This paper evaluates the feasibility of using fusion waste chicken and fish bones as the reusable and low cost solid catalyst for synthesis of biodiesel from used cooking oil via two-step ...transesterification. A catalyst characterization of the prepared fusion waste chicken and fish bones catalyst was made in order to study their catalytic performance through various techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Particle Size Analysis (PSA), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FTIR), Carbon Dioxide-Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD-CO2) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The used cooking oil transesterification was optimized using a response surface methodology (RSM) based on five level three variables central composite design (CCD). The RSM results revealed that the optimal operational condition for the transesterification has defined as: catalyst loading, 1.98%w/v, reaction temperature, 65 °C and time, 1.54 h, whereas the alcohol/oil molar ratio, 10:1 is a fixed variable in this study. The actual biodiesel yield of 89.5% was achieved under the predicted optimal conditions and fulfilled the ASTM D6751 biodiesel fuel standards. The promising features of the chicken and fish bones catalyst are inexpensive, easily obtained, simple work-up, simple recovery, reusability without significant drop in catalytic activity for up to four consecutive runs.
•Waste chicken and fish bone were utilized for biodiesel production as solid catalyst.•RSM was implemented to optimize the transesterification process.•The prepared catalyst was reusable without significant loss in its activity.•Maximum 89.5% yield at 1.98%w/v catalyst and alcohol/oil ratio of 10:1 at 65 °C in 1.54 h.
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•The first generation to the fourth generation of biodiesel feedstocks, along with oil extraction techniques are reviewed.•Types of catalyst for transesterification including ...homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme catalyst are reviewed.•Applications of biochar as catalyst and magnetic catalyst for transesterification of biodiesel are reviewed.•Different types and applications of biodiesel producing reactors are discussed.
The ever-detrimental condition of the environment due to the fossil fuel utilization has catalyzed the development of biodiesel. Biodiesel is produced mainly via transesterification and the entire process comprises of several major components; the feedstock, the catalyst, the reaction, and the product separation or purification. There are various factors affecting the amount and quality of biodiesel produced, such as the type and amount of feedstock and catalyst, alcohol-to-feedstock ratio, and reaction temperature and time. The performance of biodiesel reactors in providing energy and time efficient biodiesel production is also among the subject of recent studies. To produce biodiesel commercially and efficiently, it is important to recognize the novel technologies that are promising for biodiesel production. With this in mind, this article presents a review of the recent advancement and classification of the feedstock, the catalyst for biodiesel production, and the biodiesel production reactor. Furthermore, this article also highlights the development and application of oil extraction techniques, biochar as a biodiesel catalyst, and the magnetic biodiesel catalyst. The biodiesel production reactor and parameters optimization are also discussed in this article in order to provide a better context on the chemical reaction.
Plant based green synthesis approaches are gaining prominence due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, ecological friendliness, commercial scalability, efficiency in large scale synthesis, and ...versatility in harnessing a wide range of value added products. Leaf extract based synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles facilitates the production of non-toxic nanoparticles due to the presence of various phytochemicals and biochemical compounds that are beneficial for biological and pharmaceutical applications. In the current study, leaf extracts from three different plants:
Amaranthus tricolor
,
Andrographis paniculata
and
Amaranthus blitum
were used for the synthesis of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. The biophysical characteristics of the synthesized MgO nanoparticles were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectra and dynamic light scattering techniques. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were also used to identify and analyze the functional groups accompanying the extracts and the morphology of the nanoparticles respectively. The absorbance at 320 nm from UV-visible spectroscopy indicates the formation of metal oxide in the sample. Key parameters affecting the synthesis process, including temperature, heating time and precursor concentration, were investigated to probe their effects on the stability and particle size distribution of the nanoparticles. The FTIR results showed that the modifications in the functional groups are responsible for the formation of nanoparticles and the peak between 660 and 540 cm
−1
confirms the presence of magnesium oxide. The TEM results showed that all the samples demonstrated stability with a particulate size range of 18-80 nm. The process of smaller MgO nanoparticle formation due to utilization of different precursors and leaf extracts was also explained. Overall, the green synthesis approach demonstrated potential for developing highly stable MgO nanoparticles with tight particle size distribution from different plant materials for applications in biosensing and therapeutic development.
