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Graphene-based nanomaterials have been proved to be robust sorbents for efficient removal of environmental contaminants including arsenic (As). Biobased graphene oxide (bGO-P) derived from sugarcane bagasse via pyrolysis, GO-C via chemical exfoliation, and magnetite nanoparticles (FeNPs) via green approach using Azadirachta indica leaf extract were synthesized and characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer (UV-vis.), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mean particle size and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Compared to cellulose and hemicellulose, the lignin fraction was less in the precursor material. The GOC, bGO-P and FeNPs displayed maximum absorption at 230, 236, and 374 nm, respectively. FTIR spectrum showed different functional groups (C-OH, C-O-C, COOH and O-H) modifying the surfaces of synthesized materials. Graphene based nanomaterials showed clustered dense flakes of GO-C and thin transparent flakes of bGO-P. Elemental composition by EDX analysis of GO-C (71.26% C and 27.36% O), bGO-P (74.54% C and 24.61% O) and FeNPs (55.61% Fe, 4.1% C and 35.72% O) confirmed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and iron in synthesized nanomaterials. Sorption study was conducted with soil amended with different doses of synthesized nanomaterials (10, 50 and 250 mg) and exposed to 100, 300 and 500 ppm of As. Arsenic concentrations were estimated by colorimetry and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). GO-C, bGO-P, and FeNPs showed substantial As removal efficiency i.e., 81 to 99.3%, 65 to 98.8% and 73.1–89.9%, respectively. Green synthesis of bGO-P and magnetite nanoparticles removed substantial amounts of As compared to GO-C and can be effectively deployed for As removal or immobilization. Higher and medium sorbent doses (250 and 50 mg) exhibited greater As removal and data was best fitted for Freundlich isotherm evidencing favorable sorption. Nevertheless, at low sorbent doses, data was best fitted for both models. Newly synthesized nanomaterials emerged as promising materials for As removal strategy for soil nano-remediation and can be effectively deployed in As contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel predominantly originates from edible oil. Exploring non-edible oil resources is crucial to biodiesel manufacturing's commercial viability and food security. This study examines four non-edible seed oils Hevea brasiliensis, Madhuca longifolia, Azadirachta indica, and Gossypium hirsutum as biofuel feedstocks. This study optimized reaction parameters to improve base-catalyzed transesterification, oil extraction and biodiesel synthesis. The produced esters were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Elements composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and elemental analyzer. The biofuel's physicochemical properties met American Society for Testing and Materials and European standards. The maximum amount of crude oil was seen in Hevea brasiliensis using the soxhlet extraction process, ranging from 52-63%. This was followed by Madhuca longifolia 38-55%, Azadirachta indica 24-33%, and Gossypium hirsutum with 19-27%. The density of the plant sources exhibited a range of 0.88-0.90 g/cm3 @ 15 °C, while the kinematic viscosity showed a range of 3.2-4.1 mm2/s. The elemental composition of biodiesel, expressed as percentages of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, varied between the ranges of 70.52-76.30, 11.25-14.02, 1.18-2.75, and 9.11-13%, respectively. Since they may be grown in infertile and unproductive settings, these non-consumable seeds are cost-effective for renewable energy. They also help solve the energy situation by boosting biodiesel production.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was the biosynthesis of nonhazardous and cost-effective silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), for the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] ions from an aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy characterization results confirmed successful biosynthesis and the presence of elemental silver in the AgNPs. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis indicated that AgNPs have an amorphous structure and are highly monodispersed. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to investigate the impact of parameters, like pH, time, and initial concentration on Cr (VI) removal efficiency at a fixed AgNP dose of 50 mg and 150 rpm. From the batch study, maximum chromium removal of 87.68% was achieved at an initial concentration of 5 mg/L, pH of 1, and time of 50 min. Results from equilibrium and kinetic study indicated pseudo-second-order reactions kinetics with monolayer coverage. The maximum adsorption capacity of 7.2 mg/g was obtained at an equilibrium time of 50 min and temperature of 30°C. These synthesized AgNPs also displayed significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Based on the results obtained, biosynthesized AgNPs from extracts of A. indica could be utilized for the removal of water pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilms currently represent the most prevalent bacterial lifestyle, enabling them to resist environmental stress and antibacterial drugs. Natural antibacterial agents could be a safe solution for controlling bacterial biofilms in food industries without affecting human health and environmental safety. A methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves was prepared and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the identification of its phytochemical constituents. Four food-borne bacterial pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens) were tested for biofilm formation qualitatively and quantitatively. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of the extract were estimated using liquid cultures and a microtiter plate assay. The biofilm inhibition mechanisms were investigated using a light microscope and molecular docking technique. The methanolic extract contained 45 identified compounds, including fatty acids, ester, phenols, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, and antioxidants with antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Substantial antibacterial activity in relation to the extract was recorded, especially at 100 μg/mL against K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens. The extract inhibited biofilm formation at 100 μg/mL by 83.83% (S. marcescens), 73.12% (K. pneumoniae), and 54.4% (N. aromaticivorans). The results indicate efficient biofilm formation by the Gram-negative bacteria S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, and N. aromaticivorans, giving 0.74, 0.292, and 0.219 OD at 595 nm, respectively, while B. cereus was found to have a low biofilm formation potential, i.e., 0.14 OD at 595 nm. The light microscope technique shows the antibiofilm activities with the biofilm almost disappearing at 75 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL concentrations. This antibiofilm property was attributed to DNA gyrase inhibition as illustrated by the molecular docking approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using aqueous extracts of five plants viz., Ocimum americanum, Azadirachta indica, Allium sativum, Eucalyptus hybrida, Zingiber officinale were evaluated for their antifungal property against Penicillium digitatum, a green mould pathogen of citrus fruits. The five plant species were selected from a screening of aqueous extracts from 16 plant species. The efficacy of aqueous extracts, at 50 % concentration, ranged from 14.44–68.52 % inhibition in mycelia growth of P. digitatum. Among SNPs, O. americanum was found most efficacious, at 1000 ppm concentration, with 80.7 % mycelial inhibition followed by A. indica with 77.4 % mycelial growth inhibition of fungal pathogen. Further, physical and structural characterization of SNPs of O. americanum and A. indica was carried out. The characterization analysis executed via transmission and scanning electron microscope revealed size distribution and nanoparticles were spherical to irregularly shaped ranging from 22.8–250 nm in O. americanum and 26.5–500 nm in A. indica. In UV‐visible spectrophotometer, the absolute absorption peak was recorded at 448 nm and 442 nm for O. americanum and A. indica, respectively. FTIR analysis of SNPs of A. indica and O. americanum confirmed the presence of carboxyl, amide group and secondary amines which were the main constituent of proteins. The novelty of the present study is in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with potential in the management of postharvest pathogens of fruit crops. The synthesis of SNPs used in this study is simple, environmentally benign and cost‐effective using aqueous extract of native plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide exploration of the ethanolysis protocol (EP) has decreased despite the multifaceted benefits of ethanol, such as lower toxicity, higher oxygen content, higher renewability, and fewer emission tail compared to methanol, and the enhanced fuel properties with improved engine characteristics of multiple-oily feedstocks (MOFs) compared to single-oily feedstocks. The study first proposed a strategy for the optimisation of ethylic biodiesel synthesis from MOFs: neem, animal fat, and jatropha oil (NFJO) on a batch reactor. The project's goals were to ensure environmental benignity and encourage the use of totally biobased products. This was made possible by the introduction of novel population based algorithms such as Driving Training-Based Optimization (DTBO) and Election-Based Optimization (EBOA), which were compared with the widely used Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The yield of NFJO ethyl ester (NFJOEE) was predicted using the RSM technique, and the ideal transesterification conditions were determined using the DTBO, EBOA, and GWO algorithms. Reaction time showed a strong linear relationship with ethylic biodiesel yield, while ethanol-to-NFJO molar ratio, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature showed nonlinear effects. Reaction time was the most significant contributor to NFJOEE yield.The important fundamental characteristics of the fuel categories were investigated using the ASTM test procedures. The maximum NFJOEE yield (86.3%) was obtained at an ethanol/NFJO molar ratio of 5.99, KOH content of 0.915 wt.%, ethylic duration of 67.43 min, and reaction temperature of 61.55 °C. EBOA outperforms DTBO and GWO regarding iteration and computation time, converging towards a global fitness value equal to 7 for 4 s, 20 for 5 s and 985 for 34 s. The key fuel properties conformed to the standards outlined by ASTMD6751 and EN 14,214 specifications. The NFJOEE fuel processing cost is 0.9328 USD, and is comparatively lesser than that of conventional diesel. The new postulated population based algorithm models can be a prospective approach for enhancing biodiesel production from numerous MOFs and ensuring a balanced ecosystem and fulfilling enviromental benignity when adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated the effects of air pollution on selected street trees in the National Capital Territory during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons to identify the optimally suitable tree for green belt development in Delhi. The identification was performed by measuring the air pollution tolerance index (APTI), anticipated performance index (API), dust-capturing capacity (DCC) and proline content on the trees. The APTI of street trees of Delhi varied significantly among different tree species (F11,88.91 = 47.18, p < 0.05), experimental sites (F3,12.52 = 6.65, p < 0.001) and between seasons (F1,31.12 = 16.51, p < 0.001), emphasizing the relationships between trees and other types of variables such as the climate and level of pollution, among other factors. This variability emphasizes the need to choose trees to use for urban greening in the improvement of air quality in different environments within cities. Ascorbic acid (AA) concentration and relative water content (RWC) had a strong influence on APTI with an extremely significant moderate positive correlation between AA concentration and APTI (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) along with RWC and APTI (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of AA concentration and RWC are linked to increased air pollution tolerance. The PCA bi-plot indicates AA has poor positive loading coefficients with PC1 explaining 29.49% of the total variance in the dataset. The highest APTI was recorded in Azadirachta indica (22.01), Leucaena leucocephala (20.65), Morus alba (20.62), Ficus religiosa (20.61) and Ficus benghalensis (19.61), irrespective of sites and seasons. Similarly, based on API grading, F. religiosa and F. benghalensis were identified as excellent API grade 6 (81–90%), A. indica and Alstonia scholaris as very good API grade 5 (71–80%), M. alba, Pongamia pinnata and Monoon longifolium as good API grade 4 (61–70%) and Plumeria alba as moderate API grade 3 (51–60%) in different streets of Delhi. As these plants are indigenous to the region and hold significant socio-economic and aesthetic significance in Indian societies, they are advisable for avenue plantations as part of various government initiatives to support environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Mallotus philippinensis (Kamala), Melia azedarach (Bakain), and their combination as herbal extracts against Ascaridia galli infection. To determine efficacy, egg hatch test (EHT) and adult motility assay (AMS) were performed using increasing concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml of aqueous plant extracts, in conjunction with 7.5 mg/ml Albendazole as the positive control and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as the negative control for up to 15 h. There was 100% mortality achieved with the combined herbal extract (LC50 = 36.7 µg/ml), whereas mortality with extract from Mallotus 50 philippinensis (LC50 = 41.4 µg/ml), Melia azedarach (LC50 = 147 µg/ml), and 50 50 Azadirachta indica (LC50 = 189 µg/ml) were 87.5%, 62.5%, and 50% respectively, 50 at 15 hours post-exposure. These findings suggest that Azadirachta indica, Mallotus philippinensis, Melia azedarach herbal extracts, or their combination, should be further exploited to control Ascaridia galli infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-cellulose, a unique, natural, and essential polymer for the fiber industry, was isolated in an ecofriendly manner using eleven novel systems comprising recycling, defibrillation, and delignification of prosenchyma cells (vessels and fibers) of ten lignocellulosic resources. Seven hardwood species were selected, namely Conocorpus erectus, Leucaena leucocephala, Simmondsia chinensis, Azadirachta indica, Moringa perigrina, Calotropis procera, and Ceiba pentandra. Moreover, three recycled cellulosic wastes were chosen due to their high levels of accumulation annually in the fibrous wastes of Saudi Arabia, namely recycled writing papers (RWPs), recycled newspapers (RNPs), and recycled cardboard (RC). Each of the parent samples and the resultant alpha-cellulose was characterized physically, chemically, and anatomically. The properties examined differed significantly among the ten resources studied, and their mean values lies within the cited ranges. Among the seven tree species, L. leucocephala was the best cellulosic precursor due to its higher fiber yield (55.46%) and holocellulose content (70.82%) with the lowest content of Klasson lignin (18.86%). Moreover, RWP was the best α-cellulose precursor, exhibiting the highest holocellulose (87%) and the lowest lignin (2%) content. Despite the high content of ash and other additives accompanied with the three lignocellulosic wastes that were added upon fabrication to enhance their quality (10%, 11%, and 14.52% for RWP, RNP, and RC, respectively), they can be considered as an inexhaustible treasure source for cellulose production due to the ease and efficiency of discarding their ash minerals using the novel CaCO3-elimination process along with the other innovative techniques. Besides its main role for adjusting the pH of the delignification process, citric acid serves as an effective and environmentally friendly additive enhancing lignin breakdown while preserving cellulose integrity. Comparing the thermal behavior of the ten cellulosic resources, C. procera and C. pentandra exhibited the highest moisture content and void volume as well as having the lowest specific gravity, crystallinity index, and holocellulose content and were found to yield the highest mass loss during their thermal degradation based on thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis in an inert atmosphere. However, the other resources used were found to yield lower mass losses. The obtained results indicate that using the innovative procedures of recycling, defibrillation, and delignification did not alter or distort either the yield or structure of the isolated α-cellulose. This is a clear indicator of their high efficiency for isolating cellulose from lignocellulosic precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aimed to examine the efficacy of neem, tea and chlorhexidine mouth washes in the reduction of plaque and periodontal inflammation. Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Public Health Dentistry, Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, India. The study included 60 adult patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups. In Group A 0.12% Chlorhexidine Mouthwash, in Group B – 5% Neem Mouthwash and in Group C- 10% Tea mouthwash was given to the patients. Plaque index, gingival index and Periodontal pocket depth was measured before starting and after competition of study. Any side effect experienced by the patients was also recorded at the end of study period. Result: plaque Index, Gingival Index and Periodontal pocket depth significantly decreases during the study (P<0.05) in all the groups. However the indices values showed non-significant differences between groups at baseline and after completion of study. Significantly more percentage of patients finds the taste of white tea palatable in comparison to other mouthwashes. No major side effects was seen during the study. Conclusion: Daily mouth rinsing using tea and neem mouthwash had beneficial effects on periodontal disease. These mouthwashes can serve as a good alternative for patients who prefer herbal products with less side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a condition that impacts women from various ethnic backgrounds and social strata. The precise epidemiology of the disease is difficult to determine due to inconsistent data; however, available information suggests that 70-75% of women will experience VVC at least once in their lifetime. Common symptoms include itching, vaginal discomfort, pain during intercourse, external pain during urination, and unusual discharge. Methods The current study investigates the anticandidal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts. It compares the anticandidal effects of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts, as