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Fingerprints are the friction ridges found on the fingers and palm of hands. These prints are considered the most valuable evidence in the court of law as these ridges provide uniqueness to every individual. Powder dusting is one of the prevalent approaches to developing fingerprints on various surfaces. This involves the application of finely formulated powders on the fingermark impression using a camel hair brush. in this article, we have used organic household waste materials like rose and hibiscus petals for developing the powders used in latent fingerprints development. The particle of powder gets adhered to sweat and moisture deposited on the surface of fingers, palm, and sole, which provide effective visualization and give the fingerprint details (minutiae). Finally, the formulation of the powder sticks to the ridges, and the excess powder is blown away. The powder is multicolored in this case, the patterns are apparent, resulting in an exceptional outcome. The objective of the study is to provide a replacement to the conventional, expensive and toxic laboratory powders. These organic powders are easily available, eco-friendly, cost-effective and non-toxic approach for latent fingerprint development and is a reliable technique to use at crime scene and future use.

The identification of harmful metal ions in aquatic environments is a global concern since these contaminants can have serious consequences for plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems. A biosensor is a type of analytical equipment that combines a biological recognition element and a physical transducer to detect biological signals to produce a detectable indication proportionate to the concentration of the samples being analysed. The analyte spreads from the fluid to the biosensor's superficial. The analyte responds precisely and competently with the biosensor's biological component. The physicochemical properties of the transducer surface change as a result of this process. The visual or electric properties of the transducer surface alter as a result of this. The signal that is detected is an electrical signal. With the help of carbon-based nano-biosensors, metals from the aquatic environment can easily be detected, which is much simpler, less time-consuming, and less expensive as well.

An alga belongs to the multi-pertinent group which can add to a significant sector of environment. They show a prevailing gathering of microorganisms for bioremediation due to their significant capacity to inactivate toxic heavy metals. It can easily absorb or neutralize the toxicity of heavy metals from water and soil through phytoremediation. Biosorption is a promising innovation that focuses on novel, modest, and exceptionally successful materials to apply in phytoremediation technology. Furthermore, algal biomass can be used for biofuel generation after phytoremediation using thermochemical or biological transformation processes. The algal components get affected by heavy metals during phytoremediation, but with the help of different techniques, these are yield efficient. The extreme lipid and mineral substances of microalgae have been proven helpful for biofuel manufacturing and worth extra products. Biofuels produced are bio-oil, biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, etc. The reuse capability of algae can be utilized toward ecological manageability and economic facility. In this review article, the reuse and recycling of algal biomass for biofuel production have been represented. This novel technique has numerous benefits and produces eco-friendly and economically beneficial products.This article explains how algal biomass left over after phytoremediation can be reused and recycled to produce biofuel. It is a novel technique that is cost-effective, demands less time for biofuel production as it does not include cultivation and harvesting time, and produces products that are economically and environmentally beneficial for society.

Bintaro is a tropical mangrove plant often used as a shade tree found in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, and the Islands of the Western Pacific Ocean. The word Bintaro is also often pinned to its closest relative species, the Cerbera odollam. Flower color is one of the distinguishing features between these two species. Human poisoning with the cardiotoxic plant Bintaro is common in Southeast Asia because it bears a fruit that yields a powerful poison that has been used for suicide and homicide, hence it is also called the "Indian suicide tree". The seeds of Bintaro contain Cerberin, a cardiac glycoside toxin of the heart that blocks the calcium ion channels in heart muscles, resulting in disruption of the heartbeat most often fatally. The bio-active compound in the kernels of Bintaro varies due to which plant possesses other properties as well. The plant may also be used for medicinal purposes as it shows many pharmaceutical properties. The seeds of the plant have auspicious anticancer properties through apoptotic activity and the leaf extract of the plant was screened for its antioxidant activities. In addition, it is also used as an insecticide, pesticide, or antifungal agent. This review highlights the Pharmaceutical, toxicological, and environmentally friendly approaches of Bintaro.