We synthesized 18-80 nm sized MgO nanoparticles using three different leaf extracts with biophysical characteristics.
This review discusses the potentials of corn waste fibres as an alternative source of reinforcement to other natural fibres for bioplastic composites. The growing sustainability concern has urged the ...search for new composites and the potential exists to stimulate more research in bringing it to markets. Corn (
Zea mays
L.) waste fibres are lignocellulosic fibres that constituted of corn cob, corn husk, corn stalk and corn stover which are often discarded. Physico-chemical properties of the lignocellulosic fibres from different sources are compared. Studies on lignocellulosic fibre reinforced bioplastic composites and state-of-the-art of corn fibre reinforced composites are reviewed. The preparations of the fibres to form nanofibril, cellulose nanofibril and lignin-containing cellulose nanofibril are also discussed. Along with this, issues to improve fibre-plastic matrix compatibility through mechanical disintegration and surface modification treatment on fibre are also reported. This review shows that corn waste is suitable to be used as a reinforcement filler for bioplastic. Further treatment on the fibres could lead to improved properties of the composite for various applications.
Nano-formulations of medicinal drugs have attracted the interest of many researchers for drug delivery applications. These nano-formulations enhance the properties of conventional drugs and are ...specific to the targeted delivery site. Dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, nano-emulsions and micelles are some of the nano-formulations that are gaining prominence in pharmaceutical industry for enhanced drug formulation. Wide varieties of synthesis methods are available for the preparation of nano-formulations to deliver drugs in biological system. The choice of synthesis methods depend on the size and shape of particulate formulation, biochemical properties of drug, and the targeted site. This article discusses recent developments in nano-formulation and the progressive impact on pharmaceutical research and industries. Additionally, process challenges relating to consistent generation of nano-formulations for drug delivery are discussed.
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•Discuss the development in nano-formulation of drugs.•Impact of the synthesis route in nano-formulation.•Challenges of nano-formulation of drugs.
Plant leaf extract synthesis of nanoparticles serves as a better alternative to chemical synthesis routes as the nanoparticles synthesized are less toxic and possess higher flexibility for scaling up ...process. Phyto-synthesized metal oxides, especially magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles possess enormous unique properties to be used in drug delivery and therapeutic application. Thus, the aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of pH on the shape transformation of MgO nanoparticles prepared using Amaranthus tricolor leaf extract. UV-visible spectrophotometer and dynamic light scattering technique were initially used to analyze the effect of pH variation on particle sizes and surface charges. MgO nanoparticles at pH 3 were identified to be formed in smaller sizes of ∼44nm with a slightly negative surface charge of −3.39 mV and were postulated that its shape can be transformed to hexagon. Hexagonal shaped particles are highly beneficial in biomedical application as they show less cytotoxicity and increased bioactivity due to the presence of edge surface atoms. FTIR spectral analysis and TEM images confirm that the size and shape of the MgO nanoparticle at acidic pH 3 was reduced and transformed to hexagon. Additionally, possible mechanism of nanoparticle protonation and deprotonation leading to their morphology changes was also proposed in the paper.
In the present study, natural deep eutectic solvent composed of choline chloride and ascorbic acid (CHCL/AA NADES) was formulated for enhancing the solubility and antioxidant properties of ...antioxidant extracts from fruit wastes of Mangifera pajang. The solubilities of Mangifera pajang's antioxidant extracts in water and CHCL/AA NADES at different water contents (0–50 wt%) were investigated. It was observed that the antioxidant extracts were most soluble in the CHCL/AA NADES with 10 wt% of water, and the concentration of antioxidant was found to be approximately 15% and 4% as compared to water and pure CHCL/AA NADES, respectively. The positive effect of water on NADES can be related to the reduced viscosity of NADES, where the viscosity decreased up to 74% upon addition of water. Aside from that, all the tested CHCL/AA NADES enhanced the antioxidant capacity of antioxidant extracts by 1.3–14.64% compared to the antioxidant extracts in water. This finding highlights the role of CHCL/AA NADES as an antioxidant capacity enhancer. Noteworthy, the antioxidant extracts solubilized in the CHCL/AA NADES system formed a nano-scale cluster structure, as depicted by the TEM image, suggesting that the CHCL/AA NADES could potentially use in nanoformulation that provides protection to the antioxidant extracts.