well as green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs/SNPs) derived from methanolic neem leaf extract, against Candida albicans isolated from clinical samples of patients with vaginal infection. Results The results showed that AgNPs exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect than both the aqueous and methanol extracts. The methanol extract demonstrated anticandidal activity against C. albicans, while the aqueous extracts had no effect. The anticandidal effect of AgNPs was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. A topical formulation was created by incorporating the optimized AgNPs into an ointment base, and the in vitro anticandidal assay of this ointment was conducted using the same agar well diffusion method. The inhibitory effectiveness of the AgNPs-infused ointment was found to be comparable to that of a commercial product against Candida albicans. Conclusion Overall, the findings suggest that this formulation has potential anticandidal effects against Candida albicans responsible for Vulvovaginal candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is conceived as a renewable, environmentally benign, alternative, cleaner, biodegradable, and greener fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and algae, superseding non-renewable petroleum products. Hybridization of vegetable oil has not been widely examined to produce biodiesel with ameliorated quality. Hence, this study aims at hybridizing Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala seed oils to produce biodiesel with improved quality. The Box-Behnken Design was used in the design of the experiment and analysis of results. Catalyst dose, oil hybridization ratio, and reaction time were considered experimental factors with 3 levels: -1(low), 0(medium), and +1(maximum); whereas, agitation speed, oil-to-methanol molar ratio, and reaction temperature were kept constant. The oil hybridization ratios were: A25M75 (25% A. indica and 75% M. stenopetala oil), A50M50 (50% A. indica and 50% M. stenopetala oil), and A75M25 (75% A. indica and 25% M. stenopetala oil); reaction times: 30, 60, and 90 minutes; and sodium hydroxide doses: 0.50, 2.50, and 3.50%w/v with their respective biodiesel products. Seventeen experimental runs were conducted and the second-order model was developed with P < 0.0001 (significant). The quality and adequacy of the model were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and determination coefficients: R2 = 0.9986, Pred-R2 = 0.9830, Adj-R2 = 0.9968 and lack of fit test with P = 0.1150 (insignificant), at 5% the least significant difference. The quality of synthesized biodiesel was improved and in agreement with the standard specification for biodiesel, and hence, it can be employed in diesel engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to control schistosomiasis, a strategy involves eliminating the intermediate host responsible for its transmission. Plant-derived molluscicides have been extensively researched as a cost-effective approach to combat this disease, seeking alternative solutions to synthetic molluscicides. The study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents and assess the molluscicidal impact of ethanolic extracts on adult Bulinus truncatus snails. Dried plant materials were ground into powder, and then extracted using ethanol 96%. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. In vitro molluscicidal activity was evaluated for the three plants extracts in different concentrations (125, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm). Every 5 adult snails were placed in a plastic cup containing a specific amount of dechlorinated water with plant sample. Control negative was prepared by placing the snails in dechlorinated water only, the numbers of survived and dead snails were recorded after 24 and 48 hours. The Lethal dose and Standard deviation were calculated. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of different chemical constituents in the three plants samples. The result showed that all the plants extracts possessed molluscicidal activity against B. truncatus snails. The A. indica leaf extract was the most effective with LD50 of 74.32544 ppm. From the findings of this study, Molluscicide of plant origin could be useful against the common snail species in Sudan; therefore, the selected plants can play a big role in community based schistosomiasis control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, the factors were oil type ( O t ), powder type ( T p ), and powder concentration ( C p ) level, and the machining parameters were the voltage (V), capacitance (pf), pulse-on time ( T on ), and pulse-off time ( T off ). The output parameters were the material removal rate (MRR), and tool wear rate (TWR). Three types of oils and powders, along with their respective particle concentrations, were selected for this experiment. Neem, Karanja, and sesame oils were mixed with aluminum oxide (Al2O3), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) powder at 4, 6, and 8 gm/l, respectively, using an overhead stirrer to investigate the conditions under which the green oil powder mixed mixture yielded a higher MRR and lower TWR during the micro-EDM process of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) using a 0.8 mm tungsten carbide (WC) tool with fixed machining parameters (240 V, 100 pf, 20 μ s T on , and 5 μ s T off ). All the powders used in this experiment had a 32-micron (450 mesh) size. The Taguchi L 2 7 orthogonal array and grey relational analysis methods were used to design and optimize the input process parameters for both responses. SEM, optical microscopic analysis, and EDS analysis were performed to examine the surface morphology, characteristics of the WC tool, and elemental composition of both the tool and the workpiece material. The optimum conditions for Karanja oil with a Cr powder mixture concentration of 4 g/l resulted in higher MRR and lower TWR. However, machining with neem and sesame oils resulted in higher TWR and lower MRR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as an adsorbent for removing total phenols from textile wastewater. The ZnO NPs were synthesized by reducing Zn(NO3)2⋅6H2O using an extract from Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica). Characterization of the adsorbent was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional group modifications, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) for structural orientation, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis, and X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for crystallinity, revealing particle crystallinity around 200 nm. Adsorption experiments were conducted over contact times of 20–60 min, with adsorbent loadings between 0.2 and 1 g/100 mL, and temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C. Optimal phenol removal, achieving 55.93% (0.67 mg/L), occurred at 43.40 min, 33.70 °C, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.69 g/L of textile wastewater. The phenol adsorption process using ZnO NPs was exothermic, spontaneous, and required low energy, fitting well with the Langmuir isotherm and following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) is a major French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pest. Small‐scale farmers manage the pest using mixed plant extracts although their efficacy has not been scientifically validated. We evaluated the efficacy of mixed plant extracts comprising; Capsicum frutescens, Allium sativum, Lantana camara, Tagetes minuta and Azadirachta indica, against M. usitatus under laboratory and screenhouse. We identified and quantified the secondary metabolites associated with insecticidal activity using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The plant combinations included PE1 (C. frutescens + A. sativum + L. camara + T. minuta extracts infused for 14 days), PE2 (same as PE1 but infused for 24 h) and PE + N (the five plant extracts infused for 24 h) in distilled water. We used an organic commercial botanical (Pyneem) as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. Pyneem and PE + N induced the highest mortality at 88% and 77%, respectively, in the laboratory, and 68% and 71%, respectively, in the screenhouse. Phenolics, terpenoids and organosulfur compounds were identified in PE + N and individual plant extracts in varied quantities. These compounds were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in PE + N compared to individual plant extracts. The study showed that PE + N efficiently manages bean flower thrips, and mixing different plant extracts amplifies the secondary metabolites' abundance. The use of mixed plant extracts could be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for thrips management in legumes. The specific compounds identified in PE + N should be investigated further to understand their modes of action against the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of roasted neem powder and polyaniline (PANI) were synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization. The major elemental composition of roasted neem bark powder was carbon, oxygen followed by silicon. These prepared composites were subsequently integrated as fillers in an epoxy–polyamine. The formulations show excellent adhesion on mild steel with a rating of 5B. With the addition of roasted neem bark powder and roasted neem bark powder–PANI composite, the pencil hardness increased to 6H from 4H for blank epoxy. Epoxy roasted neem powder (EN)-4% and EN-PANI 2% formulations showed scratch hardness of 1800 kg. All the coatings showed enhanced mechanical properties as compared to blank epoxy coating, as aromatic PANI hinders the chain moment and roasted neem core provides additional strength. The studied variations show excellent acid, alkali, and solvent resistance. Anticorrosive properties were studied using salt spray and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The highest impedance value in terms of logZ is observed for EN-PANI 4% b1 in the range of 8.6, whereas the lowest is for blank epoxy, i.e. ~ 5 logZ. PANI improves the anticorrosive behaviour by forming an oxide layer on the substrate while roasted neem powder acts as a barrier and hinders the flow of moisture and oxygen to reach the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriocin producing strain Brevibacillus laterosporus TK3, was isolated from 'Tatwakhar'- a flour prepared from seeds of Indian Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica). Bacterial strain Brevibacillus laterosporus TK3 identified by morphological, biochemical techniques followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The 16S rRNA sequence of bacteriocin producer was deposited in NCBI GenBank under accession no. KP861913.1. Bacteriocin of Brevibacillus laterosporus TK3 showed strong antagonistic activity against food spoiling/pathogenic bacteria viz. Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens. Bacteriocin production by Brevibacillus laterosporus TK3 was enhanced by optimizing production time, pH of the medium, inoculum size and incubation temperature. Maximum bacteriocin activity (6000 AU/ml) was recorded/obtained in basal salt medium of pH 5.5 with an inoculum size of 1.5 OD at 10% and incubation period of 24h at 35 °C. The bacteriocin was purified by single step gel exclusion chromatography. Molecular weight of active bacteriocin from Brevibacillus laterosporous TK3 was found to be 6 kDa according to SDS PAGE. The molecular mass of purified bacteriocin was confirmed as 5953.89 Da by MALDI TOF analysis. The purified bacteriocin was found desirable/suitable for food preservation as it showed wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, resistance to high temperature, wide pH range and sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes thus, making it safe for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites of great economic value. Analytical measurement of the metabolites is tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Additionally, metabolite concentrations vary greatly from tree to tree, making it difficult to choose trees for fruit collection. The current study tested whether deep learning-based models can be developed using fruit and leaf images alone to predict a metabolite's concentration class (high or low). We collected fruits and leaves (n = 1045) from neem trees grown in the wild across 0.6 million sq km, imaged them, and measured concentration of five metabolites (azadirachtin, deacetyl-salannin, salannin, nimbin and nimbolide) using high-performance liquid chromatography. We used the data to train deep learning models for metabolite class prediction. The best model out of the seven tested (YOLOv5, GoogLeNet, InceptionNet, EfficientNet_B0, Resnext_50, Resnet18, and SqueezeNet) provided a validation F1 score of 0.93 and a test F1 score of 0.88. The sensitivity and specificity of the fruit model alone in the test set were 83.52 ± 6.19 and 82.35 ± 5.96, and 79.40 ± 8.50 and 85.64 ± 6.21, for the low and the high classes, respectively. The sensitivity was further boosted to 92.67± 5.25 for the low class and 88.11 ± 9.17 for the high class, and the specificity to 100% for both classes, using a multi-analyte framework. We incorporated the multi-analyte model in an Android mobile App Fruit-In-Sight that uses fruit and leaf images to decide whether to 'pick' or 'not pick' the fruits from a specific tree based on the metabolite concentration class. Our study provides evidence that images of fruits and leaves alone can predict the concentration class of a secondary metabolite without using expensive laboratory equipment and cumbersome analytical procedures, thus simplifying the process of choosing the right tree for fruit collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the feasibility of the Biofuel and diesel used in a proportionate mixture as a Biodiesel as a replacement for Diesel fuel. Biodiesel has gained significant attention in the power world as an alternative to biodiesel blends prepared in this study is 50% Neem and 50% Pongamia pinnate. During the study, the blends used for testing were B5%, B10%, B15% and B20% with a varying load condition of 3kg to 20kg in a single-cylinder diesel engine at rpm of 1600 with a load of 19.01kg. A pyrolysis method is used for making Biodiesel. The viscosity values of the Biodiesel blend lie in the range of 3.89 to 8.756 Nm/s2 1. The performance of biodiesel has been analysed in terms of break power, indicated power, break and indicated thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, torque, specific fuel consumption, and volumetric efficiency. The parametric value of the all curve shows the increasing behaviour from lower to higher value. Volumetric efficiency shows only decreasing behaviour concerning load. The result shows the B5% blend is better in break power by 13.43% than a diesel at a load of 19.01kg. And specific fuel consumption. The torque generated is more efficient in B20% blends. Break thermal efficiency is proportional to the load of the engine. Indicated Thermal efficiency is much higher than diesel of B5% Biodiesel. The maintenance of a fuel pump is required regularly due to more viscosity problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulse beetle is a primary pest of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), causing heavy losses during storage. Conventional control of pulse beetle with insecticides has led to various challenges. This study sought safer alternatives by exploring the efficacy of hexane extracts derived from seeds of Azadirachta indica and Trachyspermum ammi, Curcuma longa rhizomes, Allium sativum bulbs, Citrullus colocynthis fruits, and Caralluma tuberculata stems against pulse beetle. Each plant extract was tested at six concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% w/v, under the constant laboratory conditions of the Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The hexane extracts prepared from A. sativum and C. longa at 3% concentration exhibited significant efficacy, resulting in mortality rates of 99.20% and 94.40% of adult beetles, respectively. Furthermore, mung bean grains treated with the A. sativum extracts at the maximum concentration (3%) demonstrated minimum egg deposition (2.20 per grains-20), prolonged time to adult emergence (25.10 days), minimum progeny emergence (33.40), lowest infestation (5.47%), minimum weight loss (4.39%), and shortest adult life span (8.70 days). The hexane plant extracts prepared from A. sativum and C. longa powders at higher concentrations (2.5% and 3.0%) can benefit the safer management of pulse beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Medicinal plants rich in biologically active phytochemicals have been extensively utilized to treat diseases affecting livestock. This paper demonstrates the efficacy of herbal remedies, including Carica papaya seeds, Combretum micranthum leaves, Sarcocephalus latifolius roots, Azadirachta indica leaves, and Vernonia amygdalina leaves, traditionally used in poultry farms in Togo, in inhibiting Eimeria spp. sporulation in vitro. The most successful extracts were found to be those from Sarcocephalus latifolius roots, Azadirachta indica leaves, and Carica papaya seeds, which at 75 mg/mL were able to block up to 75% of oocyst sporulation. The maximum antioxidant activity was, likewise, found in the root extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius. The presence of significant medicinal phytochemicals like flavonoids and phenols in the plant extracts was thought to be responsible for these advantageous qualities. This study suggests that these plants could be used to develop new treatments or an anticoccidial complex against coccidiosis, an important disease affecting poultry. Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that often affects livestock. Identifying plants with inhibitory effects on the development of the parasite could help in finding new natural treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the anticoccidial potentials of extracts from Azadirachta indica leaves (AILs), Combretum micranthum leaves (CMLs), Carica papaya seeds (CPSs), Sarcocephalus latifolius roots (SLRs), and Vernonia amygdalina leaves (VALs). The in vitro anticoccidial efficacy of the extracts was evaluated through oocyst sporulation inhibition and sporozoite viability inhibition assays of Eimeria oocysts. The setup was examined for 72 h (every 24 h) of incubation. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extracts. Among the tested extracts, the SLR, CPS, and AIL extracts exhibited the maximum oocyst sporulation inhibition (75.85 ± 1.21%, 74.53 ± 1.65%, and 71.58 ± 0.24%, respectively) at a concentration of 75 mg/mL of plant extracts against the Eimeria species. The Sarcocephalus latifolius root extract showed the highest radical scavenging capacity (76.25 ± 0.53) and reducing power (86.21 ± 4.28). The biochemical screening of the selected plant extracts revealed the presence of antioxidant compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The SLR extract contained the highest amounts of phenols (56.11 ± 0.33 µg/mL) and flavonoids (36.65 ± 1.85 µg/mL). In conclusion, the selected hydro-ethanolic extracts from these plants possess excellent anticoccidial and antioxidant activities, which can be attributed to the presence of medicinally important phytochemicals. Further research is needed to identify and isolate the active anticoccidial compounds from these plants, which could be utilized in the development of drugs against coccidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The worldwide exploration of the ethanolysis protocol (EP) has decreased despite the multifaceted benefits of ethanol, such as lower toxicity, higher oxygen content, higher renewability, and fewer emission tail compared to methanol, and the enhanced fuel properties with improved engine characteristics of multiple-oily feedstocks (MOFs) compared to single-oily feedstocks. The study first proposed a strategy for the optimisation of ethylic biodiesel synthesis from MOFs: neem, animal fat, and jatropha oil (NFJO) on a batch reactor. The project's goals were to ensure environmental benignity and encourage the use of totally biobased products. This was made possible by the introduction of novel population based algorithms such as Driving Training-Based Optimization (DTBO) and Election-Based Optimization (EBOA), which were compared with the widely used Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The yield of NFJO ethyl ester (NFJOEE) was predicted using the RSM technique, and the ideal transesterification conditions were determined using the DTBO, EBOA, and GWO algorithms. Reaction time showed a strong linear relationship with ethylic biodiesel yield, while ethanol-to-NFJO molar ratio, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature showed nonlinear effects. Reaction time was the most significant contributor to NFJOEE yield.The important fundamental characteristics of the fuel categories were investigated using the ASTM test procedures. The maximum NFJOEE yield (86.3%) was obtained at an ethanol/NFJO molar ratio of 5.99, KOH content of 0.915 wt.%, ethylic duration of 67.43 min, and reaction temperature of 61.55 °C. EBOA outperforms DTBO and GWO regarding iteration and computation time, converging towards a global fitness value equal to 7 for 4 s, 20 for 5 s and 985 for 34 s. The key fuel properties conformed to the standards outlined by ASTMD6751 and EN 14,214 specifications. The NFJOEE fuel processing cost is 0.9328 USD, and is comparatively lesser than that of conventional diesel. The new postulated population based algorithm models can be a prospective approach for enhancing biodiesel production from numerous MOFs and ensuring a balanced ecosystem and fulfilling enviromental benignity when adopted.

Abstract This study investigated the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as an adsorbent for removing total phenols from textile wastewater. The ZnO NPs were synthesized by reducing Zn(NO3)2⋅6H2O using an extract from Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica). Characterization of the adsorbent was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional group modifications, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) for structural orientation, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis, and X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for crystallinity, revealing particle crystallinity around 200 nm. Adsorption experiments were conducted over contact times of 20–60 min, with adsorbent loadings between 0.2 and 1 g/100 mL, and temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C. Optimal phenol removal, achieving 55.93% (0.67 mg/L), occurred at 43.40 min, 33.70 °C, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.69 g/L of textile wastewater. The phenol adsorption process using ZnO NPs was exothermic, spontaneous, and required low energy, fitting well with the Langmuir isotherm and following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Nanotechnology is a burgeoning modern technology due to the remarkable properties of nanoparticles. However, the escalating use of toxic reagents during the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles has become a major concern for environmental safety and human and animal health. Regarding this problem, the notion of integrating nanotechnology with green synthesis is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. This particular study aims at the green synthesis of copper sulphide (CuS) nanoparticles S1, S2, and S3 utilizing the leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), Syzygium cumini (jamun), and Cascabela thevetia (kaner), respectively. The prepared leaf extract of neem is rich in quercetin, whereas extracts of jamun and kaner leaves contain gallic acid, which serves as a reducing agent during the formation of nanoparticles. The prominent and sharp peaks of x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns match well with ICDD card no. 06-0464, which confirms the hexagonal phase of covellite CuS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal the formation of spherical-shaped CuS nanoparticles with mild agglomeration. The presence of Cu and S as the only elements in the synthesized samples is confirmed by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The occurrence of various stretching and bending vibrational modes is observed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the obtained FTIR spectra of S1, S2, and S3 evince the formation of CuS nanoparticles and the presence of bioactive compounds. The UV-Vis absorption data of the prepared samples reveal that their band gap energies lie within the range of 1.5–1.7 eV. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of S1, S2, and S3 display decreased intensity, which could be due to the reduced recombination rate of charge carriers. The CuS nanoparticles synthesized with neem leaf extract exhibit relatively smaller crystallite size, wider band gap of 1.7 eV, and a lower recombination rate of charge carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most often, aberrant cell proliferation and subsequent tumour formation are the causes of cancer development. Globally, millions of people are estimated to die from various types of cancer. Among various types of cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent type in women throughout the world. It continues to have a high death rate even with different treatment approaches. Because of the complex natural etiology of breast cancer, its treatment is much challenging. Owing to substantial treatment hurdles, natural chemicals are being investigated as possible substitutes. The plant Azadirachta indica (L.); is extensively recognised since ancient times for various therapeutic uses in Ayurveda, Unani, and homeopathic medicine system. Scientifically, the phytoremedial compounds and anticancer properties of this plant have been widely studied in term of its preventive, protective, tumour-suppressive, immunomodulatory, and apoptotic actions against different cancers and their molecular processes. The present study focuses on therapeutic effect of Azadirachta indica (L.) flowers ethanolic extract (AIEE) against DMBA induced breast cancer in Swiss albino mice. Eighteen female mice weighing 30 ± 5 g were divided into two groups. Group-I: control (n=6) and Group-II: (n=12); were orally induced by DMBA (3 mg/ml dissolved in olive oil) at an interval of fourteen days until breast tumours (about 2.0 cm) were developed. Then after, Group-II was further divided into two sub-groups. Sub-Group-I; (n=6) as DMBA-Treated were sacrificed at same time and sub-group-II (n=6) were orally administered with AIEE (100mg/Kg body weight) for 5 weeks, and the last tumour volume were measured. The study results that, the mammary tumour volume significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Moreover, there was significant alteration (p<0.0001) observed at the level of hepatic and renal biomarkers. Conclusively, entire study depicts that AIEE administration possesses anti-proliferative activity by suppressing progression of breast tumour in mice model. AIEE administration also possesses significant (p<0.0001) improvement in the hepato-renal parameters. Therefore, Azadirachta indica flowers can be targeted as a novel and safe anti-cancer drug against breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive use of chemical insecticides on plants has had a negative impact on the environment and human health. To overcome this, the use of plant-based pesticides is an attractive alternative, but not yet fully optimal in Indonesia. This research aims to study the potential use of neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica) as a plant insecticide, with a focus on local knowledge of the Samawa tribe on Sumbawa Island. Extraction methods and phytochemical analysis were carried out, as well as insecticidal power tests against several common pest species in the area. The research results show that neem leaf extract has the potential to be an effective natural insecticide in controlling pest populations. Factors such as extract concentration and drying method of neem leaves influence its effectiveness. The use of neem leaf extract at a dose of 80 gr/liter has proven to be more effective than the Dane brand of vegetable pesticide at three times the dose. However, the use of synthetic pesticides at the recommended dosage still shows faster and more effective results in controlling pests. This research contributes to the development of environmentally friendly and effective plant protection materials, and expands understanding of the potential of local natural resources for sustainable agriculture.

