In this report, a novel wound dressing material has been woven by electrospinning technique and tested for its various properties. For the nanofibre mat, a mixture of polyurethane (PU) and soy protein isolate (SPI) was electrospun in conjugation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Nps) and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CipHCl) to produce fibrous mats viz. PU/SPI/ZnO and PU/SPI/CipHCl. An optimum ratio (1 : 1) of PU/SPI was used as suitable polymeric ratio in order to produce homogenous nanofibres without beads having an average diameter in the range of 300–350 nm. The electrospun nanofibre-based mats were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the nanofibrous mats were tested using universal testing machine. The wettability analysis was done using the contact angle measurement based on the sessile drop test. This study revealed that the electrospun PU/SPI-based nanofibres are non-sensitizing, non-allergic and non-toxic and that it can be used as a peculiar wound healing material.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plants is considered to be cost effective and more eco-friendly than conventional techniques. In the authors’ previous study, they reported the biosynthesis of AgNPs using fruit extract of Aegle marmelos which were of spherical shape and high crystallinity. In order to achieve enhanced synthesis, optimisation of process parameters influencing the yield of AgNPs has been carried out in this study. Box–Behnken design has been employed to optimise the parameters in order to enhance the synthesis of AgNPs. The antimicrofouling activity of the optimised AgNPs was determined by preparing AgNPs doped TEOS sol–gels (SNSGs) and evaluating their antibiofilm activity. In addition to this, antimacrofouling activity of the AgNPs was studied against molluscs viz. Patella sp. and Trochus sp. as model organisms. Anticrustacean assay was also performed with the larvae of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as a model crustacean fouling organism. The results indicated that the AgNPs could completely inhibit the attachment of molluscs and significantly increased the percentage of mortality against crustacean fouling larvae. Thus, this study gives scope for the possible development of formulations containing AgNPs as effective antifouling agents that could prevent the adhesion of micro and macrofoulers thereby preventing marine biofouling.

The study explored biological synthesis of metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the less explored non-pathogenic coprophilous fungus, sterile mycelium, PM0651419 and evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of biosynthesised AgNPs when impregnated in wound fabrics and in combination with six antimicrobial agents. AgNPs alone proved to be potent antibacterial agents and in combination they enhanced the antibacterial activity and spectrum of antibacterials used in the study against a microbiologically diverse battery of Gram positive, Gram negative and multidrug-resistant bacteria. AgNPs impregnated on the wound dressings established their antibacterial activity by significantly reducing the bacterial load of pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis establishing potential as effective antimicrobial wound dressings for treatment of polymicrobial wound infections. This study presents the first report on the potential of biosynthesis of AgNPs from the under explored class of coprophilous fungi. Their promise to be used in wound dressings and as potent antibacterials alone and in combination is evaluated

There is a growing demand for the development of non-toxic, cost-effective, and environmentally benign green synthetic strategy for the production of metal nanoparticles. Herein, the authors have reported Actinodaphne madraspatana Bedd (AMB) leaves as the bioreducing agent for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and its catalytic activity was evaluated for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol with undisruptive effect on human health and environment. The broad and continuous absorbance spectrum obtained in the UV–visible region indicated the formation of PdNPs. The synthesized PdNPs were found to be crystalline, spherical, and quasi-spherical in shape with an average particle size of 13 nm was confirmed by X-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the active photo constituents present in the aqueous extract of AMB involved in the bioreduction of palladium ions to PdNPs. The catalytic activity of biosynthesized PdNPs was demonstrated for the reduction of 4-NP via electron-relay process. Also, the influential parameters such as catalyst dosage, concentration of 4-NP, and sodium borohydride were studied in detail. From the present study, PdNPs were found to be a potential nanocatalyst for nitro compound reduction and also for environmental remediation of wastewater effluents from industries.

Luminescent carbon-based nanomaterials hold great promise due to their stable photo-physical behaviour, biocompatibility and lower toxicity. This work involves economic and facile one-pot green synthesis of water-soluble nanostructures from lemon grass (LGNS) [Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf] as carbon source. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of LGNS with lattice spacing of 0.23 nm matching low-dimensional graphitic structures. The strong absorption exhibited at 278 nm could be attributed to л-states of sp²/sp³ hybridisation in carbon nanostructures. Fluorescence spectroscopy of LGNS exhibited strong excitation-dependent emission properties over a broad range of wavelengths from 300 to 600 nm. Quantitatively, these LGNS were estimated to have quantum yield of 23.3%. Biomass derived LGNS could be potentially exploited for wide variety of applications like bioimaging, up-conversion, drug delivery and optoelectronic devices. To this extent, synthesised LGNS were used to image yeast cells via multicolour/multi-excitation fluorescence imaging.

