Perspectives on the Emerging Applications of Multifaceted Biomedical Polymeric Nanomaterials

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanomaterials, serving as biomedical devices have garnered significant attention as a promising solution to therapeutic management of many chronic diseases. Despite their potentials, majority of the synthetic nanomaterials used in biomedical applications lack crucial properties, for example, ligand binding sites, responsiveness, and switchability to efficiently deliver intended drugs to the target site. Advancements in manipulating nanoscale geometry have incurred the incorporation of triggered release mechanism within the nanomaterials design. This expanded their potential applications beyond nanocarriers to theranostics exhibiting both tandem drug delivery and diagnostic capabilities. Additionally, it highlights possibilities to design nanomaterials that could translate chemical response(s) to photometric display, thus making affordable biosensors and actuators readily available for biomedical exploitation. It is anticipated that, in the near future, these implementations could be made to access some of the most difficult therapy locations, for example, blood brain barrier to provide efficient management of Alzheimer, Huntington, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to serve as a reference platform by providing the readers with the overview of the recent advancements and cutting-edge techniques employed in the production and instrumentation of such nanomaterials

Fishmeal replacement with Spirulina Platensis and Chlorella vulgaris in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diet: Effect on antioxidant enzyme activities and haematological parameters

This study explored fishmeal replacement with two freshwater microalgae: Spirulina Platensis and Chlorella vulgaris in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diet. The effect of inclusion of the two microalgae on biomarkers of oxidative stress, haematological parameters, enzyme activities and growth performance were investigated. The juvenile fish were given 3 distinct treatments with isonitrogenous (35.01–36.57%) and isoenergetic (417.24–422.27 Kcal 100 g−1) diets containing 50% S. platensis (50SP), 75% S. platensis (75SP), 50% C. vulgaris (50CL), 75% C. vulgaris (75CL) and 100% fishmeal (100% FM) was used as the control diet. The result shows that all the diets substituted with both S. platensis, and C. vulgaris boosted the growth performance based on specific growth rate (SGR) and body weight gain (BDWG) when compared with the control diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly influenced by all the supplementations. The haematological analysis of the fish shows a significant increase in the value of red and white blood cells upon supplementation with 50SP and 50CL but decrease slightly when increased to 75SP and 75CL. Furthermore, the value of haematocrit and haemoglobin also increased upon supplementation with 50SP and 50CL but decrease slightly when increased to 75SP and 75CL. The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) increased, while total cholesterol (TCL), and Plasma glucose levels decreased significantly upon supplementation of algae. This is a clear indication that S. platensis and C. vulgaris are a promising replacement for fishmeal, which is a source protein in the C. gariepinus diet

Phytochemical evaluation and acute oral toxicity of crude methanol extract of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer in laboratory mice (Mus musculus)

This research aimed to evaluate the phytochemical components of the crude methanol extract (CME) of Pleurotus tuber-regium and its acute toxicity in mice, Mus musculus. Before being filtered and evaporated, the crushed mushroom was macerated in 70% methanol for 72 hours. The phytochemical screening and acute oral toxicity were carried out using standard procedures. The CME consists of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and terpenoids. When given orally, the LD50 was shown to be greater than 5000 mg/kg with no outward symptoms of toxicity. Haematology showed a significant (p 0.05) difference in serum albumin and total protein. In conclusion, 5000 mg/kg of extract had a significant influence on the hematological and biochemical profiles of mice but didn’t cause irreparable liver and kidney damage

Decolourisation of textile wastewater and bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cell by Lysinibacillus Fusiformis ZB2

One of the major priorities of developing countries worldwide is wastewater treatment and renewable energy production. Contamination resulting from industrial activities such as azo dyes from textile industries is a major concern. Conventional methods used in azo dye removal are costly and ineffective. In view of this, bioremediation is considered to be a good alternative where the microorganisms acclimatised to the toxic environment in the waste by degrading the pollutants. This study employs the potential of a bacterial strain Lysinibacillus fusiformis ZB2 previously isolated from textile industrial effluent and fully sequenced to decolourise azo dye and generate electricity from the decolourisation of textile wastewater in a two component mediator and mediator-less Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). Effluent in the anode compartment was analysed for COD, colour, pH, OD600 nm and toxicity. Acid orange 7 (AO7) was the model dye and decolourisation was performed under a broad range of environmental conditions. The optimum pH, temperature and inoculum size were 5 – 8 pH units, 37 °C and 10 % respectively. Decolourisation was better under static (88 %) than agitated condition. At dye concentration above 200 mg/L growth and decolourisation decreases. Yeast extract was found to be a good co-substrate for decolourisation than glucose. AO7 decolourisation was confirmed by the presence of sulphanilic acid in the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) peaks. Treatment of textile wastewater was better in the mediator –less MFC. The maximum voltage, power and current density generated in the mediator MFC are 0.677 V, 51.17 mW/m2 and 68.14 mA/m2. The bacteria also reduce the toxicity of the wastewater by 37 %. ANOVA test between control and sample was 99.9% significant at (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the bacteria have a good potential to treat textile wastewater however electricity generation was achieved only in the presence of a mediato

Amphiphilic Biopolyester‐Carbon Nanotube Anode Enhances Electrochemical Activities of Microbial Fuel Cell

Hydrophobic bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates were rendered amphiphilic by grafting with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, followed by compositing with carbon nanotubes. The polymer graft composite as an anode material encouraged superior biofilm surface growth; thus enhancing electrochemical activities in microbial fuel cells and resulting in higher current and power densities. The internal resistance of the cell was greatly reduced due to improved electron transfer from the biofilm to the anode