RESUMEN
In the recent times, one of the most crucial tasks related to water resources is the treatment of polluted water. This study reports the development of a functionalized nanofibrous membrane with enhanced filtration performance, heavy metal removal, and photocatalytic dye degradation for the effective treatment of contaminated water. The nanofibrous mats were developed by the process of electrospinning using a polymeric solution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) reinforced with curcumin-multiwalled carbon nanotube (C-MWCNT) conjugate. The experimental trials for membrane fabrication were adapted based on the design of experiments (DoE) approach by making use of the Box-Behnken design (BBD) for a three-variable system, a component of response surface methodology (RSM). The three variable parameters selected for optimization of the electrospinning process were the dopant concentration (in weight percentage), the flow rate (in millilitre per hour), and the spinning time (in hours), respectively, and a total of 15 fibrous membranes were fabricated. The SEM analysis of the fabricated membranes revealed alterations in the surface morphology of the fibrous mats with variations in the electrospinning parameters. The infrared spectrum of the fibrous mats, validated the incorporation C-MWCNT conjugate in PAN, thereby confirming the formation of PAN/C-MWNCNT membrane. The mean flow pore size and breaking force of the PAN/C-MWCNT membranes was also obtained using a universal testing machine (UTM) and porometer, respectively. To choose the best membrane for efficient filtration experiments, the performance of each of the prepared membranes was assessed in terms of solute rejection percentage (SR%), permeate flux (PF), and pure water flux (PWF). The statistical analysis of the assessed parameters in accordance with the membranes prepared was done using the MINITAB software, and the three-dimensional (3D) surface plots were constructed using the STATISTICA software to visualize and validate the relation between each of the electrospinning parameters and the corresponding membrane performance characteristics. Similarly, the potential of the electrospun membranes for efficient heavy metal ion removal and photocatalysis were also tested independently and the optimal electrospinning parameters were determined for the same. Based on the results, it was observed that the PAN/C-MWCNT membranes could serve as potential candidates for the treatment of polluted water.
RESUMEN
Cypermethrin (CM) is an important type II pyrethroid pesticide used extensively in pest control and is reported to cause hepatic and renal toxicity. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (LPO) has been implicated in the toxicology of pyrethroids. Fenugreek is known for its antitoxic and antioxidant potential. We have investigated the protective effect of aqueous extract of germinated fenugreek seeds in CM-induced hepatic and renal toxicity. Male Wistar rats were treated with 1/10 LD(50) (25 mg/kg body weight) of CM and 10% aqueous extract of fenugreek (GFaq) for 60 days. CM treatment caused increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), depletion in glutathione (GSH) and reduction in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver and kidneys. There was a significant reduction in total phospholipids and increased activities of phospholipases A (PLA) and C (PLC) in liver and kidneys and increased activities of serum marker enzymes, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine tansaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Treatment with 10% GFaq showed replenishment of antioxidant status and brought all the values to near normal, indicating the protective effect of fenugreek. Phytochemicals present in fenugreek could play an important role in ameliorating the pesticide-induced toxicity.