Given the widespread use of pyrethroids in home and agriculture, it becomes important to evaluate their potential effects on humans. This study was taken up to gain an insight into the genotoxicity and behavioural toxicity of β-cyfluthrin when administered orally to male Swiss albino mice. Further, the activity of acetyl cholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes was estimated and histopathological examination of brain was performed. It was found that 28 days oral exposure to β-cyfluthrin caused genotoxicity by damaging the DNA as seen by a decline in mitotic index, increase in aberrant cells, tail length and tail intensity. Neuromuscular coordination and learning ability of mice was adversely affected. Concomitantly, a reduction in acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes occur indicating oxidative stress caused by the pesticide. Histopathological examination of brain revealed structural alterations in the hippocampus region. Thus, it may be concluded that β-cyfluthrin exposure caused neurobehavioural alterations, genotoxicity, oxidative stress and histopathological changes in mice.

Intrinsic kinetic stability is one of the reasons to grab the attraction of lanthanide macrocyclic ligands. Lanthanide coordination chemistry and derivatives were extensively studied. 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO3A) ligands were widely studied. Aza-macrocycles like [12]aneN4 (cyclen) were developed significantly with consider to lanthanide coordination chemistry and derivatives like DO3A have been briefly studied. Diacids and Diamino ligands are interesting because they offer donor sets of seven or eight atoms that can recapitulate lanthanide ions, which prefer eight or nine coordination geometry in traditional manner. The alleviate with which cyclen can be functionalized has also led to the development of ligands that not only prevent the approach of solvent molecules, but also include aromatic chromophores thus overcoming the naturally low molar absorbtivities of lanthanide ions. The present study is aimed to synthesize few biologically significant (NNNN) donor macrocycles and their transition metal complexes in alcoholic media using microwave protocol. Macrocyclic ligands were synthesized by incorporating of 3,5-Diaminbenzoicacid, phthalic acid and 3,4-Dimamin pyridine in 1:1:1 M ratio. The synthesized ligands and their macrocyclic metal complexes have been analyzed by elemental analysis, conductance measurement, magnetic measurement, and their structure configuration has been confirmed by various spectroscopic (FT-IR, EPR, UV − Vis, VSM and TGA) techniques. The spectral studies confirm the binding sites the nitrogen atom of the macrocycles and octahedral geometry has been assigned to the metal complexes.

For sustainable global growth, food security is a prime concern issue, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Adverse effects on crop quality from contaminants like heavy metals have affected food security and human health. Vegetables comprise the essential and nutritious part of the human diet as they contain a lot of health-promoting minerals and vitamins. However, the inadvertent excess accumulation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in vegetables and their subsequent intake by humans may affect their physiology and metabolomics and has been associated with diseases like cancer, mental retardation, and immunosuppression. Many known sources of hazardous metals are volcano eruptions, soil erosion, use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, the use of pesticides and herbicides, and irrigation with wastewater, industrial effluents, etc. that contaminate the vegetables through the soil, air and water. In this review, the problem of heavy metal contamination in vegetables is discussed along with the prospective management strategies like soil amendments, application of bioadsorbents, membrane filtration, bioremediation, and nanoremediation.

Vegetables are a prevalent nutrition for people all over the world because they are high in important nutrients, antioxidants, and metabolites that function as buffers for acidic compounds created during digestion. Vegetables, on the other hand, absorbed both vital and poisonous substances through the soil. Possible human health concerns, including as cancer and renal damage, have been linked to the consumption of heavy metal-contaminated vegetables (HMs). Heavy metals like Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were found in high concentrations in popular vegetables such as Amaranthus tricolour L., Chenopodium album L., Spinacia oleracea, Coriandrum sativum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Solanum melongena. The toxicity, fortification, health hazard, and heavy metals sources grown in soil are detailed in this review study.

Graphene oxide (GO) has a multitude of applications in areas of nanomedicine, electronics, textile, water purification, and catalysis among others. GO is relatively easier to manufacture and customize as compared with other carbon-based nanomaterials. In the present work, GO was administered intraperitoneally to adult Wistar rats in four incremental doses, i.e., 0.0 mg/kg (control), 0.4 mg/kg (low dose), 2.0 mg/kg (mid-dose), and 10.0 mg/kg (high dose). After 15 repeated doses over a period of 30 days, biochemical assays for alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were carried out. Histopathological and morphometric analyses of liver and kidney were also performed. Results demonstrated dose-dependent toxicity of GO. General behavior and liver indices remained unaffected in the study. Serum levels of ALT, ALP, and AST were altered significantly in high-dose treated animals. Changes were found insignificant in the low- and mid-dose groups. Catalase activity in liver tissue homogenates was decreased in the high-dose group. MDA levels were found elevated in treated rats. Unlike control and low dose, mid- and high-dose treated rats exhibited varying degrees of histopathological changes like inflammation around the central vein and portal veins, vacuolations, hepatocytic injury, and near normal to abnormal hepatic sinusoids. These findings show that GO has considerable toxic potential to mammalian liver and thorough toxicity studies are needed before these nanosheets are used in biomedicine.

