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Antibiotic resistance is rising and poses a serious threat to human health on a worldwide scale. It can make it more difficult to cure common infections, raise medical expenditures, and increase mortality. In order to combat the development of biofilms and treat fatal bacterial infections, multifunctional polymeric nanofibers or nanotextured materials with specific structural features and special physiochemical capabilities have become a crucial tool. Due to the increased antibiotic resistance of many diseases, nanofibers with antibacterial activity are essential. Electrospinning is a flexible process able to produce fine fibers with specified properties by modifying variables such as the concentration of the solution, the feed flow, and the electric voltage. Substantial advancements have been made regarding the formation of nanofibers or nanotextured materials for a variety of applications, along with the development of electrospinning techniques in recent years. Using well-defined antimicrobial nanoparticles, encapsulating traditional therapeutic agents, plant-based bioactive agents, and pure compounds in polymer nanofibers has resulted in outstanding antimicrobial activity and has aided in curing deadly microbial infections. A plethora of studies have revealed that electrospinning is an effective technique for the production of antimicrobial fibers for the environmental, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. Nevertheless, numerous studies have also demonstrated that the surface characteristics of substrates, such as holes, fibers, and ridges at the nanoscale, have an impact on cell proliferation, adhesion, and orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution is steadily rising and is having a negative influence on all living things, especially human beings. The advancement of nanoscience in recent decades has provided potential to address this issue. Functional metal oxide nanoparticles/nanofibers have been having a pull-on effect in the biological and environmental domains of nanobiotechnology. Current work, for the first time, is focusing on the electrospinning production of Zr0.5Sn0.5TiO3/SnO2 ceramic nanofibers that may be utilized to battle lethal infections swiftly and inexpensively. By using characterizations like XRD, FT–IR, FESEM, TEM, PL, and UV–Vis–DRS, the composition, structure, morphology, and optical absorption of samples were determined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) approach was used to investigate the antibacterial activity. Notably, this research indicated that nanofibers exert antibacterial action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a MIC of 25 µg/mL. Furthermore, negatively charged E. coli was drawn to positively charged metal ions of Zr0.5Sn0.5TiO3/SnO2, which showed a robust inhibitory effect against E. coli. It was interesting to discover that, compared to pure TiO2, Zr0.5Sn0.5TiO3/SnO2 nanofibers revealed increased photocatalytic activity and exceptional cyclability to the photodegradation of Rhodamine B. The composite completely degrades dye in 30 min with 100% efficacy and excellent (97%) reusability. The synergetic effects of Zr0.5Sn0.5TiO3 and SnO2 may be responsible for increased photocatalytic and bactericidal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cellular damage initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the main cause of numerous severe diseases and therefore for this reason, the natural antioxidants have note worthy significance in human health. Capsaicin possesses noteworthy analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also possesses healing effects for treatment of arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, gastric lesions, and cardiac excitability that is why it is incorporated in creams and gels. Objective: The present study was carried out to estimate the in vitro antioxidant and ROS scavenging activities of capsaicin against muscle precursor cells. Till date, no investigation has been carried out to study the effect of capsaicin on myoblasts. Materials and methods: Herein, the cytotoxicity was induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to analyze the effect of capsaicin on LPS induced inflammation and apoptosis on muscle cells. To find out the toxicity of endotoxin, myoblasts were exposed to different concentrations of LPS, viability and morphology was checkedby the means of CCK-8 test and microscopy, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was examined by fluorescence staining. Additionally, LPS-induced apoptosis was determined by mRNAexpression of calpain, caspase-3 and tumor necrosisfactor alpha (TNF-α), and were quantified by qRT-PCR. Results: The outcome of the presentstudy demonstrated that LPS stimulation generatestoxicity in dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatmentof myoblasts with capsaicin can considerably alleviate LPS-induced inflammation. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study indicates that dietetic supplementation of capsicum may help to alleviate/reduce the inflammatory effects and is therefore potent source of natural antioxidant agent which can be utilized to control muscle related diseases, such as myotube atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes fabrication and electrochemical classification of one-dimensional CeO 2 -Cu 2 O nanofibers for photocatalysis and supercapacitor application. The utilized CeO 2 -Cu 2 O composite was prepared by sol–gel electrospinning method using Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Ce(NO 3 ) 3 ⋅6H 2 O and Cu(CH 3 COO) 2 as precursors. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized samples were characterized using special characterization approaches such as X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As compared to pristine CeO 2 , the UV–vis spectrum of CeO 2 -Cu 2 O composite exhibited the absorption peak which shifted to higher wavelength. The photocatalytic activity results indicated the substantial degradation of MB dye by ∼92% over the surface of CeO 2 -Cu 2 O nanocomposite catalyst under visible light illumination. The CeO 2 -Cu 2 O composite possessed higher photocatalytic activity and electrochemical capacitance than the pristine samples as supercapacitor electrode materials. The CeO 2 -Cu 2 O composite exhibits a specific capacitance of 329.64 F g − 1 at 5 mV s − 1 , which is higher than that of the pristine CeO 2 (192.5 F g −1 ) nanofibers. These results suggest the applicability of fabricated composite nanofibers as visible light active photocatalyst and as electrode material for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the synthesis of novel silver-ornamented titanium dioxide crossbreed nanofibers via electrospinning with improved cellular response for possible muscle tissue engineering applications. Titanium isopropoxide and silver nitrate served as precursors to get high aspect ratio silver-decorated titania nanofibers. For a model application in muscle tissue engineering, muscle satellite cells of local Korean Hanwoo were cultured on synthesized hybrid nanofibers. The standard microarray technique has been employed to screen the potential effects of synthesized nanofibers on genome after the culture of cells on hybrid nanofibers. EDX, EPMA, FT-IR, XRD and TEM analysis confirmed purity, distribution, interaction and crystalline nature of this material while the diameter of these nanofibers estimated from FE-SEM and TEM were between 200 and 300 nm. Cell counting with Kit-8 assay at regular time intervals and phase contrast microscopy data revealed that satellite cells proliferated well on nanofibers and cellular attachments were visible by SEM. Microarray analyses of gene expression response indicated clear changes in gene expression in a range of proliferation and apoptosis. Our results open-up new ways to develop and analyze gene expression biomarkers for satellite cell proliferation and finally muscle tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beef flavor is considered as the most important factor of eating quality and overall acceptability of consumers. Previous studies on beef flavor have demonstrated the role of numerous volatile compounds in meat aroma. However, the contribution of water-soluble compounds such as peptides, amino acids, reducing sugars, nucleotides, acids, and vitamins to the cooked beef taste is not fully known. The present review has mainly focused on the factors associated with flavor of beef and contribution of aforementioned constituents to the flavor. A number of studies have documented that intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as diet/feeding regimes, breed and sex of animal, aging condition, and pH of meat significantly influence the meat flavor. These aforementioned factors differently affect the concentration and level of taste-active compounds and taste contents. Also, it has been established that the amount and proportion of these compounds were