Several studies have reported the rapid development of adsorbents with high efficacy, high stability and ample porosity for environmental remediation, where it still represents the significant challenges due to their expensive and less ecofriendly production. In present study, a newly optimized and functionalized green biosurfactantmediated silica nanoparticle utilized to improve the surface properties and effectively remove the toxic drug acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) from water. The successful synthesis and physicochemical properties of BMSN (Biologically synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles), A-BMSN-NH 2 and A-BMSN-CS was carried out through characterization techniques such as FESEM, HRTEM, EDXS, XRD, FTIR, BET, and XPS. However, FESEM and HRTEM analysis reveal the perfectly spherical particles with minimal aggregation (60 - 82nm). The XRD confirms amorphous characteristics and FTIR indicates the presence of Si -O and - NH groups. Furthermore, BET demonstrates a high surface area of 0.015 (40.1907m (2) /g), and XPS identifies Si -O -Si linkages with strong binding energy. Furthermore, the study also examined the influence of various experimental parameters during the optimization process of adsorption study, including adsorbent dosage, pH, initial concentration, contact time, and temperature. The adsorption study demonstrated the highest removal efficiency at pH similar to 6 with effective adsorbent (A-BMSN-CS) dosage of 3.25mg/40mL, and optimum initial concentration 100ppm over 180min at room temperature. Moreover, Freundlich isotherm model (R-2 =0.88014) exhibited well -fitted with higher adsorption capacity as compared to other isotherm models in case of A-BMSN-CS adsorbent. The adsorption kinetics described well -fitted by Pseudo second order model comprising R-2 =0.99999. In addition, thermodynamic parameters exhibited that the adsorption of ASA on adsorbents surface is spontaneous and exothermic process due to negative values of Delta H degrees , Delta S degrees , and Delta G degrees . Therefore, the promising formed adsorbents could be highly recommended to use in potential significant applications including use as drug carrier in pharmaceutics, heavy metals removal, energy storage, as biomarkers, etc.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Rat Lungworm) is a major pathogen of Eosinophilic Meningitis in humans worldwide. A. cantonensis completes its life-cycle in two hosts: the rodent definitive and the gastropod intermediate hosts. Among the wide range of intermediate gastropod hosts, the invasive Pomacea canaliculata (Golden apple snails), which have caused numerous outbreaks of neuroangiostrongyliasis worldwide, especially China and Taiwan. While there have been numerous surveys on the prevalence of A. cantonensis larvae in P. canaliculata in China, there are an inadequate number of studies in Taiwan. This review gives an overview of the current status of A. cantonensis prevalence and infection in general, along with focusing on the status and developments regarding neuroangiostrongyliasis in Taiwan. Additionally, the present study concentrated on the implications of a well-known invasive vector of the parasite, Pomacea spp. and its effects on disease transmission to humans. Results show that P. canaliculata has been the source of approximately 15.5% infections in Taiwan. Furthermore, due to rapidly growing invasive Pomacea spp. populations in waterlogged areas, disease transmission through water cannot be neglected. Thus, as a precautionary measure, we suggest that environmental DNA-based monitoring should be implemented to detect parasites.

Heavy metals (HMs) pollution is a pervasive environmental issue needs significant attention through bioremediation. Present study investigated the potentiality of Microbial-mediated Cerium Carbonate Precipitation (MMCCP) in simultaneous removal of HMs (Cr, Pb, and Cu) using different cellular concentration of Sporosarcina pasteurii. Results from SEM analysis revealed formation of spherical and rod-like structures (∼112nm), and finally XRD and FTIR confirmed the formation of high-purity crystalline CeCO3OH with surface-bound hydroxyl groups and CO32- ions, indicating successful cerium incorporation and formation in CeCO3OH. Moreover, optimal removal efficiencies for Cr (99%), Pb (99%), and Cu (68%) were achieved within 80min at 6mg/L concentration and 0.05g adsorbent dose. Adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9) and pseudo-second-order kinetics, with thermodynamic parameters indicating spontaneity and exothermicity (ΔG < 0, ΔH < 0, ΔS > 0). These findings demonstrate MMCCP's potential as an effective and sustainable approach for HMs remediation.

