Glucose determination using amperometric non-enzymatic sensor based on electroactive poly(caffeic acid)@MWCNT decorated with CuO nanoparticles.

A novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on poly(caffeic acid)@multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with CuO nanoparticles (PCA@MWCNT-CuO) was developed. The described approach involves the complexation/accumulation of Cu(II) on PCA@MWCNT followed by electrochemical CuO deposition in an alkaline electrolyte. The morphology and surface characteristics of the nanomaterial were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

The In Situ Hydrothermal and Microwave Syntheses of Zinc Oxides for Functional Cement Composites.

This study presents the results of research on cement mortars amended with two zinc oxides obtained by two different methods: hydrothermal ZnO-H and microwave ZnO-M. Our work indicates that, in contrast to spherical ZnO-H, ZnO-M was characterized by a columnar particle habit with a BET surface area of 8 m/g, which was four times higher than that obtained for hydrothermally obtained zinc oxide. In addition, ZnO-M induced much better antimicrobial resistance, which was also reported in cement mortar with this oxide.

Long-Term Behavior of Cement Mortars Based on Municipal Solid Waste Slag and Natural Zeolite-A Comprehensive Physico-Mechanical, Structural and Chemical Assessment.

Limitations in natural aggregate resources and the continuous increase in the demand for concrete as a building material, as well as the increase in the production of waste and the problem with its storage were the reasons for attempts to replace the sand fraction in cement matrices with a corresponding slag fraction. Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) slag, which is a product of waste incineration, can be used as an aggregate. This extends its service life and reduces landfill waste.

Portable glucose biosensor based on polynorepinephrine@magnetite nanomaterial integrated with a smartphone analyzer for point-of-care application.

This work describes a novel nanoplatform based on polynorepinephrine (PNE) grafted on magnetite nanoparticles (FeO) with glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger (FeO@PNE-GOx). The system was integrated with a smartphone analyzer as a potential point-of-care testing (POCT) biosensor for glucose measurement. Covering the magnetite surface with the biomimetic polymer polynorepinephrine significantly increased the effectiveness of enzyme immobilization which was 38.

Lignosulfonate-assisted synthesis of platinum nanoparticles deposited on multi-walled carbon nanotubes for biosensing of glucose.

It is presented in this work that lignosulfonate (LS) can be preferentially adsorbed on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) giving rise to the functional platform for platinum nanoparticles (NPt) deposition. The novel MWCNT/LS/NPt hybrid material has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology of the MWCNT/LS/NPt electrodes has been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Azaporphyrins Embedded on Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Potential Use in Electrochemical Sensing-A Review.

Phthalocyanines and porphyrazines as macrocyclic aza-analogues of well-known porphyrins were deposited on diverse carbon-based nanomaterials and investigated as sensing devices. The extended π-conjugated electron system of these macrocycles influences their ability to create stable hybrid systems with graphene or carbon nanotubes commonly based on π-π stacking interactions. During a 15-year period, the electrodes modified by deposition of these systems have been applied for the determination of diverse analytes, such as food pollutants, heavy metals, catecholamines, thiols, glucose, peroxides, some active pharmaceutical ingredients, and poisonous gases.

Occurrence and dietary risk of bisphenols and parabens in raw and processed cow's milk.

Raw cow's milk collected from farmers and processed cow's milk purchased from local grocery stores were analysed for the presence of six bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, bisphenol AF, bisphenol B, and bisphenol E) and five parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben). The analytes were determined in their unconjugated form and (after enzymatic deconjugation) as the sum of conjugated and unconjugated compounds. The results show the presence of bisphenols mainly in the processed milk bought in stores while parabens were found in all samples of both raw and processed cow's milk.

The TiO-ZnO Systems with Multifunctional Applications in Photoactive Processes-Efficient Photocatalyst under UV-LED Light and Electrode Materials in DSSCs.

