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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly carcinogenic substances and accumulate in water bodies through various industries. Due to their harmful effects on humans, it is very important to monitor PAHs in various water resources. In the present work, we report an electrochemical sensor based on silver nanoparticles synthesized using mushroom-derived carbon dots for the simultaneous determination of anthracene and naphthalene, for the first time. Pleurotus species mushroom was used to synthesize the carbon dots (C-dots) via the hydrothermal method and these C-dots were used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs have been characterized through UV-Visible and FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM. Well-characterized AgNPs were used to modify glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) by the drop-casting method. Ag-NPs/GCE has shown strong electrochemical activity towards the oxidation of anthracene and naphthalene at well-separated potentials in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.0. The sensor exhibited a wide linear working range of 250 nM to 1.15 mM for anthracene and 500 nM to 842 μM for naphthalene with the corresponding lowest detection limits (LODs) of 112 nM and 383 nM respectively with extraordinary anti-interference ability against many possible interferents. The fabricated sensor showed high stability and reproducibility. The usefulness of the sensor for the monitoring of anthracene and naphthalene in a seashore soil sample has been demonstrated by the standard addition method. The sensor gave better results with a high recovery percentage indicating the first-ever device to detect two PAHs at the single electrode with the best analytical results., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Although gold nanoparticles based photodynamic therapy (PDT) were reported to improve efficacy and specificity, the impact of surface charge in targeting cancer is still a challenge. Herein, we report gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) tuned with anionic and cationic surface charge conjugating triphenylphosphonium (TPP) targeting breast cancer cells with 5-aminoleuvinic acid (5-ALA) based PDT, in vitro. Optimized surface charge of AuNTs with and without TPP kill breast cancer cells. By combining, 5-ALA and PDT, the surface charge augmented AuNTs deliver improved cellular toxicity as revealed by MTT, fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. Further, the 5-ALA and PDT treatment in the presence of AuNTs impairs cell survival Pi3K/AKT signaling pathway causing mitochondrial dependent apoptosis. The cumulative findings demonstrate that, cationic AuNTs with TPP excel selective targeting of breast cancer cells in the presence of 5-ALA and PDT., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Heavy-metal-bearing wastewater is among the most formidable challenges the mining industry currently faces in maintaining its social license to operate. Amongst the technologies available for metal ion adsorption, bioinspired engineering nanomaterials have emerged as one which exhibits great promise. However, current processes used for the preparation of adsorbents (including nanoscale activated carbon and biochar) represent a source of adverse impacts on the environment. In contrast, the application of biogenic-nanoparticles, i.e., those derived from processes catalysed by microbiota, has received significant attention in the last few years. Coupled with this, the use of naturally occurring reagents is of major importance for the sustainability of this emerging industry. This paper analyses the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the synthesis of adsorbents derived from agricultural wastes. Moreover, rather than simply recovering the ecotoxic metals from wastewater, the potential to valorise dissolved metals into high-value metallic nanoparticle products is discussed. LCA analysis revealed that the adsorbent had some adverse impact on the environment. The agricultural wastes contributed 27.86% to global warming, 54.64% to ozone formation, 33.06% to fine particles, and 98.24% to marine eutrophication. Mining wastewater is an important, and largely currently unexploited, source of metal value. However, the often-low concentration of such metals dictates that their conversion into high-value products (such as engineered nanoparticles) is an important new research frontier. Within this the use of biosynthesis methods has emerged as having great potential due to a range of beneficial attributes, including low cost, high efficacy and/or environmental compatibility., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Graphene has revolutionized the field of energy and storage sectors. Out of the total number of nosocomial infections diagnosed all around the world, the majority of the cases (around 70%) are found to be due to the medical device or assistance utilized while treating the patient. Combating these diseases is vital as they cause a nuisance to the patients and medical practitioners. Coatings of graphene and its derivatives hold the key to the formation of special surfaces that can rupture microbial cells using their sharp edges, ultimately leading to nuclear and cellular fragmentation. Their incorporation as a whole or as a part in the hospital apparel and the medical device has aided medical practitioners to combat many nosocomial diseases. Graphene is found to be highly virulent with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against nosocomial strains and biofilm formation. Their alternate mode of action like trapping and charge transfer has also been discussed well in the present review. The various combinational forms of graphene with its conjugates as a suitable agent to combat nosocomial infections and a potential coating for newer challenges like COVID-19 infections has also been assessed in the current study. Efficiency of graphene sheets has been found to be around 89% with a reaction time as less as 3 h. Polymers with graphene seem to have a higher potency against biofilm formation. When combined with graphene oxide, silver nanoparticles provide 99% activity against nosocomial pathogens. In conclusion, this review would be a guiding light for scientists working with graphene-based coatings to unfold the potentials of this marvelous commodity to tackle the present and future pandemics to come., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Recent innovations in the field of nanoscience and technology and its proficiency as a part of inter-disciplinary science has set an eclectic display in innumerable branches of science, a majority in aliened health science of human and agriculture. Modern agricultural practices have been shifting towards the implementation of nanotechnology-based solutions to combat various emerging problems ranging from safe delivery of nutrients to sustainable approaches for plant protection. In these processes, engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are widely used as nanocarriers (to deliver nutrients and pesticides) due to their high permeability, efficacy, biocompatibility, and biodegradability properties. Even though the constructive nature of nanoparticles (NPs), nanomaterials (NMs), and other modified or ENPs towards sustainable development in agriculture is referenced, the darker side i.e., eco-toxicological effects is still not covered to a larger extent. The overwhelming usage of these trending NMs has led to continuous persistence in the ecosystem, and their interface with the biotic and abiotic community, degradation lanes and intervention, which might lead to certain beneficial or malefic effects. Metal oxide NPs and polymeric NPs (Alginate, chitosan, and polyethylene glycol) are the most used ENPs, which are posing the nature of beneficial as well as environmentally concerning hazardous materials depending upon their fate and persistence in the ecosystem. The cautious usage of NMs in a scientific way is most essential to harness beneficial aspects of NMs in the field of agriculture whilst minimizing the eco-toxicological effects. The current review is focused on the toxicological effects of various NMs on plant physiology and health. It details interactions of plant intracellular components between applied/persistent NMs, which have brought out drastic changes in seed germination, crop productivity, direct and indirect interaction at the enzymatic as well as nuclear levels. In conclusion, ENPs can pose as genotoxicants that may alter the plant phenotype if not administered appropriately., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they don't have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Any conflict of interest in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present investigation reports a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and eco-friendly approach for synthesizing Amphiroa rigida-mediated silver nanoparticles (AR-AgNPs) for the first time. The biomimetic synthesized AR-AgNPs were characterized by both spectral and microscopic analysis. The UV-visible spectrum showed the surface plasmon peak at 420 nm, which indicated the formation of AR-AgNPs. X-ray diffraction characterization of AR-AgNPs showed a face-centered cubic crystal (25 nm) and the transmission electron microscope micrograph showed spherical shape. The functional group of polysaccharide that plays a major role as a stabilizing and reducing agent is confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The biomimetic synthesized AR-AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (21 ± 0.2 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15 ± 0.2 mm). Further, the cytotoxic effects of AR-AgNPs against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were observed through acridine orange-ethidium bromide and Hoechst staining. Besides, AR-AgNPs are found to be inhibit the growth of 3rd and 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti in a dose-dependent manner.

The present study focused on the evaluation of antibacterial property of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using mango flower extract. The morphology of the synthesized AgNPs was observed under transmission electron microscopy and the particles have shown spherical shape in the range of 10-20 nm. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the AgNPs. The atomic percentage of the Ag element in the nanoparticles was about 7.58% which is greater than the other elements present in the sample. The AgNPs showed extensive lethal effect on both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus sp.) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella sp., Pantoea agglomerans, and Rahnella sp.) bacteria. The extensive lethal effect of AgNPs against clinically important pathogens demonstrated that the mango flower mediated AgNPs could be applied as potential antibacterial agent to control the bacterial population in the respective industries., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study reports the simple, inexpensive, eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using coconut oil cake extract. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy peak at 3 keV confirmed the presence of silver. Transmission electron micrograph showed that nanoparticles are mostly circular with an average size of 10-70 nm. The results of the X-ray powder diffraction analysis (2θ = 46.2, 67.4 and 76.8) indicated the crystal nature of the AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicates that proteins present in the oilcake extract could be responsible for the reduction of silver ions. The synthesized AgNPs (1-4 mm) reduced the growth rate of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp. and Citrobacter sp. isolated from livestock wastewater.

A rapid, green phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Helianthus tuberosus (sunroot tuber) was reported in this study. The morphology of the AgNPs was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that biomolecules in the tuber extract were involved in the reduction and capping of AgNPs. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the AgNPs, using an energy range of 2-4 keV, confirmed the presence of elemental silver without any contamination. Further, the synthesized AgNPs were evaluated against phytopathogens such as Ralstonia solanacearum and Xanthomonas axonopodis. The AgNPs (1-4 mM) extensively reduced the growth rate of the phytopathogens. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of the synthesized AgNPs was analyzed using rat splenocytes. The cell viability was decreased according to the increasing concentration of AgNPs and 67% of cell death was observed at 100 μg/mL.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with biological properties is of vast significance in the development of scientifically valuable products. In the present study, we describe simple, unprecedented, nontoxic, eco-friendly, green synthesis of AgNPs using an Indian traditional farming formulating agent, panchakavya. Silver nitrate (1 mM) solution was mixed with panchakavya filtrate for the synthesis of AgNPs. The nanometallic dispersion was characterized by surface plasmon absorbance measuring 430 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed the morphology and size of the AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that proteins in the panchakavya were involved in the reduction and capping of AgNPs. In addition, we studied the antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs (1-4 mM) extensively reduced the growth rate of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Citrobacter sp., according to the increasing concentration of AgNPs.