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Metal/metal oxide nanocomposites (NCs) have been attracting significant attention in recent times because of their applications in the fields of energy and environment. In the present work, we investigate the photocatalytic and electrochemical performances of Ni/NiO NCs synthesized by a facile and cost-effective reduction method using lithium salt as the dopant. Lithium influences the size, morphology and structural constitution of the final product. A variation in the lithium percentage was seen to have a direct effect on the Ni content. The structural conformation of the samples has been analyzed by XRD and further confirmed by XPS. A low optical energy bandgap (∼3.7 eV) and a mesoporous structure of the as-prepared samples were seen to play a crucial role in achieving the photocatalytic degradation of the cationic organic dyes concomitant to its electrochemical activity. On illumination with UV light, the Li-doped Ni/NiO NCs demonstrated rapid degradation of crystal violet and methyl violet 2B dyes. The synergism arising due to the substitutional doping of lithium and the presence of metallic nickel leads to efficient photodegradation of the dye pollutants by the catalysts. Further, the Li-doped Ni/NiO NCs displayed a better electrochemical performance than the undoped samples. The NC with 1 wt% Li exhibited the best values of specific capacitance (276.2 F g−1 at 5 A g−1) with an excellent cycling ability (

Fig. 1 and the Graphical Abstract were created by Heno Hwang, scientific illustrator at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from KAUST. The funding support from Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Mission Division (No. OST/TM O(EWO)/OWUIS20IS/TS-03 (G)) under the program “Optimal Water Use in Industrial Sector” is greatly acknowledged.

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using hot water neen leaf extract (NLF) as reducing and stabilizing agent are reported and evaluated for antibacterial activity against chilli seed borne pathogens. The effect of extract concentration, contact time, pH and temperature on the reaction rate and the shape of the Ag nanoparticles were investigated. The data revealed that the rate of formation of the nanosilver size decreased significantly in the basic medium with different concentration (1 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM). Synthesized was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanoparticle synthesis using different concentration of silver nitrate and 5 mM was getting nano sized silver particles AgNPs. The silver nanoparticles were with an average size of 55 to 350 nm and mostly rod shape. The antifungal activity of synthesized AgNPs was observed in seed health test and different concentration of silver NPs (750 mg, 1000 mg and 1250 mg) were used for seed health test. The AgNPs at 750 mg concentration significantly inhibited the seed borne pothogens. Thus AgNPs showed broad spectrum antifungal activity at lower concentration and may be a good alternative therapeutic approach in future.

Investigations were undertaken to study the physiological effectiveness of different ornamental succulents under tropical condition. Six species of succulents were evaluated under four different growing environments. Results showed that the performance of succulents grown under conservatory house condition was found to be performed well and ideal with respect to chlorophyll, carotenoids, relative water content and photosynthetic rate than other growing environments. The succulent species viz ., Haworthia limifolia, Monadenium lugardiae and Aloe juvenna were the most suitable species for growing under conservatory house condition due to its high nocturnal CO 2 uptake and cell sap acidification which possess CAM metabolism. CAM involves nocturnal CO 2 uptake and fixation by cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase into malic acid that is stored in the vacuole causing nocturnal cell sap acidification. During the subsequent light period, malic acid is released from the vacuole in the form of malate that is then decarboxylated leading to deacidification of cell sap, formation of pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate and liberation of CO 2 . Repeated acidification and deacidification cycles represent a characteristic physiological feature of CAM metabolism in succulents which is best suited for xeric environment and possess high photosynthetic efficiency.

This study was aimed to develop the nanoform of a commercial fungicide Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% (75 WG) with broad spectrum of action for improving its antifungal activity against Macrophomina phaseolina. The fungicide commercially available as Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% (75 WG) was converted into its nanoform using ball milling method and assessed for its efficacy against the soil borne fungal pathogen M. phaseolina at various concentrations, namely 5, 10, 15, and 25 ppm using poisoned food technique. Nanoform of the fungicide was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). The average particle size of nano Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% (75 WG) was about 108 nm. Fungicidal potential of nanoform was better in comparison to the conventional ones. Nanoform of the fungicide was effective at 10 ppm and it exerted hyphal abnormality, hyphal lysis and abnormality of sclerotial formation on M. phaseolina when tested under in vitro than control. This study suggests the possibility to enhance the antifungal activity of fungicide Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% (75 WG) towards the control of M. phaseolina. Key words: Antifungal, nanoformulations, chilli, Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% (75 WG), Macrophomina phaseolina.

