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The focus of the current work is the study of the effect of the photo-catalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic destruction of methylene blue dye, a common water contaminant, was used to assess the photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnO nanoparticles from its aqueous solution by using ZnO nanoparticles thin film under UV light and laser irradiation. Sol–gel methods prepared ZnO nanoparticle thin films. X-ray diffraction and a field-emitted scanning electron microscope were utilized to examine the structure of the produced ZnO nanoparticles. An extended characterization by laser-based fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. The effects of operational parameters such as photo-catalyst load and contact time on photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue were investigated. The recent study's findings showed that irradiation with a UV laser increases with power density 25 µW/cm2, the photo-catalytic rate. The UV spectra show decay for the band at 664nm decreased and the concentration of M.B. in monomer form decayed to 26% of the original concentration in 24 h, while the band at 612 which is related to the dimer M.B. molecules was not affected. The laser irradiation did the same for monomer M.B. molecules in only 3 h, while the dimer decreased to 28% of its original concentration. The reaction mechanism has been discussed by molecular modelling. Quantum mechanical calculations at B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) level indicated that methylene blue changed from dimers to monomers in the existence of ZnO. The current results present a method for degrading M.B. not only in wastewater but also in the industrial waste scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound infections resulting from pathogen infiltration pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings and everyday life. When the skin barrier is compromised due to injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions, pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses can enter the body, leading to infections. These infections can range from mild to severe, causing discomfort, delayed healing, and, in some cases, life-threatening complications. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely recognized for their antimicrobial and wound healing properties, while cinnamic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on these properties, the combination of ZnO NPs with cinnamic acid (CA) was hypothesized to have enhanced efficacy in addressing wound infections and promoting healing. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the potential of ZnO-CN NPs as a multifunctional agent for wound treatment. ZnO-CN NPs were synthesized and characterized using key techniques to confirm their structure and composition. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of ZnO-CN NPs was evaluated through standard in vitro assays, demonstrating strong free radical scavenging and inhibition of protein denaturation. The antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against common wound pathogens, revealing effective inhibition at a minimal concentration. A zebrafish wound healing model was employed to assess both the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the nanoparticles, showing no toxicity at tested concentrations and facilitating faster wound closure. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression was analyzed to understand the role of ZnO-CN NPs in wound healing mechanisms. In conclusion, ZnO-CN NPs demonstrate potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them promising candidates for wound treatment. Given their multifunctional properties and non-toxicity at tested concentrations, ZnO-CN NPs hold significant potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical wound management, warranting further investigation in human models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation underpins many severe diseases, often requiring anti-inflammatory drugs that can have adverse effects. Medicinal herbs offer an alternative but suffer from poor solubility, limiting their efficacy. Nanotechnology, particularly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), presents a promising solution to enhance the therapeutic potential of herbal compounds. This review examines the nature and benefits of ZnO NPs in drug delivery systems compared to other nanomaterials. It highlights the advantages of biogenic synthesis of ZnO NPs, detailing the eco-friendly formation mechanisms and common characterization methods. The anti-inflammatory effects of biosynthesized ZnO NPs over the last five years are comprehensively reviewed, with insights into their mechanisms of action. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic profiles of ZnO NPs are explored to understand their biokinetics post-drug release. In conclusion, biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs enhance the bioavailability of medicinal plant compounds, offering a compelling alternative for treating inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The focus of the current work is the study of the effect of the photo-catalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic destruction of methylene blue dye, a common water contaminant, was used to assess the photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnO nanoparticles from its aqueous solution by using ZnO nanoparticles thin film under UV light and laser irradiation. Sol–gel methods prepared ZnO nanoparticle thin films. X-ray diffraction and a field-emitted scanning electron microscope were utilized to examine the structure of the produced ZnO nanoparticles. An extended characterization by laser-based fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. The effects of operational parameters such as photo-catalyst load and contact time on photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue were investigated. The recent study’s findings showed that irradiation with a UV laser increases with power density 25 µW/cm2, the photo-catalytic rate. The UV spectra show decay for the band at 664nm decreased and the concentration of M.B. in monomer form decayed to 26% of the original concentration in 24 h, while the band at 612 which is related to the dimer M.B. molecules was not affected. The laser irradiation did the same for monomer M.B. molecules in only 3 h, while the dimer decreased to 28% of its original concentration. The reaction mechanism has been discussed by molecular modelling. Quantum mechanical calculations at B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) level indicated that methylene blue changed from dimers to monomers in the existence of ZnO. The current results present a method for degrading M.B. not only in wastewater but also in the industrial waste scale.

Abstract Wound infections resulting from pathogen infiltration pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings and everyday life. When the skin barrier is compromised due to injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions, pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses can enter the body, leading to infections. These infections can range from mild to severe, causing discomfort, delayed healing, and, in some cases, life-threatening complications. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely recognized for their antimicrobial and wound healing properties, while cinnamic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on these properties, the combination of ZnO NPs with cinnamic acid (CA) was hypothesized to have enhanced efficacy in addressing wound infections and promoting healing. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the potential of ZnO-CN NPs as a multifunctional agent for wound treatment. ZnO-CN NPs were synthesized and characterized using key techniques to confirm their structure and composition. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of ZnO-CN NPs was evaluated through standard in vitro assays, demonstrating strong free radical scavenging and inhibition of protein denaturation. The antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against common wound pathogens, revealing effective inhibition at a minimal concentration. A zebrafish wound healing model was employed to assess both the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the nanoparticles, showing no toxicity at tested concentrations and facilitating faster wound closure. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression was analyzed to understand the role of ZnO-CN NPs in wound healing mechanisms. In conclusion, ZnO-CN NPs demonstrate potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them promising candidates for wound treatment. Given their multifunctional properties and non-toxicity at tested concentrations, ZnO-CN NPs hold significant potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical wound management, warranting further investigation in human models.

