Environmental behavior of coated NMs: Physicochemical aspects and plant interactions.

The application of nanomaterials (NMs) depends on several characteristics, including polydispersity, shape, surface charge, and composition, among others. However, the specific surface properties of bare NMs induce aggregation, reducing their utilization. Thus, different surface coverages have been developed to avoid or minimize NMs aggregation, making them more stable for the envisioned applications. Carbon-based NMs are usually coated with metals, while metal-based NMs are coated with natural organic compounds including chitosan, dextran, alginate, or citric acid. On the other hand, the coating process is expected to modify the surface properties of the NMs; several coating agents add negative or positive charges to the particles, changing their interaction with the environment. In this review, we analyze the most recent literature about coating processes and the behavior of coated NMs in soil, water, and plants. In particular, the behavior of the most commercialized metal-based NMs, such as TiO2, ZnO, CeO2, CuO, Ag, and Au, and carbon-based NMs are discussed in this review. The available articles about the effects of coated NMs in plants are discussed. Up to now, there is no uniformity in the information to ensure that the surface coverage increases or decreases the effects of NMs in plants. While some parameters are increased, others are decreased. Since the data is contradictory in some cases, the available literature does not allow researchers to determine what concentrations benefit the plants. This review highlights current results and future perspectives on the study of the effects of coated NMs in the environment.

Síntesis, caracterización y evaluación de la actividad antimicrobianade las cuentas porosas de MgO -alginato de calcio / Synthesis, characterization, and assessment of the antimicrobial activity of MGO – calcium alginate porous beads

La dispersión de nanopartículas antibacterianas en matrices poliméricas biocompatibles, no tóxicas y biodegradables permitirá el desarrollo de materiales más eficientes y efectivos para la conservación de alimentos, la eliminación de contaminantes y la protección contra microorganismos que comprometen la salud humana. Los materiales bactericidas nanométricos tienen una relación superficie / volumen muy grande que les permite interactuar con más copias de moléculas biológicas, y por lo tanto, mejorar la eficacia antimicrobiana. Más recientemente, se ha sugerido la actividad antimicrobiana del MgO amigable con el medio ambiente y químicamente estable. La incorporación de compuestos bactericidas en una matriz polimérica puede combinar la estabilidad física proporcionada por la matriz polimérica con las propiedades antimicrobianas de los agentes antimicrobianos dispersados como partýculas pequeñas sólidas. Sobre esta base, la presente investigación se centrará en el desarrollo de mezclas de partículas inorgánicas poliméricas biocompatibles, los denominados nanocompuestos, con actividad antimicrobiana sintonizable y mejorada. Se confirmó la actividad antimicrobiana de perlas de alginato cálcico -MgO (que oscilaban entre 0% y 40% p / p MgO) contra E. coli. Las perlas que contenían 20% p / p de MgO inhibían completamente el crecimiento bacterial de la E. coli.

The dispersion of antibacterial nanoparticles into bio-compatible, non-toxic and bio-degradable polymeric matrices will enable the development of more efficient and effective materials for food preservation, removal of contaminants, and protection against human health-compromising microorganisms. Nanometric bactericidal materials have a very large surface to volume ratio that enable them to attach more copies of biological molecules, and hence, enhance antimicrobial efficiency. More recently, the antimicrobial activity of environmental-friendly and chemically stable MgO has been suggested. The incorporation of bactericidal compounds into a polymeric matrix can combine physical stability provided by the polymeric matrix with the antimicrobial properties of antimicrobial agents dispersed as solid tiny particles. On this basis, the present research will be focused on the development of biocompatible polymer-inorganic particle mixtures, so-called nanocomposites, with tunable and enhanced antimicrobial activity.The antimicrobial activity of calcium alginate –MgO beads (ranging from 0% -40% w/w MgO) against E. coli was confirmed. Beads containing 20% w/w of MgO fully inhibited the E. coli. bacterial growth.

Effect of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles on the growth and development of Lycopersicon lycopersicum (tomato plants).

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthetized and studied to be incorporated in many industrial and medical applications in recent decades. Due to their different physical and chemical properties compared with bulk materials, researchers are focused to understand their interactions with the surroundings. Living organisms such as plants are exposed to these materials and they are able to tolerate different concentrations and types of NPs. Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NPs are being studied for their application in medical sciences because of their high coercivity, anisotropy, and large magnetostriction. These properties are desirable in magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, and cell labeling. This study is aimed to explore the tolerance of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) plants to CoFe2O4 NPs. Tomato plants were grown in hydroponic media amended with CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in a range from 0 to 1000mgL(-1). Exposure to CoFe2O4 NPs did not affect germination and growth of plants. Uptake of Fe and Co inside plant tissues increased as CoFe2O4 nanoparticle concentration was increased in the media. Mg uptake in plant leaves reached its maximum level of 4.9mgg(-1) DW (dry weight) at 125mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs exposure and decreased at high CoFe2O4 NPs concentrations. Similar pattern was observed for Ca uptake in leaves where the maximum concentration found was 10mgg(-1) DW at 125mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs exposure. Mn uptake in plant leaves was higher at 62.5mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs compared with 125 and 250mgL(-1) treatments. Catalase activity in tomato roots and leaves decreased in plants exposed to CoFe2O4 NPs. Tomato plants were able to tolerate CoFe2O4 NPs concentrations up to 1000mgL(-1) without visible toxicity symptoms. Macronutrient uptake in plants was affected when plants were exposed to 250, 500 and 1000mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs.