Biosurfactants, surface-active amphiphilic compounds, despite having a wide range of applications, have a high cost of production, which severely restricts their use. For cheaper production of ...biosurfactant, we investigated the potential of the indigenously isolated biosurfactant producing organism,
ANR 88, to grow on different cheap carbon sources (molasses, whey, and extracts of potato peels, orange peels, banana peels, and bagasse). We found that,
ANR 88 used significant amounts of total sugar to produce cell biomass and biosurfactant. The biosurfactant production in minimal medium containing glucose as sole source of carbon was 0.207 g/l and the same with molasses as carbon source was 0.241 g/l. With whey as carbon source, isolate failed to produce biosurfactant. Amongst the extracts of the agro-wastes, the extracts of bagasse and orange peels gave 0.127 and 0.089 g/l of biosurfactant respectively. One-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) studies carried out to optimize the production of biosurfactant by
ANR 88 resulted into maximum biosurfactant yield of 0.513 g/l in medium: molasses 4%, ammonium ferric citrate 0.25%, pH 7. Plackett-Burman design based statistical method for optimization increased the production of biosurfactant to 0.746 g/l, which is 3.6-fold of that produced on glucose. The biosurfactant produced by
ANR 88 was analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); it showed that the biosurfactant contained alkyl as well as peptide groups. The biosurfactant of
ANR 88 was found effective in the synthesis of silver as well as gold nanoparticles in the total absence of conventional chemical reducing agents. Interestingly, nanoparticles produced were almost uniform in their size and shapes i.e., spherical silver (4-18 nm) and hexagonal gold nanoparticles (40-60 nm), as evident in TEM images.
Purpose Doxorubicin, a potent anticancer drug associated with cardiotoxicity and low oral bioavailability, was loaded into nanoparticles with a view to improve its performance. Methods Doxorubicin ...loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsion method. The pH dependent stability of nanoparticles in simulated fluids was evaluated. DSC and XRD studies were carried out in order to ascertain the nature of doxorubicin in formulations in conjunction with accelerated stability studies. The in vitro release was investigated in phosphate buffer. The pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies were conducted in rats. Results Nanoparticles had an average size of 185 nm, with 49% entrapment at 10% w/w of polymer. The particles displayed good pH dependent stability in the pH range 1.1-7.4. DSC and XRD studies revealed the amorphous nature of doxorubicin in nanoparticles and the accelerated stability studies revealed the integrity of formulations. Initial biphasic release (20%) followed by a sustained release (80%) for 24 days was observed under in vitro conditions. The doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles demonstrated superior performance in vivo as evident by enhanced bioavailability and lower toxicity. Conclusions Together, the data indicates the potential of doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles for oral chemotherapy. Further, these formulations could be explored for new indications like leishmaniasis.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the research which has been done during the past three decades on the topic of green advertising and identify gaps for future ...research.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology that has been adopted for analysis is two-pronged – the first being a literature review with tabulation of data using excel sheets and bar graphs and the second being a bibliometric review using the software VOSviewer. Both approaches analyze the number of citations, keywords, authors, journals and countries. A database of 113 articles from 1990 to 2020 is generated from Web of Science.FindingsMajor contributors to the topic of green advertising research have been identified. Thematic classification is created to understand the subtopics of green advertising. Under this classification, nine subtopics have been identified. Six core research gaps have been identified for future research in the area of green advertising.Practical implicationsThe study helps identify where green advertising research is being conducted, its growth potential and future prospects. This research work will enable the industry to gain new insights into this emerging field of green advertising for incorporating the same in their advertising campaigns in view of growing consumer concerns on environment.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of research in green advertising. The paper is unique as it is the only review on the topic of green advertising. Given the increasing trend of going green among consumers, the paper adds tremendous value to the field of green advertising.