Abstract Metal and metal oxide nanocomposites have unique properties and are promising for antibacterial and anticancer applications. In this work, we aimed to highlight the relationship between the biosynthesis ways of silver and gold-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites and their functions as anticancer on cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG2). The propolis was used to biosynthesize four different nanoparticles with the same components, including zinc, gold and silver. The nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques, including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and cytotoxicity assays. The result of this study showed that formed nanocomposites have a similar level of Zn, Au, and Ag, ranging from 23–34%, 2–6%, and 2–3%, respectively. In addition, adding the components simultaneously produces the fastest color change, and the fabricated nanoparticles have spherical shapes with different layers. In addition, the prepared nanoparticles influenced the cell viability of the cancer cell lines, with the most effective one when Zn, Au, and Ag were added spontaneously to form a nanocomposite called (All) with IC50 of 24.5 µg/mL for MCF7 cells and 29.1 µg/mL for HepG2 cells. Thus, the study illustrates that the preparation of nanocomposite generated through green synthesis with different methods significantly affects the structure and function and may improve the synthesis of nanocomposite to be developed into an efficacious therapeutic agent for cancers. In addition, this study opens the door toward a novel track in the field of nanocomposites as it links the synthesis with structure and function. Further anti-cancer properties, as well as animal testing are needed for those nanocomposites.

Abstract Background Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) is one of the metal nanomaterials with extensive use in many fields such as feed additive and textile, which is an emerging threat to human health due to widely distributed in the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the toxic effects associated with ZnO NPs. Although previous studies have found accumulation of ZnO NPs in testis, the molecular mechanism of ZnO NPs dominated a decline in male fertility have not been elucidated. Results We reported that ZnO NPs exposure caused testicular dysfunction and identified spermatocytes as the primary damaged site induced by ZnO NPs. ZnO NPs led to the dysfunction of spermatocytes, including impaired cell proliferation and mitochondrial damage. In addition, we found that ZnO NPs induced ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the increase of intracellular chelatable iron content and lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of testis indicated that ZnO NPs weakened the expression of miR-342-5p, which can target Erc1 to block the NF-κB pathway. Eventually, ferroptosis of spermatocytes was ameliorated by suppressing the expression of Erc1. Conclusions The present study reveals a novel mechanism in that miR-342-5p targeted Erc1 to activate NF-κB signaling pathway is required for ZnO NPs-induced ferroptosis, and provide potential targets for further research on the prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders related to ZnO NPs. Graphical Abstract

Metal and metal oxide nanocomposites have unique properties and are promising for antibacterial and anticancer applications. In this work, we aimed to highlight the relationship between the biosynthesis ways of silver and gold-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites and their functions as anticancer on cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG2). The propolis was used to biosynthesize four different nanoparticles with the same components, including zinc, gold and silver. The nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques, including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and cytotoxicity assays. The result of this study showed that formed nanocomposites have a similar level of Zn, Au, and Ag, ranging from 23–34%, 2–6%, and 2–3%, respectively. In addition, adding the components simultaneously produces the fastest color change, and the fabricated nanoparticles have spherical shapes with different layers. In addition, the prepared nanoparticles influenced the cell viability of the cancer cell lines, with the most effective one when Zn, Au, and Ag were added spontaneously to form a nanocomposite called (All) with IC50 of 24.5 µg/mL for MCF7 cells and 29.1 µg/mL for HepG2 cells. Thus, the study illustrates that the preparation of nanocomposite generated through green synthesis with different methods significantly affects the structure and function and may improve the synthesis of nanocomposite to be developed into an efficacious therapeutic agent for cancers. In addition, this study opens the door toward a novel track in the field of nanocomposites as it links the synthesis with structure and function. Further anti-cancer properties, as well as animal testing are needed for those nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among methacrylic acid-based gel dosimeters, the MAGAT hydrogel stands out for its tissue equivalence, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications. The incorporation of methylene blue (MB) or zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into MAGAT hydrogel aims to improve its formulation, enhance dose absorption and facilitate detailed 3D dose verification. The optimization of MB and ZnO NPs has not yet been investigated with polymer gel before. We studied MAGAT hydrogel dosimeters with varying MB concentrations (0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03% w/w) and ZnO NPs concentrations (0.03–0.07% w/w), using a double-beam spectrophotometer for optical measurements. Our findings identified the optimal MB concentration in the MAGAT + MB formulation at 0.001% w/w, achieving a sensitivity of 0.0285 a.u./Gy and an accuracy of 0.9995. For the MAGAT + MB + ZnO NPs formulation, the optimal ZnO NPs concentration was 0.07% w/w, with a sensitivity of 0.03106 a.u./Gy and an accuracy of 0.9945. The absorbance peaks for both optimum formulations of (MAGAT + MB) and (MAGAT + MB + ZnO NPs) were observed at a wavelength of 665 and 668 nm, respectively. These advancements promise to reduce monitor units, ensure precise dose delivery, shorten treatment times, and minimize treatment errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is an antibiotic that is used to treat a range of human ailments and is also utilized in animal medicine. However, long-term usage of CAP can have substantial side effects in humans. Hence, precise and sensitive analytical approaches for CAP detection are required. We developed an electrochemical sensor based on a ZnO/MWCNT nanocomposite for the efficient measurement of chloramphenicol (CAP) in this study. Aqueous leaf extract of Rhoeo discolor (Tradescantia spathacea) was employed in the green production of ZnO nanoparticles. A simple sonochemical approach was used to combine ZnO nanoparticles with MWCNT. UV–Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental mapping, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have been utilized to describe the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. The electrochemical performance of the ZnO/MWCNT/graphite electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The effect of loading mass, pH, and scan rate on electrode reaction was also determined. The ZnO/MWCNT/graphite electrode has a linear response in the range of 1 to 250 μM, a high sensitivity of 11.15 μA μM−1 cm−2, with a LOD of 0.35 μM and LOQ of 1.16 μM. It also has good reproducibility and stability. Real samples like honey and milk were used to illustrate the sensor's viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop growth and yield are negatively impacted by increased biotic stress in the agricultural sector due to increasing global warming and changing climatic patterns. The host plant's machinery is exploited by biotic stress, which is caused by organisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, nematodes, and mites. This results in nutrient deprivation, increased reactive oxygen species and disturbances in physiological, morphological, and molecular processes. Although used widely, conventional disease management strategies like breeding, intercropping, and chemical fertilizers have drawbacks in terms of time commitment and environmental impact. An environmentally beneficial substitute is offered by the developing field of nanotechnology, where nanoparticles such as zinc oxide are gaining popularity due to their potential applications as antimicrobials and nano-fertilizers. This review delves into the biological synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles employing plants and microbes, function of ZnO nanoparticles in biotic stress mitigation, elucidating their effectiveness and toxicological implications in agricultural. This study supports a cautious approach, stressing the prudent application of ZnO nanoparticles to avoid possible toxicity, in line with the larger global agenda to end hunger, guarantee food security, and advance sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging has been on the environmental agenda for decades. It has been discussed and debated within the society as an environmental problem and the focus has been on the packaging material, including recycling options. In this research work green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle was performed using clove and cinnamon extract. Two types of tapioca starch based food packaging films (F1 and F2) were produced. In these F2 film had embedded zinc oxide nanoparticles in it whereas, F1 was used as control food packaging film without any nanoparticles. These films were used to wrap sweet lime segments and their advantages were tested via functional properties, characterization and quantitative assessments. The procedure was standardized, films were developed and physical properties were tested. Tapioca starch film F2 had the least moisture content (10.21%±0.25), swelling index (28.37%±0.14) & solubility (21.63%±0.42), was smooth, flexible and F1 film had the most transparency. F1 had the high values of moisture content (11.03%±0.78), swelling index (27.02%±0.35) & solubility (20.70%±0.74), was fine, flexible, and had better transparency. Film F2 also proved to have a significant antimicrobial activity. Thus, from the overall results tapioca starch film F2 was found to be the better option for food packaging applications when compared to F1 film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) is one of the metal nanomaterials with extensive use in many fields such as feed additive and textile, which is an emerging threat to human health due to widely distributed in the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the toxic effects associated with ZnO NPs. Although previous studies have found accumulation of ZnO NPs in testis, the molecular mechanism of ZnO NPs dominated a decline in male fertility have not been elucidated. Results: We reported that ZnO NPs exposure caused testicular dysfunction and identified spermatocytes as the primary damaged site induced by ZnO NPs. ZnO NPs led to the dysfunction of spermatocytes, including impaired cell proliferation and mitochondrial damage. In addition, we found that ZnO NPs induced ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the increase of intracellular chelatable iron content and lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of testis indicated that ZnO NPs weakened the expression of miR-342-5p, which can target Erc1 to block the NF-κB pathway. Eventually, ferroptosis of spermatocytes was ameliorated by suppressing the expression of Erc1. Conclusions: The present study reveals a novel mechanism in that miR-342-5p targeted Erc1 to activate NF-κB signaling pathway is required for ZnO NPs-induced ferroptosis, and provide potential targets for further research on the prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders related to ZnO NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) measuring 30 ± 10 nm in diameter are utilized in various applications, including batteries, plastics, ceramics, cosmetics, flame retardants, and food. However, their potential impact and risk on aquatic ecosystems remain unclear. This study examined the hepatotoxic effects of dietary ZnO NPs in rare minnow. Three hundred rare minnows were fed diets containing 0 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of ZnO NPs for 60 days, with hepatotoxicity assessments at 15-day intervals. The histological data showed that ZnO NPs severely damage liver tissues, causing cytoplasmic vacuolization and irregular or missing nuclei. The treatment groups showed a significant rise in the liver injury index (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a notable increase in zinc accumulation in the ZnO NPs groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). ZnO NPs also reduced body weight and hepato-somatic index (HSI) in rare minnows. The enzyme activity results showed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride (TG), acetyl Coa carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the ZnO NPs fed groups, while total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased. Further investigation found that accumulation of ZnO NPs in the liver tissues up-regulated the levels of genes related to antioxidant (mn-sod, cat and nf-κb), pro-apoptotic (bax) and lipogenesis (gpat3, dgat1a and dgat1b), while down-regulating genes associated with lipid catabolism (cpt1 and tpi1). These findings suggest that dietary ZnO NPs cause hepatotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress through ROS, triggering apoptosis, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The results indicate that ZnO NPs may pose a significant threat to aquatic animals and ecosystems.

Abstract Background Dental pathogens play a crucial role in oral health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections, and recent research suggests a link between these pathogens and oral cancer initiation and progression. Innovative therapeutic approaches are needed due to antibiotic resistance concerns and treatment limitations. Methods We synthesized and analyzed piperine-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-PIP NPs) using UV spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and EDAX. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness were evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and MIC assays, while the anticancer properties were assessed on KB oral squamous carcinoma cells. Results ZnO-PIP NPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity and a MIC of 50 µg/mL against dental pathogens, indicating strong antimicrobial properties. Interaction analysis revealed high binding affinity with dental pathogens. ZnO-PIP NPs showed dose-dependent anticancer activity on KB cells, upregulating apoptotic genes BCL2, BAX, and P53. Conclusions This approach offers a multifaceted solution to combatting both oral infections and cancer, showcasing their potential for significant advancement in oral healthcare. It is essential to acknowledge potential limitations and challenges associated with the use of ZnO NPs in clinical applications. These may include concerns regarding nanoparticle toxicity, biocompatibility, and long-term safety. Further research and rigorous testing are warranted to address these issues and ensure the safe and effective translation of ZnO-PIP NPs into clinical practice.

