Protein Enrichment Of Pycnoporus Sanguineus For Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis

Controlling sizes of nanomaterials are attracting a great deal of attention because of their unit properties for achieving specific processes especially in biological and medical applications. In this context, Ag which possesses good antimicrobial effects is of interest. A simple and effective approach for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by reduction mechanism of proteins synthesized by several species of white rot fungi was studied. Pycnoporus sanguineus was found to produce smallest Ag nanoparticles with degree of monodispersity. A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize a fermentation medium for the production of protein by the selected fungi. The four variables involved in the study were glucose, malt extract, yeast extract and pH. The optimized medium contained 8.39 gL-1, 18.34 gL-1, 14.71 gL-1 of yeast extract, glucose and malt extract respectively with initial pH 6.66; and produced the maximum protein at 0.858 gL-1. Kinetic growth of the fungi, glucose consumption and product formation of the tested fungus were also reported. It is showed that at initial glucose concentration of 20gL-1, Richard-modified logistic model (R2 =0.9839) for microbial growth, modified Gompertz model (R2 =0.9610) for product formation and first order non-growth associate (R2 =0.9736) for glucose consumption were fittd well with the experimental data. Sequential optimization strategy based on one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method and statistical experimental design were employed to optimize the process parameters for the enhancement of Ag nanoparticles synthesis. Based on the OFAT method, three significant factors influencing the size of Ag nanoparticles such as AgNO3 concentration, incubation temperature and agitation spee

Schizophyllum Commune As Nano-Factory For Biosynthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are the noble metal nanoparticles that are being studied extensively due to their antimicrobial properties[1]

Zebrafish as a Model Organism to Study Nanomaterial Toxicity

Recent developments in nanotechnology has increased the market value of nanoproducts in various industries. This has increased concerns associated with potential toxicity of nanoproducts to humans and the environments. Even though, green and biosynthesized nanoparticles are considered to be less toxic than chemically synthesized nanoparticles, they still possess some level of toxicity. Conventional toxicity assessments via human cells, live animals such as rat, frog or rabbit have several drawbacks including ethical issue and challenges involving the maintenance and development of cell cultures. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a transparent vertebrate fish that can reproduce rapidly. Its larvae develop in 5 days up to 3-5 cm long. It also possesses about 69% similar genetic profile, molecular mechanism, cell development and organ physiology as humans. Hence, it has the potential to be utilized as an alternative to humans or live animal models for initial drug screening and toxicity tests. European Union, USFDA and ICH have approved the use of zebrafish for toxicological evaluation of pharmaceutical products including nanomedicines. The article presents for the potential of zebrafish in preclinical evaluation of the toxicity of nanomaterials. It also discusses other potential applications, including medical imaging and environmental toxicity

Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of Magnetic Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Against Fusarium Oxysporum

Hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) have received much interest over the past decades because they have the potential to overcome the limits of single-component particles. This study proposes a hybrid magnetic magnesium oxide (m-MgO) NPs to combat the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum). The m-MgO NPs were synthesized via ultrasonic mediated sol-gel method. UV-visible spectrometry confirms the successful formation of m-MgO NPs. In addition, the magnetic activity of m-MgO NPs was illustrated through a preliminary magnetic activity study. A disc diffusion assay was carried out to determine the effectiveness of m-MgO NPs to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum. The results showed that the zone of inhibition was 7.58 ± 0.30 mm at 10 mg/mL, suggesting that the synthesized m-MgO NPs are an effective fungicide to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum

Preliminary Study of Glucose Removal Using Biosorbents from Ananas comosus Leaves

The usefulness of Ananas comosus (pineapple) is not limited its fruits. This study aims to explore the removal of glucose, which are present in clinical waste by pineapple leaf biosorbents derived through three pre-treatment methods. Particle size analysis showed the smallest particle were from the steam pre-treated biosorbents and largest particles were from the 5% alkali pre-treated biosorbents. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy showed that lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose remained unchanged in both the used and unused biosorbents. Despite the large particle size of the alkali pre-treated biosorbents, up to 70% of glucose was removed which might be due the improvement of the interfacial adhesion during the alkali treatment process

Perceived Nonwork Constraints and Withdrawal Intention among Expatriates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moderating Role of Resilience and Marital Status

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a considerable threat to the well-being of expatriates, which can be seriously exacerbated by both work- and nonwork-related factors. Since restrictions were introduced worldwide, expatriates find it more challenging to integrate into their organizations and local societies. This study mainly aimed to examine if resilience and marital status could affect the perceptions of nonwork constraints and withdrawal intentions among expatriates during the pandemic. Data collected from a sample of 205 expatriates living and working in Malaysia was analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The results showed the positive and direct effect of perceived nonwork constraints on withdrawal intention (β = .29, p = .30). Using the two-stage moderation analysis, the results indicated the significant moderating effect of marital status on the relationship between perceived nonwork constraints and withdrawal intention (β = -.14, p = .04). However, the results did not substantiate the moderating effect of resilience on the relationship between perceived nonwork constraints and withdrawal intention (β = .16, p = .07). This research contributes to behavioral science knowledge about global mobility by applying spillover theory and the conservation of resources theory in the context of a medical emergency like the COVID-19 crisis. Notwithstanding ongoing obstacles caused by the global pandemic, the research findings could provide implications for human resource practitioners to improve work behavior among expatriates by considering their nonwork aspects and marital status