The main goal of the study was the hydrothermal-assisted synthesis of TiO-ZnO systems and their subsequent use in photoactive processes. Additionally, an important objective was to propose a method for synthesizing TiO-ZnO systems enabling the control of crystallinity and morphology through epitaxial growth of ZnO nanowires. Based on the results of X-ray diffraction analysis, in the case of materials containing a small addition of ZnO (≥5 wt.

Catalytic and Physicochemical Evaluation of a TiO/ZnO/Laccase Biocatalytic System: Application in the Decolorization of and Dyes.

A TiO/ZnO oxide system was proposed as a support for the immobilization of laccase from (LTV). The obtained TiO/ZnO/LTV biocatalytic system was then applied in the decolorization/degradation of C.I.

Azole fungicides: (Bio)degradation, transformation products and toxicity elucidation.

The increasing consumption of azole antifungal agents leads to their uncontrolled release into the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to remove their residues from natural ecosystems. This study aimed to examine the biological and chemical degradation of four typical azole fungicides: fluconazole (Fc), clotrimazole (Cl), climbazole (Cb), and epoxiconazole (Ep).

Low-Field NMR Study of Shortcake Biscuits with Cricket Powder, and Their Nutritional and Physical Characteristics.

The growing human population renders challenges for the future supply of food products with high nutritional value. Here, we enhanced the functional and nutritional value of biscuits, a popular sweet snack, by replacing the wheat flour with 2%, 6%, or 10% (/) cricket powder. Consumer acceptance ratings for reference and 2% augmented cookies were comparable, whereas the higher levels of enhancement received inferior consumer scores.

Biodegradation and photo-Fenton degradation of bisphenol A, bisphenol S and fluconazole in water.

Bisphenol A, bisphenol S, and fluconazole are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and their removal from water is of utmost importance. As the biodegradation of these compounds is usually not enough effective, often other degradation methods are required. The study presents the difference between biodegradation and photo-Fenton degradation with a much higher efficiency obtained in the latter process.

Significance of the presence of antibiotics on the microbial consortium in wastewater - The case of nitrofurantoin and furazolidone.

Antibiotics in wastewater leads to migration of pollutants and disrupts natural processes of mineralization of organic matter. In order to understand the mechanism of this, research was undertaken on the influence of nitrofurantoin (NFT) and furazolidone (FZD), on the behaviour of a consortium of microorganisms present in a model wastewater in a bioreactor. Our study confirmed biodegradation of the antibiotics by the microbial consortium, with the degradation efficiency within 10 days of 65% for FZD, but only 20% for NFT.

Ethoxylated Butoxyethanol-BADGE Adducts-New Potential Migrants from Epoxy Resin Can Coating Material.

The acetonitrile extracts of can-coating materials have been analyzed by using high-pressure liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS). On the basis of detected ions [M + H], [M + NH], [M + Na] and product ions, the ethoxylated butoxyethanol-bisphenol A diglycidyl ether adducts were identified in two of the analyzed extracts. Although the oxyethylene unit-containing compounds are widely used for the production of different kinds of materials, the ethoxylated species have not been earlier detected in epoxy resin can-coatings.

Extreme Biomimetics: Designing of the First Nanostructured 3D Spongin-Atacamite Composite and its Application.

The design of new composite materials using extreme biomimetics is of crucial importance for bioinspired materials science. Further progress in research and application of these new materials is impossible without understanding the mechanisms of formation, as well as structural features at the molecular and nano-level. It presents a challenge to obtain a holistic understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interaction of organic and inorganic phases under conditions of harsh chemical reactions for biopolymers.

Antifungal activity of selected volatile essential oils against sp.

Phytopathogenic fungi have been responsible for considerable economic losses in vineyards, and therefore, more attention should be paid to the development and implementation of preventative treatment that is environmentally friendly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of ten essential oils (EOs) (viz. Mill.

Technological and antioxidant properties of proteins obtained from waste potato juice.

