Search

Renewable lignocellulosic biomass is a favorable energy resource since its co-pyrolysis with hydrogen-rich plastics can produce high-yield and high-quality biofuel. In contrast to earlier co-pyrolysis research that concentrated on increasing product yield, this study comprehends the synergistic effects of two distinct feedstocks that were not considered earlier. This work focuses on co-pyrolyzing wheat straw (WS) with non-reusable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for the production of pyrolysis oil. WS and PET were blended in different ratios (100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, and 0/100), and pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor under different temperatures to assess their synergistic effect on oil yield. Synergy rates of up to 7.78 % were achieved on yield for the blends of plastic and biomass at a temperature of 500 °C. In comparison to individual biomass or plastics, co-pyrolyzing PET-biomass blends demonstrated good process interaction and promoted the yields of value-added products. The heating value of the pyrolysis oils was in the range of 16.45–28.64 MJ/kg, which depends on the amount of plastic present in the feedstock. The physical analysis of the oils shows that they can be used for heat production by direct combustion in boilers or furnaces. The correlation between WS and PET was validated with the aid of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The GC-MS result demonstrated the presence of different compounds such as O-H compounds, esters, carbonyl group elements, acids, hydrocarbons, aromatics, and nitrogenated compounds in the pyrolysis oil, which differed based on the proportions of PET in the feedstock. The increased hydrocarbon and reduced oxygen percentages in the pyrolysis oil were implicitly caused by enhanced hydrocarbon pool mechanisms, in which the breakdown of PET may be supplied as a hydrogen donor. Overall, waste lignocellulosic biomass and plastics can be used to produce biofuels, which helps reduce the amount of solid waste that ends up in landfills. This study also revealed that future research should be focused on the reaction mechanisms of WS and PET co-pyrolysis in order to examine the synergistic interactions.

Objectives: In this study, extracts from eight Pleurotus mushroom species were examined for their antioxidant properties. Methods: The pure cultures of eight Pleurotus were grown, harvested, air-dried, pulverized, and for various biological activities. Results: The methanolic extract of Pleurotus florida showed the highest concentrations of total phenolics, total tannins, and flavonoids. It also displayed the greatest antioxidant activity in the FRAP, ABTS, metal chelating, superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and DPPH assay. In the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus flabellatus showed notable effects in methanolic and acetone extracts, respectively. Moreover, Pleurotus florida demonstrated a strong antioxidant effect on β-carotene in methanolic extracts. The study also explored the potential of mushrooms as natural anti-diabetic treatments by targeting a key enzyme in biopharmaceuticals. Pleurotus florida's methanolic extract at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml exhibited significant α-amylase inhibition (99.02%), surpassing acarbose's efficiency at the same concentration (96.54%). Conclusion: Overall, the bioactive components from Pleurotus florida showed effective antioxidant and antidiabetic effects under in vitro conditions.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that neutrally occurs in soil. It is carcinogenic in humans and caused a significant decline in the plant’s growth when up has taken beyond the threshold limit. The fertilizers, manure, sewage sludge, and aerial deposition are the main source of cadmium contamination in soil. Furthermore, poor soil organic matter is also one of the allied factors which facilitate the development of Cd toxicity in soil. The decomposition resistance nature of biochar makes it an effective amendment for cadmium remediation. Through crop production, Cd enters the food system. Individual studies on biochar and compost are found in the literature but the combined effect of biochar and compost are rarely documented especially in maize crops. The current pot study was conducted in Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Multan, Pakistan. However, the current study was novel and conducted by using compost mixed biochar (CB) against Cd toxicity in maize. Four application rates of CB i.e., 0, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% (1.00CB) were applied under 3 levels of Cd i.e., 0 (0Cd), 2.5 (2.5Cd) and 5 mg Cd kg−1 soil (5.0Cd). Overall, results indicated that 1.00%CB remained significantly best at higher 5.0Cd for improvement in soil organic matter, plant height, root length, number of leaves, leaves fresh and dry weight, plant fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids. A significant decrease in soil pHs, leaves anthocyanin and lycopene also validated the efficacious functioning of 1.00%CB over control in 2.5 and 5.0Cd. In conclusion, the use of 1.00%CB is a better approach to decrease Cd harmful effects to improve gas exchange attributes, growth and chlorophyll contents in maize. Long-term research is required on co-composted biochar toward mitigation of cadmium toxicity under different geographical locations.

The use of nitrogen fertilizers to enhance crop growth tends to increase every year. In addition, as eco-friendly agriculture is emphasized, organic fertilizers are preferred over inorganic fertilizers. However, since most of organic fertilizers in South Korea use imported ingredients, an alternative ingredients is needed. Biochar is an eco-friendly way to recycle various biomass and has a high pH and carbon contents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of individual and co-application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on ammonia (NH3) volatilization and soil quality. Organic fertilizers used in this study were divided into conventional organic fertilizers (CF1 and CF2) and biochar-based organic fertilizers (BF). As a result of the experiment, NH3 volatilization and soil quality were significantly affected by the inorganic fertilizers. Also, NH3 volatilization effected by inorganic fertilizer was rapidly increased between 4 and 7 days. When different organic fertilizers were treated, NH3 emissions by BF was highest at 17.49 and 28.97 kg ha−1 compared to CF1 and CF2, but no statistically significant different was observed. A similar trend was appeared when organic and inorganic fertilizers was co-applied. Therefore, biochar-based organic fertilizers are similar to conventional organic fertilizers in terms of soil quality and NH3 volatilization, but it is expected to contribute to the formation of a stable fertilizer market by reducing the percentage of imported ingredients.

