Mitigating heavy metal accumulation in tobacco: Strategies, mechanisms, and global initiatives

The threat of heavy metal (HM) pollution looms large over plant growth and human health, with tobacco emerging as a highly vulnerable plant due to its exceptional absorption capacity. The widespread cultivation of tobacco intensifies these concerns, posing increased risks to human health as HMs become more pervasive in tobacco-growing soils globally. The absorption of these metals not only impedes tobacco growth and quality but also amplifies health hazards through smoking. Implementing proactive strategies to minimize HM absorption in tobacco is of paramount importance. Various approaches, encompassing chemical immobilization, transgenic modification, agronomic adjustments, and microbial interventions, have proven effective in curbing HM accumulation and mitigating associated adverse effects. However, a comprehensive review elucidating these control strategies and their mechanisms remains notably absent. This paper seeks to fill this void by examining the deleterious effects of HM exposure on tobacco plants and human health through tobacco consumption. Additionally, it provides a thorough exploration of the mechanisms responsible for reducing HM content in tobacco. The review consolidates and synthesizes recent domestic and international initiatives aimed at mitigating HM content in tobacco, delivering a comprehensive overview of their current status, benefits, and limitations.

Statistical optimized production of Phytase from Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 and studies on purification, homology modelling and growth promotion effect

This investigation was performed to obtain a promising phytase enzyme producing yeast. In this regard, the PSM was used to isolate the phytase-producing Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 (MG663578) from sugarcane juice. The SSF optimum conditions for phytase generation were optimized using (OVAT) one-variable-at-a-time strategy using both Box-Behnken design and shake flask method (g/100 ml: 0.05 yeast extract, 0.15 Peptone, 0.05 malt extract 0.50 dextrose, pH 5.8 and 28ᵒC). The protein model developed was shown to be adequate for phytase production (91% accuracy), with the greatest phytase productivity in shake flask with substrate jack fruit seed powder being 395 ± 0.43 U/ml compared to 365U/ml for the BBD projected value. Crude Phytase was partially purified with a protein recovery of 43%, revealing a molecular weight of 120 kDa. It had an enzyme kinetic value of Km 3.3 mM and a Vmax of 19.1 mol/min. The 3D structure of PhyS1 amino acid sequences (PhyS1. B99990002) was simulated using Modeler 9.23, and the validated result revealed that 86.7% were in the favored region by Ramachandran plot. The SAVES server verified the 3D PDB file as satisfactory, and the model (in.pdb format) was uploaded in the PMDB database with the accession number ID: PM0082974. At the lab level, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii S1 (MG663578) producing phytase exhibited successful plant growth promotion activity in Ragi - CO 19 (Eleusine coracana L.) and Rice -Navarai - IR 64 (Oryza sativa L.). As a result, a phytase-based formulation for sustainable agriculture must be developed and tested on a large scale in diverse geographical areas of agricultural lands to determine its effect and potential on plant development.

Vegetable and fruit wastes: Valuable source for organic fertilizer for effective growth of short-term crops: Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum

Agriculture plays a vital role in the food security and economies of Asian countries. Annually, numerous metric tons of vegetable and fruit wastes are disposed of. This research aimed to convert the food wastes encompassing the vegetable and fruit wastes into solid and liquid organic fertilizer and to evaluate their influence on the growth (germination, phytochemicals, and biomolecules) of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum. Solanum lycopersicum, known as tomato, and Capsicum annum, known as bell pepper or chili pepper, are globally significant crops valued for their medicinal properties and economic importance. The pot experiment was performed with organic fertilizers (solid and liquid organic fertilizer) and compared with the influence of chemical fertilizer and control soil without fertilizers. Interestingly, the liquid organic fertilizer effectively enhanced the biometric profile and chlorophyll content of S. lycopersicum and C. annum Viz., 1.23 mg g-1 and 0.89 mg g-1, respectively. The results of a 30-days pot experiment with various fertilizer treatments showed significant influence of liquid organic fertilizer on the fresh and dry weight biomass of both S. lycopersicum and C. annum. Subsequently, the solid organic fertilizer showed considerable influence on test crops, and the influence of these organic fertilizers was more significant than the chemical fertilizer on crop growth in 30-days experiment. These results suggest that the sustainable approach can effectively convert vegetables and fruit waste into valuable organic fertilizer enriched with plant growth supporting essential nutritional elements.

Assessing the ecological impact of pesticides/herbicides on algal communities: A comprehensive review

The escalating use of pesticides in agriculture for enhanced crop productivity threatens aquatic ecosystems, jeopardizing environmental integrity and human well-being. Pesticides infiltrate water bodies through runoff, chemical spills, and leachate, adversely affecting algae, vital primary producers in marine ecosystems. The repercussions cascade through higher trophic levels, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between pesticides, algae, and the broader ecosystem. Algae, susceptible to pesticides via spillage, runoff, and drift, experience disruptions in community structure and function, with certain species metabolizing and bioaccumulating these contaminants. The toxicological mechanisms vary based on the specific pesticide and algal species involved, particularly evident in herbicides' interference with photosynthetic activity in algae. Despite advancements, gaps persist in comprehending the precise toxic effects and mechanisms affecting algae and non-target species. This review consolidates information on the exposure and toxicity of diverse pesticides and herbicides to aquatic algae, elucidating underlying mechanisms. An emphasis is placed on the complex interactions between pesticides/herbicides, nutrient content, and their toxic effects on algae and microbial species. The variability in the harmful impact of a single pesticide across different algae species underscores the necessity for further research. A holistic approach considering these interactions is imperative to enhance predictions of pesticide effects in marine ecosystems. Continued research in this realm is crucial for a nuanced understanding of the repercussions of pesticides and herbicides on aquatic ecosystems, mainly algae.

Evaluation of Zn-Cd-Sn-S nanostructures for in vitro pyrene degradation and antimicrobial activity

The present work describes the fabrication of the quaternary Zn-Cd-Sn-S nanostructure and its use in photocatalytic remediation of the biological contaminant pyrene from water resources. Nanostructures fabricated were characterized by XRD, UV-DRS, FTIR, DLS, EDX, and SEM. In addition, an agar well diffusion test was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity. Zn-Cd-Sn-S (ZCSS) nanostructures were evaluated for their photocatalytic degrading potential by using pyrene as a model pollutant and evaluating the effects of parameters like initial pyrene concentration, nanocatalyst dosage, solution pH, and light sources during batch adsorption. Nanostructures had a size of 16.74 nm according to the XRD analysis. With a 300 min time interval, ZCSS nanostructures achieved the highest removal rate of 86.3%. Pyrene degradation metabolites were identified using GC-MS analysis of the degraded samples. A Freundlich isothermal (R2 0.9) and pseudo-first-order (R2 0.952) reaction kinetic path best fit the adsorption results for pyrene by the fabricated ZCSS nanostructure, based on the adsorption and kinetic studies. Zn-Cd-Sn-S exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcusaureus (22.4 mM). Due to the combined synergistic actions of the constituent metals, this quaternary nanostructure exhibited exceptional photocatalytic activity. To our est knowledge, the ZCSS nanostructure was made and used to remove pyrene by photocatalysis and fight microbes. Ultimately, the ZCSS nanostructure was found to be an effective photocatalyst for eradicating pathogenic microbes from water.

Biofilms formation in plant growth-promoting bacteria for alleviating agro-environmental stress

Biofilm formation represents a pivotal and adaptable trait among microorganisms within natural environments. This attribute plays a multifaceted role across diverse contexts, including environmental, aquatic, industrial, and medical systems. While previous research has primarily focused on the adverse impacts of biofilms, harnessing their potential effectively could confer substantial advantages to humanity. In the face of escalating environmental pressures (e.g., drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal pollution), which jeopardize global crop yields, enhancing crop stress tolerance becomes a paramount endeavor for restoring sufficient food production. Recently, biofilm-forming plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have emerged as promising candidates for agricultural application. These biofilms are evidence of microorganism colonization on plant roots. Their remarkable stress resilience empowers crops to thrive and yield even in harsh conditions. This is accomplished through increased root colonization, improved soil properties, and the synthesis of valuable secondary metabolites (e.g., ACC deaminase, acetin, 2,3-butanediol, proline, etc.). This article elucidates the mechanisms underpinning the role of biofilm-forming PGPB in bolstering plant growth amidst environmental challenges. Furthermore, it explores the tangible applications of these biofilms in agriculture and delves into strategies for manipulating biofilm formation to extract maximal benefits in practical crop production scenarios.

Influences of wildfire on the forest ecosystem and climate change: A comprehensive study

Wildfires have complex impacts on forests, including changes in vegetation, threats to biodiversity, and emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which exacerbate climate change. The influence of wildfires on animal habitats is particularly noteworthy, as they can lead to significant changes in native environments. The extent of these alterations in species and habitats plays a crucial role in shaping forest ecology. Drought, disease, insect infestations, overgrazing, or their combined effects can amplify the negative effects on specific plant genera and entire ecosystems. In addition to the immediate consequences of plant mortality and altered community dynamics, forest fires have far-reaching implications. They often increase flowering and seed production, further influencing ecological communities. However, one concerning trend is the decline in the diversity of forest biological species within fire-affected areas. Beyond their ecological impacts, wildfires emit substantial quantities of greenhouse gases and fine particulates into the atmosphere, triggering profound changes in climate patterns and contributing to global warming. As vegetation burns during these fires, the carbon stored within is released, rendering large forest fires detrimental to biodiversity and the emission of CO2, a significant contributor to global warming. Measuring the global impact of wildfires on ecological communities and greenhouse gas emissions has become increasingly vital. These research endeavors shed light on the intricate relationships and feedback loops linking wildfires, ecosystem inhabitants, and the evolving climate landscape.

Overexpression of cytochrome P450 and esterase genes involved in permethrin resistance in larvae and adults of Culex quinquefasciatus

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several arthropod-borne diseases, which remain a priority for epidemiological research. Mosquito vector control strategies have traditionally relied on chemical insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has resulted in the development of resistance in many mosquito species. In insects, resistance evolves primarily through the overexpression of one or more gene products from the cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase, and glutathione superfamilies. The current study examined the expression of cytochrome P450 CYP6M2, CYP6AA7, CYP6Z2, CYP9J34, α-Esterase, Esterase B1, and neuroactin genes in larvae and adults of a permethrin-resistant (PerRes) and susceptible (Sus) Culex quinquefasciatus strains. The results showed that the CYP6AA7 gene was overexpressed (10-fold) in larvae and adults with PerRes (p < 0.01) followed by CYPJ34 (9.0-fold) and CYP6Z2 (5.0-fold) compared to the Sus, whereas fewer changes in CYP6M gene expression were observed in PerRes adults (p < 0.05), and no expression was found in larvae. The esterase gene was overexpressed in PerRes larvae (9.0-fold) followed by adults (2.5-fold) compared to the susceptible strain. Based on data, the present study suggests that cytochrome P450, CYP6AA7, CYP6Z2, CYP9J34, α-Esterase, Esterase B1, and neuroactin genes were involved in permethrin resistance in larval and adult Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria: Their agroecological function and optimistic application for enhancing agro-productivity

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in the soil-plant nutrient cycling. Although the exogenous application of chemical P fertilizers can satisfy crop P requirements during critical growth phases. While excessive P fertilizers use results in low phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE), it has serious environmental consequences and hastens the depletion of P mineral reserves. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the potential to make insoluble phosphate available to plants through solubilization and mineralization, increasing crop yields while maintaining environmental sustainability. Existing reviews mainly focus on the beneficial effects of PSB on crop performance and related mechanisms, while few of them elucidate the action mechanisms of PSB in soil-microbe-plant interactions for crop cultivation with high yield efficiency. Hence, this study provides a comprehensive review of the physicochemical and molecular mechanisms (e.g., root exudates, extracellular polysaccharides, organic acids, phosphatases, and phosphate-specific transport systems) of PSB to facilitate the P cycle in the soil-plant systems. Further, the potential of commercial applications of PSB (e.g., genetic engineering, seed priming and coating) are also discussed in order to highlight their contribution to sustainable agriculture. Finally, existing challenges and future prospects in agricultural applications are proposed. In conclusion, we firmly believe that PSB represent a highly significant biotechnological tool for enhancing agricultural productivity and offers a wide range of extensive potential applications.

Mitigation of heavy metal stress in the soil through optimized interaction between plants and microbes

Agricultural as well as industrial processes, such as mining and textile activities, are just a few examples of anthropogenic activities that have a long-term negative impact on the environment. Each of the aforementioned factors increases the concentration of heavy metals in soil. Heavy metal contamination in soil causes a wide range of environmental issues and is harmful to microbes, plants, and animals. Because of their non-biodegradability and toxic effects, preventing additional metal contamination and remediating the vast majority of contaminated sites around the world is critical. Hence, this review focuses on the effects of metal contamination on soil microbes, as well as plant-microbe interactions. Plant-associated probiotics reduce metal accumulation; the introduction of beneficial microbes is regarded as one of the most promising approaches to improving metal stress tolerance; thus, the study focuses on plant-microbe interactions as well as their actual implications via phytoremediation. Plant-microbe interaction can play an important role in acclimating vegetation (plants) to metalliferous conditions and should thus be studied to improve microbe-aided metal tolerance in plants. Plant-interacted microbes reduce metal accumulation in plant cells and metal bioaccumulation in the soil through a variety of processes. A novel phytobacterial approach, such as genetically modified microbes, is now being used to improve heavy metal cleanup as well as stress tolerance among plants. This review examines our current understanding of such negative consequences of heavy metal stresses, signaling responses, and the role of plant-associated microbiota in heavy metal stress tolerance and interaction.

Evaluation of Treatment Interruptions and Recovery during Biology-Guided Radiotherapy Delivery

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

A Biology-guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) based device is designed to use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) signals to achieve tracked dose delivery. The goal of this study is to investigate the dose delivery accuracy in case of interruption during BgRT treatment, and resumption in a separate treatment session for a multi-target delivery, as the PET activity continues to decay.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A custom-built large anthropomorphic phantom (LAP) including a 26 mm spherical target with 3D independent motion and two 22 mm spherical targets with 1D sinusoidal motion embedded in water was used. All three targets were filled with FGD in an 8:1 target to background uptake ratio (41.52 kBq/ml in target and 5.19 kBq/ml in background). During BgRT delivery, the treatment was intentionally paused during delivery to the second target and the current treatment session was ended to generate a partial fraction. Then the partial fraction was continued in a new session, where the CT scan localization and PET pre-scan were repeated using the existing PET activity present in the phantom. The newly acquired PET pre-scan, was then used to determine if sufficient PET counts were present to resume treatment delivery. The interruption and recovery algorithm is designed to calculate the fluence that needs to be delivered to the remaining targets as well as the residual fluence to be given to the targets that have already received partial dose prior to the interruption. Once the new fluence is recomputed, the treatment is resumed. The delivered doses were captured using radiochromic film (EBT-XD) inserted in the target as well as post-treatment dose calculations based on the delivered beamlet sequence to evaluate the results in terms of dosimetric coverage and margin loss. The margin loss is calculated as the maximum difference between the distance from the Clinical Target Volume (CTV) contour to the 97% isodose contour in the treatment plan and the on the film. The dosimetric coverage is defined as the percentage of voxels within the CTV that lies within 97% and 130% of the prescribed dose.

RESULTS

As shown in the table below, a margin loss of less than 3 mm for all targets and 100% CTV coverage was achieved. After treatment interruptions, the PET safety evaluation based on the PET pre-scan helped to determine whether the treatment could be continued on the same day using the same injected PET activity (an NTS value ≧ 2 and AC value ≧ 5 kBq/ml).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the BgRT system is able to deliver the prescribed dose to all targets with independent motion, even when an interruption and resumption occurs during treatment. In case such an interruption if the remaining PET activity satisfies the BgRT safety evaluation, the treatment can continue to deliver the remainder of the BgRT doses.

Intrafraction Dosimetric Evaluation of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy to a Target Under Respiratory Motion

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the reproducibility and variability of biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) treatments using a large anthropomorphic phantom modeling the motion amplitude of a lung tumor.

MATERIALS/METHODS

RefleXion X1 is equipped with two opposing 90 degrees PET detector arcs to capture the radionuclide emissions and direct the 6MV Linac to treat the lesions in real time. A custom-built phantom filled with a liquid [¹⁸F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) solution was used. Fillable target and OAR structures were 3D printed and attached to motion stages. The GTV = CTV was matched to the spherical 22 mm diameter target, and the PTV was a 5 mm expansion from the CTV volume. The Biology Tracking Zone (BTZ) was generated after adding 5 mm margin to the motion extent of the CTV. The OAR was a large C-shape annulus (emulating a heart) that was approximately 3 cm from the target. The 3D independent motion trajectory of the target was designed to mimic lung motion: range of +5.8 mm to -4.9 mm in LR, range of +14.4 mm to -11.3 mm in SI, and range of +5.2 mm to -5.1 mm in AP directions. The OAR motion waveform used a 1D sinusoidal pattern with a 5 mm amplitude in SI direction. The target and the OAR were filled with 40 kBq/mL while the background had 5 kBq/mL FDG. A BgRT Modeling (imaging-only) PET acquisition was performed using RefleXion X1 and used to generate a 4-fraction BgRT treatment plan prescribing 10 Gy/fraction to PTV. For each delivery, target, OAR and background were filled with the same FDG concentrations as in the BgRT Modeling PET planning scan. Dosimetry to the target and OAR were both measured using an ion-chamber (Exradin A14SL) and film in the coronal plane through the center of the GTV for all 4 fractions.

