Uptake of Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles by zebrafish embryos in the presence of other contaminants in the aquatic environment.

The present study aimed at evaluating the uptake of two widely used nanoparticles (NPs), namely, silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs by zebrafish embryos under different simulated environmental conditions. AgNPs and TiO2NPs are widely used in a number of consumer products, and are thus likely to be introduced into the aquatic environments from both domestic and industrial sources. These NPs could interact with other contaminants in aquatic systems, which could affect their uptake by fish and biodistribution kinetics. To provide insights into these interactions, uptake studies were conducted in the presence of 12 elements and 3 major inorganic nutrients using (1) single (AgNPs and TiO2NPs separately), (2) binary (containing either both AgNPs and TiO2NPs or one of the NPs and elements/nutrients) and (3) multi-components (conducted in real water samples collected from a tropical reservoir). In addition to the uptake of NPs, mortality, hatchability and heart rates of zebrafish embryos were also measured as part of these experiments. Results showed that AgNPs were taken up by the embryos to a larger extent as compared to TiO2NPs. Moreover, AgNPs were more toxic to zebrafish embryos as compared to TiO2NPs. In the presence of elements (5 µg mL(-1)) and nutrients (5 and 10 µg mL(-1)) together with one of the two NPs (10 µg mL(-1)), both an increase and a decrease in the uptake of NPs were observed in embryos. Results from this exploratory study show that in the presence of environmental contaminants, the uptake of these NPs can be affected significantly. Furthermore, the toxic effects of NPs depend not only on their relative environmental concentrations, but also on those of other environmental pollutants.

A Review on Kombucha Tea-Microbiology, Composition, Fermentation, Beneficial Effects, Toxicity, and Tea Fungus.

Fermentation of sugared tea with a symbiotic culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeast (tea fungus) yields kombucha tea which is consumed worldwide for its refreshing and beneficial properties on human health. Important progress has been made in the past decade concerning research findings on kombucha tea and reports claiming that drinking kombucha can prevent various types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, promote liver functions, and stimulate the immune system. Considering the widespread reports on kombucha, we recognized the need to review and update the research conducted in relation to kombucha tea, its products and tea fungus. Existing reports have suggested that the protective effects of kombucha tea are as good as those of black tea, however, more studies on kombucha tea and its composition are needed before final conclusions can be made.

Removal of microcystin-LR and microcystin-RR by graphene oxide: adsorption and kinetic experiments.

Graphene oxide (GO) was employed in the present study for removal of two commonly occurring algal toxins, microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and microcystin-RR (MC-RR), from water. The adsorption performance of GO was compared to that of commercially available activated carbon. Further, adsorption experiments were conducted in the presence of other environmental pollutants to understand the matrix effects of contaminated water on the selective adsorption of MC-LR and MC-RR onto GO. The environmental pollutants addressed in this study included different anions (nitrate NO3-, nitrite NO2-, sulphate SO4(2-), chloride (Cl(-)), phosphate PO4(3-) and fluoride (F(-))) and cations (sodium (Na(+)), potassium (K(+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)) and calcium (Ca(2+))). GO showed very a high adsorption capacity of 1700 µg/g for removal of MC-LR and 1878 µg/g for MC-RR while the maximum adsorption capacity obtained with the commercial activated carbon was 1481.7 µg/g and 1034.1 µg/g for MC-LR and MC-RR, respectively. The sorption kinetic experiments revealed that more than 90% removal of both MC-LR/RR was achieved within 5 min for all the doses studied (500, 700 and 900 µg/L). GO could be reused as an adsorbent following ten cycles of adsorption/desorption with no significant loss in its adsorption capacity.

Immobilization of a mediator onto carbon cloth electrode and employment of the modified electrode to an electroenzymatic bioreactor.

