Advanced applications of hydroxyapatite nanocomposite materials for heavy metals and organic pollutants removal by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation: A review.

This comprehensive review delves into the forefront of scientific exploration, focusing on hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites (HANCs) and their transformative role in the adsorption of heavy metals (HMs) and organic pollutants (OPs). Nanoscale properties, including high surface area and porous structure, contribute to the enhanced adsorption capabilities of HANCs. The nanocomposites' reactive sites facilitate efficient contaminant interactions, resulting in improved kinetics and capacities. HANCs exhibit selective adsorption properties, showcasing the ability to discriminate between different contaminants. The eco-friendly synthesis methods and potential for recyclability position the HANCs as environmentally friendly solutions for adsorption processes. The review acknowledges the dynamic nature of the field, which is characterized by continuous innovation and a robust focus on ongoing research endeavors. The paper highlights the HANCs' selective adsorption capabilities of various HMs and OPs through various interactions, including hydrogen and electrostatic bonding. These materials are also used for aquatic pollutants' photocatalytic degradation, where reactive hydroxyl radicals are generated to oxidize organic pollutants quickly. Future perspectives explore novel compositions, fabrication methods, and applications, driving the evolution of HANCs for improved adsorption performance. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the state-of-the-art HANCs, offering insights into their diverse applications, sustainability aspects, and pivotal role in advancing adsorption technologies for HMs and OPs.

Removal of food dyes using biological materials via adsorption: A review.

It is alarming that synthetic food dyes (FD) are widely used in various industries and that these facilities discharge their wastewater into the environment without treating it. FDs mixed into industrial wastewater pose a threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, removing FDs from wastewater is very important. This review explores the burgeoning field of FD removal from wastewater through adsorption using biological materials (BMs). By synthesizing a wealth of research findings, this comprehensive review elucidates the diverse array of BMs employed, ranging from algae and fungi to agricultural residues and microbial biomass. Furthermore, this review investigates challenges in practical applications, such as process optimization and scalability, offering insights into bridging the gap between laboratory successes and real-world implementations. Harnessing the remarkable adsorptive potential of BMs, this review presents a roadmap toward transformative solutions for FD removal, promising cleaner and safer production practices in the food and beverage industry.

An efficient and adsorption of methylene blue dye on a natural clay surface: modeling and equilibrium studies.

The present research work revolves around the evaluation of the elimination of the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution by the exploitation of natural clay (TMG) from South-East Morocco. Several physicochemical techniques were used to characterize our TMG adsorbate, namely, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and zero charge point (pHpzc). The morphological properties and elemental composition of our material were identified using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The batch technique was used under different operating conditions to produce quantitative adsorption, namely, the amount of adsorbent, dye concentration, contact time, pH, and solution temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB on TMG was 81.185 mg g-1 for a concentration of 100 mg L-1 MB at pHinitial = 6.43 (no initial adjustment of the pH-value was performed), temperature 293 K, and 1 g L-1 adsorbent. The adsorption data were examined by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm provides the best correlation with the experimental data, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model is more appropriate for the adsorption of the MB dye. The thermodynamic study of MB adsorption indicates that the process is physical, endothermic, and spontaneous. The Box-Behnken method was applied to identify the optimal conditions for MB removal in the design of batch experiments. The parameters examined result in >99% removal. The TMG material's regeneration cycles and low cost ($0.393 per gram) show that it is both environmentally friendly and very effective for dye removal in the various textile sectors.

COVID-19 Impact on Public Health, Environment, Human Psychology, Global Socioeconomy, and Education.

The end of the year 2019 was marked by the introduction of a third highly pathogenic coronavirus, after SARS-CoV (2003) and MERS-CoV (2012), in the human population which was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Indeed, the pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) has evolved at an unprecedented rate: after its emergence in Wuhan, the capital of the province of Hubei of the People's Republic of China, in December 2019, the total number of confirmed cases did not cease growing very quickly in the world. In this manuscript, we have provided an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on health, and we have proposed different nutrients suitable for infected patients to boost their immune systems. On the other hand, we have described the advantages and disadvantages of COVID-19 on the environment including the quality of water, air, waste management, and energy consumption, as well as the impact of this pandemic on human psychology, the educational system, and the global economy. In addition, we have tried to come up with some solutions to counter the negative repercussions of the pandemic.

Chemical compounds as well as antioxidant and litholytic activities of Arbutus unedo L. leaves against calcium oxalate stones.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to quantify and identify the bioactive compounds of the Arbutus unedo L. leaves in order to evaluate both their antioxidant properties and litholytic activities against calcium oxalate stones. METHODS: This survey was carried out using hydroalcoholic extract (E.FA) and infusion (I.FA) of A. unedo leaves. The quantification of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, flavonols and anthocyanins was done by spectrophotometric methods and identification of chemical components was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and by the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Litholytic activity of E.FA and I.FA was studied using a special model that resembles circuitry of the urinary system. RESULTS: E.FA showed greater antioxidant efficacy than I.FA (P < 0.05). Its higher efficiency was shown via the values of median inhibitory concentration, which was close to (76.14 ±â€¯0.91) µg/mL for E.FA versus (202.64 ±â€¯5.77) µg/mL for I.FA using the DPPH method, and (53.77 ±â€¯0.81) µg/mL for E.FA versus (236.86 ±â€¯31.90) µg/mL for I.FA, using FRAP method. I.FA exhibited significantly higher litholytic activity compared to E.FA (P < 0.05), with dissolution values of 31.03% ±â€¯0.63% versus 14.55% ±â€¯0.65%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that the A. unedo is rich in bioactive compounds, and possesses antioxidant and litholitic abilities that are worthy of further study.

Phytochemical screening and inhibitory activity of oxalocalcic crystallization of Arbutus unedo L. leaves.

The present study is focused on the experimental verification of the efficiency of Arbutus unedo L. leaves against the crystallization of calcium oxalate. The inhibition of crystallization has been studied in vitro with the absence and the presence of the different concentrations of the infusion and hydroalcoholic extract of the plant. This study consists of measuring, using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer, the temporal evolution of the optical density at λ = 620 nm corresponding to the crystals formation. The latter have been characterized by microscopic observation using an optical microscope, and by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results suggest a greater effectiveness of the plant infusion with respect to the hydroalcoholic extract against crystallization or nucleation at percentages of 69.41 ± 0.24 or 19.76 ± 0.27% and at 93.92 ± 2.61 and 45.16 ± 3.06% against the aggregation, for both the infusion and the hydroalcoholic extract respectively. A. unedo leaves is a very promising and effective remedy against the crystallization of calcium oxalate and especially in the aggregation stage.