Glasses having composition of (100−x) (1Bi2O3–1ZnO–1B2O3)-xDy2O3 (where x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 2mol%) were prepared by melt quenching method and characterized through optical absorption, emission and ...decay curve measurements. Optical absorption spectra have been analyzed using Judd–Ofelt theory. Asymmetric ratio, the intensity ratio of yellow to blue transitions, has been calculated from the emission spectra to understand the symmetry around the Dy3+ ions in the glass matrix. The emission spectra have been analyzed in the framework of CIE 1931 chromaticity colour coordinates in order to find out the white light emission characteristics of the glasses. The decay curve measurements exhibit single exponential behaviour up to 1mol% of Dy3+ ions whereas non exponential behaviour is observed for 2mol% of Dy3+ ions. The non exponential curve has been fitted to the Inokuti–Hirayama model to understand the nature of energy transfer process.
•Luminescence quenching occurs at high concentration of Dy3+ ion.•The interaction between Dy3+ ions is of dipole–dipole type.•CIE chromaticity coordinates fall within the white light region.
The in situ (one-step) acid-catalyzed transesterification step for conversion to biodiesel of biomass from oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica grown on waste cooking oil (WCO) is studied. The ...process yield of biodiesel was optimized by investigating effects of various parameters, namely, biomass, methanol, chloroform, catalyst, temperature, time and sonication. A Plackett-Burman statistical design of experiments revealed that biomass is the most significant factor influencing biodiesel (FAME, fatty acid methyl ester) production. Subsequently, a one variable design (OVD) of experiments for increased biomass loadings showed higher yields of FAME with no additional requirement of reactants, solvents or special equipment. The biomass grown on WCO had a lipid productivity of 0.042 g L-1 h−1 and 4 g of this loading gave a high FAME yield of 0.88 g in 8 h at 50 °C with methanol: chloroform (10:1) and acid catalyst (0.2 M H2SO4,1.0 ml g−1). The FAME profile had desirable amounts of saturated (32.81%), monounsaturated (36.41%), polyunsaturated (30.59%) methyl esters. The predicted and experimentally determined physico-chemical properties of FAME were found in accordance with specified international standards. Thus, the direct one-pot in situ transesterification reaction using Y. lipolytica biomass grown on WCO provides a high yield of biodiesel with potential applicability while simultaneously addressing the management of this pollutant.
•Biomass of yeast Y. lipolytica grown on waste cooking oil used for biodiesel production.•Optimization of direct in situ acid catalyzed transesterification step to biodiesel.•Biomass found to be the most significant amongst all factors studied by optimization.•High biomass loading (4 g) led to high FAME yield (0.88 g).•FAME profile and physico-chemical properties show its suitability as biodiesel.
Removal of the hazardous and endocrine-disrupting 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from water bodies is crucial to maintain the sanctity of the ecosystem. As a low bandgap material (1.37 eV), NaBiS2 was ...hydrothermally prepared and used as a potential photocatalyst to degrade 2,4-DCP under visible light irradiation. NaBiS2 appeared to be highly stable and remained structurally undeterred despite thermal variations. With a surface area of 6.69 m2/g, NaBiS2 has enough surface-active sites to adsorb the reactive molecules and exhibit a significant photocatalytic activity. In alkaline pH, the adsorption of 2,4-DCP on NaBiS2 appeared to decrease whereas, the acidic and neutral environments favoured the degradation. An increase in the photocatalyst dosage enhanced the degradation efficiency from 81 to 86 %, because of higher vacant adsorbent sites and the electrostatic attraction between NaBiS2 and 2,4-DCP. The dominant scavengers degraded 2,4-DCP by forming a coordination bond between chlorine's lone pair of electrons and the vacant orbitals of bismuth, following the order hole>OH > singlet oxygen. Being non-toxic to both natural and aquatic systems, NaBiS2 exhibits antifungal properties at higher concentrations. Finally, the electron-rich NaBiS2 is an excellent electrocatalyst that effectively degrades organic pollutants and is a promising material for industrial and environmental applications.