RESULTS

The mean activity concentration within the (BTZ) was 7.4 ± 0.8 kBq/mL. The calculated signal-to-noise ratio metric (Normalized Target Signal) within the BTZ was 4.0 ± 0.3. Total treatment times were all less than 35 minutes (34.3 ± 0.2). Prescription dose coverage to the CTV for all 4 fractions was 100%. Ion chamber measurements in the CTV were -1.6 ± 1.3% relative to the planned dose over the active area of the ion-chamber. Minimum and maximum doses to the CTV, measured on film, were -7.7 ± 2.2% and 1.3 ± 1.4%, calculated relative to the planned dose distribution, respectively. The OAR maximum point dose measured on film was -8.7 ± 2.9%, calculated relative to the maximum OAR dose predicted on the bounded dose-volume histogram.

CONCLUSION

Based on this initial study, accurate and reproducible dosimetry can be achieved for targets under respiratory motion using biology-guided radiotherapy over the course of a complete course of treatment. Further studies are needed to evaluate the intrafraction dosimetry of BgRT delivery under various motion models and tumor sizes.

Decay Series Dose Delivery Validation of a Biology-Guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) Methodology

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In this work, we compared the accuracy between the planned dose estimated by a commercial BgRT treatment planning system to the measured delivered dose by the BgRT treatment delivery device. The dose delivered was measured with the Sun Nuclear ArcCHECK device containing a customized phantom filled with fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (FDG) with a fixed target to background activity concentration ratio. The BgRT approach was evaluated for its capacity to accurately deliver a planned dose to a phantom target of an increasingly limited PET signal due to radioactive decay.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The Sun Nuclear ArcCHECK is a helical detector assembly of 1,386 diodes around a 15 cm diameter cavity designed for quality assurance of linear accelerator (LINAC) driven therapies. In this work, the ArcCHECK was loaded with a cylindrical phantom containing a 22 mm diameter homogenous ball and a C-shape insert. The ball target was designated as an organ at risk (OAR) with appropriate dose constraints applied, and the C-shaped insert was designated as the target. The C-shaped target was used to simulate a tumor with a necrotic core. A cylindrical planning/gross tumor volume was placed around the C-shape, providing a test case of delivery to a partially PET-avid target. The target and OAR were filled with 58.46 kBq/mL of FDG and the background with 7.30 kBq/mL, giving an approximate target to background ratio of 8:1. A kVCT localization scan, a short PET pre-treatment scan, and a LINAC treatment sequence (1000 cGy per fraction) were performed each run with four runs performed over a duration of ∼3.5 hours (1.9 half-lives). The ArcCHECK measured the delivered dose during each LINAC treatment sequence and compared it to the plan predicted dose. The relative dose (RD) and absolute dose (AD) gamma values were then calculated for each run using Sun Nuclear's proprietary software with a gamma pass rate criterion of 3mm/3%.

RESULTS

The PET scans for runs 1-4 were completed with background activity concentrations of 5.49 kBq/ml, 3.95 kBq/ml, 2.79 kBq/ml, and 2.02 kBq/ml, respectively. The scans further reported 17.48 kBq/ml, 12.26 kBq/ml, 7.93 kBq/ml, and 6.95 kBq/ml as the mean activity concentrations for the cylindrical gross tumor volume of the planned treatment. After treatment delivery, the resulting RD gamma values were 98%, 94%, 93%, and 95% and AD gamma values were 98%, 93%, 92%, and 94% for runs 1-4.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study demonstrated treatment delivery stability with consistent repeatability in the 8:1 target to background contrast condition even with diminishing PET signal from the phantom target as the activity decayed. This work shows that BgRT is capable of delivering to a cylindrical target volume that is very different from the PET avid C-shaped that was used for the plan and delivery.

Dosimetric Accuracy of Multi-Target Biology-Guided Radiotherapy Treatments in a Single Session

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

We present the first dosimetric measurements of single session, multi-target BgRT deliveries using a clinically realistic motion phantom on a research-only version of the RefleXion X1 system.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A custom-made anthropomorphic phantom of a human torso with embedded fillable targets mimicking 18F-FDG-avid lesions was used. From the three embedded spherical targets, Target 1 was 26 mm in diameter coupled with a 3D independent respiratory motion with 22 mm range, whereas Target 2 and 3 were 22 mm in diameter and moved with a 1D 5 mm maximum sinusoidal motion. The 18F-FDG concentration in the background cavity of the phantom was 5 kBq/ml, and the targets were loaded with 10:1, 8:1 and 6:1 contrast relative to the background for Targets 1, 2, 3, respectively. Spherical structures were contoured as GTVs (CTV = GTV) and a 5 mm margin was added to create PTVs. Motion extent of the tumors were captured to create biological tracking zones for each target. Treatment plans were generated using a research version of the Reflexion treatment planning software to deliver 8 Gy/fx to the PTVs. The treatment delivery was repeated 2 times, and each time the phantom was refilled according to the plan. PET image evaluation metrics for each of the three targets were also recorded. Target dosimetry was measured using a combination of radiographic film and ion chamber. The maximum distance between the 97% prescription isodose line from the plan and the film measurements was used to characterize the dosimetric accuracy of the tracked deliveries. CTV and PTV min, max, and mean doses measured on film were also recorded for each target.

RESULTS

Treatment plans were successfully created with 100% prescription dose coverage to each target loaded with different FDG ratios. Total treatment times for the single-plan, three-target deliveries were less than 80 minutes. PET evaluation metrics at imaging-only and pre-scan, and planning and film dosimetry to the GTV and PTV for each of the three targets is shown in table below (mean ± standard deviation of both deliveries). The CTV dose coverage was maintained for all targets. The shrinkage distance of the 97% prescription dose isodose line on the film plane for all three targets was less than 3 mm for both tests, and ranged from -0.4 to -2.34 mm.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that high tracking accuracy and dosimetric accuracy can be achieved in single session, multi-target deliveries over a range of target-to-background 18F-FDG concentrations and target motion patterns.

Treatment Plan Creation and Delivery with and without BgRT for Static and Motion Trajectories

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In this work we try to validate the motion tracking capabilities of BgRT for periodic and step motion trajectories. SBRT plans that matches the corresponding BgRT plans are created and delivered to the same phantom with and without motion and results are evaluated. Using BgRT based SBRT plans eliminates any user bias and creates SBRT plans that would represent treatment delivery scenarios that could have happened if the PET guided BgRT was not present for that treatment.

MATERIALS/METHODS

To validate SBRT plans that matches the BgRT plans, we used three different types of motion patterns (1) static, (2) lung tumor motion and (3) one-centimeter step-shift. The lung tumor motion (∼25 mm in IEC-Y, ∼7 mm in IEC-X and ∼ 10 mm in IEC-Z) was used as it represents a continuous motion of the target for the entire length of the study while the step-shift case corresponds to the patient or tumor shifting between the localization CT and the start of treatment. First, a 10 Gy per fraction BgRT plan was created for each of the three experiments based on the corresponding PET image. Then, the BgRT plans were delivered to the corresponding targets with and without motion and results are evaluated. To perform a comparative study that assess the performance of BgRT and traditional SBRT (planning and delivery methods), the exact same plan fluence of BgRT plan for each experiment was used to create the corresponding SBRT plans. The newly created SBRT plans were delivered to the corresponding phantom experiments and were compared against BgRT delivery in terms of dose coverage and target margin loss using radiochromic film that moves with the target. The margin loss was calculated as the difference between the distance from the CTV contour to the 97% isodose contour in the treatment plan and the CTV contour to the 97% isodose contour on the film. Dosimetric coverage was on the other hand calculated as the percentage of the voxels within the CTV that lies within 97% and 130% of the prescribed dose.

RESULTS

The results showed that the margin loss for BgRT is less than 3 mm, while for the SBRT plans were more than 3 mm when target motion is present. The dosimetric coverage for BgRT was 100% for all three cases, however less than 100% for the SBRT cases with motion. Table showing margin loss for the various experiments for a prescription dose of 10 Gy.

CONCLUSION

The results shows that BgRT is capable of tracking the tumor motion and delivering the prescribed dose to the moving target.

