Search

In recent times, agricultural practices mainly rely on agrochemicals and pesticides to safe-guard edible crops against various pests and to ensure high yields. However, their indiscriminate use may cause severe environmental hazards that directly and negatively affect soil microorganisms and crop productivity. Considering these, present study was aimed to assess the toxicity of carbamate pesticides namely carbamoyl (CBL), methomyl (MML) and carbofuran (CBN) using bacterial and plant (Vigna mungo L.) bioassays. All pesticide doses (25–100 μg mL−1) showed negative effect on bacteria as well as plant. Growth, morphology, survival, cellular respiration and inner membrane permeability of S inorhizobium saheli was hampered when exposed to pesticides. Pesticide induced morphological changes viz. aberrant margins; cellular cracking and distortion/damage in S. saheli were obvious under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The 100 μgCBNmL−1 had maximum inhibitory effect and it reduced survivability of S. saheli by 75%. In addition, biofilm formation ability of S. saheli was inhibited in a pesticides-dose dependent manner and it was statistically (p ≤ 0.05) significant. Pesticides indorsed significant changes in biomarker enzymatic assays and oxidative stress parameters towards S. saheli. Furthermore, at 100 μgCBNmL−1, germination efficiency, root, shoot length, plant survival and tolerance index of V. mungo were decrease by 50, 75, 65, 70 and 66%, respectively over control. Staining of pesticide treated roots with fluorescently labeled dyes propidium iodide (PI) and acridine orange (AO) showed increased oxidative stress, ROS generation and membrane permeability as revealed under confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Furthermore, stressor metabolites and antioxidant enzymes in plant seedlings were progressively enhanced with increasing concentration of pesticides. Conclusively, present finding bestow an insights into a mechanistic approach of carbamate pesticide induced phyto, morpho and cellular toxic effects towards soil bacterium as well as plant with forthcoming implications for designing the pesticides to reduce their toxic/harmful effects. • Pesticides affected growth, cellular viability, respiration, biofilms and inner membrane permeability of S. saheli RC10. • Pesticides reduced bacterial synthesis of indole3-acetic acids, siderophore and extra polymeric substances. • Exposure to excess concentration of pesticides induces oxidative damage via generation of ROS in V. mungo. • Pesticides decreased germination efficiency and growth of V. mungo. • H 2 O 2 content, electrolyte leakage and antioxidant enzymes in plants were increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-principles calculations have been used to study the structural, mechanical, and hydrogen storage properties of the perovskite hydrides, XAlH3 (X = K, Rb, and Cs). The simulated pattern of X-ray diffraction (XRD) also confirmed their polycrystalline structure. The investigation of hydrogen storage properties has led to the determination of gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities for KAlH 3 , RbAlH 3 , and CsAlH 3 , which are found to be 4.38, 2.62, and 1.86 wt%, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogen desorption temperatures are determined to be 448.43, 507.96, and 487.22K for KAlH 3 , RbAlH 3 , and CsAlH 3 , respectively. The calculation of elastic constants has confirmed that these compounds are mechanically stable. The computed elastic constants have determined the bulk modulus, Young's modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio. Using ELATE software, 3D visualization of anisotropic elastic properties i.e., maximum and minimum values of Young's modulus, linear compressibility, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio along with anisotropic factors have been analyzed. Thermodynamic properties involving entropy, Debye temperature, specific heat capacity at constant pressure, and coefficient of thermal expansion have also been calculated. The electronic properties of these compounds confirmed their metallic behavior. These findings provide insight into Al-based perovskite hydrides and their potential applications for hydrogen storage perspectives. [Display omitted] • XAlH 3 (X = K, Rb and Cs) with cubic structure have been investigated using DFT. • XAlH 3 compounds are mechanically stable, and show 3D anisotropic behavior in all elastic properties except linear compressibility. • The hydrogen storage properties and thermodynamic stability make promising materials for hydrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae) is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The leaves, flowers, roots, and bark are used to treat various aliments includes, skin infections, kidney problems, intestinal disorders, jaundice, toothaches, joint pain and repair cracked bones, antidotes for snake, scorpion, and rat bites. The objective of the study is to assess the anti-arthritic properties of T. stans leaf using Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced rat. The ethanol extract of T. stans leaf (ETSL) was subjected toGas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis for the identification of potential bioactive. The anti-arthritic activity was carried out by administering CFA (0.1 ml) into the sub-plantar surface of the right hind paw. The experimental animals were treated with indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and ETSL (250, 500 mg/kg) once a day orally for fourteen days. The arthritic parameters and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated using standard kit reagents. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were measured in blood serum. Antioxidant parameters were assessed in homogenized liver and joint tissues. Radiological and histopathological analysis of joint was performed. A computational molecular docking investigation of the phytoconstituents was conducted against COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α receptors. The ETSL at 500 mg/kg demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) restoration of arthritic parameters, hematological and biochemical indices and oxidative stress in CFA-induced rats which was further supported by radiological histological examination. In addition, there was significant (p < 0.05) reduction observed in pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the treated group. Verbascoside was found to exhibit better biding affinities −10.4, −7.4, −7 and −6.2 kcal/mol against COX-2, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 respectively, confirmed through in silico study. The observed outcome suggests that ETSL at a dosage of 500 mg/kg demonstrated notable anti-arthritic effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers. This effect could potentially be attributed to the presence of bioactive verbascoside identified in the LC-MS analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The challenges in treating oral cancer include the limited effectiveness and systemic side effects of conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Hyaluronic acid (HA) based Glycyrrhizin (GL) and Methotrexate (MT) loaded localized delivery systems, specifically nanofiber (NF) based platforms, were developed to address these challenges. The electrospinning method was used for the successful fabrication of a homogenous NF membrane and characterized for morphology, drug entrapment efficiency, tensile strength, and ex-vivo mucoadhesive study. Also, it was evaluated for in-vitro drug release profile, ex-vivo drug permeability, in-vitro anti-inflammatory, apoptosis assay by MTT and flow, and against specific cell lines in order to determine their potential for therapeutic use. Superior tensile breaking force (50 g), mucoadhesive strength of 153 gm/cm2, drug permeability, and releasing properties of designed NF, making them perfect requirements for oral cavity delivery. The anticancer potential of MT in the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis was significantly increased in oral epidermal carcinoma cell (KB cell) for drug-loaded NF with 63.97 ± 1.99 % apoptosis, at 24 h. With these incorporated, GL with MT in NF had an anti-inflammatory potential, also demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo. In the Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) induced mice model, the optimal formulation's shows better potential for tumor regression when comparing the developed NF formulation to the drugs. Experimental results show that by lowering mucositis-related inflammation and enhancing the effectiveness of oral cancer treatment, a developed nanofiber-based local drug delivery system offers a feasible strategy for managing oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polyelectrolyte complex coacervation technique has been used for emulsion stabilization, nutraceutical encapsulation, and controlled delivery. However, traditional batch-mixing methods suffer from significant insufficiencies in scalability because of batch-to-batch variation and complicated multi-step preparation procedures resulting in uncontrollable size, wide size distribution, instability, and aggregation. This study used a flash nanocomplexation (FNC) method to continuously prepare protein (sodium caseinate) and polysaccharide (chitosan) nanocomplexes with narrow size distributions using a multi-inlet vortex mixer. The size distributions of nanocomplex can be controlled by volumetric flow rates of the inlet streams, the concentration, and the order/ratio of sodium caseinate to chitosan. Furthermore, a novel emulsion preparation method, flash-microemulsion (FME), was introduced. Under rapid mixing conditions, FME prepared emulsion in the presence of soybean or MCT oil by infusing aqueous solutions of sodium caseinate and chitosan in a single step. O/W emulsion prepared successfully by the FME method was confirmed with confocal microscopy. The emulsion droplet size ranged from 4.6 to 1.5 μm and showed elastic-like properties (G' > G″). Optical microscope, SEM, and TEM studies suggested that the FME method could form homogeneous and stable emulsions. The emulsions showed excellent stability over 30 days of storage. In addition, there were no noticeable differences in the size and size distribution of nanocomplex and emulsion prepared at different times, indicating excellent reproducibility. As a result of FNC and FME, other lipophilic bioactive compounds can be encapsulated/stabilized in the food, flavor, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Preparation of flash nanocomplex (a) and flash microemulsion (b) using a multi-inlet vortex mixer. [Display omitted] • Stable nanocomplexes with uniform sizes are prepared by flash nanocomplexation. • Nanocomplex stability and size are tuned by flow rate, ratio, pH, and biopolymer order. • Flash microemulsion method is used to prepare stable O/W emulsions in a single step. • Gel-like behavior is observed in flash microemulsions. • Flash microemulsion and flash nanocomplexation show excellent reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • RuBisCo co-pigments showed high copigmentation effects on P3C5G. • RuBisCo drastically shifted p K H -values and hyperchromicity of P3C5G. • The half-life of P3C5G was doubled when adding RuBisCo. • RuBisCo interacted with P3C5G via H-bonding and π-π stacking. • P3C5G altered the secondary structure of RuBisCo. The co-pigmentation behaviour of RuBisCo proteins (with different concentrations) on peonidin-3-O-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-O-glucoside (P3C5G, extracted from Rosetta potato's peels) conjugates in isotonic sport drinks (ISD) was examined using multispectral, thermal stability kinetics, and libDock-based molecular docking approaches. The colorant effects of RuBisCo on P3C5G were also studied in spray-dried microencapsulated ISD-models. RuBisCo, especially at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in ISD, showed a co-pigmentation effect on the color of P3C5G, mostly owing to its superior hyperchromicity, p K H -levels, and thermal stability. Results from multispectral approaches also revealed that RuBisCo could noncovalently interact with P3C5G as confirmed by libDock findings, where P3C5G strongly bound with RuBisCo via H-bonding and π–π forces, thereby altering its secondary structure. RuBisCo also preserved color of P3C5G in ISD-powdered models. These detailed results imply that RuBisCo could be utilized in ISD-liquid and powder models that might industrially be applied as potential food colorants in products under different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]