Antibacterial activities of Boerhaavia diffusa leaves (BDL) mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were studied. UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed too. As the concentration of Boerhaavia diffusa leaf (BDL) extract increases, a full width half maximum value decreased and blue shift observed from 427 to 420 nm in the UV–vis spectrum. The XRD confirmed the nanoparticles' high crystallinity and the average nanoparticle size calculated was 14 nm. TEM result reveals that the AgNPs are spherical in shape and the particle sizes range from 6.33 nm to 24.9 nm. The average size of AgNPs was determined to be 13.27 nm which is close to the particle size determined by XRD. EDS shows a prominent peak at 3 kev, indicating that elemental silver is a major component in the reaction medium. The produced nanoparticles were well dispersed and almost spherical in shape. The silver nanoparticles produced at higher concentration of BDL extract against Gram negative pathogen Salmonella typhi, showed higher zone of inhibition (23 mm) compared to Staphylococcus aureus (21 mm). This biosynthetic method for generating silver nanoparticles prepared in the present work has discrete compensations over chemical reduction synthesis procedures, including great biosafety, ecofriendliness and nontoxicity to the environment.

Objectives: The present study was aimed to synthesize Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from ethanol extract of Allium sativum to evaluate the in-vitro cytotoxicity effect on human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549). Methods: Spetroscopic analysis were performed to determine the formation, stability, nature and the functional groups of the Ag NPs. Microscopic analysis were performed to ascertain the morphology and size of the particles. In-vitro MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was performed to determine the cytotoxic potential of the Ag NPs on A549 lung cancer cell lines. Results: The UV–Visble spectrum confirmed the formation of the particles. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum revealed the presence of carbonyl, carboxyl, primary and secondary amine groups. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) established the crystalline nature and FCC structure of Ag NPs. Morphological analysis performed using Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) pattern showed spherical and rod shaped bio synthesized Ag NPs with variable size ranging from 20 nm to 40 nm. The synthesized Ag NPs showed a significant cytotoxic potential against A549 human lung cancer cells at an IC50 of 22 μg/ml. Conclusion: The present study revealed a cost-effective, simple and effective method to synthesize Ag NPs using garlic extract and the cytotoxic activity on human adenocarcinoma cells (A549) demonstrated their future application as potential anti-cancer agent.

Background: Search for options that can overcome microorganism’s resistance to traditional drugs, has shifted the focus towards plant-based molecules and extracts. Latest developments in plant-based nanomaterials have further expanded the role of plant extracts since nano particle - plant extract combinations are shown to possess enhanced biological activity and reduced toxicity to human cells. In the present study, facile, one-pot synthesis of nearly monodispersed gold nanoparticles was developed using Clerodin enriched Clerodendrum infortunatum ethanolic leaf extract under ambient conditions. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were evaluated for broad spectrum anti-microbial activity as well as compatibility with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methods: Clerodin enriched fraction from C. infortunatum leaves ethanol extract was used to synthesize gold nanoparticle from chloroauric acid. Synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized and tested for broad spectrum anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the standard broth dilution method. Cytotoxicity of the gold nanoparticles was evaluated against human monocyte leukemic cells (THP-I) and healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MTT and FACS based Annexin V/FITC-PI assays were used to study its cytotoxic effect. Results: TEM analysis showed an average diameter of 33 ± 5 nm for the synthesized nanoparticles. EDX validated the presence of elemental Au (98.8%) and confirmed its nano form. Antimicrobial assay of gold nanoparticles showed significant inhibitory effect in all the tested pathogens. Additionally, MTT and Annexin-V/ PI assay demonstrated the cytotoxic activity of the nanoparticles against THP-I cells. Interestingly, nanoparticles did not show cytotoxicity against healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Conclusion: Gold nanoparticles generated in an eco-friendly process using Clerodin enriched fractions showed promising broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Simultaneously, they proved themselves to be benign against healthy human cells indicating potential therapeutic applications. Added benefit for the nanoparticles was, they had anti-proliferative effects against human leukemic monocyte cancer (THP-I) cells.

Objective: Abutilon indicum is a medicinal plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. The current study has been developed to detect Abutilon indicum bio-activity to produce an adequate drug design for cancer. Methods: The objective of this work is to perform molecular docking and dynamics as well as inhibitors and cancer cell line studies of Abutilon indicum would be essentially effective to use current strong medicines from oncology therapies. Results: By Docking best finding binding energy −12.02 kcal/mol (ARG310, ASP323, SER291, THR358, GLU293) amino acid has been found to be immersed in the formation of the hydrogen interaction. This finding also indicates that a range of compounds are ADMET positive drug molecules in cancer studies. Network pharmacology showed that the signal rule ERG, PTEN, NKX31, AR, ETV4, STAT3, PTPN11, CBL, KRAS, EREG, STAT3, GRB2, HRAS, and SHC1, and the axis of DRD2. Molecular simulation trajectories show that RMS deviation profiles were relatively stable during the simulation and it indicated the orientations were created by the docking studies. In cell lines MCF-7, the active compound R-N-1′-methoxycarbonyl-2′-phenylethyl-4-hydroxy benzamide has anticancer inhibitory 76.56% at 100 μg/mL. The ASP323 interaction of EGFR inhibitors interaction molecules were derived that can be successfully used to explain the cancer activities. Conclusion: The results of pharmacodynamic and toxicity for natural organic derived compound and its active results epidermal growth factor receptor for identifying novel drugs for the treatment confirms compound moderate to a good cancer drug.