Improving the Antimicrobial Activity of Bagasse Packaging Paper using Organophosphorus Dimers

The antimicrobial properties of bagasse paper sheets coated with natural polymers (chitosan, different ratios of (gelatin/glycerol) + chitosan, hemicellulose, hemicellulose + glycerol, hemicellulose+chitosan) or synthetic organophosphorus dimer compounds were evaluated in this work. Hemicelluloses showed moderate activity against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, while chitosan showed weak activity against B. subtilis. The condition that offered the highest inhibitory activity of bagasse paper was the one coated with 1,3-diaryl-2,2,2,4,4,4-hexachlorocyclodiphosph(V)azane (where aryl is p-chloroaniline or p-anisidine). The developed bagasse papers were evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. The highest inhibitory activity was obtained at a concentration of 200 mg/mL for p-chloroaniline with an inhibition zone that varied for different microbes from 6.9 mm to 26 mm. The highest inhibitory activity was obtained at 300–250 mg/mL for p-anisidine against most of the pathogenic microorganisms with an inhibition zone that varied for different microbes from 8 mm to 14.75 mm. The observed antimicrobial and antifungal activity properties for bagasse paper coated with 1,3-diaryl 2,2,2,4,4,4-hexachlorocyclodiphosph(V)azane could be attributed to the presence of Cl, P atoms, and the lone pair of electrons on N atoms in the structure of the dimers

The mechanism of action of Spirulina as antidiabetic: a narrative review

Spirulina happens to be a special type of blue-green algae that originally emerged 3.5 billion years ago and was used as a source of nutrition. Spirulina gets its name from the filaments’ spiral or helical structure, but its true name is taxonomically Genus Arthrospira which encompasses several species. The most common species are S. fusiformis, S. maxima, and S. platensis. It is rich in various nutrients and chemical components including protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, pigments, chlorophyll, and enzymes. Spirulina’s active molecules and rich nutrients make it have several pharmacological activities and uses including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, immune system booster, anticancer, antiviral activity, and neuroprotective properties. It is also utilized as a nutritional supplement and for weight loss. Moreover, several studies confirm that Spirulina improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose levels in rat models as well as diabetic patients. The reason behind this unique behavior could be credited to the presence of several active components in it, but the action’s fundamental mechanism is still a matter of debate. Several studies have suggested different mechanisms including anti-inflammatory activity, increased insulin sensitivity, inhibition of gluconeogenesis, antioxidant activity, modulating gut microbiota composition, improved glucose homeostasis, and insulin receptor activation. Therefore, it became clear that Spirulina is a mine of active substances used as a nutritional supplement and reduces blood glucose levels or used in conjunction with other treatments to tackle type 2 diabetes. Further exploration is required to fully explain its effects on human physiology and determine optimal dosages for treatment

MOLLUSCICIDAL AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF Atriplex inflata AERIAL PARTS AGAINST THE MOLLUSK Galba truncatula, INTERMEDIATE HOST OF Fasciola hepatica

Fasciolosis is a widespread parasitosis of farm live-stock in many developing countries. For this reason, it is necessary to search for new substances against parasitic diseases caused by flukes. Indeed, a wide variety of terrestrial plants have been subjected to chemical and pharmacological screening in order to discover their potential for human medicinal use. The molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of Atriplex inflata were tested on Galba truncatula and Fasciola hepatica larval stages infecting this snail in Tunisia. Phytochemical tests were conducted on extracts in order to establish a meaningful relationship with molluscicidal and larvicidal activities. The molluscicidal activity was evaluated by subjecting snails to sample aqueous solutions. Accordingly, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and methanol-water (8:2, v-v) were used as extraction solvents. As a result, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed potent activity, according to the World Health Organization, giving LC50 = 7.59 mg/L and 6.69 mg/L for hexane extracts of leaves and fruits, respectively. Ethyl acetate extracts gave LC50 = 5.90 mg/L and 7.32 mg/L for leaves and fruits, successively. Molluscicidal activities of powders were less potent on snails, but active according to the World Health Organization. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from leaves and fruits gave potent larvicidal activities with a delay rate exceeding 45.50% (45.50- 98.92%). Phytochemical tests showed that these activities may be attributed to the presence of triterpenoids and/or sterols

Aminated hydroximoyl camelthorn residues as a novel adsorbent for extracting Hg(II) from contaminated water : studies of isotherm, kinetics, and mechanism

