Metal oxide QD based ultrasensitive microsphere fluorescent sensor for copper, chromium and iron ions in water.

Herein we developed a rapid, cheap, and water-soluble ultra-sensitive ZnO quantum dot (QD) based metal sensor for detecting different hazardous metal ions up to the picomolar range in water. Various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques confirmed the formation of 2.15 ± 0.46 µm of ZnO QD conjugated CMC microspheres (ZCM microspheres) which contain 5.5 ± 0.5 nm fluorescent zinc oxide (ZnO) QDs. Our system, as a promising sensor, exhibited excellent photostability and affinity towards various heavy metal ions. The detection limits were calculated to be 16 pM for Cu2+ and 0.18 nM for Cr6+ ions which are better than previously reported values. The simple fluorescence 'turn off' property of our ZCM microsphere sensor system can serve a two-in-one purpose by not only detecting the heavy metals but also quantifying them. Nonetheless, pattern recognition for different heavy metals helped us to detect and identify multiple heavy metal ions. Finally, their practical applications on real samples also demonstrated that the ZCM sensor can be effectively utilized for detection of Cr6+, Fe3+, Cu2+ present in the real water samples. This study may inspire future research and design of target fluorescent metal oxide QDs with specific functions.

Organically modified clay supported chitosan/hydroxyapatite-zinc oxide nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and biological properties for the application in bone tissue engineering.

The objective of this study is to design biomimetic organically modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT) supported chitosan/hydroxyapatite-zinc oxide (CTS/HAP-ZnO) nanocomposites (ZnCMH I-III) with improved mechanical and biological properties compared to previously reported CTS/OMMT/HAP composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the composition and surface morphology of the prepared nanocomposites. Strong antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains were established for ZnCMH I-III. pH and blood compatibility study revealed that ZnCMH I-III should be nontoxic to the human body. Cytocompatibility of these nanocomposites with human osteoblastic MG-63 cells was also established. Experimental findings suggest that addition of 5wt% of OMMT into CTS/HAP-ZnO (ZnCMH I) gives the best mechanical strength and water absorption capacity. Addition of 0.1wt% of ZnO nanoparticles into CTS-OMMT-HAP significantly enhanced the tensile strengths of ZnCMH I-III compared to previously reported CTS-OMMT-HAP composite. In absence of OMMT, control sample (ZnCH) also showed reduced tensile strength, antibacterial effect and cytocompatibility with osteoblastic cell compared to ZnCMH I. Considering all of the above-mentioned studies, it can be proposed that ZnCMH I nanocomposite has a great potential to be applied in bone tissue engineering.

Nanosensing of Pesticides by Zinc Oxide Quantum Dot: An Optical and Electrochemical Approach for the Detection of Pesticides in Water.

Present study reveals the low concentrations (∼4 ppm) of pesticide sensing vis-à-vis degradation of pesticides with the help of nontoxic zinc oxide quantum dots (QD). In our study, we have taken four different pesticides viz., aldrin, tetradifon, glyphosate, and atrazine, which are widely used in agriculture and have structural dissimilarities/diversity. By using optical sensing techniques such as steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, we have analyzed the detailed exciton dynamics of QD in the presence of different pesticides. It has been found that the pesticide containing good leaving groups (-Cl) can interact with QD promptly and has high binding affinity (∼107 M-1). The different binding signatures of QD with different pesticides enable us to differentiate between the pesticides. Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy provides significant variance (∼150-300 ns) for different pesticides. Furthermore, a large variation (105 Ω to 7 × 104 Ω) in the resistance of QD in the presence of different pesticides was revealed by electrochemical sensing technique. Moreover, during the interaction with pesticides, QD can also act as a photocatalyst to degrade pesticides. Present investigation explored the fact that the rate of degradation is positively affected by the binding affinity, i.e., the greater the binding, the greater is the degradation. What is more, both optical and electrochemical measurements of QD, in tandem, as described in our study could be utilized as the pattern recognition sensor for detection of several pesticides.

Development of bone-like zirconium oxide nanoceramic modified chitosan based porous nanocomposites for biomedical application.

Here, zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) were incorporated for the first time in organic-inorganic hybrid composites containing chitosan, poly(ethylene glycol) and nano-hydroxypatite (CS-PEG-HA) to develop bone-like nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering application. These nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TEM combined with SAED. SEM images and porosity measurements revealed highly porous structure having pore size of less than 1µm to 10µm. Enhanced water absorption capacity and mechanical strengths were obtained compared to previously reported CS-PEG-HA composite after addition of 0.1-0.3wt% of ZrO2 NPs into these nanocomposites. The mechanical strengths and porosities were similar to that of human spongy bone. Strong antimicrobial effects against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains were also observed. Along with getting low alkalinity pH (7.4) values, similar to the pH of human plasma, hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility with osteoblastic MG-63 cells were also established for these nanocomposites. Addition of 15wt% HA-ZrO2 (having 0.3wt% ZrO2 NPs) into CS-PEG (55:30wt%) composite resulted in greatest mechanical strength, porosity, antimicrobial property and cytocompatibility along with suitable water absorption capacity and compatibility with human pH and blood. Thus, this nanocomposite could serve as a potential candidate to be used for bone tissue engineering.

