Fe(III)-Schiff base/layered double hydroxide (Fe(III)-SB/LDH); LDH is prepared via co-precipitation method, the Schiff base (SB) was prepared from 2-aminopyridine and salicylaldehyde by refluxing equimolar amount of both compounds followed by simple method of modification with Fe(III)-SB on LDH by stirring and employed as catalyst for the removal of anionic dye methyl orange (MO). Characterization of Fe(III)-SB/LDH (MLDH) revealed that LDH is surface coated with Fe(III)-SB, where layers of LDH remain intact with a two-fold increase in surface area. MLDH catalyzed the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye without peroxide or photon, suggesting that the degradation process is through the production of singlet oxygen or enzyme-like catalytic behavior. Under optimized conditions i.e., amount of synthesized material 10.0 mg at pH 6 using dye concentration of 12.5 mg/L (10 mL solution) and contact time of 30 min in continuous stirring mode, MLDH can degrade 96

In the current study, polyvinyl alcohol-capped copper nanoclusters (PVA-CuNCs) were synthesized via a chemical reduction method using PVA as a capping and stabilizing agent. The synthesized PVA-CuNCs were used for the fabrication of an ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor to detect anthraquinone (AQ) at trace levels in an aqueous environment. The fabricated nanoclusters were thoroughly characterized using a wide range of analytical tools. FTIR analysis confirmed the functional properties of the PVA-CuNCs, while XRD investigation revealed a crystalline nature with an average size of 4.21 nm. Their elemental composition was assessed through EDX, indicating a clean copper-based matrix without any notable impurity. Furthermore, the DLS showed an average hydrodynamic diameter of 2.71 nm, and AFM imaging provided a 2D/3D surface profile with a particle size of approximately 6.5 nm. The synthesized nanocluster was then immobilized on a platinum electrode to fabricate a PVA-CuNCs/PtE sensor, which was employed for the electrochemical detection of AQ. Under optimized conditions, such as phosphate-buffered saline at pH 6, a scan rate of 220 mV s-1, and a potential window of -0.4 to +0.8 V, the sensor demonstrated a sensitive and linear response to AQ, with an LOD of 0.056 μM and an LOQ of 0.17 μM. The fabricated sensor also performed exceptionally well in real water samples, including river water and industrial wastewater, showing recovery values within acceptable limits. The results confirm the potential of PVA-CuNCs as an efficient and reliable sensing platform for AQ detection in environmental monitoring.

2-Amino-4-chlorophenol (2A-4CP) is a chemical compound with a chlorine-substituted aromatic ring and an amino group; it is a persistent environmental pollutant that poses serious threat to human health.

Nitrophenols are notorious aquatic organic contaminants found as degradation products of various parent compounds, including pesticides and industrial chemicals that persist in the environment and must be removed. Catalytic degradation is one of the feasible routes to clean the contaminated water systems, however, environmental contamination with catalysts is also widespread. Herein, we report an environmentally friendly catalyst based on composited Fe-Schiff’s base with exfoliated layered double hydroxides (LDH) of aluminum and nickel (hydrotalcite). The composite showed agglomerated pleated LDH structures sheathed with Fe(III)SB. Nitrogen adsorption isotherm data exhibited improved surface area and narrow pores patterns for composite as compared to LDH indicating Fe(III) SB-induced change in the morphology of LDH. Also, significant improvement in catalytic efficiency was observed for Fe(III)SB-LDH over pristine LDH. 4-nitrophenol (10 mg/L) degradation of 99% in five minutes was achieved at pH 6 using a catalyst-to-volume ratio of 1:20 and 20 mM H2O2 as oxidant. It is concluded that phenomenal improvement in catalyst efficiency can be attributed to Fe-Schiff’s base modification.

