Development of a FRET aptasensor based on MoS2-doped Zn-MOF as luminophore for selective detection of cadmium in aqueous solutions.

A robust "on-off" fluorescent aptasensor was developed using nanohybrids of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) quantum dot (QD)-doped zinc metal-organic frameworks (Zn-MOF) for selective and sensitive detection of cadmium ions (Cd2+) in water. This nanohybrid (MoS2@Zn-MOF), synthesized via "bottle around the ship" methodology, exhibited a high-intensity fluorescence emission centered at 430 nm (λEm) (blue) on excitation at 320 nm (λEx). Further, the conjugation of this fluorophore to phosphate-modified cadmium aptamer (Cd-2-2) was achieved through carbodiimide reaction. The hybridization of prepared sensing probe (MoS2@Zn-MOF/Cd-2-2 aptamer) was done with dabcyl-conjugated complementary DNA (cDNA), acting as energy donor-acceptor pair in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system. This hybridization causes the fluorescence quenching of the nanohybrid. In the presence of Cd2+, the aptamer from the fabricated nano-biosensing probe binds to these ions, resulting in release of dabcyl-cDNA oligomer. This release of dabcyl-cDNA oligomer from the sensing probes restores the fluorescence of the nanohybrid. Under optimized conditions (sensing probe/dabcyl-cDNA ratio 1/7, pH 7.4, and temp 28 °C), the sensing probe showed a fast response time of 1 min. The fluorescence intensity of the nanohybrid can be utilized to determine the concentration of Cd2+. The proposed aptasensor achieved highly sensitive detection of Cd2+ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.24 ppb over the range of 1 × 10-9 to 1 × 10-4 M along with minimal effects of interferences (e.g., Hg2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) and good reproducibility. The designed aptasensor based on MoS2@Zn-MOF nanofluorophore offers a highly sensitive and selective approach for rapid screening of metal ions in aqueous environments.

Metallosurfactant aggregates: Structures, properties, and potentials for multifarious applications.

Metallosurfactants offer important scientific and technological advances due to their novel interfacial properties. As a special class of structures formed by the integration of metal ions into amphiphilic surfactant molecules, these metal-based amphiphilic molecules possess both organometallic and surface chemistries. This review critically examines the structural transitions of metallosurfactants from micelle to vesicle upon metal coordination. The properties of a metallosurfactant can be changed by tuning the coordination between the metal ions and surfactants. The self-assembled behavior of surfactants can be controlled by selecting transition-metal ions that enhance their catalytic efficiency in environmental applications by applying a hydrogen evolution reaction or oxygen evolution reaction. We present the different scattering techniques available to examine the properties of metallosurfactants (e.g., size, shape, structure, and aggregation behavior). The utility of metallosurfactants in catalysis, the synthesis of nanoparticles, and biomedical applications (involving diagnostics and therapeutics) is also explored.

Development and evaluation of eco-friendly carvacrol nanoemulsion as a sustainable biopesticide against bacterial leaf blight of cluster bean.

BACKGROUND: The study of carvacrol plant antibacterial components has recently become a hot topic in modern farming. Carvacrol industrial applications are restricted by their physicochemical instability and partial solubility in water. In the present study, an ultrasonic emulsification method was used to prepare a carvacrol nanoemulsion (CAR-NE) employing nonionic surfactants. The CAR-NE was characterized using a dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The goal of this work was nanoencapsulation of carvacrol to improve its aqueous solubility and preservation of the encapsulated compound against climatic conditions. Another aim of the present study was the evaluation of the growth-promoting effects and antibacterial potential of CAR-NE against bacterial leaf blight of cluster bean. RESULTS: CAR-NE showed a hydrodynamic diameter, ZP and PDI index of 43.88 ± 4.30 nm, -47.8 ± 0.23 mV and 0.246 ± 0.04, respectively. The spherical shape morphology of CAR-NE was confirmed by TEM imaging. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the CAR-NE were 20 and 160 µL mL-1 (respectively) against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis. Additionally, the antibacterial potential of CAR-NE was evaluated for controlling bacterial blight of cluster bean in fields. The disease severity in the negative control plants (water) was 84%, but that in the CAR-NE 160 (µL mL-1 ) was remarkably low at 14%, nearly the same as the positive control (streptomycin sulfate). CONCLUSION: The shelf-life of CAR-NE was 2 months at room temperature without any appreciable changes in hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential. Consequently, plants treated with CAR-NE 160 showed substantial improvement in plant growth. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Trends and prospects of 2-D tungsten disulphide (WS2) hybrid nanosystems for environmental and biomedical applications.

