Reflux Method Research Articles

Development of rare earth doped SiO2/rGO from rice husk for antioxidant, photocatalysis, electrochemical and sensor studies

The present work determines the synthesis of cerium loaded silicon dioxide (Ce-SiO2/rGO) nanocomposite by using reflux method. The Ce-SiO2/rGO was confirmed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive (EDAX) techniques. In photodecomposition investigation, Rose Bengal (RB) dye was degraded efficiently using Ce-SiO2/rGO nanocomposite (95 %) at 150 min with follows first order kinetics. The antioxidant property against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was found to be 98 % performance with IC50 value of 488.35 mg/mL. The super capacitance value of Ce-SiO2/rGO was increased compared to that of rGO, SiO2 and SiO2/rGO respectively. The electrochemical reversibility (EO−ER) and diffusion coefficient (D) values were determined using 1 M KCl by cyclic voltammetry method. Ce-SiO2/rGO nanocomposite was used as an electrochemical sensor to detect bee pollen and cow urine. The produced material has superior dye purification, redox behavior, bio-molecule detection, and antioxidative capabilities.

BS SO03 - Revisional bariatric surgery following sleeve gastrectomy, a meta-analysis comparing RYGB and OAGB

Abstract Background The number of bariatric operations is on the rise each year. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most popular procedure however often requires a revision surgery because of insufficient weight loss, weight regain or GERD. The most popular procedures are RYGB and OAGB. Our primary outcome was to look at the effect on weight loss in patients undergoing revision surgery and the secondary outcomes were gastro-oesophageal reflux, BMI difference, operative time, bleeding and anastomotic leak Method A systematic electronic search was undertaken using PubMed, MEDLINE®, Ovid®, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar™ according to PRISMA. Initial search identified 2,546 articles, after screening seven papers met the inclusions criteria, six retrospective studies and one RCT. Results There were a total of 802 patients that fit the inclusion criteria. 390 patients had a OAGB and another 412 had a RYBG. All patients previously had sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss. The length of follow-up was 12 months for our primary outcome. We found no statistically significant difference in %EWL between OAGB and RYGB (p=0.11). The incidence of post-operative reflux was statistically significantly higher in the OAGB group (16% vs 10.1%, p<0.003). Operative time was statistically significantly lower in the OAGB group (p=0.04). Conclusion Our meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two revision bariatric surgery procedure for %EWL. RYGB was superior to OAGB in reducing the incidence of symptomatic GERD while OAGB had a significant shorter operative time.

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF GEL CONTAINING NANOPHYTO-PHOSPHOLIPID COMPLEX OF KOPASANDA LEAF EXTRACT (CHROMOLAENA ODORATA (L.) R. M. KING AND H. ROB)

Objective: This study aims to prepare, characterize, and in vitro evaluation of the gel containing nanophyto-phospholipid complex of kopasanda leaf extract. Methods: Kopasanda dried leaf was extracted by extraction reflux method, followed by total phenolic content of extract measurement using Spectrophotometry UV-Vis method. The nanophyto-phospholipid complex was prepared using an antisolvent evaporation method with various ratios between extract and phospholipid of 1:1; 1:2; 1:3. The optimum ratio was evaluated by entrapment efficiency (%). The nanophyto-phospholipid complex formation was characterized by polydispersity index, particle size, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), and the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) method. The optimum nanophyto-phospholipid complex was formulated into gel preparation. The in vitro permeation study was performed to discover the influence of gel containing nanophyto-phospholipid complex compared with gel-containing extract without the nanophyto-phospholipid complex formation. Results: Thetotal phenolic content of kopasanda leaf extract was 117.214±3.054 mg/GAE. The optimum ratio of kopasanda leaf extract and phospholipid was 1: 2 with entrapment efficiency (%), particle size, and polydispersity index equal to 99.897±0.001%, 130.1 nm and 0.394. The morphology of the nanophyto-phospholipid complex was spherical and the complex formation was confirmed by the FTIR spectrum. The permeation test showed that the gel containing nanophyto-phospholipid complex had better diffusion than the gel without the nanophyto-phospholipid complex formation. Conclusion: The gel containing nanophyto-phospholipid complex formation exhibited the potential drug delivery system to increase the phenolic content permeation of kopasanda leaf extract.

