Coconut shell powder as cost effective filler in copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene rubber.

Filler is one of the major additives in rubber compounds to enhance the physical properties. Even though numerous benefits obtained from agricultural by products like coconut shell, rice husk etc., still they constitute a large source of environmental pollution. In this investigation, one of the agricultural bye product coconut shell powder (CSP) is used as filler in the compounding KNB rubber. It shows the positive and satisfied result was achieved only by the use of filler Fast Extrusion Furnace (FEF) and coconut shell powder (CSP) which was used 50% in each. The effect of these fillers on the mechanical properties of a rubber material at various loading raging from 0 to 60PHP was studied. Mercaptodibanzothiazole disulphide (MBTS) was used as an accelerator. The result shows that presence of 25% and 50% of the composites has better mechanical properties like Hardness, Tensile strength, Elongation at break and Specific gravity when compared with other two combinations. Even though both 25% and 50% of composites shows good mechanical properties, 50% of CSP have more efficient than 25% of CSP.

Bioefficacy of plant-mediated gold nanoparticles and Anthocepholus cadamba on filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae).

Mosquito-borne diseases in India, e.g., malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis cause thousands of deaths per year. Mosquito control is to enhance the health and quality of life of county residents and visitors through the reduction of mosquito populations. Mosquito control is of serious concern in developing countries like India due to the lack of general awareness, development of resistance, and socioeconomic reasons. Noble metal nanoparticles have been used because of their unique optical properties; especially gold and silver have a broad absorption band in the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Cymbopogan citratus is an ecofriendly approach for safer environment. C. citratus leaf broth was a good reducing agent that converted chloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)) to metal gold and further heating converted it into nanoparticles. Characterization using UV spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particle size analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the particles are gold nanoparticles ranging between 10 and 110 nm with an average particles size of 20 nm. Further biosynthesized gold nanoparticles and Anthocephalus cadamba were experimented for the larvicidal effect on the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. Results showed that the gold nanoparticles are much toxic than the plant extract. Observed lethal concentrations (LC(50) and LC(90)) were 1.08 and 2.76 ppm for gold nanoparticles and 21.82 and 79.52 ppm for the third instar of C. quinquefasciatus.