Highly Efficient Biosorption of Cationic Dyes via Biopolymeric Adsorbent-Material-Based Pectin Extract Polysaccharide and Carrageenan Grafted to Cellulosic Nonwoven Textile.

Water scarcity and contamination have emerged as critical global challenges, requiring the development of effective and sustainable solutions for the treatment of contaminated water. Recently, functionalized polymer biomaterials have garnered significant interest because of their potential for a wide range of water treatment applications. Accordingly, this paper highlights the design of a new adsorbent material based on a cellulosic nonwoven textile grafted with two extracted biopolymers. The layer-by-layer grafting technique was used for the polyelectrolyte multi-layer (PEM) biosorbent production. Firstly, we extracted a Suaeda fruticosa polysaccharide (SFP) and confirmed its pectin-like polysaccharide structure via SEC, NMR spectroscopy, and chemical composition analyses. Afterward, the grafting was designed via an alternating multi-deposition of layers of SFP polymer and carrageenan crosslinked with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). FT-IR and SEM were used to characterize the chemical and morphological characteristics of the designed material. Chemical grafting via polyesterification reactions of the PEM biosorbent was confirmed through FT-IR analysis. SEM revealed the total filling of material microspaces with layers of grafted biopolymers and a rougher surface morphology. The assessment of the swelling behavior revealed a significant increase in the hydrophilicity of the produced adsorbent system, a required property for efficient sorption potential. The evaluation of the adsorption capabilities using the methylene blue (MB) as cationic dye was conducted in various experimental settings, changing factors such as the pH, time, temperature, and initial concentration of dye. For the untreated and grafted materials, the greatest adsorbed amounts of MB were 130.6 mg/g and 802.6 mg/g, respectively (pH = 4, T = 22 C, duration = 120 min, and dye concentration = 600 mg/L). The high adsorption performance, compared to other reported materials, was due to the presence of a large number of hydroxyl, sulfonate, and carboxylic functional groups in the biosorbent polymeric system. The adsorption process fitted well with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir/Temkin adsorption isotherms. This newly developed multi-layered biosorbent shows promise as an excellent adsorption resultant and cheap-cost/easy preparation alternative for treating industrial wastewater.

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Alginate/Carrageenan Crosslinked Biopolymer and Study of the Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Performance of Its Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Polymeric Complexes.

Natural polysaccharides are essential to a wide range of fields, including medicine, food, and cosmetics, for their various physiochemical and biological properties. However, they still have adverse effects limiting their further applications. Consequently, possible structural modifications should be carried out on the polysaccharides for their valorization. Recently, polysaccharides complexed with metal ions have been reported to enhance their bioactivities. In this paper, we synthesized a new crosslinked biopolymer based on sodium alginate (AG) and carrageenan (CAR) polysaccharides. The biopolymer was then exploited to form complexes with different metal salts including MnCl2·4H2O, FeCl3·6H2O, NiCl2·6H2O, and CuCl2·2H2O. The four polymeric complexes were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity methods, and thermogravimetric analysis. The X-ray crystal structure of the Mn(II) complex is tetrahedral and belongs to the monoclinic crystal system with the space group P121/n1. The Fe(III) complex is octahedral and crystal data fit with the cubic crystal system with the space group Pm-3m. The Ni(II) complex is tetrahedral and crystal data correspond to the cubic crystal arrangement with the space group Pm-3m. The data estimated for the Cu(II) polymeric complex revealed that it is tetrahedral and belongs to the cubic system with the space group Fm-3m. The antibacterial study showed significant activity of all the complexes against both Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) pathogenic strains. Similarly, the various complexes revealed an antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The Cu(II) polymeric complex recorded a higher antimicrobial activity with an inhibitory zone reaching 4.5 cm against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and the best antifungal effect of 4 cm. Furthermore, higher antioxidant values of the four complexes were obtained with DPPH scavenging activity varying from 73 to 94%. The two more biologically effective complexes were then selected for the viability cell assessments and in vitro anticancer assays. The polymeric complexes revealed excellent cytocompatibility with normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) and a high anticancer potential with human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) which increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner.

Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum Seeds: Hepatoprotective Effect against Cadmium Toxicity In Vivo.

