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[Display omitted] The drying kinetics of Beetroot was studied experimentally, followed by mathematical modeling. This work reveals the effect of input electrical power at 300, 600, and 800 W on the drying kinetics of Beetroot. The thin layer drying behavior of beetroot specimens was studied by employing seven distinct mathematical models. The models studied were contrasted between experimental and simulated moisture ratios based on their correlation coefficient and root mean square error values. The results indicate the page model as the best-suited model with values of correlation coefficient from 0.9881 to 0.9944 and root mean square error values from 0.0213 to 0.043 to define the thin layer beetroot drying behavior. The drying time was significantly reduced by about 400 s by raising the microwave output power by 500 W, i.e., from 300 W to 800 W. The drying process was noted to occur mainly during the falling rate period. The average moisture diffusivity varied between 1.78 × 10−8 and 4.38 × 10−7 m2/sec, whereas the values of activation energies determined were 69.99, 90.87, and 50.82 W/g for the cube, slab, and disc samples, respectively. The energy consumption and specific energies decreased with an increase in microwave power during drying. It was estimated that their values were in the range of 108–324 kJ and 16.57–49.54 MJ/kg water, respectively. Further, moisture diffusivities decreased with decreasing microwave power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging contaminant of concern in aqueous streams is naproxen. Due to its poor solubility, non-biodegradability, and pharmaceutically active nature, the separation is challenging. Conventional solvents employed for naproxen are toxic and harmful. Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted great attention as g reener solubilizing and separating agent for various pharmaceuticals. ILs have found extensive usage as solvents in nanotechnological processes involving enzymatic reactions and whole cells. The employment of ILs can enhance the effectiveness and productivity of such bioprocesses. To avoid cumbersome experimental screening, in this study, conductor like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) was used to screen ILs. Thirty anions and eight cations from various families were chosen. Activity coefficient at infinite dilution, capacity, selectivity, performance index, molecular interactions using σ-profiles and interaction energies were used to make predictions about solubility. According to the findings, quaternary ammonium cations, highly electronegative, and food-grade anions will form excellent ionic liquid combinations for solubilizing naproxen and hence will be better separating agents. This research will contribute easy designing of ionic liquid-based separation technologies for naproxen. In different separation technologies, ionic liquids can be employed as extractants, carriers, adsorbents, and absorbents. [Display omitted] • Hydrophobic, hydrophilic and food grade ionic liquids are explored to enhance solubility and hence separation of naproxen from aqueous streams. • COSMO-RS was employed to screen ionic liquids as greener solvents for the separation of naproxen. • Screened ionic liquids can be used as carrier, extractant, adsorbent, absorbent in different separation processes. • 240 different cation anion combinations were screened for IL selection to remove naproxen. • Quaternary ammonium cations, highly electronegative, and food-grade anions will form excellent ionic liquid combinations for solubilizing naproxen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H 2) is a possible energy transporter and feedstock for energy decarbonization, transportation, and chemical sectors while reducing global warming's consequences. The predominant commercial method for producing H 2 today is steam methane reforming (SMR). However, there is still room for development in process intensification, energy optimization, and environmental concerns related to CO 2 emissions. Reactors using metallic membranes (MRs) can handle both problems. Compared to traditional reactors, MRs operates at substantially lower pressures and temperatures. As a result, capital and operational costs may be significantly cheaper than traditional reactors. Furthermore, metallic membranes (MMs), particularly Pd and its alloys, naturally permit only H 2 permeability, enabling the production of a stream with a purity of up to 99.999%. This review describes several methods for H 2 production based on the energy sources utilized. SRM with CO 2 capture and storage (CCUS), pyrolysis of methane, and water electrolysis are all investigated as process technologies. A debate based on a color code was also created to classify the purity of H 2 generation. Although producing H 2 using fossil fuels is presently the least expensive method, green H 2 generation has the potential to become an affordable alternative in the future. From 2030 onward, green H 2 is anticipated to be less costly than blue hydrogen. Green H 2 is more expensive than fossil-based H 2 since it uses more energy. Blue H 2 has several tempting qualities, but the CCUS technology is pricey, and blue H 2 contains carbon. At this time, almost 80–95% of CO 2 can be stored and captured by the CCUS technology. Nanomaterials are becoming more significant in solving problems with H 2 generation and storage. Sustainable nanoparticles, such as photocatalysts and bio-derived particles, have been emphasized for H 2 synthesis. New directions in H 2 synthesis and nanomaterials for H 2 storage have also been discussed. Further, an overview of the H 2 value chain is provided at the end, emphasizing the financial implications and outlook for 2050, i.e., carbon-free H 2 and zero-emission H 2. [Display omitted] • Thorough description of sustainable and clean H 2 production methods is done. • Currently grey H 2 production is dominant in the world market, i.e., via SMR. • Metallic membranes remove impurities from H 2 , improving purity and fuel cell efficiency. • Global H 2 production, storage, and supply capacity is insufficient for future demand. • Green H 2 could support flexibility and decarbonization of the whole energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid increase in the global population and its ever-rising standards of living are imposing a huge burden on global resources. Apart from the rising energy needs, the demand for freshwater is correspondingly increasing. A population of around 3.8 billion people will face water scarcity by 2030, as per the reports of the World Water Council. This may be due to global climate change and the deficiency in the treatment of wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies fail to completely remove several emerging contaminants, especially those containing pharmaceutical compounds. Hence, leading to an increase in the concentration of harmful chemicals in the human food chain and the proliferation of several diseases. MXenes are transition metal carbide/nitride ceramics that primarily structure the leading 2D material group. MXenes act as novel nanomaterials for wastewater treatment due to their high surface area, excellent adsorption properties, and unique physicochemical properties, such as high electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity. MXenes are highly hydrophilic and covered with active functional groups (i.e., hydroxyl, oxygen, fluorine, etc.), which makes them efficient adsorbents for a wide range of species and promising candidates for environmental remediation and water treatment. This work concludes that the scaling up process of MXene-based materials for water treatment is currently of high cost. The up-to-date applications are still limited because MXenes are currently produced mainly in the laboratory with limited yield. It is recommended to direct research efforts towards lower synthesis cost procedures coupled with the use of more environmentally friendly materials to avoid secondary contamination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intoxication with methanol most commonly occurs as a consequence of ingesting, inhaling, or coming into contact with formulations that include methanol as a base. Clinical manifestations of methanol poisoning include suppression of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal symptoms, and decompensated metabolic acidosis, which is associated with impaired vision and either early or late blindness within 0.5–4 h after ingestion. After ingestion, methanol concentrations in the blood that are greater than 50 mg/dl should raise some concern. Ingested methanol is typically digested by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and it is subsequently redistributed to the body's water to attain a volume distribution that is about equivalent to 0.77 L/kg. Moreover, it is removed from the body as its natural, unchanged parent molecules. Due to the fact that methanol poisoning is relatively uncommon but frequently involves a large number of victims at the same time, this type of incident occupies a special position in the field of clinical toxicology. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in erroneous assumptions regarding the preventative capability of methanol in comparison to viral infection. More than 1000 Iranians fell ill, and more than 300 of them passed away in March of this year after they consumed methanol in the expectation that it would protect them from a new coronavirus. The Atlanta epidemic, which involved 323 individuals and resulted in the deaths of 41, is one example of mass poisoning. Another example is the Kristiansand outbreak, which involved 70 people and resulted in the deaths of three. In 2003, the AAPCC received reports of more than one thousand pediatric exposures. Since methanol poisoning is associated with high mortality rates, it is vital that the condition be addressed seriously and managed as quickly as feasible. The objective of this review was to raise awareness about the mechanism and metabolism of methanol toxicity, the introduction of therapeutic interventions such as gastrointestinal decontamination and methanol metabolism inhibition, the correction of metabolic disturbances, and the establishment of novel diagnostic/screening nanoparticle-based strategies for methanol poisoning such as the discovery of ADH inhibitors as well as the detection of the adulteration of alcoholic drinks by nanoparticles in order to prevent methanol poisoning. In conclusion, increasing warnings and knowledge about clinical manifestations, medical interventions, and novel strategies for methanol poisoning probably results in a decrease in the death load. • Methanol poisoning can lead to lasting cerebral damage, blindness, and death due to the production of formic acid. • Diagnosis is challenging, requiring high suspicion, but prompt action is crucial since therapy is available. • Treatment involves correcting metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate and limiting methanol degradation with ethanol. • Hemodialysis removes methanol and formic acid; folic acid supplements aid formic acid conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation of the present study was a synthesis of the nanocomposites of UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar to embed carbendazim (CBZ) pesticide inside its porous structures for smart spraying and cleaner production. CBZ@UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar had the purpose of not only smart spraying to avoid releasing a large amount of CBZ into the groundwater but also of accurately delivering the CBZ pesticide to the desired grass/plant. High-resolution electron microscopy was introduced to characterise the morphologies of prepared composites with spatial elemental distribution mapping. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and micro-Raman spectroscopy were employed for the crystal structures of UiO-66@ZnO. Spectral UV–Vis and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) tools were utilized to estimate the UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar-based adsorption and release of CBZ into the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-water mixture. Our results indicated that the adsorption capacities of CBZ into the DMSO-water mixture onto UiO-66@ZnO and UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar nanocomposites were obtained at 68.8% and 72.6%. The half-life of photodegradation rate constants for CBZ@UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar was found to be 12.3 times longer than that of free CBZ. Notably, CBZ@UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) determination was estimated at 73.8 μg/L and 209 μg/L for Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger. This work provides a comprehensive experimental scheme for the chemisorption process of CBZ onto the UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar composite materials and the nanopesticide applications in sustainable agriculture towards cleaner productions. [Display omitted] • UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar nanocomposite was synthesised to embed CBZ. • A CBZ reduction from 18.0% to 51.2% was estimated for UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar. • The IC50 value of CBZ@UiO-66@ZnO/Biochar was estimated for fugal species. • The reduced CBZ amount implies a technical way towards cleaner production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fossil fuels need a clean alternative to check elevated global temperatures. • H 2 is a promising alternative with high energy density and clean fuel characteristics. • Current H 2 production is grey and green techniques need to economize. • H 2 transport and delivery is the most critical problem, storage as metal hydrides is promising. • H 2 has enormous potential for usage in the transportation sector once techno-economic barriers are settled. The transportation sector is one of the major consumers of fuel i.e., mostly relying on fossil-based fuels. With the rising energy demand and consumption of fossil fuels, the concentration of pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) are increasing in the atmosphere. Hydrogen (H 2) is a well-known source of clean energy options and a better alternative to fossil fuels. It has the potential to become a promising fuel for renewable transportation by providing safe, efficient, stable, accessible, and customer-friendly energy. This is due to its many characteristics, such as energy density, high calorific value, affordability, and a wide variety of production methods. H 2 has the potential to completely replace the use of fossil fuel in internal combustion engines. The review highlights the recent advances in H 2 production, storage, and transportation. Apart from the conventional steam reforming technique i.e., producing around 85% of the world's grey H 2 , several clean techniques such as partial oxidation, plasma reforming, water electrolysis, pyrolysis, and photoelectrolysis are comprehensively discussed. Despite its many advantages, H 2 storage is a significant issue. Hence, the recent advances and challenges in H 2 storage i.e., physical, and material-based techniques have been deliberated. Further, the risks involved during the production, handling, and transportation of H 2 fuel is highlighted, and the latest trends in its safety recommendations have been suggested. Finally, the techno-economic feasibility challenges and its outlook has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis of nanomaterials has emerged as an ecofriendly sustainable technology for the removal of dyes in the last few decades. Especially, plant leaf extracts have been considered as inexpensive and effective materials for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared using leaves extract of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (BO) by co-precipitation and applied for photocatalytic/antibacterial activity. The synthesized BO-ZnO NPs was characterized by different instrumental techniques. The UV–vis Spectrum of the synthesized material showed maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 311 nm, which confirmed the formation of BO-ZnO NPs. The XRD pattern of BO-ZnO NPs represents a hexagonal wurtzite structure and the average size of particles was about 52 nm. FT-IR spectrum analysis confirms the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxylic, and phenol groups. SEM images exhibited a flower like morphology and EDX spectrum confirming the presence of the elements Zn and O. Photo-catalytic activity of BO-ZnO NPs was tested against thiazine dye (methylene blue-MB) degradation under direct sunlight irradiation. Around 80% of the MB dye got degraded at pH 8 under 75 min of sunlight irradiation. Further, the study examined that the antimicrobial and larvicidal activity of BO-ZnO NPs obtained through green synthesis. The antimicrobial study results showed that the BO-ZnO NPs formed zones against bacterial pathogens. The results showed the formation of an inhibition zone against B. subtills (16 mm), S.aureus (13 mm), K. pneumonia (13 mm), and E. coli (9 mm) respectively at a concentration of 100 μg/mL of BO-ZnO NPs. The larvicidal activity of the BO-ZnO NPs was tested against the fourth instar of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae The LC 50 and LC 90 values estimated through the larvicidal activity of BO-ZnO NPs were 76.03, 190.03 ppm respectively. Hence the above findings propose the synthesized BO-ZnO NPs by the ecofriendly method can be used for various environmental and antipathogenic applications. [Display omitted] • ZnO NPs were synthesized using leaves extract of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis by co-precipitation as a green method. • The synthesized BO-ZnO NPs showed around 80% degradation of methylene blue dye under direct sunlight irradiation. • The synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diverse nature of polymers with attractive properties has replaced the conventional materials with polymeric composites. The present study was sought to evaluate the wear performance of thermoplastic-based composites under the conditions of different loads and sliding speeds. In the present study, nine different composites were developed by using low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with partial sand replacements i.e., 0, 30, 40, and 50 wt%. The abrasive wear was evaluated as per the ASTM G65 standard test for abrasive wear through a dry-sand rubber wheel apparatus under the applied loads of 34.335, 56.898, 68.719, 79.461 and 90.742 (N) and sliding speeds of 0.5388, 0.7184, 0.8980, 1.0776 and 1.4369 (m/s). The optimum density and compressive strength were obtained to be 2.0555 g/cm3 and 46.20 N/mm2, respectively for the composites HDPE60 and HDPE50 respectively. The minimum value of abrasive wear were found to 0.02498, 0.03430, 0.03095, 0.09020 and 0.03267 (cm3) under the considered loads of 34.335, 56.898, 68.719, 79.461 and 90.742 (N), respectively. Moreover, the composites LDPE50, LDPE100, LDPE100, LDPE50PET20 and LDPE60 showed a minimum abrasive wear of 0.03267, 0.05949, 0.05949, 0.03095 and 0.10292 at the sliding speeds of 0.5388, 0.7184, 0.8980, 1.0776 and 1.4369 (m/s), respectively. The wear response varied non-linearly with the conditions of loads and sliding speeds. Micro-cutting, plastic deformations, fiber peelings, etc. were included as the possible wear mechanism. The possible correlations between wear and mechanical properties, and throughout discussions for wear behaviors through the morphological analyses of the worn-out surfaces were provided. [Display omitted] • Development of sustainable polymeric composites by recycling of waste plastics. • Tribological characterizations under conditions of applied load and sliding speed. • Investigations for wear mechanism through morphological analysis of worn surfaces. • Novel and sustainable composite materials for tribological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoFe 2 O 4 /Graphene Nanoribbons (GNRs) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated and utilised as an electrode active material for high-energy supercapacitor cells. Thanks to the outstanding physicochemical features of a graphene nanoribbon with excellent electrical conductivity and the synergistic effect with cobalt ferrite, as well as the pseudocapacitive effect. The CoFe 2 O 4 /GNRs nanohybrid offered an exceptional specific capacitance of 922 F g−1 (415 C g−1) at 1.0 A g−1 in 3.0 M KOH electrolyte in a standard 3-electrode set-up. Additionally, the impressive supercapacitive performance metrics showed that the suggested electrode had a distinctive morphology and could be a candidate for capacitive energy storage systems. These metrics included good cycle stability and 87% capacitance retention at the end of the 10,000th CV cycle. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor cell (ASC) was designed by assembling CoFe 2 O 4 /GNRs and activated carbon (AC). The resultant ASC provided an improved specific capacitance of 487.85 F g−1 (683 C g−1) at 1.0 A g−1. At this current density value, the energy density and the power density values were computed as to be 132.8 Wh.kg−1 and 632.39 W kg−1. The highest power density was discovered to be 6730.76 W kg−1 at 10.0 A g−1, whereas the energy density was determined as 8.75 Wh.kg−1 at this current density. The results of the work proved that CoFe 2 O 4 /GNRs nanohybrids are up-and-coming electrode active materials for advanced electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. CoFe 2 O 4 /Graphene nanoribbons as a promising positive electrode material for high-energy density asymmetric supercapacitor. [Display omitted] • A viable tip to achieve a high-energy supercapacitor is to tailor advanced material. • Hybrids of carbon materials and metal-oxides are promising electrode materials. • CoFe 2 O 4 /Graphene Nanoribbons were fabricated and utilised in a supercapacitor cell. • CoFe 2 O 4 /Graphene Nanoribbons offered outstanding electrochemical characteristics. • Supremacy of hybrid nanocomposite was proven in an asymmetrical cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of chloride ion as an environmental pollutant is having a devastating and irreversible effect on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To ensure safe and clean drinking water, it is vital to remove this substance using non-toxic and eco-friendly methods. This study presents a novel and highly efficient Ag NPs-modified bentonite adsorbent for removing chloride ion, a common environmental pollutant, from drinking water using a facile approach. The surface chemical properties and morphology of the pristine Na-bentonite and Ag NPs-Modified bentonite were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and zeta potential (ζ). To achieve maximum chloride ion removal, the effects of experimental parameters, including adsorbent dosage (1–9 g/L), chloride ion concentration (100–900 mg/L), and reaction time (5–25 h), were examined using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The chloride ion removal of 90% was obtained at optimum conditions (adsorbent dosage: 7 g/L, chloride ion concentration: 500 mg/L, and reaction time: 20 h). The adsorption isotherm and kinetics results indicated that the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics were found suitable to chloride ion removal. Additionally, the regeneration and reusability of the Ag NPs-modified bentonite were further studied. In the regeneration and reusability study, the Ag NPs-modified bentonite has shown consistently ≥90% and ≥87% chloride ion removal even up to 2 repeated cycles, separately. Thus, the findings in this study provided convincing evidence for using Ag-NPs modified bentonite as a high-efficiency and promising adsorbent to remove chloride ion from drinking water. • The chloride ion was removed from drinking water using Ag NPs-modified bentonite. • The morphology and characterization of the adsorbent were investigated. • The effect of different parameters was studied using design expert software. • A considerably high maximum adsorption capacity of 107.64 mg/g was acquired. • The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics fitted to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was employed as primary treatment unit for anaerobic treatment of simulated wastewater to produce high effluent quality. A lab scale hollow fiber membrane was used to scrutinize the performance of AnMBR as a potential treatment system for simulated milk wastewater and analyze its energy recovery potential. The 15 L bioreactor was operated continuously at mesophilic conditions (35 °C) with a pH constant of 7.0. The membrane flux was in the range of 9.6–12.6 L/m2. h. The different organic loading rates (OLRs) of 1.61, 3.28, 5.01, and 8.38 g-COD/L/d, of simulated milk wastewater, were fed to the reactor and the biogas production rate was analyzed, respectively. The results revealed that the COD removal efficiencies of 99.54 ± 0.001% were achieved at the OLR of 5.01 gCOD/L/d. The highest methane yield was found to be at OLR of 1.61 gCOD/L/d at HRT of 30 d with the value of 0.33 ± 0.01 L-CH 4 /gCOD. Moreover, based on the analysis of energy balance in the AnMBR system, it was found that energy is positive at all the given HRTs. The net energy production (NEP) ranged from 2.594 to 3.268 kJ/gCOD, with a maximum NEP value of 3.268 kJ/gCOD at HRT 10 d HRT. Bioenergy recovery with the maximum energy ratio, of 4.237, was achieved with an HRT of 5 d. The study suggests a sizable energy saving with the anaerobic membrane process. [Display omitted] • Optimized AnMBR system achieved high degradation and bioenergy recovery. • Effects of HRT and OLR on biogas production in wastewater were determined. • Methane yield almost reached the theoretical methane yield value. • Energy positive at all HRT and AnMBR systems consumed less energy input. • High NEP was obtained and is suitable to be implemented for real applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, fish scales (Pomadasys kaakan's scales) were used as new biosorbent for removing Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions from wastewater. The effects of electric and magnetic fields on the absorption efficiency were also investigated. The effects of sorbent content, ion concentration, contact time, pH, electric field (EF), and magnetic field (MF) on absorption efficiency were assertained. In addition, the isotherm of absorption was studied in this work. This study revealed that electric field and magnetic field have significant effects on the absorption efficiency of ions from wastewater. An increase in the electric field enhanced the removal percentage of the ions and accelerated the absorption process by up to 40% in comparison with the same condition without an electric field or a magnetic field. By increasing contact time from 10 to 120 min, the removal of Ni2+ ions was increased from 1% to 40% and for Cu2+ ions, the removal increased from 20% to almost 95%, respectively. In addition, increasing pH, ion concentration and scales dose increased removal percentage effectively. The results indicated that using fish scales for Cu2+ ions absorption is ideal due to the very high removal percentage (approximately 95%) without using either an electric or magnetic field. [Display omitted] • Fish scales were used as a new efficient biosorbent for removing Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions from wastewater. • Approximately 95% Cu2+ ions removal was obtained using fish scales as a biosorbent without using a magnetic or electric field. • A 40% increase in the absorption process was obtained using electric and magnetic field. • Magnetic and electric field have a significant effect on the absorption process of Ni2+ ions. • Biosorption is an emerging green, cost-effective and efficient alternative technology for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two of the most important challenges of the new millennium are the sustainability of agricultural output and the security of global food supplies. The ability of agro-ecosystems to adapt to a rapidly changing climate and improve the global food supply while limiting unintentional environmental damage is critical to addressing these issues. Nanomaterials that can encapsulate and transport active pesticide ingredients (AIs) responsively (e.g., regulated, targeted, and synchronized) offer new opportunities to improve the efficacy and efficiency of traditional pesticides. Completed analysis of the essential traits of nanopesticides in pest management for crop enhancement in comparison to their non-nano scale analogues for sustainable, cleaner production. Cleaner production projects contribute to sustainable development through the development of novel and smart technologies. Nanopesticides outperform non-nano size pesticides in terms of total efficacy against target organisms by 32%, including a 19% improvement in outdoor studies. Notably, the toxicity of nanopesticides is 43.2% lower for non-target organisms, showing a reduction in environmental collateral damage. A 22.2% decreased potential for leaching of AIs into soils is combined with a reduction of 41.5% in the premature loss of AIs before reaching target organisms (Wang et al., 2022). This study seeks to answer the question of how the use of nanopesticides can lead to improved sustainable cleaner production. This study focused on the characteristics of numerous non-nanoscale analogues to a wide spectrum of nanopesticides used to manage agricultural pests. Also, to address several new biotic and abiotic threats in a constantly changing climate, the responsive nanoscale platform is given special consideration. Pesticide particles smaller than 500 nm are referred to as nanopesticides in this investigation. The benefits of nanopesticides can lead to an increase in agricultural yields, which can support sustainable agriculture and help ensure global food security. [Display omitted] • Nanopesticides are a good platform towards sustainable cleaner production. • Pesticidal nanoformulations outperform traditional insecticides in terms of efficacy. • Nanopesticides lead to a significant reduction of environmental pollutants. • Nanopesticides ensure sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Waste disposal and its hazardous impact on health and the environment. • Latest technologies for converting the organic waste to multiple biofuels production. • Organic acids, bioplastic, and bio-compost production from organic waste. • Described the techno-economic analysis for organic waste. Rapid population growth and other human activities have generated massive waste from various sectors in recent decades. Studies revealed that by 2050, global solid waste generation is expected to reach 70% to 3.4 billion metric tons. Thus, the authorities urgently need to provide a low-cost, efficient technology for treating waste disposal. However, it is evident that only 20% of waste is recycled, and the remaining is still being considered for landfilling. In developing countries, the generated waste is simply disposed of in an open area, which causes a severe threat to humans, animals, and the environment. To date, organic waste and fourth-generation biomass have been investigated for multiple targeted products. Thus, the present review article highlights the emerging problems in organic waste generation, management, and converting them into various value-added bioproducts. This review also deals with the conversion of multiple biofuels such as liquid, solid, gaseous, and bioelectricity from organic waste resources. Besides, the latest approaches in organic waste are also detailly addressed for the production of value-added bioproducts such as bioplastic, bio-compost, and organic acids. Furthermore, the techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of organic waste is also explored. The transformation of organic waste to value-added bioproducts enhances the circular bioeconomy approach by reducing waste, increasing energy production, and other healthcare products. Finally, it is concluded that the utilization of organic waste to value-added bioproducts and biofuels production will be helpful in achieving high energy security, environmental protection, as well as enhancing the bioeconomy perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, population growth and industrial development have raised concerns about environmental pollution and had negative effects on the entire ecosystem. Cleaner production is an effective strategy to reduce these negative effects and prevent damage to the environment. Graphene (GR)-based catalysts as eco-friendly catalysts for the mitigation of environmentally hazardous pollutants, such as pollutant degradation, CO 2 reduction, and air purification, have been introduced as one of these cleaner production strategies. In this review, the benefits of GR-based catalysts for the breakdown of organic contaminants are highlighted. Besides, critical considerations, potential solutions, challenges, and upcoming development opportunities for GR-based catalysts in sustainable applications were discussed. The main observations are: (i) GR-based catalysts are different types, and there are several methods to synthesize them, (ii) GR-based catalysts are efficient catalysts for the mitigation of environmentally hazardous pollutants, and (iii) several issues must be resolved for the broad applicability of GR-based catalysts, namely, a) unclear mechanisms and/or lack of a basic understanding of the function of GR; b) complex problems related to the preparation of GR; c) graphene's derivates on a large scale; d) finite stability in specific reactions (e.g., photocatalysis); and e) development of synthetic methods for producing large quantities of high-quality GR nanomaterials. Accordingly, the research and development space has clearly shown that GR-based nanomaterials are the basis for future catalysts for cleaner production. Environmental applications of graphene-based catalysts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Microwave intensified 1-step method is promising for biodiesel production via Jatropha oil. • Response surface methodology, with CCRD, gave the finest fit for optimization. • The modified polynomial model for the microwave heating method is developed. • Significantly enhanced reaction rate is attained via microwave heating comparatively. • Validation of experiments verified the accuracy/fit of the model employed. Biodiesel is known as one of the best alternative fuels for diesel engines. Low-cost Jatropha oil is considered a potential non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production in India and many other parts of the world. Jatropha oil contains a large amount of free fatty acids (FFA), and soap formation occurs during the alkali catalysed transesterification process, hence decreasing the biodiesel yield. The acid catalyst is less sensitive to FFA, but the reaction rate is extremely slow if the transesterification reaction occurs by conventional heating. In the present investigation, microwave heating was used for biodiesel production by the single-step transesterification reaction of Jatropha oil in the presence of an acidic catalyst (sulphuric acid). The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) matrix of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the optimum design conditions for the transesterification reaction under microwave irradiation. The effects of three selected variables, namely reaction time, catalyst concentration, and methanol, on the oil molar ratio, were assessed. The maximum yield of biodiesel produced in the selected design space by microwave heating was found to be 61.10% under the 11:7 M ratio of the methanol to oil, 2 wt% catalyst concentration, and 90 min reaction time, which was much higher than the biodiesel yield by conventional heating method (3.8%) for the same reaction time. The modified polynomial model for the microwave heating method was developed with the help of ANOVA, main effect plots, interaction plots, and surface plots. The experimental and predicted yield values for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) showed a linear relationship. The validation of experiments confirmed the accuracy of the suggested model. The produced biodiesel was of good quality, as all the properties were within the prescribed limits of the ASTM D6751 standard. The results of this study showed that the microwave heating method can be used efficiently to obtain a high biodiesel yield from low-cost, high-FFA feedstock such as Jatropha oil in a sulphuric acid-catalysed single-step transesterification reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has underpinned vital progress in current research and has immensely promoted the food production chain. This review projected the critical intervention of nano-based technologies like modern advancements of nano-based biosensors in detecting mycotoxins, microbial contaminations, antibiotics, pesticides, food additives, and dyes. It also highlighted the starring roles of nanotechnology in terms of active, intelligent food packaging and food safety. These approaches have certainly intensified the strength of food processing technology and improved food quality and maintenance standards during shelf life. Apart from these trending facets, this review throw light on the utilisation of food waste for the biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles and the application of nano-based materials for the recycling process in food production units to ensure a complete cleaner technology. However, monitoring the chronic exposure of food contact nanomaterials should be critically evaluated to ensure food safety. Nanotechnology embraced an influential role in the food sector by providing effective avenues for energy conservation, sustainability, and cues to improve the capital funds well. [Display omitted] • Role of nano-biosensors for detection of toxic residues in food. • Naturally occurring nano-foods as models to understand the penetrable properties. • Utilisation of food waste for energy sustainability through eco-waste management. • Nanomaterials in recycling units of food factories ensure cleaner production. • Improved bioavailability of nutrients and food safety through active packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biosynthesis of novel nanoparticles with varied morphologies, which has good implications for their biological capabilities, has attracted increasing attention in the field of nanotechnology. Bioactive compounds present in the extract of fungi, bacteria, plants and algae are responsible for nanoparticle synthesis. In comparison to other biological resources, brown seaweeds can also be useful to convert metal ions to metal nanoparticles because of the presence of richer bioactive chemicals. Carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes, pigments, and secondary metabolites in brown seaweeds act as natural reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents in the nanoparticle's synthesis. There are around 2000 species of seaweed that dominate marine resources, but only a few have been reported for nanoparticle synthesis. The presence of bioactive chemicals in the biosynthesized metal nanoparticles confers biological activity. The biosynthesized metal and non-metal nanoparticles from brown seaweeds possess different biological activities because of their different physiochemical properties. Compared with terrestrial resources, marine resources are not much explored for nanoparticle synthesis. To confirm their morphology, characterization methods are used, such as absorption spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. This review attempts to include the vital role of brown seaweed in the synthesis of metal and non-metal nanoparticles, as well as the method of synthesis and biological applications such as anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and other functions., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Hybrid material of surgical mask activated carbon (SMAC) and Fe 2 O 3 (SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 ) composite was prepared by simple co-precipitation method and used as potential material for the remediation of 2,4-dicholrophenol (2,4-DCP). The XRD patterns exhibited the presence of SMAC and Fe 2 O 3 , FTIR spectrum showed the FeO-carbon stretching at the wavenumber from 400 to 550 cm -1 . UV-Vis DRS results showed the band gap was 1.97 eV and 2.05 eV for SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 , respectively. The SEM images revealed that the Fe 2 O 3 doped onto the fiber morphology of SMAC. The outcomes of the BET examination exhibited a surface area of 195 m 2 /g and a pore volume of 0.2062 cm 3 /g for the SMAC/Fe 2 O 3 composite. The batch mode study shows the maximum adsorption and photocatalytic degradation efficacies which were 97% and 78%, respectively. The experimental data was studied with both linear and nonlinear adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. The nonlinear Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSOK) models have well fit compared with other models. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (q max ) was found 161.60 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the 2,4-DCP adsorption onto SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The PSOK assumes that the adsorption process was chemisorption. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of 2,4-DCP was calculated using pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFOK) and the rate constant for SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 were 0.859 × 10 -2  min -1 and 0.616 × 10 -2  min -1 , correspondingly. In addition, the obtained composite exhibited good reusability after a few cycles. These results confirmed that SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 composite is an effective adsorbent and photocatalyst for removing 2,4-DCP pollutants., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study reported the synthesis and assessment of zinc oxide/iron oxide (ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 ) nanocomposite as photocatalysts for the degradation of a mixture of methylene red and methylene blue dyes. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the crystallite of zinc oxide (ZnO) has a hexagonal wurtzite phase and iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) has a rhombohedral phase. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum confirms the presence of Zn-O vibration stretching at 428, 480 and 543 cm -1 stretching confirming Fe-O bond formation. Scanning Electron Microscope images exhibited a diverse size and shape of the nanocomposites. The ZnO-90%/Fe 2 O 3 -10% and ZnO-10%/Fe 2 O 3 -90% nanocomposites reveal good photocatalytic activity with reaction rate constants of 1.5 × 10 -2 and 0.66 × 10 -2 ; and 1.3 × 10 -2 and 0.60 × 10 -2 for methylene blue and methyl red dye respectively. The results revealed that the synthesized ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite is the best catalyst for dye degradation and can be used for industrial applications in future., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Cordyceps, an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the Ascomycota phylum, is a familiar remedial mushroom that is extensively used in the traditional medicinal system, especially in South Asian nations. The significance of this genus' members in a range of therapeutic and biotechnological applications has long been acknowledged. The exceedingly valuable fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Cordyceps sinensis) is found in the alpine meadows of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and India, where it is severely harvested. Driven by market demand and ecological concerns, the study highlights challenges in natural C. sinensis collection and emphasizes the shift towards sustainable artificial cultivation methods. This in-depth review navigates Cordyceps cultivation strategies, focusing on C. sinensis and the viable alternative, C. militaris. The escalating demand for Cordyceps fruiting bodies and bioactive