Bio-fabrication of calcium oxide nanoparticles from Coccinia grandis as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation with antimicrobial activity

In the current study, Coccinia grandis fruit extract was used to synthesize calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) in an economical and environmentally friendly manner. UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the phytoconstituents found in Coccinia grandis fruit extract facilitated the production of CaO NPs by acting as better stabilizing, biodegradable, and reducing agents. The synthesized CG-CaO NPs were also tested for photocatalytic activity in the breakdown of selective dyes such as methyl red, methyl orange, and methylene blue in the presence of sunlight. The degradation percentage was determined by analyzing the color removal rates for all dye components. After 6 h of reaction, the IC50 values for methyl red, methyl orange, as well as methylene blue dyes were 73, 107, and 133, respectively. The CG-CaO NPs were further evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against specific bacteria and fungi using the agar-well diffusion method. 200 μg/mL CG-CaO NPs inhibited Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus at zones of 13, 14, 16, 14, and 15 mM, respectively. Further checkerboard assay confirmed the antagonism effect with gentamicin. Also, Artemia salina toxicity assay showed that the LD50 value of CaO NPs was 400 μg/mL of CaO NPs. The findings confirm that Coccinia grandis-mediated CG-CaO NPs can be used effectively in antimicrobial and environmental settings.

Proximal discrepancies in intrinsic atomic interaction determines comparative in vivo biotoxicity of Chlorpyrifos and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in embryonic zebrafish

Bioaccumulation of Chlorpyrifos (CP) as pesticides due to their aggrandized use in agriculture has raised serious concern on the health of ecosystem and human beings. Moreover, their degraded products like 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) has enhanced the distress due to their unpredictable biotoxicity. This study evaluates and deduce the comparative in vivo mechanistic biotoxicity of CP and TCP with zebrafish embryos through experimental and computational approach. Experimental cellular and molecular analysis showed higher induction of morphological abnormalities, oxidative stress and apoptosis in TCP exposed embryos compared to CP exposure due to upregulation of metabolic enzymes like Zhe1a, Sod1 and p53. Computational analysis excavated the differential discrepancies in intrinsic atomic interaction as a reason of disparity in biotoxicity of CP and TCP. The mechanistic differences were deduced due to the differential accumulation and internalisation leading to variable interaction with metabolic enzymes for oxidative stress and apoptosis causing physiological and morphological abnormalities. The study unravelled the information of in vivo toxicity at cellular and molecular level to advocate the attention of taking measures for management of CP as well as TCP for environmental and human health.

Mathematical modeling of climate and fluoride effects on sugarcane photosynthesis with silicon nanoparticles

Fluoride (F-) stress is one of the major environmental pollutant, affecting plant growth, development and production, globally. Acquisition of eco-friendly F- stress reliever seems to be the major concern these days. Consequently, application of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has been increasing to improve agri-economy. However, the impact of silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) on mitigation of F- stress has not been investigated yet. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare their protective roles against F- stress by improving diurnal photosynthetic efficiency of sugarcane plant leaves. An ability of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum cv. GT44) plants to ameliorate F- toxicity assessed through soil culture medium. After an adaptive growth phase, 45 days old plants select to examine F- mitigative efficacy of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs: 0, 100, 300 and 500 ppm) on sugarcane plants, irrigated by F- contaminated water (0, 100, 200 and 500 ppm). Our results strongly favour that SiNPs enhanced diurnally leaf photosynthetic gas exchange viz., photosynthesis (∼1.0-29%), stomatal conductance (∼3.0-90%), and transpiration rate (∼0.5-43%), significantly, as revealed by increments in photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence efficiency of PS II linked with performance index and photosynthetic pigments during F- stress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation to explore the impact of SiNPs improving and/or maintaining the diurnal photosynthetic responses in sugarcane plants in response to F- stress. It may also precisely unlayer action of molecular mechanism(s) mediated by SiNPs, found essential for mitigation of F--toxicity to explore nano-phytoremediation approach for crop improvement and agri-economy as well.

