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Abstract Background It is necessary to develop advanced therapies utilizing natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory qualities in order to lessen the negative effects of chemotherapeutics. Results The bioactive N1-(5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolin-11-yl)benzene-1,4-diamine hydrochloride (NIQBD) was synthesized. After that, soluble starch nanoparticles (StNPs) was used as a carrier for the synthesized NIQBD with different concentrations (50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg). The obtained StNPs loaded with different concentrations of NIQBD were coded as StNPs-1, StNPs-2, and StNPs-3. It was observed that, StNPs-1, StNPs-2, and StNPs-3 exhibited an average size of 246, 300, and 328 nm, respectively. Additionally, they also formed with homogeneity particles as depicted from polydispersity index values (PDI). The PDI values of StNPs-1, StNPs-2, and StNPs-3 are 0.298, 0.177, and 0.262, respectively. In vivo investigation of the potential properties of the different concentrations of StNPs loaded with NIQBD against MTX-induced inflammation in the lung and liver showed a statistically substantial increase in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) accompanied by a significant decrease in levels of oxidants such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), matrix metalloproteinase 9/Gelatinase B (MMP-9), and levels of inflammatory mediators including interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in both lung and liver tissues, and a significant decrease in levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) compared to the MTX-induced inflammation group. The highly significant results were obtained by treatment with a concentration of 200 mg/mL. Histopathological examination supported these results, where treatment showed minimal inflammatory infiltration and congestion in lung tissue, a mildly congested central vein, and mild activation of Kupffer cells in liver tissues. Conclusion Combining the treatment of MTX with natural antioxidant supplements may help reducing the associated oxidation and inflammation.

Abstract Background Liver inflammation is a multistep process that is linked with cell membrane fatty acids composition. The effectiveness of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) undergoes an irreversible change during processing due to their unsaturated nature; so the formation of nanocarrier for EPA is crucial for improving EPA’s bioavailability and pharmacological properties. Objective In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of EPA alone or loaded silica nanoemulsion on the management of hepatic inflammation induced by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) through the enhancement of the cell membrane structure and functions. Methods The new formula of EPA was prepared to modify the properties of EPA. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were classified into: control, EPA, EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion (EPA–NE), DEN induced hepatic inflammation; DEN induced hepatic inflammation treated with EPA or EPA –NE groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, and liver oxidant and anti-oxidants were estimated. Urinary 8- hydroxyguanozine (8- OHdG) and erythrocyte membrane fatty acids fractions were estimated by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, histopathology studies were done to verify our hypothesis. Results It was appeared that administration of EPA, in particular EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion, ameliorated the inflammatory response, increased the activity of the anti-oxidants, reduced levels of oxidants, and improved cell membrane structure compared to hepatic inflammation induced by DEN group. Histopathological examination confirmed these results. Conclusion EPA and notably EPA loaded silica nanoemulsion strongly recommended as a promising supplement in the management of hepatic inflammation.

Gaps and holes derived from different sources represent a major problem for archaeological bone artifacts, as they lead to their weakness. Cryogel materials have become vital in various scientific applications due to their multiple advantages such as their lightweight, mechanical and chemical stability, etc. This current study aimed to design, evaluate and apply a unique porous structure of carboxymethyl cellulose cryogel loaded with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as a new technique for gap filling of archaeological bone artifacts. The cryogel was formed by blending carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyethylene glycol PEG), and Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) with different concentrations of ZnO NPs. This current study proved that the addition of ZnO NPs especially with high concentration to cryogels improved the appearance of the surface morphology, reduced the high surface area, gave less activity towards swelling, increased the hydrothermal stability and mechanical characteristics, and gave good resistance against studied bacteria and yeast. From, the obtained results, it can be concluded that the cryogel loaded with ZnO NPs is suitable to fill gaps and cracks of archaeological bones.