compounds prompts a shift toward sustainable artificial cultivation. While solid-state fermentation on brown rice remains a traditional method, liquid culture, especially submerged and surface/static techniques, emerges as a key industrial approach, offering shorter cultivation periods and enhanced cordycepin production. The review accentuates the adaptability and scalability of liquid culture, providing valuable insights for large-scale Cordyceps production. The future prospects of Cordyceps cultivation require a holistic approach, combining scientific understanding, technological innovation, and sustainable practices to meet the demand for bioactive metabolites while ensuring the conservation of natural Cordyceps populations., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The antifungal efficacy and cytotoxicity of a novel nano-antifungal agent, the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /Schiff-base complex of Cu(II) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have been assessed for targeting drug-resistant Candida species. Due to the rising issue of fungal infections, especially candidiasis, and resistance to traditional antifungals, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Utilizing Schiff-base ligands known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /Schiff-base/Cu(II) MNPs have been synthesized. The Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /Schiff-base/Cu(II) MNPs was characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), demonstrating successful synthesis. The antifungal potential was evaluated against six Candida species (C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. albicans) using the broth microdilution method. The results indicated strong antifungal activity in the range of 8-64 μg/mL with the lowest MIC (8 μg/mL) observed against C. parapsilosis. The result showed the MIC of 32 μg/mL against C. albicans as the most common infection source. The antifungal mechanism is likely due to the disruption of the fungal cell wall and membrane, along with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation leading to cell death. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay for cytotoxicity on mouse L929 fibroblastic cells suggested low toxicity and even enhanced cell proliferation at certain concentrations. This study demonstrates the promise of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /Schiff-base/Cu(II) MNPs as a potent antifungal agent with potential applications in the treatment of life-threatening fungal infections, healthcare-associated infections, and beyond., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

As a result of the transformation of inflexible electronic structures into flexible and stretchy devices, wearable electronics now provide great advantages in a variety of fields, including mobile healthcare sensing and monitoring, human-machine interfaces, portable energy storage and harvesting, and more. Because of their enriched surface functionalities, large surface area, and high electrical conductivity, transition metal nitrides and carbides (also known as MXenes) have recently come to be extensively considered as a group of functioning two-dimensional nanomaterials as well as exceptional fundamental elements for forming flexible electronics devices. This Review discusses the most recent advancements that have been made in the field of MXene-enabled flexible electronics for wearable electronics. The emphasis is placed on extensively established nonstructural features in order to highlight some MXene-enabled electrical devices that were constructed on a nanometric scale. These attributes include devices configured in three dimensions: printed materials, bioinspired structures, and textile and planar substrates. In addition, sample applications in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, energy, healthcare, and humanoid control of machinery illustrate the exceptional development of these nanodevices. The increasing potential of MXene nanoparticles as a new area in next-generation wearable electronic technologies is projected in this Review. The design challenges associated with these electronic devices are also discussed, and possible solutions are presented., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The introduction of bioactive glasses (BGs) precipitated a paradigm shift in the medical industry and opened the path for the development of contemporary regenerative medicine driven by biomaterials. This composition can bond to live bone and can induce osteogenesis by the release of physiologically active ions. 45S5 BG products have been transplanted effectively into millions of patients around the world, primarily to repair bone and dental defects. Over the years, many other BG compositions have been introduced as innovative biomaterials for repairing soft tissue and delivering drugs. When research first started, many of the accomplishments that have been made today were unimaginable. It appears that the true capacity of BGs has not yet been realized. Because of this, research involving BGs is extremely fascinating. However, to be successful, it requires interdisciplinary cooperation between physicians, glass chemists, and bioengineers. The present paper gives a picture of the existing clinical uses of BGs and illustrates key difficulties deserving to be faced in the future. The challenges range from the potential for BGs to be used in a wide variety of applications. We have high hopes that this paper will be of use to both novice researchers, who are just beginning their journey into the world of BGs, as well as seasoned scientists, in that it will promote conversation regarding potential additional investigation and lead to the discovery of innovative medical applications for BGs., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Water bodies with the dye methylene blue pose serious environmental and health risks to humans. Therefore, the creation and investigation of affordable, potential adsorbents to remove methylene blue dye from water resources as a long-term fix is one focus of the scientific community. Food plants and other carbon-source serve as a hotspot for a wider range of application on different pollutants that impact the environment and living organisms. Here, we reviewed the use of treated and untreated biosorbents made from plant waste leaves for removing the dye methylene blue from aqueous media. After being modified, activated carbon made from various plant leaves improves adsorption performance. The range of activating chemicals, activation methods, and bio-sorbent material characterisation using FTIR analysis, Barunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), and SEM-EDX have all been covered in this review. It has been thoroughly described how the pH solution of the methylene blue dye compares to the pH PZC of the adsorbent surface. The presentation also includes a thorough analysis of the application of the isotherm model, kinetic model, and thermodynamic parameters. The selectivity of the adsorbent is the main focus of the adsorption kinetics and isotherm models. It has been studied how adsorption occurs, how surface area and pH affect it, and how biomass waste compares to other adsorbents. The use of biomass waste as adsorbents is both environmentally and economically advantageous, and it has been discovered to have exceptional color removal capabilities., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Due to the increased complexity and nonlinear nature of microgrid systems such as photovoltaic, wind-turbine fuel cell, and energy storage systems (PV/WT/FC/ESSs), load-frequency control has been a challenge. This paper employs a self-tuning controller based on the fuzzy logic to overcome parameter uncertainties of classic controllers, such as operation conditions, the change in the operating point of the microgrid, and the uncertainty of microgrid modeling. Furthermore, a combined fuzzy logic and fractional-order controller is used for load-frequency control of the off-grid microgrid with the influence of renewable resources because the latter controller benefits robust performance and enjoys a flexible structure. To reach a better operation for the proposed controller, a novel meta-heuristic whale algorithm has been used to optimally determine the input and output scale coefficients of the fuzzy controller and fractional orders of the fractional-order controller. The suggested approach is applied to a microgrid with a diesel generator, wind turbine, photovoltaic systems, and energy storage devices. The comparison made between the results of the proposed controller and those of the classic PID controller proves the superiority of the optimized fractional-order self-tuning fuzzy controller in terms of operation characteristics, response speed, and the reduction in frequency deviations against load variations., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Photovoltaic (PV) system is the cleanest form of electricity generation, and it is the only form with no effect on the environment at all. However, some environmental challenges persist, which must be overcome before solar energy may be used to represent a source of truly clean energy. This paper aims to study the stability and dynamic behavior of a grid-connected environmentally friendly photovoltaic energy system using the bifurcation theory. This theory introduces a systematic method for stability analysis of dynamic systems, under changes in the system parameters. To produce bifurcation diagrams based on the bifurcation theory, a parameter is constantly changed in each step, using MATLAB and AUTO, and eigenvalues are monitored simultaneously. Considering how the eigenvalues approach the system's imaginary axis in accordance with the changes in the targeted parameter, the occurred saddle-node and Hopf bifurcations of the grid-connected PV system are extracted. Using the obtained bifurcations, the system's dynamic stability limits against changes in controlled (controller coefficients) and systematic parameters (such as the Thevenin impedance network) are found., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In this paper, the technical-economic framework for designing of water pumping system based on photovoltaic clean energy with water tank storage is presented to supply drinking water of customers for remote areas. The objective function is to minimize the net present cost (NPC) (as economic index) including initial investment costs, maintenance, and replacement costs, and reliability constraint is defined as customer's water not supplied probability (CWNSP) as technical index. A meta-heuristic intelligent water drops algorithm (IWDA) is proposed to optimize the solar water pumping system considering NPC and CWNSP with high accuracy and speed of optimization in achieving the global solution. The simulation results show that the proposed method is capable of responding to customer's water demand by optimally sizing components and water storage tank based on IWDA which is inspired based on flowing the water drops in