Water is a scarce resource in this millennium, especially clean water. Reverse osmosis (RO) technology is widely applied to achieve this goal. But, reverse osmosis waste water (ROWW) cannot be further utilized, due to the presence of a high concentration of salts, heavy metals, and pollutants of feed water. The solution to this problem may lie in employing plants for this very purpose that is phytoremediation. Phytoremediation converts this waste water into usable water with the help of plants. This is an eco-friendly technique that decontaminates the waste water in a very economical way. This mini-review thus, emphasizes on quality improvement of RO waste water through plant-based techniques with a special focus on recent studies carried out in this area. Keywords: Phytodegradation, Phytoextraction, Phytoremediation, Phytovolatilization, Reverse osmosis (RO), Reverse osmosis waste water (ROWW), Rhizodegradation.

Nanomaterials in biology is a versatile tool for enhancing plant growth and development, and yield. Nanotechnology facilitates improvement in agricultural production by amplifying the input efficiency and reducing relevant losses. Nanomaterials provide wider and specific surface area to agrochemicals and act as inimitable carriers to enhance nutrient bioavailability and accumulation of nutrient elements in crop plants. Nanomaterials can also be used for the crop protection. For this purpose, an inclusive understanding of nanotechnology practices and the effect of nanomaterials on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular level are needed. Nanotechnology can also be helpful to plant growth through technological interventions like nanosensors and nanofilters, to help monitor and manage the crop growth and development. The synthesis of nanoparticles can be based on chemical methods and can also be achieved through green plant-based methods. This review summarizes the utilization of plants for nanoparticle synthesis through green methods, effects of nanoparticles on growth and development of plant, and the applications of nanoparticles as fertilizers, pest control agents and in post-harvest processing of crop produce. The review also addresses various physical aspects of nanotechnology i.e., nanosensors, nanofiltration, diligence farming, and fabricated nanoparticles.

Food security is a major concern that requires sustained advancement both statistically and on the basis of Qualitative assessment. In recent years, antagonistic impacts of unforeseen toxins have impacted the quality of crops and have created a burden on human lives. Heavy metals (e.g., Hg, As, Pb, Cd, and Cr) can affect humans, adding to dreariness and in severe cases even death. It additionally investigates the conceivable geological routes of heavy metals in the surrounding subsystems. The top-to-the-bottom conversation is additionally offered on physiological/atomic movement systems engaged with the take-up of metallic foreign substances inside food crops. At long last, the board procedures are proposed to recapture maintainability in soil–food subsystems. This paper reflects the contamination of the food crops with heavy metals, the way of transport of heavy metal to food crops, degree of toxicity after consumption and the strategies to maintain the problem.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have become a serious health concern globally due to its increasing incidence, recurrence rates, and high antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens (viz. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Conventional methods such as urine culture, urine microscopy is being used for diagnosis which is time-consuming and laborious whereas other techniques such as ELISA, PCR, Raman spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, flow cytometry, nucleic-acid based diagnostics, isothermal calorimetry are rapid but requires well-trained experts and costly instruments. Thus, there is an urgent demand for a rapid, portable, highly sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic tool. Biosensors are recognized to be an efficient and emerging technology providing an early and accurate determination of uropathogens which is the management key of UTIs. In this review, we have discussed the overview of challenges and future directions of developing biosensors along with nanomaterial application as an improvised strategy leading to the design of ultrasensitive and effective point of care device and emphasizing more on sensitivity and selectivity.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have gained remarkable interest due to their biomedical applications, photochemical and high catalytic abilities, suitability for therapeutic intervention, and their antifungal and antibacterial activities. Their nanosize enables augmented precise surface area as the condensed particle size results in enhanced particle surface reactivity. With the emergence of ZnO NPs in nature, their toxicity assessment has become an instantaneous affair. This chapter covers factors affecting the antimicrobial properties of ZnO NPs. We have summarized the toxicity assessment methods and antimicrobial properties of ZnO nanostructures. The mechanisms of toxicity of these ZnO nanomaterials have been explained in detail in this chapter.