Background: Dental pathogens play a crucial role in oral health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections, and recent research suggests a link between these pathogens and oral cancer initiation and progression. Innovative therapeutic approaches are needed due to antibiotic resistance concerns and treatment limitations. Methods: We synthesized and analyzed piperine-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-PIP NPs) using UV spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and EDAX. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness were evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and MIC assays, while the anticancer properties were assessed on KB oral squamous carcinoma cells. Results: ZnO-PIP NPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity and a MIC of 50 µg/mL against dental pathogens, indicating strong antimicrobial properties. Interaction analysis revealed high binding affinity with dental pathogens. ZnO-PIP NPs showed dose-dependent anticancer activity on KB cells, upregulating apoptotic genes BCL2, BAX, and P53. Conclusions: This approach offers a multifaceted solution to combatting both oral infections and cancer, showcasing their potential for significant advancement in oral healthcare. It is essential to acknowledge potential limitations and challenges associated with the use of ZnO NPs in clinical applications. These may include concerns regarding nanoparticle toxicity, biocompatibility, and long-term safety. Further research and rigorous testing are warranted to address these issues and ensure the safe and effective translation of ZnO-PIP NPs into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles in the form of particles and rods were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination was performed. The results of the SEM tests showed the nanoscale size of zinc oxide nanoparticles was (75 nm) for particles and (150 nm) for rods. An X-ray diffraction examination was carried out, and a comparison was made between the diffraction pattern of the ZnO nanoparticle and the rods. The results showed that the ZnO nanoparticle is in the hexagonal wurtzite phase of the structure of the particles and rods. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (particles and rods) produced by the hydrothermal method have been used as an additive in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix to form PVA–ZnO NPs composite thin films. The optical properties of the membrane were studied using ultraviolet–visible examination, which showed a decrease in the energy gap of the composite thin film compared to the pure membrane. While the electrical properties of composite thin film, including resistivity, mobility and majority carrier charge carriers of composite thin film, were measured using the Hall effect measurement. The results showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles have a higher conductivity than nanorods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesize of zinc nanoparticles adopted through a simple, and eco-friendly biosynthesis process, utilizing the eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), river oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) and dill (Anethum graveolens) leaves as sources and evaluate the insecticidal effects of the produced zinc oxide nanoparticles against the mealworms Tenebrio molitor L.,1758. The produced ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The laboratory research was carried out with feeding method (the leaf immersion in ZnO NPs solution with different concentrations). The mortality effects of all the three synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against the studied larval stage was recorded in various period of time. the results of the statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in the average mortality rate according to plant consisting of zinc nanoparticle, in which the highest average of the larval mortality was obtained (61.83%) for river oak, with an average percentage of adult emergence (27.50 %). Similarly the LC50 values of the ZnO NPs derived from the used plants was showed a varying effect on the larvae of mealworm with feeding method and that this effect varied according to the plant species in which for the River oak was (396.27 ppm), Eucalyptus plant (3630.78 ppm) and Dill plant was (6280.58 ppm). This result concluded that Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from plant sources has larvicidal properties but the most effective one was from River oak plant and they serve as eco-friendly an alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling insect stages. Hence the biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles can be used as potential insecticidal agent for the studied insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesised using a straightforward microwaveassisted technique. Results showed that the synthesised nanoparticles were hexagonal wurtzite ZnO-nanoparticles with a crystallite size of 6.76 nm, as determined by physio-chemical methods. It reveals, at varying magnifications, the irregularly aggregated, spherically shaped sponge-like structure. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, corresponding functional groups on ZnO surfaces have been observed. According to absorption measurements, the direct optical bandgap is around 3.29 eV. The photoluminescence spectra may be used to detect crystal defects in the ZnO lattice by looking for red emission and blue band edge emission. An investigation into the anticorrosion capabilities of zinc oxide nanoparticles was conducted, which revealed that the particles have beneficial characteristics when coated with magnesium (Mg) substrates. These materials are evaluated for corrosive resistance with and without a protective coating. Results show that coating significantly increased the protection rate under different electrolyte conditions. Compared to bare Mg plate, the charge transfer resistance Rct was increased when ZnO nanoparticles were coated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop growth and yield are negatively impacted by increased biotic stress in the agricultural sector due to increasing global warming and changing climatic patterns. The host plant’s machinery is exploited by biotic stress, which is caused by organisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, nematodes, and mites. This results in nutrient deprivation, increased reactive oxygen species and disturbances in physiological, morphological, and molecular processes. Although used widely, conventional disease management strategies like breeding, intercropping, and chemical fertilizers have drawbacks in terms of time commitment and environmental impact. An environmentally beneficial substitute is offered by the developing field of nanotechnology, where nanoparticles such as zinc oxide are gaining popularity due to their potential applications as antimicrobials and nano-fertilizers. This review delves into the biological synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles employing plants and microbes, function of ZnO nanoparticles in biotic stress mitigation, elucidating their effectiveness and toxicological implications in agricultural. This study supports a cautious approach, stressing the prudent application of ZnO nanoparticles to avoid possible toxicity, in line with the larger global agenda to end hunger, guarantee food security, and advance sustainable agriculture.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a treatable infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogen. However, patient non-compliance during treatment contributes to the emergence of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This literature review aims to further explore the potential of zinc oxide metal nanoparticles (NP-ZnO) in anti-TB drugs as an advanced modality for MDR-TB treatment by enhancing drug efficacy, reducing intestine degradation, and increasing absorption and bioavailability. Methods: Literature was searched using search engines such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and NCBI. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 14 relevant articles. Results and Discussion: Zinc oxide metal nanoparticles (NP-ZnO) exhibit antibacterial effects. Studies show that NP-ZnO can decrease Rifampicin's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) fourfold by enhancing bacterial cell membrane permeability and increasing bactericidal effects through interactions with host macrophage cells. Bactericidal effects were found with NP-ZnO and its combination with selenium (NP ZnO-Se). Meanwhile, bacteriostatic effects on MDR-TB and XDR-TB were observed with NP-ZnO and its combination with silver (NP Ag-ZnO). Conclusion: NP-ZnO encapsulated first-line anti-TB drugs offer advantages in delivering medication to target organs, accelerating therapy onset even with smaller doses, and mimicking M.tb's activity in infecting target organs. NP-ZnO and its combinations are also more sensitive in interacting with alveolar macrophages, the first immune cells responding to M.tb. NP-ZnO encapsulated first-line anti-TB drug technology holds potential as an advanced modality for MDR-TB treatment. Keyword: First-line anti-TB drugs, metal nanoparticle, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, zinc oxide nanoparticle Latar Belakang: Tuberkulosis (TBC) merupakan penyakit menular yang disebabkan oleh patogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) dan dapat diobati, tetapi rendahnya kepatuhan pasien selama pengobatan berdampak pada timbulnya Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Tinjauan literatur ini bertujuan untuk meninjau lebih lanjut potensi teknologi nanopartikel logam seng oksida (NP-ZnO) pada obat anti-TB sebagai modalitas mutakhir pengobatan penyakit MDR-TB dengan meningkatkan kemanjuran obat yang diberikan, mengurangi degradasi usus, serta meningkatkan absorpsi dan bioavailabilitas. Metode: Literatur dicari menggunakan situs pencari seperti Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate, dan NCBI. Kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi digunakan untuk mengeliminasi literatur yang tidak berkaitan sehingga diperoleh 14 literatur. Hasil dan Pembahasan: Nanopartikel logam seng oksida (NP-ZnO) menunjukkan efek antibakteri. Studi ini menunjukkan NP-ZnO dapat menurunkan minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) rifampisin empat kali lipat dengan meningkatkan permeabilitas membran sel bakteri serta meningkatkan efek bakterisida melalui interaksinya dengan makrofag sel inang. Efek bakterisida ditemukan pada NP-ZnO dan kombinasinya dengan selenium (NP ZnO-Se). Sementara itu, efek bakteriostatik MDR-TB dan XDR-TB ditemukan pada NP-ZnO dan kombinasinya dengan perak (NP Ag-ZnO). Kesimpulan: Obat anti-TB lini pertama terenkapsulasi NP-ZnO memiliki keunggulan dalam penghantaran obat ke organ target, mempercepat onset terapi walau dengan dosis yang lebih kecil, dan meniru aktivitas M.tb dalam menginfeksi organ target. NP-ZnO maupun kombinasinya juga lebih sensitif dalam berinteraksi dengan makrofag alveolar yang merupakan sel imun pertama yang merespons M.tb. Teknologi obat anti-TB lini pertama terenkapsulasi NP-ZnO berpotensi sebagai modalitas mutakhir pengobatan MDR-TB. Kata Kunci: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, nanopartikel logam, nanopartikel seng oksida, obat anti-TB lini pertama

Abstract Background Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are common materials used in skin-related cosmetics and sunscreen products due to their whitening and strong UV light absorption properties. Although the protective effects of ZnONPs against UV light in intact skin have been well demonstrated, the effects of using ZnONPs on damaged or sunburned skin are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to reveal the detailed underlying mechanisms related to keratinocytes and macrophages exposed to UVB and ZnONPs. Results We demonstrated that ZnONPs exacerbated mouse skin damage after UVB exposure, followed by increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) levels, cell death and epithelial thickness. In addition, ZnONPs could penetrate through the damaged epithelium, gain access to the dermis cells, and lead to severe inflammation by activation of M1 macrophage. Mechanistic studies indicated that co-exposure of keratinocytes to UVB and ZnONPs lysosomal impairment and autophagy dysfunction, which increased cell exosome release. However, these exosomes could be taken up by macrophages, which accelerated M1 macrophage polarization. Furthermore, ZnONPs also induced a lasting inflammatory response in M1 macrophages and affected epithelial cell repair by regulating the autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophage exosome secretion. Conclusions Our findings propose a new concept for ZnONP-induced skin toxicity mechanisms and the safety issue of ZnONPs application on vulnerable skin. The process involved an interplay of lysosomal impairment, autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophage exosome secretion. The current finding is valuable for evaluating the effects of ZnONPs for cosmetics applications.

In this study, we examined the effects of different doses (100, 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the total hemocyte count and hemocyte-mediated immune responses of the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The results showed that NPs caused a decrease in hemocyte count at 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm doses. To investigate the effects of ZnO NPs on the encapsulation and melanization response of G. mellonella, the pre-dyed Sephadex chromatography beads were injected into the hemolymph of each last-instar larva. Larvae were dissected in the 4th and 24th hours after the injection. The level of the encapsulation response and melanization status around the beads were determined under microscopy. The analyses of the beads injected into the insects as encapsulation targets revealed that the number of weakly encapsulated beads increased significantly at 100, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm doses when compared to the control group after a short (4-h) post-injection. The number of melanized beads increased significantly at 100, 1000, and 3000 ppm doses in comparison to the control group after the short (4-h) post-injection. Finally, the number of melanized beads decreased significantly at 1000 and 5000 ppm doses when compared to the control group after the long-term (24-h) post-injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing global consumption of conventional plastics has led to significant environmental challenges due to their resistance to degradation and dependency on petroleum, a volatile resource. In this context, polylactic acid (PLA) has emerged as a promising biopolymer alternative, offering excellent physical and mechanical properties while being derived from renewable resources. The synthesis of PLA involves the production of lactide, a crucial cyclic monomer. This study focuses on lactide synthesis using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as catalysts. The synthesis process consists of three stages: the dehydration of lactic acid, oligomerization to obtain a PLA oligomer, and depolymerization with simultaneous distillation to produce lactide. The ZnO nanoparticle catalyst proved to be highly efficient in regulating the molecular weight of the oligomer during depolymerization, which directly impacts the molecular weight of the PLA. The lactide purification using ethyl acetate resulted in an average purity of 90.0 ± 1.79%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the purification process. The quantification of lactide through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed excellent linearities, allowing for the accurate determination of lactide content. The lactide synthesis yielded 77–80%, and the stability of the synthesized lactide was confirmed through a second purity determination after four months, with only a 1.7% loss in lactide content. Overall, this study showcases the feasibility of lactide synthesis using ZnO nanoparticles as catalysts and contributes valuable insights into producing high-quality lactides for PLA manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the long-term effects of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticle (Nano-ZnO, 20–40 nm) on the relative organ weight, liver function, deposition, and absorption of trace minerals in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) pigs, piglets were allocated to NBW (6 normal birth weight piglets fed basal diets), IUGR (6 IUGR piglets fed basal diets) and IUGR+NZ (6 IUGR piglets fed basal diets + 600 