Enhancement in antimicrobial efficacy and biodegradation of natural rubber latex through graphene oxide/nickel oxide nanoparticles.

This work aims to fabricate antibacterial natural rubber latex composites by introducing different ratios of graphene oxide (GO) and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles. The nanocomposites were prepared using latex mixing and a two-roll mill process, followed by molding with a heating hydraulic press. Detailed analyses were conducted to evaluate the rheological, chemical, physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance of the composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to analyze the interaction among different components, while the surface morphology was examined through the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) technique. The composites with a loading ratio of 1:2 of GO to NiO (optimized concentration) exhibited the highest tensile strength (24.9 MPa) and tear strength (47.4 N/ mm) among all the tested samples. In addition, the composites demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The thermal stability of the composites was observed up to 315 °C, and their electrical resistivity lies in the insulating range across a temperature span of 25 °C to 50 °C. The research uncovers critical insights into advancing composite materials suitable for diverse applications, featuring inherent antibacterial attributes, robust mechanical properties, resilience to solvent, UV shielding properties, and controlled electrical resistivity capabilities.

Enhancement of bacterial cellulose production by ethanol and lactic acid by using Gluconacetobacter kombuchae.

The current study intended to analyze the impact of ethanol and lactic acid on the bacterial cellulose yield as well as physicochemical and mechanical properties, by using Gluconacetobacter kombuchae. The optimization of ethanol and lactic acid concentration has been done by using one-way ANOVA. Both the supplements significantly enhance the yield of bacterial cellulose (BC) as compared to the standard Hestrin-Schramm medium (control). Optimization leads to significant increase in BC yield as compared to the control, i.e., the addition, of optimized concentration of lactic acid (0.6%) increases the yield from (0.78 ± 0.026) g to (4.89 ± 0.020) g dry weight, and optimized concentration of ethanol (1%) increases the yield from (0.73 ± 0.057) g to (3.7 ± 0.01) g dry weight. Various physicochemical and mechanical properties of BC films produced in different media (i.e., HS, HS + Ethanol, and HS + Lactic acid), such as the crystallinity, structure, tensile strength, strain at break, Young's modulus, and water holding capacity, were also examined, by employing various techniques such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, etc. BC produced in medium supplemented with the optimum concentration of both the additives were found to possesses higher porosity. Though, slight decline in crystallinity was observed. But the tensile strength and strain at break, were upgraded 1.5-2.5 times, 2-2.5 times, respectively. This article attempted to present a method for enhancing BC yields and characteristics that may lead to more widespread and cost-effective use of this biopolymer.

Multifunctional chromone-incorporated poly(hydroxybutyrate) luminescent film for active and intelligent food packaging.

The major objective of present work was to fabricate poly(hydroxybutyrate) based luminescent films for genuine food packaging applications. These films were synthesized by incorporating varying Chromone (CH) concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) into poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) matrix through solvent-casting. Different characteristics of prepared films were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Mechanical testing, and Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL). UV-blocking properties and water vapor permeation were also examined. FTIR spectra indicated the occurrence of hydrogen bonding between PHB and CH. Among all prepared film samples, PHB/CH15 showed maximum tensile strength (22.5 MPa) with enhanced barrier ability against water vapor and UV rays, thermal stability, and luminescent performance. After overall analysis, PHB/CH15 film was selected to investigate its X-ray diffraction, release behavior, DPPH scavenging, and antimicrobial potential. Release kinetics revealed that the cumulative release percentage of CH was higher in fatty acid stimulant. Moreover, results suggested that this film demonstrated antioxidant activity (>55 %) and superior antimicrobial potential against Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, packaging of bread samples using PHB/CH15 film demonstrated the complete inhibition of microbial growth in bread up to 10 days of storage and ensure the safety of genuine food products.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of dihydroindeno and indeno [1,2-e] [1,2,4]triazolo [3,4-b] [1,3,4]thiadiazines as antimicrobial agents.

Two series of compounds namely, dihydroindeno and indeno [1,2-e] [1,2,4]triazolo [3,4-b] [1,3,4]thiadizines (9a-l & 11a-l) were synthesized by cyclocondensation between α-bromoindanones (7a-b) or/and α,α-dibromoindanones (8a-b) and various 3-alkyl/aryl-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-s-triazoles (3a-f) in methanol with an aim to explore their effect on in vitro growth of microorganism causing microbial infection. In vitro antibacterial activity was performed against four strains namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against three fungal strains namely, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium species. Of all the compounds screened for activity some of the compounds were associated with considerably higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than commercial antibiotics.

Synthesis of new pyrazolyl-2, 4-thiazolidinediones as antibacterial and antifungal agents.

BACKGROUND: Thiazolidine-2, 4-diones (TZDs) have become a pharmacologically important class of heterocyclic compounds since their introduction in the form of glitazones into the clinical use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. TZDs lower the plasma glucose levels by acting as ligands for gamma peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors. In addition, this class of heterocyclic compounds possesses various other biological activities such as antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, insecticidal, etc. TZDs are also known for lowering the blood pressure thereby reducing the chances of heart failure and micro-albuminuria in the patients with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: We have described herein the synthesis of three series of compounds, namely, ethyl 2-((Z)-5-((3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2, 4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetates (4), methyl 2-((Z)-5-((3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2, 4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetates (5), and 2-((Z)-5-((3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2, 4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acids (6). The compounds 4 and 5 were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation between 3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes (1) and ethyl/methyl 2-(2, 4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetates (3, 2) in alcohol using piperidine as a catalyst. The resultant compounds 4 and 5 having ester functionality were subjected to acidic hydrolysis to obtain 6. All the new compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity. CONCLUSIONS: Knoevenagel condensation approach has offered an easy access to new compounds 4-6. Antimicrobial evaluation of the compounds has shown that some of the compounds are associated with remarkable antifungal activity. In case of antibacterial activity, these were found to be effective against Gram-positive bacteria. However, none of the compounds were found to be effective against Gram-negative bacteria.