Soil Application of Nano Silica on Maize Yield and Its Insecticidal Activity Against Some Stored Insects After the Post-Harvest

Maize is considered one of the most imperative cereal crops worldwide. In this work, high throughput silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) were prepared via the sol–gel technique. SiO2-NPs were attained in a powder form followed by full analysis using the advanced tools (UV-vis, HR-TEM, SEM, XRD and zeta potential). To this end, SiO2-NPs were applied as both nanofertilizer and pesticide against four common pests that infect the stored maize and cause severe damage to crops. As for nanofertilizers, the response of maize hybrid to mineral NPK, “Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)” (0% = untreated, 50% of recommended dose and 100%), with different combinations of SiO2-NPs; (0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg soil) was evaluated. Afterward, post-harvest, grains were stored and fumigated with different concentrations of SiO2-NPs (0.0031, 0.0063. 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg) in order to identify LC50 and mortality % of four common insects, namely Sitophilus oryzae, Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, and Orizaephilus surinamenisis. The results revealed that, using the recommended dose of 100%, mineral NPK showed the greatest mean values of plant height, chlorophyll content, yield, its components, and protein (%). By feeding the soil with SiO2-NPs up to 10 g/kg, the best growth and yield enhancement of maize crop is noticed. Mineral NPK interacted with SiO2-NPs, whereas the application of mineral NPK at the rate of 50% with 10 g/kg SiO2-NPs, increased the highest mean values of agronomic characters. Therefore, SiO2-NPs can be applied as a growth promoter, and in the meantime, as strong unconventional pesticides for crops during storage, with a very small and safe dose.

Soil Application of Nano Silica on Maize Yield and Its Insecticidal Activity Against Some Stored Insects After the Post-Harvest

Maize is considered one of the most imperative cereal crops worldwide. In this work, high throughput silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) were prepared via the sol-gel technique. SiO₂-NPs were attained in a powder form followed by full analysis using the advanced tools (UV-vis, HR-TEM, SEM, XRD and zeta potential). To this end, SiO₂-NPs were applied as both nanofertilizer and pesticide against four common pests that infect the stored maize and cause severe damage to crops. As for nanofertilizers, the response of maize hybrid to mineral NPK, "Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)" (0% = untreated, 50% of recommended dose and 100%), with different combinations of SiO₂-NPs; (0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg soil) was evaluated. Afterward, post-harvest, grains were stored and fumigated with different concentrations of SiO₂-NPs (0.0031, 0.0063. 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg) in order to identify LC₅₀ and mortality % of four common insects, namely Sitophilus oryzae, Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, and Orizaephilus surinamenisis. The results revealed that, using the recommended dose of 100%, mineral NPK showed the greatest mean values of plant height, chlorophyll content, yield, its components, and protein (%). By feeding the soil with SiO₂-NPs up to 10 g/kg, the best growth and yield enhancement of maize crop is noticed. Mineral NPK interacted with SiO₂-NPs, whereas the application of mineral NPK at the rate of 50% with 10 g/kg SiO₂-NPs, increased the highest mean values of agronomic characters. Therefore, SiO₂-NPs can be applied as a growth promoter, and in the meantime, as strong unconventional pesticides for crops during storage, with a very small and safe dose.

Wound healing of nanofiber comprising Polygalacturonic/Hyaluronic acid embedded silver nanoparticles: In-vitro and in-vivo studies

The current study is pertaining to develop a novel wound dressing, comprising natural biologically absorbable materials for wound healing In-vivo. Wound dressing is composed of Polygalacturonic acid, Hyaluronic acid embedded silver nanoparticles, which is further fabricated to form nanofibrous mat, using electrospinning. Silver nanoparticles was prepared using PGA. AgNPs in this formula will serve as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that protect cells from destructive effect of elevated ROS and accelerate wound healing. The physical performance and water contact angle for nanofiber was evaluated. The produced nanofiber was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. Also, the embedded AgNPs was also characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM. The nanofiber mates embedded AgNPs was applied to the wounded site of albino rats in-vivo. Histopathological assessment for the wound was fully performed. Also, the antimicrobial activity for the fabricated wound dressing was evaluated against gram+ve and gram -ve bacteria.