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A critical meta-analysis of the past decade's investigations was carried out with the aim of assessing the use of plant-based techniques for soil remediation. Potentially toxic element (PTE) contaminated soils were selected since these contaminants are considered hazardous and have long-term effects. Furthermore, energy, aromatic, and medicinal plants were studied as their high-value products seem to be affected by PTEs' existence. Lead (Pb), Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Hg, and As accumulation in different parts of plant species has been investigated using proper indices. Aromatic plants seem to provide high phytoremediation yields. Increasing toxicity levels and the coexistence of many metals enhance the accumulation capacity of aromatic plants, even of toxic Cd. In plants usable as energy sources, antagonistic effects were observed, as the simultaneous presence of Cu and Cd resulted in lower thermic capacity. Finally, in most of the plants studied, it was observed that the phytostabilization technique, i.e., the accumulation of metals mainly in the roots of the plants, was often used, allowing for the aboveground part to be almost completely free of metallic pollutants. Using plants for remediation was proven to be advantageous within a circular economy model. Such a process is a promising solution, both economically and environmentally, since it provides a useful tool for keeping environmental balance and producing safe goods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving field of nanotechnology, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has shifted towards eco-friendly methodologies, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable practices. Biologically synthesized AgNPs, particularly noteworthy for their applications in medicine and materials science, exhibit exceptional efficacy against microorganisms. The unique physicochemical properties of AgNPs, including their small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio, contribute to their versatility in diverse sectors. The advantages of AgNPs, such as ease of production, low cost, and high carrier capacity, make them preferred for various applications, including drug delivery systems. Despite concerns about environmental hazards and toxicity, the benefits of AgNPs, such as controlled drug release and targeted delivery, position them as valuable contributors to advancements in nanotechnology. Green synthesis methods, emphasizing biological processes and natural compounds, gain prominence for their sustainability and reduced environmental impact. The regulatory oversight of nanoproducts ensures their safe use, balancing their advantages with environmental considerations. Ongoing research promises further innovations, solidifying AgNPs' role as key contributors to progress in nanotechnology and materials science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The chickpea Cicer arietinum (Fabaceae) field has suffered significant economic losses due to the presence of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Attempts to control the larval population through chemical pesticides led to some reduction but also resulted in the development of resistance among the larvae. Consequently, the H. armigera population experienced a rapid resurgence in the field. Given the substantial losses caused by Helicoverpa larvae, there is now a growing interest in adopting eco-friendly methods for management. The application of biocontrol agents has emerged as a promising solution for effectively managing the infestation. Results In the laboratory experiment, the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema pakistanense NNRC-NB.14, S. balochiense NNRC-NB.23, and S. abbasi NNRC-NB.33 were evaluated for their infectivity and mortality effects on mature cotton bollworm at various concentrations. The study demonstrated that the highest mortality rates were achieved at a concentration of 250 infective juveniles (IJs) per larva after 72 h. Steinernema pakistanense and S. balochiense exhibited higher mortality rates (95–98%) compared to S. abbasi (77%) at higher application concentrations. The field trial results reinforced the laboratory findings, demonstrating a significant decrease in H. armigera larval populations when employing EPN strains, particularly NNRC-NB.14 and NNRC-NB.33, compared to NNRC-NB.23. Despite the initial applications showing relatively low mortality percentages, the most effective larval control occurred after the third application of EPNs. The field trials revealed that, following the third spray, mortality percentages significantly increased from the initial range of 20–32% to a more substantial 70–90%. This cumulative impact highlights the importance of multiple applications in achieving optimal pest control. Conclusion The findings of these studies highlight the promising potential of EPN as an eco-friendly and sustainable method for controlling the cotton bollworm. However, the successful implementation of EPN-based control strategies in agricultural systems requires careful consideration of factors such as nematode species selection, application methods, environmental conditions, and integration with other pest management practices. Further research is needed to optimize the efficacy and practicality of using EPN on a larger scale, addressing issues such as nematode production, formulation, and compatibility with existing farming practice.

