Nano‐encapsulated Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) using poly (D,L‐lactide) nanoparticles educe effective control in streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetic rats

The therapeutics for type 2 diabetes mellitus has emerged in the current century towards nanomedicine incorporated with plant active compounds. In this study, Tinospora cordifolia loaded poly (D, L‐lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated in vivo for their anti‐hyperglycemic potency towards streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetic rats. T. cordifolia loaded PLA NPs were synthesised by the double solvent evaporation method using PLA polymer. The NPs were then characterised and administrated orally for 28 successive days to streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. The PLA NPs had significant anti‐diabetic effects which were equal to the existing anti‐diabetic drug glibenclamide. The antidiabetic activity is due to the synergism of compounds present in stem extract of the plant which reduced the side effects and anti‐diabetic.Inspec keywords: blood, nanofabrication, drug delivery systems, biochemistry, evaporation, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, drugs, diseases, polymers, biomedical materialsOther keywords: PLA nanoparticles, antidiabetic effects, nanoencapsulated Tinospora cordifolia, streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetic rats, type 2 diabetes mellitus, poly(d, l‐lactide) nanoparticles, diabetic drug glibenclamide, nanomedicine, antihyperglycemic potency, double‐solvent evaporation     

Design and preparation of NiCoS nanostructures on Ni foam for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor application

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Supercapacitors are progressively being utilized for storage systems in sustainable nanotechnologies. A NiCoS nanostructure was synthesized...     

Generation of electricity by the degradation of electro-Fenton pretreated latex wastewater using double chamber microbial fuel cell

A double chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactor with anode and cathode chamber separated by a Nafion proton exchange membrane was developed and performance was evaluated for treatment of electro Fenton pretreated latex processing and production wastewater containing chemical oxygen demand of 2660 and 780 mg L⁻¹, respectively. After 12 days, MFC treatment, the COD reduced to 133 mg/L (96%) and 86 mg/L (88.5%) for latex processing and production wastewater respectively. The MFC treatment system generated electrical energy of 1.57 and 1.04 Wh L⁻¹ for latex processing and production wastewaters respectively that was utilized to drive the electro-Fenton reactor. These results indicated that effective wastewater treatment, energy production, and discharge standards could be obtained in the system.     

Numerical investigation on the effect of flow field and landing to channel ratio on the performance of PEMFC

Three-dimensional numerical investigation of PEMFC with landing to channel ratio (L:C) of 2:2 for 25-cm² serpentine-parallel channel has been simulated, and the obtained results have been validated with the polarization curve obtained through experiments. It is found that the maximum error in the polarization curve is less than 4%, and thus a very good deal exists between the simulation study and experimentation. Upon validation, the study has been extended for various flow path designs with different L:C ratio numerically. The prediction reveals that the L:C ratio of 2:2 exhibits the better performance for all the flow channels considered, and it is found that the straight-zigzag flow field with L:C ratio of 2:2 attributes the maximum power density of 0.3250 W/cm² for an optimum open circuit voltage of 0.4 Volts with minimal pressure drop. Oxygen consumption in the cathode flow channels of serpentine-parallel, serpentine-zigzag, and straight-parallel are 77.08%, 10.41%, and 42.70% lesser than that of straight-zigzag PEMFC, respectively. The pressure drop in the flow channel of serpentine-parallel, serpentine-zigzag, and straight-parallel with landing to channel ratio 2:2 are 78.18%, 95.81%, and 48.33% higher than that of straight-zigzag flow field, respectively. The polarization curve, hydrogen (H₂), oxygen (O₂), water content along the flow channel and the proton conductivity, H₂O content across the membrane electrolyte, and current density contour at the GDL/catalyst interface of the anode side for all flow channel configurations have been presented and discussed.     