affected by the genetic differences among individual meat cuts and the outcome of glycolysis, proteolysis, and lipolysis processes. Conclusively, this review provides insight into the previous significant literature reports on flavor and identifies important factors that are associated with flavor precursors of proteolysis and glycolysis with the viewpoint of palatability of beef meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional materials have long been studied for a variety of environmental applications, resource rescue, and many other conceivable applications. The present study reports on the synthesis of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) integrated polyaniline (PANI) using the hydrothermal method. The topology of BiVO4 decked PANI catalysts was investigated by SEM and TEM. XRD, EDX, FT-IR, and antibacterial testing were used to examine the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of the samples, respectively. Microscopic images revealed that BiVO4@PANI are comprised of BiVO4 hollow cages made up of nanobeads that are uniformly dispersed across PANI tubes. The PL results confirm that the composite has the lowest electron-hole recombination compared to others samples. BiVO4@PANI composite photocatalysts demonstrated the maximum degradation efficiency compared to pure BiVO4 and PANI for rhodamine B dye. The probable antimicrobial and photocatalytic mechanisms of the BiVO4@PANI photocatalyst were proposed. The enhanced antibacterial and photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the high surface area and combined impact of PANI and BiVO4, which promoted the migration efficiency of photo-generated electron holes. These findings open up ways for the potential use of BiVO4@PANI in industries, environmental remediation, pharmaceutical and medical sectors. Nevertheless, biocompatibility for human tissues should be thoroughly examined to lead to future improvements in photocatalytic performance and increase antibacterial efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work for the first time introduces a new class of textile consisting of mulberry fibers uniformly laden with titania nanorods. This unique natural-synthetic composite textile is self-cleaning and environmental friendly. The utilized composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis diffused reflectance spectrum (UV-DRS). The SEM images clearly show homogeneous distribution of titania nanorods on the surface of mulberry fibers (MF). XRD and FTIR results confirm the presence of titania in the composite materials. Antimicrobial potential and UV protection due to presence of titania nanorods on MFs was investigated in this study. Results of this investigation indicated that MFs-TiO 2 composite exhibit admirable antibacterial activity. From the antimicrobial kinetic test on E. coli , it was established that the composite textile possess improved bactericidal activity than pure mulberry textile. Moreover, titania present on the mulberry fibers impart anti-yellowing, self-cleaning properties, which were endorsed due to the scattering effect of UV radiation by titania nanorods. Thus our study provides the clue/grounds to select mulberry fibers/titania composite as a material of choice for fabrication of promising antimicrobial future textile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work for the first time introduces a new class of textile consisting of mulberry fibers uniformly laden with titania nanorods. This unique natural-synthetic composite textile is self-cleaning and environmental friendly. The utilized composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis diffused reflectance spectrum (UV-DRS). The SEM images clearly show homogeneous distribution of titania nanorods on the surface of mulberry fibers (MF). XRD and FTIR results confirm the presence of titania in the composite materials. Antimicrobial potential and UV protection due to presence of titania nanorods on MFs was investigated in this study. Results of this investigation indicated that MFs-TiO 2 composite exhibit admirable antibacterial activity. From the antimicrobial kinetic test on E. coli , it was established that the composite textile possess improved bactericidal activity than pure mulberry textile. Moreover, titania present on the mulberry fibers impart anti-yellowing, self-cleaning properties, which were endorsed due to the scattering effect of UV radiation by titania nanorods. Thus our study provides the clue/grounds to select mulberry fibers/titania composite as a material of choice for fabrication of promising antimicrobial future textile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutants from textile industries into water-bodies have caused huge environmental hazards. The semiconductor mediated photocatalytic purification of polluted water is a promising environmental remediation technology. In the present study MnWO 4 –TiO 2 composite nanoflowers endowed with efficient photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized by facile hydrothermal approach. XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX spectroscopy and UV-DRS were used to characterize the as-synthesized samples. The average size of composite nanoflower is ∼2 μm while the nanorods constructing the nanoflowers had the average diameters of 90 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the MnWO 4 –TiO 2 nanoflowers for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in visible light was much higher than of pristine TiO 2 nanorods and MnWO 4 nanoflowers respectively. The superior photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the formation of a MnWO 4 –TiO 2 heterojunction in the MnWO 4 –TiO 2 nanoflowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays considerable interest has been generated in using hybrid biomimetic bioceramics for engineering diverse hard and soft tissues. C2C12 cell line is an experimental model to study the cell proliferation and differentiation. The present investigation was undertaken to study for the first time the biological interactions of muscle precursor C2C12 cells on the biomimetic nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolding surfaces. The nanofibrous scaffoldings incorporated with hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles was synthesized by facile sol-gel elecrospinning for seeding and growth of muscle cells. The as-spun hybrid nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray device and X-ray diffraction pattern. Thermal stability of the composite scaffolds was also determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The cytobiocompatibility of mouse C2C12 myoblasts on the designed matrix was examined by cell counting assay using CCK-8 kit. The experimental results revealed that incorporation of HAP in polymer affected both the morphology and size of polylactide-co-glycolide nanofibers. The CCK-8 assay results and SEM observation demonstrated that composite nanofibrous scaffolds are non-cytotoxic to C2C12 cell culture and were found best for cell attachment and proliferation. Conclusively, biomimetic scaffolds with homogeneously distributed HAP nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by straightforward electrospinning approach. The results of this study clearly suggest that the HAP/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffoldings will be a promising material for the growth of C2C12 cells and thus helps in the development of novel therapeutic systems for skeletal muscle diseases in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections remain a serious and pervasive threat to human health. Bacterial antibiotic resistance, in particular, lowers treatment efficacy and increases mortality. The development of nanomaterials has made it possible to address issues in the biomedical, energy storage, and environmental fields. This paper reports the successful synthesis of CeO2−SnO2 composite nanofibers via an electrospinning method using polyacrylonitrile polymer. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy assessments showed that the average diameter of CeO2−SnO2 nanofibers was 170 nm. The result of photocatalytic degradation for methylene blue dye displayed enhanced efficiency of the CeO2−SnO2 composite. The addition of SnO2 to CeO2 resulted in the enhancement of the light absorption property and enriched charge transmission of photoinduced electron–hole duos, which conspicuously contributed to momentous photoactivity augmentation. Composite nanofibers exhibited higher specific capacitance which may be accredited to the synergism between CeO2 and SnO2 particles in nanofibers. Furthermore, antibacterial activity was screened against Escherichia coli and CeO2−SnO2 composite nanofibers depicted excellent activity. The findings of this work point to new possibilities as an electrode material in energy storage systems and as a visible-light-active photocatalyst for the purification of chemical and biological contaminants, which would substantially benefit environmental remediation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Fabrication of one dimensional PANI–TiO2 nanocomposites. [•] The nanocomposite was investigated for the photocatalytic dye degradation. [•] The nanocomposite was also showed exceptionally good antibacterial properties. [•] The nanocomposite could be useful for multiple applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional nanofibers have attracted tremendous attention because of their potential applications. Electrospinning technology enables industrial production of these nanofibers. This study aims to fabricate one-dimensional ZnO doped TiO2 by electrospinning and to characterize these hybrid nanofibers. The nanocomposite was prepared using colloidal gel composed of zinc nitrate, titanium isopropoxide and polyvinyl acetate. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the purity and crystalline nature of this material, whereas the diameter of these nanofibres estimated from scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission SEM and transmission electron microscopy are between 200 and 300 nm. Cell counting with Kit-8 assay at regular time intervals and phase-contrast microscopy data revealed that C2C12 cells proliferated well on ZnO/TiO2 nanofibers between 1 and 10 µg/ml, and cellular attachments are visible by SEM. The nanostructured ZnO/TiO2 hybrid nanofibers show higher cell adhesion, proliferation and spreading behavior compared with the titanium substrate and control. Our study suggests that ZnO/TiO2 nanofibers could potentially be used in tissue engineering applications. The scalability, low cost, reproducibility and high-throughput capability of this technology is potentially beneficial to examine and optimizing a wide array of cell-nanofiber systems prior to in vivo experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We for the first time report CdTiO3 nanofibers as an effective photocatalyst for the photodegradation of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye. One-dimensional CdTiO3 nanofibers with high aspect ratio have been successfully synthesized by the sol–gel electrospinning technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–vis diffuse reflectance (DR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized nanofibers. The photocatalytic activity of the electrospun CdTiO3 was evaluated by performing photodegradation of R6G dye under UV light irradiation. Our results indicated that the CdTiO3 fibers were in nanometer scale with diameters ranging from of 350–400nm which consisted of rhombohedral structure. The superior photocatalytic activity of the CdTiO3 nanofibers calcined at 800°C for the degradation of R6G dye could be attributed to the high degree of crystallinity and absorption properties of the samples synthesized at high temperature. This study indicates the potential use of high aspect ratio CdTiO3 nanofibers for removal of industrial pollutants and noxious wastes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Encapsulation of anticancer pro-drug CPT in PCL nanofibers was done by electrospinning process. [•] Detailed physicochemical characterization and cytotoxicity studies were carried out. [•] Our results emphasize the potential of CPT doped PCL nanofibers as a chemotherapeutic agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of particular unsaturated fatty acids and pH on volatile compounds in the meat-like model systems containing 21 amino acids and ribose. We have chosen oleic acid (C18:1n-9), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) for the present investigation. The effect on the volatile compounds was evaluated at two different pH5.5 and 6.2. The addition of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 to the Maillard reaction mixtures inhibited the formation of many Maillard compounds or produced in low amount. Whereas, the addition of C18:1n-9 resulted in an increase in the amount of many Maillard compounds. The thiols and thiophenes were preferentially formed at pH5.5 whereas pyrazines were preferentially favored at pH6.2. Based on our results, it is suggested that a high level of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 in meat probably causes an undesirable flavor. The pH value of 5.5 was found to be ideal for the formation of volatile compounds associated with desirable flavor of meat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was performed to appraise the biocompatibility of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-grafted polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites as potential materials for muscle tissue renewal. POSS nanoparticles demonstrate effectual nucleation and cause noteworthy enhancement in mechanical and thermal steadiness as well as biocompatibility of resultant composites. Electrospun, well-aligned, POSS-grafted PU nanofibers were prepared. Physicochemical investigation was conducted using several experimental techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction pattern. Adding POSS molecules to PU did not influence the processability and morphology of the nanocomposite; however, we observed an obvious mean reduction in fiber diameter, which amplified specific areas of the POSS-grafted PU. Prospective biomedical uses of nanocomposite were also appraised for myoblast cell differentiation in vitro. Little is known about C2C12 cellular responses to PU, and there is no information regarding their interaction with POSS-grafted PU. The antimicrobial potential, anchorage, proliferation, communication, and differentiation of C2C12 on PU and POSS-grafted PU were investigated in this study. In conclusion, preliminary nanocomposites depicted superior cell adhesion due to the elevated free energy of POSS molecules and anti-inflammatory potential. These nanofibers were non-hazardous, and, as such, biomimetic scaffolds show high potential for cellular studies and muscle regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report herein the synthesis and characterization of copper oxide quantum dots and their cytotoxic impact on mouse C2C12 cells. The utilized CuO quantum dots were prepared by the one-pot wet chemical method using copper acetate and hexamethylenetetramine as precursors. The physicochemical characterization of the synthesized CuO quantum dots was carried out using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. To examine the in vitro cytotoxicity, C2C12 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of as-prepared quantum dots and the viability of cells was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay at regular time intervals. The morphology of the treated C2C12 cells was observed under a phase-contrast microscope, whereas the quantification of cell viability was carried out via confocal laser scanning microscopy. To gain insight into the mechanism of cell death, we examined the effect of CuO quantum dots on the candidate genes such as caspases 3 and 7, which are key mediators of apoptotic events. In vitro investigations of the biological effect of CuO quantum dots have shown that it binds genomic DNA, decreases significantly the viability of cells in culture in a concentration (10-20 μg/mL) dependent manner, and inhibits mitochondrial caspases 3 and 7. To sum up, the elucidation of the pathways is to help in understanding CuO quantum dot-induced effects and evaluating CuO quantum dot-related hazards to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of our study was to develop a new class of Fe3O4 nanocrystals decorated CNFs with characteristic porous morphology by straightforward approach. The utilized CNFs–Fe3O4 hybrid was prepared by sol–gel electrospinning employing polyacrylonitrile and iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate as precursors. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to characterize novel CNFs–Fe3O4 composite. Nanofibers are having porous morphology, diameter size in the range of ∼260±20nm. In order to demonstrate the broad applicability of CNFs–Fe3O4 scaffold, we performed different analysis. The antibacterial activity was tested using Escherichia coli as model organism. With NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, cytotoxicity of prepared high aspect ratio CNFs–Fe3O4 composite was evaluated by thiazoyl blue tetrazolium-bromide (MTT) assay, and fibroblast cell growth behavior with electrospun porous scaffolds was also examined. Interestingly, the prepared nanofibers exhibited enhanced bactericidal performance (minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) from 5μg/mL to 80μg/mL) and CNFs–Fe3O4 composite as scaffolds indicated favorable enhancement in cell proliferation. Results from this study suggest that CNFs–Fe3O4 scaffold with small diameters coincidence with unique porous configuration can mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) well and provide potential promises for applications in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Our findings clearly suggest wide application potentials of this (CNFs–Fe3O4) multifunctional composite and the nanofiberous mat can be a very good candidate as a filter for water purification, antibiofouling filtration and ECM for tissue engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study we have introduced for the first time a new class of bionanocomposite scaffold composed of virgin olive oil/poly(urethane) blend system decorated with silver nanoparticles via single mode electrospinning approach. Olive oil is a natural material that contains vitamin E, antioxidants and phenol that affect cytokine production by skin cells when applied topically and help in recovery process when skin damage occurs. Herein, we standardized optimal concentration (5%) of olive oil to get spinable solution for fabrication of oil blended nanofiberous membranes. The fabricated bionanocomposite membranes were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction pattern to study effect of olive oil on morphological and molecular behavior. The antimicrobial effects, viability and proliferation of as-spun bionanocomposite was studied using Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as model strain and cell line respectively. The SEM-EDX and XRD results confirmed well oriented nanofibers and good dispersion of oil. The outcome of results also indicated that incorporation of olive oil in polymer media affected both the morphology and size of PU nanofiber membranes. The bionanocomposite was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli and revealed non-cytotoxic behavior towards the fibroblast cell culture. Thus the olive oil blended scaffold embedded with silver nanoparticles could be used as a prospective antimicrobial agent which can potentially reduce wound contamination and simultaneously help in wound healing process. Finally, our results clearly indicate the potential of designing bionanocomposite as medicated bandages for skin diseases, burns and damaged skin treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We explored electrospinning as a feasible and practicable mode for encapsulation and stabilization of Lactobacillus gasseri. The utilized nanocomposite was prepared using sol-gel composed of animate L. gasseri and inanimate PVA. The objective was to examine the ability of electrospinning method to protect functional properties of probiotic L. gasseri. The PVA was used as an encapsulation matrix as it is biocompatible and hydrophilic in nature thus facilitate an easy revival of bacteria. The characterization of as-spun bioproduct was done by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, SEM, and TEM, whereas thermal behavior was analyzed by thermogravimetry. The viability was confirmed by traditional pour plate method and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, to test whether the functionality of L. gasseri was affected, the encapsulated L. gasseri were fed to mouse for colonization. Our results pointed out that encapsulated bacteria were viable for months, and their metabolism was not affected by immobilization; thus, they could be used in food engineering and trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study was aimed at designing a novel porous hydroxyapatite/poly(ε-caprolactone) (nHAp/PCL) hybrid nanocomposite matrix on a magnesium substrate with high and low porosity. The coated samples were prepared using a dip-coating technique in order to enhance the bioactivity and biocompatibility of the implant and to control the degradation rate of magnesium alloys. The mechanical and biocompatible properties of the coated and uncoated samples were investigated and an in vitro test for corrosion was conducted by electrochemical polarization and measurement of weight loss. The corrosion test results demonstrated that both the pristine PCL and nHAp/PCL composites showed good corrosion resistance in SBF. However, during the extended incubation time, the composite coatings exhibited more uniform and superior resistance to corrosion attack than pristine PCL, and were able to survive severe localized corrosion in physiological solution. Furthermore, the bioactivity of the composite film was determined by the rapid formation of uniform CaP nanoparticles on the sample surfaces during immersion in SBF. The mechanical integrity of the composite coatings displayed better performance (∼34% higher) than the uncoated samples. Finally, our results suggest that the nHAp incorporated with novel PCL composite membranes on magnesium substrates may serve as an excellent 3-D platform for cell attachment, proliferation, migration, and growth in bone tissue. This novel as-synthesized nHAp/PCL membrane on magnesium implants could be used as a potential material for orthopedic applications in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study presents the fabrication and characterization of novel NiO/TiO composite nanofibers and their antibacterial activity. The utilized NiO/TiO composite nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of a sol-gel composed of nickel nitrate hexahydrate, titanium isopropoxide and poly(vinyl acetate). The obtained electrospun nanofiberous mat was vacuum dried at 80 °C and then calcined at 600 °C in air for 2 h. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanofibers were determined by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity was tested against four common foodborne pathogenic bacteria viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method taking five different concentrations (5-45 μg/ml). Our investigation reveals that the lowest concentration of NiO/TiO composite solution inhibiting the growth of tested strains was found to be 5 μg/ml. TEM analysis demonstrated that the exposure of the selected microbial strains to the composite nanofibers led to disruption of cell membranes and depressed the activity of some membranous enzymes, which caused bacteria to die eventually. Furthermore, the results illustrate that the combination of NiO and TiO can be synergistic and resulted in superior antimicrobial activity of NiO/TiO composite nanofibers. To sum up, novel NiO/TiO composite nanofibers that possess large surface-to-volume ratio with excellent antimicrobial activity were fabricated that can be used to inhibit the microbial growth associated with food stuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the successful fabrication and characterization of novel cobalt doped titanium dioxide nanofibers and their antibacterial property. The Co-doped TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by a facile electrospinning technique. The physicochemical characterization of the electrospun nanofibers was carried out by XRD, SEM-EDX and TEM. The antibacterial activity was tested against two common foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Staplylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Salmonella typhimurium (Gram-negative). Bactericidal effects were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method and TEM analysis respectively. Our results suggested that the Co-doped TiO2 nanofibers severely inhibit the growth of the selected strains. The results of TEM investigation demonstrated that exposure of bacteria to the Co-doped TiO2 nanofibers lead to disruption of cell membranes and respective membrane enzymes which caused bacteria to die eventually. The observed superior antimicrobial action of Co-doped TiO2 as compared to virgin TiO2 nanofibers is due to the synergistic impact of cobalt oxide and TiO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a new class of bimetallic ZnO/Ag embedded polyurethane multi-functional nanocomposite by a straightforward approach. Bimetallic nanomaterials, composed of two unlike metal elements, are of greater interest than the monometallic materials because of their improved characteristics. In the present study the bimetallic composite was prepared using sol–gel via the facile electrospinning technique. The utilized sol–gel was composed of zinc oxide, silver and poly(urethane). The physicochemical properties of as-spun composite mats were determined by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity was tested using Escherichia coli as model organism. The antibacterial test showed that ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite possesses superior antimicrobial activity than pristine PU and ZnO/PU hybrids. Furthermore, our results illustrate that the synergistic effect of ZnO and Ag resulted in the advanced antimicrobial action of bimetallic ZnO/Ag composite mat. The viability and proliferation properties of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells on the ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite nanofibers were analyzed by in vitro cell compatibility test. Our results indicated the non-cytotoxic behavior of bimetallic ZnO:Ag/polyurethane nanofibers towards the fibroblast cell culture. In summary, novel ZnO:Ag/polyurethane composite nanofibers which possess large surface to volume ratio with excellent antimicrobial activity were fabricated. The unique combination