Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticle using yeast extracts: antibacterial and seed priming applicationss.

The evolution and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens have become a major concern for human health and demand the development of alternative antimicrobial agents to combat this emergent threat. Conventional intracellular methods for producing metal nanoparticles (NPs) using whole-cell microorganisms have limitations, including binding of NPs to cellular components, potential product loss, and environmental contamination. In contrast, this study introduces a green, extracellular, and sustainable methodology for the bio-materialization of silver NPs (AgNPs) using renewable resource cell-free yeast extract. These extracts serve as a sustainable, biogenic route for both reducing the metal precursor and stabilizing the surface of AgNPs. This method offers several advantages such as cost-effectiveness, environment-friendliness, ease of synthesis, and scalability. HR-TEM imaging of the biosynthesized AgNPs revealed an isotropic growth route, resulting in an average size of about ~ 18 nm and shapes ranging from spherical to oval. Further characterization by FTIR and XPS results revealed various functional groups, including carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amide contribute to enhanced colloidal stability. AgNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against tested MDR strains, showing particularly high efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria. These findings suggest their potential role in developing alternative treatments to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, seed priming experiments demonstrated that pre-sowing treatment with AgNPs improves both the germination rate and survival of Sorghum jowar and Zea mays seedlings. KEY POINTS: •Yeast extract enables efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly AgNP synthesis. •Biosynthesized AgNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against MDR bacteria. •AgNPs boost seed germination and protect against seed-borne diseases.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-assisted materials for the detection and remediation of hazardous gases and VOCs.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based materials are attracting attention for their unique properties, such as low-cost, chemical stability, facile synthesis, adjustable electronic structure, and optical properties. These facilitate the use of g-C3N4 to design better photocatalytic and sensing materials. Environmental pollution by hazardous gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be monitored and controlled using eco-friendly g-C3N4- photocatalysts. Firstly, this review introduces the structure, optical and electronic properties of C3N4 and C3N4 assisted materials, followed by various synthesis strategies. In continuation, binary and ternary nanocomposites of C3N4 with metal oxides, sulfides, noble metals, and graphene are elaborated. g-C3N4/metal oxide composites exhibited better charge separation that leads to enhancement in photocatalytic properties. g-C3N4/noble metal composites possess higher photocatalytic activities due to the surface plasmon effects of metals. Ternary composites by the presence of dual heterojunctions improve properties of g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic application. In the later part, we have summarised the application of g-C3N4 and its assisted materials for sensing toxic gases and VOCs and decontaminating NOx and VOCs by photocatalysis. Composites of g-C3N4 with metal and metal oxide give comparatively better results. This review is expected to bring a new sketch for developing g-C3N4-based photocatalysts and sensors with practical applications.

Predictive capability evaluation and optimization of Pb(II) removal by reduced graphene oxide-based inverse spinel nickel ferrite nanocomposite.

Pb(II) is a heavy metal that is a prominent contaminant in water contamination. Among the different pollution removal strategies, adsorption was determined to be the most effective. The adsorbent and its type determine the adsorption process's efficiency. As part of this effort, a magnetic reduced graphene oxide-based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (rGNF) nanocomposite for Pb(II) removal is synthesized, and the optimal values of the independent process variables (like initial concentration, pH, residence time, temperature, and adsorbent dosage) to achieve maximum removal efficiency are investigated using conventional response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). The results indicate that the initial concentration, adsorbent dose, residence time, pH, and process temperature are set to 15 mg/L, 0.55 g/L, 100 min, 5, and 30 °C, respectively, the maximum removal efficiency (99.8%) can be obtained. Using the interactive effects of process variables findings, the adsorption surface mechanism was examined in relation to process factors. A data-driven quadratic equation is derived based on the ANOVA, and its predictions are compared with ANN predictions to evaluate the predictive capabilities of both approaches. The R2 values of RSM and ANN predictions are 0.979 and 0.991 respectively and confirm the superiority of the ANN approach.