The first and cost-effective nano-biocomposite ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 as efficient UV photocatalysts for ethylparaben decomposition

Organic micropollutants are considered as dangerous wastes to aquatic environments, which threaten the life of living beings. The efficacious removal of these pollutants from surrounding aquatic ecosystems has been taken into consideration in water refinery technologies. In this study, a bio-nanocomposite was developed through a green approach involving self-assembly of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with zinc [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin] complex (ZnPor) and TiO2 nanoparticles using reflux method. This organic/inorganic hybrid material was characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, EIS, RAMAN, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The band-gap energies were found to range from 3.32 eV for GO to 2.35 eV for ZnPor/rGO/TiO2, indicating the composites behave as semiconductor materials. The photocatalytic activity was highest for the ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 composite based on 200 mL ZnPor addition during the synthesis process, achieving 98.1 % degradation of the model pollutant ethylparaben after only 20 min of UV treatment. The rGO facilitates electron-hole separation and transportation, while the ZnPor broadens the light absorption range and improves charge transfer. The TiO2 nanoparticles provide the primary photocatalytic sites. These synergistic effects enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 system. This green-synthesized, eco-friendly, and highly efficient photocatalyst shows great promise for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater.

Loblolly pine needles processing with deep eutectic solvents to develop porous structure

This work focused on the removal of lignin from pine needles, leaving oriented porous cellulose. Deep eutectic solvent pretreatment of loblolly pine needles allowed for the removal of lignin from the biomass, leading to the exposure of the desired cellulose structure. Heating under reflux and microwave heating methods were used to pretreat loblolly pine needles with 12:1 lactic acid: choline chloride deep eutectic solvent, 2:1 formic acid: choline chloride deep eutectic solvent, and 1:2 oxalic acid: choline chloride deep eutectic solvent. Characterization of the untreated and pretreated pine needles was done by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Fiber analysis was also performed on the untreated and pretreated pine needles. The DES pretreated pine needles showed significant enhancements in both specific surface area and pore volume, with microwave pretreatment giving the best results. The oxalic acid: choline chloride DES was the most efficient at eliminating acid-soluble lignin. The optimal duration for conductive heat pretreatment to enhance specific surface area and pore volume was found to be 80 minutes. For microwave treatment, the formic acid: choline chloride DES was found to be most effective to increase the overall cellulose to lignin ratio.

Surface modification of cotton fabric by kaolin-derived zeolite N to enhance efficient removal of particulate matter

Reducing the amount of fine particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is essential for preserving a secure and healthy environment. Here, we synthesized zeolite N (potassium ion form, KN) from kaolin clay minerals, coated it on cotton fabric using a simple refluxing method and then removed PM from the air. The following conclusion can be drawn. The average cation exchange capacity (CEC) of KN was 512 meq/100 g, and a CEC value > 400 meq/100 g indicated pure zeolite with a Si/Al ratio of approximately 1.0. The synthesized KN, containing a high proportion of Al, proved highly effective in removing particulates. For instance, KN/cotton (746 GSM (weight of fabric in g/m2) cotton, coated with approximately 1.46 wt% KN) demonstrated an 8-times higher removal efficiency (RE) for PM2.5 and PM1.0 than bare 746 GSM cotton, with only a 7 Pa increase in the pressure drop. PM may have been removed by electrostatic interactions between the charged PM and KN (with charge-balancing cations) owing to the charges and polarity of the outer layer of PM particles. According to the increases in RE and the quality factor, KN/cotton (746 GSM) was the most effective in removing PM from the air compared to other materials. The results suggested that KN, when applied to the surface of cotton fabric, is highly efficient due to its EDI framework structure and high Al content. Finally, biodegradation tests revealed that used filters disintegrated into pieces after being buried for one month in soil, indicating their environmental friendliness.

