Polylactic acid/tapioca starch/banana peel-based material for colorimetric and electrochemical biosensing applications.

The rapidly growing electronic and plastic waste has become a global environmental concern. Developing advanced and environmentally safe agro-based materials is an emerging field with an enormous potential for applications in sensors and devices. Here, an agro-based material as membrane has been developed by incorporating tapioca starch and banana peel powder in polylactic acid, with uniform dispersibility and amorphous nature. The material was used for the development of electrochemical sensor for S-gene of SARS-CoV-2. Further, the membrane was used for the development of a non-invasive, colorimetric skin patch for the detection of glucose and a sensor for the assessment of fruit juice quality. Using OECD-recommended model systems, the developed membrane was found to be non-toxic towards aquatic and terrestrial non-target organisms. The developed conductive material opens new avenues in various electrochemical, analytical, and biological applications.

A review on the effect of micro- and nano-plastics pollution on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance

The recent upsurge in the studies on micro/nano plastics and antimicrobial resistance genes has proven their deleterious effects on the environmental and human health. Till-date, there is a scarcity of studies on the interactions of these two factors and their combined influence. The interaction of microplastics has led to the formation of new plastics namely plastiglomerates, pyroplastics. and anthropoquinas. It has long been ignored that the occurrence of microplastics has become a breeding ground for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Evidently microplastics are also associated with the occurrence of other pollutants such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides. The increased use of antibiotics (after Covid breakout) has further elevated the detrimental effects on human health. Therefore, this study highlights the relation of microplastics with antibiotic resistance generation. The factors such as uncontrolled use of antibiotics and negligent plastic consumption has been evaluated. Furthermore, the future research prospective was provided that can be helpful in correctly identifying the seriousness of the environmental occurrence of these pollutants.