In this work, mineral trioxide and graphene oxide manipulated the morphological and biological potential of hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites. XRD, FTIR, XPS, and EDS were used to perform the structural and chemical composition of HAP, pure Bi2O3, HAP/Bi2O3, HAP/GO, and HAP/Bi2O3/GO composites. The morphological alteration is investigated by TEM and FESEM techniques, followed by roughness parameters calculations. TEM micrographs confirm that the encapsulation of HAP through GO nanosheets to form HAP/GO reduces the agglomeration of HAP grains to appear separately on graphene wafers with sizes ranging from 11.4 to 28.5 nm, while HAP grains are sized from 11.4 to 22.8 nm. FESEM micrographs show that the combination of the three gradients (HAP, Bi2O3, and GO) cause well-defined grains, besides leaving wide pores in-between grain bundles, besides hitting grain size in scope that starts from 20 to 35 nm. Triple composite (HAP/Bi2O3/GO) records a higher roughness average than binary composites (HAP Bi2O3, and HAP/GO) with a value of 33.3 nm. Moreover, integration of the three components boosts the cell viability potential to record the uppermost percentage of 98.7 ± 2%, with clear enhancement in anti-microbial activity with an inhibition area of 25.7 ± 1.9 mm against Escherichia coli and 24.8 ± 1.8 mm in case of Staphylococcus.aureus.

Long-term biocompatible scaffolds based on chitosan (CS) encapsulated with hydroxyapatite (HAP) have been developed for orthopedic applications. The biocomposites consisting of magnesium (Mg)/strontium (Sr) co-dopant into HAP@CS were fabricated using a casting technique, whereas Mg(II) contribution was varied. The crystal growth seems to be in the c-axis upon the rising of Mg(II) content, whereas the c/a ratio changed from 0.72 to 0.73. Moreover, it was suggested that Mg(II) ions prefer to substitute Ca(1) rather than Ca(2) sites within HAP crystals. The study of morphology indicated that the Mg/Sr-HAP was formed as agglomerated grains with dimensions around 5.1–9.2, 6.2–11.4, 3.6–7.3, 3.1–18.3, and 6.1–18.3 μm, while the grains of CS were developed as 4.6–7.6, 3–14.3, 2.4–6.1, 9.1–30.5 and 6.2–9.1 μm for 0.0Mg/Sr-HAP@CS, 0.2Mg/Sr-HAP@CS, 0.4Mg/Sr-HAP@CS, 0.6Mg/Sr-HAP@CS, and 0.8Mg/Sr-HAP@CS, respectively. Moreover, the roughness average (Ra) raised from 37.3 to 48.4 nm for the minimum and the highest additional Mg(II). Furthermore, the compressive strength was investigated and exhibited that Mg(II) has induced high resistance to fracture, whereas compressive strength increased from 7.17 ± 1.1 to 15.1 ± 1.5 MPa for the highest Mg(II). The cell viability also was tested, and the high value (105.2 ± 6.8%) was achieved for the highest Mg(II). Finally, the corrosion behavior for the scaffolds through simulated body fluids was investigated and illustrated that the corrosion potential (ECorr) was shifted to positive values from −0.14 to −0.002 V upon the variation of Mg(II) content.

The spreading of diseases that cause major bone defects urges the need for fabricating bone substitutes. Hydroxyapatite (HAP)/ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite is fabricated and studied for its bioactivity, biocompatibility, microhardness, and antimicrobial activity to be used as bone replacement biomaterial. Moreover, the SEM micrographs revealed the improvement in scaffold porosity and biocompatibility, showing a particle size range from 0.1 to 1.5 μm. HAP/Yb2O3/GO shows enhanced roughness parameters in which the roughness average value reached 40.5 nm. Furthermore, the improved osteoblast cells attachment and proliferation obtained by HAP/Yb2O3/GO nanocomposite is confirmed via cell viability test the high value of 97.7 ± 2.1%. HAP/Yb2O3/GO shows antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus that evidenced with inhibition zone 12.5 ± 1 mm and 11.8 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. Besides, HAP/Yb2O3/GO showed the highest microhardness values of 3.4 ± 0.2 GPa.

The pollutant binding capacity of amino functional groups has been widely documented. In this study, abundant amino groups were added onto acrylic fibre via functionalization with 1,2-diaminoethane to yield acrylic fibre-based hydrogel (Ac-EDA). The Ac-EDA was further applied for the adsorptive uptake of lead ions. The successful attachment of amino groups on the fibre was verified from the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray, SEM-EDX results. The study on the effect of process variables highlighted a pH non-responsive sorption, due to the non-electrostatic interaction between the basic nitrogen atom of the amino groups and the lead ion. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of 371.26 mg/g was recorded at optimum process conditions. The adsorption modelling emphasized the predominance of internal diffusion as the rate-limiting step. This study showed the effectiveness of the Ac-EDA for the uptake of aqueous lead ions.