Integrating atmospheric water harvester with hydrovoltaics: Simultaneous freshwater production and power generation

Integrating an atmospheric water harvester (AWH) with hydrovoltaic (HV) technology pokes a new technology and notification to the arid region people to harvest freshwater and electricity simultaneously from the humid atmosphere even in the non-water region. In this work, we have fabricated a composite material by attaching the sulfonic groups to the graphitic oxide substrate (SGhO) through a one-step reflux method. The material delivers an excellent water absorbing ability of 0.3 g g−1h−1and 2 g g−1in 19 h under a 40–60 % humid environment. The electrical experiments show during moisture absorption, a specific voltage and current are generated indicating the dissociation of sulfonic groups in the graphitic structure creates a drift movement of H+ions through the composite. Our device delivers a voltage of 0.25 V and a high current of 160 µA from a single device during moisture movements through the structure under the relative humidity of 60–65 %. The rapid enhancement of the interfacial temperature from 31 °C to 44 °C within a minute due to the presence of graphitic oxide shows excellent photothermal capacity for the light-induced evaporation mechanism and collecting the condensed water as freshwater. The composite can evaporate all absorbed water within 0.5 h in one sun illumination (1 kW/m2) under the ambient relative humidity (RH) of 40–60 %. Several trials of washing treatments were done to ensure the chemical bonding of sulfonic groups into the graphitic structure. Therefore, it was confirmed the excellent stability, and repeatability for repeatable practical applications. Furthermore, the purity of the collected water is conducted with various analyses such as pH, TDS, and UV–Vis absorption studies and confirmed the excellent purified water which highly meets the global drinking water standards. Therefore, this work demonstrates a single way to achieve dual goals such as water harvesting as well as power generation for a better tomorrow.

Multifunctional Au–Ag NCs for luminescence and colorimetric double signal sensing of H2S and catalytic reduction of nitrophenol

In this study, the N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine (NAC)-capped gold and silver bimetallic nanoclusters (NAC@Au–Ag NCs) was synthesized by reflux method. Due to the silver effect, the NAC@Au–Ag NCs exhibited strong photoluminescence at far-red/near-infrared regions and better catalytic performance than Au or Ag NCs. Upon addition of H2S, the Au–Ag NCs exhibited obvious fluorescence quench and color changes through the generation of metal sulfides and a static quenching process. The Au–Ag NCs displayed a wide linear luminescence response for H2S (18.5–217 μmol/L) with a detection limit of 0.269 μmol/L. Moreover, the visible color of Au–Ag NCs changed from white to brown-yellow along with increased H2S, the corresponding RGB values also displayed good linearity with the concentration of H2S (90.1–678 μmol/L). Notably, the fabrication of test strips provided a convenient and intuitive tool to screen the freshness of eggs by the color change of test strips. Au–Ag NCs could be used for living HeLa cells bioimaging and recognition of H2S abnormalities. Furthermore, it can be used as a catalyst to reduction of nitrophenols (NPhs), specific included 2NP, 3NP and 4NP. The reaction was regarded as a pseudo-first-order kinetic reaction due to the presence of excess NaBH4. At 298K, the catalytic rate constants(k) of 2NP, 3NP and 4NP were 0.1754 min−1, 0.1734 min−1 and 0.2782 min−1, respectively. The NAC@Au–Ag NCs catalyst still showed good catalytic activity and reusability after five cycles. Therefore, this study developed a H2S sensor for food samples and biological systems. And this nanocatalyst had great application potential for removed the nitrophenol pollutants in water.

High-Efficiency Silane Utilization in Amine-Modified Adsorbents for Direct Air Capture through Interconnected Three-Dimensional Pores.

Economic synthesis of amine-modified solid adsorbents is pivotal for the global-scale direct air capture (DAC) technologies required to realize net-zero emissions. To address the problems of the traditional reflux method using excessively costly amino silane, we propose introducing silane by impregnation into mesoporous silica with interconnected three-dimensional pores. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopies, magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analysis identified the spatial distribution of amino silane in the materials with different loading levels. The results of structure characterization and a comparison with a reference experiment (using a porous support with one-dimensional pores and/or the conventional reflux method) revealed that the proposed strategy provided a uniform amine distribution, together with a high utilization efficiency of the amino silane. We also demonstrate that the obtained material has a high adsorption capacity and good recycling stability comparable to those of the previously reported amino silane modified adsorbents under simulated DAC conditions.

