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In present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructure anchored on carbon fabric (CF) was prepared using a combinational techniques of RF magnetron sputtering and hydrothermal method. The sputter seeded CF aided for the circumferential growth of ZnO nanostructure and its structural and optical characterization evidencing the c-axis orientation with the band gap of, 3.21 eV. ZnO nanostructure anchored CF was subjected towards UV light photocatalytic activity of p-nitrophenol for 150 min and remarkably higher activity of 98% was observed with better retrieval and recyclability upto 5 cycles. Because of these conspicuous features, it can serve as an expedient hybrid platform for photocatalytic application, better than the benchmark acid treated ZnO/CF.

The present study was aimed to determine the inhibitory effects of Curcuma longa L. essential oil (CLEO) against the growth and zearalenone (ZEA) production of Fusarium graminearum. Chemical profiling of CLEO was carried out by GC-FID analysis and major compound was ar-turmerone (53.10%). Antifungal activity of CLEO was assessed by using micro-well dilution method, and minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined as 2450 and 3300 μg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, ROS played a major role in antifungal activity as evidenced by reactive oxygen species estimation from CLEO treated fungal cultures. Further, Scanning electron microscopy observations were carried at MIC and MFC concentrations. Results indicated that, CLEO significantly affected the morphology of mycelia and spore structures compared to untreated control culture. Effects of CLEO on fungal biomass as well as ZEA production were assessed by dry-weight and UHPLC analysis, respectively. Results indicated that, fungal biomass and zearalenone production was completely inhibited at 3500 and 3000 μg/mL, respectively. The results of the study conclude that, CLEO may find a potential application in the food industry to control the fungal infestation and ZEA contamination.

An electrochemical sensor is described for the determination of nilutamide (NLM) in biological fluids. A flexible mat of nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs) was prepared by electrospinning. This was followed by carbonization and the growth of one-dimensional vanadium tetrasulfide (VS4) nanorods in the circumference of the NCNFs by a solvothermal route. The material was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry revealed an excellent electrocatalytic activity of the VS4/NCNF mat towards NLM at a working potential of – 0.57 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The modified GCE has a wide linear range (0.001–760 μM), a low limit of detection (90 pM), good stability, and fast response. It was used to detect NLM in spiked serum and urine samples.

In the present study, the anti-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of the different solvent extracts of Pogostemon mollis were analysed. The phenolic, tannin and flavonoid contents were highest in the ethyl acetate extract and analogous to the antioxidant activity results. The extracts showed activities similar to the standard antioxidants. The extent to which the extracts protect free radical damage on DNA was evaluated and showed good genoprotective effects. Bacterial cells and fungal spores and hyphae showed visible damages due to the treatment of ethyl acetate extract. Finally in the cytotoxic analysis, IC50 value was calculated based on the absorbance value of different concentrations. It concluded that P. mollis is a prospective candidate for the various therapeutic applications especially its ethyl acetate extract.