5,5'-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was selected as an electron transfer mediator and was covalently immobilized onto high porosity carbon cloth to employ as a working electrode in an electrochemical NAD(+)-regeneration process, which was coupled to an enzymatic reaction. The voltammetric behavior of DTNB attached to carbon cloth resembled that of DTNB in buffered aqueous solution, and the electrocatalytic anodic current grew continuously upon addition of NADH at different concentrations, indicating that DTNB is immobilized to carbon cloth effectively and the immobilized DTNB is active as a soluble one. The bioelectrocatalytic NAD+ regeneration was coupled to the conversion of L-glutamate into alpha-ketoglutarate by L-glutamate dehydrogenase within the same microreactor. The conversion at 3 mM monosodium glutamate was very rapid, up to 12 h, to result in 90%, and then slow up to 24 h, showing 94%, followed by slight decrease. Low conversion was shown when substrate concentration exceeding 4 mM was tested, suggesting that L-glutamate dehydrogenase is inhibited by alpha-ketoglutarate. However, our electrochemical NAD+ regeneration procedure looks advantageous over the enzymatic procedure using NADH oxidase, from the viewpoint of reaction time to completion.

Biosynthesis of Au nanoparticles using cumin seed powder extract.

Cumin seed was investigated for synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Polydispersed particles were obtained at pH 3 and 30 degrees C, and the effect of temperature and pH on synthesis of gold nanoparticles was analyzed. TEM images showed that amount of platelets formed were predominant at lower temperature where as more number of monodispersed spherical particle of size 1-10 nm were perceived at high temperatures. The gold nanoparticles particles formed at higher pH were stable, uniform and spherical in shape. XPS analysis showed the presence of pure gold nanoparticles.

Preparation of PEI-coated bacterial biosorbent in water solution: optimization of manufacturing conditions using response surface methodology.

The aim of this study is to optimize preparation method of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated bacterial biosorbent in water as reaction media using fermentation waste biomass of Corynebacterium glutamicum as a raw material. The fermentation waste biomass of C. glutamicum and Reactive Red 4 were used as model raw bacterium and pollutant. Major factors affecting the performance of PEI-coated biosorbent were the amounts of polymer (PEI) and cross-linker glutaraldehyde (GA). These factors were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) with two-level-two-factor (2(2)) full factorial central composite design. As a result, the optimum conditions were found to be 4.29 g of PEI and 0.15 mL of GA, with 10 g of the biomass, where the sorption capacity was enhanced 4.52-fold compared to that of the raw biomass. Therefore, this simple, cost-effective, and water-based method could be a useful modification tool for the development of a high performance biosorbent for removing anionic pollutants.

Isolation, identification, Pb(II) biosorption isotherms and kinetics of a lead adsorbing penicillium sp. MRF-1 from South Korean mine soil.

A heavy metal contaminated soil sample collected from a mine in Chonnam Province of South Korea was found to be a source of heavy metal adsorbing biosorbents. Chemical analyses showed high contents of lead (Pb) at 357 mg/kg and cyanide (CN) at 14.6 mg/kg in the soil. The experimental results showed that Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was the best lead resistant fungus among the four individual metal tolerant fungal species isolated from the soil. Molecular characterization of Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was determined using ITS regions sequences. Effects of pH, temperature and contact time on adsorption of Pb(II) by Penicillium sp. MRF-1 were studied. Favorable conditions for maximum biosportion were found at pH 4 with 3 hr contact time. Biosorption of Pb(II) gradually increased with increasing temperature. Efficient performance of the biosorbent was described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption kinetics was studied using pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. Biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 showed the maximum desorption in alkali conditions. Consistent adsorption/desorption potential of the biosorbent in repetitive cycles validated the efficacy of it in large scale. SEM studies given notes on surface modification of fungal biomass under metal stress and FT-IR results showed the presence of amino groups in the surface structure of the biosorbent. In conclusion, the new biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 may potentially be used as an inexpensive, easily cultivatable material for the removal of lead from aqueous solution.

Immobilization of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Curcuma longa tuber powder and extract on cotton cloth for bactericidal activity.