rivers by achieving the lowest cost with optimal reliability. The NPC of the system with CWNSP equal to 3.17 % is obtained 0.24 M$ for 6-m-high water extraction. The results showed that with increasing the water extraction height, the NPC increased, and the reliability also weakened. Moreover, the superiority of the IWDA is confirmed compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO) in designing a water pumping system with the lowest NPC., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In this study, palm oil mill effluent (POME) was treated using electrocoagulation, whereby the influencing factors including voltage, electrolysis time, and electrolyte amount were optimized to achieve the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal efficiencies. Graphite was selected as electrode material due to its performance better compared to aluminum and copper. Response surface methodology (RSM) was carried out for optimization of the electrocoagulation operating parameters. The best model obtained using Box-Behnken design (BBD) were quadratic for COD removal (R 2 = 0.9844), color reduction (R 2 = 0.9412), and oil and grease removal (R 2 = 0.9724). The result from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was obtained to determine the relationship between factors and treatment efficiencies. The experimental results under optimized conditions such as voltage 14, electrolysis time of 3 h, and electrolyte amount of 13.41 g/L show that the electrocoagulation process effectively reduced the COD (56%), color (65%), and oil and grease (99%) of the POME treatment. Graphical abstract., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Incense sticks ash is one of the most unexplored by-products generated at religious places and houses obtained after the combustion of incense sticks. Every year, tonnes of incense sticks ash is produced at religious places in India which are disposed of into the rivers and water bodies. The presence of heavy metals and high content of alkali metals challenges a potential threat to the living organism after the disposal in the river. The leaching of heavy metals and alkali metals may lead to water pollution. Besides this, incense sticks also have a high amount of calcium, silica, alumina, and ferrous along with traces of rutile and other oxides either in crystalline or amorphous phases. The incense sticks ash, heavy metals, and alkali metals can be extracted by water, mineral acids, and alkali. Ferrous can be extracted by magnetic separation, while calcium by HCl, alumina by sulfuric acid treatment, and silica by strong hydroxides like NaOH. The recovery of such elements by using acids and bases will eliminate their toxic heavy metals at the same time recovering major value-added minerals from it. Here, in the present research work, the effect on the elemental composition, morphology, crystallinity, and size of incense sticks ash particles was observed by extracting ferrous, followed by extraction of calcium by HCl and alumina by H 2 SO 4 at 90-95 °C for 90 min. The final residue was treated with 4 M NaOH, in order to extract leachable silica at 90 °C for 90 min along with continuous stirring. The transformation of various minerals phases and microstructures of incense sticks ash (ISA) and other residues during ferrous, extraction, calcium, and alumina and silica extraction was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). DLS was used for analyzing the size during the experiments while FTIR helped in the confirmation of the formation of new products during the treatments. From the various instrumental analyses, it was found that the toxic metals present in the initial incense sticks ash got eliminated. Besides this, the major alkali metals, i.e., Ca and Mg, got reduced during these successive treatments. Initially, there were mainly irregular shaped, micron-sized particles that were dominant in the incense sticks ash particles. Besides this, there were plenty of carbon particles left unburned during combustion. In the final residue, nanosized flowers shaped along with cuboidal micron-sized particles were dominant. present in If, such sequential techniques will be applied by the industries based on recycling of incense sticks ash, then not only the solid waste pollution will be reduced but also numerous value-added minerals like ferrous, silica, alumina calcium oxides and carbonates can be recovered from such waste. The value-added minerals could act as an economical and sustainable source of adsorbent for wastewater treatment in future., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Fig leaf, an environmentally friendly byproduct of fruit plants, has been used for the first time to treat of methylene blue dye. The fig leaf-activated carbon (FLAC-3) was prepared successfully and used for the adsorption of methylene blue dye (MB). The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). In the present study, initial concentrations, contact time, temperatures, pH solution, FLAC-3 dose, volume solution, and activation agent were investigated. However, the initial concentration of MB was investigated at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80, 120, and 200 mg/L. pH solution was examined at these values: pH3, pH7, pH8, and pH11. Moreover, adsorption temperatures of 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C were considered to investigate how the FLAC-3 works on MB dye removal. The adsorption capacity of FLAC-3 was determined to be 24.75 mg/g for 0.08 g and 41 mg/g for 0.02 g. The adsorption process has followed the Langmuir isotherm model (R 2  = 0.9841), where the adsorption created a monolayer covering the surface of the adsorbent. Additionally, it was discovered that the maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) was 41.7 mg/g and the Langmuir affinity constant (KL) was 0.37 L/mg. The FLAC-3, as low-cost adsorbents for methylene blue dye, has shown good cationic dye adsorption performance., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

An effective biosurfactant producer and extremophiles bacteria, Bacillus cereus KH1, was isolated from textile effluent and the biosurfactant was produced using molasses as the sole carbon source. Growth parameters such as pH, temperature, salinity and concentration of molasses were optimised for decolourising the textile effluent with 24-h incubation. The biosurfactant property of B. cereus KH1 was evaluated based on haemolytic activity, oil displacement technique, drop-collapsing test and emulsification index. The results of the produced biosurfactant showed a positive reaction in haemolytic activity, oil displacement technique, drop-collapsing test and exhibiting a 67% emulsification index. The cell-free broth was stable in 40 °C pH 7, 7% salinity and 7% molasses. Thin-Layer Chromatography and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis revealed that the biosurfactant was a lipopeptide with a yield 2.98 g L -1 . These findings proved the synergistic action of B. cereus KH1 with lipopeptide biosurfactant may accelerated the decolourisation efficiency to 87%., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Microplastics (MPs) in environmental studies have revealed that public sewage treatment plants are a common pathway for microplastics to reach local surroundings. Microplastics are becoming more of a worry, posing a danger to both marine wildlife and humans. These plastic items not only contribute to the macrocosmic proliferation of plastics but also the scattering of microplastics and the concentration of other micropollutant-containing objects, increasing the number of pollutants identified. Microplastics' behavior, movement, transformation, and persistence mechanisms, as well as their mode of action in various wastewater effluent treatment procedures, are still unknown. They are making microplastics made from wastewater a big deal. We know that microplastics enter wastewater treatment facilities (WWTPs), that wastewater is released into the atmosphere, and that this wastewater has been considered to represent a threat to habitats and ground character based on our literature assessment. The basic methods of wastewater and sewage sludge, as well as the treatment procedure and early characterization, are covered throughout the dissection of the problematic scientific conceptualization., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This work investigates the electrochemical oxidation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment using platinum (Pt) as anode and graphite as a cathode. The response surface methodology was used to investigate the relationships between different factors conditions (voltage, electrolysis time and chemical support) and responses of the treatment (chemical oxygen demand reduction, colour removal, and total oil removal). A quadratic mathematical model was chosen for all responses using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with R 2 0.9853 for COD reduction, R 2 0.9478 for colour removal and R 2 0.9185 for total oil removal. According to Derringer's function desirability, under the optimum condition (Voltage 15, electrolysis time 2 h, and 19.95 mg/L NaCl) of POME treatment, 84% of COD reduction, 98% of colour removal and 99% total oil of removal could be achieved. These results indicate that platinum as an anode material is effective for the electrochemical oxidation treatment of POME., 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 Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study attempts to investigate the relationship between the dominance of reducing conditions and the biotransformation of pharmaceutical compounds, which has been scarcely reported in a continuous anaerobic treatment process. Previous batch experiments have discovered the possible implications of different reducing conditions on the biotransformation process, but have failed to reflect actual removal performance due to substrate limitations and other operational factors. Continuously operating reactors commonly receive wastewater stream containing a wide range of electron acceptors that diversify the growth of microorganisms in anaerobic treatment. The alteration of the dominance of reducing conditions in a continuous anaerobic reactor may result in the improvement of biotransformation performance compared to a single reducing condition in a substrate-limited batch experiment. The removal of psychostimulant caffeine (CAF), anti-diabetic drug gliclazide (GCZ), and anti-hypertensive drug prazosin (PRZ) were examined through the operation of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor under predominant methanogenic condition (Phase I) and simultaneous reducing conditions provided by a nitrate supplement (Phase II). The results revealed high biotransformation performance for all three compounds (73-> 99%) in both Phase I and Phase II experiments and fitted the pseudo-first-order model. The biotransformation rate of CAF and PRZ were relatively lower by 25% and 29%, while the GCZ rate improvement doubled in Phase II compared to Phase I. The outcome from 16s