Chapter 5 Chemical Methods for Preparation of Nanoparticles in Solution

Nano-bioremediation of textile industry wastewater using immobilized CuO-NPs myco-synthesized by a novel Cu-resistant Fusarium oxysporum OSF18

Currently, bionanotechnologies are attracting great interest due to their promising results and potential benefits on many aspects of life. In this study, the objectives was to biosynthesis CuO-NPs using cell-free extract(s) of copper-resistant fungi and use them in bioremediation of textile industry wastewater. Out of 18 copper-resistant fungal isolates, the novel fungus strain Fusarium oxysporum OSF18 was selected for this purpose. This strain showed a high efficiency in extracellular reducing copper ions to their nano-form. The myco-synthesized CuO-NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, HRTEM, FTIR, and XRD and were found to be spherical nanocrystals with the size range of 21-47 nm. The bio-synthesized CuO-NPs showed promising antimicrobial activity as well as high efficiency in removing heavy metals and textile dye from industrial wastewater. The myco-synthesized CuO-NPs immobilized in alginate beads exhibited superior microbial disinfection (99.995%), heavy metals removal (93, 55, and 30 % for Pb, Cr, and Ni, respectively), and dye decolorization (90%). Such results represent a promising step to produce an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and easy-to handle tool for the bioremediation of textile industry wastewater.

An insight into the green synthesis of SiO2 nanostructures as a novel adsorbent for removal of toxic water pollutants

Green synthesis of nanomaterials is a sustainable, biologically safe, reliable, and eco-friendly approach. Green synthesis is beneficial to reduce the devastating effects of the traditional chemical synthesis methods and particularly aims at decreasing the usage of toxic chemicals. This review deals with the green synthesis of silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) with emphasis on the engineering surface properties for enhanced adsorption capability and their applications as novel nano-adsorbents for water pollutants removal. Green synthesized SiO₂ NPs have shown excellent adsorption properties with higher adsorption capacity of 150-200 mg/g and more than 95% removal for various toxic water pollutants along with reusability for more than 5 cycles. These SiO₂ NPs show fascinating physical and chemical properties i.e. tunable size (5 nm to more than 100 nm), low toxicity, biocompatibility, high porosity, higher specific surface area (500--700 m²/g) making them attractive/suitable for several applications in biomedical, agriculture, catalysis, construction, water treatment, etc. Commonly, highly pure SiO₂ NPs are synthesized from organic chemicals (very expensive and highly toxic in nature) as a precursor that led to high production costs, high energy consumption, and environmental hazards. On the other hand, green synthesis of SiO₂ NPs from natural resources like biomass that includes rice husk, bamboo leaves/stem, sugarcane bagasse, corn cobs, wheat straw, etc. is cost-effective, less toxic, and eco-friendly which has been discussed in detail. Furthermore, the effect of key synthesis parameters (i.e., temperature, time, concentration, pH, etc.) on the morphology, size, purity, and specific surface area of SiO₂ NPs have been summarized. Finally, the applications of SiO₂ NPs as nano-adsorbents for the removal of toxic water pollutants (i.e., heavy metal cations, anions, dyes, etc.) including the adsorption mechanisms along with the future scope, challenges, and suggestions have been discussed.

Metal Nanoparticles: a Promising Treatment for Viral and Arboviral Infections

Globally, viral diseases continue to pose a significant threat to public health. Recent outbreaks, such as influenza, coronavirus, Ebola, and dengue, have emphasized the urgent need for new antiviral therapeutics. Considerable efforts have focused on developing metal nanoparticles for the treatment of several pathogenic viruses. As a result of these efforts, metal nanoparticles are demonstrating promising antiviral activity against pathogenic surrogates and clinical isolates. This review summarizes the application of metal nanoparticles for the treatment of viral infections. It provides information on synthesis methods, size-related properties, nano-bio-interaction, and immunological effects of metal nanoparticles. This article also addresses critical criteria and considerations for developing clinically translatable nanosized metal particles to treat viral diseases.

Nanominerals: Fabrication Methods, Benefits and Hazards, and Their Applications in Ruminants with Special Reference to Selenium and Zinc Nanoparticles

Simple Summary

Nanomaterials can contribute to the sustainability of the livestock sector through improving the quantitative and qualitative production of safe, healthy, and functional animal products. Given the diverse nanotechnology applications in the animal nutrition field, the administration of nanominerals can substantially enhance the bioavailability of respective minerals by increasing cellular uptake and avoiding mineral antagonism. Nanominerals are also helpful for improving reproductive performance and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes of animals. Despite the promising positive effects of nanominerals on animal performance (growth, feed utilization, nutrient bioavailability, antioxidant status, and immune response), there are various challenges related to nanominerals, including their metabolism and fate in the animal’s body. Thus, the economic, legal, and ethical implications of nanomaterials must also be considered by the authority.

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the major advanced technologies applied in different fields, including agriculture, livestock, medicine, and food sectors. Nanomaterials can help maintain the sustainability of the livestock sector through improving quantitative and qualitative production of safe, healthy, and functional animal products. Given the diverse nanotechnology applications in the animal nutrition field, the use of nanomaterials opens the horizon of opportunities for enhancing feed utilization and efficiency in animal production. Nanotechnology facilitates the development of nano vehicles for nutrients (including trace minerals), allowing efficient delivery to improve digestion and absorption for better nutrient metabolism and physiology. Nanominerals are interesting alternatives for inorganic and organic minerals for animals that can substantially enhance the bioavailability and reduce pollution. Nanominerals promote antioxidant activity, and improve growth performance, reproductive performance, immune response, intestinal health, and the nutritional value of animal products. Nanominerals are also helpful for improving assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes by enriching media for cryopreservation of spermatozoa, oocytes, and embryos with antioxidant nanominerals. Despite the promising positive effects of nanominerals on animal performance and health, there are various challenges related to nanominerals, including their metabolism and fate in the animal’s body. Thus, the economic, legal, and ethical implications of nanomaterials must also be considered by the authority. This review highlights the benefits of including nanominerals (particularly nano-selenium and nano-zinc) in animal diets and/or cryopreservation media, focusing on modes of action, physiological effects, and the potential toxicity of their impact on human health.

Plant-derived silica nanoparticles and composites for biosensors, bioimaging, drug delivery and supercapacitors: a review

Silica nanoparticles have rapidly found applications in medicine, supercapacitors, batteries, optical fibers and concrete materials, because silica nanoparticles have tunable physical, chemical, optical and mechanical properties. In most applications, high-purity silica comes from synthetic organic precursors, yet this approach could be costly, polluting and non-biocompatible. Alternatively, natural silica sources from biomass are often cheap and abundant, yet they contain impurities. Silica can be extracted from corn cob, coffee husk, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse and wheat husk wastes, which are often disposed of in rivers, lands and ponds. These wastes can be used to prepare homogenous silica nanoparticles. Here we review properties, preparation and applications of silica nanoparticles. Preparation includes chemical and biomass methods. Applications include biosensors, bioimaging, drug delivery and supercapacitors. In particular, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, recent research has shown that silver nanocluster/silica deposited on a mask reduces SARS-Cov-2 infectivity to zero.