Pegylated Eu-enabled submicron alumina spheres as potential theranostics agent RD cell line as model

Objectives

This study is aimed to synthesis and evaluate PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al₂O₃:Eu) for potential theranostic applications.

Methods

This study is bisected into two parts, a) synthesis of PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al₂O₃:Eu), and b) characterization of the synthesized particles to determine their efficacy for potential theranostic applications.

The synthesis of the particles involved the following steps. In the first step, s-Al₂O₃:Eu is synthesized using solvothermal synthesis. In the next step, the particles undergo post synthesis water–ethanol treatment and calcination. The surface of the synthesized s-Al₂O₃:Eu particles is then coated by PEG to increase its biocompatibility.

Once the particles are prepared, they are characterized using different techniques. The microstructure, composition and structure of the particles is characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. The detection of the functional groups is done using FTIR analysis. The photoluminescence emission spectrum of s-Al₂O₃:Eu is studied using Photoluminescence spectroscopy. And, finally, the biocompatibility is studied using MTT assay on RD cell lines.

Results

The microstructure analysis, from the micrographs obtained from SEM, shows that the spherical alumina particles have a submicron size with narrow size distribution. The compositional analysis, as per EDX, confirms the presence of Oxygen, Aluminum and Europium in the particles. While, XRD analysis of s-Al₂O₃:Eu confirms the formation of alpha alumina phase after calcination at 700 °C. Emission peaks, obtained by Photoluminescence emission spectroscopy, show that the optimum emission intensities correspond to the transition from ⁵D₀ to ⁷F_j orbital of Eu⁺³. FTIR analysis confirms the successful coating of PEG. Finally, a cell viability of more than 86% is observed when the biocompatibility of the particles is studied, using MTT assay on RD cell lines.

Conclusions

s-Al₂O₃:Eu with narrow distribution are successfully synthesized. Structural and functional characterizations support the suitability of s-Al₂O₃:Eu as potential theranostic agent.

Impact of nanoparticle inclusion on bioethanol production process kinetic and inhibitor profile

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NiO nanoparticle (NP) inclusion enhanced bioethanol production up to 59.96 %.

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Band energy gap impact NP catalytic performance in bioethanol production.

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NiO nanoparticle biocatalyst improved bioethanol productivity by 145 %.

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Modified Gompertz model was used to describe ethanol production with NP inclusion.

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Metallic NiO nanoparticles significantly reduced acetic acid concentration by 110 %.

This study examines the effects of nanoparticle inclusion in instantaneous saccharification and fermentation (NIISF) of waste potato peels. The effect of nanoparticle inclusion on the fermentation process was investigated at different stages which were: pre-treatment, liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation. Inclusion of NiO NPs at the pre-treatment stage gave a 1.60-fold increase and 2.10-fold reduction in bioethanol and acetic acid concentration respectively. Kinetic data on the bioethanol production fit the modified Gompertz model (R ² > 0.98). The lowest production lag time (t _L) of 1.56 h, and highest potential bioethanol concentration (P _m) of 32 g/L were achieved with NiO NPs inclusion at different process stages; the liquefaction stage and the pre-treatment phase, respectively. Elevated bioethanol yield, coupled with substantial reduction in process inhibitors in the NIISF processes, demonstrated the significance of point of nanobiocatalysts inclusion for the scale-up development of bioethanol production from potato peels.