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Numerous mushroom species are valued not just for their flavor but also for their health advantages. Historically, these mushrooms have been utilized for medicinal purposes across different parts of the world. Research has revealed that metabolites derived from these fungi have health benefits. Recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding how these fungal metabolites provide their healing effects and comprehend their mechanisms of action. A primary focus is the nuclear factor NF-κB, a family of transcription factors essential for regulating inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation and abnormal activation of NF-κB proteins are associated with a variety of diseases. Various studies have investigated mushroom compounds and their impact on various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, gut health, metabolic syndrome, neuroinflammation, liver injury, renal and pulmonary diseases, and autoimmune disorders. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the NF-κB signaling pathway and other related inflammatory pathways. It discusses the bioactive compounds found in mushrooms, their potential to alleviate various diseases, and the specific inflammatory pathways, particularly NF-κB, that these bioactives target.

Mechanical, dynamic-mechanical and thermal performance of polypropylene (PP) composites which are composed of (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were investigated. Functionalization of HNTs was confirmed by the presence of amine stretching peaks in the FTIR spectrum. A decrease in the agglomeration and high dispersion of APTES-HNTs across the PP matrix was confirmed by scanning electron micrographs (SEM). The mechanical properties of APTES-HNT-PP polymer composites were superior over their unmodified counterparts. Tensile properties such as maximum strength, Young’s modulus and impact strength were significantly enhanced by 28%, 45% and 60% respectively, with 6 wt% incorporation of surface-modified HNTs into PP matrix. A drastic improvement of stiffness and thermal stability of composites was noted with the incorporation of APTES modified HNTs into PP polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed a total increase of 22% in the crystallinity of clay polymer nanocomposite after filled with surface-modified HNTs. Overall, the outcome of this research confirms the modification of the surface of HNTs with a silane coupling agent, which enhances the mechanical and thermal performance of PP composites incorporated HNTs.

This study investigated the emulsifying properties of a protein–polysaccharide hybrid nanoconjugate system comprising cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, 1% w/v) and soy protein isolate at various concentrations (SPI, 1–3% w/v). The average particle size of the nanoconjugate increased, and the zeta potential decreased when 3% (w/v) of SPI was used. The contact angle and thermal stability of CNC improved with the conjugation of SPI. Upon Pickering emulsification, 0.5% (w/v) of CNC–SPI nanoconjugate as particle stabilizer was sufficient to obtain stable emulsions. The CNC–SPI1 formulation (CNC to SPI, 1:1) provided the emulsion with the smallest droplet size and higher emulsifying activity. Intriguingly, ultrasound (US) pre-treatment on nanoconjugates before emulsification significantly reduced the size of the emulsion. The rheological assessment demonstrated that the CNC–SPI-stabilized emulsions exhibit shear thinning behavior at a lower shear rate and shear thickening behavior at a higher shear rate, indicating the interruption of existing attractive interactions between the CNC particles. All emulsions exhibited higher elastic modulus (G′) than viscous modulus (G″), suggesting high viscoelastic properties of the emulsions. This study demonstrates that CNC–SPI nanoconjugate with optimum protein to polysaccharide ratio has great potential as a natural particle stabilizer in food and nutraceutical emulsion applications.

In this study, ultrasonically driven biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Swietenia macrophyllaseed ethyl acetate fraction (SMEAF) has been reported. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the presence of a pure hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. Field emission scanning electron microscope images revealed the formation of uniquely identifiable uniform rice-shaped biologically synthesized ZnOSMEAFparticles. The particle sizes of the biosynthesized NPs ranged from 262 to 311 nm. The underlying mechanisms for the biosynthesis of ZnOSMEAFunder ultrasound have been proposed based on FTIR and XRD results. The anticancer activity of the as-prepared ZnOSMEAFwas investigated against HCT-116 human colon cancer cell lines viamethyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. ZnOSMEAFexhibited significant anticancer activity against colon cancer cells with higher potency than ZnO particles prepared using the chemical method and SMEAF alone. Exposure of HCT-116 colon cancer cells to ZnOSMEAFpromoted a remarkable reduction in cell viability in all the tested concentrations. This study suggests that green sonochemically induced ZnO NPs using medicinal plant extract could be a potential anticancer agent for biomedical applications.