Experimentally and spectroscopically evidenced mechanistic study of butyl peroxyacid oxidative degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a major indicator of soil contamination and categorized as a highly persistent, carcinogenic, and mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. An advanced peroxyacid oxidation process was developed to reduce soil pollution caused by BaP originating from creosote spills from railroad sleepers. The pH, organic matter, particle size distribution of soil, and concentrations of BaP and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and As) in the BaP-contaminated soils were estimated. A batch experiment was conducted to determine the effects of organic acid type, soil particle size, stirring speed, and reaction time on the peroxyacid oxidation of BaP in the soil samples. Additionally, the effect of the organic acid concentration on the peroxyacid degradation of BaP was investigated using an oxidizing agent in spiked soil with and without hydrogen peroxide. The results of the oxidation process indicated that BaP and heavy metal residuals were below acceptable Korean standards. A significant difference in the oxidative degradation of BaP was observed between the spiked and natural soil samples. The formation of a peroxyacid intermediate was primarily responsible for the enhanced BaP oxidation. Further, butyric acid could be reused thrice without losing the efficacy (<90%). The systematic peroxyacid oxidative degradation mechanism of BaP was also discussed. A qualitative analysis of the by-products of the BaP reaction was conducted, and their corresponding toxicities were determined for possible field applications. The findings conclude that the developed peroxyacid oxidation method has potential applications in the treatment of BaP-contaminated soils.

Electrically Polarized Withaferin A and Alginate-Incorporated Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Microspheres Exhibit Osteogenicity and Antibacterial Activity In Vitro.

Biphasic calcium phosphate microspheres were synthesized by the water on oil emulsion method and, subsequently, withaferin A was incorporated in the microspheres to evaluate their efficacy in biomedical applications. These withaferin A and alginate-incorporated biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP-WFA-ALG) microspheres were then negatively polarized, and the formation of biphasic calcium phosphates was validated by X-ray diffraction study. Although the TSDC measurement of the BCP-WFA-ALG microspheres showed the highest current density of 5.37 nA/cm2, the contact angle of the specimen was found to be lower than the control BCP microspheres in all the media. The water uptake into BCP-WFA-ALG microspheres was significantly higher than in the pure BCP microspheres. MTT assay results showed that there was a significant enhancement in cell proliferation rate with the BCP-WFA-ALG composite microspheres. The osteogenic differentiation of MG 63 cells on BCP-WFA-ALG microspheres exhibited an increased expression of osteogenic marker genes in the case of the BCP-WFA-ALG composite microspheres.

An overview of molecular biology and nanotechnology based analytical methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: promising biotools for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19.

Currently, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is drastically affecting 214 countries, causing severe pneumonia in patients, which has resulted in lockdown being implemented in several countries to stop its local transmission. Considering this, the rapid screening and accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; 2019-nCoV) play an essential role in the diagnosis of COVID-19, which can minimize local transmission and prevent an epidemic. Due to this public health emergency, the development of ultra-fast reliable diagnostic kits is essential for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Recently, molecular biology and nanotechnology based analytical methods have proven to be promising diagnostic tools for the rapid screening of 2019-nCoV with high accuracy and precision. The main aim of this review is to provide a retrospective overview on the molecular biology tools (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)) and nanotechnology based analytical tools (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-PCR, and lateral flow assay) for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. This review also presents recent reports on other analytical techniques including paper spray mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in clinical samples. Finally, we provide a quick reference on molecular biology and nanotechnology based analytical tools for COVID-19 diagnosis in clinical samples.

Removal of arsenic from aqueous solution by novel iron and iron-zirconium modified activated carbon derived from chemical carbonization of Tectona grandis sawdust: Isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic and breakthrough curve modelling.

The aim of the present study was: development of activated carbon modified with iron (Fe@AC) and modified with iron and zirconium (Fe-Zr@AC) from the Tectona grandis sawdust (TGS) waste biomass and its potential applicability for the removal of As (III) from contaminated water by batch and column mode. The biomass waste was pre-treated with ferric chloride (FeCl3) and the mixture of FeCl3 and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and then pyrolyzed at 500 °C for 2 h. The properties of both bioadsorbents were comprehensively characterized by using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Particle Size analysis (PSA), point of zero charge (pHZPC), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) to prove successful impregnation of the Fe and Zr on the surface of AC of TGS. FTIR analysis clearly indicates the Fe and Fe-Zr complexation on biosorbents surface and biosorption of As (III). The results revealed that maximum As (III) removal was achieved 86.35% by Fe-Zr@AC (3 g/L dose, pH-7.0, temperature-25 °C and concentration 0.5 mg/L). However, maximum removal of As (III) was attained ~75% by Fe@AC (with dose-4g/L, pH-7.0, temperature-25 °C and concentration 0.5 mg/L) at the initial concentration of 0.5 mg/L of As (III). Fe-Zr@AC exhibits higher efficiency with qmax value 1.206 mg/g than Fe@AC with the qmax value 0.679 mg/g for the removal of As(III). While in the column study, Fe-Zr@AC exhibited 98.8% removal at flow rate of 5 mL/min and bed height of 5 cm. Biosorption Isotherm and Kinetics were fitted good with Langmuir isotherm (R2 ≥ 0.99) and followed pseudo-second-order (R2 ≥ 0.99). The regeneration study indicates that the prepared biosorbents efficiently recycled up to five cycles. Therefore, Fe@AC and Fe-Zr@AC derived from TGS has been showed to be novel, effective, and economical biosorbent. The collective benefits of easy development, good affinity towards As (III), good separability, reusability, and inexpensive of magnetized Fe@AC and Fe-Zr@AC make it a novel biosorbent. The application of Fe-Zr@AC for the removal of As (III) from the water was very efficient its concentration in the solution after treatment was found below the 10 µg/L as per the guideline WHO.