The sequence of co-doped hydroxyapatite (HAP)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous composites was prepared with different amounts of zinc. X-ray diffraction and Infrared techniques were approved for both Zn/V-HAP and Zn/V-HAP@PCL composites formation. The morphological and mechanical behaviors were considered. The 0.8Zn/V-HAP composite offers the smallest grains almost with a slight appearance of aggregates, besides small shallow pores with a highly rough surface. Its grain size starts from 0.13 to 0.9 μm. On the other hand, zinc ions cause fiber size homogeneity and reduction that the 0.8Zn/V-HAP composite is sized from 1.1 to 1.75 μm. Zinc incorporation into HAP powder causes a significant rise in surface roughness. Moreover, tensile strength records its maximum value of 5.00 ± 0.32 MPa in 0.6Zn/V-HAP@PCL, while it declines for 0.8Zn/V-HAP@PCL to 4.94 ± 0.22 MPa. Additionally, the nanofibrous composite (0.0Zn/V-HAP@PCL) shows a contact angle of 100°±3, while the angle becomes narrower with increasing zinc content till reaching 83°±2 for the composition of 0.8 Zn/V-HAP@PCL scaffolds. Cell viability shows excellent potential in the absence of zinc with 92.4 ± 1%, while zinc contribution offers higher performance, reaching 98.4 ± 4% in 0.8Zn/V-HAP@PCL nanofiber. The scaffolds with the highest zinc content (0.8 Zn/V-HAP@PCL) record an inhibition zone of 22.1 ± 1.3 and 21.1 ± 1.1 mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Regarding cell attachment, zinc addition and amounts introduce manipulating tools and significant improvement in proliferation potential upon the whole fiber. Thus the previous data is recommended these scaffolds for more research in biological applications.

The design of biomaterials for wound and mucosal healing is pivotal to keep a high level of health care. Scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) encapsulated with hydroxyapatite that has been modified via different contributions of thallium (Tl) ions having the formula of [Tl2xCa10-x(PO4)6-x(OH)2] have been fabricated. The obtained results showed that the maximum height of the roughness (Rt) of the fabricated Tl-HAP@PCL nanofiber has increased from 612 to 819 nm, depending on the content of Tl+ ions. Moreover, the contact angle exhibited a significant decrease from 97.21° at 0.0Tl-HAP@PCL to 29.01° for 1.0Tl-HAP@PCL. Importantly, mechanical properties measurements' showed that the maximum strain at the break has deteriorated from 131.7 ± 4.3 to 129.31 ± 4.6% for the lowest and the highest Tl contribution. The scaffolds’ performance in a wound and mucosal treatments might be triggered upon the development of cell viability. In view of these findings, the fabricated Tl-HAP@PCL composites have evidently an efficient wound dressing capability and cell viability that make these nanofibers promising candidates for other related medical/clinical applications.

Electrospun nanofibers incorporated with functional additives can be used to produce antimicrobial wound dressings. Thus, the current research work was aimed to obtain highly efficient antimicrobial wound dressing based on the high mechanical and biocompatible polymer; polycaprolactone (PCL) blended with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and spearmint oil nanoemulsion (SNE). The nanofibrous wound dressing was obtained through the electrospinning method for PCL solution blended with different concentrations of AuNPs, SNE and both of them. With the assistance of advanced techniques, the as-synthesized nanofibers were systematically characterized in terms of their morphological structure, contact angle and mechanical properties. The resultant depicted the preparation of nanofibers with smooth surface when PCL was blended with AuNPs. Meanwhile, the surface of the developed nanofibers was changed to rough surface with the addition of SNE. In addition, the size of the fiber diameter of PCL loaded with SNE was greater than that of pure PCL nanofiber or that loaded with AuNPs. Their antimicrobial activities of the prepared PCL nanofibers blended with AuNPs, SNE and both of them was tested against four different species; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans illustrated that the nanofibers have the ability to prevent the growth of microbes.

