Spherical Fe2O3 nanoparticles inhibit the production of aflatoxins (B1 and B2) and regulate total soluble solids and titratable acidity of peach fruit.

Aflatoxin is a group I carcinogen and causes significant public health and food safety risks, throughout the world. This study was carried out to assess the levels of aflatoxin contamination in diseased peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit and their control using myco-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs). Diseased peach fruit were diagnosed to be infected with Aspergillus flavus. The isolated pathogen was cultured under UV light (365 nm) and exposed to ammonium hydroxide (31 %) vapors, which confirmed its ability to produce aflatoxin. For the control of this disease, Fe2O3 NPs were synthesized in the filtrate of a biocontrol fungus (Trichoderma harzianum) and characterized before analyzing their potential in disease control. FTIR spectrum described the presence of capping and reducing agents (secondary amines, alcohol, alkyne and aromatic compounds) on the surface of Fe2O3 NPs. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) described the crystalline size (7.78), while the spherical shape of Fe2O3 NPs was described by the SEM analysis. The EDX spectrum indicated the successful formation of Fe2O3 NPs by showing strong signals of iron (74.38 %). All concentrations displayed mycelial growth inhibition, in vitro and the greatest growth reduction (65.4 %) was observed at 1 mg/ml concentration of NPs. At the same concentration of Fe2O3 NPs, significant control of fruit rot of peach was also observed, in vivo. Treatment of Fe2O3 NPs maintained higher soluble solids, sucrose, total sugar, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity and firmness of peach fruit. Diseased fruit were further investigated for the presence and detection of aflatoxins. All three methods viz. thin layer chromatography (TLC), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed a higher production of aflatoxins in control plants, while this production was significantly reduced in Fe2O3 NPs-treated peach fruit.

Comparative taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: First report.

In the present research project, the first report on comparative analysis of the taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected Hibiscus rosa sinensis (L.) leaves of the family Malvaceae was done by using different micro and macroscopic techniques. First of all, leaves were characterized for Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) and its associated betasatellite (Cotton leaf curl Multan Betasatellite; CLCuMB). Different morphological parameters like shape and size of stem, leaves, seeds and roots, presence and absence of ligule, distance between nodes and internodes and type of inflorescence etc. were analyzed. CLCuMuV infected H. rosa-sinensis revealed systematic symptoms of infection like chlorosis of leaves, stunted growth, decrease in size of roots, shoots and distortion etc. Anatomical investigation was performed under light ad scanning electron microscope. Different anatomical features like length and shape of guard cells, subsidiary cells, presence or absence of stomata, secretory ducts and trichomes were examined. In both plant samples anomocytic types of stomata and elongated, non-glandular and pointed tip trichomes were present, but the size (especially length and width) of trichomes and other cells like epidermal, subsidiary, and guard cells were highest in virus infected plants likened to healthy one. In the antibacterial activity, the maximum antibacterial potentail was seen in methanolic extract of K. pneumonea while antifungal activity was shown by methanolic extract of A. solani. Plants interact with different biological entities according to environmental conditions continuously and evolved. These types of interactions induce changes positively and negatively on plant metabolism and metabolites production. Many plant viruses also attacked various host plants consequently alter their secondary metabolism. To overcome such virus infected plants produces many important and different types of secondary plant metabolites as a defense response. Subsequent analysis of this n-hexane plant extract using Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy technique revealed that Hibiscus eluted contained 10 main compounds in Healthy sample and 13 compounds in infected one. Presence of essential secondary metabolites were also analyzed by FTIR analysis. The present study provides a comprehensive and novel review on taxonomy (morphology, anatomy) and antimicrobial potential of both healthy and geminivirus infected H. rosa-sinensis.

Synergistic effect of biochar-based compounds from vegetable wastes and gibberellic acid on wheat growth under salinity stress.