Bio/phyremediation potential of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Ricinus communis on metal contaminated mine sludge

The heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental pollution around the globe and threatens the ecosystem. The physicochemical traits (pH, Electrical conductivity, hardness, NPK, Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mg, and Mn) of soil sample collected from the polluted site were analyzed and found that the most of the metal contents were beyond the acceptable limits of national standards. The metals such as Mn (1859.37 ± 11.25 mg kg-1), Cd (24.86 ± 1.85 mg kg-1), Zn (795.64 ± 9.24 mg kg-1), Pb (318.62 ± 5.85 mg kg-1), Cr (186.84 ± 6.84 mg kg-1), and Al (105.84 ± 5.42 mg kg-1) were crossing the permissible limits. The pre-isolated L. ferrooxidans showed considerable metal tolerance to metals such as Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mg, and Mn at up to the concentration of 750 μg mL-1 and also have remediation potential on polluted soil in a short duration of treatment. The greenhouse study demonstrated that the bio/phytoremediation potential of metal tolerant L. ferrooxidans and R. communis under various remediation (A, B, and C) groups. Surprisingly, remediation group C demonstrated greater phytoextraction potential than the other remediation groups (A and B). These results strongly suggest that coexistence of L. ferrooxidans and R. communis had a significant positive effect on phytoextraction on metal-contaminated soil.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis as a potential hyperaccumulator in metal contaminated magnesite mine tailings

Mining is one of the major contributors for land degradation and severe heavy metals based soil pollution. In this study, the physicochemical properties of magnesite mine soil was investigated and assess the optimistic and eco-friendly remediation approach with Hibiscus rosa-sinensis with the effect of pre-isolated Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The physicochemical properties analysis results revealed that most the parameter were either too less or beyond the permissible limits. The pre-isolated A. thiooxidans showed remarkable multi-metal tolerance up to 800 μg mL-1 concentration of Cr, Cd, Pb, and Mn. Heavy metal content in polluted soil was reduced to avoid more metal toxicity by diluting with fertile control soil as 80:20 and 60:40. The standard greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of H. rosa-sinensis under the influence of A. thiooxidans in various treatment groups (G-I to G-V). The outcome of this investigation was declared that the multi-metal tolerant A. thiooxidans from G-III and G-II showed remarkable effect on growth and phytoextraction ability of H. rosa-sinensis on metal polluted magnesite mine soil in 180 d greenhouse study. These results suggested that the combination of H. rosa-sinensis and A. thiooxidans could be used as an excellent hyper-accumulator to extract metal pollution from polluted soil.

Analysis of the Measured FDG Uptake from the First-in-Human Clinical Trial of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The RefleXion X1 system is a novel linear accelerator equipped with dual 90° PET arcs incorporated into its architecture to capture emissions from tumors and designed to respond by directing the radiation beam towards target. This study reports on the measured FDG uptake from the first in human multi-institutional clinical trial (BIOGUIDE-X) evaluating the performance and safety of the RefleXion X1 PET-LINAC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of nine patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung (5) and bone (4) tumors were enrolled in the Cohort II of this study after screening their pre-study diagnostic PET/CT, acquired up to 60 days prior to enrollment, to ensure their tumor size between 2 to 5 cm and SUVmax >6. After CT simulation, the tumor and OARs were delineated, and patients had a 4-pass Imaging-only (BgRT Modeling) PET/CT acquisition on the X1 system to generate biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) plans. Before the patients' first and last SBRT fractions, they were injected with FDG, and short PET pre-scan (1-pass) was performed on the X1 followed by a long-PET acquisition (4-pass) to emulate the expected BgRT dose distribution without firing beam. Patients were also imaged on a third-party diagnostic PET/CT scanner after the last-fraction X1 scan. This study compares the SUVmax from the screening PET/CT, X1 Imaging-only scan, X1 PET pre-scan and long scan before the first and last-fractions, and final diagnostic PET/CT.

RESULTS

The median time from injection to PET imaging was 84 ± 15.4 mins for X1 Imaging-only (used for generating BgRT plans), 77 ± 21.6 mins for X1 pre-scan (safety check before treatment start), 108+/- 22 mins for X1 long-PET (used to emulate treatment delivery), and 161 ± 23 mins for final diagnostic PET. For a nominal 10 mCi injection, the mean SUVmax for screening imaging performed on the diagnostic PET/CT was 10.8 ± 4.3. For a 15 mCi nominal injection, the mean SUVmax calculated on the X1 was 5.3 ± 2.6, 5.4 ± 2.0, 5.5 ± 2.6, 5.2 ± 1.8 and 5.4 ± 2.2 for the Imaging-only, first-fraction PET pre-scan, first-fraction long PET scan, last-fraction PET pre-scan, and last-fraction long PET scan, respectively. The overall median SUVmax for all patients across all timepoints and scans with X1 was calculated to be 4.8 with a range of 2.4 to 9.8. The median SUVmax for the diagnostic PET/CT scan after the last fraction X1 scan was 15.8 with a range of 8.5 to 27.7.

CONCLUSION

The dual PET arcs and limited axial extent of the X1 PET subsystem results in lower system sensitivity in comparison to diagnostic PET scanners equipped with full ring and larger axial extent, as expected. With the same FDG injection, the RefleXion X1 produced SUVmax values that were 30.4 % of the diagnostic PET/CT scanners' values. Nevertheless, the X1 collected sufficient emission data to enable successful completion of emulated BgRT deliveries that met dose accuracy criteria in a clinical setting.

Imaging Performance of the PET Scan on a Novel Ring Gantry-Based PET/CT Linear Accelerator System in the First-in-Human Study of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) is a novel tracked dose delivery modality using real-time positron emission tomography (PET) to guide radiotherapy beamlets. The present study was performed with sequential cohorts of participants to evaluate the performance and safety of BgRT. Primary endpoints were previously reported. We hereby report on one of the secondary endpoints assessing a novel treatment planning machine with integrated dual kVCT/PET imaging ("novel device") performance in comparison to a third-party diagnostic PET/CT scan.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This single-arm, open-label, prospective study included participants with at least 1 FDG-avid targetable primary or metastatic tumor (≥2cm and ≤5cm) in the lung or bone. PET imaging data were collected on the novel device and on a third-party diagnostic PET/CT performed in sequence once at the planning timepoint in Cohort I, and immediately before the last fraction among patients undergoing stereotactic radiotherapy in Cohort II. Three central read radiation oncologists (CRRO) provided an interpretation of the novel device PET scans which were compared to an agreement standard based on 3 central radiologists' review of the paired diagnostic PET/CT scan. Positive percent agreement for localization of the target tumor within the biology-tracking zone (BTZ) was the key metric because it reflects whether advancing patients to subsequent steps in the BgRT workflow based on the novel device's imaging was ultimately appropriate.

RESULTS

In Cohort 1, 6 image comparisons were performed. The positive (%) agreement for the aggregate radiation oncologist review was 100% (5/5), reflecting that in all 5 cases where the aggregate radiation oncologists deemed the tumor to fall within the BTZ based upon the novel device PET images, the central radiologists came to the same conclusion upon review of the paired diagnostic PET/CT images. The overall (%) agreement for the aggregate radiation oncologist review was 83.3% (5/6): localization was not established on the novel device in 1 case, even though it was established on the diagnostic PET/CT. This would not pose risk in real world practice as BgRT candidacy would be aborted for tumors not visible on the novel device. In Cohort II, among the 7 image comparisons, there was 100% positive percent agreement between the aggregate CRRO and the agreement standard as the localization criteria was met in both scans for all 7 patients. This was concordant with a 100% overall percent agreement.

CONCLUSION

This investigation demonstrated a 100% positive percent agreement between central review of this novel device images by radiation oncologists and central review of the accompanying third-party PET/CT images by radiologists. There were no cases where a positive localization by the aggregate CRRO was not confirmed by the third-party PET/CT standard, providing evidence against the likelihood of falsely positive localizations on the novel device that would inappropriately advance patients in the workflow.

Workflow Considerations for Biology-Guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) Implementation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) is a novel platform that combines real-time PET imaging with a 6MV Linac to target tumors. The performance and safety of BgRT was assessed in the BIOGUIDE-X clinical trial. This study aims to report on the BgRT workflow steps and assess the time required for each step of the BgRT process during this trial.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of nine patients were enrolled in the second Cohort of the BIOGUIDE-X study which included patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung tumors (5) and bone tumors (4). The pre-treatment BgRT workflow includes CT simulation, contouring, imaging-only (BgRT Modeling) PET acquisition, BgRT planning, patient specific QA and plan approval. The imaging-only PET acquisition on the X1 collects a representative PET volumetric 3D image and is an input to develop the BgRT treatment plan. The steps during the BgRT delivery session are kVCT localization, PET pre-scan, PET evaluation and BgRT delivery. The PET PreScan is a 1-pass short-duration PET acquisition that is used to confirm that the PET biodistribution on the day of treatment is consistent with that of the imaging-only PET. During BIOGUIDE-X, the BgRT delivery step was replaced by a 4-pass long-PET acquisition that was used to emulate the expected BgRT dose distribution without turning the beam on. To assess BgRT workflow, times from 18F-FDG injection to image-only PET acquisition, 18F-FDG injection to PET pre-scan, Pre-scan to PET evaluation, and PET evaluation to BgRT delivery (long PET acquisition) were recorded.

RESULTS

Time between the 18F-FDG injection and the X1 imaging-only PET scan was 84 ± 19 minutes which includes time for 18F-FDG update. Average time to perform imaging-only PET scan was 26 ± 4 minutes. During the BgRT 'delivery' session, the mean time between the kVCT acquisition and PET pre-scan acquisition was 7 ± 3 minutes. The mean time to acquire a 1-pass PET pre-scan was 6 ± 1 then followed by 6 ± 1 minutes for the PET pre-scan dose calculation to estimate the BgRT doses that it would have delivered for this fraction. On average, the PET reconstruction, the PET signal localization verification and the evaluation of safety metrics took 11 ± 4 minutes. The mean time for BgRT 'delivery' was 27 ± 5 minutes based on the 4-pass long PET acquisition. Time from the start of the BgRT session to the end of the BgRT 'delivery' with this version of the investigative product release was 65 ± 9 minutes.