The article presents the technological and antioxidant properties of potato juice (PJ) protein concentrate obtained by the novel ultrafiltration method. Commercial products, obtained from waste PJ by the traditional method of acid coagulation of proteins, were studied for comparison. Functional properties such as water or oil absorption, foaming capacity, and foam stability (FS) as well as solubility at various pH were assessed.

2,2-Bis(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-Propanol-A Persistent Product of Bisphenol A Bio-Oxidation in Fortified Environmental Water, as Identified by HPLC/UV/ESI-MS.

Biodegradation of bisphenol A in the environmental waters (lake, river, and sea) has been studied on the base of fortification of the samples taken and the biodegradation products have been analyzed using HPLC/UV/ESI-MS. Analysis of the characteristic fragmentation patterns of [M-H] ions permitted unambiguous identification of the biodegradation products as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol or as -hydroxyacetophenone, depending on the type of surface water source. The formation of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol was much more common than that of -hydroxyacetophenone.

Electrochemical Capacitor Performance of Nanotextured Carbon/Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Composites.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are emerging low-dimensional materials with potential applications for electrochemical capacitors (EC). Here, physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations of carbon composites with two sulfides ReS and FeS are reported. To enhance conductivity, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NTs) serve as a support for ReS while 3D graphene-like network (3DG) is utilized for FeS deposition.

Integrated hybrid architecture of metal and biochar for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors.

Two state-of-the-art electrodes were successfully synthesized and used to assemble both symmetric and asymmetric type supercapacitors. 3DFAB was fabricated by direct pyrolysis of green macroalgae in the presence of NaOH. Possible NaOH activation mechanisms are proposed, which explains the formation of oxygen functional groups through quick penetration of OH- and NaOH into the vacancies.

Nitrofurazone Removal from Water Enhanced by Coupling Photocatalysis and Biodegradation.

(1) Background: Environmental contamination with antibiotics is particularly serious because the usual methods used in wastewater treatment plants turn out to be insufficient or ineffective. An interesting idea is to support natural biodegradation processes with physicochemical methods as well as with bioaugmentation with efficient microbial degraders. Hence, the aim of our study is evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods of nitrofurazone (NFZ) degradation: photolysis and photodegradation in the presence of two photocatalysts, the commercial TiO-P25 and a self-obtained FeO@SiO/TiO magnetic photocatalyst.

Fluoride exposure and factors affecting dental caries in preschool children living in two areas with different natural levels of fluorides.

Background: Successful oral health interventions must be based on the specific needs of the population that they serve. Evaluation of habits related to dental caries development and estimation of fluoride exposure in a target group of young patients helps to plan effective and safe caries prevention strategies.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate factors affecting dental caries experience and sources of fluoride exposure in preschool children living in two areas: with optimal and low natural content of fluoride in drinking water.

Hyperthermia treatment of cancer cells by the application of targeted silk/iron oxide composite spheres.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are one of the most extensively studied materials for theranostic applications. IONPs can be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), delivery of therapeutics, and hyperthermia treatment. Silk is a biocompatible material and can be used for biomedical applications.

Voltammetric sensor based on long alkyl chain tetraalkylammonium ionic liquids comprising ascorbate anion for determination of nitrite.

An electrochemical sensor was fabricated utilizing ionic liquids possessing cations with long alkyl chains such as trimethyl octadecylammonium and behenyl trimethylammonium and ascorbate anion. The ionic liquids were drop-coated onto the electrode. Thin modifying layers were prepared.

Link between Alkali Metals in Salt Templates and in Electrolytes for Improved Carbon-Based Electrochemical Capacitors.

Various alkali metal (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) chlorides with Pluronic F127 were used as a soft-salt template for tuning the textural and structural properties of carbon. Highly conductive metal hydroxide solutions, where the cations are the same as those in the salt template, have been used as electrolytes. By increasing the size of the cation in the template, the textural properties of carbon, such as the specific surface area, micropore volume, and pore size, were remarkably enhanced.