Soil salinization is a prevalent form of land degradation particularly in water-deficient regions threatening agricultural sustainability. Present desalinization methods demand excessive water use. Biochar has been recognized as a potential remedy for saline soils and Gibberellic acids (GA3) are known to mediate various biochemical processes aiding in stress mitigation. This study was undertaken at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur during winter 2022-23 to explore the combined effect of biochar and GA3 on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in saline conditions. Employing a fully randomized design wheat seeds in 24 pots were subjected to two salinity levels with three replications across eight treatments: T1 to T8 ranging from controls with different soil electrical conductivities (ECs) to treatments involving combinations of GA3, biochar and varying soil ECs. These treatments included T1 (control with soil EC of 2.43dS/m), T2 (salinity stress with soil EC of 5.11dS/m), T3 (10 ppm GA3 with soil EC of 2.43dS/m), T4 (10 ppm GA3 with soil EC of 5.11dS/m), T5 (0.75% Biochar with soil EC of 2.43dS/m), T6 (0.75% Biochar with soil EC of 5.11dS/m), T7 (10 ppm GA3 combined with 0.75% biochar at soil EC of 2.43dS/m) and T8 (10 ppm GA3 plus 0.75% biochar at soil EC of 5.11dS/m). The results indicated that the combined applications of GA3 and biochar significantly enhanced plant growth in saline conditions viz. germination rate by 73%, shoot length of 15.54 cm, root length of 4.96 cm, plant height of 16.89 cm, shoot fresh weight 43.18 g, shoot dry weight 11.57 g, root fresh weight 24.26 g, root dry weight 9.31 g, plant water content 60.77%, photosynthetic rate 18.58(CO2 m-2 s-1) carotenoid 3.03 g, chlorophyll a 1.01 g, chlorophyll b 0.69 g, total chlorophyll contents by 1.9 g as compared to the control. The findings suggest that the combined application of these agents offers a sustainable and effective strategy for cultivating wheat in saline soils. The synergy between biochar and GA3 presents a promising avenue for sustainable wheat cultivation in saline conditions. This combined approach not only improves plant growth but also offers an innovative, water-efficient solution for enhancing agricultural productivity in saline-affected regions.

Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Antimicrobial Properties and Biomedical Performance, Featuring Nodularia haraviana from the Cholistan Desert.

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of -18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 µgmL-1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 µgmL-1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 µg mL-1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 µg mL-1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 µg mL-1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

Euphorbia royleana Boiss Derived Silver Nanoparticles and Their Applications as a Nanotherapeutic Agent to Control Microbial and Oxidative Stress-Originated Diseases.

Nanotechnology is one of the most advance and multidisciplinary fields. Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology radically changed the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent various diseases in all aspects of human life. The use of plants and their extracts is one of the most valuable methods towards rapid and single-step protocol preparation for various nanoparticles, keeping intact "the green principles" over the conventional ones and proving their dominance for medicinal importance. A facile and eco-friendly technique for synthesizing silver nanoparticles has been developed by using the latex of Euphorbia royleana as a bio-reductant for reducing Ag+ ions in an aqueous solution. Various characterization techniques were employed to validate the morphology, structure, and size of nanoparticles via UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and EDS. FTIR spectroscopy validates different functional groups associated with biomolecules stabilizing/capping the silver nanoparticles, while SEM and XRD revealed spherical nanocrystals with FCC geometry. The results revealed that latex extract-mediated silver nanoparticles (LER-AgNPs) exhibited promising antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and -negative bacterial strains (Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus viridians). Both latex of E. royleana and LER-AgNPs were found to be potent in scavenging DPPH free radicals with respective EC50s and EC70s as 0.267% and 0.518% and 0.287% and 0.686%. ROSs produced in the body damage tissue and cause inflammation in oxidative stress-originated diseases. H2O2 and OH* scavenging activity increased with increasing concentrations (20-100 µg/mL) of LER-AgNPs. Significant reestablishment of ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin serum levels was observed in mice intoxicated with acetaminophen (PCM), revealing promising hepatoprotective efficacy of LER-AgNPs in a dose-dependent manner.

Impact of bacterial synthesized nanoparticles on quality attributes and postharvest disease control efficacy of apricot and loquat.