Correction: Progress of electrospray ionization and rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometric techniques for the broad-range identification of microorganisms.

Correction for 'Progress of electrospray ionization and rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometric techniques for the broad-range identification of microorganisms' by Suresh Kumar Kailasa et al., Analyst, 2019, 144, 1073-1103, DOI: 10.1039/C8AN02034E.

Progress of electrospray ionization and rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometric techniques for the broad-range identification of microorganisms.

Several non-culture molecular (multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays, DNA microarrays, massive parallel DNA sequencing, in situ hybridization, microbiome profiling, and molecular typing of pathogens) and analytical (electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and mass spectrometry) tools have been developed in recent years for the identification of bacteria and diagnosis of bacterial infections from clinical samples. Among mass spectrometric techniques, electrospray ionization (ESI) and rapid evaporative ionization (REI) mass spectrometric (MS) techniques have attracted much attention in the identification of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses), and in the diagnosis of various bacterial infections. This review highlights the developed ESI-MS-based methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with ESI-MS and capillary electrophoresis (CE) and liquid chromatography (LC)-ESI-MS, for the identification of microorganisms (pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses) in various samples. Recent applications of ESI- and REI-MS in identifying pathogenic bacteria are depicted in tables, and some significant findings are summarized.

A comprehensive review of applications of magnetic graphene oxide based nanocomposites for sustainable water purification.

With the rapid growth of industrialization, water bodies are polluted with heavy metals and toxic pollutants. In pursuit of removal of toxic pollutants from the aqueous environment, researchers have been developed many techniques. Among these techniques, magnetic separation has caught research attention, as this approach has shown excellent performance in the removal of toxic pollutants from aqueous solutions. However, magnetic graphene oxide based nanocomposites (MGO) possess unique physicochemical properties including excellent magnetic characteristics, high specific surface area, surface active sites, high chemical stability, tunable shape and size, and the ease with which they can be modified or functionalized. As results of their multi-functional properties, affordability, and magnetic separation capability, MGO's have been widely used in the removal of heavy metals, radionuclides and organic dyes from the aqueous environment, and are currently attracting much attention. This paper provides insights into preparation strategies and approaches of MGO's utilization for the removal of pollutants for sustainable water purification. It also reviews the preparation of magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites and primary characterization instruments required for the evaluation of structural, chemical and physical functionalities of synthesized magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites. Finally, we summarized some research challenges to accelerate the synthesized MGO's as adsorbents for the treatment of water pollutants such as toxic and radioactive metal ions and organic and agricultural pollutants.

Corn husk derived magnetized activated carbon for the removal of phenol and para-nitrophenol from aqueous solution: Interaction mechanism, insights on adsorbent characteristics, and isothermal, kinetic and thermodynamic properties.

In this study, waste corn husk was used for the synthesis of an effective adsorbent (cornhusk activated carbon, CHAC) and by treating at two different temperatures, 250 °C (CHAC-250) and 500 °C (CHAC-500) to check adsorption efficiency. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Particle size analysis and x-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed the different properties of the two adsorbents. The synthesized adsorbents were applied for the removal of phenol and p-nitrophenol (PNP) from aqueous solution. CHAC-500 was more efficient than the CHAC-250. The maximum adsorptions of phenol and PNP by CHAC-500 were ∼96% and ∼94%, respectively, while the maximum adsorptions of phenol and PNP by CHAC-250 were ∼81% and ∼84%, respectively. The adsorption processes were best fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption of phenol was an exothermic process, while that of PNP was an endothermic process, on both adsorbents.

Synthesis, molecular docking studies and biological evaluation of N-(4-oxo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-7-yl) benzamides as potential antioxidant, and anticancer agents.