Nanotechnologies in Food Science:Applications,Recent Trends,and Future Perspectives

Nanotechnology is a key advanced technology enabling contribution,development,and sustainable impact on food,medicine,and agriculture sectors.Nanomaterials have potential to lead qualitative and quantitative production of healthier,safer,and high-quality functional foods which are perishable or semi-perishable in nature.Nanotechnologies are superior than conventional food processing technologies with increased shelf life of food products,preventing contamination,and production of enhanced food quality.This comprehensive review on nanotechnologies for functional food development describes the current trends and future perspectives of advanced nanomaterials in food sector considering processing,packaging,security,and storage.Applications of nanotechnologies enhance the food bioavailability,taste,texture,and consistency,achieved through modification of particle size,possible cluster formation,and surface charge of food nanomaterials.In addition,the nanodelivery-mediated nutraceuticals,synergistic action of nanomaterials in food protection,and the application of nanosensors in smart food packaging for monitoring the quality of the stored foods and the common methods employed for assessing the impact of nanomaterials in biological systems are also discussed.     

The structure and electronic characteristics of metallosilicates with ZSM-5 structure

We report here the result of a computer- assisted study of metallosilicates by applying molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum chemical (QC) methods. MD calculations are used to study the local relaxation in the T12 site of the ZSM-5 structure, when Si is substituted by different metals such as Ti⁴⁺, Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, and Fe³⁺. QC calculations by density functional theory have been performed on the cluster models generated from the structure obtained by MD calculations. The calculation indicates that the net charge on a MO₄ (where M = Ti, Al, Ga, and Fe) group and the molecular electrostatic potential values are good parameters to assess the acidic properties of metallosilicates, as shown by their correlations to the reported experimental acidity. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In situ detection and removal of metal ion by porous gold electrode

A sensing electrode for the detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution selectively measured the concentrations of target materials on its functionalized surface, which has affinity to target metal ions. Target ions were adsorbed simultaneously on the functionalized electrode during the sensing process. Therefore, to understand this, experiments on the amperometric response and isotherms with an initial concentration of Hg²⁺ were tested. Detection current was dependent on the concentration of Hg²⁺, and the equilibrium concentration of Hg²⁺ adsorbed to the electrode showed a Langmuirian shape. Correlation between the detection current and removal capacity for Hg²⁺ revealed that it is possible to estimate the adsorbed concentration on the electrode during the sensing step. Although the macroporous gold electrode prepared herein showed relatively low adsorption performance compared to conventional adsorbents, when we prepare nanoporous gold electrodes with a uniform nanopore structure and large surface area, in situ detection and simultaneously removal of metal ions by nanoporous gold electrode will be possible.     

Pillaring of smectites using an aluminium oligomer: A study of pillar density and thermal stability

Two smectite samples having different layer charges were pillared using hydroxy aluminium oligomers at a OH/Al ratio of 2.5 and at pH 4.3 to 4.6. Pillaring was carried out at different conditions such as ageing, temperature and base addition time of the pillaring solution, and also in the presence of nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonooleate (Tween-80). The primary objective of preparing at different conditions was to introduce varied quantities of aluminium oligomer between the layers and to study its effect on the properties of the pillared products. A simple method has been followed to estimate the amount of interlayer aluminium. A quantity called pillar density number (PDN) based on the ratio of interlayer Al adsorbed to CEC of the parent clay has been effectively used to evaluate the nature of the resulting pillared product. PDN, for a given clay, was found to correlate well with the sharpness of the d(0001) peaks for the air dried samples. The calculated number of pillars, varied from 3.00 × 10¹⁸ to 5.32 × 10¹⁸ per meq charge. The present study shows that a higher value of PDN is indicative of better thermal stability. Pillar density number may be conveniently used as a measure of the thermal stability of pillared samples.     

Impact of genotype and micronutrient applications on nitrate reductase activity of tea leaves

Tea flush shoots comprising three leaves and a bud were collected from various clones (cultivars) from different experimental fields and analysed for nitrate reductase (NR) activity. Most of the cultivars of Assam type had higher NR activity, followed by Cambod and China types. NR activity was maximum in the clone UPASI‐9. It was found that NR activity could be used as a biochemical tool to predict the yield potential of cultivars at the initial stage of selection for a breeding programme. The activity was higher in the youngest part of the tea plant. With the existing methodology it was not possible to measure the NR activity in stem portions of the tea plant. There was a strong positive correlation between NR activity and amino acid contents of tea shoots. Inclusion of molybdenum in the foliar applied micronutrient mixture was found helpful in triggering the NR activity in a few clones and seedlings. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry