Nanostructure Lipid Carrier of Curcumin Co-Delivered with Linalool and Geraniol Monoterpenes as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor of Culex pipiens.

(1) Background: A molecular hybridization docking approach was employed to develop and detect a new category of naturally activated compounds against Culex pipiens as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors via designing a one-pot multicomponent nano-delivery system. (2) Methods: A nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC), as a second generation of solid lipid nanoparticles, was used as a carrier to deliver the active components of curcumin (Cur), geraniol (G), and linalool (L) in one nanoformulation after studying their applicability in replacing the co-crystallized ligand imidacloprid. (3) Results: The prepared nanostructure showed spherical-shaped, polydisperse particles ranging in size from 50 nm to 300 nm, as found using a transmission electron microscope. Additionally, dynamic light scattering confirmed an average size of 169 nm and a highly stable dispersed solution, as indicated by the zeta potential (-38 mV). The prepared NLC-Cur-LG displayed competitive, high-malignancy insecticidal activity against fourth instar C. pipiens with an elevated rate of death of 0.649 µg/mL. The treatment, due to the prepared nanostructure, affects oxidative stress enzymes, e.g., hydrogen peroxide (4 ppm), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (0.03 OD/mg), and protein carbonyl (0.08 OD/mg), and there are observable upward and downward fluctuations when using different concentrations of NLC-Cur-LG, suggesting significant problems in its foreseeable insecticidal activity. The acetylcholinesterase activity was assessed by an enzyme inhibition assay, and strengthened inhibition occurred due to the encapsulated NLCs (IC50 = 1.95 µg/mL). An investigation of the gene expression by Western blotting, due to treatment with NLC-Cur-LG, revealed a severe reduction of nearly a quarter of what was seen in the untreated group. As a preliminary safety step, the nanoformulation's toxicity against normal cell lines was tested, and a reassuring result was obtained of IC50 = 158.1 µg/mL for the normal lung fibroblast cell line. (4) Conclusions: the synthesized nanoformulation, NLC-Cur-LG, is a useful insecticide in field conditions.

Effect of nanostructure lipid carrier of methylene blue and monoterpenes as enzymes inhibitor for Culex pipiens.

Solid lipid nanoparticles second generation, nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC), is one of the most important biodegradable nanoparticles. Nanostructure Lipid carrier (NLC) was used to encapsulate methylene blue (MB) dye, carvacrol and citronellal and their efficacy as insecticidal against Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens) were distinguished. The prepared nanoformulation revealed very good physicochemical properties, especially the homogeneity of the particle size. Transmission electron microscope showed spherical shaped nanoparticles within range less than 200 nm. The prepared NLC-MB-MT system showed a very competitive insecticidal activity and high virulence against the mosquito larvae with higher mortality rate of LC50 of 0.141 µl/mL, in addition to high level of Oxidative stress parameters obtained through all the tested enzymes including hydrogen peroxide (4.8 ppm), protein carbonyl amount (0.12 OD/mg protein), ascorbic acid (0.15 mg) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed strong increasing (0.09 OD/mg protein/min) at 6 µg/mL, respectively. Whereas paradoxical results of the oxidative stress enzymes were obtained from different concentration of nanoformulation that introduce a convenient reason for their potential insecticidal effect. The cytotoxic effect of NLC-MB-MT was evaluated using WI38 human lung cell lines, the LC50 was 6.4 mg/mL. The low cytotoxic reactivity towards the tested cell line makes the NLC-MB-MT nanoformulation has its promising insecticidal efficacy. Molecular docking study for each component were done against acetylcholine esterase protein and accepted binding modes achieved by the three compounds.

Enriched sewage sludge from anaerobic pre-treatment in spurring valorization potential of black soldier fly larvae.