The current research study focuses on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the first time from silver acetate employing methanolic root extract of Diospyros assimilis. The UV–Vis absorption spectrum of biologically synthesised nanoparticles displayed a surface plasmon peak at 428 nm indicating the formation of Ag NPs. The influence of metal ion concentration, reaction time and amount of root extract in forming Ag NPs by microscopic and spectral analysis was thoroughly investigated. Structural analysis from transmission electron microscopy confirmed the nature of metallic silver as face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline with an average diameter of 17 nm, which correlates with an average crystallite size (19 nm) calculated from X-ray diffraction analysis. Further, the work was extended for the preliminary examination of antimicrobial activity of biologically synthesised Ag NPs that displayed promising activity against all the tested pathogenic strains.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP: Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) is extensively used in biomedical field because of its biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and non-toxicity properties. However, HAP exhibits poor mechanical strength and bacterial restriction behavior. To overcome these drawbacks, various metal ions such as Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Ce^4+/3+ are incorporated in HAP matrix to increase the mechanical and biological properties. Among these, Cerium (Ce) is selected as antibacterial agent due to its high thermal stability and its applications in dental fillings, bone healing and catheters. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were used in hyperthermia treatment, magnetic fluid recordings and catalysis. In this present study, we have synthesized nanocomposites consisting of 1.25% Ce doped HAP with various concentrations of Fe₃O₄ NPs as 90:10 (C-1), 70:30 (C-2) and 50:50 wt% (C-3) using ball milling technique. The obtained Ce@HAP-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were characterized by ATR-FTIR, XRD, VSM, SEM-EDAX and TEM analysis. Further, the fabricated Ce@HAP-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were tested for its antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E.coli), where C-3 composites exhibit the excellent pathogen inhibition towards E.coli. In addition, the cytotoxicity evaluation on C-3 nanocomposites by in vitro biocompatibility study using MG-63 cells shows the prominent viable cell enhancement up to 400µg/mL concentrations.

In this study, the synthesis of a series of bay-substituted donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) type perylene diimide derivatives (3a–3d) has been reported as an acceptor for the small-molecule-based organic solar cells (SM-OSCs) by the Suzuki coupling method. It has been evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against some of the bacteria and fungi. The synthesised SMs were confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS). The SMs showed absorption up to 750 nm, which eventually reduced the optical band gap to  < 2 eV. SMs showed thermal stability up to 400 °C. In the SM-OSC, the SMs showed a power conversion efficiency of  < 1% with the P3HT donor in bulk hetero-junction device structure. Additionally, the new SMs showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against the Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out against the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 using MTT assay method. The results revealed that the SMs was able to inhibit the cancer cells. LD₅₀s calculated for the SMs 3a–3d were between 200 and 400 µg/ml.

In this study, the authors synthesised gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) by a green approach using an aqueous extract of empty cotton boll peels (ECBPs) which was rapid, simple and inexpensive eco-friendly method compared to chemical and physical methods. The ECBP aqueous extract played a vital role in the reduction of Au⁺³ ions into Au NPs which was further confirmed by analytical characterisation. The phase purity and crystallinity of Au NPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The characteristic functional groups of synthesised Au NPs were identified by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The surface morphology and topography of Au NPs were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Size with dispersion stability of Au NPs was determined by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential studies. In this study, the authors performed a catalytic activity of Au NPs using different pollutant organic dyes such as methylene blue and methyl orange. It also showed good antioxidant activity compared to standard ascorbic acid by using the standard 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil method. Hence, this study concluded that ECBP mediated Au NPs could act as a promising material for degradation of dyes and antioxidant activity.

