Optimization of electrocoagulation process for treatment of rice mill effluent using response surface methodology

The present work explores the impact of electro coagulation (EC) method on the treatment of waste from rice mill industries using two different electrode materials (Iron (Fe) and Aluminum (Al)). The influence of different parameters such as inter-electrode distance (4-7 cm), effluent pH (6-8), current density (10-30 mA/cm2) and treatment time (20-40 min) on the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS) and total soluble solids (TSS) of rice mill effluent (RME) was evaluated through batch experimental runs using BoxBehnken design. Results reveal that the percentage removal of COD, TDS and TSS increased up to an interelectrode distance of 6 cm, pH of 7, current density of 20 mA/cm2 and treatment time of 30 min and then decreased for both electrodes. In addition, mathematical models were developed for both electrodes in order to predict the experimental data. A numerical optimization method was applied to find out the optimal operating parameters to treat RME, and the percentage removal of COD, TDS and TSS was found to be 94.79, 96.62 and 88.76 %, using the Al electrode, as well as 76.63, 78.51 and 72.03 %, for the Fe electrode, respectively. The comparison of the results attained demonstrate that the Al electrode is more suitable to treat RME than Fe using EC method

Recent advancements in the applications of carbon nanodots:Exploring the rising star of nanotechnology

Nanoparticles possess fascinating properties and applications, and there has been increasing critical consideration of their use. Because carbon is a component with immaterial cytotoxicity and extensive biocompatibility with different components, carbon nanomaterials have a wide scope of potential uses. Carbon nanodots are a type of carbon nanoparticle that is increasingly being researched because of their astounding properties such as extraordinary luminescence, simplicity of amalgamation and surface functionalization, and biocompatibility. Because of these properties, carbon nanodots can be used as material sensors, as indicators in fluorescent tests, and as nanomaterials for biomedical applications. In this review, we report on the ongoing and noteworthy utilization of carbon quantum dots such as bioimaging tests and photocatalytic applications. In addition, the extension and future components of these materials, which can be investigated for new potential applications, are discussed

Biocidal activity of ZnO NPs against pathogens and antioxidant activity - a greener approach by Citrus hystrix leaf extract as bio-reductant

Leaf extract-mediated bio-synthesis of nanoparticles has received significant attention due to low cost, feasibility, and lack of harmful solvents or toxic inorganic reducing agents. The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited crystallite size of 17 nm, hexagonal phased wurtzite structure with the corresponding Eg value of 3.2 eV. X-Ray Diffraction and UV-DRS results imply typical ZnO NPs structural formation with slightly heightened band gap energy. Functional group, especially Zn-O bond vibrations at 880 and 432 cm−1 are identified with aid of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) operating in-between 4000 and 400 cm−1 respectively. Results of FESEM and HR-TEM declare spherical shaped, bush-like morphology with particle sized 26–69 \ub1 0.5 nm. The EDX spectrum results convey the mass percentage of Zn as 70.43% and O as 14.19%. SAED pattern of ZnO NPs demonstrates good crystalline high intense lattice planes (101) with an interplanar spacing of 0.36 nm are, well consistent with obtained XRD results. The results showed Citrus hystrix leaf extract mediated ZnO NPs deliver prominent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. ZnO NPs also possess a good antioxidant activity. An excellent IC50 value of 133.9 μg/ml is obtained for the synthesized ZnO NPs

Overview of the anticancer activity of withaferin A, an active constituent of the Indian ginseng Withania somnifera

International audienceCancer is still considered a “hopeless case”, besides all of the advancements in oncology research. On the other hand, the naturalproducts, as effective lead molecules, have gained significant interest for research due to the absence of toxic and harmful sideeffects usually associated with conventional treatment methods. Medicinal properties of herbal plants are strongly evidenced intraditionalmedicine fromancient times. In the context above, withaferin A (WA) was identified as the active principle of the plantWithania somnifera, its molecule being reported to have excellent anticancer and tumour inhibition activities in various cell lines.Furthermore, the in silico approaches in the medicinal chemistry ofWA revealed the biological targets and gave momentum forthe research that leads to many amazing pharmacological activities of WA which are not yet explored. This includes a broadspectrum of anticancer actionsmanifested in different organs (breast, pancreas, colon), melanoma and B cell lymphoma, etc. Thisreview is an extensive survey of the most recent anticancer studies reported for WA, along with its mechanism of action anddetails about its in vitro and/or in vivo behaviour