Nanosensors for Environmental Applications

International audienceThis book provides a comprehensive overview on the most important types of nanosensor platforms explored and developed in the recent years for efficient detection of environmental/clinical analytes. The chapters cover basic aspects of functioning principles and describe the technologies and challenges of present and future pesticide, metal ions, toxic gases analytical sensing approaches and environmental sensors. Nanosensors are nanoscale miniature devices used for sensing of analyte in ultra-low range. These have gained considerable interest in environmental applications such as environmental chemistry and functionalization approaches, environmental engineering, sustainability, green technology for sensing, environmental health monitoring, pesticide detection, metal and ions detection using electrochemical and wireless sensor

Recent Progress on Modified Gum Katira Polysaccharides and Their Various Potential Applications

Gum katira polysaccharide is biocompatible and non-toxic, and has antioxidant, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory properties. It is a natural polysaccharide and exudate derived from the stem bark of Cochlospermum reliogosum Linn. Additionally, it has many traditional medicinal uses as a sedative and for the treatment of jaundice, gonorrhea, syphilis, and stomach ailments. This article provides an overview of gum katira, including its extraction, separation, purification, and physiochemical properties and details of its characterization and pharmacognostic features. This paper takes an in-depth look at the synthetic methods used to modify gum katira, such as carboxymethylation and grafting triggered by free radicals. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of its industrial and phytopharmacological applications for drug delivery and heavy metal and dye removal, its biological activities, its use in food, and the potential use of gum katira derivatives and their industrial applications. We believe researchers will find this paper useful for developing techniques to modify gum katira polysaccharides to meet future demands

Study of Factors Governing Oil–Water Separation Process Using TiO 2

Surfaces which possess extraordinary water attraction or repellency depend on surface energy, surface chemistry, and nano- and microscale surface roughness. Synergistic superhydrophilic-underwater superoleophobic surfaces were fabricated by spray deposition of nanostructured TiO[subscript 2] on stainless steel mesh substrates. The coated meshes were then used to study gravity driven oil–water separation, where only the water from the oil–water mixture is allowed to permeate through the mesh. Oil–water separation efficiencies of up to 99% could be achieved through the coated mesh of pore sizes 50 and 100 μm, compared to no separation at all, that was observed in the case of uncoated meshes of the same material and pore sizes. An adsorbed water on the TiO[subscript 2] coated surface, formation of a water-film between the wires that form the mesh and the underwater superoleophobicity of the structured surface are the key factors that contribute to the enhanced efficiency observed in oil–water separation. The nature of the oil–water separation process using this coated mesh (in which the mesh allows water to pass through the porous structure but resists wetting by the oil phase) minimizes the fouling of mesh so that the need for frequent replacement of the separating medium is reduced. The fabrication approach presented here can be applied for coating large surface areas and to develop a large-scale oil–water separation facility for oil-field applications and petroleum industries.Center of Excellence for Scientific Collaboration at MIT and KFUPM (Project MIT11109)Center of Excellence for Scientific Collaboration at MIT and KFUPM (Project MIT11110)King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Physics Departmen

Endophytic animations to blossom sub-Saharan agriculture

Published online: 24 Jan 2020Sub-Saharan regions are exceptional ecosystems in which crop plants suffer from dual impairment of low soil fertility and gate crasher phytopathogens. Worldwide common practice of intensive agriculture with the use of agrochemical inputs is ground lacking truth for the small holder farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that are entirely committed on agriculture for their livelihoods. Considering economically and feasibility terms of food security for small holder farmers, an urgent switching on alternative is a compulsion. From decades, endophytic microbiome has been linked to host for improved production and maintenance of plant health. These novel microbial troops inhabit plant tissues, thus receive shelter and more access to nutrients. With these supplementary benefits endophytes are more superior as compared to another microbiota. In present review we focused the hardball played by endophytes and their mechanisms in plant growth and development. We also depict the endophytic significance in overcoming the issues of food security in the crops that economically sound and ensure long-term sustainability for the small holder farmers of SSA