Plant-animal interactions (PAIs) are critical in natural and agricultural ecosystems, mediating energy flow with both positive and negative interactions. Traditional methods of tracking PAIs, such as morphological identification and camera trapping, are limited in speed and scalability, posing challenges for comprehensive biodiversity monitoring. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a promising technique for detecting species interactions non-destructively. This pilot study explores the application of eDNA metabarcoding to investigate frugivorous interactions involving 18 partially consumed and three intact fruits of each Carica papaya and Ananas comosus. Metabarcoding of mitochondrial COI gene fragments generated 796,234 paired-end reads representing 117 ASVs spanning diverse taxonomic groups, including Metazoans, Protozoans, Algae, Fungi, and Bacteria. After filtering for animal taxa, 41 ASVs were retained, dominated by Arthropoda (similar to 97%). Major frugivores included Drosophila, Zaprionus, and Bactrocera species. Additional detections included beetles, ants, parasitoid wasps, and vertebrates such as Acridotheres javanicus, Callosciurus erythraeus, and Bandicota indica. Moreover, consumed fruits showed high insect (similar to 90%-95%) and mammal (similar to 4%-5%) DNA, while intact fruits were dominated by rotifers (similar to 75%-80%). Distinct communities were found between pineapple and papaya, with 15 and 11 unique ASVs, respectively, and only one ASV was unique to intact fruits. Alpha and beta diversity analyses confirmed the differences in community structure between fruit types. Despite the limited sample size, our findings demonstrate the potential of fruit-surface eDNA to monitor frugivory and species interactions. Future studies should scale this approach across seasons and crop types to assess its potential in long-term biodiversity and pest management monitoring.

Mangroves, essential coastal ecosystems, are threatened by human-induced Potentially-toxic-elements (PTEs) pollution. This study analyzed PTEs distribution, phytoremediation potential, and rhizosphere microbial communities in Taiwan's Xinfeng mangrove forest. Significant variations in physicochemical and PTEs concentrations were observed across adjacent water bodies, with moderate contamination in the river, estuary, and overlying water of mangroves sediment. The partition-coefficient showed the mobility of Bi, Pb, Co, and Sr at the water-sediment interface. The geochemical-indices revealed high Bi and Pb contamination and moderate Zn, Sr, Cu, and Cd contamination in sediment. The overall pollution indices indicated the significant contamination, while moderate ecological risk was found for Cd (40 ≤ Eri < 80). Mangroves Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina exhibited promising PTEs phytoremediation potential (Bi, Cd, Mn, Sr, and Co). Metagenomics indicated a diverse microbial community with N-fixation, P-solubilization, IAA synthesis, and PTEs-resistance genes. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation to protect these critical habitats.

Mangroves represent intricate and ever-changing ecosystems, exhibiting fluctuations in water level, salinity, and nutrient (such as NPK) availability as well as a wide array of unique bacterial communities. Microbial interactions in different components (e.g., tree roots) of the mangrove ecosystem are crucial to understand the ecosystem functioning for potential application in pollution mitigation and agricultural production. This study aimed to isolate phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from the rhizosphere sediment of mangrove (Avicennia sp.) in terms of heavy metals (HMs) and salinity tolerance as well as plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, where the effective PSB were used on Brassica chinensis for their seed priming and growth under salinity stress. The effective two PSB isolates were identified by 16S rRNA, where JKD01 and JKD02 were closely related (99%) to Enterobacter cloacae (OQ271412) and Kocuria rhizophila (OQ271413), respectively. Both the strains exhibited phosphate solubilization, IAA, NH3, and EPS production ability as well as HMs resistant ability where, E. cloacae (OQ271412) and K. rhizophila (OQ271413), are effectively remove the Cu from the water with 33.23% and 27.54%, respectively. The FTIR results showed functional group shifts (carboxyl, phosphate, and amino) in Cu-treated bacterial biomass and intracellular Cu presence, indicating the involvement of Cu in the bio-sorption and intracellular bioaccumulation process, respectively. The findings suggested PSB tolerance to salinity and HMs are present in mangroves, making them a valuable source for isolating effective bacteria to reduce stress in plants, lower HMs accumulation in mangroves, and aid in the bioremediation of HMs-contaminated environments.