Emerging technologies for conversion of sustainable macroalgal carrageenan biomass into L-lactic acid: A state-of-the-art review

The environmental awareness and concerns (plastic pollution) worldwide have driven the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly biopolymer derived from renewable materials. Biopolymers, especially L-lactic acid (L-LA) have played a crucial role in manufacturing polylactic acid, a biodegradable thermoplastic. Recently, L-LA production from non-edible macroalgal biomass has gained immense attraction due to it offers the simplest saccharification process for the biorefinery route. However, the commercialization of macroalgal-based L-LA is still limited due to high production costs. This paper has comprehensively reviewed the potential and development of third-generation feedstock for L-LA production, including significant technological barriers to be overcome for potential commercialization purposes. Then, an insight into the state-of-the-art hydrolysis and fermentation technologies using macroalgae as feedstock are also deliberated in detail. Furthermore, this review provides a conceivable picture of macroalgae-based L-LA biorefinery and future research directions that can be served as an important guideline for scientists, policymakers, and industrial players

Biodiesel Production Catalysed by Magnetic Palm Kernel Shell-Potassium Hydroxide

Biodiesel was prepared by transesterification process using heterogeneous catalyst has received a lot of interest lately as a sustainable source of biofuel. Hence, there is a need to study a generalized reaction kinetic model that can be used for all the reactions involved in biodiesel production. This study produces biodiesel by transesterifying palm oil using magnetic palm kernel shell-potassium hydroxide. The catalyst recorded a BET surface area of 47.72 m2/g. The maximum biodiesel yield, 95.78%, was obtained when reaction temperature and time were 55°C and 2 hours, respectively

Formulation of choline chloride/ascorbic acid natural deep eutectic solvent: Characterization, solubilization capacity and antioxidant property

In the present study, natural deep eutectic solvent composed of choline chloride and ascorbic acid (CHCL/AA NADES) was formulated for enhancing the solubility and antioxidant properties of antioxidant extracts from fruit wastes of Mangifera pajang. The solubilities of Mangifera pajang's antioxidant extracts in water and CHCL/AA NADES at different water contents (0–50 wt%) were investigated. It was observed that the antioxidant extracts were most soluble in the CHCL/AA NADES with 10 wt% of water, and the concentration of antioxidant was found to be approximately 15% and 4% as compared to water and pure CHCL/AA NADES, respectively. The positive effect of water on NADES can be related to the reduced viscosity of NADES, where the viscosity decreased up to 74% upon addition of water. Aside from that, all the tested CHCL/AA NADES enhanced the antioxidant capacity of antioxidant extracts by 1.3–14.64% compared to the antioxidant extracts in water. This finding highlights the role of CHCL/AA NADES as an antioxidant capacity enhancer. Noteworthy, the antioxidant extracts solubilized in the CHCL/AA NADES system formed a nano-scale cluster structure, as depicted by the TEM image, suggesting that the CHCL/AA NADES could potentially use in nanoformulation that provides protection to the antioxidant extracts

Women with endometriosis have higher comorbidities: Analysis of domestic data in Taiwan

AbstractEndometriosis, defined by the presence of viable extrauterine endometrial glands and stroma, can grow or bleed cyclically, and possesses characteristics including a destructive, invasive, and metastatic nature. Since endometriosis may result in pelvic inflammation, adhesion, chronic pain, and infertility, and can progress to biologically malignant tumors, it is a long-term major health issue in women of reproductive age. In this review, we analyze the Taiwan domestic research addressing associations between endometriosis and other diseases. Concerning malignant tumors, we identified four studies on the links between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, one on breast cancer, two on endometrial cancer, one on colorectal cancer, and one on other malignancies, as well as one on associations between endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome, one on links with migraine headache, three on links with pelvic inflammatory diseases, four on links with infertility, four on links with obesity, four on links with chronic liver disease, four on links with rheumatoid arthritis, four on links with chronic renal disease, five on links with diabetes mellitus, and five on links with cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.). The data available to date support that women with endometriosis might be at risk of some chronic illnesses and certain malignancies, although we consider the evidence for some comorbidities to be of low quality, for example, the association between colon cancer and adenomyosis/endometriosis. We still believe that the risk of comorbidity might be higher in women with endometriosis than that we supposed before. More research is needed to determine whether women with endometriosis are really at risk of these comorbidities