Postharvest fungal attacks on fruits such as apricots and loquats are common. Diseased fruit samples were collected from Murree's local fruit markets. The disease-causing pathogens were identified utilizing molecular, microscopic, and morphological characteristics. Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger were identified as the pathogens responsible for brown rot in loquat and black rot in apricot. To combat these fruit diseases, iron oxide (Fe2 O3 ) nanoparticles were synthesized using Bacillus subtilis and were characterized using various techniques. X-ray diffraction examination validated the size of iron oxide nanoparticles. The presence of several capping agents in the synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the spherical morphology of nanoparticles, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray proved the presence of different elemental compositions. After completing antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo, it was discovered that a nanoparticle concentration of 1.0 mg/mL efficiently suppressed the growth of fungal mycelia. Fungi growth was effectively inhibited in fruit samples treated with 1.0 mg/mL nanoparticles. The results of successful in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities imply that iron oxide (Fe2 O3 ) nanoparticles play an important role in ensuring fruit quality against pathogenic attacks. Bacterial-mediated iron oxide can be widely used because it is less expensive and less harmful to the environment than chemically manufactured fertilizers.

Multi-Spectroscopic Characterization of MgO/Nylon (6/6) Polymer: Evaluating the Potential of LIBS and Statistical Methods.

The potential of using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in combination with various other spectroscopic and statistical methods was assessed for characterizing pure and MgO-doped nylon (6/6) organic polymer samples. The pure samples, obtained through a polycondensation chemical technique, were artificially doped with MgO prior to analysis for comparative purposes. These artificially doped samples served as crucial reference materials for comparative analysis and reference purposes. The LIBS studies were performed under local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin plasma conditions. To assess the structural crystallinity of the nylon (6/6) polymer samples, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed to detect functional groups such as N-H, C-H, and C-N in the adsorbent polyamide nylon sample. Additionally, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of doping and temperature on the band gap and material reflectance across different sample temperatures. Chemical compositional analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with the carbon C1s peak at 248.8 eV serving as a reference for spectrum calibration, along with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, which demonstrated good agreement between the techniques. To validate the different methodologies, the results obtained from CF-LIBS and EDX were compared with those from the standard inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. Finally, for classification analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the LIBS spectral data at different sample temperatures (25 °C, 125 °C, 225 °C, and 325 °C). The analyses demonstrated that the combination of LIBS with PCA, along with other methods, presents a robust technique for polymer characterization.

Effect of green Fe2O3 nanoparticles in controlling Fusarium fruit rot disease of loquat in Pakistan.

The subtropical fruit known as the loquat is prized for both its flavour and its health benefits. The perishable nature of loquat makes it vulnerable to several biotic and abiotic stressors. During the previous growing season (March-April 2021), loquat in Islamabad showed signs of fruit rot. Loquat fruits bearing fruit rot symptoms were collected, and the pathogen that was causing the disease isolated and identified using its morphology, microscopic visualisation, and rRNA sequence. The pathogen that was isolated was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Green synthesized metallic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were employed to treat fruit rot disease. Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a leaf extract of the Calotropis procera. Characterization of NPs was performed by different modern techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) determined the existence of stabilizing and reducing compounds like phenol, carbonyl compounds, and nitro compounds, on the surface of Fe2O3 NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) explained the crystalline nature and average size (~49 nm) of Fe2O3 NPs. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) exhibited Fe and O peaks, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the smaller size and spherical shape of Fe2O3 NPs. Following both in vitro and in vivo approaches, the antifungal potential of Fe2O3 NPs was determined, at different concentrations. The results of both in vitro and in vivo analyses depicted that the maximum fungal growth inhibition was observed at concentration of 1.0 mg/mL of Fe2O3 NPs. Successful mycelial growth inhibition and significantly reduced disease incidence suggest the future application of Fe2O3 NPs as bio fungicides to control fruit rot disease of loquat.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles at Different pH Values from Clinopodium vulgare L. and Their Assessment as an Antimicrobial Agent and Biomedical Application.

The current study attempts to evaluate the formation, morphology, and physico-chemical properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from Clinopodium vulgare extract at different pH values and to investigate their antimicrobial and biomedical application potential. The reduction of zinc ions to ZnO NPs was determined by UV spectra, which revealed absorption peaks at 390 nm at pH 5 and 348 nm at pH 9, respectively. The spherical morphology of the nanoparticles was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the size was 47 nm for pH 5 and 45 nm for pH 9. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to reveal the presence of functional groups on the surface of nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity was examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Klebsiella pneumonia via the agar-well diffusion method. Comparatively, the highest activities were recorded at pH 9 against all bacterial strains, and among these, biogenic ZnO NPs displayed the maximum inhibition zone (i.e., 20.88 ± 0.79 mm) against S. aureus. ZnO NPs prepared at pH 9 exhibited the highest antifungal activity of 80% at 25 mg/mL and antileishmanial activity of 82% at 400 mg/mL. Altogether, ZnO NPs synthesized at pH 9 show promising antimicrobial potential and could be used for biomedical applications.