Bees gather propolis from tree sap and combine it with their saliva to seal and sanitize the hive. There are various countries where propolis extracts are used in food and beverage as additives mainly due to the presence of phenolic compounds. Therefore, extraction is the initial and the most vital step in the purification and recovery of phenolic compounds from propolis. The purpose of this study is to enhance propolis extract yield by thoroughly optimizing the extraction process and to evaluate and compare the antioxidant assay of the propolis extracts. Several factors such as the chemical nature of phenolic compounds, composition of solvents, temperature and solvent pH may influence the extraction efficiency and quantity of phenolic compounds. These factors have been extensively studied by univariant optimization; however, the univariant optimization fails to consider the effect of interaction between variables on extraction efficiency. Therefore, the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach is adopted in this study in order to evaluate the correlation between various parameters and their impacts on the extraction of propolis in order to determine TPC, TFC, and DPPH scavenging activity. The DoE was carried out to correctly optimize different extraction parameters including the percentage of ethanol in extraction solvent, temperature and time. The ethanol percentage showed the highest F ratio and minimum p-value for the extraction of 28 total phenolic compounds and flavonoids with a negative correlation showing the presence of more polar compounds in propolis. While in the case of DPPH scavenging assay, the temperature was found to have a significantly positive effect on the extraction efficiency. Optimized extraction parameters obtained by the design were found to be different for TFC, TPC and DPPH, e.g., optimum solvent composition for TFC, TPC and DPPH were 51%, 50% and 90%, respectively. The ultrasonic extracts of propolis showed a higher TPC (574.017 mu g GAE/g); in 51% ethanol/water at 25 degrees C while sonicated for only 2 min. The total flavonoid content (TFC) was found higher (353.16 mu g Quercetin/g) in 50% ethanol/water when sonicated for 60 min at 56 degrees C. DPPH scavenging assay showed higher capacity (1617.27 mu g Ascorbic acid/g) in 90% ethanol/water at 62 degrees C for 60 min sonication. Fourteen propolis samples from Pakistan and Turkey were extracted in order to compare TPC, TFC, and DPPH assay results. In Pakistani propolis, the TPC, TFC, and DPPH scavenging assay varies from 418-1026 mu g/g, 264-866 mu g/g, and 302-1162 mu g/g, respectively. Turkish propolis was demonstrated to have higher TPC, TFC, and DPPH scavenging assay values than Pakistani propolis, with values of 1312-1535 mu g/g, 1182-1446 mu g/g, and 885-2756 mu g/g, respectively. It was found that propolis produced naturally possesses more potential phenolic compounds than propolis purchased from farmer's markets.

With the widespread use of pesticides, environmental pollution has elevated to a top priority for humans. The pentachlorophenol (PCP) is one of the most dangerous chlorophenols, employed as pesticides, fungicides, and wood preservatives. In the current study, a nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide modified glassy carbon electrode (Ni-Al-LDH@GCE) was used to build a straight forward, environmentally friendly, and accurate electrochemical sensor for the measurement of PCP. The fabricated Ni-Al-LDH was principally assessed using a variety of characterization methods to confirm its functionalities, morphology, porosity and crytallanity. The proposed Ni-Al-LDH@GCE sensor was also characterized electrochemically for the evaluation of its conductivity using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The linear dynamic range of the developed ultra-sensitive Ni-Al-LDH@GCE based electrochemical method was found as 0.05 to 50 µM at a scan rate of 50 mV/s in Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 6 for PCP. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quanitification (LOQ) of electrochemical sensor for PCP were determined as 0.004 μM and 0.0132 μM, respectively. The sensor's analytical suitability was evaluated using real water samples that showed the acceptable recovery values.

Pyrocatechol, also known as catechol, is a commonly used compound in various industries; however, it can be toxic when used in high concentrations. Therefore, developing a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for detecting pyrocatechol is important. Our study utilized a co-precipitation technique to fabricate a nanostructured nickel aluminum layered double hydroxide (Ni-Al-LDH). This material was thoroughly analyzed using advanced techniques to confirm its functionality, crystallinity, and morphology. Subsequently, Ni-Al-LDH was employed as an electrocatalyst for the detection of pyrocatechol in actual samples. The modified electrode showed significant responsiveness to pyrocatechol under specific conditions, with a detection limit of 1 nM. This sensor demonstrated analytical potential for the sensitive determination of pyrocatechol across a range of real samples.

Captopril (CAP) is one of the most broadly consumed anti-hypertension drug that caused various harmful effects such as zinc deficiency, cough, agranulocytosis, and angioedema. Thus, monitoring the low-level concentration of CAP through reliable and sensitive method is of great significance. The electrocatalytic properties of newly fabricated sensor based on SnO2/rGO/PtE was evaluated through Tafel plot and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The engineered sensor exhibited excellent response for CAP under optimal conditions e.g., PBS electrolyte (pH 5), scan sweep 90 mV/s and potential window (0.6 to 1.9 V). For effectiveness of developed sensor, two low and high concentration ranges of CAP were optimized as 1 to 700 nM and 10 100 µM, respectively. The LOD’s of SnO2/rGO/PtE for CAP for low and high concentrations were calculated as 0.061 nM and 0.0018 µM. Moreover, the exceptional long-term stability and anti-interference profile of SnO2/rGO/PtE suggested the reliability of chemically modified sensor.

