Effects of cashew nut shell extract supplementation on production, rumen fermentation, metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in transition dairy cows.

Cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) is a byproduct of the cashew nut industry, containing bioactive compounds that alter rumen fermentation patterns. Therefore, study objectives were to evaluate the effects of CNSE (59% anacardic acid and 18% cardol) on production, rumen fermentation variables, metabolism, and inflammation in transition dairy cows. A total of 51 multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized design and assigned to treatment based on their previous 305-d mature equivalent milk and parity. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments 21 d before expected calving: (1) CON (control diet; n = 17) or (2) CNSE-5.0 (control diet and 5.0 g/d CNSE granule [containing 50% CNSE]; n = 34). Following parturition, 17 cows (preselected at initial treatment assignment) from the CNSE-5.0 treatment were reallocated into a third treatment group: CNSE-2.5 (control diet and 2.5 g/d CNSE granule; n = 17), resulting in 3 total treatments postpartum: (1) CON, (2) CNSE-2.5, and (3) CNSE-5.0. Prepartum rumen pH was unaltered by treatment; however, postpartum rumen pH was increased (0.31 units) in CNSE cows relative to CON. Prepartum rumen ammonia N concentration tended to be decreased (34%) in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON, and there tended to be a quadratic effect on postpartum ammonia N, as it was decreased in CNSE-2.5 compared with CON and CNSE-5.0. Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was unaffected by treatment; however, postpartum DMI was increased (8%) in CNSE cows relative to CON. No treatment differences were observed in pre- or postpartum digestibility measurements. Milk and protein yields from cows fed CNSE tended to be increased (6% and 7%, respectively) relative to CON. No treatment differences were detected for energy-corrected milk, feed efficiency, body weight, body condition score, energy balance, milk composition, milk urea nitrogen, or somatic cell count. Prepartum fecal pH decreased (0.12 units) in CNSE-5.0 cows relative to CON cows but was similar between treatments postpartum. Supplementing CNSE did not affect prepartum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), or insulin. However, prepartum circulating blood urea nitrogen tended to be decreased and glucagon was decreased in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON (9 and 20%, respectively). Additionally, CNSE supplementation decreased glucose and insulin concentrations postpartum relative to CON cows (6% and 20%, respectively). Quadratic effects were detected for postpartum circulating NEFA and BHB such that their levels were increased in CNSE-2.5 cows relative to CON and CNSE-5.0. Pre- and postpartum circulating serum amyloid A, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and haptoglobin were unaffected by treatment. Overall, CNSE influenced some key rumen fermentation variables, altered postabsorptive metabolism, and increased production parameters in transition dairy cows.

Inhibition of NorA efflux pump of Staphylococcus aureus by anacardic acids isolated from the cashew nutshell liquid of Anacardium occidentale L.

The rising of diseases caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has encouraged researchers to explore more antimicrobial substances, as well as chemicals capable of potentiating the action of existing ones against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Anacardium occidentale produces a fruit known as cashew nut, filled with a dark, almost black, caustic, and flammable liquid called cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL). The goal of the study was to evaluate the intrinsic antimicrobial activity of the major compounds present in CNSL, called anacardic acids (AA), as well as their possible modulatory action as an adjuvant of Norfloxacin against a Staphylococcus aureus strain overproducing the NorA efflux pump (SA1199B). Microdilution assays were performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AA against different microbial species. Norfloxacin and Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) resistance modulation assays were performed in the presence or absence of AA against SA1199-B. AA showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterial strains tested but no activity against Gram-negative bacteria or yeast strains. At subinhibitory concentration, AA reduced the MIC values for Norfloxacin and EtBr against the SA1199-B strain. Furthermore, AA increased the intracellular accumulation of EtBr in this NorA overproducer strain, indicating that AA are NorA inhibitors. Docking analysis showed that AA probably modulates Norfloxacin efflux by spatial impediment at the same binding site of NorA.

Effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut-supplemented diet on steroidogenic enzymes, hormonal and oxidative imbalances, and sperm parameters in cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug culpable in sperm and testicular damage, but the use of dietary patterns has been reported to averse this effect. To date, no report on the use of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets (RCNSD) against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage has been presented. In this study, the effect of 10% and 20% RCNSD on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced rats were determined. Interestingly, these parameters were boosted, but with a decrement in radical species level in the testes/epididymis of CP-induced rats fed with RCNSD as against the untreated CP-induced rats. The modulatory effect of RCNSD on the tested reproductive parameters in studied tissues could be among the mechanism of action, by which RCNSD mitigates andrological toxicity. Hence, RCNSD could be harnessed as a functional food/nutraceutical agent for alleviating the andrological toxicity of CP-induced male reproduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of cashew nuts has been a great benefit to human health, as a result of its richness in nutritional constituents including biologically active amino acids, tocopherols, fatty acids, polyphenols, and selenium, among others. Cashew nuts are mostly consumed fried/roasted, with yoghurt, as a paste, or used as an ingredient in confectionery products. The folkloric use of cashew nuts in the management of cardiovascular diseases, male reproductive disorders, and diabetes has been reported. In this study, the ability of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets to modulate reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats was revealed, thus, indicating its possible use, clinically, in the management of reproductive toxicity induced by cancer drugs.

Carcass characteristics and meat evaluation of cattle finished in temperate pasture and supplemented with natural additive containing clove, cashew oil, castor oils, and a microencapsulated blend of eugenol, thymol, and vanillin.

BACKGROUND: Forty crossbred steers were supplemented with different doses (from 0 control to 6000 mg/animal/day) of natural additive blend containing clove essential oil, cashew oil, castor oil, and a microencapsulated blend of eugenol, thymol, and vanillin for 80 days. Carcass characteristics, drip loss, and antioxidant activity were evaluated 24 h post mortem on longissimus thoracis, and the effects of aging (until 14 days) were evaluated for water losses (thawing/aging and cooking), texture, color, and lipid oxidation. RESULTS: The use of the natural additive blend did not modify (P > 0.05) carcass characteristics but did, however, modify body composition (P < 0.05). Drip losses were unaffected by the treatments tested (P > 0.05). There was an observed quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on losses from thawing/aging on the first day of storage. Regarding the effects of natural additives on cooking losses, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) among the treatments on day 7 of aging. Differences between days of aging were only observed with control treatment. Shear force was similar among treatments on days 1 and 7 of aging. On day 14 a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed. Also, a linear effect (P < 0.05) appeared on meat lightness, meat from the control group being clearer on day 1. No changes were observed in redness among treatments or days of storage (P > 0.05). Yellowness was not modified by the treatments (P > 0.05)but only by the days of storage in control and the lowest dosage used. CONCLUSION: The blend of natural additives has potential use in pasture feeding and could improve meat quality. However, doses should be adjusted. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustainable Drug Discovery of Multi-Target-Directed Ligands for Alzheimer's Disease.

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a reason for the lack of effective drugs as well as a basis for the development of "multi-target-directed ligands" (MTDLs). As cases increase in developing countries, there is a need of new drugs that are not only effective but also accessible. With this motivation, we report the first sustainable MTDLs, derived from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), an inexpensive food waste with anti-inflammatory properties. We applied a framework combination of functionalized CNSL components and well-established acetylcholinesterase (AChE)/butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) tacrine templates. MTDLs were selected based on hepatic, neuronal, and microglial cell toxicity. Enzymatic studies disclosed potent and selective AChE/BChE inhibitors (5, 6, and 12), with subnanomolar activities. The X-ray crystal structure of 5 complexed with BChE allowed rationalizing the observed activity (0.0352 nM). Investigation in BV-2 microglial cells revealed antineuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities for 5 and 6 (already at 0.01 µM), confirming the design rationale.

Effects of cashew nut consumption on body composition and glycemic indices: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Present meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted to synthesis a definitive conclusion from previous randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). METHODS: A comprehensive search was done up to July 2020, in order to extract RCTs which investigated the effect of cashew nut on weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate effect size. Meta regression analysis was done to identify probable sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Six clinical trials with 521 participants were included. Combined effect sizes demonstrated no effect of cashew consumption on weight (WMD): 0.02, 95% CI: -1.04, 1.09, P > 0.05), BMI (WMD: 0.1, 95% CI: -0.72, 0.74, P > 0.05), and WC (WMD: -0.13, 95% CI: -1.97, 1.70, P > 0.05). Results were also not significant for FBS (WMD: 3.58, 95% CI: -3.92, 11.08, P > 0.05), insulin (WMD: -0.19, 95% CI: -1.63, 1.25, P > 0.05), and HOMA-IR (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: -0.55, 1.06, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The sum up, incorporating cashew into the diet has no significant effect on body composition or modifying glycemic indices.