A series of oxime ester-derivatives were prepared by utilizing the schizandrin (1), a major compound isolated from Schisandra grandiflora, which is deployed in different traditional system of medicine. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were assessed against a selected panel of human cancer cell lines (A549, RKO P3, DU145 and Hela) and normal cell (HEK293). Several of these derivatives were found more potent in comparison to parent compound, schizandrin (1). Particularly, 4a and 4b demonstrated potent activity against DU-145 and RKOP3 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.42 µM and 3.35 µM respectively. To characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in antitumoral activity, these two compounds, 4a and 4b were selected for further studies. Cell cycle analysis revealed that both the compounds were able to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. To know the extent of apoptosis in DU145 and RKOP3 cell lines, Annexin V-FITC were performed. Moreover, the tubulin polymerization assay indicated that 4a and 4b exhibits potent inhibitory effect on the tubulin assembly. Molecular docking studies and competitive binding assay also indicated that 4a and 4b effectively bind at the colchicine binding site of the tubulin.

In the present study, inorganic bulk and nano nutrients of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical reduction method and invigourated with chilli seeds cv. PKM 1 each at 750, 1000 and 1250 mg kg−1 by using template-free aqueous solution. After nanoparticles invigouration, the seeds were analyzed for various parameters such as germination (%), shoot length, root length, and seedling vigour. Other important parameters, such as electrical conductivity and antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and lipid peroxidase), were also analyzed, which in turn reflected the enhancement of seed quality of chilli seeds when they were invigourated with ZnO, TiO2 and silver nanoparticles. The results indicated that the chilli seeds invigourated with ZnO nanoparticles at 1000 mg kg−1 enhanced the germination and seedling vigour in aged seeds.

In continuation of our investigation of pharmacologically-motivated natural products, we have isolated bergenin (1) as a major compound from Mallotus philippensis, which is deployed in different Indian traditional systems of medicine. Here, a series of bergenin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for their potentials against a panel of cancer cell lines. Several of the hybrid derivatives were found more potent in comparison to parent compound bergenin (1). Among them, 4j demonstrated potent activity against A-549 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 1.86 µM and 1.33 μM, respectively, and was equipotent to doxorubicin. Cell cycle analysis showed that 4j arrested HeLa cells at G2/M phase and lead to accumulation of Cyclin B1 protein. Cell based tubulin polymerization assays and docking studies demonstrated that 4j disrupts tubulin assembly by occupying colchicine binding pocket of tubulin.

In this paper, an attempt was made to study the physico-chemical properties of ground water of the Kozhikode district, Kerala, India, by applying multivariate statistical methods on samples collected from various parts of the study area. Combining principal component analysis and multiple linear regression (MLR), we developed a regression model for predicting total dissolved solids (TDS) in terms of calcium, magnesium, nitrate, sodium, chloride, potassium, bicarbonate and sulfate. This study revealed that statistically, calcium is the most significant component of TDS in the study area. The relevance of the regression model with respect to experimental data was further evaluated by applying structural equation modeling (SEM).

The low oral bioavailability of atenolol is primarily because of its poor absorption from the lower gastrointestinal tract. Gastroretentive dosage forms provide an opportunity to deliver the drug with absorption window in the proximal part of the GIT thereby increasing their bioavailability. The objective of this study was to develop a dosage form for atenolol with the objective of increasing the gastric residence and there by its oral bioavailability. Different formulations of floating tablets of atenolol (AT1-AT10) were prepared by varying the composition of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) K100, lactose and citric acid. The tablets were evaluated for various parameters like friability, weight variation, content variation, floating lag time, total buoyancy and in vitro dissolution. The physicochemical properties of the prepared formulations were found to possess adequate physical integrity. Formulation AT8 showed the lowest floating lag time with 14 h buoyancy. Drug release was found to be dependent on the concentration of HPMC K100 and lactose in the formulation. Further, the increase in amount of citric acid leads to increase in atenolol release rate while reduces the floating time. The findings revealed that the formulation AT8 retarded the atenolol release (~73% in 12 h) and followed zero order kinetics. The in vitro data observed here substantiate the potential of the prepared formulation to provide adequate drug release and buoyancy to improve the bioavailability of atenolol, which necessitate further in vivo studies.