CONCLUSION

The new processes introduced by the BgRT technology were evaluated and found clinically feasible. Improvements are being undertaken to shorten the time required for each step and to increase patient comfort ahead of BgRT clinical implementation.

Characterization of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy Accuracy as a Function of PET Tracer Uptake

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To characterize the tracking capability and dosimetric accuracy of biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) under clinically relevant PET tracer uptake scenarios relative to the background.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A custom-made anthropomorphic phantom filled with a liquid 18F-FDG solution including two embedded fillable 22 mm diameter spherical structures mimicking GTV (= CTV) and OAR was coupled to motion stages to create an independent 3D respiratory motion with 22 mm maximum range for target and a 5 mm 1D sinusoidal motion in the OAR. The biology-tracking zone (BTZ) was generated by adding 5 mm margin to the motion extent. The three BgRT scenarios studied were representative of tumors with good (8:1), borderline (4:1) and undesired (2:1) PET biodistributions compared to background. The clinical safety limit of BgRT uses Activity Concentration within the BTZ (AC ≥ 5 kBq/ml) and Normalized Target Signal as a contrast metric (NTS ≧ 2.7 for planning and ≧ 2 for delivery). The BgRT deliveries were repeated 3 times with radiochromic film and integrated ion chamber capturing the target and OAR doses. Tracked dosimetry was assessed using a margin-loss calculation defined as the maximum linear difference in distance between the planned and delivered 97% prescription iso-dose lines.

RESULTS

The imaging-only PET images used to create BgRT plans had an AC of 7.0, 5.3, and 1.6 kBq/ml with an NTS of 6.8, 5.3, and 1.8 for 8:1, 4:1, and 2:1 concentrations, respectively. Qualitatively, the target was not visible on the planning PET images 2:1 loading scenario. At delivery, the mean pre-scan activity concentrations were 6.8, 4.7, and 3.7 kBq/ml with corresponding mean NTS of 3.7, 2.6, 1.5 for 8:1, 4:1 and 2:1 deliveries. The pre-scan values of AC or NTS did not satisfy the clinical system safety limits for 4:1 and 2:1 ratio experiments, but the engineering software allowed for the delivery to capture the resulting doses. The deliveries showed a prescription dose coverage to the CTV of 100% for the 8:1 and 4:1 cases, but 88% for the 2:1 case. When compared to the planned dose values, the delivered minimum doses were -7.6%, -8.6% and -10.9%, whereas the maximum dose differences in CTV were 1.2%, 0% and -4.8% of the planned dose distributions of the 8:1, 4:1 and 2:1 cases, respectively. Calculated margin losses were -2.3, -3.8, and -5.5 mm, for the 8:1, 4:1, and 2:1 cases, respectively. The maximum OAR doses were less than the maximum doses predicted on the bounded DVH curves for all scenarios.

CONCLUSION

With sufficient tracer uptake in the target, BgRT can deliver tracked dosimetry for targets with a large respiratory motion profile. Both the good BgRT candidate and borderline cases produced clinically acceptable delivered doses, even though the borderline case was flagged by the clinical system safety checks. As expected, the delivered BgRT dose distributions were suboptimal with reduced tumor over background PET contrast.

Impact assessment of natural variations in different weather factors on the incidence of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn. and yellow vein mosaic disease in Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, also renowned as the silver leaf whitefly, is among the most damaging polyphagous insect pests in many commercially important crops and commodities. A set of field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years i.e., 2018-2020, to investigate the role of variations in rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity on the abundance of B. tabaci in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). In the first experiment, the variety Arka Anamika was cultivated twice a year to analyse the incidence of B. tabaci concerning the prevailing weather factors and the overall pooled incidence recorded during the dry and wet season was 1.34 ± 0.51 to 20.03 ± 1.42 and 2.26 ± 1.08 to 18.3 ± 1.96, respectively. Similarly, it was observed that the highest number of B. tabaci catch (19.51 ± 1.64 whiteflies/3 leaves) was recorded in morning hours between 08:31 to 09:30 a.m. The Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease (YVMD) is a devastating disease of okra caused by begomovirus, for which B. tabaci acts as a vector. In another experiment, screening was conducted to check the relative susceptibility of three different varieties viz., ArkaAnamika, PusaSawani, and ParbhaniKranti against B. tabaci (incidence) and YVMD ((Percent Disease Incidence (PDI), Disease Severity Index (DSI), and Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC)). The recorded data was normalized by standard transformation and subjected to ANOVA for population dynamics and PDI. Pearson's rank correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) have been used to relate the influences of various weather conditions on distribution and abundance. SPSS and R software were used to create the regression model for predicting the population of B. tabaci. Late sown PusaSawani evolved as a highly susceptible variety in terms of B. tabaci (24.83 ± 6.79 adults/3leaves; mean ± SE; N = 10) as well as YVMD i.e., PDI (38.00 ± 4.95 infected plants/50plants), DSI (71.6-96.4% at 30 DAS) and AUDPC (mean β-value = 0.76; R2 = 0.96) while early sown Parbhani Kranti least susceptible to both. However, the variety ArkaAnamika was observed as moderately susceptible to B. tabaci and its resultant disease. Moreover, environmental factors were predominantly responsible for regulating the population of insect pests in the field and hence its productivity like rainfall and relative humidity were negative while the temperature was positively correlated with B. tabaci (incidence) and YVMD (AUDPC). The findings are helpful for the farmers to choose need-based IPM strategies than timing-based, which would fit perfectly with the present agro-ecosystems in all ways.

Eichhornia crassipes biochar aided pollutants sorption competence of multi-metal tolerant fungi species on South Pennar river

The number of studies about the use of efficient techniques to treat contaminated water bodies has increased in recent years. The use of bioremediation method for the reduction of contaminants from aqueous system is receiving a lot of attention. Thus, this study was designed to assess the Eichhornia crassipes biochar amended pollutants sorption competence of multi-metal tolerant Aspergillus flavus on South Pennar River. The physicochemical characteristics declared that the, half of the parameters (turbidity, TDS, BOD, COD, Ca, Mg, Fe, free NH3, Cl-, and F-) of South Pennar River were beyond the permissible limits. Furthermore, the lab-scale bioremediation investigation with different treatment groups (group I, II, and III) revealed that the group III (E. crassipes biochar and A. flavus mycelial biomass) showed considerable remediation efficiency on South Pennar River water in 10 days of treatment. The metals adsorbed on the surface of E. crassipes biochar and A. flavus mycelial biomass was also affirmed by SEM analysis. Hence such findings, E. crassipes biochar amended A. flavus mycelial biomass could be a sustainable method of remediating contaminated South Pennar River water.

Microbial degradation and transformation of PPCPs in aquatic environment: A review

The Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) presence at harmful levels has been identified in aquatic ecosystems all over the world. Currently, PPCPs are more common in aquatic regions and have been discovered to be extremely harmful to aquatic creatures. Waste-water treatment facilities are the primary cause of PPCPs pollution in aquatic systems due to their limited treatment as well as the following the release of PPCPs. The degree of PPCPs elimination is primarily determined by the method applied for the remediation. It must be addressed in an eco-friendly manner in order to significantly improve the environmental quality or, at the very least, to prevent the spread as well as effects of toxic pollutants. However, when compared to other methods, environmentally friendly strategies (biological methods) are less expensive and require less energy. Most biological methods under aerobic conditions have been shown to degrade PPCPs effectively. Furthermore, the scientific literature indicates that with the exception of a few extremely hydrophobic substances, biological degradation by microbes is the primary process for the majority of PPCPs compounds. Hence, this review discusses about the optimistic role of microbe concerned in the degradation or transformation of PPCPs into non/less toxic form in the polluted environment. Accordingly, more number of microbial strains has been implicated in the biodegradation/transformation of harmful PPCPs through a process termed as bioremediation and their limitations.

Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds effective against acute myeloid leukemia: A systematic review

This systematic review identified various bioactive compounds which have the potential to serve as novel drugs or leads against acute myeloid leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy that arises from the dysregulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death. The risk factors associated with the onset of AML include long-term exposure to radiation and chemicals such as benzene, smoking, genetic disorders, blood disorders, advancement in age, and others. Although novel strategies to manage AML, including a refinement of the conventional chemotherapy regimens, hypomethylating agents, and molecular targeted drugs, have been developed in recent years, resistance and relapse remain the main clinical problems. In this study, three databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched to identify various bioactive compounds with antileukemic properties. A total of 518 articles were identified, out of which 59 were viewed as eligible for the current report. From the data extracted, over 60 bioactive compounds were identified and divided into five major groups: flavonoids, alkaloids, organosulfur compounds, terpenes, and terpenoids, and other known and emerging bioactive compounds. The mechanism of actions of the analyzed individual bioactive molecules differs remarkably and includes disrupting chromatin structure, upregulating the synthesis of certain DNA repair proteins, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibiting/regulating Hsp90 activities, DNA methyltransferase 1, and histone deacetylase 1.