In the present study, a phyto-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using an isoflavone, Dalspinosin (5,7-dihydroxy-6,3′,4′-trimethoxy isoflavone) isolated from the alcoholic extract of roots of Dalbergia coromandeliana is reported. It is observed that Dalspinosin itself acts both as a reducing and a capping agent in the synthesis of the nanoparticles (NPs). An ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectral study showed a surface plasmon resonance band at 526 nm confirming the formation of AuNPs. The NPs formed were characterised by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and dynamic light scattering. HR-TEM analysis showed the synthesised AuNPs were spherical in shape with a size of 7.5 nm. The AuNPs were found to be stable for seven months when tested by in vitro methods showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. They also showed moderate anti-microbial activities when tested against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp), Gram negative bacterial strains (Klebsiella pneumonia and Klebsiella terrigena) and fungal strain (Candida glabrata). The biosynthesised AuNPs showed significant catalytic activity in the reduction of methylene blue with NaBH₄ to leucomethylene blue.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of phototherapy used to promote cell proliferation. This study investigates the potential role of LLLT in cellular proliferation of human monocytic leukaemia cells Tamm-Horsfall Protein 1 (THP-1) under in vitro conditions. Cells were irradiated with an 850 nm diode laser and exposed to doses ranging from 0 to 26.8 J/cm². After irradiation, cells were incubated for 12 and 24 h to allow time for proliferation. Comet assay was conducted to evaluate genotoxicity of the irradiated cells. Trypan blue was used to estimate cytotoxicity, which peaked at the highest dose as expected. Preliminary results suggest that cell counts increase at low doses, whereas a decrease in cell number at high doses was noted compared with controls. Comet assay showed no significant difference between irradiated and non-irradiated cells at low doses. In contrast, DNA damage increased at doses ≥8.9 J/cm² and was comparable with the 100 μM hydrogen peroxide positive control at the highest fluence. It could be concluded that LLLT has the ability to stimulate the THP-1 cell line to proliferate if supplied with the correct energy and dose.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are ideal choice in biomedical research due to their amenability of synthesis, tunable plasmonic properties, less toxicity and ease of detection but their diverse biological applications necessitate stable structure. Despite two decades' efforts made towards reproducible anisotropic structures synthesis, still the kinetic control during GNRs growth has not been achieved. This study is an attempt to apprehend thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for synthesising mono-disperse, reproducible and highly stable GNRs with desired aspect ratios. Effects of various growth parameters and assay steps on the facile and reproducible synthesis of GNRs are analysed. GNRs' environmental and biological colloidal stability is studied through UV–Vis spectroscopy based particle instability parameter (PIP < 0.1). The authors hereby report GNRs with tunable longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (682–906 nm) having different aspect ratios (2.5–4.6) that are stable at 28–60°C; however, prolonged high temperature ( > 60°C) and alkaline pH can trigger colloidal instability. GNRs remain stable at higher salt concentration, physiological and slightly acidic pH. GNRs can be stored in 0.001 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide for 3 months without compromising their stability. PEGylated GNRs are quite stable in cellular media solution (PIP < 0.1). With current optimised growth conditions, no aggregation at physiological pH and stability at high temperatures make GNRs an ideal candidate in biomedical applications.

A novel strategy for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of uric acid (UA) was proposed based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs), GQDs were introduced as a suitable substrate for enzyme immobilisation. Uric oxidase (UOx) was immobilised on GQDs modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used for characterising the electrochemical biosensor. The developed biosensor responds efficiently to UA presence over the concentration linear range 1–800 μM with the detection limit 0.3 μM. This novel biosensing platform based on UOx/GQDs electrode responded even more sensitively than that based on GCE modified by UOx alone. The inexpensive, reliable and sensitive sensing platform based on UOx/GQDs electrode provides wide potential applications in clinical.

In this study, gold nanoshell (GNS) were synthesised utilising the Halas method. The obtained nanoparticles (NPs) were characterised by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. FTIR spectra demonstrated the successful functionalisation of silica NP with 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane. SEM and TEM images showed the morphology and diameter of the synthesised silica NPs (137 ± 26 nm) and GNS. UV–Vis spectrum illustrated the maximum absorbance of the resultant GNS and their average hydrodynamic diameter was 159 nm. For in vitro study, HCT-116 cells were exposed to gold nanoshells and intense pulsed light in different experiment groups. The results showed that exposing the cells to nanoshells and 30 s irradiation would efficiently decrease the viability percentage of the cells to about 30% compared with the control. A continued exposure of 4 min decreased the viability of the cancer cells to 20%. The results demonstrated that photothermal therapy would be promising in treatment of colon cancer cells utilising gold nanoshells.