Citrus sinensis Peel Oil Extraction and Evaluation as an Antibacterial and Antifungal Agent.

Throughout the tropical and subtropical climates, the genus Citrus can be found. The current study was conducted to extract the Citrus sinensis peel oil and evaluate its antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic potential. Petroleum ether was used to extract the C. sinensis peel oil through a Soxhlet apparatus. The antimicrobial and antifungal potential was determined via agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were calculated (test bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae; test fungal strains: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Altrnaria alternata). Antiparasitic activity against Leishmaniatropica was determined following standard protocol using amphotericin-B as positive and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) as a negative control and the percentage inhibition was calculated. The oil extracted was brownish yellow with a tangy smell, water-insoluble, density (0.778 g/cm3) and specific gravity (0.843 g/cm). In antibacterial activity, the diameter of the zone of inhibition was maximum against E. coli (14 mm) and minimum for S. agalactiae (10 mm). While in antifungal activity diameter of the zone of inhibition was maximum against A. flavus (12.5 mm) and minimum for A. alternata (8.6 mm). S. agalactiae exhibited the minimum MIC value (6 mg/mL) and in fungal strains A. alternata exhibited the minimum value (2 mm). Citrus sinensis peel oil displayed antileishmanial efficiency of 60% at 50 µg/mL concentration after 48 h of incubation. C. sinensis peel oil demonstrated antimicrobial capabilities, implying that it could be used as a natural preservative in food or as an effective treatment against a variety of pathogenic organisms. Industries should extract oil from the waste of citrus fruits which will be beneficial from an economic point of view.

Kinetin Capped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Improve Plant Growth and Ameliorate Resistivity to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Induced Drought Stress in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Mung Bean).

Plants are sessile and mostly exposed to various environmental stresses which hamper plant growth, development, and significantly decline its production. Drought stress is considered to be one of the most significant limiting factors for crop plants, notably in arid and semi-arid parts the world. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of different concentrations (10, 100, and 200 µg/mL) of kinetin capped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Kn-ZnONPs) on Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under varying levels (5%, 10%, 15%) of PEG-induced drought stress. ZnONPs were synthesized by a co-precipitation method using Zinc acetate as a precursor at pH-12, incinerated to 500 °C, and kinetin was used as a surface functionalizing agent. The resulting Kn-ZnONPs were characterized by various contemporary analytical techniques, including SEM, SEM-EDS, XRD, DLS, and Zeta potential and IR spectroscopy. Crystalline Kn-ZnONPs, with a zeta potential of 27.8 mV and a size of 67.78 nm, of hexagonal wurtzite structure and vibrational stretches associated with N-H, C-O, C-N, etc., were confirmed. PEG-induced drought stress significantly reduced the growth of V. radiata by declining the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Moreover, a significant decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), soluble sugar contents, proline, protein contents, phenol, and tannin were observed compared to the control. However, the exogenous application of Kn-ZnONPs ameliorated all photosynthetic parameters by up-regulating the antioxidant defense system through the promotion of SOD, POD, CAT, and lipid peroxidation levels. The biochemical parameters, such as proteins, soluble sugars, and proline, were observed to be maximum in plants treated with 200 µg/mL Kn-ZnONPs under 5% drought stress. The application of Kn-ZnONPs also enhanced the total phenol contents, flavonoid, and tannin contents. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that the exogenous application of Kn-ZnONPs provides beneficial effects to V. radiata by attenuating the damaging effects of drought stress through the up-regulation of the antioxidant defense system and osmolytes. These results suggest that Kn-ZnONPs have potential as a novel approach to improve crop productivity under drought stress conditions.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles from Green Algae and Their Assessment in Various Biological Applications.