Development of a purification process via crystallization of xylitol produced for bioprocess using a hemicellulosic hydrolysate from the cashew apple bagasse as feedstock.

Xylitol was biotechnologically produced by Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC36907 using the hemicellulosic hydrolysate of the cashew apple bagasse (CABHH). Sequentially, the present study investigated the recovery and purification of xylitol evaluating different antisolvents [ethanol, isopropanol and the ionic liquid 2-hydroxyl-ethylammonium acetate (2-HEAA)], their proportion in the medium (10-90% v/v), and their cooling rate (VC 0.25-0.50 °C/min). These processes were contrasted with the crystallization process of commercial xylitol. This study is the first to assess xylitol crystallization using a protic ionic liquid. The hydrolysate obtained from a mild treatment with sulfuric acid contained mainly glucose and xylose at concentrations of 15.7 g/L and 11.9 g/L, respectively. With this bioprocess, a maximum xylitol production of 4.5 g/L was achieved. The performance of the investigated antisolvents was similar in all conditions evaluated in the crystallization process of the commercial xylitol, with no significant difference in yields. For the crystallization processes of the produced xylitol, the best conditions were: 50% (v/v) isopropanol as antisolvent, cooling rate of 0.5 °C/min, with a secondary nucleation of yield and purity of 69.7% and 84.8%, respectively. Under the same linear cooling rate, using ethanol, isopropanol or the protic ionic liquid 2-hydroxyl-ethylammonium acetate (2-HEAA), crystallization did not occur, probably due to the presence of carbohydrates not metabolized by the yeast in the broth, which influences the solubility curve of xylitol. With the results of this work, a possible economical and environmentally friendly process of recovery and purification of xylitol from CABHH could be proposed.

Vinegar from Anacardium othonianum Rizzini using submerged fermentation.

BACKGROUND: Anacardium othonianum Rizzini is a native Cerrado fruit, recently described in the literature. Its use is restricted to its native region and there is a lack of studies regarding production of vinegar from the pulp. This work aims to investigate the production of A. othonianum Rizzini vinegar using submerged fermentation. RESULTS: The density, alcohol content, proximal composition, pH, color coordinates, and chromatographic profile of the volatile compounds were analyzed in the slurry, fermented juice, and vinegar produced from the corpulent parts of A. othonianum Rizz. Sensory acceptance and willingness to pay were also assessed with vinegar at 4% and 6% of total acidity. The results indicated compliance with European legislation and the presence of volatile compounds such as carbon dioxide, acetic acid, ethanol, and acetaldehyde in the analyzed vinegars. Our results indicate the potential of vinegar production from A. othonianum, with 74% and 86% willingness to pay. CONCLUSIONS: The process of transformation of the fruit pulp into new products can contribute to fruit valorization and consequent preservation of the plant in the Cerrado biome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of volatile compounds and minerals in A. othonianum Rizz. slurry. Our observations can be used as a basis for future studies regarding the preparation of vinegars from this species and for investigating their application in cooking and guiding consumer perception. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Network analysis and functional estimation of the microbiome reveal the effects of cashew nut shell liquid feeding on methanogen behaviour in the rumen.

The effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) feeding on the methane (CH4 ) emission and the ruminal microbiome of Lai Sind beef cattle were investigated. Changes in the methane production and rumen microbiome by CNSL feeding were monitored by a respiration chamber and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing respectively. The results demonstrated that CNSL feeding mitigated 20.2%-23.4% of the CH4 emission in vivo without apparent adverse effects on feed intake and feed digestibility. The rumen fluid analysis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of propionate in the total short-chain fatty acids. The relative abundance of methanogen (order Methanobacteriales) decreased significantly, indicating the direct inhibitory effect of CNSL on methanogens. The predicted function of the rumen microbiome indicated that carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms including propionate production were upregulated by CNSL feeding, whereas CH4 metabolism was downregulated. A network analysis revealed that methanogen changed its partner bacteria after CNSL feeding. The δ13 C of CH4 ranged from -74.2‰ to -66.6‰ with significant fluctuation by CNSL feeding, in agreement with the shift of the rumen microbiome. Our findings demonstrate that CNSL feeding can mitigate the CH4 emission from local cattle production systems in South-East Asia by modifying the rumen microbiome and its function.

Modulation of lipase B from Candida antarctica properties via covalent immobilization on eco-friendly support for enzymatic kinetic resolution of rac-indanyl acetate.