Azadirachta indica, also known as Neem is an evergreen tree that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, including wound healing, fever reduction, and treatment of skin disorders. It has been widely recognized for its various medicinal properties. In this review, A comprehensive overview of the biochemical properties of Neem and its potential benefits are provided. The chemical constituents of Neem including Azadirachtin, Nimbin, and nimbolide, and their biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects are discussed. The potential applications of Neem in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics are explored. This review highlights the importance of neem as a natural resource with numerous potential benefits for human health and the environment.

The escalating antibiotic resistance rates in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) are now a grave concern. There is a critical need for alternative treatment options for infection since N. gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics used for treatment. In this study, plant nanoemulsions from Ocimum tenuiflorum, Moringa oleifera, and Azadirachta indica were tested for their antimicrobial properties against N. gonorrhoeae. The study also assessed the toxicity of these plant nanoemulsions using human erythrocytes. The plants were sourced from the Botanical Gardens in Durban, South Africa. Nanoemulsions were produced from the dried plants using established methods. The nanoemulsion‐based plant extracts were tested against laboratory (World Health Organization (WHO) strains) and clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae using the disk diffusion method. All six isolates had zones of inhibition for the 1000 μM concentration for all three nanoemulsion‐based plant extracts. No zones of inhibition were observed for 100 μM, 10 μM, and 1 μM nanoemulsion concentrations for five of the isolates. Isolate G176 had zones of inhibition at 1000 μM and 100 μM concentrations for the nanoemulsions of Ocimum tenuiflorum. Both the WHO strains had zones of inhibition appearing at the 1000 μM concentration. For the WHO Y strain, zones of inhibition for both 1000 μM and 100 μM concentrations were observed for the nanoemulsions of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Azadirachta indica. According to the analysis, there was 0% haemolytic activity observed which suggests the nontoxic nature of the extracts. This study showed that the nanoemulsion and plant mix may potentially be used as a safer alternative to treat gonorrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nipah virus (NiV) belongs to the Henipavirus genus is a serious public health concern causing numerous outbreaks with higher fatality rate. Unfortunately, there is no effective medication available for NiV. To investigate possible inhibitors of NiV infection, we used in silico techniques to discover treatment candidates in this work. As there are not any approved treatments for NiV infection, the NiV-enveloped attachment glycoprotein was set as target for our study, which is responsible for binding to and entering host cells. Our in silico drug design approach included molecular docking, post-docking molecular mechanism generalised born surface area (MM-GBSA), absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion/toxicity (ADME/T), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We retrieved 418 phytochemicals associated with the neem plant (Azadirachta indica) from the IMPPAT database, and molecular docking was used to ascertain the compounds' binding strength. The top 3 phytochemicals with binding affinities of −7.118, –7.074, and −6.894 kcal/mol for CIDs 5280343, 9064, and 5280863, respectively, were selected for additional study based on molecular docking. The post-docking MM-GBSA of those 3 compounds was −47.56, –47.3, and −43.15 kcal/mol, respectively. As evidence of their efficacy and safety, all the chosen drugs had favorable toxicological and pharmacokinetic (Pk) qualities. We also performed MD simulations to confirm the stability of the ligand-protein complex structures and determine whether the selected compounds are stable at the protein binding site. All 3 phytochemicals, Quercetin (CID: 5280343), Cianidanol (CID: 9064), and Kaempferol (CID: 5280863), appeared to have outstanding binding stability to the target protein than control ribavirin, according to the molecular docking, MM-GBSA, and MD simulation outcomes. Overall, this work offers a viable approach to developing novel medications for treating NiV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there is a growing concern about avoiding using artificial compounds in food ingredients, food preservation, and packaging. Among the parts of the neem tree, leaf flour is one of the most commonly used parts in some countries for food and medicinal purposes and is known for containing several nutrients and phytochemicals. In this review, the proximate composition, phytochemical constituents, potential uses, and safety issues of neem leaf flour are discussed. Neem leaf flour contains high levels of crude protein, total carbohydrate, crude fat, and fiber and moderate amounts of crude fat and ash. In addition, it contains numerous health‐promoting phytochemical constituents. Some phytochemicals, such as ascorbic acid, saponin, total alkaloids, carotenoids, total phenols, total flavonoids, and the total antioxidant capacity of neem leaf flour, have been critically discussed. Neem leaf flour has various potential applications in food science, such as preserving foods and preparing food packaging materials. However, researchers' perspectives on its safety are not yet in agreement. In general, the proximate compositions, phytochemical constituents, potential uses, and safety issues of neem leaf flour were compiled and critically reviewed. In addition, research is needed to identify all the toxic substances found in neem leaves and develop methods to eliminate them that hinder their use for various purposes in food. Further research is needed to develop food products from neem leaf flour and evaluate its nutritional value and phytochemical constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The utilization of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes is of great importance to the health of the indigenous population on the African continent. The high cost of orthodox conventional medicines coupled with the perceived side effects encourages the high patronage of indigenous medicinal plants in the management of this metabolic disorder. We conducted a review on the indigenous African medicinal plants that could be useful in preclinical and clinical trials in the field of diabetes mellitus research. (2) Methods: Data were mined from research articles published and associated with the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes on the African continent (from January 2019 to March 2024). Literature from ethnobotanical studies on the African continent was searched from the Google Scholar, SCOPUS, Medline, Web of Science and PubMed databases. We employed the following keywords: "indigenous plants", "diabetes in Africa" and "antidiabetic effect of medicinal plants". (3) Results: A total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families were recorded in this study. Amaryllidaceae (14.28%), Fabaceae (9.52%) and Asteraceae (9.52%) were the most cited plant families. The frequently used indigenous medicinal plants on the African continent were Allium sativum L. (n = 6), Olea europaea L. (n = 6), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (n = 5), Allium cepa L. (n = 5) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (n = 5). The highly cited parts of the plant used in the management of diabetes were the leaves (45.55%), bark (14.44%) and bulbs (12.22%). The preferred methods of the preparation of herbal medicines were decoction (45.23%) and infusion (25%). Oral (52.32%) was the preferred route of the administration of herbal medicine on the African continent. (4) Conclusions: The data revealed some similarities in the way countries on the African continent manage diabetes. This interesting observation will assist in our quest towards obtaining a standardized protocol using indigenous medicinal plants to combat diseases on the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, neem oil's therapeutic potential against bacterial inflammations is explored through nanoemulsion technology. Despite its historical significance in traditional medicine, neem oil formulations face challenges such as limited stability and poor solubility. Nanoemulsions offer a promising solution by enhancing neem oil's efficacy, stability, and patient acceptability. Utilizing Response Surface Methodology (RSM), specifically Central Composite Design (CCD), enables systematic optimization of nanoemulsion formulations, enhancing their therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: In this research, the Central Composite Design was instrumental in fine-tuning parameters like the concentration of surfactant (A), speed of homogenization (B), and running time of homogenization (C). These variables were explored across three different levels. Particle size, serving as the dependent variable, was assessed as the response to variations in these independent factors. Mathematical equations and response surface plots were used to understand the relation between the factors influencing the outcome and the resulting dependent variable. Results: The optimized CCD model has a particle size of 97.9 nm, a zeta potential of -21.0 mV, and a PDI value of 0.512. Carbopol 934 was utilized in formulating the nanoemulgel. The observed responses closely resembled the anticipated outcomes from the optimized process. Morphological analysis