Plant-Derived Natural Products and Their Nano Transformation: A Sustainable Option Towards Desert Locust Infestations.

The desert locust has been recognized as the most devastating migratory pest in the world. Swarms of this pest have been threatening vast regions of pastures and crops in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia. The biological management of expanding swarms has become a strategy of particular interest due to environmental awareness and economic issues associated with chemical pesticides.

Antitubercular Activity of 7-Methyljuglone-Loaded Poly-(Lactide Co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles.

Background/objectives: Loading of natural products into poly-(lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for the treatment of diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), has been widely explored. The current study investigated the use of PLGA nanoparticles with 7-methyljuglone (7-MJ), an active pure compound, isolated from the roots of A. DC.

Dual Antimicrobial Activity of HTCC and Its Nanoparticles: A Synergistic Approach for Antibacterial and Antiviral Applications Through Combined In Silico and In Vitro Studies.

N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), a quaternized chitosan derivative, has been shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, especially against bacteria and enveloped viruses. Despite this, molecular docking studies showing its atomic-level mechanisms against these microorganisms are scarce. Here, for the first time, we employed molecular docking analyses to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of HTCC against and its antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).

Extrusion pre-treatment of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) lignocellulosic sidestream to produce cellulose fibres.

Background: Various agricultural sidestreams have been demonstrated as feedstock to produce cellulose. To the best of our knowledge, there is no research work on the potential of agricultural sidestream from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Carboxy-PEG-thiol functionalized gold nanoparticle conjugates for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: Detection tools and analytical method development.

Addressing the need for accessible SARS-CoV-2 testing, carboxy-PEG 12-thiol functionalized gold nanoparticles conjugates were developed for rapid point-of-care (POC) detection against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, pseudo-SARS-CoV-2, and authentic Beta SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. These conjugates leverage gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as signal transducers, cross-linked to either angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies as bioreceptors and showed a distinct color shift from pink to blue. To assess their POC feasibility, the conjugates were integrated into facemasks and breathalyzers, wherein aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 antigens were successfully detected, producing a color change within 10 and 30 minutes for the breathalyzer and facemask prototypes, respectively.

Nanocellulose-based conductive composites: A review of systems for electromagnetic interference shielding applications.

Electronic systems and telecommunications have grown in popularity, leading to increasing electromagnetic (EM) radiation pollution. Environmental protection from EM radiation demands the use of environmentally friendly products. The design of EM interference (EMI) shielding materials using resources like nanocellulose (NC) is gaining traction.

A Review of Weathering Studies in Plastics and Biocomposites-Effects on Mechanical Properties and Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Polymeric materials undergo degradation when exposed to outdoor conditions due to the synergistic effects of sunlight, air, heat, and moisture. The degradation can lead to a decline in mechanical properties, fading, surface cracking, and haziness, attributed to the cleavage of the polymer chains and oxidation reactions. Accelerated weathering testing is a useful technique to evaluate the comparative photodegradation of materials within a reasonable timeframe.

Effect of Graphene Oxide Localization on Morphology Development and Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/ethylene vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Blend Composites: A Comprehensive Study.

This study investigates the rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties of melt-processed polylactide/ethylene vinyl alcohol (70PLA/30EVOH) blend composites containing 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt.

Evaluation of Lippia scaberrima Sond. and Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren extracts on human CYP enzymes and gold nanoparticle synthesis: implications for drug metabolism and cytotoxicity.

Background: Metabolism is an important component of the kinetic characteristics of herbal constituents, and it often determines the internal dose and concentration of these effective constituents at the target site. The metabolic profile of plant extracts and pure compounds need to be determined for any possible herb-drug metabolic interactions that might occur.

Methods: Various concentrations of the essential oil of Lippia scaberrima, the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima alone and their combinations with fermented and unfermented Aspalathus linearis extract were used to determine the inhibitory potential on placental, microsomal and recombinant human hepatic Cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Antihistamine and Wound Healing Potential of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized Using (L.) Willd.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is an inflammatory skin condition with synthetic treatments that induce adverse effects and are ineffective. One of the proposed causes for the development of the condition is the outside-in hypothesis, which states that eczema is caused by a disruption in the skin barrier. These disruptions include developing dry cracked skin, which promotes the production of histamine.

A Review of the Potential of Poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles as a Delivery System for an Active Antimycobacterial Compound, 7-Methyljuglone.

7-Methyljuglone (7-MJ) is a pure compound isolated from the roots of A. DC., a shrub indigenous to South Africa.

Stability, biofunctional, and antimicrobial characteristics of cannabidiol isolate for the design of topical formulations.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a high-value natural compound of plant. It is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid, attracting significant attention as a multifunctional active ingredient for topical applications. Although it is demonstrated that CBD can be used for specific dermatological ailments, reliable data on functionalities are limited.

Engineering of Mesoporous Cube-like InO Products as Ethanol Detection Platform at Low Operating Temperature: Effects of Different Transition Metals as Dopant Ions.