of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles displayed potent bactericidal effect due to a synergism. Hence the electrospun bimetallic composite indicates the huge potential in water filtration, clinical and biomedical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the fabrication of novel Fe3O4/TiO2 hybrid nanofibers with the improved cellular response for potential tissue engineering applications. In this study, Fe3O4/TiO2 hybrid nanofibers were prepared by facile sol–gel electrospinning using titanium isopropoxide and iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate as precursors. The obtained electrospun nanofibers were vacuum dried at 80°C and then calcined at 500°C. The physicochemical characterization of the synthesized composite nanofibers was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction pattern. To examine the in vitro cytotoxicity, satellite cells were treated with as-prepared Fe3O4/TiO2 and the viability of cells was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay at regular time intervals. The morphological features of unexposed satellite cells and exposed to Fe3O4/TiO2 composite were examined with a phase contrast microscope whereas the quantification of cell viability was carried out via confocal laser scanning microscopy. The morphology of the cells attached to hybrid matrix was observed by Bio-SEM. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the satellite cells could attach to the Fe3O4/TiO2 composite nanofibers after being cultured. We observed that Fe3O4–TiO2 composite nanofibers could support cell adhesion and growth. Results from this study therefore suggest that Fe3O4/TiO2 composite scaffold with small diameters (approximately 200nm) can mimic the natural extracellular matrix well and provide possibilities for diverse applications in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have been commonly studied for electronic purposes due to their unique piezoelectric and catalytic properties; however, recently, they have been also exploited for biomedical applications. The purpose of this study was to fabricate ZnO-doped poly(urethane) (PU) nanocomposite via one-step electrospinning technique. The utilized nanocomposite was prepared by using colloidal gel composed of ZnO and PU, and the obtained mats were vacuum dried at 60 °C overnight. The physicochemical characterization of as-spun composite nanofibers was carried out by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and transmission electron microscopy, whereas the thermal behavior was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. The viability, attachment, and proliferation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells on the ZnO/PU composite nanofibers were analyzed by in vitro cell compatibility test. The morphological features of the cells attached on nanofibers were examined by Bio-SEM. We conclude that the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with unique spider nets had good biocompatibility. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the mouse fibroblasts could attach to the nanocomposite after being cultured. Thus, the current work demonstrates that the as-synthesized ZnO/PU hybrid nanofibers represent a promising biomaterial to be exploited for various tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the current study, we aimed to represent a straightforward approach to fabricate novel CuO/TiO2 composite nanorods by an electrospinning process using copper nitrate and titanium isopropoxide as precursors for copper oxide and titanium oxide respectively; the obtained electrospun nanorods were vacuum dried at 80°C and then calcined at 600°C. Model microorganisms Escherichia coli KCCM 11234 and Staphylococcus aureus KCCM 11256 had been used to check the antimicrobial efficacy of electrospun nanorods. The antibacterial activity and the interaction mechanism of CuO/TiO2 composite nanorods against bacteria were investigated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method and analyzing the morphology of the bacterial cells following the treatment with nanorods solution. CuO/TiO2 composite nanorods have diameter of 100nm and average lengths of one micrometer. The elemental analysis using EDX and EPMA confirms the presence of Cu atoms in CuO/TiO2 composite nanorods. Results showed that doping promotes the antimicrobial effect and prepared nanorods possess excellent antibacterial abilities under visible light. As a result, our study for the first time highlights the potential of copper oxide to augment the bactericidal efficacy and hence can be used in the manufacture of medical appliances. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study presents the fabrication of novel porous silicificated PVAc/POSS composite nanofibers by facile electrospinning technique and the interaction of synthesized mats with simulated body fluid (SBF). The physicochemical properties of the electrospun composites were determined by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron probe micro-analysis, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry analysis. To examine the in vitro cytotoxicity, mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were treated with pristine and composite nanofibrous mats and the viability of cells was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 assay at regular time intervals. Our results indicated the enhanced nucleation and the formation of apatite-like structures at the surface of silicificated PVAc/POSS during the incubation of electrospun mats in SBF solution. Cytotoxicity experiments designated that the myoblasts could attach to the composite after being cultured. We observed in the present study that PVAc/POSS nanofibrous mat could support cell adhesion and guide the spreading behavior of myoblasts. We conclude that the new electrospun silicificated PVAc/POSS composite scaffold with unique porous morphology have excellent biocompatibility. Consequently, our investigation results showed that the as-spun porous PVAc/POSS composite nanofibrous scaffold could be a potential substrate for the proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts, enhancing bone regeneration. The biocomposite mats represent a promising biomaterial to be exploited for various tissue engineering applications such as guided bone regeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was aimed at the synthesis and characterization of novel Titania nanorods by sol–gel electrospinning technique. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanorods were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. To examine the in vitro cytotoxicity, mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were treated with different concentrations of as prepared TiO2 nanorods and the viability of cells was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay at regular time intervals. The morphological features of the cells attached with nanorods were examined by Bio-SEM. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the mouse myoblast cells could attach to the TiO2 nanorods after being cultured. We observed that TiO2 nanorods could support cell adhesion and growth and guide spreading behavior of myoblasts. We conclude that the electrospun TiO2 nanorods scaffolds with unique morphology had excellent biocompatibility. Thus, the current work demonstrates that the as-synthesized TiO2 nanorods represent a promising biomaterial to be exploited for various tissue engineering applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study presents the fabrication and characterization of novel cerium oxide–titanium dioxide (Ce2O3–TiO2) composite nanofibers and their bactericidal activity. The utilized Ce2O3–TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of a sol–gel composed of cerium nitrate hexahydrate, titanium isopropoxide and poly(vinyl acetate). The physicochemical characterization of the synthesized composite nanofibers was carried out by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe micro-analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity was tested against two most common foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Salmonella typhimurium (Gram-negative). Bactericidal effects were determined by MIC measurements and transmission electron microscopy respectively. Our results suggested that the lowest concentration of Ce2O3–TiO2 nanofibers which inhibits the growth of tested strains was found to be 10μg/ml. TEM analysis demonstrated that the exposure of pathogenic strains to the electrospun nanofibers leads to disruption of cell membranes which cause bacteria to die eventually. Moreover, the current results showed superior antimicrobial action of Ce2O3–TiO2 than pristine TiO2 nanofibers which might be due to the obvious impact of Ce2O3 doping into TiO2. In conclusion, novel Ce(III) oxide–titania nanofibers which possess a large surface volume were fabricated as a microbial growth inhibitor with excellent antimicrobial activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study rare earth doped (Ln3+–TiO2, Ln=La, Ce and Nd) TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by the sol–gel electrospinning method and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, and UV-DRS. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by Rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye degradation under UV light irradiation. XRD analysis showed that all the synthesized pure and doped titania nanofibers contain pure anatase phase at 500°C but at 700°C it shows both anatase and rutile phase. XRD result also shows that Ln3+-doped titania probably inhibits the phase transformation. The diameter of nanofibers for all samples ranges from 200 to 700nm. It was also observed that the presence of rare-earth oxides in the host TiO2 could decrease the band gap and accelerate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, which eventually led to higher photocatalytic activity. To sum up, our study demonstrates that Ln3+-doped TiO2 samples exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2 whereas Nd3+-doped TiO2 catalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity among the rare earth doped samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report herein the synthesis and characterization of novel CuO nanocrystals and their electrochemical and potent antibacterial activity. The utilized CuO nanocrystals were prepared by wet chemical method using copper acetate and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as precursors. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized CuO nanocrystals having size ∼6nm were determined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultra violet-visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The antibacterial study was carried out by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using E. coli as model organism. The MIC of the CuO nanocrystals was found to be 2.5μg/ml and the TEM analysis reveals that CuO nanocrystals caused disturbance to the cell wall which led to the irreversible damage to the cell envelope eventually leading to cell death. Furthermore, mechanism of bactericidal action of novel CuO nanocrystals is discussed in the light of our findings. Additionally, the synthesized CuO nanocrystals were applied as electrode material for supercapacitor. The specific capacitance of CuO nanocrystals measured at a potential scan rate of 5mV/s was as high as 164.9Fg−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

MnO nanowires with diameter ~70 nm were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method using Mn(II) nitrate as precursor. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques were employed to study structural features and chemical composition of the synthesized nanowires. A biological evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of MnO nanowires was carried out using Escherichia coli and mouse myoblast CC cells as model organism and cell lines, respectively. The antibacterial activity and the acting mechanism of MnO nanowires were investigated by using growth inhibition studies and analyzing the morphology of the bacterial cells following the treatment with nanowires. These results suggest that the pH is critical factor affecting the morphology and production of the MnO nanowires. Method developed in the present study provided optimum production of MnO nanowires at pH ~ 9. The MnO nanowires showed significant antibacterial activity against the E. coli strain, and the lowest concentration of MnO nanowires solution inhibiting the growth of E. coli was found to be 12.5 μg/ml. TEM analysis demonstrated that the exposure of the selected microbial strains to the nanowires led to disruption of the cell membranes and leakage of the internal contents. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity results showed that the inhibition of CC increases with the increase in concentration of MnO nanowires. Our results for the first time highlight the cytotoxic and bactericidal potential of MnO nanowires which can be utilized for various biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a biological evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Zn-doped titania nanofibers was carried out using Escherichia coli ATCC 52922 (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29231 (Gram positive) as model organisms. The utilized Zn-doped titania nanofibers were prepared by the electrospinning of a sol-gel composed of zinc nitrate, titanium isopropoxide, and polyvinyl acetate; the obtained electrospun nanofibers were vacuum dried at 80°C and then calcined at 600°C. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanofibers were determined by X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, thermogravimetry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial activity and the acting mechanism of Zn-doped titania nanofibers against bacteria were investigated by calculation of minimum inhibitory concentration and analyzing the morphology of the bacterial cells following the treatment with nanofibers solution. Our investigations reveal that the lowest concentration of Zn-doped titania nanofibers solution inhibiting the growth of S. aureus ATCC 29231 and E. coli ATCC 52922 strains is found to be 0.4 and 1.6 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, Bio-TEM analysis demonstrated that the exposure of the selected microbial strains to the nanofibers led to disruption of the cell membranes and leakage of the cytoplasm. In conclusion, the combined results suggested doping promotes antimicrobial effect; synthesized nanofibers possess a very large surface-to-volume ratio and may damage the structure of the bacterial cell membrane, as well as depress the activity of the membranous enzymes which cause bacteria to die in due course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twigs (young and old) from Nothapodytes foetida growing in the Jammu and Mahabaleshwar regions in India were used for the isolation of 52 strains of endophytic fungi and were tested for their ability to produce the anticancer alkaloid camptothecin. One of the isolates from the inner bark tissue of the N. foetida plant growing in the Jammu region of J&K state, India, was found to produce detectable quantities of camptothecin and its derivatives when grown in a semi-synthetic liquid medium. Camptothecin was identified by physicochemical analysis and further confirmed by spectroscopic studies. No camptothecin was detected in zero time cultures or in uninoculated culture broth. The maximum yield of camptothecin was 0.575 ± 0.031 mg/100 g of dry cell mass in 96 h in shake flasks, whereas 4.96 ± 0.73 mg/100 g of dry mass was recorded in 48 h in a bioreactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy, which attempts to decrease agricultural waste while also improving sustainable development through the production of sustainable products from waste and by-products, is currently one of the main objectives of environmental research. Taking this view, this study used a green approach to synthesize two forms of silver nanoparticles: coated silver nanoparticles with olive leaf extract (Ag-olive) and uncoated pure silver nanoparticles (Ag-pure), which were produced by the calcination of Ag-olive at 550 °C. The extract and the fabricated nanoparticles were characterized by a variety of physicochemical techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Adult ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii) (Acari: Ixodidae) were used in this study to evaluate the antiparasitic activity of synthesized nanoparticles and extract. Furthermore, the antifungal activity was evaluated against Aspergillus aculeatus strain N (MW958085), Fuserium oxysporum (MT550034), and Alternaria tenuissiuma (MT550036). In both antiparasitic and antifungal tests, the as-synthesized Ag-olive showed higher inhibition activity than Ag-pure and olive leaf extract. The findings of this research suggest that Ag-olive may be a powerful and eco-friendly antiparasitic and antifungal agent. Ag-pure was also evaluated as a photocatalyst under sunlight for the detoxification of Eri-chrome-black T (EBT), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and rhodamine B (RhB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the drawback of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) such as the low energy density and low specific capacitance as electrode for supercapacitors, SiO 2 /PANI@CNFs composite was prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique, in which the SiO 2 served as a component for improving capacitive behavior. Polyaniline (PANI) is used as nucleation site for synthesizing SiO 2 particles as well as active material for improving capacitance. In this study, SiO 2 particles were synthesized using biosilicification process as a bioinspired, rapid, and facile synthetic route for SiO 2 particles at ambient temperature and pressure, etc. To elucidate effect of SiO 2 on the electrochemical properties, SiO 2 /PANI@CNFs samples were prepared by varying concentration ratio of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to CNFs. It was observed that the specific surface area and the capacitance are highly dependent on the TEOS concentration. The capacitance of the composite prepared at the TEOS concentration of 0.19 mmol reaches 412 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1. These results are attributed to increased specific surface area from interstitial voids between SiO 2 particles and hydrophilic nature of SiO 2 particles, which offers sufficient channels for rapid ion diffusion and leads easy accessibility to the active sites for the electrochemical reaction between electrode and aqueous electrolyte. Due to its excellent electrochemical and biocompatible properties, bioinspired SiO 2 inorganic material will promote the development of energy storage devices in biomedical and environmental electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research intended to employ a facile and economical process, which is also ecofriendly to transform camel waste bones into novel heterostructure for cleansing of diverse waste waters. The bones of camel were utilized for preparation of hydroxyapatite by hydrothermal method. The prepared hydroxyapatite was applied to the synthesis of cerium oxide-hydroxyapatite coated with natural polymer chitosan (CS-HAP-CeO2) heterostructure. Being abundant natural polymer polysaccharide, chitosan possesses exceptional assets such as accessibility, economic price, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility as well as biodegradability, therefore style it as an outstanding adsorbent for removing colorant and other waste molecules form water. This heterostructure was characterized by various physicochemical processes such as XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, and FT-IR. The CS-HAP-CeO2 was screened for adsorption of various industrially important dyes, viz., Brilliant blue (BB), Congo red (CR), Crystal violet (CV), Methylene blue (MB), Methyl orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (RB) which are collective pollutants of industrial waste waters. The CS-HAP-CeO2 demonstrated exceptional adsorption against CR dye. The adsorption/or removal efficiency ranges are BB (11.22%), CR (96%), CV (28.22%), MB (47.74%), MO (2.43%), and RB (58.89%) dyes. Moreover, this heterostructure showed excellent bacteriostatic potential for E. coli, that is liable for serious waterborne diseases. Interestingly, this work revealed that the incorporation of cerium oxide and chitosan into hydroxyapatite substantially strengthened antimicrobial and adsorption capabilities than those observed in virgin hydroxyapatite. Herein, we recycled the unwanted camel bones into a novel heterostructure, which assists to reduce water pollution, mainly caused by the dye industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report controlled surface morphologies, mechanical properties and cell culture of biomimetic pure poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and PPC/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composite nanofibers prepared by sol–gel electrospinning. Pure PPC nanofibers exhibited soft rubber-like features with lower mechanical properties (elastic modulus ∼59.7 MPa, tensile strength ∼6.2 MPa), while the mechanical properties of as-spun PPC nanofibers were dramatically improved after heat-treatments at 60 °C. Furthermore, the PPC/PLA composite nanofibers exhibited topographically peculiar morphologies (in particular, an embossing-like surface protrusions ), probably due to poor miscibility between PPC and PLA. CCK-8 assay results of cultured myoblasts clarified that pure PPC and PPC/PLA composite nanofibers were nontoxic to the cells, which therefore, suggest them to be used in biomedical applications as a scaffold for tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the investigation of photocatalysis and bacterial toxicity of cerium oxide quantum dots (CeO 2 QDs) synthesized by two different approaches. The 3 nm CeO 2 QDs were synthesized by non-hydrolytic sol–gel method, while the 7 nm QDs were prepared by hydrothermal method. The samples prepared by the sol–gel method exhibited a red shift in the absorption spectrum. In the current study, we also report the influence of size of CeO 2 QDs on the antibacterial activity and photocatalysis. The antibacterial study was performed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method using Escherichia coli as model organism. The MIC of CeO 2 QDs was established to be 2.5 µg/mL and 5 µg/mL for 3 nm and 7 nm CeO 2 QDs respectively. Further evaluation and interpretation of bacterial viability was done by means of dual fluorescent staining. The photocatalytic activity experiment indicated that 3 nm CeO 2 QDs exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity for the photocatalytic decolonization of Rhodamine 6G aqueous solution under the visible-light illumination than 7 nm samples. The synthesized QDs are not only photocatalysts but are potent bactericides as well. Conclusively, the size dependent antimicrobial activity of CeO 2 QDs was demonstrated for the first time in this report. The disruption of bacterial cell wall mechanism was found to be the probable mechanism responsible for bacterial toxicity. Thus, the reported CeO 2 QDs are promising candidates for removal of chemical and biological pollutants and thus have great potential in the environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CNFs-Bi2WO6 nanocomposite was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The physico-chemical characterization of samples was done by XRD, SEM-EDX, UV-DRS, and PL spectra. CNFs-Bi2WO6 nanocomposite has shown better photodegradation efficiency than pristine Bi2WO6 for Rhodamine B dye under visible light irradiation. The addition of Bi2WO6 to pure carbon nanofibers (CNFs) facilitated absorption of light as well as assisted in separation of electron-hole pairs which ultimately lead to superior photodegradation efficiency. The CNFs-Bi2WO6 nanocomposite displayed excellent photocatalytic efficiency under visible light for dye degradation, owing to the synergistic effect of CNFs and Bi2WO6 with excellent charge separation characteristics and suitable band gap energy. The CNFs-Bi2WO6 nanocomposite was also screened for antimicrobial potential against two bacterial strains and one pathogenic fungal strain Candida albicans. The fabricated CNFs demonstrated antimicrobial activity, which was fortified due to inclusion of Bi2WO6 nanoflakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution, especially water pollution caused by dyes, heavy metal ions and biological pathogens, is a root cause of various lethal diseases in human-beings and animals. Water purification materials and treatment methods are overpriced. Consequently, there is an imperative outlook observance for cheap materials for the purification of wastewaters. In order to fill up the projected demand for clean water, the present study aimed to make use of cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods to convert bone-waste from animals such as cows into novel composites for the decontamination of water. The bone-waste of slaughtered cows from the Najran region of Saudi Arabia was collected and used for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite based on the thermal method. The synthesized hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) was utilized to prepare a manganese ferrite/hydroxyapatite composite. The nanocomposite was categorized by diverse sophisticated procedures, for instance XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, UV, PL and FT-IR. This composite possesses outstanding photocatalytic activity against methylene blue dye, which is a common pollutant from industrial wastes. Moreover, the synthesised composite revealed exceptional bacteriostatic commotion towards E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, which are accountable for acute waterborne infections. The outcome of this study demonstrated that the integration of manganese ferrite into hydroxyapatite significantly intensified both antimicrobial and photocatalytic actions when compared to the virgin hydroxyapatite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer and microbial infections constitute a major burden and leading cause of death globally. The development of therapeutic compounds from natural products is considered a cornerstone in drug discovery. Therefore, in the present study, the ethanolic extract and the fractions of Dodonaea viscosa and Juniperus procera were evaluated for anticancer and antimicrobial activities. It was found that two fractions, JM and DC, exhibited promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The JM and DC fractions were further modified into ZnO nanocomposites, which were characterized by SEM, XRD, TGA, and EDX. It was noted that the synthesized nanocomposites displayed remarkable enhancement in cytotoxicity as well as antibacterial activity. Nanocomposite DC–ZnO