Comparative study of NiO/CuO/Ag doped graphene based materials for reduction of nitroaromatic compounds and degradation of dye with statistical study.

In the present work, the Nickel oxide (rGO-NiO), Silver (rGO-Ag), Copper oxide (rGO-CuO) doped Graphene Oxide are reported for catalytic reactions. A comparative study for catalytic activities of these materials are performed with nitroaromatic compound 4-nitroaniline and the results are statistically studied by using univariate analysis of variance and Post Hoc Test through Statistical Package for Social Sciences and it is observed that CuO doped Graphene material is showing better catalytic activity in minimum time. So, further research has been focused on the catalytic acitivity of rGO-CuO only and it is found that it is efficient in reducing other nitro compounds also such as Picric acid and Nitrobenzene. Dye degradation of Methylene blue is also performed using CuO decorated Graphene material and significant changes were observed using UV spectroscopy. The characterization of rGO-CuO is done with Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Powder X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Eco-Oriented Formulation and Stabilization of Oil-Colloidal Biodelivery Systems Based on GC-MS/MS-Profiled Phytochemicals from Wild Tomato for Long-Term Retention and Penetration on Applied Surfaces for Effective Crop Protection.

Vegetable oils as hydrophobic reserves in oil dispersions (OD) provide a practical approach to halt bioactive degradation for user and environment-efficient pest management. Using biodegradable soybean oil (57%), castor oil ethoxylate (5%), calcium dodecyl benzenesulfonates as nonionic and an-ionic surfactants, bentonite (2%), and fumed silica as rheology modifiers, we created an oil-colloidal biodelivery sytem (30%) of tomato extract with homogenization. The quality-influencing parameters, such as particle size (4.5 µm), dispersibility (97%), viscosity (61 cps), and thermal stability (2 years), have been optimized in accordance with specifications. Vegetable oil was chosen for its improved bioactive stability, high smoke point (257 °C), coformulant compatibility, and as a green build-in-adjuvant by improving spreadability (20-30%), retention and penetration (20-40%). In in vitro testing, it efficiently controlled aphids with 90.5% mortalities and 68.7-71.2% under field-conditions without producing phytotoxicity. Wild tomato-derived phytochemicals can be a safe and efficient alternative to chemical pesticides when combined wisely with vegetable oils.

A comparative appraisal of three important oil yielding plants for their biodiesel potential.

In the present scenario, alternative energy sources are required to achieve the future economic prosperity where shortage of fossil fuels will be a limiting factor and hamper the global economic growth. Therefore, interest in biofuel is increasing continuously. The best way of sustainable development is fossil fuel supplementation with biodiesel to reduce the fossil fuel demand. Biodiesel is a clean burning, ester-based, oxygenated fuel derived from natural and renewable sources. Till now, majority of the people have worked on the biodiesel derived from edible oil. Instead of using edible oil, non-edible oil needs to be explored as feedstock for biofuel because half of the world's population is unable to afford the food oil as feedstock for fuel production. Looking at the significance of biodiesel and the resources of biofuel, in this paper, a comparative exhaustive study has been reported with for three important plants, namely Jatropha curcas, Pongemia pinnata and Balanites aegyptiaca. These plants were selected based on their biodiesel potential, availability, cultivation practices and general information available. The present study involves scientometric publications, comparison of fatty acid composition and biodiesel parameters. We have also compared climatic conditions for the growth of the plants, economic feasibility of biodiesel production and other ecological services. The study paves a way for sustainable solution to policy makers and foresters looking for selection of plant species as bioenergy resource.

Chromatic intervention and biocompatibility assay for biosurfactant derived from Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.

Extraction of biosurfactants from plants is advantageous than from microbes. The properties and robustness of biosurfactant derived from the mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca have been reported. However, the dark brown property of biosurfactant and lack of knowledge of its biocompatibility limits its scope. In the present work, the decolorization protocol for this biosurfactant was optimized using hydrogen peroxide. The hemolytic potential and biocompatibility based on cell toxicity and proliferation were also investigated. This study is the first report on the decolorization and toxicity assay of this biosurfactant. For decolorization of biosurfactant, 34 full factorial design was used, and the data were subjected to ANOVA. Results indicate that 1.5% of hydrogen peroxide can decolorize the biosurfactant most efficiently at 40 °C in 70 min at pH 7. Mitochondrial reductase (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays on M5S mouse skin fibroblast cells revealed that decolorized biosurfactant up to 50 µg/mL for 6 h had no significant toxic effect. Hemolysis assay showed ~ 2.5% hemolysis of human RBCs, indicating the nontoxic effect of this biosurfactant. The present work established a decolorization protocol making the biosurfactant chromatically acceptable. Biocompatibility assays confirm its safer use as observed by experiments on M5S skin fibroblast cells under in vitro conditions.

Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction (MSPE) Using Magnetite-Based Core-Shell Nanoparticles with Silica Network (SiO2) Coupled with GC-MS/MS Analysis for Determination of Multiclass Pesticides in Water.

BACKGROUND: For the analysis of pesticide residues in water samples, various extraction techniques are available. However, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) are most commonly used. LLE and SPE extraction techniques each have their own disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop an environment-friendly multi-residue method for determination of multiclass pesticides in environmental water samples (ground water, agricultural field/irrigation run-off water, etc.). METHODS: The magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technique using surface-fabricated magnetic nano-particles was used for extraction of water samples, followed by quantification by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The developed multi-residue method was validated in terms of linearity, LOD, LOQ, recovery, and repeatability. RESULTS: Recovery data were obtained at the spiking concentration level of 1, 5, and 10 µg/L, yielding recoveries in the range of 70-120%. Overall, non-polar pesticides from all the groups, i.e., synthetic pyrethroid, organophosphorus, organochlorine, herbicides, and fungicides, show acceptable recovery percentages. Good linearity (r2 value ≥ 0.99) was observed at the concentration range of 0.5-100 µg/L. RSD values were found ≤ 18.8. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the method is specific, rapid, and low cost, as well as having a good linearity and recovery; thus, this method is applied in routine purposes for the analysis of pesticide residue in real water samples. HIGHLIGHTS: Due to better adsorption ability, permeability, and magnetic separability, the functionalized nano-particles were found effective in the enrichment of 22 multiclass pesticides including organo-phosphorus, organo-chlorine, synthetic pyrethroid, herbicides, and fungicides.

Role of high shear mixing in improving stability and bio-efficacy of botanical oil in water formulation for early stage mosquito eradication.

Neem based formulations conventionally being used as dustable powders, wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates etc for controlling insects and mosquitoes. These formulations are prepared by mechanical mixing or low shear mixing processes. Among these formulations solvent based EC formulation is more common in use, though it have many drawbacks like phyto-toxicity, flammability, environmental contamination and dermal toxicity. Along with these drawbacks stability of the active ingredient is the most concerned problem, as the active ingredients are unstable in solvent based formulations. Neem oil based oil in water emulsion formulation (EW) formulation may be a safer alternative to EC formulation. In the present study, composition and process technology involved in Neem EW formulations were optimized. Different types of the EW formulation has already been formulated, but no investigations were made to prove the influence of high shear mixing, turbulence flow, time duration on the stability of formulation and its bio-efficacy. The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of turbulence stirring duration on droplet size and emulsion stability. The 60 min turbulence flow mixing at 3600 rpm decreased the particle size from 6.7 to 1.2µm. The prepared formulation stability was further confirmed by different analytical techniques like HPLC and FTIR. The 60 min high shear turbulence stirring enhanced the bio-efficacy in terms of 99 % mortality after 24 h at concentration of 500 ppm of 10 EW.