Atmospheric microplastic and nanoplastic: The toxicological paradigm on the cellular system

The increasing demand for plastic in our daily lives has led to global plastic pollution. The improper disposal of plastic has resulted in a massive amount of atmospheric microplastics (MPs), which has further resulted in the production of atmospheric nanoplastics (NPs). Because of its intimate relationship with the environment and human health, microplastic and nanoplastic contamination is becoming a problem. Because microplastics and nanoplastics are microscopic and light, they may penetrate deep into the human lungs. Despite several studies demonstrating the abundance of microplastics and nanoplastics in the air, the potential risks of atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics remain unknown. Because of its small size, atmospheric nanoplastic characterization has presented significant challenges. This paper describes sampling and characterization procedures for atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics. This study also examines the numerous harmful effects of plastic particles on human health and other species. There is a significant void in research on the toxicity of airborne microplastics and nanoplastics upon inhalation, which has significant toxicological potential in the future. Further study is needed to determine the influence of microplastic and nanoplastic on pulmonary diseases.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles from Citrullus colocynthis Fruit Extracts; Their Biocompatibility and Bioactivities

Modern nanotechnology encompasses every field of life. Nowadays, phytochemically fabricated nanoparticles are being widely studied for their bioactivities and biosafety. The present research studied the synthesis, characterization, stability, biocompatibility, and in vitro bioactivities of calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaONPs). The CaONPs were synthesized using Citrullus colocynthis ethanolic fruit extracts. Greenly synthesized nanoparticles had an average size of 35.93 ± 2.54 nm and showed an absorbance peak at 325 nm. An absorbance peak in this range depicts the coating of phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, and flavonoids on the surface of CaONPs. The XRD pattern showed sharp peaks that illustrated the preferred cubic crystalline nature of triturate. A great hindrance to the use of nanoparticles in the field of medicine is their extremely reactive nature. The FTIR analysis of the CaONPs showed a coating of phytochemicals on their surface, due to which they showed great stability. The vibrations present at 3639 cm^-1 for alcohols or phenols, 2860 cm^-1 for alkanes, 2487 cm^-1 for alkynes, 1625 cm^-1 for amines, and 1434 cm^-1 for carboxylic acids and aldehydes show adsorption of phytochemicals on the surface of CaONPs. The CaONPs were highly stable over time; however, their stability was slightly disturbed by varying salinity and pH. The dialysis membrane in vitro release analysis revealed consistent nanoparticle release over a 10-h period. The bioactivities of CaONPs, C. colocynthis fruit extracts, and their synergistic solution were assessed. Synergistic solutions of both CaONPs and C. colocynthis fruit extracts showed great bioactivity and biosafety. The synergistic solution reduced cell viability by only 14.68% and caused only 16% hemolysis. The synergistic solution inhibited Micrococcus luteus slightly more effectively than streptomycin, with an activity index of 1.02. It also caused an 83.87% reduction in free radicals.

The translational paradigm of nanobiomaterials: Biological chemistry to modern applications

Recently nanotechnology has evolved as one of the most revolutionary technologies in the world. It has now become a multi-trillion-dollar business that covers the production of physical, chemical, and biological systems at scales ranging from atomic and molecular levels to a wide range of industrial applications, such as electronics, medicine, and cosmetics. Nanobiomaterials synthesis are promising approaches produced from various biological elements be it plants, bacteria, peptides, nucleic acids, etc. Owing to the better biocompatibility and biological approach of synthesis, they have gained immense attention in the biomedical field. Moreover, due to their scaled-down sized property, nanobiomaterials exhibit remarkable features which make them the potential candidate for different domains of tissue engineering, materials science, pharmacology, biosensors, etc. Miscellaneous characterization techniques have been utilized for the characterization of nanobiomaterials. Currently, the commercial transition of nanotechnology from the research level to the industrial level in the form of nano-scaffolds, implants, and biosensors is stimulating the whole biomedical field starting from bio-mimetic nacres to 3D printing, multiple nanofibers like silk fibers functionalizing as drug delivery systems and in cancer therapy. The contribution of single quantum dot nanoparticles in biological tagging typically in the discipline of genomics and proteomics is noteworthy. This review focuses on the diverse emerging applications of Nanobiomaterials and their mechanistic advancements owing to their physiochemical properties leading to the growth of industries on different biomedical measures. Alongside the implementation of such nanobiomaterials in several drug and gene delivery approaches, optical coding, photodynamic cancer therapy, and vapor sensing have been elaborately discussed in this review. Different parameters based on current challenges and future perspectives are also discussed here.

