A mediator-free microbial electrochemical biosensor based on Escherichia coli nucleotide metabolism for rapid toxicity assessment of emerging contaminants.

Metallic nanoparticles in diabetes mellitus: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives.

Introduction: Preserving the health and structure of primary teeth is crucial for a child’s growth and development. Premature extraction of primary teeth can lead to unfavourable changes in the eruption pattern and alignment of permanent teeth. To ensure the success of endodontic therapy in primary teeth, it is essential to use a biocompatible obturating material with effective antimicrobial properties. An ideal root canal filling material for primary teeth should not harm the periapical tissues, should promote the normal development of the permanent successor tooth and should undergo resorption simultaneously with root resorption. Additionally, it should be easy to place, adhere to the root canal walls, resorb if extruded beyond the apex, appear radiopaque on radiographs and not cause tooth discolouration. Zinc oxide Eugenol (ZnOE), iodoform-based pastes and calcium hydroxide are commonly used obturating materials for primary teeth. However, ZnOE has several disadvantages, including slow resorption, potential tissue irritation, bone and cementum necrosis and interference with the eruption of permanent teeth. Theobromine is a crystalline, water-insoluble alkaloid found in cacao plants. It has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel and exhibit antibacterial activity against microorganisms such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecalis. Need of the study: There is a need to identify root canal filling materials suitable for primary teeth that combine effective antimicrobial activity with biocompatibility and appropriate resorbability. Existing materials, such as zinc oxide eugenol, possess limitations that may compromise treatment outcomes. Therefore, investigating formulations enhanced with theobromine may represent a potential advancement in paediatric endodontics. Aim: To assess and compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of root canal filling materials, including zinc oxide eugenol and calcium hydroxide, combined with theobromine in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study will be conducted at the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, involving 25 patients aged 4-8 years. Microbial samples will be collected from infected primary molar teeth. The antimicrobial efficacy of four different root canal filling materials—zinc oxide mixed with theobromine, zinc oxide eugenol, calcium hydroxide mixed with theobromine and calcium hydroxide mixed with saline—will be evaluated. Vaseline will serve as the negative control. The mean zone of inhibition will be considered the primary outcome measure. Data will be tested for normality using the Shapiro– Wilk test. If the data are normally distributed, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test will be applied. If the data are not normally distributed, the Kruskal– Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction will be used. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Electrochemical detection of para-nitrophenol employing a glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene–zinc oxide nanocomposite for enhanced sensitivity

Improved barrier and antibacterial properties of oxygen plasma-treated PET foils with adhered zinc oxide nanoparticles

Effects of photoaged polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics on the extracellular aggregation and intracellular accumulation of ZnO nanoparticles to algae.

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated infections present major challenges in oral healthcare, necessitating sustainable nanomaterials with multifunctional efficacy. This study reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Pergularia daemia (P. daemia) fibre (PDF) extracts and evaluates their structural, thermal, and biological properties for dental and biomedical applications. ZnO NPs were synthesised using aqueous PDF extracts as natural reducing and stabilising agents. Structural crystallinity was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), functional groups by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Antibacterial performance against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus mutans was assessed via agar well diffusion, while antibiofilm efficacy was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). XRD confirmed a semi-crystalline ZnO phase with a crystallite size of 28.6 nm and a crystallinity index of 21%. FTIR revealed hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxylate groups contributing to nanoparticle stabilisation. SEM micrographs showed irregular, porous, and agglomerated morphologies spanning nanometre to submicron scales. TGA indicated multi-step degradation with a stable residual fraction of ∼14% at 670 °C. Antibacterial assays demonstrated strong inhibition zones (27 mm, 32 mm at 75 µg; 31 mm, 41 mm at 100 µg), comparable to streptomycin (34 mm and 43 mm). CLSM confirmed significant antibiofilm activity through membrane disruption and reduced bacterial viability. The enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm performance of PDF-derived ZnO NPs arises from synergistic effects of nanoparticle cores, reactive oxygen species generation, and phytochemical surface functionalization. Their stability and bioactivity underscore their promise as sustainable nanomaterials. PDF-mediated ZnO NPs show potential for dental applications, including caries prevention, root canal disinfection, and biofilm-resistant coatings for restorative and implant materials. Their multifunctional profile further supports broader biomedical use in antimicrobial therapy, drug delivery, and composite engineering.

Green synthesis of cobalt-doped zinc oxide using phycoremediation-derived microalgal biomass

Chitosan nanocomposite films with metal nanoparticles: Synthesis, antimicrobial mechanisms and applications in sustainable packaging.

Enhancing the performance of photoelectrochemical water splitting using zinc oxide nanorod through UV-Ozone treatment

Synergistic effect of zirconia and zinc oxide incorporation in polyether ether ketone based coating deposited via electrophoretic deposition for orthopedic implants

A novel synergistic insight into the experimentally observed antifungal potential of zinc oxide nanostructures against candida albicans