To acquire durable multifunctional cotton fabric, hybrid nanocomposites were demanded. Thus, a novel and efficient method for the synthesis of polymer grafted titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) based polypyrrole (PPy) was developed. One-step preparation with no need for the calcination step that was carried out at a very high temperature was established in an aqueous solution. The surface of the prepared nanocomposite was functionalized using 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane at room temperature to enhance the binding force towards the cellulosic surface and to form PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon nanocomposite. The prepared TiO2NPs/PPy and hybrid material of functionalized nanoparticles/silane (PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon nanocomposite) were envisaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cotton fabrics were modified under static conditions to improve the binding of the functionalized nanoparticles/silane to the surface of cotton fabric. The physical, mechanical, and biological studies of the treated fabrics have been investigated using different analytical techniques. The findings illustrated that the functionalized cotton fabrics showed good electroconductive features, resistance towards ultraviolet effect (UPF). After treatment, the cotton fabrics exhibited an enhancement in electrical conductivity and good antibacterial efficiency against both types of bacteria (gram-negative and positive bacteria). The resultant depicted that the functionalized cotton fabric treated with PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon acquired an increase in the tensile strength and crease recovery angle. Ultimately, the durability of the treatment against several washing cycles was investigated and found to be good until 20 washing cycles. From these promising data, it can be concluded that the functionalized cotton fabric treated with these prepared nanocomposites by this way can find great resonance for its application in many different fields of medical and industrial domains.

The leather processing industry is currently facing numerous environmental pollution challenges. Dyes are known as one of the most significant causes for water pollution. Thus, the present work is designed to tackle this issue via preparation of different composite comprising both graphene oxide and ammonium ferric sulfate, donated as GO-AFS. Results obtained via FTIR, TGA, XRD and SEM tools confirmed the facile preparation of GO-AFS composite having good thermal stability and exhibited rough and porous surface with no clear edges. The adsorption efficiency of the as-prepared GO-AFS composite was successfully examined against two commercial dyes, namely anionic dye Basic Black 7 (BB7) and cationic dye Acid Black 210 (AB210) together with specific tannery dye wastewater. The findings also ascertained that the color removal for BB7 was noticed to be mostly 100% within 2 min by GO-AFS adsorbent at 10 mg (0.1 g/L), while the color removal concentration at pH~7 was up to 700 ppm. In addition, the color removal performance of AB210 was also detected at approximately 100% by 12 mg (0.12 g/L) of GO-AFS within 3 min when the dye concentration at pH~4 was up to 400 ppm. Regarding the removal of real tannery dye from wastewater, it was also observed that the efficacy of GO-AFS as adsorbent reached 100%. Within the second cycle, the adsorption potential of recycled GO-AFS was restored by nearly 100% and this percentage decreased to 95.4% in the third cycle. In view of these findings, it can be concluded that the prepared GO-AFS composite can be considered as an excellent candidate for eradication of pollutants or contamination from tannery wastewater instead of the conventional high-cost adsorbents.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) can be defined as inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and free radicals besides other chronic inflammatory aspects. Thus, this work was designed to find out how far enhancing the beneficial effects of yogurt fortified with Malva parviflora (M. parviflora) leaves extract nanoemulsion in attenuating experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). Sixty male albino rats were divided into six groups. After the experimental period, blood samples were collected for determination of pro-inflammatory markers [serum tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ] and homocysteine (Hcy). Also, colon tissues were separated for determination of reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The obtained results depicted that the acetic acid (AA) induced UC in rats resulting in a significant increase in the levels of colon TBARS accompanied by a significant reduction of colon GSH, and TAC compared to the control rats. Pretreatment with nanoemulsion of M. parviflora leaves extract was shown to protect colon due to its anti-oxidative activity, anti-inflammatory effect. Ultimately, it can be concluded that yogurt fortified with M. parviflora leaves extract nanoemulsion considered a powerful protective agent that inhibits the generation of reactive oxygen species and scavenges free radicals to improve antioxidant defense enzymes against AA induced UC.