Silicon oxide nanoparticles alleviate chromium toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Increasing chromium (Cr) contamination in agricultural soils is a threat to crop yields and quality. Recently, nano-enabled strategies have been emerging with a great potential towards improving crop production and reclaiming the heavy metal contaminated soils. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) on optimizing wheat growth and yield against Cr stress-induced phytotoxicity. Spherical crystalline SiONPs with the diameter in the range of 15-24 nm were applied at a dose of 250 mg kg^-1 soil for pot experiments planted with wheat seedlings, with or without Cr contaminations. The pot experiment results showed that SiONPs amendments significantly improved the plant length (26.8%), fresh (28.5%) and dry weight (30.4%) as compared with the control treatment. In addition, SiONPs also enhanced photosynthetic activity, antioxidant enzyme contents (CAT, APX, SOD and POD content) and reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wheat plants under Cr stress condition. The alleviation of Cr toxicity was deemed to be associated with the reduced Cr uptake into the roots (-39.6%) and shoots (-35.7%). The ultrastructural analyses revealed that the application of SiONPs in Cr contaminated soils maintained the normal cellular structure of the wheat plant, as compared with those of controls without SiONPs. These results provide the first evidence showing the great potential of SiONPs application towards alleviating the Cr stress for optimized wheat growth and yield in Cr contaminated soils.

Molecular toxicity of Benzo(a)pyrene mediated by elicited oxidative stress infer skeletal deformities and apoptosis in embryonic zebrafish

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has become an integral component of disposed of plastic waste, organic pollutants, and remnants of combustible materials in the aquatic environment due to their persistent nature. The accumulation and integration of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have raised concern to human health and ecological safety. This study assessed the BaP-induced in vivo molecular toxicity with embryonic zebrafish inferred by oxidative stress and apoptosis. BaP was found to induce morphological and physiological abnormalities like delayed hatching (p < 0.05). Computational analysis demonstrated the high-affinity interaction of BaP with the zebrafish hatching enzyme (ZHE1) with Arg, Cys, Ala, Tyr, and Phe located at the active site revealing the influence of BaP on delayed hatching due to alteration of the enzyme structure. RT-PCR analysis revealed significant down-regulation of the skeletal genes Sox9a, SPP1/OPN, and Col1a1 (p < 0.05) genes. The cellular investigations unraveled that the toxicity of BaP extends to the skeletal regions of zebrafish (head, backbone, and tail) because of the elicited oxidative stress leading to apoptosis. The study extended the horizon of understanding of BaP toxicity at the molecular level which will enhance the indulgent and designing of techniques for better ecological sustainability.

The viral capsid as novel nanomaterials for drug delivery

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent scientific developments and provide an overview of virus self-assembly and viral particle dynamics. Viruses are organized supramolecular structures with distinct yet related features and functions. Plant viruses are extensively used in biotechnology, and virus-like particulate matter is generated by genetic modification. Both provide a material-based means for selective distribution and delivery of drug molecules. Through surface engineering of their capsids, virus-derived nanomaterials facilitate various potential applications for selective drug delivery. Viruses have significant implications in chemotherapy, gene transfer, vaccine production, immunotherapy and molecular imaging.

Green Strategy–Based Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Applications

Antibiotics have been the nucleus of chemotherapy since their discovery and introduction into the healthcare system in the 1940s. They are routinely used to treat bacterial infections and to prevent infections in patients with compromised immune systems and enhancing growth in livestock. However, resistance to last-resort antibiotics used in the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections has been reported worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate green synthesized nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as alternatives to antibiotics. UV-vis spectroscopy surface plasmon resonance peaks for AgNPs were obtained between 417 and 475 nm. An X-ray diffraction analysis generated four peaks for both Prunus africana extract (PAE) and Camellia sinensis extract (CSE) biosynthesized AgNPs positioned at 2θ angles of 38.2°, 44.4°, 64.5°, and 77.4° corresponding to crystal planes (111), (200), (220), and (311), respectively. A dynamic light-scattering analysis registered the mean zeta potential of +6.3 mV and +0.9 mV for PAE and CSE biosynthesized nanoparticles, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra exhibited bands corresponding to different organic functional groups confirming the capping of AgNPs by PAE and CSE phytochemicals. Field emission scanning electron microscopy imaging showed that AgNPs were spherical with average size distribution ranging from 10 to 19 nm. Biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited maximum growth inhibitory zones of 21 mm with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 125 and 250 μg/ml, respectively, against carbapenem-resistant bacteria.