Preparation of guar gum scaffold film grafted with ethylenediamine and fish scale collagen, cross-linked with ceftazidime for wound healing application.

Present study describes the synthesis of carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) from the native guar gum (GG) and the prepared CMGG is grafted with ethylenediamine (EDA) to form aminated CMGG. Then, fish scale collagen and aminated CMGG are cross-linked by ceftazidime drug through non- covalent ionic interaction. The resultant cross-linked film is subjected to the analysis of (1)HNMR, ATR-FTIR, TGA, SEM and XRD. The TNBS results revealed that 45% of interaction between EDA and CMGG and 90-95% of Ceftazidime is released from aminated CMGG-Ceftazidime-Collagen (ACCC) film after 96h of incubation at physiological pH. In vitro cell line studies reveal the biocompatibility of the cross-linked film and the antimicrobial studies display the growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms. Overall, the study indicates that the incorporation of Ceftazidime into collagen and aminated CMGG can improve the functional property of aminated CMGG as well as collagen, leading to its biomedical applications.

Multifunctional zirconium oxide doped chitosan based hybrid nanocomposites as bone tissue engineering materials.

This paper reports the development of multifunctional zirconium oxide (ZrO2) doped nancomposites having chitosan (CTS), organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP). Formation of these nanocomposites was confirmed by various characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed uniform distribution of OMMT and nano-HAP-ZrO2 into CTS matrix. Powder XRD study and TEM study revealed that OMMT has partially exfoliated into the polymer matrix. Enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to the reported literature were obtained after the addition of ZrO2 nanoparticle into the nanocomposites. In rheological measurements, CMZH I-III exhibited greater storage modulus (G') than loss modulus (G″). TGA results showed that these nanocomposites are thermally more stable compare to pure CTS film. Strong antibacterial zone of inhibition and the lowest minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of these nanocomposites against bacterial strains proved that these materials have the ability to prevent bacterial infection in orthopedic implants. Compatibility of these nanocomposites with pH and blood of human body was established. It was observed from the swelling study that the swelling percentage was increased with decreasing the hydrophobic OMMT content. Human osteoblastic MG-63 cell proliferations were observed on the nanocomposites and cytocompatibility of these nanocomposites was also established. Moreover, addition of 5wt% OMMT and 5wt% nano-HAP-ZrO2 into 90wt% CTS matrix provides maximum tensile strength, storage modulus, aqueous swelling and cytocompatibility along with strong antibacterial effect, pH and erythrocyte compatibility.

Development of biomimetic nanocomposites as bone extracellular matrix for human osteoblastic cells.

Here, we have developed biomimetic nanocomposites containing chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and nano-hydroxyapatite-zinc oxide as bone extracellular matrix for human osteoblastic cells and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed interconnected macroporous structures. Moreover, in this study, the problem related to fabricating a porous composite with good mechanical strength has been resolved by incorporating 5wt% of nano-hydroxyapatite-zinc oxide into chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix; the present composite showed high tensile strength (20.25MPa) while maintaining appreciable porosity (65.25%). These values are similar to human cancellous bone. These nanocomposites also showed superior water uptake, antimicrobial and biodegradable properties than the previously reported results. Compatibility with human blood and pH was observed, indicating nontoxicity of these materials to the human body. Moreover, proliferation of osteoblastic MG-63 cells onto the nanocomposites was also observed without having any negative effect.

Potential use of curcumin loaded carboxymethylated guar gum grafted gelatin film for biomedical applications.

Present study describes the synthesis of carboxylmethyl guar gum (CMGG) from the native guar gum (GG). Further, the prepared CMGG is grafted with gelatin to form CMGG-g-gelatin and then mixed with curcumin to prepare a biomaterial. The resultant biomaterial is subjected to the analysis of (1)H NMR, ATR-FTIR, TGA, SEM and XRD ensure the carboxymethylation and grafting. The results reveal that 45% of the amine groups of gelatin have been reacted with the--COOH group of CMGG and 90-95% of curcumin is released from CMGG-g-gelatin after 96h of incubation in the phosphate buffer at physiological pH. In vitro cell line studies reveal the biocompatibility of the biomaterial and the antimicrobial studies display the growth inhibition against gram +ve and gram -ve organisms at a considerable level. Overall, the study indicates that the incorporation of curcumin into CMGG-g-gelatin can improve the functional property of guar gum as well as gelatin.

