Silver nanomaterials for wound dressing applications.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become very attractive for the scientific community due to their broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field. The main advantages of AgNPs include a simple method of synthesis, a simple way to change their morphology and high surface area to volume ratio. Much research has been carried out over the years to evaluate their possible effectivity against microbial organisms. The most important factors which influence the effectivity of AgNPs against microorganisms are the method of their preparation and the type of application. When incorporated into fabric wound dressings and other textiles, AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and inhibited biofilm formation. In this review, the different routes of synthesizing AgNPs with controlled size and geometry including chemical, green, irradiation and thermal synthesis, as well as the different types of application of AgNPs for wound dressings such as membrane immobilization, topical application, preparation of nanofibers and hydrogels, and the mechanism behind their antimicrobial activity, have been discussed elaborately

NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED COSMECEUTICALS: A REVIEW

Nanotechnology signifies the evolving area of research and development, concerned in delivering innovative solutions to increase the efficacy of a product. In recent times, application of nanotechnology is rising in the arena of cosmeceuticals and seems to be promising in overcoming certain drawbacks associated with the traditional products. The nanotechnology-based delivery techniques have proved to offer advantages of greater stability, higher efficacy and have also been reported to show prolonged effects. Nanoparticles are also proficient in modifying the flux, targeting the drug to the location, tailoring the size of drug and in making the stratum corneum permeable in a selective manner. The rapid evolution of nanotechnology has given rise to great aspirations; however there are certain concerns still, regarding the possible hazards of nanoparticles to the human health, which could be neglected because of their less significant toxicity. This review gives a brief overview of the various novel nano-carriers for cosmeceuticals like nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles(SLNs), dendrimers, inorganic nanoparticles, nanocrystals, etc. Safety of nanoparticles use and also the different routes of exposure to the nanoparticles have been discussed here. Keywords: Cosmeceutical, Nanotechnology, Stratum corneum, Nano-carrier, Hazard

Not Available

Not AvailableSearching rice cultivars or variety with good processing and high in important essential nutrients are prime important in the present context of rice research. The north eastern hill region of India which is a mega biodiversity hot spot of the world has numerous cultivars of rice with tremendous potential of high quality rice. Eighteen indigenous cultivars of Tripura, a north eastern hill state of India were subjected to the study. Majority of the cultivars were of short bold grain type. Eleven cultivars were aromatic type with one cultivar of strong aroma comparable to Basmati rice. Eleven cultivars were found to possess higher hulling percentage more than 65% and six cultivars with more than 65% out turn. Majority of the cultivars had low amylose contents (<20%). Four cultivars were having higher total crude protein (>10%), six cultivars were having higher iron contents (>10ppm). In most of the characters, heritability (h2) was more than the genetic advance indicating more of environmental effect. Amylose, crude fibre and iron, genetic advance was high; selection for these traits will improve the genotypic value of selected plants over the parents. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found in iron and amylose. The association of crude protein is significant but negative with carbohydrates and amylose, while with crude fat and zinc, the association is significant and positive. Carbohydrate was significantly and positively correlated with ash percent and iron concentration and negatively associated with total fat. There was no significant correlation between carbohydrate and amylose.Not Availabl