A comprehensive review on the potential of microbial enzymes in multipollutant bioremediation: Mechanisms, challenges, and future prospects

Industrialization and other human activity represent significant environmental hazards. Toxic contaminants can harm a comprehensive platform of living organisms in their particular environments. Bioremediation is an effective remediation process in which harmful pollutants are eliminated from the environment using microorganisms or their enzymes. Microorganisms in the environment often create a variety of enzymes that can eliminate hazardous contaminants by using them as a substrate for development and growth. Through their catalytic reaction mechanism, microbial enzymes may degrade and eliminate harmful environmental pollutants and transform them into non-toxic forms. The principal types of microbial enzymes which can degrade most hazardous environmental contaminants include hydrolases, lipases, oxidoreductases, oxygenases, and laccases. Several immobilizations, genetic engineering strategies, and nanotechnology applications have been developed to improve enzyme performance and reduce pollution removal process costs. Until now, the practically applicable microbial enzymes from various microbial sources and their ability to degrade multipollutant effectively or transformation potential and mechanisms are unknown. Hence, more research and further studies are required. Additionally, there is a gap in the suitable approaches considering toxic multipollutants bioremediation using enzymatic applications. This review focused on the enzymatic elimination of harmful contaminants in the environment, such as dyes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, plastics, heavy metals, and pesticides. Recent trends and future growth for effectively removing harmful contaminants by enzymatic degradation are also thoroughly discussed.

Antioxidant and anticancer potential of ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of Tecoma stans (Linn) and In Silico studies on phytoligands against Bcl2 and VEGFR2 factors

This study was designed to appraise the antioxidant and anticancer competence of solvent extracts of Tecoma stans (Linn) and analyze the phytoligands interaction against Bcl2 VEGFR2 through in silico studies. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract contains more number of pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals than other solvent extracts. Among the various phytochemicals, flavonoid was found as a predominant component, and UV-Vis- spectrophotometer analysis initially confirmed it. Hence, the column chromatogram was performed to purify the flavonoid, and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed. It revealed that the flavonoid enriched fraction by compared with standard flavonoid molecules. About 84.69% and 80.43% of antioxidant activity were found from ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower at the dosage of 80 μg mL^-1 with the IC₅₀ value of 47.24 and 43.40 μg mL^-1, respectively. In a dose-dependent mode, the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower showed cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line MCF 7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) as up to 81.38% and 80.94% of cytotoxicity respectively. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ was found as 208.507 μg mL^-1 and 207.38 μg mL^-1 for bark and flower extract correspondingly. About 10 medicinal valued flavonoid components were identified from bark (6) and flower (4) ethyl acetate extract through LC-MS analysis. Out of 10 components, the 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (ΔG -8.8) and Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (ΔG -8.3) had the competence to interact with Bcl2 (B-Cell Lymphoma 2) and VEGFR2 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2) respectively with more energy. Hence, these results confirm that the ethyl acetate extract of bark and flower of T. stans has significant medicinal potential and could be used as antioxidant and anticancer agent after some animal performance study.

Metal tolerance mechanisms in plants and microbe-mediated bioremediation

The heavy metal contamination, which causes toxic effects on plants, has evolved into a significant constraint to plant quality and yield. This scenario has been exacerbated by booming population expansion and intrinsic food insecurity. Numerous studies have found that counteracting heavy metal tolerance and accumulation necessitates complex mechanisms at the biochemical, molecular, tissue, cellular and whole plant levels, which may demonstrate increased crop yields. Essential and non-essential elements have similar harmful impacts on plants including reduced biomass production, growth and photosynthesis inhibition, chlorosis, altered fluid balance and nutrient absorption, as well as senescence, all of which led to plant death. Notable biotechnological strategies for effective remediation require knowledge of metal stress and tolerance mechanisms in plants. Assimilation, cooperation and integration, of biotechnological improvements, are required for adequate environmental rehabilitation in the emerging area of bioremediation. This review emphasizes a deeper understanding of metal toxicity, stress, and potential tolerance mechanisms in plants exposed to metal stress. The microbe-mediated metal toxic effects and stress mitigation knowledge can be used to create a new strategic plan as feasible, sustainable, and environmentally friendly bioremediation techniques.

Optimistic contributions of plant growth-promoting bacteria for sustainable agriculture and climate stress alleviation

Global climate change is the major cause of abiotic and biotic stresses that have adverse effects on agricultural productivity to an irreversible level, thus threatening to limit gains in production and imperil sustainable agriculture. These climate change-induced abiotic stresses, especially saline, drought, extreme temperature, and so on affect plant morphological, physiological, biochemical, and metabolic characteristics through various pathways and mechanisms, ultimately hindering plant growth, development, and productivity. However, overuse and other inappropriate uses of agrochemicals are not conducive to the protection of natural resources and the environment, thus hampering sustainable agricultural development. With the vigorous development of modern agriculture, the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can better ensure sustainable agriculture, due to their ability to improve soil properties and confer stress tolerance in plants. This review deciphered the underlying mechanisms of PGPB involved in enhancing plant stress tolerance and performance under various abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, the recent advancements in PGPB inoculation techniques, the commercialization of PGPB-based technology and the current applications of PGPB in sustainable agriculture were extensively discussed. Finally, an outlook on the future directions of microbe-aided agriculture was pointed out. Providing insights into plant-PGPB interactions under biotic and abiotic stresses and offering evidence and strategies for PGPB better commercialization and implementation can inspire the development of innovative solutions exploiting PGPB under climatological conditions.

Evaluation of cadmium tolerance and remediated efficacy of wild and mutated Enterobacter species isolated from potassium nitrate (KNO₃) processing unit contaminated soil

The purpose of this study was to find the most cadmium (Cd²⁺) tolerant and remediated bacteria isolate from KNO₃ processing unit contaminated soil. One isolate out of 19 isolates possessed excellent Cd²⁺ tolerance than others, which was recognized as Enterobacter hormaechei SFC3 through molecular characterization (16S rRNA sequencing). The identified E. hormaechei SFC3 contained 55% and 45% of GC and AT content, respectively. The wild and acridine orange mutated E. hormaechei SFC3 exhibited excellent resistance to Cd²⁺ up to the concentration of 1500 μg mL^-1. Furthermore, the wild E. hormaechei SFC3 and mutated E. hormaechei SFC3 showed 82.47% and 90.21% of Cd²⁺ remediation on 6th days of treatment respectively. Similarly, the Cd²⁺ tolerant wild and mutated E. hormaechei SFC3 showed considerable resistance to all the tested antibiotics. The findings indicate that E. hormaechei SFC3 isolated from KNO₃ processing unit contaminated soil is a promising candidate for microbial remediation of Cd²⁺ contamination.

Optimistic influence of multi-metal tolerant Bacillus species on phytoremediation potential of Chrysopogon zizanioides on metal contaminated soil

The current study investigated the plant growth promoting (PGP) characteristics of multi-metal-tolerant Bacillus cereus and their positive effect on the physiology, biomolecule substance, and phytoremediation ability of Chrysopogon zizanioides in metal-contaminated soil. The test soil sample was detrimentally contaminated by metals including Cd (31 mg kg^-1), Zn (7696 mg kg^-1), Pb (326 mg kg^-1), Mn (2519 mg kg^-1) and Cr (302 mg kg^-1) that exceeded Indian standards. The multi-metal-tolerant B. cereus seemed to have superb PGP activities including fabrication of hydrogen cyanide, siderophore, Indole Acetic Acid, N₂ fixation, as well as P solubilisation. Such multi-metal-tolerant B. cereus attributes can dramatically reduce or decontaminate metals in contaminated soils, and their PGP attributes significantly improve plant growth in contaminated soils. Hence, without (study I) and with (study II) the blending of B. cereus, this strain vastly enhances the growth and phytoremediation potency of C. zizanioides on metal contaminated soil. The results revealed that the physiological data, biomolecule components, and phytoremediation efficiency of C. zizanioides (Cr: 7.74, Cd: 12.15, Zn: 16.72, Pb: 11.47, and Mn: 14.52 mg g^-1) seem to have been greatly effective in study II due to the metal solubilizing and PGP characteristics of B. cereus. This is a one-of-a-kind report on the effect of B. cereus's multi-metal tolerance and PGP characteristics on the development and phytoextraction effectiveness of C. zizanioides in metal-polluted soil.