ZnO has attracted the research fraternity worldwide owing to its fascinating properties. Its biosafety and biocompatibility have enabled researchers to exploit it in the area of biomedical sciences and healthcare monitoring. ZnO nanostructures possess great prospects in medical and diagnostic fields for disease identification and therapeutics. Their applications as biosensor diagnostic tools are being explored extensively for point-of-care applications. In this article, we have classified the ZnO-based biosensors according to the analyte used, like immunosensors, nucleic acid biosensors, aptamer-based biosensors, etc. Apart from this, we also have summarized the use of ZnO nanostructures for sensing biomolecules like glucose, cholesterol, urea, and uric acid. We here tried to review some of the key advancements in ZnO nanostructure–based biosensors and evaluate their properties with the aim of rousing greater interest in improving biosensor development for medical diagnosis.

Problem-solving is an important part of a well-rounded 2nd-century education. In his essay "Cognition in the Wild," Hutchins advises readers to look about their local region for artifacts that were not created by the combined efforts of multiple individuals, but also mentions but the only one in their region is the one in their area. A little stone on his desk was the thing that passed this test. Collaboration has a tremendous influence on our everyday lives. Researchers are continuously engaged in situations that need us to employ social skills to coordinate with other people, whether it is in schools, the workplace, or our personal lives. Tasks that need numerous students to work together to achieve a team goal, such as a final report, integrated analysis, or a joint presentation, are common in project-based work. Combined problem solving is rarely taught as a stand-alone ability separate from a specific subject. As a result, combined learning activities are frequently integrated into specialized courses of study, such as science, mathematics, and history, in school-based settings. Cooperative conflict resolution has been highlighted as a highly promising exercise that relies on a broad variety of social or cognitive abilities and can be tested in school settings where skills might well be evaluated or taught. The author of this work conducts a thorough investigation of problem-solving abilities. People with high problem-solving abilities can analyze issues, determine the severity of the situation, and weigh the pros and cons of various solutions. Employees who get problem-solving training in the workplace can collaborate more effectively with coworkers, clients, partners, or suppliers.

Extensive use of synthetic pyrethroids has resulted in serious human health issues. Induction of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of action of most pesticides including pyrethroids. In the present study, we have elucidated the possible role of oxidative stress in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were administered bifenthrin (3.5 and 7 mg per kg body weight p.o.) for 30 days. Behavioral studies were conducted on a set of randomly selected rats from each treatment group after completion of treatment. Neurochemical parameters were assessed 24 h after the last dose was administered. The selected behavioral and neurochemical endpoints were also assessed 15 days after cessation of exposure to reveal whether the neurobehavioral changes produced by bifenthrin were temporary or permanent. Deficits in motor activity, motor incoordination, and cognitive impairment were observed after exposure to bifenthrin. Levels of biogenic amines viz. dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, i.e. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), epinephrine (EPN), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) altered in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of bifenthrin-treated rats. A decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) occurred in all regions of the brain. Both doses of bifenthrin significantly induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased protein carbonyl levels in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were also suppressed in all selected regions of the brain. A trend of recovery was, however, observed in all the behavioral and neurochemical endpoints 15 days after withdrawal of exposure. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Our study suggests that long-term exposure to these compounds can produce detrimental effects.

