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Biocompatible cholinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) are used extensively in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. To enhance structural stability and solubility of drugs, as well as their controlled delivery, IL-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are used widely. In this study, we selected two different sets of biodegradable ILs which also have a direct influence on the structure and stability of insulin. Moreover, we used DFT-based electronic structure calculations with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the effect of a mixture of two different anions in the IL medium and the role of water molecules on the stability of insulin. Microhydration and molecular-level DFT calculations suggest that ILs based on choline geranate [Cho][Ger] and choline taurine [Cho][Tau] differ in their hydration patterns, and thus the stability of the clusters varies significantly. This finding is important for exploring the role of water molecules within these mixtures (i.e., on the interactions between [Ger] and [Tau]). From our calculations it is found that the [Cho][Ger] IL stabilizes the insulin dimer structure strongly through water-mediated H-bonding interactions, whereas the [Cho][Ger][Tau] ternary complex destabilizes insulin. This indicates that IL mixtures over a wide range of concentrations and water molecules at the interface may influence the structural stability and enable suitable combinations of oral formulations to be predicted for drug-delivery applications. From the MD simulations, we conclude that [Cho][Ger] stabilizes the insulin dimer. Our combined DFT and MD simulations will provide valuable information for experimentalists to design and develop novel oral insulin formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique electronic, optical, physical, and chemical properties. As nanoscale fragments of graphene rich in electrons, GQDs offer enhanced capabilities that elevate their potential across a wide range of applications. This review paper delves into the synthesis, characterization, and applications of functionalized graphene quantum dots (FGQDs), which exhibit exceptional photoelectronic properties resulting from quantum confinement and edge effects. These features position FGQDs as promising materials for optoelectronic technologies. The review also highlights various functionalization strategies, providing valuable insights for researchers seeking to optimize GQDs for specific applications. By understanding the correct functionalization techniques, researchers can tailor the properties of FGQDs to enhance their performance in a range of applications. This article offers an in-depth discussion of synthetic approaches for producing FGQDs with diverse chemical groups and functionalities, alongside a thorough overview of characterization techniques, ranging from morphological and crystallographic analysis to componential and absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, the review explores the growing potential of FGQDs in biomedical applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, drug delivery, and therapeutics. It underscores the advances in research and development that are crucial for unlocking the full biomedical potential of FGQDs, while also addressing the challenges that remain to be tackled in the future. As the field continues to evolve, the insights presented in this review provide a solid foundation for future breakthroughs in the synthesis and application of FGQDs.

Background: Green synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have gained increasing popularity in recent times due to their broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to develop a phytofabrication approach for producing cuprous (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO) NPs using a simple, non-hazardous process and to examine their antimicrobial properties. Methods: The synthesis employed Bidens pilosa plant extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, alongside copper chloride dihydrate as the precursor. The biosynthesized NPs were characterized through various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results: XRD analysis confirmed that the synthesized CuO and Cu2O NPs exhibited a high degree of crystallinity, with crystal structures corresponding to monoclinic and face-centered cubic systems. SEM images revealed that the NPs displayed distinct spherical and sponge-like morphologies. EDS analysis further validated the purity of the synthesized CuO NPs. The antimicrobial activity of the CuO and Cu2O NPs was tested against various pathogenic bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) used to gauge their effectiveness. Conclusions: The results showed that the phytosynthesized NPs had promising antibacterial properties, particularly the Cu2O NPs, which, with a larger crystal size of 68.19 nm, demonstrated significant inhibitory effects across all tested bacterial species. These findings suggest the potential of CuO and Cu2O NPs as effective antimicrobial agents produced via green synthesis.

Abstract In modern era, deficiency of Vitamin D3 is predominantly due to limited exposure to sunlight and UV radiation resulting from indoor lifestyles. Several studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency can lead to chronic vascular inflammation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure. This study introduces a green synthesis of novel bimetallic nanoporous composite, CuO/Ag using lemon extract. The synthesized nanoporous material, CuO/Ag@lemon extract was characterized using several analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The CuO/Ag@lemon extract nanoparticles were immobilized on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to prepare modified CuO/Ag@lemon extract–GCE interface. The electrocatalytic and electrochemical properties investigation was carried out on the modified electrode. using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and amperometry for detecting of Vitamin D3. The DPV method displayed a linear response range of 0.02–22.5 µM with a detection limit of 2.62 nM, while the amperometric method showed a broader linear range of 0.25–23.25 µM with a detection limit of 2.70 nM with 82% modified electrode stability. The designed electrode exhibited a positive response to the inclusion of Vitamin D3 with electro-oxidation, reaching steady-state within 3.4 s, with 87% reproducibility within a day. The proposed method offers a rapid and sensitive platform for detection of Vitamin D3 with minimal interference from other molecules. The early diagnosis of Vitamin D3 deficiency using modified electrodes allows for early treatment, thereby preventing severe health complications.

An efficient sensing surface is fabricated through incorporating ruthenium on electropolymerized poly-(4-aminodiphenylamine)(Padpa) film by potentiodynamic cycling of 4-aminodiphenylamine (4-adpa) in an acidic medium. The mechanism of electropolymerization comprises the conversion of protonated monomer to di-imine species and generates positively charged radical-intermediate via dimerization step. The surface morphology of deposited film on electrode surface is studied using SEM and XPS techniques. The electrocatalytic appraisal of constructed (Ru/Padpa/GCE) sensing interface is examined towards the electro-oxidation of guaifenesin (GUA) by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometric (CA) methods. The Ru/Padpa/GCE sensing interface displayed a linear response of GUA from 1.5 to 45 µg/mL with the limit of detection (LOD) of 48.8 ng/mL (S/N = 3). The obtained higher activity of Ru/Padpa/GCE is mainly attributed to its larger active surface area, faster electron transfer kinetics, and higher catalytic sites from the interface. The Ru/Padpa/GCE sensing interface is further applied for the determination of GUA in pharmaceutical (cough syrup, and human urine) samples with a recovery of 97.1–101.0 %. The diffusion coefficient of GUA (1.51 × 10-6 cm2/s) is also obtained via theoretical electrochemical method, which ensures that Ru/Padpa/GCE sensing interface can be considered as a potential candidate for clinical diagnostic analysis.

Rice straw (RS) is a rich lignocellulosic biomass that can be employed for biogas generation through anaerobic digestion. However, lignin-silica encrustation around the holocellulose complex hinders its digestibility. Therefore, in this present study, RS was biologically pretreated with microbial consortium of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU decomposer), which is composed of Bacillus sp., Delftia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Lysinibacillus fusiform, Arthrobacter nicotianae, Paenibaccilus ehimensis, Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. Bio-digested slurry, the underutilized spent waste from cattle dung-based biogas plants was used as a growth medium for the mass multiplication of consortium. Soaked and chopped RS was pretreated with consortium and individual cultures in triplicate sets for 5 and 10 d and were analyzed for biochemical parameters along with cellulolytic activity. The pretreated straw was used for biogas production in 2 L capacity anaerobic digesters. Cellulolytic activities i.e., endoglucanase (0.071 IU/mL), exoglucanase (0.027 IU/mL) and β-glucosidase (3.734 IU/mL) of consortium treated RS were higher as compared to untreated RS. Biogas production from consortium pretreated RS was 187.45 L/kg RS which is 45.93% more as compared to untreated RS with 128.45 L/kg RS of biogas. This could be attributed to the synergistic cellulolytic activities of PAU decomposer leading to enhanced biogas production from RS.

Earthworm growth and reproduction is influenced by the environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, substrate and nutrient content in vermibed materials. By using different kind of dietary supplements with the conventional vermibed materials raise the development and reproductive potential of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. The current study evaluated on particular periods such as 10th, 45th, and 90th day in vermibins with dietary supplements in the ratio of 1:1 the 50% Ficus religiosa leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T1); 50% Lawsonia inermis leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T2); 50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% cow dung (T3) was used and 100% cow dung serves as control (C). Among these vermibins, T3 vermibin treated earthworms had the highest growth, reproduction, highest sperm count in the seminal vesicle, hatching success, and also increased the metabolic profile of earthworms such as protein, carbohydrate, and lipids in tissues and seminal vesicle. Compared to the other nutritional supplements, the present study result revealed that cow dung and sugarcane bagasse together have a significant positive impact on earthworm growth and reproduction. This study emphasized on the enhancement of the reproductive capacity of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae by incorporating different dietary supplements with the traditional vermicomposting methods. This also helps to analyse the influence of the metabolic profile in the growth and development and even on the reproductive index of the earthworm which is been observed on three different period: 10th, 45th and 90th day of experimentation. In the current research multi output can be ensured by integrating with production of crops, vermicompost, earthworm growth and waste management. This present study also represents that the open dumping of such a huge quantity of dung materials and plant and animal wastes will create environmental pollution and benefits for soil fertility improvement.