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Herein, we used the aqueous extract of Uncaria tomentosa L. barks (Cat’s claw bark [CCb]) for the biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (CCb-Ag-NPs). The effects of different parameters (Uncaria tomentosa L. aqueous extract, silver nitrate [AgNO3] ratio, temperature, and pH) on the formation of the nanoparticles were investigated using UV scan as a preliminary tool for the detection of surface plasmon resonance of CCb-Ag-NPs. The optimal ratio was 1:7 (Uncaria tomentosa L. extract: 1 mM AgNO3 solution). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional groups of both CCb extract and the CCb-Ag-NPs, whose dispersion and quasispherical morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Particle sizes ranged from 19.2 to 38.5 nm. The zeta potential of CCb-Ag-NPs was −34.44 mV. According to energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, the CCb-Ag-NPs contained 28.87% silver. The formation of Ag-NPs was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern analysis. Pristine CCb-Ag-NPs showed antibacterial activity against three pathogenic bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), E. coli (ATCC 8739), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 90274). Antibacterial activity increased significantly after loading CCb-Ag-NPs on antibiotic discs containing meropenem and cefoxitin. Low concentrations of CCb-Ag-NPs also enhanced the germination percentage, coleoptile length, and radical root length of Triticum aestivum.

Nanoemulsions (NEMs) are more stable and permeable than regular emulsions because of their increased surface area and smaller particle sizes, which are stabilized by emulsifiers and consist of nanometer-sized droplets. Utilization of an olive oil nanoemulsion (NEM-olive oil) loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) derived from marine alga Turbinaria turbinata may be effective against microorganisms and cancer cell lines. NEM-olive oil was made by mixing olive oil, surfactant (Span:Tween (28:72)), and D water (1:4:5). The marine alga Turbinaria turbinata was used for the synthesis of Ag-NPs (Tu-Ag-NPs), and combined with NEM-olive oil (1:1) to synthesize Ag-NPs loaded in olive oil–water nanoemulsion (Ag/NEM-olive oil). Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray powder diffraction spectroscopy were used to characterize the nanoparticles. Both NEM-olive oil and Ag/NEM-olive oil nanoparticles showed a negative surface charge and small diameter. The major components of NEM-olive oil are dodecanoic acid, 2-penten-1-yl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid, and oleic acid. All tested nanoparticles exhibited anticancer activity against the CACO-2 cell line and Hep G2, and antimicrobial activities against E. faecalis, S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. The present research suggested that olive oil NEM loaded with marine algae Ag-NPs can be a safe and economical anticancer, antimicrobial, and drug delivery.

The enormous industrial usage of nickel during its manufacture and recycling has led to widespread environmental pollution. This study was designed to examine the ability of Gelidium amansii biomass to biosorb Ni2+ ions from an aqueous solution. Six independent variables, including contact time (1.0 and 3.0 h), pH (4 and 7), Ni2+ concentration (25 and 200 mg·L−1), temperature (25°C and 50°C), G. amansii biomass (1.0 and 4.0 g·L−1), and agitation mode (agitation or static), were investigated to detect the significance of each factor using a Plackett–Burman design. The analysis of variance for the Ni2+ biosorption percentage indicated that three independent variables (contact time, temperature, and agitation–static mode) exhibited a high level of significance in the Ni2+ biosorption process. Twenty experiments were conducted containing six axial, eight factorial, and six replicates points at center points. The resulting face-centered central composite design analysis data for the biosorption of Ni2+ exhibited a very large variation in the removal percentage of Ni2+, which ranged from 29.73 to 100.00%. The maximum Ni2+ biosorption percentage was achieved in the 16th run with an experimental percentage quantified as 100.00% under the experimental conditions of 3 h of incubation time and 45°C with 100 rpm for agitation speed.

Salt stress is one of the most serious factors that influence the plant growth and yield. The extensive use of chemical fertilizers caused an increase in land contamination and hence effects on human health. The use of biofertilizers can solve these problems. In the present work, different concentrations of Spirulina platensis liquid extracts (SLEs; 1%, 2%, and 4%) were used to enhance seeds germination, seedling growth, length of radical, number of leaves, and plant height of T. aestivum L. S. platensis liquid extract (SLE) 2% was chosen to test against salt stress with 10% and 25% seawater in T. aestivum L. watered. The growth parameters such as shoot, root, length, fresh, dry weight, leaf width, number, and area were used to estimate the effects of 2% SLE against salt stress caused by seawater. Also the carbohydrate, protein, phenol, and total antioxidant contents were measured in T. aestivum L. treated with 2% SLE in combination with seawater and watered with different concentrations with seawater alone. The results denote that the best concentration of SLEs was 2%, which promoted the germination growth of T. aestivum L. in comparison to control and other concentrations. SLE (2%) enhanced the carbohydrates, protein, total phenol contents, and antioxidant contents of T. aestivum L., treated with seawaters (SW10% and SW25%) and SLEs in comparison to T. aestivum L. SW 10% and 25% alone. S. platensis liquid extract (SLE) can be used as biofertilizer to enhance the growth and phytochemical contents of T. aestivum L. and to make tolerance of T. aestivum L. against salinity.

Spirulina platensis (SP) has a high impact on multidiscipline usage worldwide. Vitamins are considered as growth promoters due to their metabolic bio-regulating roles. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamins: riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1), and ascorbic acid (C) on SP growth and contents of pigments, phenols, and phytochemicals besides its antioxidant activities. Vitamins were added in different concentrations to Zarrouk’s medium and tested for their effects weekly for three weeks of spirulina cultivation. The results revealed that 25 mg·L−1 thiamine or riboflavin promoted the most significant contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, respectively, after 14 days of cultivation. However, adding 10 mg·L−1 thiamine achieved the most significant increase in algal biomass yield and contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, phycoerythrin, and phycobiliprotein after 21 days of cultivation. Qualitative analysis showed that both SP and SP supplemented with 10 mg·L−1 thiamine (SPt) for 21 days contain tannins and flavonoids but quantitative analysis approved that SPt recorded significant increase in phenolic and tannin contents. Moreover, SPt induced a significant increase of total antioxidant activity in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-1,2-picrylhydrazyl assay in comparison with SP. Vitamins especially thiamine added during SP culture could improve SP biomasses, pigments, and phytochemical contents and hence increased antioxidant capacity.

Poultry meat is a great source of protein and provides lots of nutrients such as iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that humans require. The positive applications of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in the diets of various poultry species were studied, in relation to their metabolic, antibacterial effects on digestion and regulation of bowel function. This study was carried out to test the effects of fabrication green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Corallina elongata extract and/or coating NPs with acetic acid on performance, immune response parameters and micro-flora population in Ross broiler. Chicks’ drinking water was mixed with bio-AgNPs (1 mM) and coating NPs with acetic acid for 35 days. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscope were used to determine the partial physiochemical characterizations of bio-AgNPs and coating ones. EDS analysis was used to determine the presence of AgNP in meat. Results confirmed that coating NPs with acetic acid reduced percentage of the micro-flora population, which were detected by VITEK® 2 system (BioMérieux, France) and identified as Pseudomonas orizihabitain 4211210040000210 and Sphinogomonas paucimobilis 5201210040000210. EDS analysis of meat chicks confirmed disappearance of Ag metals. Coating biogenic AgNPs with acetic acid on modulated intestinal microbial populations of the Ross broiler may be safe, and could be used as alternative antibiotics or antibacterial agents besides their physiological performance in small intestines of broiler chicken.