A series of novel chromone derivatives of (N-(4-oxo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-6-yl) benzamides) were synthesized by treating 7-amino-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one with K2CO3 and/or NaH, suitable alkyl halides and acetonitrile and/or 1,4-dioxane. The obtained products are in high yields (87 to 96%) with various substituents in short reaction times with no more by-products and confirmed by FT-IR, 1H, and 13C-NMR Spectral data. The in vitro cytotoxic activity was examined against two human cancer cell lines, namely the human lung adenocarcinoma (A-549) and the human breast (MCF-7) cancer cell line. Compound 4h showed promising cytotoxicity against both cell lines with IC50 values of 22.09 and 6.40 ± 0.26 µg/mL respectively, compared to that of the standard drug. We also performed the in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH radical, hydrogen peroxide, NO scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay methods, and they showed significant activities. The possible binding interactions of all the synthesized chromone derivatives are also investigated against selective pharmacological targets of human beings, such as HERA protein for cytotoxic activity and Peroxiredoxins (3MNG) for antioxidant activity which showed closer binding free energies than the standard drugs and evidencing the above two types of activities.

Exploring recyclable alginate-enhanced GCN-LDO sponge for U(VI) and Cd(II) removal: Insights from batch and column studies.

Developing effective water treatment materials, particularly through proven adsorption methods, is crucial for removing heavy metal contaminants. This study synthesizes a cost-effective three-dimensional material encapsulating graphitic carbon nitride-layered double oxide (GCN-LDO) in sodium alginate (SA) through the freeze-drying method. The material is applied to remove uranium (U(VI)) and cadmium (Cd(II)) in real water systems. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses conclusively verified the elemental composition and successful encapsulation of GCN-LDO within the SA matrix. Removal effectiveness was tested under various conditions, including adsorbent dose, ionic strength, contact time, temperature, different initial pollutant concentrations, and the impact of co-existing ions. The adsorption of U(VI) and Cd(II) conformed to the pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model, signifying a chemical interaction between the sodium alginate-graphitic carbon nitride-layered double oxide (SA-GCN-LDO) sponge and the metal ions. The Langmuir isotherm indicated monolayer, homogeneous adsorption for U(VI) and Cd(II) with capacities of 158.25 and 165.00 mg/g. SA-GCN-LDO recyclability was found in up to seven adsorption cycles with a removal efficacy of 70%. The temperature effect study depicts the exothermic nature of the U(VI) and Cd(II) ion removal process. Various mechanisms involved in U(VI) and Cd(II) removal were proposed. Further, continuous fixed bed column studies were performed, and Thomas and the Yoon-Nelson model were studied. These insights from this investigation contribute to advancing our knowledge of the material's performance within the context of U(VI) and Cd(II) adsorption, paving the way for optimized and sustainable water treatment solutions.

Insights into kinetics, thermodynamics, and mechanisms of chemically activated sunflower stem biochar for removal of phenol and bisphenol-A from wastewater.

This study synthesized a highly efficient KOH-treated sunflower stem activated carbon (KOH-SSAC) using a two-step pyrolysis process and chemical activation using KOH. The resulting material exhibited exceptional properties, such as a high specific surface area (452 m2/g) and excellent adsorption capacities for phenol (333.03 mg/g) and bisphenol A (BPA) (365.81 mg/g). The adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic, benefiting from the synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and stacking interactions. Comparative analysis also showed that KOH-SSAC performed approximately twice as well as sunflower stem biochar (SSB), indicating its potential for water treatment and pollutant removal applications. The study suggests the exploration of optimization strategies to further enhance the efficiency of KOH-SSAC in large-scale scenarios. These findings contribute to the development of improved materials for efficient water treatment and pollution control.

Improving U(VI) retention efficiency and cycling stability of GCN-supported calcined-LDH composite: Mechanism insight and real water system applications.

The synthesis and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) and its composites with calcined layered double hydroxide (CLDH) were examined in this investigation. The goal was to assess these composites' maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for U(VI) ions in wastewater. Several different characterization methodologies were utilized to examine the fabricated substances. These methods encompass X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The GCN-CLDH composite displayed enhanced adsorption ability towards U(VI) ions due to its high surface functionality. Langmuir adsorption isotherm analysis showed that more than 99% of U(VI) ions were adsorbed, with a qmax of 196.69 mg/g. The kinetics data exhibited a good fit for a pseudo-second-order (PSO) model. Adsorption mechanisms involving precipitation and surface complexation via Lewis's acid-base interactions were proposed. The application of the GCN-CLDH composite in groundwater demonstrated adsorption below the maximum permissible limit established by USEPA, indicating improved cycling stability. These observations underscore the capacity of the GCN-CLDH composite's proficiency in adsorbing U(VI) aqueous solutions containing radioactive metals.

