Fabrication of novel buckypaper metal oxide nano-catalysis glycerol carbonate/MWCNTs membrane for efficient removal of heavy metals

Investigating the impact of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes exposure on enzymatic activities and histopathological variations in Swiss albino mice

Present study was conducted to evaluate the detrimental impacts of exposure of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT-NP) on enzymatic activities and tissue structures in Swiss albino mice. The experimental groups of mice received MWCNT-NP for specific time period (seven or fourteen days). Two distinct doses of the MWCNT-NP solution were given orally: 0.45 µg and 0.90 µg, and the distilled water was given to the control group. Serum samples were extracted at 7 and 14 days after the experiment by centrifuging whole blood for 15 min at 3,000 rpm. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) was used to measure many enzyme assays, such as Angiotensin Converting Enzymes (ACE), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzyme. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining of tissue samples was done along with a histopathological examination. During a 14-day exposure, ACE, NADPH Oxidase, ALT, and AST enzyme levels were significantly higher in the exposed groups (0.45 µg and 0.90 µg) than in the control group (p < 0.05). Male mice exposed to MWCNT-NP showed substantial histological damage in the relevant organs as well as elevated enzyme activity levels. Present study showed a comprehensive and practical assessment of the toxicity associated with MWCNT-NP of different geometries and functionalization.

Chitosan: Properties and Its Application in Agriculture in Context of Molecular Weight

Chitosan is a naturally occurring compound that can be obtained from deacetylated chitin, which is obtained from various sources such as fungi, crustaceans, and insects. Commercially, chitosan is produced from crustaceans. Based on the range of its molecular weight, chitosan can be classified into three different types, namely, high molecular weight chitosan (HMWC, >700 kDa), medium molecular weight chitosan (MMWC, 150-700 kDa), and low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC, less than 150 kDa). Chitosan shows several properties that can be applied in horticultural crops, such as plant root growth enhancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. Nevertheless, these properties depend on its molecular weight (MW) and acetylation degree (DD). Therefore, this article seeks to extensively review the properties of chitosan applied in the agricultural sector, classifying them in relation to chitosan's MW, and its use as a material for sustainable agriculture.