Coriandrum sativum is one of the most widespread curative plants in the world, being vastly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions as one of the oldest spice plants. The present study explored the extraction of polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum seeds and the evaluation of their antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. The polysaccharide from coriander seeds was extracted, and the structural characterization was performed by FT-IR, UV-vis, DSC, NMR (1D and 2D), GC-MS, and SEC analysis. The polysaccharide extracted from Coriandrum sativum (CPS) seeds was characterized to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacities in rats. Results showed that CPS was composed of arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, fructose, galactose, and glucose in molar percentages of 6.2%, 3.6%, 8.8%, 17.7%, 5.2%, 32.9%, and 25.6%, respectively. Further, CPS significantly hindered cadmium-induced oxidation damage and exercised a protective effect against Cd hepatocytotoxicity, with a considerable reduction in MDA production and interesting CAT and SOD enzyme levels. Results suggest that CPS might be employed as a natural antioxidant source.

Chemical modification of microcrystalline cellulose with polyethyleneimine and hydrazine: Characterization and evaluation of its adsorption power toward anionic dyes.

Functionalization and various applications of biomaterials have progressively gained a major interest due to the cost-effectiveness, renewability, and biodegradability of these substrates. The current work focalized on the functionalization of microcrystalline cellulose with polyethyleneimine solution (3 %, 5 %, and 10 %) and hydrazine sulfate salt (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) using an impregnation method. Untreated and treated samples were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, TGA, and DTA analyses. The crystallinity index values for control microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose-polyethyleneimine, and cellulose-hydrazine were 57.13.8 %, 57.29 %, and 52.62 %, respectively. Cellulose-polyethyleneimine (5 %) and cellulose-hydrazine (1:1) displayed the highest adsorption capacities for calmagite (an anionic dye). At equilibrium, the maximum adsorption capacities for calmagite achieved 104 mg/g for cellulose-polyethyleneimine (5 %), 45 mg/g for cellulose-hydrazine (1:1), and only 12.4 mg/g for untreated cellulose. Adsorption kinetics complied well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. Overall, the functionalized cellulosic samples could be considered potential materials for the treatment of contaminated waters.

Characterization of Polysaccharides Sequentially Extracted from Allium roseum Leaves and Their Hepatoprotective Effects against Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Mouse Liver.

Allium roseum is one of the medicinal plants of the Liliaceae family, widely used in the food industry and traditional medicine. It is known for its various biological properties, such as its antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The present work aims to extract the polysaccharides from Allium roseum leaves and evaluate their antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. Three polysaccharides from the leaves of Allium roseum were sequentially extracted in three media: water, chelating, and basic, respectively. They were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, FTIR-ATR, and NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D). The different polysaccharides principally consist of glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, xylose, and galacturonic acid. The antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of the extracts against Cd-caused oxidative stress in liver mouse were tested. Cd treatment, during 24 h, enhanced significantly lipid peroxidation by a high production of malondyaldehyd (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In contrast, catalase activity (CAT) was decreased after the same period of exposure to the metal. The polysaccharides pre-treatment improved the antioxidant defense system to a great degree, mainly explained by the modulating levels of oxydative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD, and CAT). This research clearly shows that Allium roseum polysaccharides, especially those extracted in aqueous medium, can be used as natural antioxidants with hepatoprotective properties.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance of Pyridomethene-BF2 Fluorescence Dye-Doped PVA Thin Film and PVP Nanofibers as Low γ-ray Dosimeters.

Currently, particular attention is paid to public health related to the field of γ-ray dosimetry, which is becoming increasingly important in medical diagnostic processes. Incorporating sensitive dyes as radiation dose sensors in different material hosts has shown promising radiation dosimetry application routes. In this perspective, the current study proposes a new fluorescent dye based on boron difluoride complex, the pyridomethene-BF2 named 2-(1-(difluoroboraneyl)-1,2-dihydroquinolin-2-yl)-2-(1-methylquinoxalin-2-ylidene) acetonitrile (DBDMA) as an indicator for low γ-ray doses. The different optical and quantum chemical parameters and the spectral behavior of the selected fluorescent dye were first studied. Then, PVP/DBDMA electrospun nanofibers and PVA/DBDMA thin films were prepared. The different UV-vis spectrophotometric and fluorescence studies revealed a clear change after exposure to different γ-ray doses. Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited excellent thermal stability of the prepared nanocomposite films, showing altered thermal behavior after γ-ray treatment. Furthermore, the SEM evaluation displayed a significant modification in the surface morphology of the two designed nanomaterials with increased radiation dose intensity. These novel forms of dosimeter designed in nanoscale composites could therefore constitute a promising and efficient alternative for rapid and accurate detection of low doses of γ-rays in various medical applications.