The biosynthesis of algal-based zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles has shown several advantages over traditional physico-chemical methods, such as lower cost, less toxicity, and greater sustainability. In the current study, bioactive molecules present in Spirogyra hyalina extract were exploited for the biofabrication and capping of ZnO NPs, using zinc acetate dihydrate and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as precursors. The newly biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized for structural and optical changes through UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A color change in the reaction mixture from light yellow to white indicated the successful biofabrication of ZnO NPs. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum peaks at 358 nm (from zinc acetate) and 363 nm (from zinc nitrate) of ZnO NPs confirmed that optical changes were caused by a blue shift near the band edges. The extremely crystalline and hexagonal Wurtzite structure of ZnO NPs was confirmed by XRD. The involvement of bioactive metabolites from algae in the bioreduction and capping of NPs was demonstrated by FTIR investigation. The SEM results revealed spherical-shaped ZnO NPs. In addition to this, the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the ZnO NPs was investigated. ZnO NPs showed remarkable antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The DPPH test revealed the strong antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs.

Application of phyto-fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles to diminish brown spot of pear whilst maintaining its quality.

Pyrus communis is a common fruit of temperate region, its domestication and origin is at two different points, Asia and China. Pear fruits bearing brown spot symptoms were picked, and pathogen was isolated and poured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. On basis of molecular and molecular analyses, this isolated pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternata. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared from Theveti peruviana leaf extract and were characterized through various techniques Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of prepared ZnO NPs depicted the presence of agents responsible for stabilization and reduction such as alkenes, alkynes, nitro compounds, alkyl halides, aromatic compounds and aliphatic amines. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the size (27 nm) and crystalline nature of ZnO NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) depicted the irregular shape of the prepared ZnO NPs. Mass percentage of zinc (79.84%) and oxygen (20.16%) was depicted using Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis. The in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity (A.F) of prepared NPs against A. alternata was confirmed by poisoned food technique and wound inoculation method. On the basis of which it was concluded that 1.0 mg/mL concentration of ZnO NPs could effectively inhibit A. alteranata growth and minimize the risk of brown spot of pear. SEM images of A. alternata under 1 mg/mL NPs showed the deformation in morphology of A. alternata. ZnO NPs also aided in the preservation of its various organoleptic and biochemical properties. The high percentage of soluble solids, firmness, ascorbic acid and sugars demonstrated its high quality. It has been concluded that 1 mg/mL ZnO NPs can effectively control brown spot of pear while maintaining its quality. In addition, the method might be applied to control emerging diseases in an ecofriendly way to meet the global food demand. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Isolation and characterization of pathogen causing brown spot in pear. Pathogenicity of A. alternata was checked on healthy fruits. Thevetia peruviana leaf extract was used for the synthesis, characterization and antifungal assay of ZnO Nanoparticles. Green synthesized nanoparticles can be economically effective alternative fungicide for the large scale in agriculture fields.

Biofabrication of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa and Their Antibacterial Applications.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted substantial interest due to their superparamagnetic features, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. The latest progress in the biological production of Fe3O4 NPs by green methods has improved their quality and biological applications significantly. In this study, the fabrication of iron oxide NPs from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa was conducted via an easy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process. The fabricated Fe3O4 NPs were characterized using various analytical methods to study their unique properties. UV-Vis absorption peaks were observed in algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs at 289 nm and 306 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyzed diverse bioactive phytochemicals present in algal and plant extracts that functioned as stabilizing and capping agents in the fabrication of algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs. X-ray diffraction of NPs revealed the crystalline nature of both biofabricated Fe3O4 NPs and their small size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that algae and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs are spherical and rod-shaped, averaging 52 nm and 75 nm in size. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the green-synthesized Fe3O4 NPs require a high mass percentage of iron and oxygen to ensure their synthesis. The fabricated plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited stronger antioxidant properties than algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. The algal-based NPs showed efficient antibacterial potential against E. coli, while the plant-based Fe3O4 NPs displayed a higher zone of inhibition against S. aureus. Moreover, plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited superior scavenging and antibacterial potential compared to the algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. This might be due to the greater number of phytochemicals in plants that surround the NPs during their green fabrication. Hence, the capping of bioactive agents over iron oxide NPs improves antibacterial applications.