Recently, 2D layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) with their ultrathin sheet nanostructure and diversified electronic structure have drawn attention for various advanced applications to achieve high-performance parameters. Unique 2D TMDCs mainly comprise transition metal and chalcogen element where chalcogen element layers sandwich the transition metal element layer. In such a case, various properties can be enhanced and controlled depending on the targeted application. Among manipulative 2D TMDCs, tungsten disulphide (WS2) is one of the emerging nano-system due to its fascinating properties in terms of direct band gap, higher mobility, strong photoluminescence, good thermal stability, and strong magnetic field interaction. The advancement in characterization techniques, especially scattering techniques, can help in study of opto-electronic properties of 2D TMDCs along with determination of layer variations and investigation of defect. In this review, the fabrication and applications are well summarized to optimize an appropriate WS2-TMDCs assembly according to focused field of research. Here, the scientific investigations on 2D WS2 are studied in terms of its structure, role of scattering techniques to study its properties, and synthesis routes followed by its potential applications for environmental remediation (e.g., photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, gas sensing, and wastewater treatment) and biomedical domain (e.g., drug delivery, photothermal therapy, biomedical imaging, and biosensing). Further, a special emphasis is given to the significance of 2D WS2 as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The discussion is further extended to commercial and industrial aspects, keeping in view major research gaps in existing research studies.

Nanoformulation of a Trypanocidal Drug Isometamidium Chloride Ameliorates the Apurinic-Apyrimidinic DNA Sites/Genotoxic Effects in Horse Blood Cells.

Isometamidium chloride (ISM) is a trypanocide for the prophylactic and therapeutic use against vector-borne animal trypanosomosis (mainly Surra caused by Trypanosoma evansi) and African animal trypanosomosis caused by T. congolense/T. vivax/T. brucei). ISM was found to be an efficient trypanocide for therapeutic/prophylactic use against trypanosomosis; however, it produces some local and systemic detrimental effects in animals. We synthesized isometamidium chloride-loaded alginate gum acacia nanoformulation (ISM SANPS) to lessen the detrimental side effects of isometamidium chloride (ISM) while treating trypanosomal diseases. We intended to determine the cytocompatibility/toxicity, and DNA deterioration/chromosomal structural or number changes (genotoxicity) of ISM SANPs using mammalian cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites are one of the major types of DNA lesions formed during base excision and repair of oxidized, deaminated, or alkylated bases. The intensity of the cellular AP site is an excellent marker of the deterioration of DNA quality. We thought it pertinent to quantify the AP sites in ISM SANPs-treated cells. Our investigations established a dose-dependent cyto-compatibility or toxicity and DNA impairment (genotoxicity) in ISM SANPs-treated horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. ISM SANPs were biocompatible at various concentrations tested on the mammalian cells.

Radon and thoron exhalation rate in the soil of Western Haryana, India.

This study reports the exhalation rates of radon and thoron from surface soil collected from 60 rural sites of district Hisar, Haryana, India. The exhalation rates of Rn222 (radon) and Rn220 (thoron) were measured by portable SMART RnDuo (AQTEK SYSTEMS) using a mass accumulation chamber which was equipped with a scintillation material-coated cell. Dose rates due to natural gamma radiations ranged from 0.526 to 1.139 mSv y-1. The Rn222 mass exhalation rate in soil samples varied from 0.14 to 94.65 mBq kg-1 h-1. Thoron surface exhalation rates ranged from 46.42 to 619.88 Bq m-2 h-1. This study gives an idea about the differences in Rn222 and Rn220 exhalation at different locations which may be due to variations in geological features of the locations and characteristics of the topsoil. The findings show that usage of study area soil as building material is safe.

Current Scenario of Pathogen Detection Techniques in Agro-Food Sector.