Analyzing atmospheric plasma's potential for diesel soil remediation: Insightful mechanisms.

The remediation of diesel-contaminated soil is a critical environmental concern, driving the need for effective solutions. Recently, the methodology of Non-thermal Atmospheric Plasma (NTAP) technology, which is equipped with a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) electrode and has become a feasible approach, was proven to be viable. The reactive species from the plasma were exposed to the contaminated soil in this investigation using the NTAP technique. The reacted soil was then extracted using dichloromethane, and the amount of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removed was assessed. Investigation into varying power levels, treatment durations, and hydrogen peroxide integration revealed significant findings. With an initial concentration of 3086 mg of diesel/kg of soil and a pH of 5.0, 83% of the diesel was removed from the soil at 150 W in under 20 min. Extended exposure to NTAP further improved removal rates, highlighting the importance of treatment duration optimization. Additionally, combining hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with NTAP enhanced removal efficiency by facilitating diesel breakdown. This synergy offers a promising avenue for comprehensive soil decontamination. Further analysis considered the impact of soil characteristics on removal efficacy. Mechanistically, NTAP generates reactive species that degrade diesel into less harmful compounds, aiding subsequent removal. Overall, NTAP advances environmental restoration efforts by offering a quick, economical, and environmentally benign method of remediating diesel-contaminated soil especially when used in tandem with hydrogen peroxide.

Redefining water purification: gC3N4-CLDH's electrochemical SMX eradication.

The contamination of water sources by pharmaceutical compounds presents global environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of efficient water treatment technologies. In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of a novel graphitic carbon nitride-calcined (Fe-Ca) layered double hydroxide (gC3N4-CLDH) composite for electrochemical degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in water yielded significant outcomes are reported. SEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS analyses confirmed well-defined composite structures with unique morphology and crystalline properties. Electrochemical degradation experiments demonstrated >98% SMX removal and >75% TOC removal under optimized conditions, highlighting its effectiveness. The composite exhibited excellent mineralization efficiency across various pH levels, with superoxide radicals (O2●-) and hydroxyl radicals (●OH) identified as primary reactive oxygen species. With remarkable regeneration capability for up to 7 cycles, the gC3N4-CLDH composite emerges as a highly promising solution for sustainable water treatment. Humic acid (HA) in water significantly slows SMX degradation, suggests complicating SMX degradation with natural organic matter. Despite this, the gC3N4-CLDH composite effectively degrades SMX in groundwater and industrial wastewater, with slight efficiency reduction in the latter due to higher impurity levels. These findings highlight the complexities of treating pharmaceutical pollutants in various water types. Overall, gC3N4-CLDH's high removal efficiency, broad pH applicability, sustainability, and mechanistic insights provide a solid foundation for future research and real-world environmental applications.

Phytochemical fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles and their antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity.

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles through bio-reduction is environmentally benign and devoid of impurities, which is very important for biological applications. This method aims to improve ZnO nanoparticle's antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity while reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals used in nanoparticle production. The assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is presented via bio-reduction of an aqueous zinc nitrate solution using Echinochloacolona (E. colona) plant aqueous leaf extract comprising various phytochemical components such as phenols, flavonoids, proteins, and sugars. The synthesized nano ZnO NPs are characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental composition by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The formation of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by the absorbance at 360-370 nm in the UV-vis spectrum. The average crystal size of the particles was found to be 15.8 nm, as calculated from XRD. SEM and TEM analysis of prepared ZnO NPs confirmed the spherical and hexagonal shaped nanoparticles. ZnO NPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with the largest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 17 and 18 mm, respectively, from the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, ZnO NPs exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity in a dose-dependent manner against selected bacterial strains, thus suggesting that ZnO NPs can be deployed in the prevention of infectious diseases and also used in food preservation.

Iron oxide impregnated Morus alba L. fruit peel for biosorption of Co(II): biosorption properties and mechanism.

Biosorption is an ecofriendly wastewater treatment technique with high efficiency and low operating cost involving simple process for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. In the present investigation, Morus alba L. fruit peel powder (MAFP) and iron oxide impregnated Morus alba L. fruit peel powder (IO-MAFP) were prepared and used for treating Co(II) contaminated aqueous solutions. Further the materials were characterized by using FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis. From FT-IR analysis it was found that hydroxyl, methoxy, and carbonyl groups are responsible for Co(II) biosorption. The kinetic data obtained for both biosorbents was well fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data was in tune with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The thermodynamic studies were also carried and it was observed that sorption process was endothermic at 298-328 K. These studies demonstrated that both biosorbents were promising, efficient, economic, and biodegradable sorbents.