Using a pulsed laser ablation system, core–shell Au@Se nanoparticles (Au@Se NPs) were efficiently synthesized and incorporated into a polymeric nanofibrous cellulose acetate (CA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solution prior to electrospinning. Highly crystalline Au@Se NPs were formed in a spherical core/shell configuration with core and shell diameters of 10.5 nm and 25 nm, respectively. The networked scaffolds were decorated with micro-distensions with lengths ranging from 2.8 to 4.3 μm at the lowest Au@Se NPs content. Cell viability analysis confirmed the high biocompatibility of the produced scaffolds, with survival ratios around 91.1 ± 3.4% and 88.2 ± 4.3% at the lowest and highest concentrations of Au@Se NPs, respectively. Obviously, the cells spread and proliferated significantly through the nanofibers. Moreover, the cells not only grew on the surface, but also connected through the deeply porous interior of the nanoparticles. The compositions of these nanofibrous scaffolds can be manipulated to realize a new design for the dressing and healing of wounded tissues.

The current work attempts to introduce polymer nanocomposite film based on the blended Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and Poly(vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and doped with different concentrations of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were prepared by laser ablation technique. These nanoparticles; PdNPs doped PVDF/PVC was prepared to enhance the electrical conductivity of the synthesized film (PVDF/PVC) for suitable electrical applications. The structural and optical characterization have been investigated by means of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflection analysis (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrical conductivity parameters as a function of frequency of PVDF/PVC/PdNPs were studied at room temperature. The addition of PdNPs improved the electrical conductivity of PVDF/PVC. Based on that, ist can be concluded that the obtained composites are conductive and suitable for batteries application.

The naturally occurring neocryptolepine (5-Methylindolo [2,3-b]quinoline) and its analogs exhibited prominent anticancer and antimalarial activity. However, the main problem of this class of compounds is their poor aqueous solubility, hampering their bioavailability and preventing their clinical development. To overcome the problem of insolubility and to improve the physicochemical and the pharmacological properties of 5-Methylindolo [2,3-b]quinoline compounds, this work was designed to encapsulate such efficient medical compounds into mesoporous silica oxide nanoemulsion (SiO2NPs). Thus, in this study, SiO2NPs was loaded with three different concentrations (0.2 g, 0.3, and 0.6 g) of 7b (denoted as NPA). The findings illustrated that the nanoparticles were formed with a spherical shape and exhibited small size (less than 500 nm) using a high concentration of the synthesized chemical compound (NPA, 0.6 g) and good stabilization against agglomeration (more than −30 mv). In addition, NPA-loaded SiO2NPs had no phase separation as observed by our naked eyes even after 30 days. The findings also revealed that the fabricated SiO2NPs could sustain the release of NPA at two different pH levels, 4.5 and 7.4. Additionally, the cell viability of the produced nanoemulsion system loaded with different concentrations of NPA was greater than SiO2NPs without loading, affirming that NPA had a positive impact on increasing the safety and cell viability of the whole nanoemulsion. Based on these obtained promising data, it can be considered that the prepared NPA-loaded SiO2NPs seem to have the potential for use as an effective anticancer drug nanosystem.

To evaluate the brain oxidative stress in experimental diabetes with eventual changes in brain neurotransmitters, the potential protective role of carvacrol-based nanoemulsion against the changes streptozotocin (STZ) induced was examined. Oil/water emulsion technique was used for the preparation of carvacrol based nanoemulsion in presence of nonionic surfactant (Tween 80). Results signify that Tween 80 had an appreciable impact on mean droplet diameter giving rise to very small diameter with high monodispersity and high negative on their surfaces. In vivo study indicating upgrading of fasting blood sugar along with a reduction of insulin in diabetic rats concomitant with disturbances in oxidative stress parameters and elevation of homocysteine (Hcy) level. In contrast, revealing disturbances in the brain neurotransmitters and other biochemical parameters were increased by carvacrol nanoemulsion supplementation. The well stabilized carvacrol-based nanoemulsion is considered as promising agent that offers a new approach in attenuating hyperglycemia as well as neurodegenerative diseases.