mg Zn/kg from Nano-ZnO) groups at weaning (21 days of age), which were sampled at 163 days of age. There were no noteworthy changes in the relative weight of organs, hepatic histomorphology, serum alkaline phosphatase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activities, and Mn, Cu, and Fe concentrations in leg muscle, the liver, the tibia, and feces among the IUGR, NBW, and IUGR+NZ groups (P>0.05), and no intact Nano-ZnO in the jejunum, liver, and muscle was observed, while dietary Nano-ZnO increased the Zn concentrations in the tibia, the liver, serum, and feces (P<0.05) and mRNA expression of metallothionein (MT) 1A, MT2A, solute carrier family 39 member (ZIP) 4, ZIP14, ZIP8, divalent metal transporter 1, solute carrier family 30 member (ZnT) 1, ZnT4 and metal regulatory transcription factor 1, and ZIP8 protein expression in jejunal mucosa (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that dietary Nano-ZnO increased the relative optical density of ZIP8 (mainly expressed in cells of brush border) and MT2A (mainly expressed in villus lamina propria and gland/crypt) (P<0.05). In conclusion, long-term dietary Nano-ZnO showed no obvious side effects on the development of the major organs, liver function, and metabolism of Cu, Fe, and Mn in IUGR pigs, while it increased the Zn absorption and deposition via enhancing the expression of transporters (MT, ZIP, and ZnT families) in the jejunum, rather than via endocytosis as the form of intact nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle and characterized with XRD and SEM techniques. The carbon paste electrode was modified by using prepared nanoparticles with electrochemically polymerized by treating with 25mM Congo red and sensing environmental pollutants. The Poly (Congo red) Zinc oxide modified carbon paste [PCRZOMCPE] brings an enhanced sensitivity at electrochemical detection of catechol (CC) by using cyclic voltammetry (CV); the parameters like pH, sweep rates and concentration study was carried out, the PCRZOMCPE is applied for the simultaneous determination of CC and hydroquinone (HQ) then the detection limit and quantification value for CC is established to be 9.39µM and 31.30 µM respectively and the electrode showed excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards electrochemical examination of CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High ammonia concentration and ZnO NPs had synergistic toxic effects on BNR system. • C 10 -HSL enhanced defense mechanism against NPs through synergistic effects. • Beneficial efficacy of C 10 -HSL was limited at high ammonia concentrations. • EPS spontaneously increased under high ammonia concentration and ZnO NPs stress. The inhibitory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and impacts of N -acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum sensing (QS) on biological nitrogen removal (BNR) performance have been well-investigated. However, the effects of ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 +-N) concentrations on NP toxicity and AHL regulation have seldom been addressed yet. This study consulted on the impacts of ZnO NPs on BNR systems when high NH 4 +-N concentration was available. The synergistic toxic effects of high-strength NH 4 +-N (200 mg/L) and ZnO NPs resulted in decreased ammonia oxidation rates and dropped the nitrogen removal efficiencies by 17.5% ± 0.2%. The increased extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production was observed in response to the high NH 4 +-N and ZnO NP stress, which indicated the defense mechanism against the toxic effects in the BNR systems was stimulated. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of exogenous N -decanoyl-homoserine lactone (C 10 -HSL)-mediated QS system on NP-stressed BNR systems were revealed to improve the BNR performance under different NH 4 +-N concentrations. The C 10 -HSL regulated the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, denitrification functional enzyme activities, and antioxidant enzyme activities, respectively. This probably synergistically enhanced the defense mechanism against NP toxicity. However, compared to the low NH 4 +-N concentration of 60 mg/L, the efficacy of C 10 -HSL was inhibited at high NH 4 +-N levels of 200 mg/L. The findings provided the significant application potential of QS system for BNR when facing toxic compound shock threats. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most typical form of liver cancer. Apart from modern therapies, various natural chemical constituents have been tested for the treatment of HCC. However, the usage of the latter has declined due to their low bioavailability and stability. Objectives: Considering the above drawback’s, in this study, we describe a gelatin-syringic acid/ zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite for liver cancer treatment, which showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Methods: The hydrothermal method was used to synthesize ZnO nanoparticle and it was encapsulated with gelatin-syringic acid by coacervation technique. The nanocomposites were characterized by UV spec, FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDX, and DLS. The drug release profile of nanocomposite was studied by dialysis bag method, which exhibits a sustained drug release. Results: The antioxidant ability of nano-composite was studied by performing an ABTS and DPPH assay and the IC50 was recorded as 76.5 and 47.63 µg/mL, respectively. The anti-inflammatory potential was studied by assessing the ability of nanocomposite on denaturation of protein and the results exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition. The acute toxicity of nanocomposite tested on zebrafish liver and heart showed that it is non-toxic. Moreover, the nanocomposite inhibits the Hep G2 cell viability with an increasing concentration and it increases oxidative stress caused by the mitochondrial damage, which leads to cell death. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, gelatin-syringic acid/ZnO nanocomposite has been shown to possess antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and thus can be used against HCC.

In the present study, the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. PB1509) plant growth were assessed in hydroponics (5, 10, 25, 50 mg L-1) and soil microcosm (5, 10, 25 50 mg kg-1) experiments. In both hydroponics and soil experiments, Zinc (Zn) accumulation in plant parts (roots, shoots and grains) was found to increase with increasing doses of ZnO NPs. Grains accumulated 29 mg kg-1 Zn at 50 mg kg-1 ZnO NPs in the soil experiment. In the hydroponics experiment, growth and photosynthetic pigments were induced by ZnO NPs up to 10 mg L-1, while higher doses of 25 and 50 mg L-1 were toxic to plant growth. Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX and GPX) were mostly increased or unaffected by all ZnO NPs doses. In soil experiments, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were increased at 5 mg kg-1 followed by a declining trend. However, a significant decrease occurred only at 50 mg kg-1. Urease activity in soil was significantly increased at all doses of ZnO NPs, while the activity of dehydrogenase did not show any significant change up to 25 mg kg-1. The length of plants and photosynthetic pigments did not show much toxicity except root length beyond 10 mg kg-1; however, the biomass of plants including grains was significantly lower than control beyond 5 mg kg-1 dose. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPX, APX and CAT) showed a significant increase at all doses of ZnO NPs. The DTPA extractable Zn concentration in the soil was significantly elevated with increasing exposure concentrations of ZnO NPs. Based on hydroponics and soil experiments, this study suggests a dose of up to 10 mg L-1 or 10 mg kg-1 would be an appropriate dose for augmenting the growth of rice plants and Zn accumulation, and this can be practically utilized for rice plants growing in submerged conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on vulcanization mechanism of natural rubber and crosslinking structure of its vulcanizate was investigated by rubber‐state NMR spectroscopy. Natural rubber was compounded with various ZnO nanoparticles (c‐ZnO, NC105, NC205, NC23, NC234(STA), and AZ12N), stearic acid, N‐tert‐butyl‐2‐benzothiazole sulfonamide (TBBS), N‐(1,3‐dimethylbutyl)‐N′‐phenylenediamine (6PPD), and sulfur. Vulcanization of the compounded natural rubber was analyzed with a moving die rheometer. The resulting natural rubber vulcanizates were characterized by swelling method, rubber‐state NMR spectroscopy, and tensile test. The rubber‐state NMR measurements revealed that natural rubber was efficiently vulcanized with NC205 and AZ12N but not with c‐ZnO, NC234, and NC234(STA). A relationship between the structure of vulcanized natural rubber and surface activity, surface structure, and particle size of the ZnO nanoparticles was investigated in this study. The mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber were found to depend on not only strain‐induced crystallization but also amount of effective CS linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study discusses preparation, characterisation and corrosion inhibition of mild steel exposed to acidic medium (1M HCl using) nanocomposite based chitosan (CH) doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles ZnO NPs. Preparation of CH-ZnONPs was carried out via facile, in situ reduction, coast effective and green method. The characterisations of the synthesised inhibitor CH-ZnONPs were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, TGA, DLS and N2 adsorption-desorption as well as the antimicrobial activity. Results showed that CH-ZnONPs was prepared in nanoscale (26–136 nm) with surface area more than neat CH by about ten folding. Moreover, The DLS measurement results were configured high stability of the CH-ZnONPs. CH-ZnONPs was assessed as a potential corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid solutions 1M HCl. Experimental evaluations were carried out at various concentrations to investigate the inhibition efficiency and adsorption behaviour of CH-ZnO NPs. Electrochemical and surface investigations were used to investigate the efficiency of in inhibiting corrosion (SEM-EDX and surface roughness). The results indicated that increasing the concentration of the green corrosion inhibitor CH-ZnO NPs increased the efficiency of the used inhibitor, which reached 93.95% in the presence of 100 ppm. Furthermore, the CH-ZnO NPs functioned as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor, according to Tafel extrapolated polarisation measurements. The Nyquist plot of impedance is mostly represented by a depressed capacitive loop with various concentrations of inhibitor. The CH-ZnONPs inhibit metallic corrosion by means of an adsorption mechanism adopting the isothermal model of Langmuir adsorption. Surface morphology examinations, in addition to electrochemical tests, result in a significant evidence for the existence of an inhibitor molecules adsorbed across the mild steel surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized using neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) extract were used as an adsorbent for removing two widely used pharmaceutical compounds acetaminophen (AMP) and sulfadiazine (SDZ). The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized using SEM-EDS, FTIR, TEM, BET, and XRD analysis. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were found to be in the size range of 10 nm with a surface area of 48.551 m2/g. The adsorptive performance of ZnO nanoparticles in both mono-component (MoS) and multi-component system (MuS) was investigated under various operational parameters viz. contact time, temperature, pH, concentration of pharmaceutical compound and ZnO nanoparticles dose. It was observed that the maximum adsorption capacity of ZnO nanoparticles was 7.87 mg/g and 7.77 mg/g for AMP and SDZ, respectively, under the optimum conditions of 7 pH and 2 g/L adsorbent dosage. The experimental data best-fitted with the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model, indicating monolayer chemisorption. Further investigation on removal of AMP and SDZ from multicomponent system was modelled using a Langmuir competitive model. The desorption study has shown 25.28% and 22.4% removal of AMP and SDZ from the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. In general, green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles can be utilized effectively as adsorbent for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds from wastewater. HIGHLIGHTS Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from Azadirachta indica leaf extract.; Removal of pharmaceutically active compounds sulfadiazine and acetaminophen using ZnO nanoparticles was investigated in a mono-component and multi-component system.; An adsorption study in a multi-component system was performed using Langmuir's competitive model and nature of adsorption was studied.; Recyclability of the adsorbent was studied.;

Osteosarcoma (OS) therapy faces many challenges, especially the poor survival rate once metastasis occurs. Therefore, it is crucial to explore new OS treatment strategies that can efficiently inhibit OS metastasis. Bioactive nanoparticles such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can efficiently inhibit OS growth, however, the effect and mechanisms of them on tumor metastasis are still not clear. In this study, we firstly prepared well-dispersed ZnO NPs and proved that ZnO NPs can inhibit OS metastasis-related malignant behaviors including migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA-Seqs found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ZnO NP-treated OS cells were enriched in wingless/integrated (Wnt) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. We further proved that Zn2+ released from ZnO NPs induced downregulation of β-catenin expression via HIF-1α/BNIP3/LC3B-mediated mitophagy pathway. ZnO NPs combined with ICG-001, a β-catenin inhibitor, showed a synergistic inhibitory effect on OS lung metastasis and a longer survival time. In addition, tissue microarray (TMA) of OS patients also detected much higher β-catenin expression which indicated the role of β-catenin in OS development. In summary, our current study not only proved that ZnO NPs can inhibit OS metastasis by degrading β-catenin in HIF-1α/BNIP3/LC3B-mediated mitophagy pathway, but also provided a far-reaching potential of ZnO NPs in clinical OS treatment with metastasis.

Dietary zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) possessing multiple biological activities might be a potential substitute for the combination of ZnSO4 and antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of dietary ZnO NP as a substitute to the combination of ZnSO4 and xanthomycin for growth, antioxidant capacity, immunity, intestinal barrier and liver function in broilers. Arbor Acres chicks (n = 320) were assigned to 5 treatments with 8 replicates. Birds received a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg ZnSO4 plus 5 mg/kg xanthomycin (ZnSO4 + Xanthomycin) or 0 (negative control, NC), 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg ZnO NP for 42 days. The average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed-to-gain ratio showed dose-dependent increases with the increasing level of dietary ZnO NP during the 21–42 day and 1–42 day stages. The final body weight (42 d) and serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 and growth hormone increased linearly with the increasing level of dietary ZnO NP. In addition, 80 mg/kg ZnO NP increased the serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, andinterleukin-10 and peroxidase activity, the jejunal mucosal villus height, villus width and goblet cell numbers. Dietary 80 or 160 mg/kg ZnO NP significantly altered mRNA abundances of genes related to antioxidant status, intestinal barrier and immunity in the jejunal mucosa. These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 40–160 mg/kg ZnO NP caused no obvious negative effects on liver function, but effectively improved growth performance, intestinal barrier function, immunity and antioxidant capacity.Highlights Dietary 40–160 mg/kg zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) improved growth performance and enhanced immunity of broilers without obvious negative effects on liver function. Dietary 40–160 mg/kg ZnO NP improved intestinal barrier and intestinal morphology, and enhanced antioxidant capacity via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Doses of 40–80 mg/kg ZnO NP were suggested to alternate the combination of 80 mg/kg ZnSO4 and 5 mg/kg xanthomycin in diets of broilers.