A New Powerful Magnetic Dark Catalyst Based on rGO/Fe3O4/CdSe Nanocomposite for Ultrafast Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye.

In the present study, Rgo/Fe3O4/CdSe as a dark catalyst material was synthesized by a refluxing method. The synthesized magnetic nanocomposites were studied by various analyses such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman, Zeta and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Characterization of structural analysis showed that the nanocomposites were successfully synthesized. The absorption spectrum was used to determine the dark catalyst activity of rGO/Fe3O4/CdSe nanocomposite. Analysis of the absorption spectrum showed that the prepared nanocomposites degrade the MB organic dye completely (100%) after 2min of stirring in the dark, also experimenting with different pH showed that the best performance for the degradation of MB occurs in neutral and alkaline media. The Raman spectrum analysis showed that the Fe3O4/CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were correctly incorporated on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. Zeta potential analysis showed that rGO/Fe3O4/CdSe has a large amount of negative charge on its surface and the surface charge increased by about 16 mV compared to the Fe3O4/CdSe compound. BET and BJH techniques were used to determine the effective surface area and pore size diameter, BET results to determine the effective surface area showed that by adding graphene to the compound, the specific surface area increased from 42.877 m2g-1 to 54.1896 m2g-1. The radical scavenger experiment showed that electrons play an essential role in the degradation process. VSM analysis showed that the prepared nanocomposites have excellent superparamagnetic behavior, this advantage enables the easy collection of nanocatalysts by magnets from wastewater after dye degradation.

Highly catalytic performance for the selective C–H bond oxidation of p-chlorotoluene over Co, Cr co-doped OMS-2 catalyst

Using O2 as an oxidant, developing a non-noble metal catalyst for the selective catalytic C–H bond oxidation of p-chlorotoluene is desirable and challenging. In this work, a series of Co, Cr co-doped OMS-2 (Octahedral Molecular Sieve-2) catalysts were prepared by a conventional refluxing method. It was found that the incorporation of Co and Cr improved the catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of p-chlorotoluene to p-chlorobenzaldehyde. Among these catalysts, CoCr/OMS-2 (Co: Cr = 1: 1, mass ratio), the best catalyst, shows that the conversion and the selectivity of p-chlorobenzaldehyde is 94.8 % and 94.3 %, respectively. The enhanced catalytic activity was due to the larger specific surface area and even dispersion of active components. The characterization results also disclosed that the co-doping of Co and Cr increased the oxygen vacancy and enhanced the ability to activate the surface lattice oxygen. Additionally, density functional theory calculations demonstrated that co-doping of Co and Cr promoted the adsorption of p-chlorotoluene and O2, and decreased the energy barrier of rate-determining step (the conversion of p-chlorobenzyl alcohol to p-chlorobenzaldehyde). Besides, when H2O was added to the reaction system as the second solvent, the activation and dissociation of O2, and the formation of p-chlorobenzaldehyde were facilitated, in agreement with the experimental results. This work demonstrated the promotional effect of Co, Cr co-doped into OMS-2 catalyst and the role of H2O for the selective oxidation of p-chlorotoluene.

Synthesis of gamma aluminum oxide nano-powder for adsorptive removal of nitrate from aqueous solutions

Nitrate pollution of surface and groundwater could be a worldwide issue resulting in the threat to the environment and public health. The removal of nitrate from water was carried out using gamma aluminum oxide (γ-Al2O3) nano powder. The nano powder was synthesized from aluminum oxide powder using the aqueous-based reflux method and applied for nitrate removal. The surface properties of the activated γ-Al2O3 were characterized using FTIR, XRD, and BET surface area analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze nitrate removal to determine the appropriate regression model, which was found to be the quadratic model with a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.99). The adsorption process was observed to be dependent on initial nitrate concentration, adsorbent dose, and time. The optimized nitrate removal efficiencies were 97.01% using a dose of 2.26 gL−1, an initial nitrate concentration of 10 mgL−1, and a contact time of 45 min. Additionally, the kinetics of nitrate ion adsorption was discussed based on pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models. The experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model, indicating that the adsorption mechanism is chemisorption. The equilibrium adsorption of nitrate experimental data followed the both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.95), implying a homogeneous nature of the γ-Al2O3 surface sites. These results suggest further consideration of the practical application of γ-Al2O3 for nitrate treatment for domestic purposes.