With the progression of civilization, the harmony within nature has been disrupted, giving rise to various ecocidal activities that are evident in every spheres of the earth. These activities have had a profound and far-reaching impact on global health. One significant example of this is the presence of fluoride in groundwater exceeding acceptable limits, resulting in the widespread occurrence of “Fluorosis” worldwide. It is imperative to mitigate the concentration of fluoride in drinking water to meet safety standards. While various defluoridation techniques exist, they often have drawbacks. Biosorption, being a simple, affordable and eco-friendly method, has gained preference for defluoridation. However, its limited commercialization underscores the pressing need for further research in this domain. This comprehensive review article offers a thorough examination of the defluoridation potential of agro-based adsorbents, encompassing their specific chemical compositions and preparation methods. The review presents an in-depth discussion of the factors influencing fluoride biosorption and conducts a detailed exploration of adsorption isotherm and adsorption kinetic models to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the adsorption process. Furthermore, it evaluates the commercial viability through an assessment of regeneration potential and a cost analysis of these agro-adsorbents, with the aim of facilitating the scalability of the defluoridation process. The elucidation of the adsorption mechanism and recommendations for overcoming challenges in large-scale implementation offer a comprehensive outlook on this eco-friendly and sustainable approach to fluoride removal. In summary, this review article equips readers with a lucid understanding of agro-adsorbents, elucidates their ideal conditions for improved performance, offers a more profound insight into the fluoride biosorption mechanism, and introduces the concept of effective spent adsorbent management.

Monoelemental atomic sheets (Xenes) and other 2D materials offer record electronic mobility, high thermal conductivity, excellent Young's moduli, optical transparency, and flexural capability, revolutionizing ultrasensitive devices and enhancing performance. The ideal synthesis of these quantum materials should be facile, fast, scalable, reproducible, and green. Microwave expansion followed by cryoquenching (MECQ) leverages thermal stress in graphite to produce high-purity graphene within minutes. MECQ synthesis of graphene is reported at 640 and 800 W for 10 min, followed by liquid nitrogen quenching for 5 and 90 min of sonication. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the chemical identity and phase purity of monolayers and few-layered graphene sheets (200-12 mu m). Higher microwave power yields thinner layers with enhanced purity. Molecular dynamics simulations and DFT calculations support the exfoliation under these conditions. Electrostatic droplet switching is demonstrated using MECQ-synthesized graphene, observing electrorolling of a mercury droplet on a BN/graphene interface at voltages above 20 V. This technique can inspire the synthesis of other 2D materials with high purity and enable new applications. This paper presents a novel method for synthesizing graphene using microwave expansion followed by cryoquenching. The approach demonstrates improved scalability and efficiency, producing high-purity graphene in a matter of minutes. Characterization techniques confirm the quality and structural properties of the synthesized material, highlighting its potential for various technological applications. image

Introgressive hybridization is a pivotal force influencing genetic diversity and adaptive potential of invasive species, however to date has received less attention for even the most globally destructive species. Golden apple snails (Pomacea spp.), one of the world’s worst invasive species, were first introduced during the 1980s into Taiwan for commerce and have since emerged as a significant threat to regional biodiversity. Two of the most destructive invasive species of Pomacea, P. canaliculata and P. maculata, have been reported to hybridize in its native and non-native range, the latter of which has been posited to facilitate an adaptive advantage for increasing invasiveness. Thus, our study combined mitochondrial COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) barcoding and nuclear EF1-α (elongation factor 1-alpha) gene analysis to identify putative hybridization among 254 samples collected across 14 cities/counties in Taiwan. Our investigation confirmed hybridization within the sympatric but heterogeneous distribution of P. canaliculata and P. maculata in Taiwan. The results indicated that 18.9