A critical meta-analysis of the past decade’s investigations was carried out with the aim of assessing the use of plant-based techniques for soil remediation. Potentially toxic element (PTE) contaminated soils were selected since these contaminants are considered hazardous and have long-term effects. Furthermore, energy, aromatic, and medicinal plants were studied as their high-value products seem to be affected by PTEs’ existence. Lead (Pb), Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Hg, and As accumulation in different parts of plant species has been investigated using proper indices. Aromatic plants seem to provide high phytoremediation yields. Increasing toxicity levels and the coexistence of many metals enhance the accumulation capacity of aromatic plants, even of toxic Cd. In plants usable as energy sources, antagonistic effects were observed, as the simultaneous presence of Cu and Cd resulted in lower thermic capacity. Finally, in most of the plants studied, it was observed that the phytostabilization technique, i.e., the accumulation of metals mainly in the roots of the plants, was often used, allowing for the aboveground part to be almost completely free of metallic pollutants. Using plants for remediation was proven to be advantageous within a circular economy model. Such a process is a promising solution, both economically and environmentally, since it provides a useful tool for keeping environmental balance and producing safe goods.

Electronic waste generation and accumulation keeps on increasing and possess a serious threat to the environment. To find a legitimate or suitable eco-friendly method for metal recovery from e-waste this includes the noble metals, rare earth metals and also the heavy metals. Methods like magnetic separation, Eddy current separation and Electrostatic separation results in separation of metallic parts from the crushed e-waste and its PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). For synthesising nanoparticles out of the recovered metallic parts, pyrometallurgy using Tubular furnace, hydrometallurgical methods, cryo-milling techniques and bio-approaches using plant leaf are utilised. Heavy metal in Electronic waste plays a vital role in polluting the ecology/environment. Researchers are trying to enhance the metal recovery from e-waste process by improving the environmentally friendly approaches. In this review, harmless to the ecosystem draws near and the techniques that depicts about the Nanoparticle synthesis from electronic waste printed circuit boards are critically reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores eco-friendly methods for extracting bioactive natural products from diverse sources. The introductory exploration emphasizes the increasing demand for sustainable extraction methods, with a focus on the environmental impact of conventional approaches. Addressing existing knowledge gaps, this review outlines the key objectives of evaluating various green extraction technologies, including supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and others. The primary findings underscore the remarkable potential and advancements achieved with green solvents, specifically deep eutectic solvents and bio-based solvents. This review elucidates the synergistic effects achieved by combining different extraction techniques, exemplified by ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction and sequential supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extraction, among others. Notwithstanding the promising results, this review emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing challenges such as standardization, selectivity, scalability, and economic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several industrial processes in which heavy metals are used, including but not limited to chrome plating and tanning. Amongst the most toxic heavy metals to human health are arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, nickel, and mercury. The aforementioned toxic metals possess the ability to cause contamination upon their release into the environment. Humans and aquatic and terrestrial animals are at risk from heavy metals in water and soil. Heavy metal toxicity has the potential to result in several health complications, such as renal and hepatic impairment, dermatological afflictions, cognitive lethargy, and potentially oncogenic manifestations. The removal of heavy metals from wastewater and soil can be accomplished using a variety of conventional methods, such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, chemical reduction, and adsorption. These methods have several disadvantages, such as generating an abundance of secondary pollutants, and entail significantly higher costs in comparison to biological methods. Conversely, eco-friendly techniques based on microbes have numerous advantages. This review provides a comprehensive overview of biological processes that remove heavy metal ions, both metabolically dependent and metabolically independent. Additionally, we also focused on the source and toxicity of these heavy metals. This study is expected to be particularly beneficial for the development of biological heavy metal treatment systems for soil and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several industrial processes in which heavy metals are used, including but not limited to chrome plating and tanning. Amongst the most toxic heavy metals to human health are arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, nickel, and mercury. The aforementioned toxic metals possess the ability to cause contamination upon their release into the environment. Humans and aquatic and terrestrial animals are at risk from heavy metals in water and soil. Heavy metal toxicity has the potential to result in several health complications, such as renal and hepatic impairment, dermatological afflictions, cognitive lethargy, and potentially oncogenic manifestations. The removal of heavy metals from wastewater and soil can be accomplished using a variety of conventional methods, such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, chemical reduction, and adsorption. These methods have several disadvantages, such as generating an abundance of secondary pollutants, and entail significantly higher costs in comparison to biological methods. Conversely, eco-friendly techniques based on microbes have numerous advantages. This review provides a comprehensive overview of biological processes that remove heavy metal ions, both metabolically dependent and metabolically independent. Additionally, we also focused on the source and toxicity of these heavy metals. This study is expected to be particularly beneficial for the development of biological heavy metal treatment systems for soil and water.

