Cross-linked chitosan/pencil clay hybrid beads for the adsorption of reactive black 5.

Chitosan (CH) and pencil clay (CL) were utilized to prepare stable epichlorohydrin cross-linked chitosan-clay hybrid beads (CCHB) for the adsorptive removal of anionic reactive black 5 (RB5) dye. Among various percentage weight ratios of chitosan/clay hybrid beads, 40 % CH-60 % CL was selected as the best adsorbent owing to its stability and removal efficiency. The pore properties of CCHB in terms of surface area, total pore volume, and average pore width were 40.

Antimicrobial Volatiles of the Insect Pathogen .

Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent promising candidates for biopesticide fumigants to control crop pests and pathogens. Herein, VOCs produced using three strains of the entomopathogenic fungus were identified via GC-MS and screened for antimicrobial activity. The VOC profiles varied with fungal strain, development state (mycelium, spores) and culture conditions.

Volatile organic compounds of influence the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in insect control.

The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) occupies the same ecological niche as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), with both competing for insects as a food source in the rhizosphere. Interactions between these biocontrol agents can be antagonistic or synergistic. To better understand these interactions, this study focussed on investigating the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, on EPN survival and behaviour.

Single-step pyrolysis of phosphoric acid-activated chitin for efficient adsorption of cephalexin antibiotic.

Cephalexin (CFX) antibiotic, a potent pharmaceutical water pollutant, was efficiently removed by activated carbon (AC) derived from a single-step pyrolysis of phosphoric acid-activated chitin. Experimental conditions such as temperature, CFX initial concentration, and solution pH were screened in batch adsorption. Phosphoric acid activation of chitin and subsequent pyrolysis tailored the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, total pore volume, and average pore diameter to 1199.