Improper disposal practices have caused environmental disruptions, possessing by heavy metal ions and radioactive elements in water and soil, where the innovative and sustainable remediation strategies are significantly imperative in last few decades. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a pioneering technology for remediating contaminated soil and water. Generally, MICP employs urease-producing microorganisms to decompose urea (NH2CONH2) into ammonium (NH4+and carbon dioxide (CO2), thereby increasing pH levels and inducing carbonate precipitation (CO32−), and effectively removing remove contaminants. Nonetheless, the intricate mechanism underlying heavy metal mineralization poses a significant challenge, constraining its application in contaminants engineering, particularly in the context of prolonged heavy metal leaching over time and its efficacy in adverse environmental conditions. This review provides a comprehensive idea of recent development of MICP and its application in environmental engineering, examining metabolic pathways, mineral precipitation mechanisms, and environmental factors as well as providing future perspectives for commercial utilization. The use of ureolytic bacteria in MICP demonstrates cost-efficiency, environmental compatibility, and successful pollutant abatement over tradition bioremediation techniques, and bio-synthesis of nanoparticles. limitations such as large-scale application, elevated Ca2+levels in groundwater, and gradual contaminant release need to be overcome. The possible future research directions for MICP technology, emphasizing its potential in conventional remediation, CO2 sequestration, bio-material synthesis, and its role in reducing environmental impact for long-term economic benefits.

Utilization of effective and economical nanoparticles/nanocomposite materials in civil engineering is still remaining a significant challenge in current research arena. In this study, microbial-induced precipitation was formulated for integration of white cement mortar to enhance efficiency and evaluate its potential applications in antibacterial and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Hexagonal wurtzite structure of synthesized ZnO exhibited high crystallinity with significant contribution of hydration product after 28days analysis. Morphology of produced material showed less homogeneity with high densification and morphology altered from needles-like structure to tube with the integration of adsorbent ratio from ZnO-0 to 2.5, presented all the required chemical components in EDXS analysis. The water absorption rate in sample slurry of ZnO-2.5 exhibited significant reduction of 52.75% compared to baseline water absorption rate of 12.71% in commercial ZnO and contact angle was noted higher as 89.54°, which indicates hydrophilic character of material. The highest compressive strength of sample ZnO-2.5 was noted 508.89kgf/cm2 in 28days of wet curing method, indicated the effective gel formation of calcium silicate in samples. Maximum methylene blue dye degradation recorded 79.95% in case of using ZnO-2.5, which showed another influential character with excellent efficiency. In addition, prepared sample has shown almost complete bactericidal efficiency under simulated sunlight. Compared to commercial white cement mortar, biological white cement mortar can save NT$149,531 per cubic meter at industrial scale. Therefore, results indicate that microbial-induced zinc precipitation incorporated using hydrothermal preparation of biological white cement mortar improves the surface properties for applications and reduces its cost of study.

AbstractThe cryptic invasion of golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata) in Taiwan has caused significant ecological and economical damage over the last few decades, however, their management remains difficult due to inadequate taxonomic identification, complex phylogeny, and limited population genetic information. We aim to understand the current distribution, putative population of origin, genetic diversity, and potential path of cryptic invasion of Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata across Taiwan to aid in improved mitigation approaches. The present investigation conducted a nationwide survey with 254 samples collected from 41 locations in 14 counties or cities across Taiwan. We identified P. canaliculata and P. maculata based on mitochondrial COI and compared their genetic diversity across Taiwan, as well as other introduced and native countries (based on publicly available COI data) to understand the possible paths of invasion to Taiwan. Based on mitochondrial COI barcoding, sympatric and heterogeneous distributions of invasive P. canaliculata and P. maculata were noted. Our haplotype analysis and mismatch distribution results suggested multiple introductions of P. canaliculata in Taiwan was likely originated directly from Argentina, whereas P. maculata was probably introduced from a single, or a few, introduction event(s) from Argentina and Brazil. Our population genetic data further demonstrated a higher haplotype and genetic diversity for P. canaliculata and P. maculata in Taiwan compared to other introduced regions. Based on our current understanding, the establishment of P. canaliculata and P. maculata is alarming and widespread beyond geopolitical borders, requiring a concerted and expedited national and international invasive species mitigation program.