Camelthorn, a desert plant, has been utilized as an adsorbent material for the extraction of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution after grafting with acrylonitrile followed by amination with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in basic medium to obtain aminated hydroximoyl camelthorn (AHCT). AHCT were found to exhibit excellent adsorption capacity over a wide range of Hg(II) concentration. The surface functional groups and morphology of AHCT were determined. The influences of time (0–60 min), pH (2–6), and dose (0.3–8 g/L) were also evaluated. The adsorption data were analyzed using the Langmuit, Freundlich and Temkin tr models at 30 °C using nonlinear regression analysis. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of Hg(II) onto AHCT was 272.9 mg/g at an initial pH of 6 and a temperature of 30 °C and the Freundlich constants, KF and n, at 30 °C were found to be 25.47 mg/g and 3.2, respectively. The value of n (3.2), which being in the range 0–10 indicate that adsorption of Hg(II) ions onto AHCT is favorable. Various kinetics models including the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models have been applied to the experimental data to predict the adsorption kinetics. Kinetic study was carried out by varying initial concentration of Hg(II) at constant temperature and it was found that pseudo-second-order rate equation was better obeyed than pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion supporting that chemisorption process was involved. The examination of R2 values and error analysis method (ARE) showed that the Langmuir model provide the best fit to experimental data than other isotherms and follow the following order: Langmuir > Freundlich > Temkin. The results revealed that the AHCT-Hg(II) ions adsorption system was promoted by the high density of active sites and the adsorption process is independent of the adsorbent surface area. Consequently, AHCT residues can offer an effective method of Hg (II) ion removal from aqueous solutions, demonstrating its potential role in water remediation processes

Agricultural Residues (Wastes) for Manufacture of Paper, Board, and Miscellaneous Products: Background Overview and Future Prospects

An extensive background overview on the use of agricultural residues (wastes) for production of paper, board, binderless board, energy, different types of fuels by pyrolysis (solid, liquid and gaseous fuel), many petrochemicals substitutes, charcoal (active carbon), dissolving pulps and rayon. It includes both scientific and industrial data, case studies, current status, sustainability of paper and sugar industries, green nanotechnology, and future prospects. Keywords: Agricultural Residues (Wastes); Paper and Board manufacture; Sustainability of Paper and Sugar Industries; Green Nanotechnology; Future Prospects

Use of gadobenate dimeglumine dynamic MRI for detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma in atypical hepatic focal lesions

Aim: Gadobenate dimeglumine (multihance) is a contrast medium which can be used not only as an extracellular contrast agent for dynamic imaging of the liver, but also as a liver specific agent for the acquisition of hepatobiliary-phase images which are more helpful in evaluation of small atypical hepatic focal lesions equal or less than 3 cm. The authors tried to evaluate multihance dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a new modality in early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: Thirty cirrhotic patients with small hepatic focal lesions (less than 3 cm in diameter), detected by imaging (ultrasound and triphasic computed tomography) were subjected to dynamic MRI with multihance contrast. All patients had a liver biopsy stained with heat shock protein 70, glypican 3, and glutamine synthetase to confirm the diagnosis of HCC.Results: Eight out of 30 patients (26.6%) with atypical focal lesions proved to have HCC by histology, whereas 7 out of 8 histologically proven HCC patients (87.5%) were shown to have typical criteria on Multihance imaging.Conclusion: Multihance dynamic MRI is a promising diagnostic modality for detection of early HCC, however, future studies on large numbers of patients are warranted to precisely detect the sensitivity and specificity of this new modality

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from soils in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, and their efficacy against Spodoptera littoralis and Aedes aegypti larvae

Pest control in Saudi Arabia depends on applying chemical insecticides, which have many undesirable considerations and impacts on the environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate Bacillus thuringiensis from different rhizosphere soil samples in the Jazan region for the biological control of Spodoptera littoralis and Aedes aegypti larvae. The samples were collected from the rhizosphere of different plants located in eight agricultural areas in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Out of 100 bacterial isolates, four bacterial isolates belonging to Bacillus species were selected namely JZ1, JZ2, JZ3, and JZ4, and identified using classical bacteriological and molecular identification using 16S rRNA. JZ1 and JZ2 isolates were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis. SDS-PAGE analysis and the detection of the Cry1 gene were used to describe the two isolates JZ1 and JZ2 in comparison to Bacillus thuringiensis reference strain Kurstaki HD1 (BTSK) were revealed that slightly different from each other due to the place of their isolation and namely Khlab JZ1 and Ayash JZ2. The EC50 of JZ1 and JZ2 isolates, BTSK, and the commercial biopesticide DiPEL 6.4 DF against the second-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti were 207, 932, 400, and 500 ppm respectively, while EC50 against first-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis were 193.93, 589.7, 265.108, and 342.9, ppm respectively. Isolate JZ1 recorded the highest mortality while JZ2 isolate gave the lowest mortality. It can be concluded that the local isolate of JZ1 and JZ2 can be developed for bio formulations to be used in Spodoptera littoralis and Aedes aegypti biological control programs

Agricultural Residues (Wastes) for Manufacture of Paper, Board, and Miscellaneous Products: Background Overview and Future Prospects

An extensive background overview on the use of agricultural residues (wastes) for production of paper, board, binderless board, energy, different types of fuels by pyrolysis (solid, liquid and gaseous fuel), many petrochemicals substitutes, charcoal (activated carbon), dissolving pulps and rayon. It includes both scientific and industrial data, case studies, current status, sustainability of paper and sugar industries, green nanotechnology, and future prospects.<br>Keywords: Agricultural Residues (Wastes); Paper and Board manufacture; Sustainability of Paper and Sugar Industries; Green Nanotechnology; Future Prospects