and in vitro release studies were employed to characterize the prepared nanoemulgel formulation. Conclusion: The Response Surface Methodology facilitates the formulation of neem oil emulsion with the smallest droplet size possible. Furthermore, the nanoemulgel exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green areas and trees are an essential part of the ecological, social, environmental and economic dimensions of urban sustainability. The objective of the research was to evaluate the coverage in the urban area the Sucre canton, with a green area 36 628,27 m2, where a census of existing parks was conducted, an inventory of forest species in the Bahía de Caráquez and Leonidas Plaza parishes was compiled. For this purpose, parks were considered clearly delimited public spaces, dominated by arboreal vegetation destined as public green areas; the research gathered dasometric information on trees from 18 locations including parks and road safety elements (avenues) in the canton; it also determined the areas, along with the total green area surface and the total urban population; according to the urban green index (IVU) it was 1,85 m2/hab. In order to get to know the trees in each park in depth, cartographic analysis was used in the preparation of maps and the georeferencing of green spaces. The ecological importance value index where the Azadirachta Indica species was the most representative species with 28,49% and the Tecoma stans with 1,03% the least representative, Margalef (2,85) reflected with medium diversity of species, Simpson (0,82) represented medium diversity and Shannon-Wiener (2,98) represented medium diversity. Concluding, that urban trees consist mainly of introduced species, with a low green index and a medium diversity according to the Margalef, Simpson and Shannon-Wiener indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important leguminous crop around the world. Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is a major biotic constraint in chickpea production. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of plant extracts, fungicides and bio-agents against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris under in vitro and field conditions. Methods: Plant extracts and fungicides were evaluated using poison food technique while antagonistic activity of bio-agents was studied using dual culture technique under in vitro conditions. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different plant extracts, fungicides and bio-agents against Fusarium wilt at Experimental Area of Plant Pathology, CCS HAU, Hisar. Result: Among thirteen plant extracts evaluated in vitro, neem leaves extract was found to be the most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris followed by datura leaves’ and garlic cloves’ extract which were statistically at par. Out of six plant extracts tested against Fusarium wilt under field conditions, seed treatment with extracts of neem and datura leaves at 10% concentration were most effective and curtailed the wilt incidence by 39.02 and 34.14% along with 7.55 and 6.83% enhanced seed yield. Among fungicides, carbendazim 50 WP was the most toxic fungicide in restricting colony diameter of the pathogen with the least EC50 and EC90 values of 1.28 and 15.24 ppm a.i. followed by azoxystrobin 23 SC with corresponding values of 1.57 and 49.16 ppm a.i., respectively. Seed treatment with carbendazim 50 WP and azoxystrobin 23 SC were superior over other treatments and provided 88.41 and 85.98% reduction in disease incidence along with 12.85 and 10.99% higher seed yield over control. Among the bio-agents tested, T. viride and T. harzianum gave the best results in suppressing the pathogen growth in vitro and in minimizing the disease incidence coupled with improvement in seed yield under field conditions. The present study has provided chemical and non-chemical measures for integrated management of chickpea wilt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ synthesis of a ternary nanocomposite based on Ag-Fe3O4/rGO by utilizing Azadirachta indica leaf extract as a reducing agent has been carried out. The morphological, EDX, and structural analyses confirm the reduction of GO into rGO by forming crystalline Fe3O4 and Ag nanoparticles in the rGO matrix, with a crystalline size of 25.77 nm. Further, the FTIR, UV-Vis, and BET analyses confirmed the effective interaction between Fe3O4 and Ag nanoparticles in the rGO matrix, tunable bandgap, and a higher specific surface area. Various electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy have been performed in a 2 M KOH electrolyte to investigate its electrochemical performance. The synthesized ternary nanocomposite exhibits a specific capacitance of 493 Fg−1 at a current density of 1 Ag−1, with notable capacitive retention of 91.5% even after 10,000 cycles. This nontoxic technique provides a substitute pathway for the formation of graphene-based ternary nanocomposites with exceptional structural, morphological, optical, surface, and electrochemical properties. The ternary nanocomposite synthesized through this procedure displays an outstanding specific capacitance, cyclic stability, and corrosion resistance and hence the possibility of using nanocomposite as a promising electrode material can be explored for energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles are nano-sized metallic particles widely used in various fields, including medicine, pharmaceutical, food, and agriculture. This study carried out the green synthesis of AgNPs using leaf extracts from Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Ficus religiosa (Peepal) plants. The silver nanoparticles were characterized using sophisticated instruments. UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AgNPs, while FTIR identified biomolecules (amino and carboxyl groups) acting as stabilizing agents. SEM determined the size and morphology of AgNPs. Particle size analysis was conducted using DLS, and zeta potential measurements provided information on the size and charge of the silver nanoparticles. The AgNPs were tested for antibacterial efficacy against Grampositive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. Similarly, the AgNPs exhibited high fungicidal activity against the fungal strain A. niger. The free radical scavenging activities of nanoparticles were studied using DPPH and Hydrogen Peroxide in vitro assays. The antiviral activity of AgNPs was investigated against the Sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV), which infects Sesbania plants. The AgNPs exhibited excellent antiviral properties, decreasing the viral infection in Sesbania plants, indicating the antiviral efficacy of silver nanoparticles in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shocking ecological variations and dangers of phasing out fossil fuels are concerning for human progress. It has raised the apprehension of workers about shifting from old energy capitals to ecologically sustainable biofuels. The current work involves the preparation of biodiesel (BD) using non-edible neem oil via transesterification reaction (TR). The transesterification process was carried out using nickel-doped zinc oxide (Ni–ZnO) nanocatalysts produced using the sonochemical technique. XRD, EDX, and SEM were employed for characterizing synthesized nanoparticles. TR was performed for the evaluation of the catalytic performance of Ni–ZnO. Various parameters affecting reaction rates, such as catalyst amount, temperature, and the methyl alcohol to neem oil ratio, were tested to determine where the maximum BD production could be achieved. It was found that the best BD (90.1%) was produced at 60 °C with a 1:10 oil-to-methyl alcohol ratio using 0.9 g of the catalytic system. First-order kinetic modeling is best suited for TR. Vital thermodynamic factors such as energy of activation (E*), enthalpy (H*), and entropy (S*) were also found. TR was endothermic and entropy-driven. A Ni–ZnO nanocatalyst could be an appropriate catalytic system for the heterogeneous catalysis of transesterification, a key reaction for BD making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, vanadium nanoparticles (VNPs) were synthesized through green process that entailed the use of Azadirachta indica leaf extract from sodium metavanadate. The characterization of VNPs involved a multitude of techniques, namely UV-Vis spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Analytical studies, such as UV-Vis spectra, established the band gap of 2.5 eV, demonstrating the semi-conductive nature of VNPs. According to DLS analysis, nanoparticles (NPs) had an average size of 113 nm. The subsequent characterization techniques validated the rod-shaped and crystalline structure of the NPs. Following the effective synthesis of NPs, antioxidant studies determined their in vitro radicle quenching competence against superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH radicles. The VNPs exhibited an outstanding antioxidant potential and displayed a prominent protective effect in chicken erythrocytes subjected to H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, VNPs were evaluated for anti-bacterial efficacy against various bacterial species, including Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, showing zones of inhibition at low doses. Thus, VNPs from Azadirachta indica leaf extract could be utilized in medicine as a preventative measure against oxidative stress and bacterial disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which investigated the efficiency of neem leaf extract on the control of wood termite, Coptotermes species, and gut cellulolytic bacteria. Topics discussed include isolation of cellulolytic bacteria from termite gut, identification of cellulolytic bacteria, and preparation of plant bio-pesticide.