Over the past-decade, agricultural products (such as vegetables and fruits) have been reported as the major vehicles for foodborne diseases, which are limiting food resources. The spread of infectious diseases due to foodborne pathogens poses a global threat to human health and the economy. The accurate and timely detection of infectious disease and of causative pathogens is crucial in the prevention and treatment of disease. Negligence in the detection of pathogenic substances can be catastrophic and lead to a pandemic. Despite the revolution in health diagnostics, much attention has been paid to the agro-food sector regarding the detection of food contaminants (such as pathogens). The conventional analytical techniques for pathogen detection are reliable and still in operation. However, laborious procedures and time-consuming detection via these approaches emphasize the need for simple, easy-to-use, and affordable detection techniques. The rapid detection of pathogens from food is essential to avoid the morbidity and mortality originating from the suboptimal nature of empiric pathogen treatment. This review critically discusses both the conventional and emerging bio-molecular approaches for pathogen detection in agro-food.

Insight into the antifungal effect of chitosan-conjugated metal oxide nanoparticles decorated on cellulosic foam filter for water filtration.

Worldwide, fungal contamination of water resources has become a major threat to both human health and the environment. The adaptation of nanotechnology in conventional water processes is significant to offer new breakthroughs in water treatment, especially fungal contaminants. Chitosan conjugated metal oxide nanoparticles can affect the antimicrobial properties of cellulosic foam. In the present study, three different types of biocompatible nanoconjugates (i.e., ZnO/chitosan, CuO/chitosan, and Ag2O/chitosan) were synthesized for functionalization of five differently processed cellulose foam filters for resisting fungal spores during water treatment. To evaluate the antifungal effect of these nanoconjugates against prevalent strains of Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), and Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae), the stable coating was introduced on different cellulose filter papers through impregnation. The statistical analysis of antifungal experiment was carried out by two-way factorial ANOVA test. Cellulose filter containing ZnO/chitosan displayed a stronger antifungal behavior in disc diffusion method than those impregnated with CuO/chitosan, and Ag2O/chitosan nanoconjugates. Besides the choice of nanoconjugates, the variation in cellulose foam filters (in terms of concentration of their raw materials and/or processing methodology) can also affect their antifungal performance. Further, the assessment of cytotoxic nature of such nanocomposites-modified cellulose foam filters is a fundamental step towards their real field applications.

Shaping the gut microbiota by bioactive phytochemicals: An emerging approach for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

The human digestive tract is the cottage to trillions of live microorganisms, which regulate health and illness. A healthy Gut Microbiota (GM) is necessary for preventing microbial growth, body growth, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and enhancing immunity. The equilibrium in GM's composition and the presence/absence of critical species enable specific responses to be essential for the host's better health condition. Research evidences revealed that the dietary plants and their bioactive phytochemicals (BPs) play an extensive and critical role in shaping the GM to get beneficial health effects. BPs are also known to improve gastrointestinal health and reduce the risk of several diseases by modulating GM-mediated cellular and molecular processes. Regular intake of BPs-rich vegetables, fruits, and herbal preparations promotes probiotic bacteria, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species, while inhibiting unwanted gut residents' development Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium etc. Upon consumption, BPs contact the GM that gets transformed before being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Biotransformation of BPs by GM is linked with the enhancement of bioactivity/toxicity diminishment of the BPs compared to parental phytochemicals. Therefore, the current review focuses on the role of BPs in shaping GM for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Current paradigms in epigenetic anticancer therapeutics and future challenges.

Any alteration at the genetic or epigenetic level, may result in multiplex of diseases including tumorigenesis which ultimately results in the cancer development. Restoration of the normal epigenome by reversing the epigenetic alterations have been reported in tumors paving the way for development of an effective epigenetic treatment in cancer. However, delineating various epigenetic events has been a challenging task so far despite substantial progress in understanding DNA methylation and histone modifications during transcription of genes. Many inhibitors in the form of epigenetic drugs mostly targeting chromatin and histone modifying enzymes including DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzyme inhibitors and a histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitor, have been in use subsequent to the approval by FDA for cancer treatment. Similarly, other inhibitory drugs, such as FK228, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and MS-275, have been successfully tested in clinical studies. Despite all these advancements, still we see a hazy view as far as a promising epigenetic anticancer therapy is concerned. The challenges are to have more specific and effective inhibitors with negligible side effects. Moreover, the alterations seen in tumors are not well understood for which one has to gain deeper insight into the tumor pathology as well. Current review focusses on such epigenetic alterations occurring in cancer and the effective strategies to utilize such alterations for potential therapeutic use and treatment in cancer.