In this study, the modulation of enzymatic biocatalysts were developed by the use of lipase B from Candida antarctica covalently immobilized on an eco-friendly support, cashew apple bagasse, activated with 10% glycidol-ethylenediamine-glutaraldehyde (GEG) under different immobilization strategies (5 mM or 100 mM ionic strength and in absence or presence of 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100). The biocatalysts were characterized for thermal and organic solvents stabilities and compared with the soluble enzyme. The biocatalysts were then applied to the hydrolysis of the rac-indanyl acetate (2:1 ratio enzyme/substrate) at pH 7.0 and 30 °C for 24 h. For all the strategies evaluated, GEG promoted kinetic resolution of rac-indanyl acetate with maximum conversion (50%) and led to (R)-indanol with excellent enantiomeric excess (97%), maintaining the maximum conversion for five consecutive cycles of hydrolysis. Therefore, the use of cashew apple bagasse has proved to be a promising eco-friendly support for enzyme immobilization, since it resulted in stable biocatalysts for enzymatic kinetic resolution.

Identification and in silico bioinformatics analysis of PR10 proteins in cashew nut.

Proteins from cashew nut can elicit mild to severe allergic reactions. Three allergenic proteins have already been identified, and it is expected that additional allergens are present in cashew nut. pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR10) allergens from pollen have been found to elicit similar allergic reactions as those from nuts and seeds. Therefore, we investigated the presence of PR10 genes in cashew nut. Using RNA-seq analysis, we were able to identify several PR10-like transcripts in cashew nut and clone six putative PR10 genes. In addition, PR10 protein expression in raw cashew nuts was confirmed by immunoblotting and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. An in silico allergenicity assessment suggested that all identified cashew PR10 proteins are potentially allergenic and may represent three different isoallergens.

An integrated analytical approach based on NMR, LC-MS and GC-MS to evaluate thermal and non-thermal processing of cashew apple juice.

Innovative chemometric approaches by NMR and LC-MS data fusion (multiblock analysis) and decomposition of the GC-MS raw data by PARADISe were applied to evaluate the influence of thermal and non-thermal processing on the composition of cashew apple juices. Comparative investigations by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted pronounced effect of thermal processing on juice compared to non-thermal processing, as decreases of anacardic acids, sucrose, malic acid, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and important flavor compounds (esters, aldehydes, and ketones). Ultrasound presented relevant influence on increase of anacardic acids concentration. Non-thermal processing carried out at more intense conditions (10 min of ultrasound, 5 min of ozone, and pulsed light at 10 V) showed pronounced effect compared to other non-thermal processing. Although individual PCA enables to detect the influence of different processing technologies, data fusion and PARADISe presented advantages, since a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship among chemical changes from different analytical techniques were established.

Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl cashew gum grafted with immobilized antibody for potential biosensor application.

This report details the design of carboxymethylated cashew gum (CG) as a platform for antibody (Ab) immobilization, which can then be used as a biosensor for bacteria detection. The CG was isolated and characterized, followed by conversion to carboxymethyl cashew gum (CMCG). The CMCG film was a viable support for antibody immobilization; it was electrodeposited on gold surface using the cyclic voltammetry technique, applying a potential sweep from -1.0 V to 1.3 V with a scan rate of 50 mV s-1 and 10 scans. The COOH groups on the surface of the film were critical in promoting Ab bonding. The immobilization of the Ab was mediated by protein A (PrA) for recognition of the antigen. Voltammetry studies were used to monitor the antibody immobilization. Finally, the analytical response of the CMCG-PrA-Ab system was evaluated with the chronoamperometry technique and was found to detect Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria rapidly and efficiently.

Comparative effects of different types of tree nut consumption on blood lipids: a network meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has confirmed that nuts are one of the best food groups at reducing LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol (TC). However, the comparative effects of different types of nuts on blood lipids are unclear. OBJECTIVES: This network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials aimed to assess the comparative effects of walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews, and almonds on typical lipid profiles. METHODS: We conducted literature searches to identify studies comparing ≥2 of the following diets-walnut-enriched, pistachio-enriched, hazelnut-enriched, cashew-enriched, almond-enriched, and control diets-for the management of triglycerides (TGs), LDL cholesterol, TC, and HDL cholesterol. Random-effects network meta-analyses, ranking analyses based on the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curves, and sensitivity analyses according to the potential sources of heterogeneity across the included studies were performed for each outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-four trials enrolling 1677 participants were included in this study. The pistachio-enriched diet was ranked best for TG (SUCRA: 85%), LDL cholesterol (SUCRA: 87%), and TC (SUCRA: 96%) reductions. For TG and TC reductions, the walnut-enriched diet was ranked as the second-best diet. Regarding LDL cholesterol reduction, the almond-enriched diet was ranked second best. The pistachio-enriched and walnut-enriched diets were more effective at lowering TG, LDL cholesterol, and TC compared with the control diet. Regarding TG and TC reductions, the pistachio-enriched diet was also more effective than the hazelnut-enriched diet. For TG reduction, the walnut-enriched diet was better than the hazelnut-enriched diet. However, these findings are limited by the low quality of evidence ratings. In addition, the quality of this network meta-analysis was limited by the small number and generally poor reporting of available studies. CONCLUSIONS: The pistachio-enriched and walnut-enriched diet could be better alternatives for lowering TGs, LDL cholesterol, and TC compared with other nut-enriched diets included in this study. The findings warrant further evaluation by more high-quality studies.This network meta-analysis was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO as CRD42019131128.

Cashew gum, a biopolymer, topically protects oesophageal mucosa in non erosive reflux disease: A promising translational study.

This study aimed to investigate a standardized biopolymer, cashew gum (CG), in human oesophageal mucosa and mice with experimentally-induced non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). Human oesophageal biopsies from NERD patients were collected to evaluate the mucosal protection of CG through transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), mucosal permeability, and mucoadhesiveness tests. A surgical model of NERD in mice was induced, and barrier functions followed by suggestive oesophageal inflammatory hallmarks were evaluated. Pre-coating of CG was effective in human oesophageal mucosa by attenuating drop of TER and mucosal permeability. Labelled-CG adheres to human oesophageal mucosa for up to 1 h. In animal studies, CG improved parameters of barrier function (TER and mucosal permeability) in distal oesophagus mucosa. CG also promoted sequential support by reducing inflammatory hallmarks of oesophageal damage. CG confers topical oesophageal mucosal protection due to its mucoadhesiveness and anti-inflammatory profile. Long-duration mucoprotective products can be further explored as first-line/adjuvant NERD therapy.

Fungal metabolite and mycotoxins profile of cashew nut from selected locations in two African countries.

Infestation of food crops by fungi has led to serious economic losses in the international market. There is a paucity of information on the multi-mycotoxin profile of cashew nuts from different geographical locations in Nigeria and South Africa. This work aims at comparing the fungal metabolite profile of cashew nut from two African countries using HPLC-FLD and LC-MS/MS. The differences in distribution of the fungal metabolites across the two countries were also examined. A total of 75 (39; Nigeria, 36; South Africa) roasted cashew nuts were purchased from 14 different locations in Nigeria and 10 major supermarkets in South Africa. The samples were subjected to HPLC analysis for aflatoxin and zearalenone and LC-MS/MS analysis for multiple metabolite profiling. Total aflatoxins (0.03-0.77 µg/kg and 0.01-0.28 µg/kg) and zearalenone (123.2 and 788.6 µg/kg) were quantified in nut samples from South Africa and Nigeria, respectively. In contrast, LC-MS/MS analysis showed that none of the major fungi metabolites except for one (citrinin) was present in detectable amount in Nigerian cashew nuts (31.3 µg/kg). Other microbial metabolites present in the nuts were; Aspergillus metabolites (< LOD to 398 × 104 µg/kg and < LOD to 1760 µg/kg); flavoglaucin (5.4-177.4 µg/kg and 45.5-18,368 µg/kg), 7-hydroxykaurenolide (5.5-45.8 µg/kg and 3.5-33.7 µg/kg), chloramphenicol (0.3-4.5 µg/kg) for South African and Nigerian cashew nuts, respectively. The incidence rate of the fusarium toxins beauvericin and bikaverin were higher in Nigerian cashew nut (100% and 17%) than the South African nuts (8% and 8%), 7-Hydroxykaurenolide and chloramphenicol were found in all the cashew nut samples. A total of 15 unspecific metabolites (17-100%) were recorded in the nuts from both countries. Information on the metabolite profile of cashew nuts will provide useful information for policy makers, border agencies and other health-related Institutes.

Ovicidal and Deleterious Effects of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Nut Shell Oil and Its Fractions on Musca domestica, Chrysomya megacephala, Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda.