The present chapter focuses on recent progress in the field of synthesis and application of new propitious composites of ionic liquids (ILs) with inorganic nanomaterials. The characteristics combination of inorganic materials and ILs is the basis for developing new types of functional materials. The current chapter discussed the importance of ILs in the synthesis and the quality outcomes of such nanomaterials. It also describes the methods of synthesizing composite materials of various types. It includes methods of direct mixing, sol-gel synthesis of hybrid organo-inorganic mesostructures, and inclusion, etc., into the interlayer spaces of natural layered aluminosilicate. The paper also discusses the joint effects of ILs and inorganic oxides as well as the role of the limitation of an organic electrolyte in the pores of inorganic materials on the development of new structures, thermal and transport properties of the composites. Moreover, the study compiles the present and future aspects of IL-based inorganic nanocomposite with their advantages. The applications of synthesized material were also discussed with their reaction mechanism.

Fluoride contamination in groundwater beyond acceptable levels has affected millions of people globally, leading to the development of “Fluorosis” through long-term consumption. It is crucial to reduce fluoride concentration in drinking water to meet safety standards. While various defluoridation techniques exist, they often have drawbacks. Biosorption, a simple, affordable and eco-friendly method, has gained preference for defluoridation. Despite its promising potential, limited commercialization emphasizes the necessity for further research in this area. This review article comprehensively examines the defluoridation potential of agro-based adsorbents covering their specific chemical composition and preparation pathways. It provides a detailed discussion on factors influencing fluoride biosorption and provides a detailed exploration of adsorption isotherm and adsorption kinetic models to understand the nature of adsorption. Furthermore, the commercial viability is assessed through regeneration potential and cost analysis of these agro-adsorbents, aiming to facilitate scaling up the process. It highlights the adsorption mechanism involved in the biosorption process and addresses constraints to large-scale application, offering recommendations to overcome these challenges. This review article offers readers a clear understanding of agro-adsorbents, their optimized conditions for improved performance, and a deeper insight into the fluoride biosorption mechanism.

The significant effect of TiO2 predominantly used as photocatalytic degradation catalyst and could also be used against viruses in future. The modified TiO2 nano-photocatalyst with F and I-doping was pre-pared using expired egg-white as template through sol-gel method at different concentrations. In this study, aqueous solution of methylene-blue used as target degradation product in presence of prepared TiO2-nanoparticles under simulated-sunlight and LED visible-light. Therefore, particle size of F and I -doped nanoparticles was observed at 12 and 11.8nm (low-concentration) and, 13.2 and 16.2nm (high -concentration) respectively, where removal efficiency exhibited 6.2 and 43.0% at higher and lower -concentration simultaneously of F-doped TiO2 nanoparticles.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The present study pointedly investigates the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (sol–gel method) using four different surfactants (biosurfactants, CTAB, SDS and tween-80) under mild condition, was characterized by XRD (Low and wide angle), FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM, UV-VIS-NIR and XPS. The amorphous character of mesoporous silica (22.77O and 21.69O; XRD), hexagonal array with long-range ordered mesopores (SAXS), highest percentage of purity (47.9 and 56.09%; HRTEM-EDXS), perfect spherical shape with particle size (162 and 286 nm; FESEM), significant linkage of Si–O–Si (XPS) and absorption wavelength (271 and 262 nm; UV-VIS-NIR) affirmed with interesting outcomes in case of tween-80 and biosurfactant respectively, as compare to CTAB and SDS-mediated silica nanoparticles. In addition, the band gap of biosurfactant (5.29eV) and Tween-80 (3.78eV) mediated nanoparticles was also remarked lower as compare to other two surfactants as-synthesized nanoparticles. The promising formed silica nanoparticles could be greatly recommended to execute in heavy metals treatment, dye removal, anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, drug delivery, energy storage, etc.