Rational construction p-n heterojunction Ni(OH)2/NiS2 on g-C3N4 nanosheet to promote the charge carriers separation efficiency for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The Ni(OH)2/NiS2/g-C3N4 hybrid with sandwich-like structure was successfully designed and synthesized through a solvothermal and condensation reflux method. Furthermore, it should be noted that the p-type Ni(OH)2 was in situ generated on the surface of the n-type NiS2, because the Ni2+ of the Ni(OH)2 came from the NiS2. Therefore, the p-n heterojunction was constructed between the interface of the Ni(OH)2 and NiS2 in the hybrid. Furthermore, the results revealed the optimized Ni(OH)2/NiS2/g-C3N4 hybrid displayed superior H2 evolution property than that of the g-C3N4, NiS2/g-C3N4, and Ni(OH)2/g-C3N4 illuminating with visible-light or simulated-sunlight. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) of Ni(OH)2/NiS2/g-C3N4-6 % at 360, 380 and 400 nm were 1.65 %, 1.31 % and 1.05 %, respectively. Moreover, the resultant Ni(OH)2/NiS2/g-C3N4-6 % hybrid both displayed satisfactory photochemistry durability. Besides this, according to the microstructure and photoelectric property characterizations, theoretical calculation, and in situ XPS test, the promoted H2 evolution property of the ternary catalyst was profit from the synergy impact of the particular sandwich-like structure, and p-n heterojunction. Because they could memorably boost the carriers’ separation efficiency, and offer abundant active sites for H2 production.

Green synthesis and characterization of nano reduced graphene oxide/cerium oxide (rGO/CeO2) for Rose Bengal dye degradation

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of reduced graphene oxide/cerium oxide (rGO/CeO2). Cerium oxide (CeO2) was produced using a solution combustion method with Ashwagandha plant (AP) and Tartaric acid (TA) as the fuel. The nanocomposite was then synthesized via a simple reflux method. Structural, functional, and morphological analyses were performed using XRD, HR-SEM, EDAX, UV-DRS and FTIR techniques. The photocatalytic activity of rGO/CeO2 was demonstrated by degrading Rose Bengal dye (RB) at a concentration of 10 ppm over 180 min. The reaction followed first-order kinetics, achieving an impressive degradation rate of approximately 95 %. The half-life was determined to be 40.96 min, indicating efficient photocatalytic performance. The catalyst's reusability was assessed, showing consistent stability over five cycles with unchanged catalytic efficiency. This work marks the first report of RB dye degradation using an rGO/CeO2 (AP) composite.

An intriguing way to synthesize a TiO2–ZnO hybrid nanostructure for the pragmatic application as a photocatalyst

In an attempt to counter the problem of treating wastewater more efficiently, we report the study on photocatalytic properties of metal oxide nanostructures under different light sources. A novel sonication-assisted refluxing method was employed to synthesize a binary heterostructure consisting of TiO2 and ZnO. XRD and EDS analysis of synthesized materials confirm the presence of both TiO2 and ZnO. Also, the change in the intensity of XRD peaks and elemental composition are well observed with a change in molar concentration of Ti and Zn. HR-TEM micrographs show nanostructures having hybrid Janus and Core-shell type structures. The XPS spectra were probed to identify the surface chemical species associated with the prepared heterostructures. Raman spectra confirm the smaller ZnO particles attached over agglomerated TiO2 as a shell layer as depicted in TEM results. Optical studies exhibit the modification in the band structure of the materials due to the formation of the heterostructure. The synthesized hybrid catalyst shows impressive results in photocatalytic performance. The catalytic potency of the prepared heterostructures under UV light is reminiscent of Anatase while it gets convalescent with an increment of Zn content under visible light. The photocatalytic performance of synthesized materials under sunlight shows their potential to be utilized as commercial catalysts for direct application in wastewater treatment. The kinetic study of the degradation data reveals interesting facets of the catalysis. It suggests that the photo-corrosion of the catalyst inordinately changes the rate of photocatalytic reaction which ultimately affects the photocatalytic efficiency of the catalyst. The study also discusses the role of kinetic and validation parameters in the selection of the best-fitted kinetic model with realistic arguments.

