•Cellulase was immobilized on carbodiimide-activated surface of MWCNTs.•The bionanoconjugates were thermally more stable.•The t1/2 of bionanoconjugates was increased by four fold as compared to free ...cellulase.•The preparation could be reused ten times without significant loss in enzyme activity.
In present study, Aspergillus niger cellulase was immobilized onto functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via carbodiimide coupling. MWCNTs offer unique advantages including enhanced electronics properties, a large edge to basal plane ratio, rapid electrode kinetics and it’s possess higher tensile strength properties due to their structural arrangements. The immobilization was confirmed by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscope). The bionanoconjugates prepared under optimized condition retained 85% activity with improved pH and thermal stability. The t1/2 of immobilized cellulase at 70 °C was four fold higher than free enzyme. The Km value indicates that affinity of bionanoconjugates towards substrate has increased by two times. The preparation could be reused ten times without much loss in enzyme activity. The enhanced catalytic efficiency, stability and reusability makes it useful for efficient cellulose hydrolysis.
Microplastics contamination is becoming a major concern worldwide. More than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea animals have died due to plastic contamination. In addition, plastic particles have ...been found in juvenile turtles. Statistical data on plastic pollution indicate that this is a serious issue. Due to their small size, microplastics have a large surface area and have more ability to absorb into biological cells. The hydrophobic surface of microplastics attracts co-contaminants such as heavy metals, pharmaceutical toxicants, flame retardants, and other plasticizers, which can then enter biological organisms. Microplastics are usually recalcitrant in the environment, causing microplastics to be transported along the food chain, with humans as the final consumer. Research has been conducted to evaluate the best way to treat and remediate microplastic pollution. Research on microplastic degradation is focused on biological and non-biological approaches. To date, microorganisms such as algae, fungi, and bacteria have attracted the attention of scientists as a tool for microplastic treatment. The degradation of microplastics is closely related to the enzymatic reactions produced by the microorganisms. Here we review microplastics degradation through enzymes from the microorganism’s perspective. We present the enzymes that have been isolated from microorganisms for specific microplastics; the mechanisms of microplastics degradation by various enzymes; and the types of microplastics for which degradation mechanisms remain unclear.
The world has witnessed of many pandemic waves of SARS-CoV-2. However, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection has now declined but the novel variant and responsible cases has been observed globally. ...Most of the world population has received the vaccinations, but the immune response against COVID-19 is not long-lasting, which may cause new outbreaks. A highly efficient pharmaceutical molecule is desperately needed in these circumstances. In the present study, a potent natural compound that could inhibit the 3CL protease protein of SARS-CoV-2 was found with computationally intensive search. This research approach is based on physics-based principles and a machine-learning approach. Deep learning design was applied to the library of natural compounds to rank the potential candidates. This procedure screened 32,484 compounds, and the top five hits based on estimated pIC50 were selected for molecular docking and modeling. This work identified two hit compounds, CMP4 and CMP2, which exhibited strong interaction with the 3CL protease using molecular docking and simulation. These two compounds demonstrated potential interaction with the catalytic residues His41 and Cys154 of the 3CL protease. Their calculated binding free energies to MMGBSA were compared to those of the native 3CL protease inhibitor. Using steered molecular dynamics, the dissociation strength of these complexes was sequentially determined. In conclusion, CMP4 demonstrated strong comparative performance with native inhibitors and was identified as a promising hit candidate. This compound can be applied in-vitro experiment for the validation of its inhibitory activity. Additionally, these methods can be used to identify new binding sites on the enzyme and to design new compounds that target these sites.