The reported study demonstrates the analytical potential and utility of capillary electrophoresis for rapid size-based characterization of Ag NPs by using 50 mM tris and 35 mM SDS buffer of 8.7 pH at an applied voltage of 20 kV. A good linear correlation (R-2 = 0.98) was observed between the electrophoretic mobilities and sizes of Ag NPs with a relatively small standard deviation of <1%. We also employed these separation conditions to study the feasibility of the developed method to characterize the green synthesized Ag NPs of unknown size, and the validation and accuracy of the obtained results from the capillary electrophoresis (CE) method were done by comparing the size results of CE with those obtained from AFM analysis. The comparison shows a very good agreement of sizes existing between these two techniques. This work demonstrates the novelty of capillary electrophoresis to be used as a characterization tool for nanoparticle size detection instead of using expensive conventional techniques.

In this study, nanostructured ZnCuBi-NO3/SO4 layered double hydroxides (LDH) was developed followed by a co-precipitation approach using precursors such as ZnSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, CuSO4 center dot 5H(2)O and Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O, and well characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. Using absorbance data, Tauc plot was plotted and band gap energy of ZnCuBi LDH was calculated and found to be 1.73 eV. The material was applied as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light of a 100 W Tungsten lamp at optimum factors such as concentration of MB 10 mg L-1, pH 8.0, catalyst dosage 10 mg, and shaking time of 30 min at room temperature. The degradation efficiency of the material was calculated and found to be >= 95.5% with RSD <= 4%. The method worked well on the synthetic solutions of MB, prepared in tap water, wastewater, and seawater of different concentrations.

In current study the photocatalyst ZnO was prepared by complexation of zinc acetate with sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate trihydrate, and calcined at 750 °C. The ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by DLS, Zeta potential, SEM, EDX and FTIR. The ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were applied for photocatalytic degradation of Eriochrome black-T (EBT) dye by UV, visible and mercury light irradiation sources. The experimental conditions were optimized by univariate and multivariate techniques, and it was revealed that degradation of dye by ZnO NPs surface was dependent on source of light and pH of dye solution. The degradation of EBT dye at pH 11 showed highest degradation rate 99.64

Nanoparticles can be used as inhibitory agents against various microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, archaea, fungi, and a huge class of viruses. The mechanism of action includes inhibiting the function of the cell membrane/stopping the synthesis of the cell membrane, disturbing the transduction of energy, producing toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibiting or reducing RNA and DNA production. Various nanomaterials, including different metallic, silicon, and carbon-based nanomaterials and nanoarchitectures, have been successfully used against different viruses. Recent research strongly agrees that these nanoarchitecture-based virucidal materials (nano-antivirals) have shown activity in the solid state. Therefore, they are very useful in the development of several products, such as fabric and high-touch surfaces. This review thoroughly and critically identifies recently developed nano-antivirals and their products, nano-antiviral deposition methods on various substrates, and possible mechanisms of action. By considering the commercial viability of nano-antivirals, recommendations are made to develop scalable and sustainable nano-antiviral products with contact-killing properties.

Arsenic (III) was treated by newly synthesized ferric oxide nano composite supported on amino resin (NXHFO). Amberlite XAD-4 was converted to amino derivative (NX) and HFO particles were prepared on its surface. Batch study was conducted to study the removal of arsenic from aqueous media. Uptake of similar to 98.5% was recorded at pH 4 using 50 mg of NXHFO while the agitation time was 30 min. Monolayer sorption capacity of NXHFO resin calculated from Langmuir sorption isotherm for As(III) ions was 32.3 mg g(-1). The sorption energy (E) calculated was 15 kJ mol(-1), suggesting that the uptake of arsenite onto the NXHFO surface was due to ion-exchange.