Nanoencapsulated curcumin emulsion utilizing milk cream as a potential vehicle by microfluidization: Bioaccessibility, cytotoxicity and physico-functional properties.

Curcumin loaded milk cream emulsion was microfluidized at different pressures (50-200 MPa) and passes (1-4) using a full-factorial experimental design. Ultrasonicated and microfluidized emulsion was evaluated for particle size, morphological characteristics, antioxidant activity, rheological properties, bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity. Significant reduction was observed in the average particle size (358.2 nm) after microfluidization at 100 MPa/2nd pass. Transmission electron micrographs of the control (homogenized) and microfluidized (100 MPa/2nd pass) samples showed uniform distribution of fat globules in the microfluidized sample with partially dissolved curcumin particles (50-150 nm). Encapsulation efficiency of microfluidized emulsion was found to be significantly higher (97.88%) after processing as compared to control (91.21%). Two-fold (100%) increase in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 25% increase in ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was observed for microfluidized emulsions over control. Infrared spectrums of the emulsion exhibited shift in high intensity peaks indicating bond cleavage after microfluidization. After characterization, emulsions were subjected to in vitro digestion (oral, gastric and intestinal phase) to evaluate its bioaccessibility which was found to be remarkably increased by 30% after microfluidization. For assessing processing induced safety of the formulation, in vitro cytotoxicity of the microfluidized nanocurcumin emulsion was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on HepG2 cells, wherein high % of cell viability (>93%) was seen even at a dose as high as 900 µg/mL revealing no toxic effect of the processing technique (microfluidization). This study highlights the efficacy of microfluidization as a technique and that of milk cream as an inexpensive, yet potential vehicle for generating stable and bio-accessible nano-curcumin emulsion.

Nanobiotechnology-assisted therapies to manage brain cancer in personalized manner.

There are numerous investigated factors that limit brain cancer treatment efficacy such as ability of prescribed therapy to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), tumor specific delivery of a therapeutics, transport within brain interstitium, and resistance of tumor cells against therapies. Recent breakthroughs in the field of nano-biotechnology associated with developing multifunctional nano-theranostic emerged as an effective way to manage brain cancer in terms of higher efficacy and least possible adverse effects. Keeping challenges and state-of-art accomplishments into consideration, this review proposes a comprehensive, careful, and critical discussion focused on efficient nano-enabled platforms including nanocarriers for drug delivery across the BBB and nano-assisted therapies (e.g., nano-immunotherapy, nano-stem cell therapy, and nano-gene therapy) investigated for brain cancer treatment. Besides therapeutic efficacy point-of-view, efforts are being made to explore ways projected to tune such developed nano-therapeutic for treating patients in personalized manner via controlling size, drug loading, delivery, and retention. Personalized brain tumor management based on advanced nano-therapies can potentially lead to excellent therapeutic benefits based on unique genetic signatures in patients and their individual disease profile. Moreover, applicability of nano-systems as stimulants to manage the brain cancer growth factors has also been discussed in photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive information on emerging opportunities in nanotechnology for advancing the brain cancer treatment.

Internet of medical things (IoMT)-integrated biosensors for point-of-care testing of infectious diseases.

On global scale, the current situation of pandemic is symptomatic of increased incidences of contagious diseases caused by pathogens. The faster spread of these diseases, in a moderately short timeframe, is threatening the overall population wellbeing and conceivably the economy. The inadequacy of conventional diagnostic tools in terms of time consuming and complex laboratory-based diagnosis process is a major challenge to medical care. In present era, the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) is in demand for fast detection of infectious diseases along with "on-site" results that are helpful in timely and early action for better treatment. In addition, POCT devices also play a crucial role in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases by offering real-time testing and lab quality microbial diagnosis within minutes. Timely diagnosis and further treatment optimization facilitate the containment of outbreaks of infectious diseases. Presently, efforts are being made to support such POCT by the technological development in the field of internet of medical things (IoMT). The IoMT offers wireless-based operation and connectivity of POCT devices with health expert and medical centre. In this review, the recently developed POC diagnostics integrated or future possibilities of integration with IoMT are discussed with focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, influenza A (H1N1), human papilloma virus (HPV), Ebola virus disease (EVD), Zika virus (ZIKV), and coronavirus (COVID-19). The IoMT-assisted POCT systems are capable enough to fill the gap between bioinformatics generation, big rapid analytics, and clinical validation. An optimized IoMT-assisted POCT will be useful in understanding the diseases progression, treatment decision, and evaluation of efficacy of prescribed therapy.