In the recent times, nanomaterials have emerged in the field of biology, medicine, electronics, and agriculture due to their immense applications. Owing to their nanoscale sizes, they present large ...surface/volume ratio, characteristic structures, and similar dimensions to biomolecules resulting in unique properties for biomedical applications. The chemical and physical methods to synthesize nanoparticles have their own limitations which can be overcome using biological methods for the synthesis. Moreover, through the biogenic synthesis route, the usage of microorganisms has offered a reliable, sustainable, safe, and environmental friendly technique for nanosynthesis. Bacterial, algal, fungal, and yeast cells are known to transport metals from their environment and convert them to elemental nanoparticle forms which are either accumulated or secreted. Additionally, robust nanocarriers have also been developed using viruses. In order to prevent aggregation and promote stabilization of the nanoparticles, capping agents are often secreted during biosynthesis. Microbial nanoparticles find biomedical applications in rapid diagnostics, imaging, biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery systems, antimicrobials, biomaterials for tissue regeneration as well as biosensors. The major challenges in therapeutic applications of microbial nanoparticles include biocompatibility, bioavailability, stability, degradation in the gastro-intestinal tract, and immune response. Thus, the current review article is focused on the microbe-mediated synthesis of various nanoparticles, the different microbial strains explored for such synthesis along with their current and future biomedical applications.
The growing number of deaths related to sepsis has become a major concern for past few years. Sepsis is a complex pathological reactions that is explained by series of host response to microbial ...insult. The resulted systemic reactions are manifested by early appearance of proinflammatory cytokines leading to hyperinflammatory phase which is followed by septic shock and death of the patient. The present study has revealed that antibiotics are not self-sufficient to control the complex mechanism of sepsis. Moreover prolonged and unnecessary administration of antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance to pathogens. In addition to this, immunosuppressive medications are selective and have targeted approach to certain study population. Drugs from herbal origin have shown to possess a mammoth of immunomodulatory potential by suppressing proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines exhibiting no or minimal unwanted secondary responses. Concomitantly, herbal plants tend to modulate oxidative stress level and haematological imbalance during inflammatory diseased conditions. Natural compounds have gained much attention for the treatment of several clinical complications. Considering the promising responses of medicinal plants with less/no side effects and easy procurement, comprehensive research on herbal plants to treat sepsis should be contemplated.
Recently developed lead-free double perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have been proposed for the possible application in solution-processed optoelectronic devices. However, the optoelectronic ...applications of double perovskite NCs have been hampered due to the structural and chemical instability in the presence of polar molecules. Here, we report a facile strategy for the synthesis and purification of Cs
2
AgBiBr
6
double perovskite NCs that remained stable even after washing with polar solvent. This is realized with our efficient colloidal route to synthesize Cs
2
AgBiBr
6
NCs that involve stable and strongly coordinated precursor such as silver-trioctylphosphine complex together with bismuth neodecanoate, which leads to a significantly improved chemical and colloidal stability. Using layer-by-layer solid-state ligand exchange technique, a compact and crack-free thin film of Cs
2
AgBiBr
6
NCs were fabricated. Finally, perovskite solar cells consisting of Cs
2
AgBiBr
6
as an absorber layer were fabricated and tested.
The utilization of metal-based conventional coagulants/flocculants to remove suspended solids from drinking water and wastewater is currently leading to new concerns. Alarming issues related to the ...prolonged effects on human health and further pollution to aquatic environments from the generated nonbiodegradable sludge are becoming trending topics. The utilization of biocoagulants/bioflocculants does not produce chemical residue in the effluent and creates nonharmful, biodegradable sludge. The conventional coagulation-flocculation processes in drinking water and wastewater treatment, including the health and environmental issues related to the utilization of metal-based coagulants/flocculants during the processes, are discussed in this paper. As a counterpoint, the development of biocoagulants/bioflocculants for drinking water and wastewater treatment is intensively reviewed. The characterization, origin, potential sources, and application of this green technology are critically reviewed. This review paper also provides a thorough discussion on the challenges and opportunities regarding the further utilization and application of biocoagulants/bioflocculants in water and wastewater treatment, including the importance of the selection of raw materials, the simplification of extraction processes, the application to different water and wastewater characteristics, the scaling up of this technology to a real industrial scale, and also the potential for sludge recovery by utilizing biocoagulants/bioflocculants in water/wastewater treatment.