The valorization of sewage sludge by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) has gained attentions for sewage sludge management since the sludge can be reduced securely as well as larval biomass can be used for biorefineries application. Nevertheless, the BSFL growth was impeded while assimilating nutrition from sewage sludge due to the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that had entrapped the essential nutrients inside. Accordingly, the pre-treatment of sewage sludge via anaerobic digestion at different pH was employed in this work to rupture the EPS structure and release more nutrients for larval growth. The results showed that larvae fed with raw sewage sludge had attained the lowest final larval weight (2.05 ± 0.38 mg/larva) as opposed to batches fed with pre-treated sewage sludges. This was because the soluble carbohydrate (more than 6.81 ± 1.31 mg of glucose/g sewage sludge) in EPS was released after anaerobic pre-treatment, facilitating larval assimilation for growth. Furthermore, it was observed that further increasing of pH for sewage sludge pre-treatment had led to lower final larval weight gained due to the inhibitory effect stemming from ammonia production at higher pH. The anaerobic pre-treatment of sewage sludge being executed at pH 3 for 8 days had achieved the highest final larval weight at 7.34 ± 0.97 mg/larva. The still low quality of sewage sludges after the pre-treatment also offered benefit, where high sewage sludge reduction and waste reduction index were recorded due to the necessity of BSFL to consume more sewage sludge in compensating the nutrients destitution in sludge. Lastly, the possibility of predicting final larval weight was successfully materialized via a statistical model derived from the multiple linear regression method. The derived model incorporated the interactive parameters of anaerobic pre-treated pH and durations at various combinations could predict the final larval weight.

Residual palm kernel expeller as the support material and alimentation provider in enhancing attached microalgal growth for quality biodiesel production.

Albeit the biodiesel production from suspended microalgal system has gained immense interests in recent years, the domineering limitation of being economically infeasible has hindered this technology from partaking into a large-scale operation. To curtail this issue, attached growth system had been introduced by various studies; however, those were still unable to alleviate the socio-economic challenges faced in commercializing the microalgal biomass production. Thus, this study had developed a novel approach in cultivating-cum-harvesting attached Chlorella vulgaris sp. microalgae, whilst using solid organic waste of palm kernel expeller (PKE) as the supporting and alimentation material for microalgal biofilm formation. The effects of three variables, namely, PKE dosage, light intensity, and photoperiod, were initially modelled and later optimized using Response Surface Methodology tool. The derived statistical models could predict the growth performances of attached microalgal biomass and lipid productivity. The optimum growing condition was attained at PKE dosage of 5.67 g/L, light intensity of 197 µmol/m2 s and photoperiod of 8 light and 16 dark hours/cycle, achieving the microalgal density and lipid content of 9.87 ± 0.05 g/g and 3.39 ± 0.28 g/g, respectively, with lipid productivity of 29.6 mg/L day. This optimum condition had led to the intensification of biodiesel quality with a high percentage of monounsaturated fatty acid, i.e., oleic acid (C18:1), encompassing 81.86% of total fatty acid methyl ester components. Given that the positive acquisition of PKE as an excellent supporting material in enhancing the microalgal density and lipid productivity that had resulted in the commercially viable biodiesel quality, this study served as a novel revolution in augmenting the microalgae and solid waste utilities for sustainable energy generation.

Impact of malathion toxicity on the oxidative stress parameters of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) may serve as a promising tool in the animals feed production industry. The input organic wastes may be contaminated by insecticides that affect both the insect's mass rearing, and the animals feed process. Therefore, in the current study the assessment of oxidative stress parameters of the black soldier fly (BSF) were investigated to quantify the deleterious effect of malathion-contaminated kitchen waste (1:1 vegetable: fruit waste) container on the insect. The different developmental stages of insect (adult and larva) were exposed to different concentrations (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, and 0.02 mg/mL) of malathion. The results showed that the mean value of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which included hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion radicals (O2•-) concentrations were lower in larval stage than in adults, in all treated groups (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, and 0.02 mg/mL malathion concentration). Also, the protein carbonyls amount and lipid peroxides levels were decreased in the 0.02 mg/mL Malathion compared to the control values. However, the cluster analysis revealed slight dissimilar patterns for control insects and the highest malathion concentration (0.02 mg/ml). These stage-related differences could occur from the different growth dynamic functions of larvae and adults. The larvae were distinguished by robust growth, and significant oxygen consumption. The results verified that oxidative stress parameters, especially protein carbonyls and α, α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were promising, cheap, quick and cost-effective applications for determining the macromolecules damage, and antioxidant ability of H. illucens enclosed with malathion exposure. These findings described that malathion application induces macromolecules damage mediated through oxidative stress injury.