Simplified synthesis of nickel oxide nanorods (NiO NRs) and graphene/NiO nanocomposites (Grn/NiO NCs) was achieved using a chemical reduction approach of Grn and nickel chloride precursors. The crystalline nature of the prepared NiO NRs and Grn/NiO NCs was investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis, and the surface morphology was examined using transmission electron microscope. We examined the phtocatalytic efficiency of Grn/NiO NCs against anionic and cationic dye molecules. The Grn/NiO NCs showed 100% photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye molecules within 90 and 120 min, respectively. The presence of Grn sheets has enhance the photocatalytic activity of NCs under visible light irradiation by reducing the recombination of excited electrons in the conduction band (CB) with holes in the valence band (VB) when Grn/NiO NCs reacted with dyes. We have developed efficient visible light functionalized Grn/NiO NCs photo-catalysts for practical environmental applications using simple and cost-effective approach for large-scale manufacturing.

Discharge of the untreated wastewater containing dyestuff into the surrounding aquatic environment is of significant environmental concern. These dying effluents not only change the color of water bodies but also has many unfavorable conditions and release toxic by-products, which are mutagenic, carcinogenic, and hazardous to different life forms. The present study investigated the biodegradation and removal of dye mixture (Remazol Brilliant violet 5R and Reactive Red 120) using a new bacterial consortium isolated from dye contaminated soil. Among the total 15 isolates screened, the two most efficient bacterial species (SS07 and SS09) were selected and identified as Enterobacter cloacae (MT573884) and Achromobacter pulmonis (MT573885) through biochemical assays and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The removal efficiency of dye mixture by Enterobacter cloacae and Achromobacter pulmonis at an initial concentration of 100 mg L− 1 was 82.78 and 84.96%, discretely. The bacterial consortium was developed using selected isolates, and the optimum conditions for the removal of dyes were investigated by studying the effects of pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources, dye concentration, and inoculum size. The maximum decolorization efficiency was achieved at pH, 7; temperature, 37°C; dye concentration, 100 ppm; and initial inoculum concentration, 0.5 ml, respectively. Mannitol and Ammonium sulfate was identified as the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for better bacterial growth and decolorization. The maximum removal efficiency of 91.3% achieved at the optimal conditions after 72 h of incubation. Decolorization of azo dyestuff by the developed microbial consortia conforms to the zero-order reaction kinetics model. Consortia of Enterobacter cloacae and Achromobacter pulmonis was established as an effective decolorizer for the Remazol Brilliant violet 5R and Reactive Red 120 dye mixture with > 90% color removal.

The COVID-19 is an international public health emergency and threatens psychological resilience. Here we assess the general health status of the public in India during the COVID-19 outbreak. A population-based cross-sectional study conducted using a General Health Questionnaire and the relationship between mental health and sociodemographic factors were analyzed. The mean score for the general health of citizens was 24.18. About 40.63% of the elderly and 40.18% of the female population was under severe physiological distress. The prevalence of psychological stress among the general population was higher than expected. Hence, there is a need to intensify awareness about the pandemic and should provide mental health management programs.

Background: Phycocyanin is an algae-derived protein, which binds to pigment for harvesting light. It has been reported in various different species, including that of red algae, dinoflagellates, and cryptophyta. Importantly, phycocyanin has enormous applications, including cosmetic colorant, food additive, biotechnology, diagnostics, fluorescence detection probe, an anticancer agent, anti-inflammatory, immune enhancer, etc. In addition, several different algae were utilized for the isolation of cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC), but most of the purification methods consist of several steps of crude extraction. Aim: To isolate C-PC from a new source of microalgae with better purity level and to evaluate its antimicrobial, algicidal, and antiradical activities. Methods: Biological activity, permeability, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity profile of C-PC were predicted by in silico studies. C-PC was purified and isolated by using ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography. C-PC was characterized by SDS-PAGE and elution profile (purity ratio) analysis. Antimicrobial and algicial activities of C-PC were evaluated by the microtitre plate based assays. Antiradical activity of C-PC was evaluated by DPPH- and ABTS*+ radical scavenging assays. Conclusion: C-PC was extracted from Oscillatoria minima for the first time, followed by its quantitative as well qualitative evaluation, indicating a new alternative source of this important protein. Furthermore, the antimicrobial, algicidal, and antiradical activities of the isolated C-PC extract have been demonstrated by both in silico as well as in vitro methods.