Phytofabrication of silver nanoparticles by using aquatic plant Hydrilla verticilata

Sable N, Gaikwad S, Bonde S, Gade A, Rai M. 2012. Phytofabrication of silver nanoparticles by using aquatic plant Hydrilla verticilata. Nusantara Bioscience 4: 45-49. In the context of current drive to developed new green technology in nanomaterials, synthesis of nanoparticles is of considerable importance. There has been considerable work done in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology during the last decade due to the introduction of various protocols for the synthesis of nanoparticles by using plants and microorganisms. Here we firstly report the extracellular phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using aquatic plants Hydrilla verticilata. The characterization of the phytosynthesized Ag-NPs was done with the help of UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Zeta potential and SEM. The SEM micrograph revealed the synthesis of polydispersed spherical nanoparticles, with the average size of 65.55 nm. The phytofabricated Ag-NPs can be used in the field of medicine and agriculture, due to their antimicrobial potential

Biogenic silver nanoparticles: What we know and what do we need to know?

Nanobiotechnology is considered to be one of the fastest emerging fields. It is still a relatively new and exciting area of research with considerable potential for development. Among the inorganic nanomaterials, biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) have been frequently used due to their unique physicochemical properties that result not only from their shape and size but also from surface coatings of natural origin. These properties determine antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and many more activities of bio-AgNPs. This review provides the current state of knowledge on the methods and mechanisms of biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles as well as their potential applications in different fields such as medicine, food, agriculture, and industries.Web of Science1111art. no. 290

Nanotechnology as a Shield against COVID-19: Current Advancement and Limitations

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health problem that the WHO declared a pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide lockdown and threatened to topple the global economy. The mortality of COVID-19 is comparatively low compared with previous SARS outbreaks, but the rate of spread of the disease and its morbidity is alarming. This virus can be transmitted human-to-human through droplets and close contact, and people of all ages are susceptible to this virus. With the advancements in nanotechnology, their remarkable properties, including their ability to amplify signal, can be used for the development of nanobiosensors and nanoimaging techniques that can be used for early-stage detection along with other diagnostic tools. Nano-based protection equipment and disinfecting agents can provide much-needed protection against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, nanoparticles can serve as a carrier for antigens or as an adjuvant, thereby making way for the development of a new generation of vaccines. The present review elaborates the role of nanotechnology-based tactics used for the detection, diagnosis, protection, and treatment of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus

Lawsonia Inermis-mediated Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles: Activity Against Human Pathogenic Fungi And Bacteria With Special Reference To Formulation Of An Antimicrobial Nanogel.

Lawsonia inermis mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and its efficacy against Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, Propioniabacterium acne and Trichophyton mentagrophytes is reported. A two-step mechanism has been proposed for bioreduction and formation of an intermediate complex leading to the synthesis of capped nanoparticles was developed. In addition, antimicrobial gel for M. canis and T. mentagrophytes was also formulated. Ag-NPs were synthesized by challenging the leaft extract of L. inermis with 1 mM AgNO₃. The Ag-NPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking and analysis sytem (NTA) and zeta potential was measured to detect the size of Ag-NPs. The antimicrobial activity of Ag-NPs was evaluated by disc diffusion method against the test organisms. Thus these Ag-NPs may prove as a better candidate drug due to their biogenic nature. Moreover, Ag-NPs may be an answer to the drug-resistant microorganisms.8172-

Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials Produced from <em>Aspergillus</em> Species

There is a great demand for green methods of synthesis of nanoparticles. Fungi play an important role in the synthesis of nanoparticles, of which Aspergillus spp. are known to secrete different enzymes responsible for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The process of biosynthesis of nanoparticles is simple, rapid, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and easy to synthesize at ambient temperature and pressure. Mostly, the metal nanoparticles such as silver, gold, lead and the oxides of titanium, zinc, and copper are synthesized from Aspergillus spp. These include mainly Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. terreus, and A. clavatus. The fabrication of different nanoparticles is extracellular. In the present chapter, we have discussed the role of different species of Aspergillus, mechanism of biogenic synthesis particularly enzymes involved in the reduction of metal ions into nanoparticles. The biogenically synthesized nanoparticles have demonstrated several biomedicals, agricultural, and engineering applications. The biogenic nanoparticles are mostly used as antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents. Their use as fungicidal agents is important for sustainable agriculture

COMPARISON OF CARPASTRETCH® WITH SPLINT IN NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED OPEN LABEL STUDY

Background: The present study was conducted with an aim to compare the efficacy and safety of CarpaStretch® relative to wrist splinting in patients with CTS. Objective: To examine the effect of using CarpaStretch®, a novel dynamic splint for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Methods: The efficacy and safety of CarpaStretch® was compared with conventional splints in a prospective 6-month trial with a follow-up at 12 months. 30 subjects with confirmed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome were enrolled in each group. Nerve conduction tests, wrist MRI, provocation tests and patient satisfaction questionnaires were assessed in the study. Results: At the end of 6 months, there were significant increases in sensory nerve conduction velocity in both intervention and control groups, and the difference between groups were not significant. A higher proportion of subjects using CarpaStretch® showed improvement in severity grade relative to control at 6 months. Small but clinically meaningful increases were seen in carpal tunnel dimensions in the CarpaStretch® group. There was a greater reduction in the incidence of paraesthesia and increase in the time of paraesthesia in the CarpaStretch® group. No adverse effects were reported in either group, but 4 subjects in the control group opted for surgery. Conclusion: CarpaStretch® can be used for effective non-surgical management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Fusarium as a Novel Fungus for the Synthesis of Nanoparticles: Mechanism and Applications

Nanotechnology is a new and developing branch that has revolutionized the world by its applications in various fields including medicine and agriculture. In nanotechnology, nanoparticles play an important role in diagnostics, drug delivery, and therapy. The synthesis of nanoparticles by fungi is a novel, cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. Among fungi, Fusarium spp. play an important role in the synthesis of nanoparticles and can be considered as a nanofactory for the fabrication of nanoparticles. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Fusarium, its mechanism and applications are discussed in this review. The synthesis of nanoparticles from Fusarium is the biogenic and green approach. Fusaria are found to be a versatile biological system with the ability to synthesize nanoparticles extracellularly. Different species of Fusaria have the potential to synthesise nanoparticles. Among these, F. oxysporum has demonstrated a high potential for the synthesis of AgNPs. It is hypothesised that NADH-dependent nitrate reductase enzyme secreted by F. oxysporum is responsible for the reduction of aqueous silver ions into AgNPs. The toxicity of nanoparticles depends upon the shape, size, surface charge, and the concentration used. The nanoparticles synthesised by different species of Fusaria can be used in medicine and agriculture