Phenolic compounds, abundant in various plants, exhibit a range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant activities. C 2 -symmetric biphenyl structures, present in many pharmacologically active substances, serve as fundamental backbones in many natural products, highlighting the significance of these compounds. This study introduces innovative microwave-assisted oxidative coupling methods for the synthesis of C 2 hydroxylated biphenyls starting from thirteen natural phenols, focusing on eco-friendliness and efficiency. This approach aims to minimize environmental impact while emphasizing safety and sustainability by employing microwaves in environmentally sustainable solvents like water. The proposed mechanisms for the oxidative coupling of phenols include various possible reaction pathways, encompassing both homo and hetero radical-radical couplings. [Display omitted] • Enhance reaction efficiency by utilizing microwave (MW) irradiation. • Alternative methods for synthesizing natural-inspired C 2 -symmetric biphenols. • Oxidative coupling in water as a sustainable solvent. • Substantial benefits in terms of safety and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of naturally obtained resources like biopolymers, plant-based extracts, microorganisms etc., offers numerous advantages of environment-friendliness and biocompatibility for various medicinal and pharmaceutical applications, whereas hazardous chemicals are not utilized for production protocol. Plant extracts based synthetic procedures have drawn consideration over conventional methods like physical and chemical procedures to synthesize nanomaterials. Greener synthesis of nanomaterials has become an area of interest because of numerous advantages such as non-hazardous, economical, and feasible methods with variety of applications in biomedicine, nanotechnology and nano-optoelectronics, etc.

In recent years, visible‐light promoted reactions have become a powerful tool for organic synthesis by activating small molecules. This review presents an overview of the catalyst‐free synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with one or more than one heteroatoms under visible‐light irradiation in various solvents or solvent‐free conditions reported from 2013 on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are promising sources of essential lipids, including omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 PUFA) and novel lipid metabolites like oxylipins. However, limited data exist on the oxylipin profile, its characterization, and the potential impact of the extraction process on these metabolites in microalgae. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the fatty acid and oxylipin profile of four microalgal species of interest ( Microchloropsis gaditana , Tisochrysis lutea , Phaeodactylum tricornutum , and Porphyridium cruentum ) while also examining the impact of the extraction method, with a focus on developing a greener process using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and ethanol. The UAE method showed similar oxylipin profiles, generally yielding concentrations comparable to those of the conventional Folch method. In total, 68 oxylipins derived from n-3 and n-6 PUFA were detected, with the highest concentrations of n-3 oxylipins found in P. tricornutum and T. lutea and of n-6 oxylipins in P. cruentum . This study provides the most extensive oxylipin characterization of these microalgae species to date, offering insights into alternative extraction methods and opening new avenues for further investigation of the significance of oxylipins in microalgae.

The exploitation of naturally obtained resources like biopolymers, plant-based extracts, microorganisms etc., offers numerous advantages of environment-friendliness and biocompatibility for various medicinal and pharmaceutical applications, whereas hazardous chemicals are not utilized for production protocol. Plant extracts based synthetic procedures have drawn consideration over conventional methods like physical and chemical procedures to synthesize nanomaterials. Greener synthesis of nanomaterials has become an area of interest because of numerous advantages such as non-hazardous, economical, and feasible methods with variety of applications in biomedicine, nanotechnology and nano-optoelectronics, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, the red algae Gelidium sesquipedale has been primarily exploited for agar production, leaving an undervalued biomass. In this work, the use of eco-friendly approaches employing ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and green solvents was investigated to valorize the algal minor compounds. The green methods used herein showed an attractive alternative to efficiently extract a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds in short extraction times (15 to 30 min vs. 8 h of the conventional method). Using the best UAE conditions, red seaweed extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolics (189.3 ± 11.7 mg GAE/100 g dw), flavonoids (310.7 ± 9.7 mg QE/100 g dw), mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) (Σ MAAs = 1271 mg/100 g dw), and phycobiliproteins (72.4 ± 0.5 mg/100 g dw). Additionally, produced algal extracts exhibited interesting antioxidant and anti-enzymatic activities for potential applications in medical and/or cosmetic products. Thus, this study provides the basis to reach a superior valorization of algal biomass by using alternative methods to extract biologically active compounds following eco-friendly approaches. Moreover, the strategies developed not only open new possibilities for the commercial use of Gelidium sesquipedale, but also for the valorization of different algae species since the techniques established can be easily adapted.