Aspects of Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Personalized Health Wellness.

Advancements in analytical diagnostic systems for point-of-care (POC) application have gained considerable attention because of their rapid operation at the site required to manage severe diseases, even in a personalized manner. The POC diagnostic devices offer easy operation, fast analytical outcome, and affordable cost, which promote their advanced research and versatile adoptability. Keeping advantages in view, considerable efforts are being made to design and develop smart sensing components such as miniaturized transduction, interdigitated electrodes-based sensing chips, selective detection at low level, portable packaging, and sustainable durability to promote POC diagnostics according to the needs of patient care. Such effective diagnostics systems are in demand, which creates the challenge to make them more efficient in every aspect to generate a desired bio-informatic needed for better health access and management. Keeping advantages and scope in view, this mini review focuses on practical scenarios associated with miniaturized analytical diagnostic devices at POC application for targeted disease diagnostics smartly and efficiently. Moreover, advancements in technologies, such as smartphone-based operation, paper-based sensing assays, and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) which made POC more sensitive, informative, and suitable for major infectious disease diagnosis, are the main focus here. Besides, POC diagnostics based on automated patient sample integration with a sensing platform is continuously improving therapeutics interventions against specific infectious disease. This review also discussed challenges associated with state-of-the-art technology along with future research opportunities to design and develop next generation POC diagnostic systems needed to manage infectious diseases in a personalized manner.

Emerging nanobiotechnology in agriculture for the management of pesticide residues.

Utilization of pesticides is often necessary for meeting commercial requirements for crop quality and yield. However, incessant global pesticide use poses potential risks to human and ecosystem health. This situation increases the urgency of developing nano-biotechnology-assisted pesticide formulations that have high efficacy and low risk of side effects. The risks associated with both conventional and nanopesticides are summarized in this review. Moreover, the management of residual pesticides is still a global challenge. The contamination of soil and water resources with pesticides has adverse impact over agricultural productivity and food security; ultimately posing threats to living organisms. Pesticide residues in the eco-system may be treated via several biological and physicochemical processes, such as microbe-based degradation and advanced oxidation processes. With these issues in mind, we present a review that explores both existing and emerging techniques for management of pesticide residues and environmental risks. These techniques can offer a sustainable solution to revitalize the tarnished water/soil resources. Further, state-of-the-art research approaches to investigate biotechnological alternatives to conventional pesticides are discussed along with future prospects and mitigation techniques are recommended.

Nanotechnology enabled the enhancement of antitrypanosomal activity of piperine against Trypanosoma evansi.

Nanoencapsulation is the promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of a drug. In the present investigation, piperine-loaded nanocapsules (NCs) was prepared and evaluated for antitrypanosomal activity against the parasite Trypanosoma evansi, a causative agent of trypanosomiasis. Piperine, a bioactive compound was selected as an alternative for drugs that have been used for the treatment of the disease from decades to overcome the toxic effects or drug resistance effect. Moreover, piperine has reported to possess therapeutic potential against other Trypanosoma spp. and has also been reported to cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated effect in cancer cells that was the other reason for the selection. To date, piperine and its nanoformulations have not been evaluated for their growth inhibitory effect against T. evansi. Piperine-loaded NCs exhibited more significant antitrypanosomal effect at approximately three-times less IC50 value 5.04 µM as compared to piperine (IC50-14.45 µM). Moreover, increased production of reactive oxygen species observed in the case of piperine-loaded NCs as that of pure piperine in the axenic culture of T. evansi. Furthermore, different concentrations of piperine-loaded NCs showed less cytotoxicity on horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells as liken to pure piperine. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that piperine-loaded NCs induced more generation of ROS that contributed inhibitory effect on the growth of Trypanosoma evansi as compared to pure drug.