"Water-in-Salt" Electrolyte Suppressed MnVOPO4·2H2O Cathode Dissolution for Stable High-Voltage Platform and Cycling Performance for Aqueous Zinc Metal Battery.

Vanadium-based materials have the advantages of abundant valence states and stable structures, having great application potential as cathode materials in metal-ion batteries. However, their low voltage and vanadium dissolution in traditional water-based electrolytes greatly limit their application and development in aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs). Herein, phosphate- and vanadium-based cathode materials (MnVOPO4·2H2O) with stacked layers and few defects were prepared via a condensation reflux method and then combined with a high-concentration electrolyte (21 m LiTFSI + 1 M Zn(CF3SO3)2) to address these limitations. The specific capacity and cycle stability accompanying the stable high voltage of 1.39 V were significantly enhanced compared with those for the traditional electrolyte of 3 M Zn(CF3SO3)2, benefiting from the suppressed vanadium dissolution. The cathode materials of MnVOPO4·2H2O achieved a high specific capacity of 152 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, with a retention rate of 86% after 100 cycles for AZMBs. A high energy density of 211.78 Wh kg-1 was also achieved. This strategy could illuminate the significance of electrolyte modification and provide potential high-voltage cathode materials for AZMBs and other rechargeable batteries.

Green and Reflux method synthesis of CeO2/rGO for their characterization and Photodegradation of dye

In this study, cerium oxide (CeO2) was synthesized using a green and eco-friendly solution combustion method with lemongrass as the fuel source. The synthesis process was simple and environmentally friendly, leveraging a straightforward reflux technique to prepare the CeO2/rGO composite. The resulting CeO2 and CeO2/rGO composite was characterized using various analytical techniques, including XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR, EDX, UV-Vis, XPS, and BET analysis. The photocatalytic performance of the CeO2/rGO composite was evaluated through the degradation of Methyl Violet (MV) dye, demonstrating a remarkable photocatalytic efficiency with approximately 99 % degradation following a first-order reaction kinetics. The half-life period (t₁/₂) of the degradation process was determined to be 19.01 minutes, and the rate constant (k) was calculated to be 0.03971 min⁻¹. The study also explored various factors affecting the photocatalytic activity, including pH levels, dye concentration, light source, and the amount of catalyst used. Additionally, scavenger studies were performed to identify the reactive species involved, and the total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency was evaluated. The reusability of the CeO2/rGO catalyst was also investigated, demonstrating its potential for sustainable and effective application in environmental remediation processes.

Polyherbal Antiacne Gel: In Vitro Antibacterial Activity and Efficacy Evaluation Against Cutibacterium acnes.

Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages and can lead to significant physical and psychological distress. The first line of action against acne is topical products, though the most effective are topical antibiotics. In such a scenario, the development of effective and safe herbal formulations for the treatment of acne is of great importance. Rubia cordifolia, Aloe barbadensis, and Allium cepa extracts are rich sources of bioactive metabolites and are safe compared with antibiotics, in addition to being cost effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly. Also, their combination has not been studied for treating acne, and their potential benefits need to be investigated. The present study aimed to develop an effective polyherbal gel formulation of R. cordifolia, A. barbadensis, and A. cepa combined extract for treating acne and validate its effect with reference to conventional antibiotics. Plant materials were extracted in water by the reflux method, and phytochemical analysis was done for flavonoid, anthraquinone, and phenolic contents. The combined extract (R. cordifolia, A. barbadensis, and A. cepa extracts) was formulated in gel. The selected polyherbal gel was evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion against Cutibacterium acnes (P. acnes) culture. Phytochemical analysis of the composite extract revealed the rich presence of flavonoids, phenolics, and anthraquinones. The polyherbal gels showed good physicochemical properties; however, FCEG-4 was selected for further studies. It was found to be effective against C. acnes (MTCC 1951) in agar well diffusion, as it showed a similar zone of inhibition as that of standard. Also, during invivo studies, FCEG-4 showed comparable efficacy with clindamycin gel. It was concluded from the study that composite extracts incorporated in an aqueous-based gel system were effective in topical therapy of mild acne vulgaris, showing similar efficacy to that of clindamycin cream.

Optimizing Polyphenol Content and Extraction Methods for Antioxidant Constituents from <i>Portulaca oleracea</i>: Comparing Reflux and Maceration Methods with Various Solvents

Background: The pursuit of developing effective drugs as antioxidants can be traced back to herbal ingredients, including purslane (Portulaca oleracea). The potential of purslane as a medicinal herb can be maximized by selecting the most suitable extraction method and type of solvent. Objective: To assess the levels of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and radical scavenging capacity in P. oleracea obtained through various extraction methods and solvents. Methods: This study combines maceration and reflux methods with 96% ethanol, 80% ethanol, 96% methanol, and 80% methanol solvents to extract total phenolics, flavonoids, and radical scavenging activity from purslane. The folin-ciocalteu method was employed for measuring phenolic content, the AlCl3 method for flavonoid content, and the DPPH method for radical scavenging activity determination. Results: The reflux method using 80% methanol produced the highest total phenolic content, 5.15 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g DW. The maceration method using the same solvent yielded the highest total flavonoid content, 5.74 ± 0.29 mg QE/g DW. Both extraction methods showed similar radical scavenging activity, 1.10 ± 0.003 mg AAE/g DW for maceration and 1.07 ± 0.04 mg AAE/g DW for reflux. Conclusion: The extraction method and solvent significantly impact the total phenolic and flavonoid content produced by P. oleracea.

Scavenger-free solar photocatalytic degradation of Textile Dyes and Antibiotics using magnetically separable bi-junctional photocatalyst

The field of solar photocatalysis has been plagued by photocatalysts with low photon-to-electron conversion efficiency, resulting in poor photocatalytic degradation rates of water pollutants. With a keen idea to improve the existing photocatalysts, we developed a scavenger-free, magnetically separable, bi-junctional solar photocatalyst. The photocatalyst comprises Fe2+ doped zinc ferrite as core, ZnO as shell, and irregular CuO nanoparticles in conjunction with the surface of core-shell nanoparticles prepared using a combination of microwave-assisted solvothermal technique and microwave-assisted reflux method. The photocatalytic degradation properties of the solar photocatalyst were modelled and optimized with the help of Methyl Orange under direct sunlight. This novel composite degrades Methyl Orange roughly four times faster than core-shell nanoparticles. The photocatalyst meets most of the criteria for working of a promising solar photocatalyst, such as 1) excellent absorption of sunlight, 2) two physically distinct heterojunction and absorbing regions for efficient charge carrier generation and separation, 3) scavenger-free degradation of textile dyes and antibiotics, 4) High surface area (39 m2g −1), 5) good stability, 6) excellent reusability, 7) and easy separation of nanoparticles for reuse with the help of a magnet. The prepared photocatalyst efficiently degrades fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride, Norfloxacin, and Ofloxacin. The photocatalyst demonstrates the capability to efficiently degrade textile dyes such as Methyl Orange, Methylene Blue, Orange G, Fluorescein sodium salt, Rhodamine B, and Crystal Violet. Additionally, the bi-junctional photocatalyst can be coated with a thin layer of silver to achieve twice the degradation rate. This enhancement is attributed to the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect. The current work presents an effective and economical option for removing dyes and antibiotics in wastewater, marking a significant stride towards sustainable industrial practices.