Characterization of NiONPs synthesized by aqueous extract of orange fruit waste and assessed their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

This research was performed to evaluate the nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) fabricating potential of orange fruit waste (OFW) aqueous extract. Moreover characterize the synthesized OFW-NiONPs through standard techniques such as UV-vis. spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of OFW-NiONPs were studied against most common microbial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aspergillus niger) and free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H₂O₂, OH, and FRAP). A sharp absorbance peak was obtained at 324 nm under UV-vis spectrum analysis that confirmed that the synthesis of OFW-NiONPs and it has been capped and stabilized by numbers of active functional groups studied through FTIR analysis. SEM and DLS analyses revealed that the cubic and triangle shaped OFW-NiONPs with the size intensity distribution was ranging from 21 nm to 130 nm. Interestingly, the OFW-NiONPs showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against the common microbial pathogens in the order of E. coli > A. niger > K. pneumoniae > B. subtilis > S. aureus at increased concentration of 200 μg mL^-1. Similarly, the synthesized OFW-NiONPs also possess significant free radicals scavenging activity against DPPH, OH, and FRAP. These results conclude that this OFW-NiONPs can be considered for some biomedical applications after the investigations of some in-vivo research.

Architectural MCM 41 was anchored to the Schiff base Co(II) complex to enhance methylene blue dye degradation and mimic activity

A sequence of Schiff base Cobalt (II) Mobile Composite Matter 41 heterojunction (SBCo(II)-MCM 41) was prepared by post-synthetic protocols. Various characterization techniques were used to characterize the above samples and MCM 41: Morphology, functional groups, optical properties, crystalline nature, pore diameter, and binding energy by scanning electron microscope (SEM), High-resolution transition electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra Violet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). After the encapsulation of SBCo(II) on the MCM 41, the intensity in the 100-plane in powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) decreased significantly; moreover, the light absorption behavior in UV analysis was improved. The change in the surface area and the decrease in the pore diameter of the sample were also demonstrated by the BET study. The XPS results confirmed the presence of Si, O, C, N, and Co in the SBCo(II)-MCM 41 complex. The photocatalytic performance of MCM 41 and SBCo(II)-MCM 41 materials tested by the degradation of methylene blue dye (MBD) shows that MCM 41 immobilization with SBCo(II)complex is rapidly degraded under natural sunlight irradiation. The optimized 10 mg SBCo(II)-MCM 41 catalyst concentrations showed effective enhancement with the highest efficiency of 98% achieved within 2 h compared to the other two SBCo(II)-MCM 41 concentrations. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of SBCo(II)-MCM 41 showed a biomimetic reaction without using an oxidant, which exposed it as an effective catalyst for amine to imine conversion; it was useful in the medical field for enzymes with structural assembly.

Phytoremediation potential of Gossypium hirsutum on abandoned polluted chromium sludge soil with the amalgamation of Streptomyces tritici D5

The phytoremediation potency of Gossypium hirsutum was explored in this research under the influence of pre-identified metal tolerant Streptomyces tritici D5 in Cr enriched sludge soil using various treatment sets (I to V) in a greenhouse setting. Interestingly, the G. hirsutum remarkable remediate the Cr metal from the Cr enriched sludge soil under diluted (50:50) condition in 90 days of greenhouse experiment. The S. tritici D5 also effectively support the growth and phytoremediation competence of G. hirsutum. This was evidenced by the under the diluted (set III) condition the growth and major biomolecules such as protein, carbohydrate, and chlorophyll content of G. hirsutum were considerably increased in quantity. Hence, the phytoremediation potential of G. hirsutum was effective at soil diluted with fertile and xenobiotics free soil with dilution ratio of 50:50 (set III) and followed by 75:25 (set II) ratio. Thus, under diluted conditions (50:50) G. hirsutum seed coated with S. tritici D5 showed an outstanding phytoremediation process. Therefore, this method can be implemented to the field level study to assess the metal removal prospects of this environmentally friendly method.

A review on fabrication, characterization of membrane and the influence of various parameters on contaminant separation process

In most developing countries, the availability of drinking water is a major problem. This creates the need for treatment of wastewater, reusability of water, etc. The membrane technology has its place in the market for treating such water. This review compares polymeric membrane fabrication techniques, characteristics, and factors responsible for effective membrane separation for different materials. Although extensive knowledge is available on membrane fabrication, fabricating a membrane is still more challenging, which is more prone to antifouling properties. The competency in different fabrication methods like phase inversion, interfacial polymerization, stretching, track etching and electrospinning are elucidated in the current study. Further, the challenges and adaptability of different application fabrication methods are studied. Important surface parameters like surface wettability, roughness, surface tension, pore size, surface charge, surface functional group and pure water flux are analyzed for different polymeric membranes. In addition, the properties responsible for fouling the membrane are also covered in detail. Flow direction and velocity are the main factors that characterize a membrane's antifouling nature. Antifouling separation can still be achieved by characterizing feed properties such as pH, temperature, diffusivity, ion concentration, and surface content. Understanding fouling properties is a key to progress in membrane technology to develop an effective membrane separation.

A perspective on the interaction between biochar and soil microbes: A way to regain soil eminence

Soil ecosystem imparts a fundamental role in the growth and survival of the living creatures. The interaction between living and non-living constituents of the environment is important for the regulation of life in the ecosystem. Biochar is a carbon rich product present in the soil that is responsible for various applications in diversified fields. In this review, we focused on the collaboration between the soil, biochar and microbial community present in the soil and consequences of it in the ecosystem. Herein, it primarily discusses on the different approaches of the production and characterization of biochar. Furthermore, this review also discusses about the optimistic interaction of biochar with soil microbes and their role in plant growth. Eventually, it reveals the various physio-chemical properties of biochar, including its specific surface area, porous nature, ion exchange capacity, and pH, which aid in the modification of the soil environment. Furthermore, it elaborately discloses the impact of the biochar addition in the soil focusing mainly on its interaction with microbial communities such as bacteria and fungi. The physicochemical properties of biochar significantly interact with microbes and improve the beneficial microbes growth and increase soil nutrients, which resulting reasonable plant growth. The main focus remains on the role of biochar-soil microbiota in remediation of pollutants, soil amendment and inhibition of pathogenicity among plants by promoting resistance potential. It highlights the fact that adding biochar to soil modulates the soil microbial community by increasing soil fertility, paving the way for its use in farming, and pollutant removal.

Pretreatment of mosquito larvae with ultraviolet-B and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons induces increased sensitivity to permethrin toxicity

Nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Nitro-PAH) are highly toxic PHA derivatives. Nitro-PHAs are emitted by carbonaceous materials and PHA post-emission transformation, which causes water and environmental pollution and also exists as carcinogenic and immunotoxic agents. UV light has been shown to cause DNA damage and improves the covalent binding of PAH to DNA significantly. Mosquito breeding grounds are pools of water that can be large open zones or encased ponds with varying levels of sunlight exposure. This research was performed to assess the combined effects of UV-B exposure and Nitro-PAH on the physiological function of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. To assess the impact of UV-B irradiation and Nitro-PAH exposure on mosquito vectors, parameters were examined: (1) Nitro-PAH availability and its impact on cell fatalities; (2) the detoxifying abilities of cytochrome P450, glutathione-S-transferase, and esterase; (3) the reactions to Reactive Oxygen Species; and (4) The resistance of mosquito larvae to three synthetic pesticides (temephos, imidacloprid, and permethrin). UV-B and Nitro-PAH treatment caused cellular damage and increased major detoxification enzymes such as α & β-esterase, cytoP450, CAT, GST, and POX. The levels of oxidative stress, ROS and protein carbonyl content, nitrite, ascorbic acid and thiobarbituric acid were decreased significantly. Toxicology bioassays revealed that UV-B + Nitro-PAH exposure significantly increased larval susceptibility. The current study concludes that prior exposure to Nitro-PAHs and UV-B may make mosquito larvae more vulnerable to chemical insecticides.

Assessment of PGP traits of Bacillus cereus NDRMN001 and its influence on Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. phytoremediation potential on metal-polluted soil under controlled conditions

The current study looked at the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of the pre-isolated and metal-tolerant Bacillus cereus NDRMN001 as well as their stimulatory effect on the physiology, biomolecule content, and phytoremediation potential of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. on metal-polluted soil. The bauxite mine, which is surrounded by farmland (1 km away), has been severely polluted by metals such as Cd (31.24 ± 1.68), Zn (769.57 ± 3.46), Pb (326.85 ± 3.43), Mn (2519.6 ± 5.71), and Cr (302.34 ± 1.62 mg kg^-1) that exceeded Indian standards. The metal-tolerant B. cereus NDRMN001 had excellent PGP activities such as synthesis of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore, indole acetic acid (IAA), N₂ fixation, and P solubilization. Furthermore, the optimal growth conditions (temperature of 30°C, pH 6.5, 6% glucose, 9% tryptophan, and 1.5% tricalcium phosphate) for effective synthesis and expression of PGP traits in B. cereus NDRMN001 were determined. Such metal-tolerant B. cereus NDRMN001 traits can significantly reduce metals in polluted soil, and their PGP traits significantly improve plant growth in polluted soil. Hence, this strain (B. cereus NDRMN001) significantly improved the growth and phytoremediation potential of C. cajan (L.) Millsp on metal-polluted soil without [study I: 2 kg of sieved and autoclaved metal-polluted soil seeded with bacterium-free C. cajan (L.) Millsp. seeds] and with [study II: 2 kg of sieved and autoclaved metal-polluted soil seeded with B. cereus NDRMN001-coated C. cajan (L.) Millsp. seeds] B. cereus NDRMN001 amalgamation. Fertile soil was used as control. The physiological parameters, biomolecule contents, and the phytoremediation (Cr: 7.74, Cd: 12.15, Zn: 16.72, Pb: 11.47, and Mn: 14.52 mg g^-1) potential of C. cajan (L.) Millsp. were significantly effective in study II due to the metal-solubilizing and PGP traits of B. cereus NDRMN001. These results conclude that the test bacteria B. cereus NDRMN001 considerably improved the phytoremediation competence of C. cajan (L.) Millsp. on metal-polluted soil in a greenhouse study.