High-Quality Bioethanol and Vinegar Production from Saudi Arabia Dates: Characterization and Evaluation of Their Value and Antioxidant Efficiency.

Dates are very rich in various nutritious compounds, especially reducing sugars. Sugars ensure both anaerobic and aerobic fermentation, carried out respectively for the production of bioethanol and vinegar. Currently, the world production of dates is constantly increasing owing to the significant improvement in production conditions following the continuous scientific and technological development of this field. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important world producers of dates, occupying the second place by producing 17% of the total world production. This is why it has become a national priority to find new ways to exploit and further valorize dates and palm waste in the development of new and sustainable products. The present study was designed to explore the possible study of a variety of date palm by-products in the production of bioethanol and vinegar via Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Different parameters of bioethanol and vinegar production, including pH, time, fermentation temperature, and yeast concentration, were studied and optimized. Chemical, physicochemical, purity behavior, and antioxidant performance were carried out via NMR, FTIR, and antioxidant activity essays (TPC, DPPH, FRAP, and ß-carotene bleaching test) with the aim to evaluate the potential of the bioethanol and vinegar samples extracted from date palm by-products. Khalas date vinegar revealed significantly more phenolic content (5.81 mg GAE/mL) (p < 0.05) than the different kinds of vinegar tested (Deglet Nour and Black dates; 2.3 and 1.67 mg GAE/mL, respectively) and the commercial vinegar (1.12 mg GAE/mL). The Khalas date vinegar generally showed a higher carotenoid value and better antioxidant activity than the other vinegars extracted from other date varieties and commercially available vinegar. The results confirmed the high quality of the bioethanol and vinegar products, and the efficiency of the developed production processes.

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Energy, Water, and Biomedical Applications: A Review.

Academic research regarding polymeric materials has been of great interest. Likewise, polymer industries are considered as the most familiar petrochemical industries. Despite the valuable and continuous advancements in various polymeric material technologies over the last century, many varieties and advances related to the field of polymer science and engineering still promise a great potential for exciting new applications. Research, development, and industrial support have been the key factors behind the great progress in the field of polymer applications. This work provides insight into the recent energy applications of polymers, including energy storage and production. The study of polymeric materials in the field of enhanced oil recovery and water treatment technologies will be presented and evaluated. In addition, in this review, we wish to emphasize the great importance of various functional polymers as effective adsorbents of organic pollutants from industrial wastewater. Furthermore, recent advances in biomedical applications are reviewed and discussed.

Extraction of Cellulose Polymeric Material from Populus tremula Fibers: Characterization and Application to the Adsorption of Methylene Blue and Crystal Violet.

Cellulose is the most widely available biopolymer which is extensively used for several applications including textiles, composites, pharmaceutical, water treatment, etc. In this investigation, cellulose was chemically extracted from Populus tremula seed fibers. Samples were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and TGA-DTA analyses. FT-IR spectrum of the extracted cellulose confirmed that hemicellulose and lignin were removed during alkali and bleaching treatments. SEM images showed the partially roughened surface of the fiber due to the removal of non-cellulosic elements and surface impurities during chemical modification. The crystallinity index values for untreated Populus tremula fibers and extracted cellulose were calculated to be 32.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The obvious increase in the crystallinity index for the extracted cellulose confirmed the removal of amorphous compounds present in raw populus. Alkali-treated populus fibers were more thermally stable than raw fibers. All changes observed after alkali and bleaching treatments evidenced the removal of amorphous contents and non-cellulosic components in raw populus fibers. Extracted cellulose exhibited excellent adsorption capacities of methylene blue (140.4 mg g-1) and crystal violet (154 mg g-1). The pseudo second order equation fitted well the kinetic data indicating a chemi-sorption process. The Freundlich model complied well with the experimental data suggesting that the adsorption of the studied dyes was multilayer.

Development, Characterization and Valuable Use of Novel Dosimeter Film Based on PVA Polymer Doped Nitro Blue Tetrazolium Dye and AgNO3 for the Accurate Detection of Low X-ray Doses.