The article presents a study on the effect of neem coated area (NCU) on growth, flowering and yield of China aster, also known as Callistephus chinensis, a semi hardy annual and commercial flower crop belonging to the family Asteraceae. Topics discussed include increase in consumption of primary nutrient nitrogen from 1965-1966 to 2014-2015, treatment details, and plant height at different growth stages of China aster variety.

Among the plant extracts, all the plant extracts inhibit the mycelial growth of Exserohilum turcicum, Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extract @ 10% was effective in reducing the growth of Exserohilum turcicum. Foliar spray of Azadirachta indica seed extract was also found most effective among plant extract showing the minimum disease severity (25.4%) and maximum grain yield (24.1q/ha). While Eucalyptus citriodora 10% concentration were low effective as comparison to Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum in inhibition of Exserohilum turcicum growth and produced 72.8% lower grain yield as compare to Azadirachta indica. Minimum grain yield was recorded in check plots. Six fungicides also tested, Zineb 75 WP @ 0.25 % concentration found most effective in inhibiting the growth of E. turcicum, low in disease severity and ultimately produced higher grain yield of maize. Mancozeb 63%+Carbendazim 12% @ 0.25% was found equally effective which can be used as an alternative to Zineb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out at Central Research Farm (CRF), Department of Entomology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif season of 2023-24. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments replicated thrice along with untreated control plot. Results revealed that all the treatments were found significantly superior over control. The lowest mean larval population after first and second sprays respectively was recorded in Spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.9 ml/l i.e., 3.64 and 1.64, while Neem seed kernel extract @ 5% with mean larval population of 4.84 and 2.79 was least effective among all the treatments. The next best effective treatments were emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 0.4 g/l, chlorantraniliprole 17.8% SC @ 0.4 ml/l, and flubendiamide 39.35% SC @ 0.24 ml/l. The highest yield was recorded by spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.9 ml/l (51.50 q/ha) followed by emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 0.4 g/l (49.00 q/ha) and were on par with each other. The next best treatments with higher yield were chlorantraniliprole 17.8% SC @ 0.4 ml/l (44.40 q/ha) followed by flubendiamide 39.35% SC @ 0.24 ml/l (43.46 q/ha) which were on par with each other. The best and most economical treatment with higher benefit cost ratio was spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.9 ml/l (1:2.58), followed by emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 0.4 g/l (1:2.56), chlorantraniliprole 17.8% SC @ 0.4 ml/l (1:2.20) and flubendiamide 39.35% SC @ 0.24 ml/l (1:2.25). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Herbal Irrigants. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate MIC and MBC of herbal extracts of Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, and Green Tea Against Enterococcus faecalis. Methodology: The MIC and MBC of extracts of A. indica (neem), C. longa (turmeric), and Green Tea were evaluated to establish them as standard root canal irrigants against E. faecalis using agar well diffusion method. Statistical Analysis Used: The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The present study found that green tea exhibited the most substantial antimicrobial activity among the tested herbal extracts, which was comparable to chlorhexidine. Although A. indica and C. longa required higher concentrations for effectiveness, their antimicrobial properties were also apparent. Conclusions: Within the constraints of this study, it can be concluded that green tea could be considered a promising alternative to chlorhexidine in treating endodontic infections due to its substantial antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis at lower concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess and compare the effect of mouthwash containing 0.3% Aegle marmelos (Bael) leaves extract with other herbal mouthwashes containing 0.3% Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) barks extract and 0.3% Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves extract and with 0. 2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on dental plaque, gingival health and salivary p H among adults. Materials and Methods: A triple blinded randomized controlled trial with concurrent parallel study design was carried out. Around, 48 young adults were randomly allotted to four groups - Group A (Chlorhexidine), Group B (Cinnamon), Group C (Bael) and Group D ( Neem) by simple randomization technique. They were advised to rinse with 10 ml of their respected mouthwashes twice daily for 1 minute for a period of 28 days. The dental plaque score and gingival inflammation score were recorded using Plaque index and Gingival index at the baseline, 15th day, 22nd day and 29th day. Statistical analysis were done using ANOVA and repeated measure ANOVA for the plaque and gingival scores and Paired sample t test for p H Results: Mouthwashes containing Bael, Neem and Chlorhexidine showed a stastistically significant reduction in the plaque levels at the end of second week (mean difference from baseline to 2nd week = 0. 158, 0. 100 and 0. 108 respectively with p value < 0. 05). However, at all the time points considered in the study, Bael was more effective in reducing the gingivitis. Conclusion: Bael extract mouthwash is as effective as the gold standard Chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing the plaque and gingivitis and opens new perspectives for its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility, quality and improving crop productivity with fertilizers is a critical problem in agriculture. The nutrition of agriculture crops relies on traditional chemical fertilizers, the production of which is expensive and still depends on fossil-fuel consumption, with a harmful effect on humans and global environment. In order to solve this problem, fertilizers must become environmentally friendly and with high nutritional content. Nanotechnology is a promising alternative method. Nanofertilizers provide favourable nutrition by their strong potential to increase nutrient proficiency and protection from leaching into groundwater; its balanced nutrient supply and biodegradability stimulates the growth of crops and improves the quality and production. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the growth and developments of plants, but it is the most commonly deficient micronutrient in soils. In order to overcome the problem of zinc deficiency in soils, this study carried out a synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by green synthesis method using aqueous extract of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and characterisation by UV-visible spectrophotometer and SEM analysis. These synthesized NPs were applied as nanofertilizers and their effect on the growth of the common plant Triticum aestivum L. was tested. An improvement in plant growth was achieved by the application of ZnO NPs mediated nanofertilizers. From this study, it can be concluded that ZnO NPs are a promising alternative for managing zinc deficiency in soil and increasing the plant productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the challenges posed by multi-drug resistance in synthetic anthelmintics, the potential of plant extracts as an alternative helminth control option offers a ray of hope. The current study, conducted with meticulous care and thoroughness, delves into the anthelmintic activity of crude water and ethanol extracts of three plant species, Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Litsea elliptica (Pawas), against the nematode, C. elegans. The preparation of water and ethanol extracts from the three plants involved maceration and ultrasonic methods, respectively. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the active compounds in both extracts, followed by determining the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) using the corresponding Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminum colorimetric methods. The percentage yields of water extracts were 15.10%, 13.11%, and 9.55%, and ethanol extracts were 9.78%, 2.94%, and 15.50% for A. paniculata, A. indica, and L. elliptica, respectively. All extracts tested positive for alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, protein, and carbohydrates. In water extract, A. indica exhibited the highest total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of 58.38 ± 0.005 mg GAE/g and 18.68 ± 0.005 mg QE/g, respectively. In contrast, in ethanol extract, L. elliptica exhibited the highest TPC and TFC of 122.67 ± 0.398 mg GAE/g and 96.69 ± 0.027 mg QE/g, respectively. L. elliptica ethanol extract appeared to induce the most pronounced effect on reducing head thrashing activity compared to other extracts in C. elegans. Both water and ethanol extracts of A. indica and L. elliptica exhibited significant mortality in all examined concentrations with maximum mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]