The present study reports the synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles from silver precursor using plant biomaterials, Curcuma longa tuber powder and extract. Water-soluble organics present in the plant materials were mainly responsible for the reduction of silver ions to nano-sized silver particles. pH played a major role in size control of the particles. Silver nanoparticle synthesis was higher in tuber extract compared to powder, which was attributed to the large and easy availability of the reducing agents in the extract. Zeta potential studies showed that the surface charge of the formed nanoparticles was highly negative. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Escherichia coli BL-21 strain was found to be 50 mg/L. Immobilization of silver nanoparticles on cotton cloth using sterile water showed better bactericidal activity when compared to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) immobilized cloth, but on consecutive washing the activity reduced drastically in sterile water immobilized cloth.

Sequestration of Reactive Blue 4 by free and immobilized Bacillus subtilis cells and its extracellular polysaccharides.

Bacillus subtilis a gram positive bacteria and its extracellular polysaccharide were used in free form as well as immobilized form as biosorbent for sequestration of an anionic dye, Reactive Blue 4 (RB) in aqueous phase. The dye uptake enhanced with decrease in pH. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and free cells were found to be better adsorbents when compared to alginate immobilized cells (IC) and EPS (IEPS). The presence of functional groups in free cells and EPS was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Immobilization resulted in poor adsorption performance due to increase in mass transfer resistance by the polymeric matrix. High Q(max) and b values were noted in the case of free cells and free EPS in contrast to IC and IEPS. From the kinetic experiments, the adsorption system was found to be a pseudo-first-order reaction at low dye concentration. Desorption of RB was found to be 100% in 1N NaOH. However, the alginate beads were found to be unstable under high alkaline conditions of NaOH.

Preservation of kombucha tea-effect of temperature on tea components and free radical scavenging properties.

Kombucha tea is sugared black tea fermented with a consortium of acetic acid bacteria and yeasts (tea fungus) for 14 days. The tea tastes slightly sweet and acidic. The formation of tea fungal biofilms during storage is a big problem when kombucha tea is being stored and commercialized. Various thermal treatments have been tried for long-term storage of kombucha tea. The present study revealed the influence of heat on the biochemical constituents and the free radical scavenging properties of kombucha tea. Heat treatment at 60, 65, and 68 degrees C for 1 min controlled biofilm formation in kombucha tea without changing its clarity, taste, and flavor. However, tea polyphenols and black tea quality parameters showed varying stability during the storage period. A decrease in free radical scavenging properties was also found during the storage period. Because the biological activities of kombucha tea depended on the biochemical constituents, it was concluded that heat treatment was not a suitable method for kombucha tea preservation.

Liquid-phase separation of reactive dye by wood-rotting fungus: a biotechnological approach.

The live and pretreated mycelial pellets/biomass of Trametes versicolor was used for the biosorption of a textile dye, reactive blue MR (RBMR) from aqueous solution. The parameters that affect the biosorption of RBMR, such as contact time, concentration of dye and pH, on the extent of RBMR adsorption were investigated. To develop an effective and accurate design model for removal of dye, adsorption kinetics and equilibrium data are essential basic requirements. Lagergren first-order, second-order and Bangham's model were used to fit the experimental data. Results of the kinetic studies showed that the second order kinetic model fitted well for the present experimental data. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of the biosorption equilibrium. The biosorption equilibrium data obeyed well for Langmuir isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 49.8, 51.6, 47.4 and 46.7 mg/g for live, autoclaved, acid- and alkali-pretreated biomass. The dye uptake capacity order of the fungal biomass was found as autoclaved > live > acid-treated > alkali-pretreated. The Freundlich and Temkin models were also able to describe the biosorption equilibrium on RBMR on live and pretreated fungal biomass. Acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption of dye. Studies on pH effect and desorption show that chemisorption seems to play a major role in the adsorption process. On comparison with fixed bed adsorption, batch mode adsorption was more efficient in adsorption of RBMR.