Thermochromic urea (U) organogel immobilized with a thermochromic tricyanofuran hydrazone (TCFH) chromophore was developed. Thermochromic TCFH chromophore bearing two nitro functional groups on a hydrazone recognition unit was synthesized via an azo-coupling reaction of tricyanofuran (TCF) heterocyclic moiety containing an active methyl group with the diazonium chloride salt of 2,4-dinitroaniline comprising two strongly electron-withdrawing nitro groups. The molecular structure of both intermediates and TCFH dye were characterized by several analytical methods, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy (MS), and elemental analysis. The thermochromic responsiveness could be attributed to the charge delocalization of TCFH as well as to the presence of an intramolecular charge transfer. The generated organogel displayed a thermoreversible sol–gel transition associated with color change. The origin of the monitored thermochromism is a conformational change of the tricyanofuran hydrazone backbone due to the temperature-driven deprotonation–protonation reversible process. The prepared urea–tricyanofuran hydrazone (UTCFH) thermometer acted as a diagnostic tool providing an instant color change between yellow, orange, red and purple upon changing the temperature of the UTCFH organogel in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This color change was proportionally correlated with increasing the temperature from 44 to 63 °C. The UTCFH organogel composed of urea and push-π-pull hydrazone type tricyanofuran chromophore immobilized physically in the urea organogel was found to function as a temperature-driven chromic thermometer. This chromogenic UTCFH organogel in DMSO displayed a phase transition at 41–48 °C. The morphological properties of the gel internal fibrous nanostructure (80–120 nm) were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colorimetric measurements were monitored by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The chromogenic thermometer demonstrated a good reversibility without fatigue. The mechanism accounting for thermochromism of UTCFH organogel is proposed.

Maize is considered one of the most imperative cereal crops worldwide. In this work, high throughput silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) were prepared via the sol–gel technique. SiO2-NPs were attained in a powder form followed by full analysis using the advanced tools (UV-vis, HR-TEM, SEM, XRD and zeta potential). To this end, SiO2-NPs were applied as both nanofertilizer and pesticide against four common pests that infect the stored maize and cause severe damage to crops. As for nanofertilizers, the response of maize hybrid to mineral NPK, “Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)” (0% = untreated, 50% of recommended dose and 100%), with different combinations of SiO2-NPs; (0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg soil) was evaluated. Afterward, post-harvest, grains were stored and fumigated with different concentrations of SiO2-NPs (0.0031, 0.0063. 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg) in order to identify LC50 and mortality % of four common insects, namely Sitophilus oryzae, Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, and Orizaephilus surinamenisis. The results revealed that, using the recommended dose of 100%, mineral NPK showed the greatest mean values of plant height, chlorophyll content, yield, its components, and protein (%). By feeding the soil with SiO2-NPs up to 10 g/kg, the best growth and yield enhancement of maize crop is noticed. Mineral NPK interacted with SiO2-NPs, whereas the application of mineral NPK at the rate of 50% with 10 g/kg SiO2-NPs, increased the highest mean values of agronomic characters. Therefore, SiO2-NPs can be applied as a growth promoter, and in the meantime, as strong unconventional pesticides for crops during storage, with a very small and safe dose.

Green innovative strategy was developed to accomplish silver nanoparticles formation of starch-silver nanoparticles (St-AgNPs) in the powder form. Thus, St-AgNPs were synthesized through concurrent formation of the nanosized particles of both starch and silver. The alkali dissolved starch acts as reducing agent for silver ions and as stabilizing agent for the formed AgNPs. The chemical reduction process occurred in water bath under high-speed homogenizer. After completion of the reaction, the colloidal solution of AgNPs coated with alkali dissolved starch was cooled and precipitated using ethanol. The powder precipitate was collected by centrifugation, then washed, and dried; St-AgNPs powder was characterized using state-of-the-art facilities including UV-vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), particle size analyzer (PS), Polydispersity index (PdI), Zeta potential (ZP), XRD, FT-IR, EDX, and TGA. TEM and XRD indicate that the average size of pure AgNPs does not exceed 20 nm with spherical shape and high concentration of AgNPs (30000 ppm). The results obtained from TGA indicates that the higher thermal stability of starch coated AgNPS than that of starch nanoparticles alone. In addition to the data obtained from EDX which reveals the presence of AgNPs and the data obtained from particle size analyzer and zeta potential determination indicate that the good uniformity and the highly stability of St-AgNPs).