rRNA sequencing suggested that the biotransformation of the compounds may be driven by Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in both phases, and Burkhorderiales and sulfate-reducing bacteria species in Phase II. This study proved preferential of reducing conditions does not negatively affect the biotransformation performance of each pharmaceutical compound in a continuous anaerobic reactor, but they led to varying biotransformation rate, hence shifting the microbial diversity., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Biochar is a black carbon sorbent that has the ability to stabilize organic substances in soil and, therefore, the potential to reduce their bio-availability. This sustainable material can be produced from locally-available agro wastes. The present study, for the first time, investigated the effects of biochars produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and rice husk (RH) on the efficiency of imazapic and imazapyr (two polar members of imidazolinone herbicides) as well as Onduty®, a mixture of them. It was executed in a Malaysian paddy field soil during a 30-day greenhouse experiment. The presence of optimized EFB and RH biochars in the heavy soil generally increases weed seeds germination and plants growth due to stabilization of the herbicides. The effect of EFB biochar was found higher than RH biochar having a higher affinity to the herbicides. An increase in the biochars application rates enhanced their effects as a soil modifier. Differences were more significant in the higher herbicides doses. Efficacies of all the herbicides were generally decreased in the biochar-amended soils. In the presence of 0.5% biochar in soil, the GR 50 values for all herbicides were almost similar to biochar-free soil. In a 1.0% biochar-soil mixture, GR 50 values of the herbicides increased by about 1.5 times. Bio-efficacies of the herbicides decreased by around 2.0 times as the biochar application rate enhanced to 2.0%. The greatest GR 50 values were obtained in the presence of 4.0% biochar in the soils and were about 7.0-8.5 folds, indicating the high capability of amended soil in the stabilization of the herbicides. The findings of this study can help to reduce imidazolinones' pollution and, in this way, prevent the threats of their residues to the environment., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Many operating parameters of ultrafiltration (UF) are playing a crucial role when using a polyethersulfone membrane to separate xylose reductase (XR) enzyme from reaction mixtures during xylitol synthesis. The present study focuses on the separation of XR enzyme using a cross-flow ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. The filtration process was analyzed using the three effective variables such as filtration time, cross-flow velocity (CFV), and the transmembrane pressure (TMP), which were ranging from 0 to 100 min, 0.52 to 1.2 cm/s and 1-1.6 bar, respectively. Then, using the resistance in series model, the hydraulic resistance for alkali chemical cleaning during XR separation was estimated. During separation, increased TMP showed a positive-flux effect as a driving force, however, fouling and polarized layer were more prominent under higher TMP. Increased CFV, on the other hand, was found more efficient in fouling control. In terms of the membrane cleaning techniques, an alkaline solution containing 0.1 M sodium hydroxide was shown to be the most effective substance in removing foulants from the membrane surface in this investigation. Cleaning with an alkaline solution resulted in a maximum flux recovery of 93% for xylose reductase separation. This work may serve as a useful guide to better understand the optimization parameters during XR separation and alleviating UF membrane fouling induced during XR separation., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Surfactant flooding is one of the most promising chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) methods to produce residual oil in reservoirs. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted extensive attention because of their significant characteristics and capabilities to improve oil recovery. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the synergistic effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an anionic surfactant and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) on the efficiency of surfactant flooding. Extensive series of interfacial tension and surfactant adsorption measurements were conducted at different concentrations of SDS and Al 2 O 3 NPs. Furthermore, different surfactant adsorption isotherm models were fitted to the experimental data, and constants for each model were calculated. Additionally, oil displacement tests were performed at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure to indicate the suitability of SDS-Al 2 O 3 for CEOR. Analysis of this study shows that the interfacial tension (IFT) reduction between aqueous phase and crude oil is enhanced considerably by 76%, and the adsorption density of SDS onto sandstone rock is decreased remarkably from 1.76 to 0.49 mg/g in the presence of these NPs. Although the effectiveness of NPs gradually increases with the increase of their concentration, there is an optimal value of Al 2 O 3 NP concentration. Moreover, oil recovery was increased from 48.96 to 64.14% by adding 0.3 wt % NPs to the surfactant solution, which demonstrates the competency of SDS-Al 2 O 3 nanofluids for CEOR., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Recently, the phyco-synthesis of nanoparticles has been applied as a reliable approach to modern research field, and it has yielded a wide spectrum of diverse uses in fields such as biological science and environmental science. This study used marine natural resource seaweed Sargassum myriocystum due to their unique phytochemicals and their significant attributes in giving effective response on various biomedical applications. The response is created by their stress-tolerant environmental adaptations. This inspired us to make an attempt using the above-mentioned charactersitics. Therfore, the current study performed phycosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NPs) utilising aqueous extracts of S. myriocystum. The TiO 2 -NPs formation was confirmed in earlier UV-visible spectroscopy analysis. The crystalline structure, functional groups (phycomolecules), particle morphology (cubic, square, and spherical), size (∼50-90 nm), and surface charge (negative) of the TiO 2 -NPs were analysed and confirmed by various characterisation analyses. In addition, the seaweed-mediated TiO 2 -NPs was investigated, which showed potential impacts on antibacterial activity and anti-biofilm actions against pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). Additionally, some evaluations were performed on larvicidal activities of TiO 2 -NPs in oppose to Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitos and the environmental effects of photocatalytic activities against methylene blue and crystal violet under sunlight irradiation. The highest percent of methylene blue degradation was observed at 92.92% within 45 min. Overall, our findings suggested that S. myriocystum mediates TiO 2 -NPs to be a potent disruptive material for bacterial pathogens and mosquito larvae and also to enhance the photocatalytic dye degradation., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Biodiesel, as a renewable and eco-friendly energy source that can be produced through algae oil esterification, has recently received much attention. Maximization of algal biomass and lipid content is crucial for commercial biodiesel production. In this study, Chlorella sp. PG96, a microalgal strain isolated from urban wastewater, was identified considering its morphological and molecular characteristics. Fractional factorial design (2 11-7 ) was employed to screen medium and environmental factors for achieving high lipid productivity. The effects of eleven factors including light intensity, light spectrum, aeration rate, temperature, salinity, NaHCO 3 , CO 2 , NaNO 3 , NH 4 Cl, MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, and K 2 HPO 4 and their interactions on growth characteristics of Chlorella sp. PG96 (biomass and lipid production) were statistically assessed. Based on the experimental results, lipid productivity was at its maximum (54.19 ± 8.40 mg lipid L -1 day -1 ) under a combination of high levels of all factors. The analysis also showed that physical parameters of light intensity and temperature were more effective on algal growth compared to nutritional parameters. Furthermore, nitrogen source of ammonium and carbon source of bicarbonate played more significant roles in biomass and lipid production, compared with nitrate and CO 2 , respectively. Although the effect of sulfur limitation on cellular growth was similar to phosphorus deficiency, S-limitation had a greater impact on lipid accumulation. The interaction between NaHCO 3 and NH 4 Cl was the most prominent interaction affecting all responses. It is concluded that Chlorella sp. PG96 at a high level of light intensity and temperature (22500 Lux and 32 °C, respectively) can be a prospective candidate for biodiesel production., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study describes the phytoremediation performance of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) for physicochemical pollutants elimination from paper mill effluent (PME). For this, pot (glass aquarium) experiments were conducted using 0% (BWW: borewell water), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% treatments of PME under natural day/light regime. Results of the experiments showed that the highest removal of pH (10.75%), electrical conductivity (EC: 63.82%), total dissolved solids (TDS: 71.20%) biological oxygen demand (BOD: 85.03%), chemical oxygen demand (COD: 80.46%), total Kjeldahl's nitrogen (TKN: 93.03%), phosphorus (P: 85.56%), sodium (Na: 91.89%), potassium (K: 84.04%), calcium (Ca: 84.75%), and magnesium (Mg: 83.62%), most probable number (MPN: 77.63%), and standard plate count (SPC: 74.43%) was noted in 75% treatment of PME after treatment by P. stratiotes. PCA showed the best vector length for TKN, Na, and Ca. The maximum plant growth parameters including, total fresh biomass (81.30 ± 0.28 g), chlorophyll content (3.67 ± 0.05 mg g -1  f.wt), and relative growth rate (0.0051 gg -1  d -1 ) was also measured in 75% PME treatment after phytoremediation experiments. The findings of this study make useful insight into the biological management of PME through plant-based pollutant eradication while leftover biomass may be used as a feedstock for low-cost bioenergy production. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Biological treatment of paper mill effluent using water lettuce is presented. Best reduction of physicochemical and microbiological pollutants was attained in 75% treatment. Maximum production of chlorophyll, plant biomass, and highest growth rate was also observed in 75% treatment., (© 2021 Water Environment Federation.)