The high-concentration stable dispersion of free-standing mono- or few-layer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets (NSs) remains a significant barrier for their application in ...solution-processed optoelectronic devices. Here, we report oleylamine (OLA)- and dodecanethiol (DDT)-assisted exfoliation of MoS2 NSs in nonpolar organic solvent 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB), which enables high-concentration stable dispersion of free-standing mono- or few-layer NSs. The functionalized MoS2 NSs were further utilized for the fabrication of solution-processed 0D–2D hybrids of CuInS2 quantum dots (CIS QDs) and MoS2 NSs. The strong photoluminescence (PL) quenching and decreased PL lifetimes of CIS QDs attached to MoS2 NSs indicates efficient charge transfer from photoexcited CIS to MoS2 NSs. The photocurrent of CIS/MoS2 hybrid devices is dramatically enhanced compared to that of pure CIS and pristine MoS2-based devices, confirming that efficient charge separation and transfer occur from CIS QDs to MoS2 NSs.
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, was triggered and unfolded quickly throughout the globe by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The ...new virus, transmitted primarily through inhalation or contact with infected droplets, seems very contagious and pathogenic, with an incubation period varying from 2 to 14 days. The epidemic is an ongoing public health problem that challenges the present global health system. A worldwide social and economic stress has been observed. The transitional source of origin and its transport to humans is unknown, but speedy human transportation has been accepted extensively. The typical clinical symptoms of COVID-19 are almost like colds. With case fatality rates varying from 2 to 3 percent, a small number of patients may experience serious health problems or even die. To date, there is a limited number of antiviral agents or vaccines for the treatment of COVID-19. The occurrence and pathogenicity of COVID-19 infection are outlined and comparatively analyzed, given the outbreak's urgency. The recent developments in diagnostics, treatment, and marketed vaccine are discussed to deal with this viral outbreak. Now the scientist is concerned about the appearance of several variants over the globe and the efficacy of the vaccine against these variants. There is a need for consistent monitoring of the virus epidemiology and surveillance of the ongoing variant and related disease severity.
•Agricultural land-uses have significant effects on native avian biodiversity.•Monofunctional croplands provide little opportunities for biodiversity conservation.•Agroforestry orchards support ...greater bird diversity than industrial plantations.•Incorporating fruit trees can improve avian biodiversity in monoculture plantations.
The suitability of agricultural matrices to support biodiversity, including birds, varies depending on agricultural land-use. In Southeast Asia, monoculture plantations of oil palm and rubber tree have replaced the native rainforests and displaced forest biodiversity. Compared to such single functionality plantations, agroforestry orchards may provide a more complex habitat for biodiversity via polyculture and less intensive farming practices. However, little is known about the conservation value of agroforestry orchards for biodiversity. Here, we investigated the effects of different agricultural habitats on avian biodiversity in Peninsular Malaysia. Using point count method, we assessed bird community in three focal agricultural habitats (i.e., agroforestry orchards, oil palm, and rubber tree plantations). From 6,248 bird encounters, we recorded 110 species comprising 43 families. Bird species richness and abundance were significantly greater in agroforestry orchards than the other two agricultural habitats. Bird abundance was similar in oil palm and rubber tree plantations, but the latter supported significantly more species. Agricultural land-use type had significant effects on certain bird dietary groups (i.e., frugivores, insectivores, omnivores, and granivores). Overlap in bird species composition between habitats was rather evident, though some bird groups were more represented than others in the different habitat types. Our key findings may imply the importance of habitat heterogeneity in relation to vegetation structural complexity (as commonly found in fruit orchards) on farmland birds. Our data suggest that incorporating diverse native fruit trees into large-scale monoculture plantations could promote habitat heterogeneity and floristic composition, which can improve bird conservation and ecosystem services (e.g., pest insect control).
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