RESUMEN
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) play a pivotal role in the current research landscape due to their extensive applications in engineering, biotechnology, and industry. The aim is to use fig (Ficus hispida Linn. f.) extract (FE) for eco-friendly Ag NPs synthesis, followed by detailed characterization, antibacterial testing, and investigation of bioelectricity generation. This study focuses on the crystallographic features and nanostructures of Ag NPs synthesized from FE. Locally sourced fig was boiled in deionized water, cooled, and doubly filtered. A color change in 45 mL 0.005 M AgNO3 and 5 mL FE after 40 min confirmed the bio-reduction of silver ions to Ag NPs. Acting as a reducing and capping agent, the fig extract ensures a green and sustainable process. Various analyses, including UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry (UV), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles, and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the fig extract revealed the presence of eleven chemicals. Notably, the Ag NPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 418 nm, confirmed by UV analysis, while FTIR and XRD results highlighted the presence of active functional groups in FE and the crystalline nature of Ag NPs respectively. With an average particle size of 44.57 nm determined by FESEM and a crystalline size of 35.87 nm determined by XRD, the nanoparticles showed strong antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Most importantly, fig fruit extract has been used as the bio-electrolyte solution to generate electricity for the first time in this report. The findings of this report can be the headway of nano-biotechnology in medicinal and device applications.
RESUMEN
This research investigates the structural, morphological, and optical properties of Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) thin films deposited via the Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) Technique, focusing on the impact of Iron (Fe) doping. Using Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) and Ferrous chloride (FeCl2) as precursor materials, the research investigates how Fe doping affects the structural and photoelectric characteristics of the films. Employing various characterization methods including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-Vis NIR spectroscopy, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the films. XRD analysis confirms the formation of a cubic structure with a predominant orientation along the (111) plane, consistent with XRD peaks. Additionally, XRD data reveals the degradation of thin films post-annealing. Crystalline size and strain are determined using the Debye-Scherrer and Wilson formulae, while lattice constant and Size-strain plots are derived from X-ray line broadening. The average crystallite size ranges from 12 to 21 nm. Optical band gaps are found to be 2.25 eV, 2.91 eV, 2.87 eV, and 2.85 eV for the samples. Interestingly, a decrease in crystal size with increasing doping concentration correlates with a reduction in bandgap. This investigation offers valuable insights into the fabrication and characterization of CdSe thin films, particularly highlighting the impact of Fe doping on their structural and optical properties. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the fabrication and characterization of CdSe thin films, emphasizing the importance of precise doping control for tailoring material properties and advancing their applications in photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices.
RESUMEN
The enormous numbers of applications of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) cause concern about their risk to the environment and human health. Consequently, motivated by the necessity of searching for new sources of TiO2 NPs of low cytotoxicity with antibacterial activity, we synthesized TiO2 NPs by a green route using a solution of titanium(iv) isopropoxide as a precursor and an aqueous extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus leaf as a reducing and surface modifying agent. We investigated their structure, shape, size, and magnetic properties, and evaluated their antibiotic application and cytotoxicity. The synthesized TiO2 NPs were applied against two Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. typhimurium) and two Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. subtilis) to observe their antibacterial activity; and eventually clear zones of inhibition formed by the TiO2 NPs were obtained. Moreover, after exposing the synthesized TiO2 NPs to HeLa cells (carcinoma cells) and Vero cells (normal cells), no toxic effect was found up to a dose of 1000 mg L-1, indicating the safe use of the samples up to at least 1000 mg L-1. However, toxic effects on HeLa cells and Vero cells were observed at doses of 2000 mg L-1 and 3000 mg L-1, respectively. These results indicate the safe use of Artocarpus heterophyllus leaf extract mediated synthesized TiO2 NPs in their potential applications.
RESUMEN
The study was conducted to investigate the micronutrient profile of human colostrum, and to assess the association of maternal characteristics to the micronutrients. Colostral concentrations of antioxidant vitamins E, C, and A were 21.34 +/- 8.47, 148.92 +/- 43.64, 0.79 +/- 0.42 micromol/l, respectively. The antioxidant minerals copper, zinc, and iron contents were 19.17 +/- 11.73, 63.69 +/- 12.82, 11.44 +/- 1.46 micromol/l, respectively. Maternal characteristics did not have any influence on the colostral micronutrients.