Fractal-like kinetics for adsorption of Pb (II) on graphene oxide/hydrous zirconium oxide/crosslinked starch bio-composite: Application of Taguchi approach for optimization

This study deals with the decontamination of Pb (II) from aqueous environment using graphene oxide/hydrous zirconium oxide/crosslinked starch bio-composite (GZS-BC). Various instrumental techniques were used to characterize the GZS-BC. The main factors of Pb (II) sorption were optimized by Taguchi method. Under optimum conditions, (adsorbent dose: 40 mg, contact time: 180 min and initial Pb (II) concentration: 50 mg/L) maximum removal efficiency (98.50%) was achieved at pH 6. Various isotherm models were tested to fit the adsorption data and Freundlich isotherm model was the best fit model with high R2 values (0.9977–0.9983) and low values of χ2 (0.01–0.02) and APE (0.90–1.14). The kinetic data were investigated using classical and fractal-like kinetic equations. The fractal-like mixed 1,2-order kinetic model was the best fit model which pointed towards heterogeneous surface of GZS-BC with more than one type of sorption sites. Thermodynamic study shows that Pb (II) sorption onto GZS-BC was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The values of ΔG° indicated that physisorption together with chemisorption was responsible for uptake of Pb (II).The authors are highly thankful to Department of Chemistry, AMU assisted through UGC DRS-SAP, DST-PURSE and DST-FIST programs for providing necessary facilities. The authors extend their sincere appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2023R266) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the support.Publicad

Date seed and date seed oil

Date palm is an important plant in arid regions with more than 20 varieties reported all over the world. Date seed is a byproduct of date fruit industry which is normally being discarded, used as animal feed ingredient or turned into non-caffeinated coffee by the Arabs. About 11-18% of date fruit weight is the seed which is composed of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, ash and protein. In addition, the antioxidant content in date seed oil (DSO) was found to be comparable with olive oil, which can be as a good source of antioxidant in order to fulfill the consumers demand. Oleic acid is the major fatty acid found in DSO, followed by lauric, linoleic, palmitic and myristic acid. However, different varieties of date fruits have different fatty acid compositions. This paper reviewed the potential use of date seed and date seed oil in order to discover and develop its usage and find out the suitable application of these seed and oil

Application of FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics for authentication of Nigella sativa seed oil.

The present study is intended to analyze the presence of grape seed oil (GSO) in Nigella sativa L. seed oil (NSO) using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). FTIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate calibration of partial least square can quantify the levels of GSO in NSO at wavelength number of 1114–1074, 1734–1382 and 3005–3030 cm–1. The coefficient of correlation (R2) obtained for the relationship between actual (x-axis) and FTIR predicted (y-axis) values are 0.981. The errors in cross validation and in prediction are 2.34% (v/v) and 2.37% (v/v), respectively

Hemin Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Renal Injury in Male Rats

Background. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of hemin (the heme oxygenase-1 [OH-1] inducer) against nephrotoxic effects induced by cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (CP)] in male rats. Methods. The evaluation was performed through monitoring renal redox parameters: lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and reduced glutathione (GSH). The work also examined renal function tests (urea and creatinine), tissue proinflammatory mediator like nitric oxide (NO), and kidney cytopathology. Results. A single intraperitoneal dose of CP (10 mg/kg b.w.) caused significant elevation of blood urea, serum creatinine, and renal LPO and NO, along with significant decline of the activities of GPx and GR, but renal SOD activity and GSH level were statistically insignificant as compared to control group. Subcutaneous injection of hemin (40 µmol/kg b.w.) partially ameliorated CP-induced renal damage, based on suppression of blood urea, serum creatinine, the renal MDA and NO levels, and increased antioxidant capacity in CP-treated rats. The results of histopathological and ultrastructural investigations supported the renoprotective effect of hemin against CP-induced acute toxicity. Conclusion. The induction of HO-1 by hemin is a promising approach in the treatment of CP-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further preclinical studies are warranted to test effectiveness of CP/hemin on the outcome of tumor chemotherapy

Chromium removal from aqueous solution using bimetallic Bi\u3csup\u3e0\u3c/sup\u3e/Cu\u3csup\u3e0\u3c/sup\u3e-based nanocomposite biochar

Chromium (Cr), due to its greater contamination in aquifers and distinct eco-toxic impacts, is of greater environmental concern. This study aimed to synthesize nanocomposites of almond shells biochar (BC) with zerovalent bismuth and/or copper (Bi0/BC, Cu0/BC, and Bi0–Cu0/BC) for the removal of Cr from aqueous solution. The synthesized nanocomposites were investigated using various characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and EDX. The Cr removal potential by the nanocomposites was explored under different Cr concentrations (25–100 mg/L), adsorbent doses (0.5–2.0 g/L), solution pH (2–8), and contact time (10–160 min). The above-mentioned advanced techniques verified successful formation of Bi0/Cu0 and their composite with BC. The synthesized nanocomposites were highly effective in the removal of Cr. The Bi0–Cu0/BC nano-biocomposites showed higher Cr removal efficiency (92%) compared to Cu0/BC (85%), Bi0/BC (76%), and BC (67%). The prepared nanocomposites led to effective Cr removal at lower Cr concentrations (25 mg/L) and acidic pH (4.0). The Cr solubility changes with pH, resulting in different degrees of Cr removal by Bi0–Cu0/BC, with Cr(VI) being more soluble and easier to adsorb at low pH levels and Cr(III) being less soluble and more difficult to adsorb at high pH levels. The experimental Cr adsorption well fitted with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model (R 2 \u3e 0.99) and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Among the prepared nanocomposites, the Bi0–Cu0/BC showed greater stability and reusability. It was established that the as-synthesized Bi0–Cu0/BC nano-biocomposite showed excellent adsorption potential for practical Cr removal from contaminated water

Specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of raw meats and fats of pigs for Halal authentication

Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a conserved region in the mitochondrial (mt) 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was developed for species identification from raw pork and lard samples. Genomic DNA of pork and lard were successfully extracted and were found to be of good quality. The extracted genomic DNA was then subjected to PCR amplification targeting the specific regions of the 12S rRNA gene and produced clear PCR products on the amplification of 12S rRNA gene of 387 base pairs (bp) from pig species. The species-specific PCR identification yielded excellent results for identification of pig. This made it deal for quality control purposes and a potentially reliable technique to avoid species adulteration for Halal authentication and verification

Comparison of four dental pulp-capping agents by cone-beam computed tomography and histological techniques—a split-mouth design ex vivo study

Dental pulp-capping is done to preserve vital teeth when the pulp is exposed due to caries, trauma or instrumentation. Various materials are used as pulp-capping agents. The introduction of newer materials requires scientific studies to assess their clinical efficacy. The study was designed as a split-mouth randomized analysis of four pulp-capping agents (calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine and EndoSequence root repair material (ERRM)). Based on selection criteria, 15 orthodontic patients requiring the extraction of four premolars (60 teeth total) were included in the study. After pulp-capping, the teeth were extracted after 8 weeks. We analyzed the extracted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histological sections to determine the quality of the dentinal bridge and the pulpal response. Ordinal scores were given based on the completeness of the dentinal bridge, the type of bridge and the degree of pulpal inflammation. Results were analyzed using a Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05) with post hoc Conover values being used when applicable. All four pulp-capping materials elicited dentinal bridge formation (60/60). MTA had the highest scores (10/15) in dentinal bridge formation followed by ERRM (8/15). Both materials showed more samples with complete dentinal bridges (9/15 each) and a favorable pulpal response (15/15). Teeth capped with calcium hydroxide showed more cases of incomplete bridge formation (9/15) and pulpal inflammation. These differences in dentinal bridge formation and pulpal inflammation were statistically significant (p 0.001 and p 0.00005, respectively), with post hoc tests revealing no significant differences between MTA and ERRM (p 0.49 and p 0.71, respectively). MTA and ERRM performed better than the other pulp-capping materials but did not differ significantly from each other. The individual preference for a pulp-capping material may be based on clinical efficacy and handling characteristics

The study of removal chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution by bimetallic ZnO/FeO nanocomposite with Siltstone: Isotherm, kinetics and reusability

In this study, nanocomposites of Baghanwala Siltstone (BSS) with ZnO (BSS/ZnO), FeO (BSS/FeO), and BSS/ZnO/FeO were successfully prepared for the removal of hexavalent chromium [(Cr (VI)] from aqueous solutions via a batch adsorption process. The characterization studies by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) found successful synthesis of the composites and demonstrated the occurrence of different active functional groups that played an active role in Cr ion adsorption. The effect of Cr initial concentrations (25–100 mg/L), adsorbent dose (0.5–2 g/L), pH (2–8), and contact time (0–160 min) on Cr remediation from contaminated water was examined. The order of Cr ion removal was BSS/ZnO/FeO (77–87%) \u3e BSS/ZnO (74–83%) \u3e BSS/FeO (71–77%) \u3e BSS (68–74%). The as-synthesized BSS/ZnO/FeO led to successful Cr removal (87%) at a 25 mg/L Cr concentration at pH 4.0. The Cr ion adsorption by the BSS/ZnO/FeO nanocomposite was well explained by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (R2 \u3e 0.99), while the kinetic experimental data was well fitted with the pseudo-second-order model (R2 \u3e 0.99). Among the as-synthesized adsorbents, the BSS/ZnO/FeO nanocomposite showed excellent stability and reusability in seven sorption cycles. The results showed that the as-synthesized BSS/ZnO/FeO nanocomposite had the greatest adsorption potential for removing Cr ions from contaminated water

Bismuth-Doped Nano Zerovalent Iron: A Novel Catalyst for Chloramphenicol Degradation and Hydrogen Production

© In this study, we showed that doping bismuth (Bi) at the surface of Fe0 (Bi/Fe0, bimetallic iron system) - synthesized by a simple borohydride reduction method - can considerably accelerate the reductive degradation of chloramphenicol (CHP). At a reaction time of 12 min, 62, 68, 74, 95, and 82% degradation of CHP was achieved with Fe0, Bi/Fe0-1 [1% (w/w) of Bi], Bi/Fe0-3 [3% (w/w) of Bi], Bi/Fe0-5 [5% (w/w) of Bi], and Bi/Fe0-8 [8% (w/w) of Bi], respectively. Further improvements in the degradation efficiency of CHP were observed by combining the peroxymonosulfate (HSO5-) with Bi/Fe0-5 (i.e., 81% by Bi/Fe0-5 and 98% by the Bi/Fe0-5/HSO5- system at 8 min of treatment). Interestingly, both Fe0 and Bi/Fe0-5 showed effective H2 production under dark conditions that reached 544 and 712 μM by Fe0 and Bi/Fe0-5, respectively, in 70 mL of aqueous solution containing 0.07 g (i.e., at 1 g L-1 concentration) of the catalyst at ambient temperature