Currently, the uncontrolled exposure of individuals to X-rays during medical examinations represents a substantial danger that threatens both medical professionals and patients. Therefore, radiation dosimetry for low X-ray doses is a very important control of radiation practice in medical diagnostic radiology. In line with this, the current study proposes a valuable dosimeter-based PVA thin film doubly doped with silver nitrate salt and nitro blue tetrazolium dye. The nanocomposite film was prepared via a simple casting method and the different processing parameters were optimized. The performance of radiation detection was evaluated according to optical, chromic, chemical and structural changes after exposure to variable low X-ray doses (0, 2, 4, 10 and 20 mGy). The different film labels exhibited an excellent stability behavior in dark and light upon 30 days of storage. The UV-Vis spectrophotometric study showed a gradual increase in the maximum absorbance as a function of the dose and the corresponding response curve confirmed this linear variation (R = 0.998). A clear structural modification was recorded via X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealing the increase in crystallinity with the level of the dose received by the nanocomposite films. Microscopic surface analysis via SEM assessments revealed a significant morphological change in PVA/Ag+/NBT films exposed to increased radiation doses and typical dendrites growing in needle- or tree-like microstructures appeared with a high X-ray dose. Finally, the nanocomposite films before and after irradiation were evaluated via a spectrocolorimetric study and the different CIELab coordinates, the color difference, as well as the color strength, showed a linear correlation with the intensity of the applied dose. This new dosimeter design could, therefore, provide a promising and efficient alternative for prompt and accurate detection of low X-rays doses in diagnostic radiology.

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Nanocomposite Film Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer and Nitro Blue Tetrazolium Dye as a Low Radiation Dosimeter in Medical Diagnostics Application.

Dosimetry is a field of increasing importance in diagnostic radiology. There has been a realization among healthcare professionals that the dose of radiation received by patients via modern medical X-ray examinations could induce acute damage to the skin and eyes. The present study highlights the synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/nitro blue tetrazolium nanocomposite films (PVA/NBT) for radiation detection depending on chromic, optical, chemical and morphologic changes. First, we synthesized the nanocomposite film-based PVA doped with NBT and the different parameters of the preparation procedure were optimized. Then The films were exposed to different low X-ray doses on the scale of mGy level (0, 2, 4, 10 and 20 mGy). The sensitivity and the performance of the made composite films were evaluated via different characterization methods. Indeed, the response curve based on UV-Vis absorptions revealed a linear increase in absorbance with increased radiation doses (R = 0.998). FTIR analysis showed a clear chemical modification in recorded spectra after irradiation. X-ray diffraction assessment revealed clear structural changes in crystallinity after ionization treatment. SEM analysis showed a clear morphological modification of PVA/NBT films after irradiation. In addition, the prepared PVA/NBT films exhibited excellent pre- and post-irradiation stability in dark and light. Finally, the quantitative colorimetry study confirmed the performance of the prepared films and the different colorimetric coordinates, the total color difference (∆E) and the color strength (K/S) showed a linear increase with increasing X-ray doses. The made nanocomposite PVA/NBT film might offer promising potential for an effective highly sensitive medical dosimeter applied for very low doses in X-ray diagnostic radiology.

Preparation and Characterization of a New Polymeric Multi-Layered Material Based K-Carrageenan and Alginate for Efficient Bio-Sorption of Methylene Blue Dye.

The current study highlights a novel bio-sorbent design based on polyelectrolyte multi-layers (PEM) biopolymeric material. First layer was composed of sodium alginate and the second was constituted of citric acid and k-carrageenan. The PEM system was crosslinked to non-woven cellulosic textile material. Resulting materials were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and thermal analysis (TGA and DTA). FT-IR analysis confirmed chemical interconnection of PEM bio-sorbent system. SEM features indicated that the microspaces between fibers were filled with layers of functionalizing polymers. PEM exhibited higher surface roughness compared to virgin sample. This modification of the surface morphology confirmed the stability and the effectiveness of the grafting method. Virgin cellulosic sample decomposed at 370 °C. However, PEM samples decomposed at 250 °C and 370 °C, which were attributed to the thermal decomposition of crosslinked sodium alginate and k-carrageenan and cellulose, respectively. The bio-sorbent performances were evaluated under different experimental conditions including pH, time, temperature, and initial dye concentration. The maximum adsorbed amounts of methylene blue are 124.4 mg/g and 522.4 mg/g for the untreated and grafted materials, respectively. The improvement in dye sorption evidenced the grafting of carboxylate and sulfonate groups onto cellulose surface. Adsorption process complied well with pseudo-first-order and Langmuir equations.

Characterization and valuable use of Calotropis gigantea seedpods as a biosorbent of methylene blue.

