Surfactant-modified titania for cadmium removal and textile effluent treatment together being environmentally safe for seed germination and growth of Vigna radiata.

The present work describes synthesis, detailed characterization, and application of bare and surfactant-modified titania nanomaterials (NMs) for various wastewater treatment applications as individual cases like cadmium (Cd) removal, methylene blue (MB) dye degradation, and treatment of real textile and dyeing industry effluent. These NMs are used as adsorbents and photocatalysts in an indegenously developed end-to-end treatment process and a photocatalytic reactor for treatment of textile wastewater. The used NMs are suitably filtered and recovered for reuse; however, still this work focusses on the extent of potential risk and environmental safety of these engineered NMs towards seed germination and plant growth, in the event they escape wastewater treatment plants and reach out to natural water bodies and soil systems, accumulate over a period of time, and comes in contact with plant species. For synthesis, sol-gel method was utilized; cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as cationic and anionic surfactants, respectively, to act as particle growth templates and improve surface morphology. Detailed characterization involved XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis), and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area analysis. Improved morphology and surface properties, from irregular shape in Bare TiO2 to spherical shape in surfactant-modified titania, led to enhanced Cd removal and MB dye degradation efficiency. Bare TiO2 was used for complete treatment of textile wastewater, which took 5 h in achieving water quality, which is safe for discharge and reuse as per norms of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Govt. of India. Phytotoxicity studies of these NMs at a wide concentration range (0-1000 mg L-1) were undertaken towards Vigna radiata, and 500 mg L-1 concentration was found to be optimally safe for seed germination and plant growth.

Effect of nitrogen concentration on lipid productivity and fatty acid composition of Monoraphidium sp.

Green algae, Monoraphidium sp. T4X, was isolated locally, in New Delhi, India and identified as a potential source of biofuel. The study focuses on the effect of nutritional amendments and their uptake rates with respect to growth and change in fatty acid composition of the species. The lipid productivity and fatty acid profile were investigated and compared under six different nitrogen concentrations. Of the tested concentrations, cultures with nitrate concentration 0.36 g/l exhibited higher lipid productivity (0.18 g/l/day) with optimum content of all fatty acid compositions (SFA=37.22, MUFA=39.19, PUFA=23.60) with appropriate biodiesel properties. The right phase for harvesting microalgae was also investigated on the basis of the growth curve.

Safety evaluation of genetically modified mustard (V4) seeds in terms of allergenicity: comparison with native crop.

Genetically modified (GM) mustard line (V4) with increased carotenoid content was compared with native mustard to find the difference in allergenic potential, if any. Simulated gastric fluid (SGF) digestibility of crude protein extract from GM as well as its native counterpart mustard crop was envisaged to understand the intended or unintended changes in GM crop along with IgE immunoblotting. BALB/c mice were used as model for allergenicity studies for monitoring total and specific IgE, specific IgG1, histamine level, histopathology, and systemic anaphylaxis score. Allergenicity of mustard was checked in humans by clinical history, skin prick test and IgE levels. Similar results were evident by significant increase in total IgE, specific IgE, IgG1, histamine levels, in GM and native mustard in comparison to control group. Prominent anaphylactic symptoms (score 2: 60%; score 3: 20%; score 4: 20% in native mustard and score 2: 40%; score 3: 40%; score 4: 20% in GM mustard) and eruptive histopathological changes were observed in both GM and native mustard when compared with controls. One protein of approximately 16 kDa was found stable up to 1 h in both GM as well as non GM mustard. IgE immunoblotting detected three protein components of approximately 29, 24 and 16 kDa in both GM and non GM varieties. Collectively, our data demonstrate substantially equivalent allergic responses against GM as well as its native counterpart. Therefore, the GM mustard may be as safe as its native counterpart with reference to allergenic responses.