A viable bioremediation strategy for treating paper and pulp industry effluents and assessing the prospect of resulted bacterial biomass as single cell protein (SCP) using indigenous bacterial species

Aim of this research was to treat the organics enriched Paper and Pulp Industry (PPI) effluents using multi-metal tolerant predominant indigenous bacterial species. In addition, assessing the potential of treated bacterial biomass as a single cell protein (SCP). The multi-metal tolerant Streptomyces tuirus OS1 was enumerated from the Paper and Pulp Industry (PPI) effluents was identified through standard molecular characterization. S. tuirus OS1 proficiently ameliorated organic contaminants in PPI effluent in the in study at 35 °C, 45 °C, and 25 °C. Fortunately, the S. tuirus OS1 considerably increased the dissolved oxygen level in treated PPI effluent in 30 days of bioremediation process. Interestingly, at 35 °C of bioremediation process the S. tuirus OS1 demonstrated increased dried biomass (7.1 g L^-1) with the total crude protein (SCP) as 5.3 g L^-1 (78.79%) in 30 days of bioremediation process. These findings suggest that S. tuirus OS1 is capable of reducing organic pollutants in PPI effluents and producing biomass with enriched protein content.

Influence of Brevibacillus borestelensis strains on phytoremediation potential and biomolecules contents of Jatropha curcas on diluted chromium sludge soil

This study was carried out in order to find an environmentally friendly solution to recover the abandoned Cr-enriched sludge soil, which causes a variety of environmental issues. Hence, in this research the influence of pre-identified Brevibacillus borstelensis UTM105 and Brevibacillus borstelensis AK2 coated Jatropha curcas seed in phytoremediation process with various treatment groups (group A to F) under greenhouse condition. Furthermore, their influence on growth, biomolecules (total proteins and total chlorophyll) content, and antioxidant activity of J. curcas during the phytoremediation process were analyzed. Surprisingly, the outstanding phytoremediation was recorded in group F treatment. In these groups, Group E. accompanied it, and the Cr was reduced by up to 31.17% and 25.65%, respectively, in treated soil after 90 days of treatment. Among these two bacterial strains, the B. borstelensis AK2 had greatest effect on J. curcas growth, the yield of biomass, total protein, total chlorophyll, and antioxidant activity and it followed by B. borstelensis UTM105. These phytoremediation potential of J. curcas was effective at soil diluted with fertile and xenobiotics free soil with dilution ratio of 50:50 and followed by 75:25 ratio. Because under undiluted Cr sludge soil condition seed germination has not occurred even though the seed has been coated with potential bacterial strains and soil blend with sterilized goat manure. Hence, under diluted conditions J. curcas seed coated with B. borstelensis AK2 showed an outstanding phytoremediation process. Hence, this approach can be applied to a field study to assess the metal removal potential of this sustainable approach.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria in metal-contaminated soil: Current perspectives on remediation mechanisms

Heavy metal contamination in soils endangers humans and the biosphere by reducing agricultural yield and negatively impacting ecosystem health. In recent decades, this issue has been addressed and partially remedied through the use of “green technology,” which employs metal-tolerant plants to clean up polluted soils. Furthermore, the global climate change enhances the negative effects of climatic stressors (particularly drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures), thus reducing the growth and metal accumulation capacity of remediating plants. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have been widely introduced into plants to improve agricultural productivity or the efficiency of phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils via various mechanisms, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, phytohormone production, and biological control. The use of metal-tolerant plants, as well as PGPB inoculants, should hasten the process of moving this technology from the laboratory to the field. Hence, it is critical to understand how PGPB ameliorate environmental stress and metal toxicity while also inducing plant tolerance, as well as the mechanisms involved in such actions. This review attempts to compile the scientific evidence on this topic, with a special emphasis on the mechanism of PGPB involved in the metal bioremediation process [plant growth promotion and metal detoxification/(im)mobilization/bioaccumulation/transformation/translocation] and deciphering combined stress (metal and climatic stresses) tolerance.

Synthesis of copper nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon and evaluation of its antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties

The copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesizing potential of Cynodon dactylon aqueous leaf extract and their antibacterial as well as dye degradation potentials were investigated. The synthesized CuNPs was initially characterized by gradual colour change from dark brown to blue in colour and then found absorbance peak at 469 nm. Furthermore, the SEM and DLS analyses showed that biosynthesized CuNPs were spherical in shaped and size ranging from 120 to 129 nm. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenols, which involved in the reduction, capping, and stabilization of CuNPs. This green synthesized CuNPs also demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This green synthesized CuNPs exhibited considerable dye degrading potential in the following order as methyl organge > methyl red > Erichrome black T dyes in the presence of sunlight through photocatalytic degradation process. These results conclude that C. dactylon aqueous leaf extract mediated nanoparticles possess remarkable antibacterial and dye degrading potential.

Influences of Biochar on Bioremediation/Phytoremediation Potential of Metal-Contaminated Soils

A number of anthropogenic and weathering activities accumulate heavy metals in soils, causing adverse effects on soil characteristics, microbial activity (diversity), agricultural practices, and underground aquifers. Controlling soil heavy metal pollution is difficult due to its persistence in soils, resulting in the deposition and transmission into the food web via agricultural food products, ultimately affecting human health. This review critically explores the potential for remediation of metal-contaminated soils using a biochar-based responsible approach. Plant-based biochar is an auspicious bio-based residue substance that can be used for metal-polluted soil remediation and soil improvement as a sustainable approach. Plants with rapid growth and increased biomass can meet the requirements for phytoremediation in large quantities. Recent research indicates significant progress in understanding the mechanisms of metal accumulation and contaminant movement in plants used for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soil. Excessive contamination reduces plant biomass and growth, which has substantial hyperaccumulating possibilities and is detrimental to the phytoremediation process. Biochar derived from various plant sources can promote the growth and phytoremediation competence of native or wild plants grown in metal-polluted soil. Carbon-enriched biochar encourages native microbial growth by neutralizing pH and providing nutritional support. Thus, this review critically discusses the influence of plant and agricultural waste-based biochar on plant phytoremediation potential in metal-contaminated soils.

Green synthesis of Zirconium nanoparticles using Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extract and their antimicrobial and antioxidant potency

The biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles provides an excellent alternative to the chemical synthesis approach. The aim of the current study was a green and eco-friendly synthesis of zirconium nanoparticles (ZrNPs) from fruit peels of Punica granatum (Pomegranate). The synthesis of ZrNPs was confirmed using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The functional groups present on surface of ZrNPs were analyzed using FTIR. The average size of obtained ZrNPs was analyzed using SEM and DLS and it was around 20-60 nm. The antimicrobial activity of obtained ZrNPs was tested against Gram-positive strains (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Fungi (Aspergillus niger) by agar well diffusion method. ZrNPs showed maximum zone of inhibition against S. aureus (19 mm) and A. niger (18 mm) at the maximum concentration of 200 μg/mL. The antioxidant scavenging activity of obtained ZrNPs was analyzed using the following methods: DPPH radical scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Ferric reducing antioxidant power and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity. This the first and foremost study on ZrNPs synthesized using P. granatum fruit peel extract reporting their efficacy as antimicrobial agents against Bacteria and Fungi. Considering the tolerance of zirconium towards human body, it can also be used as antimicrobial coating material on human implants.

Fabrication, characterization, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Azadirachta indica kernel aqueous extract

The Azadirachta indica is an excellent and pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals enriched traditional medicinal plant. The purpose of the research was to assess the ability of A. indica aqueous kernel extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles as well as their anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity in vitro. The obtained results state that the aqueous kernel extract of A. indica can fabricate the silver nanoparticles and be confirmed by standard analytical techniques. Under UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis, the absorbance peak was found at 430 nm was related to the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis revealed that numbers of functional groups belong to the pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals, which act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent on silver nanoparticles synthesis. The size and shape of the silver nanoparticles were examined as 19.27-22.15 nm and spherical in shape. Interestingly, this kernel fabricated silver nanoparticles possess a reasonable anti-inflammatory (69.77%) and anti-diabetic (73.5%) activity at 100 μg mL^-1 and these were partially comparable with standards (anti-inflammatory: 81.15%; anti-diabetic: 87.9%). Thus, the aqueous kernel extract fabricated silver nanoparticles can be considered for further in-vivo study to assess the practical possibility to promote as a pharmaceutical agent.