Antidepressants are one of the main pollutants in the aquatic environment. They are being widely studied due to their widespread use, possible health effects, and partial removal from wastewater treatment plants by conventional methods. Photocatalysis is an effective and ecologically beneficial method in wastewater treatment. In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation of sertraline hydrochloride (SERT) in water using nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs) was investigated. The ZnO-NPs were synthesized from zinc gluconate as a precursor by the sol–gel method. The crystal structure, morphology, surface charge, and textural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analyses, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The removal of SERT in water was explored by different processes: H2O2/UV, ZnO-NPs/H2O2/UV, and ZnO-NPs/UV. Our results indicate that the combination of both UV illumination and the ZnO-NP as a catalyst was necessary for the efficient degradation of the drug. Nearly complete removal of SERT (98.7%) was achieved in 30 min with the ZnO-NPs/UV process at room temperature. The photodegradation of SERT follows first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.0678 min−1. The results reveal that SERT degradation with ZnO-NPs/UV is pH-dependent, as the maximum drug removal was achieved at pH 11. Initial drug concentration, catalyst dose, and hydrogen peroxide concentration were also crucial in the removal of SERT. Our findings indicate that the high specific surface area and porous structure of ZnO-NP enhance its photocatalytic performance toward photodegradation of SERT, i.e., ZnO-NP is an efficient nanophotocatalyst for the degradation of SERT under UV irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on dispersing nanoparticles in base fluid to elevate its essential and critical properties have evolved significantly in the recent decade. Alongside the conventional dispersion techniques used for nanofluid synthesis, microwave energy at 2.4 GHz frequency is irradiated onto the nanofluids is experimented with in this study. The effect of microwave irradiation on the electrical and thermal properties of semi-conductive nanofluids (SNF) is investigated and presented in this article. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the semi-conductive nanoparticles used for this study to synthesize the SNF, viz., titania nanofluid (TNF) and zinc nanofluid (ZNF). Flash and fire points are the thermal properties verified, and dielectric breakdown strength, dielectric constant ( ε r ), and dielectric dissipation factor (tan δ) are the electrical properties verified in this study. AC breakdown voltage (BDV) of TNF and ZNF is improved by 16.78% and 11.25%, respectively, more than SNFs prepared without microwave irradiation. Results justify that the synergetic effect of stirring, sonication, and microwave irradiation in a rational sequence (microwave synthesis) exhibited better electrical and unaltered thermal properties. This microwave-applied nanofluid synthesis could be a simple and effective route to prepare the SNF with improved electrical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study describes a green synthesis method for preparing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Justicia adhatoda to investigate the different pathogen and toxic assays. Synthesized nanoparticles are hexagonal and 40 nm in size. The antifungal activity of ZnO-NPs was analyzed against three strains: Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs as tested against Bacillus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The ZnO-NPs produced exhibited significant free radical scavenging effects of 200 µg/mL-73.12%. ZnO-NPs were evaluated against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells at an LD50 concentration of 50 µg/mL. The results showed that biosynthesized ZnO-NPs have efficient inhibitory activity against fungal and bacterial strains and cytotoxicity against human MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green approach of zinc oxide nanoparticle fabrication is a reliable reaction that has compatibility with many biological properties. In the present study the approach of zinc oxide nanoparticle has been synthesized by A. arvensis aerial part using ethanol extract. The morphological, compositional and structural properties have been investigated by SEM, XRD, and FTIR studies. XRD technique demonstrated the crystallite size of 17nm with the help of Debye-Scherrer's equation which was obtained in nanorange. SEM technique demonstrated their microscopic agglomerated crystal image of green synthesizes metal in zinc oxide nanoparticle. FTIR technique represents the different types of biomolecules i.e. phenol, alkynes etc. that are responsible for good nanoparticle fabrication. These biomolecules work as encapsulation and stabilization agents for nanoparticle fabrication. These all properties of nanoparticle fabrication have been responsible for the antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are significant societal repercussions from our excessive use of plastic products derived from petroleum. In response to the increasing environmental implications of plastic wastes, biodegradable materials have been proven to be an effective means of mitigating environmental issues. Therefore, protein- and polysaccharide-based polymers have gained widespread attention recently. In our study, for increasing the strength of a biopolymer (Starch), we used ZnO dispersed nanoparticles (NPs), which resulted in the enhancement of other functional properties of the polymer. The synthesized NPs were characterized using SEM, XRD, and Zeta potential values. The preparation techniques are completely green, with no hazardous chemicals employed. The floral extract employed in this study is Torenia fournieri (TFE), which is prepared using a mixture of ethanol and water and possesses diverse bioactive features and pH-sensitive characteristics. The prepared films were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, contact angle and TGA. The incorporation of TFE and ZnO (SEZ) NPs was found to increase the overall nature of the control film. The results obtained from this study confirmed that the developed material is suitable for wound healing and can also be used as a smart packaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles of ZnO-Chitosan (Zn-Chit) composite were prepared using precipitation methods. Several analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmitted electron microscope (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermal analysis, were used to characterize the prepared composite. The activity of the modified composite was investigated for nitrite sensing and hydrogen production applications using various electrochemical techniques. A comparative study was performed for pristine ZnO and ZnO loaded on chitosan. The modified Zn-Chit has a linear range of detection 1–150 µM and a limit of detection (LOD) = 0.402 µM (response time ~3 s). The activity of the modified electrode was investigated in a real sample (milk). Furthermore, the anti-interference capability of the surface was utilized in the presence of several inorganic salts and organic additives. Additionally, Zn-Chit composite was employed as an efficient catalyst for hydrogen production in an acidic medium. Thus, the electrode showed long-term stability toward fuel production and enhanced energy security. The electrode reached a current density of 50 mA cm−2 at an overpotential equal to −0.31 and −0.2 V (vs. RHE) for GC/ZnO and GC/Zn-Chit, respectively. Electrode durability was studied for long-time constant potential chronoamperometry for 5 h. The electrodes lost 8% and 9% of the initial current for GC/ZnO and GC/Zn-Chit, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are remarkably able to eliminate microorganisms, but induce cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are considered to have a wide bactericidal effect with weak cytotoxicity. In this study, both zinc oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles were co-synthesized on a nano-silicate platelet (NSP) to prepare a hybrid of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the formation of nanoparticles on the NSP. Synthesized ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP on NSP) was confirmed by the absorption peaks on UV-Vis and XRD. AgNP synthesized on ZnONP/NSP was also characterized by UV-Vis, and ZnONP/NSP showed no interference with synthesis. The images of TEM demonstrated that NSP provides physical support for the growth of nanoparticles and could prevent the inherent aggregation of ZnONP. In antibacterial tests, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited more efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP was synthesized on NSP) and AgNP/NSP (AgNP was synthesized on NSP). In cell culture tests, 1/10/99 (weight ratio) of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited low cytotoxicity for mammalian cells (>100 ppm). Therefore, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP, containing both AgNP and ZnONP, with both strong antibacterial qualities and low cytotoxicity, showed potentially advantageous medical utilizations due to its antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]