There have been recent advances in the engineering of molecular communication (MC)-based networks for nanomedical applications. However, the integration of MC with biomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) presents various critical research challenges. In this study, the authors envisaged integrating MC-based nanonetwork with CNTs to optimise nanonetwork performance. In neural networks, a chronic reduction in the concentration of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) eventually leads to the development of neurodegenerative diseases; therefore, they used CNTs as a molecular switch to optimise ACh conductivity supported by artificial MC. Furthermore, MC enables communication between transmitter neurons and receiver neurons for fine-tuning the ACh release rate according to the feedback concentration of ACh. Subsequently, they proposed a min/max feedback scheme to fine-tune the expected throughput and ACh transmission efficiency. For demonstration purposes, they deduced analytical forms for the proposed schemes in terms of throughput, incurred traffic rates, and average packet delay.

Nano-titania, chondroitin-4-sulphate, and titania/chondroitin-4-sulphate nanocomposite were separately deposited on Ti–6Al–4V alloys by repetitive spin coating. Surface characterisation techniques were used to find out the crystalline nature, chemical bonding, surface homogeneity, and elemental composition. Biological studies of nanocomposite-coated alloys revealed the formation of stable hydroxyapatite (Ca/P = 1.678), superior corrosion resistance, and ∼12 mm zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus sp. However, the cell line studies revealed the better response on polymer-coated alloy than the uncoated and composite-coated alloy. It has been found that the nanocomposite coating can synergistically increase the thickness of the pre-existing passive layer and thereby improve the corrosion resistance of Ti–6Al–4V implant in simulated body fluid. The nanocomposite coatings improved the corrosion resistance of the bare Ti–6Al–4V implant specimens by decreasing the i _corr. The formation of hydroxyapatite on nanocomposite-coated alloy may have ability to inhibit the release of toxic substance to the adjacent tissues. In addition, the in vitro cell line study confers that the nanocomposite-coated Ti–6Al–4V induces cell attachment and proliferation, and it eventually help to new bone cell formation than the uncoated one. Overall, this nanocomposite coating can be applied in orthopedic applications for effective biomimic bone regeneration.

A facile and green process to synthesise cuttlebone supported palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs/cuttlebone) is reported using Conium maculatum leaf extract and in the absence of chemical solvents and hazardous materials. The antioxidant content of the C. maculatum leaf extract played a significant role in converting Pd²⁺ ions to Pd NPs. Various techniques were used for the characterisation of the Pd NPs/cuttlebone such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. This Pd NPs/cuttlebone showed excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to 2,4-diaminophenylhydrazine by sodium borohydride as the source of hydrogen at ambient condition. The catalyst could be separated and recycled up to five cycles with no loss of its activity.

The isolated Gluconacetobacter sp. with accession number: KY996741 was assayed for evaluation of phytase activity. It could solubilise sodium phytate in the absence of soluble phosphate with the cells; however, the enzyme was not seen in cell free extract, to the best of their knowledge the intracellular phytase activities of Gluconacetobacter sp. was not reported previously. Also, the potential of in situ immobilisation of cells produced enzyme (/phytase producing bacteria) in bacterial cellulose was investigated and was studied by SEM and AFM. The results showed that the immobilised probiotic cells had the best activity of 1229 U/ml. The optimum temperature of the immobilised enzyme activity was at 45°C (5969 U/ml) and the immobilised phytase maintained 64% of its activities after two repeated cycles. The enzyme needs mild conditions for its activity and has a short life time and low stability and lost activities from 1229 to 500 U/ml during 30 days. However, it was showed that the addition of 1 ppm nano-ferric oxide particles could promote the phytase activities of immobilised cell from 500 U/ml to >1500 U/ml. This immobilised phytase producing cells on bacterial cellulose can be useful as food and/feed supplement for phytin removal.

This study is aimed at determining the mutagenic and anti-mutagenic properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesised from Streptomyces griseorubens AU2. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study about the investigation of these properties for biogenic AgNPs bacterially synthesised. The mutagenic and anti-mutagenic potencies were determined by the Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. After determining the cytotoxic dose of green synthesised AgNPs against S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, subcytotoxic doses (250, 100 and 50 µg/plate) were used in the assays. Biogenic AgNPs at the tested concentrations exhibited no mutagenic effects in the mutagenicity test conducted with the test strains. Moderate anti-mutagenic effects were observed at high test concentrations. The concentration of 250 µg/plate showed the strongest anti-mutagenic activity on S. typhimurium TA98. The results did not indicate any mutagenic effect against either of the strains used for screening the mutagenicity of the biogenic AgNPs as they were found to be genotoxically safe. It can be concluded that biogenic AgNPs showed great anti-mutagenic attributes, standing as a significant factor with respect to medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.