In this work, we evaluated the ovicidal activity and the deleterious effects of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell oil and its fractions on the development of Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala, important vectors of several diseases. The insecticidal effects of this plant were also measured on the first and second instar larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda, soy and maize pests, respectively. The fly eggs and the crop pest insect larvae were exposed to the cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell liquid (CNSL) and its fractions: technical CNSL, anacardic acid, cardanol and cardol. The results show that the cardol fraction, for both species of flies, presented the lowest lethal concentration with LC50 of 80.4 mg/L for M. domestica and 90.2 mg/L for C. megacephala. For the mortality of the larvae of A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, the most effective fraction was anacardic acid with LC50 of 295.1 mg/L and 318.4 mg/L, respectively. In all species, the mortality rate of the commercial compounds (cypermethrin 600 mg/L and temephos 2 mg/L) was higher than that of the evaluated compounds. Despite this, the results obtained suggest their potential in field trials, once the fractions of A. occidentale presented high mortality at low lethal concentrations in laboratory conditions, with the possibility of integrated use in the control of disease vectors and agricultural pests, employing ecofriendly compounds.

Nano-zero valent iron impregnated cashew nut shell: a solution to heavy metal contaminated water/wastewater.

The present research is focused on the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution using nano zero-valent iron impregnated cashew nut shell (NZVI-CNS). The present system was investigated in batch mode operation. NZVI-CNS was prepared by the liquid-phase reduction process. The results showed that the NZVI-CNS exhibited superior adsorption capacity for the removal of Zn(II) ions. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic models were applied to explain the nature of the adsorption process. Adsorption kinetic data followed the pseudo-first order kinetic model. Moreover, the equilibrium adsorption data were best fitted with a Freundlich model. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity was calculated as 94.46 mg of Zn(II) ions/g of NZVI-CNS. The thermodynamic parameters explain that the present adsorption system was measured as feasible and spontaneous. This newly prepared adsorbent can be successfully applied for the different industrial wastewater treatment. Finally, the exploration asks about contemplated that NZVI-CNS has exhibited unrivalled adsorption limit. Additionally, NZVI-CNS is believed to be extremely green and monetarily neighbourly help for wastewater treatment. The results indicate that the feasible approach could be applied in agricultural waste biomass materials for the productive expulsion of heavy metals from aqueous solution and reusing agricultural wastes to facilitate their disposal problem.

Biosynthesis of polyphenols functionalized ZnO nanoparticles: Characterization and their effect on human pancreatic cancer cell line.

The present work investigate the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Anacardium occidentale leaf extract by an eco-friendly method. ZnO NPs were synthesized by boiling the mixture of 10 ml of Anacardium occidentale leaf extract and 30 ml 0.1 M zinc nitrate (ZnNO3) at 60 °C for 3 h. The obtained nanoparticles were studied using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis).X-ray diffraction results showed the hexagonal structure of the ZnO NPs. TEM results confirmed the hexagonal NPs with average particle size of 33 nm. Further the prepared nanoparticles were studied for their cytotoxicity against human pancreatic cancer cells. The cytotoxicity results have confirmed that the fabricated ZnO NPs exhibited the concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Attractiveness of Host Plant Volatile Extracts to the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is Reduced by Terpenoids from the Non-Host Cashew.

Diaphorina citri is a vector of the bacterial causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB = Citrus greening), a severe disease affecting citrus crops. As there is no known control for HLB, manipulating insect behaviour through deployment of semiochemicals offers a promising opportunity for protecting citrus crops. The behavioural responses of D. citri to plant volatiles, and the identity of these plant volatiles were investigated. Volatiles were collected from host plants Murraya paniculata, Citrus sinensis, C. reshni, C. limettioides, Poncirus trifoliata, and from non-host plants Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale. In behavioural assays, female D. citri spent more time in the arms containing volatiles from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. When D. citri was exposed to volatiles collected from A. occidentale, they preferred the control arm. Volatiles emitted from the other studied plants did not influence the foraging behaviour of D. citri. Chemical analyses of volatile extracts from C. sinensis, M. paniculata, and A. occidentale revealed the presence of the terpenoids (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT) and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT) in higher amounts in A. occidentale. In further behavioural bioassays, female D. citri spent less time in arms containing a synthetic blend of DMNT and TMTT compared to the control arms. Female D. citri also spent less time in arms containing the synthetic blend in combination with volatile extracts from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. Results suggest that higher release of the two terpenoids by A. occidentale make this species unattractive to D. citri, and that the terpenoids could be used in reducing colonisation of citrus plants and therefore HLB infection.