Ultrasonication has emerged as a promising and effective technique for generating nanoscale oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, offering enhanced physical stability and superior encapsulation activity for various bioactive molecules. Despite its numerous advantages, the impact of the chemical effects of ultrasonic cavitation on the chemical (oxidative) stability of O/W emulsions has not been thoroughly investigated. This study focuses on addressing this gap and comprehending the mechanism of lipid oxidation during the ultrasonic emulsification process. To assess the extent of degradation, the peroxide value (PV) was determined under different ultrasonic conditions (power and time) and monitored throughout the storage to elucidate the kinetics involved. The results indicated that ultrasonication induced lipid oxidation in the emulsions by generating free radicals, leading to a significant increase in PV during storage, particularly under intense sonication conditions. Further investigations explored effective strategies to inhibit lipid oxidation in emulsions. It was observed that the PV decreased by 89 and 42% by altering the emulsifier and oil, respectively. Additionally, incorporating an antioxidant resulted in a 17% decrease in PV. In conclusion, for ultrasonically prepared emulsions, it is advisable to use emulsifiers based on long-chain molecules to enhance stability and prolong the shelf life of encapsulated materials.

Graphene is an advanced carbon functional material with inherent unique properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. It can be synthesized through either the top–down approach involving delamination of graphitic materials or the bottom–up approach involving graphene assembly from smaller building units. Common top–down approaches are exfoliation and reduction while bottom–up approaches include chemical vapour deposition, epitaxial growth, and pyrolysis. A range of materials have been successfully used as precursors in various synthesis methods to derive graphene. This review analyses and discusses the suitability of conventional, plant- and animal-derived, chemical, and fossil precursors for graphene synthesis. Together with its associated technical feasibility and economic and environmental impacts, the quality of resultant graphene is critically assessed and discussed. After evaluating the parameters mentioned above, the most appropriate synthesis method for each precursor is identified. While graphite is currently the most common precursor for graphene synthesis, several other precursors have the potential to synthesize graphene of comparable, if not better, quality and yield. Thus, this review provides an overview and insights into identifying the potential of various carbon precursors for large-scale and commercial production of fit-for-purpose graphene for specific applications.

Background: The actively mutating properties of disease-causing pathogens and GI intolerance associated with certain antibiotics among other challenges necessitated the adoption of colloidal system for drug delivery. Nanoemulsions (Ciprofloxacin (Cp) -loaded and non-drug loaded) were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method, characterized using Cryo-TEM, FTIR and Zetasizer. Antimicrobial activities were carried out using agar well diffusion method on Klebsiella pneumoniaeand Bacillus subtilis. The in-vitro and dermal toxicological assessment were carried out using adult Wistar rats. Results: The Cryo-TEM micrographs showed spherical morphology while zetasizer results showed polydispersity index (PDI), mean droplet size and zeta potential (ZP) of 0.553, 124.3 ± 0.29 nm and − 15.3 mV respectively for non-drug loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB). While 0.295, 244.8 ± 0.33 nm and − 5.54 mV were recorded for Cp-loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB + Cp). The effective voltage charge of the emulsions was 147.4 V. FTIR results of Cp recorded O–H adsorption value of 3429 cm−1, while SOAB and SOAB + Cp showed superimposition at 3427.76 cm−1showing no drug-excipient interactions. No skin irritation was observed after 14 days of skin corrosion assessment. No significant difference (p> 0.05) in body weight gain of both test and control animals, the treatment did not cause any observable alterations in blood-chemistry parameters and hematological indices. Photomicrographs of liver and heart shows an uncompromised histological architecture. Conclusion: The finding of the study shows a skin friendly, nanosized, spherical negatively charged emulsion with no cardiotoxic, hematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects on Wistar rats, and as such appears promising as a safe vehicle for drug delivery. Graphical Abstract:

Mushrooms possess therapeutic attributes such as anti-cancer, immunomodulation, antioxidant, hypolipidaemic, antiviral, antibacterial, hepatoprotection, and antidiabetic effects. In the family Pleurotaceae, Pleurotusspp. is the second most important commercial mushroom. The most widely cultivated Pleurotusspp. is Pleurotus ostreatus, followed by Pleurotus pulmonarius.Several bioactive compounds of Pleurotusspp., such as carbohydrates, glycoproteins, lipids, or secondary metabolites, could be attributed to its health properties. However, in most studies focusing on the therapeutic effects of Pleurotusspp., traditional extraction methods were used to obtain its extracts. Most conventional extraction methods, such as maceration, hot water extraction, and Soxhlet extraction, can be time-consuming and require a larger volume of solvents. Alternative extraction methods often have shorter extraction times, decreased solvent volume, and sometimes allow for the extraction of thermolabile constituents. This review discusses the bioactive compounds of Pleurotusmushrooms, highlights important considerations for extraction processes, explores both conventional and alternative extraction techniques to obtain bioactive compounds from Pleurotusspp., discusses their advantages and limitations, as well as evaluates their impact on extract bioactivities and therapeutic properties.

Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) after the anaerobic digestion process has been carried out using biochar as an adsorbent to reduce its initial color intensity, and the total suspended solids (TSS). Biochars derived from empty oil palm fruit bunches (EFBs) were produced through pyrolysis at 700°C. About 95% color reduction and 100% TSS removal were observed after 24 h of contact time with 5 g biochar/50 ml POME. It has been observed that the pH and the duration of treatment played an important role in the adsorption process. The equilibrium adsorption data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm. The kinetics of adsorption of suspended solids and color on the biochars were found to correlate with the pseudo-second-order model, with a correlation coefficient of R2> 0.99. Considering the high efficiency of the adsorbent in decreasing the color and TSS concentration, the EFB-based biosorbent is an environmentally-friendly biomass material that may be encouraged for use in waste management for resource and reuse.

Microgrooving on crystalline germanium (Ge) <100> surface using 1064 nm wavelength ultrafast laser pulses under ambient condition is investigated. The interaction of laser and target material and the influence of processing parameters such as laser power, pulse repetition rate and scan speed on the groove dimensions and surface roughness are studied. For the laser radiation fluence range used (0.4–0.8 J/cm2), material removal is primarily controlled by optical penetration depth. The depth and width of grooves increase with laser power. In multipulse irradiation, heat accumulation due to residual thermal energy from successive laser pulses results in a greater material removal. Furthermore, groove depth and width decrease as the pulse repetition rate increases from 0.5 to 2 MHz, due to the decrease in pulse energy with an increase in repetition rate causing ablation threshold fluence to move towards the central portion of the Gaussian pulse. Surface roughness has not shown significant changes for the parameters used in this study. A micro-Raman analysis of groove surfaces reveals a change in the crystallinity of the Ge due to laser irradiation.

In this study, a novel nanocomposite of bimetallic Ag–Co nanoparticles supported on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) was synthesised using the ultrasound-assisted wet-impregnation method for catalytic applications. CNFs were prepared from cellulose acetate using the electrospinning technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of CNFs. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) revealed a uniform dispersion of Ag and Co metals on the CNFs. At the same time, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectra indicated the highly crystalline nature of the as-produced composite. The hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was used to study the efficiency of the synthesised nanocomposite. The progress of the reaction was examined via UV–visible spectroscopy. It was noted that Ag-Co nanoparticles supported on CNFs catalysed the hydrogenation of 4-NP (0.1 mM) to 4-aminophenol within just 110 s with an apparent rate constant of 0.0172 s−1. This study proved that the obtained catalysts have superior stability and reusability with about 100% conversion up to 5 cycles. The excellent activity of the as-synthesised Ag-Co/CNFs nanocomposites makes it a promising nanocatalyst for catalytic applications.