•CHCL/AA NADES was formulated for enhancing the solubility and antioxidant capacity.•Addition of water into CHCL/AA NADES enhances the solubility of antioxidant by 15%.•CHCL/AA NADES further increased the DPPH scavenging activity.•The antioxidants-CHCL/AA NADES formed nano-scale cluster structure.
Developments in nanotechnology field, specifically, metal oxide nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers due to their unique sensing, electronic, drug delivery, catalysis, ...optoelectronics, cosmetics, and space applications. Physicochemical methods are used to fabricate nanosized metal oxides; however, drawbacks such as high cost and toxic chemical involvement prevail. Recent researches focus on synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles through green chemistry which helps in avoiding the involvement of toxic chemicals in the synthesis process. Bacteria, fungi, and plants are the biological sources that are utilized for the green nanoparticle synthesis. Due to drawbacks such as tedious maintenance and the time needed for the nanoparticle formation, plant extracts are widely used in nanoparticle production. In addition, plants are available all over the world and phytosynthesized nanoparticles show comparatively less toxicity towards mammalian cells. Secondary metabolites including flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins are present in plant extracts, and these are highly responsible for nanoparticle formation and reduction of toxicity. Hence, this article gives an overview of recent developments in the phytosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles and their toxic analysis in various cells and animal models. Also, their possible mechanism in normal and cancer cells, pharmaceutical applications, and their efficiency in disease treatment are also discussed.
Numerous viral infections are common among humans, and some can lead to death. Even though conventional antiviral agents are beneficial in eliminating viral infections, they may lead to side effects ...or physiological toxicity. Silver nanoparticles and nanocomposites have been demonstrated to possess inhibitory properties against several pathogenic microbes, including archaea, bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses. Its pronounced antimicrobial activity against various microbe-mediated diseases potentiates its use in combating viral infections. Notably, the appropriated selection of the synthesis method to fabricate silver nanoparticles is a major factor for consideration as it directly impacts antiviral efficacy, level of toxicity, scalability, and environmental sustainability. Thus, this article presents and discusses various synthesis approaches to produce silver nanoparticles and nanocomposites, providing technological insights into selecting approaches to generate antiviral silver-based nanoparticles. The antiviral mechanism of various formulations of silver nanoparticles and the evaluation of its propensity to combat specific viral infections as a potential antiviral agent are also discussed.
Graphical abstract
Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles are one of the highly significant compounds in construction. The novelty concentrated on using sol–gel technique coupled with ultrasonication for synthesis of MgO ...nanoparticles to prevent the agglomeration and its effect on the size was investigated. The synthesized samples were characterized by TGA, DSC, XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX mapping, DLS, and HRTEM. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of MgO nanoparticles were investigated against multidrug-resistant microbes causing-urinary tract infection (UTI). TGA, XRD, and FTIR characterization were used to identify the calcination temperature, characterization peaks, and functional groups of MgO nanoparticles, respectively. DLS technique confirmed the particle size distribution which found to be 21.04 nm. HRTEM and SEM/EDX mapping showed that MgO nanoparticles are pure, spherical and the average particle size is 19.2 nm. MgO nanoparticles showed a promising antimicrobial effect against all UTI-causing pathogens. It showed a prominent antimicrobial capability against
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Escherichia coli
and
Candida albicans
by 19.3 mm, 16.1 mm and 15.2 mm ZOI, respectively. Additionally, they showed improved biofilm inhibition as 95.65%, 84.23%, and 76.85% against
C. albicans
,
E. coli
and
S. aureus
, respectively. Therefore, due to these outstanding properties, this study could give insights for solving serious industrial, pharmaceutical and medical challenges throughout the utilization of new nanoparticle-based approach.