These days our one of the major challenges is the treatment of polluted wastewater produced by the growing population and industrial activities. The conventional wastewater treatment methods are costly and need to be more advanced. For this reason, membrane technology has been used as an effective wastewater treatment method for many decades due to its high removal power, selectivity, and permeability properties. Biofouling causes a serious concern related to membrane permeability, shortens membrane life, and selectivity. Polymeric membranes are widely used in wastewater treatment due to their good pore-forming ability, higher flexibility, and relatively low costs but are limited to their hydrophobicity property and more susceptible to fouling. Metal oxides nanomaterials are widely used in the formation of polymer nanocomposite membranes because of their hydrophilicity, larger surface area, pore channels, and high toxicity towards pathogenic micro-organisms. In this review, we have discussed the factors affecting membrane biofouling and their conventional and current treatment methods with their limitations. We have also referred to the use of metal oxide nanomaterials, as an antibacterial agent, for the fabrication of polymer nanocomposite membranes and discuss their antibacterial activity with antibiofouling behavior.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates for various applications including biomedical purposes. Owing to their remarkable physical, mechanical, electrical and chemical properties, CNTs have become an area of intense research and industrial activity in recent years. Therefore, toxicity and risk assessment studies are becoming increasingly important. The present study was designed to assess the effects of hydroxyl-functionalized multiwalled CNTs (OH-f MWCNTs) on sperm health and testes of adult Wistar rats. Animals were treated with different doses of OH-f MWCNTs (0.4, 2.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) along with a control group receiving only vehicle. Assessments after 15 alternate intraperitoneal doses revealed dose-related adverse effects on many endpoints tested. Results of the study showed significant impairment of sperm health at 2.0 and 10.0 mg/kg. Histology of testes demonstrated degeneration of germinal epithelium and loss of germ cells in the treatment groups. The exposure resulted in increased oxidative stress in testes in a dose-dependent manner. The findings of the study demonstrate that CNTs are potentially harmful for male reproductive health.

Present study examines the possibility of β-cyfluthrin (β-CYF) induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, histopathological alterations and the role of curcumin (CUR) in alleviating its toxic effects. CUR is a naturally occurring phenolic compound of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is used as a spice, food-coloring agent and in cosmetics and medicines. CUR provides vital protection against many pathological conditions due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Male Swiss albino mice were distributed into six groups, I: control, II: CUR (0.2%), III: β-CYF low dose (1/20 of LD50), IV: β-CYF high dose (1/10 of LD50), V: β-CYF low dose + CUR and VI: β-CYF high dose + CUR. Mice were orally administered their respective doses daily for 21 days. β-CYF caused elevation in AST, ALT, LPO and decline in GPx, CAT and SOD activities. A significant decrease in MI and increase in chromosomal aberrations, TL, TI and TM was recorded in β-CYF exposed groups. CUR co-administration modulated AST, ALT, LPO, GPx, CAT and SOD activity. CUR supplementation improved the MI and reduced the chromosomal aberrations, TL, TI and TM. β-CYF caused serious pathological alterations in liver and these were alleviated by CUR. It is concluded that CUR scavenges ROS and renders a protection against β-CYF genotoxicity.

Summary The broad applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) increase human exposure and thus the potential risk associated to their toxicity. Therefore, the genotoxic effects of these nanomaterials toward hepatic cells of mice were investigated. Ag NPs of size 10.0 ± 2.0 nm having spherical shape and acid functionalized MWCNTs of diameter 20–30 nm and length 5–50 μm were solubilized with water. This aqueous solution applied orally to mouse at two dose levels 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days led to DNA damage in liver cells as comet tail length, tail moment and percent DNA in tail were found to be increased in dose dependent manner in both the nanomaterial groups. In summary, the results suggest that Ag NPs and MWCNTs of smaller size at low concentration cause cytotoxicity and genotoxicity leading to damage to DNA and other cellular components.

Summary Nanomaterials are getting a great deal of attention because of their potential to achieve specific processes and selectivity, especially in biological and pharmaceutical applications including generation of bioactive compounds. TiO2 nanoparticles because of their chemical stability, biological inertness and high stability are largely used in various fields. Thus, their toxicity evaluation becomes must. In the present study, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using TEM and XRD. Average particle size was estimated to be ∼18 ± 2 nm. Particles are agglomerated and mostly in spherical shape. TiO2 nanoparticles were found to show inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli bacterial strain in a dose dependent manner.

Bacterial biofilms are self-produced matrix of sticky extracellular polymeric substances. They result in fouling in the food industry, water treatment plants, and possess significant environmental and industrial impacts. Nanoparticles have shown immense potential and have been effective in combating bacterial biofilm, which is the common cause of drug resistance development, biofouling in water treatment plants and the food industry. Hence, in order to explore the same, Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical synthesis method and their action against Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation was evaluated in this study by crystal violet and ROS assay. The dose-dependent reduction in biofilm biomass and density was observed as a result of nanoparticle exposure. There was considerable reduction in biofilm formation after treatment with ZnO nanoparticles. Change in surface morphology of the Bacillus subtilis cells was observed which could be due to oxidative stress induced by ZnO nanoparticles. The oxidative stress was estimated by measurement of catalase activity that also showed dose-dependent decrease.