Heavy metal contamination in groundwater is a serious threat to the environment and therefore its proper monitoring is a matter of great concern these days. In the present research, groundwater samples from Sehwan Sharif district Jamshoro, Pakistan were collected to estimate the concentration of various elements including potentially hazardous metals. Statistical analysis of the collected data based on Pearson co-relation metal clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) divides the elements into three groups; Group I contains As, Cu, Ni, and Cd, Group II contains Mn, Fe, B, and Cr and Group III contains Pb and Zn. The elements Cu, Ni, As, Pb, Cd, and Zn found with higher RSD values demonstrate their anthropogenic origin whereas the lower concentration of Mn, Fe, B, and Cr indicate their natural origin (Tepanosyan et al., 2016). The histograms and box-plots of Mn, Fe, B and Cr were found normally distributed while abnormal for Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Cd and Zn. The HQs of these elements indicate their non-carcinogenic risks. However, results of individual metallic behavior indicate the highest HQ measured for B followed by HQs for Cu, and As. The toxic effects of investigated metal (loid)s calculated using HI were found to be 1.58 for adults and 1.35 for the child which is considered the medium chromic risk and cancer risk. About the toxicity of these heavy metals, their cancer risk was assessed on the levels of Cd, As, and Cr in groundwater. The carcinogenic risk of As was found to be 2.78 x 10-4 and 1.62 x 10-3 for child and adult, respectively. Furthermore, the values of this carcinogenic risk are 2.64 x 10-6 and 1.54 x 10- 5 for Cd while 4.24 x 10-3 and 2.48 x 10-2 for Cr in child and adult, respectively. Since cancer risk exceeded the target risk of 1 x 10-4 for As and Cr in adults and children, it can thus be considered 'non-acceptable'. The Geographic Information System (GIS) based maps were prepared using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation which showed the Spatial distribution of all elements throughout Sehwan Sharif from different sources of environment. Spatial maps of elements produced by ArcGIS show the hotspots of potentially hazardous elements such as the highest concentration of Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd were found in urban areas of Sehwan Sharif district Jamshoro, Pakistan.

The integrated method of multivariate statistical approaches along with geochemical modelling (GIS map) and conventional plots has been applied to classify the major hydrogeochemical quality in the study area. A total of 25 groundwater samples were gathered and examined for physicochemical, major anions, cations, and heavy metals of taluka Bakrani district Larkana, Sindh. The GIS map of anions and cations was drawn, and results showed that most of the locations were suitable for drinking. The results of electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids varied from 240 to 1191 μS/cm and 153 to 762 mg/L with average values of 624 μS/cm and 399 mg/L. The results of major anions varied: chloride 14–120 mg/L, sulfate 13–100 mg/L, alkalinity 50–170 mg/L and cations Na+ 12–79 mg/L, Ca2+ 11–74 mg/L, K+ 1.52–18.56 mg/L and Mg2+ 10–51 mg/L. The water quality index (WQI) indicated that 84% of samples were excellent to good water quality for drinking and 100% of the samples were found in excellent to good for irrigation. The scatter diagram showed that ion exchange and weathering were the main processes. Chadha diagram showed that gypsum-containing minerals were present in the study area. The Gibbs diagram indicated the dominancy of rock as compared to evaporation and precipitation. The hydrogeochemical facies indicated most of the samples were in the mixed type category.

Background Obesity is becoming serious global public health issue due to sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits. Dietary and lifestyle practices are directly related to obesity, which can cause serious health problems like cardiac ailments, diabetes, and hypertension etc. Vast varieties of options are available for weight reduction including physical exercises, various diet plans and also the pharmacological agents. Physical activity improves the fitness of the individual and helps in reducing the ill effects of the obesity. Objective To compare the effects of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on weight circumference, waisthip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese individuals. Method An experimental study was started with purposive sampling. Sixty overweight and obese individuals from the community were divided equally into two groups, one group was given supervised yoga asana and the other group was given supervised aerobic exercise for 6 weeks. Waist circumference, waist hip ratio and body mass index were taken pre and post intervention. Result Statistically significant difference was seen in pre and post intervention value of waist circumference, waist hip ratio and body mass index in both the groups with the p value < 0.05. However there was no statistical significant difference noted in waist hip ratio in individuals performing aerobic exercises as p value was > 0.05. Conclusion Both the interventions showed significant reduction in waist circumference, waist hip ratio and body mass index, while better results were noted in the individuals performing yoga asanas.

Nano scale zero valent iron has been a very effective tool to treat the heavy metals from wastewater. This study provides an effective method for the remediation of lead and cadmium from aqueous system using newly synthesized amino resin supported nano scale zero valent iron (RXI). Firstly, Amberlite XAD-4 was reduced to amino group followed by the synthesis of RXI. Multiple techniques like FT-IR, XRD, and SEM-EDS were used to investigate the synthesis of composite. Maximum removal of metal ions was achieved at pH 6, agitation time 120 min, initial concentration of metal ions 10 mg L–1 and 75 mg adsorbent dosage. Monolayer adsorption capacity was calculated to be 25 and 20 mg/g for lead and cadmium ions respectively. The pseudo second order kinetic model seemed to provide best fit to the uptake of lead and cadmium ions onto RXI surface.