The aim of this study was ultrasound assisted removal of Ceftriaxone sodium (CS) based on CCD model. Using sonochemical synthesized Bi 2 WO 6 implanted on graphitic carbon nitride/Multiwall carbon nanotube (g-C 3 N 4 /MWCNT/Bi 2 WO 6 ). For this purpose g-C 3 N 4 /MWCNT/Bi 2 WO 6 was synthesized and characterized using diverse approaches including XRD, FE-SEM, XPS, EDS, HRTEM, FT-IR. Then, the contribution of conventional variables including pH, CS concentration, adsorbent dosage and ultrasound contact time were studied by central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). ANOVA was employed to the variable factors, and the most desirable operational conditions mass provided. Drug adsorption yield of 98.85% obtained under these defined conditions. Through conducting five experiments, the proper prediction of the optimum point were examined. The respective results showed that RSD% was lower than 5% while the t-test confirmed the high quality of fitting. Langmuir isotherm equation fits the experimental data best and the removal followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The estimation of the experimentally obtained maximum adsorption capacities was 19.57 mg.g - of g-C 3 N 4 /MWCNT/Bi 2 WO 6 for CS. Boundary layer diffusion explained the mechanism of removal via intraparticle diffusion., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has globally affected the human mortality rate and economic history of the modern world. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has caused a severe threat to the health of the vulnerable groups, notably the elderly. There is still some disagreements regarding the source of the virus and its intermediate host. However, the spread of this disease has caused most countries to enforce strict curfew laws and close most industrial and recreational centres. This study aims to show the potential positive effects of COVID-19 on the environment and the increase of renewable energy generation in Malaysia. To prevent the spread of this disease, Malaysia enacted the Movement Control Order (MCO) law in March 2020. Implementation of this law led to a reduction in environmental pollution, especially air pollution, in this country. The greenhouse gases (GHG) emission , which was 8 Mt CO 2 eq. from January 2020 to March 2020, reduced to <1 Mt CO 2 eq. for April and May. The reduction of GHG emission and pollutant gases allowed more sunlight to reach photovoltaic panels, hence increasing the renewable energy generation., Competing Interests: 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., (© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This review emphasizes the role of toxic metal remediation approaches due to their broad sustainability and applicability. The rapid developmental processes can incorporate a large quantity of hazardous and unseen heavy metals in all the segments of the environment, including soil, water, air and plants. The released hazardous heavy metals (HHMs) entered into the food chain and biomagnified into living beings via food and vegetable consumption and originate potentially health-threatening effects. The physical and chemical remediation approaches are restricted and localized and, mainly applied to wastewater and soils and not the plant. The nanotechnological, biotechnological and genetical approaches required to more rectification and sustainability. A cellular, molecular and nano-level understanding of the pathways and reactions are responsible for potentially toxic metals (TMs) accumulation. These approaches can enable the development of crop varieties with highly reduced concentrations of TMs in their consumable foods and vegetables. As a critical analysis by authors observed that nanoparticles could provide very high adaptability for both in-situ and ex-situ remediation of hazardous heavy metals (HHMs) in the environment. These methods could be used for the improvement of the inbuilt genetic potential and phytoremediation ability of plants by developing transgenic. These biological processes involve the transfer of gene of interest, which plays a role in hazardous metal uptake, transport, stabilization, inactivation and accumulation to increased host tolerance. This review identified that use of nanoremediation and combined biotechnological and, transgenic could help to enhance phytoremediation efficiency in a sustainable way., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In low concentration, fluoride is considered a necessary compound for human health. Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride is the reason for a serious disease called fluorosis. Fluorosis is categorized as Skeletal and Dental fluorosis. Several Asian countries, such as India, face contamination of water resources with fluoride. In this study, a comprehensive overview on fluoride contamination in Asian water resources has been presented. Since water contamination with fluoride in India is higher than other Asian countries, a separate section was dedicated to review published articles on fluoride contamination in this country. The status of health effects in Asian countries was another topic that was reviewed in this study. The effects of fluoride on human organs/systems such as urinary, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, brain, and reproductive systems were another topic that was reviewed in this study. Different methods to remove fluoride from water such as reverse osmosis, electrocoagulation, nanofiltration, adsorption, ion-exchange and precipitation/coagulation were introduced in this study. Although several studies have been carried out on contamination of water resources with fluoride, the situation of water contamination with fluoride and newly developed technology to remove fluoride from water in Asian countries has not been reviewed. Therefore, this review is focused on these issues: 1) The status of fluoride contamination in Asian countries, 2) health effects of fluoride contamination in drinking water in Asia, and 3) the existing current technologies for defluoridation in Asia., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The sol-gel/ultrasonically rout produced the novel MnS2-SiO2 nano-hetero-photocatalysts with the various ratio of MnS 2 . Prepared nano-catalyst were investigated in the photo-degradation of methylene blue under UV light illumination. Structural and optical attributes of as-prepared nano-catalysts were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphological were studied by scanning electron microscopy-EDS, and dynamic light scattering. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was applied to examine the band gap energy. The E g values of SiO 2 , MnS 2 -SiO 2 -0, MnS 2 -SiO 2 -1, and MnS 2 -SiO 2 -2 nanocomposites are 6.51, 3.85, 3.17, and 2.67 eV, respectively. The particle size of the SiO 2 and MnS 2 -SiO 2 -1 nanocomposites were 100.0, and 65.0 nm, respectively. The crystallite size values of MnS 2 -SiO 2 -1 were 52.21 nm, and 2.9 eV, respectively. MnS 2 -SiO 2 nano-photocatalyst was recognized as the optimum sample by degrading 96.1% of methylene blue from water. Moreover, the influence of pH of the solution, and contact time as decisive factors on the photo-degradation activity were investigated in this project. The optimum data for pH and time were found 9 and 60 min, respectively. The photo-degradation capacity of MnS 2 -SiO 2 -2 is improved (96.1%) due to the low band gap was found from UV-vis DRS. The antimicrobial data of MnS 2 -SiO 2 were studied and demonstrated that the MnS 2 -SiO 2 has fungicidal and bactericidal attributes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper assesses the potential human health risks posed by five heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr) found in seven most consumable fish species ( Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus reba, Catla catla, Lebio rohita, Crossocheilus latius, Clupisoma garua, and Mystus tengara ) collected from local markets of Varanasi, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Kanpur of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Cu concentration was found at Varanasi (4.58 mg/l), Allahabad (2.54 mg/l), and Mirzapur (2.54 mg/l). Pb was recorded 0.54, 0.62, 0.85, and 0.24 mg/l at Kanpur, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Varanasi, respectively. The Cd concentration was recorded 0.54, 0.68, 0.78, and 0.85 mg/l at Kanpur, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Varanasi, respectively. The Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations in the river water were observed over the prescribed safe limits at all sampling sites, while Cu concentration was higher than the standards at all sites except Kanpur. However, Zn was observed under the permissible limits (15 mg/l) at all sampling sites. In case of fish tissues, WHO reported the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr higher than the prescribed safe limits. The results determined that the highest heavy metals accumulation was found settled in the liver of all selected fish species. Zn ranked the highest quantity, which was found in fish tissues with the concentration of 32.41 ± 2.55 μg/g in the gill of C. catla and 4.77 ± 0.34 μg/g in the gill C. Reba . The metals followed the magnitude order of Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr in selected fish tissues.

NiS-SiO 2 and Cr 2 S 3 -TiO 2 synthesized by Ultrasound-Microwave method was tested for the photo-degradation of methyl red as azo dye under ultraviolet (UV) light. The structure and morphology of the synthesized materials were examined through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and the band gap energy differences were determined through diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The crystallite size and band gap values of SiO 2 , TiO 2 , NiS-SiO 2 and Cr 2 S 3 -TiO 2 -1 were obtained from XRD and UV-vis DRS analysis and found insignificant 44.22, 54.11, and 57.11 nm, and 8.9, 3.2, 3.0, 2.7 eV, respectively. The NiS-SiO 2 and Cr 2 S 3 -TiO 2 nanocomposites exhibited good stability and catalytic performance in the azo dye degradation; the composite provides a complete degradation after 50 min under UV irradiation. The effects of different quencher compounds on the Methyl red dye degradation were also investigated. The result for this experiment shows the system without the quencher was highly degradation of Methyl red. The antibacterial influence of the SiO 2 , TiO 2 , NiS-SiO 2 and Cr 2 S 3 -TiO 2 -1 were studied versus two species bacteria. The antifungal performance of this nanoparticle was analyzed versus two species fungi as the C. albicans and P. funiculosum. Biological data demonstrated that the prepared catalyst has great bactericidal and fungicidal properties., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Inadequately treated or untreated wastewater greatly contribute to the release of unwanted toxic contaminants into water bodies. Some of these contaminants are persistent and bioaccumulative, becoming a great concern as they are released into the environment. Despite the abundance of wastewater treatment technologies, the adsorption method overall has proven to be an excellent way to treat wastewater from multiple industry sources. Because of its significant benefits, i.e., easy availability, handling, and higher efficiency with a low cost relative to other treatments, adsorption is opted as the best method to be used. However, biosorption using naturally found seaweeds has been proven to have promising results in removing pollutants, such as dyes from textile, paper, and the printing industry, nitrogen, and phosphorous and phenolic compounds, as well as heavy metals from various sources. Due to its ecofriendly nature together with the availability and inexpensiveness of raw materials, biosorption via seaweed has become an alternative to the existing technologies in removing these pollutants from wastewater effectively. In this article, the use of low-cost adsorbent (seaweed) for the removal of pollutants from wastewater has been reviewed. An extensive table summarises the applicability of seaweed in treating wastewater. Literature reported that the majority of research used simulated wastewater and minor attention has been given to biosorption using seaweed in the treatment of real wastewater.