The development of novel energetic materials with highest possible performance is of current interest. Synthesis of such materials is performed at various stages of pilot plant production all over the world. However, their synthesis involves hazardous production processes. This paper discusses relatively safe and eco-friendly approaches and techniques such as microwave technology and the use of ionic liquids for the synthesis of high-performance energetic materials that can be used as explosives and propellants. In addition, the use of dinitrogen pentoxide as an efficient nitrating agent for the synthesis of energetic materials is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) and multifunctional nano-sized materials have significant applications in diverse fields, namely catalysis, sensors, optics, solar energy conversion, cancer therapy/diagnosis, and bioimaging. Trimetallic NPs have found unique catalytic, active food packaging, biomedical, antimicrobial, and sensing applications; they preserve an ever-superior level of catalytic activities and selectivity compared to monometallic and bimetallic nanomaterials. Due to these important applications, a variety of preparation routes, including hydrothermal, microemulsion, selective catalytic reduction, co-precipitation, and microwave-assisted methodologies have been reported for the syntheses of these nanomaterials. As the fabrication of nanomaterials using physicochemical methods often have hazardous and toxic impacts on the environment, there is a vital need to design innovative and well-organized eco-friendly, sustainable, and greener synthetic protocols for their assembly, by applying safer, renewable, and inexpensive materials. In this review, noteworthy recent advancements relating to the applications of trimetallic NPs and nanocomposites comprising these NPs are underscored as well as their eco-friendly and sustainable synthetic preparative options.

This article utilized a multicriterial quantitative and qualitative analysis of the influence of eco-friendly methods in reducing emissions over the life cycle of automotive products. The new proposed multicriterial method is applicable where preferential criteria are independent of each other, and where uncertainty has not been incorporated into a formal model. The linear model showed how the values of several criteria related to the options could be combined into an overall value. The main objective of this research was to apply a multicriterial methodology to improve the accuracy of existing approaches in identifying the influence of eco-friendly methods to reduce emissions over the product life cycle, and to assist decision makers in the manufacturing process. The research questions were as follows: Which one of two automotive products ("Bus" or "Truck") has the best environmental performance (EPP)? Which one of two automotive products ("Bus" or "Truck") has the best overall environmental performance (EPAPL)? This research provided a detailed comparative analysis of a "Crosstown bus" and a "Tractor truck", both made at the Industrial Park Romania Brasov, Romania, using a multicriterial analysis. This article provided an answer to the first research question, whilst only presenting the results for the second question. The results of the proposed multicriterial method applications provide a decision support base for environmental managerial decisions in the field of automotive production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological and biological conservation of living systems has been an active area of research over the years by agriculturalists, biologists and mathematicians. One of the studies involves additional food supplement feeding (also called as diversionary feeding) for the purpose of biological (wildlife in some cases) conservation. The idea in this approach is to distract (thereby supplement) the wildlife from predating upon the other species with the end goal of wildlife conservation. On the other hand in agricultural entomology, insect control and optimization, additional food is supplemented as a tool for effective pest control thereby achieving the biological control. The study of these ecosystems is usually done using the predator–prey systems. In nature, we find situations wherein the group defense (toxicity) of the prey reduces the predator’s predation rate. This type of behaviour of the prey is also known as inhibitory effect of the prey. Biological conservation of such predator prey systems in the presence of additional food supplements is quite challenging and interesting. In this paper, we consider an additional food provided predator–prey system which is a variation of the standard predator–prey model in the presence of the inhibitory effect of the prey. The predators functional response is assumed to be of Holling type IV (considering the inhibitory effect). This model is analyzed to understand the inherent dynamics of the system. The findings suggest that the quality and quantity of additional food provided to the predators, play a very significant role in determining the eventual state of the ecosystem. The outcomes of the analysis suggests eco friendly strategies to eco-managers for biological conservation of living systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of residual plastics and the biomass wastes from agricultural sectors are causing serious global environmental problems if not addressed effectively. Cellulose with polypropylene as biocomposite material is an elegant strategy for value-added utilization of wastes. In this study, green isolation of cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunches by autoclave-based and ultrasonication pre-treatments were developed to replace the non-green chlorite method. Ultrasonic treatment with hydrogen peroxide yielded 49% cellulose with 91.3% α-cellulose content and 68.7% crystallinity, as compared to 64% cellulose with autoclave treatment. Based on field emission scanning electron microscope, the ultrasonic and the autoclave-treated fibers showed complete separation of cellulose fibrils, with punctures and pores on the surface. High resolution transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction studies suggested monoclinic unitary crystal structure. The cellulose/polypropylene composite fabrications were achieved by using injection-molding technique where the composites with 25% cellulose loading gave high tensile strength of 27 MPa, without any addition of coupling agents. Thermogravimetric analysis study showed that the thermal stability of composites was enhanced by 150 °C as compared to singular cellulose and polypropylene. The low water and diesel uptake suggested the compact structure of the composites. This study has developed green techniques combining heat and eco-friendly chemical treatment for cellulose extraction from agro-lignocellulosic wastes. The cellulose/polypropylene composites developed with high tensile strength, high thermal stability, and low water and diesel sorption have great potentials for conversion into eco-composite products such as polymeric material insulated cables for high voltage engineering, automotive parts, sports tools and other household or office items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is a liquid chromatographic mode with mobile phases containing a surfactant above its critical micelle concentration. In MLC, surfactant concentrations in excess of the critical micelle concentration are used so that micelles are formed in the mobile phase. Depending on the type of surfactant and properties of the mobile phase (concentration, ionic strength, temperature, and pressure), the shape of micelles is different. The most commonly used surfactant in MLC is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Micellar phase has some advantages over other phases, including low cost, low toxicity, the possibility of separation of ionic and non-ionic compounds on the same analytical run and the reduced environmental impact. One of the main disadvantages of the micellar chromatography, the mobile phase should be continuously flushed through the chromatographic system. Daily cleaning and re-equilibration of column takes more time compared to reverse-phase chromatography and sometimes, column may be damaged. Micellar chromatography is widely used in food analyses. This review presents micellar chromatographic applications on food analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) and multifunctional nano-sized materials have significant applications in diverse fields, namely catalysis, sensors, optics, solar energy conversion, cancer therapy/diagnosis, and bioimaging. Trimetallic NPs have found unique catalytic, active food packaging, biomedical, antimicrobial, and sensing applications; they preserve an ever-superior level of catalytic activities and selectivity compared to monometallic and bimetallic nanomaterials. Due to these important applications, a variety of preparation routes, including hydrothermal, microemulsion, selective catalytic reduction, co-precipitation, and microwave-assisted methodologies have been reported for the syntheses of these nanomaterials. As the fabrication of nanomaterials using physicochemical methods often have hazardous and toxic impacts on the environment, there is a vital need to design innovative and well-organized eco-friendly, sustainable, and greener synthetic protocols for their assembly, by applying safer, renewable, and inexpensive materials. In this review, noteworthy recent advancements relating to the applications of trimetallic NPs and nanocomposites comprising these NPs are underscored as well as their eco-friendly and sustainable synthetic preparative options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• FeCo magnetic nanoparticles have attracted more attention because of their interesting soft magnetic properties. • The synthesis of a substituted ferrite nanoparticle based on Fe 55 Co 45 was studied by using the polyol method and green chemistry method. • Phytochemical components from Mangifera Indica leaves extract were used for ecofriendly synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles based on FeCo. • Fe 55 Co 45 nanoparticles synthesized by green chemistry displayed a saturation magnetization of 92.44 emu/ after 5 h of thermal treatment. In this work, Fe 55 Co 45 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical polyol method and by the green chemistry method. These magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and vibrating-sample magnetometry. For the green chemistry methodology, we used the phytochemical components present in an aqueous extract of Mangifera Indica leaves. In spite of the fact that polyol method produced more quantity of samples at short times, Fe 55 Co 45 nanoparticles synthesized via the green chemistry methodology had higher saturation magnetization values (92.44 emu/g) with crystallite sizes from 19.1 to 28. 6 nm, suggesting the potential of this benign route to obtain magnetic nanoparticles through an economical an easy way. The resulting nanoparticles may be used for drug delivery carriers and for water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]