Engineering of chitosan and collagen macromolecules using sebacic acid for clinical applications.

Transformation of natural polymers to three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for biomedical applications faces a number of challenges, viz., solubility, stability (mechanical and thermal), strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Hence, intensive research on suitable agents to provide the requisite properties has been initiated at the global level. In the present study, an attempt was made to engineer chitosan and collagen macromolecules using sebacic acid, and further evaluation of the mechanical stability and biocompatible property of the engineered scaffold material was done. A 3D scaffold material was prepared using chitosan at 1.0% (w/v) and sebacic acid at 0.2% (w/v); similarly, collagen at 0.5% (w/v) and sebacic acid at 0.2% (w/v) were prepared individually by freeze-drying technique. Analysis revealed that the engineered scaffolds displayed an appreciable mechanical strength and, in addition, were found to be biocompatible to NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. Studies on the chemistry behind the interaction and the characteristics of the cross-linked scaffold materials suggested that non-covalent interactions play a major role in deciding the property of the said polymer materials. The prepared scaffold was suitable for tissue engineering application as a wound dressing material.

Preparation and characterization of malonic acid cross-linked chitosan and collagen 3D scaffolds: an approach on non-covalent interactions.

The present study emphasizes the influence of non-covalent interactions on the mechanical and thermal properties of the scaffolds of chitosan/collagen origin. Malonic acid (MA), a bifuncitonal diacid was chosen to offer non-covalent cross-linking. Three dimensional scaffolds was prepared using chitosan at 1.0% (w/v) and MA at 0.2% (w/v), similarly collagen 0.5% (w/v) and MA 0.2% (w/v) and characterized. Results on FT-IR, TGA, DSC, SEM and mechanical properties (tensile strength, stiffness, Young's modulus, etc.) assessment demonstrated the existence of non-covalent interaction between MA and chitosan/collagen, which offered flexibility and high strength to the scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering research. Studies using NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells suggested biocompatibility nature of the scaffolds. Docking simulation study further supports the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between MA and chitosan/collagen.

Bonding interactions and stability assessment of biopolymer material prepared using type III collagen of avian intestine and anionic polysaccharides.

The present study demonstrate bonding interactions between anionic polysaccharides, alginic acid (AA) and type III collagen extracted from avian intestine used for the preparation of thermally stable and biodegradable biopolymer material. Further the study describes, optimum conditions (pH, temperature and NaCl concentration) required for the formation of fibrils in type III collagen, assessment on degree of cross-linking, nature of bonding patterns, biocompatibility and biodegradability of the cross-linked biomaterial. Results revealed, the resultant biopolymer material exhibit high thermal stability with 5-6 fold increase in tensile strength compared to the plain AA and collagen materials. The degree of cross-linking was calculated as 75%. No cytotoxicity was observed for the cross-linked biopolymer material when tested with skin fibroblast cells and the material was biodegradable when treated with enzyme collagenase. With reference to bonding pattern analysis we found, AA cross-linked with type III collagen via (i) formation of covalent amide linkage between -COOH group of AA and ε-NH2 group of type-III collagen as well as (ii) intermolecular multiple hydrogen bonding between alginic acid -OH group with various amino acid functional group of type-III collagen. Comparisons were made with other cross-linking agents also. For better understanding of bonding pattern, bioinformatics analysis was carried out and discussed in detail. The results of the study emphasize, AA acts as a suitable natural cross-linker for the preparation of wound dressing biopolymer material using collagen. The tensile strength and the thermal stability further added value to the resultant biopolymer.

Preparation and characterization of a thermostable and biodegradable biopolymers using natural cross-linker.

The present study describes preparation and characterization of a thermally stable and biodegradable biopolymer using collagen and a natural polymer, alginic acid (AA). Required concentration of alginic acid and collagen was optimized and the resulting biopolymer was characterized for, degree of cross-linking, mechanical strength, thermal stability, biocompatibility (toxicity) and biodegradability. Results reveal, the degree of cross-linking of alginic acid (at 1.5% concentration) with collagen was calculated as 75%, whereas it was 83% with standard cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde (at 1.5% concentration). The AA cross-linked biopolymer was stable up to 245°C and Exhibits 5-6-fold increase in mechanical (tensile) strength compared to plain collagen (native) materials. However, glutaraldehyde cross-linked material exhibits comparatively less thermal stability and brittle in nature (low tensile strength). With regard to cell toxicity, no cytotoxicity was observed for AA cross-linked material when tested with mesenchymal cells and found degradable when treated with collagenase enzyme. The nature of bonding pattern and the reason for thermal stability of AA cross-linked collagen biopolymer was discussed in detail with the help of bioinformatics. A supplementary file on efficacy of AACC as a wound dressing material is demonstrated in detail with animal model studies.