NRs exhibited cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 16.4 ± 4 (HepG2) and 29.07 ± 2.7 μg/mL (HCT-116) and JM–ZnO NRs with IC50 values of 12.2 ± 10.27 (HepG2) and 24.1 ± 3.0 μg/mL (HCT-116). In addition, nanocomposites of DC (i.e., DC–ZnO NRs) and JM (i.e., JM–ZnO NRs) displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MICs of 2.5 and 1.25 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, these fractions and nanocomposites were tested for cytotoxicity against normal fibroblasts and were found to be non-toxic. GC-MS analysis of the active fractions were also carried out to discover the possible phytochemicals that are responsible for these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For an efficient tissue-engineered implant, it is mandatory to have appropriate fluid absorption and antibacterial properties. In this regard, polyurethane micro-nanofibers were modified by incorporating β-cyclodextrin by electrospinning and then adsorbed using silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). We selected the adsorption by ultrasonication and hydrothermal methods and compared results for hydrophilicity, biodegradation, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed fiber diameter in mats with hydrothermally adsorbed Ag NPs was 8.0 ± 2.2 μm, and that of ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NPs was 4.0 ± 1.7 μm. The hydrophilicity results showed that incorporation of β-cyclodextrin in mats led to the decrease in water angle, and the Ag NPs adsorbed mats measured 53.50 ± 0.1° and 55.18 ± 0.15° at 1 min. The Ag NPs release by UV–visible spectroscopy indicated higher release in the case of ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NPs. Ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NPs showed higher antibacterial activity than hydrothermally against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with 15 ± 2 mm and 12 ± 1 mm clear zones. The mouse fibroblasts showed a viability of >100 % in all mats, which determined that the fibers were biocompatible. The highest viability was seen in ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NP mats (262.76 ± 11.24 %). The cell attachment studies showed well-spread cells, concluding with excellent biocompatibility. Overall, results indicate ultrasonic adsorption is a straightforward and better strategy than hydrothermal treatment. [Display omitted] • Electrospun pristine PU fibers incorporated with β-cyclodextrin were prepared. • Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were adsorbed for the necessary antibacterial activity by two methods, viz, ultrasonication and hydrothermal reaction. • Modification with β-CD and Ag NPs could provide better physico-chemical properties for PU fiber mats. • Diameter of the PU fibers incorporated with β-CD and ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NPs were lower as compared to the PU fibers incorporated with β-CD and hydrothermally adsorbed Ag NPs. • The comparative analysis of properties such as hydrophilicity, biodegradability, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility etc. was done among the different types of mats. • The best scaffold with reference to antibacterial activity, cell viability and cell attachment was the one having ultrasonically adsorbed Ag NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fabrication and characterization of one-dimensional CuO/TiO2 nanofibers with high photocatalytic and antibacterial activities are presented. The CuO/TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of colloid composed of titanium isopropoxide, poly(vinylpyrroliodine) (PVP) and copper nanoparticles and calcination at 700°C in air for 1h. The antibacterial activity was tested using Klebsiella pneumoniae as model organism by calculation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The obtained CuO/TiO2 nanofibers showed prominent photocatalytic activity under visible light to degrade reactive black5 and reactive orange16 dyes in aqueous solutions and effectively catalyze K. pneumoniae inactivation. The decomposition process of the cell wall and cell membrane was directly observed by TEM analysis after the exposure of the K. pneumoniae to the nanofibers. Interestingly, the introduced photocatalyst can be reused with the same photocatalytic activity. Overall, the combination of CuO and TiO2 can be synergistic and resulted in CuO/TiO2 composite nanofibers having superior photocatalytic and antimicrobial potential to impede K. pneumoniae growth which causes bacterium to die ultimately. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Among the various nanostructural morphologies, nanofibers have a distinct interest due to the long axial ratio which strongly modifies the photocatalytic activity. In this work, study of the effect of CdO-doping on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanofibers was carried out. Nanofibers composed of the two oxides (ZnO and CdO) were prepared using facile, effective, simple and high yield technique; electrospinning. Typically, a sol–gel consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), cadmium acetate and zinc acetate was electrospun. Calcination of the produced nanofibers in air did not affect the nanofibrous morphology and led to produce ZnO/CdO alloy nanofibers. Interestingly, variation of Zn to Cd ratio in the original electrospun solution did not influence the morphology, so nanofibers having CdO of 39.4, 56.5 and 72.2wt% could be prepared. Optical properties study indicated that addition of CdO to ZnO decreases the band gap and consequently the introduced nanofibers can be utilized as photocatalyst under a visible light radiation. Moreover, the results indicated that increasing the CdO content causes to increase the solid solubility. Accordingly, the low content CdO nanofibers (39.4wt%) reveal two band gaps in the PL spectra. Consequently, these nanofibers have the best photocatalytic activity among the prepared samples; the methylene blue dye was completely eliminated within 4.5h. However, full dye degradation was obtained at relatively longer times when the other formulations were utilized. Beside the simplicity and low cost aspects in the proposed preparation strategy, utilizing the solar radiation as activation energy to initiate the photoreactions might recommend the introduced nanofibers to be exploited as photocatalyts in the field of waste water treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cancer and microbial infections constitute a major burden and leading cause of death globally. The development of therapeutic compounds from natural products is considered a cornerstone in drug discovery. Therefore, in the present study, the ethanolic extract and the fractions of Dodonaea viscosa and Juniperus procera were evaluated for anticancer and antimicrobial activities. It was found that two fractions, JM and DC, exhibited promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The JM and DC fractions were further modified into ZnO nanocomposites, which were characterized by SEM, XRD, TGA, and EDX. It was noted that the synthesized nanocomposites displayed remarkable enhancement in cytotoxicity as well as antibacterial activity. Nanocomposite DC–ZnO NRs exhibited cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 16.4 ± 4 (HepG2) and 29.07 ± 2.7 μg/mL (HCT-116) and JM–ZnO NRs with IC50 values of 12.2 ± 10.27 (HepG2) and 24.1 ± 3.0 μg/mL (HCT-116). In addition, nanocomposites of DC (i.e., DC–ZnO NRs) and JM (i.e., JM–ZnO NRs) displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MICs of 2.5 and 1.25 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, these fractions and nanocomposites were tested for cytotoxicity against normal fibroblasts and were found to be non-toxic. GC-MS analysis of the active fractions were also carried out to discover the possible phytochemicals that are responsible for these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aryl tetralin lignans are synthesized by Podophyllum sps. and are in great demand worldwide due to their use in synthesis of topoisomerase inhibitors. However, the sustained production of these aryl tetralin lignans requires large-scale harvesting from the natural environments, which has resulted in the plant-endangered status. In view of the difficulties in their total chemical synthesis, cultivation and failure of metabolic engineering approaches, there is a need to search for alternative sources of production of aryl tetralin lignans. We unequivocally established the methodology for isolation, identification, and characterization of a novel fungal endophyte (Trametes hirsuta) that produces aryl tetralin lignans consistently as shown by HPLC, LC–MS, LC/MS–MS and 1H NMR. The lignans produced by the microorganism are biologically active, and exhibit potent antioxidant, anticancer and radioprotective properties. This strategy promises to improve the production of these therapeutically important compounds at lower costs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]