Fabrication of cellulose-collagen based biosorbent as eco-friendly scavengers for uranyl ions.

The aim of the present research is to fabricate a biosorbent using agricultural waste for removal of uranium from contaminated water i.e. "waste to wealth" approach. Cellulose extracted from wheat straw was mercerized and a novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) was fabricated through graft copolymerization of polyvinyl alcohol onto hybrid mercerized cellulose + collagen backbone. Response surface methodology was used for optimization of different reaction parameters as a function of % grafting (195.1 %) was carried out. Semi-IPN was found to possess higher thermal stability. Adsorption results revealed that the optimum parameters for the elimination of uranium using semi-IPN were: adsorbent dose = 0.15 g, pH = 6.0, contact time = 120 min and initial U (VI) concentration = 100 µg/L. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model gave the best description of the adsorption equilibrium data as the calculated qe value is nearest to the experimental qe for the different initial U(VI) concentrations. Adsorption experiments followed Langmuir isotherm with R2 = 0.999. Furthermore, recyclability and reusability studies showed that the adsorption efficiency of semi-IPN was 82 % after 5 cycles indicating the superior recycling execution of fabricated biosorbent. Thus, the fabricated ecofriendly device can be used effectively for the removal of uranium from contaminated wastewater sources.

OsSalT gene cloned from rice provides evidence of its role in salinity and drought stress tolerance.

Abiotic stresses impose a huge threat to agricultural productivity and global food security. To counter this challenge, the precise identification of the right candidate gene (s) for conferring abiotic stress tolerance without compromising the growth and yield is crucial. OsSalT is identified as a salt stress responsive gene located on SalTol QTL of chromosome 1 of rice, however, there is no genetic evidence of its function and probable pathway of its regulation. To get better insights into its functioning, earlier we elucidated the structure of SALT protein at atomic scale {PDB ID (5GVY)} and solution state that provided key clues on the probable mode of its action. Herein, we report the modulation of OsSalT gene in response to various factors and its functional characterization. Results indicate that OsSalT operates through both abscisic acid and gibberellic acid-dependent pathways and is linked to the adaptive stress mechanisms of plants. Its overexpression in a model plant resulted in improved salinity and drought stress tolerance. The OsSalT transformed plants also showed vigorous root growth, early flowering, and better seed germination. The triggering of multiple responses by OsSalT suggested that modulation of such mannose-binding lectin could be a potential game-changer for the improvement of many crops in future.

Optimization of extraction conditions of Angelica archangelica extract and activity evaluation in experimental fibromyalgia.

The plant Angelica archangelica, owing to its magnificent therapeutic effectiveness in folklore medicine system, has been regarded as an "angel plant." The current investigation was aimed to optimize extraction conditions of A. archangelica roots and to investigate in vivo role of optimized extract in fibromyalgia. Plant material (dried roots) was subjected to methanol extraction at variable temperature (40 to 60 °C) and time (12 to 36 hr) conditions as per two-factorial design strategy, and responses in terms of antioxidant activity were determined. The optimized extraction conditions were found to be temperature of 60 °C and time of 36 hr. HPLC fingerprinting indicated the presence of coumarins in extract. To induce fibromyalgia, the mice were administered reserpine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Mice were orally treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg extract, and magnitude of fibromyalgia was quantified. In comparison to reserpine group, the extract treatment attenuated pain as shown by significant increase in paw withdrawal threshold against mechanical stimuli (P < 0.05), improved motor ability indicated by increase in fall-off time in inclined plane test (P < 0.05), improved locomotion indicated by increased square crossings in open field test (P < 0.05), and improved cognition as shown by significant reduction in time to reach platform in Morris water maze test and passive avoidance task test (P < 0.05). Extract treatment significantly halted reserpine-induced rise in serum cytokine level (P < 0.05) and brain oxidative stress (P < 0.05). Angelica archangelica extract exerted its beneficial effects in fibromyalgia possibly through the attenuation of oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory cascade. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Leads from natural products have become an integral part of drug designing processes and have high acceptability due to their better tolerance. The optimization of extraction conditions of plant yields better results and could reduce the processing time, thus increasing its industrial value.

Real-time monitoring of air pollutants in seven cities of North India during crop residue burning and their relationship with meteorology and transboundary movement of air.

Air pollutants emissions due to the burning of crop residues could adversely affect human health, environment, and climate. Hence, a multicity campaign was conducted during crop residue burning period in Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) to study the impact on ambient air quality. Seventeen air pollutants along with five meteorological parameters, were measured using state of the art continuous air quality monitors. The average concentration of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 during the whole campaign were 196.7±30.6, 148.2±20, and 51.2±8.9 µgm-3 and daily average concentration were found several times higher than national ambient air quality standards for 24h. Amritsar had the highest average concentration of PM2.5 (178.4±83.8 µgm-3) followed by Rohtak and Sonipat (158.4±79.8, 156.5±105.3µgm-3), whereas Chandigarh recorded the lowest concentration (112.3±6.9µgm-3). The concentration of gaseous pollutants NO, NO2, NOx, and SO2 were also observed highest at Amritsar location, i.e., 6.6±2.6ppb, 6.2±0.7ppb, 12.7±3.0ppb, and 7.5±3.3ppb respectively. The highest average O3 and CO were 22.5±19.3ppb and 1.5±1.2ppm during the campaign. The level of gaseous pollutants and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found to be elevated during the campaign, which can play an important role in the formation of secondary air pollutants. The correlation of meteorology and air pollutants was also studied, and O3 shows a significant relation with temperature and UV (R=0.87 and 0.74) whereas VOCs shows a significant correlation with temperature (R=-0.21 to -0.47). Air quality data was also analyzed to identify sources of emissions using principal component analysis, and it identifies biomass burning and vehicular activities as major sources of air pollution.

Recycling of Waste Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Bottles by Alkaline Hydrolysis and Recovery of Pure Nanospindle-Shaped Terephthalic Acid.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a versatile engineering plastic which exhibits exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. Huge amounts of PET are consumed in various industries such as food packaging industry, textile industry, in the manufacturing of audio, video tapes and X-ray films and so on. But due to its substantial fraction by volume in water bodies and its high persistence to the atmospheric and biological agents, it could be considered as a hazard substance. Thereby chemical recycling of PET serves as a solution to solid waste problem as it transforms PET into its monomers via hydrolysis. Chemical recycling of post consumed waste PET bottles via alkaline hydrolysis is the main aim of this paper. Operating parameters such as reaction time and temperature were optimized for the conversion of PET into nanospindle-shaped terephthalic acid (TPA). Depolymerization of PET was carried out via alkaline hydrolysis by varying reaction time and temperature and maximum yield of 92% was obtained at 200 °C with reaction time of 25 minutes. The formed TPA nanospindles were further characterized in detail which exhibited high crystallinity, purity and fascinating thermal and surface properties.