Effect of biologically synthesised silver nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm quenching and prevention of biofilm formation.

The development of green experimental processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is a need in the field of nanotechnology. In the present study, the authors reported rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fresh leaves extract of Cymbopogan citratus (lemongrass) with increased stability. The synthesised silver nanoparticles were found to be stable for several months. UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis was carried out to assess the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesised silver nanoparticles were further characterised by using nanoparticle tracking analyser (NTA), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectra (EDX). The NTA results showed that the mean size was found to be 32 nm. Silver nanoparticles with controlled size and shape were observed under TEM micrograph. The EDX of the nanoparticles confirmed the presence of elemental silver. These silver nanoparticles showed enhanced quorum quenching activity against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and prevention of biofilm formation which can be seen under inverted microscope (40X). In the near future, silver nanoparticles synthesised using green methods may be used in the treatment of infections caused by a highly antibiotic resistant biofilm.

Hydrated cement: a promising adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from aqueous solution.

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential of cement hydrated at various time intervals for the removal of excess F- from aqueous solution by using batch adsorption studies. The influence of different adsorption parameters, viz. effect of adsorbent dose, initial concentration, pH, interfering ions and contact time were studied for their optimization. It was observed that the adsorbent exhibited reasonably significant F- removal over a wide range of pH. The presence of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in aqueous solution were found to affect the F- removal indicating that these anions compete with the sorption of F- on adsorbent. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted well for both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms and the adsorption capacities were calculated. Comparative studies for F- removal in simulated and field water show relatively higher F- removal in simulated water. XRD and SEM patterns of the hydrated cement were recorded to get better insight into the mechanism of adsorption process. From the experimental results, it may be concluded that HC was an efficient and economical adsorbent for F- removal.