The broad applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) increase human exposure and thus the potential risk associated with their toxicity; therefore, the toxicity of Ag NPs, synthesized by a chemical route was studied using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. A UV-vis absorption maximum at 406 nm confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles. The average diameter of the silver nanoparticles having spherical shape was found to be about 10.0 ± 1.0 nm by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For toxicity evaluation, cellular morphology, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), mitochondrial membrane potential, anti-oxidant enzyme assay and comet assay were assessed in CHO cells exposed to various dose concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μg ml−1 as well as in control cells. Ag NPs caused decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and comparable CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, GR activities as well as total Glutathione level. Comet tail length, tail moment and percent DNA in tail were also found to be increased in a dose dependent manner. In summary, the results suggest that Ag NPs of smaller size at low concentration (25 μg ml−1) cause cytotoxicity by oxidative stress induced apoptosis and damage to DNA and other cellular components.

The metallic particles whose size ranges between 1 and 100 nm in any one of the dimensions are termed as nanoparticles (NPs). Nanoparticles pose a great interest to chemists, physicists, biologists, and engineers for the development of new generation nanodevices, electronics, catalysis, chemistry, energy, and medicine. “Green synthesis” refers to the use of green material (i.e., plants) for the synthesis of any material. Nanoparticles can be synthesized by various ways, viz., laser ablation, gamma irradiation, electron irradiation, chemical reduction, photochemical methods, and microwave processing, which however produce hazardous chemicals as by-product. Green synthesis of NPs is presently becoming popular due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective approach with no use of any toxic chemicals. At the same time, synthesis of NPs through biological methods is not as easy and lots of open challenges are there. Green synthesis of NPs involves the use of water in closed reactors, which is a nontoxic solvent, and applies green techniques like ultrasound and microwave. The reagents used for the synthesis of NPs also include natural compounds such as sugars, vitamins, biodegradable compounds, and microbes. Among these reagents, plant-based materials are the most suitable candidates for large-scale synthesis of NPs. Several plants and their compounds are being used for green synthesis of NPs. This chapter focuses on the range of plants being used for various NP biosynthesis and also gives a view of various applications of NPs in diverse fields.

Nanoscale graphene oxide (NGO) has great potential in biomedicine by the virtue of its facile functionalization and tunable characteristics. Toxicity assessments have therefore become essential prior to its biomedical applications. This study examined the effects of NGO exposure on male reproductive function of adult Wistar rats. Rats were exposed intraperitoneally to three increasing doses, namely low-dose (0.4 mg/kg BW), mid-dose (2.0 mg/kg BW) and high-dose (10.0 mg/kg BW) of NGO. Repeated exposure of NGO for 15 and 30 days resulted in decreased epididymal sperm counts and elevated sperm abnormalities. Percentage of motile sperms was also significantly reduced due to the exposure. Activities of SOD, GPx and malondialdehyde concentration in the testes increased in a dose-specific manner. Results of the study demonstrated that high-dose of NGO resulted in considerable histological damage to testicular tissue which included atrophy of seminiferous tubules with reduction in germinal epithelium, germ cell loss and vacuolization. Low and mid-doses of NGO were not associated with sperm dysfunction or testis damage. Withdrawal of treatment for 30 days demonstrated significant recovery potential. Histology of epididymis and male fertility potential were not affected due to the NGO exposure. These findings are important for assessment of the risk involved in manufacturing, use and processing of the graphene oxide-based materials towards male reproductive function.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are being used increasingly in wound dressings, catheters, and in various household products due to their antimicrobial activity. The present study reports the toxicity evaluation of synthesized and well characterized Ag NPs using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals the formation of silver nanoparticles by exhibiting the typical surface plasmon absorption maxima at 408–410 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that the average diameter of silver nanoparticles is about 5.0 ± 1.0 nm and that they have spherical shape. Cell visibility and cell viability percentage show dose-dependent cellular toxicity of Ag NPs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for CHO cells is 68.0 ± 2.65 μg/ml after 24 h Ag NPs exposure. Toxicity evaluations, including cellular morphology, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA fragmentation assay (Ladder pattern) were assessed in unexposed CHO cells (control) and the cells exposed to Ag NPs concentrations of 15, 30, and 60 μg/ml for 24 h. The findings may assist in the designing of Ag NPs for various applications and provide insights into their toxicity.