Sn-MOF@CNT nanocomposite: An efficient electrochemical sensor for detection of hydrogen peroxide.

A novel approach for the assembly of Sn-based metal organic framework (Sn-MOF) via solvothermal method and its composite (Sn-MOF@CNT) with electroactive material, carbon nanotubes (CNT) by sonochemical means, is described that is useful for hydrogen peroxide sensing; large surface area and pore volume of Sn-MOF were exploited where in the crystallinity of the Sn-MOF was preserved upon inclusion of CNT over its surface. The surface morphology and structural analysis of Sn-MOF and its composite form, Sn-MOF@CNT, were determined analytically through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The developed Sn-MOF@CNT sensor was expansively used to determine and optimize the effect of scan rate, concentration and detection limits including the EDX and SEM analysis of used Sn-MOF@CNT nanocomposite's post hydrogen peroxide sensing. The electrochemical sensing with Sn-MOF@CNT revealed a lower limit of detection ~4.7 × 10-3 µM with wide linear range between 0.2 µM and 2.5 mM. This study has explored a new strategy for the deposition of CNT over Sn-MOF via a simple sonochemical methodology for successful electrochemical detection of H2O2, an approach that can be imitated for other applications.

Development of membrane-based flow-through assay for detection of trypanosomosis in equines.

A rapid flow-through immunoassay using protein A labeled gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for the qualitative detection of trypanosomosis in equine serum samples was developed. The flow-through device consisted of antigen-coated nitrocellulose membrane fixed on absorbent pads. The GNPs based detection probe was used as the colored marker. The assay can be employed for the detection of Trypanosoma specific antibodies at 14 days post-infection in the infected pooled serum samples of equines. The assay can be conducted in < 5 min. The results of the flow-through assay were comparable with the methods like ELISA, dot blot assay and lateral flow assay. The developed assay showed high efficiency for detection of anti-Trypanosoma antibodies in equine sera and can be used for quick screening of serum samples under field conditions.

Carbonaceous nanomaterials as effective and efficient platforms for removal of dyes from aqueous systems.

In this study, the feasibility of using carbonaceous nanomaterials was explored for adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes from contaminated water under dark conditions. The morphology and crystalline nature of synthesized carbonaceous nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs], activated carbon [AC], and their nanocomposite) were characterized by different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, adsorption experiments were carried out by controlling several key parameters including solution pH, adsorbent dosage, dye concentration, contact time, and temperature. First, the adsorptive behavior of MWCNTs was explained with the aid of adsorption isotherms and kinetics. Thereafter, the adsorptive performance of MWCNTs was compared with those of AC and MWCNTs/AC, and the maximum adsorption capacity (mg/g) of MB/MO was in the order of MWCNTs/AC nanocomposite (232.5/196.1) > MWCNTs (185.1/106.3) > AC (161.3/78.7). The improved adsorption performance (e.g., in terms of adsorption capacity and partition coefficient) of the MWCNTs/AC nanocomposite could be attributed to the presence of more active sites on its surface. Furthermore, their reusable efficiency was in the order of MWCNTs/AC nanocomposite (90.2%), MWCNTs (81%), and AC (67%) after the first step of recovery. The performance of these adsorbents was also evaluated for real field samples. In comparison to MWCNTs and AC, the MWCNTs/AC sorbents offered excellent performance in both single and binary systems, i.e., ~99.8% and 98.7% average removal of MB and MO, respectively.

Nanovehicles for Plant Modifications towards Pest- and Disease-Resistance Traits.

In agriculture, plant transformation is a versatile platform for crop improvement with the aim of increased pest resistance and an improved nutrient profile. Nanotechnology can overcome several challenges that face conventional methods of gene delivery. Specifically, nanomaterials offer an optimal platform for biomolecule delivery with unique physiochemical properties as well as the ability to traverse the challenging barrier of the plant cell wall. We review the potential of diverse nanovehicles for biomolecule delivery in plant systems to obtain desired genetic traits. The efficacy of nanoparticles against pests or pathogens is also explored, as well as the interaction of nanovehicles with plant organelles, with due consideration of the effects and toxic profile of nanoparticles.