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•Bimetallic sulphide as a new photocatalyst for the removal of 2,4-DCP.•86 % of degradation was achieved using this photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.•Hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals are the main radicals involved in the degradation.•Photoluminescence studies were carried out to depict the mechanism.
► Na2SO4–B2O3–P2O5 glasses doped with different concentrations of MoO3 (0–10.0mol%) were prepared. ► Spectroscopic and dielectric properties were investigated. ► The analysis of the results indicated ...that molybdenum ions exist in both Mo6+ and Mo5+ states. ► The redox ratio increases with increasing content of MoO3. ► Mo5+ ions act as modifiers, depolymerize the glass network.
Na2SO4–B2O3–P2O5 glasses doped with different concentrations of MoO3 (ranging from 0 to 10.0mol%) were prepared. The valence states of molybdenum ions and their coordination in the glass network have been investigated using optical absorption, ESR, and IR spectroscopy. The analysis of the spectroscopic results has indicated that the molybdenum ions exist in both Mo6+ (occupy octahedral and tetrahedral positions) and Mo5+ (occupy octahedral positions) local coordination sites and the redox ratio increases with the concentration of MoO3. Dielectric properties have been studied over a frequency range (102–105Hz) and within the temperature range from 30 to 250°C. The ac conductivity is observed to increase, whereas the activation energy for the conductivity exhibited decreasing trend, with the concentration of MoO3. In the low temperature region, the ac conductivity is nearly temperature independent and is varied linearly with frequency. Such behaviour is explained based on quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) model. The dispersion of real part of dielectric constant ε′(ω), and loss, tanδ, with temperature have been analyzed on the basis of space charge and orientation polarization models.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess the essential trends of existing research on “puffery in advertising” through bibliometric analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This ...study uses citation data collected through Scopus and Google Scholar for the research area “puffery in advertising” to investigate the most productive journals, top countries of affiliation and prominent years with maximum citations. The study analyses the 87 articles related to “puffery in advertising,” published during 1840 to 2018. Moreover, this study also presents graphical analysis through network maps.
Findings
“Puffery in advertising” has remained an under-researched area. However, records of past ten years indicate marginal growth in the number of publications. USA dominates this research area with most numbers of articles published till date. Through clustering of subject areas, it is found that majority of articles have been published under the subject area of “Business, Management and Accounting.” Interestingly, the results of the network maps slightly differ from that of citation table.
Practical implications
This paper is useful for any reader or researcher who wants to understand the trends of “puffery in advertising” in terms of citation analysis, authors and affiliation countries, and prominent years with maximum citations, which would further enable them to discover emerging research areas, potential research collaborations and publications.
Originality/value
To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first ever bilbiometric study on “puffery in advertising” providing a bird’s-eye view of the essential trends.
This work mainly focuses on the generation of white light from sodium antimony zinc borate (BNZS) glasses as well as by introducing silver ions into the glass matrix through the Na
+
–Ag
+
...ion-exchange method. The glasses of 40B
2
O
3
–10Na
2
O–(50−
x
) ZnO–
x
Sb
2
O
3
(in mol%) where
x
= 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 were prepared through melt quenching technique and are characterised by XRD, UV–VIS–NIR absorption spectra, photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. CIE 1931 chromaticity colour coordinates for all base glasses without silver fall within the blue region. Based on the ion-exchange duration, the colour coordinates shifted from blue to white light with the introduction of silver ions into the glass. This is due to the formation of silver nanoclusters of various dimensions and concentrations by different reduction and aggregation mechanisms in the glass matrix. The mechanism behind the evolution of white light generation has been analysed using the Raman and XPS spectral analysis. Traditional phosphors containing rare earth ions are widely used in displays, lasers, optical amplifiers, and white light-emitting diodes, having limitations such as narrow emission bands, low thermal stability, and their scarcity as well as high cost. Hence, this paper explores the generation of white light from rare earth-free glasses by embedding optically active nanoparticles into it and postmodifying its properties.
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