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Bimetallic inorganic nanoparticles are vital due to their high biocompatibility, stability and comparatively less toxicity. Nanosized bimetallic oxide materials have been extensively studied worldwide due to their unique properties such as electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties. Present work is reporting the size-controlled synthesis of strontium aluminate and magnesium cobaltate nanoparticles (SrAl2O4 and MgCoO2) by self-propagating combustion reaction using polymer fuel. Size of the prepared SrAl2O4 and MgCoO2 samples distributed on the DLS spectrum was 76 nm and 100 nm respectively. The structural and morphological characterization of the prepared nano oxide samples were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis respectively. It shows high crystalline and compact nature of the samples. FT-IR instrumentation was used to study the bonding nature of both the oxide nano samples. Formation of metal oxide and metal–metal bonding can supports the sample formation. EDX analysis carried out to further confirm the presence of Sr, Al, Mg and Co metals and also characteristics absorption peaks of signals demonstrate the final phases of the samples. UV–vis spectroscopic analysis and fluorescence study of the samples was undertaken to know the absorption and emission behaviour respectively. In continuation, the thermal and electrochemical studies of prepared samples were analyzed. Thermal investigation assesses the thermal behaviour of the samples, which shows high thermal stability. The preliminary results of CV study concluding that, the samples are electro active nature and also show possible electrochemical applications. The insights gained from this work contribute to the growing body of knowledge in metal oxide nanomaterials and pave the way for innovations in electrical and thermal-related technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing sustainable and green packaging products that protect foods and preserve their unique properties from UV radiation, which causes photochemical damage, is one of the extensive challenges in the food-packaging industry. Accordingly, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC)/graphene (G) nanocomposites that contained different weight percentages were prepared by a mechanical milling method. The influence of the G on the chemical composition and optical properties of the nanocomposites were studied by different techniques. SEM and FT-IR analyses confirmed the interaction between the CMC and G. The XRD spectrum showed that the crystallite size of the CMC decreased with G addition. The findings showed that changing the G concentration modified the CMC's optical properties. The CMC's transmittance decreased to 52%, 49%, and 57% in the UV-C (200–280), UV-B (280–320 nm), and UV-A (320–400) regions, respectively, with the addition of 2 wt.% of G. Moreover, the optical band gap decreased to 4.80 eV, while the Urbach energy increased from 0.34 to 0.94 eV as the G content increased. The density functional theory (DFT) assumption was followed to establish the electronic properties and vibrational spectrum of the CMC/G model. The theoretically determined IR and experimental FT-IR spectra of the CMC/G nanocomposites showed good agreement. The obtained results show that these nanocomposites are good candidates for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research is to examine the characteristics and interactions of mixtures containing acetonitrile (ACN) and various chloro derivatives of ethane, including 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. To accomplish this objective, measurements for density (ρ), speed of sound (u), and refractive index (nD) were taken at temperatures between 293.15 K and 303.15 K and an ambient pressure of 81.5 kPa. Various thermodynamic derived properties such as excess molar volumes ( V m E ), excess isentropic compressibilities ( κ S E ), viscosity deviations (Δη), excess Gibbs energy of activation ( Δ G ∗ E ), and refractive indices deviation ( Δ n φ D ) were determined within the specified temperature range. The experimental data were analyzed using the Redlich–Kister polynomial relation for correlation purposes. Furthermore, the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson Theory (PFP) and Extended Real Association Solution (ERAS) models were utilized to correlate the excess molar volumes, while the Perturbed Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT) model with one adjustable parameter was used to correlate densities. Additionally, the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to explore interactions between these different molecules. The results obtained indicate that intermolecular forces in these substances are altered when they are combined in mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the study of CoFe2O4 and CoAl0.2Fe1.8O4 ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel method, and their structural and magnetic properties with aluminum doping are studied here. Metal nitrates of high purity were used as chelating and polymerization agents along with citric acid and ethylene glycol for the synthesis. The insertion of Al3+ ions into the structure was confirmed by XRD in the present study, where values of lattice parameters decreased and crystallite size decreased. The FT-IR result indicated the same that the Al3+ ions sample has the better metal–oxygen bond. The SEM–EDS results indicated that the addition of Al3+ resulted in finer particles relative to the undoped sample. Saturation magnetization, Ms, was reduced from 80 emu/g to 70 emu/g; Hc was decreased to 650 Oe to 500 Oe; and the anisotropy constant K1 was decreased to 1.2 × 106 erg/cm3 to 9.5 × 105 erg/cm3 from VSM result confirming the lower magnetic hardness due to the Al3+ doping. Based on the study results, it is clear that the dope of the Al3+ donor has a dramatic effect on the properties of ferrite nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rapid detection and identification of pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility is essential for guiding appropriate antimicrobial therapy and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis. Objectives: The metabolic response of clinical isolates of Klebsiella oxytoca exposed to different concentrations of ciprofloxacin (the second generation of quinolones antibiotics) were studied in order to investigate underlying mechanisms associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods: Metabolomics investigations were performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a metabolic fingerprinting approach combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for metabolic profiling. Results: Our findings demonstrated that metabolic fingerprints provided by FT-IR analysis allowed for the differentiation of susceptible and resistant isolates. GC-MS analysis validated these findings, while also providing a deeper understanding of the metabolic alterations caused by exposure to ciprofloxacin. GC-MS metabolic profiling detected 176 metabolic features in the cellular extracts cultivated on BHI broth, and of these, 137 could be identified to Metabolomics Standards Initiative Level 2. Data analysis showed that 40 metabolites (30 Level 2 and 10 unknown) were differentiated between susceptible and resistant isolates. The identified metabolites belonging to central carbon metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and pyruvate metabolism. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed that six of these metabolites (glycerol-3-phosphate, O-phosphoethanolamine, asparagine dehydrate, maleimide, tyrosine, and alanine) have a crucial role in distinguishing susceptible from resistant isolates (AUC > 0.84) and contributing to antimicrobial resistance in K. oxtytoca. Conclusion: Our study provides invaluable new insights into the mechanisms underlying development of antimicrobial resistance in K. oxytoca suggests potential therapeutic targets for prevention and identification of AMR in K. oxytoca infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the long-term sustainable solutions to mitigate saline stress on plants, the use of plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGP) is considered very promising. While most of the efforts have been devoted to the selection and use of bacterial PGPs, little has been proposed with yeast PGP (PGPYs). In this study, three PGPY strains belonging to Naganishia uzbekistanensis, Papiliotrema terrestris and Solicoccozyma phenolica were employed singularly and in a consortium to mitigate salt stress of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). The results demonstrated that these yeasts, when applied to salt-amended soil, mitigated the growth inhibition caused by NaCl. Among the three species, N. uzbekistanensis and P. terrestris showed the most significant improvements in plant performance, with N. uzbekistanensis exhibiting hormetic effects under salt stress by improving root length and dry plant biomass. In general, the root system was the most affected part of the plants due to the presence of the yeasts. The entire rhizosphere bacterial microbiota was significantly influenced by the addition of PGPYs, while the mycobiota was dominated by the introduced yeasts. Metabolomic fingerprinting using FTIR revealed modifications in hemicellulose and silica content, indicating that PGPY inoculation impacts not only the plant but also the soil and rhizosphere microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the application of vibrational spectroscopy—Raman and FT-IR—for detecting microplastics (MPs) in various water bodies, including oceans, lakes, and drinking water. Given the growing concern about the environmental and health impacts of MPs, accurate identification and analysis are essential. The review discusses the fundamental principles of Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy, emphasizing their nondestructive nature and capability to provide detailed chemical identification. Sample preparation methods are explored to enhance detection efficiency, particularly in complex matrices where organic matter may cause spectral interference. Highlighting recent studies, this review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in identifying MPs in diverse aquatic systems, and offers insight into the challenges and future perspectives for advancing microplastic research in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apigenin (APG), a bioactive flavonoid with promising therapeutic potential, suffers from poor water solubility, which limits its bioavailability. To address this, solid dispersions of APG were prepared using ball milling with sodium alginate (SA), Pluronic® F-68 (PLU68), Pluronic® F-127 (PLU127), PVP K30, and PVP VA64 as polymeric excipients. These dispersions were screened for apparent solubility in water and buffers with pH 1.2, 5.5, and 6.8. Based on improved solubility after 60 min, APG–PLU68 and APG–PLU127 dispersions were selected for further study. DSC and FT-IR analysis confirmed molecular interactions between APG and the polymer matrices, contributing to enhanced solubility and dissolution rates. Dissolution rate studies showed that APG–PLU127 achieved 100% solubility at pH 6.8, suggesting its potential use in environments such as the small intestine. Additionally, APG–PLU127 exhibited 84.3% solubility at pH 1.2, indicating potential for solid oral dosage forms, where APG could be absorbed in the acidic conditions of the stomach. The stability study confirmed that storage for one year under ambient conditions does not cause chemical degradation but affects the physical state and solubility of the dispersion. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ABTS assay. Freshly obtained APG–PLU127 showed 68.1% ± 1.94% activity, whereas APG–PLU127 stored for one year under ambient conditions exhibited 66.2% ± 1.62% (significant difference, p < 0.05). The difference was related to a slight decrease in the solubility of APG in the solid dispersion (T0 = 252 ± 1 μg∙mL−1, T1 = 246 ± 1 μg∙mL−1). The findings demonstrate the superior performance of PLU127 as a carrier for enhancing the solubility, release, and antioxidant activity of APG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide textile industry extensively uses azo dyes, which pose serious health and environmental risks. Effective cleanup is necessary but challenging. Developing bioremediation methods for textile effluents will improve color removal efficiency. The recent attention to effectively utilizing microbes to convert toxic industrial azo dyes into non-hazardous compounds has garnered significant attention. In the present study, four fungal strains—Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporium—were employed to screen for the degradation and detoxification of azo dyes including congo red, crystal violet, bromophenol blue, and malachite green. After eight days, A. flavus had degraded azo dyes at the maximum proportion. The maximum decolorization (%) was achieved at 50 mg/L of dye concentration, 8 days of incubation, pH 6, 30 °C temperature, sucrose as a carbon source, NaNO3 as a nitrogen source, Ca+2 as minerals, and using static culture. The efficient production of laccases, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase enzymes by A. flavus proved that the enzyme played a crucial role in decolorizing the harmful azo dyes. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) data validated the decolorization and degradation process brought on by absorption and biodegradation. Compared to control plants, the results of the phytotoxicity assay showed that the degraded product was less harmful to maize and common bean plant's growth and germination rates. As a result, the findings indicate that A. flavus is a viable option for remediating azo dyes. This aids in the biodegradation of azo dyes found in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have synthesized a novel Schiff base-centered chemosensor, designated as SB, with the chemical name ((E)-1-(((6-methylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl) imino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol). This chemosensor was structurally characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. After structural characterization the chemosensor SB was subsequently employed for the detection of Cu2+ and Ag+, using fluorescence spectroscopy. The chemosensor SB showed excellent ability to recognize the target metal ions, leading to fluorescence enhancement and color change from yellow to yellowish orange for Cu2+ and yellow to radish for Ag+ ions. The detection capabilities of this chemosensor were impressive, showing excellent selectivity and an exceptionally low detection limit of 0.0016 µM for Cu2+ and 0.00389 µM for Ag+. Most notably, our approach enables the quantitative detection both metal ions in different water and soil samples at trace level. This achievement holds great promise for analytical applications and offers significant contributions to the field of chemical sensing and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexa(ethylhexyl)-hexa-(peri)-hexabenzocoronene (HEH-HBC) was selected as model compound of asphaltenes. In fact, in the "island" model the asphaltenes are described with a relatively large aromatic core surrounded by aliphatic chains attached to the edges of the core. In their turn the asphaltenes are considered model compounds of MAONs (Mixed Aromatic-aliphatic Organic Nanoparticles), the possible carriers of the Unidentified Infrared Bands (UIBs), i.e. a set of certain infrared features found in very different astrophysical objects. The differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) shows that HEH-HBC displays a discotic liquid crystal behavior, similar to that observed also in a selected authentic petroleum asphaltene sample. The electronic absorption spectrum of HEH-HBC was recorded for the first time in hydrocarbon solvents fully transparent in the UV, permitting to observe the UV part of HEH-HBC and to compare it with that of unsubstituted HBC. The FT-IR spectrum of HEH-HBC was recorded not only at room temperature but also at higher resolution at the liquid nitrogen temperature. The molar extinction coefficients and integrated molar absorptivity of the main bands were also estimated. The results are briefly discussed from an astrochemical perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a growing demand for plant-based products to treat a range of health conditions. Platostoma menthoides (L.), a member of the Lamiaceae family, is widely known for its versatile therapeutic properties. The primary aim of this study is to analyze and identify the secondary metabolites found in the extract of P. menthoides obtained using ethyl acetate and to assess its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and mosquito larvicidal properties for the first time. For the chemical profiling, a GC–MS analysis of the extract was conducted, and it showed the presence of various phytoconstituents, and the FT-IR spectrum revealed the functional groups associated with them. The quantitative phytochemical estimations revealed values of 34.87 ± 0.53 mg of GAE equivalents/g and 22.19 ± 1.11 mg of QUE equivalents/g, respectively, for total phenolic and flavonoid content. The biological studies of P. menthoides extract showed potent mosquito larvicidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti at a 100 µg/mL concentration with LC50 and LC90 values of 81.328 and 161.471 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the DPPH and FRAP radical scavenging potentials were evaluated, and the results revealed their ability to scavenge the free radicals. The extract also showed higher antibacterial effects against gram-negative bacteria when compared to gram-positive bacteria. All these findings suggest that P. menthoides is a rich source of phytoconstituents with various medicinal applications and can be used as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and mosquito-larvicidal agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the molecular structure characteristics and chemical reaction mechanisms of gas coal from the Hong II coal mine of the Ningxia Hongdunzi Coal Industry, this study explores its elemental composition, structural features, and methods for constructing and optimizing molecular models. The basic properties of the coal were determined through proximate and elemental analyses. The carbon structure was characterized using 13C-NMR nuclear magnetic resonance, the N and S chemical states were analyzed with XPS, and the distribution of hydroxyl, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic rings, and oxygen-containing functional groups was characterized by FT-IR. Based on the analysis results, a molecular structure model of Hongdunzi gas coal was constructed with the molecular formula C204H117O17NS, and the calculated results of the model showed high consistency with the experimental spectra of 13C-NMR. The macromolecular model of gas coal was constructed using the Materials Studio 2020 software, and its structure was optimized through geometric optimization and dynamic simulations. After optimization, the total energy of the model was significantly reduced from 8525.12 kcal·mol−1 to 3966.16 kcal·mol−1, highlighting the enhanced stability of the coal molecular structure. This optimization indicates that torsional energy plays a dominant role in molecular stability, while van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions were significantly improved during the optimization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]