Although most semiconductor metal oxides including InO show acceptable sensitivity to volatile organic compounds, it is difficult to detect ethanol effectively at low operating temperatures and detection levels. In this study, pure and Co-, Ni-, and Cu-doped InO products with their doping content maintained at 1 mol % were successfully produced using a hydrothermal approach. Explicit contrast on the structural, microstructural, and textural properties of the synthesized InO products was examined to determine their gas sensing performance.

Cationic Chitosan Derivatives for the Inactivation of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Enveloped Viruses.

Cationic chitosan derivatives have been widely studied as potential antimicrobial agents. However, very little is known about their antiviral activity and mode of action against enveloped viruses. We investigated the ability of hydroxypropanoic acid-grafted chitosan (HPA-CS) and -(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) to inactivate enveloped viruses like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Recent Advances and Outlook in 2D Nanomaterial-Based Flame-Retardant PLA Materials.

Poly (lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA) has gained widespread use in many industries and has become a commodity polymer. Its potential as a perfect replacement for petrochemically made plastics has been constrained by its extreme flammability and propensity to flow in a fire. Traditional flame-retardants (FRs), such as organo-halogen chemicals, can be added to PLA without significantly affecting the material's mechanical properties.

Preparation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNCs) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) bionanocomposites filaments using biobased additives for 3D printing applications.

This work presents the experimental steps taken towards the preparation of 3D printable bionanocomposites using polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer containing 0.1, 0.5 and 1 wt% CNCs.

A Review on Bast-Fibre-Reinforced Hybrid Composites and Their Applications.

The development of eco-friendly products to protect the environment has become a topical subject in the research and industrial communities. This is a result of strict environmental regulations necessitating the development of novel strategies to reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, which exert a negative effect on our ecosystem. Bast-fibre-based hybrids have been extensively studied for various applications due to their eco-friendliness and cost effectiveness.

Integration of 3D Printing-Coelectrospinning: Concept Shifting in Biomedical Applications.

Porous structures with sizes between the submicrometer and nanometer scales can be produced using efficient and adaptable electrospinning technology. However, to approximate desirable structures, the construction lacks mechanical sophistication and conformance and requires three-dimensional solitary or multifunctional structures. The diversity of high-performance polymers and blends has enabled the creation of several porous structural conformations for applications in advanced materials science, particularly in biomedicine.

Role of Rheology in Morphology Development and Advanced Processing of Thermoplastic Polymer Materials: A Review.

This review presents fundamental knowledge and recent advances pertaining to research on the role of rheology in polymer processing, highlights the knowledge gap between the function of rheology in various processing operations and the importance of rheology in the development, characterization, and assessment of the morphologies of polymeric materials, and offers ideas for enhancing the processabilities of polymeric materials in advanced processing operations. Rheology plays a crucial role in the morphological evolution of polymer blends and composites, influencing the type of morphology in the case of blends and the quality of dispersion in the cases of both blends and composites. The rheological characteristics of multiphase polymeric materials provide valuable information on the morphologies of these materials, thereby rendering rheology an important tool for morphological assessment.

Melt Processible Biodegradable Blends of Polyethylene Glycol Plasticized Cellulose Diacetate with Polylactic Acid and Polybutylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate.

Enhancing the melt processability of cellulose is key to broadening its applications. This is done via derivatization of cellulose, and subsequent plasticization and/or blending with other biopolymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). However, derivatization of cellulose tends to reduce its biodegradability.

Prospects of 2D graphdiynes and their applications in desalination and wastewater remediation.

Water is an indispensable part of human life that affects health and food intake. Water pollution caused by rapid industrialization, agriculture, and other human activities affects humanity. Therefore, researchers are prudent and cautious regarding the use of novel materials and technologies for wastewater remediation.

Investigation of the Effects of Chain Extender on Material Properties of PLA/PCL and PLA/PEG Blends: Comparative Study between Polycaprolactone and Polyethylene Glycol.

This study investigated the effect of the Joncryl concentration on the properties of polylactide/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) and PLA/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends. The addition of Joncryl influenced the properties of both PLA-based blends. In the blend of PLA/PCL blends, the addition of Joncryl reduced the size of PCL droplets, which implies the compatibility of the two phases, while PLA/PEG blends showed a co-continuous type of morphology at 0.

Application of Layered Double Hydroxides as a Slow-Release Phosphate Source: A Comparison of Hydroponic and Soil Systems.

The utilization of slow-release fertilizer materials capable of responding to their environment and releasing nutrient ions efficiently over a prolonged period is an emerging research area in agricultural materials sciences. In this study, two-dimensional layered materials were prepared to release phosphor ions (P) slowly into the soil as well as in the hydroponic system. Various P-intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDHs) (Mg/Al, Zn/Al, and Mg-Zn/Al-LDHs) with a molar ratio of 2:1 were synthesized using an ion-exchange method from corresponding LDHs containing NO ions within the layers.

Supersensitive metal free in-situ synthesized graphene oxide@cellulose nanocrystals acetone sensitive bioderived sensors.

A series of graphene oxide@cellulose nanocrystal (GO@CNC) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in this study using a room temperature-based simple modified hummers process. The morphological structures, as well as chemical characteristics of these materials, were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and other techniques. The results show that the as-prepared nanoparticles are made up of crystallite grains with an average size of around 7.