalia catappa for the inhibition of L. monocytogens biofilms. The phytochemical analysis by UV–vis spectrum of the extract revealed the presence of polyphenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, gallic acid, chebulinic acid, and chebulgic acid. The shape, structure and size of the synthesized AgNPs were determined as 23–100 nm using the scanning electron microscopic images, and particle size distribution curve analysis. Thein vitrostudies using the AgNPs against L. monocytogenesrevealed the inhibition of biofilm formation, reduction in the Virulence factors such as protease production at sub-inhibitory concentrations of AgNPs. In vivo experiments performed with the Caenorhabditis elegans model showed that AgNPs prolonged the lifespan of infected worms by about 90%. In addition, the non-hazardous nature and in vivo anti-adherence potential of AgNPs were also established with LM - C. elegans infection model.