ASSESSMENT OF α- AMYLASE INHIBITORY ACTION OF SOME EDIBLE PLANT SOURCES

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major causes for various manifestations of diseases and clinical complications. Plants are good sources of medicinal compounds and some are traditionally used to control Diabetes mellitus. In this study, the anti-diabetic potential of some edible plants was assessed by α-amylase inhibition assay. Among the studied plants, the extracts of Amaranthus dubius and Alternanthera sessilis were found to possess better inhibition potential against α-amylase enzyme. Acarbose and metformin used as standards for reference showed 67% and 48% inhibition efficiency respectively at a concentration of 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL. The results of the study ascertain the use of plants in the control of Diabetes mellitus. The inhibitory action of α-amylase mediated through the synergistic action of the phytoconstituents in the plants, lowers the glycemic level, reducing the risks associated with a sudden increase in blood sugar. The results of the study demonstrate the successful use of in vitro models in screening the plant sources for anti-diabetic activity.Â

Synthesis, antibacterial activity and adsorption studies of Bentonite-iron nanoparticles in the removal of methyl blue dye

Green synthesis of bentonite-iron nanoparticles (Be-FeNPs) has been carried out using the leaf extract of Helicteres isora and its antibacterial and adsorption capacity for the removal of Methyl Blue (MB) dye have been also studied.T he prepared Be-FeNPs and iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) are characterized by UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopic techniques and SEM analysis. The antibacterial activity of Be-FeNPs show good zone of inhibition against E.coli and S.aureus. Further the prepared composite (Be-FeNPs) and bentonite are used as adsorbents for the removal of Methyl Blue (MB) dye in aqueous solution under various experiment parameters like initial concentration, contact time and pH. The optimum initial pH, adsorbent concentration and time were determined to be 8.1, 45°C, and 100 ppm, 80 min for MB adsorption on to Be-FeNPs. The experimental data for MB adsorption fits well to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The kinetic equations like Natarajan-Khalaf, Bhattacharya-Venkobachar and Lagergren equations were found to be applicable. The surface morphology of the Be-FeNPs before and after adsorption of dye revealed that it can be used as an excellent adsorbent for dye removal from dilute industrial effluents

Bactericidal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against human pathogenic bacteria

Green synthesis is an attractive and eco-friendly approach to generate potent antibacterial silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Such particles have long been used to fight bacteria and represent a promising tool to overcome the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, green synthesis of Ag-NPs was attempted using plant extracts of Aloe vera, Portulaca oleracea and Cynodon dactylon. The identity and size of Ag-NPs was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Monodispersed Ag-NPs were produced with a range of different sizes based on the plant extract used. The bactericidal activity of Ag-NPs against a number of human pathogenic bacteria was determined using the disc diffusion method. The results showed that Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram negative ones to these antibacterial agents. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the 96-well plate method. Finally, the mechanism by which Ag-NPs affect bacteria was investigated by SEM analysis. Bacteria treated with Ag-NPs were seen to undergo shrinkage and to lose their viability. This study provides evidence for a cheap and effective method for synthesizing potent bactericidal Ag-NPs and demonstrates their effectiveness against human pathogenic bacteria

Fabrication of Antimicrobial Perspiration Pads and Cotton Cloth Using Amaranthus dubius Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles prepared through a simplistic method using the aqueous extract of Amaranthus dubius were fabricated on perspiration pads and cotton cloth samples to obtain antibacterial textile materials by two different fabrication methods. The antibacterial activity was investigated against the bacteria Corynebacterium which is commonly present in sweat. Silver nanoparticles that serve as antibacterial agents, against pathogenic bacteria, have gained increased applications in medical devices, textile fabrics, and food industry and hence the result of this study would be a welcomed option

Eco-friendly synthesis of Graphene using the aqueous extract of Amaranthus dubius

An eco-friendly process of reduction of graphene oxide using aqueous extract of Amaranthus dubius under refluxing method is herein reported. The colour change of the graphene oxide (GO) solution from brown to black was noted during the reduction of graphene oxide. UV-Visible spectrophotometer was used to monitor the formation of reduced graphene oxide (AKRGO). The crystallite size of nanographene was confirmed by XRD analysis and Scherrer’s formula. FTIR spectral analysis revealed the reduction of graphene oxide using aqueous extract of Amaranthus dubius. The morphology of the synthesized graphene was examined by SEM analysis

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn.

Nanosilver was synthesized using the aqueous solution of solvent extracts of leaf and stem of Kedrostis foetidissima. Three different methods of formation of silver nanoparticles such as reaction at (i) room temperature, (ii) higher temperature, and (iii) sonication were employed in the present study. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, Scherrer’s formula, scanning electron microscopy, and FTIR analysis

Biosynthesis of Cubic Gold nanoparticles

Green leafy vegetable (Amaranthus dubius) was used as reductant and capping agent for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The nanogold synthesis was carried out under various conditions to evaluate the rate of reduction of gold ions. The formation of gold nanoparticles was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy. The shape of the nanogold was found to be spherical and the size was analyzed by XRD and SEM analysis. The FTIR measurements confirm that the protein molecule present in the extract aids the formation of gold nanoparticles. Hence green leafy vegetable mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles may find applications in nutraceuticals