Heavy metals (HMs: Pb, Cd, and As) are well-known inorganic pollutants due to their toxicity and persistence in environment. Present research mainly focused on the removal of HMs including turbidity of water using NRC (natural reservoir clay) and Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) derived urease. HMs removal efficiencies were optimized considering different initial HMs concentrations (20-1000 mg/l), absorbent concentration (0.01-0.7 g), and time (0-24 h), at neutral pH -7. In general, kaolinite and montmorillonite (X-ray fluorescence and X-ray powder diffraction) were the main components of NRC where the removal efficiency (%) was noticed in the order of Pb > Cd > As. Particularity, Pb removal efficiency (99 %) was noticed faster (within 10 s from 100 mg/l) than Cd (within 60 s from 80 mg/l Cd), at an absorbent dose 0.03 g. S. pasteurii derived-urease-dependent turbidityreduction (NTU) was noticed in treated water. Moreover, overall, >99 % Pb and >94 % Cd along with the turbidity of water was removed by the simultaneous treatment of NRC (0.3 g) and S. pasteurii urease. The empirical constant (1 > n) and adsorption capacity indicated (Langmuir/Freundlich) an easy uptake with monolayer adsorption of Pb and Cd by NRC (best-fit second-order-rate-expression compared to first-orderkinetic-model). Green technologically, the HMs and turbidity from water can be removed by NRC and S. pasteurii.

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens poses a significant global health concern due to the failure of conventional medical treatment. As a result, the development of several metallic (Ag, Au, Zn, Ti, etc.) nanoparticles, has gained prominence as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Among these, green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention due to their notable efficiency and broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) have recently emerged as a promising biological substrate for the green synthesis of AgNPs. EPS possess polyanionic functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxylic, sulfate, and phosphate) that effectively reduce and stabilize AgNPs. EPS-mediated AgNPs exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microbes, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi. The extraction and purification of bacterial EPS play a vital role in obtaining high-quality and -quantity EPS for industrial applications. This study focuses on the comprehensive methodology of EPS extraction and purification, encompassing screening, fermentation optimization, pretreatment, protein elimination, precipitation, and purification. The review specifically highlights the utilization of bacterial EPS-mediated AgNPs, covering EPS extraction, the synthesis mechanism of green EPS-mediated AgNPs, their characterization, and their potential applications as antimicrobial agents against pathogens. These EPS-mediated AgNPs offer numerous advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and eco-friendliness, making them a promising alternative to traditional antimicrobials and opening new avenues in nanotechnology-based approaches to combat microbial infections.

Heavy metal pollution of water is a burning issue of today's world. Among several strategies involved for heavy metal remediation purpose, biomineralization has shown great potential. Of late, research has been focused on developing effective mineral adsorbents with reduced time and cost consumption. In this present paper, the Biologically-Induced Synthetic Manganese Carbonate Precipitate (BISMCP) was produced based on the biologically-induced mineralization method, employing Sporosarcina pasteurii in aqueous solutions containing urea and MnCl2. The prepared adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET surface area analyzer. EDX analysis showed the elements in the crystal BISMCP were Mn, C, and O. XRD result of BISMCP determined the crystal structure, which is close to rhodochrosite (MnCO3). Spectral peaks of FTIR at 1641.79 cm-1 confirmed the appearance of C--O binding, with strong stretching of CO32 � in Amide I. From the six kinds of BISMCP produced, sample MCP-6 has the higher specific surface area by BET analysis at 109.01 m2/g, with pore size at 8.76 nm and higher pore volume at 0.178 cm3/g. These specifications will be suitable as an adsorbent for heavy metal removal by adsorption process. This study presents a preliminary analysis of the possibility of BISMCP for heavy metals adsorption using ICP multi-element standard solution XIII (As, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn). BISMCP formed from 0.1 MnCl2 and 30 ml of bacteria volume (MCP-6) produced a better adsorbent material than others concentrations, with