Extracts of medicinal plants contain a set of specific compounds that can ensure the formation of metal nanoparticles and at the same time provide them with useful properties for effective use in various fields of biotechnology, in particular in agricultural production. The main goal of this work was to synthesize and study the electrokinetic potential and structural properties of green synthesis products - silver, gold, zinc oxide, and iron oxide nanoparticles, depending on the composition of the plant material used and the synthesis conditions. 18 samples of metal nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous and alcoholic extracts of medicinal plants: eucalyptus (Eucalyptus viminalis Labill), aloe (Aloe arborescens Mill and Aloe vera L.), peppermint (Mentha?piperita L.), plantain (Plantago major L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), nettle (dioecious Urtica dioica L.), willow-herb (Chamerion angustifolium L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), and an aqueous tannin solution. All samples were characterized by the content of polyphenolic compounds. The nanoparticles were studied by microelectrophoresis, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the obtained values of the electrokinetic potential, the sample synthesized using an aqueous extract of willow-herb tea proved to be the most stable among the obtained ZnO nanoparticles. Among the FexOy NPs, the most stable were nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extracts of hibiscus and plantain. The most stable Au nanoparticles were the samples synthesized using tannin and an alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. As for silver nanoparticles, tannin, an alcoholic extract of eucalyptus, and an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens contributed to the formation of the most stable nanoparticles. These samples of Ag, Au, FexOy, and ZnO nanoparticles are the most promising for their further practical application, in particular in agroecology and crop production to combat phytopathogens and ensure soil health.

In recent years, agriculture has undergone transformative innovations to enhance crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional value. With increasing concerns over food security, environmental degradation, and soil health, there is growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. Among these strategies, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as promising solutions. Advances in nanobiotechnology have led to the development of various metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver (Ag NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and quantum dots (QDs). These nanomaterials have the potential to enhance plant biomass and crop yield in both laboratory and field settings. PGPR have gained attention for their ability to improve crop productivity through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore and phytohormone production, and the induction of systemic resistance. The synergistic use of nanotechnology and PGPR represents a revolutionary platform for sustainable agriculture. This integrated approach offers practical solutions to critical agricultural challenges such as low productivity, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability. This review highlights how the combination of synergistic utilization of nanotechnology and PGPR can be developed as a winning strategy for sustainable agriculture to solve the current challenges of food security, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability.

Pure and silver-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized via phyto-mediation using Stachytarpheta jamaicensis leaf extract to develop an eco-friendly method for synthesizing nanoparticles with enhanced properties. Zinc nitrate and silver nitrate were employed as precursors for ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles, respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to investigate their optical and morphological properties. Results revealed that the absorption peaks of the synthesized nanoparticles confirmed the formation of nanoparticles, with Ag doping causing a red shift in the absorption spectrum. SEM images indicated a spherical morphology, with slight agglomeration in the doped samples. Doping with silver enhanced the optical properties, which could have potential applications in catalysis, sensing, and biomedical fields. Furthermore, the nanoparticle extracts were subjected to antimicrobial test against two bacterial strains ( Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus ) using a modified disk diffusion method and compared with the antibacterial effect with the standard antibacterial drug, Ampicillin. Ampicillin only showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and had no antibacterial effect on E. Coli. Result of this study showed that the 5% and 10% Ag-doped ZnO NPs showed strong antibacterial activity against both gram-positive ( S. aureus ) and gram-negative ( E. coli ) bacterial strains.

Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Promising Adjuvant to Albendazole in the Management of Hydatid Cyst Disease: Molecular and Biochemical Insights.

Electron transport layers (ETLs) with efficient electron extraction are essential for high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Sol-gel-derived zinc oxide (ZnO) is widely used as an ETL because of its high electron mobility and suitable work function; however, intrinsic defects in ZnO often limit the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device. To overcome this limitation, inverted OSCs employing ZnO doped with small molecule electrolytes (SMEs) as the ETL are developed. Rylene diimide-based SMEs containing tosylate anions, PDIN-OTs and NDIN-OTs, are synthesized and incorporated into ZnO for non-fullerene OSCs. The resulting ZnO-SME hybrid films significantly enhance device performance, yielding a PCE of up to 18.3%. Devices modified with PDIN-OTs exhibit higher short-circuit current density (Jsc), while those using NDIN-OTs show improved fill factor (FF). These enhancements arise from the effective passivation of ZnO trap states through interactions between tosylate anions and Zn ions in the ZnO lattice, consistent with a trap-filling mechanism. This interaction facilitates electron transport, suppresses charge recombination, and increases ZnO conductivity. In addition, reduced work function, Urbach energy, and trap density further promote efficient charge transport and collection. Overall, this study demonstrates that organic SMEs are effective ZnO modifiers and offer a promising strategy for improving OSC performance.

Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, DNA binding, and antioxidant activities of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the wild mushroom Lepista sordida (Schumach) singer EGDA2.

Statistical optimization for removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions using chitosan-assembled zinc oxide nanocomposite.

Growing concerns about environmental pollution and the sustainability of conventional nanomaterial synthesis have accelerated interest in plant-based routes for nanoparticle production. This review provides an in-depth analysis of more than 290 peer-reviewed research and review articles published between 2010 and 2025, extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, on the green synthesis of metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts, with particular emphasis on their characterization and application in water treatment. Plant-derived phytochemicals serve as natural reducing and stabilizing agents, enabling nanoparticle formation without hazardous reagents. Key physicochemical characterization techniques, including UV–Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, are evaluated for their roles in confirming nanoparticle structure, morphology, surface chemistry, and optical behavior. The review focuses on water purification applications, highlighting adsorption and photocatalytic degradation as the most extensively investigated removal pathways. Particular attention is given to widely studied material classes such as silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron-based nanoparticles, which demonstrate effective removal of heavy metals, synthetic dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues. Current limitations related to synthesis reproducibility, mechanistic understanding, stability, and scalability are critically discussed. The review concludes by identifying priority research directions, including standardized synthesis protocols, deeper chemical analysis of plant extracts, and the integration of green nanoparticles into immobilized and membrane-based systems to advance their practical implementation in sustainable water treatment technologies.