Biocompatible formulations based on mycosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles: Fabrication, characterization, and biological investigation.

The current study was carried out to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) via green reduction method from a wild mushroom collected from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. The collected fungus was identified as Daedalea sp. based on morphological characteristics. Prepared NPs were produced from iron chloride hexahydrate with fungal filtrate via combustion method. The as prepared NPs were characterized by using different techniques for example, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractions (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Morphology and size of the NPs were determined by SEM analysis. XRD study revealed crystalline nature of IONPs. The FT-IR spectrum exhibited peak at 3390.26 cm- 1 stretching that described the strong O-H band of the alcohol associated with mushroom texture. The major IONPs dose (0.75 mg/ml) demonstrated 71% growth inhibition against Aspergillus. Excellent antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28 mm), and Klesbsilla pneumonia (28 mm) were represented by the fabricated NPs. Further, highest reducing power (53.22 ± 0.72 µg AAE/mg) was shown by the highest administrated dose (400 µg/ml). Maximum 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and trolox antioxidant activity free radical scavenging activities at 400 µg/ml IONPs concentration were noted as 51.29 ± 0.48, and 83.12 ± 0.28 trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, respectively. In brief, the negligible hemolytic activity against human red blood cells at the highest concentration (400 µg/ml), as well as, moderate antioxidant activities at low concentration suggest the application of the fabricated NPs in environmentally sound viable hygiene production.

Biocontrol of Fruit Rot of Litchi chinensis Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized in Azadirachta indica.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a famous fruit species of tropical and subtropical regions of the world and many biotic and abiotic stresses affect its yield. In this study, lychee fruit rot has been observed and its incidence has been controlled by using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Diseased lychee fruits were collected and diagnosed to identify disease-causing pathogens. Morphological appearance, microscopic observation, and sequence analysis of the amplified ITS region identified this isolated pathogen as Aspergillus niger. To control this problem, ZnO NPs were prepared in the leaf extract of Azadirachta indica. Before their antifungal activity, ZnO NPs were characterized using sophisticated approaches. FTIR revealed the presence of reducing and stabilizing molecules on ZnO NPs including alcohol, carboxylic acid, alkyl halide, amine, and alkyl halide. Crystalline nature and average size (29.024 nm) of synthesized ZnO NPs were described by X-ray diffraction. EDX analysis depicted the mass percentage of zinc (30.15%) and oxygen (14.90%). SEM analysis displayed the irregular shape of nanoparticles and confirmed the nano-size of ZnO NPs. Maximum mycelial growth inhibition (70.5%) was observed at 1.0 mg/mL concentration of ZnO NPs in vitro. In in-vivo disease-control analysis, maximum control of lychee fruit rot disease was observed at the same concentration. These results reveal the potential use of these ZnO NPs on a larger scale to replace hazardous chemical fungicides.

Biological Applications of Ball-Milled Synthesized Biochar-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Using Zea mays L.

Nanotechnology is one of the vital and quickly developing areas and has several uses in various commercial zones. Among the various types of metal oxide-based nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are frequently used because of their effective properties. The ZnO nanocomposites are risk-free and biodegradable biopolymers, and they are widely being applied in the biomedical and therapeutics fields. In the current study, the biochar-zinc oxide (MB-ZnO) nanocomposites were prepared using a solvent-free ball-milling technique. The prepared MB-ZnO nanocomposites were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy. The MB-ZnO particles were measured as 43 nm via the X-ray line broadening technique by applying the Scherrer equation at the highest peak of 36.36°. The FTIR spectroscope results confirmed MB-ZnO's formation. The band gap energy gap values of the MB-ZnO nanocomposites were calculated as 2.77 eV by using UV-Vis spectra. The MB-ZnO nanocomposites were tested in various in vitro biological assays, including biocompatibility assays against the macrophages and RBCs and the enzymes' inhibition potential assay against the protein kinase, alpha-amylase, cytotoxicity assays of the leishmanial parasites, anti-inflammatory activity, antifungal activity, and antioxidant activities. The maximum TAC (30.09%), TRP (36.29%), and DPPH radicals' scavenging potential (49.19%) were determined at the maximum dose of 200 µg/mL. Similarly, the maximum activity at the highest dose for the anti-inflammatory (76%), at 1000 µg/mL, alpha-amylase inhibition potential (45%), at 1000 µg/mL, antileishmanial activity (68%), at 100 µg/mL, and antifungal activity (73 ± 2.1%), at 19 mg/mL, was perceived, respectively. It did not cause any potential harm during the biocompatibility and cytotoxic assay and performed better during the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assay. MB-ZnO caused moderate enzyme inhibition and was more effective against pathogenic fungus. The results of the current study indicated that MB-ZnO nanocomposites could be applied as effective catalysts in various processes. Moreover, this research provides valuable and the latest information to the readers and researchers working on biopolymers and nanocomposites.