In this work, powdered Calotropis gigantea seedpods were characterized and used as biosorbents of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated functional groups characteristics of cellulose. Steric exclusion chromatography donated an average molecular weight of 230 kg/mol of the biopolymer. The polymolecularity index value (1.95) proved the good homogeneity of the polysaccharide. Scanning electron microscopy features displayed a homogenous morphology and porous structure. X-ray diffraction patterns showed peaks characteristics of cellulose and non-cellulose compositions. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis displayed exothermal decompositions at 316.9 °C and 456 °C. The maximum biosorption capacity of methylene blue was 88.36 mg/g at pH = 6, time = 60 min, and T = 21 °C. The level was comparable to some other studied agricultural wastes. The adsorption mechanism followed pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models. As it is abundant, available, low-cost, and easily recovered from solution, C. gigantea seedpods could be used as an effective biomaterial for the removal of organic pollutants from contaminated waters. Novelty statement: An abundant, available, and low-cost Calotropis gigantea seedpod was used, for the first time, as an effective biomaterial for the biosorption of organic pollutants. The biosorption level was found to be comparable to some other agricultural wastes studied previously in the literature.

Design and Evaluation of a New Natural Multi-Layered Biopolymeric Adsorbent System-Based Chitosan/Cellulosic Nonwoven Material for the Biosorption of Industrial Textile Effluents.

The adsorption phenomenon using low-cost adsorbents that are abundant in nature is of great interest when the adsorbed capacity is significant. A newly designed natural polyelectrolyte multi-layered (PEM) biopolymeric system-based chitosan/modified chitosan polymer and functionalized cellulosic nonwoven material was prepared and used as an effective adsorbent for Reactive Red 198 (RR198) dye solutions. The bio-sorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, and thermal (TGA/DTA) analysis. The swelling behavior was also evaluated, showing the great increase of the hydrophilicity of the prepared adsorbent biopolymer. The effect of various process parameters on the performance of RR198 dye removal such as pH, contact time, temperature, and initial dye concentration was studied. The biopolymeric system has shown good efficiency of adsorption compared to other adsorbents based on chitosan polymer. The highest adsorption capacity was found to be 722.3 mgg-1 at pH = 4 (ambient temperature, time = 120 min and dye concentration = 600 mg L-1). The adsorption process fitted well to both pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich/Temkin adsorption isotherm models. Regarding its low cost, easy preparation, and promising efficient adsorption results, this new concepted multi-layered bio-sorbent could be an effective solution for the treatment of industrial wastewater.

Populus tremula, Nerium oleander and Pergularia tomentosa seed fibers as sources of cellulose and lignin for the bio-sorption of methylene blue.

Cellulose-based substrates could represent potential funds for the sorption of pollutants. Herein, methylene blue was selected for demonstrating the bio-sorption efficiency of Nerium oleander, Pergularia tomentosa and Populus tremula seed fibers. Their cellulose contents were 45%, 43.8% and 60%. Their lignin amounts were 21%, 8.6% and 12%, respectively. Fourier Transform InfraRed suggested that the interaction of these bio-products with methylene blue could occur between hydroxyl and ester groups of cellulose and lignin and the sulfur and nitrogen atoms of the dye. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed a swelling of the bio-matters after dye biosorption. From X-Ray Diffraction, the shifting for higher values of the peaks related to the amorphous phase indicated the establishment of new rearranged regions. Such change from the decomposition behavior event studied by Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis revealed that methylene blue was interacted with cellulose and lignin structures. The effect of adsorbent dosage, pH, time, dye concentration and temperature was investigated in controlled batch experiments. Excellent sorption capacities followed the order: Nerium oleander (280.2 mg g-1) > Populus tremula (168 mg g-1) > Pergularia tomentosa (145.3 mg g-1). Freundlich fitted best the equilibrium data suggesting cooperative interactions via physisorption and chemisorption phenomenon. Kinetic data complied well with the pseudo-second-order suggesting a chemisorption mechanism.

Biomimetic artificial ion channels based on beta-cyclodextrin.

Star polymers based on ß-cyclodextrin were synthesized by a ''click-chemistry'' process and characterized by NMR, SEC and BLM. The resulting triazole functional groups create, at a specific pH range, electrostatic hindrance between pores inserted in lipid bilayers, preventing their aggregation, allowing formation of well-defined isolated unitary pores and mimicking biological natural channels.