ZnO Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Induces Biochemical and Antioxidant Changes in Chickpea to Alleviate Fusarium Wilt.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the main pulse crops of Pakistan. The yield of chickpea is affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Due to their environmentally friendly nature, different nanoparticles are being synthesized and applied to economically important crops. In the present study, Trichoderma harzianum has been used as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the mycosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Before their application to control Fusarium wilt of chickpea, synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the average size (13 nm) of ZnO NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated their spherical structure, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirmed the oxide formation of ZnO NPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) described the size and shape of nanoparticles, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy displayed the presence of reducing and stabilizing chemical compounds (alcohol, carboxylic acid, amines, and alkyl halide). Successfully characterized ZnO NPs exhibited significant mycelial growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum, in vitro. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the priming of chickpea seeds with ZnO NPs significantly increased the antioxidant activity of germinated plants and they displayed 90% less disease incidence than the control. Seed priming with ZnO NPs helped plants to accumulate higher quantities of sugars, phenol, total proteins, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to create resistance against wilt pathogen. These nanofungicides were produced in powder form and they can easily be transferred and used in the field to control Fusarium wilt of chickpea.

First Report of Fruit Rot of Cherry and Its Control Using Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Synthesized in Calotropis procera.

Cherry is a fleshy drupe, and it is grown in temperate regions of the world. It is perishable, and several biotic and abiotic factors affect its yield. During April-May 2021, a severe fruit rot of cherry was observed in Swat and adjacent areas. Diseased fruit samples were collected, and the disease-causing pathogen was isolated on PDA. Subsequent morphological, microscopic, and molecular analyses identified the isolated pathogen as Aspergillus flavus. For the control of the fruit rot disease of cherry, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs showed the presence of capping and stabilizing agents such as alcohols, aldehydes, and halo compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the form and size (32 nm) of Fe2O3 NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the spinal-shaped morphology of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs while X-ray diffraction (EDX) analysis displayed the occurrence of main elements in the samples. After successful preparation and characterization of NPs, their antifungal activity against A. flavus was determined by poison technique. Based on in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity analyses, it was observed that 1.0 mg/mL concentration of Fe2O3 can effectively inhibit the growth of fungal mycelia and decrease the incidence of fruit rot of cherry. The results confirmed ecofriendly fungicidal role of Fe2O3 and suggested that their large-scale application in the field to replace toxic chemical fungicides.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Modified 316L Stainless Steel Alloy for Biomedical Applications Using Powder Metallurgy.

AISI 316L stainless steel (SS) is one of the extensively used biomaterials to produce implants and medical devices. It provides a low-cost solution with ample mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility compared to its counterpart materials. However, the implants made of this material are subjected to a short life span in human physiological conditions leading to the leaching of metal ions, thus limiting its use as a biomaterial. In this research, the addition of boron, titanium, and niobium with varying concentrations in the SS matrix has been explored. This paper explores the impact of material composition on modified SS alloy's physical and mechanical properties. The study's outcomes specify that the microhardness increases for all the alloy compositions, with a maximum increase of 64.68% for the 2 wt.% niobium added SS alloy. On the other hand, the tensile strength decreased to 297.40 MPa for the alloy containing 0.25 wt.% boron and 2 wt.% titanium additions compared to a tensile strength of 572.50 MPa for pure SS. The compression strength increased from 776 MPa for pure SS to 1408 MPa for the alloy containing niobium and titanium additions in equal concentrations.